NPSW may lose a member

NORWAY -- The Norway selectboard has been asked to address an attendance issue on the Norway Paris Solid Waste (NPSW) board.

NPSW President Phil Tarr, who is also the town manager of Paris, wrote a letter to the selectboard on behalf of the board. The letter questioned the attendance record of Scott Westbury, a Norway appointee to the board who has missed six of nine meetings since being seated in July.

"Discussions with Mr. Westbury have taken place in hopes of averting any formal action," wrote Tarr. "However, in regards to improved participation on Mr. Westbury's part, the conversations did not produce the desired results."

The composition of the board became a hot-button issue after previous board members unsuccessfully attempted to challenge the authority of the towns of Norway and Paris over the board.

The board is currently composed of three members each from Norway and Paris, with the seventh and final spot occupied on a rotating basis by the two towns.

"The Board's concerns is that Mr. Westbury has not performed as a board member," said the letter. "The Board feels that its ability to carry out the mandates of the interlocal agreement is being compromised."

Norway Town Manager David Holt said that the situation was regrettable.

"I like Scott," said Holt. "I wish this wasn't happening, but you've either got to go to the meetings, or you've got to call and say you're not going, and Scott doesn't do that, so therefore my recommendation would be that you remove him."

Tha majority of the selectboard seemed poised to remove Westbury, but eventually decided to give Westbury a chance to speak on his own behalf on the matter.

The board did not take action on the matter, pending a formal conversation with Westbury.