HARDWICK – The first regular select board meeting of December consisted primarily of budget discussions, updates on flood-related projects and debate over whether or not to implement a local option tax. Notably, Danny Hale announced he would not be running for re-election to a select board seat.
Two seats will be available at town meeting in March; a one-year term and a three-year term.
Much discussion centered on a possible local option tax. Board Chair Eric Remick explained there are three local option tax choices: sales, meals and alcohol and rooms.
Board member Danny Hale expressed concerns that these options wouldn’t benefit a small town like Hardwick. Hale noted that adding option taxes may place a burden on smaller businesses, especially those that operate in multiple towns and must keep track of different tax requirements. He gave the example of delivering lumber to 33 towns, each with its own tax rules.
Shari Cornish responded that businesses already have to keep track of sales tax, to which Hale reiterated his point. Remick agreed that a local sales tax seems complicated due to variability across towns. He suggested a meals and alcohol option would be easier for businesses to manage. Hale said he would support this, barring business who get deliveries. Remick clarified that if the tax is passed by voters, individual businesses cannot opt out: it would apply town-wide.
Rachel Kane, who was at the meeting representing the Hardwick Conservation Commission, said she is still learning about the option tax issue. Her business, Summersweet Gardens, currently collects sales and rooms and meals tax, but she noted that most towns with local option taxes are larger than Hardwick. She expressed concern that adding taxes could discourage visitors and create complications for businesses that get deliveries. In her role representing the conservation commission, Kane inquired about the proper steps to create a Conservation Reserve Fund. Town Finance Director Casey Rowell explained that if the fund is to be established using town money, then it must be approved by voters. If the fund is created solely from donations, a vote is not required. Chair Remick requested Kane return when more is known.The town maintains a fund to handle unexpected expenses, or reduced revenue. The current policy has been to maintain the equivalent of 10% of annual budgeted expenditures in that fund, with a goal of 20%. Rowell proposed changing the goal from 20% to 15%, which was approved. The board recapped the draft budget for FY27, discussing proposed changes and additions they may want to make. The most current draft version of the budget is available on the town website.
In other business, a public engagement session for an essential services project is scheduled for mid-January. Upson met with members of the fire department last week to address their questions about the proposed new fire station building.
SLR Consulting was present to give an overview of the River Flood Modeling project of Lamoille River and Cooper Brook, showing how future flooding could affect Hardwick.River modeling presentations were held for the public, on December 3. with SLR, attended by 60 people.
Transportation engineering firm VHB, under contract with the town for a Mill Street-Main Street study, has scheduled a meeting for January 7.
Town Manager David Upson reported the town received preliminary designs and cost estimates for both Bridge 31 and Fisher Folly Bridge, each with three proposed alternatives, to be submitted to FEMA for final review. The town is requesting extensions for seven FEMA projects, including a two-year extension for the wastewater treatment facility, and a one-year extension for the Fisher Folly Bridge project.
Upson said he continues to meet with FEMA every two weeks. He hopes FEMA will present an offer for the wastewater treatment facility by mid-January.
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.
