[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6568494,"mediaKeyId","3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737","parentId",3194459,"title","Council tables proposed contract with Municipal Tax Services after questions about fees and process","audioSeconds",629,"startMs",7805000,"endMs",8434000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737&start=7805&end=8434","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737/thumbnail_7805000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568494/New-London/New-London-County/Connecticut/Council-tables-proposed-contract-with-Municipal-Tax-Services-after-questions-about-fees-and-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568494-6418e1b65c66dffea420646a5d87a122/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186627&Signature=AUylshdUXkNu-H1WohsbCEtWgMhy2501ydQY2LHde2MePCSXR1TmdqyQ5VUFR8HhcmrYxnsFyxmVFgHOnv0VN3KzuBvH5oRNDf~hvI9swLnNwyvGXgcjEJv0PCaVOOwOxBd7RUM-HgHYMu14yCHEwVvRjdicLuPpCbd0jcHEhsW8weslnkgs7MKOEn~LJAmLU2VnSgJcRaBhPQtrM53K2PuA3IhDSW~8LYb9YDwNTZ33O3iVA7OdIZa5DkmfJOEerA4lcNoMsQoR~VPvdboHNwLyTwPWBAys2H5g65mJ1802pNRLkON--LG30XMmTMNZqiFu3f0o8nE7ddx9hMO~kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New London","date","2025-05-06T01:47:11.643Z","article","The New London City Council voted on May 5 to table a proposed contract with Municipal Tax Services LLC (MTS) that would identify and pursue taxes and fees on out‑of‑state or unregistered vehicles believed to be within the city.

Why it matters: Proponents said the service could produce additional revenue; opponents and several councilors raised questions about the firm's fee (a percentage plus a $50 per‑vehicle charge discussed in the packet), how notices and collections would be handled, the potential burden on residents and whether the city assessor or in‑house staff should perform the work instead.

Public comment and staff briefing: Resident Jeff Sontop spoke at public comment in support of pursuing revenue from out‑of‑state registered vehicles and unregistered junk vehicles; he told the council such work had been done previously in the city. Staff explained MTS's process: the firm conducts investigations, notifies vehicle owners and prepares a report; they receive payment only if a bill is collected, the staff briefing said.

Council concerns and legal questions: Councilors and the city attorney discussed whether state law permits the $50 per‑vehicle charge and whether the contract would expose the city to collection liability. The city attorney said reasonable fees and costs are authorized by state statute and that similar contracts exist elsewhere in Connecticut; staff also said other municipalities have used MTS with collection results reported in their packets.

Outcome: After discussion and concerns about transparency and contract specifics, a councilor moved to table the item and the council voted to table the proposed contract pending further review. The motion to table carried.

Next steps requested by councilors included providing the council the final proposed contract for New London, confirmation of whether collections are remitted to the city before payment to the vendor, and further legal and procedural detail about notice and appeal rights available to affected vehicle owners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05-05-2025 City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors voted to table consideration of a proposed contract with Municipal Tax Services LLC to pursue out‑of‑state or unregistered vehicle taxation, citing concerns about fee structure, process transparency and contract details.","taxTitle","New London, New London County, Connecticut","taxId",70139,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568498,"Council confirms three appointments recommended by administration committee",60,3696000,3756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737&start=3696&end=3756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737/thumbnail_3696000.jpg","/articles/6568498/New-London/New-London-County/Connecticut/Council-confirms-three-appointments-recommended-by-administration-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568498-bc16600232883a09b0b9c7eeb28ccfcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186627&Signature=nldeMC5PF8puoXbldJGOdaFwBJyu98fLCbdZDtwHHFwFvxNk22YVqEz-2oaZf1NNwK43mBRKCu4UIc3SnHIFFjmPU2xcWq0-A0MgGTUeAZUMvhkrIT6oZoywG7W77N8Fc1pn6FWg-OPLOy16EIjEKk2rBPs-KCnTQ1dL0mk6xS73etz74aCTDrkS-K9tmxi9QbaWnK5sav0TUacZSY8pox1h9eK-HkTMYZ0yFIzjlBVgH0eeHVNlKDV8nZxBDBEcGWin0dW83SIjYDDJDfgqAQ-ob3Ht5t0xUtdd-ffppWX-ko7ydJN99kpE5D7NkGxJdLT-S-b7fYaP36B2siX4qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New London City Council confirmed three appointments forwarded from the administration committee during the May 5 meeting.

