City Council
Regular MeetingNorwich, CT · August 2, 2021
Minutes
JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held August 2, 2021, at 7:30 PM in
Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Bettencourt, Ald. Nash, Gould,
Wilson, Myles and DeLucia. City Manager Salomone and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll
were also in attendance. Mayor Nystrom presided.
Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their
entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.org”.
Ald. Myles read the opening prayer and Ald. Wilson, led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was
unanimously voted to adopt the minutes of July 6 and 19, 2021.
Mayor Nystrom call for a public hearing on the AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS
SECTION 2.2- SUMMARY OF USES BY DISTRICT; AND ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.5,
PLANNED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, PC, PRINCIPAL USES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PC ZONE; OF THE
NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES
City Clerk read the following Petitions and Communications:
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
Speaking in favor:
Mark Kulos, 327 Broadway, asked the Council to approve this Zoning Ordinance.
Mark Block, 130 Main St, stated he had no problem with the Commission on the City Plans
recommendations and stated this would benefit the City.
Deanna Rhodes, City Planner, asked the Council to modify the language and section numbers as
recommended by CCP.
Speaking in opposition:
There were no speakers.
There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed.
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
Mayor Nystrom call for a public hearing on the AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING
$145,000,000 TO FUND ALL OR A PORTION OF THE UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL ACCRUED
LIABILITY OF THE CITY'S EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE
ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PENSION BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID
APPROPRIATION
Speaking in favor:
Michael Gualtieri, 16 N. Wawecus Hill Rd, City Treasurer, stated this is a once in a life time
opportunity event to lower our interest rate for our pension fund and asked the Council to support
this.
Mark Kulos, 327 Broadway, urged the Council to adopt this pension bond Ordinance.
Swarnjit Singh Bhatia, 56 Briar Hill Rd, stated this Ordinance would consolidate our debt at a lower
interest rate. He asked the Council to educate our votes on this matter and support this Ordinance.
Shiela Hayes, 382 Laurel Hill Ave, Vice President, Personal and Pension Board, stated they support
this at the lower interest rate, asked the Council to send it to referendum and educate the voters on
this.
Speaking in opposition:
There were no speakers.
There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed.
Mayor Nystrom call for a public hearing on AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $740,000 FOR THE
PLANNING, PERMITTING AND ENGINEERING OF INFRASTRUCTURE ACCESS IN THE OCCUM
SECTION OF THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $740,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO
MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF
TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE
Speaking in favor:
Mark Kulos, 327 Broadway, asked the Council to support a new exit off of I395.
Deanna Rhodes, City Planner, and Mark Block, 130 Main St, asked to continue this public hearing
until the report from the CCP is submitted.
Shiela Hayes, 382 Laurel Hill Ave, spoke not in favor or against she asked who is paying for the exit.
Speaking in opposition:
Brian Kobylarz, 16 Hobart Ave, stated this is premature for Norwich doesn’t own the property yet
and asked to wait until we do before going out to bond.
There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing on the above ordinance
to be continued until the September 7, 2021 meeting.
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Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was
unanimously voted to waive the reading of the full text and incorporate it into the minutes this
ordinance being given its second reading.
Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was
unanimously voted to put the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom and President Pro
Tem Bettencourt on the floor.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.2- SUMMARY OF USES BY
DISTRICT; AND ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.5, PLANNED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, PC,
PRINCIPAL USES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PC ZONE; OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES
TO ADD THE FOLLOWING:
Section 2.2 (Table) Under USE category “Storage rental facility,” – Add as Principal Use in the
Planned Commercial District
Section 2.5.3 Under “Requires Site Plan Review” – Add .3 - storage rental facility
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH THAT
1. Section 2.2 (Table), Planned Commercial District be amended to add storage rental facilities
as a Principal Use.
2. Section 2.2, be amended to at a Section 2.5.3.3 to require site plan review for storage rental
facilities.
Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was
unanimously voted to amend the following resolution in the first sentence remove “Principal Use”
and add “Special Permit” in the second sentence remove “2.5.3” and add “2.5.2.4 and revoke “Site
Plan Review” and add “special Permit” in #1. remove “Principal Use” and add “Special Permit”, in
#2. Remove “2.2” and add “2.5”, remove 2.5.3.3” and add “2.5.2.4, remove “site plan review” add
“Special Permit.
Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was
unanimously voted to include the recommendations of the Commission on the City Plan and
incorporate them in to the text (amended Ordinance below).
Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was
unanimously voted to postpone the below amended Ordinance and bring it back August 16, 2021.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.2- SUMMARY OF USES BY
DISTRICT; AND ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.5, PLANNED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, PC,
PRINCIPAL USES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PC ZONE; OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES
TO ADD THE FOLLOWING:
Section 2.2 (Table) Under USE category “Storage rental facility,” – Add as Principal Special Permit
Use in the Planned Commercial District
Section 2.5.32.5.2.4 Under “Requires Site Plan Review Special Permit” – Add .3 - storage rental
facility
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BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH THAT
1. Section 2.2 (Table), Planned Commercial District be amended to add storage rental facilities as a
Principal Use Special Permit Use.
2. Section 2.2 2.5, be amended to at a Section 2.5.3.3 2.5.2.4 to require site plan review Special
Permit for storage rental facilities.
On a roll call vote motion passes on a 7-0 vote to postpone the above amended Ordinance until
August 16, 2021.
Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to
waive the reading of the full text and incorporate it into the minutes this ordinance being given it
second reading.
Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to
put the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom and President Pro Tem Bettencourt and
Ald. Gould on the floor.
AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $145,000,000 TO FUND ALL OR A PORTION
OF THE UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL ACCRUED LIABILITY OF THE CITY'S
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
GENERAL OBLIGATION PENSION BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID
APPROPRIATION
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich (the “City”) has established the City of Norwich Employees' Retirement
Plan (the “Plan”) for the benefit of certain employees and their beneficiaries; and
WHEREAS, retirement benefits for members of the Plan are paid from the Employees' Retirement Fund (the
"Fund"); and
WHEREAS, the assets of the Fund consist of pooled monies that include appropriations from the City and
contributions from members of the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Plan has a large unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the approximate amount of
$144,000,000, and as a result, the City's annual actuarially determined contribution to the Fund is projected to
increase significantly each year; and
WHEREAS, section 7-374c of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended (the “Statutes”), authorize
municipalities to issue general obligation pension bonds to fund all or a portion of an unfunded past benefit
obligation, as determined by an actuarial valuation, and the payment of costs related to the issuance of such
bonds; and
WHEREAS, due to historically low interest rates for municipal debt, it is anticipated that the proceeds from
the issuance of such bonds, when invested as part of Fund assets in higher yielding asset classes, should
achieve a long-term rate of return that is greater than the interest rate owed over the term of the bonds; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Comptroller projects that the issuance of such bonds shall significantly lower the net
cost of the Plan, thereby improving the City's fiscal stability
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH:
Section 1. The sum of $145,000,000 is appropriated for the purpose of funding all or a portion of
the unfunded actuarial accrued liability with respect to the Plan, and to pay certain costs of issuance of the
Bonds (as defined below), including, but not limited to, legal, actuary, advisory, escrow, verification and
investment fees, trustee costs, underwriters' discount and printing and administrative expenses. The net
proceeds of the sale of the Bonds, after payment of costs of issuance, shall be deposited into the Fund and
invested in appropriate legal investments permitted by the Statutes in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
Section 2. To meet said appropriation, general obligation pension bonds of the City shall be issued
pursuant to Section 7-374c of the Statutes (the “Act”), in an amount not to exceed $145,000,000 (the "Bonds").
The Bonds shall be general obligations of the City and shall be serial bonds maturing in annual or semiannual
installments of principal or shall be term bonds with mandatory annual or semiannual deposits of sinking fund
payments into a sinking fund. The first installment of any series of the Bonds shall mature or the first sinking
fund payment of any series of the Bonds shall be due not later than eighteen months from the date of issue of
such series, provided that such first installment shall mature or such first sinking fund payment shall be due
not later than the fiscal year of the City next following the fiscal year in which such series is issued. The last
installment of such series shall mature or the last sinking fund payment of such series shall be due not later
than twenty-five years from such date of issue. The Bonds shall be in the denomination of $1,000 or a whole
multiple thereof, be issued in bearer form or in fully registered form, be executed in the name and on behalf of
the City by the manual or facsimile signatures of the City Manager and the Comptroller, bear the City seal or
a facsimile thereof, be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the
Comptroller, which bank or trust company may be designated the registrar and transfer agent, be payable at a
bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller, and be approved as to their
legality by Pullman & Comley, LLC, Bond Counsel. Each of the Bonds shall recite that every requirement of
law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such bond is within every debt and other limit
prescribed by law, that the full faith and credit of the City are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof
and the interest thereon. The aggregate principal amount of the Bonds, annual installments of principal,
redemption provisions, if any, the date, time of issue and sale and other terms, details and particulars of such
bonds, including the approval of the rate or rates of interests, shall be determined by the City Manager and
the Comptroller in accordance with the requirements of the Statutes. In connection with the issuance of any
bonds or notes authorized herein, the City may exercise any power delegated to municipalities pursuant to
Section 7-370b of the Statutes, including the authority to enter into agreements managing interest rate risk.
The City Manager and Comptroller, on behalf of the City, shall execute and deliver such reimbursement
agreements, letter of credit agreement, credit facilities, remarketing, standby marketing agreements, standby
bond purchase agreements, and any other commercially necessary or appropriate agreements which are
necessary, appropriate or desirable in connection with or incidental to the sale and issuance of such bonds or
notes.
Section 3. The issue of the Bonds and of all other bonds or notes of the City heretofore authorized
but not yet issued, as of the effective date of this ordinance, would not cause the indebtedness of the City to
exceed any debt limit calculated in accordance with law.
Section 4. Said Bonds shall be sold by the City Manager and Comptroller in a competitive
offering or by negotiation, in their discretion. If sold in a competitive offering, the Bonds shall be sold at not
less than par and accrued interest on the basis of the lowest net or true interest cost to the City. If sold on a
negotiated basis, the City Manager and Comptroller are authorized to execute a bond purchase contract or
similar agreement for the sale of the Bonds.
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Section 5. The Bonds may bear interest which is includable in the gross income of holders
thereof for Federal income tax purposes pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
issuance of such taxable bonds is hereby determined to be in the public interest of the City.
Section 6. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to exercise all powers
conferred by Section 3-20e of the Statutes with respect to secondary market disclosure and to provide annual
information and notices of material events as enumerated in Securities and Exchange Commission Exchange
Act Rule 15c2-12, as amended, as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the sale of the bonds
and notes authorized by this ordinance.
Section 7. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to prepare and distribute
preliminary and final Official Statements of the City, to execute and deliver on behalf of the City all such
other documents and agreements, and to take all action, necessary and proper for the sale, issuance and
delivery of the Bonds, including, but not limited to, repayment agreements, memoranda of understanding,
instruments and documents with its Department of Public Utilities and Board of Education, on behalf of the
City.
Section 8. The City Manager and Comptroller shall take all actions necessary to comply with the
terms of the Act including but not limited to making the necessary submissions to the Office of Policy and
Management and the Office of the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut and, as long as the Bonds or any bond
refunding the Bonds are outstanding, the City shall (i) in each fiscal year, commencing with the fiscal year in
which the Bonds are issued, appropriate funds in an amount sufficient to meet the actuarially required
contribution and contribute such amount to the Plan, acknowledging that any such amounts not included in
any annual City budget to make such contributions may be deemed to be appropriated under the Act, and (ii)
notify the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management annually of the amount or the rate of any such
actuarially recommended contribution and the amount or the rate, if any, of the actual annual contribution by
the City to the Plan to meet such actuarially recommended contribution.
Section 9. This ordinance shall not take effect unless and until adopted by the City Council and
approved at referendum.
Motion to adopt passes on a roll call vote of 7-0.
Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was
unanimously voted to waive the reading of the full text and incorporate it into the minutes this
ordinance being given its second reading.
Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was
unanimously voted to put the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom and President Pro
Tem Bettencourt and Ald. Gould on the floor.
AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $740,000 FOR THE PLANNING, PERMITTING
AND ENGINEERING OF INFRASTRUCTURE ACCESS IN THE OCCUM SECTION OF
THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $740,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO
MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE
MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH:
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Section 1. The sum of $740,000 is appropriated for the planning, permitting and engineering of
infrastructure access in the Occum section of the City and authorizing the issue of $740,000 bonds of the City
of Norwich (the “City”) including but not limited to planning, permitting, architecture, engineering and other
consultants, appurtenances and services related thereto, all or so much of any portion of any part of the
foregoing as may be accomplished within the foregoing appropriation and as determined by the City, and for
administrative, advertising, printing, legal and financing costs (hereinafter the "Project"). Said appropriation
shall be in addition to grant funding and all prior and future appropriations for said purpose.
Section 2. The total estimated cost of the Project is $740,000. The average estimated useful life of
the Project is 30 years. The Project is a general benefit to the City and its general governmental purposes.
Project costs may be paid from grants, bonds and notes issued by the City, or any combination of the
foregoing.
Section 3. To meet said appropriation, up to $740,000 bonds of the City, or so much thereof as
may be necessary for said purpose, may be issued, maturing not later than the twentieth (20th) year after their
date, or such later date as may be allowed by law. Said bonds may be issued in one or more series as shall be
determined by the City Manager and the Comptroller, and the amount of bonds of each series to be issued
shall be fixed by the City Manager and the Comptroller, provided that the total amount of bonds to be issued
shall not be less than an amount which will provide funds sufficient with other funds available for such
purpose to pay the principal of and the interest on all temporary borrowings in anticipation of the receipt of
the proceeds of said bonds outstanding at the time of the issuance thereof and to pay for the administrative,
printing and legal costs of issuing the bonds. The bonds shall bear such rate or rates of interest as shall be
determined by the City Manager and the Comptroller. The bonds shall be in the denomination of $1,000 or a
whole multiple thereof, be issued in bearer form or in fully registered form, be executed in the name and on
behalf of the City by the manual or facsimile signatures of the City Manager and the Comptroller, bear the
City seal or a facsimile thereof, be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and
the Comptroller, which bank or trust company may be designated the registrar and transfer agent, be payable
at a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller, and be approved as to their
legality by Pullman & Comley, LLC, Bond Counsel. The bonds shall be general obligations of the City and
each of the bonds shall recite that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with,
that such bond is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, that the full faith and credit of the City
are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon and shall be paid from property
taxation to the extent not paid from other funds available for the payment thereof. The aggregate principal
amount of the bonds, annual installments of principal, redemption provisions, if any, the date, time of issue
and sale and other terms, details and particulars of such bonds, shall be determined by the City Manager and
the Comptroller in accordance with the requirements of the General Statutes of Connecticut, as amended (the
“Statutes”). In connection with the issuance of any bonds or notes authorized herein, the City may exercise
any power delegated to municipalities pursuant to Section 7-370b of the Statutes, including the authority to
enter into agreements managing interest rate risk. The City Manager and Comptroller, on behalf of the City,
shall execute and deliver such reimbursement agreements, letter of credit agreement, credit facilities,
remarketing, standby marketing agreements, standby bond purchase agreements, and any other commercially
necessary or appropriate agreements which are necessary, appropriate or desirable in connection with or
incidental to the sale and issuance of such bonds or notes.
