Category Archives: Budget, Town

Finance Committee makes recommendations on proposed budget

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The Norwich Finance Committee issued its preliminary recommendations regarding the proposed budget. Its memorandum is in the packet for the Selectboard meeting on January 6, 2020, starting at page 22 of the “revised” packet. Some highlights. Budget should be flat, in real terms. “The NFC believes the FY22 budget should remain flat vs. FY21 in real terms. Accounting for inflationary pressures, a reasonable nominal target increase would be in the order of 3%.” It seems doubtful that the Selectboard will Continue reading Finance Committee makes recommendations on proposed budget→

Budget proposal “not for the faint of heart” says Norwich Town Manager

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Give Town Manager Herb Durfee credit. His big budget proposal, calling for a 20% increase in spending, won’t sit well with taxpayers struggling during the pandemic. But, it will force the Selectboard to address long-term infrastructure issues and make decisions about them. That Selectboard discussion is long overdue. In his email transmitting the budget to the Selectboard Town Manager Durfee said the draft budget is “not for the faint of heart.” Further he emphasized, the budget is “not the ‘Town Continue reading Budget proposal “not for the faint of heart” says Norwich Town Manager→

Observations: Norwich Selectboard meeting of 5/27

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Some miscellaneous and/or random observations after watching the YouTube video of the Selectboard meeting of May 27, 2020. Draft meeting minutes are here. Everybody loves a parade. Public comment included the announcement of, and expressions of support for, the Hanover High School car parade to honor this year’s graduating class. Wonderful! Date is June 12. For more information or to volunteer, contact Marianne Barthel. Nancy Dean retires. After 45 years on the DRB (and its predecessor, ZBA) Nancy Dean is Continue reading Observations: Norwich Selectboard meeting of 5/27→

Budget Watch: Does Norwich need a capital plan?

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The Town’s need for a capital plan was on display at the Selectboard meeting on May 27. The Town Manager reported that Norwich will likely need to borrow money to repair the box culvert on Route 132 and to replace an aging dump truck. These expenses are not covered by sufficient reserves in their respective designated funds. Ad hoc decisions by the Selectboard on the financing of significant expenditures is not a preferred approach. Financial experts suggest instead a capital Continue reading Budget Watch: Does Norwich need a capital plan?→

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→

Budget Watch: Did the Selectboard just spend $15,000 not in the budget?

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Last week, the Norwich Selectboard approved spending of up to $15,000 on the Tracy Hall geothermal project. Amazingly, to me at least, there was no mention during the hour discussion about where this money to pay the bill might come from. I watched the replay of the meeting on CATV. There was acknowledgement that residents have the statutory right to a re-vote and that voters may reject the project on the re-vote set for May 12. But, the Selectboard wanted Continue reading Budget Watch: Did the Selectboard just spend $15,000 not in the budget?→

Tax rates to increase under School and Town budgets

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The Selectboard and School Board adopted budgets earlier this week to send to voters at Town Meeting on March 3. Under the Town budget, the municipal tax rate is likely to increase by about 7%. The adopted school budget is projected to increase the homestead school property tax rate by 5.77%. TOWN BUDGET. The budget adopted by the Selectboard set total expenditures of $4,441,173, an increase of 3.97%, from last year, not including separate monetary articles. To fund the budget, Continue reading Tax rates to increase under School and Town budgets→