Hardwick selectmen delay horse racetrack vote

Hardwick's board of selectmen is considering approving the site of a thoroughbred horse racing track. The board voted Monday to delay the vote until Thursday. It's not clear if the board will approve the track before the state Gaming Commission's meeting on October 31. The site was the proposed location for an also-controversial marijuana operation. Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center hopes to sell the property to the group. They want to create a horse breeding facility that would produce thoroughbreeds for the racing industry. There are currently few horses in New England.

Hardwick selectmen delay the vote on the horse racetrack. The developers have committed to give the town $260,000. If the track is approved, it will bring revenue to the community of Hardwick to at least $500,00 annually. Commonwealth has an option to purchase the property. A petition signed by 12% of the registered voters could stop the process. If it doesn't, the ballot vote will be held in December. State law is vague about the petition process for towns. It does indicate a 20-day time frame for cities, but not for town officials.