Section 4. The issue of the bonds aforesaid and of all other bonds or notes of the City heretofore
authorized but not yet issued, as of the effective date of this ordinance, would not cause the indebtedness of
the City to exceed any debt limit calculated in accordance with law.
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Section 5. Said bonds shall be sold by the City Manager and Comptroller in a competitive offering
or by negotiation, in their discretion. If sold at competitive offering, the bonds shall be sold upon sealed
proposals, auction or similar process, at not less than par and accrued interest on the basis of the lowest net or
true interest cost to the City.
Section 6. The City Manager and the Comptroller are authorized to make temporary borrowings in
anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of any series of said bonds. Notes evidencing such borrowings shall
be signed by the manual or facsimile signatures of the City Manager and the Comptroller, have the seal of the
City or a facsimile thereof affixed, be payable at a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and
the Comptroller, be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller
pursuant to Section 7-373 of the Statutes, and be approved as to their legality by Pullman & Comley, LLC,
Bond Counsel. They shall be issued with maturity dates which comply with the provisions of the Statutes
governing the issuance of such notes, as the same may be amended from time to time. The notes shall be
general obligations of the City and each of the notes shall recite that every requirement of law relating to its
issue has been duly complied with, that such note is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, that
the full faith and credit of the City are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon
and shall be paid from property taxation to the extent not paid from other funds available for the payment
thereof. The net interest cost on such notes, including renewals thereof, and the expense of preparing, issuing
and marketing them, to the extent paid from the proceeds of such renewals or said bonds, shall be included as
a cost of the equipment. Upon the sale of said bonds the proceeds thereof, to the extent required, shalt be
applied forthwith to the payment of the principal of and the interest on any such temporary borrowings then
outstanding or shall be deposited with a hank or trust company in trust for such purpose.
Section 7. Resolution of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures with Borrowings. The City
(the “Issuer”) hereby expresses its official intent pursuant to §1.150-2 of the Federal Income Tax Regulations,
Title 26 (the “Regulations”), to reimburse expenditures paid sixty days prior to and after the date of passage of
this ordinance in the maximum amount and for the capital project defined in Section 1 with the proceeds of
bonds, notes, or other obligations (“Bonds”) authorized to be issued by the Issuer. The Bonds shall be issued
to reimburse such expenditures not later than 18 months after the later of the date of the expenditure or the
substantial completion of the project, or such later date that the Regulations may authorize. The Issuer hereby
certifies that the intention to reimburse as expressed herein is based upon its reasonable expectations as of this
date. The Comptroller or his designee is authorized to pay project expenses in accordance herewith pending
the issuance of reimbursement bonds, and to amend this declaration.
Section 8. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to exercise all powers
conferred by Section 3-20e of the General Statutes with respect to secondary market disclosure and to provide
annual information and notices of material events as enumerated in Securities and Exchange Commission
Exchange Act Rule 15c2-12, as amended, as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the sale of
the bonds and notes authorized by this ordinance.
Section 9. In order to meet the capital cash flow expenditure needs of the City, the City Manager
and Comptroller are authorized to allocate and reallocate expenditures incurred for the equipment to any
bonds or notes of the City outstanding as of the date of such allocation, and the bonds or notes to which such
expenditures have been allocated shall be deemed to have been issued for such purpose.
Section 10. It is hereby found and determined that the issue of all, or a portion of, the bonds, notes
or other obligations of the City authorized to be issued herein as qualified private activity bonds, or with
interest that is includable in gross income of the holders thereof for purposes of federal income taxation, is in
the public interest. The City Manager and the Comptroller are hereby authorized to issue and utilize without
further approval any financing alternative currently or hereafter available to municipal governments pursuant
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to law including but not limited to any “tax credit bond,” or “Build America Bonds” including Direct Payment
and Tax Credit versions.
Section 11. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to prepare and distribute
preliminary and final Official Statements of the City, to execute and deliver on behalf of the City all such
other documents, and to take all action, necessary and proper for the sale, issuance and delivery of any bonds
or notes relating to the equipment in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes and the laws of the United
States.
On a roll call vote of 7-0 it was voted to continue the public hearing on the above ordinance until
September 7, 2021.
Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Myles, it was unanimously voted to receive the
following Report from the Commission on the City Plan of the City of Norwich, pursuant to Section
8-24 of the General Statutes and Chapter XV, Section 4 of the Norwich City Charter regarding, AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.2- SUMMARY OF USES BY
DISTRICT; AND ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.5, PLANNED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT,
PC, PRINCIPAL USES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PC ZONE; OF THE NORWICH CODE OF
ORDINANCES
Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to receive the
following Report from the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments regarding AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.2- SUMMARY OF USES BY
DISTRICT; AND ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.5, PLANNED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT,
PC, PRINCIPAL USES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PC ZONE; OF THE NORWICH CODE OF
ORDINANCES
Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to receive the
following Memo from Comptroller Explanation of Proposed 2020-21 Budget Transfers and
Summary of General Fund, CCD, and TCD Budget-to-Actual Results
Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to receive the
following Letter of resignation of Jason Courter from the Commission on the City Plan and thank
him for his service.
Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, it was unanimously voted to receive the
following letter of resignation of Patrick T. McMahon from the Youth Services Advisory Board and
thank him for his service.
Upon a motion of Ald. DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously
voted to postpone the following resolution until September 7, 2021 introduced by President Pro Tem
Bettencourt, Ald. Wilson, Myles and DeLucia.
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich has received an analysis of the Fire/EMS Services provided in the City of
Norwich prepared by the McGrath Consulting Group, Inc., with emphasis on the services provided by the City
of Norwich Fire Department and the five (5) volunteer fire departments; and
WHEREAS, the report makes recommendations with respect to an amalgamation of the six (6) fire
departments with a goal of supporting and improving services provided by the departments; and
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WHEREAS, the report also recommends the establishment of a position of a fire commissioner which
position will not be established this year for budgetary reasons and may in the future be subject to budgetary
issues; and
WHEREAS, the Council finds that the services provided by the fire departments in the City of Norwich are
supported and improved by regular meetings among the chiefs of the fire departments.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that
City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is directed to arrange monthly meetings to include himself, the
chiefs of the six (6) fire departments or their designees, and such other persons as he believes would be
helpful to such meetings. Cancelation of meetings will be expeditiously reported to the City Council via email
by the City Manager stating the reason for cancelation. That notice will be considered complying with the
directions in this resolution. It is recommended that elected officials not participate in these meetings in order
to facilitate open discussions regarding fire service-related matters.
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, the goals will be implementing changes in the fire service described in the
McGrath Consulting Group, Inc. analysis to provide the fastest, safest, and most efficient delivery of services.
Initial goals will be to implement changes to the dispatch and radio issues identified previously. Subsequent
priority items will be identified by the City Manager and/or the Public Safety Committee. Monthly reports
shall be provided to the City Council by the City Manager regarding meetings held, agenda items discussed,
and action plans developed in the implementation of the above stated goal and future priorities.
On a roll call vote of 7-0 it was voted to continue the above resolution until September 7, 2021.
Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to
put the following ordinance introduced by Mayor Nystrom and President Pro Tem Bettencourt and
Ald. Gould on the floor.
Upon a motion of Ald. DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was voted to postpone
the following Ordinance until September 7, 2021.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 8-74, 8-75 AND 8-77 OF ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 8
OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS'
RELIEF FUND PLAN OF THE CITY OF NORWICH
WHEREAS, plan changes have been proposed to the City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters Pension Plan;
and
WHEREAS, on or about October 5, 2020 the City of Norwich Finance Department received an analysis of
the financial impact of the proposed changes prepared by the actuarial firm overseeing the pension fund; and
WHEREAS, the Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee at a special meeting held October 13, 2020
reviewed this financial analysis and voted to recommend the proposed plan changes to the Council of the City
of Norwich
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Norwich, that the following
amendments to Sections 8-74, 8-75, and 8-77 of Article IV of Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances listed as
follows:
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
Section 8-74(a)(v)(6);
Section 8-74(a)(v)(7,) (to be added);
Section 8-75(a) (i) and (ii), (subpart (ii) deleted in full);
Section 8-75(c)(vi), (amending 8-75(c)(vi) by deleting (i) and (2) and restating (vi));
Section 8-75(c)(vii), (to be added);
Section 8-77(d)(i)(1)(a) and (b);
Section 8-77(d)(i)(l)(c), (to be added).
BE AND HEREBY ARE ADOPTED.
Sec. 8-74. – Service
(v) Contribution rate. A plan member shall contribute the following amounts for purchase of credited
service during the following periods:
(1) $60.00 for plan years prior to January 1, 1995.
(2) $84.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 1995 but prior to January 1, 2000.
(3) $120.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2000 but prior to January 1, 2006.
(4) $180.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2006 but prior to January 1, 2011.
(5) $216.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2011 but prior to January 1, 2014.
(6) $264.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2014 but prior to January 1, 2021.
(7) $288.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2021.
Sec. 8-75. - Retirement benefits.
(a) Normal retirement.
(i) For members joining the plan prior to January 1, 2015, the A plan member's normal retirement date shall
be the first day of the month in which such member has attained age 55 and has completed at least 20 years of
credited service.
(ii) For members joining the plan on or after January 1, 2015, the plan member's normal retirement date
shall be the first day of the month in which such member has attained age 55 and has completed at least 25
years of credited service.
(b) Deferred retirement. A plan member who is satisfactorily able to perform fire duties may remain an
active member and continue to earn credited service beyond his/her normal retirement date while he/she
continues to collect benefits. The first day of the calendar month following such deferred retirement shall be
known as his/her deferred retirement date.
(c) Calculation of retirement benefits. The monthly amount of retirement benefits payable to a plan member
shall be calculated as follows:
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
(i) For retired members with a break in service prior to January 1, 1995, $7.00 times 20 years of service, for
a maximum of $140.00.
(ii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 1995 but prior to January 1, 2000,
$8.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 30 years, or $240.00.
iii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2000 but prior to January 1, 2006,
$10.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 30 years, or $300.00.
(iv) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2006 but prior to January 1, 2011,
$15.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 35 years, or $525.00.
(v) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2011 but prior to January 1, 2015,
$18.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 40 years, or $720.00.
(vi) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2015 but prior to January 1, 2021,
$22.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of forty years, or $880,00;
(1) Fforty years, or $880.00, for members who joined the plan prior to January 1, 2015
(2) Thirty years, or $660.00, for members who joined the plan on or after January 1, 2015
(vii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2021, $24 times number of years of
credited service, with a maximum of 40 years, or $960.00
Sec. 8-77. - Death benefits.
(d) Death after retirement.
(i) Qualified spousal and child benefits. A plan member who is under the age of 65 as of January 8, 2001
and is an active member is entitled to have benefits pass onto his/her qualified spouse and child(ren), subject
to the restrictions and calculations described herein.
(1) Qualified spouse is entitled to death benefits until death or remarriage, calculated as follows:
a. Plan member who died between January 8, 2001 and July 16, 2006. Fifty percent of the deceased plan
member's retirement benefit;
b. Plan member who died after between July 16, 2006 and January 1, 2021. Ninety percent of the deceased
plan member's retirement benefit.
c. Plan member who dies after January 1, 2021. One hundred percent of the deceased plan member's
retirement benefit.
Motion passes on a roll call vote of 4-3 with Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Nash and Gould voting in
opposition to postpone the above ordinance until September 7, 2021.
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council
From: John Salomone, City Manager
Subject: City Manager’s Report
Date: August 2, 2021
As a result of the higher than average Covid‐19 cases in New London County and the CDC recommendations
to our local Health Department, I have required that everyone wear a mask or face coverings in all City
Buildings regardless of their vaccination status until further notice. Notices have been placed at the
entrances of the buildings, on our website and Facebook.
Meetings attended included, State representatives and legislators, Southeastern Council of Governments
(SCCOG), NPU‐City Coordination Meeting, Storm Elsa Preparation, Public Safety, Fire Chiefs and NCDC. I also
held a press conference for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and went on WICH’s Stu Bryer show to discuss
the City’s intent for use of the funds.
Work on the Franklin Square Roundabout has begun and should be completed by the end of September.
The work will improve traffic flow and enhance the streetscape. Public Works has awarded the contract for
Dunham Street for $1.44 Million with construction expected to start in August. Nearly six and one half miles
of roads were chip sealed in July, including Wawecus Hill Rd., Rogers Rd., Mohegan Park Rd., Wilderness Rd.,
John Edward Rd., and Montville Rd. The City’s paving Contractor Charles Pasteryak Jr. Inc., completed
Bayberry Hill Rd., Lornadale Dr., Philanne Dr., and Cottonwood Rd., in the second half of June.
The City took title to the abandoned former YMCA property on July 12th. The City has renewed its efforts to
secure the property and environmental studies have started so that the property can be developed.
The tax auction that was held in early July enabled the City to collect back taxes on 17 properties in the
amount of $491,817.04 at auction and $267,129.27 prior to auction for a total of $758,946.31. Tax
payments have been steady and will be reflected in my next report.
The City Clerk has received a historic document preservation Grant for $7,500 which will allow the office
staff to scan land records from 1938 and prior years.
Griffin Health held COVID‐19 vaccination clinics at City Hall on July 1st, 2nd & 6th 28th to 30th. They will also
be offering free vaccines at Spaulding Pond in July and August.
Thank you to those that offered to purchase the bronze plaque that turned up at a local scrap yard that
honored Tater the Gator, the original team mascot for the Norwich Navigators. My assistant, Jacquie
Barbarossa, called Claire Bessette from The Day to do a story about the memorabilia to hopefully reunite the
plaque with Tater very soon.
National Night out will be held at Brown Park on Tuesday, August 3rd, for the 38th year. It’s great way for
families to interact with our Police Department and local community organizations. CDC guidelines will be in
effect at the event.
Attached are my Fire Chiefs report that was presented at the July Public Safety meeting and quarterly
reports from departments ending June 30th, 2021.
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
Department Quarterly Reports
Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment opened.
Swarnjit Singh Bhatia, 56 Briar Hill Rd, spoke in support of Resolution # 6 and asked for more
input from the Community on Resolution #5.
Dayne Rugh, 67 East Town St, spoke in support of Resolution #5.
Shiela Hayes, 382 Laurel Hill Ave, spoke in support of Resolution #1, had no problem with
Resolution #2 and asked to postpone Resolution #5 so more input could be included.
Regan Miner, 67 East Town St, spoke in support of Resolution #5.
Mark Kulos, 327 Broadway, urged the Council to vote yes on Resolution #6, asked them to consider
a youth center on Resolution #5 and supports sending Resolution #1 to referendum vote.
Brian Kobylarz, 16 Hobart Ave, stated he thought that Resolution #5 was premature at this time.
Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed.
Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to
adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone.
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR REFERENDUM
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH:
That the ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $145,000,000 TO FUND ALL OR A
PORTION OF THE UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL ACCRUED LIABILITY OF THE CITY'S EMPLOYEES'
RETIREMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PENSION BONDS
OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION ”, as adopted by this meeting of the Council, be submitted to a
referendum vote of the electors of the City for approval or disapproval in conjunction with the general election on
November 2, 2021, between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. and that the warning of said referendum state the
question to be voted upon and the ballot label with respect thereto as follows:
Question 1:
“Shall the ordinance entitled ‘AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $145,000,000 TO FUND ALL OR A
PORTION OF THE UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL ACCRUED LIABILITY OF THE CITY'S EMPLOYEES'
RETIREMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PENSION
BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION’, as adopted by the City Council on August 2,
2021, be approved? YES NO”
The ballot label for said question shall read as follows:
“Shall the $145,000,000 appropriation and bond authorization for the funding of all or a portion of the
unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the City’s Employees’ Retirement Plan, pursuant to the
ordinance adopted by the City Council on August 2, 2021, be approved? YES NO”
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
The voting will be by paper/electronic ballot. Those desiring to vote for the question shall fill in the box in
front of the question on the ballot at “YES”. Those desiring to vote against the question shall fill in the box in front of
the question on the ballot at “NO”. Absentee ballots will be made available in accordance with the law.
