On Saturday, April 5, 2025, Hamilton held its Annual Town Meeting, marking a significant moment in local governance. More than 950 residents participated, out of the town’s 5,778 registered voters, immediately becoming the most well-attended Town Meeting in more than a decade. Voters addressed key financial issues and zoning amendments during a four-hour session. The gathering wrapped with a non-binding citizens’ petition and ended before 1:30 p.m.
The key item on the Annual Town Meeting agenda was a vote on the proposed elementary school consolidation project. The major proposal to fund the construction of a new consolidated elementary school failed to reach the required two-thirds majority. With presentations by Finance and Advisory Committee Chairman John McGrath and School Superintendent Eric Tracy, the open discussion period included more than 20 resident comments — most taking the full 3 minutes to share their opinion and views on the consolidation vote.
The article received a plurality with 515 voters in favor and 377 against, but failed to make the two-thirds majority required at the Town Meeting. The two-thirds majority vote is required by the Regional School District Agreement between the towns of Hamilton and Wenham and the Hamilton Wenham Regional School District. The proposal is also on the election ballot, as a request for a Proposition 2 ½ debt-exclusion override on Thursday, April 10. It is expected to draw a significant voter turnout. The ballot question will only require a simple majority vote to be approved. Many residents see Thursday’s election as a critical vote on whether the project conversations about school consolidation will continue.
During a 15-minute intermission immediately after the consolidated school vote, many residents departed, expressing anticipation for the upcoming election. If the ballot vote wins the majority, the Select Boards in both Hamilton and Wenham could seek to put the question back on the agenda for a Special Town Meeting vote. In Hamilton, a Special Town Meeting is already scheduled for June 26 at 6:30 p.m. Residents are penciling the date into their summer plan priorities.
The day began at 8:15 a.m. with check-in, including a free overflow parking shuttle service, from Winthrop Elementary School for the 9 a.m. start. Town Moderator William “Bill” Bowler welcomed the attendees, leading them in the Pledge of Allegiance. Bowler also shared a statement from the Massachusetts Moderator’s Association, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, highlighting the historical importance of town meetings in the development of American democracy. The statement underscored the tradition of local participatory democracy, which has been practiced for over 400 years.
The meeting opened with reports from various town departments, followed by a consent motion to approve key financial actions, including the Water Enterprise Budget, Annual Financial Actions, Hamilton Development Corporation, and the OPEB Trust Fund.
Financial and Zoning Decisions
Several financial motions were approved by large margins, including:
General Town Departmental Appropriations (705-87)
Capital Expenditures (712-52)
Capital Stabilization Fund (726-42)
A motion to extend the lease for Cutler School was defeated, with 153 in favor and 201 against.
In zoning matters, the following bylaw amendments were approved:
Groundwater Protection Overlay District (213-104)
Temporary Signs (223 -58)
Definitions (245-45)
Use Regulations for Large ADUs (233-53)
ADUs By Right (232-59)
Inclusionary Housing (215-54)
Site Plan Review (238 yes-42 no)
Flood Plain Overlay District (255 yes-23 no)
A non-binding citizens’ petition to completely abandon the consolidated school project was presented, with 176 votes in favor and 135 against. It was the final article of the meeting, and 311 voters remained for the petition.
The 2025 Town Meeting election results are online.
The Annual Town Election will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Hamilton-Wenham Recreation Center Gymnasium at 16 Union St. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The following Town and School District Officers will be on the Official Ballot.
Town Moderator – 1 year
2 Members of the Select Board – 3 years
1 Member of the Board of Assessors – 3 years
3 Members of the Planning Board – 3 years
1 Member of the HW Public Library Trustee – 3 years
3 Members of the School Committee – 3 years
Voters who plan to vote by mail are reminded that ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on April 10. Completed ballots can be dropped off at the Town drop box in the Senior Center/Council on Aging parking lot or directly at the Clerk’s office during business hours. Voters must sign the envelope for their votes to be counted.
For information on the Town Election, please visit the Town Clerk landing page on the town website. A sample of the Official Ballot is also available online.
