Amid uncertainty, town switches to month-to-month policing contract

For the first time ever, the Woodstock Village Trustees and Town Selectboard have inked a police services contract between the two governing bodies that will move forward on a month-to-month basis for the next year, rather than functioning on an annual basis, as has always been the past practice. “After much discussion, the selectboard decided to go with a month-to-month …

Peace Field faces another permit appeal, Mangalitsa prepares for fall reopening

Following a unanimous decision officially posted by the Woodstock Town Development Review Board (TDRB), municipal chief of staff and zoning administrator Stephanie Appelfeller issued a permit on June 20, allowing Peace Field Farm owner/developer John Holland and tenant farmer/chef/restaurateur Matt Lombard to operate an on-farm restaurant at 650 Pomfret Road. Longtime opponents of the farm-to-fork restaurant wasted not a day …

Sustainable Woodstock has an innovative plan to restore streambank near community garden

Although Sustainable Woodstock’s Community Garden occupies a peaceful space on Old River Road, the location has been damaged by flood events in recent years. Now, the organization is working on a solution. The forward-thinking project will protect the remaining streambank while restoring a favorable habitat for fish and wildlife. “Barnard Brook’s streambank has eroded over the years, notably during Tropical …

Debate is underway in Woodstock over plans to hire economic development director

The Woodstock Town Selectboard is receiving pushback from residents and local business and community leaders over plans to establish an economic development office in Town Hall, even as interviews are underway for the hiring of a full-time director for the recently created municipal office by the end of next month. Representatives of the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce, the founding …

After filings, Swanson and Village await judge’s injunction ruling

The Village of Woodstock is claiming that its contract with former Police Chief Joseph Swanson did not expressly ban demoting him, according to the latest legal filings in the lawsuit to overturn the demotion.  The Village, in its 15-page memorandum, also argued that any action not forbidden by an employment agreement must be allowed.  Woodstock also maintains that Swanson “has …

Barnard will vote again on BarnArts lease on July 23

In a special town meeting slated for Wednesday, July 23 at 7 p.m. to be held via floor vote, residents of the town of Barnard will vote again to decide whether or not BarnArts should be allowed to lease the old Barnard Fire Department building for a period of fifteen years, with an option to renew for an additional fifteen …