Thumbnail for 5/6/24 - Hardwick, MA Board of Selectman Meeting

Hardwick Select Board Addresses Landfill, Reorganization, and Infrastructure

Original title: 5/6/24 - Hardwick, MA Board of Selectman Meeting

These meeting notes are AI-generated and unofficial. They are provided for convenience and are not official Town records or approved municipal minutes. Verify all details using the source video and official Town documents.

Meeting details

Date

May 6, 2024

Duration

43m

Decisions

6 recorded

Action Items

10 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Board of Selectmen addressed significant community concerns regarding a proposed landfill expansion, which Casella Waste Systems formally withdrew, though a revised proposal is anticipated. The Board clarified the town's stance on future engagement and discussed legal avenues for landfill regulation. Additionally, the Board reorganized, electing a new Chair, approved an "Order of Taking" for the Creamery Road project, granted several sewer abatements, and provided a letter of support for the Stone Church tower stabilization project. The Annual Town Meeting warrant was opened, and community members were recognized for their contributions.

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Discussion Highlights

Resident Robert Page expressed significant concern regarding the proposed landfill expansion and associated zoning changes, noting unanimous opposition from the Conservation Commission, Board of Health Advisory Board, and Planning Board.
The Hardwick Planning Board submitted a letter recommending that the Town Meeting not adopt the proposed zoning bylaw change related to the landfill expansion.
Casella Waste Systems formally withdrew its proposed zoning amendments and other requests for action, stating an intent to address concerns in a revised package.
The Town Administrator clarified that with Casella's withdrawal, there is no active application, and the town is under no obligation to engage in discussions until a new, formal application is submitted.
The town will not permit direct communication between Casella's legal counsel and Town Counsel; all communication must go through the designated town representative and town attorney.
A board member expressed concern about a potential repetitive cycle of application submissions and withdrawals.
Discussion occurred regarding the legality of restricting landfills under Massachusetts General Law and the process for submitting citizen-initiated warrant articles.
It was confirmed that Casella's withdrawal was not "with prejudice," meaning they are not barred from reapplying for two years.
The acting Board of Health representative expressed the stress associated with solid waste landfill requests and mentioned a previously failed motion for a "cease and desist" option.
Philip Warbasse of the Oakhamp Planning Board explained how Oakhamp amended its bylaw to prohibit landfills and industrial/medical waste acceptance.
The current landfill's operation was noted as potentially illegal under existing town regulations due to its location outside an industrial zone.
Over half of the land surrounding the Muddy Brook area, relevant to the landfill, is state-owned public land, where solid waste landfills are prohibited if used for public recreation.
The Board reorganized, with Kelly Kent nominated and unanimously elected as Chair.
The "Order of Taking" for Creamery Road is the next step in the project, aiming for the road to go out to bid by June 29th, which is critical for emergency services.
Three sewer abatements were presented for approval: two due to a mapping error (Lagrant and Madigan) and one for a recently sold property with no current water/sewer service (Fitzgerald).
A representative from "Friends of the Stone Church" requested a letter of endorsement for a state funding application from the Office of Economic Development for the final stages of repairing the church tower.
The Stone Church tower stabilization project is funded by a combination of grants, state grants, fundraising, and individual donations, with a $400,000 state funding request in progress that would not require a local match.
A correction was requested and approved for previous meeting minutes regarding a vote on a job description posting, which was recorded as 3-0 but should have been 3-1.
Appreciation was expressed for Fred and Jane DeBrosse for their community plantings and for Harry and John Brooks for allowing a beaver pond on their property, benefiting the local ecosystem.

Transcript (6,553 words)

Lightly cleaned for readability. Each timestamp opens the video at that point.

00:00:01
To the flag United States of America to the for stands Nation God indivisible
00:00:19
Jusice okay uh visitor comments may I please sir I'm Robert paage 777 Bridge Road um I was at your last meeting and I neglected to say what I'm what I'm going to try to say now
00:00:37
My my basic question is what oh let me preface this I've read your agenda for tonight what I have to say might be a moood point however um we've had lots of discussions in town about U the
00:00:55
Expand the expansion of the of the landfill on Patel Hollow the perspect Prospect of having zoning changes and um we've had as I understand government in town the select board will
00:01:14
Listen to the rest of the boards in town the Conservation Commission the Physicians Advisory board for the Board of Health and the planning board have all pretty much unanimously said this is a bad idea this is not something that's
00:01:34
In keeping with the mission of our town the the culture of our town and my sort of question to you all is what is the select board required to do because I don't know the law very well but what are you what what what do you propose to do with regard to this
00:01:53
What I think is maybe the biggest uh the biggest issue that the town has had certainly in the 40 plus years that I've been here so that's that's really my comment for you tonight I I I don't expect you to answer Cally but it was on my mind last time I maybe too late to
00:02:12

