NORWICH – The Common Council voted Tuesday to make the initial steps of a long process that might ultimately result in an automotive repair shop or body shop to open at a vacant property on Berry Street.

A resolution to move forward with the designation of a preferred purchaser of the vacant property at 38 Berry St. was voted and passed by the council with Ward One Alderman Bryan McCracken and Ward Three Alderman John Deierlein opposing. The property, which underwent property tax foreclosure before being deemed surplus by the city, has sat empty and unused for months. The city conducted a public request for proposal (RFP) for the site and approved the proposal of Norwich resident Salvatore Grippaldi for use of the property as an automotive repair shop and/or body shop. It was determined that the garage will not result in a significant adverse environmental impact.