Appointments and terms: The council appointed Mariana Serrano as a regular member of the Parking Authority for a five‑year term; Barbara Milwaukee as a regular member of the Pedestrian Advisory Committee for a two‑year term; and Nancy Cole as a regular member of the Senior Affairs Commission for a two‑year term.

Each appointment was moved and seconded during the administration committee meeting and then ratified by the full council; the motions were approved by voice vote during the council meeting.

No objections were recorded in the meeting minutes and staff indicated the appointments were recorded in the administration committee records. The administration committee chair reported the committee meeting began at 6:45 p.m. and ended at 6:48 p.m.; the committee said it had appointed three agency members that evening.","The council confirmed three appointments sent from the administration committee: Mariana Serrano to the Parking Authority, Barbara Milwaukee to the Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Nancy Cole to the Senior Affairs Commission.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568503,"Council approves third extension for school project manager to finish closeout work",0,5916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737&start=5916&end=5916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737/thumbnail_5916000.jpg","/articles/6568503/New-London/New-London-County/Connecticut/Council-approves-third-extension-for-school-project-manager-to-finish-closeout-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568503-3b52ff2aa47434713c69295aa9c29595/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186627&Signature=iM8WsMS-GQncvm8Y8XX-xQ3tiRGD1fkWnuQ7e-~9BSa4IX0-GAZkus2fx6L3Ks36lRWOYlYLtmN4QDBZuuQo31h8QFapqp-TT4zHAlmVwHwIC-BRAYSnseZR-kR02l0OIgvraCURTzUjpxAn1yCexqb1Q7qnK32mPva8zYFK4PIEKslzcMeP4RBu35DSMOH~I1A8vCXB3CPN7ts~2A73D~cKXsD5rH87qPtvEok9V0RZqCJWIcF7UrISoP50f62mhxdUGLXj9sLnE6MQEqoWd-5rLYsbL4jz2mZtsKjZGeTO~C2I06XhNnQdNwJNAYDtH8OoiiKMc8yb4dcPMDJHIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New London City Council on May 5 approved a third extension of the city's contract for project management services on school construction projects to assist with closeout work, auditing and grant reimbursement follow-up. Council discussion centered on past closeout problems and the city's prior reliance on an experienced project manager to secure state reimbursements.

Mayor Michael Passaro and other councilors credited CREC project manager Diana McNeil (referenced in the meeting) with previously recovering substantial grant reimbursement for earlier school projects and said the work remaining — particularly for the STEM high school closeout — is administratively complex. Councilors described the extension as necessary to ensure proper documentation and to minimize the risk of losing state reimbursement.

At the meeting city staff said the extension is the third amendment to the contract and that the extension ends on June 25, 2025. Staff described a modest amount of oversight work remaining (discussed as approximately $10,000) to complete the closeout and ensure eligible costs were documented for state reimbursement.

Some councilors raised concerns about paying continued flat fees rather than switching to an hourly structure as project workload declines; others said the city saved millions by obtaining reimbursements through diligent closeout work. Council voted to approve the third contract amendment; the motion passed by a recorded vote reported as 5–2.

