The Woodstock Village Trustees, after listening to nearly 14 hours of testimony and legal arguments this week, are expected to rule within two weeks on whether their municipal manager is properly demoting Police Chief Joe Swanson to patrol officer. As the hearing ended late Tuesday afternoon, attorney Kendall Hoechst, on behalf of the village, and attorney Linda Fraas, representing Swanson, …

The prospect of an all-new Woodstock Union High School and Middle School (WUHS/MS) serving as a “hub” facility for the region following anticipated statewide redistricting has taken a big step towards reality. Voters in the seven-town Mountain Views School District (MVSD) handed MVSD administrators, teachers, families, and students a significant gift in Town Meeting balloting on Tuesday. They okayed a …

Story Memorial Hall was packed to the brim at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning, as 162 West Windsor residents gathered to vote on 11 articles.  All but one of the articles passed.  Notably, town residents voted to approve a 1% option tax on rooms, meals, and alcoholic beverages, but article 7, which asked voters to allow the town to assess …

Town Meeting voters in Woodstock on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a $35 million bond issue to finance the cost of maintaining and substantially upgrading the Woodstock Main Wastewater Treatment Facility. Weighing in on the bond issue via Australian ballot, voters gave it their assent by a 808-to-209 margin. The state-mandated renovation and upgrade of the wastewater facility will include the construction …

After 22 years in office, State Senator for the Windsor District, Alison Clarkson, has announced her plans to retire at the end of this legislative session.  During the Woodstock Town Meeting last Saturday, Clarkson addressed her constituents, saying, “I’ve served you first for twelve years in the House, and now ten years in the Senate.” She continued, “I’m currently the …

At its annual Town Meeting on Tuesday, 363 Pomfret residents voted to pass a 1% local option tax, and — by a narrow margin — voted to allow non-resident eligibility for appointment or election to particular local offices. Article 5 proposed a 1% local option tax on certain goods and services, with the goal of reducing property taxes. The tax will be a …