HARDWICK – When I was asked to be town moderator, I immediately said yes. Town Meeting Day is my favorite day of the year, of course I will step up when asked to serve my community. I knew enough of Robert’s Rules to accept the challenge and then spent days doing my homework. I read through Hardwick’s Warning and built a script, read “Ruling the Unruly: The Town Moderators Guide,” I watched last year’s town meeting, and consulted with other town moderators to prepare.
I only had a few weeks to study up for the best day of the year, and wanted to make my home town proud. Orise Ainsworth left large shoes to fill, and I want to thank her for her years of service as town moderator.
I also want to thank everyone’s patience and kindness as we all figured out the 2026 Hardwick Town Meeting. From audio issues, to my newness in the role, to the lack of food (I promise there will be food next year!), it was a roller coaster from start to finish.
I appreciate community members’ help with Robert’s Rules and all the kind words of encouragement throughout the day. It made the challenges easier knowing that, while I was helping my community, my community was helping me.
As Senator Scott Beck said at town meeting, Hardwick residents show up and share their voices without fear or judgment. It’s what I love about this town: Hardwickians show up and care so deeply about this community.
And Senator Beck was also right, he’s never been to a town meeting like Hardwick’s! Even in the toughest moments there was still joy and humor that radiated through the room.
And this year was no exception. I knew it was going to be a challenge as there’s a lot of large questions our town is facing. Similar questions that were brought up on the floor around all the projects our town is managing, the need for growth while keeping taxes low, and where the town’s priorities are. All of these are questions we do need to be asking and I appreciated seeing that in action on Town Meeting Day.
And, they are questions that need to be asked year round. Engaging in our town does not stop nor end at town meeting. It is carried on in the various committees, organizations and community members that make our town work!
I also had the pleasure of moderating the select board candidate forum at the Jeudevine a few weeks ago. While I knew that it wouldn’t be as contentious as a town meeting, it was still an honor to moderate a forum of the eight candidates running for three seats. We are all so lucky to live in a community with so many folks willing to step up to the challenge.
I grew up in Hardwick village, and my parents emphasized the importance of voting and participating in Town Meeting Day, but also that the care for our community doesn’t stop there. We show up for each other on the first Tuesday of March, and also when a neighbor needs to be pulled out of a ditch or needs a meal train.
The commitment to community is a strong value in our town, and I am so grateful to be a part of it.
As someone who grew up here, I am glad to see that the core of Hardwick has not changed, even if the faces do. People are moving to our community because of the heart it has; and I am grateful to share that with all who choose to call Hardwick home.
As our community continues to change through population growth, flood disasters, public works expansion and community activity, let us not lose sight of that heart, and the core of what makes Hardwick so great.
Town meeting can bring out the best and worst in people; at the end of the day, we are all human and deserve to live dignified, whole lives. And Hardwick is welcoming and open to all, whether you’re a fourth generation Hardwickian or just moved here last month. Everyone has a home here; and more importantly, a voice.
So, Hardwick, I hope you continue to use that voice. Use it for the passion of your community, for the love of your neighbors, for the respect of our greenery and the natural life here, and for those around the world. We are all connected in this struggle, we all have faults and issues we’re overcoming. But if there’s one thing Town Meeting Day has taught me, it’s that we can take on anything: together.
