City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 08, 2017 The second Public Hearing for the 2017-2018 fiscal year was held May 08, 2017 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Hinchey, Aldermen Nystrom, Philbrick, Braddock, Gould, and Martin. Alderman Nash was absent due to a work commitment. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll were also in attendance. Mayor Hinchey opened the public hearing. Donna Ralston, 4 Whitehall Landing, Mystic, City Assessor, spoke with concern of the 5% cut in the City Managers proposed budget and the reduction it will have on her staff. She stated the position is needed to save money for the city with revaluation, audits and meetings with NCDC for future economic development. She stated if the goal is to cut taxes that the Council not cut this position which creates revenue. Robert Michael Smith, 6 Cherry Hill Rd, stated the City needs top education, municipal Wi- Fi and a community center to attract people and making cuts will not attract young people to Norwich. He stated prosperity comes from growth not cutting services. Abby Dolliver, 6 Deepwood Dr, Superintendent of Schools, talked about her team who provides quality education to all the students and how it is their responsibility to provide safe and educational opportunities. She also mentioned the many awards and achievements` the schools have received. She stated the school uses grants and city money to fund schooling and enrollment is steadily increasing and higher taxes will not bring people to Norwich. Amanda Camp, 15 Stewart Rd, is concerned because the notion that lowering taxes would entice middle/upper income people is false. She asked to increase what the city can offer young families and invest in them creating an attractive city. She also asked to invest in the school system and their accomplishments and look to the future not the past. Bob Mills, 71 Oakville Rd, Niantic, President NCDC, asked the Council to fully fund NCDC where the mission is to provide growth in Norwich and health and economy of the City. He stated in the history of NCDC they have estimated over $300 million in investments and building properties in Norwich. Mark Block, Plain Hill Rd and Council for NCDC, stated he supports NCDC funding for the community and that a staff of two is not adequate. He stated that they work together with other City agencies and developers and need funding to function for the best interest of the City. He asked the Council to restore their funding. Randy Persaut, 212 Betts Ave, NY, a developer that decided to invest in Norwich due to the help of NCDC because they have a passion and believed in the City. He stated you need an agency like NCDC and asked to fund this agency. Stephanie Burnham. 26 Cedar Ln, spoke in opposition to the city budget and asked the Council to focus on revenue and be creative. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 08, 2017 Susan Goldman, 35 Sherwood Ln, spoke against the proposed cuts to the budget and stated it will decimate City services and asked if they looked at combining services. She stated people look at economic development; schools, recreation, fire and police if they are going to invest in a City. She stated these cuts will effect economic growth and the City will no longer be able to service its populace. Jeanne Long, 21 Chelsea Court, she stated there is no revenue plan or optimism with this council. She talked about another investor coming to town and they will wait until the next council comes in. She stated these cuts can’t be done and keep the City viable. She stated we have options and momentum and asked not to make these cuts. Rodney Green, 64 Sharp Hill Rd, Uncasville, Owner of 360 West Main St, stated Norwich needs to move forward. He stated his grandson bases his choice of where to live based on the school system. They want education for their children and quality of life for themselves, they don’t have the same standards or view point as the previous generation. He stated we need to encourage these people to come to the City. Diane Stone, 251 Harland Rd, spoke in opposition of this budget stating we need a vibrant and inclusive community that cares about educating children, provides recreation, public safety, and makes sure civil servants and employees are trained in the tools needed to do their jobs. She asked the council to listen to this seasoned City Manager and not just be candidates but be good stewards. She urged the Council to do the right thing. Rodney Bowie, 62 Roosevelt Ave, asked to hold the 5% budget cuts which won’t make everyone happy stating there has to be a balance. He stated that tax payers need a break and that you get back what you put into education. He stated there are many opportunities already in this town. Heather Romanski, 297 Scotland Rd, stated she is deeply concerned by the 5% cut which flat funds the education budget. She talked about all the achievements and awards to the Norwich School system. She also talked about the small increase in the taxes before the 5% and asked the council to be more strategic in how they think, budget and spend. Jennifer Kayser, 18 Maplewood Ct, stated she works in the education system and they always make the budgets work and meet the challenges on what they are given. She stated the taxpayers need tax relief across the board and to hold firm on the 5%. She asked to lower spending and taxes to entice people to come to Norwich. Rebecca Melucci, 303 Mohegan Park Rd, spoke against cutting the medical transport for the Norwich Senior Center stating this is the only way they can get to medical appointments and asked to fill the lifeguard positions at Mohegan Park. Julie Cagle, 40 Woodrow Ave, member of the recreation advisory board and exploratory committee, stated she is opposed to the 5% cuts and asked to fund a full time recreation director and increase the amount of staff. She also stated that no lifeguards at Mohegan Park is unconscionable. She also stated that the recreation board has become very proactive and helping raising funds. 