Hardwick Board OKs Ambulance Deal, Bars Wood Chips

Select Board · Meeting of August 10, 2026

Hardwick Select Board renews ambulance contract, clashes with public over accountant hiring delays. The board unanimously approved a three-year West Brookfield Ambulance contract with 4 percent annual increases, banned wood chips from a $35,000 pump station riprap in favor of native plantings, and approved a common victualer license for the Whistle Stop's new owner. Vice Chair William F.

Tinker pressed Town Administrator Justine over a roughly $1.7 million accounts-payable warrant, saying an IT vendor paid about $100 an hour has "no contract" despite years of service: "I would be very surprised now if the contract shows up." During public comment, resident Mr. Smith said the board "doesn't seem to have any sense of urgency" on filling a vacant accountant position; Clerk Zachary E. Spencer countered, "It's like a duck — you see us on the surface, but under the surface our feet are going crazy."

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Source: the Select Board meeting of August 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.