Fire Truck Debt Looms Over Hardwick Budget

Select Board · Meeting of March 30, 2026

Hardwick officials learned the new fire engine will cost $1.2 million over its life as they opened fiscal 2027 budget talks. The Select Board and Finance Committee, led through the numbers by Town Administrator Justine, found the town refinanced two old 2014 and 2015 loans into one at a lower rate, dropping from "4.29, now we're going to be paying 4." Library trustees asked for $30,000 more, anticipating a possible donation of the Gilbertville Library building, still in "fact-finding stages." Officials also flagged a $1,312 deficit in the Planning Board's revolving account caused by misallocated payroll charges, and weighed a Cemetery Commission request to raise its spending limit from $5,000 to $12,000. Health insurance costs rose 15 percent, to a $288,268 assessment before the sewer department's $34,875 share is deducted.

No budget vote was taken; review continues at the next regular meeting.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of March 30, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.