Former King Philip Principal Appointed to Easton Finance Committee

In a joint meeting Monday night, Easton's Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee appointed Elaine Hanson as the newest member of the Finance Committee.

Hanson was appointed by a 7-5 vote over Michael Maloney, who was a .

Her appointment fills a void left after Easton voters failed to elect one write-in position at

Hanson is a former principal and assistant principal at King Philip Regional High School. Prior to that, she taught in the Easton Public Schools District.

"I think it’s really important for citizens of the town to give something to the town as their time and talents will allow," Hanson, now retired, told the joint committee. "For many years, I’ve been working at a 24/7 position, so I wasn’t able to give to the town."

She touted her experience as a school administrator as a key qualification for the job.

"I’ve been involved deeply in the budget process in financing from beginning to end," she said. "I think I have skills that apply to finance and working in the budgets."

Hanson's tenure at King Philip coincided with a $55 million renovation project, which she said was very similar to Easton's recent school renovation projects.

"In the course of that process, things cost more so you have to make adjustments and figure that out as a part of the committee - where you can cut things," she said.

Since retiring from education, Hanson has worked at Easton's Council of Aging as a volunteer, providing tax consultation free of charge for elderly residents in Easton and surrounding areas.

"Generally since we were able to get tax refunds for most people, they were very happy," she said.

Maloney told the joint committee that he was recently elected as treasurer of the Bristol County Bar Advocate Program, which is charged with ensuring that funding is appropriately distributed to Bristol County's courts.

Maloney, an attorney, said much of his budget experience came in the private sector, when he began his own company called Top Shelf Research LLC.

"It essentially came down to prioritizing, not only on a daily basis but quarterly as well," he said.

Finance Committee Chair Carol Nestler, who voted in favor of Maloney, said she missed having a lawyer on the committee since former FinCom member Todd Gornstein was elected to the Selectmen last year.

In addition to Nestler, Finance Committee members Kimberly DuBois, Robert Mielde, Jack Waksman and Selectman Todd Gornstein voted for Maloney.

Finance Committee members Fred Isleib, Scott MacLennan, Benjamin Hampton and Selectmen Dan Murphy, Colleen Corona, Ellen Barlow and Sean Noonan voted for Hanson.