Norwich - Residents gave mixed and emotional reactions to the proposed $8 million economic development bond package during the first public hearing on the plan that will be presented to voters in a referendum Nov. 2.

After a 90-minute public hearing, aldermen voted unanimously to approve all three proposed ordinances, clearing the way for the three questions to be placed on the November ballot.

One question will ask for bonding $1.52 million for infrastructure improvements to the Stanley Israelite Norwich Business Park, including repaving crumbling roads, clearing overgrowth, and upgrading lighting.

A second question proposes a $3.38 million economic development incentive program for downtown and the city waterfront. That includes $1.84 million for a forgivable loan program to help building owners meet modern codes, $500,000 for a commercial rental subsidy program to boost depressed rents to make downtown buildings more viable, and $1 million in a revolving loan program for targeted areas.

The third question calls for $3 million for Norwich Public Utilities to expand the natural gas lines to targeted densely populated neighborhoods. The gas line expansion would be funded through new customer connections. NPU officials said they would do surveys of the neighborhoods to ensure support before extending the lines.

During the hearing, the downtown incentive program drew the most attention.

Greeneville resident Ron Ward and former Alderman and City Manager Robert Zarnetske both spoke in favor, but said the program's success would depend on "an extraordinary effort ahead of us," Zarnetske said. Ward called it a "unique opportunity" for success for the stagnant downtown, again with "a lot of hard work."

Bassem Salahi, owner of Lazizah Bake Shop in Yantic, spoke vehemently in favor of the downtown package. Salahi said the downtown bond package is essential and must be done now. Salahi said city leaders have two choices: "let downtown decay or stand up and fight." Salahi praised the teamwork exhibited by city and civic agencies that researched the problems and proposed the solutions in the bond proposal.

"This is a real cultural change in thinking," Salahi said. "… Sitting and waiting isn't going to do it. We can't worry about 'who's going to elect me next year.'"

Former City Council President Bonnie Hong recalled plans and efforts to revitalize downtown that were tried and didn't work. But Hong too saw a difference this time in the teamwork approach. She urged residents to attend some of the planning meetings and take advantage of the opportunity "to actually work on economic development."

Resident David Crabb, however, spoke against all three bond packages, calling the downtown package "a fairy tale." Resident Rodney Bowie opposed the downtown package and the business park upgrades, and only "sort of" favored the natural gas line extension, because it would pay for itself.

Council members expressed opinions during an informational meeting prior to the hearing and during the pre-vote discussion. Alderwoman Deberey Hinchey wants to be able to tell residents what types of businesses the city would like to attract using the proposed downtown incentive package. Earlier this month, the council designated NCDC as the agency that would oversee the downtown incentive program.

Robert Mills, executive director of the Norwich Community Development Corp., told aldermen that over the next several weeks he will provide the City Council and the public target lists of the types of businesses the city would like to attract.

Prior to the vote, Alderman William Nash said the bond packages are "not about us," but about changing the culture of the city. He and others pledged to promote passage of the bond this fall.

c.bessette@theday.com