By Ruth Melville

Co-chair Libby Borden opened the Aug. 12 meeting of the Economic Development Commission with a quick review of the current state of the EDC’s budget. So far, the EDC has spent $3,100 out of its budget of $8,400: $500 on publicity for the “Fridays on the Green” events and $2,600 on the welcome booklets. In addition, $2,000 has been set aside for WIN, as it is every year, which leaves around $3,000 remaining.

Marie Lowe brought up a budget request for $300 to maintain the new gateway Welcome to Norfolk signs on Route 44, in particular to add colorful, seasonal plants. Borden and EDC co-chair Michel Selleck pointed out that although the EDC had spearheaded the gateways project—as part of then co-chair Bill Brown’s branding initiative—town beautification falls under the purview of the Norfolk Community Association, not the EDC. After a short discussion, it was suggested and approved that the EDC will give the NCA $300 annually to support their maintenance of the gateway signs. It was also agreed that there should be a meeting between the heads of the NCA and EDC to clarify their respective roles in town.

According to Tom McGowan, the real estate market is still solid, but it has quieted down from its mid-Covid surge. Inventory has started to creep back up, but there is still not enough housing that younger families can afford. McGowan said he attended the Aug. 10 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission to speak on behalf of the Haystack Woods affordable housing project. 

The summer Weekend in Norfolk festival (July 31 to Aug. 2) was smaller this year, with little advance publicity, but Sue Frisch said that she was pleased with how it turned out and that it was well attended. No decision has yet been reached on the exact format of winter WIN, but it is scheduled for Feb. 26 and 27.

The rest of the meeting was devoted to discussing plans for improving and maintaining the town website. Jim Jasper, who designed the website, was present as a guest.

Frisch said that since the current web editor, Leslie Battis, will be leaving at the end of August, the website committee is looking for a new editor to gather information for the site and make sure it gets posted. The committee also intends to hold focus groups to find out what Norfolk residents want from the website. Lowe suggested looking at Canaan’s and Salisbury’s websites for ideas.

The committee also discussed plans for marketing and funding the website. From its beginning, the website has been supported by the Coalition for Sound Growth, but additional funding is going to be needed. Borden said that Bill Couch is talking to other towns to learn how they pay for their websites.

Matt Riiska mentioned that CivicLift, a software company based in Litchfield and working through the Northwest Hills Council of Governments, has built websites for other towns in the area. Frisch responded that the Norfolk group had looked into CivicLift when they were first starting on the Norfolk site and found them expensive but said the committee would take another look. 

The immediate and pressing goal is to fill the web editor position. Borden stressed that unless all town events are posted on a regular basis, people will not trust going to the website. Frisch promised to send EDC members a copy of the job description, which will be posted on social media and published in Norfolk Now. 

At the close of the meeting, Riiska suggested that someone from the EDC approach Ben Schiff about his plans for the two buildings he’s bought in town and is renovating—the former pizza restaurant and the yellow building next to Infinity Hall.