EAST HARDWICK – At their Annual Meeting held on Tuesday, August 20 at the Grange Hall in East Hardwick, the trustees of the East Hardwick Fire District No.1 (EHFD) looked back on a very busy year. EHFD maintains the water system for the village of East Hardwick. The system is located on 94 acres of pristine softwood forest and is fed by springs into an underground reservoir then piped to individual houses and businesses in the village of East Hardwick.
The 2024 Annual Meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m., and David O’Brien was elected as moderator. The minutes of last year’s meeting were approved after which the moderator directed the group through a series of seven articles, the first being reports from officers.
As chair, O’Brien gave a brief summary of the year which included information on the Notice of Violation from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and the corrective actions taken. O’Brien reported that the system has had several breaks and leaks that had to be repaired over the course of the year. He also provided information on the Asset Management Plan and the Leak Detection grant both of which are in process.
O’Brien reported that the trustees have sent out RFPs to hire an engineering firm to undertake a preliminary engineering report of the system in order to identify short and long-term requirements to ensure its ability to provide safe, continuously available water.
The treasurer’s report was given by John Mandeville, who distributed the year-end P&L and balance sheet. It showed that the district’s operations ended the fiscal year on June 30, 2024, in the red by $20,598, much of which is accounted for by the one-time charges of a bit over $7,000 to replace the flow meters, $3,900 to clear the roots invading the springs (as required in the Notice of Violation from the state) and about $10,000 in billings for the Asset Management Plan which will be reimbursed through a forgivable loan program.
The balance sheet showed the district had cash totaling $133,330 consisting of $119,624 in Certificates of Deposit and $15,342 in the district’s checking account.
Mandeville also reported that the past-due accounts receivable have mostly been collected and he presented the auditor’s report from Tracy Martin which stated she had no findings and had determined the fire district’s books were in good order.
David Gross provided the operator’s summary. The daily checking of chlorine levels (as required by the Notice of Violation from the state) allowed the system to meet the mandate that the chlorine levels remain elevated until such time as the district could prove that the bacteria count is in compliance without chlorination.
Gross also reported that, due to state requirements, EHFD will have to install an automated chlorination system and a reservoir alarm that reports issues through a wireless system. This will replace the existing audio alarm. Both of these activities will require electric power at the site, which does not currently exist. Extending an electric line to the reservoir, using solar or a battery system or some combination of these is being considered.
In article three, with no further nominations, David O’Brien and Gary Michals were appointed to continue as trustees in two three-year positions. Doug Casavant was elected to serve in the position of fire chief. Tracy Martin was elected to the position of auditor.
Article 4 was to set the water rate for one year. A discussion ensued about the need to increase the rate in order for the budget to remain in balance.
John Mandeville presented two draft budgets; one showing no increase and one showing an increase of $100 a year. The one with no increase showed a positive bottom line of $3,650 and the one with the $100 increase showed a positive bottom line of $6,650. Mandeville explained that as the system is continuing to age and, based on this year’s experience, more breakages and leaks will occur, he felt it was prudent to enact the $100 increase. A motion was made and seconded to increase the water rates by $100 a year. The motion passed unanimously by all rate payers in attendance. The new rate will be $300 per year per hookup. Water is unmetered.
Article 5 allows the fire district to raise taxes. As in previous years, it was decided that no taxes would be collected by the district.
Article 6 grants permission for trustees to borrow money if necessary in anticipation of water rents. Permission was unanimously granted.
Since no other business was presented the 2024 Annual Meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Full copies of the financial and operating reports are available by contacting the trustees.
In addition to the annual meeting, public meetings are held once a month in the fellowship room of the East Hardwick First Congregational Church or over Zoom.
In addition to the activities reported at the annual meeting, during the last few months the trustees have had meetings with the county forester to obtain advice on what needs to be done at the location of the springs and reservoir in order to keep the property healthy and to clear the area around the springs without disturbing the flow of ground water.
In the July meeting, rate payer James Teuscher attended to ask if his placement of sculptures at White Water Gallery is a problem for the fire district. All agreed that it is not a problem. He also requested and was granted permission to put steps into his building from the rear onto the fire district’s River Street property. Teuscher mentioned that he had observed the guardrail issue at Overlook Park and recommended a new design for a rail fence. Dave Gross explained the plan for Overlook Park and that the East Hardwick Neighborhood Organization is waiting for the town to remove part of the guard rail before they can complete the park.
Flowers sit on the bridge over the Lamoille River, last week, in East Hardwick.
The EHFD owns the old village library and firehouse building at 117 Main Street and has been looking at costs to demolish the building and excavate the site. An RFP was sent out and only one response came back, at $50,000. The district is continuing, with the assistance of the town of Hardwick, to explore both grant and low interest loan opportunities to pay for this. The Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) has said the demolition would be eligible for its Brownfields program, but this would be a loan, not a grant. The NVDA has retained an engineer to assess the library building and prepare a condemnation recommendation. The trustees are working with the East Hardwick Neighborhood Organization and the Better Connections Grant Program to determine a future use for the approximately 30-foot by 30-foot plot, which currently has no water or septic.
Minutes of the monthly meetings are posted at ehfd.mystrikingly.com/ and at the East Hardwick Post Office.
