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This podcast explores how Hardwick, a rural town with less than 3000 people built on hard work and a strong sense of community, has become the epicenter of a potential rebirth of thoroughbred horse racing and the rise of sports betting in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It's here to pose questions, offer perspectives, and share information about the racetrack proposal set forth by Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center LLC, owned by Commonwealth Racing, LLC, and New England Horse Park, LLC. Hosted by: Megan Kelly Dias Cover photo via: Michael LeClair Photography
This brief episode of Small Town Big Racing is a follow-up to the special election to approve the location of a thoroughbred race track in Hardwick, MA.
The vote was held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, with those opposed to the race track prevailing. With a total of 1,148 votes cast (about 57% of the registered voters in Hardwick, MA), the final results are:
YES votes: 313
NO votes: 831
4 blank ballots returned
This podcast was originally created to provide a source of information and a chance to share perspectives that dug deeper and looked beyond the high-level FAQs and mailers provided by Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center LLC, owned by Commonwealth Racing, LLC, ID, and New England Horse Park LLC.
This episode serves as a reminder that today no matter what your vote was, we all still live here, we all still belong to the same community, we are still neighbors, AND there is still work to be done.
This little town is truly something special, and right now, we have the opportunity to come together and use the momentum that has been created to move forward and make it even better. It’s up to each of us to choose how we want to move forward.
Thank you so much for listening to this podcast series, for sharing the episodes, and for supporting this small town.
If you are interested in continuing to be involved in the growth, development, and well-being of this town, consider:
This episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts features Lauren Wojcik, a Hardwick Resident and Pre-vet Student at Umass Amherst who has been immersed in the horse world since the age of 5 when she first began to show them.
Lauren discusses some hard truths about racing culture and the inevitability of horse injuries and deaths. She raises concerns regarding a breeding facility in the same location as a race track and points out some key logistical questions that are not being discussed openly by Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center.
Most importantly, as someone from a younger generation, Lauren encourages everyone, no matter how old you are or where you are in life, to take the time to truly understand what you are voting for and what is really at stake.
If you are still on the fence and trying to decide what you will be voting for come January 7th, or you are someone who feels as though this isn't your problem, take a listen to this episode.
Related Resources and Links:
Causes of Death in Racehorses Over a 2 year Period (PubMed research article)
Mental health difficulties among professional jockeys: a narrative review (PubMed research article)
Download the COMPLETE proposal here (The Application Submitted to Mass Gaming)
The draft HCA is available here
Watch the December 19, 2022 Hardwick Board of Selectmen Meeting (Fast Forward to 48-49 minutes for the panel presentations from those for and against the proposal)
This episode of Little Town Big Racing in Massachusetts features Hardwick resident Kaeli Raymond and a discussion that digs into the application for a sports wagering license that was submitted to the Massachusetts State Gaming Commission by Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center.
Kaeli shares direct quotes and insightful information about what is NOT being talked about but is included in the application, as well as inconsistencies, questions, and concerns around the first Draft of the Host Community Agreement they have shared.
This highlights the $500,00 promised to the town of Hardwick, the impact this track could have on the town, as well as some specific information regarding what they intend to spend money on as they begin hosting race days.
Related Resources and Links:
Download the COMPLETE proposal here
The draft HCA is available here
Watch the December 19, 2022 Hardwick Board of Selectmen Meeting (Fast Forward to 48-49 minutes for the panel presentations from those for and against the proposal)
In this episode of Little Town Big Racing in Massachusetts, we’re joined by Ellen Anderson, a resident of Petersham and a local Real Estate Appraiser specializing in Land Preservation.
Ellen taps into her experience working with the APR Program here in Massachusetts as we discuss Article 97, the Massachusetts constitutional amendment that is meant to protect our right to a clean environment and authorize the Commonwealth to acquire conservation easements.
This episode discusses the importance of land conservation in relation to the Commonwealth Equine and Agriculture Center’s proposal, how APR restrictions should be protecting this land, and highlights concerns regarding the precedent this could set should the development of this property be approved.
Related Resources and Links:
Download the COMPLETE proposal here
The draft HCA is available here
Slide show about APR's from MA Dept. of Agriculture Resources
The Great Meadowbrook Farm Landvest Listing (includes original APR document)
Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program Details (Contact information for APR Staff is included here)
How is Land Protected (Mass.gov)
Article 97: Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (via Farmland Information Center)
This episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts features a discussion with Halley and Curtis Stillman, owners of Still Life Farm, which is located right here in Hardwick, MA.
We explore the impact Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center's proposal for a racetrack could have not just on Great Meadowbrook Farm and as it develops the land that falls under APR but also the impact on the town as a whole.
From the development of other properties to the beginning of sports wagering in town and even the proposed Farm to Table Restaurant, Halley and Curtis make it clear that the ripple effects from this proposal will be felt throughout all the villages of Hardwick.
If you are a consumer of local agriculture, are wondering how this could affect you, or are simply uncertain about where you stand, this episode is a great one to listen to.
