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Board of Selectmen Meeting September 3, 2026

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Good evening.
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London Select Board to order. For
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of new London. And our first item on the
agenda is um Sam Clark, head of public
works, and he's going to talk about site
design for the public works building.
>> Yes. So I think before I hand it over to
Sam, when we left the meeting on June
30th with Weman Lampere, the ask was
from the board of selectman was for them
to come back with some rough cost
estimates for the other design options.
So that is what we are here to talk
through. Um are the other cost
estimates. Sam and I have talked
extensively over the past few days about
this. I think it's really important to
note that those estimates are truly just
estimates. they are not fully baked out
like the preferred alternative um at
roughly 10 million. Um but you have the
presentation I'm going to flip through
while Sam talks.
>> All right. So, um, like Ashley was
saying as well, the other options that
were listed were when we first met with
Weman Lampere, they kind of played a
game of charades with us with, um, plans
and said, "Here's a bunch of options
that we developed based on the site that
you have and what we think could
potentially work." And so, we worked
through those through a course of a
couple different meetings, kind of
looking at which ones we thought would
work, didn't work, and then asking them
what their professional opinion of the
site was and which design would work
best. So, um, we came to basically
eliminating any of the options that were
detached from our main building from a
cost standpoint and from a future
development of the site, whether that be
future expansion of public works or
through um the addition of a different
town department on that site. And so,
the other thing with that is those other
options are expensive due to
redundancies and you know, water manes,
heating systems, cooling systems, uh,
inefficiencies with employees walking
back and forth. So I think two of those
options were quickly ruled out and then
just based on
um the restrictions of the site they
kind of got some funky shapes and it
really inefficient design of the
building because of the um power line
easement. So that's kind of like the
highle overview. So proposed option one
is option one and option three is
basically the melting pot got us of
those two got us to the preferred
option. So, um, option one was just kind
of too small, didn't fit the actual
needs of public works and didn't house
all the option or all the equipment and
trucks that we have now. So, it just
wasn't efficient or couldn't really work
for us just based on size. Um, they
estimated that at 7 million. Like Ashley
was saying as well, these are not um
developed in any manner. So, some of
them have restrictions to them just
based on or cost restrictions just
because there's there's no development
of it. This is just very much based on
usually public works buildings cost you
this many dollars per square foot.
That's how they developed these numbers.
The numbers for the preferred option are
based on projected numbers, inflation,
all soft costs, everything. And they
actually went to a third party cost
estimator and that's how we got to that
very accurate number where these are
ballparks. So some of the ones that are
not attached to the other building go
over the top of a sewer line. So it just
couldn't even go there or a sewer line
sewer line realignment would have to
happen which would be you know a million
dollars in itself and so these numbers
don't even reflect that but this is
their best estimate if you were to move
forward with them. So option one like I
said just kind of too small and not
really fitting the needs of what we
have. This would actually be less square
footages combined than what we had
before. So
um option two was kind of a continuation
of that. um little bit ineffective with
uh the salt and sand along with the
recycle building. Um and this had a
relatively underdeveloped areas for um
like office space and break space. So
the other problem with option two is
that it restricted future growth of the
department as well. So it limited our
growth of bays on the addition. So that
was another reason that we chose to not
really move forward with um fleshing
that out. So option three is the closest
to the preferred option and it also
represents closest in cost just because
we did get kind of down the road a
little bit on this one. Um I would say
it's like again closest to the preferred
option just in size, square footage, and
then uh office space layout. Some of the
biggest differences between this option
and the preferred option is that like
they finally they got into a little bit
more of the flow of the building. um and
then break space and things like that,
but we still determined that the layout
of the break space um and the like
public facing area and the municipal
office space just didn't really totally
work for us. So,
um option four was one of the ones I
kind of spoke about in the beginning.
Just ended up being a really odd shape
due to setbacks of the power line
easement, property lines, and some rough
considerations of the sewer line. And
then as you see just kind of ineffective
based on the shape and size. Again this
one does not um meet our needs for space
for bay space for the equipment that we
have. So we would be going backwards
even from what we had before.
Um option five actually can you bring
this one back to the the overview of it?
So, I think this one's important because
initially this was one that we had a lot
of interest in, but when we got into
kind of going over modeling, and you can
actually see they got into modeling a
little bit, we realized that it would be
a tough spot to put the building and
still keep circulation for sand and salt
use because that puts the sand and salt
behind it and it would make it really
difficult for public coming to that
space. So, if you notice like to the
right of that rectangle is kind of an
area where you'll see the modeling shows
trucks driving around it. it would
require the public to essentially come
in front of those vehicles or walk
across the entire site to get to the
office space. So, we just felt that due
to the safety of that and again from the
inefficiencies of um them not being
attached to the other building, it just
didn't make sense. And it really
elongated the site into a inefficient
modeling when they got into the truck
routes and things like that. And snow
removal too with this one was tricky
just because you have a building that's
a drive-through building now and then
you have it tight up against a retaining
wall. No, that's okay. You can leave it
on this one now. Um, it just made it so
it wasn't it wasn't going to work out in
the end. But we did go down a pretty
extensive conversation path about this
option because with it being a
drive-through bay, we thought we may be
able to have some better efficiencies of
how things were parked and what was
parked in there, but it just didn't end
up flushing out the way we were hoping.
