Yearly Archives: 2025

Seeing the Lamoille River and Copper Brook Differently

 in Uncategorized / Zoning

Seeing the Lamoille River and Cooper Brook Differently: a community presentation on Hardwick’s New River Flood Modeling Project

Exploring Flood Mitigation Alternatives

Wednesday, December 3 – Two Sessions
1:00–2:30 PM (In Person + Zoom)
5:00–6:30 PM (In Person, Recorded by HCTV)
Hardwick Memorial Building – 3rd Floor

Learn how new river models will help Hardwick plan smarter, safer, and stronger.

Project funded by the US Economic Development Administration through the Northern Vermont Economic Development District.

Main Street & Mill Street Scoping Study – Public Presentation Summary

 in Uncategorized / Zoning

Hardwick Downtown Scoping Study – Public Presentation Summary🚗🚲👟

On November 5, 2025, the Town of Hardwick and consultants from VHB hosted a well-attended public presentation for the Mill Street and Main Street Scoping Study, with 29 participants joining in person and online.

The study focuses on improving traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and speed management in the downtown corridor, particularly at the Mill Street / Main Street and Glenside Avenue intersections.

VHB presented three conceptual alternatives—ranging from baseline to comprehensive improvement packages—each offering a “menu” of possible design elements such as sidewalk continuity and crosswalk enhancements, realignment of the Main Street intersection, traffic-calming measures including bump-outs and gateway treatments, and improved pedestrian and bicycle connections.

The presentation emphasized that the preferred design will be implemented through a phased approach, allowing the Town to pursue incremental construction as state transportation funding becomes available—an approach successfully used by other Vermont communities.

The presentation slides are available in the Planning section of the Town website, and the full meeting was filmed by HCTV and will be available for viewing soon.

Next steps: The project team will review feedback from the public presentation and identify a preferred alternative for refinement. That draft concept will be presented to the Select Board for review and approval in early 2026. A final Scoping Report is expected to be completed by February 2026. Public input remains welcome as the project moves toward design.

HCTV Recording link

Recreation Committee Members Needed

 in Uncategorized

The Hardwick Recreation Committee is looking for multiple dedicated, friendly, idea-filled volunteer members to join the team! The committee is a proud addition to the Town of Hardwick, bringing events such as Green Up Day, the Town egg scramble, Springfest 5k fun run, movie nights in the summer, and supplying the local ice rink in the winter months which is coming right up!

If you have a desire to broaden your presence within the Hardwick community and bring new exciting events to the town with a fun group of folks, come join a meeting! Join the Recreation Committee on November 13, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. at the Senior Center, located at the Hardwick Police Department on 56 High Street. We are looking forward to working alongside you as a team and seeing new or returning faces, see you soon!

All great events begin with collaborative thoughts and the backbone of a committee to make it happen

Sincerely,
Mallory G – Recreation Committee Chair

Vermont Drought and Burn Ban Update

 in Uncategorized

Vermont remains under a statewide debris burning ban. No burn permits can be issued at this time. Fire danger remains high to very high across the state. Please visit the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Fire Danger Forecast webpage for daily updates, and contact your local fire warden with any questions.

In addition, Vermont is experiencing serious drought conditions:

  • 70% of the state is in Severe Drought
  • 24% of the state is in Extreme Drought

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has created a Drought Resources website with:

  • Drought data & maps
  • Drought impact reporting tools
  • Homeowner resources
  • Agricultural resources
  • Public water system guidance

Message from Vermont Emergency Management:
We continue to see drought impacts across the state, from dry wells to crop losses. With little rain in the forecast and rising temperatures, conditions may worsen.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture has also requested a statewide agricultural disaster declaration. If approved, this will open additional loan programs for farmers.

Resources & Reporting

  • Report private well or spring issues: Use the DEC online Drought Reporter.
  • Public drinking water systems: Report drought-related problems to the Drinking Water & Groundwater Protection Division at 802-828-1535.
  • General drought observations: Submit through the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) tool — please share this link widely so Vermont’s drought impacts are documented.

Guidance for Residents

  • Temporary solutions for dry wells:
    • Fill food-safe containers from a tested, safe source (such as a municipal water system or a trusted neighbor).
    • Purchase water from a certified bulk water hauler.
    • Do not pour hauled water into a private well or spring box (prohibited by state regulations).
  • Roadside springs: These are not safe for drinking or cooking because they are often contaminated. They may be used for bathing, washing clothes, and flushing toilets.
    • If used for drinking, water must be boiled for at least one minute. Even then, health risks remain, especially for infants, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

For more information on private wells and springs, visit the Vermont Department of Health’s Drought and Your Well page.

Vermont Drought Response

 in Town Manager

As you know Vermont is experiencing drought conditions across the State, see  Vermont | Drought.gov also see attached weather brief.  The State is collecting data on current conditions to assess how and if the State will be able to support those effected by the drought conditions.

If you are experiencing water supply issues, please submit them to the drought reporter. Drought Reporter Site,  It is a simple form to fill out to let the State know you are having issues. This  information is used to define current conditions and to see what support is needed.  Individuals can also be directed to drought.vermont.gov, this is a landing page for drought information and resources.

For current wildland fire conditions please see https://fpr.vermont.gov/forest/wildland-fire/monitoring-fire-danger . Individual town fire wardens are allowed to initiate burn bans if they feel it is necessary.

Several State Agencies, including VEM, Agriculture, Forest Parks and Recreation, and Department of Environmental Conservation are all posting to social media.  These are a great information source to check out.

The SEOC remains at Enhanced Operations to coordinate response and to facilitate the drought task force and the drought task force advisory committee.

For more information please click here