By Wiley Wood

At the Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting on April 1, 2014, a letter from a Norfolk resident prompted a discussion of crime prevention. First Selectman Sue Dyer had investigated the possibility of hiring a constable to help the resident trooper with his duties. Her research revealed that the town would have to hire a minimum of two constables, at a cost approaching $250,000. This she judged well beyond Norfolk’s means.

Selectman Josh DeCerbo suggested implementing a neighborhood watch program instead, citing its low cost and possible effectiveness. The selectmen agreed to look into the question. Click here to view the discussion on crime.

After dispatching a number of matters, including the appointment of Joe Green to the Workplace Health and Safety Committee, the selectmen turned to the pricing for transfer station and Tobey Pond permits. The $35 transfer station sticker will be raised to $45, with the option of buying stickers for additional vehicles at $35. Bulky waste tickets will continue to cost $20. And Tobey Pond permits will remain at $50 per vehicle. Click here to view the discussion on permits.

Dyer distributed a final draft of the city budget, which will be discussed by the Board of Finance at its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 8.

In her selectmen’s report, Dyer announced that the big spruces by the fountain on the village green were being felled. “They’re dead, they’re dying, they’ve got a canker, and they are ugly—so we’re taking them down,” said Dyer. “And we don’t want them to fall on the fountain,” added Selectman Leo Colwell. Other items:

—Alert Norfolk, the system that allows Town Hall to send notifications to Norfolk residents, is up and running. Anyone who would like to receive alerts via cell phone, text message or email can register his or her personal information by visiting the town website and following the prompts on the home page.

—The Connecticut Resources and Recovery Authority (CRRA), which handles municipal solid waste for the state of Connecticut, sent the town a check for $1,606.44. This represents a rebate for recycling, calculated at the rate of $10 per ton. CRRA informed the town that it had saved over $10,000 on its recycling, since Norfolk pays only for transportation of recycled matter but no tipping fees.

—The town is applying for two grants, a Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant for City Meadow and a Main Street Grant for downtown sidewalks.

—The Norfolk-Colebrook Study Group is meeting on April 30 in anticipation of a public hearing in Norfolk on May 20 and in Colebrook on May 22.

—The Comcast Advisory Committee is developing a program to help schools videotape school programs and air them on public access channels. They are also offering $1,000 grants in the field of media production for high school students. The committee’s next meeting is on May 29 at 4 p.m. at Geer Village.

—The lights at the top of Haystack Mountain have been examined by the state. The reason they have been dark is not vandalism but a faulty electrical system. It will be repaired when conditions allow.

—The town of Torrington is offering 50-gallon rain-barrels at $79.95 each. They normally cost $129. Information can be obtained on the Torrington website. Registrations must be submitted by April 20. The barrels will be available for pick-up at the Torrington Armory on April 26.

Click here to view the Selectman’s Report.

The April 1, 2014 meeting of Norfolk’s Board of Selectmen can be viewed in its entirety by visiting the CATV 6 website at: https://www.youtube.com/user/MMilesWHDD