So,
and then you get to the preferred
alternative um which we've I think
talked about pretty extensively and this
is where you see the full bake out of
everything happened that um you'll see
some building sets like setovers have
happened in the office space and that's
to match the elevations of the roof of
the existing building. Um based on a
like construction uh standpoint that we
couldn't get the full height of
buildings. Um, and then you just see
that the layout of the office space has
a better flow for the public facing
side, but also for the staff side. It
kind of uses the a smaller space more
effectively for break room and for
locker rooms and such. It also allows us
to have um male and female locker rooms
and just a little bit um better flow
throughout. So, you'll see that there's
actually a smaller office down in that
lower corner for the uh public works
foreman. So he gets to be a little bit
closer to the um staff that's going to
be working in and out of there on a
regular basis instead of having to
travel from one side of the building to
the other. This also has the best or we
feel the best layout for parking of the
equipment, wash bays, u mechanic bays
and things like that. Also is the best
option we feel that doesn't restrict the
rest of the site. So if public works
needs to grow in 50 to 100 years or we
want other municipal services there, you
still have that other about two acres of
land on top that can be used and
developed. So um I feel that based on a
lot of those points and probably some
other ones that I'm leaving off, um this
option is really the most effective to
handle what we have at public works now
with a little bit of growth. Um, almost
every bay here would already be full
just based on, you know, it's kind of
about doors, not the size of the doors.
And so, like prior the the garage that
we tore down was a six bay garage. This
gains back six bays, you'll see seven
doors, but one's a wash bay, so you
don't, you know, obviously park
equipment in wash bays. So, it gains
that back. They're bigger bays, so
smaller things can be stored between
them, but it's still just the same
amount of doors.
>> That's kind of what I got for you. All
right.
>> Happy to take questions.
>> Rich, do you have any comments,
questions?
>> It sounds Sam like you're very
comfortable with this that you feel like
this will provide the most flexibility
for you and your staff going forward.
Right.
>> Absolutely.
>> Y
>> Yeah.
No, this is um you know I we know you've
given it a great deal of thought and
you've worked with Adam on it as well
and I think that's that's all you can
do. So since we do need to decide
because we have to bond this project um
we need to vote on this tonight if if
that's okay with everyone.
>> Question.
>> Sure.
Sam, just just I'm just curious if if we
had all the money in the world and we
don't
>> um but if we did um is there anything
you would add to this design?
>> To this design? No. Based on the fact
that the space really doesn't allow
anything more here? So, it would have to
be a separate building of some kind. We
made sure to fully develop the potential
of the existing building and the
potential of addition on that. Not just
to fill space, but also to make sure
that we're fitting all the needs of
public works. And when I say public
works, a lot of people think of these
buildings as just the highway department
building and it's not. It's the hub for
all of public works. So that's
facilities, transfer stations, sewer
department, cemeteries, highway
department, and this is where we all
operate out of along with other
departments sometimes coming down like
firet trucks have gotten worked on at
public works and um if police cars need
to be washed or things like that. Um and
so we really tried to think of all those
things and think about over the last um
20 years since this the lower shop has
been built, what are the deficiencies of
it and how can we better address those?
So I feel that this meets all of those
deficiencies. It addresses them, but
it's not more than we need there. You're
not going to come down there and be
like, "Wow, there's five empty bays
here. You know, did you really need
that?" It's we tried to build it exactly
to what we need plus a little bit more,
obviously, because I think that as the
town grows and we develop, we're going
to need that space. Um, and just to kind
of have that cushion room would be nice
because we didn't have it before. We
were at absolute capacity before. Um,
>> and can I ask a while back when you were
kind enough to give me a tour, you
mentioned that there was a humidity
problem in the one building.
>> Will this do anything to address that?
>> Yep. Correct. So, when we went over this
with them, we talked about and gave them
our building asset management program
and said like, "Hey, this is kind of
some of the deficiencies and issues we
have here." And they took that into
account. So in this you'll see there's
actually like some fans, some air
exchangers, ventilation systems and
things like that to address that issue.
So with this you're getting your former
2004 2005 public works building
basically remastered and restored along
with the whole site and that fixes like
a multitude of issues in my opinion in
the sense of if we can address the storm
water and all the other infrastructure
there, you're really getting a massive
upgrade to the town and also one of your
most expensive sites. So,
>> okay. Um, does anyone in the public have
any questions or comments?
No. Okay.
All right. So, do I have a motion to
approve um the preferred alternative for
the public works building at
10,452,43?
>> So moved.
>> All those in favor?
>> I. Okay. Well, good. Thanks, Sam.
>> Okay. The next item on our agenda is
Will is going to talk about an election
update.
>> Yeah, I'm a poor substitute for Michael
Todd, but here we are anyway. Um, and I
am going to bolt after this because I'm
currently double booked. Um, nothing
nothing against you guys. Um, so you
have the appointments that we're looking
for. There are 83 names on there now, I
believe. BB, you confused people with
the Elizabeth. You fly under the radar
with that one.
Somebody did not realize that was the
same person. Um,
so yes, we have excused you from that,
but you will still remain Slackman.
>> Yep.
>> Which is arguably a higher thing. So,
um, all right. So, if we could have you
sign all of those, and I'm sorry there's
so many, but you only got to do it once
every two years. So, and it's having
that many people that want to do it is
actually a great problem to have because
lots of towns are not that fortunate.
>> Yeah.
>> Um, yeah. I mean, election prep is going
smoothly. We did our first training last
night that almost 40 people came to, I
think, and then we'll do another session
on Saturday morning um and get everybody
updated on the new rules and all that
sort of stuff. Um, the ballot machine
test is done. I voted 384 times
yesterday. Um, so we are good and all of
them were counted accurately, by the
way. Um, so we're ready to go there. Um,
we're still waiting on the state to give
us files for our accessible voting
machine that hopefully we will have.
