City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH August 5, 2024 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held August 5, 2024 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Singh, Ald. Gould, Ald. Bettencourt, Ald. Hayes and Ald. Nash. City Manager John 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. Hayes read the opening prayer and Ald. Nash led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nystrom called for a moment of silence for Pat Coleman. Ald. Singh requested a moment of personal privilege to deliver the following remembrance message of the Oak Creek Gurudwara Attack of 2012 and he requested a moment of silence upon his conclusion of his speech. NORWICH CITY COUNCIL PAYS HOMAGE TO OAK CREEK GURUDWARA ATTACK VICTIMS COMMEMORATING IT’S 12th YEAR ANNIVERSARY. 08/05/2024 Norwich, Connecticut Connecticut has always been a State in America which is known for its solidarity with Sikh Nation and always raised issues of Sikhs. In recent meeting of Norwich City Council homage was given to victims of Oak Creek Gurudwara Attack and moment of silence was led by Council Member Swaranjit Singh Khalsa. Following statement was read by Councilman Singh: “I would like to use point of personal privilege and remember the victims of 2012 Oak Creek Gurudwara Attack. Today Aug 5th it’s 12 commemoration of that deadly attack on Sikh place of prayer in Oak Creek, Wisconsin when a White Nationalist full of hate ideology entered the Gurudwara and took the life of six innocent congregational members and the 7th victim just died in 2020 due to complications. Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism revealed that AAPI related hate crime has increased by 339 percent and many faith based communities are also facing a spike in hate crimes. We must remember this and make sure we advocate for stronger laws in our nation when it comes to hate crime reporting and protecting our nation from domestic terrorism ….and in our small communities we must send the message that everyone is welcome here and there is no place for hate in our cities. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH August 5, 2024 America is a land of immigrants and people from diverse backgrounds, and we are better off embracing each other to move this country forward. At the end I also want to acknowledge the bravery of Officer Brian Murphy and thank Almighty God for his survival after he took 15 bullets on him to protect people during that attack. Thanks a lot for giving me this opportunity.” All the council members and Mayor Peter Nystrom along with City Staff stood up and participated in the brief moment of silence for victims of hate crime. Swaranjit Singh Khalsa who is also one of the Directors of Sikh Art Gallery told us that coming Saturday 08/10/2024 there will be free educational guided tours of Sikh History from 1:30pm to 2:30pm to combat ignorance and hate at Sikh Art Gallery located at 7 Clinic Drive, Norwich CT 06360 Mayor Nystrom read and presented the following Proclamation to Tafville Fire Company #2. City Of Norwich Mayors Office Peter Albert Nystrom, Mayor PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, A Firefighter has the Desire to Serve, Ability to Perform, and Courage to Act, are young and aged, volunteer and career men and women of all races and colors who protect the citizens of the Rose City all hours of the day and night; and WHEREAS, Taftville Fire Company # 2 started after a major fire and area merchants and property owners met and decided to start their own fire company serving the Village of Taftville and surrounding areas of Norwich; and WHEREAS, since 1917 Taftville Fire Company # 2 has performed outstanding service to the service area they are responsible for and have saved many lives and fought many fires; and WHEREAS, on July 13, 2024 Taftville Fire Company # 2 held a banquet honoring the members that have achieved major milestones, with 5 Years of Service for David Fahrenholz and TJ Jencks, 15 Years of Service for Lt Scott Boenig, 30 Years of Service for Captain Shane Dupuis, 35 Years of Service for Fire Chief Tim Jencks, 40 years of Service for Assistant Chief Bill Hadam; and WHEREAS, awards were also given for Department Participation Award to Bill Hayes, Top Responder of 2023 is Robert Ross, Firefighter of the Year is Josh Gilot; and WHEREAS, 10,000 Call Club Award is a new award for members who have responded to over 10, 000 calls in their career the two receiving this award are Chief Tim Jencks and Assistant Chief Bill Hadam; and 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH August 5, 2024 WHEREAS, the Albert Lebrecque Life Saving Award/Unit Citation for the Shetucket River Drowning was presented to Deputy Chief Tom Jencks, Captain Shane Dupuis, Lt. Scott Boenig, Lt. Josh Gilot, Firefighters Robert Ross, Haley Ross, Bill Hayes and Sean Gilot. NOW THEREFORE, I, MAYOR PETER ALBERT NYSTROM AND NORWICH CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM, JOSEPH A. DELUCIA, ON BEHALF OF THE NORWICH CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, do hereby thank Taftville Fire Company # 2 and do hereby express our sincere appreciation for the continuing excellent service they provide to the community and for the outstanding services they have provided in the past One Hundred and Seven years as a caring and hardworking fire department that gives so much to the Village of Taftville and the Rose City. Dated this Fifth day of August, 2024 Peter Albert Nystrom Joseph A. DeLucia Mayor President Pro Tem Upon a motion of Ald. Nash and Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes of July 1, 2024 and July 15, 2024. 