League of Women Voters of the Upper Valley

Chapter 3: Town Government

Appointed Boards and Town Services 

• What are the responsibilities of each town board and committee?
• What services does the town provide?

Another way to participate in town government is to become involved with appointed town boards and committees. You may attend the public meetings of any of these boards to learn about their activities and participate in the discussion. If you are interested in serving on a board, you are encouraged to send a letter of interest to the Select Board for their consideration.

All of the following are appointed by the Select Board for three-year terms. In addition to those listed below, the Select Board also appoints ad hoc committees when needed. For a list of current members of all these groups see either

1. the town website: http://www.hanovernh.org/twn-brdcom.html or
2. the League's Know Your Officials directory available at Town Hall and libraries.

• Advisory Board of Assessors
This board sets policy for and hears appeals regarding property assessment.
• Building Code Advisory Board
This board reviews and recommends revisions to the town building code, advises the building code administrator on interpretation of the code, and advises the Zoning Board of Adjustment in cases involving an appeal of a building code administrator's decision. For details, see chapter 4.
• Conservation Commission
This Commission protects the town's natural resources; preserves and maintains important land including town forests and trails; advises the select, planning, and zoning boards on conservation matters; and makes on-site visits and recommendations for wetland, water bodies, and dredge and fill permits.
• Disabled Accessibility Advisory Committee
This committee's goal is to increase accessibility for all citizens, in accordance with Hanover's accessibility ordinance. The committee recommends parking locations for the disabled, and, if requested, will advise applicants about both building exteriors and interiors.
• Finance Committee
The Finance Committee advises the town and school districts on financial matters. It is the only group to be appointed by the town and school district moderators. For further details, see chapter 6 on finances.
• Hanover Housing Authority
The Select Board acts as the Hanover Housing Authority, and is responsible for authorizing and funding public housing. The only current project is the housing for the elderly at 42 Lebanon Street.
• Parking and Transportation Board
This board studies and makes recommendations to the Select Board about traffic, transportation, and parking, including the new parking garage.
• Parks and Recreation Board
This board sets policy and approves recreation programs for the community, oversees the Community Center, and advises recreation department personnel.
• Planning Board
The Planning Board updates the master plan for community development, adopts and reviews site plans and applications for subdivisions, and proposes zoning amendments for voter consideration at Town Meeting. For further details, see chapter 4.
• Recycling Committee
This committee promotes recycling and the town's curbside collection program, sponsors special events such as scrap metal collection and Christmas tree collections, and promotes safe hazardous waste collection.
• Senior Citizen Steering Committee
This committee oversees the programs for all Hanover senior citizens, and advises the Senior Services Coordinator. Programs include a newsletter, parties, health clinics, lectures and short courses, and other activities. Programs take place in the new Richard W. Black Community Center, 48 Lebanon Street.
• Upper Valley-Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission
Hanover sends two representatives to this advisory body which provides technical services and promotes regional planning- including land use, transportation, and solid waste management-for thirty-one local communities.
• Zoning Board of Adjustment
The ZBA, a citizen judicial board, reviews four kinds of cases involving zoning: appeals, special exceptions, equitable waivers, and variances. Such cases usually involve a public hearing. The ZBA also hears appeals regarding administrative decisions regarding building code compliance. For further details, see chapter 4.

The mission of the town government is "to provide public services for all the citizens of Hanover." Citizens may avail themselves of the following services at these locations.

• Town Hall
Located on South Main Street near the intersection of Lebanon Street in downtown Hanover, open 8:30-4:30 weekdays. Insert changes in hours later? Phone during business hours: 643-4123 ; phone after business hours: 643-2222 ; email: hanover.town@valley.net; website: www.hanovernh.org. Among the most publicly-utilized departments are:

-- Town Clerk's Office handles voter registration, issues permits and licenses (such as fishing, hunting, and marriage), collects most non-tax fees (such as motor vehicle registration), sells land-fill tickets, provides notary service, and files town records, 643-0712.

-- Planning and Zoning Office issues permits for buildings and wetlands (i.e., on or near water); has information about the Master Plan, zoning ordinance and maps, site plan and subdivision regulations, and the building code, 643-0708.

-- Assessing Department sets values for all taxable property, 643-0742, ext. 103.

-- Parking Division of the Police Department handles parking tickets, 643-0737.

• Town Libraries 
  (1) The Howe Library, founded in 1900 and now located on the corner of East South Street and Currier Place, has about 79,000 items in their holdings, 643-4120, website: www.thehowe.org. (2) The Etna Library, located on Etna Road, with about 5,000 items in holdings, was founded in 1898 and has been named to the National Register of Historic Places, 643-3116.
  
• Parks and Recreation/Community Center 
  48 Lebanon Street, 643-5315. A portion of the new Richard W. Black Community/Senior Center houses the Parks and Recreation Department—which handles athletic and non-athletic activities for youth and adults, as described in their quarterly catalog.
  
• Public Safety 
  Located in two buildings at 46 and 48 Lyme Road; 911 emergency; 643-2222 non-emergency; both available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Houses the police department, fire department, emergency medical services, animal control office, and 24-hour dispatch service.
  
• Senior Center 
  48 Lebanon Street, 643-5531. Sponsors activities for seniors on weekday afternoons. 
• Public Works
  The public works facility is located on Route 120 near Buck Road, 643-3327; the wastewater treatment plant is located off Route 10 behind Pine Knoll Cemetery, 643-2362. Divisions include: (1) highway, (2) sewer, (3) grounds, (4) buildings, (5) fleet maintenance, and (6) wastewater treatment. (Both the college and the town manage the town's water supply.)
  
• Parking Garage
  Located at 7 Lebanon Street, provides over 200 public parking spaces.
  

Located in Centerra in Lebanon, the District Court houses courtrooms and holding cells. Two judges handle misdemeanors, small claims, domestic violence, and juveniles. More serious crimes are handled in the Grafton County Courthouse. (See chapter 7.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Online Edition.  Printed copies are available at Town Hall, the Etna Library and the Howe Library.