They're suffering some underemployment
at the moment and sliding into the
sideways. Um, so I'm hopeful we'll have
that in the near future. Um, we need to
have it by Monday, so hopefully they'll
be done by then. Um, other than that,
um, you know, things are going along
pretty normally. Um, you know, I very
much thank you guys for being here a
little bit more and it will be it'll be
quite a day for you. It's it's going to
be like election boot camp.
It'll be all sorts of fun. Um, but we uh
look look forward to that. So, I think
we're good to go as far as I know.
>> Okay. Are there any questions or
concerns about the list?
>> No.
>> Rich. No. Okay. So, we will
>> Oh, and I know there was a question
about whether or not all the people got
contacted and they did for the most
part. I think there were two people, but
they were very confident that they
wanted to remain. So, and and that's why
it's happening now and not last week is
because we were having struggles trying
to get in touch with people, I am told
by Michael and Casey.
>> Okay.
>> Do we need a motion on this to accept
the
>> list or
as long as you sign the appointment
letters? I think that's really what
needs to happen. Um, just when when
you're going through, you don't need to
date it. So, we don't need to worry
about that, but just make sure because
they there's so many of them that they
don't stick together because if one one
doesn't sign and it's somebody that's
supposed to be there, we're going to
have to get you guys back to do it. So,
>> Okay. All right. Good. Okay. Well, thank
you.
>> And where do we stand on um prom people
to for selectmen if one of us can't be
here?
>> I can speak to that a little. So, I've
spoken with NHMA and with town council
on what needs to happen. The full board
does need to be present for the full
day. Proms can be um sworn in that day.
I think what BB and I had chatted about
was for the general election in
November. Um aligning up some folks so
that it is not the three of you from
7:00 a.m. to 900 p.m. and we can work
some shifts in. Um I know Janet and I
have talked about uh a list of folks.
So, I think we'll spend a little bit of
time over the next month shoring up that
list, talking to those folks, making
sure that they'll be available, and then
we can put together a coverage schedule
for um the general election day in
November.
>> So, what's your expectation for us for
this for primary day?
>> 7 a.m. to I would say 900 p.m., although
I know that there's a water precinct
meeting at 4:00, so you might have to
scoot out. Rich uh has some obligations
for his job um in the morning and then
possibly in the evening for the NBC for
the school board. Bill Helm is um
>> Bill's the only one you're making prom
for that day.
>> Correct. And then we'll work I mean we
can we can try for others um
>> continuing conversation. Yes, that's I
think we work towards something for the
general election in November and we iron
out that list of names. Um, and I can do
that with the three of you over the next
month or so.
>> And Bill Belhelm is uh going to be sworn
in as his millionth time and definitely
holds the record for the person that's
been sworn in the most. It's a selectman
for sure. Um, and just a point when
you're thinking about it, remember that
when the proms are selectmen, you are
not. So if something happens in there,
you're trusting that person's judgment
to be good for New London. Um, in that
sense, not that you would choose
somebody that wouldn't, but just that's
something to think about like if there's
an emergency or whatever. Um,
>> I'm fine with that. So, but we only ask
former select board members. Isn't that
correct? Or we don't
>> we do not have to
>> we don't have to do that.
>> We do not have to keep it exclusively to
board of former board of selectmen.
>> Make one another prom. I still believe
that my
>> Well, you wouldn't need to make a prom.
You would just switch the shifts because
you're still you're you're selectment
unless you swear somebody in your
>> but we need to have three at all times.
>> Correct.
>> Actually, I read it that a quorum
has to be that's the way I read but
we're not
>> the selectman's we
>> we'll keep discussing it
>> yeah town council I I sent that all to
>> that's one opinion that's one opinion
>> and I can tell you no other town around
us is doing this because it's it's like
it's a lot to ask of a selectman
especially a selectman with a full-time
job and I'm not talking about myself I
took the day off so I'm fine I'm here
all day except for the water precinct
meeting
>> y
>> but you know school teachers and people
like staff that are serving as
selectman, they can't do that.
>> So, it's an unreasonable request. Um,
and I read the law differently. And
>> it's on the attorney general's checklist
for when they come through and ding us
for things. They would ding us.
>> Well, anyway, listen, Will, I appreciate
so much the work that you and Michael
do, and you want to follow all the
rules, and I know this year is going to
be really um complex when it comes to
elections, so I want to make sure we do
it right, too. I'm I'm playing playing
along.
>> Yeah. And we just need more people to
know because if something happens to
Michael and I or God forbid we get other
job offers or whatever happens,
>> um yeah,
>> New London would not be in a good place.
And I just want to ensure that happens
because regardless of whether or not I'm
town clerk, I still got to live here.
So, um
>> totally agree.
>> Okay.
>> As long as I can afford to.
>> Yeah. All right. All right. All right.
So, we're good with that. Okay.
>> We're good. All right.
>> All right. Thank you so much.
>> Thanks, Will. Seriously. Um,
>> committees, Ashley.
