Norwich is a city divided. We have pitted the city against the town. The volunteers versus the paid fire fighters. The budget for the paid fire department is about $2 million and the budget for the volunteers is about half-a-million. Norwich has a $1.5 million question: What if, with a little investment, the lines could be erased and Norwich could be one again.

Why not make our paid fire department profitable and have them run ambulance services for Norwich? But, instead Norwich pays American Ambulance for their services. In reality they should be paying us. American Ambulance has served this city well, but these are difficult times and Norwich has to start investing in itself.

New London Fire Department runs their own EMS and it made the city of New London $1.4 million last year. And according to a 2016 EMS report Norwich gets more 911 calls than New London, so there is the $1.5 million answer to uniting Norwich and finally ending this ridiculous city and town consolidated district divide. Norwich should do a study on the upfront cost and make it a referendum vote in the next election cycle.

Philip Brose

Norwich