HARDWICK – Only three board members were present at the September 4 regular select board meeting, being Shari Cornish, Ceilidh Galloway-Kane and Danny Hale. Town Manager David Upson and Business Manager Casey Rowell were also present. To begin the meeting Upson’s report contained a few updates about a number of projects.
All the groups associated with American Legion Post 7 including The Sons of the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution will be partnering to take on the pointing and the planting for the new flower garden at Memorial Park.
Beverly Shepard, on behalf of the Catholic Daughters, has announced plans to give the town a new sign for Fairview Cemetery as a gift. This sign would be placed on the brick towers at the beginning of the drive. Both projects are still in the planning stages, so more details will come.
All pedestrian bridge documents signed by the town and the contractor, CCS Construction, have been sent to the USDA. The next step is a review of the documents so a notice to proceed can be issued. The hope is to have a pre-construction meeting in the near future.
Road Foreman Tom Fadden said they’ve been holding off on grading, as the ground is not moist enough. The crew is working on a hazard mitigation project on Tucker Hill Road. The crew completed ditch work and laid extra brick up there as well. Gravel crushing in the town pit will begin this week.
Police Chief Mike Henry informed the board that level-two Officer Joe Donna will begin working full time. Ariana Morris will be attending the police academy this week, so another level-two officer will be brought on full-time in the near future for her field training. Morris will attend the level three academy in February. Ending the discussion, the board unanimously approved the appointment of Morris as a part-time officer to the department.
Library Trustee Chair Daphne Kalmar was present to request the select board authorize $20,000 of library capital funds to spend towards the balance of the project. Kalmar said, “The numbers at the library are double and the visitors to the library, and the meeting [room] is very popular and the summers are steadier, it’s very exciting.” Additionally, an application has been submitted to the Vermont Community Foundation, who will then distribute the information to potential donors and possible grantees. Shari Cornish made a motion, which ultimately passed after some discussion.
In other business, the board approved the change of job title from business manager to finance director.
The board discussed town meeting 2026 and how to encourage more attendance. Providing childcare, adjusting the meeting time, or possibly the day, was suggested. A meeting on Saturday and polling on a different day was discussed too.
The board heard from Danny Hale representing Hale Transport LLC about a new economic development loan request. Hale presented his application for a shop, to provide maintenance and repairs for his equipment, as well as hopefully to find an apprentice later on. The economic development fund is a rotating loan, the goal being to create jobs and businesses in Hardwick. The current loan balance is around $300,000.
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.
