Surging Home Values Aren’t Causing Vermont’s School Tax Spike—Spending Is

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Why Vermont’s Rising Home Values Don’t Automatically Raise Your School Tax Bill A common misconception among some homeowners and public officials is that surging home values in Vermont are a significant contributor to the increase in school property taxes. But while education finance is a complex topic, rapidly increasing home values are not the direct cause of the double-digit percentage increase in your school tax bill. Instead, spending on education is the main factor driving changes in your taxes. If Continue reading Surging Home Values Aren’t Causing Vermont’s School Tax Spike—Spending Is→

A Taxpayer’s Perspective on the Norwich School Board Budget Guidelines

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The Norwich School Board recently took the first step in shaping next year’s budget by adopting its “2025-26 Norwich Budget Guidelines.” As these early discussions begin, many of us in town are already feeling the strain from this year’s nearly 17% increase in school property taxes. Unfortunately, it is not going to get better. While Vermont’s funding system aims to promote a fairer distribution of resources across all schools, the reality is that some of us are left questioning how Continue reading A Taxpayer’s Perspective on the Norwich School Board Budget Guidelines→

How should Norwich use its opioid settlement funds?

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Comedian and political commentator John Oliver recently covered the opioid crisis and the massive settlements on HBO’s “Last Week Tonight.” He highlighted the challenges states and municipalities face trying to use the money effectively, noting the painfully mixed results. Norwich faces a similar issue on a much, much smaller scale. It received $11,765 this fiscal year. Right now, the Town views the money as miscellaneous revenue, which is tragic (selfish?) considering the individuals and families that suffered as a result Continue reading How should Norwich use its opioid settlement funds?→

Zooming Out: Selectboard Meetings Going Fully Online

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Count me among those concerned about the recent terse announcement that the Selectboard has ended in-person meetings in favor of attendance by Board members only via Zoom. The listserv post of May 9 says in full: Please be advised that, until further notice, all Selectboard meetings will be conducted via Zoom (remotely). Since the end of the Covid crisis, the Selectboard has used a hybrid meeting approach, combining in person attendance with participation via Zoom. However, all Board members generally Continue reading Zooming Out: Selectboard Meetings Going Fully Online→

Update on the Upper Loveland Road Solar Project: Developer Objects to PUC Order for Town Review

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Is the controversial Upper Loveland Road solar project coming back to the Town of Norwich for review? The Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently issued an order directing the developer of the solar panel farm, an entity related to Norwich Technologies, to confirm ongoing support from the Town as a “preferred site.” The PUC order in that case (21-3587-NMP) specifies four significant changes to the project, since the developer made its presentation to the Planning Commission in July 2021, including increased Continue reading Update on the Upper Loveland Road Solar Project: Developer Objects to PUC Order for Town Review→

Increase class size at MCS?

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Now that some dust has settled for this year on financing Act 127, I wonder if our School Board should address the difficult question of increasing class size (students per section) at Marion Cross School. Under H.850, which is now law, school boards can delay the vote on their budgets until April 15 in order to rework them. If I am correctly reading the materials from the Norwich Budget Presentation on December 6, 2023, MCS could go from three sections Continue reading Increase class size at MCS?→

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→