Norwich City Council affirms single early‑voting site, approves appointments and schedules DPU hearings

NORWICH, Conn. — The Norwich City Council on Sept. 2 unanimously adopted nine resolutions — including an amendment to keep a single early‑voting location at City Hall — confirmed multiple municipal appointments and scheduled public hearings on two Department of Public Utilities (DPU) ordinances, including a $150 million capital plan.

The council voted 7–0 to maintain one early‑voting site at Norwich City Hall, 100 Broadway, and adopted an amendment specifying the polling location as Room 335 on the third floor. The amendment passed 7–0 and the final resolution was approved 7–0.

The decision followed public comment from the city’s registrars of voters, who told the council they oppose adding another early‑voting location this year. "A total of 15,131 people or 71% of Norwich's registered voters voted in 02/2024," Joanne Marola Martin said, adding that early voting at City Hall during the presidential year cost about "$37,000 without any problems, no mishaps." Diane Slopack, co‑registrar, listed logistical challenges that would accompany a second site, including staffing, security and additional mailing costs for notifying about location changes.

Why it matters: the council’s resolution sets the practical arrangement for early in‑person voting in this municipal election year and fixes a specific location inside City Hall. That affects election operations, outreach and costs cited by election officials.

Key votes and appointments: the council adopted Resolution 1 authorizing the purchasing agent to issue a request for proposals for parcels between Boswell Avenue and the Shetucket River (Lorenzo and McKay Streets area); adopted Resolution 2 granting permission for the Norwich Halloween Strut and expressing city support; and approved several reappointments and appointments to boards and commissions (Commission on City Plan, Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Personnel and Pension Board, Fair Rent Commission tenant member, School Building Committee, Board of Assessment Appeals). All listed resolutions and appointments passed by 7–0 roll calls.

Utilities ordinances: Council members also voted 7–0 to schedule public hearings on two ordinances from the Department of Public Utilities. The first ordinance would appropriate $150,000,000 for the Electric Division capital projects and authorize revenue bonds and related documents; council members noted the request is a 30‑year planning package and individual projects would still go through normal reviews. The second ordinance would authorize the DPU to pursue additional pipeline capacity and enter related agreements with Algonquin Gas Transmission LLC. The council scheduled the public hearings for the next meeting on Sept. 15.

Executive session and other business: The council entered executive session under Connecticut General Statutes §1‑200 and §1‑210 to discuss the acquisition or disposition of real estate and to review confidential commercial and financial information; the council returned to open session and reported no votes were taken. The council also adopted the minutes of Aug. 4 and Aug. 18, 2025, by 7–0 vote and heard the city manager’s report summarizing fall public works, leaf collection, senior programming and neighborhood assistance program filing dates.

Votes at a glance (all roll calls listed below were 7–0 unless noted): - Adopt minutes, Aug. 4 and Aug. 18, 2025 — adopted 7–0. - Resolution 1: Authorize RFP for parcels between Boswell Ave and Shetucket River — adopted 7–0. - Resolution 2: Support Norwich Halloween Strut and grant permission to planning committee — adopted 7–0. - Resolution 3: Maintain one early‑voting location at Norwich City Hall (amended to Room 335, Third Floor) — amendment adopted 7–0; resolution as amended adopted 7–0. - Resolution 4: Reappointments/appointment to Commission on City Plan (Frank Manfredi, Kathy Wazeka reappointed; Nicholas Fortson appointed) — adopted 7–0. - Resolution 5: Appointments to Commission for Persons with Disabilities (Alana Sherman, Ayanna Jenkins) — adopted 7–0. - Appointment: Mary Austin, Personnel and Pension Board — adopted 7–0. - Resolution 7: Reappointment (tenant member) Rebecca Malucci, Fair Rent Commission — adopted 7–0. - Resolution 8: Appointment Peter Procko, School Building Committee — adopted 7–0. - Resolution 9: Reappointment Larry Rice, Board of Assessment Appeals — adopted 7–0. - Ordinance (DPU Electric Division capital projects, $150,000,000): public hearing scheduled for Sept. 15 — 7–0 to schedule hearing and waive full text for now. - Ordinance (DPU pipeline capacity related to Algonquin Gas Transmission LLC): public hearing scheduled for Sept. 15 — 7–0 to schedule hearing and waive full text for now. - Executive session under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§1‑200, 1‑210 for real estate and confidential commercial/financial information: council met in executive session and reported no votes taken.

What council members said: during consideration of the early‑voting resolution, Alderman Hayes offered the amendment specifying Room 335 on the third floor of City Hall; the amendment was seconded and passed unanimously. Registrars emphasized turnout differences (71% in the 2024 presidential year vs. 32% in the 2021 municipal election) and warned that a second site would increase staffing, rental and notification costs.

Looking ahead: public hearings on the two DPU ordinances are scheduled for Sept. 15; residents interested in the DPU capital plan or the pipeline capacity matter should plan to attend or submit comment at that hearing.

The council adjourned after a final 7–0 vote.