New London Withdraws From Council Of Governments

Wednesday morning at the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments' regular meeting, SCCOG Executive Director Jim Butler read a letter by New London Mayor Daryl Finizio saying that New London can’t pay its dues this year and will withdraw from the group.

“The (SCCOG) hasn’t dealt with this situation in 30 or 40 years, I believe,” Butler said. “I think it is a terrible precedent should it happen.”

Ledyard has been a member of the organization for years and has benefitted from membership, according to Mayor John Rodolico.

“It is always better when you have more participation from more municipalities,” he said. “It is an excellent means of sharing information and it’s a good way to learn what’s happening in other municipalities.

Rodolico said the (SC)COG recently endorsed the Preston to Bluff Point Hiking Trail as a number one project to receive a $350,000 state grant for construction of the trail. He said a previous grant of $300,000 or so for the trail’s design was also by the COG.

The annual dues are assessed per capita, according to Rodolico, who said Ledyard pays $8,278. New London owes $15,191, which is 10 percent of the total the 20 SCCOG municipalities give, and that loss will be a “big hit” to the group’s budget, Butler said. Meanwhile, SCCOG has secured millions of dollars for infrastructure projects in the past few years for New London, he said.

“Being a member allows you to take advantage of state funding for infrastructure,” said Rodolico. “That funding would not necessarily flow to them and would be available to other towns such as Ledyard.”

The apparent benefits to the other members aren’t necessarily so as SCCOG could lose strength and standing as a group if membership, and key municipalities like New London, withdraw.

“I hope we can meet with the mayor and maybe the city council as soon as possible,” said Butler. “Every time something like this happens, it just takes a little bit away from the strength of the other 19 municipalities.”

SCCOG Chairman and Waterford First Selectman Dan Steward said SCCOG should give a presentation to the city council about the positive aspects of the group. SCCOG member and Preston First Selectman Robert Congdon agreed, saying the group should emphasize the positive.

“The message from (SCCOG) needs to be positive,” Congdon said. “(New London is) an integral part of this region.”

What Is SCCOG, Benefits

SCCOG is one of several councils of governments across Connecticut. The group is composed of 20 municipalities and the two Native American tribes in Southeastern Connecticut, and once-a-month a representative from each town (generally the first selectman or mayor) meet in Norwich.

The group aims to get funding on regional projects such as regional transportation and regional water service, among other duties. New London has specifically benefited from SCCOG, as the group has secured millions of dollars to upgrade the city’s infrastructure, Butler said.

As an example, New London is expected to receive more than $1 million in funding secured by SCCOG to complete Phase 2 of the Montauk Avenue project, Butler said. If New London withdraws, SCCOG funds will go to projects in other towns and cities that do pay their dues, Butler said.

“This isn’t a threat,” Butler said. “It’s just an opportunity for (SCCOG) to spend money on its members.”