THE CELESTIAL SPHERE
Transitioning from Spring to Summer – Solar Flares Expected By Matthew Johnson We transition from spring to summer on the Summer Solstice, June 21, at 4:24 a.m. On this longest day of the year, the sun rises at 5:07 a.m. and sets at 8:25 p.m., affording us 15 hours and 18 minutes of daylight and […]
NORFOLK WEATHER
Tied As Fifth Warmest April By Russell Russ April’s weather this year was tame. Temperatures were up and down throughout the month, which is normal for the seasonal transition month of April. It might not have felt like it, but this April was warmer than normal. It had more ups than downs for temperatures. Tree […]
NOTES FROM A FRENCH KITCHEN
Rhubarb Heralds the Spring By Marie-Christine Perry The first edible in my garden is usually rhubarb, followed quickly by asparagus, both valued in my kitchen—fresh and preserved! Beyond the celebrated strawberry rhubarb pie, I like rhubarb in many guises: in compote, jam, chutney and cake, but also in unexpected savory dishes, where its acidity is […]
Town Meeting May 11, No Tax Increase
By Henry Tirrell It’s busy for the town this time of year. Our public works crew has been out sweeping, patching and cleaning up after the long and snowy winter. The major projects in motion are the retaining wall on Route 44, the firehouse and the Mountain Road bridge, each in various stages of construction. […]
No Increase in Tobey, Transfer Sticker Prices
By Avice Meehan Stickers for the Norfolk transfer station and Tobey Pond will remain the same for the 2026-27 fiscal year that begins July 1, but the Board of Selectmen approved a $1 increase in the fee for disposing of small tires at their April 1 regular meeting. The Selectmen agreed to revisit the price […]
BoE Budgetary Maneuvering
By Avice Meehan The Board of Education addressed routine—and not so routine—matters at the March 31 meeting, including a resolution to request an additional $58,000 for the current year budget to resolve the fact that the town ran afoul of the state’s minimum budget requirement. The request will ultimately come before voters at the annual […]
Town Meeting is Quick Vote
By Avice Meehan The more than 100 Norfolk residents who gathered in the Hall of Flags at Botelle Elementary School made quick work of four major items at the April 6 town meeting. Gaveled into order at 7 p.m. by Town Clerk Debbie Nelson, the meeting lasted all of 20 minutes once voters elected Richard […]
Wetlands Plans New Bridges Over Troubled Waters
By Susan MacEachron CHA Consulting and Garg Engineering presented plans for replacing the bridges over Hall Meadow Brook on Old Goshen Road and Smith Road at the Inland Wetlands Agency meeting on April 6. The work on Old Goshen Road is expected to begin in April 2027 and should be completed by the fall. The […]
P&Z Considers Compounds, Junk
By Susan MacEachron At the April 14 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting discussion of various regulations continued where it left off at the March meeting. The definition of a family compound was debated, as were aspects of regulations addressing junk and blight. Discussion of changes to the existing regulations for accessory dwelling units was postponed […]
Board of Finance Sends Budget to Town Vote
By Susan MacEachron First Selectman Henry Tirrell reviewed the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 with the Board of Finance at a meeting on April 14. The total cost to run the town and fund the schools is $9.4 million, a 2.05 percent increase over the current year. With a reduction in the capital reserve […]
