Author Archives: CTK

Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q4: Police.

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The Norwich Observer asked the candidates for Selectboard the same five questions. Below is the fourth question and the candidates’ responses. A list of all five questions, without responses, is here. Article 11 is pertinent to this question. It reads: Article 11. ADVISORY VOTE: Shall the voters advise the Town to consider the appointment of a full-time police officer in addition to the three budgeted full-time police officers for a total of five including the chief? QUESTION: Police Police. Article Continue reading Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q4: Police.→

Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q3: Toxic community problem.

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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 Continue reading Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q3: Toxic community problem.→

Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q2: Priorities.

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The Norwich Observer asked the candidates for Selectboard the same five questions. Below is the second question and the candidates’ responses. A list of all five questions, without responses, is here. QUESTION: Priorities Priorities. Other than hiring a Town Manager, what are the top three issues that you think the Selectboard should address in the next 12 months? RESPONSES Candidates running for the three-year Selectboard seat Rob Gere: Declined to respond. Marcia Calloway: Projects and issues come and go, a Continue reading Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q2: Priorities.→

Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q1: Background and qualifications.

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The Norwich Observer asked the candidates for Selectboard the same five questions. Below is the first question and the candidates’ responses. A list of all five questions, without responses, is here. QUESTION: Background and qualifications Background and qualifications. For those who do not know you, please provide some info about yourself. Also, what prior experience and skills do you have that make you a good candidate for the Selectboard position? RESPONSES Candidates running for the three-year Selectboard seat Marcia Calloway: Continue reading Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q1: Background and qualifications.→

Who’s running for Selectboard?

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Three seats are up for election this year on the Norwich Selectboard. Two of the races are contested. For the three-year seat, two current Selectboard members are running against each other. Marcia Calloway and Rob Gere are candidates for that position. Pam Smith is running unopposed for the two year seat. Ms. Smith is currently one of the Listers for the Town. The third Selectboard position up for election is to fill the remaining term of Claudette Brochu, who resigned Continue reading Who’s running for Selectboard?→

Yikes: Another executive session on the Town Manager contract

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Posted this to the listserv earlier today. The Selectboard is holding a special meeting on Monday, October 24 to discuss the Town Manager Contract. This is the third executive session on this topic. The others, according to published agendas, were on October 18 and September 26. In addition, an executive session was on the agenda for September 28. Topic: Employment of a Public Employee. The Selectboard directly hires one employee – the Town Manager. Anyone know what is the issue with TM Continue reading Yikes: Another executive session on the Town Manager contract→

Norwich Finance Director departs

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At the September 28 Norwich, VT Selectboard meeting, the Town Manager reported that Fielding Essensa was leaving his position as the Town’s Finance Director, as of October 5. The Town Manager and Selectboard members praised his work. No reason was given for his departure. In response to a public comment, Selectboard Chair Arnold said an exit interview would occur. Worker turnover has plagued the Town over the past year and residents are not happy, reports a September 29 Valley News Continue reading Norwich Finance Director departs→

Is the Selectboard being upfront with residents?

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Maybe there a good explanation. Maybe, I am wrong. But it seems the recently published Selectboard Statement presents facts that are at odds with those reported by the Town’s consultant, HR Matters. Disquieting, to my little mind. I highlight two here. Further below, I provide the competing text. First is the suggestion by the Selectboard, in the first line of the Statement, that the Town’s workplace issues are “like everywhere else.” In contrast, HR Happens indicates those issues relate to Continue reading Is the Selectboard being upfront with residents?→

Commentary: Selectboard ‘Statement’ raises more questions than answers

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The Selectboard issued a Statement dated September 14, 2022. I saw it Sunday on the home page of the Town’s website. You can also read it here. It does not have a title. But it addresses topics regarding workplace issues, the work of HR Happens and, new to me, the work of an independent investigator. By my count, this is the second time within the last 12 months that the Town hired an independent investigator to look into workplace issues. Continue reading Commentary: Selectboard ‘Statement’ raises more questions than answers→

Agenda item #4: Filling Selectboard Vacancy

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The Selectboard aims to fill the vacancy on the Board at its meeting on July 27. The applicants are Aaron Lamperti and Pamela Smith. The person selected will serve until Town Meeting 2023. The vacancy occurred when Claudette Brochu resigned from the Selectboard. The applications are in the Selectboard packet, at pages 3 to 6. Question number 3 on the application asks for “any experiences, skills and/or qualifications which you feel would especially suit you for this appointment.” Ms. Smith Continue reading Agenda item #4: Filling Selectboard Vacancy→