Select Board Approves Updated ATV Ordinance

by Ray Small

HARDWICK – The select board worked quickly through the brief agenda for its regular meeting last Thursday. Board member Ceilidh Galloway-Kane, town manager David Upson, interim police chief Mike Henry and the scheduled representative from the Hardwick Electric Department were unable to attend.

The town manager’s report was read by board chair Eric Remick. The report stated that Upson is working with the SE Group on the pedestrian bridge and paving project set to start on May 2 and continue through most of the summer. The report also stated that the town manager’s office submitted a $1 million congressionally- directed spending request for the wastewater treatment facility upgrade. 

Road foreman Tom Fadden reported grading was delayed due to weather conditions but he hoped to resume next week. The road crew did perform work on Dimick Road, Montgomery Road, and Hardwick Farms Road. The water system flushing should be completed soon. There were a few sewer system issues to address and a water pump burned out at the pump station on Putnam Avenue.

There were no reports this week from the Hardwick Police Department or the Hardwick Electric Department (HED). 

The board voted to approve a letter of support for the Craftsbury Community Care Center application for a congressional appropriation from Senator Sanders.
The board also approved an updated ATV ordinance to include access to the downtown via South Main Street. Board member Danny Hale, chair of the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Committee, abstained. 

The board appointed Lawrence Hamel to be the new Animal Control officer for the Town of Hardwick, re-appointed Doug McClure to be the town’s alternate for the NEK Broadband board, and appointed Kevin Moore, Jr. to the OSUESD board to fill the remaining term of the currently vacant 3-year seat.Board member Shari Cornish reported that the Town House is open, and the first event will be the Hardwick Historical Society’s
annual meeting on May 23rd. Cornish also reported on her attendance at the HED Commissioners meeting on Monday, April 18, noting that the Buffalo Mountain Market is the planned location for two Level 2 EV chargers, but that there was discussion about moving the chargers to the town public parking lot across Mill Street. HED is still planning to have one EV charging station in the HED parking lot.