Weekly Roundup - Norwich News, for week ending March 30, 2013

Two Norwich Teens Praised For Fund-Raising Efforts

Two seventh graders from Norwich, Jon Thomsand and Brook Leigh, as well as Chanler Miller from Hanover are lauded in Don Mahler's column.  The "three wise young men" are raising money for a special "sit-ski" for Evan Dybvig's 11-year-old son, Owen, who has cerebral palsy.  Evan Dybvig is part-owner of the Whaleback ski area that is closing.

Mahler: Three Guys, One Cause; Core Teamers Aid Family Even as Whaleback Goes Silent 

By Donald Mahler, Valley News Sports Editor

March 25, 2013 

I met three wise men the other day. Well, actually, three wise young men.

But age really doesn’t matter. Young or old, what matters most is what you do with your life. And these three young guys are already making a difference with theirs.

At an age when selfishness is the norm, these three Richmond School seventh-graders — Brook Leigh, Chanler Miller and Jon Thoms — have, instead, decided that it is better to give than receive. They decided to take their passion for freestyle skiing deeds and turn them into good deeds.

Read the rest of the story. 

Reviews Of Inside Outside By Lizi Boyd

"Creative genius at work" is what Kirkus Reviews says about Inside Outside,  the latest children's book by Lizi Boyd, a resident of Norwich, Vermont. Read more reviews at these links:
Kirkus Reviews
Valley News
Walking Brain Cells
Wall Street Journal

Kearney Can't Unseat McPhie In Moguls

Heather McPhie beat off a challenge by Hannah Kearney of Norwich, Vermont to successfully defend her moguls title Friday in the U.S. Freestyle Championships.

Read the rest of the story, Heather McPhie successfully defends moguls title.

Earlier This Week In The Norwich Observer

Tower: Last Stumbling Blocks Resolved

Spelling Bee Champions

LINKS: 

http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lizi-boyd/inside-outside-boyd/

http://www.vnews.com/lifetimes/books/5313745-95/book-notes-the-special-book-finds-a-niche

http://wakingbraincells.com/2013/03/18/review-inside-outside-by-lizi-boyd/

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324532004578359280120824580.html

http://www.vnews.com/sports/outdoors/recreation/5298617-95/ski-whaleback-dybvig-area

http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/2013/03/29/heather-mcphie-successfully-defends-moguls-title/vhKIfpdSPaC3iMf0EursyI/story.html

revised 2013-04-14 

A subscription may be required for access to the Valley News stories. 

The Norwich Observer. Aggregating news and information about Norwich, Vermont with occasional commentary ... . 

Tower: Last Stumbling Blocks Resolved

Two more stumbling blocks to building the emergency communication tower were resolved by the Selectboard at its meeting on Wednesday March 27 at Tracy Hall.  First, the tower will be limited to non-commercial use, at least until the debt to erect it is paid off.  Second, the Town Manager dropped his request for a special Town Meeting, finding a bank to do a lease-purchase financing.  That should end the public debate, as all major concerns of residents have been resolved.  The Selectboard gave the Town Manager fast-track authority to build. The Town Manager is going the 248a permit route, meaning at least 4.5 months before construction begins.  Two  reports are below; one from the listserv, the other in the Valley News.

The Norwich Tower

listserv post by Watt Alexander

March 27, 2013.

Just back from Selectboard meeting this evening which was notable for several 

reasons.

By strong majorities the SB voted to go with a lease-purchase eliminating the 

need for another bond.

They also voted to restrict the tower application to municipal emergency 

communications use only. 

Our Town Manager recommended switching to the lease-purchase option in a memo 

distributed at the meeting and appeared comfortable with the non-commercial 

restriction on the tower itself. 

The SB also adopted an amended resolution that allows the town to draw upon 

existing funds to press ahead with tower construction and reimburse those 

funds with bond proceeds as they become available. 

The lease purchase agreement responds to concerns about the overall cost of 

the project. 

