Author Archives: CTK

‘Preferred siting’ for solar is back on Selectboard agenda

Posted on by

The Selectboard will hear a presentation from Town Manager (and Director of Planning) Roderick Francis on the topic of preferred siting for solar projects at its meeting on February 23. It is agenda item #7. However, no materials on that item are in the Selectboard packet released on Friday for the meeting. Preferred site status for solar panel farms sparked outcry at the February 9 Selectboard meeting. Several neighbors near the proposed 8-acre Upper Loveland Road project are asking the Continue reading ‘Preferred siting’ for solar is back on Selectboard agenda→

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

Posted on by

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→

FYI: Site video and plans of the proposed Upper Loveland Road solar farm

Posted on by

A video of the proposed solar panel farm location was posted on YouTube by Ameridane Press on February 9. It is available below and here. To give that video more context, below is a portion of the Act 250 Site Plan. It was submitted to the PUC by Norwich Technologies in the CPG proceeding for the proposed Upper Loveland Road solar farm. However, I believe the map dates back to the permit for the cell tower over ten years ago. Continue reading FYI: Site video and plans of the proposed Upper Loveland Road solar farm→

Rod Francis named as Town Manager

Posted on by

The Selectboard selected Roderick Francis as the next Town Manager for Norwich, at the Board’s meeting on February 9. Mr. Francis is currently the Director of Planning for the Town as well as its Interim Town Manager. The vote was 4-1, with Selectboard member Marcia Calloway voting no. The other Selectboard members indicated they were very happy with the selection. Contract terms were not disclosed. [END]

A group of residents asks the Selectboard to rescind preferred site status granted to proposed Upper Loveland Road solar farm

Posted on by

A group of six residents is asking the Selectboard to rescind the preferred site status the Town granted to a proposed Upper Loveland Road solar panel farm in August. The neighbors say the project violates the Town Plan. In addition, they complain the Selectboard made no specific effort to notify property owners abutting the site. The matter is not an agenda item. The letter dated February 3 (“Letter”) is in the Selectboard packet for the February 9 meeting, at page Continue reading A group of residents asks the Selectboard to rescind preferred site status granted to proposed Upper Loveland Road solar farm→

Questions for the Selectboard for its Saturday Town Meeting Informational Meeting

Posted on by

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→

Town Meeting Article 7: Does a budget surplus belong to the voters or the Selectboard?

Posted on by

Posted this on the listserv. Thought I would include it here as well. Last year the Town’s annual budget had a surplus of approximately $300,000. Should voters decide how that money is spent or should the Selectboard? How about past surpluses and future budget surpluses? Today the total accumulated surplus is about $850,000. And, specific voter approval is needed to spend that money. However, if Article 7 is approved, control of that money (and future surpluses) goes to the Selectboard. Continue reading Town Meeting Article 7: Does a budget surplus belong to the voters or the Selectboard?→

SAU 70 policy on transgender privacy is challenged by some Ray School parents; no concerns raised by Marion Cross School parents

Posted on by

A group of parents with children at the Ray School, the public elementary school in Hanover NH, are challenging a SAU 70 policy that protects a child’s gender identity from the child’s parents. The news story by Peter D’Auria appeared in VTDigger on January 26. Marion Cross School, the Norwich VT public elementary school, is also part of School Administrative Unit 70. MCS has the same policy in place. In contrast, however, Norwich parents have not complained about and several Continue reading SAU 70 policy on transgender privacy is challenged by some Ray School parents; no concerns raised by Marion Cross School parents→

UPDATE: School Board and Selectboard candidates; Town Manager search

Posted on by

Who’s running for School Board and Selectboard? Both School Board and both Selectboard incumbents up for election are asking voters to return them to office at Town Meeting in March. Three will face no formal opposition. Here is the line up as provided to me by Town Clerk Bonnie Munday. For Norwich School Board, Garrett Palm is running unopposed for a second term for a two-year seat. Lily Trajman is also running unopposed for the three-year seat that the School Continue reading UPDATE: School Board and Selectboard candidates; Town Manager search→

Update on Town Manager search: #31 gets an offer

Posted on by

A brief update on the Town Manager search. Draft meeting minutes from the special Selectboard meeting on Friday report that the Selectboard extended “an offer of employment as Town Manager to Candidate #31 contingent upon contract negotiations. Motion passed (4 yes, Calloway no).” [END]