City Council

FIRST BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY OF NORWICH - CONTINUATION April 17, 2025 The First Budget Public Hearing Continuation 25-2026 fiscal year budget was held April 17, 2025, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Nystrom, President Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Singh, Ald. Gould, Ald. Bettencourt, and Ald. Hayes. Absent was 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”. Mayor Nystrom called for public comments on the budget. Mayor Nystrom submitted several emails on the budget to be incorporated into the minutes. Mary (no last name given) , Town St., want to know what the proposal is for enticing people to come here and to stay here. She spoke about the city slowly dying there is tons of trash. She also had a problem with a sinkhole on her street that took a long time to get the problem addressed. She also feels the police protection is lacking. John & Cindy Tagliaferri, Brookside Dr., spoke as real estate agent and reported that she has many people tell her they don’t want to see anything in “Norwich”. In the past I changed 9 out of 10 people’s minds to come here, but since the new taxes have taken effect it won’t happen. Personally, we are going to be downsizing soon and will be moving out of Norwich. Also stated that homes in Old Lyme are worth way more than here and the taxes are the same. Wayne West, 18 Town St. stated he doesn’t feel he’s getting anything for his taxes. The city doesn’t even provide sand barrels in the winter anymore. The police officers are good guys, but their policies are not. Name and address not given, the people have had enough. If the taxes, go up even a dollar we won’t reelect you. The Council is responsible for listening to our will, desire and concern, if you can’t do it then resign. John Blackburn, 15 Alice St., hold the Board of Education at zero %. They need to live within their budget, if they go over it’s their problem, shame on them. President Trump passed an executive order that English is the language in the schools. What is going to be done with that? There were no further speakers. Emailed comments follow (20 pages). Mayor Nystrom declared the public hearing closed at 7:50 PM. City Clerk 1