Tag Archives: Norwich VT

Court: Norwich violated Open Meeting Law

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In a recent decision, a Vermont Superior Court Judge ruled that two working groups of the Norwich Finance Committee violated the Open Meeting Law when they met in 2020. The Town asserted the groups were not subject to the Open Meeting Law because they were not “public bodies”. The Court disagreed, saying to “conclude otherwise would make a mockery of the Open Meeting Law.” Full disclosure: I am the plaintiff in the case, proceeding without the assistance of a lawyer. Continue reading Court: Norwich violated Open Meeting Law→

Norwich Legislators in the General Assembly: VTDigger’s Summary of Their Ethics Disclosure Forms

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As part of its Full Disclosure series, VTDigger summarized the ethics disclosure forms of all legislators currently in office in the Vermont General Assembly. Below is the information regarding those serving Norwich. The full database, as well as an analysis of trends is in Full Disclosure: What lawmakers’ ethics forms reveal about their lives outside the Legislature by Erin Petenko published on VTDigger on April 20, 2023. House Legislator Employer (House Only) Boards or Service Roles Corporate Ownership James “Jim” Continue reading Norwich Legislators in the General Assembly: VTDigger’s Summary of Their Ethics Disclosure Forms→

Selectboard puts off discussion of adding fifth police officer until Fall

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The Norwich Selectboard has “decided” to delay consideration of adding a fifth police officer to the Norwich Police Department until budget season in the Fall. This decision was made at the Selectboard’s meeting on April 12th, where the topic was essentially tabled as part of the agenda setting process. My observations on the topic are at the end of this post, including a task force charge provided by ChatGPT. Background At Town Meeting 2023, voters approved Article 11, which advised Continue reading Selectboard puts off discussion of adding fifth police officer until Fall→

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→

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→

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→

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→

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→