Norman Hansen

Norman B. Hansen (July 8, 1924 – October 27, 2014) was an American politician and government official who held various positions in Saugus, Massachusetts. He served as town manager from 1987 to 1992 and on four occasions served as temporary Town Manager.

Norman Hansen
Saugus, Massachusetts Town manager
In office
1987–1992
Preceded byPaul Rabchenuk
Succeeded byEdward J. Collins, Jr.
Saugus, Massachusetts temporary town manager
In office
1981–1981
Preceded byRobert Cornetta
Succeeded byPaul Rabchenuk
In office
1977–1978
Preceded byGeorge O. Gregson
Succeeded byThomas E. Duff
In office
1973–1974
Preceded byFrancis Moorehouse
Succeeded byRobert C. Hagopian
Chairman of the Saugus, Massachusetts Board of Selectmen
In office
1965–1967
Preceded byVernon W. Evans
Succeeded byMaurice Cunningham
Saugus town moderator
In office
1965–1965
Preceded byWilliam Robinson
Succeeded byRichard Barry
Personal details
Born(1924-07-08)July 8, 1924
Berlin, New Hampshire
DiedOctober 27, 2014(2014-10-27) (aged 90)
Newburyport, Massachusetts
NationalityAmerican
OccupationEngineer
Town accountant
Town manager

Early life and political career

Hansen was born and raised in Berlin, New Hampshire. During World War II he served as a member of the United States Marine Corps. In 1946 Hansen moved to Saugus. He began his political career as a town meeting member. Hansen also served as a member of the town's Finance Committee.[1] In 1964 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the board of selectmen.[2] In 1965 he was named town moderator.[3] In 1967, he was hired as a junior engineering aid in the Essex County engineer's office.[4][5]

Board of selectmen

That same year he was elected to the board of selectmen and named its chairman. During his first year on the board, the selectmen voted 4 to 0 to suspend and fire Town Manager John O. Stinson due to the town's "sky-rocketing tax rate" and Stinson's "cool indifference" to the board of selectmen.[6] Stanley Day, the head of a local engineering firm, was selected by the board to serve as temporary town manager.[7] On July 31, the board chose Paul H. Boucher over Day in a 3 to 2 vote for the permanent job, with Hansen voting for Boucher.[8]

Hansen was reelected in 1967. On February 20, 1968, the board of selectmen voted unanimously not to renew Boucher's contract.[9] To replace him, the board selected Clarence Wilkinson over former Keene, New Hampshire City Manager Frank A. Saia by 3 to 2 vote, with Hansen voting for Saia.[10] He was reelected again in 1969, but chose not run for reelection in 1971 so he could accept the position of town accountant.[11]

Town accountant

From 1971 to 1987, Hansen served as Saugus' town accountant. While in this position, Hansen also served as temporary town manager from 1973 to 1974, 1977 to 1978, in 1981, and in 1987.[12]

Town manager

From 1987 to 1990, Hansen served as town manager of Saugus. During his tenure, Hansen attempted to eliminate the town's debt, he suspended two police officers for "engaging in unlawful sexual activity while on duty", the town put in new water and sewer lines, and town employees elected to move to a four-day workweek instead of facing layoffs.[13][14]

After Hansen left office he returned to his former position of town accountant.[15]

Personal life and death

Hansen was married for 62 years to Evelyn N. (Pratt) Hansen, the daughter of C. F. Nelson Pratt. The couple had five children. Evelyn Hansen died on May 6, 2009.[16]

Hansen died on October 27, 2014, in Newburyport, Massachusetts.[1]

References
  1. "Norman Hansen Obituary". Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Homes. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  2. "Saugus, Seething Over School, Picks New Selectman Tuesday". Boston Globe. March 29, 1964.
  3. "3d Session Defeats Revalue Proposal". Boston Globe. March 30, 1965.
  4. Connolly, Richard J. (June 28, 1967). "Pratt Has 3 Relatives In Essex County Posts". Boston Globe.
  5. Connolly, Richard J. (July 8, 1967). "Essex County Jobs a Family Affair". Boston Globe.
  6. "Selectmen Fire Town Manager in Budget Row". The Boston Globe. March 8, 1967.
  7. "Day Named Temporary Town Manager". Boston Globe. March 9, 1967.
  8. "Manager Named In Saugus". Boston Globe. August 1, 1967.
  9. Corneau, Roland (February 21, 1968). "Saugus Ousts Town Manager". Boston Globe. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  10. "Saugus". The Boston Globe. October 15, 1968.
  11. Pike, Bill (November 1, 1971). "Selectman's race expected to draw big vote in Saugus". Boston Globe.
  12. Pearson, Tony (April 6, 1978). "Saugus has a great tradition... can he manage to end it?". Boston Globe.
  13. Saugus Charter Commission. "Meeting Minutes of December 27, 2007". Saugus Charter Commission. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  14. Ray, Richard (March 25, 1989). "Two Saugus Policemen Suspended for 6 Months After Sex Charges". Boston Globe.
  15. Gushue, Harold A. (August 4, 1990). "Boyer offered post of Saugus manager; Clinton aide is alternate choice". Telegram & Gazette.
  16. "Evelyn N. Hansen, 83". The Daily News of Newburyport. May 9, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
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