Incumbent Claudette Brochu is running unopposed for the two-year seat on the Selectboard.
1. For those who do not know you, please provide some background about yourself and say why you want to be on the Selectboard.
I have lived in town since 1983. I am an Army vet and retired RN. I currently work part-time in the non-profit sector. I have been on the Selectboard for two years. My goals as a Selectboard member have been to control spending, re-write outdated policies, and find common sense solutions to issues. That work is on-going. My primary reason for running again is to complete the work associated with the Town Manager contract and improvement plan, strengthen our financial policies and procedures, and to bring our technology infrastructure into the 21st century.
2. Article 8 on the ballot is a $2 million bond for building improvements to reduce fossil fuel use by the Town by 15%. What are your thoughts on Article 8? As part of your response, please include your thoughts on whether the Selectboard adequately considered other capital or infrastructure wants/needs of the Town before placing the measure on the ballot?
I am not certain how I will vote on Article 8. I hope to learn more about the building improvement plan and alternatives to the project at the public information sessions. I do think we need to address climate change in some way. Is this proposal the right way? Is this the right project? Right now, I don’t know.
I am not aware of any other capital or infrastructure needs that can not be met with existing funds or until engineering studies are complete. There may be other “wants” but are there “needs”?
3. It seems likely that this year the State will pass legislation allowing the retail sale of marijuana. How do you think Norwich should handle the retail sale of marijuana? Should any decision regarding the retail sale of cannabis (to prohibit or to permit) be subject to a town-wide vote or should the decision be up to the Selectboard?
This is another issue about which I need to learn more. I await the Legislature’s decision on A.54 and language that may be included in the bill that would impact any decision made by the town. I do think that this is an issue that needs to be a town-wide vote. If the establishments were properly sited, heavily taxed with that revenue staying in the community, I would not be opposed to retail sale of cannabis.
4. The Selectboard is about to conduct public hearings on the proposed Town Plan. One aspect of that plan is the possible creation of a mixed use zoning district in the Route 5 South area. What are your concerns, if any, about development along Route 5 South? Should future development in that area be “consistent with the size and scale of existing developments in Norwich,” as set forth in the current Town Plan. See Introduction at http://norwich.vt.us/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2018-Plan.pdf
I continue to have concerns related to mixed-use development of Rt5 South. I fear that any retail business would suck the life out of downtown Norwich. I am concerned about disturbing wetlands, wildlife corridors, and open spaces. The dilemma is that if we want to protect our forest tracts and want some growth, the “where” to build becomes problematic. I would encourage re-purposing existing structures or spaces along Rt5 South versus building but am still concerned about retail in that area.
5. Excluding big issues such as affordable housing or climate change, what are several “nuts and bolts” issues that you think the Town or Selectboard should address in the next 12 to 18 months?
A complete overhaul of our technology infrastructure is desperately needed. Our Town website is outdated and inefficient. We need to invest in new platforms and improved cyber security.
We also need to take the time to more fully develop the Capital and Budget plan and agree as a board on the priorities and funding sources.
We need to update existing ordinances and policies, some of which have not been reviewed since the 1990s.
The town and board need to reign in unnecessary spending as well as throwing money at problems versus finding more cost effective solutions. The proposal to spend $15K in order to start plastic recycling is one example (nixed by the board).
As controversial as it may be, the board needs to re-examine how health care costs are shared (or not) between the town and employees. Limiting the plan options to one or two, sliding scale employee contribution based on income, eliminating spousal coverage if that coverage is available via the spouse’s employer are some examples we can investigate.
The Norwich Forum for Selectboard candidates will be held Tuesday, February 25 in the Tracy Hall Multi-purpose room from 7-8:30. Come and hear candidates Robert Gere, Doug Wilberding, and Claudette Brochu. Ask them questions.This event is sponsored by the Norwich Women’s Club.
Contact me at norwichobserver [AT] gmail.com.
I agree with what Claudette has stated in her interview. I also think that BEFORE the town commits to a debt obligation of over $2,000,000
additional information regarding other options should be gathered and
presented to the town.
Regarding reigning in unnecessary spending; there are so many ways to do this. First, the “proposed “ new bridge on the Charles Brown Brook..
Is it really necessary to spend $80,000 for a foot bridge? Second, how about taking a look at the health care benefits for town employees. Surely savings can be realized here.
And third, the “push” for development along route #5 south. If the town plan is approved regarding opening route #5 south to mixed use development will undoubtably lead to the type of growth that Norwich does not need.
Keep up the good work you have been doing on the SB Claudette
John Farrell
Norwich