[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6289733,"mediaKeyId","2532146-e2de1bee3d0ea2435469899a7b545386","parentId",2532146,"title","Norwich council adopts $5.75 million planning appropriation for lead service-line program","audioSeconds",1163,"startMs",71000,"endMs",1234000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532146-e2de1bee3d0ea2435469899a7b545386&start=71&end=1234","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532146-e2de1bee3d0ea2435469899a7b545386/thumbnail_71000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289733/Norwich/New-London-County/Connecticut/Norwich-council-adopts-575-million-planning-appropriation-for-lead-service-line-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289733-62cf1913fb6873736587bdbbad1eb333/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163717&Signature=Ft3svtAT2yUGWFiWvNx-ID6NLFlN~4kvWy~f7OO9~foChsZmZM5JTUmuxm~t0P0ilWXhg5-FiSctIztwVh2DJ95GlL4MPXzOBlla5HipXCAXAxQTAHKvLkAOoBrkKpcAPhKTGXtyuzPs-l6Y4GmLoZVA-wSmmyFRxZ9BanY2x4UXc2Uug~j-4Nq~dOF1yqy4Igj7DlnpOg6og1dUyIDHC-YU1SdYIYOkevU3HekMW3W5PTGM0yLTIAzEddT5IfTs2LuC9D4qIwIytj01IKDgq0SVuPIUVrijDnSKTzFWbhRb8E~lLw3g9f2~-fKNrj30iwWIMhstvUS7Fyuc8YsNPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Norwich, CT","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Norwich City Council on March 3 adopted an ordinance to increase planning funds for a lead and copper service-line replacement program in the city, approving an appropriation increase from $2,000,000 to $5,750,000 and authorizing revenue bonds secured by water revenue to meet that appropriation.

Council members voted 7–0 to adopt the ordinance after a public hearing with few speakers and a presentation from Norwich Public Utilities staff about the scope and legal drivers for the work.

Norwich Public Utilities Assistant General Manager Jeff Breining told the council the requirement came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and then through the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and said the utility has so far found \"very little lead here in the community. We found 4, lead pipes on our side and 7 on the customer side.\" He said the city has spent \"about $900,000 worth of analysis so far\" and officials are seeking additional planning funds so they can \"be sure that there isn't anything that we're missing here in the community.\"

The ordinance, as presented, authorizes the Department of Public Utilities to enter into grant and loan agreements and a joint resolution with the state of Connecticut related to the program. Breining said approval will allow the city to secure a roughly 70% state grant with a 30% match funded through water rates rather than property taxes.

Larry Sullivan, water and wastewater operations manager for Norwich Public Utilities, described the required fieldwork for the inventory and planning phase. \"We have about a thousand unknowns right now,\" he said, and warned that Department of Public Health rules require excavations and basement investigations before bids can be issued. Sullivan said the city has about \"11,500 round number service lines in the community,\" called inventorying the lines \"expensive and absolutely required,\" and noted the state gives the city 13 years to complete the program.

Sullivan also gave an estimated range for replacement costs: \"The average service replacement is roughly $13,000 to $15,000.\" He added that, from a program perspective, it is \"cheaper to investigate than it is to replace.\" Council members asked whether replacement of the portion of the service line on private property — conventionally a homeowner responsibility — would fall to owners; Breining said homeowners are technically responsible from the curb inward but that the utility \"is hopeful\" it can secure funding and a program structure to address homeowner costs if the inventory shows enough need.

Council members also heard that the likely loan terms for any Clean Water Fund borrowing would be long-term and low-interest; Sullivan said the loans are \"20 years at 2%.\" Breining reiterated that any loan portion would be repaid through water rates only and would not be a tax burden.

After members asked questions and held discussion, the council took a roll call vote. Aldermen voting in favor were Alderman Nash, Alderman Hayes, Alderman Betancourt, Alderman Gould, Alderman Singh, President Pro Tem DeLucia and Mayor Nystrom. The council president announced the ordinance was adopted, 7–0.

