NORWICH – Since 2004, city officials have debated the merits of relocating the current city offices to the third, and a portion of the first, floors of the nearby fire station – an estimated $436,000 proposal that did not sit well with the majority of those who attended last night’s meeting.

Approximately 30 city residents and officials gathered in the Common Council Chambers at City Court Tuesday for a public forum to discuss the proposed renovation versus relocation of City Hall offices, currently housed in the old train depot at One City Plaza.

Mike McCollough, a city resident for 26 years with “experience with historical renovations,” stated it’s the “responsibility of any community to take care of its historical structures,” and said he was “concerned with how the building would be used or renovated if not owned by the city.”

“Please consider very seriously keeping that building,” concluded McCollough said of the depot.

Of concern to most in attendance was the questionable accessibility of a third floor City Hall in the fire station, in addition to the fact that, if relocated, an empty train depot would still require renovations before it could be sold or leased.

City resident Ed Morano considered the proposed relocation a “sheer inconvenience,” and agreed with the general consensus that City Hall offices “do not belong in the fire house.”