HanoverVotes explores how town decisions—like tax increases and fee changes—affect everyday life for residents, especially seniors and families on fixed incomes. These updates focus on protecting affordability and preserving Hanover’s character for all who call it home.

Senior Citizens and Affordability

HanoverVotes is reaching out to share some important facts about Hanover’s growing senior population—and how the upcoming Override ballot question could significantly harm many of them.

Why This Matters for the Override Ballot Question

Any change that increases taxes, fees, or service cuts, especially affecting senior tax relief, transportation, or housing assistance, could push vulnerable older residents to the brink.

They’ve built this town. Let’s stand up for them.

Please take a moment to review these highlights:

Why the Override Hits Seniors Hard

  • Seniors are on fixed incomes and can't absorb rising taxes and service fees.
  • They already pay $303 annually under Prop 2½ increases.
    • Add $608 override increase
    • Add $310 trash sticker fee
  • Total new cost = $1,221 annually—and it keeps going up

Hanover's Seniors Are a Large and Growing Group

  • Over 4,000 Hanover residents are 60+ — that's nearly 28% of our population.
  • By 2030, 1 in 3 residents will be seniors.
  • Most want to age in place and stay in the community they love.

Many Seniors Live on Fixed Incomes

  • Median income for seniors is $72,000, less than half the income of younger households.
  • Monthly Mortgage Cost: $2,710
  • 6.8% of seniors live in poverty (double the town-wide rate).
  • 32% feared running out of food in the past year.
  • 30% do not drive and rely on services like the Council on Aging.
  • 13% of older residents struggle to meet basic financial needs, and 1 in 3 of them have experienced food insecurity.

Housing Costs Are a Major Burden

  • 89% of seniors own homes, but many are “house-rich, cash-poor”.
  • 43% of elderly homeowners and 50% of elderly renters pay too much of their income on housing.
  • Median home value - $706,200
  • There is only one affordable senior housing development in town, with a multi-year waitlist.

Healthcare Access Relies on Local Support

  • Nearly all seniors are insured, but transportation and isolation block access to care.
  • 30% of non-driving seniors missed or delayed a medical appointment last year.
  • Many rely on the Council on Aging for meals, medical rides, and wellness services.

Please consider the real impact on Hanover's seniors when voting.

They’ve built this town. Let’s stand up for them.

Thank you for caring for our neighbors.

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 The Residents spoke, and they voted

HanoverVotes supported the new South Shore Vocational Technical (SSVT) High School building. What surprised us most about the SSVT vote was that—despite the defeat of the 2024 Override ballot and the upcoming Override in 2025—residents still chose to support SSVT.

Why did so many towns support SSVT? Throughout the campaign, Dr. Tom Hickey recognized the financial impact on surrounding communities. His leadership and his decisions to make the project more palatable for local families—are what made it a successful outcome.

That date, May 18, 2024, was also remarkable for another reason. As the Town Clerk wrote:

“I reviewed 35 years' worth of Annual Town Election records last week. Confirmed - Saturday, May 18, 2024’s election elicited THE HIGHEST total Annual Town Election turnout in those 35 years.”

The Override failed—2,729 "No" votes to 2,000 "Yes" votes. That level of participation matters. The residents spoke, and they voted. There are many reasons the Override failed—and in the weeks ahead, HanoverVotes will share department-level budget details and how they may impact Hanover’s future.

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Observations:

  • Kudos to our town departments and leaders—elected, hired, and appointed—who have worked many hours to build both a base and override budget.

 

  • Finally, we can all agree that social media has become nasty. It’s a brutal psychological sport. Like hockey or football players hiding behind masks and padding, leading to gang pile-ups on our candidates. Unfortunately, these mean-spirited Facebook posters rarely have the courage to run for elected office, but they’re often the first to cast stones. Thankfully, it’s usually the same 25 to 50 people. They may think they’re serving the greater good, but too often, they just drive others away—and push voters in the opposite direction.

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