Riverside Files Part Three

On a bitterly cold and snowy night in January of 2000, residents of New London came to Harbor School to hear representatives of the newly resuscitated New London Development Corporation (NLDC) present 6 versions of a Municipal Development Plan prepared by lobbyist Jay Levin.

The plans ranged from making no changes in Fort Trumbull, a generational neighborhood, to demolishing all the homes and businesses.

The residents were led to believe that they had a choice. But in the end, they had none; the entire village of Fort Trumbull was demolished.

Ann Baldelli, Associate Editorial Page Editor of The Day, wrote in her column The Buzz, the Book, the Battle “New London will forever be known as the city that bulldozed homes to create a vacant brownfield."

Among those leading the charge to carry out the Municipal Development Plan developed by Levin was New London City Councilor Rob Pero.

As a result of the Fort Trumbull disaster, the city of New London suffered the scorn of this country and the wounds that had developed in our community have not healed yet.

ON THE EDGE OF THE ABYSS - AGAIN

Although there is nothing in New London City Council meeting minutes regarding the possible sale of Riverside Park to the Coast Guard Academy until April 5, 2010, in February of 2010, then Mayor Rob Pero, was quoted in The Day as follows "We've had very brief preliminary conversations,'' …"The city has said it would listen. When we hear a formal proposal, we'll get the community involved in any decisions and discussions.''

It is in the April 5, 2010 council minutes, that residents begin to express their concerns over the possible sale of Riverside Park. “Martha Bauduccio, a member of the School Building and Maintenance Committee, voiced her concern regarding the proposed sale of Riverside Park as she considers nature and science connections to be incorporated in the new curriculum of the Winthrop Magnet School. Hands on experience so close to the school should not be eliminated. We should all, including young students, be able to make Riverside Park a park to be proud of again.”

Also at the April 5 meeting, A motion made by Councilor Passero, seconded by Councilor Hyslop, that this City Council adopts as its policy “Riverside Park is not for sale.” The motion failed 3-4. Those voting in favor: Passero, Hyslop, Russell. Those voting against: Buscetto, Olsen, Sprecace, Pero. Mayor Pero in his response to public comment said “Regarding Riverside Park, he is hoping to have an April discussion to hear comments relative to the issue of a possible sale of Riverside Park. There is nothing in writing. [emphasis added] The City has been approached by the Coast Guard.”

Then Councilor, now Mayor, Olsen's vote on April 5th was an effort to force the Coast Guard to roll out their plans for Riverside Park, which they soon did at a public meeting at New London High School.  After hearing plans presented by officials from the Coast Guard Academy, Councilor Olsen, along with Councilors Wade Hyslop and Michael Passero, voted in favor of the city maintaining ownership of Riverside Park.

With a distinct lack of information provided to the public by elected representatives and officials from the Coast Guard Academy, reports of more backroom deals here in New London began to circulate and the more they circulated, the more sense they made.

Why would the Coast Guard Academy, with 70 acres of Open Space on their campus, 28 acres of vacant land and additional opportunities for expansion, both on and off campus, “need” to take, first, the entire Riverside Park, then 13 acres, finally settling on the figure of 9.14 acres? From visionappraisal.com and http://data.visionappraisal.com/newlondonct/findpid.asp#closest 

One possible reason could be that the Thames Shipyard, owned by the Wronowski family, and located on 5.59 acres at 50 Farnsworth St., is surrounded by 18.76 acres of vacant land owned by the Coast Guard Academy. Thames Shipyard, along with Cross Sound Ferry Services and Cross Sound Ferry Services, Inc, are clients of former New London mayor and lobbyist Jay Levin, of Fort Trumbull fame, at the firm of Levin, Powers, Brennan & Shea, LLC 

Mr. Levin is also a longtime friend and supporter of City Councilor and mayoral candidate, Michael Buscetto who, in his two terms as a city councilor, never recorded a NO vote to any project that Cross Sound Ferry Services proposed including selling a piece of city-owned property to Cross Sound at less than the appraised price.   

Thames Shipyard, within the last five years and while still owing the State of Connecticut over half a million dollars for violating environmental laws, received millions of dollars in grants from both Federal and State sources. The most recent, a $2 million capital improvement grant, was approved in August of this year.

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW, IT’S WHO YOU KNOW

Almost all of the major players in, and supporters of, the proposal to sell over 9 acres of Riverside Park to the Coast Guard Academy are members of the Board of Directors, Board of Trustees and/or Regional Benefactors of The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.