GREENSBORO – As the Rural Edge vote has concluded, many community members are wondering what the next steps are, for both the board and the building.
Executive Director Patrick Shattuck of Rural Edge issued a statement, “While the vote outcome is disappointing after investing so much time and energy into the community over an extended period, this does provide closure as to our involvement in redevelopment efforts at the town hall building. No matter the outcome, community process is a positive thing and if anything, hopefully this mobilizes more folks to become involved in the future of their community. RuralEdge remains active in Greensboro, partnering on the construction of a duplex in Greensboro Bend with Habitat for Humanity and just this morning I signed a VHIP check funding an accessory dwelling unit in Greensboro. The need for housing is great and RuralEdge remains committed to working across the Northeast Kingdom to improve the housing situation.”
Select board Vice Chair Tim Brennan said “The town has voted and rejected the proposal for Rural Edge to redevelop the town hall as housing. We, of course, will follow the guidance of the town voters. That’s our job. But we are left with the same two problems that we had before, that is, a lack of affordable housing and a deteriorating building. . . We don’t know the answer to those problems, but that’s going to be our agenda, and not just the select board, but the select board and the community need to look carefully and diligently at those two problems and come up with solutions.”
Brennan’s statement rings true for those left wondering what will become of the town hall building without Rural Edge’s financial infusion. Area resident Chris Steel said, “I hope the significant energy that was brought to stopping the Rural Edge project is sustained in determining an alternative way forward for the town hall, especially from those involved in leading that campaign.”
On April 30, the day after Greensboro voters rejected authorizing the select board to sign a proposed purchase and sale agreement of the town hall to Rural Edge, Rosann Hickey said, “I am relieved.” Hickey resides directly across Laurendon Avenue, she’s effectively the town hall’s next door neighbor. While she believes Greensboro needs more housing, she said, “the process was very concerning.”
“When I first heard about the project and thought it was maybe 6 or 8 apartments, I thought it sounded worth looking into.” When it grew to be as many as 20 apartments, she thought it seemed out of scale with the town and the site across from the end of her driveway. “Even Laurendon apartments have only 10 apartments.” Those apartments are next to the Historical Society building, to the right of Willey’s.
Other residents felt similarly. Gary Circosta, quoted in the Newport Daily Express, said “When the results came in, the residents that were present were pleased with the results. Every time, they say it’s a small group of people that are speaking out against it. This shows that when a small group speaks out, there’s often more people behind them,” said Circosta.
Town clerk Kim Greaves said this will likely be a subject for the May 14 select board meeting.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly showed the date of the May 14 select board meeting.
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.