The non-commercial restriction satisfies concerns about the potential 

negative precedent a commercial tower would have on our zoning regulations. 

The Town Manager is confident we now have in hands the funds necessary to get 

this system built.

Those of us who live near the tower can take some solace in knowing this 

tower won't be broadcasting or built out any more than is necessary for 

public safety needs. 

All the major issues now resolved, the TM has been given fast-track authority 

to build and equip this tower as quickly as practicable.

Thanks to all of you who supported the bond vote on March 5th.

Here's hoping this is the last listserv post on this tower.

I think we're done

Norwich To Build Tower: Town Bows to Voters and Ends VTel Deal 

Sarah Brubeck, Valley News Staff Writer

March 28, 2013

The Selectboard has decided to build a new 180-foot communications tower, for municipal purposes only, without the help of a private firm.

Last night’s action marks a course reversal for Town Manager Neil Fulton, who last summer negotiated with Springfield, Vt.-based broadband provider VTel to build and operate the tower on New Boston Road for its own commercial use, in exchange for allowing the town free access to install new emergency radio communications equipment.

The deal was billed as a win-win: Norwich would get the tower it needed at a minimal cost, and VTel would be able to provide high-speed Internet service in an area in sore need of it.

But many Norwich residents were uncomfortable with handing the tower over to a private operator and organized a vote at Town Meeting earlier this month to authorize the town to borrow money in order to build the tower itself. A majority of the Selectboard was initially in favor of the VTel deal, but changed its mind after residents made their sentiments clear.

The board voted last night that the tower should remain in municipal hands through the life of the bond, which could extend 10 to 20 years. Once the debt is retired, however, future Selectboards will have the authority to decide if commercial companies can use the tower.

Read the rest of the story. 

LINK: 

http://www.vnews.com/news/5347177-95/norwich-to-build-tower-town-bows-to-voters-and-ends-vtel-deal

See our related post:  Building The Norwich Tower -- PSB or DRB.

A subscription may be required for access to the Valley News stories. 

The Norwich Observer. Aggregating news and information about Norwich, Vermont with occasional commentary ... . 

Spelling Bee Champions

from the listserv

Congratulations to the members of Spellegance - Lucy Taylor, Ann Waterfall 
and Barb Kline-Schoder - on winning the 2013 MCS Community Spelling Bee! 
This was a well-earned victory, as team Spellegance has competed in the Bee 
for 7 years and made it to the final round every time but had yet to win 
until this year. So if you see them around town, give them a high five - and 
ask them to define their winning word: "wickiup."

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Bee. The MCS gym came alive with 
the enthusiasm and energy of the teams (many in costume), spectators and 
volunteers, and a fun evening was enjoyed by all.

Congratulations again to Spellegance. And remember, it's never too early to 
start putting together your own winning team for next time...

Happy Spelling!
The Spelling Bee Committee 



location: Marion Cross School, Norwich, VT

The Norwich Observer. Aggregating news and information about Norwich, Vermont with occasional commentary ... . 

Building The Norwich Tower -- PSB or DRB

"Fulton said there had never been an intention of bypassing the DRB process."  

CAPITAL FACILITIES PLANNING & BUDGETING COMMITTEE PRELIMINARY DRAFT Meeting Minutes Thursday, July 5, 2012,

In fact, a hearing before the Norwich Development Review Boardwas scheduled for July 19.  Then came VTel.  For whatever reason, it preferred the permit process of the Vermont Public Service Board under Act 248a.  With VTel out of the picture, it is time for the Selectboard and Town Manager to revisit the issue or at least explain why eschewing the Norwich DRB makes sense from a policy or practical standpoint.  A member of the public -- not me -- raised this issue at the Selectboard meeting on March 13, but it was ignored.  The comment did not make the draft meeting minutes. 