[00:00:01] to the flag United States of America to [00:00:05] the for stands Nation God [00:00:11] indivisible [00:00:19] jusice okay uh visitor comments may I [00:00:24] please sir I'm Robert paage 777 Bridge [00:00:28] Road um I was at your last meeting and I [00:00:30] neglected to say what I'm what I'm going [00:00:34] to try to say now [00:00:37] um my my basic question is what oh let [00:00:42] me preface this I've read your agenda [00:00:44] for tonight what I have to say might be [00:00:47] a moood point however um we've had uh [00:00:52] lots of discussions in town about U the [00:00:55] expand the expansion of the of the [00:00:57] landfill on Patel Hollow the um uh [00:01:03] um perspect Prospect of having zoning [00:01:07] changes and um we've had as I understand [00:01:12] government in town the select board will [00:01:14] listen to the rest of the boards in [00:01:17] town the Conservation Commission the [00:01:21] Physicians Advisory board for the Board [00:01:23] of Health and the planning board have [00:01:27] all pretty much unanimously said this is [00:01:31] a bad idea this is not something that's [00:01:34] in keeping with the mission of our town [00:01:36] the the culture of our town and my sort [00:01:39] of question to you all [00:01:42] is what is the select board required to [00:01:45] do because I don't know the law very [00:01:47] well but what are you what what what do [00:01:49] you propose to do with regard to this [00:01:53] what I think is maybe the biggest uh the [00:01:56] biggest issue that the town has had [00:01:58] certainly in the 40 plus years that I've [00:02:00] been here so that's that's really my [00:02:02] comment for you tonight I I I don't [00:02:05] expect you to answer Cally but it was on [00:02:09] my mind last time I maybe too late to [00:02:12] the show but that's that's my that's my [00:02:15] comment for this evening thank you well [00:02:18] uh thank you uh I believe that if you [00:02:23] just stick with us here for a couple [00:02:24] more minutes we'll get to a place where [00:02:27] it's mov okay hopefully that's that's [00:02:31] fine any any other comments please yes [00:02:35] Mr chinker welcome we're excited to have [00:02:39] you on the board and represent the town [00:02:40] and we hope that we can do you the [00:02:42] justice that hopefully you do us so [00:02:44] thank you and [00:02:48] [Applause] [00:02:50] welcome you too [00:02:55] Eric I appreciate that [00:03:01] I don't know you guys GNA propose a new [00:03:03] dress code [00:03:07] here I'd like to [00:03:09] [Laughter] [00:03:12] reorganize the [00:03:14] C yeah all right um we have a letter [00:03:20] from uh the uh planning board from [00:03:23] Hardwick and uh it'll be posted I [00:03:28] don't I think not going to read these [00:03:30] they're going to be [00:03:32] available uh this is our first time as a [00:03:35] select [00:03:37] board uh with this planning board letter [00:03:40] which I think what's really operative [00:03:42] here is that it recommends to town [00:03:45] meeting not to adopt the zoning bylaw [00:03:48] changes so the planning board [00:03:51] essentially says [00:03:53] no uh we also have a letter from Pierce [00:03:57] Atwood who I expect the legal attorney [00:04:01] for uh Cella Waste Systems and again uh [00:04:06] this will be [00:04:07] posted just for the interest of speed [00:04:11] will not read the whole thing unless you [00:04:13] guys insist what's operative here is [00:04:17] that um by this letter cassella [00:04:20] withdraws the proposed zoning amendments [00:04:23] and other requests for Action submitted [00:04:25] to the select board on February 20th [00:04:28] 2024 [00:04:30] so as far as I'm [00:04:33] concerned that's it now they can [00:04:37] reapply uh we have other work to do [00:04:40] about this I suppose but as it is [00:04:44] there's nothing before the boards [00:04:46] they've withdrawn so there it [00:04:51] is yes ma'am um like jity Hill Road do [00:04:57] they give a reason for withdrawal or if [00:05:01] not is that a request that you would [00:05:05] make so that you have an understanding [00:05:07] of their reasoning I'm not going to deal [00:05:09] with it um until I have to um again the [00:05:14] letter will be there you want me to read [00:05:15] the [00:05:19] letter dear members of the select board [00:05:21] on behalf of our client cassella Waste [00:05:24] Systems Inc and its subsid [00:05:27] subsidiary hard with landfill [00:05:30] Inc collectively is Cella concerning the [00:05:33] proposal to reopen and expand the solid [00:05:36] waste landfill on Pat holla Road as you [00:05:39] are aware in support of The Proposal [00:05:41] cassella submitted a request for various [00:05:43] amendments to Hardwoods bylaws including [00:05:46] to the zoning bylaw the Hardwick [00:05:49] planning board held a public hearing on [00:05:51] April 9th 2024 regarding the proposed [00:05:54] zoning amendments cassella appreciates [00:05:57] the opportunity to have heard the [00:05:59] concerns of the planning board and [00:06:01] certain residents regarding the proposed [00:06:03] zoning amendments accordingly Cella is [00:06:06] working to address these concerns in a [00:06:09] revised package that it intends to [00:06:12] submit to the town in the interim by [00:06:15] this letter cassella withdraws the [00:06:17] proposed zoning amendments and other [00:06:19] requests for Action submitted to the [00:06:21] select board on February 20th [00:06:24] 2024 in anticipation of the refiled [00:06:28] Amendments C looks forward to discussing [00:06:31] with the town at its earliest [00:06:34] opportunity I'm [00:06:38] [Music] [00:06:46] sorry earliest opportunity of the draft [00:06:48] host Community agreement leech a [00:06:50] treatment services agreement and [00:06:52] reconfiguration of Patel Hollow Road [00:06:55] that cassella submitted to the select [00:06:57] board on March 21st 202 four the host [00:07:00] Community agreement lays out Financial [00:07:03] benefits characterizes the operational [00:07:06] expectations and gives the town [00:07:08] necessary protections and accordingly we [00:07:10] think it would be a good to advance [00:07:13] these benefits discussions soon so that [00:07:16] any subsequent public discussions of the [00:07:19] project the full benefits of the project [00:07:21] can be taken into account we look [00:07:23] forward to hearing from you or Town [00:07:25] Council as soon as possible so that we [00:07:27] may begin to discuss the benefit to the [00:07:30] town that are included in the above [00:07:31] referenced draft [00:07:36] agreements sincerely yours Daniel Bailey [00:07:40] excuse [00:07:41] me so that's uh this will be online [00:07:44] along with the proposed post Community [00:07:48] agreement um as I say this not [00:07:52] over but for now there's nothing before [00:07:55] the town and from what I understand [00:07:58] legally we don't have to do [00:08:00] anything can I explain a little B please [00:08:04] so I sent this to Town Council and um [00:08:08] essentially they said they've withdrawn [00:08:10] there is no application in front of the [00:08:11] town right now the town is under no [00:08:13] obligation to start to have talks with [00:08:16] them over anything considering there is [00:08:18] no application and I spoke with Tracy [00:08:21] Markham from cassella on Friday and she [00:08:24] asked if we would still consider you [00:08:27] know going over the host Community AG in [00:08:29] the other things that aren't zoning and [00:08:31] I said no and it is it is not the [00:08:35] town's jurisdiction responsibility any [00:08:37] of it to discuss a potential project [00:08:41] with a potential applicant it's just [00:08:44] it's frivolous it's a irresponsible of [00:08:46] the town to do that um [00:08:49] so the the coun council will not get be [00:08:52] involved they have asked if uh the two [00:08:55] councils could speak to each other so [00:08:57] they could better understand the Mass [00:08:59] general law that Robin Stein the town's [00:09:01] attorney was talking about on the at the [00:09:05] public hearing the town does not allow [00:09:08] Council to councel it is it is I I am [00:09:12] the goet because I am the everyday uh [00:09:14] representative of the select board and [00:09:17] for any host of community agreement [00:09:18] we've ever done it's always been through [00:09:20] me through the attorney um and given [00:09:24] Authority for any of the boards through [00:09:27] the select board um to allow council [00:09:32] contact is not allowed I did not allow [00:09:36] it so um there's there that's again also [00:09:40] an irresponsible way to behave as a town [00:09:43] to allow two councils to speak to each [00:09:45] other that's they and so she understands [00:09:48] that now Cella understands that they [00:09:51] they have to submit another application [00:09:53] there's going to be no assistance from [00:09:55] the town she offered you know they said [00:09:58] that they would pay for the for the [00:10:00] legal but that is also irresponsible to [00:10:02] take you know an applicant's money to [00:10:05] pay for the legal so um at this point [00:10:08] there's nothing in front of the Town [00:10:09] there's nothing for the town to do until [00:10:12] they submit another application and then [00:10:15] our attorneys will will review it again [00:10:17] and they're going to have to do their [00:10:20] homework in learning the Mass General [00:10:22] law so we can't advise them on [00:10:28] that thank you for that anybody [00:10:31] else yes sir thank you I just wonder um [00:10:35] so they they say they want to withdraw [00:10:38] and have withdrawn their application [00:10:40] they have withdrawn yeah [00:10:43] um so that means then that there you [00:10:47] said there's nothing on the table in [00:10:48] front of us and if something else comes [00:10:49] up we go right back to through the [00:10:51] process again of posting and hearing and [00:10:54] then possibly having them withdraw it [00:10:56] again if they don't like the way it's [00:10:57] going and over and over we just are on [00:11:00] the this you know I just uh do you have [00:11:03] another suggestion I didn't know I [00:11:05] didn't know if it's legal even possible [00:11:07] to just say this is on track this is [00:11:09] what's happening we had a hearing we're [00:11:10] going to have the vote we're going to [00:11:12] you know do something decisive possibly [00:11:15] you know I didn't know but it just feels [00:11:17] like they can just keep maneuvering and [00:11:21] changing and well it has to go through [00:11:23] zoning bylaw [00:11:25] amendments that's the only way it can be [00:11:28] legal [00:11:30] yeah and uh so and it would be great if [00:11:34] this was all over [00:11:36] but probably it's not the [00:11:40] says yes sir Neil H Mechanic Street is [00:11:44] there um any process in [00:11:48] which a petition could be um presented [00:11:51] at the last minute at town meeting um to [00:11:55] go