NL City Council Tackles Many Issues

The New London City Council met in regular session on Jan. 8, 2024 with all members in attendance. They approved the agenda, the consent agenda, and no one addressed the Council in open forum.

In reports, Councilman Berner attended the Emergency Management and E-911 meetings. The budget and communications money for all police and fire departments in the county were discussed.

Continuing in reports, the Mayor gave each Council member a handout addressing any concerns they or citizens might have with Council member Sines serving while her husband, Assistant Chief Sines, is employed with the police department.

They then moved on to old business and took the following action:

Approved Waste Management for sanitation service for FY 2025, 2026, & 2027. The monthly charge will be approximately $16,279.38 per month with an annual 5.5% increase that incudes one curbside cleanup per year. Councilman Scott Campbell cast the only dissenting vote. When asked after the meeting why he dissented, he explained that he has had less-than-satisfactory dealings with the company concerning service issues at his place of employment. He also preferred to stay more local for service.

In other old business, the Council discussed the 28E agreement for combined law enforcement operations between the City and Henry County. The Council found the agreement satisfactory and will forward it to the County for review and approval.

They then discussed the 28E agreement for supplemental Law Enforcement Services. The Public Safety Committee offered $2,000 per month or $12.56 per capita for 77 hours of coverage per week. When Sheriff McNamee took the offer to the Board of Supervisors, they felt $15,000 to $17,000 per capita was more in line. The Council stuck to the $12.56 per capita offer and will forward this offer along with the agreement as drafted to the Sheriff so he can review and discuss it with the Board of Supervisors.

They then moved on to new business. They took the following actions:

• Approved final pay estimate with retainage #6 to Hickey Contracting Company for the Division Street paving and storm sewer project in the amount of $3,500.

• Approved legal services with Lynch Dallas.

• Approved Resolution #417 clarifying ownership and responsibility for Main Street banners on the streetlights. The City will be responsible for purchasing the banners and the Utility Department will be responsible for changing them seasonally.

• Approved selling the 1999 F-250 pickup truck at auction with BIC Auctions.

• Approved selling the 1994 International 4900 dump truck to NL Municipal Utilities for $8,000. This amount was based on prices from BIC Auctions. They gave between $8,000 to $10,000 as a fair purchase price.

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. The next regular meeting of the New London City Council will be Feb. 12, 2024 at 6 p.m. in the City Office.