Norwich - Petitions signed by dozens of residents of local senior housing complexes and other supporters of the city's Human Services Department were submitted to the City Council this week asking that two staff positions be restored to the 2013-14 budget that takes effect next week.

The petition drive was launched by the Norwich Human Services Department in an effort to restore an account clerk position, to be eliminated on Oct. 1, 2013, and a caseworker position, to be eliminated starting April 1, 2014.

The City Council proposed the cuts in the final week of budget deliberations as aldermen moved to reduce the tax increase to 2.6 percent. The final budget was approved June 10.

"Dear Mayor Nystrom and Members of the City Council," the petition signed by 85 residents at Wequonnoc Village Apartments in Taftville said. "We are asking you to NOT cut positions at Norwich Human Services."

Petitions also were circulated at the Hamilton Avenue public housing apartments and Village Court apartments on Mechanic Street. Other petitions were signed at the Thames Valley Council for Community Action and at United Community and Family Services.

"I am unhappy at the council's lack of support for human services programs in our community," a petition signed by nine people at UCFS said. "Please restore the positions cut at Norwich Human Services and ensure that our residents have the necessary supports they require to be productive citizens of our community."

The petitions contain a combined total of 294 names, some of them from non-Norwich residents.

Several aldermen reached for comment Wednesday said it would be difficult to restore the positions. Money would have to be found elsewhere in the budget, which could hurt other departments.

"I'm not sure what can be done about that," alderwoman and Democratic mayoral candidate Deberey Hinchey said. "I think absolutely people feel very strongly about the Human Services Department and all the good work they do. I just don't know if we have the finances to restore it. We will have to discuss it with (City Manager) Alan Bergren and the union."

Hinchey was one of five aldermen, along with Republican Mayor Peter Nystrom, who voted in favor of the budget cut. Alderman Charles Jaskiewicz, also a Democratic mayoral candidate, and alderman Mark Bettencourt voted against the cuts.

Their main argument during budget discussions was the funding that remained in the budget for nine vacant police positions. The police department does not expect to have time to fill most of those positions during the fiscal year, as it takes several months to hire and certify a police officer.

Jaskiewicz said he could not comment Wednesday afternoon because he hadn't yet seen the petitions. Bettencourt said it would be difficult to reverse the decision now that the budget has passed and is set to take effect July 1.

City Human Services officials estimated it would cost $67,464 to restore the two positions, including health benefits.

Human Services Director Beverly Goulet submitted a cover letter with the petitions. Goulet said the money allocated to vacant positions could be used to restore the human services positions.

"We realize that the budget has been passed, but also know that because of unfilled positions, there is money that could be allocated to revoke the layoffs imposed on our office," Goulet said. "We would not expend the considerable effort it took to gather these signatures if we did not feel that these positions were vital to the operation of our department and the well-being of residents in our community."

c.bessette@theday.com