Elvin Hardwick’s journey into public service began long before he became Somerset’s Town Manager. Raised by civil servants and inspired by early experiences in youth government, he discovered a calling to strengthen communities through leadership and collaboration. Today, he continues that mission while pursuing his Doctor of Public Administration at the University of Baltimore.
Through this article, Hardwick highlights how balanced governance drives transparency, sustainability and community innovation. He also emphasizes the importance of collaboration, trust and patient leadership in creating lasting local impact.
What Guiding Somerset Means: Leading Operations and Strategic Planning
I wear many hats in my dual role as Somerset’s Chief Executive and Financial Officer, working closely with our elected mayor and five-member town council to ensure smooth, effective operations. Under our charter, the town manager’s appointment is renewed annually, with the mayor nominating and the council confirming the position. This process ensures accountability, transparency and continuity in leadership.
My role blends strategic foresight with hands-on administration. I oversee daily operations and guide staff, contractors and vendors so that every essential service, from trash and recycling to parks, composting and seasonal maintenance, runs efficiently. I also provide notary services and ensure every process remains accessible, efficient and service-oriented.
Whether working with staff, elected officials, residents or community partners, I make it a priority to ensure everyone stays informed and involved. People should never feel excluded from decisions that shape their community.
Partnership with elected officials defines how we operate. They serve as the bridge between residents and administration, relaying what the community needs and shaping both near-term priorities and long-term goals. Each month, I prepare a manager’s report updating the council and residents on active projects, reinforcing transparency and accountability.
Somerset continues to advance through capital improvements, infrastructure upgrades and sustainability initiatives. Updating our charter and code and expanding e-governance tools remain priorities as we build a more transparent, digitally connected community. Thoughtful planning and disciplined execution help us strike the right balance, ensuring Somerset operates efficiently, serves residents effectively and continues to grow as a welcoming, forward-thinking town.
Navigating Modern Challenges: Building Trust, Transparency and Collaboration
Public trust remains one of the most pressing challenges for local governments. What often begins at the national level filters down into local communities, shaping how residents perceive their government. Rebuilding that trust requires openness, responsiveness and clear communication. For me, it means ensuring people know they are heard and that their input leads to visible action.
My office maintains an open-door policy. Whether through calls, emails or in-person visits, communication stays personal and accessible. Residents should feel that their government listens and responds with integrity.
Fiscal responsibility is another way trust is earned. Federal and state trends continue to affect budgets across Maryland, including Somerset’s. I lead the full budget cycle, from development to year-end audits, with an emphasis on transparency and discipline. To strengthen financial oversight, we established the citizen-led Finance, Revenue and Budget Committee, opening the process to public participation. A new budgeting framework now emphasizes long-term planning, savings and responsible service delivery.
Somerset’s proximity to the nation’s capital adds a layer of complexity that requires close coordination. We collaborate regularly with Montgomery County, the Villages of Drummond and Friendship Heights and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission on land use, zoning and parks. Essential services such as water and sewer are managed through the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, and we coordinate with utilities like Washington Gas and PEPCO to ensure seamless service delivery and shared planning across jurisdictions.
Leading Somerset Forward: Innovation Rooted in Service and Community
Effective communication is the foundation of good governance. Whether working with staff, elected officials, residents or community partners, I make it a priority to make sure everyone stays informed and involved. People should never feel excluded from decisions that shape their community.
Patience is equally essential. Government work can seem slow, but every delay often reflects careful review, coordination or public input. Each step ensures thoughtful and accountable progress. Staying composed under pressure and maintaining empathy helps turn frustration into collaboration and strengthens public trust.
Effective governance lies in balancing operational efficiency, community needs and long-term sustainability. Our most meaningful progress comes when these priorities align. Somerset’s environmental programs, for example, grew from community demand for sustainability, aligning seamlessly with the town’s broader goals. When priorities converge, efficiency follows naturally.
Planning turns that balance into action. Each month’s manager’s report details ongoing projects and upcoming priorities, reinforcing accountability. Our five-year financial forecast, extending to fiscal year 2031, helps us anticipate challenges, allocate resources wisely and maintain long-term stability.
Innovation and Community: Building the Somerset of Tomorrow
Innovation and service go hand in hand. Somerset’s team is creative, engaged and open to new ideas, building a government that feels both modern and connected to the people it serves.
E-governance has been a major area of progress. Partnering with a technology firm, we developed an AI-powered smart search for our website to help residents find information faster. This project earned Somerset the 2024 Maryland Municipal Achievement Award for Excellence in E-Governance. We are digitalizing files to reduce paper use and developing an online engagement center where residents can track projects, receive updates and submit service requests. What began as virtual meetings during the pandemic has evolved into a hybrid participation model that broadens accessibility.
That same spirit drives our environmental initiatives. Town Hall and the pool house now run on solar power, our public works team uses an electric truck and every streetlight is LED. We offer curbside compost pickup, enforce strong stormwater management policies and protect Vinton Park, a natural preserve that reflects our commitment to sustainable growth.
Community connection ties everything together. In 2025, Somerset received the Maryland Municipal League’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement. We host annual events for Earth Day, Arbor Day, Halloween and the Fourth of July, along with a newcomer’s reception and an ice cream social honoring residents over 90. Monthly mayor’s lunches at Town Hall invite informal dialogue and shared ideas.
Our Youth Council introduces younger residents to civic life through programs like the Youth Entrepreneurial Market, where they design and sell their own creations. The community pool remains a hub for activity, hosting events like the Pool Olympics and is home to our swim team, the Somerset Dolphins. Residents also serve on committees that advise staff and the council on policy and planning.
Together, these initiatives create a connected and forward-looking community. Somerset continues to grow not just through infrastructure or technology but through creativity, collaboration and shared purpose.
|
AT A GLANCE:
• Balanced and Transparent Governance – Combines fiscal discipline, community engagement and strategic foresight to ensure long-term sustainability and operational excellence.
• E-Governance Leadership – Introduced AI-powered smart search and digital engagement platforms, earning the 2024 Maryland Municipal Achievement Award for Excellence in E-Governance.
• Commitment to Sustainability – Advances eco-friendly initiatives such as solar energy, LED infrastructure, stormwater management and curbside composting for every household
|
Advice for Future Leaders: Lead with Purpose, Patience and Perspective
Leadership in local government is about more than managing operations. It is about earning trust and building lasting relationships. The most effective leaders listen first, act with intention and stay focused on who they serve.
My advice to future leaders is to meet every challenge with patience and perspective. Progress takes time, but lasting impact comes from steady, thoughtful action. Be transparent in your work and generous in communication. People recognize sincerity, and trust grows when they see their voices reflected in action.
Stay curious and open to new ideas. Innovation rarely begins with technology; it starts with asking how things can be done better. Small, consistent improvements, whether to a process, system or service, can transform how a community operates.
Above all, remember that leadership is both personal and collective. True success comes from empowering others, including the staff who serve daily, the elected officials who represent residents and the community whose input shapes the town’s direction. Lead with humility, serve with empathy and stay grounded in purpose.