The PSB process favors tower builders -- a plus for the Tow n, in this instance. Nonetheless, the process takes 4.5 months. Time is safety. Before that time line can begin, a lot of engineering and lawyering work needs to be done.  The downside to the PSB permit is that it may set precedent for any company that wants to build a tower in Norwich that is 60 feet above the tree line.  

In contrast, the DRB already had a hearing scheduled.  The DRB is no pushover, but the process is less formal and time consuming.  The current Selectboard chair, Mr. Flanders, opined at the August 15 Selectboard meeting that the Norwich Zoning Regulations had an "exemption for public good", according to meeting minutes.  Given that exemption, why avoid the DRB, when approval should be easy.  Approval under Act 250 could occur  without a hearing.

It would seem that going through the DRB saves time (and money) in the permitting process. Time is safety.  With VTel out of the  picture, it is time for the Selectboard and Town Manager to revisit the issue. Or at least provide an explanation for using the State PSB, instead of the Norwich DRB. 

Selectboard Agenda -- March 27, 2013

Agenda for the Selectboard Meeting of Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 6:30 PM

(Times Are Approximate)

1)    Approval of Agenda (Action Item) 2 minutes

2)    Public Comments (Discussion) 10 minutes

3)    Meeting with Planning Commission (Discussion) 15 minutes

4)    Town of Norwich Subdivision Regulations Amendments (Discussion/Possible Action Item) 15 minutes

5)    Finance – Board to Sign Accounts Payable/Warrants (Action Item) 5 minutes

6)    Liquor License (Renewal) (Action Item) 5 minutes

7)    7:15 pm - Town of Norwich Open Positions Interviews/Appointments (Action Item) 20 minutes

  Applicants:

      Frank Olmstead (Agent to Prosecute)

David Hobson (Conservation Commission)

Jonathan Teller-Elsberg (Energy Committee)

            Brion McMullan (GUVSWD Representative)

Neil Fulton (GUVSWD Alternate)

      Cheryl Herrmann (Historic Preservation Commission)

Anne Silberfarb (Historic Preservation Commission)

      Benjamin Forbush (Recreational Council)

      Reese Madden (Recreational Council)

      Danielle Taylor (Recreational Council)

      Linda Cook (Town Service Officer)

      Jeff Goodrich (TRORC Voting)

      Deborah Hall (Trustee of Public Funds)

Melissa Horwitz (Upper Valley River Subcommittee of the CT River Joint   Commissions)

      David Hubbard (Watershed Land Management Council)

8)    Town Manager’s Report (Discussion) 10 minutes

9)    Communications Tower Site Development and Tower (Discussion) 20 minutes

10)Amendment to Burlington Communications Purchase Order for Temporary Installation of Fire and Police Communications Equipment (Discussion/Action Item) 5 minutes

11)Special Town Meeting to Approve Additional Bond Funds for Communications System (Discussion/Action Item) 15 minutes

12)Communications Tower Private Activity Bonds (Discussion/Action Item) 15 minutes

13)Declaration of Official Intent and Resolution Related to Bond Funds for the Communications System (Discussion/Action Item) 10 minutes

14)Correspondence (Discussion/Possible Action Item) 5 minutes

a)    Email from Cheryl Lindberg Re: Draft 2/13 Selectboard Minutes

b)    Email from Watt Alexander Re: Selectboard Agenda Question

c)    Letter from Terry Lyons Re: Renting Space on Tower

d)    Email from Cheryl Lindberg Re: Draft 2/27 Selectboard Minutes

15)Selectboard

a)    Approval of the Minutes of the 2/13/13, 2/27/13, 3/6/13 and 3/13/13 Meetings (Action Item) 5 minutes

b)    Review of Procedure for Receipt of Resident Correspondence (Discussion/Action Item) 5 minutes

c)    Review of Next Agendas (Discussion/Possible Action Item) 5 minutes

d)    Labor Relations Agreement (Executive Session May be Required)

Next Regular Meeting – April 10, 2013 at 6:30 PM

To receive email notices of Selectboard meetings and hearings, agendas, minutes and other notices, send an email to manager-assistant@norwich.vt.us requesting to be placed on the Town Email List. 

