Accomplishments

What’s Bob done for you?

As Assistant City Manager, Bob developed a performance measurement system that when implemented completely would ensure greater accountability for the city’s departments.

As City Manager, Bob proposed two city budgets that were unanimously passed by the Council with no significant modifications.  The budgets kept taxes low and improved services.

Bob has also consistently been a voice for honest, open, thoughtful government.

As a Member of the Norwich City Council, Bob advocated for lower taxes, promoted essential training for the city council and city employees, proposed legislation (such as a noise ordinance) to improve the quality of live for city residents and worked with other council members to unanimously pass several ordinances and resolutions to improve the efficiency of city government operations.

More about Bob’s Norwich accomplishments . . .

Bob Zarnetske has been involved in Norwich city government for five years.  Since joining City Hall as the Assistant City Manager in December 2003, he has helped move the City forward on many fronts.  It hasn’t always been easy, but he’s worked to make our local government more accessible, more accountable and more cost effective.  He has been a voice for financial discipline and responsible spending.  He has promoted broad public participation, better communication between City Hall and the Board of Education, and effective outreach to legislators in Hartford and Washington as well as investors in New York and beyond.

Bob led the effort to secure state and federal funding to support critical transportation projects including, the Intermodal Transportation Center, the widening of Route 82, and increased bus service for Southeastern Connecticut.

Bob has consistently promoted openness in the procurement process, including full disclosure of conflicts of interest between public officials and the contractors with whom the city does business.

Bob developed the city’s first performance measurement program for all city departments.

Bob encouraged city departments and local nonprofit organizations to apply and be recognized as one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People.”

Bob revamped the City’s Community Development Block Grant Program to focus on activities specifically aimed at improve the local economy.

Bob led the effort, along with Representative Coutu, to keep local spending down.  He authored the special meeting warrant and guidance letter to the City Manager that resulted in an overall reduction in the Manager’s proposed budget for FY 2008-2009.

Bob insisted on training for the City Council on zoning issues.

He introduced a Noise Ordinance that, when passed, will ensure property owners across the city that their rights to the quiet enjoyment of their property will be respected and enforced.

Bob led the effort to rewrite the City Council Rules of Procedure to allow for more public participation at Council and Council Sub-committees meetings.

He authored the “Beyond the Box” ordinance to ensure that all job applicants get a fair interview before being denied a city job.  Bob’s version of the ordinance, which was passed unanimously by the Norwich City Council, balances the need to conduct background checks against interest of applicants to have their applications reviewed fully on the merits.  Bob’s version of the ordinance has been discussed state-wide as a model for other municipalities in Connecticut.

Bob authored the ordinance (passed unanimously by the council) that eliminated the Economic Development Commission — a redundant committee that hadn’t meet in more than a decade, but added to the confusing the landscape or authority over economic development in the city.

Bob introduced and successfully advocated for (unanimous) passage of a new Home Occupation zoning ordinance that will allow artists in the Chelsea Art District to develop studio live/work space on the second and third floors of buildings downtown.