Town of Hanover, MA DPW

Town of Hanover, MA DPW Office page of the Town of Hanover, Massachusetts Department of Public Works

06/19/2026

Town of Hanover Water Restriction Emergency Update
June 19, 2026

We are pleased to share that Hanover’s water tanks are now up to approximately 108 feet. This is phenomenal progress and a direct result of the community’s continued conservation efforts. Yesterday’s rain (and rainbow) provided some welcome relief, and it looks like we may receive more rain over the next few days.

That said, we cannot become complacent. Weekend water use is typically higher, and we need everyone to continue limiting unnecessary water use for the next several days. Please continue conserving, avoid irrigation and outdoor watering, hold off on pool fills, and limit water use to essential needs whenever possible. If we can maintain these efforts through the weekend, we are hopeful we can get back above 110 feet with some breathing room.

We continue to see violations every day and night. Notices of Violation and fines will be issued throughout the summer. Irrigating from the public water system will not be tolerated, as it places unnecessary strain on the entire system.

We are optimistic that, if these conservation efforts continue, we may be able to give some of our pumps a much-needed rest early next week.

At the end of the day, this is a great success story about the Hanover community, residents, businesses, and town staff, stepping up and doing the right thing. We appreciate you and recognize the shared effort it has taken to get to this point.

A special tip of the cap goes to DPW Director Kurt Kelley, Water Superintendent Adam Flood, and the entire Water Department for their quick response, ongoing monitoring, and tireless work during this critical time.

06/19/2026

Juneteenth National Independence Day is celebrated annually on June 19th. This federal holiday is a time to reflect on African American history and how slavery affected our community and nation.

During this time, all Hanover town and school buildings will display the Juneteenth flag. Juneteenth marks the anniversary of General Order No. 3, announced by Union Army General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas. This day is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.

Observance and Closures

On Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth, Hanover town offices and departments, including the Town Hall, Hanover MA Council on Aging, Town of Hanover, MA DPW, Transfer Station, Ames Way, and the John Curtis Free Library, will be closed. Normally scheduled hours (Hanover-MA.gov/Hours) will resume on Monday, June 22nd.

The Hanover Transfer Station and the Ames Way Brush Pile will not be open on Friday, June 19th.

Happy Juneteenth, Hanover!

06/18/2026

Town of Hanover Water Restriction Emergency Update
June 18, 2026

We want to express our sincere gratitude to Hanover for the commitment, vigilance, and conservation efforts. We continue to make significant strides. Our water tank levels have risen to approximately 100 feet, compared to just 84 feet on Sunday. While this progress is encouraging, our goal is to surpass the 110-foot mark, and we are not there yet.

While the impending rainfall is certainly welcome and the weekend weather may help, it will not significantly improve our water supply conditions on its own. Our water tank levels remain critically low, and continued conservation is essential to ensuring adequate water for fire protection, public safety, and basic household needs.

Unfortunately, we continue to identify water restriction violations each night. Violation notices, along with associated fines, will be issued daily throughout the summer. Irrigation is an unnecessary use of our public water supply during this emergency. While in previous years the Town has not always enforced the regulations as firmly as we are now, we must take a more aggressive approach moving forward to secure Hanover’s water resources.

As we head into the weekend, we ask everyone to remain focused and continue limiting water use to essential needs only. Please continue reducing consumption by at least 10% from your typical usage, avoid topping off swimming pools, and postpone all non-essential outdoor water use. If we can maintain these conservation efforts through the weekend, we will be in a much more comfortable position.

Hanover has consistently demonstrated the strength of working together, and your efforts are producing real results. By continuing to support one another and maintain our shared commitment to conservation, we can help protect our water system and ensure reliable service for the entire community.

We appreciate you, and we recognize the tremendous efforts being made across the community. Thank you again for your cooperation, dedication, and continued commitment to helping our Town.

INSIDE HANOVER DPW ǀ Roadside Flail MowingFlail mowing is an important part of our roadside and grounds maintenance prog...
06/18/2026

INSIDE HANOVER DPW ǀ Roadside Flail Mowing

Flail mowing is an important part of our roadside and grounds maintenance program. Unlike traditional rotary mowers, a flail mower uses multiple small blades attached to a rotating drum that finely cuts and mulches vegetation. These specialized mowers are particularly effective along guardrails, and areas with uneven terrain.

As part of our yearly maintenance program The DPW routinely flail mows and controls vegetation and growth. The goal of our flail mowing program is to maintain clear lines of sight at intersections, curves and road shoulders. By managing roadside vegetation, we can provide safer pedestrian access as well as keep road edges, guardrails, street signs and fire hydrants visible to the public.

Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – West Hanover SquareAs part of the ongoing Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project ...
06/17/2026

Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – West Hanover Square

As part of the ongoing Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project in West Hanover Square, crews will be milling and paving on Thursday, June 18, and Friday, June 19.

