HARDWICK – The lengthy select board meeting agenda, had the board discussing grant proposals, cemetery maintenance, trash ordinances and the now usual host of FEMA related matters, Thursday, June 5.
photo from HCTV recording
To begin, the board clarified concerns about property values member Danny Hale shared after he received them by email. People are concerned that since their assessment doubled, their taxes are going to double. The board explained this is not true, because when the grand list increases the tax rate decreases. While they have not set the tax rate yet, the board anticipates a significant decrease in the tax rate.
Julie Holcomb was present to express concerns with the Main Street Cemetery. She had provided the board with photos via email and told the board her father passed less than three years ago. She said she is personally still in the mourning process, then talked about her concerns with the appearance and safety of the cemetery. “It doesn’t look like the vision statement,” she said. She provided examples, citing scattered pieces of fabric and spots near headstones where the ground has settled. Holcomb reportedly twisted her ankle in one of the holes, a major concern.
“I noticed the tool shed, the dead brush, I noticed the steps people are walking down, their missing hand railings, there’s moss on the stairs, there’s dead grass clippings . . . It doesn’t send a message ‘That’s a place where I want to go to mourn my loved ones.’”
Holcomb said while she can’t expect the drug issues to be handled overnight, there are some quick solutions available. “It is part of the sextants job to take care of that, and I would like a place where I could go, and feel at peace; to communicate with my loved one who is spending eternity there,” she concluded.
Both Chair Eric Remick and Town Manager David Upson responded to Holcomb. Remick explained the town took over management of the cemeteries relatively recently, after the dissolution of the cemetery associations. The town has since hired a new sexton, with a primary focus on record keeping.
While Holcomb expressed her understanding, she said, when people purchase lots, they have an expectation that it will be kept a certain way under a contractual agreement they paid for.
Upson talked about the structure of the town’s cemetery management. After the former sexton assigned to Fairview and Main Street cemetery association unexpectedly quit, he discovered they had been taking cash payments for burials. Over the course of the next year and a half, the town worked to take control of the seven cemeteries that were under the control of the cemetery association.
Courtyard Services is now the sexton, having signed a three year contract with the town. Upson went over the maintenance list of items that were completed last year. Each year, the board explained, they intend to make repairs as money allows. On Main Street, 32 headstones were straightened and they filled in three major sinkholes last year. The town has estimates and quotes for other restoration projects.
“We are slowly taking control of those cemeteries, so I ask that you give us time to improve the situation,” said Upson.
Holcomb said she would like to see the board have clear communication about who handles the various aspects of the cemetery. Feedback from the board was that she should contact Upson about her concerns, however, she said he was out of the office when she called last week.
“The town deserves to know who they should communicate with. I just want a peaceful place, not just for me to mourn but for everybody that has to go to the cemetery. And if you say to me, we’re working on it, I’m gonna trust that you are working on it,” Holcomb responded. She then expressed concerns about liability, should someone slip and fall leaving the town open to a lawsuit.
The board told Holcomb they appreciate her coming in and Remick added they have been slowly ratcheting up the budget that is allocated to the cemetery, so the process will be incremental.
“It’s good to hear that people in our community are watching. I appreciate it,” Remick concluded.
Moving on to the pedestrian bridge project, the board accepted a $2,375,000 bid from CCS Constructors for the retaining wall repair and $775,000 for the pedestrian bridge, with construction administration for those projects by SE Group.
After some discussion, the board voted to use Pike Industries for the Center Road paving project at $688,605, authorizing Upson to sign a contract.
Road Foreman Tom Fadden said the crew put gravel on Kate Brook and Marsh Roads. They have been grading various roads around town. He said they completed most of the crosswalks before running out of red paint.
They replaced a culvert in East Hardwick, installed a set of guardrails on Hardwick Farms Road, where people expressed concern about a drop-off.
They have been patching holes on Center Road and around the village, with more planned downtown and on West Hill. Work on Center Road has been done in preparation for the upcoming paving.
After a lengthy discussion, the board decided to work to revise the language in the trash ordinance, as there are questions about the feasibility of enforcing it. Board member Shari Cornish volunteered to work with the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District to revise the ordinance and bring back suggested changes.
In other business, Jeannine Young of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) provided an update on the “never forget” garden in the Memorial Park.
The board approved the new private road name Draper Sugar Maples Drive.
Upson reported engineering firm Aldrich & Elliot shared a proposal to rehab sewer lines. Funds for that work would come from sewer capital.
The closing on 41 Brush Street happened this week, transferring ownership to the town in a flood-related buyout, prior to demolition. Upson shared there are four more closings scheduled for FEMA buyouts, two in June and two in July.
Upson thanked Jan Mueller for heading up Springfest, saying he put a ton of time and effort into it, for which the community is grateful.
The board voted to approve the liquor license renewal for House of Pizza Inc.
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.
