City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 10, 2010 A third public hearing for the 2010-2011 fiscal year budget was held on June 10, 2010 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Aldermen Desaulniers, Braddock, Nash, Hinchey, Caron, Popovich and Mayor Nystrom. City Manager Bergren and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Keith Ripley, Meadow Lane, gave a handout as to what he spoke on which was a comment on each of the different departments that had cuts. He also stated that the schools and the rec department will need the library more that ever now. Abby Dolliver, 6 Deepwood Dr., explained the Board of Ed budget process and the talks that have been in progress since January to the present. She told the council all the closings and cuts that have been made so far and that all enrichment programs have been cut. Anne Barriere, 465 New London Tpke., read a letter from Mike Wolak, Director of the Senior Center, thanking the council for re-instating positions and for them listening to the seniors and for visiting the Senior Center. Ron ward, 121 Golden St., thanked the council for having the third public hearing. He focused his comments on the undesignated fund balance and how it is balanced. He also spoke on the zero increase in the Board of Ed budget as he wholly supports education. Ashley Sebastian, 74 Hunters Rd., has been helped by the Youth and Family Services and stated that she hopes the cuts don’t go through. She is against larger classrooms as it is hard to get attention from the teachers so she hopes something can be done with the school closings. Angelo Callis, Youth Director, stated that this has been a hard and painful year but we have come aroung to salvage this matter. He thanked everyone for restoring all positions and services and for working together. Yvette Jacaruso, 192 Wightman Ave., thanked the council for taking her calls, for having a third public hearing and for restoring some revenue to the budget. She also spoke on the school closings, relocating people, eliminating programs, teachers and larger classrooms. Ira Misenheimer, 57 Sholes Ave., stated there were many requests over the past weeks and asked which neighbor you want to take the money from? When asking for more money, think about where you want it to come from. Next years outlook is even more bleak. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St., spoke on an article that was one and a half years old about Mohegan Sun slashing salaries. Is this the handwriting on the wall? He believes utility taxes will drive customers away. The last two revals have doubled taxes. Kathryn Kaiser, 74 McClellan Ave., received an e mail asking what is going to happen at the schools due to the cuts? She also spoke about the larger classrooms due to school closings. She will ask the Fire Marshall to do a walk through to make sure the kids are safe. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave., thinks the council did an admirable job with the budget. She thinks they should start on next years budget right after the next council meeting on Monday night. You need to look at what you fund and what you don’t fund. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH JUNE 10, 2010 Susan Misenheimer, 57 Sholes Ave., told about her growing up in a small CT town when music lessons weren’t part of the school curriculum. They were after school activities and parents had to either buy or rent the instruments. Our generation has done spectacular things. Schools are not designed to be parents. Andy Depta, 105 Vergason Ave., stated the council has done a good job on the budget. You have lessened the pain in some departments. He asked to maintain the zero increase as next year is going to be as tough or tougher. Deb Kievits, 252 Old Canterbury Tpke., thanked the council for restoring the Youth and Family funding as she is part of the Bullybusters and works with them. Elisha Brimeyer, is from the old school and the new school as she is now raising her step grandchild. She stated the school budget has taken hit after hit. She is willing to pay more taxes and volunteer, not for herself but for her step grandchildren. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St., thanked the council for having this third public hearing. We only have ourselves to depend on so whatever the council can do please do it. He agreed with what Mr. Ward said and ask the council to follow up on it. There being no further speakers, Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed at 8:45 PM CITY CLERK 2