MARSHFIELD – Marshfield started the year with a major community investment milestone that spoke to local identity and economic cooperation, while water system issues later in the year raised concern.
In January, Cooperation Vermont, the local nonprofit land trust, purchased the former Rainbow Sweets Bakery and Cafe building at 1689 U.S. Route 2, aiming to secure the historic space as a community hub, with plans for affordable housing upstairs and a community kitchen below. “This will ensure that our old building . . . continues to be a community hub . . . forever,” a Cooperation Vermont spokesperson said.
A notice on the Twinfield Union School website the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 28, said the school is closed “ Caledonia Central Supervisory Union Superintendent Matt Foster said widespread illness Monday at Twinfield school had students lined up outside the nurses office, with many being sent home throughout the day. The gastrointestinal illness affected staff as well, but classes were able to continue as teachers and paraprofessionals were shuffled to cover classrooms.
Samara Davis, representing Union 32 School at Vermont History Day, April 5, at Saint Michael’s College, placed first in the Senior Individual Documentary division with her essay, “The Right to Suffer – The 1963 Birmingham Children’s Marches.” She qualified for the National History Day competition, held between June 8 and 12 at University of Maryland College Park.
A June heat advisory sent people at-risk into air conditioned spaces, including the Jaquith Public Library.
Sen. Bernie Sanders appeared at the Twinfield gymnasium July 12, as a guest for Twinfield-Cabot’s annual Youth Free Throw Contest
A Route 2 resurfacing project was completed by mid-July.
Law enforcement handled typical calls, with police responding to a person in crisis near the Martin Covered Bridge on Route 2, a tense but non‑injury incident that drew first responders from the region.
By mid-September, an 800-foot earthen berm along the Winooski River had been removed and trees planted in the area, visible from Route 2, according to the Vermont Land Trust (VLT). The restored riverside land near the Martin Covered Bridge and John Fowler Road, will allow the Winooski to expand into its surrounding floodplain, thus reducing flood risk, improving watershed health and keeping phosphorus out of Lake Champlain.
The waning days of summer’s warmth brought out the community, and the old engines, September 28, for the annual Marshfield Harvest Festival at Old Schoolhouse Common. The festival featured horse‑drawn wagon rides, cider pressing, music, children’s activities, flea market stalls and antique engine exhibits.
Part of the season was also the Marshfield Farmers Market, where vendors offered everything from fresh eggs and vegetables to artisanal jams on Saturdays at the Common.
Water system issues briefly grabbed attention when a boil water notice took effect in mid‑October due to maintenance needs in the village, a reminder of both Marshfield’s aging infrastructure and the importance of public works transparency.
Also in October, Governor Scott announced the Town of Marshfield received a $60,000 grant to develop engineering plans and cost estimates to remediate flooding and determine the source of groundwater infiltration at the Marshfield Town Hall.
At the same time, families and community groups gathered for the many film screenings, history talks and educational programs hosted by the Jaquith Public Library.
A free community Thanksgiving meal was held at the Marshfield Old Schoolhouse Common, November 27.
As winter set in, the Marshfield Resilience Hub and Jaquith Public Library showed the film “Santa Camp,” December 11, and hosted a Holiday Festival of Light, December 14.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
