New London City Council approves CDBG application, suspends uncollectible tax accounts, awards contracts and refers parks summary to Public Works

The New London City Council on June 16 approved a set of administrative and capital actions including a resolution to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for program year 51, the transfer of certain tax accounts to suspense, purchase approvals for athletic scoreboards, a $250,000 contract for fencing and sidewalks tied to the Bridal Brook project, and referral of a Parks and Recreation inventory to the Public Works Committee for further discussion.

CDBG resolution and program-year details

The council approved Resolution 061625-01 authorizing application for CDBG funds for program year 51 and adoption of the new five-year consolidated plan for housing and community development. Community Development staff had noted typographical errors in backup materials; Director Tom Bombria told the council the errors were in the written backup and that the CAM (Council Action Memo) contained the correct dates. Attorney Lonergan confirmed the corrections affected only backup documents and did not require an amendment to the council’s vote. The council voted in favor and the motion carried.

Tax accounts moved to suspense

Under CGS Sec. 12-165 the council approved a tax-collector request to move a set of longstanding accounts to suspense (an accounting action that removes the amounts from active receivables after investigation). The motion covered multiple grand lists and account types (motor vehicle, supplemental motor vehicle, personal property and a small real estate item). City staff described the transaction as an accounting cleanup for accounts determined not collectible; detailed line-item amounts were listed in the council backup and are included in the official record. The motion passed.

Parks and Recreation inventory referred to Public Works

Councilors discussed a 12‑page parks summary prepared by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Members said the document lists priorities and suggested projects that overlap with the capital improvement plan and public-works responsibilities. After an amendment was offered and seconded, the council voted to “receive for the record and refer” the parks summary to the Public Works Committee for further discussion and prioritization. Councilors noted the referral is intended to provide an open forum where directors can outline funding needs and where residents can provide input.

Scoreboards purchase

The council approved the purchase of two new athletic scoreboards (enterprise vendor: Scoreboard Enterprise, Inc.) in the amount of $53,421.35. Council members amended the CAM language during discussion to clarify placement includes the softball field at Bates Woods and Salomonte Field (the motion as considered reflects that scope). Funding was identified in the backup materials; the measure passed.

Fencing and sidewalk contract

The council awarded a public-works contract to Colonial Concrete and Asphalt Paving (appears in the backup as the low bidder) to install new timber fencing and sidewalks tied to the Bridal Brook project, including work along State Pier Road, Crystal Avenue and sidewalks under the pedestrian bridge adjacent to Water Street. The contract amount announced in the motion was $250,000 and staff said funding will come from remaining ARPA allotments and regular infrastructure funds identified in the backup. Council members discussed project phases, permitting and upcoming construction milestones; the motion carried.

Vote procedure and attendance

City Clerk John Villara called roll at the meeting; six council members were present when votes were taken. Where the transcript records only voice votes or “aye”/“nay” without a roll-call tally the council president declared motions carried. The official minutes and roll-call record in the municipal file provide the formal vote tallies.

What this means for residents

The actions clear the way for submission of the city’s CDBG application for program year 51 and advance capital work on parks connectivity and waterfront pedestrian routes. Moving specified tax accounts to suspense is an accounting step that removes uncollectible receivables from the active tax ledger. The scoreboard and fencing contracts authorize procurement and immediate implementation of capital work described in the backup materials.