After almost 20 years, the Coalition for Sound Growth (CSG) is formally ending its work in Norfolk. In characteristic fashion, CSG is sharing the wealth: the Norfolk Community Association and the Norfolk Food Pantry will each receive grants of $1,000 from its treasury.

Founded by the late Vint Lawrence in response to a proposed golf development that would have straddled Norfolk and North Canaan, CSG later acted as a catalyst for many important programs around Norfolk. It provided funding and encouragement for an important town-wide planning effort and early efforts to make City Meadow a town focal point, as well as support for the Foundation for Norfolk Living, water quality testing and the first version of Norfolk’s town website. 

“When an issue arose that needed help, we tried to help solve it,” said William Couch, a board member, noting that under Lawrence’s leadership CSG had a portfolio that embraced all of Norfolk.

Libby Borden, one of the original members of Lawrence’s “kitchen cabinet,” said that members of CSG’s board believe that the organization had fulfilled its mission and that much of its work has been taken over by other entities, including the town itself.