City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH APRIL 11, 2011 The first Public Hearing for the 2011-2012 fiscal year was held April 11, 2011 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Aldermen Desaulniers, Braddock, Hinchey, Popovich, Nash and Mayor Nystrom. City Manager Bergren and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Absent: Ald. Caron Mayor Nystrom opened the public hearing. Speaking in opposition to the cuts in the Human Service department were as follows: Kaye Eyberse, 305 Old Canterbury, Lee-Ann Gomes, Tanglewood Dr., Ralph Parsons, 25 Broadway, Wilma Sullivan, 220 Mckinley Ave., Jillian Corbin, 48 Allyn Dr., Michael Cronin, 41 14th St., Brenda Watson, 13 Warblers Circle, Salvatore Carmasone, 82 Boswell Ave., Robert Davidson, 119 Cedar St., Sylvia Laudette, 23 Burton Ave. Most of the concerns were that every year there are more people in need of their services and making cuts would sorely hurt the department. Some of the speakers told of the help they have received from Human Services and how losing two people would be detrimental to the department. Barbara Rothstein, 111 Case St., stated she thought that by combining positions in the Planning Department could cause a conflict. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave., was concerned about some of the monies being given to TVCCA and the ice rink. What upsets her the most is the increase in salaries and asked where is the money coming from. We all have to learn to live within our means. Michael Wolak, Director of the Senior Center, thanked everyone for all their time and input to the budget. This is the first time in 3 years that they didn’t have to fight to restore positions. The population of seniors is continuing to grow and he was thankful no positions were cut. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St., thinks this budget has major shortcomings. He spoke on the Board of Education and thinks too much is being spent on education. The revenue graph in the budget puzzled him. Keith Ripley, Meadow Lane, encouraged all citizens to consider this budget. He stated they need to read and re-read pages 1-9 as they were very helpful to him. The public will understand the budget better if they read these pages and they should read them before speaking. He liked the use of the general fund. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St., thinks this budget is bare boned as is. He was not aware of the Supervisors and department heads getting raises while people were being laid off. If you think we have it tough now, wait until next year. Ira Meisenheimer, Sholes Ave., thinks the City Manager has done a fine job. Pain is going to have to go around. Taxpayers have no money. They haven’t gotten any raises and by adding to their burden will only make their lives more difficult. CITY CLERK 1