Board of Health Halts Landfill Testing Over Funding

Board of Health · Meeting of August 25, 2026

Hubbardston Board of Health won't test its closed landfill this year after the Select Board denied funding, risking a state compliance violation. Chair Gael Moncoeur said the roughly $7,500 testing cost was rejected before reaching town meeting, calling the gap "a risk to the town" for DEP noncompliance even though "we've been testing this for 30 years" with stable, low-risk results. The board voted unanimously to renew its $600 fiscal 2027 membership in the Montachusett Public Health Network, which backs up tuberculosis and lead-case response.

Members also flagged that kratom sales became illegal statewide effective August 28, that food inspector Cathy Hansgate will step down next year, and that an 11 Navajo Street property must remove an illegal garbage grinder or spend an estimated $30,000 upgrading its septic system. A fall flu and vaccine clinic with Walgreens is planned for mid-October.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,141 words

Source: the Board of Health meeting of August 25, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.