HARDWICK, The Hardwick Select Board heard a proposal for a permanent skatepark during its July 16 meeting, with Rose Friedman of The Civic Standard leading a discussion that drew about ten community members. Friedman noted that a temporary ramp built by volunteers last summer was disassembled and could be rebuilt at a permanent location. Professional skatepark builder Michael Parker said a concrete park would last roughly 15 years and could be placed in a flood plain, unlike the temporary ramp. The board approved a motion for the town manager to work with The Civic Standard on finding a location for a temporary ramp this year; permanent site discussions are expected to continue.
The board also appointed members to the Town Meeting Options Task Force, established after a special town meeting in May to review alternatives for future voting procedures. The task force will report by November 19 and dissolve by July 16, 2027. Appointed members include Karen Collier, Ross Connelly, Maureen Demers, Patrick Larsen, Amy Rosenthal, Peter Moskovitz, Alberta Miller, Dean Hale, and select board members Sherry Cornish and Larry Flegelman.
For the Jackson Dam project, the board appointed Norma Wiesen, Lesa Cathcart, Reg Phelps, Dave Gross, and select board member Derek Richardson to a committee intended to manage community engagement and communication. A member from the electric department is still to be named.
Other business included approving a $193,188 contract with Complete Demolition Service LLC for the East Hardwick flood buyout demolition project, awarding a paving contract to Grays for fiscal year 2027 (which includes a speed table on West Church Street), and authorizing the town manager to explore reducing the speed limit on Dimick Road from 35 to 25 mph, likely requiring a traffic study. The board also selected six organizations for coin drops and approved liquor license renewals for The Cork and Fork LLC, a $18,000 fire tower truck repair, and a water/sewer connection at 170 Caspian Avenue.
The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss a loan contract with representatives from Salvation Farms.
NEK will be looking into the circumstances behind the board's decision to rescind the demolition contract at its July 21 special meeting.
Originally reported by Hardwick Gazette.
Photo: Peter Dyllong via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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