Town secures $23,300 IT grant for community tech improvements

During the recent Select Board meeting in Hubbardston, a significant development was announced regarding a $23,300 Community Compact IT grant aimed at enhancing the town's technological infrastructure. This grant replaces a previous $20,000 appropriation and is part of a broader effort to improve municipal services through better technology.

The grant will fund various projects, including upgrades to the conference room at 48 Gardner Road and payments for the town's new website, which utilizes the Civic Plus platform. The town had previously requested $20,000 at town meeting to support these initiatives, and the acceptance of this grant allows for the reallocation of those funds to further enhance the town's IT capabilities.

The grant is part of a series of funding opportunities available to communities that have successfully completed best practice grants. This particular funding is intended to support IT infrastructure improvements, which are crucial for rural communities like Hubbardston. The town's leadership expressed pride in securing this grant, highlighting its potential to optimize municipal operations and improve service delivery to residents.

In addition to the grant discussion, the board also touched on a sandpit feasibility study award recommendation, although details on this topic were less emphasized. The focus on the IT grant underscores the town's commitment to leveraging technology to better serve its community.

As Hubbardston moves forward with these initiatives, residents can expect improvements in municipal services that will enhance their daily interactions with local government. The next steps will involve reappropriating the previously allocated funds to align with the new grant and further discussions on the implementation of these technology upgrades.