around the zoning bylaw process or is [00:12:00] that the only pathway no we're opening [00:12:03] the warrant tonight so between now and [00:12:06] the 20th of May um you could submit an [00:12:10] article if there were 10 citizens [00:12:15] signatures you should check in with Ryan [00:12:18] about [00:12:19] that but that would be one way to do it [00:12:22] you talking about crafting a new [00:12:25] bylaw um normally that would be a little [00:12:29] complicated but that was and it doesn't [00:12:32] have to be at the [00:12:34] annual but that is one process what I [00:12:37] was thinking about was is there a way [00:12:39] for supporters of the landfill to send [00:12:45] to submit a warrant that short runs [00:12:49] around the um the zoning process that we [00:12:53] had started before is there a way at [00:12:55] town meeting for to get around having to [00:12:57] do that zoning Pro process I see ni's [00:13:00] head nothing I don't think so well I [00:13:02] mean the only thing is a land owner and [00:13:04] 10 signatures yes sending an article [00:13:07] forward that then it must go on the [00:13:09] warrant um and it has to be they're Go I [00:13:12] mean they're going to do it but they're [00:13:14] you know they said at the last meeting [00:13:15] they're going to open the warrant [00:13:17] tonight and close it on May 20th so May [00:13:20] 20th is the deadline to submit an [00:13:21] article for the [00:13:22] warrant and if you start thinking [00:13:25] about not restricting landfills and and [00:13:29] not allowing them that's against Mass [00:13:30] General law so you that I'm actually [00:13:32] thinking about how an end run could be [00:13:35] done [00:13:35] around that process how they could [00:13:39] respond and get 10 signatures with a [00:13:41] landowner to submit a warrant that said [00:13:45] change the zon change the [00:13:48] zoning and that's that could happen [00:13:50] right well if the zoning gets changed [00:13:53] normally it would be through the process [00:13:56] that you've seen so far it would have to [00:13:58] happen yeah I I don't know if the town [00:14:02] meeting can just change a bylaw on Town [00:14:06] floor without hearings and such right [00:14:09] right I mean site assignment and things [00:14:11] like that Mr warbase you're very good at [00:14:15] this uh zoning Amendment change requires [00:14:18] public information hearing right and uh [00:14:21] report the selectman and then the town [00:14:23] meeting issue right I do have a question [00:14:26] though Philip warbass oam and uh can you [00:14:30] tell me uh [00:14:33] if uh the application was unilaterally [00:14:37] withdrawn or did they request the [00:14:38] planning board to withdraw with or [00:14:42] without prejudice they didn't mention [00:14:44] with prejudice they just said that they [00:14:46] were as I read that's all he do does [00:14:50] that mean they can't come back for two [00:14:52] years no I don't think so because they [00:14:55] do they were not defeated [00:14:59] uh and that would put them away for two [00:15:01] years [00:15:03] so yes ma'am uh Judith con as a acting [00:15:09] Board of Health because the new [00:15:11] election the new electee is not sworn in [00:15:15] the Board of Health um when I was there [00:15:20] uh are upset [00:15:23] because it's unhealthful all the Strife [00:15:27] that we have to go through and the [00:15:28] stress [00:15:29] to deal with a a request such as placing [00:15:32] a solid waste landfill in our town and [00:15:36] all the energy that it takes um we did [00:15:41] in that light uh were advised by the [00:15:45] mass Area Health boards that the Board [00:15:49] of Health [00:15:50] can ask ask um the other Town Offices to [00:15:57] cease and assist [00:15:59] when such a proposal comes before the [00:16:03] board in fact we [00:16:05] started that we didn't get a second on [00:16:08] that [00:16:09] motion however that was because we [00:16:11] lacked enough information at the time I [00:16:15] could ask what what uh where were you [00:16:18] making motions and lacking seconds in [00:16:20] your own meeting early Board of Health [00:16:23] meeting like [00:16:25] September after we received the first [00:16:28] application [00:16:29] well I would I'd recommend that we meet [00:16:32] together about that that's sure that's [00:16:34] new I don't know how it's new to me well [00:16:36] it's just something that the legal [00:16:39] department of all the area Health [00:16:43] boards recommended that we do [00:16:47] immediately [00:16:50] okay yes ma'am lindaas from proudy road [00:16:54] so if the town of we can make a new [00:16:57] bylaw that there are no trucks that go [00:17:00] down Main Street can the town of harick [00:17:03] within the 10 the next two years where [00:17:06] cassella would have to wait or they [00:17:08] could reapply within two years could the [00:17:11] town Institute a new bylaw stating that [00:17:14] there are no [00:17:15] landfills allowed in the township of par [00:17:18] I think that would go against [00:17:21] state I'm sorry but I think that's the [00:17:25] case we can ask legal again but it's [00:17:29] been we've already had but there are [00:17:30] other towns in Massachusetts that have [00:17:33] bylaws that say that there are no [00:17:34] landfills permitted in those [00:17:40] towns I can't tell you right now because [00:17:42] I it up weeks ago um but there are [00:17:45] bylaws instituted in towns after [00:17:48] landfill um companies try to come in