>> Yes. So, follow up from the conversation
that we had. I don't know if it was the
last meeting or two meetings ago, there
were two committees that we were going
to continue to um just think about. Um,
citizens advisory was one of them. I
think at that meeting when uh when we
last spoke of this, um Steve Wright had
come and met with BB and myself and made
a really interesting um recommendation
of how to uh maybe sunset that
committee, but do a quarterly what we'll
call select men's gathering with a
standard format of updates. Uh and I
think BB and I both felt that that was
very interesting and that way we are
getting more people informed on a
regular basis and they have a general
understanding of what um they can expect
for an agenda and what updates they
could be expecting. Um Steve and I are
going to spend a little bit of time over
the next few weeks or so refining what
that looks like. Um, we will still have
the citizens advisory committee meeting
in early October. Um, and I suspect that
we'll be back probably midocctober or so
to talk about that proposal. Um, and
talk about potentially sunsetting that
committee. And then bike and pedestrian
is the other committee that we were
talking about um potentially suns
setting. I think uh I have had some
really great conversations with
department heads. Um Sam is working into
his budget for fiscal year 28. Um some
additional expenditures on what we can
put in the uh parcel where the
information booth is now. Can we put in
trust receptacles? Could we do a picnic
bench? Could we do or could we do a
picnic table? Could we do some benches?
I think that's to be flushed out a bit
more, but he's at least budgeting for it
for FY28.
Um, and uh, I think we will still plan
to use that plan that Bonan so
generously put together as the north
star um, and spend a little bit of money
over the next several fiscal years um,
to to make that something that's usable
for our residents and visitors. Um there
uh I'm continuing to have conversations
with
um committees and other department heads
around absorbing the walkable New London
initiative. Those conversations are
ongoing. So I don't have much of an
update there, but I think there is in
general a sentiment of yes, we can
absolutely absorb um the great work that
bike and pedestrian committee has
already started. So,
that's those are the updates that I
have.
>> Okay. Um, any questions, comments?
>> Uh, no. I'm Are you gonna
>> Yeah. Russell?
>> Yep.
>> Make a statement.
>> Good evening everyone. Uh, Russ Moore,
chair of the bicycle and pedestrian
advisory committee. Um first uh the
committee wants to acknowledge that in
fact we understand the administrative
challenges of managing uh the number of
committees the town has now. Um and
secondly we also understand the
overarching
uh demands that the board of selectmen
face in the town face in regard to the
public works building.
um this this the school roof
construction, the water volume and
availability issues. Um so even from our
the inception of our committee, we
understood that we were going to work in
a difficult context in terms of trying
to balance those kinds of issues. Um
that it was not going to be a clear path
forward in terms of the work that we
did.
uh I shared an extensive memo with the
board of selectmen uh in terms of the
rationale for our committee uh and made
some very specific recommendations in
terms of its ongoing viability.
Uh I won't repeat all those points
tonight but I do hope that the board of
selectmen and the town administrator
will carefully weigh all the points that
were made uh in that regard. Um
regardless of whether our committee
continues to exist, um the town
residents are going to have concerns
around pedestrian and bike safety. Um
most recently the job Seaman's
neighborhood uh communicates some
concerns.
neighbors in in Bunker Road and
Lakeshore Drive have concerns about
recreational activity around Pleasant
Lake. Uh so these things are going to
percolate up to the board of selectment
in one form or another and will have to
be addressed. The the whole rationale
for the bike and pedestrian advisory
committee was to be a venue or a
platform for people to share their
concerns. Um
so um in terms of the first project that
we undertook and that was really working
the catalyst for our committees being
formed was
um concerns about the downtown sidewalk
connect connectivity and conditions. Um,
and I think that that first effort was
really a great example of how community
volunteers,
town staff
can work together. Um,
Sam graciously gave us a tour of the
sidewalks. We gave specific feedback in
terms of the sidewalk plan and supported
the multi-year
sidewalk construction
plan through the capital budget. Um, I
think that um that was a great example
and I think it's reflective of what
other towns have done where the
committee works very closely in
scheduled meetings and outside meetings
with town leadership and town staff to
solve concrete problems. And um there
are many other towns that have effective
bicycle and pedestrian advisory
committees. They also have nonprofit
charities in the same local that
collaborate and work together in a
synergistic way to ensure that small
public works projects are done. Um the
the nonprofits will solicit grants in
kind contributions from C compan
companies and uh donate get donated
labor supplies and equipment which is
not the same role that a town staff uh
can perform or um the the town
leadership. Um,
I think that uh
the kinds of ingredients that are
necessary for an effective committee are
probably not um optimal for our town at
this time. But I did talk to the town
administrator about maybe in the next
master planning process, we could
develop a bicycle and me bicycle and
pedestrian master plan that will engage
citizens
um in envisioning a more walkable town
uh that connects people in terms of
promoting good health, civic engagement
um and enjoyment.
Um at this juncture um obviously we have
to have a path forward. Um
I think that uh there are people in the
town that are still very motivated and
concern motivated and concerned to get
involved in pedestrian bike issues. And
I think it would be um ill advise the
town to sort of um take on that in terms
of an entire scope of work. I mean one
of the rationale for looking at the
committee restructuring was the staff
are overextended there. There's too many
demands on their time for them to absorb
all the work that the bicycle pedestrian
advisory committee has been doing. um
and uh the the relationships and the
networks we've built through the
walkable new land initiative, I think
it's unrealistic for the staff to take
that on. Um so um in closing I just want
to reiterate that you know when you look
at uh the data that's been collected
over time in regard to our town um the
the 2019 master plan listed 10 different
areas of concern for residents and the
top one was mobility
uh enhancements sidewalks trails and
bike lanes, there were 10 priorities
listed. That was the top response of 737
people. Um, if you also look at the
survey that was done by the conservation
commission,
uh, most recently in terms of their
strategic planning process, again,
access to trails, walkable streets, uh,
bike paths was the most highly rated
uh rated response in terms of the
quality of life. I know the town has
many demands on its time and we are
stretched in terms of our resources, but
there is a real uphwelling of concern
about pedestrian and bike safety and
that I think the way forward is to
continue to have a bridge between the
citizens in the town through volunteer
committees.
