Around Town With The Colchester Town Manager #37
September 3, 2011 by Al · Leave a Comment
As Town Manager, I receive many “observations” about the Town’s tax rate and its taxes. So as one item for this week’s column I thought I would share how some of that tax money was spent this past weekend in response to Hurricane Irene. Most of the column will be devoted to last week’s Selectboard [...]
Around Town with the Colchester Town Manager #35
August 18, 2011 by Al · Leave a Comment
My wife and I and our two dogs recently returned from a vacation in northern Maine to find the Town continuing to be embroiled in a debate over the Grand List’s assessment values. As noted in an earlier column one of our two dogs, Basil, is “my dog”. He is steadfast in his loyalty to [...]
Around Town With The Colchester Town Manager #32
May 25, 2011 by Al · Leave a Comment
It is with great trepidation that I venture in the maelstrom of people’s perception of the convergence of reappraisal and the abatement of taxes for flood damages/losses. Timing could not be more unfortunate than this year’s completion of three years of work reappraising everyone’s home in order to comply with State law for the funding [...]
Around Town with the Town Manager #31
May 6, 2011 by Al · Leave a Comment
With twenty seven miles of shoreline Colchester has thought of Lake Champlain as a jewel in its crown until last week when it also could be seen as a crown of thorns. With the Lake waters cresting at a “!00 year high” to 102.8 feet above sea level a high proportion of desirable lake shore [...]
Around Town with the Colchester Town Manager #28
April 5, 2011 by Al · Leave a Comment
Being town manager is a most interesting, diverse, challenging and absorbing job. Much of my time is spent attending meetings, listening, reading, and seeking diverse opinions on any question brought to me. I try not to make decisions in haste or isolation because those questions brought to me often will have an impact long beyond [...]
Around Town with the Colchester Town Manager #27
March 30, 2011 by Al · Leave a Comment
If you are a Colchester voting citizen or a Colchester business owner/manager, mark your calendar to attend the Third Heritage Project Community Forum commencing at 6:30 PM at the Colchester High School on March 30, 2011. The purpose of this meeting is to identify the goals the community needs to achieve its vision for the [...]
Around Town with the Colchester Town Manager #26
March 8, 2011 by Al · Leave a Comment
This past week has been an exciting and challenging week ending today by the marking of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. On behalf of the Town of Colchester, its Selectboard and all municipal employees, I want to thank everybody who participated in Town Meeting Day activities beginning with the evening community dinner and [...]
Around Town with the Colchester Town Manager #21
January 18, 2011 by Al · Leave a Comment
As Town Manager, people often ask me why some Town decisions (seem to) lack “common sense”. It’s been my experience both as a citizen and town manager that the “democratic process” by its very nature precludes “common sense” – or rational decision making. The “art of compromise” is the adoption of two competing and sometimes [...]
Around Town with the Colchester Town Manager
December 17, 2010 by Al · Leave a Comment
I am pleased to report that on December 2nd and 4th the Heritage Project Vision Community Forums occurred and were extremely successful. On Thursday, 97 people participated. On Saturday, 30 people participated. The results of these forums are now being analyzed and consolidated for review by the Steering Committee and the people who attended the [...]
Around Town with the Town Manager
November 24, 2010 by Al · 2 Comments
A major event or “happening” is about to occur which will affect the future of Colchester for years to come. This column is a “call to action” – for your insight on how to secure Colchester’s future. It is time for all citizens to voice their vision for this town. The Heritage Steering Committee has [...]