NORWICH – Nine e-mails and letters of support for the Brown Avenue Housing Project were received as of Tuesday night’s public hearing on the project, and more are expected to come in prior to the second public hearing scheduled April 15.

The City of Norwich is working in collaboration with the Norwich Housing Authority to apply for a New York State Small Cities Grant in order to subsidize the cost of the senior housing. The housing project will be located on Brown Avenue, in the city’s sixth ward.

“I’m very supportive of this project, and I think we need to see more projects like this in the area. The demographic has changed. There are more seniors in the area, and I think there will be a big demand for more senior housing,” Sixth Ward Alderman Robert Jeffrey said.

Following the public hearing, the Common Council took action on one item before proceeding with the regularly scheduled meeting of the Finance and Personnel committees. The council passed a resolution authorizing emergency repairs at Norwich’s Waste Water Treatment Plant. The repairs are expected to cost approximately $20,000.

Department of Public Works Supervisor Carl Ivarson told the committee the repairs are necessary to maintain a sludge grinder and reduction gear for the plant’s screw pumps. “They run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They never shut down,” Ivarson said. The council adjourned after passing the resolution.