City considers consolidation of offices

NORWICH – City officials explained last week that converting the third floor of the firehouse into City Hall offices should cost considerably less than previous estimates indicated.

Last week, the city held a special meeting of the Common Council to discuss the possibility of moving city offices from the old train depot to the fire house, an idea that has been in the works for several years. During an interview following the meeting, Mayor Joseph Maiurano said he encourages city residents to call or e-mail questions or concerns. “We’re trying to do what’s best for the city, and we want to have the whole community involved,” Maiurano said.

The proposed move was suggested as a way to consolidate the city from the inside. “Consolidation begins at home. We have control over what we can do, and we must show that we are moving in this direction, and doing everything in our control. From there, we hope to generate more consolidation,” Maiurano said.

In addition, the mayor said he hopes the move would make the city more efficient, by providing more efficient office operations.

Finance Director William Roberts explained the current city hall building was purchased from the Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company around March of 1953 for a price of $16,471. Roberts explained the depot was partially used for offices and storage until the early 90s. In 1996, the city began to restore and renovate the depot for City Hall use. Renovations for depot and the City Police Department, which was also operating out of the fire house, totaled $400,000, which the city bonded. In 1998, City Hall was moved out of the fire house and into the depot.