uh that
uh that issue obviously has to be
weighed by the board of selectmen in
terms of the resource allocation of our
town in the short term. Um but but I
know that there are people on our
committee and other people we've
identified through public outreach that
would would like to continue to be
involved in a volunteer basis. So, um,
in closing my remarks, I just one of the
one of the, um, proposals that I hope
you'll consider is to fold our work into
the conservation commission or the
recreation commission and we have a
smaller subgroup, a task force or a
working group um that would meet
regularly
with regularly scheduled meetings of
these of these entities. um that we
would focus exclusively on the walkable
New London initiative which is midstream
right now. We have over 280
responses to a community walk survey and
that survey is going to end at the end
of September. Uh and we had planned for
a community forum this fall.
We also have built community uh
relationships with community groups in
terms of suggested downtown self-guided
walks. we're engaged in those kinds of
cons uh conversations at this time. So
I'm there's probably never a good time
to sunset a committee, but one of but my
proposal and the committee the proposal
of my committee is to basically
have a soft landing for our group and uh
that the town demonstrates a commitment
and a concern for these issues uh
through volunteer engagement and uh that
this core group, this task force or
working group would have a very defined
term limit of 12 or 24 months to
basically bring the Walkable New London
initiative to fruition. Um, some of the
things that Ashley has mentioned tonight
are promising and hopeful in terms of
the town actually allocating resources
to this initiative. I hadn't
I hadn't um been informed uh that that
was that was the thinking in that
regard. Um,
so, um, in closing, I just want to thank
Ashley, Sam, Adam, and BB in particular
for the work, uh, that they've done with
our committee. Um, and I'm certainly
willing to entertain any questions from
the select board or from the floor in
regard to our proposal.
No, I don't have any questions for Russ.
Thanks for the memo. Thank you for all
the hard work that you've done on this,
Russ, and all the committee members. Um,
I don't have any other questions. Ready?
Do if Janet you have questions and then
we I guess we can discuss.
>> No, I don't I don't really have any
questions. I did want to add one point.
>> Characterize the whole issue. Yeah.
>> Quite succinctly. Thank you. Uh I just
wanted to add a question did come up
about the role of the New London
bikewalk coalition and does that
duplicate or overlap with the work of
this task force or working group that
I'm proposing. And they are they are
distinct in terms of their roles in the
community. You could refer to attachment
A of my memo which kind of delineates
the respective roles that they play in
the community. I mean obviously the New
London bike coalition will continue its
efforts um but they are sort of distinct
and separate roles.
>> Does anyone in the audience have any
questions
for Russ?
No.
>> Okay. Comments um
path forward. I I guess one thing I I
would comment that I'm not really
comfortable um having a the bike walk
committee um fold into say conservation
or recreation. I think those two groups
have um enough on their plates with what
they're dealing with all the time that
I'm not sure that's a good idea. Um I
don't necessarily disagree with um
pausing for a while to see where we are
and getting the results of the survey
and then perhaps going forward. But um
hear what comments were made in that
survey.
>> I would I would like to respond to that
if you don't mind.
>> Um so I I've had I the committee has
already been working very closely with
the conservation commission. Uh, and I I
apologize I didn't mention this, but we
basically have opened two new trail
heads that will link uh existing
conservation commission trails with
streets and roads in town. One is at
Lionbrook and the other one is the uh KD
Cleveland Trail. uh and um that is
really in alignment with the
conservation commission's activities and
with the alignment of our group uh and
obviously the board of selectman will
make the decision in this regard but
that um
uh Mark Vernon wasn't able to be here
but he did state to me in terms of in
principle supporting the idea of having
a close collaboration between this
working group or this task force force
in in only in the narrow
uh scope of the walkable new London
initiative. So um it you know that that
collaboration is going on now on a
practical level uh building a network of
trails, streets and roads downtown that
will be interconnected and will
significantly benefit the community
>> which is great. I think I guess I'd like
to hear from Mark and what he he thinks
and it is it's absolutely wonderful the
amount of work and time you've taken on
this whole project. So, thank you very
much. We do appreciate it.
>> So, I guess when it's convenient for
Mark, we'll ask him Sure.
>> to weigh in and give us the thoughts on
the conservation commission. If they
feel that that is um a good idea to move
bike and walk into their committee,
>> I'm fine with that. Um yeah, exactly.
And I think you know this isn't
happening immediately and I option two
with um you know u doing this gradually
and giving you a soft landing having a
meeting in September and November I
think is absolutely
reasonable a reasonable ask and um
during that time also speaking with
recreation commission and conservation
commission we can speak with Mark on how
they'd like to uh you know move forward
with this and on convers conversations
about a walkable New London initiative
group. I mean, it's it's kind of falls
under both committees, the whole mission
of it. So, it's overlapping. So, um
that's what I would um
>> that's what I would I would hope
>> BB you and I have that meeting with Mark
already on the calendar next week. So,
maybe
>> and I'm going to attend your bike ped
committee next Wednesday. You and I
you're meeting with Mark next Thursday.
That's right. To talk about conservation
in general, the the whole commission in
general. Not just this.
>> Yeah, correct. But I'm saying we could
absolutely add this to this.
>> And I will say that the the data that
has come in from the survey thus far,
it's been very interesting information.
