(Shawn Magrath Photo)

NORWICH – The City of Norwich is looking at consolidating municipal offices and moving eight employees working at the current train station building into the fire station to save costs to taxpayers, explained Norwich City Mayor Christine Carnrike Thursday.

The city announced it was considering selling the building in early July after being contacted with an offer to buy One City Plaza for $130,000.

The decision to sell the property will be made by the city council in a future public meeting following a public discussion said the mayor. The offer is still in the first phases, she said.

The city received feedback through phone calls and social media asking about the sale. The mayor said many wanted to understand the process and wanted to know why the sale wasn't being advertised more.

“There was a lot of, you know, 'we'll offer you a 135, I'll offer a 140, final offer,'” said Carnrike.

In response the city's director of finance, Dee DuFour, sent a notice out to the public earlier this week:

“The local law allows the Norwich Common Council to sell or lease real estate owned by the city so long as it's not required for city use. Such real estate 'may be sold or leased at a negotiated price without advertisement, or as provided by Title XII [section] 214-220 of the city charter.'"

"No matter which process is taken, the Common Council must approve the final transaction before the property may be transferred to another party,” the memo stated.

“Some people wonder why, how – not fully understanding the process or how the charter defines how that's taken care of,” said Carnrike. She said the council was currently waiting to here a recommendation from the city attorney, Steve Natoli, about the proposal.

The mayor said she has received several offers to buy the building since taking office. She said she supported the current proposal to buy city hall.