The warning of said referendum shall also state that the full text of the aforesaid ordinance and question are on
file open to public inspection in the office of the City and Town Clerk, that the vote on the aforesaid bond ordinance is
taken pursuant to Chapter VIII, Section 4 of the City Charter and Chapters 90 and 152 of the Connecticut General
Statutes, as amended, and that absentee ballots will be made available in accordance with the law.
The City and Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to prepare and print pursuant to section 9-369b of
the Connecticut General Statutes (i) explanatory text for the foregoing question and (ii) materials concerning such
question in addition to the explanatory text.
Upon a motion of Ald. Myles, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted
to adopt on the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom and Ald. Gould.
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich entered into a License Agreement dated November 17, 2003 permitting it
to use the parking lot and path located at 71 Town Street, Norwich, Connecticut 06360 which License
Agreement has been extended several times by amendment and will currently expire on November 30, 2021;
and
WHEREAS, the Bank of America, National Association and the City of Norwich propose to enter into a Fifth
Amendment to the License Agreement extending it for an additional term to end November 30, 2022, unless
sooner terminated; and
WHEREAS, a proposed Fifth Amendment to License Agreement between the Bank of America, National
Association and the City of Norwich is attached to this resolution as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich to
enter into this Fifth Amendment to License Agreement
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that,
City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized and directed to enter into a Fifth Amendment to
License Agreement that is satisfactory to him and substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto and to
provide to and receive from the Bank of America, National Association signed copies of the Fifth Amendment
to License Agreement together with such other correspondence, agreements, memorandum of understanding
or documents as are necessary to effectuate the same.
FIFTH AMENDMENT
TO LICENSE AGREEMENT
The parties to this Fifth Amendment to License Agreement (“Fourth Amendment”) are Bank of America,
National Association, a national banking association, successor in interest to Fleet National Bank, ("Licensor"), and
City of Norwich, a municipal corporation specially chartered by the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut and
having is territorial limits within the State of Connecticut ("Licensee"), who, for good and valuable consideration the
receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, agree as follows:
1. Background. This Fifth Amendment pertains to the License Agreement between Licensor and Licensee,
dated November 17, 2003 as amended by the Amendment to License Agreement dated October 17, 2008, by Second
Amendment to License Agreement dated January 7, 2014, by Third Amendment to License Agreement executed
January 15, 2016 and by Fourth Amendment to License Agreement dated September 13, 2018 (together, the “License”),
for license of the Premises therein described for the use of the parking lot and path located at 71 Town Street, Norwich,
CT 06360. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given them in the License.
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
2. License Term. By execution of this Fifth Amendment, the term of the License hereby is extended for an
additional term (“Additional Term”), ending November 30, 2022, unless sooner terminated as provided in the License.
Notwithstanding any provisions contained herein to the contrary, either party may terminate this License at any time,
without cause, during the Term upon at least forty-five (45) days prior written notice to the other party.
3. AS-IS. Licensee accepts the Premises in its AS-IS, WHERE IS condition. Licensor shall not be
required to perform any improvements or other work or provide Licensee with any allowance or inducement with
respect to the License. Licensee, at Licensee’s sole cost and expense, shall comply with all laws, ordinances, orders,
rules and regulations of state, federal, municipal or other agencies or bodies having jurisdiction over the use or condition
of Licensee’s improvements (including the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended). Licensee will comply
with any reasonable rules and regulations for the parking lot adopted by Licensor.
4. Insurance. Simultaneously with the execution of this Fifth Amendment, Licensee shall provide
Licensor with a certificate of insurance as required under the License.
5. Brokers. Each party hereto represents that it has not dealt with any other real estate broker or agent in
connection with the negotiation of this Fifth Amendment other than CBRE, Inc. Licensor shall be responsible for any
commissions due CBRE, Inc. in connection with this Fifth Amendment. Each party shall hold the other harmless from
all damages resulting from any claims that may be asserted against the other party by any broker, finder, or other person
or entity with whom the indemnifying party has dealt.
6. Addresses. Notice addresses under the License pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the License are hereby
amended as follows:
Licensor:
Bank of America, National Association
NC1-023-05-03
5252 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Lease Administration (CT2-122)
With copies to:
Bank of America, National Association
Two Smith St (MA6-152-02-01)
Wakefield, MA 01880
Attention: Joan Arria, Vice President (CT2-122)
Licensee:
City of Norwich
100 Broadway
City Hall, Room 219
Norwich, CT 06360-4431
Attn: City Manager
7. Miscellaneous. Licensee and the person(s) signing this Fifth Amendment on Licensee's behalf represent
and warrant to Licensor that Licensee has full right and authority to execute and perform its obligations under the
License as amended by this Fifth Amendment, and that such person(s) are, duly authorized to execute this Fifth
Amendment on Licensee's behalf without further consent or approval by anyone. Licensee shall deliver to Licensor
promptly upon request all documents reasonably requested by Licensor to evidence such authority. This Fifth
Amendment is the entire agreement of the parties regarding modifications of the License provided herein, supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings regarding such subject matter, may be modified only by a writing executed by the
party against whom the modification is sought to be enforced, and shall bind and benefit the parties and their respective
heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. The License is ratified and confirmed in full force and effect in
accordance with its terms, as amended hereby.
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
8. OFAC. Licensee represents that neither Licensee nor, to the knowledge of Licensee, any director,
officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative of Licensee is an individual or entity (“Person”) currently the subject
of any sanctions administered or enforced by the United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets
Control (“OFAC”), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is Licensee located, organized
or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions; and Licensee represents and covenants that it has not
knowingly engaged in, is not now knowingly engaged in, and shall not engage in, any dealings or transactions with any
Person, or in any country or territory, that is the subject of Sanctions.
9. Counterparts and Digital Images. This Fifth Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts with the same force and effect as if all signatures were appended to one document, each of which shall be
deemed an original. The parties agree to accept a digital image of the License, and any amendments thereto, as
executed, as a true and correct original and admissible as best evidence for the purposes of State law, Federal Rule of
Evidence 1002, and the like statutes and regulations. Execution and delivery of this Amendment by portable document
format (“PDF”) copy bearing the PDF signature of any party hereto shall constitute a valid and binding execution and
delivery of this Amendment by such party. Such PDF copies shall constitute enforceable original documents.
EXECUTED AND DATED as of ___________, ____, 2021.
LICENSEE: LICENSOR:
City of Norwich Bank of America, National Association,
a national banking association
By: ___________________________ By: _________________________
Name: __________________________ Name: Joan Arria
Title: ___________________________ Title: Vice President
Date: _________________________ Date: _______________________
Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to
put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom and Ald. Gould on the floor.
Upon a motion of President Pro Tem Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was
unanimously voted to amend the following resolution in the 5th paragraph to add “September 7,
2021” as the scheduled public hearing date.
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich owns an undeveloped parcel of land located on North Thames Street
identified as map 101, block 1, lot 31/1, acquired in 2007 by Quit Claim Deed from the State of Connecticut
which had become the owner of the same in connection with a road relocation, the Quit Claim Deed reserving
to the State of Connecticut, its successors and assigns, a full and perpetual easement to slope under, over and
across portions of the land conveyed; and
WHEREAS, said parcel of land consists of 0.27 acres and due to its size, shape, and location has no or
limited potential use as a standalone piece of property; and
WHEREAS, the abutting property owner at 28 North Thames Street has offered to purchase the property for
$17,000, which the city assessor considers to be a fair price for the property, and said abutting property owner
agrees to merge this parcel with its abutting parcel; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich to
sell the property to the abutting owner for $17,000 recognizing the fair market value of the property requires
compliance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statute § 7-163e to include a public hearing with two
notices by publication and a posting of sign on the property concerning the conduct of a public hearing prior
to the sale.
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that,
1) a public hearing be scheduled on this resolution to be held on September 7, 2021 and that City
Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized to arrange through the city clerk for the
publication of two notices required at intervals of not less than two days, the first not more than
fifteen days or less than ten days and the last not less than two days before the date set for such public
hearing, and through the Department of Public Works for the posting of a sign conspicuously set on
the real property that is the subject of the public hearing providing information relative to the public
hearing including the date, time, and location of the same; and
2) the council shall defer further action on this resolution until completion of said public hearing; and
3) following the completion of the public hearing the council may further act on this resolution as it
deems appropriate and, by adopting the same without substantial amendment, shall authorize and
direct City Manager John Salomone to accept on behalf of the City of Norwich the offer of $17,000
with the merger of this parcel with the abutting property and arrange to convey the same to the
proposed purchaser, DI Enterprises, LLC, for $17,000 by quit claim deed and to execute such deed
and such other documents, agreements, memorandums of understanding, and correspondence as may
be necessary to convey the property and complete the proposed transaction.
On a roll call vote of 7-0 it was voted to schedule a public hearing on the above resolution until
September 7, 2021.
Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to
adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone.
WHEREAS, the Police Department expended approximately $35,000 in excess of its 2020-21 appropriation
resulting primarily from retirement payouts, overtime, and replacement overtime costs; and,
WHEREAS, the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department expended approximately $5,000 in excess of its
2020-21 appropriation resulting primarily from utilities, supplies, and vehicle fuel costs; and,
WHEREAS, the Occum Volunteer Fire Department expended approximately $5,000 in excess of its 2020-21
appropriation resulting primarily from physicals, supplies, and equipment maintenance costs; and,
WHEREAS, Non-Departmental expenditures were approximately $10,000 in excess of its 2020-21
appropriation resulting primarily from the purchase of cyber risk management coverage; and,
WHEREAS, several departments underspent their 2020-21 budgets.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NORWICH, that $55,000 be and hereby is transferred from the 2020-21 budgets of the departments listed
below to the 2020-21 budgets of the Police, Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Occum Volunteer Fire
Department, and Non-Departmental budgets as follows:
Budget Decreases
Public Works 10430300-10434800 $55,000
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
Budget Increases
Police 10420100 $35,000
Laurel Hill VFD 10423400 5,000
Occum VFD 10423500 5,000
Non-Departmental 10500000 10,000
Total Budget Increases $55,000
Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to
put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem Bettencourt and Ald.
Gould on the floor.
Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by President Pro Tem Bettencourt, it was voted to amend
the following resolution by adding in #3) “$130,000 to the Recreation Department for upgrades at
Jennings Park”. Motion and second withdrawn.
Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. DeLucia, on a roll call vote it was unanimously
voted to amend the following resolution number “3) Norwich Human Services from “$2,100,000” to
“$2,230,000” under To be used for: an addition to Recreation assistance – Armstrong tennis courts,
“Jenkins Park improvements”, Greeneville playground & splash pad, and As proposed the sum is to
be allocated as follows: change the first amount from “$350,000” to “$480,000” and add as “10)
Community Development neighborhood revitalization programs $500,000” and changing the total
appropriation to “$9,769,000”.
Upon a motion of Ald. DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Wilson, on a roll call vote it was voted to postpone
the following resolution until September 7, 2021.
WHEREAS, under the American Rescue Plan funds have been and are to be delivered next year from the
federal government to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency
and to bring back jobs and funding objectives; and
WHEREAS, these funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and can be used to cover costs associated
with:
Responding to the negative impacts of the COVID pandemic, including assistance to households,
small businesses and non-profits as well as aide to affected industries such as tourism, travel, and
hospitality;
Providing government services previously cut due to pandemic-related revenue shortfalls; and
Making needed investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, in 2021 the City of Norwich received the sum of $14,419,364.22 in connection with first year of
the program and anticipates receiving a similar sum in the second year of the program; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds that the following initiatives are consistent with the
plan objectives of the American Rescue Plan; can be obligated within the time allotted; are within the uses
permitted under the appropriate categories of the American Rescue Plan; and that it will be in the best interest
of the City of Norwich to appropriate funds as estimated and listed herein by project from the 2021 allocation
provided to the City of Norwich:
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
1) Uncas Leap Heritage Park $2,100,000
Funding for Design and Installation of Site Amenities to Complete the Master Plan Concept
including:
Completion of the granite mill ruin
Interpretive signage & timeline exhibit
Plaza, fencing, lighting, benches & flagpoles
Restroom facility
Trails & landscaping improvement
2) Browning Road Water Main Extension $800,000
Water Infrastructure Improvement
3) Norwich Human Services $2,230,000
To be used for:
Basic need support to Norwich families to include rent mortgage and utility assistance
Health improvements to disenfranchised neighborhoods
Mental health system improvements from the effect of COVID
Employment support – apprenticeships & job training
Recreation assistance – Armstrong tennis courts, Jenkins Park improvements, Greeneville
playground & splashpad
As proposed the sum is to be allocated as follows:
$480,000 to Recreation Department
$889,000 basic need support to Norwich families
$175,000 employment support
$186,000 staffing needs
$250,000 health improvements to disenfranchised neighborhoods
$250,000 mental health system improvements
4) Norwich Community Development Corporation $2,000,000
To support code correction & Vanilla box program recognizing that:
Code correction will reduce the risks associated with renovating long-term vacant spaces
By design, the Vanilla box program will help building owners improve space that is not
tenant ready creating habitable spaces of particular uses
Will enable building owners to apply for funds to fix buildings creating a positive return on
investment and encourage businesses to occupy space in the downtown area.
5) Arts & Culture $500,000
Through a Partnership with Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition
Utilize the arts & cultural assets to provide positive economic impact for the City of Norwich
to include:
Developing arts & culture-based beautification projects
Coordinate and promote arts, culture, history and heritage events and activities
Manager perception of Norwich
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
6) Rehabilitate City Acquired Property to livable or $1,200,000
useable condition prior to sale
Provide economic stabilization for Norwich households and local businesses
Facilitate the entering into of a partnership with an appropriate entity(ies) for Habitat &
Community Development
7) Norwich Police Department $300,000
To be used for law enforcement including reducing gun violence.
8) Otis Library $50,000
To expand services.
9) Planning and Neighborhood Services Department $89,000
To hire an Assistant Zoning & Blight Enforcement Officer
10) Community Development neighborhood revitalization programs $500,000
Total Appropriation $9,769,000
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that, the
appropriation and use of funds described herein by estimated dollar amount and purpose, are found to be
consistent with planning objectives of the American Rescue Plan and, when expended as described herein and
for purposes listed, will be in the best interest of the City of Norwich whereby said appropriation and
expenditures for the purposes listed having so been found, are approved by the Council of the City of Norwich
with the provision that they be obligated by December 31, 2024.
On a roll call vote of 6-1 with Ald. Gould voting in opposition motion to postpone on the above
resolution passes until September 7, 2021.
Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Myles, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to
put the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Ald. Wilson on the floor.
Upon a motion of Ald. Wilson, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted
to amend the following resolution to add “in the 4th and 5th paragraph “Norwich” NAACP “Branch”.
