[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6478471,"mediaKeyId","5708909-83e9b29cfaa4399bfed22637c50db1f7","parentId",5708909,"title","Votes at a glance: New London council approves public‑works contracts; adopts satellite‑dumpster expansion","audioSeconds",1422,"startMs",5154000,"endMs",6576000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708909-83e9b29cfaa4399bfed22637c50db1f7&start=5154&end=6576","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708909-83e9b29cfaa4399bfed22637c50db1f7/thumbnail_5154000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478471/New-London/New-London-County/Connecticut/Votes-at-a-glance-New-London-council-approves-publicworks-contracts-adopts-satellitedumpster-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478471-e960fa1a992744f50979a6786597f9a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450751&Signature=Yc9fhsnTUttnOeYph1eF7syUzmopevDKLmou~IUKmGrkP-01uNdgpQMzlQpeMgeFuwuP6bsHXaii-0dweY0bFYccf6V5qdODcsx9OW6QOWFzQFBVnz5DLSuG-Nf-vrMJAOVCMYYCGrwqW-O2RfnlCvdgfT9I4bCQit-xqsVDpol7sElI91kRSS~pb8n3Y5pwu1gbOiGd4KXnJhQYodC9RicUrDtiZ2qCkQxAgOykgwVhvSQOHCMNoFpLQ4BlE4O9QC5dyv8CLdLU5odOJ0jDzYZDpluZZttqRMBhIjhYxIy6agKA3vOJaJmNe0fo0fvOzk7MeLz73V9DJxC-rabwJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New London","date","2025-09-03T02:15:56Z","article","New London — The City Council on Sept. 2 approved several contracts for engineering, sidewalks and paving, and authorized expansion of a downtown satellite‑dumpster program. A separate proposal to add an immediate appropriation for crossing guards did not receive the votes required to add it to the agenda.

Council action highlights:

- Fuss & O’Neill — Approved a contract not to exceed $400,000 for design and engineering of a roundabout at Phillips Street and Vauxhall Street. Funding: the state LOTCIP program will cover construction and inspection (listed in a state letter as $4,600,000); the city pays design costs. Vote: voice vote; motion carried.

- Sidewalk and curb replacement — Approved an extension to the city’s sidewalk and curb replacement contract (amount and term per contract extension in backup). Motion carried by voice vote; staff said the city prioritizes sidewalks by condition, usage and neighborhood equity and that larger projects this year include Lower Coleman Street and Ocean Avenue.

- Burns Construction — Approved a paving contract for 2025 in the amount of $400,000; Eversource reimbursement to date of $191,335 was noted in the backup. Council and public‑works staff described a paving schedule for fall work and additional spring paving tied to utility‑related trench restorations. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Satellite dumpsters (ordinance/appropriation) — The council approved ordinance 09‑02‑25‑01 and appropriated $137,000, funded by a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEP) grant and private contributions, to expand the city’s satellite‑dumpster program and to purchase related equipment for new locations. Roll‑call vote recorded six yes votes; motion carried.

Other procedural actions: the consent agenda passed on a roll call (unanimous votes recorded for items included on the consent agenda per the clerk’s roll call). A request to add ordinance 09‑02‑25‑06 (an immediate $64,714 appropriation to restore five crossing guards) failed to get the five votes required to add that item to the evening’s agenda; the mayor said the administration will prepare an appropriation ordinance for a future meeting and coordinate with the Board of Education on administration logistics.