What the city will do next: Staff said the project manager will continue to assist in closing out the high school project and in finalizing audits that determine eligibility for state grant reimbursement. Councilors asked for clearer reporting on invoices and deliverables tied to the extension.","Council authorized a third extension of the project management contract to assist with school construction closeouts; staff cited the need to complete grant closeouts and recover reimbursements. The extension includes oversight work estimated at about $10,000 and runs through June 25, 2025.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568508,"Council approves $146,790 in equipment for community center after debate over local bidding",2478,6132000,8610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737&start=6132&end=8610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737/thumbnail_6132000.jpg","/articles/6568508/New-London/New-London-County/Connecticut/Council-approves-146790-in-equipment-for-community-center-after-debate-over-local-bidding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568508-4b4c687ec6ceacbb76b253978e1d8161/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186627&Signature=H9kLXgD0Arh6fOT2QDWCKUglTryolSOAAhlVFc0WqV~Bzlfff098zzg~zKASxp-WIRqwrv4iq2bJLYdivKDGROF0enoKXelLK0uzjXjJt5-P5b0WHZy8L5v3bq6HKO~dPAYSYQUa9F8FWcgPPCZV1OiuRxMVMw1H3e7NApIZwepaAdhnHG8KfMjMcVXZjV9jrhUSSD-pbJEE1itABHVCxuKUDJUlA1t1-yi8TIerwCWSdBNXcLVkhAryTbisZamf4C8LNoALcnopVzGERLN~cHvdmnpxDXjmhPby2ieYF~9S-k16zDOYRxRRMf4tlrxAESatgbz~dO56X6vraLUN8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New London City Council approved purchases and construction adjustments on May 5 related to the new community recreation center, including a $146,790.82 procurement from Power Wellness for program and facility equipment and a $22,863.96 change order for site safety features.

Why it matters: Councilors and public commenters pressed the administration about whether local vendors were given opportunities to bid on community center supplies and equipment, saying local businesses should have a chance to compete on municipal projects.

Equipment purchase: Council approved the purchase of “various equipment and supplies for the community recreation center” from Power Wellness in the amount of $146,790.82. Director Reyes said the items are pre‑opening operational supplies and equipment procured on the city’s behalf by the center operator and that procurement staff verified competitive pricing and followed the city procurement process. Reyes said some items were being purchased from New London vendors and that the procurement officer reviewed line‑by‑line pricing.

Local-business concerns: Mark Christiansen, representing Jan Electronics and a local vendor, told council he had not seen bid documents and questioned whether local firms had the opportunity to supply items such as low‑voltage wiring and small electrical components. “This is supposed to be a community center and the community is supposed to be supported by it,” Christiansen said.

The city’s procurement and economic development staff said they routinely encourage developers and contractors to source locally when feasible and that workshops and vendor outreach are part of the normal process; councilors asked staff to continue and expand those efforts.

Change order and safety items: Council approved change order number 134 with Downs Construction for $22,863.96 to add site safety items including a speed bump and additional pedestrian signage and drop‑off adjustments. Police and project staff described the work as an improvement identified during final project reviews to reduce pedestrian and vehicle conflict near the facility entrance.

Operational vs. construction funding: Several councilors pressed whether janitorial and environmental supplies and certain IT items should be funded from construction savings or operations. City staff said the community center project budget contained pre‑opening funds and that the purchase of initial operating supplies from construction savings was deliberate to lower first‑year operational costs.

Outcome and next steps: The equipment purchase and the change order were approved in council votes; councilors asked staff to document outreach to local vendors and to consider vendor workshops in future projects.

Quotes from the meeting included local business concerns and staff explanation that procurement rules and competitive checks were followed. No bid protests or formal contract irregularities were recorded in the meeting minutes.","The council authorized purchase of pre‑opening equipment and supplies for the new community recreation center from Power Wellness for $146,790.82 and approved a related change order; local vendors raised concerns about bidding and outreach.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568513,"New London council adopts city and education budgets after heated debate on transparency and fund use",2971,1271000,4242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737&start=1271&end=4242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194459-c871293e28c035ace1c765534a701737/thumbnail_1271000.jpg","/articles/6568513/New-London/New-London-County/Connecticut/New-London-council-adopts-city-and-education-budgets-after-heated-debate-on-transparency-and-fund-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568513-6808466801030a481dff2a725319c066/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186627&Signature=gKJ8C45DbvDoUTCsgzR40-Y~IUg052HwBmR5EU1y7Su34GJTwvxhyRquPSNTAivmwV-bo1M6Cxl966-h3kjvuvgU8jLCIih4AjoZ7hV7ykZw~5oDXymqrbSgQYE7S7NN3haX4mhoyhwQA-5hKDbOrQpFbeV6nvtmQO2-RSEieTLSrIwJTVvYkCeofkt2nTfUUmZsH07eH7hx2LAso8wj3fW6Lp3OxddRSnBZSIEmP3Or-3P~SzhtsnzyOlu3PJSSfRoBgnIUK-Z9BKn~LnQv5lQ7znkNBPTOh1GjFVj8T6ns9xFW93aFhaMfoMv000R-5IxENCWqHbtcNVVx-5yLrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New London City Council on May 5 approved second readings of the fiscal 2025–26 city government budget and the Board of Education budget after public comment and a lengthy council debate over transparency, fund balance and contractual obligations.