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich adopted a resolution on July 19, 2021, titled, Declaration Of
Racism As A Public Health Crisis In The City Of Norwich; and
WHEREAS, said resolution was amended after the introduction with subsequent amendments proposed; and
WHEREAS, certain proposed amendment lacked a second which may have been overlooked, particularly with
respect to the identity of certain proposed stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, this resolution is intended to clarify the record by noting the following are to be considered as
perspective stakeholders
1. Hartford Health Care
2. Norwich NAACP Branch
3. Otis Library
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that
Hartford Health Care, the Norwich NAACP Branch and the Otis Library be considered as perspective
stakeholders.
Amended resolution follows;
“As Amended”
A RESOLUTION AMENDING A RESOLUTION DECLARING RACISM A PUBLIC
HEALTH CRISIS IN THE CITY OF NORWICH
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted a resolution on July 19, 2021 entitled, “DECLARATION OF
RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN THE CITY OF NORWICH” ( the “Prior Resolution”); and
WHEREAS, Hartford Healthcare, the Norwich NAACP Branch and the Otis Library wish to be considered as
stakeholders in the last paragraph.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH:
WHEREAS, public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people, entire populations
and their communities. These populations can be as small as a local neighborhood, or as big as an entire
country or region of the world;
WHEREAS, public health work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury
prevention, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases;
WHEREAS, racism is threat to public health and safety, and is a paramount social determinant of health,
shaping access to the resources that create opportunities for health, including public safety, housing, education
and employment, and is a persistent barrier to health equity for all Norwich residents;
WHEREAS, in addition to having an independent influence on the social determinants of health, racism in
and of itself has been proven to have broad-reaching and direct negative impacts on individual health
outcomes;
WHEREAS, racial justice is the creation and proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes and
actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunity, treatment, and outcomes for all people regardless of
race;
WHEREAS, in the long term, agencies, boards, committees, and commissions of City government must
recommit to addressing the impact that racism has on the lives of all of our neighbors and how it impacts the
overall health of our City;
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed, reaffirmed, and cast in sharp relief the emergency nature
of these pre-existing inequities caused by systemic racism. In cases where race and ethnicity is known, the
rate of reported COVID-19 cases as of July 9, 2021in the entire state of Connecticut, Blacks, Indigenous and
People of Color (BIPOC) is 125,616 compared with 110,399 for whites; and
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JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AUGUST 2, 2021
WHEREAS, all Norwich residents are welcomed to join in working toward a city where all residents live
fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, violence, and other systems of oppression;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH,
1. The Norwich City Council asserts that racism is a public health crisis affecting our entire
community;
2. The Norwich City Council and City Manager develop strategies that work to dismantle the systemic
racism that creates barriers to strong public health. These strategies shall include access to data to
drive equitable policies and a review of current policies and practices through a racial equity lens;
3. In partnership with Uncas Health District, develop a “Norwich Health Equity” plan that outlines
detailed objectives and measurable goals in which the City will focus on root causes of the
inequities that cause disparities in health outcomes for our residents;
4. Engage historically marginalized communities in identifying problems and solutions and supporting
community-driven responses;
5. Ensure complete and regular availability of specific race and ethnicity data that documents the
health inequities that exist in Norwich through collection, dissemination and remedies for gaps in
that data to strengthen our collective understanding. This should include creating and
implementing a Norwich Health Equity Measure Set, and data sharing between the Uncas Health
District and relevant agencies of the State of Connecticut;
6. Conduct ongoing and enhanced analysis using all available data to understand the complexity of
the interconnectedness of societal, environmental and behavioral factors that contribute to the
impact of racism on access to those resources that promote good health including good jobs, access
to healthy and affordable food, housing, equitable transportation options and excellent public
education. This includes a more comprehensive understanding of racism and its impact on violence
in the community both as a direct correlation to its existence and the impact that it creates on the
overall health of people and the community at large;
7. Focus on access to prevention and treatment that is culturally and linguistically competent and
meets communities where they are to counter the inequities that exist in health care;
8. Develop direct service programs and services to address the negative impact that these inequities
have had on specific populations as well as programs that empower communities to tackle these
systemic barriers;
9. The City Manager and Human Resource Director commit to conduct all human resources, vendor
selection and grant management activities with a racial equity lens including reviewing all
internal policies and practices such as examinations, hiring, promotions, leadership appointments
and funding;
10. Promote racially equitable economic and workforce development practices;
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11. Encourage community partners and stakeholders in the education, employment, housing, criminal
justice and safety arenas to recognize racism as a public health crisis and to implement portions or
all of this declaration;
12. All stakeholders identify clear goals and objectives, including specific benchmarks, to assess
progress and capitalize on opportunities to further advance racial equity and report semi-annual to
the city council on the progress of these goals ; and
13. Advocate at the state and federal level for policies and funding and the Norwich City Council
will consider in the organization’s budget allocating adequate financial resources to accomplish
these activities.
WHEREAS, it is in our best interest to foster health equity throughout the entire City of Norwich and its
residents;
WHEREAS, the City Council of Norwich wished to reaffirm its declaration of racism as a public health
crisis;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH,
wishes to appoint a Health Equity Committee which shall include but not be limited to the Office of the City
Manager, representatives of the Norwich Department of Human Services, the Uncas Health District, the
Norwich Police Department, the Human Resources Department, United Community Family and Services,
Rose City United, Generations, Hartford Health Care, Norwich NAACP Branch and Otis Library be it further
resolved that said Health Equity Committee shall also include members of the general public and any
stakeholders who wish to participate. Interested stakeholders may include members of the Norwich City
Council.
Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by President Pro Tem Bettencourt, it was unanimously voted
to waive the full reading and set a public hearing on August 16, 2021 at 7:30 pm for the second
reading and action for the following ordinance introduced by Ald. Gould.
Council’s Amending Ordinance
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE VI OF CHAPTER 21 OF THE
NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING SECTIONS 21-135, 21-136, AND 21-137 RELATIVE TO
THE EXTENSION OF A WATER MAIN AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVICE PROPERTIES IN
THE CITY OF NORWICH, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROPERTIES WITHIN THE
COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE ASSOCIATION, AND PROVISIONS FOR THE LAYING OF ASSESSMENTS,
ENTERING INTO WRITTEN AGREEMENTS REGARDING SUCH IMPROVEMENTS AND THE
PAYMENT, COLLECTION, AND ASSESSMENT LIENS REGARDING THE SAME
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the City Council adopted an ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING ARTICLE VI OF CHAPTER 21 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING
SECTIONS 21-135, 21-136, AND 21-137 RELATIVE TO THE EXTENSION OF A WATER MAIN AND OTHER
IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVICE PROPERTIES IN THE CITY OF NORWICH, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, PROPERTIES WITHIN THE COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE ASSOCIATION, AND PROVISIONS FOR
THE LAYING OF ASSESSMENTS, ENTERING INTO WRITTEN AGREEMENTS REGARDING SUCH
IMPROVEMENTS AND THE PAYMENT, COLLECTION, AND ASSESSMENT LIENS REGARDING THE
SAME” (“Ordinance No. 1784”); and
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WHEREAS, certain amendments are required to Ordinance No. 1784 to renumber Articles and Sections of
Chapter 21 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances, to delete reference to the number of properties within the Countryside
Drive Association, to include a maximum assessment amount per property within the Countryside Drive Association and
to make certain amendments to the collection and lien language in the Ordinance.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that Ordinance No. 1784
is amended and restated to read as follow:
ARTICLE VI VIII - ASSESSMENTS FOR WATER MAINS AND SYSTEMS
Sec. 21-135157. – Countryside Drive Association community well system.
(a) Notwithstanding Sections 21-131 to 21-134 of the City of Norwich Code of Ordinances, the purpose
of Sections 21-135 157 to 21-137159, inclusive, is to provide for (i) the levying of assessments upon
properties in the City of Norwich (including, but not limited to, the original 17 properties within the
Countryside Drive Association) which are benefitted by the extension of a water main beginning on
Lawler Lane from the existing Norwich Public Utilities water main on Canterbury Turnpike and
Lawler Lane, which water main will continue on Sunrise Street and Evergreen Street and loop back
onto Canterbury Turnpike (together with lateral extensions to individual curb valves), (ii) the levying
of assessments upon properties in the Countryside Drive Association which are benefitted by the
extension of service lines from the new water main to the premises currently served by the failing
and to be abandoned Countryside Drive Association community well system, and (iii) the methods of
payment and other terms and conditions of such assessments, all in accordance with and subject to
the limitations set forth in Section 7-137c of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(b) The cost of the construction and installation of the new water main which will be assessed to the
properties able to be served by said system in the following manner:
i. The final cost of the new water main extension and expenses incidental thereto, including
engineering, inspection and other professional fees and interest, less any federal or state
grants received by the City of Norwich or Norwich Public Utilities in connection with the
construction and installation of the new water main extension, shall be divided equally among
the original 17 properties within the Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the
system.
ii. Said assessments shall be paid by the property owners in one of two following ways: (1)
payment in full within 30 days of the first billing; or (2) payment over a period of twenty (20)
years in two hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments plus interest of 2.00%.
iii. If additional properties connect to the new water main extension during the assessment
payment period, such additional properties may be assessed by the board of public utilities
commissioners based on the special benefits accruing to the properties and any additional
costs incurred by the department of public utilities relating to such connection. The board of
public utilities commissioners shall determine the amount of any assessment, the methods of
payment (including any installment payments), and the due dates for such assessments. The
department of public utilities shall send written notice to the owner of such properties, which
notice shall describe any proposed improvements, set forth the preliminary cost estimate of
the improvements and be accompanied by a form prepared by the department of public
utilities on which the owner shall indicate whether the owner is willing to share in bearing the
cost of such improvements and which the owner shall return to the department of public
utilities within 10 days of said notice.
(c) The cost of the construction and installation of the service lines beginning at the curb valves and
extending to the outside of the foundation wall of the 17 properties currently served by the failing and
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to be abandoned Countryside Drive Association community well system will be assessed to such
properties in the following manner:
i. The final cost of the service lines and expenses incidental thereto, including engineering,
inspection and other professional fees and interest, less any federal or state grants received
by the City of Norwich or Norwich Public Utilities in connection with the construction and
installation of the service lines, shall be divided equally among the original 17 properties
within the Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the system.
ii. Said assessments shall be paid by the property owners in one of two following ways: (1)
payment in full within 30 days of the first billing; or (2) payment over a period of twenty (20)
years in two hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments plus interest of 2.00%.
(d) Notwithstanding (b) and (c) above, the maximum assessment amount against any property within the
Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the water main and service lines described in
(b) and (c) above, shall be Two Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($2,800.00). Said maximum
assessment amount shall include the property owner’s net cost for both the installation of the water
main described in (b) above and the installation of the service line described in (c) above.
Sec. 21-136158. – Countryside Water System - Notice.
Prior to the commencement of any construction, the Norwich Public Utilities will enter into a written agreement
with each of the owners of the original 17 properties within the Countryside Drive Association to initially be served
by the Countryside water system, which agreement shall describe the proposed improvements, set forth the
preliminary cost estimate of the improvements, and provide for the property owner’s agreement to share in
bearing the cost of such improvements. After all such agreements are signed and returned to Norwich Public
Utilities, the department of public utilities shall proceed forthwith with such project and the assessment of same
upon completion. In the case of any conflict between the agreement and this Ordinance, the agreement shall
control.
Sec. 21-137159. - Countryside Water System - Collection and liens.
(a) All assessments for the Countryside water system which are levied shall become a debt due from the property
against which they are assessed, to the board of public utilities commissioners, and may be, in addition to other
remedies provided by law, recovered by any proper action in the name of such board.
(b) In accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes, including Sections 7-137d and 7-140 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, whenever assessments for the Countryside water system have been lawfully made and such
system has been completed and certificates of lien have been signed by the duly constituted authorities,
describing the premises upon which any such lien is claimed and stating the amount claimed as a lien thereon,
and have been lodged with the town clerk, such assessments of benefits shall be and remain a lien upon the
land upon which the same have been made, and neither the City of Norwich nor Norwich Public Utilities shall be
required to lodge for record any further certificate of any such lien. Any assessment or any installment thereof,
not paid within thirty days after the due date, shall be delinquent and shall be subject to interest from such due
date at the interest rate and in the manner provided by the Connecticut General Statutes, including Sections 7-
254 of the Connecticut General Statutes, for delinquent property taxes. Each addition of interest shall be
collectible as a part of such assessment.Any real estate against which the Countryside water system assessment
has been levied shall be subject to a lien for the amount of such assessment, as provided in Section 7-137d of the
Connecticut General Statutes. Such lien shall exist from the due date as established by the board of public
utilities commissioners and, during its existence, shall take precedence over all other liens or encumbrances and
transfers, except as otherwise provided for in the Connecticut General Statutes. Such lien shall expire one year
after the date on which it commences to run unless a certificate thereof containing a statement of the amount of
such lien and a description of the premises upon which it is claimed shall be lodged for record by the board of
public utilities commissioners in the office of the city clerk before the expiration of such period.
(c) One certificate of lien as aforesaid may continue more than one lien and said board may include in one
certificate any number of assessments for the Countryside water system not previously continued by a certificate
and due within the year ending on the date of such filing.
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(d) All assessment liens for the Countryside water system levied by the board of public utilities commissioners
may be foreclosed in the name of such board in the same manner as a lien for taxes may be foreclosed.
Any such lien shall be invalid after the expiration of ten years from the date of recording a certificate
continuing the same, unless an action of foreclosure shall have been commenced within such time. If
foreclosure shall not have been commenced after the expiration of ten years, the city clerk shall discharge
such lien of record by noting thereon the words "discharged by operation of law" together with the date and
city clerk's signature.
The fees for all certificates, recordation and releases pertaining to liens for the Countryside water system shall be the
same as provided for in the matter of tax liens
Ordinance No. 1784 As Amended
ARTICLE VIII - ASSESSMENTS FOR WATER MAINS AND SYSTEMS
Sec. 21-157. – Countryside Drive Association community well system.
(a) Notwithstanding Sections 21-131 to 21-134 of the City of Norwich Code of Ordinances, the purpose
of Sections 21-157 to 21-159, inclusive, is to provide for (i) the levying of assessments upon
properties in the City of Norwich (including, but not limited to, the properties within the Countryside
Drive Association) which are benefitted by the extension of a water main beginning on Lawler Lane
from the existing Norwich Public Utilities water main on Canterbury Turnpike and Lawler Lane, which
water main will continue on Sunrise Street and Evergreen Street and loop back onto Canterbury
Turnpike (together with lateral extensions to individual curb valves), (ii) the levying of assessments
upon properties in the Countryside Drive Association which are benefitted by the extension of service
lines from the new water main to the premises currently served by the failing and to be abandoned
Countryside Drive Association community well system, and (iii) the methods of payment and other
terms and conditions of such assessments, all in accordance with and subject to the limitations set
forth in Section 7-137c of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(b) The cost of the construction and installation of the new water main which will be assessed to the
properties able to be served by said system in the following manner:
i. The final cost of the new water main extension and expenses incidental thereto, including
engineering, inspection and other professional fees and interest, less any federal or state
grants received by the City of Norwich or Norwich Public Utilities in connection with the
construction and installation of the new water main extension, shall be divided equally among
the properties within the Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the system.
ii. Said assessments shall be paid by the property owners in one of two following ways: (1)
payment in full within 30 days of the first billing; or (2) payment over a period of twenty (20)
years in two hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments plus interest of 2.00%.
iii. If additional properties connect to the new water main extension during the assessment
payment period, such additional properties may be assessed by the board of public utilities
commissioners based on the special benefits accruing to the properties and any additional
costs incurred by the department of public utilities relating to such connection. The board of
public utilities commissioners shall determine the amount of any assessment, the methods of
payment (including any installment payments), and the due dates for such assessments. The
department of public utilities shall send written notice to the owner of such properties, which
notice shall describe any proposed improvements, set forth the preliminary cost estimate of
the improvements and be accompanied by a form prepared by the department of public
utilities on which the owner shall indicate whether the owner is willing to share in bearing the
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cost of such improvements and which the owner shall return to the department of public
utilities within 10 days of said notice.
