2026 Town Meeting Open Office
Notice to all Hardwick Voters who are interested in running for office that the following seats will be up for election at Town Meeting 2026 Australian Ballot:
For the Hardwick Select Board:
One 3-year Term
Two 1-year Term
For the Hazen Union District #26 Board:
Two 3-Year Term
If you are interested in running for any of these positions, please pick up a Nominating Petition and Consent of Candidate form from the Town Clerk’s Office. You must have at least 24 valid signatures of registered Hardwick Voters (we suggest 30 to be certain) and the original petition and consent must be submitted to our office no later than 5 p.m. on January 26, 2026.
Please contact our office at 802-472-5971 if you have any questions.
Below are a list and descriptions of Open Offices to be voted from floor at 2026 Town Meeting.
Moderator – A Vermont town meeting moderator presides over town meetings, serving as the referee to ensure order, fair participation, and adherence to parliamentary procedure, primarily Robert’s Rules of Order. Key duties include putting motions to a vote, ruling on questions of order, declaring the results of votes, and ensuring that business is conducted in an efficient and fair manner. The moderator is an impartial officer who does not take sides on issues and has the power to remove unruly participants. 17 VSA 2658
First & Second Constables – (elected or appointed) Hardwick voted several years ago to repeal the powers of the First and Second Constables as Vermont Law was requiring them to receive training from the Vermont Police Academy and certain certifications that were deemed unnecessary. In some towns the constable is the town’s local law enforcement officer, with all powers to search, seizure, and arrest within the town. In other towns, the constable only has the power to serve civil process, assist the health officer in the discharge of his or her duties, destroy unlicensed dogs, kill injured deer, remove disorderly people from Town Meeting, and, if the first constable, to collect taxes if no tax collector is elected. 17 VSA 2646 (7); 2651a.
Town Agent – Agent to convey real estate- Executes deeds on behalf of the Town. 24 VSA 1601
Surveyor of Wood Bark & Lumber – Appointed, upon request, to examine, measure, and classify the quality of lumber, shingles and wood sold within a town. 24 VSA 871
Town Tree Warden – Plans and implements a shade tree preservation program for the purpose of shading and beautifying public spaces. Removes diseased, dying or dead trees, which create a hazard to public safety or threaten the effectiveness of disease or insect control programs. 24 VSA 871
Grand Juror – The board may appoint a Grand Juror who shall inquire into any person’s offenses under the Authority’s rules or applicable law and present them to the proper authority. If the Attorney General or the State’s Attorney is unwilling to prosecute such offenses, the Grand Juror may do so. For these purposes, the Grand Juror shall have the same authority within the Authority as the State’s Attorney. 24 VSA 901 & 22.
