City seeks grants to help fund projects
NORWICH – The City of Norwich Police Department and the Department of Public Works plan to apply for grants that could cut taxes in the future.
During Tuesday night’s meeting of the City of Norwich Finance / Personnel Committee, Assistant Police Chief Dale Smith and City Finance Director William Roberts both informed the committee about grants they were applying for in order to find additional funding for city programs.
In order to minimize the $4.5 million cost for the upcoming Rotating Biological Contactor (RBCs) project at the City Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Department of Public Works is pursuing multiple grants. The RBCs are a critical part of the secondary treatment system. The equipment was damaged from years of use and from additional loads during the 2006 floods.
The cost of the project has increased $1 million in recent months, and the city has been working to find different ways to fund it. Roberts told the committee that after applying for a loan from USDA Rural Development, the city learned it is eligible for a grant for a portion of the cost.
“After completing the first stage of their decision, USDA determined we are eligible for a grant for $497,000,” Roberts said. While the amount only covers a portion of the cost, Roberts explained that it is a significant amount and would be of great help to the city. Although the grant has not been awarded yet, the probability that the city will receive it is very high. “We’re still continuing to look for every possible grant opportunity,” Roberts said, explaining that the city has also applied for an second grant that could provide an additional $150,000 for the project costs, and is still awaiting word on a low-interest loan through USDA.
The Norwich Police Department is also currently applying for two grants. The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant was awarded to the city last year, and since that time, the funds from the grant have allowed the department to perform additional patrols. Due to the success of the program last year, the department plans to apply for the grant again for the coming year. In addition, Smith told the committee the department would be applying for a child safety seat grant.
Smith also took the time to update the committee on the status of the overtime situation at the police department. “Overtime has been tracking well, due to our change to 12-hour-shifts,” Smith explained. The change has allowed more officers to be on duty at one time, without increasing overtime costs; however Smith did explain that due to the fact that more officers were on duty, fuel expenses have increased because more officers are on the street. In the future, the department hopes to combat fuel costs by having more officers do bicycle and foot patrols.
During Tuesday night’s meeting of the City of Norwich Finance / Personnel Committee, Assistant Police Chief Dale Smith and City Finance Director William Roberts both informed the committee about grants they were applying for in order to find additional funding for city programs.
In order to minimize the $4.5 million cost for the upcoming Rotating Biological Contactor (RBCs) project at the City Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Department of Public Works is pursuing multiple grants. The RBCs are a critical part of the secondary treatment system. The equipment was damaged from years of use and from additional loads during the 2006 floods.
The cost of the project has increased $1 million in recent months, and the city has been working to find different ways to fund it. Roberts told the committee that after applying for a loan from USDA Rural Development, the city learned it is eligible for a grant for a portion of the cost.
“After completing the first stage of their decision, USDA determined we are eligible for a grant for $497,000,” Roberts said. While the amount only covers a portion of the cost, Roberts explained that it is a significant amount and would be of great help to the city. Although the grant has not been awarded yet, the probability that the city will receive it is very high. “We’re still continuing to look for every possible grant opportunity,” Roberts said, explaining that the city has also applied for an second grant that could provide an additional $150,000 for the project costs, and is still awaiting word on a low-interest loan through USDA.
The Norwich Police Department is also currently applying for two grants. The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant was awarded to the city last year, and since that time, the funds from the grant have allowed the department to perform additional patrols. Due to the success of the program last year, the department plans to apply for the grant again for the coming year. In addition, Smith told the committee the department would be applying for a child safety seat grant.
Smith also took the time to update the committee on the status of the overtime situation at the police department. “Overtime has been tracking well, due to our change to 12-hour-shifts,” Smith explained. The change has allowed more officers to be on duty at one time, without increasing overtime costs; however Smith did explain that due to the fact that more officers were on duty, fuel expenses have increased because more officers are on the street. In the future, the department hopes to combat fuel costs by having more officers do bicycle and foot patrols.
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