Where the money goes and next steps: the contract awards move engineering and capital work forward for traffic safety and street maintenance projects; public‑works staff described planned striping, crosswalk refreshes and a prioritization process tied to the city’s annual infrastructure bond and Town Aid Road funds. The satellite‑dumpster expansion will add fenced, wheeled containers in several downtown locations and increase scheduled pickup capacity for businesses and residents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","09-02-2025 City Council","oneSentenceSummary","At its Sept. 2 meeting the New London City Council approved multiple public‑works contracts and a satellite‑dumpster appropriation; a separate proposed ordinance to fund crossing guards failed to be added to the agenda.","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},6478476,"Council fails to add $64,714 crossing‑guard appropriation to tonight’s agenda; mayor says administration will seek funding",2160,4425000,6585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708909-83e9b29cfaa4399bfed22637c50db1f7&start=4425&end=6585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708909-83e9b29cfaa4399bfed22637c50db1f7/thumbnail_4425000.jpg","/articles/6478476/New-London/New-London-County/Connecticut/Council-fails-to-add-64714-crossingguard-appropriation-to-tonights-agenda-mayor-says-administration-will-seek-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478476-fd706314f4667f5a8e03b2363fd395c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450751&Signature=Th~ep1rnwvjxeMEDgjH1q0~gaPMjEW2dDRcxacRJyNEu15k6KKtSYcFP~~2B7TLp41iHu0Gk-LyhHk2j3-gks0XiPhIC070oVPuQSYFF18P21Xk5bSP1LgvxJzKXVLKxJeiDuHfESj7zbVMQWFzy1~aVOCvXLoXiZcJUG1NmATmv29g1-Sr1o4ZV0HKE1-poYVQclXXsfohueez3YocsQTUR5PCntCW6xve1nQ67NYDAnwjAxp1m4vS5sghH~vM-PEkwlJXguhldsBmcx0HdiJ4x08-7uRXwUKYPWb6lwxj3HTXmV9~dtzxiyW1oUAwrAk3vFiFOJSwunvnU315TGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New London — A proposal to add an ordinance to the Sept. 2 City Council agenda that would have appropriated $64,714 from fund balance to restore five school crossing guards failed to secure the votes needed to add the item for consideration, councilors said Tuesday evening.

\"This city will be remiss if we do not do something to protect the safety of our students,\" Councilor Sadi said when moving to add the ordinance to the agenda; Councilor Mueller seconded. The motion to place the ordinance on the agenda did not reach the five‑vote threshold required under council rules and was not added.

The proposed ordinance (listed in meeting discussion as ordinance number 09‑02‑25‑06) would have funded security/crossing guards the city had previously provided at busy school crossings. Proponents said the appropriation was a modest, immediate safety measure; opponents said the Board of Education controls the school budget and must explain its internal spending decisions.

Mayor Michael P. Passero told the council the administration can pursue a funding path, but urged the council and board of education to coordinate. \"I would prefer, if you do that, that you allow us the leeway to find a funding source,\" the mayor said, and added that the administration would prepare an appropriation ordinance for the next council meeting and seek cooperation from school administration to administer the program.

Council discussion highlighted competing claims of responsibility. Councilor Dice urged residents to bring questions to the Board of Education, noting that school officials set their own spending priorities. Councilors who supported the appropriation said public safety for children was the overriding issue.

Although the immediate effort to add the ordinance to the Sept. 2 agenda failed, the mayor said he would work with the superintendent and return with a formal appropriation ordinance by the next council meeting (the mayor indicated an appropriation ordinance could be on the Sept. 15 agenda). The administration also asked the council to avoid dictating a specific funding source such as an immediate draw on the fund balance without further review.

