To the editor:
I would like to thank Ann Gilcris for bringing her concerns about the location of Hardwick’s 2026 Town Meeting to the select board on February 5.
As a long-time board member of the Northeast Kingdom Arts Council (NEKarts), the nonprofit organization that manages the restoration, preservation and programming at the town-owned Hardwick Town House, I am very excited to welcome Hardwick residents back into this historic civic hall and beautiful theater. I believe the space will foster engagement and focus at town meeting while also being comfortable, convenient and accessible for everyone. However, the concerns Ann raised are real.
photo by Maya McCoy
NEKarts and town officials have been in dialogue for years about the feasibility of bringing town meeting back to the Town House and, because of the many logistical challenges, we kept landing on no.
After many years of upgrades to the building, and a whole lot of creative thinking, finally the benefits appear to outweigh the difficulty. NEKarts has managed many full-capacity shows at the Town House and we have learned a lot along the way.
This winter, we met with Hardwick’s town clerk and town manager’s office and spoke with select board members, HCTV and Hardwick residents to figure out the complex puzzle of hosting Town Meeting Day. Together, we have come up with a solid plan to provide easy access to voting, adequate parking and a good old-fashioned meeting.
Tuesday, March 3, Hardwick’s Town Meeting starts at 10 a.m., Australian ballot polling is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The main parking lot for town meeting is on Creamery Road near the town garage. Additional on-street parking is available on Church Street and Main Street.
Parking spaces reserved for people with limited-mobility and “in and out” voters are at the rear of the Town House, accessible via Depot Street. The new entrance on the back side of the building is wheelchair accessible to the stage and main hall.
While we have a good number of volunteers, we do not yet have tons. If you would like to help on Town Meeting Day or have questions, please reach out to me at [email protected].
With all that said, it’s winter, this is our first year back, and we may not get everything perfect. So please come, vote, participate and bring a little patience and good humor.
Maya McCoy
Greensboro
