Norwich — Alderman Joseph DeLucia on Tuesday proposed that the utilities commission conduct a forensic audit of its books and called for a hiring freeze and an analysis of supervisory positions at Norwich Public Utilities as the board prepares to search for a permanent new general manager.

DeLucia recommended his proposed eight-point action plan be used to “shape your deliberations” as the board searches for a new general manager.

The proposal was made in the wake of a federal indictment Nov. 8 of five officials from the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative, including NPU General Manager John Bilda, in connection with lavish trips the cooperative hosted to the Kentucky Derby and a West Virginia golf resort.

Bilda was placed on paid administrative leave by the utilities commission at a special meeting Nov. 15 and was removed from his position on the CMEEC board of directors a week earlier. NPU Assistant General Manager Chris LaRose was named acting general manager. Three weeks prior to the indictment, Bilda announced plans to retire sometime in 2019 once a successor was named.

The CMEEC board placed indicted CEO Drew Rankin and indicted Chief Financial Officer Edward Pryor on unpaid leave Nov. 9, one day after the indictments were handed down in U.S. District Court in New Haven.

Norwich utilities commission Chairwoman Grace Jones said during a recess in Tuesday’s meeting that she hadn’t yet reviewed DeLucia’s proposed action plan.

The utilities commission went into executive session Tuesday to discuss whether to hire a consultant to assist with the search for a permanent new general manager and to discuss terms of LaRose’s status as acting general manager.

LaRose met for an hour with the commission behind closed doors to discuss his goals and strategies during his tenure as acting general manager. NPU spokesman Chris Riley described the session as “very positive.” The board is drafting a formal offer to cover LaRose as acting general manager and expects to vote on the final package at its next board meeting Dec. 18.

LaRose’s current salary is $188,864 as assistant general manager.

The board remained in executive session with its attorney, Tony Palermino, late Tuesday following its discussion with LaRose.

DeLucia’s proposal called for the commission to agree to a forensic audit of all four utility divisions — electric, natural gas, water and sewer — with the city choosing the audit firm through a request for proposals process.

He also asked for a freeze on hiring, promotions, reassignments and adjustments among the supervisors at the utility. Prior to his suspension, the supervisors’ union had filed three grievances alleging he unilaterally had promoted Division Manager Steve Sinko to a newly created assistant to the general manager position. LaRose rescinded the promotion and raise, and the union withdrew the grievances.

DeLucia said the utilities commission should work with the city Human Resources Department to review and better define each supervisory position defined in the union contract and said no position should be transferred to any other union until the review is completed.

DeLucia also objected to NPU including its charter-mandated 10 percent payment of gross revenues to the city each year in its rate calculations.

“NPU should make said payment from its gross receipts and not pass the cost of this payment on to ratepayers in any way,” DeLucia wrote.

c.bessette@theday.com