NORWICH – After more than a year’s worth of discussion about the possibility of moving City Hall to the third floor of the firehouse, plans have been stopped – at least for the near future.
After discussion at this month’s Finance and Personnel Committee Meeting, the firehouse issue was taken up by the Common Council. First Ward Alderman A. Anthony Abraham addressed the issue at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Common Council. Abraham told the council over the course of approximately three months, estimates for the job had taken as steep rise, with the new total arriving at nearly $420,000.
The city had already earmarked $280,000 for the project. “I suggest we use those funds to renovate the building we’re in now. That would cover the roof, heating system and the doors,” Abraham said. Abraham suggested the council hold off on the proposed move to the firehouse, saying it would still be there in the future. “The third floor is not produce, so it won’t spoil,” Abraham said.
Fourth Ward Alderman Walter Schermerhorn agreed. “It’s not a fiscally responsible decision to make at this time,” he said of the move.
Third Ward Alderwoman Suzanne Williams agreed as well. Saying actual figures are always slightly higher than the estimates, the price of the move would probably be even more expensive.
“If we are to move in to the third floor, it will have to be phased in over time. At this time, it’s better to get the figures for renovating the building we have,” said Mayor Joseph Maiurano. Maiurano directed Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson to bring cost estimates for renovating the city hall depot to this month’s Public Safety and Public Works Committee Meeting. The council passed a motion to cancel the engineering contract for plans for the move to the East Main Street firehouse.