NORWICH – Skeptical of Albany’s involvement in small town affairs and weary of words like “merger” and “consolidation,” Town of Norwich officials again ignored pleas from City of Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano to join a state-funded, shared municipal services study.
The study would examine ways the city and town could possibly cut costs by sharing such services as highway, water, sewer, police, fire and administration.
The town board reinforced its position against the state’s push to scale-back local government Wednesday morning during an Intermunicipal Committee meeting between the town, city and the Town of North Norwich.
The application deadline for funding to conduct the study is Dec. 14. The city passed a resolution to take part, but is not eligible without the town.
“For not a lot of cost to taxpayers, we could conduct a study that will take a look at everything,” said Maiurano. “Water, sewer, EMS, highway. It could encompass everything.”
“The word ‘encompass’ – that’s what I don’t like to hear you say,” said Town of Norwich Supervisor David C. Law, fearing the study would be a precursor to pushing the town into merger and consolidation talks.
Maiurano said the study didn’t have to be about merging or consolidating, but rather a resource that may or may not be beneficial in any number of ways.
“You’re narrow on your whole outlook at this,” Maiurano told Law, adding that the two municipalities’ cultural and environmental resources could be assessed as well. “There’s so many things we could do with this study.”
Referring to the resolution it passed in November against joining the study, Law said, “We’re going to stick with the board’s decision ... we don’t like the grant.”
Instead, the town board, with cooperation from the city, wants to investigate the possibility of creating a town and city fire district, believing it would lower emergency costs for town taxpayers.
“Why is a fire district all you want to look at?” Maiurano asked. “It’s unfortunate that you only want to look at one piece of the puzzle.”
Law replied, “Because it’s the biggest cost to our taxpayers.”
The town currently contracts fire protection from the city at what will be a cost of $504,428 in 2008. According to town budget figures, it will cost individual taxpayers $4.92 per thousand of assessed property value. In the City of Norwich, the average taxpayer pays $4.50 per thousand for the same protection. In a district, town and city residents would pay the same tax rate.
Law and the board also took exception with the study’s scope and cost.
“What does funding a study looking at police services and multi-family homes do for us?” asked town Councilman Adam Evans, in response to the scope of the study, which Maiurano said would look at both city and town problems. “It doesn’t do anything.”
The study would not exceed $120,000 in total cost and 90 percent of that would be funded by the state. The town’s share would be $1,700.
Law said that Albany, “if they want to help,” should fund the study entirely. He added that state government should also sit down with local reps to discuss assistance regarding infrastructure improvements at the city’s water treatment plant.
“Everything you’re talking about could be a part of this study,” Maiurano said.
Town Councilman Charles W. Brooks said the town did not want any part of the study because Albany is only looking to serve its own purposes.
“They (Albany) just want money to come back into the Albany area,” said Brooks. “They don’t care about us people around here anymore.”
After 45 minutes of debate, Maiurano asked Law why he wouldn’t want to see the outcome of a hypothetical merger.
“Wouldn’t you like to know – if we merged – what would happen?” asked Maiurano.
“Town residents would pay taxes for something they don’t receive,” Law responded.
“Do you really know that?” Maiurano asked.
“I know it in my heart,” Law said.
The most recent study on creating a fire district, conducted by an appointed citizen’s group in 2002, said that there would be no advantage to taxpayers if a fire district was created.
Evans, however, says a joint fire district study would be a good starting point for further cooperation talks.
“You want to look at ways we can help each other?” Evans said. “This is the place we can start. Right there is where it starts.”
Some town residents and business in the Rt. 12 corridor use city water. For water, the average town customer will pay $87.39 per yearly quarter. The city customers pay less at $71.77, but city Alderman Terry Bresina says city taxpayers have funded the construction and maintenance of the entire water infrastructure.