Electronic Version of the 2020 Town Report
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Town Report of Norwich, Vermont Fiscal Year 2020 July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 Norwich has not been idle during this pandemic year. Many of our annual events have gone virtual and others have changed their nature somewhat. Here are just a few of them, there were so many others. The imagination and enthusiasm involved have been boundless and the participation overwhelming. This Town Report is dedicated to Norwich’s great positive spirit. Norwich Christmas Pageant Each year the high school seniors from Norwich participate in a live re-enactment of the nativity story in a procession down Main Street with Mary on a donkey, led by Joseph, to the stable. Ann Marie Smith coordinated this year’s virtual pageant. High school seniors recorded their parts, the Hanover High School Footnotes sang the carols and readings from past years were used. Sarah Rooker stitched together the audio recordings, and Tracey Koehler created a video from photos of pageants past. The result was amazingly successful and especially meaningful. The Marauder Motorcade After watching their students lose most of their senior year traditions and milestones to the pandemic, a determined group of Norwich moms set out to make their graduation from high school unforgettable. Hanover HS seniors from both sides of the river were feted with a parade through downtown Norwich, thanks to the support of our tireless Chief Frank, countless volunteers, the incomparable Dan Fraser, the Norwich Lions Club and hundreds of community members who came out to safely celebrate our seniors in style. Even Mother Nature helped by providing a crystal clear day. It was a day they will never forget! Norwich Circles Mural Project In a project devised by Sarah Rooker, over 200 residents painted 172 canvas circles reflecting on what helped them through the months of Covid. The town was invited to participate and painting workshops were held. Tracy Smith was the “artistic director.” The circles were sealed against the weather and mounted into a final mural displayed on a wall at Dan & Whit’s in October. It will remain there as an inspiration until spring. The circles grace the cover of this Town Report. Halloween Celebration Instead of our usual large gathering of costumed youngsters at the Norwich Inn, the Recreation Department ran a highly organized trail walk through the Milton Frye Nature Area. Properly masked and sanitized, costumed groups of 10 traveled at safe distancing to visit and receive goodies from wonderfully decorated welcoming sites set up by different town organizations along the trail. In all, 227 residents attended over 3 hours. Other Virtual Events The Norwich Women’s Club moved their annual Spring Gala online in March, with a virtual auction, possible through the generosity of many donors and supporters. Over $30,000 was raised for community project grants. Linda Cook was named Citizen of the Year. The Lions Club also replaced its main fundraiser, the Norwich Fair, with an online auction and, partnered with the Byrne Foundation, raised significant funds for local needs. Linda Cook – Norwich Cover photo by Douglas Lufkin/Lufkin Graphic Designs Women’s Club 2020 Our thanks to all those who contributed photographs for the interior and back cover of this report. Citizen of the Year Town Report of Norwich, Vermont Fiscal Year 2020 July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 Table of Contents Norwich’s Positive Spirit .........................................................Inside front cover Warning of Annual Meeting, March 2, 2021 ......................................................4 Candidates for Office — March 2, 2021 ...........................................................7 Notice to Voters ............................................................................8 Telephone Contacts • Office Hours / Contacts • Meeting Schedules .............................Last page General Information .............................................................Inside back cover Part I — Town of Norwich Norwich Town Officers & Committees ........................................................I-2 Report of Annual Meeting, March 3, 2020 ......................................................I-4 Ballot Results ............................................................................I-11 Report of the Special Town Meeting, August 10, 2020 .............................................I-12 Ballot Results ............................................................................I-14 Graphs Town and School Homestead Tax Rate .....................................................I-15 Norwich Town and School Expenditures ...................................................I-15 Town Budget Comparison, FYE 2021 / FYE 2022 ............................................I-16 FYE 2022 Proposed Town Budget, by Major Category .........................................I-16 Town of Norwich and Norwich School District Summary ..........................................I-17 Proposed Town of Norwich Budget: Town of Norwich Summary .............................................................I-18 Town of Norwich Revenue Report ........................................................I-19 Town of Norwich Expenditure Budget Report ...............................................I-21 Trends – Operational Expenses 2014–2022 .....................................................I-32 Designated & Special Purpose Funds ..........................................................I-33 Norwich Trust Funds ......................................................................I-34 Treasurer’s Report .........................................................................I-35 Independent Auditor’s Report ...............................................................I-36 Part II — Town Boards, Commissions, Committees & Departments Selectboard ..............................................................................II-2 Town Manager ............................................................................II-3 Collector of Delinquent Taxes ................................................................II-9 Town Clerk ..............................................................................II-10 Cemetery Commission .....................................................................II-10 Conservation Commission ..................................................................II-11 Development Review Board .................................................................II-12 Emergency Management ....................................................................II-12 Finance Department .......................................................................II-12 Fire & EMS Department ....................................................................II-13 Fire Warden. II-14 Health Officer ............................................................................II-15 Land Management Council ..................................................................II-15 Listers Report ............................................................................II-15 2020 Grand List as of 12/31/2020 ............................................................II-16 Norwich Energy Committee (NEC) ...........................................................II-18 Norwich Historic Preservation Commission (NHPC) .............................................II-19 Planning Commission ......................................................................II-19 Planning Department ......................................................................II-20 Police Department .........................................................................II-20 Police Department Statistics FY20 ............................................................II-22 Public Works .............................................................................II-23 Recreation Department .....................................................................II-24 Trustees of Public Funds ....................................................................II-25 Part III — Other Agencies & Organizations Advance Transit ..........................................................................III-2 Aging in Place, Norwich ....................................................................III-2 Child Care Center in Norwich (CCCN) .......................................................III-3 Connecticut River Joint Commissions Upper Valley Subcommittee ..................................III-4 The Family Place ..........................................................................III-4 Good Beginnings .........................................................................III-5 Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste Management District ...........................................III-6 Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation (GMEDC) ...................................III-7 Green Up Vermont ........................................................................III-8 Headrest ................................................................................III-8 Montshire Museum of Science ...............................................................III-9 Norwich Historical Society and Community Center ..............................................III-10 Norwich Lions Club .......................................................................III-10 Norwich Public Library .....................................................................III-11 FY20 Income & Operating Expenses ......................................................III-12 Public Health Council of the