Author: Kathryn Boughton

Rebidding four contracts for plumbing, electrical, mechanicals and painting for the new firehouse reduced the cost by $421,525, but still requires the Firehouse Committee to make further cuts of more than half a million dollars. 

“It’s painful,” said First Selectman Matt Riiska. “We are still looking at things we can trim.”

The first bids were substantially higher than estimates previously given to the Firehouse Committee. After months of eliminating desirable but non-essential items, the committee had pared the cost down to $8.3 million, with another million-plus in “soft costs” that might or might not be used. But uncertainty in the marketplace resulting from tariffs threatened by the Trump administration boosted the cost to $9.38 million without any contingency funding factored in.

The next round of cutting will slash items more deeply desired by the firefighters, possibly eliminating features such as a garage for miscellaneous apparatus, the ventilation system at the top of the building and the tower for drying equipment after fires.

“We still have a long way to go [to reach the town-approved level of $9.5 million],” Riiska said, “but we remain focused on getting a project completed that is functional, esthetically pleasing and that will meet the needs of the firefighters and the town.”

He has yet to hear back from Firehouse Committee members but has talked with both the architect and the construction management firm asking them to sharpen their pencils.

He is baffled by some of the figures in the bids submitted. Plumbing, for instance, was reduced by $233,400 in the second bid, leaving it only slightly above the original estimate. The economic uncertainty emanating from Washington has contractors scrambling to cover their anticipated costs, but Riiska fears there is also an element of greed. “They have to increase their costs to cover the tariffs, but maybe they just add a little more for themselves,” he said.

He conjectured that the town can find future economies. “We can probably get a local contractor to build the three-bay garage for half the bid price because no state and federal grants would be used,” he said. Accepting government money requires that workers be paid prevailing union wages.

The Connecticut Department of Labor publishes prevailing wage rates annually, which include both an hourly base rate and fringe benefits. Electricians, for instance, would earn between $53.32 and $75.17 per hour, while a general laborer could expect $40 an hour. 

As of Jul 17, 2025, the average hourly pay for a licensed plumber in Connecticut is $33.96 an hour. 

—Kathryn Boughton

The Conservation Commission last week sent a letter to First Selectman Matt Riiska objecting to the removal of about 200 trees along Winchester Road, which is classified as a scenic highway.

“Yes, it’s a scenic road,” said Riiska this week, “but cutting trees is part of maintenance. We did cut trees, but 95 percent of them were dead and posed safety issues for people. Others were in the way of a big tree that had to come down.”

He said the trees were “not just randomly cut,” and that the arborist hired by the town had selected which trees were to be removed. 

Towns throughout the region have been forced to increase their budgets for tree removal in the past decade to deal with the dieback of ash, maple and beech trees. Ash trees have been virtually annihilated by the emerald ash borer, while beech trees are being killed by Beech Leaf Disease, which has rapidly spread across the state since 2019. Several factors are contributing to the decline and death of maple trees in Connecticut, including diseases, insect infestations and environmental stressors.

“We have three large maples on Lovers Lane that will have to be removed,” Riiska said, adding that his crew is cutting trees on that road work prior to roadwork being done. “We have a lot of older maples that are just shot, dead ash, and beech trees that are kind of hanging on.”

He is trying to encourage Eversource to remove a string of dead maples on Mountain Road before a storm brings them down across power lines. “The town crew and the people we hire can’t go near power lines,” he explained.

The scenic road ordinance calls for the preservation of overhanging trees. “But that can pose a problem,” he said. “People don’t get that—a couple of good storms and they are lying in the road. I enjoy nature, but beauty is one thing and safety is another.”

—Kathryn Boughton

Weekend in Norfolk (WIN) is celebrating its 10th anniversary in August, with a town-wide salute to all aspects of community life that make Norfolk special.

The celebration kicks off Friday, August 1, and continues through Sunday, August 3, featuring old favorites and new additions, among them art shows and music, free yoga lessons, a pop-up bookstore, bocce and pickleball competitions, historical and garden tours, hiking challenges, events for children and lots more.

A highlight is the new Sidewalk Sunday, taking place from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Station Place. The streetwill bustle with energy as local organizations, artists and authors showcase their creations and share their passions. 

Music lovers can enjoy free performances all weekend—from Friday night’s concert on the Green, to multiple Saturday and Sunday performances at Robertson Plaza.

Immerse yourself in nature by joining a guided birding walk through Barbour Woods or dive into 90 years of climate history at Great Mountain Forest’s historic weather station. 

Stroll through Norfolk’s charming Historic District on a self-guided walking tour or take to the trails and experience the rugged beauty of the local landscape. 

Children will find plenty to engage them, from a West African music and dance workshop at the Norfolk Library to hands-on art and water play at Botelle School.

