By Colleen Gundlach
Photo by Bruce Frisch

An era will come to an end when Norfolk’s long-term and well-respected tax assessor retires next month. Michele Sloane, who also serves as chairman of the town’s Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z), recently took some time from organizing her move to Florida to reminisce about her years in Norfolk and to share some insights into Norfolk’s past, present and future.

Sloane moved to Norfolk from Reading, Conn. in 1987, and jumped right into the community by opening the Mountain View Inn. She had had considerable experience in the hospitality industry, but she hired a chef to cook for the restaurant at the inn, which soon became a destination spot for a nice dinner or Saturday brunch, and for many weddings, baby showers and other special occasions. Over the next two decades, she and her husband, Rich, and their daughter, Gillian, operated the inn.

Having a husband, a child and a business to run didn’t stop Sloane from serving the town as well. It was in 1988 that the then chairman of the P&Z, Carl Gundlach, approached her about running for the zoning board. At that time, Sloane says it was a different environment, with much more restrictive zoning laws. “Carl felt that the board could use more people with a business background, so I accepted.” She has been there ever since, even serving as the board’s chairman for the past xx years. 

In 2003, with the same work load, family responsibilities and P&Z commitments, Sloane plunged even more deeply into community involvement by deciding to run for the Board of Assessors. “Back then the assessors were elected, not appointed. There were three of us, but I was usually the only one who was available to work during the day.” In 2004 the state began requiring assessors to be certified, so Sloane started to take classes in the spring after her initial election. It took five years to complete the course, which UConn offered each summer as a one-week intensive course. “It was an amazing opportunity to network with other assessors,” Sloane says. She also took appraisal classes and is recertified in appraisal every five years.

The Town of Colebrook soon noticed the work Sloane was doing in Norfolk and, in 2008, hired her to be their assessor as well. Since then she has served both communities and is the sole occupant of the assessor’s office in each. “That’s good and bad,” she says. It is a huge responsibility but the work is very diversified. From small car assessments to huge properties to on-site appraisals, she says the job is never boring. “If I worked in a bigger town, I might have to do motor vehicles all day while someone else did the property assessments and someone else did on-sites. I would hate that. I love the diversity of running the whole show.”

As for her years on the P&Z, she stresses that making zoning effective is a balance. “As a community changes, zoning changes,” she says. “We work to give the town the tools they need for economic development and growth, through the changes we have made in the regulations over the years.” 

Sloane feels that the town plan, which is reviewed every ten years, is the outline for the P&Z to follow, since it is prepared by townspeople and is a snapshot of the town’s vision for itself. “Since the last town plan was done, we have made regulation changes to allow accessory apartments and have made regulatory lot sizes in the village area smaller,” she says. This was done to help move the town toward the goal of affordable housing as outlined in the town plan. In addition, regulations on home businesses have been relaxed to encourage growth in small companies. Sloane is looking forward to seeing where the new town plan, currently being developed, will take the town.

In between the town plans, though, Sloane strongly believes that “zoning is listening.” She says that a big goal of the P&Z is to keep an ear to the ground to know what is needed. “Our goal has been to keep the town affordable and to encourage growth.” 

As for the future of the town, Sloane is a proponent of the upcoming low-income housing planned for an area on Old Colony Road. “We need to help keep our young people in town and help our veterans and older people who can’t afford to stay here.” She also would like to see a central social gathering place in Norfolk, similar to the Colebrook Community Center, where people, especially seniors, could meet for lunch, entertainment or just socialization, to bring people together in a relaxed atmosphere.

Sloane is “excited and terrified” about her move to Florida but feels she is leaving the assessor’s office and the P&Z in good hands. She encourages more people to follow in her footsteps by become involved in planning for Norfolk’s future. “In a small town, everyone needs to do something – even something small,” she says. 

In appreciation of Sloane’s contributions, the towns of Norfolk and Colebrook have planned a retirement party for her on Sept. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Colebrook Community Center. Beer, wine and appetizers will be served. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased in advance from Tara Yard in the Norfolk selectman’s office.