Hardwick Board Begins FY27 Budget Review
Hardwick Select Board began its fiscal 2027 budget review, scrutinizing a $675,463 police department request.
Select Board · Meeting of March 4, 2026
Hardwick Select Board began its fiscal 2027 budget review, scrutinizing a $675,463 police department request. Select Board member William Tinker presented a breakdown showing property taxes fund 75 percent of the town's roughly $7 million budget, while Police Chief Kevin detailed costs including $4,800 a year for eight body cameras and $6,600 for records software. The chief said the department's fiscal 2026 operating budget was $650,507.76.
Tinker flagged a net enrollment increase of 17 Hardwick students in the Quabbin Regional School District even as the district overall fell by six, with a preliminary $180,000 placeholder built into the school assessment. Finance staff said the town holds $71,000 in free cash and must fund a new cruiser from capital stabilization under town meeting rules, "there's no other way." General government costs were put at $795,696. The board scheduled its next budget session for March 16.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 881 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of March 4, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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