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