Norwich ― Just three speakers addressed the City Council Thursday during the first public hearing on City Manager John Salomone’s proposed $151.3 million combined city and school budgets, two urging tax cuts and one in support of the school budget request.

Salomone on April 1 presented his budget plan that included $93.27 million for the school budget, $55.1 million for city government and $2.89 million for capital improvements.

The Board of Education had requested a $100 million total, a 12%, $11 million increase over this year’s total. Acting School Superintendent Susan Lessard told the council during a recent department budget hearing with the council that school administrators are working to cut the budget, but probably could not reach the city manager’s recommended total.

Resident Joanne Philbrick, a former alderwoman who speaks at most council meetings, acknowledged the City Council has a difficult task ahead and urged cuts, including to the school budget. Philbrick said Norwich taxes are “friggin’ ridiculous,” but she especially lamented the apparent lack of interest by the public.

“I don’t know how you’re going to make your decisions, but you are going to have to make cuts,” Philbrick said. “… I don’t know where you’re going to cut, and I guess it doesn’t matter because nobody came.”

Resident Mark Cook urged support for the full requested school budget. Cook said the best way for the city to attract new businesses and residents is to provide high quality schools. He said years of school budget cuts have not worked.

Resident Guy Palazzo agreed with Philbrick that city taxes are “too darn high,” but he urged the city and school leaders to make sure the schools do not cut arts and music. Arts, he said, bridge language barriers, and artists see things with different perspectives.

c.bessette@theday.com