Step back in time Saturday and Sunday afternoon with the Norfolk Historical Society’s new exhibit, “A New Birth of Freedom: Norfolk in the Civil War.” History buffs can further enrich the experience with a guided tour of Center Cemetery led by Barry Webber, the Society’s executive director.

Fishing enthusiasts can join expert fisherman Doug McDevitt in fly fishing seminars for beginners and seasoned anglers alike on Saturday and Sunday. And nature lovers can also enjoy a Sunday stroll through two private gardens.

Cultural explorers should visit the Connecticut Asia Cultural Center Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for its annual festival, where visitors will find exhibits on Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, Christian and Incan cultures.

For the sports-minded, the Norfolk Recreation Committee has organized three pickleball tournaments, starting at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning at Botelle School. Rackets will be available.

For details, of these and other events, including signup links and a printable schedule, go to the WIN website. An information center at 2 Station Place will be staffed from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

—Kathryn Boughton

Town officials will open four new bids for the proposed firehouse next Tuesday and hope to find that the price tag will be lower.

At first, the bids were to be submitted by today (Friday) but the schedule for publishing legal notices pushed the timeline back.

The Firehouse Committee was dismayed last week to receive a low bid of $9.38 million for the structure, without another million dollars-worth of soft costs being factored in. In May, a town meeting approved $9.5 million for all costs. 

Newfield Construction, the project managers, advised the town to rebid the plumbing, mechanicals, electrical and painting packages, all considered to be substantially higher than expected. 

“We’re continuing to talk to the architect and construction company and are cautiously optimistic that the price will go down,” said First Selectman Matt Riiska. “We will meet next week to go over the prices. We’re not giving up on this. Everyone is in the same boat with all the turmoil in Washington with the off-and-on-again tariffs and trade wars.”

He pledged that the new firehouse will be built within the budget approved by the town.

—Kathryn Boughton

Both the Democrats and Republicans caucused Thursday night, choosing candidates for the November municipal elections.

The caucuses brought few surprises as the anticipated slate of Henry Tirrell for first selectman and Leo Colwell for selectman was endorsed by the Democrats. No first selectman candidate came forward for the Republicans, but incumbent Selectman Sandy Evans will run again for a seat on the board.

The Republicans opted not to cross-endorse any Democratic candidates such as Town Clerk Deborah Nelson or Treasurer Chelsea DeWitt and did not nominate candidates of their own for those positions.

Incumbent Grant Mudge, and newcomer Bart Wenrich as an alternate, are the Democratic candidates for the Board of Finance. The Republicans will run incumbent Jeff Torrant for the board.

Incumbent Walter Godlewski is the Democratic candidate for the Board of Assessment Appeals, while the Republicans tapped incumbent Eric Gundlach to run for the board.

Incumbent John DeShazo and Jeremy Withnell were nominated by the Democrats to run for the Board of Education, while Donna Rubin, who is now serving out an unexpired term, will run for the Republicans. Michael Listori will also run for the GOP, in lieu of current member Janet Byrne. 

The Planning and Zoning Commission candidates are familiar faces from both parties. The Republicans will run incumbents Edward Barron and Marion Felton, with Sandra Anasoulis seeking an alternate’s seat, while the Democrats will field current members Christopher Schaut, Wiley Wood and Steve Landes.

For the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Republicans will run newcomer Ron Bombero for a regular seat and incumbent Alan Boucher as an alternate. The Democrats will field incumbents Christopher Peterson for a regular seat and Walter Godlewski as alternate.

—Kathryn Boughton

The Firehouse Committee will go back to the drawing board to look for more ways to trim the plan for a new structure after bids came in about a million dollars higher than expected.

In May, taxpayers approved $9.5 million for the new firehouse, with about $1.2 million of that designated for soft costs. The lowest bid submitted for the firehouse this week was $9.38 million without the soft costs. All areas except flooring exceeded predictions offered by contractors in recent weeks.

Brian Grant, executive vice president of Newfield Construction, the project management team, said Thursday night that contractors’ uncertainty about the market caused them to bid 40 to 50 percent higher than expected following President Trump’s announcement this month of a 50 percent tariff on imported copper. 

The tariff hits particularly hard in three key areas: plumbing, mechanical and electrical. “The contractors don’t know what will happen and they own these numbers once they bid,” he said.

Newfield had already approached the bidders asking for suggestions that could save money, and Grant went through a list of those suggestions. Some would save as little as $7,500 and others would save much larger amounts. If all the suggestions were implemented—which cannot happen because the plan has already been approved by the Inland Wetlands Agency, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the public—another $1.3 million could be cut.

For example the committee could, delay landscaping and plantings, saving $60,000, or allow alternative materials for drainage, saving $40,000, but it cannot switch from the permeable paving approved by the Inland Wetlands Agency to asphalt. Other suggestions, such as eliminating radiant heating in the apparatus bay floors, would be detrimental to maintaining the condition of the expensive firetrucks.

