NORWICH – North Norwich decision-makers are making inroads toward reforming their fire district by taking over a portion of territory currently under contract with the City of Norwich Fire Department.

On Sept. 20, during an unofficial meeting with City of Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano at the firehouse, Supervisor Robert Wansor and three representatives from the North Norwich Volunteer Fire Department discussed the town’s fire contract with the city and the provision of services. The city fire department currently provides coverage for the southern half of the town at an annual cost of about $117,000. While no official business transpired during the gathering, Wansor said North Norwich fire commissioners are “looking to take back” about two-thirds of the contract’s coverage area.

The specific geographic region under discussion is “fairly substantial,” the first term supervisor said, but specific boundaries have not yet been defined. “They (the commissioners) believe they can safely cover that amount in the contract. If they feel that they can properly care for it, then I’m willing to help them,” he said.

Wansor anticipates that fire protection would be less expensive delivered through the North Norwich Volunteer Fire Department, and said his job is “to save money for the residents of North Norwich, to reduce their taxes whenever I can.”