and [00:17:51] they can no longer even apply to put a [00:17:53] land I'd like to see that that would be [00:17:55] great to pull it up and and I'll forward [00:17:57] it to you thank you [00:18:02] than yes ma'am um as far as bylaws and [00:18:07] regulations are concerned regulations [00:18:10] don't [00:18:11] require at least Board of Health [00:18:13] regulations which we have the power to [00:18:16] write do not require um a vote of the [00:18:20] town they just require a public hearing [00:18:24] and so you can regulate trucks and Jake [00:18:27] breaks as nois and [00:18:29] you know we've we've thought about all [00:18:31] of these options and there are many more [00:18:36] and I overheard Mr warbass say that opam [00:18:40] has a regulation against landfills maybe [00:18:43] would you [00:18:45] elaborate Mr warbus would you like to [00:18:47] elaborate on that thank you Miss con you [00:18:51] don't want to take this over yet yes [00:18:53] Philip War Old Camp mining board there [00:18:55] was a rumor when Barry Landfield was [00:18:58] going strong [00:18:59] that they were going to expand in oan so [00:19:01] we did some homework and found that the [00:19:04] state [00:19:06] regulation essentially says if a town [00:19:08] has never had an industrial Zone they uh [00:19:14] have some position not to accept a [00:19:17] landfill and so um we ultimately [00:19:21] determined there was a a buffer of 160 [00:19:23] Acres on by National Grid between the [00:19:25] Barry landfill and and the oamp Town [00:19:27] Line so that took care of that issue but [00:19:29] we did amend our bylaw uh to to [00:19:33] list uh to add to our list of prohibited [00:19:36] uses um any acceptance of industrial or [00:19:42] medical or any kind of waste and no land [00:19:48] fill and our land our bylaw now makes [00:19:53] the roach landfill illegal so we're on [00:19:58] the same track just keep talking about [00:20:01] changing [00:20:02] that there are industrial zones in town [00:20:07] the landfill is not on one of them [00:20:12] so yes ma' certainly the Quin Reservoir [00:20:16] proximity to where the landfill would be [00:20:19] would negate anything that would allow [00:20:21] them to come into here nothing's certain [00:20:25] no if that would make good sense that [00:20:27] would be very reasonable [00:20:30] Lal is I don't know I [00:20:34] can't please also um they I made a map [00:20:40] of the ownership of all the properties [00:20:44] surrounding the Muddy Brook area and a [00:20:48] lot of it may I didn't calculate as but [00:20:52] it's greater than half is owned by the [00:20:55] state as public lands [00:20:58] and there there are lots of regulations [00:21:01] about public lands and sighting um Solid [00:21:06] Waste landfills within and it's an um [00:21:11] not allowed if it's used for public [00:21:14] Recreation therefore um I don't know if [00:21:19] uh hunting and fishing which is and [00:21:22] walking is public Recreation [00:21:25] but um well we're looking for a [00:21:28] permanent Magic Bullet right now it's [00:21:30] illegal to run a landfill anywhere in [00:21:34] town except in an industrial [00:21:39] Zone and the landfill exists since the [00:21:42] 60s and it's not an in industrial Zone [00:21:46] and then and we'll be learning more [00:21:48] about this no [00:21:51] doubt please one more time okay we have [00:21:55] to move along of course thanks um I I [00:21:59] think the landfilling isn't allowed in [00:22:01] in industrial Zone in town now that was [00:22:03] one of their proposals of course would [00:22:05] requireed 2/3 and well we're all hear a [00:22:08] lot about could there not be a general [00:22:09] bylaw saying can't do this can't do that [00:22:13] um in the same way we have on the books [00:22:15] bylaw that was introduced after their [00:22:17] last effort here that says a landfill [00:22:20] can only be so high well that can be [00:22:23] changed with a [00:22:25] 51% approval right so that any of those [00:22:28] those kind of bylaws that would say [00:22:31] can't do it um would easily be swept [00:22:34] away I believe on the way to a 2third [00:22:38] majority if it was ever achieved for the [00:22:40] zone so I haven't yet seen anything [00:22:44] that's any bylaws that say we can't have [00:22:47] a landfill or we can't have the traffic [00:22:50] or you know anything like that that [00:22:53] offers a real protection [00:22:55] that's um anywhere near as strong as the [00:22:58] we already have in the [00:23:01] zoning which would have to be changed so [00:23:05] proposed [00:23:06] bylaws are [00:23:09] welcome and would start with the [00:23:12] planning board I'm not trying to get out [00:23:13] of this but I don't have any [00:23:18] answers so and I'm speaking like I'm the [00:23:21] only person that can deal with this but [00:23:24] there are two of us now that can deal [00:23:26] with this and there's three there's [00:23:29] three members of the select board so [00:23:31] we'll continue [00:23:34] and there it [00:23:39] is I don't know what else to tell [00:23:44] you anybody else only people that [00:23:48] haven't already [00:23:51] spoken thank [00:23:53] you uh now [00:23:56] um it is the I think the tradition in [00:23:59] town always was I believe it always was [00:24:02] and I think it's [00:24:04] still it's legal that we reorganize [00:24:07] after every election and uh we've lost [00:24:11] the uh rotational the idea is that [00:24:14] somebody comes on and is the clerk and [00:24:16] then second year