NORWICH – The Common Council of the City of Norwich met Tuesday night and rapidly worked through the items on the agenda. Two bids were awarded, concerns were addressed and the council discussed procedures for the condemnation of properties.
Burrel Excavating was awarded a $281,200 bid for the reconstruction of Eaton Avenue, and Kilts Enterprises in Brookfield was awarded a bid of $20,400 for 2007 tree removal. The council agreed to put stipulations into the agreement, calling for work to be done within a certain time frame. If the work is not completed in that time, Kilts will not be invited to bid on future projects.
The council approved the bids and continued with other business. Sixth Ward Alderman Robert Jeffrey expressed one of his concerns while giving his ward report. “In the railroad right of way, the high grass is a concern,” Jeffrey said, asking Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence what could be done about it.
Lawrence explained that several phone calls had already been made, and the railroad was being given official notice via certified letter that the grass needs to be cut within five days. Ordinarily, if the grass is not cut during the five-day time period, the city contracts an agency to cut it, and the cost is added to the property owner’s tax bill.
“Our concern is, if we cut the grass at our expense, since the rail road doesn’t pay taxes, we’ll be left holding the bag,” Lawrence explained.
“You have to wonder in a case like this where they don’t pay taxes, if we have any status to force payment,” Second Ward Alderman Terry Bresina said.
Finance director William Roberts responded, saying “In taxable properties, the cost would be added to the taxes, and if not paid, the city would be able to eventually take the property, but this is quite different.”
Lawrence said he planned to discuss the matter further with City Attorney Patrick Flanagan and see what can be done if the grass is left uncut.
Flanagan was also asked to look into procedures for the condemnation of properties, and at what point properties can be obtained by the city. He explained that the city has several options, but said “no matter which way you go, it’s going to be a long drawn out process.”
Flanagan outlined a few different possibilities for dealing with condemned properties, but said that each was case specific. “We need to get into specifics,” Flanagan said. “We’re taking about taking properties. It’s very technical. If you have a certain property in mind that you want me to go forward on, I’ll investigate the options and see how you want me to move forward.”