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’→

ICYMI: “Bid to boost Norwich housing needs your help” appears in the Valley News

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On Thursday, the Valley News published an opinion piece by three members of the Norwich Affordable Housing Subcommittee. Bid to boost Norwich housing needs your help is here at the newspaper’s website (registration may be required). The column highlights the need for affordable housing in Norwich and the Upper Valley. It outlines the housing goals of the Norwich Housing Strategy, adopted by the Planning Commission in 2019. Then, the column asks for help on three fronts. The Norwich Housing Strategy Continue reading ICYMI: “Bid to boost Norwich housing needs your help” appears in the Valley News→

Green Fleet Working Group: Public not invited

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The Norwich Selectboard created a Green Fleet Working Group in September. Not much, if anything, has been publicized about this group since. As it turns out, the Working Group won’t commit to compliance with the Open Meeting Law. Nor will the public at large have representation on this group. That is the word from Town Manager Herb Durfee who is leading the group. What is it about “working groups” that causes officials to conclude that such groups are magically exempt Continue reading Green Fleet Working Group: Public not invited→

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→

Town and Union reach agreement

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The Town has a new labor agreement with the New England Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the union representing DPW workers, police officers and Police Department staff. The Selectboard approved the agreement at its last meeting in October. The contract expires on June 30, 2023. The union worked over two years without a contract, as the prior one expired on June 30, 2018. The new agreement also covers that period. Workers will receive retroactive pay. Town Manager Herb Durfee told me Continue reading Town and Union reach agreement→

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?→

UPDATE: MCS Septic

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A bit of good news regarding the failing septic system at Marion Cross School. Unlike last year, Marion Cross School will not fence off the leach field this winter. Instead, the school plans to pump the storage tanks once a week during the winter, said Tony Daigle, SAU 70 Director of Facilities, at the October 7 Norwich School Board meeting. This pumping should alleviate effluent flowing onto the Green during the colder months. It is not a permanent solution but Continue reading UPDATE: MCS Septic→

DRB denies application for kindergarten/daycare facility on Route 5 North

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The Norwich Development Review Board recently denied the application of Tiny Seeds Village LLC to repurpose a residence and pool house into kindergarten and daycare facility. The property is located at 251 Route 5 North, with secondary access from Goodrich Four Corners Road. The parcel’s size is approximately 23 acres. My layman’s reading of the DRB decision is that the Board’s denial was primarily based on shortcomings in the proposal with respect to parking and traffic circulation. The Board also Continue reading DRB denies application for kindergarten/daycare facility on Route 5 North→

[Update] Protect ridgelines or allow solar?

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The Norwich Selectboard will not object before the PUC to a solar facility being built in a ridgeline protected area. That position won the day, notwithstanding the community values against such development articulated in the Town Plan. As noted in my original post, the property owner has made no effort to show that the solar facility will have no impact on views. “They haven’t done the work,” said Planning and Zoning Director Rod Francis at the Selectboard meeting. Nevertheless, the Continue reading [Update] Protect ridgelines or allow solar?→