Select Board approves joining Wachusett veteran services district under IMA starting Jan. 1, 2026

The Hubbardston Select Board voted to approve joining the Wachusett District Veteran Services under an intermunicipal agreement (IMA) effective Jan. 1, 2026, pending approval by the City of Gardner. The motion passed by voice vote after an extended presentation and questions from board members and residents.

Corey Hasselman, director of the Wachusett District Veteran Services, told the board the district currently includes six towns and operates with three full-time staff. "We currently have 6 towns part of our district," Hasselman said, describing outreach options, home visits and administration of state and federal veterans benefits. He said the district can handle benefits claims and outreach that part-time local coverage sometimes misses.

Board members and residents asked detailed questions about finances, transparency and operational mechanics. Town officials discussed current local spending on veteran services (roughly $6,500–$8,000 range in recent references) and a district funding formula of $2 per person with a 3% annual cap. Hasselman said Gardner administers payroll and services; Hubbardston’s contribution would be an assessed amount determined by population-based guidelines from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans’ Services. He also said Gardner provides annual and operational reporting; select board members asked that financial and year-to-date expenditure reports be provided automatically rather than on demand.

Select Board members asked about exit terms. The IMA includes a termination provision requiring 180 days’ written notice prior to the end of a contract period. The board voted to approve entering the IMA; the Select Board and staff said final membership would be effective only after Gardner City Council approval.