(c) The cost of the construction and installation of the service lines beginning at the curb valves and
extending to the outside of the foundation wall of the properties currently served by the failing and to be
abandoned Countryside Drive Association community well system will be assessed to such properties
in the following manner:
i. The final cost of the service lines and expenses incidental thereto, including engineering,
inspection and other professional fees and interest, less any federal or state grants received
by the City of Norwich or Norwich Public Utilities in connection with the construction and
installation of the service lines, shall be divided equally among the properties within the
Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the system.
ii. Said assessments shall be paid by the property owners in one of two following ways: (1)
payment in full within 30 days of the first billing; or (2) payment over a period of twenty (20)
years in two hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments plus interest of 2.00%.
(d) Notwithstanding (b) and (c) above, the maximum assessment amount against any property within the
Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the water main and service lines described in (b)
and (c) above, shall be Two Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($2,800.00). Said maximum assessment
amount shall include the property owner’s net cost for both the installation of the water main described
in (b) above and the installation of the service line described in (c) above.
Sec. 21-158. – Countryside Water System - Notice.
Prior to the commencement of any construction, the Norwich Public Utilities will enter into a written agreement
with each of the owners of the properties within the Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the
Countryside water system, which agreement shall describe the proposed improvements, set forth the preliminary
cost estimate of the improvements, and provide for the property owner’s agreement to share in bearing the cost
of such improvements. After all such agreements are signed and returned to Norwich Public Utilities, the
department of public utilities shall proceed forthwith with such project and the assessment of same upon
completion. In the case of any conflict between the agreement and this Ordinance, the agreement shall control.
Sec. 21-159. - Countryside Water System - Collection and liens.
(a) All assessments for the Countryside water system which are levied shall become a debt due from the property
against which they are assessed, to the board of public utilities commissioners, and may be, in addition to
other remedies provided by law, recovered by any proper action in the name of such board.
(b) In accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes, including Sections 7-137d and 7-140 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, whenever assessments for the Countryside water system have been lawfully made and
such system has been completed and certificates of lien have been signed by the duly constituted authorities,
describing the premises upon which any such lien is claimed and stating the amount claimed as a lien thereon,
and have been lodged with the town clerk, such assessments of benefits shall be and remain a lien upon the
land upon which the same have been made, and neither the City of Norwich nor Norwich Public Utilities shall
be required to lodge for record any further certificate of any such lien. Any assessment or any installment
thereof, not paid within thirty days after the due date, shall be delinquent and shall be subject to interest from
such due date at the interest rate and in the manner provided by the Connecticut General Statutes, including
Sections 7-254 of the Connecticut General Statutes, for delinquent property taxes. Each addition of interest
shall be collectible as a part of such assessment.
(c) One certificate of lien as aforesaid may continue more than one lien and said board may include in one certificate
any number of assessments for the Countryside water system not previously continued by a certificate and due
within the year ending on the date of such filing.
(d) All assessment liens for the Countryside water system levied by the board of public utilities commissioners
may be foreclosed in the name of such board in the same manner as a lien for taxes may be foreclosed.
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The fees for all certificates, recordation and releases pertaining to liens for the Countryside water system shall be the
same as provided for in the matter of tax liens
Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to
adjourn at 10:00 P.M.
City Clerk
30
Agenda
AGENDA – MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH
August 2, 2021
7:30 PM
The meeting will be televised on the Public Access Channel and posted on the city website,
www.norwichct.org, in real time.
PRAYER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADOPTION OF MINUTES: July 6 and 19, 2021
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.2- SUMMARY OF USES BY
DISTRICT; AND ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.5, PLANNED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT,
PC, PRINCIPAL USES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PC ZONE; OF THE NORWICH CODE OF
ORDINANCES
2. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $145,000,000 TO FUND ALL OR A PORTION OF THE
UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL ACCRUED LIABILITY OF THE CITY'S EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT
PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PENSION BONDS OF
THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION
3. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $740,000 FOR THE PLANNING, PERMITTING AND
ENGINEERING OF INFRASTRUCTURE ACCESS IN THE OCCUM SECTION OF THE CITY
AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $740,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID
APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF
TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE
SECOND READING AND ACTION ON THE ABOVE ORDINANCES PREVIOUSLY
PRESENTED
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. Report from the Commission on the City Plan of the City of Norwich, pursuant to Section 8-24 of
the General Statutes and Chapter XV, Section 4 of the Norwich City Charter regarding, AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.2- SUMMARY OF USES BY
DISTRICT; AND ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.5, PLANNED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT,
PC, PRINCIPAL USES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PC ZONE; OF THE NORWICH CODE OF
ORDINANCES
2. Report from the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments regarding AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.2- SUMMARY OF USES BY DISTRICT; AND
ZONING REGULATIONS SECTION 2.5, PLANNED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, PC, PRINCIPAL
USES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PC ZONE; OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES
3. Memo from Comptroller Explanation of Proposed 2020-21 Budget Transfers and Summary of
General Fund, CCD, and TCD Budget-to-Actual Results
4. Letter of resignation of Jason Courter from the Commission on the City Plan.
5. Letter of resignation of Patrick T. McMahon from the Youth Services Advisory Board.
OLD BUSINESS RESOLUTION
1. Relative to a resolution regarding Fire Chiefs meetings.
OLD BUSINESS ORDINANCE
1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 8-74, 8-75 AND 8-77 OF ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 8
OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF
FUND PLAN OF THE CITY OF NORWICH
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
CITIZENS COMMENT ON RESOLUTIONS (only on the agenda items)
NEW BUSINESS-RESOLUTIONS
1. Relative to providing for referendum, vote to be held in connection with the Municipal Election of
November 2, 2021 regarding “AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $145,000,000 TO FUND ALL
OR A PORTION OF THE UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL ACCRUED LIABILITY OF THE CITY'S
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL
OBLIGATION PENSION BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION ”
2. Relative to a License Use Agreement for property at 71 Town St.
3. Relative to authorizing the City Manager to convey a parcel of land on North Thames St.
4. Relative to the transfer of funds among various departments to closeout fiscal year 2020-21.
5. Relative to the American Rescue Plan disbursements.
6. Relative to amending the resolution Declaration of Racism as a Public Health Crisis from July 19,
2021.
NEW BUSINESS-ORDINANCE
1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE VI OF CHAPTER 21 OF
THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING SECTIONS 21-135, 21-136, AND 21-137
RELATIVE TO THE EXTENSION OF A WATER MAIN AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO
SERVICE PROPERTIES IN THE CITY OF NORWICH, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
PROPERTIES WITHIN THE COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE ASSOCIATION, AND PROVISIONS FOR
THE LAYING OF ASSESSMENTS, ENTERING INTO WRITTEN AGREEMENTS REGARDING
SUCH IMPROVEMENTS AND THE PAYMENT, COLLECTION AND ASSESSMENT LIENS
REGARDING THE SAME.
City Clerk
PUBLIC HEARING #1
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATION FOR
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT
In accordance with the requirements of the City Charter, the undersigned counsel to Owunnegunset, Inc.,
is submitting this memorandum in support of the Application filed by Owunnegunset, Inc. for the
amendment of Chapter 2 of the Zoning Ordinances by adding “storage rental facilities” as an allowed use
in the Planned Commercial District (PC) subject to Site Plan Approval.
The Sections to be modified are as follows:
Section 2.2 – Summary of Business Uses by District (aka Use Table) – Add the use in the table as
a Principal Use.
Section 2.5.3 Principal Uses and Activities in the PC Zone – Requires Site Plan Review – Add .3
Storage Rental Facility.
The reason for the proposed change is to permit the development of properties within the Planned
Commercial District (PC Zond) for storage rental facilities. At present such facilities are permitted in the
General Commercial Zone, subject to site plan approval, but not included within the Planned Commercial
Zone. The uses for the two districts overlap in many respects, but while the GC zone allows for storage
rental facilities, the PC zone does not.
We believe that the parcels that are provided for in the PC zone are readily adaptable for attractively
designed storage rental facilities. It would provide additional available storage for the growing apartment
rentals in the Norwich area, which do not have sufficient available storage for families. It does not
adversely impact the general health, safety and welfare of the City, and will certainly be of a benefit in
that it will provide a clean and safe place for the residents to store their property.
PUBLIC HEARING #2
AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $145,000,000 TO FUND ALL OR A PORTION
OF THE UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL ACCRUED LIABILITY OF THE CITY'S
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF
GENERAL OBLIGATION PENSION BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID
APPROPRIATION
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich (the “City”) has established the City of Norwich Employees'
Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) for the benefit of certain employees and their beneficiaries; and
WHEREAS, retirement benefits for members of the Plan are paid from the Employees' Retirement
Fund (the "Fund"); and
WHEREAS, the assets of the Fund consist of pooled monies that include appropriations from the City
and contributions from members of the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Plan has a large unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the approximate amount of
$144,000,000, and as a result, the City's annual actuarially determined contribution to the Fund is
projected to increase significantly each year; and
WHEREAS, section 7-374c of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended (the “Statutes”), authorize
municipalities to issue general obligation pension bonds to fund all or a portion of an unfunded past
benefit obligation, as determined by an actuarial valuation, and the payment of costs related to the
issuance of such bonds; and
WHEREAS, due to historically low interest rates for municipal debt, it is anticipated that the proceeds
from the issuance of such bonds, when invested as part of Fund assets in higher yielding asset classes,
should achieve a long-term rate of return that is greater than the interest rate owed over the term of the
bonds; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Comptroller projects that the issuance of such bonds shall significantly lower
the net cost of the Plan, thereby improving the City's fiscal stability.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH:
Section 1. The sum of $145,000,000 is appropriated for the purpose of funding all or a
portion of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability with respect to the Plan, and to pay certain costs of
issuance of the Bonds (as defined below), including, but not limited to, legal, actuary, advisory, escrow,
verification and investment fees, trustee costs, underwriters' discount and printing and administrative
expenses. The net proceeds of the sale of the Bonds, after payment of costs of issuance, shall be deposited
into the Fund and invested in appropriate legal investments permitted by the Statutes in accordance with
the terms of the Plan.
Section 2. To meet said appropriation, general obligation pension bonds of the City shall be
issued pursuant to Section 7-374c of the Statutes (the “Act”), in an amount not to exceed $145,000,000
(the "Bonds"). The Bonds shall be general obligations of the City and shall be serial bonds maturing in
annual or semiannual installments of principal or shall be term bonds with mandatory annual or
semiannual deposits of sinking fund payments into a sinking fund. The first installment of any series of
the Bonds shall mature or the first sinking fund payment of any series of the Bonds shall be due not later
than eighteen months from the date of issue of such series, provided that such first installment shall
mature or such first sinking fund payment shall be due not later than the fiscal year of the City next
following the fiscal year in which such series is issued. The last installment of such series shall mature
or the last sinking fund payment of such series shall be due not later than twenty-five years from such
date of issue. The Bonds shall be in the denomination of $1,000 or a whole multiple thereof, be issued
in bearer form or in fully registered form, be executed in the name and on behalf of the City by the
manual or facsimile signatures of the City Manager and the Comptroller, bear the City seal or a
facsimile thereof, be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the
Comptroller, which bank or trust company may be designated the registrar and transfer agent, be
payable at a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller, and be
approved as to their legality by Pullman & Comley, LLC, Bond Counsel. Each of the Bonds shall recite
that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such bond is within
every debt and other limit prescribed by law, that the full faith and credit of the City are pledged to the
payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon. The aggregate principal amount of the Bonds,
annual installments of principal, redemption provisions, if any, the date, time of issue and sale and other
terms, details and particulars of such bonds, including the approval of the rate or rates of interests, shall
be determined by the City Manager and the Comptroller in accordance with the requirements of the
Statutes. In connection with the issuance of any bonds or notes authorized herein, the City may exercise
any power delegated to municipalities pursuant to Section 7-370b of the Statutes, including the authority
to enter into agreements managing interest rate risk. The City Manager and Comptroller, on behalf of the
City, shall execute and deliver such reimbursement agreements, letter of credit agreement, credit
facilities, remarketing, standby marketing agreements, standby bond purchase agreements, and any other
commercially necessary or appropriate agreements which are necessary, appropriate or desirable in
connection with or incidental to the sale and issuance of such bonds or notes.
Section 3. The issue of the Bonds and of all other bonds or notes of the City heretofore
authorized but not yet issued, as of the effective date of this ordinance, would not cause the indebtedness
of the City to exceed any debt limit calculated in accordance with law.
Section 4. Said Bonds shall be sold by the City Manager and Comptroller in a competitive
offering or by negotiation, in their discretion. If sold in a competitive offering, the Bonds shall be sold
at not less than par and accrued interest on the basis of the lowest net or true interest cost to the City. If
sold on a negotiated basis, the City Manager and Comptroller are authorized to execute a bond
purchase contract or similar agreement for the sale of the Bonds.
Section 5. The Bonds may bear interest which is includable in the gross income of holders
thereof for Federal income tax purposes pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and the issuance of such taxable bonds is hereby determined to be in the public interest of the City.
Section 6. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to exercise all powers
conferred by Section 3-20e of the Statutes with respect to secondary market disclosure and to provide
annual information and notices of material events as enumerated in Securities and Exchange
Commission Exchange Act Rule 15c2-12, as amended, as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable to
effect the sale of the bonds and notes authorized by this ordinance.
Section 7. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to prepare and distribute
preliminary and final Official Statements of the City, to execute and deliver on behalf of the City all
such other documents and agreements, and to take all action, necessary and proper for the sale, issuance
and delivery of the Bonds, including, but not limited to, repayment agreements, memoranda of
understanding, instruments and documents with its Department of Public Utilities and Board of
Education, on behalf of the City.
Section 8. The City Manager and Comptroller shall take all actions necessary to comply with
the terms of the Act including but not limited to making the necessary submissions to the Office of
Policy and Management and the Office of the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut and, as long as the
Bonds or any bond refunding the Bonds are outstanding, the City shall (i) in each fiscal year,
commencing with the fiscal year in which the Bonds are issued, appropriate funds in an amount
sufficient to meet the actuarially required contribution and contribute such amount to the Plan,
acknowledging that any such amounts not included in any annual City budget to make such
contributions may be deemed to be appropriated under the Act, and (ii) notify the Secretary of the Office
of Policy and Management annually of the amount or the rate of any such actuarially recommended
contribution and the amount or the rate, if any, of the actual annual contribution by the City to the Plan
to meet such actuarially recommended contribution.
Section 9. This ordinance shall not take effect unless and until adopted by the City Council
and approved at referendum.