of their term they're [00:24:20] Vice chair and then the third year [00:24:22] they're chair and if they get reelected [00:24:24] they come on as Clerk and then that way [00:24:27] everybody has a chance to learn all [00:24:29] these jobs and now it's time for me to [00:24:32] call for [00:24:35] reorganization and I would [00:24:37] nominate Kelly Camp as [00:24:44] chair second I would accept that I would [00:24:48] I would enjoy doing this again for my [00:24:50] last term I appreciate that we'll be [00:24:52] back in uh yes in good rotation I think [00:24:55] that's important okay discuss [00:24:59] no I'm good with it it's good you'd be [00:25:02] Vice chair and I'd be [00:25:06] clect then U take that whole thing as a [00:25:09] motion we'll U seek a vote all in [00:25:14] favor thank you thank [00:25:18] [Applause] [00:25:19] you I finish the meeting out or oh no [00:25:23] are you [00:25:25] sure okay go ahead all right okay well [00:25:29] thank you everybody um next uh piece of [00:25:34] uh yeah okay let me just start over [00:25:36] there sorry I'm a little yeah definitely [00:25:39] need to uh the next item on the agenda [00:25:41] is the taking order of taking for crey [00:25:45] road is there another step that we have [00:25:46] to do yes this is the next step and then [00:25:50] uh you know this all gets recorded the [00:25:51] attorneys do their work and then it goes [00:25:53] up to B June 29th so super excited for [00:25:56] that that's so they are it is going to [00:25:58] go to bid so that's for anyone that [00:26:00] isn't aware of what's going on crey road [00:26:02] got suddenly closed and it wasn't [00:26:05] supposed to go out to bid until maybe [00:26:06] later next year but because of the [00:26:08] closure everyone kind of got together [00:26:10] the highway department Nicole and I [00:26:13] jumped on just to you know listen and um [00:26:16] they were willing to try to push funding [00:26:18] ahead so that we can get that out to bid [00:26:20] and get that bridge reopened yeah it's [00:26:22] important especially for our Emergency [00:26:24] Services you know they really spoke up [00:26:26] about that too so it go out to bed at [00:26:28] the end of June it's fabulous great so [00:26:31] what do you need from us I need a vote [00:26:34] and uh you need to sign this order of [00:26:37] taking all of you okay we left the [00:26:39] titles off because we weren't sure who [00:26:41] what was going to be what so it's fine [00:26:43] we want to read the whole thing I [00:26:45] certainly can if you want me to read [00:26:48] through it it's [00:26:49] long does everybody want me to read the [00:26:51] whole thing or are we good that it's [00:26:53] just just for the project it's just an [00:26:55] order taking it's just to move forward [00:26:57] with the prop properties and the [00:26:59] temporary easements and the permanent [00:27:00] easements that we've already voted on so [00:27:03] okay so I take a motion I move that we [00:27:07] proceed with the order of taking second [00:27:10] it okay any discussion any [00:27:14] questions all in [00:27:16] favor [00:27:24] I promise okay perfect do need an agenda [00:27:29] because I I'd be going back and forth [00:27:32] sewer are there any yes you have three [00:27:35] abatements in your packet [00:27:38] um two of them are my fault because I [00:27:42] messed up on a map in the last one so [00:27:45] you've already voted on two you voted on [00:27:47] l Grant and Madigan actually you voted [00:27:51] to take one of his edus away right so we [00:27:54] have to Abate that there's no way to [00:27:55] remove it so and then the third one is [00:27:58] um right up here if you remember [00:28:01] um the previous owner they just sold it [00:28:05] so it's completely gutted and there's no [00:28:07] water and sewer going so they wanted the [00:28:09] abatement they're going to you know fix [00:28:10] it up and rent it out so then it go and [00:28:13] then it'll go yeah and i' I've explained [00:28:15] to them the entire process for um sewer [00:28:19] and the price of it and what they need [00:28:21] to do so they're aware now as new owners [00:28:24] how the sewer will work in town so I'm [00:28:27] I'm going to need you to sign the three [00:28:30] times for three of them okay thanks do [00:28:33] you want to make motions make a [00:28:38] motion I make a motion that we Grant [00:28:41] abatements [00:28:43] to [00:28:47] Fitzgerald [00:28:49] Grant and Madison I'll second those [00:28:53] motions any [00:28:56] discussion all in favor all [00:29:05] right okay then uh next up on the agenda [00:29:08] is the friends of the Stone Church is [00:29:10] someone here to speak on behalf of [00:29:13] that well there are quite a few of us [00:29:15] here not being I'm Mary War Bass from [00:29:18] oam and originated a request came [00:29:20] through Nicole to you all to ask you to [00:29:24] sign a letter of endorsement in Our [00:29:27] intention to rep from uh State funding [00:29:30] which is from the office of economic [00:29:32] development for the Commonwealth and uh [00:29:35] this funding would be uh to repair the [00:29:39] final stages of the tower that you can [00:29:41] see out your window um the friends is a [00:29:44] nonprofit organization it's fully run by [00:29:46] volunteers many of whom are here uh and [00:29:50] it's a u thanks to all of the community [00:29:53] that we've gotten as far as we have and [00:29:56] since 2015 we n we've raised $930,000 [00:30:00] from a combination of Grants