No appropriation was adopted on Sept. 2; the question will return to the council if the administration presents an ordinance for vote.","A motion to add an immediate appropriation ordinance to restore five crossing guards failed to reach the votes necessary to add the item to the Sept. 2 agenda. Mayor Michael P. Passero said he would work with school administration and return with an appropriation ordinance within two weeks.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478481,"New London officials, outreach groups describe progress and limits in addressing homelessness",2625,68000,2693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708909-83e9b29cfaa4399bfed22637c50db1f7&start=68&end=2693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708909-83e9b29cfaa4399bfed22637c50db1f7/thumbnail_68000.jpg","/articles/6478481/New-London/New-London-County/Connecticut/New-London-officials-outreach-groups-describe-progress-and-limits-in-addressing-homelessness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478481-176653f56cde4a6e316aaea099f38933/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450751&Signature=KQs6fazSHE4Xj4hdUrr8Q52Zosw2ohR5R931E6EwqnzOzsXWJRgOm1ChOFYerhub4cIcyQ-CsSfKIf-SvhmLRBpsx3ZE5IPMOUMhrGGXKfvq-~WST0TtW9LAsO3kdwmQNqVPWfsa~h~a24oQcytqh70G4SsV5hH36rnEkoApVdgs~yzWdyrqPz4tqEEtFk1bfGjfeMxW6znAuscwRfeVOTv2pj7uelxlVTjW9v9DH3jDjJsLIPh1FBjXrbCtTrloZ-wXy4~kmcudDo365QrETpN1mxFNlEJagFyEMGdnuXUhswG3MsLBWWvbX9NVSatrDlBjbi4sXmhEwpLghaUq0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New London — City and nonprofit leaders told a Public Welfare Committee meeting on Sept. 2 that coordinated outreach, harm-reduction services and targeted housing programs are producing individual successes even as the city faces growing visible homelessness and constrained housing resources.

\"Tonight, we want to shine a light on the progress and inspiring efforts being made to address homelessness,\" Director of Human Services Jeanne Milstein said at the start of the presentation, and she outlined gaps in shelter, mental‑health and substance‑use services that remain.

The committee heard from the Alliance for Living, the Ledge Light Health District, the New London Homeless Hospitality Center and outreach navigators who described a mix of short‑ and long‑term efforts: mobile outreach, hotel placements and transitional and permanent supportive housing. Kelly Thompson, chief executive of Alliance for Living, said the organization expanded services in 2024, opening one of Connecticut’s harm‑reduction centers and launching a drug‑checking program in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Public Health. \"Everything we do is rooted in harm reduction,\" Thompson said.

Outreach navigators and peer workers gave first‑person accounts of intensive engagement work. Trish Rios, a navigator who described herself as a person with lived experience, said trust‑building can lead to breakthroughs: \"We build trust through consistent, compassionate outreach,\" she said, and she recounted cases in which people sleeping outdoors later gained housing and access to mental‑health services.

David Horst, manager of outreach and engagement at the Homeless Hospitality Center, told the committee that the center currently has 30 adults enrolled in a HUD‑funded program called Ready, Set, Home and that the agency operates modular in‑reach, diversion and housing services. \"I need not tell you that the numbers are growing and the visible homelessness is growing as well,\" Horst said.

Committee members and city officials stressed regional aspects: several presenters said New London’s services reach surrounding towns, and speakers repeatedly recommended stronger state and regional funding. Ledge Light Health District staff and the Homeless Hospitality Center credited a network of partners — shelters, public health, police and volunteers — for preventing evictions and stabilizing some households. Kathy Saul of the Homeless Hospitality Center said the shelter sees about 100 people a month newly experiencing homelessness and roughly 400 people a year who spend at least one night in shelter; she said the average shelter stay is about 45 days.

The meeting also emphasized prevention work for seniors and families and cooperation with landlords, hospitals and the police to reduce trauma when encampments are cleared. Jen Muggio, New London’s director of health, framed homelessness as a public‑health issue and cited higher chronic‑disease rates and elevated mortality among people who are unhoused.

No city ordinance or appropriation was adopted at the committee meeting. The committee concluded by scheduling a follow‑up session to present more detailed recommendations and a list of specific funding requests to the full council.

The session combined personal case examples and program updates with administrative context: presenters described both the services currently available and the policy and funding gaps that limit broader scale‑up.","City officials, outreach navigators and nonprofit leaders told a Public Welfare Committee on Sept. 2 that New London is making measurable housing and outreach gains but faces limits from housing costs, service shortages and cases that are hard to serve.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: New London council approves public‑works contracts; adopts satellite‑dumpster expansion

Council fails to add $64,714 crossing‑guard appropriation to tonight’s agenda; mayor says administration will seek funding

New London officials, outreach groups describe progress and limits in addressing homelessness