Those involved in the so-called Derbygate scandal should make full restitution for their costs associated with last May’s all-expense paid lavish trip to the Kentucky Derby. The Norwich City Council, by a 5 to 1 vote, makes that recommendation Monday night to the five city officials who went on the trip paid for by the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative. Despite the vote, Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll tells the council its decision may not have much weight. The city’s ethics commission recommended mayor Deb Hinchey, and Public Utilities Commission chairman Dee Boisclair and vice-chairman Robert Groner pay back 25-percent of their trip expenses, with full reimbursement to be made by Norwich Public Utilities General Manager John Bilda, and Division Manager Steve Sinko. So far, only Hinchey has paid back her 25-percent. City Council President Pro-Tem, and Mayoral candidate Peter Nystrom says he’ll be recommending a committee be appointed to investigate Boisclair and Groner’s involvement.
NEW NORWICH BUDGET PROPOSED
Describing it as ‘seeing the glass half-full”, Norwich City Manager John Salamone’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year reduces the city’s property tax rate. Salamone says some 8-million dollars in additional state aid the city receives under the Governor’s proposed state budget, means a 4-percent reduction in the mill rate in the town district, and 1-percent in the city district. Salamone’s budget puts more than 4-million dollars into capital improvements, mostly for road paving and firefighter equipment. It would also include the hiring of a part-time recreation director, for a department that hasn’t had a leader since 2013. There are no changes to the school budget approved last month by the board of ed. Salamone’s budget does propose a mill rate increase of more than 3-and-a-half percent, if the increased state aid doesn’t come through. The city manager’s budget goes to a public hearing on April 13th.
