Hartland Selectman Race Pits Incumbent Against Brewery Owner Amid Ongoing Lawsuit
HARTLAND — In Hartland’s upcoming municipal election, voters face a pivotal choice between incumbent Selectman John A. Hikel and challenger Robert C. Bryant, whose lakefront brewery is at the center of a contentious lawsuit against the town. Polls will open Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Irving Tanning Community Center, where voters will also convene on Saturday for the annual town meeting.
Hikel, a former New Hampshire legislator, seeks a third term to continue serving Hartland. He emphasizes responsiveness to community needs and aims to foster growth, particularly in light of the town’s economic struggles since the 2020 closure of the local tannery.
Bryant, a retired IT professional who established Bryant’s Brewing in 2022, argues that resolving the tannery issue is critical for Hartland’s economic revival. However, Hikel raised concerns about Bryant’s ability to serve impartially due to the ongoing legal battle over his brewery’s permits, which Bryant asserts he would recuse himself from if elected.
The lawsuit, filed by local residents, claims Bryant’s brewery violates zoning ordinances. Town officials have argued that recent ordinance amendments were necessary for Bryant’s operation and consistent with town planning strategies. The case has already cost Hartland over $53,000 in legal fees.
Both candidates underscore economic development as a primary focus, with Hikel advocating for a downtown revitalization plan and a solar farm proposal that could ease the town’s tax burden. Conversely, Bryant seeks to promote community pride by removing local blight and attracting new industry.
As voters prepare to make this critical decision, the outcome will have significant implications for Hartland’s governance and economic future.
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