The City of Norwich Mayor, Robert Jeffrey, spoke about his first six months in office. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH- Six months into his first term, Norwich Mayor Robert Jeffrey, says his administration has focused on infrastructure repairs, public safety upgrades, blight reduction, and long-term planning efforts that will shape the city's future beyond 2026.

In an interview earlier this week Mayor Jeffrey spoke about what the City has recently been able to achieve, and plans for the future.

One of the most visible early accomplishments was working with the NYSDOT on the partial repaving of North Broad Street. A stretch of road he describes as being in “horrible shape” before the city of Norwich Public Works Department, Common Council, and Region 9 DOT, collaborated to complete repairs before a full repaving of State Route 12 can be done.

“So that has provided a smoother ride for motorists,” said Jeffrey. “We're going to continue working with New York State DOT to ensure that that infrastructure is acceptable for driving,” he added.

Jeffrey has also remained focused on public safety and blight reduction.

“We've been successful in shutting down some pretty dilapidated and problem properties within the city.” said Jeffrey.

He said the city recently shut down properties on Guernsey Street that he mentioned had been occupied by squatters and “people that were causing issues for that neighborhood.” He mentioned that the city is taking next steps to demolish that building.

Blight reduction has become a defining theme of his administration. The shutdown of that building marked a significant step, but Jeffrey continues studying how other cities address problem properties. Meeting with other politicians like the City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham.

“I truly believe that Binghamton's on the cutting edge and really progressive on how they approach the reduction of blight in their locality. I found the conversation I had with Mayor Kraham really enlightening and impactful,” said Jeffrey.

Something he's interested in exploring is Binghamton's Lockdown Law, and their rationale for how to handle problem properties that are threats to public safety, public health, and how they are holding offending parties accountable. He said that he'd passed down what he learned to the city's code enforcement.

“I have asked and tasked code enforcement in the city to look at the most egregious offenders of the codes, properties that are being really detrimental to the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said Jeffrey.

He's asked them to look towards citing offenders, providing letters, and issuing tickets or fines when applicable. “I've also asked them to work alongside the police department as well,” he said. The mayor said he hopes to enhance the city's ability to enforce codes, provide the tools and resources necessary and take potential legal efforts to enforce codes more stringently. As part of that he's looking at ways to bolster enforcement resources within the 2027 budget.

“Most recently, one of the things that we had been able to accomplish last week was approval from the Town and Council to restart our K9 program in the Police Department,” said Jeffrey enthusiastic to bring the program back to the city. The K9 program is being revived with support from local businesses, including NBT, Rentals To Go, and Upstate Tools & Equipment.

“This is going to be a tremendous effort and a tremendous program for the City of Norwich,” he said. The mayor noted that a police K9 program will help deter crime and identify drugs that “normal police action does not typically do.”

Currently the City of Norwich Police Department has Matt Roberts serving as Acting Chief of Police. The mayor said they'll be making announcements on who will be taking on the full-time chief's position at a meeting on July 7.

“We're constantly looking at ways that we can improve public safety,” Jeffrey as he shared how the city recently received a new fire truck and upgraded ambulance, purchases that had been in the works for quite some time.

Beyond infrastructure repair, public safety, and code enforcement, Jeffrey said a significant portion of his first six months has been spent on long-term planning initiatives that he believes will shape Norwich even after his term passes.

One effort underway is the city's work on the Placemaking Action Plan, which was presented to the Common Council in early June and in part created by the Norwich BID. Jeffrey said the plan was initially approved while he was a council member. Now as mayor, he is focused on seeing that its recommendations move forward. The plan outlines strategies for improving public spaces, strengthening the city’s identity, and supporting economic activity.

The mayor also spoke about an initiative that kicked off this year, the Brownfield Opportunity Action Plan.

“What the Brownfield Opportunity Area Plan is, is a 500-acre plan where we're identifying areas that need to be cleaned up from an industrial standpoint,” said Jeffrey.

He brought up that at the turn of the 20th century Norwich was a manufacturing city, insinuating that there could be areas with past chemical spills, oil spills, old rail yards, gas stations, and such that should be cleaned up.

“If we submit our plan and are designated from New York State as a brownfield community,” he said, “this will open up a significant amount of funding sources for projects that could be developed both in the short term as well as the long term.”

He said the city currently going through that process being assisted by LaBella, an engineering and planning firm. If designated a brownfield community, the mayor hopes that funding layers and tax credits will open up for both commercial businesses and residential units to tap into. “We'll have a public forum on it. We'll have public outreach. And we'll keep the public informed,” said Mayor Jeffrey. According to Jeffrey, the city expects to submit its final plan to the state in 2027.

Alongside these planning efforts, the city has also applied for state grants aimed at improving local parks and recreation spaces. One application was for playground equipment improvements at Weiler Park and one for improvements to Bruchhausen Park. Both of these locations were identified in the city's Parks Master Plan presented in 2025.

“We're hoping that we'll be hearing a response from New York State later this year on if we were awarded, but both projects would really be a significant upgrade to both Weiler Park and Bruchhausen Park,” he said.

The mayor also noted that private donors are working on improvements to Auburn Park on Miller Street, contributing time and resources to enhance the space for the neighborhood.

“Another great thing is that since it is the summer, all of our youth programs are up and running at this point. The pool is open,” said the mayor. Jeffrey praised Youth Bureau Director, Anthony Testani, for coordinating seasonal programming and managing the employment of coaches and supervisors, keeping kids in the community active and engaged throughout the summer.

The mayor said, “he works tirelessly at ensuring that the programs are quality.”

Looking ahead, Jeffrey said one of the goals for 2027 include submitting additional applications for money to be put into housing rehabilitation. He also mentioned that there have been conversations about creating a Comprehensive Plan as well. “We are going to be applying at the end of July for a comprehensive plan grant through EDR,” he said. A comprehensive plan would help guide zoning, housing, transportation, and economic development decisions into the future of Norwich.

Mayor Jeffrey is looking forward to working on the city budget for 2027, a process that is soon beginning in August. “There's some additional ideas I need to present to the council for their consideration to be included into the 2027 budget,” said Jeffrey. “As we find out the results of some of the grant applications that we have, as some of the other DRI projects finish up, and depending on what we can look at, including into the 2027 budget, that will help make things more efficient and provide the support specifically on the code side,” he said.

As he reflected on his first six months in office, Jeffrey said, “I've really enjoyed working alongside and talking with many of our businesses, many of the advocate groups here in the city, as well as those that are just really concerned about our area and want to see us do well.” He noted meeting with local, state, and federal officials citing numerous meetings with Governor Hochul's office, Senator Schumer's office, and with Congressman Josh Reilly's office. “And they're very well-in-tuned with our area, both at the state and federal level, they're very in-tuned, and I feel they truly want to see us do well and succeed,” said Jeffrey.

“There's really incredible transformational opportunities that we have in front of us,” he said.

He acknowledged that while not everyone always agrees, seeing the shared desire to see Norwich thrive is what continues to motivate him. “We have businesses that care, we have people that serve on boards that care, and we have local activists that care,” he said. “And the best part is, we don't always have to agree, but at the end of the day, just knowing that whether I'm in this seat or not, there are people in our community that are dedicated and that truly care.”

“One of the biggest things that I enjoy, is everyone wants to see the same goal. Everyone wants to see us succeed, wants to see the city of Norwich succeed, and those that live here succeed,” said the mayor.