HARDWICK— The February 6 select board agenda was again comprised of various grant opportunities and updates, in addition to municipal matters.
The meeting began with Fire Chief Perley Allen letting the board know the fire department has found a used 2000 Seagrave Apollo 105 tower truck that another department is selling at a reasonable price. Allen said he and other department members plan to look it over thoroughly and report back at the next board meeting. The current truck does not have a working pump, whereas this one offers more height for firefighting. Chair Eric Remick noted the town has capital for the purchase and this truck costs significantly less than what they expected to spend a few years from now.
Town Manager David Upson shared that a contract has been prepared for the School Street slope stabilization project in East Hardwick. He sent the contract to Mumley Engineering and is waiting to hear back.
The town lawyer is preparing a memo outlining the legal procedures needed to lay out Perry Lane road, said Upson. It was never officially laid out as a town road and is located next to the town lot, that Vermont Huts has a purchase option on, at the intersection of Main and Mill Streets.
Upson said the town has submitted an Act 250 application for the gravel pit, however additional information is needed so he will be meeting with the town consultant and project engineer to work on those remaining questions.
Shari Cornish was the first board member to complete the required ethics training, and was thanked by Upson, to which Cornish said it only takes about 45 minutes.
Police Chief Mike Henry reported that things are going well despite being short staffed. The police department continues to operate with one officer per shift, which he says is not ideal for safety reasons.
Henry said they have seen an uptick in DUI crashes, and recognized Perley Allen’s life-saving actions in a recent DUI crash in which the person was upside down in a rolled vehicle, with the roof peeled back. Allen climbed into the damaged vehicle in spite of the inclement weather to assist the individual in getting out. Henry also asked the board to remind residents about the winter parking ban.
The board considered approving a proposal for an Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) grant through the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The grant is similar to the 2023 EWP grant the town had last year for bank stabilization and the armoring of properties at risk for future flood damage. This new grant would include five properties, with a 25% match. Two of the five properties are town-owned, and the town match equates to $89,000. NRCS will do the engineering, then define the cost. The board discussed the grant at length, with some expressing concern about committing to the match money without a definite source of those funds. Zoning Administrator Kristen Leahy said the town can back out prior to construction if the projected cost of the match is too much. Leahy said this is the best chance of turning around these mitigation projects quickly and with financial assistance, whereas it could take years to complete independent of grants. After some discussion, the board voted to approve a EWP grant proposal through NRCS.
The board discussed new social media policies for recreation, trails and fire department accounts that are already in use. Upson explained the town is planning to set up a Facebook page to communicate with the public, especially in disasters. The board examined examples of social media policies, one option being a lengthy template from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. The board opted to adopt the second more condensed version of the social media policy.
The board moved on to discuss a flurry of grants in quick succession. Upson informed the board the town has applied for a Homeland Security grant to replace the simulcast repeater, essential for the safety of emergency personnel. The board then adopted two municipal resolutions, one needed for a municipal planning grant and the other for the downtown transportation fund.
Katherine Tolman, grants manager at the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), was present and explained to the board they are applying for a grant to assist with flood resiliency in the Atkins Field and Granite Street area. The town does not need to provide any financial support, however the CAE is looking for a letter of support signed by zoning administrator Kristen Leahy. The board voted to authorize the letter of support for the CAE grant application.
In other business, the select board voted to approve a cannabis license renewal for The Cannabis Shop and the Clean Cannabis Company.
Town Business Manager Casey Rowell provided a budget update for the first half of the fiscal year 2025, saying both revenues and expenses are on track.
Upson received two legislative updates from Mike Southworth, which will be uploaded as a shared attachment with other board materials.
Shari Cornish reminded the board the Hardwick seat for the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District is open, as she has officially resigned.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree 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.
