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Date: 1/4/2023
HARDWICK – After months of contention between those for and against, a decision regarding the proposed horse racing facility at 228 Barre Rd. will be reached following a special town election on Jan. 7.
During the Nov. 21, 2022, Board of Selectmen meeting, members voted 2-1 to call a special election on Jan. 7, 2023, regarding the Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center (CEAC) LLC horse track location.
Two citizens’ petitions are what ultimately led to the board’s decision because on Oct. 27, 2022, they initially unanimously voted against the proposal. On Nov. 7, 2022, however, the Board of Selectmen received a citizens petition with over 420 signatures from residents asking the board to reconsider its vote. After calling a meeting on Nov. 9, 2022, to discuss the petition and hear from Devon Ruud, the designated petitioner to speak during the meeting, the board reversed its initial decision and approved the proposal.
Residents opposed to the track also had the opportunity to submit a citizen’s petition requesting the board reconsider its approval. Those opposed had to file a petition with 12 percent of the registered voters with Town Clerk Ryan Witkos’ office within 20 days from the Nov. 9, 2022, decision.
On Nov. 14, 2022, a petition with 438 signatures, 335 of which are certified, was submitted by Hardwick residents opposed to the proposal. As done with the previous petition, the Board of Selectmen decided to vote on this matter during its Nov. 21, 2022, meeting.
Hardwick resident Cara Wilczynski was asked by Chair Julie Quink to be the designated petitioner to speak on behalf of the opposed residents.
When it came time to vote on reconsidering the board’s vote on Nov. 9, 2022, Vice Chair Robert Ruggles and Quink voted no, member Kelly Kemp voted yes. The motion to reconsider failed.
Ruggles then made a motion to call for a special election on Jan. 7, 2023. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
To ensure residents had the most up to date and accurate information before voting on this matter, the Board of Selectmen hosted an informational meeting on Dec. 19, 2022. Two handouts were provided for attendees consisting of question-and-answer responses by Town Administrator Nicole Parker and town counsel Alex Weisheit from KP Law. The other packet was questions asked of the proponent and their responses. A protracted list of both question-and-answer responses can be found on the town’s website, https://www.townofhardwick.com/index.html.
Ruud spoke again, sharing her perspective on the matter and touching upon some key points that have been made throughout the process. Wilczynski also spoke, sharing research that the Hardwick Villages for Responsible Growth conducted on CEAC’s proposal. This includes the revenue promised to the town, number of race days, feasibility and more.
The informational meeting was one of many meetings that took place over the course of several months. In addition to discussing the horse racing facility during Board of Selectmen meetings, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission visited Hardwick on Oct. 18. The Gaming Commission hosted a public/meeting hearing relative to the application for a license to hold or conduct a new racing meeting submitted by the CEAC. After hearing from people from Hardwick and neighboring communities, the Gaming Commission planned a follow-up meeting and vote but canceled due to the Board of Selectmen not originally approving the location.
Now, the approval of the location lies in the hands of registered voters of Hardwick. On Jan. 7, residents can cast their ballot from 12 to 7 p.m. at Hardwick Elementary School.
The special election warrant reads, “Shall the town of Hardwick approve the November 9, 2022, vote of the Board of Selectmen authorizing the location of a horse race track at the property known as Great Meadowbrook Farm and located at 228 Barre Road?”
Given the timing of the election, Witkos said early in-person voting is not allowed. On election day, he noted that mail-in voting ballots must be received by 7 p.m. If there is no postal mark or it comes in later than Jan. 7, the ballot will not be included in the vote.
If the proposal passes, Parker said the Gaming Commission then decides on the license. If that is granted, the town begins negotiations on the host community agreement and the proponents begin their required local approvals – likely starting with the Planning Board.
“If it fails, I believe the proponents will walk away from the project and they do not pursue the purchase of the land,” added Parker.