Why Hinesburg?

WHY WE CHOSE HINESBURG

We chose Hinesburg for all the reasons we would choose it again today:

• Convenient access to Burlington but a real small-town feel.
• Interesting neighbors – a mix of folks who grew up here and remember when a car on Rt 116 was something to look at – and a self-selected group of “flat-landers” like ourselves (from Pennsylvania and New Hampshire respectively) who moved to Vermont for its wonderful landscape, community-focused values, and cultural milieu.
• Good schools.
• Access to the lake, mountains, ski areas and more.
• Challenging work and the opportunity to start a business.

Rob and his wife Laura chose Hinesburg in 1980
At the time of another recession/recovery, when gardening and wood stoves were in vogue, Rob Bast and his wife Laura decided to settle in Hinesburg. Rob had just entered the University of Vermont’s engineering program. Laura worked for Garden Way (a company selling rototillers, back-to-the-land books, and greenhouses). We bought a piece of land in Hinesburg, and built a solar envelope house of 750 square feet.

Fast forward to 2010
Our kids grew up here — they are grown now and out of college.  We expanded our home, and now we plan to add more solar energy and a wind turbine.

Rob was joined by his partner Mac Rood to form Bast & Rood Architects which has been located in Hinesburg for over 25 years, with clients in 5 states. Winner of design and energy-efficiency awards, locally their most recognized building is the City Market Coop in Burlington. Laura now works at EatingWell Media Group.

It’s been our privilege to be involved in our town. Rob was chair of the planning commission and then a Selectboard member and chair. He has had a hand in almost every important public building in Hinesburg. Laura was active in the volunteer Hinesburg Record, the Hinesburg Business Association, and is now part of the Saputo Cheese Plant Committee.

We have watched the town grow and evolve, and attract ever more people to be involved to make it a better place – looking forward into the future to both grow and preserve. It is our wish that the Green Street project be part of that momentum.