It is all directed to our department
heads, to emergency services or to
public works. Um uh which I think is
very helpful for us to have. Um I don't
think there's that I have seen there's
nothing that's sort of a oh surprise. Um
but it is all directed towards our
department heads. So um when that survey
closes at the end of September um and
I've shared this with Russ and and he
agreed um I will share that information
with the department heads first since
there there are so many comments that
are directed at their teams um before it
becomes public.
>> Um so great.
>> Okay. Thank you Russ.
>> Great.
Um, I'm going to skip across next
meeting date. We're skip that. And u, no
parking signs on Main Street. Is this
>> Yes, I think I will I will kick it off.
Chief can chime in uh if she would like.
Um, I think you have all probably
noticed the no parking order of New
London Police Department along Main
Street in front of homes um or before
and after the Barn Playhouse. Um, Chief,
the request for those signs has
significantly increased this summer. Uh,
they are all out. The New London Police
Department gave out the signs that they
had for new properties that were
requesting them. Uh, Chief and I have
taken a few drives down Main Street um
to sort of think through what can we do
that's a bit more effective and
efficient here. Um, and so I have talked
to the Barn Playhouse. The last
performance of their regular season is
next Tuesday or next Wednesday. Um,
those signs are property of New London
Police. So, New London Police will pull
those signs after the last performance.
chief and I will take some time over the
next eight or nine months um to really
think through are we thought we
identified at least two locations where
a permanent no parking sign might
actually be warranted. Um and we know
that things were compressed this summer
with the sidewalk project happening on
the other side of the street. Um so
we'll take some time over the next nine
months really take a look at what um
makes the most sense there and then at
the be before this next season begins
next May uh Chief and her team will go
out and um place those signs at specific
properties that make the most sense.
>> Okay. Chief, do you have any thing you
want to add?
>> No, I think Ashley captured it uh very
effectively. it just the signs seemed to
be multiplying year over year over year.
Um, and so I think it's just time to to
clean it up a bit and to look and see if
if we can have a more permanent
installation for some uh signage on that
road if it's warranted.
>> Okay, great. Thank you. Okay. Um, we
want to talk about the next Luckman
meeting date. Yes, the next meeting date
is technically slated for Thursday,
September 17th. BB is unable to attend.
And so in looking at that week,
>> we want to bump it till the 24th.
>> Y.
>> Is that good? Y. Okay. The 24th.
>> 24th.
>> Yeah.
>> And look at that.
>> Done and done. Thank you very much.
>> Perfect.
>> Okay. Uh, town administrators report.
>> Yes. I have made some notes here. Um,
Janet Lynn, Sam, Bryce Turner, who is
our wastewater supervisor, and and I all
met with a company called Waterworth
last week. They are a company that helps
set amongst other things sewer rates for
towns. Um Sam and Bryce have done uh a
fair amount of work um really looking at
systems ways that we can uh better
stabilize our sewer rates. Uh, I think
this system was really impressive and
uh, Lynn has been feeding them all of
our data so that they were able to put
together some projections for us. It's
really data driven setting based on
financial outlooks and current cash
positions of the town. So, um, I I was
pretty impressed. I think Janet was
equally as impressed as well, but I
think we'll start to see some changes
there. Sam, anything that you would add
on Waterworth? Okay, Janet, anything you
would add on?
>> No, I was The company was amazing. Yeah,
>> I might point out they're from Canada.
>> They are.
>> Maybe that's why they were so nice.
>> They They were It was really impressive
and just very easy to understand the
information. And
>> um ADCOM, we had a kickoff meeting for
the dispatch study last week. They will
be on site uh September 21st through the
23rd. That morning of Monday the 21st.
There is a placeholder
uh for Sherry to interview each
selectman individually. I will work with
the three of you to find a half an hour
that morning um for an interview. And
then we are scheduled, we've put it on,
it's been noticed, it's on the town
calendar, um, for a public input session
that night from, I think, 5, either 5 to
6 or 5:30 to 6:30. This is an
opportunity for members of the public to
come share their thoughts and any
information that they have. Um, but
that'll be day one of Sherry being here.
Um, and then she will be here all day
Tuesday. Um and then the remainder of
the work will be done virtually um and
through phone calls. So it was I think a
great kickoff call. Chief and Lieutenant
Keith um have started to work on some of
the data that they are requesting. So
that's going to take a little bit of
time um and head space for Chief over
the next week and a half or so before
Sherry gets here. So things are ready
for her. Um, but I think we were both
excited and happy to sort of get this
going.
Um, Patriot Day celebration next Friday,
September 11th, New London Fire
Department will be hosting the 25th
Patriot Day um, event at at the
department starting at 11:30. Members of
the public are invited. Um, there is
talk, I think the plan was always that
they would do it to year 25. Um, so this
could be the last one. I do not know for
certain, but there is talk of that since
the whole plan when they first started
doing these was it we would do it to
year 25. So, more to come, but open to
the public 11:30 next Friday at the fire
department.
uh
beach staff uh will end this weekend um
at the town beaches. Also, the bathrooms
will close after this weekend. Um and
then we have the administrative
assistant starting next Thursday,
September 10th, uh full-time. So Vicki
and I will be training her probably for
about a month. Um but uh excited to have
her on board. I think she is equally as
excited to start and
I think that's uh those are my notes.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
>> Um do we have any committee reports?
>> I don't think so.