Grant said that several bids came in electronically or were submitted after the closing date and could not be considered. He suggested that four of the bid packages be rejected because they are so far over the original estimates or because only one bid was submitted. These latecomers, some of whom submitted bids much closer to previous estimates, could then resubmit their proposals in the proper form.

First Selectman Matt Riiska admitted the bids were “quite a shocker,” but remained optimistic that the committee can deliver a quality firehouse within the funding approved by the town. The existing bids are good for 120 days, giving committee members time to finesse the project further.

“The job now is to get down the costs and look for other avenues for grants,” said Riiska. “Our main focus will be to not compromise on the main things we want.”

—Kathryn Boughton

Norfolk artists, authors and organizations will gather on Station Place the afternoon of Sunday, August 3, to show off and sell their creations, do fundraisers and offer information about their missions. Sidewalk Sunday is a new feature of Weekend in Norfolk (WIN), designed to let participants introduce their wares and their passions to a wider audience.

Tents will go up along the sidewalk on either side of the street, forming an open-air market. The road will be closed to vehicles from the Berkshire Country Store to the post office, from 12:45 until 5:00 p.m., when the market ends. 

The WIN committee tested the concept last summer and decided to make it a full-fledged feature this year, sending email invitations for free spaces to every Norfolk artist, artisan, author, food producer and organization it could find. “We are still getting replies from people who want to jump in,” said committee chair Sue Frisch, “and we are happy to have them.” The email address to use for requesting space is win@earthlink.net, she said.

A succession of musicians on Robertson Plaza—Elias Neuman-Donihue, Julia Autumn Ford and Mike Cobb and his band—will make the proceedings even more lively, and everyone is invited to come sing along, dance, eat or just plain listen while they shop.

To view all three days of Weekend in Norfolk activities, visit https://weekendinnorfolk.org.

—Kathryn Boughton

Last week a truck clipped the base of the historic Joseph Battell Fountain at the south end of the Village Greenand snapped one of the bollards protecting its basin. The blow moved the basin itself a good two inches, according to Norfolk Community Association co-president Barry Webber.

“There appeared to be marks from a tire on the bollard closest to the bench and the next one was snapped off at ground level,” he said. “We are assuming a truck was turning—there is not enough room there for a trailer to make a U-turn, but I have seen them try it before.”

Webber said repairing the bollard and repositioning the basin should be taken care of through town insurance. Barbara Gomez, the selectmen’s administrative assistant, is looking into that aspect. 

The historic fountain, presented to the town in 1889 by Mary Eldridge in honor of her parents underwent a $175,000 restoration in 2021. Francis Miller of Conserve ART, who did the extensive restoration, will provide an estimate for repairs. Webber said the bollard can be repaired and reinserted into its former place on the base. “I image they will use metal posts to secure it, like having a pin put in a broken bone,” he said. 

The Community Associates hope the work can be completed by winter. The granite bollards protected the body of the fountain from much damage, but Webber said he would like to see a ring of metal ones protecting the entire structure from vehicular damage.

“The stone bollards were only meant to let horses drink from the trough while protecting the fountain from wagons,” he explained. Today’s semis are a much bigger threat.

—Kathryn Boughton

The Berkshire Country Store is seeking to fill the void left by the closing of the Norfolk Farmers Market. Owner Ryan Craig has invited farmers, artisans, bakers and other similar food producers to join in pop-up events on both weekend days, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through October. Several farmers have already signed up for later in the season, Craig said, and he has had several vendors take part already.

To see who is coming, Craig suggests following the Berkshire Country Store on Facebook and watching the store windows for announcements.

—Kathryn Boughton

The Norfolk Community Association will place a sculpture by the late Ann Scoville somewhere between Town Hall and Station Place this year. 

It will be the third installment along the Association’s planned sculpture trail. 

Doreen Kelly, co-president of the Association, said last week that Scoville’s family donated the work. The figurative painter and sculptor, who died in 2014, grew up in Norfolk and moved to Salisbury in her later life after living in a variety of places in the United States and abroad. 

At age 12, she began to paint and by the time she was 14 she was studying with the painter Guy Pène du Bois. In the 1970s, she started to sculpt, and her works found their way into private collections, museums and public spaces, from the American Embassy in Moscow to the walls of the Warner Theatre in Torrington.

Ultimately, the association plans to install a sculpture in City Meadow, but Kelly said nothing is planned for this year because work in the meadow is still in progress. The sculpture finally placed there will need to be an attraction to draw people into the natural habitat. “I would love to see something big there,” she said. “And it must be visible from [from Robertson Plaza], so people will say, ‘Oh, I want to go see it.’”

—Kathryn Boughton