The Norwich Observer asked the candidates for Selectboard the same five questions. Below is the third question and the candidates’ responses. A list of all five questions, without responses, is here.
QUESTION: Toxic community problem
Toxic community problem. When the Selectboard publicly announced the separation agreement with former town manager Roderick Francis, the Board issued a statement that said in part, according to the October 24, 2022 minutes: “Rod has acted honorably and professionally during his tenure despite a personal cost resulting from what the Selectboard respectfully finds has been an unwarranted level of negative public sentiment and scrutiny on the part of some.” Further, the November 9, 2022 meeting minutes state that: “SB members also expressed concern about Norwich’s toxic community problem.” Finally, a news story published by the Valley News on November 23, 2022 reported that the resignation letter of Planning and Zoning Coordinator Aaron DeNamur attributed his departure to “a very abusive and outspoken group of residents.”
What do you make of the above statements by our town officials? Does Norwich have a “toxic community problem”? What steps can the Selectboard and Town Manager take to improve the real or perceived atmosphere and to ensure that all parties feel heard and understood.
RESPONSES
Candidates running for the three-year Selectboard seat
Marcia Calloway:
Whatever the board does is done by majority and is not necessarily the view of each board member.
Norwich does not have a “toxic community problem.” The connection between public opinion and democracy has been well understood for centuries. Norwich is an engaged community. People understand their role in the government’s provision of a stable environment for the enjoyment of life, liberty and property.
The selectboard can and should listen to public opinion and, following the provisions for open meetings, explain the reasons for decisions which are by law open to disclosure. They must oversee their one employee, the town manager, to ensure that person does the same. The board should model respect for every member of our community and do everything possible to demonstrate transparency and accountability. We can and should be able to repair the damaged trust and work together for a strong productive community.
Rob Gere:
Declined to respond.
Candidate running for the two-year Selectboard seat
Pam Smith:
I do not agree with the assertion that Norwich has a “toxic community problem”. Describing the distrust some residents felt as “toxic” is a mischaracterization. And, I don’t feel it’s fair to paint the entire town with such a broad brush. Over the past several months, I feel many of the issues are slowly being resolved. I attribute much of the change in tenor to the leadership style of Marcia Calloway, who was elected Chair of the Selectboard on October 26, 2022. Marcia is calm, collaborative and inclusive. I believe Norwich would greatly benefit from Marcia continuing in this role.
Candidates running for the Selectboard seat with an unexpired (one-year) term
Aaron Lamperti:
This is a complex and difficult question that cannot possibly be answered in one go. What I have tried to focus on as a member of the Selectboard is the distinction between elected officials and town staff. I believe that it is one of the roles of elected officials to be the public-facing branch of town government. I think this is particularly true for the Selectboard. Staff, on the other hand, are employees who should be able to do their jobs in a calm, safe working environment where they have clear expectations from a single manager.
If you take a look at the Town’s organizational chart this becomes quite clear. We have a hierarchical structure where residents choose the Selectboard, the Selectboard chooses the Town Manager, and the Town Manager hires and manages staff.
It is generally good practice to respect the hierarchy of an organization and I think a lack of respect and perhaps understanding of the organizational structure of the Town has been part of the problem in the past. The best way for residents to express their concerns with town governance are through participation in public meetings, particularly Selectboard meetings, and then ultimately through voting. I respectfully ask residents to apply the golden rule in their interactions with staff.
Priscilla Vincent:
We do not have a toxic community. Town employees who have decided to leave have often commented that they liked the people in town; their problem was with their bosses. Obviously things became fraught during the pandemic, and many of us have been stressed out for the last several years. We need to have our meetings in person again, with the hybrid option so more people can participate. Until recently, public comments in select board meetings were grudgingly heard and not responded to. Many people felt unheard and turned to other platforms to express their thoughts. Frustrations ran high. We all need to calm down because we are all in this together. The select board has been more receptive and responsive of late, and more respectful of townspeople. May civility continue!
CANDIDATES FORUM
The Selectboard Candidates Forum sponsored by the Norwich Women’s Club is scheduled for February 16 at 7 PM at the Marion Cross School.
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Contact the Norwich Observer at norwichobserver [at] gmail.com
I appreciate all the candidates who responded to this question. Thank you. When my husband and I spoke up during the past several years about problems in town government, it was solely because we were personally approached by town employees who were feeling bullied and unheard. We felt we had to speak up for them, because their pleas to the select board, with Roger Arnold as chair, were ignored and the problems continued. They were grateful to us and thanked us for our efforts. We tried always to be polite in our comments. If one or two people were less than polite, I hardly think that is cause to label us a “toxic community.”