(Shawn Magrath Photo)

NORWICH – Following months of negotiations, the City of Norwich has finally struck a deal with the towns of Norwich and North Norwich for the provision of fire protection.

A resolution passed by the city's Common Council last week ratifies a five-year contract with both townships. The Town of Norwich will see a 1 percent increase each year for the duration of the contract while North Norwich will reflect a 2 percent increase in 2019.

The city had provided one-year fire protection contracts since 2017, the most recent of which expired at the end of 2018.

Contract negotiations stalled earlier this year when the city and Town of Norwich failed to agree on a price increase that would meet financial obligations of the Norwich Fire Department and stay under the town's tax cap. The township footed a $653,000 bill for fire protection in 2018. It paid the same in 2017, after a multi-year contract expired the year prior.