NORWICH – City of Norwich Mayor Shawn Sastri gave an update on how the city has been effected by the coronavirus pandemic.

"I think the community as a whole has really been impacted from local businesses and I think residents being limited with social contact and staying at home. I think it's effected the mental well-being for some of the residents. It's been a big change," said Sastri.

Helping small businesses as they open back up is one of the top priorities for the city. Sastri said the city wants to support local businesses in any way they can.

"We will be communicating with businesses on their issues, especially with businesses opening back up and what their concerns are. We'll see what the city can do to help. The city wants to work with the businesses as they reopen to make this kind of a smooth transition and try to get used to the new normal, whatever that may be," said Sastri.

According to Sastri, there are a few resources businesses can utilize as they reopen. He offers himself as a resource, as well as Kerri Green at Commerce Chenango, the staff at the county health department, and the emergency management operations center. He said if he doesn't know the answer, he will find the person who does.

Sastri explains that one of the biggest struggles for the city as a result of the coronavirus pandemic is a loss in revenue.

"We are a little bit down in our sales tax revenue. We're just trying to watch our spending. One thing that's increased in cost is cleaning supplies. We didn't know at the time we were going to need it but we have to have it. We have also seen a decrease of people paying their water bill," said Sastri.

Sastri said he knows times are tough with people losing their jobs. He himself was recently let go from his job at CZ-USA, an importer, manufacturer and distributor of pistols, rifles, shotguns and suppressors.

"There's no ill will between us, things are just hard right now and I'm lucky I still have the mayor paycheck to fall back on. That's not the case for everyone right now," said Sastri.

To save money, the city is looking at the projects they had planned for the year and holding off on things that aren't necessary. The city’s grant coordinator is also looking at grants that can help the city make up for some of the lost revenue.

Sastri explained that the city, businesses, and the community are going to look different for years to come.

"What Norwich is going to look like after this, I don't know. I think it's going to take years for us to recover from this. It's going to be a new normal; it's not going to be how it was before. Even like some of the changes we've had to make to our staff at city hall. I think a lot of the businesses have really adapted to what changes they’re going to need to make to open up, like putting up shields and rearranging things," said Sastri.

He then explains how these changes have effected the city offices.

"City hall is still locked, we're not allowing anyone in. We don't have a date yet for when we will start allowing people in. We've made some changes in the office to allow more space for the ladies up front. But everyone’s been supportive with the changes and it's been stressful, I can't lie, not everyone likes change. But like I said, everyone’s been very supportive."

As New York reopens, Sastri expects communication between local government and state officials will become more streamlined. He also hopes that as things move forward, plans to open become less cookie-cutter and more area specific.

"What happened in New York City was catastrophic, we wouldn't wish that on any other part of the state or country for that matter. However I feel the state leadership has kind of focused on this process with their policies and protocols as one size fits all. I think rural New York needed a different set of policies and procedures then New York City," said Sastri.

Moving forward, Sastri said some of the city’s top priorities are making sure businesses are able to open up, keeping the residents safe, and maintaining open communication with the community.

He also added, "I have to thank the fire department, police department, and first responders. They've been great, they're on the front lines being exposed to it. So I just want to thank them."