HARDWICK – Residents and community members have inquired about the future of 41 Brush Street, a property visible from Hardwick’s downtown area that has also a distinctive landmark from the Floods of 2023 and 2024. Visitors and longtime residents alike have noted the precarious appearance of the home.
courtesy photo
Since 1953, the property has stood along the banks of the Lamoille River. Photographs from the Hardwick Historical Society capture the site in 1973, shortly after the devastating floods of that year. Elevated above the water, the house once boasted a garden and yard that clung to the riverbank. The current owner recalls the beauty of the garden, which overlooked the river. However, this section of the property has since been lost, washed away by the forceful, ever-changing current of the Lamoille River.
In early 2023, a fire ravaged the interior of the house. The property was further impacted by flooding in both July 2023 and July 2024. The structure has since sustained significant damage as the river has eroded the bank, with the looming threat of collapse into the river becoming increasingly imminent. In response to this, the Town of Hardwick has worked closely with the current property owner to submit a FEMA buyout request. Within the next two months, ownership will transfer to the town, with demolition slated for the summer of 2025. The buyout, supported by the State of Vermont, is fully funded by FEMA and Vermont Emergency Management.
The Town of Hardwick has secured an Emergency Watershed Protection grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to stabilize the stream bank, offering essential protection to both Brush Street and the town’s water and sewer infrastructure.
Looking ahead, there is potential for the site to be enhanced with riparian plantings, and there may be opportunities to provide additional space for the Lamoille River. These measures will foster ecological resilience and help mitigate future flood risks, ultimately contributing to the long-term sustainability of the area.
Kristen Leahy is Hardwick’s zoning and floodplain administrator
