Hardwick Tables IT Contract Over Price, Lock-In Fears

Select Board · Meeting of June 22, 2026

Hardwick Select Board tables an IT services contract over a 54 percent price jump and a vendor lock-in clause. Vice Chair William Tinker flagged a "hostage transition" provision letting the prospective vendor withhold the town's own login credentials until a $15,000 termination fee and all outstanding charges are paid in full, plus a cap limiting the vendor's data-breach liability to one month's fees. Town Administrator Justine said current provider CM Geeks, unpaid under any written contract for roughly eight years, has drawn complaints including a three-day delay setting up a town email account.

Clerk Zachary Spencer said the town's website "sucks" and pushed for fuller public posting of the fiscal year 2025 audit findings during a related minutes dispute. The board also tabled a 20-year Hardwick Elementary School lease pending town counsel's clarification, and unanimously approved fiscal year 2026 year-end transfers and John Horgan's appointment to the recycling center.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,891 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of June 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.