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Votes at a glance: key council actions on Oct. 6 — appropriations, paving, appointments and tabled ARPA transfer
Summary
The New London City Council on Oct. 6 adopted several appropriations and appointments, including: asset forfeiture funds for the police, a $400,000 paving transfer, a $300,000 SmartRide appropriation and a $1.525 million parking‑garage expansion allocation. A proposed ARPA transfer for a community garden relocation was tabled to Oct. 20.
The New London City Council took a series of formal votes on Oct. 6. This roundup lists each item, the motion, and the recorded outcome.
1) Asset forfeiture appropriation — Ordinance 10‑06‑25‑01 Motion: Appropriate $135,000 in Department of Public Safety forfeiture funds to the police department for training, equipment and community programs (item listed as 10‑06‑25‑01). Outcome: Adopted by roll call (recorded as passing; roll call recorded in minutes). Notes: Councilors were advised forfeiture funds must be held separately from the general fund and spent in accordance with state rules; equipment item listed as a “copsicle” ice‑cream trailer and line items for training and specialized equipment were described in the packet.
2) Paving appropriation — Ordinance 10‑06‑25‑02 Motion: Transfer $400,000 of bonding and Eversource contributions into infrastructure/paving appropriation for ongoing paving projects (item 10‑06‑25‑02). Outcome: Adopted by roll call (7–0). Notes: Funds are additional to earlier paving appropriations; no timing restriction noted beyond normal construction season constraints.
3) SmartRide operating support — Ordinance 10‑06‑25‑03 Motion: Appropriate $300,000 from retained earnings to support SmartRide operations (item 10‑06‑25‑03). Outcome: Adopted by roll call (7–0). Notes: Staff and DOT commitments to coordinate fixed‑route service and SmartRide geofencing were described in the discussion; council directed staff to report back with an operational plan and outreach schedule.
4) Parking garage funding and expansion — Ordinance 10‑06‑25‑04 Motion: Accept $300,000 transfer from enterprise fund and authorize additional funding for design and expansion; adopt programming and related appropriations (item 10‑06‑25‑04). The broader project includes a planned 400‑space expansion and bus depot improvements and uses DECD and federal commitments for construction documents and procurement. Outcome: Adopted by roll call (7–0). Notes: Director Carrie Redd described design and procurement next steps; funding will support construction documents, technical specifications and eventual solicitation under city procurement rules.
5) ARPA transfer for Riverside Community Garden relocation (project request) Motion: Transfer $110,452 in ARPA funds from Hempstead Street cleanup project to Riverside Community Garden relocation project. Outcome: TABLED to Oct. 20 at the request of councilors pending bid documentation and cost justification. Notes: Staff requested additional time to complete the bid process; councilors cited environmental remediation and cost questions.
6) Appointments and reappointments (Administration Committee) Motion: Reappoint multiple members to the Beautification, Senior Affairs and Cultural District commissions; appoint Robert DeRubio as an alternate to Planning & Zoning and reappoint Donna Bailey to the Police Citizens Review Board. Outcome: Approved (voice votes / roll calls recorded in minutes). Notes: Terms and lists recorded with the city clerk.
How to find the official record: The complete roll call tallies, ordinance texts, procurement backup and the full minutes are filed with the city clerk and available on the city website. Councilors repeatedly requested vendor contracts, bid documentation and DOT correspondence be included in future packets before final contract awards.
