HARDWICK – At the Hardwick Select Board’s regular meeting on February 15, Town Manager David Upson shared that the flood buyout of the property at 209 School St. in East Hardwick will be finalized. Others should follow soon. The grant covers all costs associated with the acquisition, demolition, and cleanup of these properties to create a green space. Appraisals came in higher than expected, so the grant amount was amended to cover increased costs .
Upson also reported that the town is close to having all of the necessary permits for the pedestrian bridge. He anticipates that the bid documents will come out in mid- to late March.
The Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) grant of $75,000 for architecture and engineering plans for the Creamery Road property was approved. The idea is that the fire department would move up to that location for future flood mitigation. While the focus of this grant is moving the fire department, the move could help develop a campus where all public works equipment could be housed.
Upson reported that he continues to have weekly calls with FEMA. FEMA requires a great deal of detailed information that the town continues to work to provide.
Davies Law has notified the town that they will no longer be doing tax sales for any towns. Upson said that he will be signing an engagement letter with another firm soon. The town will not be having a March tax sale due to the timing of this announcement, but will use the new firm for a larger sale in the fall.
Hardwick Electric Department (HED) Commissioner Lynne Gedanken shared that a notice of rate increase recently went out to rate payers. The proposed increase is 1.97% and would take effect in March if approved by the Vermont Public Utility Commission (PUC). Inflation and increased costs are the drivers for the increase.
Gedanken also gave an update on the Wolcott Hydro plant that was damaged in the July flood. She indicated that the structure and equipment are in the process of being repaired and replaced to get the plant back online. HED anticipates that it will be back online around the end of May or beginning of June.
Gedanken reported that HED is working on its year-end numbers. Purchased power costs came in at $4.14 million, which was $27,000 over budget, with a 92% coverage rate.
She indicated that the HED commissioners will be looking at the 2024 budget at their next meeting. They are expecting an 8% increase due to transmission costs and inflation. In addition, their current employee contract expires in June and negotiations are starting with the union. HED anticipates an increase in labor costs, as well.
HED’s mandated limit for outage frequencies is no more than 3.5 events per year. Gedanken reported that HED’s latest performance is slightly better than the limit at 3.2 events per customer.
Board vice chair Ceilidh Galloway-Kane asked if the Wolcott hydro plant was going to be raised to avoid future flooding. Gedanken explained that it is likely that the windows will be filled in with concrete, but that the building cannot be raised.
Board Chair Eric Remick asked where the meeting notices for the commissioner meetings get posted. Gedanken said that she is not sure, but will find out.
The select board voted to approve and sign a loan agreement with the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank for a feasibility study to relocate the wastewater plant, and approved a banner application from AWARE for its fall craft fair.
Business Manager Casey Rowell gave an update on the town’s budget through December 31, 2023 (second fiscal quarter). Both revenues and expenses are on track to meet budget (excluding the flood expenses).
The board then voted to engage Fairweather Consulting and Dufresne Group as consultants for the East Hardwick Village Comprehensive Plan funded through a Better Connection grant, and voted to approve Certificates of Project Completion for the gravel pit bond and the 2021 fire truck bond.
The board then considered appointing Jason Schlesinger as a Hardwick police officer. Town Manager David Upson gave a summary of Schlesinger’s experience. Schlesinger was a state trooper for about 14 years. Both Chief Mike Henry and Upson know Schlesinger, and Upson worked with him at the Vermont State Police. He is willing to join the Hardwick Police Department on a part-time, temporary basis. After discussion, the board voted to appoint Schlesinger.
Vice Chair Galloway-Kane shared that the Hardwick Equity Committee started a book group in partnership with the Jeudevine Library. Anyone interested in joining can send an email to [email protected].
Board Chair Eric Remick mentioned that the Yellow Barn construction continues to push forward. He has had a lot of people comment to him on the size of the accelerator building. The building will have 51 windows, and there will likely be room for an art mural.
Board member Elizabeth Dow announced that the Hardwick Historical Society is having its annual meeting on May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Town House. The guest speaker will be Thomas Hubka, the author of “Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn: The Connected Farm Buildings of New England.”
Dow shared that this will be her last regular select board meeting since she is not running for re-election. She wanted to assure the public that the town is well governed, and that the employees and board members are working for the people.
The other select board members presented her with flowers and a card as a thank you for her nine-years serving on the board.
Board member Danny Hale noted that Lorraine Hussey passed away this week and should be remembered for the wonderful person she was. Dow encouraged everyone to read Hussey’s obituary “because it is great.”
