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Nonprofits urge continued CDBG support at New London public hearing; committee approves contingency plan
Summary
Representatives from local nonprofits described services funded by Community Development Block Grant money and asked the council to sustain funding. The council’s public-welfare committee approved a contingency plan as recommended by the Office of Development and Planning.
Representatives from local nonprofits and city staff spoke at a second public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), describing programs that rely on CDBG dollars and asking the city to continue support.
At the hearing, speakers from Heavy Hitters USA, the New London Maritime Society, Safe Futures, New London Recreation, the Gemma E. Moran United Way Labor Food Centre, TVCCA, the New London Homeless Hospitality Center and other local groups detailed how they use CDBG funding and what shortfalls they face.
Shannon Russell, representing Heavy Hitters USA, said the group uses grant funds to support youth programming and scholarships that keep students “in the gym,” and noted the organization’s summer program has returned after wrestling season. Susan Tamulovich of the New London Maritime Society told the council her group seeks a modest, lower-cost measure—window scrims that would block about 30% of incoming light—to protect artifacts at the Custom House Maritime Museum. Nazmi Ojeda, director of education and community engagement for Safe Futures, said CDBG funding helps provide free, confidential in-person services and clinical support for victim survivors; he said the organization supported “over 10,000 victim survivors” last year.
Josh Posey, New London recreation director, described requests to continue a “rec mobile” that provided activities in parks and subsidized housing (he said the program served about 450 participants last summer), and to support adaptive leadership services for children with special needs. Annie Stockton of the Gemma E. Moran United Way Labor Food Centre said CDBG allocations enable the center to purchase culturally appropriate, healthy food and to leverage other funding. TVCCA’s director of senior nutrition said CDBG funds support home-delivered and congregate meals for seniors; a speaker identified an expected reach of roughly 290 New London seniors.
After public comment closed, a motion was offered to approve a contingency plan “as recommended by the Office of Development and Planning.” The committee motion and second were recorded in the transcript, and the motion passed unanimously. The hearing record shows the council’s public-welfare committee then closed the hearing and approved the recommended contingency plan.
Speakers and organizations at the hearing provided program descriptions and service counts but generally did not specify dollar amounts sought in public remarks; where applicants submitted specific funding requests they are recorded in the city’s application materials, not the hearing transcript.
