Norwich residents to discuss road bond Monday

Sale of waterfront property also up for discussion at hearing

Norwich — Residents will get a chance to comment Monday on a proposed $5 million road improvement bond and the potential sale of a cityowned property along the Yantic River adjacent to the Norwich Transportation Center and Norwich Harbor.

The City Council will hold public hearings Monday on both proposals at its 7:30 p.m. meeting at City Hall.

The first hearing will be on the proposal to borrow $5 million to continue the city’s aggressive road, bridge and infrastructure improvement plan. If the City Council approves the proposed ordinance in a vote expected later this month, it would be placed on the Nov. 5 election ballot for referendum.

It would be the fifth time since 2006 voters would be asked to borrow $5 million for road repaving, infrastructure improvements and bridge work. Voters supported similar $5 million road and bridge work bonds in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2017.

The new proposed ordinance calls for the funding to be used for “the improvement or new construction of roads, bridges and bridge structures, sidewalks, piers and wharves, and appurtenant areas throughout the City of Norwich.”

Public Works Director Patrick McLaughlin said road paving is being done in spots throughout the city this summer, concentrating efforts in Greeneville and Laurel Hill and soon will need to target streets in the Thamesville section near the Montville border.

A major project to replace the Sherman Street bridge over the Yantic River near the Asylum Street intersection will require $1 million in local matching funds to accompany state grants, McLaughlin said. The bridge is in the design phase and construction is projected to start in two years. The city made some temporary repairs on the bridge about 18 months ago.

The Commission on the City Plan at its July 16 meeting voted unanimously in favor of the proposed road bond, saying it is consistent with the city’s Plan of Conservation and Development “to provide adequate infra

structure to meet the community needs and support desired growth patterns.”

The planning commission and the city Harbor Management Commission also have endorsed the city’s proposed plan to sell the property at 18 Falls Ave., which includes a small, vacant, single-story brick building on 0.83 acres and deed restrictions for a small parking lot and public access to the west branch of the Yantic River. The property abuts the Norwich Transportation Center and also has deed restrictions that a handicapped parking space and entrance ramp to the parking garage remain in place.

Following Monday’s public hearing on the proposed sale, the City Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution authorizing the city to accept competitive bids for the sale of the property.

“It is a policy of the Harbor Management Plan to encourage and support the continued operation and enhancement, where feasible, of water-dependent land uses on the Norwich waterfront,” harbor commission Chairman H. Tucker Braddock wrote to Mayor Peter Nystrom in support of the sale. “In addition, the plan calls for the pursuit of opportunities for economic growth and development associated with the Harbor Management Area and supports beneficial use and redevelopment of underutilized waterfront properties.”