Hartford meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Twin Pines task force sets three-minute public comment limit; Conservation Commission trims work program line

The Twin Pines Housing Task Force set a three-minute limit on public comment per person at its Oct. 14 meeting and agreed that members will complete Fair Training by the January meeting, according to the meeting minutes. The task force also approved its Sept. 23 minutes unanimously, added TPH education to its "parking lot" list, requested that survey data be limited to Hartford properties after the 2026 survey, and tasked Faye Grearson with working with TPH staff on organizational education. Members also decided to review Hartford-specific tenant survey data and gather themes from Selectboard emails at their next meeting.

Conservation Commission approves work program

At its Oct. 5 meeting, the Conservation Commission approved its Work Program and changed budget item "f" from $50 to $0. It also approved the Aug. 31 meeting minutes unanimously. Members discussed the future of the Wright's Reservoir dam and planned a site visit for November, and reviewed management updates for the Maanawaka Conservation Area and the Town Forest.

Board of Trustees reviews feeding policy; no vote recorded

The Board of Trustees met Oct. 14 and reviewed a proposal to reaffirm feeding schedules and deny additional snacks because of what the minutes describe as coordinated begging behavior by Louie and Nalia. The minutes do not record a vote or a final decision on that item or on other business.

Selectboard agenda: draft budget, plow truck, water main

The Selectboard's Oct. 13 meeting was listed as agenda items only; minutes have not been published, so no outcomes are available. The agenda called for discussion of the draft budget and financial updates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and for consideration of several Department of Public Works items: purchase of a 2018 International Plow Truck from the Town of Groton for $35,000, emergency water main installation for Division Street, purchase authorization for structural firefighter PPE, and approval of Quechee and Hartford Asset Management Plans contracts. A renewal application for Putnam's Vineyard at 188 S. Main Street was also listed.

Other items on recent agendas

• **Parks and Recreation Commission (Oct. 8):** Master Plan discussion covering Lyman Park and the Rec Center, the work plan assigned by the Selectboard, and the Director's Report.
• **Hartford Business Revolving Loan Fund (Oct. 14):** executive session on proprietary information regarding current and potential loans, the Committee Workplan for FY2027, and approval of June 3 and Sept. 2, 2026 meeting records.
• **Tree Board (Oct. 15):** preparation for November reorganization of the Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary positions, an Emerald Ash Borer educational flyer, budget planning for educational scholarships, by-law changes, and a School ID Walk.
• **Housing & Homelessness Committee (Oct. 15):** a vote on a committee workplan for the Selectboard, review of a Big Little Build application from Jonah Richard, continued discussion of solutions for the unhoused community, and a COVER volunteer opportunity on Oct. 30.
• **Committee on Racial Equity & Inclusion (Oct. 15):** outreach questions for an Oct. 21 meeting with the Hartford School District Equity Committee, the Annual Work Plan & Checklist, an update on the Hartford Policy Analysis, and a Parks & Rec request regarding a town land acknowledgment.
• **Sister Cities Committee (Oct. 6):** the Annual Work Plan & Checklist for the Town of Hartford, minutes from 9/15/26, and public comment.

Coming up

• **Oct. 19 — Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan Steering Committee:** review of the 2009 recommended projects list, a draft 2026 recommended projects list, and the plan framework.
• **Oct. 20 — Selectboard:** FY 28 budget presentations covering fire, dispatch and police.
• **Oct. 20 — Sister Cities Committee:** annual work plan, the membership application of Susan Foster, a logo sign update, and Festival Toutes Latitudes on 11/5 and 11/6.
• **Oct. 21 — Historic Preservation Commission:** Veterans Park kiosk panel redesign with guest Eric Bessette, historic district signs, the railroad station weathervane, and a potential archaeological study at Maanawaka Conservation Area.
• **Oct. 21 — West Hartford Library Trustees:** budget review, pay increase requests sent 9/26/26, and policy drafts including privacy, unattended children, computer use and donations.
• **Oct. 22 — Board of Civil Authority:** tax abatement hearings for Alexander S. and Mary Lou DeFelice, 780 Chandler Road (5:45 PM), and Kimber Luce, 43 Luce Meadow Road (6:00 PM), with deliberations at 6:15 PM and election updates at 6:45 PM.

Hartford ZBA approves porch setback waiver; Selectboard to weigh $35,000 plow truck purchase

The Hartford Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a setback waiver for a porch at 2492 Christian Street, one of the few formal land-use decisions recorded in Hartford over the past two weeks. Most other boards handled routine business — minutes, agendas and work plans — and several meetings listed below were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no outcomes are confirmed for them.

