NORWICH – The City of Norwich government is complex and while residents are well represented, communication among the different levels of government isn’t always as efficient as it could be. Despite that fact, the mayor and supervisors agree that shared services could benefit the city as well as other municipalities.
“As mayor of the City of Norwich, I welcome conversation between the city, county and our municipal neighbors to explore increased sharing of services. We must make this a priority at all levels and do it in a way that is effective and responsible for all our residents,” Mayor Joseph Maiurano said in his prepared goals and objectives for 2009.
“Shared services and consolidation, that’s going to be a priority straight through,” Maiurano said. “We’ve reached a point and time that we need to start getting this act going. We’ve sat on this for too long. It’s hurting the whole state, unless we can change the number of taxing entities there are.”
While the city’s ward supervisors don’t hold any official role in the day-to-day operation of the city, they do represent it on the Chenango County Board of Supervisors.
“Things are going to become very financially difficult, for not only the city, but all of the villages, townships and the county because of the state financial crisis,” said Supervisor of Wards One, Two and Three James McNeil. “There are some little things that we can do to deal with that situation.” Along with applying for every grant that comes along, McNeil said he believes the financial crisis will spur a more cooperative atmosphere between the municipalities surrounding Norwich.
“As resistant as I was to the idea of creating a fire district, I think the economics of it should be looked into more closely,” McNeil said.
Supervisor of Wards Three, Four and Five Linda Natoli agreed that there are ways that the city and county could combine forces to save money. “I’d like to see the city make more cuts in spending in the coming year,” Natoli said. “My contribution to that is that I’d like to see the county and the city join forces on more things.” Natoli pointed out the success the city and the county have had collaborating on the Emergency Operations Center.
In 2008, there was discussion about the possibility of combining the city and county codes departments. “I think I need to help promote some of these causes,” Natoli said. “In my years in government, I’ve found that if something is worth doing, you have to pursue it. Someone has to own it, to champion it.” Natoli added that a similar combined department might work for the City and County Youth Bureau. “I’m not talking about consolidation. Just sharing resources,” Natoli said. “Maybe it would even work in the personnel area,” she said. “I think spending could be more under control if the city and county could work together on things that are feasible.”
Although city residents are represented at every level of government, there has been talk in the past about changing the way those levels are set up. Currently, the city has two supervisors, who have no official vote or say at meetings of the City Council. The city also has six aldermen and a mayor, none of whom have any official role at the County Board of Supervisors. In the past, the city has discussed possible changes that could combine both offices, however the council hasn’t discussed the matter recently.
Over the past year, communications between the city and the supervisors has been much improved, McNeil and Natoli both said. However, Natoli said there is still room for a little more cooperation.
“Last year, we began getting all city communications, meeting minutes and notes. It was wonderful to know what’s going on, and I find it very helpful,” Natoli said. “As far as working together, that hasn’t really happened.” Natoli said she thinks unless a major change is made, such as bringing supervisors in as ad hoc committee members or giving them some sort of vote or say on city matters, the situation will probably remain the same.
Natoli pointed out that while she was elected to represent the city, when it comes to the tax bill the only portion she can control is the county piece. The city supervisor pointed out that while she may not agree with the mayor or the city council all of the time, differing points of view often lead to better ideas. “If you’re open minded and everyone listens to ideas, it can often lead to better ideas,” Natoli said.