Working Toward More Affordable Housing

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input into a vision for Norfolk in 10 years.
It was 10 years ago that we began searching for a home to buy. We looked at houses in Norfolk, but they were not affordable to us at the time. We purchased a three bedroom home in Winsted for under $150,000 and lived there for nine years. During that time, we came to Norfolk often, were members of Norfolk Church of Christ and the curling club, and often dreamed of a move to Norfolk, because, in our opinion, it is the best town around.
A year ago we bought a wonderful house in Norfolk, where we can bike or walk to everything. We have had a fantastic year here and look forward to many more in Norfolk. Moving here is one of the best things we have done in our lives, and we are all involved in various Norfolk clubs, organizations and the school.
I think one of the biggest problems facing Norfolk is the lack of young folks moving here or being able to stay here. It is an aging population, and it would be great to see a rising school population. I think new young folks would spur new businesses and industries.
I believe it would be wise for Norfolk to change its zoning and do whatever else it can to allow and even encourage developers to create a few more condos and town homes in the town center that are affordable (under $200,000). I think having this development in the village center would be the best for the town and the new residents.
More affordable housing would bring in the young folks, resulting in new energy. It would also be attractive to older folks looking to downsize. As the younger people age, they may want to move beyond a starter home. This would boost the market for all the other housing in Norfolk.
There is still some undeveloped land in the village area that could be used, or even better yet, some of the large estates that are on the market could be converted to affordable multi-family units. If this is something the town wants, I am sure we can make it happen. Imagine an even more vibrant and active town center, with folks of all ages shopping, dining, working and interacting; and all within a safe walking distance of where they live.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    David Beers

Walking A Mile In Your Brother’s Shoes

I apologize to the residents of Norfolk for an action I took in March that subsequently impacted the whole community.  I met a homeless person at the Beardsley Library in Winsted, back when snow was still falling and on the ground.  After a couple of conversations, I provided my e-mail address and he subsequently requested housing from me.  I cautioned then that Norfolk was not the best place to find work or transportation, but offered temporary housing until he found a better place.  I also offered to help him with the necessary transportation to get to a better place, an offer my brother Ernie also made to him.
In exchange for room and board, our transient guest provided home repairs on his own initiative, displaying fine craftsmanship in the process.  He also was cheerful company for the most part, though occasionally moody.  He became upset when he thought we were setting up our son to spy on him in Canaan.  He stayed away for a few days. When he came back we reminded him of his agreement for temporary housing and the offer to provide him transportation elsewhere.  We finally asked him to leave in June because I started work at a camp for the summer, which would leave Cindy occasionally alone at home.
Most of Norfolk knows what happened next.  He first set up camp by the brook at the corner of our street, with signs alleging our “humanitarian abuses.”  Eventually he moved to Village Green, where he still resides at the time I write this.  Throughout this ordeal he upset a few neighbors and friends with unkind words about Cindy.
I have no personal regrets for my action in March.  I will vouch that this person is harmless.  I have housed many transient guests over the years and I still encourage others to do the same.  This is by far the worst experience we had, and in the grand scheme of things it’s not troublesome.  We don’t pay attention to the accusations made against us, but rather recall that for a few months we had a mainly pleasant house guest that bartered welcomed repairs.
Still, we never intended for this guest to impose himself on the rest of the town like he has.  I reiterate that he is harmless and hope that people can simply ignore him rather than take any rash measures against him or future transients in retaliation.  As we traveled across the country we encountered many towns that tolerated the occasional transient.  We love that our own Norfolk is one such town.  Please forgive him along with us.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Kirk Sinclair

Extending Gratitude For Support

This year’s ArtsWave event was a very successful Community Classic Car Show that featured 39 cars and 13 sponsors and raised $2,300 to benefit the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department (NVFD).   I would like to thank National Iron Bank for being the main sponsor and for contributing over $800 to the program.
I would like to acknowledge the work of Justin Smith and his team, who were very active in selling raffle tickets for donated items as well as for the NVFD’s 50/50 raffle. Their hard work contributed greatly to the overall great outcome of the show.
Many thanks also to the ArtsWave team of West Lowe, Wilbur Couch, Matt Bannerman and Tim Hitchcock , who put many hours into the recruiting and publicity that were key to the success of the show; and to Chelsea Bottum who served as the NVFD liaison.  And last but not least,  I certainly can’t forget a special thank you to Ann DeCerbo for her creativity in designing the brochures, signs and posters.
It was a fun day for all!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Marie Lowe
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           ArtsWave/EDC

Thanking You for Donations

The Fundraising Committee of the Norfolk Church of Christ would like to extend a huge thank you to all the local businesses, artists, and friends of the Church of Christ who donated so generously to our successful auction and wine-tasting, including: Wood Creek Bar & Grill, State Line Wine and Spirits, Fireman’s Fuel, Manor House, Great Mountain Forest, Black Forest Cafe, Lindell’s, Aija, Salisbury Wine, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Berkshire Mountain Springs, Station Place Cafe, Mizza’s Pizza, Norfolk Curling Club, Norfolk Country Club, Botelle School PTO, Tamarack Tree Company, Infinity Hall, Ski Sundown, Terra Cello Farm, Tri-Yoga, Quilted Ewe, Hair by Design, Chubby Bunny Farm, Krazy for Kazu, Kathy Griswold, Wayne Jenkins, Nina Ritson, John Thew, Pam Polderman, Susan Rood, Rosemary Gill, Shirley Metcalf, Chris Hanley, Harry Rollo, Jeff Coan, Sam Messer, Jenn Murphy, Julie Green, Anne Collins, Lynn Satherlie, Linda Creedon, Jude Mead, Grant & Kristen Mudge, Michael Sconyers, Molly Ackerley, Meg Huddleston, Darrell Long, Corey Bush, Nancy Herzig, Eileen Fitzgibbons, Chris Royer, Nels & Phyllis White, Bill Eckert, Liz Allyn, Jan Gabelman, Kathy Tirrell, Heather Thomson.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The Auction Committee of the Church of Christ