We believe Hardwick needs a sustainable revenue source to fund the basic town services our residents deserve. Our local families need property taxes they can afford, modern fire and emergency medical services, and an adequate sewer system that can serve our homes and businesses. These basics remain financially out of reach for our small community.
The proposed reopening of the existing Hardwick landfill will generate $2.6 million dollars a year in fees paid by the facility’s owner. That’s equal to nearly half of the current annual town budget. With this new funding, we can lower property taxes, buy the new fire truck we’ve needed for years, improve emergency medical services, and upgrade our local infrastructure.
That’s how we can truly preserve Hardwick for families – now and in the future.
That’s why Hardwick residents, business owners, farmers and town leaders are saying “Yes” to the reopening of the Hardwick landfill.
About The Project
The owner of the existing Hardwick landfill, Casella, is looking to reopen the facility and expand it into an adjacent gravel pit along Patrill Hollow Road to create a state-of-the-art modern landfill. Long-time Hardwick residents Dan and Darryl Roach will be involved in the operations of the upgraded landfill.
The landfill proposal includes a double-lined system and gas capture technology that would meet or exceed all local, state, and federal regulatory standards. Any reopening and expansion would require extensive and continued monitoring by the town, state, and the company itself.
Benefits for Hardwick
Annual payments to the town would equal $2.6 million per year. That’s $975 per Hardwick resident – every year. Payments will be guaranteed by a binding host community agreement for as long as the landfill is in operation.
These annual payments are equal to nearly half of Hardwick’s current annual budget and provide an opportunity to reverse years of budget cuts that have eroded local public safety and sewer services in town – or even to lower local property taxes for homeowners.
The payments will fund vital local services and help us improve our local infrastructure – without new taxes or fees. Acquiring new equipment for the fire department and restoring local ambulance service will be possible again.
What Impact Could The Revenue Have?
The potential for millions of dollars in payments from the reopening of the landfill has generated much conversation about the best ways for Hardwick to spend the new revenue. It’s also rekindled debate over the need for local ambulance service. Much has changed since service ended 15 years ago that makes this an important discussion for our town.
The recent closing of Mary Lane Hospital is a critical fact that simply can’t be ignored. That closure, and the reality that our current ambulance service is now provided by a private company two towns over, means emergency calls often take over 45 minutes to reach the nearest hospital in Palmer.
Here are some more important figures:
420
Number of emergency ambulance calls per year in Hardwick
$500,000
Cost of a new ambulance in Massachusetts
$36,170
Annual EMT base pay
200,000+
Miles
Life expectancy for a new ambulance
$1,371
Per Patient
Average private insurance reimbursement for ambulance service
With new revenue from the landfill reopening, and high insurance reimbursement rates to help cover operating costs, local ambulance service could be a reality again. And Hardwick would be better for it.
Environmental Benefits
Currently, most solid waste in Massachusetts is either incinerated or sent via truck or rail across the country for final disposal. These processes have a significant impact on Massachusetts’ carbon footprint and contribute large levels of greenhouse gas emissions to the environment.
The upgraded Hardwick landfill will reduce Massachusetts’ carbon footprint by safely and securely disposing of waste in-state while using the most environmentally sound methods of waste disposal. Casella will also evaluate the potential of a renewable natural gas facility at the site that would trap naturally-occurring gas emissions and convert them into clean renewable natural gas for use as vehicle fuel or for home heating needs.
In addition, Casella will provide $500,000 per year to Hardwick’s upgraded sewer treatment system to safely process landfill leachate and protect the environment.
Who's Supporting Hardwick?
Hardwick residents, business owners, farmers, and town leaders are saying “Yes” to the reopened landfill because of the long-term financial benefits it will provide to our town. Join us to help preserve Hardwick for our local families.
“As a close neighbor of the existing landfill, I’ve found the Roach family and Casella to be good neighbors, good businesspeople, and generous community members. The landfill itself has low visibility and impact on my neighboring business, and an expansion would have low or no impact on most of the town. As proposals go, this is a pretty good one. Let’s negotiate a strong host community agreement, and work with the proponents to provide Hardwick with the sustainable revenue source we need to deliver basic modern services in town.”
– John Samek, Hardwick resident and owner of Hardwick Vineyard & Winery
“To me, the benefits of reopening the Hardwick landfill clearly outweigh any negatives. The landfill is tucked away with no impact on most residents, and it can be up and running in just a few years, allowing the town to reap financial benefits quickly. Although I’m only in my 50s, I know there could be a day when I have a sudden health crisis that requires immediate medical attention. I’m not confident that an ambulance is close enough to help me should that day come, and the money from reopening the landfill could change that. Also, I’m currently paying $100 a month for trash pickup, and the savings and convenience of free trash dropoff would be huge.”
– Jose Vega, Hardwick resident
“Since the closure of the Mary Lane Hospital emergency room, an ill or injured person in Hardwick Common needs to travel a full 30 minutes to the nearest hospital in Palmer. ‘Shortening ambulance response times will reduce mortality,’ according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in 2020. The proposal to expand the existing landfill on Patrill Hollow Road is projected to generate over $2 million annually for the town of Hardwick. That’s more than enough to restore local ambulance service.”
– Marie Hayward, former member of the Hardwick Rescue Squad and former state-certified Emergency Medical Technician
“Our family has lived and worked in Hardwick for over 200 years. We’re committed to making this a project that Hardwick residents can be proud of, and we know it will deliver numerous benefits to the town we’re proud to call home. Reopening the Hardwick landfill is an opportunity to reverse years of budget cuts that have eroded local public safety and sewer services in town, and even to lower local property taxes for local homeowners.”
– Dan Roach, Hardwick resident and co-owner of David G Roach & Sons, Inc