Meeting report · Board of Selectmen
Creating this report cost real money.
Help fund coverage →
Board of Selectmen — April 23, 2026
The meeting was characterized by standard administrative updates and cautious deliberation rather than heated debate or significant conflict.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Municipal Solar Expansion
Long-term municipal energy costs and potential profitability via solar array installations. Affected: All taxpayers and energy consumers in New London.
other high impact
02
Emergency Dispatch RFP
Potential changes to vendor contracts or scope of dispatch services. Affected: The entire community regarding emergency response capabilities.
safety change
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Acceptance of the Squamville Centennial Association gift ($31,654.28).
Funds are to be used for public concerts at the Elkins Bandstand; a separate account will be opened for these funds.
Approved
Approval of $9,962 from the Computer Capital Reserve fund.
Funds for a replacement PC/mugshot module, two laptops, and a UPS battery backup for the police station.
Approved
Approval of $10,472.28 from the Communications Equipment Capital Reserve fund.
Funds for a replacement microwave panel and a lightning arrestor (Note: transcript error corrected from '10,4728' to $10,472.28 based on context).
Approved
Approval of $4,277.13 for cemetery maintenance.
Funds for a lawn mower and flag replacements.
Approved
Approval of $7,124.00 from the Town Building Fund.
Additional costs for keypad and camera wiring due to archaic building conditions.
Approved
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 00:24 Public Safety Telecommunicators Recognition
The New London Police Department presented a plaque to the communications specialists to honor National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
Speakers: Chief Cobb, Sergeant Nick Bo
▶ 05:26 Public Hearing: Acceptance of Gift
A public hearing was held regarding the acceptance of a $31,654.28 gift from the Squamville Centennial Association for public concerts at the Elkins Bandstand.
Speakers: Michael Todd, Richard Anderson
▶ 11:17 Municipal Solar Expansion Update
The Energy Committee provided an update on solar array proposals, noting that while current proposals are over budget, they are awaiting more cost-effective bids.
Speakers: Jamie Hes, John Ellis
▶ 17:13 Walkable New London & Pocket Park Proposal
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee discussed the proposed pocket park at 328 Main Street, addressing concerns regarding downtown parking and stormwater management.
Speakers: Russ Moore, Janet R. Kidder
▶ 43:00 Art and Bloom Event
Discussion regarding the logistics and alcohol service for the upcoming Art and Bloom event.
Speakers: Barry Howard
▶ 58:00 Secret Cove Project Update
The Town Administrator reported that representatives of Secret Cove have declined invitations to discuss their project on Davis Hill Road.
Speakers: Ashley Seabold, Janet R. Kidder
▶ 63:00 Personnel and Staffing Updates
Updates on town staff departures and upcoming job openings in the administrative and public works departments.
Speakers: Ashley Seabold
▶ 65:00 Dispatch RFP Update
The town is managing vendor questions regarding the dispatch Request for Proposals and needs to schedule a pre-bid meeting.
Speakers: Ashley Seabold, Chief Cobb
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Walkable New London & Pocket Park Proposal
The proposal creates a conflict between pedestrian/environmental improvements and the availability of downtown municipal parking, a key concern for local residents and businesses.
Board position: Cautious support; the board requested revised designs to address parking and stormwater before moving forward.
medium concern
02
Secret Cove Project Update
The project appears to be facing communication barriers, as developers have declined invitations to discuss the project with town officials, potentially stalling local oversight.
Board position: Monitoring the situation; noted the lack of cooperation from project representatives.
medium concern
Community vs. board tension
Ready to share? AI-written accountability posts about this meeting's controversies.
View posts →
Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Open a separate account named 'Elkins Bandstand' to hold gift funds.
Assigned: Ashley Seabold
Follow up on the report mentioned in discussion with Selectmen.
Assigned: Jamie Hes · Due: 2026-04-24
Coordinate with Selectmen regarding attendance at the dispatch RFP pre-bid meeting.
Assigned: Ashley Seabold · Due: First week of May
Post job advertisements for administrative assistant and public works roles.
Assigned: Town Administration · Due: Next week's shopper
Notable statements
The pocket park's objective is to encourage walkers and bikers downtown, which could reduce the parking problem. — Russ Moore · Addressing concerns about downtown parking impact from the pocket park proposal. ▶ 35:36
I do have reservations [about the pocket park], but I would hate to obviously sidetrack that because I'm worried about parking. — Janet R. Kidder · Commenting on the Walkable New London proposal. ▶ 63:45
There's not flexibility on the budget [for the dispatch RFP], certainly flexibility on the scope. — Ashley Seabold · Responding to vendor questions regarding the dispatch RFP. ▶ 110:37
Member positions
16 issues · 0 explicit · 9 inferred
Janet R. Kidder
Present
Chair
Walkable New London & Pocket Park Proposal
✓
Expressed reservations regarding the impact on downtown parking.
