NORWICH – At Tuesday night’s meeting of the City of Norwich Common Council, Monday’s late season snowstorm and the toll it took on the city were big items for discussion.
Each of the council members described the damage to their ward as minimal, with most citing small tree limbs and branches that had fallen as the main extent of the damage. “I want to thank Carl (Ivarson, superintendent of the department of public works) and his crew for their work after the storm on Monday,” said Third Ward Alderwoman Suzanne Williams. The rest of the council members echoed her sentiments during their ward reports.
Sixth Ward Alderman Robert Jeffrey also took the opportunity to thank the fire department for their work. “I commend the fire department for their quick response,” said Jeffrey, explaining that the sixth ward saw a tree catch fire as the result of a power line falling on it. According to Jeffrey, the tree was in close proximity to the school.
Mayor Joseph Maiurano agreed with the council members and thanked Police Chief and acting Fire Chief Joseph Angelino, City Emergency Management Officer A. Wesley Jones, Ivarson, and the volunteer fire department for their efforts during and after the storm.
The council then addressed new business. A motion was passed authorizing additional funding to be used for the Chenango Lake lawsuit costs. The Chenango Lake provides 75 to 80 percent of the city’s drinking water. According to Maiurano, the lawsuit will ensure that the city’s interests are protected and the year round housing located near the lake does not affect the quality of the water. The lawsuit has been going on for 10 years, but the city has only been involved for the last five.
According to Finance Director Bill Roberts, so far the city has spent $83,000 on legal costs. The additional funding will authorize them to spend an additional $15,000. “It sounds like this is a bottomless well,” said First Ward Alderman A. Anthony Abraham. “I’m upset we got caught in the middle of this.”
Due to inclement weather, the council had to cancel a special meeting scheduled for Monday for the sole purpose of an executive session discussion about the ongoing litigation. The meeting will be rescheduled for a later date.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the council also passed resolutions, appointing new city personnel. A new account clerk, Deborah E. Nomee was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Finance Office, and Timothy Llewellyn was appointed as a new firefighter for the department. Both appointments will be made subject to background checks and civil service requirements.
Before the meeting was adjourned, Alderwoman Williams recognized the work of the police department over the past month. “I think we would be remiss if we didn’t recognize the hard work of Chief Angelino and the police department over the past few weeks,” said Williams. She suggested a letter addressed to the police chief and the officers be drafted and signed by the council, commending them for the work they’ve done. The council agreed.