[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6578028,"mediaKeyId","3080118-2d2d05f67f9b902ad234ab3f2852253b","parentId",3080118,"title","Norwich council approves school construction grant applications for Teachers Memorial and Huntington conversion","audioSeconds",151,"startMs",4796000,"endMs",4947000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3080118-2d2d05f67f9b902ad234ab3f2852253b&start=4796&end=4947","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3080118-2d2d05f67f9b902ad234ab3f2852253b/thumbnail_4796000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6578028/Norwich/New-London-County/Connecticut/Norwich-council-approves-school-construction-grant-applications-for-Teachers-Memorial-and-Huntington-conversion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578028-7f856ac6f32141dbeef4dcf72efcb08f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440143&Signature=Y0hinKi~WMkBezkOzcCU~N~HbbsIphzpQgZTQVXknzD6UrnQ8NJx4XWSqnQmYn9tXnbbfQsvAU63KUX9GvAKRCjTdrm4tXZw7s0m1VJRYl3GePszeLPQPJgZnj0XVn-KTBic5sRemraw78ujrgTLmxnUI9OzBtwHt7y3YU2p9wb1q3UrAnXHd7O~eVf7Yi9Og7ff6Kt8dhgh05i~NV2mh-KcYJcx4-c-YBUjxzik3nE2v1Dg0Od0hrjDW6kiOr~ZpVKdM~sehLieJXX4lUIXWKrc0JhPEofD6GwaQ8I7jpfArdByC9BBWED349M12Hk5szzOyUUoy2M~PP6r7K1-3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Norwich, CT","date","2025-04-22T14:55:30.98Z","article","The Norwich City Council on April 21 approved resolutions authorizing applications for state school construction grants to build a new Teachers Memorial Middle School and to convert Samuel Huntington School for central offices and adult education.

Why it matters: these applications initiate the next step in the state school construction program, which can provide substantial reimbursement for municipal school projects. The council approved submitting final grant applications to the Department of Administrative Services and the Office of Grants Administration to remain on the program schedule.

Details from the meeting

Michael Fanza, the owner's representative, told council that the resolutions are needed to submit the final grant applications for both projects and to keep the projects on schedule with state requirements. The School Building Committee recommended new construction for Teachers Memorial because renovating the existing building would be more expensive and yield less state reimbursement. Committee members and the owner's rep said new construction provides higher reimbursement and in their estimates is less expensive to deliver than a complex renovation.

Council members said the committee reviewed detailed cost estimates. An alderman noted the district had earlier estimated a $25 million renovation figure for Huntington; the most recent estimate for the Huntington conversion was roughly $11,000,000, according to the building committee's discussion during the meeting.

Votes and next steps

The council adopted both resolutions by unanimous vote, 7‑0. The resolutions allow staff to file grant applications and advance educational specifications and design work; the board of education will participate in specifications for the projects.

What comes next: submission of grant applications to state agencies and continuing design and budgeting work with the owner's representative and the board of education. The council authorized the applications so the projects remain eligible for state review and reimbursement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-21 Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved resolutions to apply for state school construction grants: new construction for Teachers Memorial Middle School and conversion of Samuel Huntington to central offices, after the building committee recommended new construction and presented cost estimates.","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},6578034,"Norwich council postpones Dodd Stadium disposition vote after residents plead to keep venue",1956,3285000,5241000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3080118-2d2d05f67f9b902ad234ab3f2852253b&start=3285&end=5241","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3080118-2d2d05f67f9b902ad234ab3f2852253b/thumbnail_3285000.jpg","/articles/6578034/Norwich/New-London-County/Connecticut/Norwich-council-postpones-Dodd-Stadium-disposition-vote-after-residents-plead-to-keep-venue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578034-54607d8ceb44ca1acfc4e30562940c3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440143&Signature=atpnNJmUNexGyXolBJNjvI3fVMlpQ4FTcjdY0Yh-Ya-thIq6ATLbBzZdpj7TorG5BpjE08ureaTwEMJvSRS4kEYcawR6oCvCTejuDi5E1w0lkvZdlAclXr6-BTKHOngwGuohdgexDX39HpIyQA-8B0upwann~m8MqLpAuAFEnmhkjVHV658F0Y47t~G06fI9YkSGUvCcszxrg~7TBhP5xAqCOpkKc6ru-u9AuwtHEUcd5YNgsGMHE-GaQim0MrfNUYBtjgJFFVTXrDkNLPYzTJCzdzrWut5LN7ZsNw2Xqfe8OileNS1km94HDojcbyCcxsmc2dsAu~uTHDbyEHyXZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwich City Council on April 21 voted to postpone consideration of a resolution about the disposition of Dodd Stadium until its May 19 meeting after more than a dozen residents urged the council to retain and better use the facility.

Why it matters: Dodd Stadium hosts a college‑league team and community events such as youth camps, wellness fairs, food‑truck festivals and school activities. Residents said the stadium generates economic activity for local restaurants and hotels and provides recreational opportunities that are not easily replicated downtown.

What residents told the council

Nancy Maclet, 13 South B Street, told the council Dodd Stadium \"is the only affordable family thing that people can do\" and described youth programs, community events and large parking capacity that make the site suitable for festivals and school activities.

Robert (Bob) D'Nesha of 107 Whipple Avenue said Norwich has not fully promoted the facility and asked the city to publish the stadium's current operating and capital cost figures so the public can weigh options. \"Now there's talk about the city having to put money into the Dodd Stadium. Where is that accounting?\" he asked.

Ed Minzner, a CPA, urged the council to share a strategic plan, deferred‑maintenance numbers and an estimate of how sale proceeds would change the tax base before taking action.

