Introduction

League of Women Voters^®
of the Upper Valley

Know Your Government: A Hanover Citizens Guide

Why written. Why special. Keep special. Voting. How organized. Back.

Why was this booklet written?

We hope this booklet will help you, and all Hanover citizens, to be better informed and to participate more actively in government - specifically that you will

register and vote;
increase your understanding of and your participation in town, school, state, and federal government;
keep this booklet handy (perhaps with your telephone book, or with your school and church rosters) so you can refer to it throughout the year.

Use this booklet in conjunction with the Know Your Officials pamphlet, an annual directory of local officials available at Town Hall and libraries.

What makes Hanover special?

Hanover - which includes not only the downtown area but also the villages of Etna and Hanover Center - has a population of over 10,000 which includes about 5,000 Dartmouth College students. Hanover's special charm lies in its unique combination of setting, culture, recreation, and small-town government with opportunities for meaningful and effective participation.
The setting:

Hanover is located between the Connecticut River across its western border to beyond 2300-foot Moose Mountain ridge across its eastern border. Hanover covers about 38 square miles of forest, meadows, and hillsides. The town maintains a commitment to its rural character: in addition to the Appalachian Trail corridor, which goes through the town, a ring of preserved land encircles the urban area and trails and open spaces weave throughout. At the same time, the town maintains a commitment to preserving its character as a quintessential New England college community.

This profile shows Hanover elevations along a line from downtown Hanover to the northeast corner of the town, beyond Moose Mountain. Each colored band represents 500 feet. Printed from TOPO! (c) 1998 Wildflower Productions.

Cultural opportunities:

Hanover is home to Dartmouth College, the ninth oldest college in the country, and one of the country's most prestigious liberal arts colleges, with about 4000 undergraduates and 1000 graduate students. Cultural opportunities abound: they include programs at the Hopkins Center for the Performing Arts, several film festivals, and the Hood Museum of Art-as well as many other music, art, and theater experiences available in the larger Upper Valley area. (The term "Upper Valley" refers to about 1200 square miles extending roughly from Claremont to Haverhill on the New Hampshire side of the Connecticut River and from Windsor to Bradford on the Vermont side.) Hanover residents use and cherish their two public libraries, the Howe and Etna Libraries. Hanover also maintains and supports three excellent public schools.

Recreational opportunities:

The Hanover area provides an exceptional array of recreational options. The Connecticut River-plus a variety of rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes-offers boating, swimming, fishing, and skating. The mountains and hillsides offer hiking, mountain biking, camping, snowboarding, and both Nordic and Alpine skiing. Designated recreational areas include Pine Park, a new nature preserve, Storr's Pond, Ray School Playspace, recreational fields, cross-country skiing trails, two skating rinks, a public golf course, and many mapped hiking areas (maps available at Town Hall, the Hanover Inn, and the Nugget Theater).

How can we keep Hanover special?

Our town has had a history of thoughtful, dedicated people through whom Hanover has become the community it is today. This booklet provides you with the information so that you, too, can be a part of the process of continually working to keep Hanover special.

Voting

For information on how to register and vote, see chapter 1.
Local town and school government: As explained in chapters 2-6, the town and the schools of Hanover are governed by means of a true democracy by the citizens, who form the Town's legislative body at the yearly open Town Meeting and School District Meetings. These chapters explain how to participate in these meetings as well as how to participate in many other ways.
Federal, state, and county government: Chapter 7 describes how to vote and participate in federal, state, and county government.

How is this booklet organized?

This booklet is organized into eight chapters and a brief history of Hanover.

Back to Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: January 26, 2012 07:05 PST.