My collection of random comments, notes and thoughts after watching the video recording of the October 25 Norwich Selectboard meeting.
Secrecy still shrouds appointment of TM
In a prior post, I listed some of the superb questions a resident posed to the Selectboard about the ‘emergency’ appointment of a permanent town manager to a 3-year term. The Selectboard declined to respond to those questions, after asking that they be submitted in writing. Chair Marcia Calloway asked the Board if anyone wanted to make a motion to authorize a response. No Board member spoke up. All told, the Selectboard spent about 20 seconds on the topic. Meeting video at 11:41
Union contract negotiations
Selectboard member Priscilla Vincent asked about the 14-month delay in reaching agreement on a new union contract, noting (partly in jest) she knows more about the UAW negotiations from the news. Meeting video beginning at 24:49.The cone of silence apparently covers this topic too.. A resident also indicated that police officers were not happy about the lack of progress. In addition, I don’t know whether Ms. Vincent’s comments were the impetus, but the Town’s Labor Negotiations Team held a special meeting on November 2, after not meeting since August 9.
Also, in a bizarre twist, some Selectboard members said Ms. Vincent was violating the Open Meeting Law because she spoke during public comment on a topic not on the agenda. That, however, seems very wrong to me. The purpose of the OML is to promote transparency. I’m glad Ms. Vincent raised the issue at a public meeting, so everyone can hear. Perhaps the agenda item should say: “Public comment (including by individual Selectboard members).” Notably, the next public comment was by Selectboard member Mary Layton who praised the new recycling app. Was that improper too?
Opioid settlement
The Town received $11,765 in funds as its share of the Opioid Settlement Fund, according to the Revenue Report in the October 25 Selectboard packet at page 46. Although mentioned briefly at the meeting, there was, however, no indication whether the Town plans to set aside these funds to address the opioid crisis. Two towns in Vermont donated settlement funds to the same community recovery organization, says a Vital Strategies fact sheet.
Culvert upgrades
DPW Director Chris Kaufman outlined the need to replace and upsize five culverts. The total cost estimate is around $1.25 million. The upsizing is necessary “to prevent future damage to roadways and adjacent properties if the storms continue [at the] intensity as they have.” The Selectboard authorized the Town to pursue FEMA and State reimbursement for the work, which would leave the Town responsible for 12.5% of the cost. However, the Town did not commit to doing the work, with or without FEMA funding. Meeting video beginning at 59:49; October 25 Selectboard packet at 57. Those repairs are in addition to the need to rebuild Hemlock Road as a result of damage from the July storm.
Hail to the Fire Chief
The Selectboard congratulated Norwich Fire Chief Alex Northern for earning the professional designation of “Chief Fire Officer.” This designation recognizes. individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components in fire and emergency services. Meeting video at 1:27:28; October 25 Selectboard packet at 84.
Budget season begins
The Board spent about 45 minutes discussing the budget process. Meeting video beginning at 1:43:31. As noted by a resident during public comment, the packet includes memos from all Selectboard members, except member Roger Arnold, about the budget. October 25 Selectboard packet at 25.. The Selectboard begins budget discussions on November 8, starting, refreshingly, with the capital plan. Four meeting dates are set aside for November.
Town Manager Duffy thought an increase in the overall budget of less than 6% was not realistic. He noted that the COLA for wages is 3.8 %. Other operating expenses will rise by as much. And employees not covered by the collective bargaining agreement (mostly department heads and assistants) want pay increases. The hope is that the consultant will finish the compensation study in time. TM Duffy said to keep and attract employees and provide a good working environment for them, “we’re going to be asked to make expensive commitments.” By the end, three Selectboard members, a majority, asked for a budget in which the increase was under 10%.
Lip service was paid to the increasing tax burden on residents. This burden goes beyond budget increases. The State is reworking the state school tax rate that will result in more funding for districts with students facing poverty. As a result, the property tax will rate jump for well-off towns. See this October Sidenote post about the school “tax bomb.” (32.2% increase for Norwich, although the Legislature may spread the increase over a five-year period.)
As noted by State Rep. Rebecca Holcombe in her comment to the Sidenote post: “The adults in young families tend to be lower earning, as they are at the start of their careers. More housing in our communities that young families could afford would blunt the tax increase.” Norwich has had years of near zero growth in its housing stock. Property taxes will eventually force the “middle” middle class out of Norwich.
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Contact me at norwichobserver[at]gmail.com
Thank you, Chris. All Great observations. Cheryl