New London- With a stroke of a pen Wednesday, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio signed his first ordinance, confirming a City Council action to loan $50,000 to OpSail2012.

On Monday, the City Council approved the loan to OpSail2012 to help run, organize and coordinate a tall ship event next summer that is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city.

On Wednesday, Finizio signed the appropriation ordinance. Council President Michael Passero, OpSail Chairman John Johnson, and Vice Chairman Kevin Cavanagh, a former mayor, attended the signing.

The OpSail2012 committee has agreed to repay the city when it receives "supplemental funding" from the state. Johnson said the committee has requested $500,000 from the state to help organize the event. If the state does not agree to provide funds, Johnson said the money would be paid back with corporate donations. The committee plans to raise $1 million to support the event, he said.

OpSail2012 will take place July 6-9. The four-day event is part of a national maritime celebration marking the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the writing of the "The Star-Spangled Banner." Tall ships will travel to several U.S. cities, including New London.

k.edgecomb@theday.com