NORWICH – The City of Norwich Common Council authorized an additional $60,000 Tuesday night for the costs of the Chenango Lake lawsuit. With a settlement in the works, the city hopes the money will take them through to the end of the litigation.

The city has been involved in the Chenango Lake lawsuit since January of 2003. Litigation that originally was between two Chenango Lake property owners soon grew to include every property owner around Chenango Lake, including the City of Norwich, which uses the lake as its primary water source.

Since 2003, the city council has spent approximately $142,000 on legal fees associated with the lawsuit. In early April, lawyers from Hancock and Estabrook told city officials a settlement agreement had been accepted by the city and was being considered by the other property owners; however since that time, additional bills for services leading up the trial have been submitted. The unpaid balance totals $51,532. Roberts estimated that an additional $5,000 would be needed for final fees. He rounded that figure up to $60,000.