NORWICH—As the City of Norwich prepares to host its 2017 tentative budget hearing in less than two weeks, one line item omitted from the 2016 fiscal portfolio will again not be found in next year's outlay.
The position of Community Development Specialist will continue to be unfilled for the City, leaving no dedicated personnel on city payroll responsible for grant writing, economic development, or administration of new grants.
The position was formerly held by longtime city employee Todd Dreyer, who retired in September of 2016, and according to City of Norwich Mayor Christine Carnrike, “[Dreyer’s] retirement was planned for during the 2016 budget preparation process, the 2016 budget did not fund the position past [Dreyer's] retirement date, and there are no plans at this time to refill the position.”
In an effort to fill that void, Carnrike indicated that just as the former community development specialist position fell under the guise of the city's finance department, many of the open items will likely be picked up by both finance department and mayor’s office moving forward.
But while Dreyer himself said that he agrees with Carnrike's belt-tightening strategy, he also admitted that the job was a lot of work that required much focus, attention to detail, and perseverance.
“In that position I was involved with many different departments and committees within the City,” said Dreyer, “but one of the most labor intensive aspects of the job was focusing on locating and writing for grants that would move the city's economy forward. It was very time consuming; and critical.”
In addition to grant writing, Dreyer was a pivotal component in revising and drafting the City's revision of City's comprehensive plan, a recent two-year endeavor; marketing blighted and foreclosed properties to prospective buyers; and attracting new businesses into the City.
“[Carnrike] may find that it's more work than she anticipated, but I have the utmost confidence in her ability to manage the workload,” said Dreyer. “It's worth noting that it was pretty clear when [Carnrike] campaigned for mayor she indicated that her administration would seek ways to keep the City in the black, and unfortunately with the the State continuing to place a burden of unfunded mandates on the City's plate, it's not surprising that the City has been more focused on maintaining vital positions at the DPW, Fire and Police departments.”
“I'm perfectly comfortable with the idea of a cost-cutting agenda, I'm very fortunate to have worked with the City,” Dreyer added.
Some, including Carnrike, have alluded that the City may connect or even contract with an outside agency such as the Commerce Chenango. While specifics are not available at this time, Carnrike would say that “Our area—including the greater Norwich community and Chenango County—is well served in the area of economic development and planning personnel, and we will be tapping into those resources.” She went on to say that “It's important that we are all working towards the same goal, and a coordinated effort in this area is warranted going forward to best serve this area.
Steve Craig, President of Commerce Chenango, said that preliminary talks of a contract service to the city had been underway, but that nothing formal of final had been proposed to date.
“We would certainly welcome the City of Norwich if they wish to engage in a partnership that would focus on future economic development of Chenango County seat. We certainly have the capacity and personnel to do so, and we also have a vested interest in propelling the City toward success.”
“I was aware that the City might be city retaining local consultancy with Commerce Chenango as a means to fill the gap,” said Dreyer. “It makes sense to work with a local firm, and I hope the City decides to reach out.”