Elizabeth Essary

This document presents an overview of the opportunity for the Town of Hardwick to acquire a 329-acre property to expand the Buffalo Mountain Town Forest. The initiative focuses on preserving natural landscapes, providing outdoor educational programs, enhancing recreational activities, and generating income through sustainable resource management. It also aims to conserve the Lamoille River corridor, ensure public access, and support community health and economic development through outdoor recreation, thereby bolstering biodiversity, ecological resilience, and overall quality of life.

The meeting primarily involved planning for the upcoming January 24 Public Meeting concerning the Buffalo Mountain Project. Detailed preparations were outlined, including distribution of handouts, advertising the event, updating the Q-and-A sheet, and arranging refreshments. The program structure for the public meeting was established, featuring presentations from the Trust for Public Land, Northern Rivers Land Trust, and the Selectboard Chair, followed by audience Q-and-A and collection of Steering Committee interest names. Updates were also provided on ongoing work regarding the Conservation Fund policy development, the 2027 Municipal Plan Subcommittee activities, and the upgrade of the HCC website.

The meeting included a discussion regarding the proposed 2027 fiscal year budget, which involved removing Spring Fest and reclassifying the Recreation Coordinator's Salary to a stipend line. Specific budget allocations were reviewed for the Egg Scramble, Green up Day, Spring Festival Fun Run, American Red Cross Swim Program, Movie Nights, and Trunk or Treat candy donations, totaling $16,492.00 for Mallory to present to the select board. Discussions also focused on the Swim Program, noting high costs and the need for increased advertising, with a follow-up call scheduled. The committee considered limiting Trunk or Treat to Halloween and potentially collaborating with the Council of Agricultural Education. Suggestions were made to reduce prizes for the Fun Run and seek assistance from the Northeast Kingdom Runners. An exploration of an ice skating rink kit from Nice Rink was tabled in favor of utilizing existing resources for the current year. Ideas for enhancing the Egg Scramble event were proposed, including adding breakfast and games. The Movie Night held in collaboration with The Civic Standard, showing "Hotel Transylvania," was deemed successful. New business included a request for a letter of support for the Buffalo Mountain purchase proposal from the Town Conservation Committee.

Key discussions during the meeting included the potential offering of a swim program scholarship, which requires coordination regarding funding timelines with the summer RAC program. Updates were provided regarding work being done on the skating rink. New business covered the submission of a letter of support for the Buffalo Mountain Town Forest Project, plans to contact the NEK Runners Club for assistance with the Memorial Day 5K, locating a missing movie screen, planning an Egg Scramble breakfast event with The Civic Standard, and coordinating with the Conservation Board for Green Up day activities.

The meeting commenced with an adjustment to the agenda, removing one item for future discussion. Audience communications included a suggestion for a skatepark, concerns raised by an Equity Committee member regarding affordability in Hardwick and the committee's communication with the Board, and clarification sought about the election process for the Chair and Vice Chair. The Town Manager's report covered the finalization of the Town report, an unveiling event for the Essential Services Complex, the completion of the CHIP webinar series, progress on the pedestrian bridge project, and pushback against FEMA's $3M offer for the wastewater plant. The Police Department reported on an officer's Field Training progression and the commencement of VAST Patrol on snowmobile trails. The Hardwick Electric Department announced internal promotions, discussed the search for a new Controller, estimated the Wolcott Hydro Dam repair cost at $6.5M while continuing FEMA negotiations, and addressed public discussion regarding potential mergers or collaborations with other utilities. Action items approved included the certification for All Metals Recycling to operate as a salvage yard, setting a public hearing date of March 19 for proposed bylaw updates, approving the Finance Director's Q3 budget update showing revenues and expenses on track, and approving the Annual Mileage Certificate for highway aid. The Board also set a date for a Pre-Town meeting Budget Informational Meeting for February 19. New business focused on improving meeting audio quality for remote participants, and Old Business involved a Board member addressing previous comments made concerning the Equity Committee.