Motorists and pedestrians should expect traffic delays, detours, and lane closures throughout the work area.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this project. Please use extra caution when traveling through the work zone, follow all posted signs and directions, and allow additional travel time to reach your destination safely.

Hanover, Massachusetts

INSIDE HANOVER DPW ǀ Water Leak DetectionThe Hanover DPW manages a massive underground network consisting of 130 miles o...
06/11/2026

INSIDE HANOVER DPW ǀ Water Leak Detection

The Hanover DPW manages a massive underground network consisting of 130 miles of water mains and approximately 5,400 individual water services. Ensuring this system remains reliable requires a proactive approach to finding and fixing hidden leaks before they turn into major water main breaks.

To keep the system as tight as possible, the town undergoes comprehensive leak detection surveys two times a year. By catching underground leaks early, we prevent massive resource loss and protect our public water supply. Approximately 25 to 35 Leaks located and repaired annually equaling 6 to 10 Million Gallons of water saved from loss per year.

Bi-Annual Town Sweeps: Every Spring and Fall, the DPW hires a specialized contractor to perform a full-town acoustic survey. This specialized equipment pinpoints the exact underground location of quiet, hidden leaks that haven't broken through the pavement.

In-House Maintenance: In addition to the town-wide contractor sweeps, our own DPW staff conduct targeted leak detection in-house whenever staffing levels allow to ensure new leaks are caught early.

Meeting State Standards: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) sets a strict goal for public water systems to keep Unaccounted-for Water (UAW) below 10%.

Many water leaks never actually bubble up to the street they flow silently underground into the water table or drainage lines. Finding and fixing these 25 to 35 hidden leaks every year saves up to 10 million gallons of treated drinking water, which keeps production costs down and conserves our local water supply.

INSIDE HANOVER DPW ǀ VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRSThe Hanover DPW maintains a diverse fleet of vehicles and equipment ...
06/04/2026

INSIDE HANOVER DPW ǀ VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
The Hanover DPW maintains a diverse fleet of vehicles and equipment that support essential daily operations throughout the town. From pickup trucks and dump trucks to loaders, backhoes mowers, and snow removal equipment, every piece of machinery requires regular maintenance to remain safe, reliable, and ready for service.
DPW shop staff perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs year-round. Their work helps extend the service life of equipment, minimize downtime, and ensure vehicles are available when needed for roadway maintenance, snow and ice control, public grounds upkeep, and other critical municipal services.
The Vehicle Maintenance team also supports the Hanover Police Department by providing in-house maintenance and repair services for its fleet of police cruisers, which are in constant daily use.
While much of this work takes place behind the scenes, it is a vital part of keeping town operations running smoothly and ensuring residents continue to receive the dependable services they rely on each day.

We want to recognize and thank the students from South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School for their time an...
05/29/2026

We want to recognize and thank the students from South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School for their time and energy at Forge Pond Park as they worked to improve the baseball fields. Your hard work and dedication are truly appreciated.

Thank you for helping make Hanover’s parks and fields a better place for everyone!

INSIDE HANOVER DPW ǀ GRADUATION SEASON 🎓With graduation fast approaching for the Hanover High School Class of 2026, our ...
05/28/2026

INSIDE HANOVER DPW ǀ GRADUATION SEASON 🎓

With graduation fast approaching for the Hanover High School Class of 2026, our DPW Facilities Division staff has been hard at work preparing the high school campus for the big day.

The DPW takes great pride in maintaining our schools and grounds year-round, but graduation season is always a special time. We put in extra effort to ensure everything looks its best as seniors and their families celebrate this major milestone.

This annual operation is a major team effort. So far, the DPW Facilities Division has spread 30 yards each of mulch and loam, swept the school parking lots, mowed and w**d whacked the entire campus, and by Friday afternoon, crews will have set up 1,700 chairs for graduates and their guests. Following the ceremony, our staff will also assist with event breakdown and cleanup to return the campus to normal operations.

In addition to the Facilities Group’s regular responsibilities maintaining and cleaning Town buildings and schools, crews are also preparing other school properties for upcoming ceremonies and events over the next month, while continuing to maintain athletic fields through the end of their seasons.

Countless hours and incredible attention to detail go into making this day special. On behalf of the Hanover DPW, congratulations to the Hanover High School Class of 2026 — we are proud to play a small part in helping make your graduation day memorable! 🎓

05/24/2026

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, Hanover.

This Memorial Day weekend, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We hope everyone has a safe and meaningful Memorial Day as we take time to reflect and remember.

Just a reminder that the Hanover Transfer Station, Permit Sales at Town Hall, and the Ames Way Brush/Leaf Disposal Area will be closed on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.

Address

Sylvester School/495 Hanover Street
Hanover, MA
02339

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+17818263189

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