Hardwick Select Board Backs Page Building Nonprofit, Raises Administrator Pay

HARDWICK -- January 13, 2025, Hardwick Select Board endorses nonprofit plan to restore historic Page Building at January 13 meeting. Chair Jeffrey S. Schaaf and fellow members Zachary E. Spencer and William F. Tinker gave informal backing to a community team proposing to form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, accept a nominal transfer of the town-owned Page Building, and fund a full historic restoration through grants and private donations, with a critical matching-grant deadline in March 2025. The board added the item to its next agenda to seek Town Counsel guidance on the likely RFP pathway for transferring the building. The board also voted unanimously to increase Town Administrator Justine's salary by $5,000 following a positive 90-day review, with department heads described as finding her "very approachable" and effective on budget management. Additional unanimous votes approved Matthew McEwan as Highway Foreman, renewed Animal Control Officer Tina Lindsay's designation with the state, adopted a cleaned-up building permit checklist, and authorized an 18-month host community agreement with cannabis operator Hardwick Mill Greenery. The board noted the town will receive a $50,000 state earmark for Town Hall improvements and that a special election on a fire truck purchase is set for January 18.