Category Archives: Planning Commission

Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Commission resign

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The Norwich Planning Commission is experiencing significant upheaval in membership. The latest: Planning Commission Chair Jacqueline Allen and Vice Chair Brian Loeb have resigned “effective immediately,” that is May 18. That brings the turnover in membership to four on the seven member commission since Town Meeting. In March, two members did not seek reappointment when their terms expired The resignation letters are in the amended Selectboard packet for the Board’s meeting on May 24 at pages 13 and 14. Mr. Continue reading Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Commission resign→

Planning Commission recommends that Town study sewer options

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The Norwich Planning Commission is recommending to the Selectboard that the Town fund a study to examine sewer options for the Town. The resolution passed at the Commission’s meeting last week. The vote was unanimous, with one abstention according to the draft meeting minutes. At the time of this post, the video of the meeting is not yet available on the Town’s YouTube channel. Town efforts to connect with the Hartford sewer system may be at cross-purposes with the School Continue reading Planning Commission recommends that Town study sewer options→

SB Chair and Vice-chair ask a Planning Commission member to step down for ‘deplorable decorum’

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This blog is not a gossip column. However, when both the Selectboard Chair and Vice-chair publicly rip a Planning Commission member and ask that he step down, that is something about which the public should be aware. The target was PC member Jeff Goodrich. He has served on the Planning Commission since 2008. During public comment at the Planning Commission meeting on December 10 (as seen on YouTube), Selectboard Chair Claudette Brochu offered these remarks concerning Mr. Goodrich’s conduct. Jeff Continue reading SB Chair and Vice-chair ask a Planning Commission member to step down for ‘deplorable decorum’→

Selectboard mailbag for October 28

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Here’s some Selectboard correspondence I found interesting in the Selectboard packet for the meeting on October 28. Road salt Why are we buying road salt from Chile in South America, asks resident Doug Wilberding. The Town’s share of CO2 emissions from the transport boat, “equates to more emissions than the 45 tons emitted annually at Tracy Hall.” Mr. Wilberding wants the Town to be more proactive about reducing its carbon footprint. “Initiating policy either through Articles or Resolutions is meaningless Continue reading Selectboard mailbag for October 28→

Planning Commission splits in response to claim of an Open Meeting Law violation

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The Planning Commission says it did not violate the Open Meeting Law in formulating the 2020 Town Plan. The vote on that position was four in favor, two against, and one abstention. In a letter responding to the claim of a violation, the PC admits that whether it broke the law is “not entirely clear.” At issue are a number of “working groups” formed to facilitate the drafting of the Town Plan. Three residents, including a Planning Commission member, say Continue reading Planning Commission splits in response to claim of an Open Meeting Law violation→

Why is the Planning Commission going into executive session to discuss the Open Meeting Law?

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My listserv post from earlier today. The Planning Commission is holding a special meeting on Friday to discuss a claim by three residents that the Planning Commission violated the Open Meeting Law (OML) in formulating the Town Plan. As I understand the allegation, working groups used by the PC to formulate the Town Plan did not attempt to comply with the OML. The special meeting agenda suggests that this discussion will be held behind closed doors in executive session, rather Continue reading Why is the Planning Commission going into executive session to discuss the Open Meeting Law?→

Observations: Norwich Selectboard meeting of 5/13

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Some miscellaneous and/or random observations after watching the CATV video of the Selectboard meeting of May 13 2020. Draft meeting minutes are here. Will ballots be mailed to all voters for the August re-vote on Article 8? “Don’t count on it,” says my Magic 8-Ball. The Selectboard seemingly passed on that opportunity by taking no action on correspondence from the Vermont Secretary of State. It’s at page 20, in the packet. The letter indicates that, for 2020, the Selectboard may Continue reading Observations: Norwich Selectboard meeting of 5/13→