Hardwick Select Board Approves Three-Year Downtown Partnership MOU, Forms Jackson Dam Committee

Other Committee · Meeting of June 18, 2026

Hardwick Select Board approves three-year downtown MOU, fuel contract, and Jackson Dam committee at packed June 18 meeting. The board voted unanimously to renew its memorandum of understanding with the Hardwick Downtown Partnership under a revised three-year term, committing at least $2,800 annually from the town budget's Downtown Beauty line item and an in-kind contribution valued at $1,500 — while stripping language referencing a separate voter appropriation that members said created confusion. Heidi Krantz, coordinator of the Downtown Partnership, said the longer term "just makes it a little bit more stable for everybody's sake." The board also authorized Town Manager David Upson to sign a fiscal year 2027 fuel contract with Irving, locking in heating oil at $3.56 per gallon and propane at $1.59 per gallon while leaving diesel at variable pricing, betting that prices will fall by month's end.

A Jackson Dam Steering Committee was formed by unanimous vote to guide the project's 30 percent design phase, with letters of interest to be solicited from the public. Vermont state legislator Scott told the board that the state is paving just 56 miles of highway annually against a goal of 300, and that a roughly $40 million increase in the two-year transportation budget is "probably" only half of what is needed.

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• The complete report — 3,959 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of June 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.