Voters who cast ballots in the annual town election also decided to eliminate taxes on farm animals and equipment.
HARDWICK – Voters elected Kenan Young of 1163 Petersham Road to the Board of Selectmen at Monday’s election.
Young beat out Adam Welsh of 1180 Petersham Road for the one-year position, 209 to 129. He replaces Robert Roy, who resigned two months ago, according to Town Clerk Paula L. Roberts.
She said voters also faced four ballot questions, and the only one that passed eliminates personal property taxes on farm animals and equipment. That vote was 229 to 111.
Three debt exclusion questions failed – to pay for upgrades to the Hardwick center water system reconstruction project, to pay for bonds for the Quabbin Regional School District Educational Support Center, and to repair the atrium roof at Quabbin Regional High School.
The projects already have been approved at town meetings, and are being funded through the general operating budget. If the questions had passed, the town would have had more room its operating budget for other expenses, as the projects would be excluded. The debt on the three projects totals between $80,000 and $90,000 each year, she said.
Roberts said 357 of the town's 1,800 registered voters cast ballots.