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Norwich council adopts preliminary 2026-27 budget after debate; amendment to reopen Yantic fails
Summary
The Norwich City Council adopted a preliminary 2026-27 budget 5-2 on May 4 after rejecting an amendment from Alderman Norman Nystrom that would have ordered the city manager to reopen the Yantic firehouse and return trucks, a move Nystrom said would save about $70,000 per month.
The Norwich City Council voted 5-2 on May 4 to tentatively adopt the city's preliminary budget for fiscal year 2026-27 after heated debate about public-safety staffing and long-term obligations.
Alderman Norman Nystrom offered an amendment during consideration of Resolution 8 that would have ordered the city manager to reopen the Yantic firehouse, return apparatus to that station, require the six volunteer departments to return to the bargaining table and direct the city manager to participate in talks. Nystrom said the measure would cut costs and "save about $70,000 a month," and he said the change could also reduce attorney's fees tied to ongoing litigation.
The amendment was seconded on the floor but drew objections from colleagues who said the issue was already in the courts and that the council could not unilaterally direct an ongoing judicial process. President Pro Tem and other aldermen questioned how the motion related to a preliminary budget and whether it risked interfering with litigation. The council voted on the amendment and it failed, 5-2.
After the failed amendment the council returned to the preliminary budget as presented by the city manager. Comptroller Josh told the council the measure provides roughly a half-percent increase in school funding and confirmed several line items; Alderman Nystrom and other dissenting members said the plan defers contributions to OPEB (other post-employment benefits) and "builds in debt" that could raise costs for future councils and taxpayers.
Mayor Singh said the council had received preliminary state numbers and intended to work toward relief for taxpayers once final figures were available. After further discussion the council adopted Resolution 8 on preliminary passage, 5-2.
The council did not adopt final budget language on May 4; the preliminary adoption moves the process forward to additional review and the scheduled public hearing(s) and subsequent votes.
