NORWICH – City officials are approaching a new milestone in the years-long undertaking to replace the outdated water storage tank on Wheeler Avenue.

The Norwich Joint Committees recently accepted a resolution to create a capital project account for construction of a new concrete water storage tank, which has been discussed among city leaders for more than seven years. The estimated $2.7 million dollar project will replace the worn 60-year-old steel water tank currently in use on Wheeler Avenue.

In addition to the creation of a capital project account, the resolution will also authorize City Mayor Joseph Maiurano, Superintendent of Public Works Carl Ivarson, and Director of Finance Bill Roberts to submit an application to the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) and other possible sources for funding of the project.

The resolution will go to the Norwich Common Council for vote on Tuesday.

Prior engineering reports reveal deficiencies with the existing water tank's structure and coating system, which require costly repairs and complete shutdown of the tank to fix.