state [00:30:03] grants and um fundraising events and [00:30:07] individual donations and programs but [00:30:10] the um 400,000 of that has come from the [00:30:13] grants so we are because the tower [00:30:17] requires so much and Mr orbas can speak [00:30:20] of that as the architect that every [00:30:22] single masonry joined in this tower has [00:30:24] had to be repaired in order to that you [00:30:28] light on the downtown landscape this is [00:30:30] a critical section of hardwood it's the [00:30:32] municipal center of hardwood and if that [00:30:36] building were if that Tower came down [00:30:38] the whole building would come down so [00:30:41] we're doing our best it's called [00:30:43] stabilization so this grant is for [00:30:45] stabilization and it would require um [00:30:48] $400,000 of State funding would not be [00:30:51] requiring a match and what it would [00:30:53] offer us is the opportunity to continue [00:30:55] to raise support that would ow us to [00:30:58] increase accessibility to the building [00:31:01] and increase our opportunities to for [00:31:03] the public to use the building um the [00:31:06] economic benefits to the town include [00:31:08] the number of visitors we bring we have [00:31:10] people who come to our events from over [00:31:12] 80 different ZIP codes in the [00:31:14] Commonwealth and we have over 14 other [00:31:17] states also represented in our visitors [00:31:19] so many of these are people who live [00:31:22] here in hardwood whose family come at [00:31:23] the time of fair or it's one of your [00:31:26] local landmarks important but since um I [00:31:29] don't live in Hardwick maybe I'm going [00:31:31] to stop speaking you have the letter [00:31:34] maybe anyone else here who is associated [00:31:36] or familiar would like to say something [00:31:39] that lives in hard would anyone else [00:31:41] like to speak on behalf of this I think [00:31:44] it's a beautiful building that needs to [00:31:46] be 100% fixed and so you're just looking [00:31:48] for a letter of support from us that's [00:31:51] right and do we have a letter our letter [00:31:54] head I know we support the stone chur [00:32:01] discuss all in [00:32:07] favor thank you for everything you're [00:32:14] doing oh [00:32:19] great yes go ahead a quick comment uh [00:32:22] philli I don't know if you saw but [00:32:24] there's a great video of a church Tower [00:32:27] C seen in 12 seconds or something like [00:32:30] that in Connecticut and thanks to our [00:32:34] architect not stopping when their [00:32:37] management and architect stopped we have [00:32:40] been trying to save the building and the [00:32:43] 30th at six o'clock over there there's [00:32:46] he's going to give a talk and explain [00:32:48] the high-tech how they did it how they [00:32:51] got the old they didn't without [00:32:53] rebuilding it from the bottom up how [00:32:55] they got the bad cement how they did all [00:32:58] these things so I think it'll be a fun [00:33:01] talk if you like May May May 30th at 6 [00:33:05] o'clock May 30th at 6 [00:33:09] o' a little bit of infill you can uh you [00:33:13] can search online the London Church [00:33:16] collapse January 25 in 3 seconds their [00:33:20] 150 foot to came down and wiped out most [00:33:24] of the roof so that building is gone [00:33:26] thank [00:33:29] another component of this grant even if [00:33:31] we don't have jobs and housing because [00:33:33] those are the two big ones for economic [00:33:35] development is the removal of blight on [00:33:38] your landscape so we're trying to [00:33:40] prevent this building from becoming a [00:33:42] blight on the heart of land you're doing [00:33:45] a nice job you know and we're doing our [00:33:47] best to if we if we can eventually free [00:33:49] ourselves of having to put everything we [00:33:51] raise into the tower we will eventually [00:33:53] grow enough as an organization to [00:33:55] provide a job and some more activ we [00:33:57] would like very much to participate in [00:33:59] your planning efforts to help uh with [00:34:02] Main Street and development of economic [00:34:04] activity we refer people to bed and [00:34:06] breakfast we refer people to restaurants [00:34:09] you know we held a big big event at a [00:34:11] restaurant recently we're we're active [00:34:13] in the economic life of of Hardwick ra [00:34:18] Trail to yeah so thank you we feel that [00:34:20] we're a player in your tourism planning [00:34:23] ecotourism planning and we would we feel [00:34:26] that our contri reles to the history of [00:34:28] Gilbertville that this building has a [00:34:30] very special place in the history of [00:34:33] your community and that if we have [00:34:35] resources through our board that we can [00:34:37] use to help educate the public to help [00:34:39] direct people who are visiting from out [00:34:41] of town to welcome them and offering [00:34:43] them see the interior of the building as [00:34:45] one of the things that they would see to [00:34:48] enjoy our events we bring world class [00:34:50] musicians to perform here um and we [00:34:53] offer free events for children and [00:34:55] families so we're doing our best uh and [00:34:58] we have free concerts as well for the [00:34:59] community so um with the resources we [00:35:02] have we're really doing as much as we [00:35:05] can however I think if we were to [00:35:07] develop further we could do more for [00:35:09] local understanding of local history and [00:35:12] we know there's a great