Selectmen Discuss Robertson Plaza, Solid Waste Disposal

By Susan MacEachron

The Board of Selectmen discussed a request for access to Robertson Plaza for a No Kings rally on June 14, the ongoing solid waste disposal dilemma, and the hours and compensation parameters for an assistant town clerk at its meeting on June 4.

First Selectman Matt Riiska said he received an email from a citizen seeking permission to organize a No Kings rally on Robertson Plaza as part of a nationwide protest intended to coincide with the military parade in Washington, D.C., to honor the Army’s 250th anniversary. Riiska noted there is nothing in the town ordinances restricting such a gathering and he could not see any reason to deny the request.
Selectman Sandy Evans said any such gathering should require a permit. Selectman Henry Tirrell noted that Norfolk has not had an issue with protests in the past. It was agreed that permission should be granted. Evans requested that Riiska investigate whether neighboring towns have permit requirements for public gatherings on town property.

Riiska addressed the ongoing dilemma presented by the planned closure of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) Resource Recovery Facility in Hartford. The current contract extends until 2027. The MIRA Dissolution Authority, created effective July 1, 2023, has replaced MIRA. The new entity has effectively assumed all “MIRA’s statutory duties, authorities and capabilities” according to its website.
Riiska said negotiations are ongoing among several parties including the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) the MIRA Dissolution Authority, and the 11 towns in the Northwest Corner that contract with MIRA. Riiska said he could not discuss the ongoing negotiations in public but would call for an executive session at the end of the public meeting to brief Evans and Tirrell.

Considerable time was devoted to a discussion of how many hours per week were needed for an assistant town clerk and how much the position should be paid. Riiska said the fiscal year 2026 budget included funding for 16 hours per week at $25 per hour. Evans objected to the number of hours and the salary. She said that 12 hours should be adequate and $20 per hour seemed appropriate for someone starting out. Twelve hours would allow for two days of three hours, either morning or afternoon, and six hours on Friday.

The selectmen expressed their dissatisfaction with the office being closed on Fridays. It was noted that the salaried position had been 30 hours per week until the prior town clerk decided to close on Friday reducing the week to 24 hours. The reduction in hours was not offset by a reduction in salary. Currently the office is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The selectmen agreed on hiring an assistant for 12 hours per week at $21 per hour.

Riiska reported good news on bridges. The long effort to replace the River Place bridge has finally concluded, and construction of the temporary bridge on Smith Road has begun. Riiska said the Smith Road project is a straightforward project and Will Sweeny of Evergreen Construction should be able to complete the work relatively quickly.

Riiska called for a vote to approve several new members of town commissions. These were: Theodore Otto to replace Richard Kessin on the Inland Wetlands Agency, and Joel Nelson to succeed Otto as an alternate; Howard Crunden as a member of the Safety Committee and Joe Green to succeed Crunden on the Retirement Committee.