Hanson voters will make an important decision at the polls Saturday.  Although every race large or small deserves careful consideration and is important to the workings of the town, the decision to adopt or reject the Community Preservation Act will have a serious impact on the future of Hanson.  And we believe the taxpayers should say “yes” to the CPA.

It’s not always easy, in this tough economic climate, to approve a tax increase no matter how small.  But the Community Preservation Act should be thought of as an investment in the town’s future.  It’s true that as more communities in Massachusetts adopt the CPA, the matching funds from the state won’t be 100 percent any longer.  But they are likely to remain at 60-70 percent.  And who wouldn’t take that kind of return on an investment?

So say yes to the Community Preservation Act on Saturday.  And make an investment in your community’s future.

There is always a hue and cry in town to preserve the character of Hanson.  This is often difficult to do in the face of developers and their wallets.  Hanson’s town officials often have the right of first refusal on a property, but no money in the coffers to make an offer.  Having a community preservation fund would give the town at least the option of buying green space when it becomes available.

But open space is only one prong of the CPA program.  Historic preservation, passive recreation and community housing are other things the money can be used for.  It could be argued that these are all great needs for the town of Hanson.

The other positive to the CPA money is that it cannot be spent without the approval of Town Meeting.  All projects have to be discussed in public before the CPA committee before they are voted on at Town Meeting.  Nothing will happen without the will of the town being behind it.

So say yes to the Community Preservation Act on Saturday.  And make an investment in your community’s future.

While we’re on the topic of the CPA, we’re very disappointed in the Hanson residents who will be voting against the plan Saturday.  Not simply because they’re voting no –– that’s anyone’s right.  But because they have been completely silent for the past several months as the community has been pondering adopting the act.  To read the editorial page, or listen in the living rooms and coffee shops around town, one would think every single citizen in Hanson wants to adopt the plan.  We know that’s not so –– several people have expressed a negative view to the Express, although they always refuse to give their names.  That’s too bad, because there should have been a discussion, no matter what the final outcome on Saturday.