HARDWICK – In recent months, many residents have asked how Hardwick’s flood buyout program works and what it means for the town’s finances and long-term flood resilience. As the community continues recovering from repeated disasters, it is important to clear up several common misconceptions and explain why this program remains one of our most effective tools for public safety.
First, no local tax dollars were used for the 2023 and 2024 buyouts.
All acquisition, demolition and site restoration costs were paid through federal and state disaster-recovery programs. The town did not provide a local match. This structure prevents Hardwick from inheriting damaged or tax-delinquent properties and avoids the substantial cleanup and stabilization costs that often follow major floods.
There is also concern that removing properties will reduce municipal revenue. In reality, the combined pre-flood assessed value of the 20 buyout parcels represents less than one-half of one percent of Hardwick’s projected grand list. In addition, the state reimburses the town for the municipal portion of taxes on each buyout property for ten years, 100 percent for the first five years and 50 percent for the next five. This system ensures a predictable transition and protects municipal operations from sudden revenue loss.
Another frequent question is why some homes were not rebuilt. Each of the buyout properties had sustained repeated flood losses and was in areas where reconstruction or elevation would not provide reliable long-term protection.
Several of the properties sit within the floodway or high-hazard flow paths. Others face chronic basement flooding or unstable soils. The buyout program removes those vulnerabilities and returns the sites to open space, allowing them to store floodwater and reduce downstream impacts during future storms.
While individual homeowners certainly benefit from leaving unsafe structures behind, benefit to the broader community is significant. Following demolition, the open parcels function as part of Hardwick’s growing network of flood and stormwater mitigation areas. They reduce pressure on neighboring homes, help protect roads and utilities, strengthen overall public safety.
If the town had taken no action, Hardwick would likely face increased long-term costs through abandoned structures, safety hazards, tax delinquency, and eventual cleanup obligations. The buyout program avoids those liabilities while helping stabilize the municipal budget and improve resilience across the watershed.
As recovery progresses, buyouts represent one of the most important ways Hardwick can reduce future damage, protect neighborhoods and plan responsibly for a changing climate.
They are funded through state and federal recovery programs and are designed to improve long-term public safety and community stability.”
Kristen Leahy is Hardwick’s zoning and floodplain administrator and resilience and adaptation coordinator.