Secret Cove Project Update
~
Monitoring the lack of cooperation from project representatives.
Acceptance of the Squamville Centennial Association gift ($31,654.28)
YES
~
Approval of Art and Bloom event for June 12th
YES
~
Approval of $9,962 from the Computer Capital Reserve fund
YES
~
Approval of $10,472.28 from the Communications Equipment Capital Reserve fund
YES
~
Approval of $4,277.13 for cemetery maintenance
YES
~
Approval of $7,124.00 from the Town Building Fund
YES
~
Approval of April 9th minutes
YES
~
Richard Anderson
Present
Selectman
Public Hearing: Acceptance of Gift
✓
Participated in the discussion regarding the Squamville gift.
Acceptance of the Squamville Centennial Association gift ($31,654.28)
YES
~
Approval of Art and Bloom event for June 12th
YES
~
Approval of $9,962 from the Computer Capital Reserve fund
YES
~
Approval of $10,472.28 from the Communications Equipment Capital Reserve fund
YES
~
Approval of $4,277.13 for cemetery maintenance
YES
~
Approval of $7,124.00 from the Town Building Fund
YES
~
Approval of April 9th minutes
YES
~
Bebe Hammond Casey
Present
Selectwoman
Acceptance of the Squamville Centennial Association gift ($31,654.28)
YES
~
Approval of Art and Bloom event for June 12th
YES
~
Approval of $9,962 from the Computer Capital Reserve fund
YES
~
Approval of $10,472.28 from the Communications Equipment Capital Reserve fund
YES
~
Approval of $4,277.13 for cemetery maintenance
YES
~
Approval of $7,124.00 from the Town Building Fund
YES
~
Approval of April 9th minutes
YES
~
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
6
Total speakers
4
Addressed
2
Partial
0
Not addressed
Michael Todd
Addressed
He provided notice regarding a public hearing to accept a gift of approximately $31,654 from the Sesqui Centennial Association. He explained the funds are intended to provide free public concerts at the Elkins bandstand and requested the board authorize the disbursement of $4,000 to pay for the scheduled bands.
Key concern
Request for the Board of Selectmen to accept a private gift and disburse funds to the Bandstand Committee for summer concerts.
Board responseThe board moved to accept the gift and clarified that the funds would be held in a separate account named 'Elkins Bandstand'.
The board held a vote and approved the motion to accept the gift as requested.
Jamie
Addressed
Representing the Energy Committee, Jamie provided an update on municipal solar array proposals, noting that current proposals are over budget. She recommended waiting for more vendors to submit bids and shared that calculations show the project remains viable and potentially profitable for the town.
Key concern
Providing a status update on solar expansion and recommending the town wait for more economical vendor proposals.
Board responseThe board thanked the committee and offered to answer questions; no specific action or directive was given.
The board acknowledged the update and provided an opportunity for discussion, though no immediate decision was required.
Russ Moore
Partial
As chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, he presented the 'Walkable New London' pocket park proposal for 328 Main Street. He addressed concerns regarding downtown parking, arguing that the park would encourage active transportation and help manage stormwater runoff.
Key concern
Advocating for the continued planning and momentum of the pocket park project despite local parking concerns.
Board responseThe board requested to see the revised design renderings and asked the committee to return at a future meeting to discuss the project after they had reviewed the images.
The board did not approve or deny the project but agreed to a path forward by reviewing the design and reconvening later.
Janet R. Kidder
Addressed
A board member who spoke to support the pocket park, emphasizing its potential to improve town walkability and act as a catalyst for downtown improvement. She expressed a desire to see the project proceed while acknowledging the need to balance pedestrian needs with parking.
Key concern
Supporting the pocket park initiative and its benefits to the community.
Board responseThe board acknowledged her support and continued the discussion regarding the design review.
Her input was integrated into the board's collective discussion on how to handle the committee's request.
Barry Howard
Addressed
He presented the Art and Bloom event plan for June, detailing the logistics of the event. He specifically addressed the placement of the bar to ensure it is kept inside to avoid alcohol being carried outdoors and to prevent pedestrian bottlenecks.
Key concern
Approval for the Art and Bloom event and clarification on alcohol service logistics.
Board responseThe board asked clarifying questions about the bar location and then moved to approve the event.
The board approved the event and addressed the logistical concerns regarding the bar.
Amy
Partial
A resident raised a concern regarding the potential loss of municipal parking if the pocket park is constructed. She expressed worry that the park might occupy space that could otherwise be used for parking expansion.
Key concern
Potential loss of municipal parking due to the proposed pocket park.
Board responseThe board (through the discussion with Russ Moore) acknowledged the parking issue and suggested the designers look into leaving space for future parking needs.
The concern was acknowledged and integrated into the design feedback requested from the committee, though no final decision on parking was made.
Support coverage
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.
Report composed by
grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, gemma-4-26b · analyzed 2026-06-01.