Officials said next steps include completing the additional inventory work required by the state, then, depending on findings, designing replacement work and identifying matching funding for any replacements beyond planning and investigation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Norwich 2025-03-03 Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Norwich City Council on March 3 adopted an ordinance to increase planning funds for a lead and copper service-line replacement program in the city, approving an appropriation increase from $2,000,000 to $5,750,000 and authorizing revenue bonds secured by water revenue to meet that appropriation.","taxTitle","Norwich, New London County, Connecticut","taxId",4639,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289728,"Norwich council schedules MRDA hearing, adopts summer-event and NEPA resolutions; America250 committee resolution withdrawn",973,1814000,2787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532146-e2de1bee3d0ea2435469899a7b545386&start=1814&end=2787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532146-e2de1bee3d0ea2435469899a7b545386/thumbnail_1814000.jpg","/articles/6289728/Norwich/New-London-County/Connecticut/Norwich-council-schedules-MRDA-hearing-adopts-summer-event-and-NEPA-resolutions-America250-committee-resolution-withdrawn","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289728-2f20e728ee94efdcb0ff657b1e6af9ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163717&Signature=dT85dCzTFyroATBmtYPmuNH8l061ogzaT9zSDjP8xARnXtapoCenMsDHkByS95p9-ytquuObFiGcHzZ8KVWqfEsHVlwCP2evGpMAwo3BDofCZ4ajFhKKy4H~hvgLVTjd-LIVYI1U~DEFCjELCWwvJ4SDLDZuwbAwkVqVgA6jftpY-xeN92~aGuNvCcuC2WWHtp3LjnI1H8w67LdeczrU8Y5IanBcCjG6LZ1E-V22HgdztWBYZWBCndWtx3FkJ4M9DR0-p4zl83-vLR~H0AN2XjIJE2pTT0Yh5ELdI4WTKveZ4uZFMps6F8dn41uIsNLn6XSHuwfnEb-ZSPWS9UdJLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwich City Council on March 3 amended a resolution to schedule a public hearing on March 17 about joining the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority (MRDA), approved two event-related resolutions and a NEPA authorization for environmental documents, and accepted a motion to withdraw a separate resolution concerning an America250 Norwich committee after extended public comment.

Council members voted to schedule a public hearing on the MRDA resolution rather than take final action at the March 3 meeting; Alderpersons moved and approved placing the measure on the March 17 agenda so the public can comment. Alderman Singh said he supports the council participating in state redevelopment efforts and called the matter \"pro development and pro mixed use for our downtown.\"

The council approved Resolution 2 to permit the Rock the Docks 2025 and Rockin' the Green concert series; the motion carried by roll call vote, 7–0.

A broad public comment period preceded debate on Resolution 3, which sought to establish an \"America250 Norwich Connecticut Committee.\" Dozens of representatives from the local America250 affiliate, Norwich Historical Society, Otis Library, Slater Museum and other organizations spoke to the council, asking that the resolution be withdrawn so the existing volunteer committee and its fiduciary arrangements could be respected and discussed with council members. Speakers said the community-created committee already has mission and subcommittee work underway, is recognized by the state America250 Commission, and recently received Sachem Fund grant money to hire staff.

Bill Champagne, co-chair of the America250 Norwich committee, told the council the committee is a cross-section of representatives from key Norwich organizations and asked that the resolution be withdrawn so the committee could present an informational update to the council. Janine Gallet, co-chair, and Kathleen Special of Otis Library echoed that request and asked for collaborative review rather than a council-created replacement.

After council discussion and an informational-offer from the committee, the sponsors moved to withdraw Resolution 3; two of the sponsors agreed and the motion to withdraw was carried. Council members said they want oversight and public accountability on any use of public funds while preserving the committee's grassroots work. Several council members repeatedly referenced concerns about a previous 350th committee/LLC accounting matter as context for seeking stronger fiscal safeguards.

Separately, the council unanimously adopted Resolution 4, authorizing the city manager and comptroller (or their designees) to sign and approve environmental documents required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as needed for projects.

Other routine business included the council's unanimous acceptance of a resignation from the Inland Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Committee and the adoption of minutes from earlier February meetings; both motions passed 7–0.

Council leaders said they will schedule an informational session so the America250 committee can present its work and plans to the council, and the MRDA opt-in resolution will return for public hearing on March 17.","On March 3 the council scheduled a public hearing on joining the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority, approved summer event permits and an NEPA-authority resolution, and accepted the withdrawal of a contested America250 Norwich committee resolution after public comment from local history groups.","actionData","errors"]

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Norwich council adopts $5.75 million planning appropriation for lead service-line program

Norwich council schedules MRDA hearing, adopts summer-event and NEPA resolutions; America250 committee resolution withdrawn