Weekly Roundup - Norwich News, for week ending March 16, 2013

Gala A Success; Fraser Family Says Thank You 

From the listserv

The Fraser family wishes to thank the Norwich Women’s Club and all of the members who worked so hard to organize the Gala event that was held on Friday night, March 15. We were humbled to be honored as this year’s recipient.  It was a wonderful evening that was flawlessly organized and every detail was perfect- Great food, nice drinks, fun neighbors!   For those of you that have not attended before, it is a night of celebration that allows for everyone in town to come together and enjoy what is so special about Norwich.  It should not to be missed.  The money raised is well spent on town projects that the Women’s club undertakes. Previous projects such as the welcome sign, the water fountain on the school green, supporting the school, library, scholarships and all the other things these  incredibly ladies do for the town!! Keeping the money local is what it is all about.  The event was a near sell out, so be sure to buy your tickets next year as soon as they go on sale so you don’t miss the festivities.

More photos at:  http://www.norwichwomensclub.org/
LINKS:
http://lists.valley.net/lists/arc/norwich/2013-03/msg00311.html
http://lists.valley.net/lists/arc/norwich/2013-03/msg00320.html

No Decision On Tower By Selectboard 

The Selectboard made no decisions about the emergency communication tower at its March 13 meeting. Despite the 2-1 vote at Town Meeting in favor of a town-owned tower, the VTel option was not eliminated and discussed in executive session.  Also at the meeting, Town Manager Fulton proposed that the Town build a temporary tower to comply with conditions in two grants and that the Town hold a Special Town Meeting to authorize additional bond authority.

Norwich Board Signals on Tower

By Sarah Brubeck, Valley News Staff Writer

March 14, 2013 

The Selectboard made no firm decisions last night about how it will proceed with the controversial emergency communications tower, but it strongly indicated it was leaning toward backing out of a previous deal with VTel and instead elect to build the structure on its own.

Last week, residents passed an article at Town Meeting that authorized the town to borrow $275,000 to help finance construction of the tower. The vote, which passed 689-341, signaled to the Selectboard that residents were willing to underwrite the cost of the tower rather than accept VTel’s offer to build the tower in exchange for using it for its own commercial purpose.

The town has said it needs the tower to improve impaired radio communication for the police, fire and public works departments. The Selectboard voted 3-2 in August to allow VTel, a Springfield, Vt.-based telecommunications company, to build and own the tower while allowing Norwich to place it’s antennas on top of the structure. But residents have opposed the deal and urged the Selectboard to choose a town-owned option.

Read the rest of the story. 

LINK:

http://www.vnews.com/news/5101890-95/town-tower-selectboard-fulton

7 Make UVM Deans List For Fall 2012 

The Valley News reported on Tuesday that the following student from Norwich, Vermont  earned Dean's List honors at the University of Vermont: Erica C. Andrus, Daniel M. Degan, Daniel F. Elliott, Beryl R. Frishtick, Dylan B. Ness, Eva S. Sachsse,and Emma C. Waters.

LINK: http://www.vnews.com/news/4966397-95/store-center-students-norwich

State Rep Cheney Pushes for Energy Efficiency With Tax On Heating Oil

VPR reports that State Rep. Margaret Cheney, D-Norwich, is pushing one of the few climate change related bills that is likely to see a vote by the Legislature this session. The measure, which comes from a thermal efficiency task force, raises money for Vermonters to insulate their buildings - both commercial and residential - by adding a tax on home heating oil.

