City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 6, 2025 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held January 6, 2025, 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Singh, Ald. Gould, Ald. Hayes and Ald. Nash. Ald. Bettencourt was absent. 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. Gould, read the opening prayer and Ald. Nash led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nystrom called for a moment of silence in honor of former President James Carter and for the horrible act of terrorism that occurred on New Years Day in New Orleans. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes of December 2, 2024 and December 16, 2024. Upon a motion of Ald. Nash, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following petition and communication. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 6, 2025 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 6, 2025 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: January 6, 2025 Meetings attended were Southeastern Council of Governments Meeting (SCCOG) Board of Directors meeting, Southeastern Area transit (SEAT), Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA) Board of Directors Meeting, NCDC Executive Board of Directors meeting, NPU-City Coordination meeting and City Department Head Meeting. The City’s overnight warming shelter which is being run by TVCCA was completed just in time for Governor Lamont’s cold weather protocol for the evenings of December 21st, 22nd and 23rd. The shelter serviced a total of 39 of the City’s unhoused population (21 repeats and 14, 10, and 15 respectively) during those evenings. The second installment for real estate, personal property and motor vehicle supplemental tax bills for the City of Norwich are now due. Payments can be made online at http://norwichct.org/taxes, through the mail and in-person. Taxpayers can also present their current tax bills at the Norwich branches of M&T Bank where payment(s) can be processed via cash or check. Taxpayers do not need to be an M & T Bank customer to make their payment at a branch location. Delinquent taxes will not be accepted at bank locations and must be paid at the City Hall Tax Office located at 100 Broadway. Per CT State Statute, the last day to pay these bills without penalty is February 3, 2025. Curbside Christmas tree collection has begun. Residents are asked to use their best judgment in putting out Christmas trees when snow or ice is forecast. Christmas trees may also be brought, free of charge, to the Rogers Road Transfer Station during normal operating hours. The Planning Department submitted the City’s 5-year Community Rating System (CRS) Cycle verification documentation. The incentive to participating in this intensive voluntary program is to allow property owners an opportunity to receive discounted rates when purchasing flood insurance. They also submitted a CIF grant requesting funds for a planning study to determine potential future uses of the Norwich portion of the State Hospital properties which was recently transferred to Norwich Community Development Corporation. The Connecticut Department of Transportation will be holding a public meeting at City Hall, Room 335 on January 22nd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for their Statewide Active Transportation Plan. This is one of 6 meetings scheduled. For more information about the open houses, CTDOT’s active transportation strategy, and ways to provide comments and ask questions, visit https://portal.ct.gov/dot/projects/active-transportation-plan?language=en_US. Mayor Nystrom called for citizen comment on new business resolutions. There being no speakers, Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.org”. 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 6, 2025 Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone has appointed with Councils approval as a regular member to the Norwich Housing Authority for a term to expire on 10/31/29 or until a successor is appointed; Marice Raynor (U) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the appointment of the above named to the Norwich Housing Authority. Upon motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:42 pm. City Clerk 4