City Manager John L. Salomone
PUBLIC HEARING #3
AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $740,000 FOR THE PLANNING, PERMITTING AND
ENGINEERING OF INFRASTRUCTURE ACCESS IN THE OCCUM SECTION OF THE
CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $740,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET
SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF
TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH:
Section 1. The sum of $740,000 is appropriated for the planning, permitting and engineering of
infrastructure access in the Occum section of the City and authorizing the issue of $740,000 bonds of the City
of Norwich (the “City”) including but not limited to planning, permitting, architecture, engineering and other
consultants, appurtenances and services related thereto, all or so much of any portion of any part of the foregoing
as may be accomplished within the foregoing appropriation and as determined by the City, and for
administrative, advertising, printing, legal and financing costs (hereinafter the "Project"). Said appropriation
shall be in addition to grant funding and all prior and future appropriations for said purpose.
Section 2. The total estimated cost of the Project is $740,000. The average estimated useful life of
the Project is 30 years. The Project is a general benefit to the City and its general governmental purposes.
Project costs may be paid from grants, bonds and notes issued by the City, or any combination of the foregoing.
Section 3. To meet said appropriation, up to $740,000 bonds of the City, or so much thereof as may
be necessary for said purpose, may be issued, maturing not later than the twentieth (20th) year after their date,
or such later date as may be allowed by law. Said bonds may be issued in one or more series as shall be
determined by the City Manager and the Comptroller, and the amount of bonds of each series to be issued shall
be fixed by the City Manager and the Comptroller, provided that the total amount of bonds to be issued shall
not be less than an amount which will provide funds sufficient with other funds available for such purpose to
pay the principal of and the interest on all temporary borrowings in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds
of said bonds outstanding at the time of the issuance thereof and to pay for the administrative, printing and legal
costs of issuing the bonds. The bonds shall bear such rate or rates of interest as shall be determined by the City
Manager and the Comptroller. The bonds shall be in the denomination of $1,000 or a whole multiple thereof,
be issued in bearer form or in fully registered form, be executed in the name and on behalf of the City by the
manual or facsimile signatures of the City Manager and the Comptroller, bear the City seal or a facsimile thereof,
be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller, which bank or
trust company may be designated the registrar and transfer agent, be payable at a bank or trust company
designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller, and be approved as to their legality by Pullman & Comley,
LLC, Bond Counsel. The bonds shall be general obligations of the City and each of the bonds shall recite that
every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such bond is within every debt
and other limit prescribed by law, that the full faith and credit of the City are pledged to the payment of the
principal thereof and the interest thereon and shall be paid from property taxation to the extent not paid from
other funds available for the payment thereof. The aggregate principal amount of the bonds, annual installments
of principal, redemption provisions, if any, the date, time of issue and sale and other terms, details and
particulars of such bonds, shall be determined by the City Manager and the Comptroller in accordance with the
requirements of the General Statutes of Connecticut, as amended (the “Statutes”). In connection with the
issuance of any bonds or notes authorized herein, the City may exercise any power delegated to municipalities
pursuant to Section 7-370b of the Statutes, including the authority to enter into agreements managing interest
rate risk. The City Manager and Comptroller, on behalf of the City, shall execute and deliver such
reimbursement agreements, letter of credit agreement, credit facilities, remarketing, standby marketing
agreements, standby bond purchase agreements, and any other commercially necessary or appropriate
agreements which are necessary, appropriate or desirable in connection with or incidental to the sale and
issuance of such bonds or notes.
Section 4. The issue of the bonds aforesaid and of all other bonds or notes of the City heretofore
authorized but not yet issued, as of the effective date of this ordinance, would not cause the indebtedness of the
City to exceed any debt limit calculated in accordance with law.
Section 5. Said bonds shall be sold by the City Manager and Comptroller in a competitive offering
or by negotiation, in their discretion. If sold at competitive offering, the bonds shall be sold upon sealed
proposals, auction or similar process, at not less than par and accrued interest on the basis of the lowest net or
true interest cost to the City.
Section 6. The City Manager and the Comptroller are authorized to make temporary borrowings in
anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of any series of said bonds. Notes evidencing such borrowings shall
be signed by the manual or facsimile signatures of the City Manager and the Comptroller, have the seal of the
City or a facsimile thereof affixed, be payable at a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and
the Comptroller, be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the City Manager and the Comptroller
pursuant to Section 7-373 of the Statutes, and be approved as to their legality by Pullman & Comley, LLC,
Bond Counsel. They shall be issued with maturity dates which comply with the provisions of the Statutes
governing the issuance of such notes, as the same may be amended from time to time. The notes shall be general
obligations of the City and each of the notes shall recite that every requirement of law relating to its issue has
been duly complied with, that such note is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, that the full faith
and credit of the City are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon and shall be
paid from property taxation to the extent not paid from other funds available for the payment thereof. The net
interest cost on such notes, including renewals thereof, and the expense of preparing, issuing and marketing
them, to the extent paid from the proceeds of such renewals or said bonds, shall be included as a cost of the
equipment. Upon the sale of said bonds the proceeds thereof, to the extent required, shalt be applied forthwith
to the payment of the principal of and the interest on any such temporary borrowings then outstanding or shall
be deposited with a hank or trust company in trust for such purpose.
Section 7. Resolution of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures with Borrowings. The City (the
“Issuer”) hereby expresses its official intent pursuant to §1.150-2 of the Federal Income Tax Regulations, Title
26 (the “Regulations”), to reimburse expenditures paid sixty days prior to and after the date of passage of this
ordinance in the maximum amount and for the capital project defined in Section 1 with the proceeds of bonds,
notes, or other obligations (“Bonds”) authorized to be issued by the Issuer. The Bonds shall be issued to
reimburse such expenditures not later than 18 months after the later of the date of the expenditure or the
substantial completion of the project, or such later date that the Regulations may authorize. The Issuer hereby
certifies that the intention to reimburse as expressed herein is based upon its reasonable expectations as of this
date. The Comptroller or his designee is authorized to pay project expenses in accordance herewith pending the
issuance of reimbursement bonds, and to amend this declaration.
Section 8. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to exercise all powers
conferred by Section 3-20e of the General Statutes with respect to secondary market disclosure and to provide
annual information and notices of material events as enumerated in Securities and Exchange Commission
Exchange Act Rule 15c2-12, as amended, as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the sale of the
bonds and notes authorized by this ordinance.
Section 9. In order to meet the capital cash flow expenditure needs of the City, the City Manager
and Comptroller are authorized to allocate and reallocate expenditures incurred for the equipment to any bonds
or notes of the City outstanding as of the date of such allocation, and the bonds or notes to which such
expenditures have been allocated shall be deemed to have been issued for such purpose.
Section 10. It is hereby found and determined that the issue of all, or a portion of, the bonds, notes
or other obligations of the City authorized to be issued herein as qualified private activity bonds, or with interest
that is includable in gross income of the holders thereof for purposes of federal income taxation, is in the public
interest. The City Manager and the Comptroller are hereby authorized to issue and utilize without further
approval any financing alternative currently or hereafter available to municipal governments pursuant to law
including but not limited to any “tax credit bond,” or “Build America Bonds” including Direct Payment and
Tax Credit versions.
Section 11. The City Manager and Comptroller are hereby authorized to prepare and distribute
preliminary and final Official Statements of the City, to execute and deliver on behalf of the City all such other
documents, and to take all action, necessary and proper for the sale, issuance and delivery of any bonds or notes
relating to the equipment in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes and the laws of the United States.
Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom
Alderwoman Stacy Gould
PETITION & COMMUNICATION #1
PETITION & COMMUNICATION #2
PETITION & COMMUNICATION #3
JOSHUA A. POTHIER, C.P.A. 100 Broadway Room 105
COMPTROLLER Norwich, CT 06360-4431
Phone: (860) 823-3720 www.norwichct.org/finance
Fax: (860) 823-3812 jpothier@cityofnorwich.org
July 27, 2021
To: Mayor Peter A. Nystrom and Members of the Norwich City Council through City Manager John Salomone
Explanation of Proposed 2020-21 Budget
Transfers and Summary of General Fund,
CCD, and TCD Budget-to-Actual Results
There is a resolution for the August 2, 2021 agenda to make budget transfers for fiscal year 2020‐21. This
memo explains these transfers and summarizes the net impact of the unaudited operating results on the fund
balances of these three funds.
General Fund
Revenues
Despite the pandemic, collections of property tax, conveyance tax, and building permit revenues have been
strong this year. Income from interest has been weaker than anticipated. In total, General Fund revenues
are approximately $800,000 above budget estimates for fiscal year 2020‐21.
Expenditures
A few departments will need a budget transfer this year:
Police – This department has experienced increased severance and replacement costs due to several
resignations and retirements this year. In April 2021, I had estimated that the Police may need a
transfer of up to $50,000. I have revised this transfer down to $35,000.
Laurel Hill VFD – In April 2021, I had estimated that this department may need a transfer of up to
$5,000 due to higher than anticipated Utilities, Supplies, and Vehicle Fuel costs. This transfer stands at
$5,000.
Occum VFD ‐ This department needs a transfer of $5,000 due to higher than anticipated Physicals,
Supplies, and Equipment Maintenance costs.
Non‐Departmental – The non‐departmental line items need a transfer of $10,000 primarily because of
cyber risk management coverage that the City purchased which was not anticipated in the adopted
budget.
NPS will finish the year within its appropriation of $84.2 million. They will likely be requesting that the surplus
be transferred to the nonlapsing account established with Ord. 1799 in June 2021.
The draft resolution transfers budget savings totaling $55,000 from other General Fund departments to offset
the Police, Laurel Hill, Occum, and Non‐Departmental deficits.
Total General Fund expenditures will be approximately $400,000 less than budgeted; therefore no additional
appropriation will be required. This figure excludes any operating surplus from NPS.
Unassigned Fund Balance
The 2020‐21 adopted budget did not include an appropriation of General Fund unassigned fund balance (UFB).
The General Fund UFB will increase approximately $1,200,000 which would put the balance at $15.7 million, or
11.8% of annual operating expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. These figures exclude any
operating surplus from NPS. The current target range for General Fund UFB is 12%‐17% pursuant to Article VI
of Chapter 7 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances which was most recently modified by Ord. 1799 in June 2021.
City Consolidation District
Revenues
Revenues are approximately $102,000 higher than the 2020‐21 budget.
Expenditures
Expenditures are approximately $40,000 under budget.
Unassigned Fund Balance
The 2020‐21 adopted budget included an appropriation of $138,000 to restore the deficit in this fund.
The CCD UFB should increase approximately $280,000 which would bring this fund out of the $112,000 deficit
in which it started the year and leave it with a balance of about $168,000, or 2.1% of annual operating
expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.
The City does not have a policy for the UFB level of this fund, but, in my opinion, a balance of 8% is an
adequate level for a fund with moderate levels of risk like the CCD.
Town Consolidation District
Revenues
Revenues are $7,000 lower than the 2020‐21 budget.
Expenditures
TCD expenditures were $3,000 lower than budget.
Unassigned Fund Balance
The 2020‐21 adopted budget did not include an appropriation of TCD UFB.
The TCD UFB will decrease by approximately $4,000 which will bring the TCD’s UFB to $25,000, or 5.5% of
annual operating expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.
The City does not have a policy for the UFB level of this fund, but, in my opinion, a balance of 5% is an
adequate level for a fund with low levels of risk like the TCD.
OLD BUSINESS
RESOLUTION #1
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich has received an analysis of the Fire/EMS Services provided in the City
of Norwich prepared by the McGrath Consulting Group, Inc., with emphasis on the services provided by
the City of Norwich Fire Department and the five (5) volunteer fire departments; and
WHEREAS, the report makes recommendations with respect to an amalgamation of the six (6) fire
departments with a goal of supporting and improving services provided by the departments; and
WHEREAS, the report also recommends the establishment of a position of a fire commissioner which
position will not be established this year for budgetary reasons and may in the future be subject to budgetary
issues; and
WHEREAS, the Council finds that the services provided by the fire departments in the City of Norwich
are supported and improved by regular meetings among the chiefs of the fire departments.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that
City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is directed to arrange monthly meetings to include himself, the
chiefs of the six (6) fire departments or their designees, and such other persons as he believes would be
helpful to such meetings. Cancelation of meetings will be expeditiously reported to the City Council via
email by the City Manager stating the reason for cancelation. That notice will be considered complying with
the directions in this resolution. It is recommended that elected officials not participate in these meetings in
order to facilitate open discussions regarding fire service-related matters.
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, the goals will be implementing changes in the fire service described in the
McGrath Consulting Group, Inc. analysis to provide the fastest, safest, and most efficient delivery of
services. Initial goals will be to implement changes to the dispatch and radio issues identified previously.
Subsequent priority items will be identified by the City Manager and/or the Public Safety Committee.
Monthly reports shall be provided to the City Council by the City Manager regarding meetings held, agenda
items discussed, and action plans developed in the implementation of the above stated goal and future
priorities.
President Pro Tem Mark M. Bettencourt
Alderman Derell Q. Wilson
Alderwoman Ella C. Myles
Alderman Joseph A. DeLucia
OLD BUSINESS
ORDINANCE #1
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 8‐74, 8‐75 AND 8‐77 OF ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF FUND PLAN OF THE CITY OF NORWICH
WHEREAS, plan changes have been proposed to the City of Norwich Volunteer Firefighters Pension Plan; and
WHEREAS, on or about October 5, 2020 the City of Norwich Finance Department received an analysis of the
financial impact of the proposed changes prepared by the actuarial firm overseeing the pension fund; and
WHEREAS, the Volunteer Firefighter Relief Fund Committee at a special meeting held October 13, 2020
reviewed this financial analysis and voted to recommend the proposed plan changes to the Council of the City
of Norwich
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Norwich, that the following amendments to
Sections 8‐74, 8‐75, and 8‐77 of Article IV of Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances listed as follows:
Section 8‐74(a)(v)(6);
Section 8‐74(a)(v)(7,) (to be added);
Section 8‐75(a) (i) and (ii), (subpart (ii) deleted in full);
Section 8‐75(c)(vi), (amending 8‐75(c)(vi) by deleting (i) and (2) and restating (vi));
Section 8‐75(c)(vii), (to be added);
Section 8‐77(d)(i)(1)(a) and (b);
Section 8‐77(d)(i)(l)(c), (to be added).
BE AND HEREBY ARE ADOPTED.
Sec. 8‐74. – Service
(v) Contribution rate. A plan member shall contribute the following amounts for purchase of credited service
during the following periods:
(1) $60.00 for plan years prior to January 1, 1995.
(2) $84.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 1995 but prior to January 1, 2000.
(3) $120.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2000 but prior to January 1, 2006.
(4) $180.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2006 but prior to January 1, 2011.
(5) $216.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2011 but prior to January 1, 2014.
(6) $264.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2014 but prior to January 1, 2021.
(7) $288.00 for plan years on or after January 1, 2021.
Sec. 8‐75. ‐ Retirement benefits.
(a) Normal retirement.
(i) For members joining the plan prior to January 1, 2015, the A plan member's normal retirement date shall
be the first day of the month in which such member has attained age 55 and has completed at least 20 years of
credited service.
(ii) For members joining the plan on or after January 1, 2015, the plan member's normal retirement date shall
be the first day of the month in which such member has attained age 55 and has completed at least 25 years of
credited service.
(b) Deferred retirement. A plan member who is satisfactorily able to perform fire duties may remain an active
member and continue to earn credited service beyond his/her normal retirement date while he/she continues
to collect benefits. The first day of the calendar month following such deferred retirement shall be known as
his/her deferred retirement date.