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 08, 2017 Derell Wilson, 30 Second St, stands in support of the 3% increase in the education budget and supports funding for the lifeguards and the human services department. He stated young people won’t move here if the schools are not fully funded. The students educated in our schools will be the next leaders of our city. He asked to focus on economic development so people will move here. Frank McDonald, 1 Rockwell Terrace, talked about how high taxes are forcing people out of their homes and that these taxes are causing the City to steal the equity out of his house. Sherry Ostrout, 251 Harland Rd, stated the City has a lot of potential and is diverse yet doesn’t want taxes raised but wants a livable community. She stated these cuts would disseminate programs and make her think moving back wasn’t the right decision. Sara Ofner-Seals, 103 Sherwood Ln, spoke in opposition of proposed cuts in the City Managers Budget and is concerned that this council insists on making cuts to valuable programs such as education, human services and public safety that are essential programs of the City. She stated it is short sited and one sided and the cuts will make Norwich a less desirable place to live. Eugenia Mullenix, 5 Washington Pl, stated she chose her home because of the good school system in Norwich and is upset that the education budget is being cut. She likes the diversity in the City and pleaded with the council not to cut the budget. Xiaodong, 36 Woods Dr, stated he fully supports the 5% cuts and that the taxes have grown by 16% in the last 5 years more than inflation. He asked where the money goes. John Levangie, 85 Lawler Ln, suggested doing away with the parking commission and giving this responsibility to the police department. He talked about a new article where 40% of people can’t afford to care for themselves and suggested using a portion of the rainy day fund to fund this budget. David Crabb, 47 Prospect St, talked about how NPU supports renovating the east district school house yet asks why Norwich has lost a lot of business. He asked the Council to cut taxes. Jan Sawicki, 39 Andrea Ln, retired Norwich school principal, talked about the dangers of having a lack luster status Connecticut and the need of viable funding to help the city’s image be positive. She asked what hope is there to move forward, stating pay now or pay later. Pat McLaughlin, 471 Wauregan Rd, Danielson, City Engineer, noted that the 5% cut will have a great negative impact to the engineering department bringing the staff to 2 positions. Stating eliminating the civil engineers position will have great consequences on the quality and quantity of the projects that this office oversees. He stated with 20 million dollars in projects the proper staffing is needed complete these projects at the highest standards and controls. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH MAY 08, 2017 Samuel Browning, 671 Scotland Rd, spoke against the 5% cuts and talked about using/not using the rainy day fund. Kevin Saythany, 51 Henry St, talked about the various scenarios that could happen with the 5% cuts to the education budget and we are only taking this funding away from the children, they are our future. He talked about the 2017-18 budget and stated that 20 days of school could be lost, multi teacher layoffs and larger classroom sizes. He also talked about the recognition our schools have received. James Quarto, 25 Elm Ave, stated he would love to see tax cuts but felt 5% is extreme. He stated there is a lack of economic development in the City where there is so much potential and there is a need for a unified vision for Norwich to make this a more viable City. Denielle Sanvora, 24 Prodell Rd, Preston Norwich school teacher, talked about a flat funded budget and teaching a large classroom sizes of 30, 5 year olds and stated it is impossible to give them all the attention needed. Gabe Lipman, 149 McKinley Ave, stated she doesn’t agree with these budget cuts stating there will be too many kids in a class and she won’t be able to reach them all. She doesn’t like living in a town that is not full of life. Debra Lehman, 560 Boswell Ave, Norwich teacher, stated larger class sizes are over whelming and it’s hard to give the children our best. She talked about the swimming at Mohegan Park and is upset that children won’t have a safe place to swim and deserve one. Yvette Jacaruso, 92 Wightman Ave, talked about how the Board of Education adopts a council member to be educated them with what is happening in the school. She stated that educating our children is the future of our City. She talked about the 5% cut to the school budget and stated they won’t be able to operate properly and asked to think carefully before making any cuts. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St, asked how we can put forth a budget when we don’t know what the State will give us. He stated he was glad some are taking the lead on reducing the taxes. Mayor Hinchey declared the public hearing closed at 9:00 pm. CITY CLERK 4