Hardwick Select Board Creates Christmas on the Common Organizing Committee

HARDWICK -- August 16, 2023, Hardwick Select Board votes to form a Christmas on the Common committee and flags a potential USDA grant timeline problem. The board unanimously approved the creation of a volunteer committee to coordinate the town's annual holiday event on the common, with residents Angie Brouchard and Emily Cartier leading initial organizing efforts; Town Administrator Nicole was directed to consult with town counsel on formal appointment procedures. The board also unanimously approved one-day special liquor licenses for Lively Libations at Still Life Farm and two one-day licenses for Timber Yard Brewing Company for the agricultural fair, noting during discussion that the town currently has no minimum insurance liability requirements for such events. Board member Eric Wilhelm warned that the engineering schedule for the USDA-backed Gilbertville wastewater treatment plant bid, with a subcontractor deadline of August 30, is running tight against the letter-of-conditions timeline, and suggested the board seek written confirmation from USDA that any extension would be granted, a discussion deferred to the August 28 meeting. The session ended after resident Bill Tinker raised a formal open-meeting-law complaint tied to a July 18 Zoom meeting; Clerk Zachary E. Spencer said the matter had been referred to legal counsel.