NORWICH – In light of the untimely May 29 passing of Mayor Robert Raphael Jr., City of Norwich officials say a new interim mayor could be appointed to the office as early as next week.

City Human Resources Director Deborah DeForest confirmed that the Common Council, based on the city’s charter, is in charge of picking the next mayor. “With no guarantees,” she said the council could possibly appoint the new city leader in a meeting next week.