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 5, 2024 Meetings attended were Southeastern Council of Governments Executive Committee Meeting (SCCOG), and NPU-City Coordination Meeting. I also attended the press conference of Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz at Howard Brown Park to celebrate the Community Investment Fund $2 million in state funding to revitalize the harbor. The money will go towards gas tanks at the Marina and improvements to Brown Park including a public restroom, permanent stage and family activity area featuring a splash pad or ice rink. July tax collection was steady at City Hall. M & T Bank processed 10,266 lock box payments of $7,416,673.64, a 40% increase from last year’s 6,112 payments. Total tax payments received as of August 2nd was $47,072,085.51. Sherman and Asylum streets were opened to traffic on July 26th one month ahead of schedule after a 2 year closure to replace the two bridges over the Yantic River. The 10 million replacement project is wider and higher than the previous road for flood prevention and utilities protection beneath. The Sachem Fund Board is accepting applications until August 30th for projects or programs that can provide a return on investment and/or create a self-sustaining legacy for both the City and the Sachem Fund. There is approximately $90,000 available from the fund that was established in January 2007. The Mohegan Tribe and the City manage the distribution of the funds and have awarded approximately $1.3 million in grants since its inception. Additional information can be found on the City website www.norwichct.org under Bids &/RFPS. The City Clerk’s office has been awarded the Historic Documents Preservation Program Grant FY 2025 in the amount of $7,500.00. This Grant program has been awarded annually since 2013 in the 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH August 5, 2024 Clerk’s office to do in house “back scanning” of older documents. This process is aimed at digitizing the older documents for ease of searching and reproducing documents for searchers. They are currently working from April 1916 back. The Rose City Senior Center welcomed Congressman Courtney on Friday, August 2nd to talk about updates to Social Security and Medicare. Norwich Police will be hosting the 41st annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6th at Brown Park. National Night Out enhances the relationship between law enforcement and neighbors in communities under positive circumstances. Families can enjoy free food, activities, and demonstrations from 6 pm to 9 pm. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment on new business resolutions. There being no speakers, Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Singh on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Gould and Ald. Nash. WHEREAS, for many years the City of Norwich, through the Department of Public Works, has provided programs to assist its property owners in replacing sidewalks; and WHEREAS, the City, through its Directors of Public Works, has determined that granite curbing provides the most durable curbing for most sidewalks; and WHEREAS, the City is currently reimbursing property owners $21.50 per linear foot of granite curbing, which reimbursement rate has not been adjusted since 1991; and WHEREAS, former Director of Public Works Patrick McLaughlin suggested to the Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee of the Council that the reimbursement rate be increased to $50.00 per linear foot of granite curbing which recommendation the Committee on Public Works and Capital Improvements approved unanimously at its February 21, 2024 meeting in expectation that increasing the reimbursement to align to current market pricing may interest more residents in participating in the curbing replacement program, an outline of the program is attached hereto as Exhibit A. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the reimbursement rate per linear foot of granite curbing be adjusted from $21.50 to $50.00 per linear foot in connection with the City of Norwich Curbing Reimbursement Program, all other terms and conditions of the Curbing Reimbursement Program to remain unchanged. Exhibit “A” CITY OF NORWICH CURBING REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM A. PROPERTY OWNER PAYS FOR THE COST OF THE SIDEWALK AND DRIVEWAY APRON AND RETAINS A CONTRACTOR TO DO THE WORK. THE SIDEWALK AND DRIVEWAY APRON MUST BE CONCRETE. B. CITY PAYS FOR GRANITE CURBING. THE AMOUNT THE CITY PAYS FOR GRANITE CURBING IS $50.00 PER FOOT. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH August 5, 2024 C. ALL WORK MUST MEET CITY SPECIFICATIONS AND BE APPROVED BY THE CITY OF NORWICH PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE CONSTRUCTION. D. THE CONTRACTOR DOING THE WORK WILL BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HAVE A MINIMUM OF $2,000,000 IN LIABILITY INSURANCE. IN CASES WHERE A SIDEWALK IS INSTALLED ALONG A STATE ROAD, THE CONTRACTOR MUST ALSO OBTAIN A PERMIT FROM THE CONNNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTAION, 171 SALEM TURNPIKE, NORWICH, CT. E. OWNER PAYS THE CONTRACTOR DIRECTLY FOR THE SIDEWALK, DRIVEWAY APRON AND THE CURBING. CITY WILL REIMBURSE THE OWNER. F. THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT REQUIRE BEING PUT ON A WAITING LIST AS LONG AS FUNDING IS AVAILABLE. MANY PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE CHANGED FROM THE CAPITAL PROGRAM TO THIS PROGRAM TO AVOID A THREE-YEAR BACKLOG. G. THE SIDEWALK AND GRANITE CURBING MUST BE INSTALLED, AND A PAYMENT REQUEST RECEIVED BY THIS OFFICE, WITHIN 9 MONTHS OF THE DATE THAT YOU SIGN THIS ENROLLMENT FORM. Please note that if a future sidewalk program installs sidewalks at no cost to property owners, the property owner that participated in this program will not be entitled to a refund. Please fill and sign the applicable statement below. Commitment Agreement I (We) am (are) in receipt of PWD Letter no. and have reviewed its contents. I (We) wish to participate in the City of Norwich Curbing Reimbursement Program. I choose Contractor’s Name Contractor’s Address To install a sidewalk along my property at and understand that the City will reimburse the property owner $50.00 per linear foot of granite curbing. It is also my (our) understanding that if a future sidewalk program installs sidewalks at no cost to property owners in the area of my (our) property, that I (we) will not be entitled to any refund for the sidewalk. Name: Date: Name: Date: Email Address: Phone Number: Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to set a public hearing for August 19, 2024 on the following resolution introduced by Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Gould and Ald. Nash. 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH August 5, 2024 WHEREAS, the property owners listed below want to participate in the curb reimbursement program with the City of Norwich to construct concrete sidewalks along their property; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich wants to improve sidewalks throughout the City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that: Property owners will construct a concrete sidewalk with granite curb on the following properties and the City of Norwich will reimburse them $50.00 per linear foot of concrete sidewalk installed. Name Address Estimate Soulor Pond LLC 20 Oak Street $4925.00 Solour Pond LLC 22 Oak Street $1910.00 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the cost of this project be funded from the existing capital budget line item for sidewalks, Capital Improvement Fund #3602 and the Sidewalk Fund, #2858, and that a public hearing be set for the second meeting of the City Council on August 19, 2024. The estimated city’s cost for curbing and miscellaneous construction items is $6835.00. Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. Relative to the acceptance of and identification of the local match for a Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the Norwich Fire Department. WHEREAS, the Norwich Fire Department applied for and was awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant EMW-2023-FG-03764 (“AFG”) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $256,773.18 for Norwich Fire Department firefighters to receive training, including fire instructor, safety officer, fire officer (I – IV), as well as thermal imaging cameras; and WHEREAS, the AFG requires a local match of $25,677.32; and WHEREAS, the items and activities to be funded by the AFG and local match should not give rise to an increase in annual operating costs. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the City Manager and Comptroller be, and hereby are authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents necessary to accept the AFG award on behalf of the City of Norwich and to do and perform all acts and things which he deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the local match be funded with $25,677.32 from the 2023-24 Norwich Fire Department Professional Development line item (104202000-53322). 