Norwich – City officials will wait another month before cutting several city staff positions or filling vacant positions approved in the city budget, hoping the state will have a budget by Oct. 1 that will determine how much state aid the city will receive. The level of aid could alter cuts or new hires.

The City Council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution to delay both the cuts and new hires until Oct. 1, the second such delay approved while waiting for a state budget. The council in June initially agreed to delay the changes until Sept. 1, figuring the state would have a budget by the end of the summer.

The delayed position cuts – some already vacant, while others would require layoffs – include two police officer positions, a Public Works Department foreman, recycling coordinator, laborer, Human Services employment case manager and an office clerk.

Delayed new hires include plans to hire a part-time recreation director. The city has been without a recreation director for the past three years. The city received 38 responses to the recent advertisement for the position and was in the process of testing and interviewing applicants.