>> Okay. Um the planning board met on the
25th of August. There was a tree cutting
and stream buffer, a voluntary lot
merger, an annexation, and um Sam gave
us an overview of the sidewalk plan,
which was very comprehensive and much
appreciated. So um that was it. And then
we had the CIP meeting on Thursday the
27th or 28th. That was a combined
meeting with the planning board. BB and
Janet attended and also Charlie Kelsey
and John Tilly joined from the budget
committee. I thought it was a really
healthy discussion. I did make a few
notes of just some of the the the key
standout um items. This is not
comprehensive of any of everything. This
are just things that either were special
callouts or new. Um for the fire
department, the placeholder for the $
1.9 million ladder truck will remain in
year 2023. However, I think we've heard
quite a bit um that they are looking at
a different type of truck to replace the
existing ladder truck. The fire
department has uh formed an internal
committee of the call members and
full-time um employees down at the fire
department to evaluate the fire
apparatus. So whether it is um replacing
with the same style truck but newer,
whether it is refurbishing the existing
truck or a the new style truck that came
down from Canada. Um so lots of work
there, but that will remain. That $ 1.9
million placeholder in 2032 will stay.
Um the station expansion is likely
unnecessary regardless of what option
they go with for a replacement ladder
truck. um chief and the board of
fireworks believes that that station
expansion is won't be needed. Um for the
library in 2028, there's an interior
renovation, paint, flooring, tiles,
bathrooms. Um there's a teen space that
will be revamped that will likely be
funded by a capital campaign as opposed
to
um a being part of the CIP.
um police department. Um similar, this
was new this year, similar to how we
break out replacement costs for fire
apparatus and vehicles and equipment for
public works. Um the cruiser
replacements are now being uh broken out
instead of uh lumped in into one uh
large sum. And the general cost of those
the replacement of cruisers is about
$85,000. And that's including of the uh
that's the base for the car and then the
additional upfitting um and technology
um police facilities. This was uh a
little little bit of a shift. We have
shifted those placeholders.
The lambda acquisition to 20 from 2028
to 2029. Um and the re the separate line
item for the either building something
new um or purchasing a building uh moves
from 2029 to 2030. Um there's no new
information, but it would be a shame to
lose those placeholders. So we'll
continue and if we have to continue to
adjust them, we will. But we we've at
least got those placeholders there. and
then public works. Um,
for visibility, the town roof, which was
previously approved at town meeting, was
readded to the CIP. Um, and a new
separate town facility paving line item
created, so it will no longer compete
with the road paving budget. Um, and
then there was a line item for the Sally
Port here at the police department, the
roof there. I think those were the
highlights that were sort of new um ads
or shifts within the CIP. But uh I
thought it was a great meeting. I
thought uh Charlie and John were really
beneficial to be there from the budget
committee and ask some really great
questions and Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. One thing I skipped over was is
there anyone here who would like to make
a comment about anything that wasn't on
our agenda?
John
Yeah, a month ago I had asked some
questions of the chief and I was
wondering how what the answers might be
for how many windows do we need to put
bulletproof glass in and you were going
to come back with a number for me.
>> You did come back and I believe that was
I have the number 32 in my mind.
Then it was more it we were talking
about the film that would need to go
over the windows and that there were 32
panes that would need this film to go
over them.
>> So 32 p excuse me panes.
>> Yeah. It's it's it's it's a film that
goes over the panes. Um so it's not a
complete window replacement.
>> Right. And those pain those the
>> films
>> films they're bulletproof.
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Oh, okay. Sorry. Chief is saying no.
>> No, it's more like a um it it might slow
down projectiles, but I mean to get
full-on ballistic glass would be um very
very expensive. So, it's more like a um
a protective film that goes on the
windows that would help stop like a rock
being thrown it or something. But there
I have not received a quote for any sort
of ballistic glass for the police
department.
>> Are you requesting that?
>> Okay. Yeah. My question was bulletproof
glass. So how many windows would need to
be bulletproof?
The screen doesn't doesn't achieve
protection for the police inside.
>> Okay. So what chief
>> I wouldn't ask you to get an estimate
for that either. I don't think would you
would either of you No. Well, I didn't
hear you, BB.
>> I wouldn't ask her to go get an estimate
for that at this moment.
>> I don't want an estimate. All I wanted
to know is how many windows.
>> Okay.
>> I I may and I made that clear because
that we you brought that up. The money I
said don't worry about the money. I need
to know how many windows and you said
I'll get you a number.
>> Okay. So, the number is 32. Correct.
>> 32 windows.
>> We will get an updated number. We will
get an updated number of actual windows.
>> Okay. Thank you. Uh parking security
cameras. Where are we with parking
security cameras?
>> We did give an update on that at the
last meeting and we had the cameras
installed both here and down at the um
academy building as well. Those have
been in place for 7 months or so. And
that's not only Buer but also Whipple
and down at the academy building. Right.
And no other cameras are needed for
security along the back wall at all.
>> We have fully addressed the security
cameras inside and outside the building
at Buer Whipple in the academy building.
>> Okay. Just checking. And then I'd also
asked about the uh pylons
uh or pillars by the steps and all. I
wondered how many you felt would be
needed to protect.
>> Yep. So, so Chief and I have connected
with Sam. Sam, do you want to give an
update on the pylons? Sure.
>> Yes, we went through a um exercise of
deciding like if they needed to be a
rated pylon or how many it would take
and so on and so forth. Um we did
address that there's a couple other
locations that I needed pylons. So,
that's why I got looped into this
project. Um they're waiting basically on
me for estimates. I'm still working to
get those, but it is something that we
think we can
>> handle internally. Um, as
>> Yeah, correct. Yeah. Um, if the
selectman choose that they want to move
forward with pylons at the police
department, I have a couple locations
that I need them for construction
equipment and such.
