NORWICH – The City of Norwich held its monthly joint committees meeting Monday night to deliberate on a number of topics of interest to city residents.

Policy for purchasing bulk water

City officials continued talks regarding the city's policy for sale of bulk water to both individuals and for-profit companies after it was revealed a private company was receiving free bulk water from the city last month.

City Council President and Alderman Ward 1 Matthew Caldwell said it appears the city is not treating every customer the same and that each enterprise should be paying the same for the purchase of bulk water.

Alderman Ward 5 David Zieno said he thinks that recently appointed Superintendent of Public Works Edward Pepe should research the equipment available for measuring water. Caldwell agreed but said he thinks the committees should devise a way to "level the playing field on the rate" first.

In regards to a plan the city was considering which would allow private companies to purchase water between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, City of Norwich Mayor Christine Carnrike said one "very flagrant problem" is that contractors start work long before 9 a.m. and end well after 2:30 p.m.

She continued to say that a hydrometer used by a private business has been proven to be inaccurate, and recommended Pepe research the hydrometers to ensure the city is charging appropriately.

Alderman Ward 6 Robert Jeffrey made a motion to refer the policy to the water board to get their opinion before moving forward with pricing, and Zieno suggested they wait before solidifying the specifics until Pepe has had a chance to determine what kind of equipment is available.

"We don't want to restrict what a possible solution might be," said Zieno.

Continuing stipend for Human Resource functions

City Clerk/Director of Finance Dee DuFour provided committee members with an update on the city's human resource functions dating back to April of this year, when former Human Resource Director Deborah DeForest was placed on paid administrative leave before she resigned.

Caldwell asked if the city has received any applications for the vacant human resource director position, and DuFour estimated about 15 individuals applied, some being from out of state.