City Council

JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Norwich was held January 5, 2026 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Singh, President Pro Tem DeLucia, Ald. Nystrom, Ald. Zuccardy, Ald. Kadambaya, Ald. Hayes and Ald. Nash. City Manager John Salomone, Corporation Counsel Aimee Siefert were also in attendance. Mayor Singh presided. Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.gov”. Ald. Hayes, read the opening prayer and Ald. Nash, led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Singh, gave the “State of the City” address as follows. 1 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 2 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 3 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 4 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 5 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 6 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 7 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 8 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 9 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Nystrom, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes of December 2, 2025 and December 15, 2025. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem Delucia, seconded by Ald. Nystrom, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to accept the following petition and communication. ESTABLISHED 1659 CITY OF NORWICH CONNECTICUT Swarnjit Singh 100 Broadway Mayor of Norwich Norwich, CT 06360 Date: 12/25/2025 Subject: Acknowledgement Of Communication Received regarding 132-176 Franklin Street. Background: Mayor Swarnjit Singh Requested City Historian to provide historic significance of this Chestnut Street Mill building. History of Hopkins & Allen factory - Chestnut Street Mill Submitted by: Dale Plummer (Norwich City Historian) ——————————————————————————————————————— The former Hopkins & Allen Arms Company factory at 132-176 Franklin Street in Norwich has great potential for reuse. Although not presently listed on either the National Register of Historic Places or the State Register of Historic Places, it is clearly eligible for such designation. Listing on these registers would enable a developer to qualify for both federal and state tax credits for certified rehabilitation of historic buildings. This represents an important opportunity for economic development in our community. 10 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 Hopkins & Allen was a major manufacturer of revolvers and other firearms in the late 19th century and the beginning of the twentieth century. The company produced a variety of guns under contract with other firms, as well as for sale under its own name. The original plant was destroyed by fire in 1900 and replaced by a new one in a simplified Romanesque Revival style on the same footprint in 1901. It features a square tower with an arcaded corbel table above the main entrance on Franklin Street. The main portion of the building has a shallow pitch gable roof facing the street. The four- story brick building extends to Chestnut Street. Shallow arched window openings are covered and set within brick pilasters. An addition to the factory was constructed on Chestnut Street about 1915 to accommodate increased production for contracts during the First World War. An additional floor was added to a lower section of the building on Franklin Street, making the facade of equal height throughout. The building is architecturally significant as a late example of the Romanesque Revival style applied to an industrial building. Factories constructed in Norwich after Hopkins & Allen, such as Thermos or American Woolen, are more utilitarian, with even less external detail. Quality of design, construction and workmanship of Hopkins & Allen, together with its dominance in the streetscape, make this a very significant building. Historically, Hopkins & Allen was a major firearms producer in the post-Civil War era. It produced a wide variety of handguns for the domestic market ranging in quality from cheap revolvers to expensive models with high-quality engraving. Major contracts with the British and Belgium governments during World War I proved the company’s undoing. Undercapitalized, expensive additions and high production costs led to bankruptcy in 1916. Marlin Rockwell ended up acquiring the plant and completing contractual orders. Marlin Rockwell also produced Browning Automatic Rifles and machine guns for airplanes at the facility. The post-World War I closing of the plant marked the end of the firearms industry in Norwich. Later occupancy was by textile manufacturers. The last textile firm at the location, active in the 1990s, Norwich Textiles, used dry process dyeing with heated, pressurized carbon dioxide to color synthetic fabric for swimsuit and lingerie use. This process minimized use of water and hence environmental impact. Fabric was inspected for thickness and consistency using a sealed beta radiation source. Firearms production involved a number of industrial processes. A thorough environmental review will have to be conducted. Nickel plating of guns was most likely done offsite in the adjacent Norwich Nickel works, no longer extant and owned by the City of Norwich. ——————————————————————————————————————— Comments by Mayor Singh: Bricks falling bring a lot of bad publicity to the City of Norwich and it is shame that this building has been here for decades. 