Norwich Public Utilities General Manager John Bilda has been indicted by the FBI and has tarnished the name of the entire City of Norwich. Replacing Bilda will be an arduous task for the utilities commission and the city itself. 

Perhaps it is time for the city to change. The City of Anchorage, Alaska recently merged their equivalent of the NPU, Municipal Power and Light (MPL) with the private utility in the city, resulting in a payment to the city of $1 billion. The city reduced debt and taxes promoting further growth in the city. Why can't a similar decision be good for Norwich? 

There are 10 managerial positions within NPU, excluding the general manager, that earn at least $153,504 per year. The recent contract at the utility resulted in a $3,600 “stipend” to those NPU workers that live in Norwich. Why are stipends needed to keep Norwich employees as taxpayers? 

Excessive increases in utility rates were modified after several large businesses threatened to leave Norwich. With revenues approaching $100 million the utility is too large for the appointed members of the commission to control. Now is the time to sell the utility and reward the ratepayers and taxpayers of the city with lower taxes and increased growth in the city. 

David Burley

Norwich