Botelle Beat

The Botelle Eagles Celebrate Earth Day By Lauren Valentino Botelle students rolled up their sleeves and dug into hands-on learning to celebrate Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22. With help from community partners, students had “the best day ever!” according to kindergarten students.  Students and staff gathered in the cafeteria to learn the history of Earth […]

Manor House Progresses and A-Frames are Withdrawn

By Susan MacEachron The proposal by the owners of 69 Maple Avenue, known as the Manor House, to add a day spa and additional facilities to the property was debated at the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) meeting on April 8. At the end of a lengthy discussion a straw vote indicated that at least four […]

Search Committee Formed

By Avice Meehan Four members of the Board of Education (BOE) -, three staff employees of Botelle Elementary School and two representatives of the public – will screen candidates to succeed Mary Beth Iacobelli as Norfolk’s school superintendent. Four applications have been submitted to date. The deadline for applying for the part-time position is May […]

Selectmen Review Town Projects, Annual Budget

By Ruth Melville At their April 2 meeting, the Board of Selectmen discussed a range of topics, including vehicle assessments, municipal solid waste disposal, road projects and the proposed FY 2024/25 town budget. The Old Newgate Coon Club has expressed an interest in purchasing 31.5 acres of land next to the Transfer Station. That parcel […]

Smith Road Bridge Coming Soon

By Susan MacEachron The Inland Wetlands Agency determined there was no need for a public hearing to approve the construction of a temporary bridge over Smith Road. First Selectman Matt Riiska informed Wetlands, at its meeting on April 7, that the Army Corps of Engineers had approved the plan, and he was waiting for approval […]

Local Theaters Look to 2025 as Turning Point

More music at Infinity, live performances and film in North Canaan By Joseph Kelly To run a small theater in a rural area, it helps to be optimistic—as in gung-ho, grit-your-teeth, “if we build it they will come” optimistic. Just ask Lenore Mallett, an owner of North Canaan’s Colonial Theater. Or Tyler Grill, the CEO […]

The Celestial Sphere

Strong Solar Activity Predicted This Month By Matthew Johnson Auroras were viewed over Norfolk on April 16. That night, a uniform layer of thin clouds embraced much of Norfolk, causing the aurora to glow a brilliant yellow, gold and white. This strong solar activity is predicted to continue into May as the sun’s activity approaches […]

Know Your Neighbor

Sally Carr and Larry Hannafin What’s your relationship to this Town?We have been lifelong residents of Norfolk nearly all of our lives except when Sally was away at schooland I was serving four years in the U.S. Navy Before we were married I got her to agree that we would always.. Before we were married […]

Public Hearing Held on Net Town Budget of $8.24 Million

Annual town meeting set for May 12 By Avice Meehan Norfolk residents will be asked to approve a net town budget of $8.24 million for education and general government services at the annual town meeting scheduled for May 12 at Botelle Elementary School.  The proposed budget—after adjustments are made for state aid and other revenues—represents […]

Students Honored by School Board

Elana Procopio, a student in the upper intermediate class at Botelle Elementary School, was one of several students honored at the April Board of Education meeting. Procopio, pictured above with a hand-decorated coffee warmer, received the Litchfield County Superintendents Award for leadership and the Susan Bruso Award for Exemplary Character and Leadership in Athletics. She […]