HARDWICK – The Thursday, June 26 select board meeting began with Rachel Kane, co-chair of the Hardwick Conservation Commission (HCC) telling the board Ken and Chris Davis have listed 318 acres off Wright Farm Road, that the HCC is interested in purchasing. Kane said the trust for public land and the Northern River Lands Trust (NRLT) are ready and willing to assist the town in acquiring this land to create a community forest. Paul Soho of NRLT was also present.
“I believe I speak for most Hardwickian’s, we really love this little mountain as a backdrop to our town. I believe there would be a lot of support for conserving it for public use. We have an amazing opportunity to acquire this land at minimal cost for the town through the assistance of this trust for public land and the NRLT” Kane said.
NRLT recently assisted the Town of Wolcott in creating their own community forest. The role of the trust for public land is in obtaining grants to purchase the land at fair market value, crafting a conservation easement with the town. Ultimately the land is given to the town.
“A significant part of creating a community forest in this way is the decisions on what uses and activities will be allowed on the parcel, which are decided by the town. It could be recreational trails, it could be hiking and biking, it could be nature trails.” Kane continued, saying these things would be decided later on in the process, with a town steering or stewardship committee. She informed the board there is a slight urgency, as some grants have a deadline in the fall.
“This really is an extraordinary opportunity to create a lasting gift to this town,” Kane concluded. The board agreed to put an item on the next meeting agenda to further discuss the process and requirements.
Town manager David Upson reported contracts for the damaged retaining wall underneath the pedestrian bridge have been sent to CCS construction.
Transitioning to public works, he reported around 210 feet of sidewalk has been completed. Parts of the repeater have been installed on West Hill for the police department. A heat pump must be installed for the repeater building, however.
The Hardwick Electric Department (HED) report was delivered by Michael Ambrosino, who told the board there will be a public informational hearing July 2 about the pending rate increase. “We hate increasing rates, but as you know, go to the grocery store and there’s much less you can buy with what you have, we ran into the same problem with everything we do.”
An engineering study is looking at Wolcott hydro dam repairs needed after the second flood. Ambrosino said they’re not committing to spend any more on the hydro plant until they receive the results of the study, having already spent probably over a million and half dollars on it.
He said HED is close to ratifying the union contract with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which will help set rates for the next two years. “It’s good for us because we have a lot of new people, and we want to keep them in the place that we’ve hired them. They’re good people, so we’re pretty happy about that.”
The department has completed their Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Ambrosino explained it outlines the long term effects of growth and where the department can make improvements.
He said HED is exploring options to better inform the public about outages, because as of now customers are directed to “a site that doesn’t have anything.”
He also said they are working on customer relations, specifically for new customers.
“It’s been a sticking point about how much they have to pay up front, what they get, what if they don’t go ahead. So we’re rearranging how that happens so that initially when customers come to us, they’re not going to hear ‘we can’t talk to you until you pay us money.”
Concluding his report, Ambrosino made a special mention of former chairwoman Lynne Gendanken. “I just want to give a shout out to Lynne, she’s done a great job. I’ll miss her legal interpretation of things,” he said. Gendanken has decided not to run for another term a commissioner when her term ends June 30.
The 2025 Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) was adopted, with the board thaking Zoning and Floodplain Administrator Kristen Leahy for her continued work on the plan. “It is her baby. We couldn’t have done it to this level without her, without the support of the consultants, Neighbor to Neighbor . . . I think this is a very robust local emergency management plan, and it’s much needed,” said Upson. “I’m so looking forward to not putting it into place,” he joked. Chair Eric Remick thanked everyone present, saying “That was something we were shown we needed, twice.”
Leahy told the board there will be a free flood recovery writing workshop on July 10 and 17, then another workshop July 7 about flood mitigation and modeling. She encouraged the board to have at least one attendee present in person, as the workshop will serve as a foundation for future decision making.
Leahy said they have closed on flood buyouts for two more homes, one on Vt. Route 14 and one on Sawmill Lane. She expects to close on two more properties from the same locations in July.
The whole of Leahy’s update is available via the town website, as well as her regular written report.
The board heard from members of the Hardwick Planning Commission (HPC), recommending it adopt the 2025 Better Connections Plan as an addendum to the Hardwick Municipal plan. Moreover, the HPC stated they support the dedication of the 2025 Better Connections Plan to the late Meredith Holch, who passed away recently. The board approved both motions unanimously.
In other business, the board approved a second class liquor license for Dollar General. A manufacturers tier-one small cultivators renewal was approved for All Bliss Cannabis LLC.
An informational poster from the Department of Families and Children will be hung on the wrought iron fence on main street for two weeks, for potential foster parents.
The board reviewed and approved the audit engagement proposal by Sullivan Powers & Co., a tax preparation service located in Montpelier.
Irving Fuels bid was accepted for FY26 heating, oil, propane and diesel purchases
The banner application for Circus Smirkus, from August 8 to August 17, was unanimously approved.
Three people have applied for the director of public works position. The board appointed Shari Cornish as a representative for the first round of interviews. After further discussion, the board entered executive session, including Library Trustee Daphne Kelmar and Business Manager Casey Rowell.
Raymonda Parchment
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.