Related Resources and Links:
Download the COMPLETE proposal here
The draft HCA is available here
Slide show about APR's from MA Dept. of Agriculture Resources
The Great Meadowbrook Farm Landvest Listing (includes original APR document)
Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program Details (Contact information for APR Staff is included here)
This episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts features an in-depth discussion with long-time resident James Lagomarsino. We further explore Commonwealth Equine Center's proposal for a racetrack in Hardwick Ma. and what the proposed "Festival Days" and racing days could mean for this small town.
This episode includes thought-provoking perspectives and information about the number of days affected, the accompanying traffic, and the number of people these events would bring into town. This episode even touches on who really could benefit from this proposal passing.
If you have questions or wondering about what the proposed "Festival Days" could look like and how they may impact this town, give this episode a listen.
Related Resources and Links:
Mass Gaming Finally Weighs in Blog Post
Download the COMPLETE proposal here
The draft HCA is available here
For this episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts, we are joined by Robin Prouty to discuss Massachusetts Agricultural Preservation Restrictions, APRs, and their connection to the land that is included in Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center's proposal for a thoroughbred horse race track in Hardwick.
She shares key information about what APR's are, why they are something farmers choose to put their land into and important perspectives, and additional insights around the agricultural realities of this proposal.
If you don't understand APR's or are invested in the agricultural well-being of Massachusetts, this episode is for you.
Related Resources and Links:
Slide show about APR's from MA Dept. of Agriculture Resources
The Great Meadowbrook Farm Landvest Listing (includes original APR document)
Download the COMPLETE proposal here
The draft HCA is available here
This episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts features a discussion with Judi Grupp Korzec as we dig into one of the most contentious areas of this proposal, sports betting.
This discussion clarifies the difference between gambling and sports betting and the connection to Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center's proposal for a thoroughbred horse race track in Hardwick.
She discussed the implications of Hardwick becoming the epicenter for Sports Betting in Massachusetts and what this could mean for the small town in the coming years.
We also explore questions that arise regarding the sports betting licensing that will be made available to Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center if the location for the race track is approved.
If you aren't sure what this proposal really includes when it comes to gambling, sports betting, and associated risks for this small town, this episode is for you.
Related Resources and Links:
New York Times Investigative Articles (November, 2022)
Download the COMPLETE proposal here
The draft HCA is available here
. This episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts includes an in-depth discussion with Cara Wilczynski about the potential financial impact of the proposal set forth by Commonwealth Equine Agricultural Center, owned by Commonwealth Racing and New England Horse Park.
Specifically, we dig in and explore the potential benefits and changes that the promised $500,000 included in the initial draft of the host community agreement (HCA) and what that $500,000 could do for our town.
We also explore the importance of embracing positive financial habits as a town and what other financial changes could potentially happen, including tax shifts, property values, and so much more.
If you are looking to do your due diligence and better understand the financial impact of this proposal, don't miss listening to this episode.
Related Resources and Links:
Download the COMPLETE proposal here
The draft HCA is available here
Hardwick Villages for Responsible Growth:Save Gurnsey Dell & Hardwick's Rural Living
Sustainable Financial Growth for Hardwick MA:
Example of a similar Small town -- Warren, MA that was able to obtain federal funding for infrastructure improvements, Jobs etc
Here are some cost estimates for an ambulance:
· Ambulance $90,000 - $400,000 (~10 years if new, <5 for refurbished)
· Payroll $297,000 $816/day Staffing 2 on site EMT”S plus 2-4
other staff (not including holidays, not including the cost of a paramedic either – which is more $$)
· Medical Supplies $150,000+
· Insurances $20,000 Benefits, Auto, Liability
· Equipment $75,000 GPS, phone/internet, Safety, tools, gasoline,
· gloves
· Rent $50,000 Garage, utilities, employee barracks,
· Sundry $75,000 office supplies, signage, furniture, computers, telephones, website, marketing, legal expenses for permits, software, television etc
If anyone has any questions or would like to have a conversation about the proposal, please reach out to Cara Wilczynski at c.e.wilczynski@gmail.com.
This episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts is the introduction to the podcast. It's here to set the stage, introducing you to the host, Megan Kelly Dias, exploring why she has created this podcast and her hopes for this series.
In this episode, Megan shares her initial excitement regarding Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center's proposal for a thoroughbred horse race track in Hardwick and what she began to uncover as she explored what this would mean for her hometown, the future of her family, and the community.
She shares her concerns regarding the number of race days, the impact of traffic, the potential of unknown variables, and her heartfelt fear regarding the division of the community as a whole.
If you are looking for additional information outside of what's being served forward from the applicants, this is a great place to start digging in and beginning to do your own due diligence. This podcast is here to help so you can make the most informed decision possible for yourself and your community.
Related Resources and Links:
Download the COMPLETE proposal here
The draft HCA is available here
The FAQ created by those submitting the proposal (Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center)
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But Amanda is dying, with a secret she doesn’t want anyone to know.
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Award winning journalist Charlie Webster explores this unbelievable and bizarre, but
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New episodes every Monday.
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Amanda’s blog posts are read by actor Kendall Horn.
