The New London City Council voted Dec. 16 to approve a bundle of contracts and funding authorizations—many using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations—covering parks, public‑safety equipment, youth programming and other municipal needs. The meeting also drew public comment urging action on a neighborhood brownfield cleanup and renewed scrutiny of a previously approved solar plan at Bates Woods.

Votes at a glance
- Elevator repair, Finance building: contract with Audi’s Elevator Company, $57,579.77 plus a 15% contingency — APPROVED (voice vote).
- Thermal imaging cameras (fire department): seven units, $41,639.35 — APPROVED (voice vote).
- Bridal/Briggs Brook and Fulton Park improvements: base award to Colonial Concrete & Asphalt (low bid reported by director as about $1.078 million); fencing add‑ons bid separately and to be funded via Town Aid Road — APPROVED (voice vote).
- VHB amendment at 43 Hempstead Street (Freedom Trail neighborhood park): environmental consulting/remedial oversight to support EPA cleanup work — APPROVED (voice vote).
- Youth engagement contracts: Guard Arts Center $50,000 and Child & Family $50,000 to continue a youth navigator and related programming — BOTH APPROVED (voice votes).
- Homeless Hospitality Center: $100,000 contract extension to support eviction prevention and housing counseling — APPROVED (voice vote).
- Emergency Operations Center streaming/Breezeline contract (three years) — APPROVED (voice vote).
- OpenGov procurement software (Vertosoft): three‑year contract, $113,000 — APPROVED (voice vote).
- Registrar equipment ordinance: acceptance of Secretary of State grant for new equipment — APPROVED (first/second reading; third reading adopted by roll call in meeting process).
- Roadside Grill peddler permit (Robert M. Tynan) — RENEWED (voice vote).
- Settlement agreement and general release with Judy Cox — APPROVED (voice vote in executive session).
- Crash data recovery kit and training for police — APPROVED (voice vote).

Public comment: Hempstead Park and Bates Woods
Several speakers urged the council to move forward on a long‑standing neighborhood effort to turn a 0.60‑acre brownfield at 43 Hempstead Street into a park. Lisa Seigen, speaking for the Freedom Trail Neighborhood Association, said the group secured private grants for a fence commission and praised the city’s work to date: “We are thrilled that our work will soon result in a 0.60 acre Brownfield losing its weed covered chain link fence and be open for children to play and people to enjoy open green space,” Seigen said.

Lydia Blaisdell, who said the neighborhood worked to secure an EPA cleanup grant, told council the VHB amendment approved at the meeting is “vital to supporting and unlocking more than $700,000 from the EPA in a cleanup grant that has already been awarded.” The city and residents plan a public meeting to review remediation options.

Separately, several residents urged the council to reconsider earlier actions approving a solar array on the capped Bates Woods landfill. Frida Berrigan said prior votes in 2021 and 2023 approved steps toward solar on the landfill and asked the council to “bring this matter before council…Hold public hearing.” Attorney Lonergan later advised the council that rescinding the 2021 approvals would be legally difficult because third parties have relied on those approvals and work has continued under those agreements.

Council and staff responses
Mayor Pasler and councilors acknowledged the public comments and reiterated that some items—such as the VHB amendment—are intended to unlock outside cleanup funds. Director Cyr described the Bridal/Briggs Brook and Fulton Park project scope: a pocket park near the Old Town Mill, a waterfront pathway, and a pedestrian bridge to connect park sections. Cyr told council the base park work was the priority under ARPA; fence replacement was bid as add‑ons and will be addressed separately through Town Aid Road funding so the primary park work could be awarded within the ARPA deadline.

Several councilors asked about safety, lighting and maintenance along the new pathway. Cyr said the design emphasizes a low‑impact, “natural” corridor with annual maintenance focused on invasive species control; he said active park areas such as the playscape and courts are the initial targets for lighting improvements.

Ending
Councilors approved the package of contracts and directed staff to return with implementation details and public outreach plans where required. The VHB amendment and related notices will be followed by at least one public meeting to present remediation options for the Hempstead site, and Public Works will proceed with the awarded work for the Briggs Brook/Fulton Park base contract.