Zoning: porch waiver at 2492 Christian Street

The Zoning Board of Adjustment approved application #04-26 by Linda Tuck for a setback waiver under section 260-52 to build a porch at 2492 Christian Street in the R-3 district. According to the minutes, the porch will intrude 8.8 feet into the front setback; the applicant noted neighboring properties have similar infringements and that the roughly 200-year-old house previously had a front porch. The vote was unanimous.

The board also approved its August 5, 2026 minutes as drafted (3-0-1, Maleski abstaining) and approved its annual work plan (unanimous). It tabled review and adoption of best practices and adjourned at 7:10 PM (unanimous). Zoning Administrator Jo-Ann Ells announced she will retire after more than 30 years with the Town.

Selectboard: paving, contracts and easement still unconfirmed

The Selectboard was scheduled to meet Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM at Town Hall, 171 Bridge Street, White River Junction. The agenda listed consideration of Fall 2026 paving, an easement at the end of School Street, a Comcast petition for Byron Hill SDU, and awarding contracts for wastewater line cleaning and video inspection, sludge hauling and grease removal, propane, and magnesium chloride. It also listed renewal applications for Five Seasons Cannabis Company and Easy Green Genetix, LLC, plus discussion of Brightly software implementation, highway staffing and the Gory Daze Parade. No dollar amounts are stated in the agenda, and minutes have not been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Conservation Commission

The Commission approved its August 31 meeting minutes (unanimous) and approved its Work Program, changing budget item 'f' from $50 to $0. Members discussed the future of the Wright's Reservoir dam and planned a site visit for November, and reviewed management updates for the Maanawaka Conservation Area and the Town Forest.

Other board business

• **Town and School Meeting Committee (Sept. 29):** approved the meeting agenda (4-0) and the August 26 minutes (4-0), and adjourned at 7:23 pm (4-0). Members discussed planning for the Town Meeting cycle, including event scheduling, postcard branding and budget coordination.
• **Committee on Racial Equity & Inclusion (Oct. 1):** approved minutes from its September 16 meeting (all in favor) and tabled land acknowledgment consideration and town and school board updates. Members discussed preparation for an October 21 joint meeting with the Hartford School District Equity Committee, a draft annual work plan, and next steps for presenting Phase I of the Hartford Policy Analysis to town leadership.
• **Sister Cities Committee (Oct. 6) and Parks and Recreation Commission (Oct. 8):** both were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. The Sister Cities agenda listed the Annual Work Plan & Checklist for the Town of Hartford, approval of 9/15/26 minutes and public comment. The Parks and Recreation agenda listed discussion of the Master Plan for Lyman Park and the Rec Center, review of the work plan assigned by the Selectboard, and the Director's Report.

Coming up

• **Oct. 13 — Selectboard:** draft budget and financial updates for FYE 2026 and 2027; purchase of a 2018 International Plow Truck from the Town of Groton for $35,000; emergency water main installation for Division Street; renewal application for Putnam's Vineyard at 188 S. Main Street; purchase authorization for structural firefighter PPE; approval of Quechee and Hartford Asset Management Plans contracts.
• **Oct. 14 — Board of Trustees:** establishment of a formal feeding policy due to coordinated begging behavior, plus minutes approval and the treasurer's report.
• **Oct. 14 — Twin Pines Housing Task Force:** tenant satisfaction survey, fair housing education structure, group guidelines and conflict resolution process.
• **Oct. 14 — Hartford Business Revolving Loan Fund:** executive session on proprietary information regarding current and potential loans; FY2027 committee workplan; approval of June 3 and September 2, 2026 meeting records.
• **Oct. 15 — Housing & Homelessness Committee:** vote on a committee workplan for the Selectboard, review of a Big Little Build application from Jonah Richard, discussion of solutions for the unhoused community, and a COVER volunteer opportunity on October 30.
• **Oct. 15 — Committee on Racial Equity & Inclusion:** finalize outreach for the Oct. 21 meeting with the HSD Equity Committee, finalize the annual work plan, update on the Hartford Policy Analysis, and discuss a town land acknowledgment requested by Parks & Rec.
• **Oct. 21 — Town and School Meeting Committee:** continued planning of the Town Meeting cycle, including Warrant Info Night, Budget & Candidates and Town Meeting Day, plus scheduling of 2026 meeting dates.
• **Oct. 22 — Board of Civil Authority:** tax abatement hearings for Alexander S. and Mary Lou DeFelice, 780 Chandler Road, Parcel ID # 9-100/SPAN # 285-090-15705 at 5:45 PM, and Kimber Luce, 43 Luce Meadow Road, Parcel ID # 12-117/SPAN # 285-090-13284 at 6:00 PM; deliberations and decisions at 6:15 PM; election updates and review at 6:45 PM. Applicants must present evidence at the scheduled times or requests will be decided on submitted forms.