by Ruth Melville

The Feb. 11 meeting of the Economic Development Commission opened with an odd query: “Does anyone know why Google has recently changed the name of the town to ‘Norfolk Historic District’ on its maps?” Linda Perkins, the town clerk, had asked EDC co-chair Libby Borden if the change was the EDC’s doing. It was not. Sue Frisch said she would investigate whether Norfolk can go back to being simply Norfolk on Google.

Kate Jackson reported that the affordable town rentals are doing well, and that the Norfolk Foundation for Norfolk Living is still waiting to hear about Community Development Block Grant funding for the Haystack Woods project. Additionally, all towns in the state are required to have an affordable housing plan. Connecticut has set aside some grant money to support this process, and Jocelyn Ayer, of Northwest Hills Council of Governments, is helping towns in the Northwest Corner come up with plans.

The members of the planning committee for Norfolk are Kate Jackson, Tom McGowan and Matt Riiska, and the goal is to bolster what is already in the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development.

According to Tom McGowan, the real estate market in Norfolk has slowed slightly, but only because so many houses have already sold. There are at present only 12 active residential listings in town.

The Yale School of Music is planning to have a summer concert season this year, with live, but virtual, concerts. There will be fewer students and staff, all students will be housed on the Battell campus, and there will be no wind or brass instruments. Jim Nelson said that last summer’s cancellation does not seem to have hurt interest in the music festival.