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Norwich council approves changes to Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund; critics warn about taxes and conflicts
Summary
After a public hearing with broad volunteer support, Norwich City Council approved amendments to the Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund, a change the city says will help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters while adding about 0.02 mills (about $3.26 for a median-valued home); one councilor abstained and a resident raised a conflict-of-interest concern.
Norwich City Council on Dec. 16, 2024 approved an ordinance amending sections 8-74 and 8-75 of article 4 of chapter 8 of the city code to revise benefits in the Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund. The measure passed on roll call, 4 in favor, 1 against and 1 abstention.
Supporters — including former volunteer chief and relief-fund secretary Don Leary — told the council the changes will help recruit and retain volunteers and noted the cost to a median homeowner would be small. "Based on the data provided by the comptroller, increase in taxes for a median home assessed value will be 0.02 mils or $3.26," Leary said during the hearing, urging the council to adopt the ordinance so the city can "continue to maintain a strong volunteer force." Leary also said actuarial modifications recommended by the comptroller should put the plan on a path to be fully amortized by 2040.
Several other volunteer firefighters and longtime department members voiced support at the public hearing. Pete Clark, deputy chief of Laurel Hill Fire Department, called the change "important" for recruitment and retention, and Mark Benjamin, a former member, said preserving a vital volunteer force benefits the whole city.
Opponents and some council members expressed reservations over taxes and plan design. Alderman Hayes said his concern was not with volunteers but with adding more tax burden, asking "when is it enough" after recent budget increases. President Pro Tem De Lucia urged a fuller, candid dialogue about plan design and costs, questioning whether the proposed changes target recruitment effectively.
Resident Samuel Browning raised a possible conflict of interest related to Alderwoman Gould's eligibility for the relief plan and asked either that she recuse herself or that the ethics commission issue an advisory opinion; the council discussed the point and confirmed the ethics commission opinion process was available.
Earlier in the meeting De Lucia moved to postpone the ordinance until Feb. 3, 2025, saying members of his caucus had follow-up questions for the comptroller and city manager; that postponement motion was defeated on a 3–3 tie. The council then proceeded to a roll-call vote and adopted the ordinance.
The ordinance as adopted will take effect according to the schedule included in the measure presented to the council. The council did not adopt additional amendments on the dais; members said further technical questions could be handled by staff and appropriate committees.
Action: Ordinance amending volunteer firefighters relief fund (sections 8-74 and 8-75) — mover: Alderwoman Gould; second: Alderman Mark Bettencourt; roll-call outcome: 4 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain (Alderman Hayes abstained); outcome: adopted.
What’s next: The city comptroller’s office and relevant staff will implement the changes and provide any requested follow-up information to council members and committees.