deal of interest [00:35:14] on the part of people once you get that [00:35:15] Tower done yes I will say that the [00:35:18] Hardwick Historical Society is very [00:35:20] important collaborator my baby shower [00:35:22] was in [00:35:24] that can attest to that very much [00:35:28] appreciate the fact that thank you very [00:35:30] much collaboration m' I speak yes please [00:35:33] I heard that the stone was quarried in [00:35:36] Monson do you know that's correct thank [00:35:39] you the rough Stone came from Monson [00:35:42] Granite Monson Quarry J Flint Quarry and [00:35:46] all of the finished carve trimmings [00:35:48] around the windows and doors came from [00:35:50] Fitz William new Hamp thank [00:35:55] you okay um open the annual Town warrant [00:35:59] for annual town meeting and move that we [00:36:03] open the warrant for uh the annual town [00:36:06] meeting to be open now and closed on May [00:36:10] 20th second any discussion all in favor [00:36:17] I um meeting minute approvals [00:36:33] I have [00:36:35] a I did [00:36:38] uh say no I voted no to the U putting [00:36:43] the job description and posting and it's [00:36:47] listed as went three to Z should [00:36:54] have I thought it [00:36:58] it men here I got you yeah y y didn't [00:37:00] about the money no I see that okay y [00:37:03] okay that's small item so if that is [00:37:07] corrected then I would with that with [00:37:10] that [00:37:12] correction I'll [00:37:14] second I'll second it all in favor I [00:37:20] perfect old business more scholarship [00:37:23] essays that's the next that's next [00:37:24] meeting kind of a placeholder there [00:37:27] that's fine um any miss any [00:37:30] miscellaneous reports or committee [00:37:32] reports no we're having our our [00:37:34] department head meeting tomorrow so next [00:37:36] next meeting next meeting and mine I [00:37:38] just finished today so you got a cop [00:37:40] hard copy of it [00:37:46] today kind of things that we just [00:37:49] went I put it up on this [00:37:55] website left Round Table [00:38:01] anything welcome to the select [00:38:04] ports welcome thank you um I I have a I [00:38:09] have a comment or maybe a suggestion I [00:38:13] was approached by some um individuals in [00:38:17] town that would like to recognize Fred [00:38:20] and Jane de brose for all the plantings [00:38:23] that they did especially throughout Co [00:38:26] bringing a little sunshine to all of our [00:38:28] all of our lives especially if you drive [00:38:30] up upper Church Street so I didn't know [00:38:32] um if that would be okay to maybe send [00:38:35] them little certificate of appreciation [00:38:37] or a letter just you know thanking them [00:38:39] for for everything that they they have [00:38:42] done [00:38:45] planting we put something together do a [00:38:47] certificate I can yeah I think that [00:38:49] would be I think that would be ni are [00:38:52] they still there or have they moved here [00:38:54] I think they're back and forth yeah yeah [00:38:57] I just think you know be appreciate and [00:39:00] I think the you know some of the [00:39:02] residents that brought it up would like [00:39:04] that very [00:39:07] good the flowers are perennial yes they [00:39:11] look lovely they look lovely okay [00:39:13] anything else any no other signatures [00:39:16] nothing else one more and then we have [00:39:19] to go into executive session go ahead J [00:39:22] while you're honoring people um I would [00:39:25] like to point out that during Beaver [00:39:28] season and [00:39:30] spring um two people two families in [00:39:34] town have allowed a a compromise between [00:39:39] the beaver and their properties and that [00:39:42] is [00:39:43] um um now I'm forgetting is Harry [00:39:47] comford and Jean if you know that [00:39:50] beautiful Beaver Pond there which is uh [00:39:55] and feed Stan forth Brook [00:39:58] which goes into Gilbertville it's [00:40:00] cleaning the water and so on and they um [00:40:04] you know you you get some of your [00:40:06] property underwater well that will [00:40:09] increase the value of our water and it's [00:40:13] beautiful to look at and I want to thank [00:40:16] them for compromising with the Board of [00:40:19] Health to have a beaver permit and the [00:40:22] other is um Harry and John Brooks and [00:40:26] and race who uh allow our Beaver Pond to [00:40:31] have a lowering level instead of [00:40:35] destroying the beavers and destroying [00:40:38] the the wetlands [00:40:41] so if you have [00:40:43] beavers come and talk to the board of [00:40:47] C I won't be there so I won't be pushy [00:40:50] about [00:40:52] it okay well thank you Judy all right um [00:40:56] with that being said [00:40:57] I am going to take a roll call into [00:40:59] executive session to consider or [00:41:02] interview applicants for employment or [00:41:04] appointment by a preliminary screening [00:41:06] committee if the chair declares that an [00:41:08] open meeting will have a detrimental [00:41:10] effect in obtaining qualified applicants [00:41:12] provided however that this Clause shall [00:41:14] not apply to any meeting including [00:41:17] meetings of a preliminary screening [00:41:19] committee to consider the interview [00:41:21] applicants who have passed a prior [00:41:22] preliminary screening but and we will be [00:41:25] adjourning there from without re turning [00:41:27] to open session so thank you all for [00:41:30] coming tonight thank you [00:41:57] [Music] [00:41:59] Mach [00:42:56] should e