Robert Gere is running against Doug Wilberding for the three-year seat on the Selectboard. Neither is the incumbent, Below are the responses of Mr. Gere to my five questions.
1. For those who do not know you, please provide some background about yourself and say why you want to be on the Selectboard.
My wife and I first moved to Norwich on December 31, 1975. 6 months later we were exiled to Cornish where we spent 2 years before finding our current home in Norwich where we have been for 42 years. I started out my career in the photo business in 1976 and as photography shifted from film to digital I shifted to the computer industry. I have been providing computer support services full time since 2003 and currently work for the Dresden School District at Hanover High School.
In the late ‘90s I realized that town governance was the responsibility of the citizens of the town and volunteered to serve on the Finance Committee. Since then I have served on the Development Review Board, was elected a Justice of the Peace, and most recently served on the Norwich Energy Committee and been the alternate Norwich representative serving on the ECFiber Board of Governors. Outside of the town I served on the CATV board of Directors finishing up as Board Chair before being term limited off.
My interest in running for Selectboard is out of concern that Norwich is facing substantial challenges as we, and the world at large, wrestle with the effects of climate change. Much of what will be needed may be controversial and I feel it will be important to maintain civil debate and transparent deliberations. It will be vitally important for all stakeholders to work together with mutual trust and respect in order to be efficient and effective.
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?
First I strongly recommend that people try to attend one of the public information sessions being held Sunday, February 23 at 2pm at the Norwich Congregational Church, or at the Norwich Public Library at 6:30pm Thursday February 27. More background information can be found through the Energy Committee’s web page at: http://norwichenergycommittee.weebly.com/2020-town-facilities-energy-proposal.html
Our planet has gotten into its dire condition by pursuing cheap and easy energy policies. Burning fuels, petroleum based or from other sources, have pushed us past the climate breaking point. At this juncture we are faced with choices that, on the surface, are not the easiest and cheapest path. But inaction is a short term expedience that guarantees long term negative consequences. We will eventually be forced to make changes and the likely options will end up costing more and probably helping less.
The process by which the project was proposed was done with due diligence and the urgency of the problem it is meant to address dictated that it should be presented to the town for an up or down vote. Quick action by the Selectboard was necessary and appropriate.
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?
It is such an unlikely scenario that Norwich would be faced with that possibility that I have given no thought to the question. My default position is that it would be a significant enough change that the voters should weigh in.
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
Development that allows inefficient land use should be discouraged. Environmentally “smart” or “green” development can be encouraged over a broad spectrum of sizes and densities which mirror the style of of traditional New England villages. The cost of land and the retail commercial tax structure differences between Vermont and New Hampshire impose significant restraints on commercial development already.
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?
I am concerned that we are falling behind in preparing for the threats that face the town due to an aging technological infrastructure. We have a complex, multi-million dollar town government in a world where it is exceedingly cheap and easy to mount an attack on an organization. Some are threats against insecure hardware and software, and some are threats against soft targets. Last year’s fraud case was a good example. We need to make sure that our computer systems and software are kept up to current standards and our staff is thoroughly trained.
Despite the caveat expressed in the question, I am concerned that what we previously considered to be a large enough discretionary fund in our budget to cover unexpected emergencies is now inadequate. The damages inflicted on the town by climate change weather events are unpredictable as to cost but are bound to reoccur with frequency. How reliable will FEMA compensation be? How much interest will we Be responsible for while waiting for payments? Resiliency is the term being used to gauge how well a town can recover from unforeseen events. This year’s budget recognizes the need to replenish depleted funds. The Selectboard will need to carefully track expenses to determine a realistically safe level of funding in years to come. The parallel problem is how to meet all of these challenges without punting residents in to the poor house.
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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.
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