City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 11, 2015 The second Public Hearing for the 2015-2016 fiscal year was held May 11, 2015 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Aldermen Desaulniers, Noblick, Bettencourt, Eyberse, Nash and Mayor Hinchey, Alderman Wilson arriving at 6:50. Acting City Manager Bilda and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. President Pro Tem Desaulniers led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Hinchey opened the public hearing. Celeste Chapman, 106 Chestnut St talked about what education means to her and stated that education is the future of our children. Jerry Browning, 106 Chestnut St, stated Norwich needs quality education because it is a crime deterrent allowing our children to be better prepared. He talked about fostering a good education. Cheryl Egan, 82 Whitman Ave, she asked to support the adult education so parents and students can become better leaders. She introduced a student Jean Luc and stated he and his wife went through the program and now he and his wife have improved English skills. Jean Gerard Luc, 16 Sullivan Drive, thanked the Council for listening and stated English is not his first language and with the help of adult education his family can understand English and this enable him to speak tonight. He asked to support the adult education program. Joyce Werden, 13 Lost Acres, shared quotes and articles from the local newspapers about education. Jennifer Kayser, 18 Maplewood Court, thanked everyone for the budget proposal and the time an effort that everyone put forth. She asked that the Acting City Managers budget be accepted. She stated she is an educator and that the taxpayers can’t afford the proposed increase to the education budget and asked that they find efficiencies and strategies in the education budget. She asked not to impact the taxpayers with higher taxes. Malia Sieve, 3 Everett Ave, stated she is embarrassed about the Norwich school budget and feels that Norwich needs to invest in our children and in the school system. She stated that the education budget needs to be fully funding to complete this goal. Dylan Wininger-Sieve, 3 Everett Ave, and 5th grade student is concerned about the budget and would like to see more focus on education so that struggling students don’t get left behind and excelling students are able to advance. He asked to fully fund the education budget. Taylor Wininger-Sieve, 3 Everett Ave, and a student stated that education is the number one priority. She stated all children learn at a different rate and that teacher’s layoffs are not acceptable. She asked to do what is right for the children and invest in education. Ryan Surprenant, 46 Sholes Ave, and a student asked the Council what would have happened if you didn’t get a good education you probably wouldn’t be here today. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 11, 2015 Mallory Surprenant, 46 Sholes Ave, and a student, talked about education being a big part of a child’s life and if proper education isn’t obtain we will not succeed in life. She asked the Council to help the schools achieve this goal. Shelly Surprenant, 46 Sholes Ave, spoke against the consolidation of 6-8 graders. She stated that safety is the utmost important factor to parents. If this budget is passed there will no longer get to choose the school they send their children to. She asked to consider where people chose to live for their children’s education and feels this choice will now be taken away Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave, stated it’s time for a change in the budget process. She stated she is upset with the increase in taxes and utilities and being told there would be a change. She also stated that if you fully fund the education budget there still will have to be deep cuts to not raise taxes. She talked some item as employees receiving perfect attendance pay, a bond for self-contained breathing apparatus, by-weekly payroll and that a mil rate of 41.5 and CCD of over 50 is unfathomable. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, echoed the previous speaker and thanked the Council. He stated that tax payers need a break and that you get back what “you” put into education. Richard McGill, 11 Debbie Court, asked if consequences of the budget have been considered. He asked many questions and made several observations about the high costs of education and of utilities and the high cost of taxes. He basically confirmed we cannot continue this way there is not enough money. He stated Norwich doesn’t need any more taxes it needs more taxpayers. Debra Lehman, 560 Boswell Ave, asked for the best and that we invest in our children. She praised Ald. Wilson for attend Norwich schools, staying in Norwich and becoming an Alderman. Dan Graziano, 99 Plain Hill Rd, stated that Norwich’s mill is in the top 20% in the state. He felt that choices are being taken away and children won’t have the advantage as other children in other towns. He asked someone to stand up to NFA. Joseph Akila, 99 Chestnut St, he has two children in the school system and is a member of the NPS foundation and is saddened that the children are suffering from the lack of funding in education. He stated Norwich well be going backwards unless it invests in educating our children. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St talked about his handout and spoke against the budget increase. Mark Cook, 62 Gulliver Circle felt that Norwich is missing income opportunities and should look into a solar farm similar to Putnam. He stated this extra revenue would help Norwich’s budget in years to come. He talked about the cuts in some department and not others. He thanked everyone for their efforts and asked to support the education budget. Kim Jacobs, 9 Scotland Rd, thanks the Council for their efforts with the education budget and asked to support it. She asked to invest in our students and in Norwich’s future. Derell Wilson, 32 Second St, stated that education is always on the rise but decisions need to make to invest in economic growth. Students are in our care and we need to invest in children so they can compete with the proper skills. He asked to give our children security. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 11, 2015 Marcy Bowen, 72 Coit St, stated her child will struggle with 30 students in a class it too many. John Levangie, 85 Lawler Lane, stated the children are the important resource. He asked people to vote in November. Abby Dolliver, 6 Deepwood Drive, thanked everyone for speaking and stated we need to all work together and be committed to achieve the best outcome for our community. She stated the school doesn’t give staff perfect attendance awards, they have direct deposit and bi-weekly payroll. The staff is committed to making a difference 40% funded by grants and students are number one priority. She stated they are getting grants for world language and music. Cora Lee Boulware, 385 New London Tpke, stated there are challenges and obstacles in the Board of Education budget and asked that all work together as a team to work it out. She stated the system can’t afford NFA. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St, stated the money issues all stem from the State of Connecticut where Norwich isn’t getting its fair share. He asked to spend what is in this year’s budget this year first. Janne Deveny, 155 Hansen Rd, asked the Council to visit the schools before making the final decision. Upon motion to Ald. Noblick, seconded by Ald. Desaulniers, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:40 pm. CITY CLERK 3