The Building Projects Committee meets Thursday to discuss what went wrong in the May 19 Whitman Town Election — and where to go from here. In a sparse voter turnout, the ballot question on a debt exclusion to fund $8 million of the proposed $9.3 million DPW facility was rejected by a margin of 156 votes. While 293 voters agreed to the funding proposal, which would have extended — but not increased — the impact on property taxes, 454 evidently decided enough was enough. Another 45 voters left the question blank on the ballot.

Hanson voters Saturday approved a capital exclusion of $390,000 to purchase a new fire engine and OK’d a Proposition 21/2 override for $235,766 to pay the town’s assessed share of the School Department operating budget in a busy day at the polls — one in which 25 percent of the town’s 6,704 registered voters cast ballots.

Incumbent selectmen Stephen Amico and Donald Howard were re-elected and interim Highway Surveyor Bob Brown won election to that post — which will change to an appointed position after one year. Brown was also elected tree warden.

Whitman was abuzz over a swarm of honey bees in the Stop and Shop parking lot Monday afternoon. Animal control Officer Bob Hammond and local beekeepers John and Richard Phillips of Hanson were called in to remove the swarm.

For Hanson’s First Baptist Church, joy is a cornerstone of life as a Christian community — so much of the bicentennial Homecoming Weekend events May 19-20 rang with music and laughter.

Hanson voters Saturday approved a capital exclusion of $390,000 to purchase a new fire engine and OK’d a Proposition 21/2 override for $235,766 to pay the town’s assessed share of the School Department operating budget in a busy day at the polls in which more than 20 percent of the town’s 6,704 registered voters cast ballots. Incumbent selectmen Stephen Amico and Donald Howard were re-elected and interim Highway Surveyor Bob Brown won election to that post — which will change to an appointed position after one year. Brown was also elected tree warden.

Hanson's Treasurer/Collector’s office will be closed on Friday, May 18. Payments may be dropped off in the secured boxes found at the side entrance of town hall or in front of the office.