Eye on Town Government

By Ruth Melville

Economic Development Commission co-chair Libby Border started the Nov. 11 meeting by asking commission members to think about how they envisioned Norfolk in five years time, and what the EDC could do to facilitate that vision.

The Norfolk Foundation has recently completed a similar exercise and has set aside money—$15,000 over three years—to work with the EDC on a collaborative project.

In response to a question from co-chair Michael Selleck, First Selectman Matt Riiska gave a timeline for the work being done on City Meadow. The preliminary demolition is finished, and the next step is to put in the pillars to support the deck before the ground is frozen. Work on the deck itself can then go forward in cold weather. The goal is to be done in the spring, in time for planting the meadow.

Kate Johnson, president of the board of the Foundation for Norfolk Living, reported that things are moving forward on the Haystack Woods affordable housing project, and that she expects final approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission at their next meeting, on Dec. 14. The Foundation for Norfolk Living is also going to be the master tenant for the rental apartments in the Royal Arcanum building, which has just been bought by the Norfolk Foundation. The Foundation for Norfolk Living plans to renovate the apartments and convert them to affordable housing.

The Coalition for Sound Growth has provided funding to upgrade the town website. Jim Jasper will be rewriting the site, which should make it faster and more efficient. Sue Frisch reminded everyone to fill out the website survey, which is available on the town website under Community News.

Selleck asked what had happened to the idea of having a dog park in town and suggested putting this project back on the EDC’s agenda.

The William and Mary Greve Foundation of New York has offered to fund three Friday Nights on the Green next summer. Jenna Brown hopes to have more live music next year, and maybe a food truck night. 

Riiska told the EDC that he would like to use money from the American Rescue Plan Act to replace the broken slide at Botelle School, which could cost up to  $43,000. Once he has a new quote from Creative Recreation, who built the slide, he will take it to the Board of Finance. He would like to be able to order the new slide by the end of the year and then install it in the spring. 

Selleck plans to revive the traffic calming committee. His previous letters to the Department of Transportation were not effective, so he’d like to try a letter-writing campaign. Larry Hannafin also suggesting placing petitions around town for people to sign.

It’s uncertain when there will be a skating rink at the ball field on Mountain Road this winter. Beavers have been busy in that spot, and the rink area has been too waterlogged to mow.