City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 16, 2025 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held June 16, 2025 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, 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”. Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, read the opening prayer and Ald. Singh, led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nystrom called for Citizen Comment General. Joanne Philbrick, 10 Elm Ave., stated the last week’s budget meeting was all for nothing. She wants to see Town Hall Forums. She stated that the world is falling apart. Larry Rice, 41 Will Rd.., asked if the Council had corresponded with Linda McMahan as he requested on the subject of the high cost of special education. He again asked for the Council to do so. He said he is going to continue to send letters until he gets a response. Pietro “Rocky” Camardella, 79 Lambert Dr., protested giving his name and address. He stated the taxes are unsustainable. He questioned who is going to be able to pay for the proposed new police station. It is too expensive to live here. There being no further speakers Mayor Nystrom called for the close of citizen comment general. Mayor Nystrom called for the following public hearing on a resolution regarding the Neighborhood Assistance Act recommendations. The being no speakers Mayor Nystrom called for the close of the Public Hearing. City Managers Report. To: Mayor Nystrom and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: June 16, 2025 Meetings and Professional Engagements 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 16, 2025 Over the past two weeks, I participated in the following meetings and events: • Executive Committee meeting of the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SECOG) • Board of Directors meeting of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) • CIRMA Investment Committee session • City Coordination Meeting, Fire Chiefs, Public Safety Committee, City Departments, and Waterfront Stakeholders I also attended an event at Brown Park alongside Kevin Brown, President and Executive Director of the Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC), Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and other local officials. The event highlighted the $5.8 million in state funding allocated for improvements to Brown Park and the waterfront area. City Website The City’s website will launch its refreshed design on Wednesday, June 26th. Key updates include: • A redesigned homepage and modern visual styling throughout the site • Retention of existing content, seamlessly integrated into the new design • A domain change from norwichct.org to norwichct.gov The new “.gov” domain, administered by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), enhances recognition of the website as an official government resource. Existing links to the old address will automatically redirect to the new domain. Acknowledgments to Ray LaRose (IT Manager), Orla McKiernan-Raftery (Deputy Comptroller), and Jacquie Barbarossa (Executive Assistant) for their contributions to this successful update. Public Works Norwich’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event was held on Saturday, June 14th at the Public Works facility, servicing a record 655 vehicles from Norwich and neighboring communities. Of the participants, 58% brought Household Hazardous Waste, 23% came for paper shredding, and 19% utilized both services. Human Services and Youth Programming 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 16, 2025 Mohegan Park’s Spaulding will open to the public beginning June 21st. • Operating hours: o Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM o Tuesday, Thursday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM o Closed Wednesdays and Fridays for swimming lessons and staff development Summer Camp begins on Monday, June 30th, across three sites with approximately 140 participants. The camp will run for seven weeks. Special thanks to Bully Busters for their partnership with the middle school camp program. Police Department On June 4, members of the Norwich Police Department conducted a detailed tour of the current police station, attended by approximately 20 residents. The two-hour tour offered insight regarding the challenges, efficiencies, and lack of space, in the current location. The next tour is scheduled for July at the former Chelsea Groton Bank Building (300 Main Street), the proposed location for the department’s future headquarters. City Clerk’s Office Dog owners are reminded to register their pets by June 30 to avoid a late fee of $1 per month. Dogs must have up-to-date rabies vaccinations. To register by mail, download and complete the form from the City’s website and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for processing Public Art The Cultural Coalition is proud to announce the official unveiling of Promised Day, a new public sculpture by artist D Derek, located in the roundabout at the intersection of Main and Franklin Streets in Norwich. Commissioned by the City of Norwich, administered by the Cultural Coalition, and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), this vibrant three-panel installation transforms public space through art, storytelling, and community connection. An unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 26, at 10:00 AM, in collaboration with the Greater Norwich Chamber of Commerce. Community Events The Rose Arts Festival will be held Saturday, June 28th from 11 am to 8 pm at Chelsea Parade and the Norwich Fireworks will be held Thursday, July 3rd with a rain date of July 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 16, 2025 6th. Thank you to the Rose Arts Festival Committee and Norwich Events Organization, volunteers and sponsors, for making these events possible. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, the following old business resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone was put on the floor. Ald. Hayes and Mayor Nystrom recused themselves from voting on the resolution below. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote the following resolution was adopted on a 5 to 0 vote with Ald. Hayes and Mayor Nystrom abstaining. WHEREAS, the R.E. Van Norstrand Neighborhood Assistance Act, Chapter 228a of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S. 12-630aa-12-638) offers certain benefits to municipalities desiring to obtain the same and is administered by the State Department of Revenue Services (Commission of Revenue Services); and WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Assistance Act provides a tax credit for business firms which sponsor local programs; and WHEREAS, such programs must be proposed and conducted by private non-profit agencies or municipalities and be approved by the local legislative body; WHEREAS, a public hearing has been duly noticed and held on applications submitted to the City Manager’s office. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that it approves the following program proposals under the Neighborhood Assistance Act: 1. St. Vincent de Paul Place Norwich, Inc. – Energy Upgrade – Lighting & Ceilings 2. Society of the Founders of Norwich CT Inc. – Furnace Replacement Leffingwell Museum 3. Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunites , Inc. – Heating Upgrades Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to postpone the following old business resolution until July 21, 2025 introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould. Relative to the disposition of Dodd Stadium through use of a commercial real estate broker. 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 16, 2025 WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is the owner of property commonly known as “Dodd Stadium” located at 14 Stott Avenue in the Stanley Israelite Business Park (“Business Park”); and WHEREAS, the lease of Dodd Stadium between the City of Norwich and the Oneonta Athletic Corporation expires on October 31, 2025; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich desires to transfer the title of the Dodd Stadium property to a tax-paying entity, for a new use or for continued use as a stadium, shortly after the expiration of this lease; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich wants to maximize the economic return on this Business Park property, in terms of proceeds from the sale, property taxes, utilities, and jobs while minimizing impact on municipal services; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich has determined it to be in the best interest of the City of Norwich to attempt to dispose of this property by a negotiated sale using the services of a commercial real estate broker; and 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 on behalf of the City of Norwich to select a qualified and experienced commercial real estate broker through a request for proposals process; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that, upon receipt of a Purchase and Sales Agreement from a prospective purchaser containing the proposed sales price recommended by the commercial real estate broker and containing such terms and conditions as are satisfactory to City Manager John Salomone shall be and hereby is authorized and directed to notify the Council of the City of Norwich of the proposed Purchase and Sales Agreement, which the Council may then approve by a resolution authorizing City Manager John Salomone to enter into a Purchase and Sales Agreement as presented for the subject property on behalf of the City of Norwich and, upon timely tender of the purchase price subject to standard adjustments, to execute and deliver a deed of conveyance for said property and to execute, receive and deliver such other documents as are necessary to complete the transfer of title in keeping with the terms and conditions of the Purchase and Sales Agreement. 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 citizen comment on resolutions. There being no speakers, Mayor Nystrom declared citizen comment closed. 5  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 16, 2025 Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to schedule a public hearing on the following resolution introduced by Mayor Nystrom, Pres Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich is an entitlement community receiving U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars of $838,095; $29,421.47 anticipated return of loan (administration) for program year 2025; and WHEREAS, the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) has held public meetings and voted on their recommendations for CDBG allocations in the months of March and May; and WHEREAS, the allocation process is subject to a 30-day comment period prior to being placed into effect and the Council of the City of Norwich must hold a public hearing regarding the recommendations prior to the final vote on the allocation. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Council shall and hereby does schedule a public hearing to be held at 7:30 p.m. during the July 7, 2025 Council meeting on the subject of Community Development Block Grant allocation recommendations for PY 2025. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Singh, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. Relative to the approval of the AFSCME Local 2422/ City Hall Employees collective bargaining unit agreement and the related budget transfers for fiscal year 2025-26. RESOLVED, that the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Norwich and American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Local 2422/ City Hall Employees (“AFSCME Local 2422”), covering the period between July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, be, and the same hereby is, approved in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes, Section 4-474; and further, that the City Manager, John L. Salomone, be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to execute the same in the name of the City. RESOLVED, that the following 2025-26 budget transfers be made related to the settlement of the AFSCME Local 2422 collective bargaining unit agreement as listed herein. Org Object Org Name Obj Description Amount 10411700 51610 Finance Regular Employees $ 10,728.00 10411700 52000 Finance