Hardwick voters approve $25,000 toward Buffalo Mountain town forest acquisition

Hardwick voters approved a one‑time contribution of $25,000 on May 19 to help buy roughly 329 acres on Buffalo Mountain and dedicate it as a town forest, a vote supporters said will lock in public access and create outdoor education and recreation opportunities.

Rachel Kane, who summarized the project during debate, described the town contribution as “a one time contribution of $25,000 by the town of Hardwick to a project that's actually over 800 is about $810,000 is a total value of this project.” She said the town’s annual loss in tax revenue from the parcel would be “no more than $5,000 a year based on the current taxes,” and that the planned town forest would guarantee public access and be managed by locally appointed volunteers and a steering committee.

Lucy Zhenjin, introduced as co‑chair of the conservation commission, said a steering committee of about 17 people will be formed to decide trails, hunting access, timbering and other uses if the acquisition proceeds, and residents were told appointments will be taken as soon as the select board next meets.

Opponents raised budgetary and process concerns. Roberta Foster said tax revenue from the parcel exceeded the earlier estimate and urged the town to prioritize road work. Multiple residents questioned whether the contribution should have been decided by Australian ballot at an earlier meeting.

Moderator Audrey Grant directed a paper‑ballot vote on the article. When she announced the result, she said: “In the affirmative, there are 234 yes votes. There are 89 no votes. You have passed article 1.”

After the vote, a select board member said the board does not yet have a formal public‑engagement policy for real‑estate acquisition and thanked residents for feedback; the board said it will continue work on engagement procedures.

The acquisition is contingent on matching funds and final agreements with grantors and sellers; the town’s $25,000 contribution is intended as part of a larger fundraising package.