Weekly Roundup - Norwich News, for week ending April 13, 2013

Norwich Pool Will Not Open This Summer

"It is unlikely that the [Norwich Pool] will be open this summer", said Town Manager Fulton in his written report to the Selectboard issued earlier this month. Since the public forum in late August 2012, the Town has worked with Vermont permitting authorities but it is slow going.
The Town Manager's monthly report says:

The project to replace the Norwich pool is proceeding slowly. Preliminary plans and estimates of probable costs have been prepared and presented at a public forum. The project will be using a labyrinth dam which will reduce the overall width of the dam without reducing the effective dam crest length. We are continuing to work with representatives of the Agency of Natural Resources on permitting requirements for the replacement Pool Dam. We met with the Commissioners of the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Fish and Wildlife of the Agency of Natural Resources as well as the General Counsel of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. This meeting was arranged by Representative Cheney who also attended the meeting. It is unlikely that the pool will be open this summer

Norwich Women's Club Sets Grant Application Deadline

Proceeds from the March Spring Gala go right back to the community. The Norwich Women's Club recently set May 1, 2013 as the deadline for organizations and individuals to apply for grants that "enhance educational, civic and cultural activities in Norwich." Last year, community project grants totaled $21,712 distributed to 16 groups. The grant application form is at the Norwich Women's Club web site. 

Police Chief Against Decriminalization Of Pot

Decriminalization is WRONG
Norwich listserv post by Police Chief Robinson
April 11, 2013
Decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana is wrong, This was sent to me by a colleague and I felt that it was important enough to pass it along.  I have also sent this to the Windsor County representatives.  It this does anything at all I think it will at least give some one something to think about.

No matter what your personal position is on this issue, the fact is that decriminalization of marijuana is counter to what is expected and required in the workplace, and what we are teaching our kids ~ future employees! ~ in the classrooms!
The wrong message we are sending our youth is not only that marijuana use is "legal", but also that the use of it does not affect them in life!
When we are working with kids (middle and High School age) with career exploration & job placement, we discuss whether or not they can pass a "pee test". We discuss it bluntly and let them know that employers must get assurances from them that they can pass.  Employers have a right to test and they do test; in all sectors of business.
IT IS A SHAME, that every year, without exception, we need to explain to at least a few kids, that "I only smoke marijuana" means that they WILL NOT pass a drug test!! In the classroom we need to stress that marijuana IS a drug! This is already shameful.....what can we expect if it's use is assumed to be "legal"?
Mixed messages are never good. We know that drug use is not just a problem with our youth, it is wide spread across demographics. States spend considerable human and financial resources combating this problem, ensuring the safety of their children, employees and their communities........If for no other reason, and I personally believe that there are many more, this legislation defies what is required in the workplace.

Just my two cents


Earlier This Week In The Norwich Observer

Selectboard Asked To Speak Out Against Latest Incident Of Hate Speech

Fire Department Recognizes Tebbetts For 50 Years Of Service 

LINKS:
http://norwich.vt.us/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/TMReport2013-04-05.pdf
http://www.norwichwomensclub.org/communityprojects.html

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/

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The Norwich Observer is in Norwich, Vermont 

Tierney of Norwich Leads Valley Community Loan Fund

New Fund Offers Businesses Lending Option

By Warren Johnston, Valley News  January 27, 2013
Lebanon — A new nonprofit group is hoping to begin soon making commercial loans to under-served small businesses and projects that will create jobs and help Upper Valley residents living in poverty.

The Valley Community Loan Fund will lend money to marginal or higher risk projects and businesses that aim to provide new jobs or workforce housing in the Upper Valley and that don’t qualify for money from banks or other conventional lenders, said Paul Tierney, of Norwich, one of the organizers and chief executive officer of the loan fund.

“We estimate that there are 35,000 people living under the poverty level and 12 percent to 15 percent of them are children,” Tierney said. “There’s a need for about 2,000 workforce housing units in our area,” The fund will serve southwestern New Hampshire and southeastern Vermont, with an initial focus on the Upper Valley.

Recent changes in the federal banking laws make it even more difficult for some small businesses and projects, such as building affordable housing, to get loans through banks. “We want to make the loans that will provide a permanent fix to help move these people out of poverty,” Tierney said.

The Valley Community Loan Fund is one of about 500 community loan funds in the country. Most of them are run by municipalities and county governments to provide economic stimulus, Tierney said.

Read the rest of the story.
LINK:
http://www.vnews.com/search/4029532-95/valley-fund-tierney-loan

Fraser Family Is 2013 Norwich Citizen of the Year

The Norwich Women's Club recently announced that the Fraser Family of Dan & Whit's is the 2013 Norwich Citizen of the Year for Community Service.  The Fraser Family will be honored at the Norwich Women's Club Spring Gala on March 15th, where they will receive the Ledyard Grant of $500 for a charity of their choice.

In a listserv post, Spring Gala Chair Sue Pitiger congratulated "our favorite Frasers, Dan, George, Sheri, Jack, and Matt." Praising the family, Ms. Pitiger said: "We all know what Dan and Whit's does for our town.  Without the conscious effort of everyone there to put customer service front and center, we'd have just another general store.  But the Frasers are who they are, thankfully, and we're all the better for it. We will be telling you many wonderful things about this family at the Spring Gala on March 15 and we hope you'll all want to be there to have fun and congratulate them."

There were thirteen nominees for the award.  The winner was selected by a committee headed by Cheryl Herrmann, that also included Arline Rotman, Deb Kaplan, Jay Van Arman, Phil Dechert, Peter French, and Gail Broughton. The names of the other nominees will be released by the Norwich Women's Club at a later date

Gala tickets go on sale in February. The Gala is sponsored by the Norwich Women's Club and Ledyard National Bank.


LINK:
http://www.norwichwomensclub.org/