The council approved the city government budget — including a $58,215,597 general fund — by a roll-call vote of 5–2. The education budget was approved the same evening by a 5–2 vote; the Board of Education budget amount read into the record was $47,451,526.

Why it matters: Public speakers including Board of Education chair Elaine Maynard Adams and board member Susan Hamby told council members they had not received adequate notice of some finance board meetings and warned that public allegations and process errors were harming trust between the board of education and city decision makers.

Board of Education chair Elaine Maynard Adams told the council that the board and administration had not received timely notice of a recent Board of Finance meeting and criticized what she called incorrect public statements made at that meeting. “Words matter. Actions matter more,” Adams said, adding that the board must begin a difficult process of discussing potential budget reductions.

Board of Education member Susan Hamby said gaps in scheduling and publishing agendas had left residents and board members unable to participate meaningfully and called for clearer communications. “Scheduling a meeting to discuss the budget for the Board of Education without notifying the Board is not transparent,” Hamby said.

Council debate focused on several recurring themes: whether city and school finances should be consolidated, the appropriate use and designation of the city’s fund balance, and whether the city or the Board of Education should be responsible for ensuring contractual obligations (including negotiated employee pay increases) are reflected in adopted budgets.

Director of Finance McBride told the council that an anticipated increase in state aid did not require an immediate additional appropriation to the education budget because the expected change involved Alliance funding estimates rather than the ECS (Education Cost Sharing) payment itself. “We do not need to make an additional appropriation to the education budget this year, nor do we need to increase the MBR,” McBride said, referring to the state minimum budget requirement process.

Councilor Jeff Hart repeatedly warned of fiscal risk, citing other Connecticut municipalities’ history of overspending and saying the council should expect supplemental requests. Other councilors defended the administration’s approach to fiscal prudence, including the establishment of a designated stabilization fund described by the mayor and finance director as a way to avoid repeatedly dipping into undesignated fund balance and to preserve the city’s bond rating.

Votes at a glance:
- City government budget (second reading): passed by roll call, 5 yes, 2 no; general fund $58,215,597. (Vote tally reported by roll call; dissenting votes recorded as two councilors voting no.)
- Board of Education budget (second reading): passed by roll call, 5 yes, 2 no; amount read as $47,451,526.

What’s next: Councilors and administration members flagged possible follow-up actions, including the appropriations committee process if further changes are sought and potential requests to the Board of Finance. Several councilors said they expect continued public scrutiny and possible supplemental meetings if contractual or state-determined funding changes require adjustments.

The meeting record shows the budgets passed on second reading; any legal challenges or state-level interventions referenced in debate were not decided during the meeting and would proceed under state statute and administrative process if initiated.","The New London City Council approved second readings of the city government and Board of Education budgets on May 5, 2025, after extended public comment and council debate over notice, transparency and use of fund balance. Both measures passed by 5-2 votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council tables proposed contract with Municipal Tax Services after questions about fees and process

Council confirms three appointments recommended by administration committee

Council approves third extension for school project manager to finish closeout work

Council approves $146,790 in equipment for community center after debate over local bidding

New London council adopts city and education budgets after heated debate on transparency and fund use