NORWICH, CT — The Norwich City Council unanimously approved three preservation and historical projects Sept. 21, including a stone wall preservation agreement tied to a Canterbury Turnpike subdivision and new markers recognizing Black and Indigenous Revolutionary-era history and a Norwich soldier killed in World War I.
The council also received a report that Norwich completed $48 million in bond and note sales, including $23 million in bonds primarily intended to finance the city's school construction program.
The meeting was held in Council Chambers at Norwich City Hall, 100 Broadway. All seven council members attended.
The council unanimously authorized City Manager John Salomone to enter into a Stone Wall Preservation Agreement with Green Star Capital LLC involving property at 80 Canterbury Turnpike.
According to the resolution, the Commission on the City Plan previously approved a 12-lot subdivision on the property, and Green Star Capital agreed as part of that application to enter into the preservation agreement. The council authorized Salomone to execute the agreement and have it recorded in the land records.
Resident Mark Adams asked for more information about the agreement during public comment before the vote. The resolution was approved unanimously on a motion by Alderman Tracey Hayes, seconded by Alderman Stacey Zuccardy.
The council also unanimously approved installation of an interpretive heritage panel at the East District Schoolhouse, 365 Washington St..
The panel is part of the Primus Project developed by the America's 250th Norwich CT Committee to highlight Black and Indigenous people connected to Norwich's Revolutionary-era history. It will be designed by Miranda Creative using the visual style of existing Walk Norwich panels and fabricated by Sign Professionals. The 24-by-36-inch panel will be paid for by the Norwich 250th committee, while the city will provide in-kind assistance with site preparation and installation.
The rendering identifies Primus as a man formerly enslaved to Capt. Ebenezer Lathrop in Norwich and describes his service during the Revolutionary War. The panel also includes information about Lydia, Primus' wife, and their family.
The council unanimously approved the installation after the Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee had approved the application Sept. 1.
Council members also unanimously approved a polished granite marker commemorating Richard E. Hourigan, a Norwich resident killed during the Battle of Blanc Mont in World War I.
The marker will be placed next to the Norwich World War I Memorial, in front of a memorial tree planted in Hourigan's honor. The 4-by-16-by-8-inch marker was donated by Hourigan's family and will be installed by Norwich Historical Society volunteers.
Salomone reported that Norwich completed two debt sales Sept. 15.
A $23 million bond issue received nine bids, with Raymond James submitting the winning bid at a 4.49 percent interest rate. Salomone said the bonds will primarily finance Norwich's school construction program.
The city also sold $25 million in notes after receiving six bids. Raymond James submitted the winning bid at 2.75 percent. S&P Global Ratings affirmed Norwich's AA rating with a stable outlook, according to Salomone's report. Settlement was scheduled for Sept. 30, when the proceeds were expected to become available to the city.
Salomone also reported that Safety Marking had been hired to add edge lines to Central Avenue and West Town Street as part of traffic-calming and road-safety work. Center lines were also planned for recently paved and chip-sealed roads, including Asylum Street and Canterbury Turnpike.
Pasteryak Inc. had completed paving on sections of Asylum and Monroe streets, with work also scheduled on Erin, White, South Golden, Warren and Berkeley streets. About two miles of chip sealing had been completed on Huntington Avenue, Plain Hill Road and Canterbury Turnpike between Lawler Lane and Nemczuk Road.
The city manager's report noted that the Norwich Community Development Corporation and Bluewater Construction planned a second informational session Sept. 22 concerning a proposed Amazon distribution facility at the Occum Industrial Center.
During general public comment, Dominique Richards spoke against the proposal, saying she would prefer medical-supply companies and environmentally focused manufacturing at the industrial park. Richards also submitted a written statement detailing her objections to the proposal.
Several residents also addressed homelessness. Eric Heinrich asked the city to help find a location for a homeless warming shelter after St. Mark Lutheran Church was denied permission to open one. Sean Houser called for additional help for people experiencing homelessness, while David Horst also spoke about the issue.
Those comments were not accompanied by council action.
The council unanimously entered executive session at 7:23 p.m. to discuss strategy and negotiations related to collective bargaining.
Salomone, Corporation Counsel Aimee Siefert, Human Resources Director Robert Scalise, Comptroller Joshua Pothier and Deputy Chief Thomas Lazzaro were invited to participate for all or portions of the session.
The council returned to open session at 8:19 p.m. Mayor Swarnjit Singh said no votes were taken during the executive session.
The council adjourned unanimously at 8:50 p.m.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Norwich Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.