(c) Calculation of retirement benefits. The monthly amount of retirement benefits payable to a plan member
shall be calculated as follows:
(i) For retired members with a break in service prior to January 1, 1995, $7.00 times 20 years of service, for a
maximum of $140.00.
(ii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 1995 but prior to January 1, 2000, $8.00
times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 30 years, or $240.00.
iii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2000 but prior to January 1, 2006, $10.00
times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 30 years, or $300.00.
(iv) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2006 but prior to January 1, 2011,
$15.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 35 years, or $525.00.
(v) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2011 but prior to January 1, 2015, $18.00
times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of 40 years, or $720.00.
(vi) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2015 but prior to January 1, 2021,
$22.00 times number of years of credited service, with a maximum of forty years, or $880,00;
(1) Fforty years, or $880.00, for members who joined the plan prior to January 1, 2015
(2) Thirty years, or $660.00, for members who joined the plan on or after January 1, 2015
(vii) For retired members with a break in service on or after January 1, 2021, $24 times number of years of
credited service, with a maximum of 40 years, or $960.00
Sec. 8‐77. ‐ Death benefits.
(d) Death after retirement.
(i) Qualified spousal and child benefits. A plan member who is under the age of 65 as of January 8, 2001 and
is an active member is entitled to have benefits pass onto his/her qualified spouse and child(ren), subject to the
restrictions and calculations described herein.
(1) Qualified spouse is entitled to death benefits until death or remarriage, calculated as follows:
a. Plan member who died between January 8, 2001 and July 16, 2006. Fifty percent of the deceased plan
member's retirement benefit;
b. Plan member who died after between July 16, 2006 and January 1, 2021. Ninety percent of the deceased
plan member's retirement benefit.
c. Plan member who dies after January 1, 2021. One hundred percent of the deceased plan member's
retirement benefit.
Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom
President Pro Tem Mark M. Bettencourt
Alderwoman Stacy Gould
RESOLUTION #1
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR REFERENDUM
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH:
That the ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $145,000,000 TO FUND ALL
OR A PORTION OF THE UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL ACCRUED LIABILITY OF THE CITY'S EMPLOYEES'
RETIREMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PENSION
BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION ”, as adopted by this meeting of the Council, be
submitted to a referendum vote of the electors of the City for approval or disapproval in conjunction with the
general election on November 2, 2021, between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. and that the warning of said
referendum state the question to be voted upon and the ballot label with respect thereto as follows:
Question 1:
“Shall the ordinance entitled ‘AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $145,000,000 TO FUND ALL OR A
PORTION OF THE UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL ACCRUED LIABILITY OF THE CITY'S
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL
OBLIGATION PENSION BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION’, as adopted by
the City Council on August 2, 2021, be approved? YES NO”
The ballot label for said question shall read as follows:
“Shall the $145,000,000 appropriation and bond authorization for the funding of all or a portion
of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the City’s Employees’ Retirement Plan, pursuant to
the ordinance adopted by the City Council on August 2, 2021, be approved? YES NO”
The voting will be by paper/electronic ballot. Those desiring to vote for the question shall fill in the box
in front of the question on the ballot at “YES”. Those desiring to vote against the question shall fill in the box in
front of the question on the ballot at “NO”. Absentee ballots will be made available in accordance with the law.
The warning of said referendum shall also state that the full text of the aforesaid ordinance and question
are on file open to public inspection in the office of the City and Town Clerk, that the vote on the aforesaid bond
ordinance is taken pursuant to Chapter VIII, Section 4 of the City Charter and Chapters 90 and 152 of the
Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, and that absentee ballots will be made available in accordance with
the law.
The City and Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to prepare and print pursuant to section 9-
369b of the Connecticut General Statutes (i) explanatory text for the foregoing question and (ii) materials
concerning such question in addition to the explanatory text.
City Manager John L. Salomone
RESOLUTION #2
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich entered into a License Agreement dated November 17, 2003 permitting
it to use the parking lot and path located at 71 Town Street, Norwich, Connecticut 06360 which License
Agreement has been extended several times by amendment and will currently expire on November 30,
2021; and
WHEREAS, the Bank of America, National Association and the City of Norwich propose to enter into a
Fifth Amendment to the License Agreement extending it for an additional term to end November 30, 2022,
unless sooner terminated; and
WHEREAS, a proposed Fifth Amendment to License Agreement between the Bank of America, National
Association and the City of Norwich is attached to this resolution as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich
to enter into this Fifth Amendment to License Agreement
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that,
City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized and directed to enter into a Fifth Amendment to
License Agreement that is satisfactory to him and substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto
and to provide to and receive from the Bank of America, National Association signed copies of the Fifth
Amendment to License Agreement together with such other correspondence, agreements, memorandum of
understanding or documents as are necessary to effectuate the same.
Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom
Alderwoman Stacy Gould
RESOLUTION #2
EXHIBIT A
FIFTH AMENDMENT
TO LICENSE AGREEMENT
The parties to this Fifth Amendment to License Agreement (“Fourth Amendment”) are Bank of America,
National Association, a national banking association, successor in interest to Fleet National Bank, ("Licensor"),
and City of Norwich, a municipal corporation specially chartered by the General Assembly of the State of
Connecticut and having is territorial limits within the State of Connecticut ("Licensee"), who, for good and
valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, agree as follows:
1. Background. This Fifth Amendment pertains to the License Agreement between Licensor and
Licensee, dated November 17, 2003 as amended by the Amendment to License Agreement dated October 17,
2008, by Second Amendment to License Agreement dated January 7, 2014, by Third Amendment to License
Agreement executed January 15, 2016 and by Fourth Amendment to License Agreement dated September 13,
2018 (together, the “License”), for license of the Premises therein described for the use of the parking lot and path
located at 71 Town Street, Norwich, CT 06360. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have
the meanings given them in the License.
2. License Term. By execution of this Fifth Amendment, the term of the License hereby is extended
for an additional term (“Additional Term”), ending November 30, 2022, unless sooner terminated as provided in
the License. Notwithstanding any provisions contained herein to the contrary, either party may terminate this
License at any time, without cause, during the Term upon at least forty-five (45) days prior written notice to the
other party.
3. AS-IS. Licensee accepts the Premises in its AS-IS, WHERE IS condition. Licensor shall not be
required to perform any improvements or other work or provide Licensee with any allowance or inducement with
respect to the License. Licensee, at Licensee’s sole cost and expense, shall comply with all laws, ordinances,
orders, rules and regulations of state, federal, municipal or other agencies or bodies having jurisdiction over the
use or condition of Licensee’s improvements (including the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended).
Licensee will comply with any reasonable rules and regulations for the parking lot adopted by Licensor.
4. Insurance. Simultaneously with the execution of this Fifth Amendment, Licensee shall provide
Licensor with a certificate of insurance as required under the License.
5. Brokers. Each party hereto represents that it has not dealt with any other real estate broker or
agent in connection with the negotiation of this Fifth Amendment other than CBRE, Inc. Licensor shall be
responsible for any commissions due CBRE, Inc. in connection with this Fifth Amendment. Each party shall
hold the other harmless from all damages resulting from any claims that may be asserted against the other party
by any broker, finder, or other person or entity with whom the indemnifying party has dealt.
6. Addresses. Notice addresses under the License pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the License are hereby
amended as follows:
Licensor:
Bank of America, National Association
NC1-023-05-03
5252 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Lease Administration (CT2-122)
1
With copies to:
Bank of America, National Association
Two Smith St (MA6-152-02-01)
Wakefield, MA 01880
Attention: Joan Arria, Vice President (CT2-122)
Licensee:
City of Norwich
100 Broadway
City Hall, Room 219
Norwich, CT 06360-4431
Attn: City Manager
7. Miscellaneous. Licensee and the person(s) signing this Fifth Amendment on Licensee's behalf
represent and warrant to Licensor that Licensee has full right and authority to execute and perform its obligations
under the License as amended by this Fifth Amendment, and that such person(s) are, duly authorized to execute
this Fifth Amendment on Licensee's behalf without further consent or approval by anyone. Licensee shall deliver
to Licensor promptly upon request all documents reasonably requested by Licensor to evidence such authority.
This Fifth Amendment is the entire agreement of the parties regarding modifications of the License provided
herein, supersedes all prior agreements and understandings regarding such subject matter, may be modified only
by a writing executed by the party against whom the modification is sought to be enforced, and shall bind and
benefit the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. The License is ratified
and confirmed in full force and effect in accordance with its terms, as amended hereby.
8. OFAC. Licensee represents that neither Licensee nor, to the knowledge of Licensee, any director,
officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative of Licensee is an individual or entity (“Person”) currently the
subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign
Assets Control (“OFAC”), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is Licensee
located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions; and Licensee represents
and covenants that it has not knowingly engaged in, is not now knowingly engaged in, and shall not engage in,
any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that is the subject of Sanctions.
9. Counterparts and Digital Images. This Fifth Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts with the same force and effect as if all signatures were appended to one document, each of which
shall be deemed an original. The parties agree to accept a digital image of the License, and any amendments
thereto, as executed, as a true and correct original and admissible as best evidence for the purposes of State law,
Federal Rule of Evidence 1002, and the like statutes and regulations. Execution and delivery of this Amendment
by portable document format (“PDF”) copy bearing the PDF signature of any party hereto shall constitute a valid
and binding execution and delivery of this Amendment by such party. Such PDF copies shall constitute
enforceable original documents.
EXECUTED AND DATED as of ___________, ____, 2021.
LICENSEE: LICENSOR:
City of Norwich Bank of America, National Association,
a national banking association
By: ___________________________ By: _________________________
Name: __________________________ Name: Joan Arria
Title: ___________________________ Title: Vice President
Date: _________________________ Date: _______________________
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RESOLUTION #3
WHEREAS, the City of Norwich owns an undeveloped parcel of land located on North Thames Street
identified as map 101, block 1, lot 31/1, acquired in 2007 by Quit Claim Deed from the State of
Connecticut which had become the owner of the same in connection with a road relocation, the Quit Claim
Deed reserving to the State of Connecticut, its successors and assigns, a full and perpetual easement to
slope under, over and across portions of the land conveyed; and
WHEREAS, said parcel of land consists of 0.27 acres and due to its size, shape, and location has no or
limited potential use as a standalone piece of property; and
WHEREAS, the abutting property owner at 28 North Thames Street has offered to purchase the property
for $17,000, which the city assessor considers to be a fair price for the property, and said abutting property
owner agrees to merge this parcel with its abutting parcel; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds it to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich
to sell the property to the abutting owner for $17,000 recognizing the fair market value of the property
requires compliance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statute § 7-163e to include a public
hearing with two notices by publication and a posting of sign on the property concerning the conduct of a
public hearing prior to the sale.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that,
1) a public hearing be scheduled on this resolution to be held on ____________________ and that
City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized to arrange through the city clerk for
the publication of two notices required at intervals of not less than two days, the first not more
than fifteen days or less than ten days and the last not less than two days before the date set for
such public hearing, and through the Department of Public Works for the posting of a sign
conspicuously set on the real property that is the subject of the public hearing providing
information relative to the public hearing including the date, time, and location of the same; and
2) the council shall defer further action on this resolution until completion of said public hearing;
and
3) following the completion of the public hearing the council may further act on this resolution as it
deems appropriate and, by adopting the same without substantial amendment, shall authorize and
direct City Manager John Salomone to accept on behalf of the City of Norwich the offer of
$17,000 with the merger of this parcel with the abutting property and arrange to convey the same
to the proposed purchaser, DI Enterprises, LLC, for $17,000 by quit claim deed and to execute
such deed and such other documents, agreements, memorandums of understanding, and
correspondence as may be necessary to convey the property and complete the proposed
transaction.
Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom
Alderwoman Stacy Gould
RESOLUTION #4
WHEREAS, the Police Department expended approximately $35,000 in excess of its 2020-21
appropriation resulting primarily from retirement payouts, overtime, and replacement overtime costs; and,
WHEREAS, the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department expended approximately $5,000 in excess of its
2020-21 appropriation resulting primarily from utilities, supplies, and vehicle fuel costs; and,
WHEREAS, the Occum Volunteer Fire Department expended approximately $5,000 in excess of its
2020-21 appropriation resulting primarily from physicals, supplies, and equipment maintenance costs;
and,
WHEREAS, Non-Departmental expenditures were approximately $10,000 in excess of its 2020-21
appropriation resulting primarily from the purchase of cyber risk management coverage; and,
WHEREAS, several departments underspent their 2020-21 budgets.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NORWICH, that $55,000 be and hereby is transferred from the 2020-21 budgets of the departments listed
below to the 2020-21 budgets of the Police, Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Occum Volunteer
Fire Department, and Non-Departmental budgets as follows:
Budget Decreases
Public Works 10430300-10434800 $55,000
Budget Increases
Police 10420100 $35,000
Laurel Hill VFD 10423400 5,000
Occum VFD 10423500 5,000
Non-Departmental 10500000 10,000
Total Budget Increases $55,000
City Manager John L. Salomone
RESOLUTION #5
WHEREAS, under the American Rescue Plan funds have been and are to be delivered next year from the
federal government to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19
emergency and to bring back jobs and funding objectives; and
WHEREAS, these funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and can be used to cover costs
associated with:
Responding to the negative impacts of the COVID pandemic, including assistance to households,
small businesses and non-profits as well as aide to affected industries such as tourism, travel, and
hospitality;
Providing government services previously cut due to pandemic-related revenue shortfalls; and
Making needed investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, in 2021 the City of Norwich received the sum of $14,419,364.22 in connection with first
year of the program and anticipates receiving a similar sum in the second year of the program; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds that the following initiatives are consistent with
the plan objectives of the American Rescue Plan; can be obligated within the time allotted; are within the
uses permitted under the appropriate categories of the American Rescue Plan; and that it will be in the
best interest of the City of Norwich to appropriate funds as estimated and listed herein by project from the
2021 allocation provided to the City of Norwich:
1) Uncas Leap Heritage Park $2,100,000
Funding for Design and Installation of Site Amenities to Complete the Master Plan Concept
including:
Completion of the granite mill ruin
Interpretive signage & timeline exhibit
Plaza, fencing, lighting, benches & flagpoles
Restroom facility
Trails & landscaping improvement
2) Browning Road Water Main Extension $800,000
Water Infrastructure Improvement
3) Norwich Human Services $2,100,000
To be used for:
Basic need support to Norwich families to include rent mortgage and utility assistance
Health improvements to disenfranchised neighborhoods
Mental health system improvements from the effect of COVID
Employment support – apprenticeships & job training
Recreation assistance – Armstrong tennis courts, Greeneville playground & splashpad
As proposed the sum is to be allocated as follows:
$350,000 to Recreation Department
$889,000 basic need support to Norwich families
$175,000 employment support
$186,000 staffing needs
$250,000 health improvements to disenfranchised neighborhoods
$250,000 mental health system improvements
4) Norwich Community Development Corporation $2,000,000
To support code correction & Vanilla box program recognizing that:
Code correction will reduce the risks associated with renovating long-term vacant spaces
By design, the Vanilla box program will help building owners improve space that is not
tenant ready creating habitable spaces of particular uses
Will enable building owners to apply for funds to fix buildings creating a positive return
on investment and encourage businesses to occupy space in the downtown area.
