NORWICH – Despite more than $11,000 in budget cuts last year, on Tuesday night, the City of Norwich Youth Bureau Director presented a proposed budget asking for $600 over the amount given last year.
“The Youth Bureau budget for 2008 is $600 higher than last year, and that was just so we could restore the bowling program,” Director Robert Mason told the Finance and Personnel Committee.
Due to extensive budget cuts last year, the Youth Bureau did not have enough money to fund the winter bowling program, however Plaza Lanes Manager Mark Ewen stepped up and made a deal with Mason to ensure the program could go on. Ewen partnered with the Youth Bureau to donate the games for the program free of charge, and Mason donated his time as an instructor. Mason hopes with the small increase, he can restore funding for the program.
Other than the one increase, Mason said his budget was relatively unchanged. “The unpredictable thing is the school system. We’re hoping to get back to normal with the high school pool,” Mason said.
Sixth Ward Alderman Robert Jeffrey commended Mason for his work and asked if there would be any changes with the contracts for the five townships the Youth Bureau works with.
Mason told the committee that the amounts would stay the same, totaling approximately $11,371 for the winter and summer activities.
Department of Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson discussed his budget next. According to Ivarson, the waste water budget is expected to increase as projected by 2 percent. Ivarson told the committee the increases would be due to lab expenses for treatment and disposal and to check on the removal of phosphates.
Ivarson also projected a 3 percent increase on metered water sales, but said other than that the budget would remain relatively unchanged.