HUBBARDSTON, Mass. — The Hubbardston Select Board unanimously voted April 7 to join the Central Mass Regional 9‑1‑1 Emergency Communications District under Massachusetts General Law chapter 6A, paragraph 180‑18(v), a move the town’s administrators said will put Hubbardston on the path to regional governance of dispatch services.

Town Administrator (presenting): The town initiated and helped study a regional model intended to give participating communities a formal governance seat and improve transparency around billing and contracts. Joining the district would not immediately change daily operations or billing, the Town Administrator said, but would shift governance from a single town board to a multi‑town structure with an operations board (public safety chiefs) and finance board (treasurer‑collectors).

Why it matters: Under the district model, each member community receives representation in governance; supporters said that structure reduces a single town’s unilateral control and could increase eligibility for state 9‑1‑1 grants and a state‑funded facility. Proponents also said adding more communities to the district may lower assessments for individual towns in some scenarios.

Discussion and concerns: Board members debated the likely financial effect. The Town Administrator and Peter Walker, who attended regional meetings, said initial, immediate downside is limited and that the district’s governance model favors small towns by giving each one a vote regardless of population. Some members cautioned not to assume automatic near‑term savings, calling earlier claims that regionalization would immediately lower bills “optimistic.” The financial estimates in presentation materials were described as illustrative modeling rather than guaranteed outcomes.

Vote and implementation: The board moved and seconded a motion to accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Law chapter 6A, paragraph 180‑18(v) and join the Central Mass Regional 9‑1‑1 Emergency Communication District. The motion passed by voice vote; members said further steps will be required to finalize governance seats and assessments if other towns join.

Ending: Town staff said they will continue participation in district planning and report back to the board as other communities decide whether to join and as the district governance structure is finalized.