NORWICH – The City of Norwich Common Council approved the purchase of a new vehicle for the City Code Enforcement Office at their December meeting. The city authorized the purchase of a 2008 used cargo van for the department.

Last month, City of Norwich Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence told members of the Public Works / Public Safety committee that the codes vehicle had experienced a major system failure and would not be repaired. In the past, the department had also utilized a fire department car as a back-up vehicle, but that car is also currently out of service. While the fire vehicle will be repaired, other vehicles are a higher priority.

After some discussion, the Public Safety / Public Works committee decided to recommend that a truck currently owned by the Water Department be sold to the general fund for $8,000.

At the council meeting, a different vehicle was discussed. The council discussed purchasing a cargo van from Christman Motors for $18,000. First Ward Alderman Robert Carey asked Lawrence what had changed between the two meetings. “At the Public Works meeting, our discussion was about purchasing a pickup truck from the water department for $8,000. Now the resolution brought is for a cargo van that costs an additional $10,000. Three weeks ago, it was expressed that a one-ton pickup would suffice,” Carey said.

Lawrence explained that because of the materials the Codes Department needs to carry, it was decided that the truck would not meet their needs. “We need to carry tools. We usually carry a ladder, light boxes, fire gear. In a single cab truck, there would be little room for the computer stand and no room behind the seat for storage,” Lawrence said. He added that materials like smoke detectors, shovels, rakes and a generator are generally carried in the vehicle as well.