Fringe Benefits 821.00 6  JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 16, 2025 10413100 51610 Assessor Regular Employees 3,651.00 10413100 52000 Assessor Fringe Benefits 279.00 10413700 51610 Treasurer Regular Employees 2,629.00 10413700 52000 Treasurer Fringe Benefits 201.00 10414700 51610 City Clerk Regular Employees 3,795.00 10414700 51630 City Clerk Overtime 21.00 10414700 52000 City Clerk Fringe Benefits 292.00 10415100 51610 Planning & Neighborhood Services Regular Employees 8,527.00 10415100 51630 Planning & Neighborhood Services Overtime 149.00 10415100 52000 Planning & Neighborhood Services Fringe Benefits 664.00 10420100 51610 Police Regular Employees 6,520.00 10420100 52000 Police Fringe Benefits 499.00 10420200 51610 Norwich Fire Regular Employees 2,263.00 10420200 52000 Norwich Fire Fringe Benefits 173.00 10430300 51610 PW Streets Regular Employees 3,800.00 10430300 51630 PW Streets Overtime 40.00 10430300 52000 PW Streets Fringe Benefits 294.00 10430500 51610 PW Engineering Regular Employees 7,299.00 10430500 51630 PW Engineering Overtime 21.00 10430500 52000 PW Engineering Fringe Benefits 560.00 10441700 51610 Senior Center Regular Employees 6,896.00 10441700 52000 Senior Center Fringe Benefits 528.00 10441900 51610 Youth, Family, and Recreation Regular Employees 3,152.00 Services 10441900 52000 Youth, Family, and Recreation Fringe Benefits 241.00 Services 10442700 51610 Adult & Family Services Regular Employees 2,728.00 10442700 52000 Adult & Family Services Fringe Benefits 209.00 10500000 58600 Non-Departmental Contingency (66,980.00) Net Amount $0.00 Upon a motion of Ald. Singh, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by City Manager Salomone. Relative to the approval of the UPSEU/911 DISPATCHERS collective bargaining unit agreement and the related budget transfers for fiscal year 2025-26. RESOLVED, that the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Norwich and United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU/911 DISPATCHERS), covering the period between July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, be, and the same hereby is, approved in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes, Section 4-474; and further, that the City Manager, John L. Salomone, be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to execute the same in the name of the City. 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 16, 2025 RESOLVED, that the following 2025-26 budget transfers be made related to the settlement of the UPSEU/911 DISPATCHERS collective bargaining unit agreement: Org Obj Account Name Amount 10422100 51610 Salaries $15,985 10422100 51630 Overtime 340 10422100 51631 Replacement Cost 1,740 10422100 52000 Fringe Benefits 1,383 10500000 58600 Contingency (19,448) Net Amount $0.00 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 Mayor Nystrom, Pres Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Gould. WHEREAS, the City of Norwich has been awarded a grant of $94,000.00 for the Capehart Mill Riverfront Park Project in connection with an application for funding made under the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s CERCLA 128(a) Grant Program Round 2; and WHEREAS, the grant will be used by the City of Norwich for environmental assessment of the 6.05-acre site located at Fifth Street End of Canal and 6 Eighth Street; and WHEREAS, the assessment work will entail conceptual site design and community outreach, structural assessments, permitting and bid package specifications to enable the City of Norwich to develop a passive recreational space along the Shetucket River; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich will need to develop a draft Assistance Agreement Contract containing the key terms of the grant funding as well as any conditions that the City of Norwich must fulfill prior to accepting the funds, in accordance with the EPA’s Subaward Policy dated November 12, 2020 and upon delivery of the final DEEP contract, the City of Norwich will have thirty (30) days to accept the terms and conditions and return the signed document to the project manager’s attention. 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 work with Planning Director Deanna Rhodes, and such other individuals as he may deem necessary to execute a satisfactory Assistance Agreement Contract and to return it with a certified copy of this resolution to the appropriate individual at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Protection. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to suspend the rules to introduce a new resolution. 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH June 16, 2025 Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to add the following resolution number five to the agenda introduced by Mayor Nystrom. City Clerk Muscarella read the following resolution into the record. Upon a motion of Ald. Singh, seconded by Ald. Gould, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution. Relative to appropriating funds for grant writing assistance for Community Investment Fund 2030 grants. WHEREAS, Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC) and its consultants, Leading Edge Construction LLC, have assisted the City of Norwich with several applications for Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF 2030) grants; and WHEREAS, as a result of those efforts, the City of Norwich and NCDC have been awarded grants to assist with projects, including the Reid & Hughes renovation, Occum Industrial Center infrastructure, Capehart Mill brownfield remediation, waterfront upgrades, and planning for the Norwich portion of the Norwich State Hospital property; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich would like to continue to collaborate with NCDC on grant writing services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, $35,000 be and hereby is appropriated from the fiscal year 2024-25 Contingency budget (account 10500000-58600) for the purpose of funding grant- writing services performed and to be performed by NCDC and its consultants. Upon a motion of Ald. Gould, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:03pm. City Clerk 9