Eye on Town Government

By Ruth Melville

Economic Development Commission co-chairs Libby Borden and Michael Selleck reported on suggestions from small business outreach consultant Betsy Paynter at the Oct. 14 meeting of the commission.

Paynter, a consultant for the Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation, had several suggestions for the Norfolk EDC, including renaming it the Economic and Community Development Commission; making an effort to become more visible, for example, by setting up a Facebook page or printing up business cards to hand out; and holding a small-business forum in town. 

In the absence of Kate Johnson, Borden reported that the Inland Wetlands Agency has approved the Haystack Woods affordable housing project’s revised application. 

The Welcome to Norfolk folders are coming along. The reference directory, which is almost finished, will include all the nonprofits, schools, local restaurants and churches. The EDC will work with the town nonprofits to create a calendar of events for the year, and a list of town organizations that need volunteers will also be included in the folders. Once ready, the welcome folders will be hand-delivered to all new residents, and copies will be available at Town Hall and Botelle School.

 Kathryn Boughton, a freelance editor and journalist who worked for many years at the Lakeville Journal and the Litchfield County Times, been hired to work on the town website.

Jim Nelson reported that the Yale Music School has already started planning for next summer and expects to return to a normal schedule of events and concerts. The faculty is 90 percent in place. There has been no decision yet on whether there will be any winter concerts.

Tom McGowan said that the volume of real estate listings is down because of the continued high demand from buyers. There are currently only eight active listings.

Although he no longer works at Infinity Hall, Jon Riedeman was asked how he thought the owners were doing now that the venue has been reopened for several months. He said that they seem to be doing okay, with a pared-down schedule and a switch to a barbecue menu.

Riedeman also alerted the EDC to the possibility of large cannabis farms wanting to come to Norfolk, as has recently happened in Sandisfield.

Presenting an update on Botelle School, Jenna Brown mentioned two activities planned for Halloween: the annual Spooktacular on Friday, Oct. 29, and a scavenger hunt on the green on Saturday, Oct. 30. Borden noted that there are about 70 students enrolled in Botelle now, which is good news.

Speaking on behalf of the Community Association, Marie Lowe said that the repair of the town fountain on the village green is almost complete. The plan is cover the fountain for the winter and then have an official unveiling next spring. 

First Selectman Matt Riiska said that he had been talking with Ann DeCerbo, chair of the Board of Education and a member of the Botelle PTO, about the popular slide at the school, which is broken and needs all new bracketing. The estimated cost for repairing the slide is approximately $40,000, which is not included in the town budget. Brown said she will get a group together to come up with a plan for raising the needed funds.

The tennis courts at the school also need repair. Putnam Tennis Courts, which is contracted by the town to perform regular upkeep on the courts, estimates the cost of repair at $95,000. This expense can be included in next year’s town budget.