>> Right. Right. But it's doable for the
protection of the
>> Yeah, if they chose to move forward with
that. Yeah. We don't see why there
wouldn't be um anything that would
inhibit us from doing it. So,
>> okay, great. All right. Thank you. So
maybe I can get those numbers, Ashley. I
mean about the other one at the next
meeting, the windows, how many and Okay,
that'd be great. Um and then from uh the
energy committee, I just wanted to thank
the selectmen for their support and a
special thanks to Sam and his team. Uh,
I know Janet and Ashley, you saw the
before at the Stump Dump and if you see
the after, u I think we can land a
helicopter or an airplane there. have to
take.
>> So, my my thanks to Sam and and all of
your team. if you could express from the
energy committee our thanks for to you
and each of the your team that helped
make that happen because they did a a
magnificent job and we're very thankful
and now we're prepared to to proceed
with the starting of those which will
you know elevate our energy source to to
much higher than what it is right now at
45% to hopefully over 90% of
efficiency. Yeah, great. Yeah, I will
pass that on to the team at public
works. I did not run the equipment, but
they did a great job. I would agree. So,
I will pass that on.
>> Thank you, Sam.
>> Thanks, John.
>> Would you like to say something?
>> Colin Beasley, do we have time? I know
that you guys
>> Well, we're all trying to go to the um
school board meeting.
>> What time is that?
>> 6:30.
>> So, now Oh,
>> okay.
>> needs to be there. Yeah, he's got to go.
>> Okay.
>> Well, Rich, I'm gonna ask you a
question, but you can answer it another
day, so you can ponder it. I know that
you were a few meetings ago on the
dispatch study, you were going to talk
to the consultant to get comfortable. I
assume you had that conversation and
could you share with the community where
you came out?
>> Yeah, I did not have the conversation
with them because I decided in the end,
>> okay,
>> that I was good with where we were at.
>> Okay. Okay. I made that easy. Um,
do we have clarity on the what the RFI
is and the survey? Are we going to get
some the their response to the RFP was
that they were going to do an RFI and
they're going to do a survey. Do we know
what that is yet?
>> We do.
>> No, no worries. Oh, thank you.
>> We just received the survey. Um, and
that is what I just mentioned that Chief
and Lieutenant Keith have just started
to work on. Okay. There was a call this
morning to get some clarity on some of
the questions, but it's um
>> an internal data.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Okay.
>> Yep.
>> Okay. And the and the RFI they're
working on is
>> not
>> Do we know what it is?
>> We have not received it.
>> Okay. So, we don't know what it is.
Okay. Um,
can you give me can you give me a sense
of what the timeline is going to be?
When the interviews are going to happen,
what you know when can
>> Yep.
>> when can I talk to the person?
>> Yep. So, I just mentioned this that on
Monday the 21st, there's going to be a
public input session from 5:30 to 6:30
that night.
>> Public session.
>> Yes. for anybody from the public to come
and have conversations and provide
provide information, ask questions. It
will be her first day here, so I don't
think she's going to have a lot of
knowledge in her brain, but um that's
the time when she will be available.
>> I may we could talk about this. If you
want to take off, I'll I'll stop. Uh I
just Is the conversation going to be on
the 21st oneonone or is it going to be a
group of people asking questions?
is going to be a group of people. I
guess if only a few people show up, it
could be one-on-one or if it's only one
person that shows up. Um, but it the
format is she will be here from 5:30 to
6:30 to hear from members of the public.
>> And how many folks are we is she going
to interview across the communities? Do
we know that? So while she is here, she
will be speaking with the three board of
selectmen individually, me individually.
She will be spending a fair amount of
time within our dispatch center um
reviewing their uh operations, meeting
with Chief, meeting with Lieutenant
Keith, members of the New London Police
Department, um likely meeting
>> the other towns,
>> meeting with um New London Ambulance in
person, and then what we had talked
about on our kickoff call last week was
conducting the interviews with the other
chiefs um in other towns virtually. Not
every town has full-time staff. Um and
so they, you know, they don't, not every
town has full-time fire staff. Um I
think there's a a chance that maybe she
could sneak in time with Chief Clark
here um to have that interview, but that
is how we left it. that those interviews
with the other towns would likely be on
her own time given their schedules.
>> So, so I would ask that um somehow you
consider some process whereby I can sit
down on the phone or otherwise with her
to go through what started this whole
initiative which is that draft
presentation that lays out
the assumptions that I think that she
needs to look at and I want to make that
a public record as part of the analysis.
I think that I think your opportunity to
do that is the 21st.
>> Presentation 5:30. Give it a tour.
>> Sure. Okay.
>> Absolutely.
>> Okay, that's fine. Okay.
>> Yep.
>> Thank you.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Um wrapping it up. I just want to
mention a couple of things. The um town
offices will be closed Monday, September
7th, uh and also for Labor Day. And on
Tuesday, September 8th, there will be um
primary day. So, I hope everybody votes
and we have a good turnout and that sort
of thing. And those are the most
important. All the other meetings are
listed on our town's website.
>> Sure.
>> Okay. Do I have a we we are we sign
stuff or we going to wait on this?
>> So, what Rich and I talked about really
the most important thing to sign are the
appointment cards. if you two can sign
them, even if we take them down to the
school and sign them and then he takes
them over the weekend. We just need them
by Tuesday morning to all be signed.
There are other things in here. Um if
there's anything that I think needs to
be done before next Tuesday, I'll pull
those out for you guys to sign.
>> Okay.
>> Okay.
>> All right. So, do I have a motion to
adjurnn?
>> Second. All those in favor? I.
>> Okay. Thank you all for coming.