Neighborhood Organization Holds Annual Meeting

EAST HARDWICK – A group of about 20 gathered at the East Hardwick Grange Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 23, for the annual meeting of the East Hardwick Neighborhood Organization, Inc (EHNO). Before Chair Irene Nagle opened the meeting with the annual report, neighbors socialized over pizza, wine, apple cider and cookies.

Nagle began the meeting by highlighting new developments since last year and mentioning ongoing programs.

In May EHNO successfully applied for a small grant from the Vermont Community Foundation to have an interpretive sign fabricated for the East Hardwick trailhead on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT). The sign will provide information about the railroad depot that once stood at that location. EHNO is working with a consultant to design and fabricate the sign. With matching funds from EHNO, the town has already secured the base for the sign.

Other improvements at the trailhead are ongoing. The town of Hardwick has signed a lease for the land and obtained a kiosk for the trailhead. The kiosk will display maps of the LVRT and the area and will provide a place for community notices. It is one of three kiosks secured by the town through a state grant program. EHNO provided a portion of the matching funds for the grant.

Nagle explained that work has not begun on the trailhead due to questions about wetlands. EHNO is working with the town’s development coordinator to resolve those questions.

Along with others in East Hardwick, the group is participating in the Better Connections Program to develop a master plan for East Hardwick Village. Nagle and Kathy Hemmens represent the EHNO at these meetings.

Also in June EHNO and All Metals Recycling partnered on a pilot program to help East Hardwick Village residents dispose of unwanted vehicles. EHNO will pay the owner $100 for any car or truck, in any condition, and All Metals Recycling will reimburse them and waive the $75 pick-up charge.

Nagle explained that a Vermont Historic Marker, a project of the EHNO, has been forged and is ready for installation at Overlook Park. The Roadside Historic Site Marker Program, under the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, has placed nearly 310 cast-aluminum green markers, crested with the distinctive gold state seal, throughout the State. Overlook Park is on property owned by the East Hardwick Fire District. It is currently maintained by local volunteers as a place to view the Lamoille River and provide parking spaces. Nagle anticipates the marker will be installed next summer.

The EHNO provided the organizational efforts and free popcorn for the Children’s Parade in East Hardwick. This annual event was sponsored in cooperation with the Grange, the Congregational Church and the Civic Standard.

Fall Folk of East Hardwick, creatively designed lawn characters, have been supported again this fall season by EHNO, which provides the wooden framework.

EHNO again delivered baked goods as welcome gifts to new residents in the village. According to Nagle, the group is looking forward to assisting with the December cookie project.

After the chair’s report the treasurer’s report for January through September 2024 was distributed. The report showed income of $2,800 for this fiscal year and expenditure of $3,556.03.

The last item on the agenda was the annual vote for the board of trustees of the non-profit organization. Returning members are David Gross, Cheryl Michaels and Irene Nagle. Newly-appointed members are Anne Galloway and Kathy Hemmens. Galloway is known locally for her work as a reporter and founder of Vermont Digger. She and her spouse, Patrick Kane, reside in East Hardwick and are deeply involved in the Hardwick Community. Hemmens moved to East Hardwick in 2000 after being hired by Northeast Kingdom Human Services. She has been active in many local organizations and served on the Hardwick Select Board for a number of years starting in 2005.

Once the annual business portion of the meeting was adjourned, four guest speakers were introduced.

Presentations about the history of the railroad and its influence on the growth of the small villages of East Hardwick and Greensboro Bend were given by Nancy Hill of the Greensboro Historical Society, Jane Johns of the Bend Revitalization Committee and Cheryl Michaels of the EHNO.

Gary Michaels of the East Hardwick Fire District, the entity that owns the abandoned Community Library and Fire House on 117 Main Street, spoke of the struggles by the EHNO to restore the building for community use and the decision this summer by the Fire District trustees to tear it down. Michaels presented a list of ideas for future use of the small plot of land. The list was distilled from ideas generated at the Better Connections Community Survey and the Village Supper in July. After asking for additional ideas, each member of the group was asked to indicate a first and second choice from the amended list. The meeting wrapped up about 8 p.m., as folks grabbed cookies and voted for their favorite ideas on their way out. The result was that the item listed as “gazebo, benches, shade tree” to indicate a pocket park was overwhelmingly selected as a first choice. Other popular choices were an art and sculpture park and a community flower garden. This feedback, along with the recommendations from the Better Connections Plan when it is completed, will be considered by the trustees of the East Hardwick Fire District as they proceed to remove the building and restore the small lot.