HARDWICK – Jason Booth, with the town’s engineering firm A&E presented a final Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) flood mitigation/relocation study.
During the July 2023 flood, significant damage occurred to the facility, placing it out of service. Necessary repairs were made quickly, returning the WWTF to service. The July flood this year caused additional damage. The town has been working with FEMA on the best course of action to protect the WWTF. Within the report, A&E presented three options for FEMA to review: replacing WWTF controls and keeping the structure of the building as it is currently; raising the building up or relocating the building. Raising the building will cost $8.4M and relocating will cost $21M. Once FEMA reviews the study, they will provide the town with an estimate of what they will cover. A&E will then help the town determine what is the best course of action. To see the full report, please visit the town manager’s office.
Town Manager David Upson gave updates on town projects: 78% of the data for the Lead Service Inventory about the types of pipes going into residents’ houses and 55% of the data on the town’s service side have been completed; cemetery maintenance by the sexton has included straightening 306 stones, repairing 48 additional stones and fixing 12 sunken graves; the fire department self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) system, ruined in the July 2023 flood, has been installed and is now operational; The business manager has been working on the town’s preliminary budget to be presented to the select board at the next meeting; there’s been another dog bite since the last meeting; Upson reported it’s costing the Town $12.25 per cubic yard for staymat from the town’s gravel pit, where before it was costing $16.75 to travel to Danville for it.
The town has $20,000 left from the $75,000 it committed to spend from the real estate sale, said Upson. An Act 250 permit needs to be submitted, which will cost $7,500 to be paid from that $20,000.
Road Foreman Tom Fadden reported recent work has been done on Nichols Pond, Dutton, Mackville, Smith Farm, Tucker Brook, Marsh and Bunker Hill Roads; crushed ledge was placed on Hardwick Farms Road and it was chlorinated to improve that area; the road crew has worked on a list of areas from a list provided by the town manager’s office that needed attention after the recent flood and will finish it by next week, weather permitting; The road crew has been busy putting up new road signs.
Interim police Chief Mike Henry reported an officer is at the full-time academy and expected back by January 1.
Roger Prevot reported for Hardwick Electric Department that there have been positive changes under Interim General Manager Scott Johnstone; recruitment of a new general manager is underway and he updated the board on the Wolcott Hydro Plant and new transformer policy.
hctv courtesy photo
Leahy shared a comprehensive report on flood resiliency projects, including timelines and coordination with other towns.
Liquor and tobacco licenses for M&M Beverage were approved.
Further discussions covered adding a South Main Street bike lane: Leahy’s comments on a study focusing on improving walkability between Elm Street and Main Street, with an urgent need for attention as soon as financially possible; setting a public hearing for November 7, to close out the VCDP Library Grant and approval of G.W. Tatro’s bid of $138,500 to armor properties on Route 15.
Select board reports covered updates on various projects, including the CAE Building, VASA work, the rail trail and upcoming events at the Hardwick Town House.
Remick said the town should re-engage with the SE Group on the Pedestrian Bridge. Upson reported bids don’t need to go back out for the wall work, but they do for the bridge itself, and Kristen Leahy, zoning and floodplain manager, told the board it needs to get new permitting.
Upson said the town needs to apply for an anticipation bond, but FEMA has obligated the money to fix the wall. The wall and the bridge are two separate projects, but they could be done at the same time. The project’s grant money has been extended until next year. The Town still needs to come up with additional funding for the bridge though. The board will discuss this further at its next meeting.
Select Board Chair Eric Remick recognized resident Wes Mawson, who introduced himself, then announced there are Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every Monday night at Hardwick United Church.
A recordng of this meeting is available at hctv.us
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
