Hardwick, News

Flood Repair Projects Continue

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HARDWICK — The January 16 select board meeting began with Town Manager David Upson providing the board with updates on various matters. He said the zoning and community development coordinators’ offices have both upgraded their websites.

The town will soon have a texting program called TextMyGov, said Upson. After appropriate training, the next step will be using the emergency email notification list to send out a notice. The notice will inform individuals to reach out to the town manager’s office to opt out of the TextMyGov program. A press release with more information will be released soon.

Upson informed the board he sent out a request for a proposal on repairs for the Main Street bridge, going towards Greensboro Bend. The due date is next month, and will determine if the town can actually fix this bridge.

Discussion then moved on to the upcoming town meeting in March. The board agreed to hold an informational meeting on February 20, 5:30 p.m., to answer any questions about the budget.

The town is working with the Emergency Watershed Program on the motel and Brush Street properties for bank stabilization. The town has already purchased the motel property, but the Brush Street location has not been bought out yet. A specific plan for stabilization funds will be necessary in the coming months.

Upson delivered the road foreman’s report, saying the crew has been busy plowing, sanding, salting and all their equipment is running.

The Hardwick Police Department (HPD) report had Police Chief Mike Henry saying HPD recently moved a speed sign on the rail trail and they have grant funding for another sign. HPD is dealing with staffing changes as one employee is on short-term medical leave.

Lynne Gedanken, chair of the Hardwick Electric Department’s (HED) Board of Commissioners, said new general manager, Sarah Braese, started January 6. Braese continues to meet with staff and stakeholders regularly.

Gedanken said to move forward with renovations on the Wolcott hydro dam, approval is required from the Department of Environmental Conservation. She informed the board HED is talking about a potential rate increase for 2025, but needs to develop their budget and see 2024 year-end reports before deciding.

Discussion moved on to the School Street slope stabilization project. The town received three proposals, each of them different in price and scope of work. According to the board, half of the project is mitigation and drainage from the corn field across Route 16. Replacement drainage is necessary. The town has over $100,000 obligated for the project. The board approved a contract with Mumley Engineering for $52,000 for the project.

Diane Grenkow, Jeudevine Library director, then gave a report on recent happenings at the library, saying they finally broke through the wall, meaning the old building and new building are now conjoined. The completion date is still scheduled for March 2025.

Moving on, the board discussed wastewater and water application fees. Upson said the town currently charges $1,500 for new wastewater and water applications, and wants to work with homeowners. The board discussed potential solutions, such as waiving the fee or making a tiered program. They also discussed delaying charges for the first year, but came to no decision.

In other business, board member Ceilidh Galloway-Kane reported on the Hardwick Equity Project. This will bring together organizations that receive appropriations and committees that received ARPA funds. They will assess how the town can improve equity with its committees, staff and Hardwick as a collective. The project will begin in February.

Chair Eric Remick said skiing on the rail trail is great.

Raymobda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.

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