Public forum on city hall's fate tonight
NORWICH – City residents will have an opportunity to voice their opinion of the proposed renovation or relocation of City Hall tonight at a special Common Council meeting and public forum, to be held following the 6 p.m. Finance and Personnel meeting in the council chambers at One Court Plaza.
The project, which has been up for discussion repeatedly since 2004, involves an estimated $400,000 renovation of the current City Hall and its deteriorating roof versus the relocation of City Hall offices to the third, and part of the first, floors of the adjacent firehouse, costing approximately $436,000.
Neither proposal would have any significant impact on the local tax levy, according to City Clerk and Director of Finance William Roberts, as the city’s Building-Capital Projects and Capital Reserves would absorb the majority of the costs.
Of concern to city residents is the questionable accessibility and possible inconvenience of the relocation, in addition to the fate of the old train depot, which has housed City Hall offices for nearly 14 years.
Mayor Joe Maiurano stressed the “importance of gauging public sentiment” as it concerns the renovation or relocation, and added it’s the responsibility of city officials to make an educated decision as to what’s “in the best interest of the community.”
“It’s our job to make sure we keep city residents happy, and sometimes it’s not just about the amount of dollars and cents involved,” said the mayor.
According to Roberts, a move to the firehouse would save the city roughly $8,000 to $10,000 in annual costs. He also cited the need to “balance economy with efficient customer service.”
Maiurano said city officials hoped to make a final decision soon, and added that bids for renovations would be sought soon after.
If a decision is made to relocate to the firehouse, the old train depot would be sold or possibly leased, according to the mayor.
Ward 6 Alderman Robert Jeffrey stated he’s been an advocate for City Hall offices to remain in the old train depot, and agreed with the mayor on the importance of gathering input from the general public and the impact that would have on any decision.
“At this point I don’t want to see that building deteriorate further,” said Jeffrey. “We’ve got to come up with a yes or no.”
The project, which has been up for discussion repeatedly since 2004, involves an estimated $400,000 renovation of the current City Hall and its deteriorating roof versus the relocation of City Hall offices to the third, and part of the first, floors of the adjacent firehouse, costing approximately $436,000.
Neither proposal would have any significant impact on the local tax levy, according to City Clerk and Director of Finance William Roberts, as the city’s Building-Capital Projects and Capital Reserves would absorb the majority of the costs.
Of concern to city residents is the questionable accessibility and possible inconvenience of the relocation, in addition to the fate of the old train depot, which has housed City Hall offices for nearly 14 years.
Mayor Joe Maiurano stressed the “importance of gauging public sentiment” as it concerns the renovation or relocation, and added it’s the responsibility of city officials to make an educated decision as to what’s “in the best interest of the community.”
“It’s our job to make sure we keep city residents happy, and sometimes it’s not just about the amount of dollars and cents involved,” said the mayor.
According to Roberts, a move to the firehouse would save the city roughly $8,000 to $10,000 in annual costs. He also cited the need to “balance economy with efficient customer service.”
Maiurano said city officials hoped to make a final decision soon, and added that bids for renovations would be sought soon after.
If a decision is made to relocate to the firehouse, the old train depot would be sold or possibly leased, according to the mayor.
Ward 6 Alderman Robert Jeffrey stated he’s been an advocate for City Hall offices to remain in the old train depot, and agreed with the mayor on the importance of gathering input from the general public and the impact that would have on any decision.
“At this point I don’t want to see that building deteriorate further,” said Jeffrey. “We’ve got to come up with a yes or no.”
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