Published February 18. 2021 5:53PM | Updated February 18. 2021 6:41PM By The latest consultant’s report for improving fire protection in Norwich has some sound ideas. But in an effort to sidestep a political ignition point that has sent prior reports up in flames, it sidesteps a fundamental unfairness about who and how fire service is paid for. This politically cautious approach may indeed improve the chances of achieving some fundamental improvements without factional disagreements again striking the match that sends the whole effort up in smoke, effectively burning up the $81,000 spent on the report along with it. But, as unpleasant as it may be, the reality that some in the city are forced to pay so much more for fire protection than others — creating an anchor that weighs on development efforts in the heart of Norwich’s urban center — must at some point be addressed.