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH August 5, 2024 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 Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Gould and Ald. Nash. WHEREAS, Brom Builders Inc. has offered to convey to the City of Norwich by a deed in lieu of foreclosure a parcel of land carried on the land records of the City’s Tax Assessor’s office as Map 60, Block 1, Lot 17 (20R Huntington Lane), consisting of approximately 5.1 acres and more particularly described in Schedule A attached hereto; and WHEREAS, Brom Builders Inc. has offered said deed in lieu of foreclosure in full and final satisfaction of all real estate taxes due the City of Norwich assessed with respect to 20R Huntington Lane; and WHEREAS, the taxes due as of July 31, 2024 are $662.87 and said property is assessed at a value of $3,200.00. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Norwich hereby accepts the tender of the deed in lieu of foreclosure by Brom Builders Inc., conveying to the City of Norwich title to 20R Huntington Lane in full and final satisfaction of said taxes assessed with respect to said property; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized to accept said deed on behalf of the City of Norwich, subject to the approval of the Corporation Counsel, and to cause it and any other necessary documents to be filed or recorded. 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH August 5, 2024 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH August 5, 2024 Upon a motion of Ald. Hayes, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Gould and Ald. Nash. WHEREAS, it has been estimated that over half the housing in Norwich was constructed before 1960; and WHEREAS, children, particular those under the age of six, can face multiple health risks and permanent damage from elevated blood lead levels which can result from ingesting lead paint chips; and WHEREAS, Uncas Health District, the Norwich Property Rehab Program and official data compiled by government agencies confirm that there are children in Norwich who have been diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Office of Community Development is preparing a grant application to be filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) not to exceed $4 million from the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program seeking to reduce the occurrence of elevated blood lead levels. 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 apply for a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program in an amount not to exceed $4 million. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Hayes, the following resolution was put on the floor. Mayor Nystrom made a friendly amendment to correct the date to report back to the Council on September 17, 2024 from September 16, 2024. Upon a motion of Ald. Bettencourt, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to refer the following resolution to the Commission on the City Plan and bring it back for a Public Hearing on September 17, 2024 introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Bettencourt, Ald. Gould and Ald. Nash. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich proposes to discontinue the use as a highway of a portion of Lawler Lane from the Northwest corner of 185 Lawler Lane to the Southeast corner of 256 Lawler Lane, a distance of approximately 1,500 feet; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Connecticut General Statute §13a-49, the City Council may discontinue any portion of a road; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Connecticut General Statute §13a-49, due notice will be given to all Landowners abutting the proposed portion of Lawler Lane area to be discontinued; said notice to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Norwich and a sign will be posted at the location of the discontinued portion; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich will refer the matter to the Commission on the City Plan for appropriate review and report. 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH August 5, 2024 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich, authorizes and directs City Manager, John Salomone, to provide it necessary assistance as it undertakes the process to discontinue a portion of Lawler Lane from the Northwest corner of 185 Lawler Lane to the Southeast corner of 256 Lawler Lane, a distance of approximately 1,500 feet to be shown on a survey map to be prepared by Boundaries, LLC, reserving to the City of Norwich and to the Norwich Department of Public Utilities all rights to enter upon the same to maintain and install drainage and to maintain and install other public utilities, said process to be in accordance with the procedure as set forth in Conn. Gen. Stat, Section 13a-49, et. Seq; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Norwich that this resolution be referred to the Commission on the City Plan for appropriate review and report, and the date for action by the Council of the City of Norwich be established as September 17, 2024. Upon a motion of Ald. Hayes, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. BE IT RESOLVED that the following be reappointed as regular members to the Building Code Board of Appeals for a term to expire on January 7, 2026, or until a successor is appointed: D Barbarossa, Scott D Cummings, Thomas L U Procko, Peter Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:57 pm. City Clerk 10