HARDWICK – Senator Scott Beck attended the final June meeting of the select board, reporting a significant statewide effort is underway to secure additional transportation funding for road maintenance. According to Beck, the need is being driven in part by the growing use of electric vehicles, which contribute less fuel tax revenue, as well as increased travel overall. The state’s goal is to pave 200 to 300 miles of roadway annually. However, only 56 miles are scheduled for paving this year.
The legislature has chosen not to pursue school redistricting, said Beck, instead shifting more decision making authority back to towns and individual school districts. He noted five elementary schools across the state will be closing this year due to declining enrollment and small student populations.
Select Board Chair Ceilidh Galloway Kane asked what type of support the state is providing to the school districts. Scott responded, saying the state is helping with conversations on how to move forward.
Delivering the road foreman’s report, Town Manager David Upson said a culvert on Bunker Road recently failed and was replaced with a larger culvert. The ditch was also stone lined to improve drainage and reduce future erosion. Crews reinforced culverts on Belfry Road and continued ditching and road crowning work on Mackville Road.
The board moved onto a number of license renewals, as well as approving a water and sewer connection for 166 Highland Avenue, a recently subdivided building lot.
After reviewing the draft public engagement policy, based on a model developed by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and adopted by several municipalities, the board and town staff agreed to continue to revise the policy, with board member Larry Fleigleman volunteering to work on revisions.
The board reviewed the economic development coordinator position and job description, discussing whether or not to change the position from part time to full. New challenges to grant funding, however, are making them more difficult to secure, so this will require another discussion during budget season. The board agreed they would like to continue the discussion, after hearing from town staff prior to the August 6 regular board meeting.
In other business, the board approved the town manager to sign a contract with Irving, for FY27 fuel purchases of heating oil, propane and diesel.
The board approved the creation of the Jackson Dam steering committee. Residents interested in participating should send formal letters of interest to the town office.
A select board retreat was scheduled for Friday, September 25, from 8 a.m. to noon.
The former buyout property planning and stewardship framework was authorized by the board as the town’s guiding approach for evaluating, maintaining and seeking funding for former buyout properties.
A proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hardwick Downtown Partnership was approved as written, with Town Manager David Upson signing.
