By Ruth Melville

At its Nov. 1 meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted to extend Joe Stannard’s term on the Historic District Commission to Nov. 30, 2028.

First Selectman Matt Riiska reported that Michael Halloran is retiring as Norfolk’s zoning enforcement officer. Colebrook’s zoning enforcement officer has expressed an interest in the position.

Riiska said that the costs so far to repair the damage from last July’s storm are $567,290. This does not include paying for the bridges or the Public Works Department’s expenses, but does include money for outside contractors to get the roads back in shape. He has received permission from the state to use $208,275 of the town’s LoCIP (Local Capital  Improvement Program) funds, which will pretty much empty the account.

The good news, Riiska said, is that the state will pay all engineering and construction costs to repair the Old Goshen and Smith Road bridges. The bad news, however, is that the earliest this work can be finished is 2026. There is the possibility of getting a temporary bridge, called a Bailey bridge, which would cost $444,000, of which $217,000 is for the bridge alone. The temporary bridge could be sold after Norfolk is done with it.

On Maple Avenue, the gas spill has been cleaned up and the sewer line moved back into place. Guerrera Construction is ready to work on the storm drains, but Riiska noted that this is not a good time of year to be putting down asphalt. ESI (Environmental Services Inc.) will be on site as needed, and DEEP will also be available, if the workers run into any pockets of gasoline. On Route 44, more test wells have been installed, and ground-penetrating radar found places where gasoline could have accumulated.

Riiska has submitted the third claim to the gas company’s insurer, Federated Insurance, for $58,786, to cover attorney fees and relocation fees. The town has received 100 percent payment on the two previous claims and expects to get the same for this one.

Jay Bottass has retired from the Public Works Department, and Eric Vonwingelo, who lives in East Canaan, has been hired to replace him.

Riiska also reported that the firehouse committee is getting ready to start a capital campaign to raise money for the new firehouse. Now that the project has been approved by the Inland Wetlands Agency, it will go before the Planning & Zoning Commission on Nov. 14. The town’s long-term debt is on the agenda for the Board of Finance meeting, also on Nov. 14.

In closing, Riiska thanked Selectman Paul Madore, who is stepping down, for his six years of service.