Category Archives: Budget, Town

Post-Budget Realities: A List of Some Lingering Issues

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As Town Meeting approaches, the Selectboard has approved a budget, crafted through the dedicated effort of Board members, the Town Manager, and staff. The adopted budget largely aligns with the Town Manager’s proposals. However, this post does not delve into the intricacies of the budget itself. Instead, it sheds light on issues that emerged during the budget process yet remain unresolved. It’s important to highlight these lingering concerns that warrant attention from the SB and TM, as well as the Continue reading Post-Budget Realities: A List of Some Lingering Issues→

Silent Rejection: Article 11 and the Selectboard’s Inaction

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At Town Meeting in March 2023, Norwich residents approved Article 11, advising the Town “to consider” the addition of a fifth full-time officer to the Norwich Police Department (NPD). However, the Selectboard has quietly rejected this vote by finalizing next year’s budget without allocating funds for the additional position and more importantly for this post, without any discussion of Article 11. The Board’s rejection of the voters wish to consider the issue, without any kind of explanation, prompts questions about Continue reading Silent Rejection: Article 11 and the Selectboard’s Inaction→

Public Input Matters: How to Spend a Once-in-a-Generation Surplus

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The Town of Norwich has $1.8 million in surplus cash, of which $1 million came from ARPA but since then washed of its restrictions.  On Wednesday, December 13th, the Selectboard will consider plans to use that money as follows, subject to voter approval at Town Meeting: Selectboard December 13 meeting packet at 17, 35 (Slide 15, 33) Based on the public information available, I am not confident this is a prudent use of this once-in-a-generation surplus. The capital plan is Continue reading Public Input Matters: How to Spend a Once-in-a-Generation Surplus→

Random Notes and Comments: 10-25 Selectboard meeting

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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 Continue reading Random Notes and Comments: 10-25 Selectboard meeting→

Town projects budget surplus of $250,000. No plans to use cash for property tax relief or employee retention bonuses.

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The Town projects to have a budget surplus of $250,000 for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2022. At its June 22, 2022 meeting, the Selectboard passed on two suggestions for using that money. One was to pay bonuses to current employees. The other, returning money to taxpayers. The lack any real interest in either topic mystifies me. As detailed below, the Town is flush with cash. However, some Selectboard members noted concerns about future expenses. Apparently. Tracy Continue reading Town projects budget surplus of $250,000. No plans to use cash for property tax relief or employee retention bonuses.→

Truth-in-advertising? Selectboard presentation on town budget and article 7

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Maybe I am a fussbudget. Nonetheless, I do not understand why the Selectboard can’t be more forthcoming in its Town Meeting slide presentation. Specifically, I am referring to the slides for the Town budget and for Article 7. Voters deserve transparency. A presentation is scheduled for February 14 and again, at the pre-Town Meeting. Budget Above is Slide number 5 from Selectboard’s presentation. I am not sure this statement – “maintaining current services while accounting for the coming year’s high Continue reading Truth-in-advertising? Selectboard presentation on town budget and article 7→

Questions for the Selectboard for its Saturday Town Meeting Informational Meeting

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The Selectboard will be holding two bonus information sessions on the municipal issues related to Town Meeting. These are Zoom only meetings. Scheduled dates are:  Feb 5th, 2022 at 11AM and Feb 14th, 2022 at 6:30 PM. I don’t know what it says for the state of romance in Norwich that the Selectboard scheduled a meeting for Valentine’s Day evening. Kudos to the Selectboard for scheduling these extra sessions! Here are some questions I hope are addressed at the first Continue reading Questions for the Selectboard for its Saturday Town Meeting Informational Meeting→

Does Norwich ‘need’ an Assistant Zoning Administrator?

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At the outset, I appreciate the efforts of the Selectboard and staff for their work on the budget. They are working long hours. Thank you Claudette, Fielding, Marcia, Mary, Miranda, Rob, Rod and Roger. The Selectboard plans on finalizing its budget at its January 5 meeting. The goal of this budget cycle is to maintain the status quo – no changes from last year other than to cover increases in employee compensation and supplies. This approach makes sense as Norwich Continue reading Does Norwich ‘need’ an Assistant Zoning Administrator?→

Proposed Police Department budget includes body cams, two replacement vehicles. Police incidents increase by 20%.

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The 2023 fiscal year budget for the Norwich Police Department increases by over 7% under the proposal put forth by Acting Police Chief Simon Keeling and Interim Town Manager Rod Francis. The proposal includes body cameras for the police officers and replacement of two 2013 police cruisers. Except for the body cams, the goal of the budget proposal is to maintain the same level of service. Wages and benefits comprises about 75% of the budget. But that line decreases by Continue reading Proposed Police Department budget includes body cams, two replacement vehicles. Police incidents increase by 20%.→