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Date: 7/5/2023
HARDWICK — Residents unanimously approved changing the term “Board of Selectmen” to the gender-neutral “Select Board” during the June 24 Annual Town Meeting.
Residents also approved the 20 articles within an hour, including the $6.25 million operating budget and appropriate tax rate to cover expenses for fiscal year 2024. The budget vote was delayed over a $3,000 appropriation for the Hardwick Fair.
According to the meeting minutes, a brief recess was called and the matter was resolved.
Another major decision involved an infrastructural upgrade at Quabbin Regional Middle/High School. The town agreed to replace an HVAC chiller at the school, which allows the school district to take on debt for the project.
In addition, voters greenlit paying unpaid bills from FY22. With a unanimous agreement, $14,039.19 from Retained Earnings and $7,851.43 from free cash were transferred to cover the expenses.
Under Articles 16 and 17, residents voted unanimously to transfer $149,000 to the town’s Stabilization Fund ($89,000) and the Capital Stabilization Fund ($60,000).
Other decisions included granting a permanent easement for constructing and maintaining a portion of the Mass Central Rail Trail and a full-time position within the Board of Assessors.
Smaller fund-related articles, such as Articles 6, 7, 10 and 11, were approved to bolster town services. They covered aspects from establishing Revolving Funds for FY24 to transferring funds for the care and embellishment of town cemeteries.
As FY24 begins July 1, the passed articles will shape Hardwick’s fiscal path in the coming year. The agreement to table Article 1, which proposed a transfer of funds to cover overdrawn accounts, signifies that discussions will continue.
According to the town budget, Select Board members, the town administrator and executive assistant salaries remained in place. Town Administrator Nicole Parker will earn $79,567.50, Select Board members $5,700 and $20,748 for Sandra Rosenthal, the executive assistant.