The Town of Hanover is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a Massachusetts Community Compact IT Grant. The grant, in the amount of $196,495 will enable the installation of a multi-site linked digital UHF radio system that will connect all Hanover Public School staff and buildings. The new radio system will provide a standard network across all school buildings with capabilities of providing internal and external communication during day-to-day activities and emergency situations.

This was a highly collaborative grant proposal spearheaded by the Hanover Fire Department/Emergency Management Agency with the assistance and support of the Hanover IT Department, Hanover Public Schools, Hanover Police Department, and the Hanover Department of Public Works. Hanover has been recognized as a community committed to school safety. The exceptional partnership between these departments, and the leadership at the municipal level, was a key factor in the success of our grant application. 

The need for this system was identified during a previous “hot wash” of an emergency event where it was deemed a critical need to link municipal buildings with an effective, efficient, and reliable communications system. This was made a priority and a goal during this current fiscal year. The installation of this system in the schools is an important and big step toward accomplishing this goal, and this grant award allows it to happen with no direct impact on the taxpayers of Hanover.

This new system will provide mobile and portable radio equipment to be installed and available at all Hanover Public School buildings. Staff will be able to utilize the equipment and improve intra-building and inter-building communications daily. Further, during emergencies, staff will have a reliable system to communicate with each other along with staff and first responders outside of the building.

The Massachusetts Community Compact IT Grant program is highly competitive and has a maximum single award amount of $200,000 for any single municipality. The ultimate goal is to provide a radio communication link with all municipal buildings and this award of $196,495 is a significant step forward. This new radio system is fully modular and highly expandable, allowing future installation in other buildings seamlessly. 

The Town anticipates complete installation within the Hanover Public Schools by September 2023.

The Community Compact IT Grant is part of the larger Massachusetts Community Compact Cabinet Grant Program, offering several grant programs with the goal of strengthening the state’s partnership with cities and towns. The Town of Hanover has been awarded $301,495 through direct and indirect grant awards through the Community Compact Cabinet program this year.

Read the Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Community Compact Programs and Announces $7 Million in Fiscal Year 2023 Grants news release.