$13,000 in legal fees on Open Meeting Law

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The Town’s law firm billed the Town $13,000 in legal fees to address Open Meeting Law issues, in the final three months of 2020. Over $8,000 was spent on the Planning Commission’s response to a formal notice of violation filed by three residents. The complaint related to working groups run by the Planning Director for the Planning Commission. Another $5000 in legal services was provided to the Town for a training session that was closed to the public. The law Continue reading $13,000 in legal fees on Open Meeting Law→

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→

Sidewalk upkeep: not getting done

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Norwich has $81,000 in its sidewalk designated fund. But, the Town has not done any sidewalk repairs for several years, even though some are in poor condition. Why? Delay makes repairs more costly. “You can pay me now or pay me later” is a phrase some of us remember from the FRAM oil filter commercials in the 1970s and 80s. A 2017 plan proposed by the DPW called for around $165,000 in sidewalk upkeep over six years. (Discussed below.) None Continue reading Sidewalk upkeep: not getting done→

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?→