5) Arts & Culture $500,000
Through a Partnership with Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition
Utilize the arts & cultural assets to provide positive economic impact for the City of
Norwich to include:
Developing arts & culture-based beautification projects
Coordinate and promote arts, culture, history and heritage events and activities
Manager perception of Norwich
6) Rehabilitate City Acquired Property to livable or $1,200,000
useable condition prior to sale
Provide economic stabilization for Norwich households and local businesses
Facilitate the entering into of a partnership with an appropriate entity(ies) for Habitat &
Community Development
7) Norwich Police Department $300,000
To be used for law enforcement including reducing gun violence.
8) Otis Library $50,000
To expand services.
9) Planning and Neighborhood Services Department $89,000
To hire an Assistant Zoning & Blight Enforcement Officer
Total Appropriation $9,139,000
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that,
the appropriation and use of funds described herein by estimated dollar amount and purpose, are found to
be consistent with planning objectives of the American Rescue Plan and, when expended as described
herein and for purposes listed, will be in the best interest of the City of Norwich whereby said
appropriation and expenditures for the purposes listed having so been found, are approved by the Council
of the City of Norwich with the proviso that they be obligated by December 31, 2024.
Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom
President Pro Tem Mark M. Bettencourt
Alderwoman Stacy Gould
RESOLUTION #6
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich adopted a resolution on July 19, 2021, titled, Declaration
Of Racism As A Public Health Crisis In The City Of Norwich; and
WHEREAS, said resolution was amended after the introduction with subsequent amendments proposed;
and
WHEREAS, certain proposed amendment lacked a second which may have been overlooked, particularly
with respect to the identity of certain proposed stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, this resolution is intended to clarify the record by noting the following are to be considered as
perspective stakeholders
1. Hartford Health Care
2. NAACP
3. Otis Library
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH,
that Hartford Health Care, the NAACP and the Otis Library be considered as perspective stakeholders.
Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom
Alderman Derell Q. Wilson
NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCE #1
Council’s Amending Ordinance
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE VI OF CHAPTER 21 OF
THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING SECTIONS 21-135, 21-136, AND 21-137
RELATIVE TO THE EXTENSION OF A WATER MAIN AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO
SERVICE PROPERTIES IN THE CITY OF NORWICH, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
PROPERTIES WITHIN THE COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE ASSOCIATION, AND PROVISIONS FOR THE
LAYING OF ASSESSMENTS, ENTERING INTO WRITTEN AGREEMENTS REGARDING SUCH
IMPROVEMENTS AND THE PAYMENT, COLLECTION, AND ASSESSMENT LIENS REGARDING
THE SAME
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the City Council adopted an ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING ARTICLE VI OF CHAPTER 21 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING
SECTIONS 21-135, 21-136, AND 21-137 RELATIVE TO THE EXTENSION OF A WATER MAIN AND
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVICE PROPERTIES IN THE CITY OF NORWICH, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, PROPERTIES WITHIN THE COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE ASSOCIATION, AND
PROVISIONS FOR THE LAYING OF ASSESSMENTS, ENTERING INTO WRITTEN AGREEMENTS
REGARDING SUCH IMPROVEMENTS AND THE PAYMENT, COLLECTION, AND ASSESSMENT
LIENS REGARDING THE SAME” (“Ordinance No. 1784”); and
WHEREAS, certain amendments are required to Ordinance No. 1784 to renumber Articles and Sections of
Chapter 21 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances, to delete reference to the number of properties within the Countryside
Drive Association, to include a maximum assessment amount per property within the Countryside Drive Association
and to make certain amendments to the collection and lien language in the Ordinance.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that Ordinance No.
1784 is amended and restated to read as follow:
ARTICLE VI VIII - ASSESSMENTS FOR WATER MAINS AND SYSTEMS
Sec. 21-135157. – Countryside Drive Association community well system.
(a) Notwithstanding Sections 21-131 to 21-134 of the City of Norwich Code of Ordinances, the purpose of
Sections 21-135 157 to 21-137159, inclusive, is to provide for (i) the levying of assessments upon
properties in the City of Norwich (including, but not limited to, the original 17 properties within the
Countryside Drive Association) which are benefitted by the extension of a water main beginning on Lawler
Lane from the existing Norwich Public Utilities water main on Canterbury Turnpike and Lawler Lane, which
water main will continue on Sunrise Street and Evergreen Street and loop back onto Canterbury Turnpike
(together with lateral extensions to individual curb valves), (ii) the levying of assessments upon properties
in the Countryside Drive Association which are benefitted by the extension of service lines from the new
water main to the premises currently served by the failing and to be abandoned Countryside Drive
Association community well system, and (iii) the methods of payment and other terms and conditions of
such assessments, all in accordance with and subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7-137c of the
Connecticut General Statutes.
1
(b) The cost of the construction and installation of the new water main which will be assessed to the properties
able to be served by said system in the following manner:
i. The final cost of the new water main extension and expenses incidental thereto, including
engineering, inspection and other professional fees and interest, less any federal or state grants
received by the City of Norwich or Norwich Public Utilities in connection with the construction and
installation of the new water main extension, shall be divided equally among the original 17
properties within the Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the system.
ii. Said assessments shall be paid by the property owners in one of two following ways: (1) payment
in full within 30 days of the first billing; or (2) payment over a period of twenty (20) years in two
hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments plus interest of 2.00%.
iii. If additional properties connect to the new water main extension during the assessment payment
period, such additional properties may be assessed by the board of public utilities commissioners
based on the special benefits accruing to the properties and any additional costs incurred by the
department of public utilities relating to such connection. The board of public utilities
commissioners shall determine the amount of any assessment, the methods of payment (including
any installment payments), and the due dates for such assessments. The department of public
utilities shall send written notice to the owner of such properties, which notice shall describe any
proposed improvements, set forth the preliminary cost estimate of the improvements and be
accompanied by a form prepared by the department of public utilities on which the owner shall
indicate whether the owner is willing to share in bearing the cost of such improvements and which
the owner shall return to the department of public utilities within 10 days of said notice.
(c) The cost of the construction and installation of the service lines beginning at the curb valves and extending
to the outside of the foundation wall of the 17 properties currently served by the failing and to be abandoned
Countryside Drive Association community well system will be assessed to such properties in the following
manner:
i. The final cost of the service lines and expenses incidental thereto, including engineering,
inspection and other professional fees and interest, less any federal or state grants received by
the City of Norwich or Norwich Public Utilities in connection with the construction and installation
of the service lines, shall be divided equally among the original 17 properties within the
Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the system.
ii. Said assessments shall be paid by the property owners in one of two following ways: (1) payment
in full within 30 days of the first billing; or (2) payment over a period of twenty (20) years in two
hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments plus interest of 2.00%.
(d) Notwithstanding (b) and (c) above, the maximum assessment amount against any property within the
Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the water main and service lines described in (b) and
(c) above, shall be Two Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($2,800.00). Said maximum assessment amount
shall include the property owner’s net cost for both the installation of the water main described in (b) above
and the installation of the service line described in (c) above.
Sec. 21-136158. – Countryside Water System - Notice.
Prior to the commencement of any construction, the Norwich Public Utilities will enter into a written agreement
with each of the owners of the original 17 properties within the Countryside Drive Association to initially be
served by the Countryside water system, which agreement shall describe the proposed improvements, set
forth the preliminary cost estimate of the improvements, and provide for the property owner’s agreement to
share in bearing the cost of such improvements. After all such agreements are signed and returned to
Norwich Public Utilities, the department of public utilities shall proceed forthwith with such project and the
assessment of same upon completion. In the case of any conflict between the agreement and this Ordinance,
the agreement shall control.
Sec. 21-137159. - Countryside Water System - Collection and liens.
(a) All assessments for the Countryside water system which are levied shall become a debt due from the
property against which they are assessed, to the board of public utilities commissioners, and may be, in
addition to other remedies provided by law, recovered by any proper action in the name of such board.
(b) In accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes, including Sections 7-137d and 7-140 of the
Connecticut General Statutes, whenever assessments for the Countryside water system have been lawfully
made and such system has been completed and certificates of lien have been signed by the duly constituted
authorities, describing the premises upon which any such lien is claimed and stating the amount claimed as
a lien thereon, and have been lodged with the town clerk, such assessments of benefits shall be and remain
a lien upon the land upon which the same have been made, and neither the City of Norwich nor Norwich
Public Utilities shall be required to lodge for record any further certificate of any such lien. Any assessment
or any installment thereof, not paid within thirty days after the due date, shall be delinquent and shall be
subject to interest from such due date at the interest rate and in the manner provided by the Connecticut
General Statutes, including Sections 7-254 of the Connecticut General Statutes, for delinquent property
taxes. Each addition of interest shall be collectible as a part of such assessment.Any real estate against
which the Countryside water system assessment has been levied shall be subject to a lien for the amount of
such assessment, as provided in Section 7-137d of the Connecticut General Statutes. Such lien shall exist
from the due date as established by the board of public utilities commissioners and, during its existence, shall
take precedence over all other liens or encumbrances and transfers, except as otherwise provided for in the
Connecticut General Statutes. Such lien shall expire one year after the date on which it commences to run
unless a certificate thereof containing a statement of the amount of such lien and a description of the
premises upon which it is claimed shall be lodged for record by the board of public utilities commissioners
in the office of the city clerk before the expiration of such period.
(c) One certificate of lien as aforesaid may continue more than one lien and said board may include in one
certificate any number of assessments for the Countryside water system not previously continued by a
certificate and due within the year ending on the date of such filing.
(d) All assessment liens for the Countryside water system levied by the board of public utilities
commissioners may be foreclosed in the name of such board in the same manner as a lien for taxes
may be foreclosed. Any such lien shall be invalid after the expiration of ten years from the date of
recording a certificate continuing the same, unless an action of foreclosure shall have been commenced
within such time. If foreclosure shall not have been commenced after the expiration of ten years, the
city clerk shall discharge such lien of record by noting thereon the words "discharged by operation of
law" together with the date and city clerk's signature.
The fees for all certificates, recordation and releases pertaining to liens for the Countryside water system shall be
the same as provided for in the matter of tax liens
Ordinance No. 1784 As Amended
ARTICLE VIII - ASSESSMENTS FOR WATER MAINS AND SYSTEMS
Sec. 21-157. – Countryside Drive Association community well system.
(a) Notwithstanding Sections 21-131 to 21-134 of the City of Norwich Code of Ordinances, the purpose
of Sections 21-157 to 21-159, inclusive, is to provide for (i) the levying of assessments upon
properties in the City of Norwich (including, but not limited to, the properties within the Countryside
Drive Association) which are benefitted by the extension of a water main beginning on Lawler Lane
from the existing Norwich Public Utilities water main on Canterbury Turnpike and Lawler Lane,
which water main will continue on Sunrise Street and Evergreen Street and loop back onto
Canterbury Turnpike (together with lateral extensions to individual curb valves), (ii) the levying of
assessments upon properties in the Countryside Drive Association which are benefitted by the
extension of service lines from the new water main to the premises currently served by the failing
and to be abandoned Countryside Drive Association community well system, and (iii) the methods
of payment and other terms and conditions of such assessments, all in accordance with and subject
to the limitations set forth in Section 7-137c of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(b) The cost of the construction and installation of the new water main which will be assessed to the
properties able to be served by said system in the following manner:
i. The final cost of the new water main extension and expenses incidental thereto, including
engineering, inspection and other professional fees and interest, less any federal or state
grants received by the City of Norwich or Norwich Public Utilities in connection with the
construction and installation of the new water main extension, shall be divided equally
among the properties within the Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the
system.
ii. Said assessments shall be paid by the property owners in one of two following ways: (1)
payment in full within 30 days of the first billing; or (2) payment over a period of twenty
(20) years in two hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments plus interest of
2.00%.
iii. If additional properties connect to the new water main extension during the assessment
payment period, such additional properties may be assessed by the board of public utilities
commissioners based on the special benefits accruing to the properties and any additional
costs incurred by the department of public utilities relating to such connection. The board
of public utilities commissioners shall determine the amount of any assessment, the
methods of payment (including any installment payments), and the due dates for such
assessments. The department of public utilities shall send written notice to the owner of
such properties, which notice shall describe any proposed improvements, set forth the
preliminary cost estimate of the improvements and be accompanied by a form prepared
by the department of public utilities on which the owner shall indicate whether the owner
is willing to share in bearing the cost of such improvements and which the owner shall
return to the department of public utilities within 10 days of said notice.
(c) The cost of the construction and installation of the service lines beginning at the curb valves and
extending to the outside of the foundation wall of the properties currently served by the failing and to
be abandoned Countryside Drive Association community well system will be assessed to such
properties in the following manner:
i. The final cost of the service lines and expenses incidental thereto, including engineering,
inspection and other professional fees and interest, less any federal or state grants
received by the City of Norwich or Norwich Public Utilities in connection with the
construction and installation of the service lines, shall be divided equally among the
properties within the Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the system.
ii. Said assessments shall be paid by the property owners in one of two following ways: (1)
payment in full within 30 days of the first billing; or (2) payment over a period of twenty
(20) years in two hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments plus interest of
2.00%.
(d) Notwithstanding (b) and (c) above, the maximum assessment amount against any property within the
Countryside Drive Association to initially be served by the water main and service lines described in
(b) and (c) above, shall be Two Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($2,800.00). Said maximum
assessment amount shall include the property owner’s net cost for both the installation of the water
main described in (b) above and the installation of the service line described in (c) above.
Sec. 21-158. – Countryside Water System - Notice.
Prior to the commencement of any construction, the Norwich Public Utilities will enter into a written
agreement with each of the owners of the properties within the Countryside Drive Association to
initially be served by the Countryside water system, which agreement shall describe the proposed
improvements, set forth the preliminary cost estimate of the improvements, and provide for the
property owner’s agreement to share in bearing the cost of such improvements. After all such
agreements are signed and returned to Norwich Public Utilities, the department of public utilities shall
proceed forthwith with such project and the assessment of same upon completion. In the case of
any conflict between the agreement and this Ordinance, the agreement shall control.
Sec. 21-159. - Countryside Water System - Collection and liens.
(a) All assessments for the Countryside water system which are levied shall become a debt due from
the property against which they are assessed, to the board of public utilities commissioners, and
may be, in addition to other remedies provided by law, recovered by any proper action in the name
of such board.
(b) In accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes, including Sections 7-137d and 7-140 of the
Connecticut General Statutes, whenever assessments for the Countryside water system have been
lawfully made and such system has been completed and certificates of lien have been signed by
the duly constituted authorities, describing the premises upon which any such lien is claimed and
stating the amount claimed as a lien thereon, and have been lodged with the town clerk, such
assessments of benefits shall be and remain a lien upon the land upon which the same have been
made, and neither the City of Norwich nor Norwich Public Utilities shall be required to lodge for
record any further certificate of any such lien. Any assessment or any installment thereof, not paid
within thirty days after the due date, shall be delinquent and shall be subject to interest from such
due date at the interest rate and in the manner provided by the Connecticut General Statutes,
including Sections 7-254 of the Connecticut General Statutes, for delinquent property taxes. Each
addition of interest shall be collectible as a part of such assessment.
(c) One certificate of lien as aforesaid may continue more than one lien and said board may include in
one certificate any number of assessments for the Countryside water system not previously
continued by a certificate and due within the year ending on the date of such filing.
(d) All assessment liens for the Countryside water system levied by the board of public utilities
commissioners may be foreclosed in the name of such board in the same manner as a lien for
taxes may be foreclosed.
The fees for all certificates, recordation and releases pertaining to liens for the Countryside water system
shall be the same as provided for in the matter of tax liens
Alderwoman Stacy Gould
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