Hatfield Select Board Approves Bardwell Farm Lease, Advances $12 Million Wastewater Grant

HATFIELD -- April 6, 2021, Hatfield Select Board approves Bardwell Farm agricultural license and hears warning of sewer lawsuit petition. The board voted unanimously April 6 to license 2.5 acres of town-owned land on Billings Way to Harrison Bardwell of Bardwell Farm for agricultural use, with a contested provision requiring Bardwell to meter any water drawn from an on-site spigot at the agricultural rate. The board also authorized the FY21 water and sewer billing commitment of $477,414.29, roughly $50,000 above the prior year, and received an update that a USDA grant application for the town's $12 million wastewater plant upgrade could cover 35 to 40 percent of project costs. Attorney John McLaughlin appeared to notify the board that his client, owner of 3436 West Street where the Waxwing Restaurant operates, is organizing a voter petition to rescind a November special town meeting vote authorizing a sewage pumping station in front of the property, urging the board to prepare a contingency warrant article. An emergency generator replacement at the treatment plant, prompted by a failure during a recent power outage, is proceeding under a procurement emergency declaration, with a low bid of $99,500.