As Legislature Reconvenes, Lawmakers Push for Energy Efficiency
Kirk Carapezza, Statehouse Digital Reporter
March 11, 2013 

Lawmakers reconvene for the second half of the legislative session on Tuesday. And, despite budget woes and federal cuts, some of them are hoping to stay focused on a goal set at the beginning of the session: fighting climate change and promoting energy efficiency at the same time.
Given the climate crisis, one of the things legislators agree Vermont must do is to reduce its use of energy. Rep. Margaret Cheney, D-Norwich, is pushing one of the few climate change related bills likely to be voted on. It's a measure that proposes to make it easier for Vermonters to insulate their buildings - both commercial and residential - so they can save money on their heating bills and cut down on their carbon emissions.
"We have done well with electricity - with our efficiency and our ramping up of renewables - but we have not tackled the thermal problem, which is the heat problem, and we haven't tackled the transportation problem," Cheney said. "They're much harder to solve."

Read the rest of the story.
LINK: http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/97751/as-legislature-reconvenes-lawmakers-push-for-energ/

A subscription may be required for access to the Valley News stories. 

The Norwich Observer is in Norwich, Vermont 

Are Legislators Dragging Feet On Gun Control? State Rep Masland Says No

Despite overwhelming support at Town Meeting in six Upper Valley towns for gun control, the Valley News reported on Friday that gun control advocates "have all but given up hope" that any legislation will get enacted this year in Montpelier. A listserv post, 898 to 132, intimated that our local state representatives Jim Masland and Margaret Cheney were not doing enough to ban assault weapons. State Rep Masland disagreed, saying that despite the Valley News report, "a sensible [gun control] bill will emerge from House Judiciary and pass over to the Senate." 

Read the debate: 

Gun Control In Vermont: Not This Year
http://www.vnews.com/news/4933082-95/gun-control-bill-vermont
Letter: Vermonters Have Spoken
http://www.vnews.com/opinion/5101006-95/gun-sensible-enacting-legislation
898 to 132 (and some but not all follow-ups)http://lists.valley.net/lists/arc/norwich/2013-03/msg00291.htmlhttp://lists.valley.net/lists/arc/norwich/2013-03/msg00303.htmlhttp://lists.valley.net/lists/arc/norwich/2013-03/msg00303.htmlhttp://lists.valley.net/lists/arc/norwich/2013-03/msg00293.htmlResponse to Don Kreishttp://lists.valley.net/lists/arc/norwich/2013-03/msg00319.html

Spring Gala Is Friday; Honors Fraser Family

Tickets are still available.  For more info, go to norwichwomensclub.org/springgala.html


Norwich, VT

The Norwich Observer. Aggregating news and information about Norwich, Vermont.

Just Build The Tower

from the listserv on March 13:

Hard to believe but on July 19, 2012, a DRB hearing was scheduled to start
the permitting process for the tower. What is on the Selectboard agenda for
tonight -- more discussion about an additional bond. Sheesh!

If I was tower czar, I'd be dusting off my tower plans that predated VTel and
contacting our Planning Director [to whom the Town voted a nice raise] to
find out the earliest date the Town could get on the DRB calendar.
Money to pay for the site plans, communication gear and tower? There is
enough to get started. As tower czar, I would ask the Selectboard for
permission to use the Town's emergency fund, IF necessary.

Money. There is $45,000 in the communication reserve fund. Two weeks ago
the Town Manager was set to finance the purchase the communication gear with
$120,000 from Lake Sunapee Bank. Keep that in place. Paying under 2% is a
good deal. The $275,000 bond approved by voters can be borrowed from a
local bank, instead of waiting for the Vermont Bond Bank. The two loans total
$395,000. Even under the worst case scenario, less than $90,000 is needed
from the emergency fund.

Asking for another bond is just procrastination. Why are we considering a
Special Town Meeting when public safety is at issue. How much will the
typical property taxpayer save --$10 a year, $20?

Come on. Beg the DRB to fast track the tower application. Begin preliminary
site work. VTel moved at glacial speed. Let's have a sense of URGENCY and
get the tower built. If the Town Manager feels unsure about managing the
project, then find a project manager. Norwich voters approved the bond so
that the Town could control its destiny. Carpe diem.

Selectboard meeting starts at 6:30 pm. at Tracy Hall in Norwich, VT.

