NORWICH – Tuesday night’s Common Council meeting was short and to the point. Lasting only half an hour, the council presented awards, addressed issues brought up by community members, and discussed the importance of shopping locally this holiday season.

Scouts of all ages from Troop 62 filled the seats of the City of Norwich Court. The scouts arrived early, and passed the time talking to Mayor Joseph Maiurano. The meeting began, and the first item on the agenda was the presentation of a Certificate of Merit to Oxford senior Sean Nichols for achieving what Maiurano called, “scouting’s most prestigious level.” Nichols was recognized as an Eagle Scout. Maiurano congratulated Nichols and presented him with a key to the city.

Changing direction, the meeting then turned to the open forum. Jim McNeil, a resident of Fair Street and Supervisors for Wards 1, 2 and 3, addressed the council. McNeil commended the public works department, especially Stuart Chase, for decorating downtown this holiday season, before he got to the real reason he had come. McNeil stated concern that the city’s budget was not on the agenda for the night’s meeting. “We are in the 11th hour for this budget,” McNeil said, pointing out that the deadline is getting close. McNeil said the public needs to know how much money the city plans to spend next year. He encouraged the council to make the budget available as soon as possible. “People need to know beforehand,” he said.