Board of Selectmen — April 9, 2026
While there are underlying community concerns regarding energy costs and land use, the meeting was handled through standard administrative procedures and collaborative problem-solving.
Questions about this meeting? Just ask.
Ask MeetingWatch answers from this meeting’s report, transcript, and records — with linked sources.
At the April 9 Select Board meeting, several issues were discussed that directly impact the wallets and neighborhoods of New London residents.
First, the issue of energy costs. There is a growing discrepancy between Community Power rates and Eversource rates, with residents reporting higher costs through the town program. While the Board acknowledged these concerns, a formal update and specific recommendations regarding future rates have been pushed out to the July meeting. For families managing tight budgets, waiting until mid-summer for clarity on utility costs is a significant concern.
Second, the Board addressed the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Secret Cove property on Davis Hill Road. To address community anxiety and local rumors regarding the property's future use, the Board recommended that the Planning Board reach out to specific stakeholders. Residents deserve transparency regarding whether this land will be used for development, conservation, or other purposes, as these decisions shape the character of our community.
Finally, the Board approved a request for $6,692.90 from the reserve fund to support the proposed solar project at the stump dump. We will continue to monitor how reserve funds are allocated and ensure the town provides timely information on utility rates and land-use decisions.
Public impact
Direct impact on resident electricity bills and cost of living.
Allocation of $6,692.90 in reserve funds for infrastructure development.
Potential impact on local land use and community character.
Topics discussed
Jamie Hess, Chair of the Energy Committee, provided an update on proposed solar arrays at the stump dump and Mountain Road, discussing utility line extensions from Eversource.
Discussion regarding the current higher cost of Community Power compared to Eversource and the process for determining future rates.
Update on the upcoming auction of a house on Pingree Road acquired due to a tax lien, including discussions on the order of payment for various lien holders.
Review of high-visibility projects, including the dispatch study, DEI contract review, and website updates.
The Board addressed public concerns regarding the future use of the Secret Cove property on Davis Hill Road.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Secret Cove Property Future Use
Community Power vs. Eversource Rates
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
Creating this report cost real money.
MeetingWatch attended, transcribed, and analyzed this meeting on its own dime. If this work is valuable to you, chip in to keep covering New London.
Follow New London
One email when a new report is published from the Board of Selectmen — or one weekly digest.
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.
Members feature
Ask questions. Get answers with receipts.
Ask about anything covered on this page and get a plain-English answer that links to the report, the official records, and the exact moment in the meeting video.
Create a free accountFree with a MeetingWatch account — no card, no spam.
Already a member? Sign in
Ask questions about any meeting
Open a community, board, issue, or meeting and I can answer from its records — with links to the report, official documents, and the exact moment in the video.
Then reopen this button to start asking.
AI-generated from meeting records — verify against the linked sources. Conversations are stored (privacy).