By Matt Riiska

I was recently made aware of vandalism to the play train behind the library. This vandalism included graffiti, which included racial slurs. I really don’t care who did this, but I want you to know that this is not allowed and will not be tolerated in a society that is trying to put this type of behavior in our past. I want everyone to talk about this in hopes that the individual, or individuals, who were responsible hear of our concerns and disappointment and understand that we will not tolerate this. Punishing someone for a stupid disrespectful act does nothing, but hearing the disappointment from others will hopefully make them think about their actions. The play train has been cleaned and repainted. I trust this will not happen again.

It never ceases to amaze me how so many people care about our town and the work they do to make things look nice. I want to thank Norfolk Community Association members Marie Lowe, West Lowe, Nash Pradhan, and Leo Groppo, along with the Public Works Department, for the work they did to install the new planters and solar lights at the “Welcome to Norfolk” signs. In addition to the new planters, the Community Association has taken on another year of keeping the planters on Station Place, John Curtiss Road and Route 44 looking as beautiful as ever. Along with these projects, the fountain on the green is getting a face-lift. The lamps are getting some much-needed refurbishing, and the some of the stonework is being redone. Thanks to the Community Associates for all their dedication and hard work.

The City Meadow project will be starting its final stage soon. This third phase will include the creation of a decking and a stairway system that will connect Robertson Plaza with the boardwalk in the meadow. This phase of the project was studied in the summer of 2018 during a series of collaborative workshops, or charrette, led by Peter Flinker of Dodson & Flinker Landscape Architects. The charrette, which included 25 to 30 community members, focused on how we could tie in all the different spaces and venues in Norfolk and how a central gathering area would be key to this. It became apparent that the expansion of Robertson Plaza with a deck would create a more accommodating space for outdoor events. The space was designed by local landscape architect Bob Gilchrest of Allied Engineering. I am sure the wheels are already turning, collecting ideas for events for next summer.

  Have a great summer, take care & stay healthy.