Work planned on North Water Street
By Robert Cloud
Members of the New London City Council learned Tuesday, April 14, that the city will receive a $2.9 million grant for downtown improvements.
Public Services Director Chad Hoerth told the council the state Department of Transportation will oversee the project.
North Water Street, between Shawano and Pearl streets, will be reconstructed.
The project includes the roadway, curb and gutters, sidewalks, street lights and traffic lights, Hoerth said.
Although the grant is for 2020-25, Hoerth said there is no timeline yet for when the project will begin.
He said the city has requested the project happen in 2023.
The council approved capital equipment and projects for three departments at its April 14 meeting.
Street cameras
Police Chief Jeff Schlueter requested approval for 10 to 20 traffic lights that will have built-in security cameras.
In a memo to the city’s Capital Equipment and Projects Committee, which recommended the purchase at its April 13 meeting, Schlueter estimated the cameras and digital video recording equipment would cost about $20,000 for 10 units.
“It is our plan to install one light and camera prior to making too big of an investment,” Schlueter said in the memo.
The first light and camera unit will be installed at the Shawano Street and State Highway 54 intersection and be tied into an existing DVR.
Public works equipment
Hoerth requested $50,000 for a new skid-steer loader and $7,500 for a stump grinder for Public Works.
City Treasurer Judy Radtke noted the net cost for the skid steer would be $40,000 because the city expects to receive $10,000 on an equipment trade-in.
Hoerth said the stump grinder is needed because the city has more than 300 stumps to grind due to damage from the July 20, 2019 storm.
Hoerth also requested an extra $500 for a bucket truck.
Initially, Public Works planned to purchase a used bucket truck from New London Utilities for $8,000.
However, the NLU bucket truck reaches a maximum height of 37 feet.
“Many of our street trees are easily in excess of 50 to 70 feet,” Hoerth said.
He said Master Electric has a boom truck with a 55-foot boom, which would cost the city $8,500.
“This reach would allow us to perform much more work than with the NLU truck,” Hoerth said.
Hoerth also requested $5,000 to restore two doors at the library and museum.
Library tables
New London Public Library Director Ann Hunt requested $11,500 for 10 tables.
She told the council the library’s existing tables were purchased in 1986.
Hunt said the existing tables were heavy, difficult to move and wobbly.