The New London City Council convened on September 2, 2025, to address pressing issues regarding budget allocations and public safety, particularly concerning the funding of crossing guards for local schools. The meeting began with a discussion on the current budget situation, highlighting that the city had maintained funding levels from the previous year despite challenges.

Council members expressed concerns about recent cuts to the budget that affected staffing, particularly the elimination of crossing guards, which raised safety issues for children commuting to school. Councilor Sadi initiated the conversation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety for students and questioning the Board of Education's decision to cut $64,000 allocated for crossing guards. He urged the board to consider cross-training staff to fill gaps and maintain safety standards.

President Pro Tem Dominguez supported this sentiment, asserting that the narrative suggesting the council does not care about children is misleading. He reiterated the council's commitment to funding school improvements and stressed the need for crossing guards, urging the community to direct their concerns to the Board of Education, which ultimately made the cuts.

Councilor Hart proposed adding the issue of crossing guard funding to the agenda for further discussion, arguing that it was a matter worthy of consideration and could be resolved promptly. He encouraged the council to prioritize this issue and take action rather than dwell on past decisions.

The discussion also included perspectives from various council members who shared their experiences and observations regarding school safety. Some noted that even in the absence of crossing guards, school staff actively ensured student safety, while others highlighted the need for a structured approach to address the crossing guard situation.

As the meeting progressed, the council members agreed on the importance of addressing the crossing guard funding issue and expressed a desire to collaborate with the Board of Education to find a solution. The council plans to continue discussions on this matter in future meetings, aiming to ensure the safety of children in the community.