Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves multiple fiscal and program measures including water/sewer rate increases and a firefighter grant application (match‑waived condition)
Summary
At its July 6 meeting the New London council adopted water and sewer fee increases recommended by the Water Pollution Control Authority, approved a firefighter grant application contingent on a match waiver, carried over prior-year grant-match funds, and passed several smaller appropriations and personnel actions.
The city council on July 6 took several fiscal and administrative votes across utilities, grants and personnel.
Water, sewer and stormwater fees: The council adopted an ordinance to raise water, sewer and stormwater charges consistent with a rate study (council heard the Water Pollution Control Authority presentation emphasizing lead‑removal work, treatment-plant upgrades and transmission-line projects). Officials said the typical residential quarterly bill increase translates to only small per‑quarter amounts (for example, the water meter component was described as roughly $0.40 per quarter in the presentation) but the package includes a range of increases (water ~14%, sewer ~20%, stormwater ~5%) to keep the systems solvent and fund capital projects. The ordinance passed by roll call.
Firefighter grant (Assistance to Firefighters): The council authorized the mayor to apply for a grant to purchase a frontline heavy rescue apparatus (revised application amount $990,000) on the condition that the city's match be waived. Officials said the department has not previously had a dedicated rescue truck and a fully equipped vehicle would consolidate technical rescue assets and reduce response times; the vote to authorize application as amended passed.
Grant‑match carryover: Council approved reappropriating about $28,744 of previously allocated but unspent grant‑match funds into the FY27 grant‑match account so departments have funds to pursue external grants.
Other items: Council approved an appropriation for the Cultural District downtown banner program (sponsor revenue and printing/technical-service costs), a SHPO‑funded geophysical survey at Williams Memorial Park limited to the acre affected by the roundabout mitigation, an employment agreement for Brian Wright, and ratified a tentative one‑year collective‑bargaining agreement with the Public Works Union (3.25% wage increase; union ratified the tentative agreement 25–2).
