Selectman’s Corner

By Matt Riiska

The health effects of the Covid pandemic continue to keep us all concerned. With that said, we are asking everyone to please continue to heed the advice of the CDC and health professionals: wear a mask in enclosed public spaces, wash your hands frequently and if you have not yet received your vaccine shots, please do so. In a few weeks booster shots will start to be rolled out; make your appointment when your opportunity comes up. As for town services, we are asking all those who enter Town Hall to please wear a mask. As an effort to keep everyone safe, more meetings will be held virtually via Zoom. Please check the town website for the status of upcoming meetings. If the meeting will be held via Zoom, the login information will be on the agenda.

In an effort to slow traffic, we have installed speed bumps on two roads. The new speed bumps on Golf Drive and Emerson Street are there to slow traffic and keep residents safe, especially the kids. As the Public Works crew was installing them on Golf Drive, no fewer than eight individuals stopped to asked if speed bumps could also be installed on their road. We will plan on additional speed bumps for next summer. As for the rest of the roads, please slow down. The speed limit on town roads is 25 mph. For everyone’s safety, including the kids that are playing and riding their bikes, please slow down.

A week or so ago we experienced the effects of tropical storm Henri. Fortunately, the impact on Norfolk was minimal. Often overlooked in Norfolk is how we prepare for these events. I want to thank Richard Byrne, our Emergency Management Director; Matt Ludwig, Fire Chief; Jon Barbagallo, Fire Department Information Officer; Kitty Hickcox, Ambulance Chief; and Troy LaMere, Public Works Supervisor. Starting days before the storm was to hit, plans were being reviewed to make sure all groups were prepared. A follow-up meeting with the group the day before the storm confirmed Norfolk was ready. Be assured that this dedicated group is ready for whatever mother nature wants to throw at us.

When Labor Day comes, many think that summer is over and the only thing to do is rake leaves and prepare for winter. Not so in Norfolk. We have a busy fall ahead. The farmers market will be held through Sept. 11; also on Sept. 11 is the Housatonic Heritage Walk led by Star Childs through the Brown Company property and Barbour Woods. There will be a “Shred-It” event at Town Hall on Sept. 25, the Land Trust will have its annual Haystack Mountain Challenge trail run on Oct. 2 and the Rails to Trails Committee will hold its Tour-de-Forest ride on Oct. 9. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for all of these events. I think we are all ready for a few sunny weekends.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, take care and stay healthy.