Selectboard Agenda -- March 13, 2013

Agenda for the Selectboard Meeting of Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 6:30 PM

(Times Are Approximate)

1)    Approval of Agenda (Action Item) 2 minutes

2)    Public Comments (Discussion) 10 minutes

3)    Town Manager’s Report (Discussion) 10 minutes

4)    Finance – Board to Sign Accounts Payable/Warrants (Action Item) 5 minutes

5)    Liquor Licenses (Renewals) (Action Item) 5 minutes

6)    Communications Systems Upgrades Including Tower (Discussion/Possible Action Item) 30 minutes

7)    Approval of Burlington Communications Service Center Purchase Order for Communications Systems Upgrades (Discussion/Possible Action Item) 10 minutes

8)    Approval of Revised Highway Standards (Discussion/Action Item) 5 minutes

9)    Correspondence (Discussion/Possible Action Item) 5 minutes

a)    Email from Rick Otto Re: Open Letter to Selectboard

10) Selectboard

a)    Certificate Honoring Lloyd “Sonny” Tebbetts for 50 years of Service to the Fire Department (Discussion/Action Item) 5 minutes

b)    Approval of the Minutes of the 1/25/13 and 2/13/13 Meetings (Action Item) 5 minutes

c)     Review of Next Agenda (Discussion/Possible Action Item) 5 minutes

d)    VTel Contract (Executive Session May be Required)

Next Regular Meeting – March 27, 2013 at 6:30 PM

To receive email notices of Selectboard meetings and hearings, agendas, minutes and other notices, send an email to manager-assistant@norwich.vt.us requesting to be placed on the Town Email List.

Weekly Roundup - Norwich News, for week ending March 9, 2013

Election March 2013

All budgets and other articles passed. Incumbents survived in all uncontested races. Of significant note was the passage of Article 34, petitioned on the ballot by Norwich residents and opposed by the Town Manager.  The bond vote was largely viewed as a referendum on whether Norwich or VTel should build and own the emergency communication tower.  Voters resoundingly supported Town ownership with 689 voting yes to 341 voting no.

Official Election Results
Official election results for Norwich are on the Town web site.
LINK: http://norwich.vt.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/VotingResults030513.pdf

Dresden Teachers Contracts, Budgets Pass
By Sarah Brubeck, Valley News Staff Writer
March 6, 2013
After going two years without a contract, Dresden and Hanover teachers yesterday won voter approval for new contracts as residents also approved the Hanover and Dresden school budgets and all accompanying warrant articles.
The Dresden contract passed by a ratio of 2-to-1 with 1,221 in favor and 574 against, and the Hanover contract passed 584-198.
Hanover School Board Chairman Robin Carpenter said he wasn’t surprised by the overwhelming support for the Hanover and Dresden districts, but the margins were larger than he had guessed.
“When an article is in trouble there is a buzz about it, letters to the editor and phone calls. I didn’t get any of that,” Carpenter said.
Read the rest of the story.
LINK:
http://www.vnews.com/news/4908909-95/hanover-contract-dresden-teachers

Norwich Balks At Tower Deal
By Sarah Brubeck, Valley News Staff Writer
March 6, 2013
 Voters sent a firm message to the Selectboard yesterday by voting overwhelmingly in favor of borrowing money to build a communication tower rather than have the town partner on the project with a private firm.
Selectman Steve Flanders, who in the past has supported the agreement with Springfield, Vt.-based VTel, said last night that the results likely means that the town would try to fund and manage the construction of the tower on its own.
“I will respect the fact that I’m pretty sure that the people voting thought that the town should have the tower itself instead of going through VTel and I will proceed with that expectation,” Flanders said.
Selectboard Chairman Christopher Ashley and Selectwoman Linda Cook both stood in front of the polls yesterday with signs that said they each supported the warning article for the communication tower.
Read the rest of the story.
LINK:
http://www.vnews.com/news/4876377-95/town-tower-vtel-selectboard?ID=abcde&CSAuthResp=62892%3A24547117%3A248%3A15%3A24%3Asuccess%3ADDA9E51B83A1515E8EF9F989E9729525

