NORWICH – Gas prices are continuing to rise throughout the country and with the average gas price in Norwich hovering above $4 a gallon, government agencies are being forced to find ways to deal with the rising costs.
In the City of Norwich, both the Police Department and City Codes have begun doing bike patrols to save money on the cost of gas, but for other departments, like the Department of Public Works, the changes may be much more drastic.
At this month’s meeting of the City of Norwich Public Works / Public Safety Committee, Department of Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson said the DPW’s fuel costs for the first half of 2008 had already equaled the total amount spent on fuel for all of 2007. To date, Ivarson said, the department has spent approximately $24,000 for fuel. If fuel costs remain where they currently are, Ivarson said the department will deplete their fuel budget by September.
“It’s not only us,” said City of Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano. “Everybody is experiencing a fuel crunch. We’re trying to look at other areas where we can make cuts to offset the budget.”
In an effort to reduce gas expenses, Ivarson has already instituted several policy changes at the department. For example, policies now prohibit idling of trucks and unnecessary trips, and more workers are traveling per truck. However, if gas prices continue to rise, more drastic changes may need to be made for 2009.
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