Council action and record

Council members voted 7‑0 to postpone action and to relist the resolution for the May 19 meeting. The council also noted that a comprehensive presentation on the stadium's history and challenges was presented to the council on May 20, 2024; a resident referenced that presentation and earlier annual cost figures.

What council members and staff said: Council members indicated the postponement was intended to allow additional public comment and review of maintenance and financial details before any final decision.

Next steps: The council will consider the resolution on May 19 and has invited additional public input and financial/strategic detail before that meeting.","The council delayed action on a resolution about selling Dodd Stadium until May 19 after multiple residents described the stadium as a community asset used for baseball, youth programs and events.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578038,"Norwich council adopts higher commercial trash, building and fire‑marshal fees; schedules CSO hearing",819,4559000,5378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3080118-2d2d05f67f9b902ad234ab3f2852253b&start=4559&end=5378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3080118-2d2d05f67f9b902ad234ab3f2852253b/thumbnail_4559000.jpg","/articles/6578038/Norwich/New-London-County/Connecticut/Norwich-council-adopts-higher-commercial-trash-building-and-firemarshal-fees-schedules-CSO-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578038-876f0609ce54b5fac306fc9505d39630/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440143&Signature=JmushvkUUZN5hPO5uY9V11N4QEj~4Jd-OtYkuxsTOGiE7O5g6cp-0uoXkw2bEsZwfmGN1vXlbXR6PPTK4yh456UZI7etJZDWDyxpsdogW2VvzC-FkAdsn0WO23NKYQx~y4irYMn1bpk6~9G58Li901OpFhQzqM6zAKRFxCTv-ZdT~bVmUhsPFYJgVCVs-G~haZrhFvpeolRR7ehko1xWpy61PbViN88MYzdieHD04TEZ13XcD9-tg~1GlinBXkcO4OwVoZCDshzcuAuE2jE2LaMaSyeYooW6oS9XijGTz~lOQ8X8mv8ltjVP8M~BhALkPeStPu5NYbmxrAil1TKs1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwich City Council on April 21 adopted three ordinances increasing fees the city charges businesses and contractors, approved multiple administrative resolutions and appointments, and scheduled a public hearing on a $2 million combined‑sewer overflow revenue bond.

The three ordinances drew limited public comment and were approved unanimously, 7‑0. Comptroller Josh Pothier told council the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Authority raised its rates and the city must recover the added cost. \"Starting in July 2025 they're going to go up about 10.7 or $7.25 per ton,\" Pothier said; the ordinance increases the city's commercial hauler fee by $8 per ton to pass that cost along.

Why it matters: the measures alter fees paid by commercial haulers and by contractors and developers for permits and plan review, changing the cost structure for local businesses and construction projects while increasing city revenue to cover higher vendor charges.

Most important votes and actions

- Solid‑waste commercial hauler fee (Norwich Code, section 9‑28): ordinance adopted to increase the fee by $8 per ton to recover higher regional disposal costs. Comptroller Josh Pothier explained the incinerator authority rate increase and the proposed $8/ton recovery. Vote: 7‑0.

- Building code fines and permit/plan‑review fees (chapter 4, sections 4‑2, 4‑3, 4‑5): council adopted changes to state building code violation fines and to fees for construction plan review, building permits and demolition permits. Alderman Singh asked that departments institute a periodic internal review of fees going forward. Vote: 7‑0.

- Fire Marshal plan‑review, permit and inspection fees (new Norwich Code section 8‑23): ordinance adding Fire Marshal fees adopted. Vote: 7‑0.

Other decisions and scheduling

- Sidewalk cost‑sharing program: council approved participation in a cost‑sharing program to construct concrete sidewalks and set a public hearing starting May 5, 2025. Vote: 7‑0.

- Golf Course Authority appointments and reappointments: council reappointed and appointed members to the Norwich Golf Authority as listed in the resolution. Vote: 7‑0.

- Capital reallocation: council voted to postpone action on a proposed reallocation in the Capital Improvement Fund until its first meeting in June (June 2). A council member cited emergent roof repairs at the Taffil Firehouse as a reason to hold reallocations until the budget is finalized. Motion to postpone adopted 7‑0.

- Stone wall preservation agreement: council authorized the city manager to enter a stone wall preservation agreement with Planning and Neighborhood Services signoff. Vote: 7‑0.

- Combined sewer overflow (CSO) bond ordinance: council voted to waive full reading and set the first reading and public hearing for an ordinance appropriating $2 million for the CSO long‑term control plan and to authorize sewer revenue bonds; the public hearing was scheduled for May 5. Vote: 7‑0.

What council members said: Alderman Singh recommended an internal five‑year fee review cycle to keep fees aligned with inflation and neighboring towns; the city manager and department heads were noted as available to work with council on timing and details.

What happens next: ordinances take effect per their stated timelines in city code; the public hearing on the CSO revenue bond is scheduled for May 5, and the council will consider the postponed capital reallocation at its June 2 meeting.

Ending: For the fee ordinances and most administrative items the council's votes were unanimous, reflecting a consensus to pass costs through to users and to address timing concerns for capital spending in the budget process.","At its April 21 meeting the Norwich City Council approved three ordinances increasing fees for commercial haulers, building‑permit and plan‑review charges, and Fire Marshal plan‑review fees; approved several administrative resolutions; and set a public hearing for a $2 million combined‑sewer overflow bond.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Norwich council approves school construction grant applications for Teachers Memorial and Huntington conversion

Norwich council postpones Dodd Stadium disposition vote after residents plead to keep venue

Norwich council adopts higher commercial trash, building and fire‑marshal fees; schedules CSO hearing