HARDWICK – Many of the action items on the agenda resulted in discussion at the Hardwick Select Board meeting on Thursday, July 16.
The board quickly addressed early agenda items and was initially ahead of schedule untill discussion on the Civic Standard’s skate ramp proposal exceeded the estimated discussion time by over 20 minutes. Appointments to the new Town Meeting Task Force and the Jackson Dam committee took up substantial meeting time too. Contracts for demolition and paving were chosen and approved and organizations were chosen for future coin drops.
The select board approved the annual Internal Financial Controls Checklist, liquor license renewals for The Cork and Fork LLC, reappointing Myles Kamish-Koch for a three-year term as Hardwick Electric Commissioner, of which there is an additional seat still available, an $18,000 repair on the fire department’s tower truck and a water and sewer connection application for 170 Caspian Avenue.
Approximately ten community members accompanied Rose Friedman of The Civic Standard to discuss a proposed site for a skate ramp and how best the project could move forward. Friedman recounted the installation and removal of a temporary ramp by volunteers last summer and opened a conversation regarding placement for the ramp this year as well as a proposal to build a permanent skatepark.
“It would be great to invest in a location that can be a permanent one before we rebuild and take apart the same ramp again,” said Friedman.
Among the benefits of a skatepark, according to a handout from The Civic, are autonomy, belonging and delinquency protection for youth, as well as fewer street-skating accidents and increased recreational opportunities for the community.
Community member Stephen Roselli said there were often two to three members in addition to himself at the ramp behind the fire house last summer, indicating significant use.
Concerns were raised by board members regarding insurance, cost and location of the skatepark. Plans for the skatepark have not yet been developed, so many of these questions could not yet be answered. For example, grants cannot be sought out until a location is specified, Friedman said.
Professional concrete skate park builder, Michael Parker, testified that a skate park would last around 15 years and could be built in a flood plain, while the temporary ramp is subject to flooding concerns. Thus, possible locations for the permanent skate park are more numerous than for the temporary ramp.
Friedman indicated hopes of “a partnership between the town and the Civic or a skatepark committee.”
The board approved a motion to authorize the town manager to work with The Civic Standard further to find a location for the temporary ramp. Among location possibilities are near the townhouse or the rec field behind West Church Street. More discussion both on the temporary ramp and permanent skate park is likely forthcoming.
The Town Meeting Options Task Force structure and operating guidelines were reviewed and approved. It will “review and evaluate alternatives for conducting future Town Meetings and voting procedures in Hardwick,” as voted at a special town meeting in May.
The task force will report at a select board meeting by November 19 and shall dissolve July 16, 2027, unless otherwise extended. The board approved task force members Karen Collier, Ross Connelly, Maureen Demers, Patrick Larsen, Amy Rosenthal, Peter Moskovitz, Alberta Miller, Dean Hale and select board members Sherry Cornish and Larry Flegelman.
Town Manager David Upson Jr. suggested at least one member of the task force report at at least one select board meeting a month.
The select board turned to the Jackson Dam committee, which according to a memorandum from Kristen Leahy, resilience and adaptation coordinator, “is intended to provide structure for community engagement, project communication and coordination as the Jackson Dam project advances.” Norma Wiesen, Lesa Cathcart, Reg Phelps, Dave Gross and select board member Derek Richardson were appointed to the committee, with a member from the electric department still to be appointed
The board discussed logistics of this year’s coin drops, and voiced concerns that groups follow instructions to wear appropriate reflective clothing, follow traffic laws and park in designated areas. A drawing determined which six of the nine organizations in consideration will have coin drop dates. They are the Hardwick Historical Society, Hardwick Trails, AWARE, Friends of the Jeudevine Library, Hardwick Conservation Commission and the Hazen Union/Hardwick Academy Alumni Association.
The Hardwick Police report given by Chief Mike Henry included news of new part-time officer James McGowen, a level-three officer with 14 years of experience.
The Hardwick Electric Report given by Jake Lester led to discussion of the power outage last month caused by a failed electrical component and a suggestion from Vice-Chair Shari Cornish that future outages be reported on text.gov.
The select board chose and approved a $193,188 contract with Complete Demolition Service, LLC for the East Hardwick flood buyout demolition project, using grant funds to remove two properties damaged in 2023-2024 flooding.
The agenda for a special meeting called for July 21 reads, “Select board to rescind the motion made on July 16 regarding awarding the contract for Complete Demolition Services LLC and authorize the town manager to reissue the RFP for the East Hardwick demolition project,” with no reason indicated.
A contract with Grays for paving bids for the 2027 fiscal year was approved, with Grays preferred for its inclusion of a speed table to address concerns of speeding on West Church Street.
The select board authorized the town manager to pursue further steps in exploring a request to reduce the posted speed limit on Dimick Road from 35 to 25 mph, possibly requiring a traffic study.
The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session, for a loan contract discussion with representatives from Salvation Farms.
