Norwich approves purchases, appoints Youth Bureau Director
The City of Norwich Fire Department was approved by council members Tuesday, August 23 to purchase a used ladder truck. The purchasing price is $385,000, and the rig will replace their current 1994 ladder truck, which was purchased in 2013. (Sun File Photo)
NORWICH — The City of Norwich common council met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 17. During the meeting, the council approved the purchase of a new-to-them aerial firetruck, the repaving of the Norwich skate park, and appointed Anthony Testani as Youth Bureau Director.
Testani's appointment was voted in unanimously by all present council members, and will become effective on August 23, according to the resolution read aloud during the meeting.
"Anthony Testani of Norwich, New York, being hereby is appointed to filler of a yearly two year term, expiring December 31, 2022, to the position of Youth Bureau Director," read City Clerk Agnes Eaton. "That position will be at $17,538 and 19 hours per week, effective August 23, 2021."
Currently, the Youth Bureau Director is Robert Mason, who has held the position for the past 25 years and recently announced his retirement.
Norwich Mayor Shawn Sastri threw his hat in the ring for the position, drawing controversy from city residents. Ultimately, he withdrew his application and plans to finish out his term as mayor.
"It just didn't feel like the support was there so I just felt I would finish my term out as mayor," said Sastri.
During the meeting, council members also approved the Norwich Fire Department's request to purchase a 2006 Pierce brand ladder truck, priced at $385,000.
The used truck will replace a 1994 rig bought by the Norwich Fire Department in 2013, according to Norwich Fire Chief Jan Papelino. He said the new truck would be a good investment for the department, as it is expected to last 15 to 20 years.
"When we bought this truck we got now, we said you know, it's gonna be a good 10 year truck for us. So you know, we're a little over eight years at this point," said Papelino. "We continually look and this truck came up, and this will be a good 15 to potentially 20 year truck for the city and the department and the taxpayers."
What's more, the Norwich Fire Department looked into having their 1994 truck refurbished, but the cost nearly mirrored its original $139,000 purchasing price.
"So 139,000 [dollars]. With the vehicle being that, I don't know why you'd pay the purchase price in order to do that. So I'm totally in agreement," said Alderman Robert Jeffrey.
Alderman Matthew Caldwell also expressed his support of the purchase, saying, "I think in addition to the savings, it's a wise investment. Sometimes you get these lucky breaks, and you take them, and they're good timing. So, I think you're in luck, and you have a lot of good luck on this one, for sure."
Also approved by the common council on Tuesday was the repaving of the Norwich skate park. The park was originally purchased using funds from outside sources, rather than at the expense of the city, according to Youth Bureau Director Robert Mason.
"The park is nearly 20 years old, and when it was built it cost the city nothing. It was all donated, it was Kaboom money, 20-some thousand dollars. There’s 50-some thousand dollars worth of equipment up there. And the equipment is still good," said Mason.
Being 20 years old, the park has had significant wear and tear. This raised concerns about whether or not it was safe for the public to use.
"In order to keep the place going, keep it in a safe condition, it should be resurfaced, or somebody's gonna get hurt," Mason explained.
The $23,000 repaving cost was approved by all council members present, with Alderman Matthew Caldwell speaking in support of the project.
"We're making an asset, a city asset, that was funded completely from outside sources," he said. "If it gets use, I think that's wonderful."
Testani's appointment was voted in unanimously by all present council members, and will become effective on August 23, according to the resolution read aloud during the meeting.
"Anthony Testani of Norwich, New York, being hereby is appointed to filler of a yearly two year term, expiring December 31, 2022, to the position of Youth Bureau Director," read City Clerk Agnes Eaton. "That position will be at $17,538 and 19 hours per week, effective August 23, 2021."
Currently, the Youth Bureau Director is Robert Mason, who has held the position for the past 25 years and recently announced his retirement.
Norwich Mayor Shawn Sastri threw his hat in the ring for the position, drawing controversy from city residents. Ultimately, he withdrew his application and plans to finish out his term as mayor.
"It just didn't feel like the support was there so I just felt I would finish my term out as mayor," said Sastri.
During the meeting, council members also approved the Norwich Fire Department's request to purchase a 2006 Pierce brand ladder truck, priced at $385,000.
The used truck will replace a 1994 rig bought by the Norwich Fire Department in 2013, according to Norwich Fire Chief Jan Papelino. He said the new truck would be a good investment for the department, as it is expected to last 15 to 20 years.
"When we bought this truck we got now, we said you know, it's gonna be a good 10 year truck for us. So you know, we're a little over eight years at this point," said Papelino. "We continually look and this truck came up, and this will be a good 15 to potentially 20 year truck for the city and the department and the taxpayers."
What's more, the Norwich Fire Department looked into having their 1994 truck refurbished, but the cost nearly mirrored its original $139,000 purchasing price.
"So 139,000 [dollars]. With the vehicle being that, I don't know why you'd pay the purchase price in order to do that. So I'm totally in agreement," said Alderman Robert Jeffrey.
Alderman Matthew Caldwell also expressed his support of the purchase, saying, "I think in addition to the savings, it's a wise investment. Sometimes you get these lucky breaks, and you take them, and they're good timing. So, I think you're in luck, and you have a lot of good luck on this one, for sure."
Also approved by the common council on Tuesday was the repaving of the Norwich skate park. The park was originally purchased using funds from outside sources, rather than at the expense of the city, according to Youth Bureau Director Robert Mason.
"The park is nearly 20 years old, and when it was built it cost the city nothing. It was all donated, it was Kaboom money, 20-some thousand dollars. There’s 50-some thousand dollars worth of equipment up there. And the equipment is still good," said Mason.
Being 20 years old, the park has had significant wear and tear. This raised concerns about whether or not it was safe for the public to use.
"In order to keep the place going, keep it in a safe condition, it should be resurfaced, or somebody's gonna get hurt," Mason explained.
The $23,000 repaving cost was approved by all council members present, with Alderman Matthew Caldwell speaking in support of the project.
"We're making an asset, a city asset, that was funded completely from outside sources," he said. "If it gets use, I think that's wonderful."
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