Norwich ― Winter and spring are normally off seasons for election workers, but not so in the city this year.

The City Council Tuesday scheduled a special election on Feb. 1 on a controversial ordinance that mandates automatic aid between the city’s paid and volunteer fire districts and a second special election for May 24 to fill the seat vacated by new Democratic 46th District state Rep. Derell Wilson.

Wilson, who turns 31 Thursday, resigned from his council seat shortly before midnight Tuesday, “with a bundle of emotions,” near the end of a long meeting.

Wilson noted the political divide that has dominated recent meetings and urged the six council members ― three Democrats and three Republicans ― “to compromise and make things work for this city” until his seat is filled.

“I appreciate each and every voter from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to serve the Rose City,” Wilson said. “I plan to do what is best for the city and state as I elevate to my new role as a state representative. I plan to still attend meetings and events all over the city when time allows. I am truly humbled and thank you.”

Fire services issues have been among the partisan debates. The council’s four Democrats approved the Dec. 5 ordinance mandating the paid fire department respond automatically to fire calls in the volunteer districts, and volunteer units respond to fires in the central city paid fire district. Democratic Council President Pro Tempore Joseph DeLucia said the ordinance codified an agreement reached by the five volunteer fire chiefs, one paid chief and City Manager John Salomone.

But when they learned of the ordinance, the volunteer chiefs withdrew support and petitioned to force a special election to put the issue to voters. Fire chiefs prefer an administrative policy rather than an ordinance. Automatic aid is currently in place in the form of a written policy.

When voters go to the polls Feb. 1 they will see a ballot question that reads: “Shall the ordinance entitled ‘AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8-17 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES,’ adopted by the Council at its December 5, 2022 meeting be approved?” followed by a ballot label that reads: “For approval of AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8-17 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES. YES NO.”

Because schools will be in session Feb. 1, three regular polling places in schools will not be available. City officials have secured three new polling places very close to the schools for the two special elections.

•In place of John Moriarty School, Precinct 1 voters will vote at the Norwich Worship Center, 165 Lawler Lane.

•In place of Samuel Huntington School, Precinct 3 voters will go to the First Congregational Church hall, 81 E. Town St.

•In place of John B. Stanton School, Precinct 4 voters will go next door to Beth Jacob Synagogue, 400 New London Turnpike.

The city’s three other polling places are unchanged: Precinct 2 at Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive; Precinct 5 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 248 Broadway and Precinct 6 at AHEPA-110 Apartments community room, 370 Hamilton Ave.

Although the fire services election is a “yes or no” vote, it is not technically a referendum, city election officials stressed. Only registered Norwich voters may cast ballots. Absentee ballots will be available soon, and Democratic Registrar Dianne Daniels said election officials will schedule supervised absentee voting at nursing and residential homes.

There also is no Election Day registration on Feb. 1, Daniels said. She urged residents to register to vote no later than Monday, Jan. 30 either in person at the registrars’ office at City Hall or online through a link on the city website, www.norwichct.org on the registrars page under “Government.”

The special election for the vacant council seat was scheduled for May 24 to allow time for the two political town committees to nominate and endorse candidates and to allow for potential primary challenges, Daniels said.

Editors note: This version correct that the automatic aid policy is a written policy and that fire chiefs prefer an administrative policy rather than an ordinance.

c.bessette@theday.com