Norwich City Council calls for hiring freeze through December

Norwich — The proposed 2020-21 city budget has not yet been approved, but the City Council on Monday called for an immediate hiring freeze on most city positions through the end of December.

The council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution to direct City Manager John Salomone to delay city hiring and promotions of permanent positions “whenever possible” during continuing deliberations on the 202021 budget and continuing through Dec 31. The resolution recognizes that some positions may need to be filled and that the ongoing hiring process, including applications, testing and interviews, can be lengthy.

Exceptions to the freeze would include positions required by contracts, required under current circumstances and/or executive orders of Gov. Ned Lamont, or “which can be reasonably expected to result in a net savings to the city of Norwich.”

Salomone has proposed a combined $131.9 million city government and school budget total, an overall $1.9 million, or 1.51%, spending increase over this year’s budget. But officials are concerned that tax revenue will decrease this summer as the region’s economy was hit hard by the COVID-19 shutdown, resulting in job losses and business closures.

Norwich Public Utilities already has reported that more than 20% of its customers are behind on their utility bills.

Alderman William Nash supported the hiring freeze resolution but wanted to ensure that potential police officer positions already in the pipeline would be protected. New officers hired must go through training at state police academy.

Council members also clarified that they did not intend to include NPU in the hiring freeze but encouraged the utility to exercise similar caution with new hires.

The resolution also did not apply to Norwich Public Schools. The proposed 202021 school budget remains a central focus in budget deliberations. Salomone has recommended a 2.4% increase to $83 million, but school officials said the district could not break even with less than $88.4 million, a 9.11% increase. The school board approved a budget totaling $85.4 million, a 5.5% increase, but stated that budget would end in deficit, as have the past two school budgets.

The City Council must approve a final budget, including a bottom line for the school budget, by June 8.