Selectman’s Corner

by Matt Riiska

The Town of Norfolk has received $241,199.72 as part of the American Recovery Act Plan funding. We will receive another $241,199.72 next fiscal year. When the federal government first introduced the funding package, there were 66 expenditure categories for which these funds could be used. The main categories were public health; combatting negative economic impact; services for disproportionately impacted communities related to health, social services, and housing needs; premium pay for public sector employees and grants for other employees who worked through the pandemic; infrastructure funding for clean water, sewer and broadband; revenue replacement or replacement of tax revenue that towns were unable to collect because of the pandemic; and administration fees. At the request of the Norfolk Board of Finance, an advisory group was formed to review areas where the funding could be best used. The Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance will review their suggestions. 

Since the funds were made available, the federal government has made changes to how the funds can be used and has relaxed some of the reporting requirements. Being considered are assisting local businesses most impacted, such as hospitality-related businesses and childcare facilities. The advisory group is also considering assisting the Norfolk Sewer District with the purchase of a much-needed generator; providing assistance to regional agencies that service the town such as the Northwest Transit District and Greenwoods Counseling; and paying for a regional housing and social services coordinator/consultant to be directed through the Northwest Hills Council of Governments. One particular item that has received consideration is the repair of the slide at the Botelle School playground. Vandals damaged the slide about three years ago, and it has not been usable since. Although you might think this would not meet the criteria, after reviewing how other towns are spending the funds, we think we are within the rather loose guidelines. If you have ever taken a trip down the slide, you can understand why the need to repair it is so strong. We will see.

The pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives, and the operation of the town is no different. Something good that has come from this is the addition of a social services office for the town. Working with local and statewide agencies, our social service coordinator, Tara Yard, is available to help with, among other things, rent assistance information, utilities assistance, rides to medical appointments. Working with the other regional social services organizations, Tara can provide information on whom residents should contact for specific forms of assistance. She can be contacted at 860-542-2887.

Work on the 2022/23 budget is progressing. Two big projects that will be undertaken this year are the River Place Bridge and the Mountain Road Bridge. The bids for the bridges are $3,028,082 for the River Place Bridge, with our share being $605.616, and $1,401,838 for the Mountain Road Bridge, with our share being $700,919. We will also be receiving a reimbursement from the Aquarion Water Company for the replacement of the waterline that is under the current bridge. This will reduce our share of the cost of the bridge replacement. As was mentioned last month, Aquarion will be replacing the waterline from Route 272 to their pumping/filtration station on Mountain Road.

There will be more information on the budget in the upcoming months. So for now, take care & stay healthy.