NORWICH – At the Common Council meeting Tuesday night, the city welcomed comment on the 2007 budget. The tentative budget proposed a 5.85 percent tax rate increase. Aldermen formally adopted the budget at the meeting for all of the proposed funds.

Several city residents addressed the council, suggesting different ways of trimming the budget, including investing in computer systems to cut long-term costs and using more part -time employees to eliminate the expenses of benefits and vacation time.

Former mayoral candidate Mike Carnrike chastised the city for claiming that upon the first calculations a 38 percent tax rate increase would have been required. Carnrike called it a ‘smoke and mirrors’ trick. “There was never a 38 percent increase presented to the public, and I’m sure everyone can see through that tactic and dismiss it for what it is worth,” he said.