Council approves $500,000 transfer to stabilize Second Congregational Church after spire hazard

The New London City Council approved a $500,000 transfer from the general fund to a capital project fund on Wednesday to pay for emergency stabilization work at the Second Congregational Church, following staff reports that masonry failures and a falling piece of granite posed an immediate public-safety hazard.

The ordinance (first and second reading, adopted by roll call) passed by a vote of 4–3. Councilors voting in favor included President Sadi, Councilor Peck and Councilor Dominguez; Councilors Mueller, Farias and President Pro Tem Hart voted no on at least one roll-call question recorded in the meeting (votes were recorded across readings). The council previously had authorized emergency administrative contracting to protect public safety.

City staff described the sequence of events that led to emergency action: engineering reports and masonry inspections identified movement and missing mortar in the spire; the congregation vacated the building; staff convened a multi-department meeting (including fire, building and the law director) and concluded immediate protective work was required. Mayor Passaro and Office of Development and Planning Director Reyes explained the city arranged fencing and contracted a masonry firm and engineers to stabilize the structure.

Reyes said about $120,000 of the requested $500,000 had already been committed: roughly $23,000 for fencing and a down payment of about $94,000 to the contractor to order materials and lifts. Staff estimated a stabilization timeline of roughly 6–8 weeks and said fencing will remain while lifts and equipment are on-site; the fencing will be removed as soon as work is stabilized.

Attorney Lonergan outlined how the city intends to recover expenses: the city will place a municipal lien on the property for legitimate expenses (including overtime for police/public works) and, if necessary, pursue foreclosure or other collection steps; the law director cautioned outcomes vary depending on title, mortgages and appraisal results. The deputy finance director said the transfer will come from fund balance and the city hopes to replenish those funds when the audit closes and any recoveries occur.

What happens next: city staff will continue stabilization work, prepare reports for the council and explore recovery through a lien and potential foreclosure. The Office of Development and Planning will provide periodic updates to the council on cost and timeline.