11 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 This is a very good project for mixed-use workforce housing development as we work together as a city with our economic partners to bring more manufacturing and commercial entities to our Occum Industrial Center and with General Dynamics Electric Boat having over 1,900 job openings. We must stay committed to going to any extent and work with this blighted property owner to transform this historical gem into something more purposeful that the community can be proud of. I also look forward to working with the current owner and our State and Federal delegation to help us resolve this and make a Norwich partner in solving the housing crisis in Connecticut. Sincerely, Swarnjit Singh / ssingh@cityofnorwich.org City Manager’s Report To: Mayor Singh and members of the City Council From: John Salomone, City Manager Subject: City Manager’s Report Date: January 5, 2026 Meetings and Professional Engagements During the reporting period, I represented the City of Norwich at the following meetings and events: • Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SECOG) • Norwich Waterfront Design Committee • City Coordination Meeting Tax Office The second installment of real estate taxes, personal property taxes, and motor vehicle supplemental taxes is now due. Taxes may be paid at any time without interest if paid in full by February 2, 2026. Payments can be made online through the City’s website, by mail, or in person at the Tax Office. Residents who are current on their taxes may also pay by cash or check at either of the two Norwich M&T Bank branches; the original tax 12 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 bill is required when paying at the bank. Payments made or postmarked after February 2, 2026, will be subject to applicable late charges. Public Works Under the City’s new contract with Willimantic Waste, residents remain entitled to two bulky waste pickups per year. Pickup scheduling has been consolidated into four collection periods during the first weeks of February, May, August, and November. This consolidated schedule helps control costs while continuing to provide this service. Additional pickups outside of these scheduled periods may be arranged at an additional cost. Curbside Christmas tree collection will begin on Monday, January 12th. Trees will be collected as staffing resources allow, and there is no formal schedule. Residents are asked to use discretion when placing trees curbside, particularly when snow or icy conditions are forecast. Christmas trees may also be dropped off free of charge at the Rogers Road Transfer Station during normal operating hours. Since mid-December, Public Works crews have responded to four snowstorms, totaling approximately 14.5 inches of snowfall. Human Services and Senior Programming The Senior Center will be closed on January 13th to hold a Special Election. Adult and Family Services are preparing a workshop in February to educate Norwich residents about the Fair Rent Commission. Residents with questions are encouraged to contact the department directly. Youth, Family, and Recreation Department The Youth, Family, and Recreation Department will launch its winter programming beginning January 12. The department is offering 20 youth programs and 15 teen and adult programs this season. New offerings include open gym basketball for ages 6–18, Intro to Magic, new art programs, open gym volleyball, and Zumba. In addition, the Prevention Coordinator is initiating a Seven Challenges group at Norwich Free Academy to support youth with substance use needs, and the department’s clinician will begin a new round of social-emotional learning programming at the Sachem Campus and the Norwich Transition Academy. Upcoming Events The annual “Lights Out for Benedict Arnold” program will take place on Friday, January 9th, at 5:30 p.m. in the second-floor hallway of City Hall. This event, in conjunction with America’s 250th Norwich CT and the Norwich Historical Society, continues a long-standing tradition recognizing an important chapter in the City’s history. Please be advised that meetings of the Norwich City Council can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Norwich website “norwichct.gov”. 13 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 Mayor Singh called for citizen comment on new business resolutions. There being no speakers, Mayor Singh declared citizen comment closed. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Nystrom, 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 reappointed with Councils approval as regular member to the Harbor Management Commission for a term to expire on 12/3/27 or until a successor is appointed; H. Tucker Braddock Jr. (D) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the reappointment of the above named to the Harbor Management Commission. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia,, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Singh, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Nash. Relative to authorizing the City Manager to merge 11 City-owned parcels in the Mohegan Park area. WHEREAS, City departments reviewed the parcels owned by the City of Norwich in the Mohegan Park area and forwarded recommendations for merger to the Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee; and WHEREAS, at its October and December 2025 meetings, the Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee recommended to the Council of the City of Norwich to merge the following 11 parcels into 19 Park Center Road (M/B/L 77/1/26): Book/ Date City Approx. Location M/B/L Zoning Page Acquired Acres Harvard Terrace 61/1/41 426/239 7/11/1975 0.74 R40 Rear Dartmouth St 70/1/62 784/199 5/19/1987 2.00 ROS 35 Dartmouth 70/1/61 1153/2 1/19/1994 3.51 ROS St 30 Dartmouth 70/1/60 1153/2 1/19/1994 6.42 ROS St 40 Dartmouth 70/1/59 1153/2 1/19/1994 1.16 ROS 14 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 St 189 Mohegan 12/14/200 77/1/27 2334/28 0.70 ROS Park 6 195 Mohegan 12/14/200 78/1/1 2334/28 20.18 ROS Park 6 207 Mohegan 78/1/2 3485/129 2/23/2024 0.62 R40 Park 5/20/200 49 Orton 78/1/5 1934/206 19.30 ROS 4 Prentice Lane 78/1/6 2839/48 1/23/2014 30.64 ROS Rear St Regis Ave 70/1/63 1185/90 9/9/1994 1.72 ROS 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 sign such documents to cause the merger of the 11 parcels listed above into 19 Park Center Road (M/B/L 77/1/26). Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Hayes, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Singh, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Nash. Relative to authorizing the City Manager to enter into a real estate listing agreements for two City-owned parcels. WHEREAS, City departments reviewed the parcels owned by the City of Norwich in maps 85 through 95 of its land records during November and December 2025 and forwarded recommendations for disposal to the Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee; and WHEREAS, at its December 15, 2025 meeting, the Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee recommended to the Council of the City of Norwich to attempt to sell the following properties through a realtor: Book/ Date City How Approx. Location M/B/L Zoning Page Acquired Acquired Acres Vine St 85/2/37 3107/17 2/5/2019 Quit claim 0.42 MF Seventh St 86/3/19 3273/228 8/9/2021 Foreclosure 1.58 MF ; and WHEREAS, the City of Norwich selected Executive Real Estate, Inc. to serve as the real estate agent through RFP 26-30. 15 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 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 enter into an individual real estate listing agreement satisfactory to him with Executive Real Estate, Inc. offering to sell the properties listed herein at a proposed sale price recommended by Executive Real Estate, Inc. BE IT FURTHER 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 Purchase and Sales Agreement on behalf of the City of Norwich to sell said property at a price satisfactory to him pursuant to the terms of said Purchase and Sales Agreement and, upon timely tender of the purchase price subject to standard adjustments, to execute and deliver a deed of conveyance to the purchaser or his/her designee for the property and to execute, deliver, and receive 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. Upon a motion of Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was unanimously voted to adopt the following resolution introduced by Mayor Singh, Pres. Pro Tem DeLucia and Ald. Nash. Relative to authorizing the Tax Collector to offer properties to abutting property owners. WHEREAS, City departments reviewed the parcels owned by the City of Norwich in maps 85 through 95 of its land records during November and December 2025 and forwarded recommendations for disposal to the Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee; and WHEREAS, at its December 15, 2025 meeting, the Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee recommended to the Council of the City of Norwich to attempt to dispose of the following properties by offering to sell them to abutting property owners: Land Locatio Map/Bl Records Date City How Approx. Minimu Condition Zoning n ock/Lot Book/ Acquired Acquired Acres m Bid s of Sale Page 279 North Merge with Main 94/3/39 2695/320 9/30/2011 Foreclosure 0.06 GC $500 purchaser’s Street property Central Tax Merge with Avenue 94/3/41 374/164 6/26/1972 Collector’s 0.04 MF $400 purchaser’s Deed property 27 Merge with Joseph 94/5/16 235/353 1/30/1945 Tax Sale 0.64 MF $3,000 purchaser’s Street property NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the Tax Collector of the City of Norwich be and hereby is authorized and directed to sell the properties listed herein, being limited to receiving bids from the 16 JOURNAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH January 5, 2026 owners or agents of those properties immediately abutting the properties listed herein, subject to the requirements established for such sales, the offer to take place in such manner and under such terms and at a time and place to be set by the Tax Collector, including the acceptance of bids by mail to the Tax Collector by a specified date. It shall be a specific requirement as a term of the offer that any successful bidder must agree to combine the property with that of the bidder’s existing abutting property and do so within 90 days of the date of offer. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that City Manager John Salomone be and hereby is authorized to accept no less than the minimum bid for each property from the successful bidder and upon timely tender of the purchase price subject to standard adjustments, to execute and deliver a deed of conveyance to the winning bidder or their designee for each property and to execute, deliver, and receive such other documents as are necessary to complete the transfer of title and to facilitate the merger of each property into the property of the winning bidder. Upon a motion of Ald. Nystrom, seconded by Ald. Nash, on a roll call vote it was voted to adjourn at 8:01pm. City Clerk 17