Hardwick modifies meeting procedure for paper-ballot requests and votes to keep town meeting at Town House

Two procedural and venue decisions concluded during the meeting.

First, the meeting considered an amendment to require a majority voice or hand vote of the body after a motion and the required seconds to move to a paper ballot (effectively adding a step beyond the standard motion-and-seconds threshold). After floor debate and a hand vote the moderator announced the ayes had it and the meeting adopted the modified procedure for the remainder of the session.

Second, Article 25 asked whether the 2027 town meeting should move from the Hardwick Town House to the Hardwick Elementary School. Proponents of the elementary school cited room, parking, and easier circulation for paper ballots; opponents favored the Town House for acoustics, historic preservation, accessibility concerns and keeping the voting and meeting in a town-owned building. After discussion the moderator put the motion to a voice vote and declared the nays had it—town meeting will remain at the Town House for 2027.

These decisions were procedural and non-legislative but may affect how future votes are conducted and where town meetings are held; the selectboard plans follow-up outreach (a survey) to solicit broader input on timing and access.

Speakers quoted or cited in this article are taken from the meeting transcript and are attributed to their first references in the record.