Eye on Town Government

By Bridgette L. Rallo
It’s official. At their June 1 meeting, Norfolk’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) decided unanimously to prohibit the use of privately-owned boats, including rowboats, canoes, kayaks and any other type of recreational watercraft, on Tobey Pond. Two large signs stating as much have been posted at the pond. BOS members hope that the new policy will protect the small lake from infestation by invasive, non-native zebra mussels. One town-owned boat for lifeguard use will remain at Tobey. “We really have no choice,” said First Selectman Sue Dyer. “We just can’t take the chance.”
Residents of Grant Street can expect to see a state road crew on their block in the near future. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has decided to replace the guard rails at the entrance to the street with a more substantial kind of railing this summer. Currently, the rail system consists of wooden posts connected by steel cables, while the new railing will be constructed of “box rail.” State officials recommended the all-metal rail system for safety reasons.
Norfolk’s Board of Education (BOE) has decided not to request an independent K – 12 study on the feasibility of combining school services with either Colebrook Consolidated School or the Northwest Regional 7 School District. Instead, BOE members will support a Regional 7 study which considers whether it is financially feasible to assume the education of all children in grades K-12. BOS members agreed to send a letter to Regional 7 Superintendent Cliff Montgomery stating such.
Finally, WMC Engineering will make an initial application to the state Bridge Repair Program for funds to resurface the deck on the bridge over the Blackberry River at River Place. No other repairs to the structure are under consideration at this time.