Shumlin taps Michael Kainen as State’s Attorney

By Christian Avard, Rutland Herald Staff Writer
March 09, 2013
Gov. Peter Shumlin appointed Michael Kainen as Windsor County state’s attorney on Friday.
Kainen is an Orange County deputy state’s attorney in Chelsea and ill replace Robert Sand who will be assisting the Department of Public Safety in redefining drunk-driving sentencing and treatment efforts in Vermont.
Kainen was informed of the governor’s decision Thursday. He will begin his new job March 23 and said he is pleased to represent Windsor County.
“I’m happy to have the appointment,” Kainen said. “I’ll be working on some transition items while in White River Junction and button up what’s left up here in Orange County and go from there.”
Shumlin said in a statement that Kainen is known for his common-sense approach to law and is seen by many as a consensus builder. Kainen attributed these traits to Sand, with whom he worked at the state’s attorney’s office in Windsor County for 15 years.
Windsor County Democrats nominated Kainen and Windsor County Deputy State’s Attorney David Cahill of Norwich as candidates to succeed Sand. The committee thought both candidates were well qualified for the job.
Cahill also heard about the governor’s selection Thursday and congratulated Kainen in his new role.
“It was a hard fought campaign among colleagues and I wish him the best,” Cahill said in an email. “It was an honor to have earned the trust and confidence of the many people who do the difficult, often thankless work of delivering justice to crime victims, offenders, and the taxpaying public. I look forward to playing a continued role in public service and in modernizing our criminal justice system for the benefit of all of its stakeholders.”
Read the rest of the story.
LINK:
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130309/NEWS02/703099914/1003

VTDigger Named Best Political Blog in Vermont 

Kudos to VTDigger for being named by Washington Post as the best political blog in Vermont for 2013.  In 2011, VTDigger shared the honor with Green Mountain Daily and Vermont Daily Briefing.
The VTDigger story is here and the Washington Post's 50 state rundown is here.
LINKS:
http://vtdigger.org/2013/03/06/washpo-puts-vtdigger-on-best-state-based-political-blog-list/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/03/05/the-fixs-best-state-based-political-blogs-list-is-here/

A subscription may be required for access to the Valley News stories.

Town Meeting 2013

Norwich Divided Over Tower

By Sarah Brubeck, Valley News Staff Writer
March 5, 2013
Residents and Selectboard members last night were once again divided over whether a proposed communication tower should be owned by VTel or the town, and they haggled over salary increases for some department heads.

More than 160 people filled Tracy Hall for the discussion portion of Norwich’s Town Meeting, with voting to take place by Australian ballot today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

After a 40-minute budget presentation by Town Manager Neil Fulton, Town Treasurer Cheryl Lindberg, a member of the Norwich Finance Committee, noted that the panel voted 4-0 not to support the proposed budget. In the town report, the Finance Committee cited large salary increases for several town employees.

The proposed $4 million municipal budget is essentially flat this year and is $10,000 less than the current budget. The budget includes large salary increases for the planning, finance and recreations directors of about 14 percent, 19 percent and 27 percent, respectively.

Selectboard Chairman Christopher Ashley soon stood up and spoke his mind.

“Our director of planning, director of finance and our director of recreation, I think we owe them a legitimate salary on what they currently do,” Ashley said.

But as is accustomed in Norwich, not all agreed. Both Selectboard members Linda Cook and Keith Moran said they didn’t support the increases because they didn’t think a $15,000 salary-comparison study conducted by Condrey & Associates for the town was accurate.

Read the rest of the story.
LINK:
http://www.vnews.com/home/4873651-95/town-tower-norwich-vtel

A subscription may be required for access to the Valley News stories. 

Norwich, VT 05055