New London City Council planning back-to-back meetings for Monday

New London - The City Council has scheduled a series of meetings Monday that include introducing themselves to the superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, talking to the local legislative delegation and discussing finances, including renovating the high school or perhaps building a new one.

At 4 p.m., the council's Finance Committee will continue its discussions with Finance Director Jeffrey H. Smith on a projected budget deficit of about $12 million in the 2012-13 budget.

The council has decided to meet every Monday with Smith until it gets a full understanding of a projected $1.4 million deficit in the 2010-11 budget, an estimated shortfall of about $4.5 million in the current year's spending package, and other money that will be needed to cover future shortfalls.

At 5 p.m., the council will meet with legislators from southeastern Connecticut - State Sen. Andrea Stillman of Waterford, and Reps. Ernest Hewett of New London and Ted Moukowsher of Groton - to discuss the city's legislative priorities.

That meeting will be followed, at 6 p.m., by a meet-and-greet with Rear Adm. Sandra L. Stosz, who took over as superintendent of the Cost Guard Academy June 3. She will formally meet the seven city councilors, who were elected to their two-year terms in November. They are expected to talk about the role the academy and its cadets play in the community and other topics, such as the academy's need to expand its campus.

At 7 p.m., school officials will present plans on how it will address major Americans with Disabilities Act violations at New London High School.

Last August, the School Building and Maintenance Committee recommended the city build a new high school to comply with ADA requirements. At the time, school officials said a new school would cost about $67 million but the state could reimburse up to $52 million. That proposal was sent to committee and never acted upon. The city also could renovate the building to bring it into ADA compliance.

The school district's proposal is expected to be returned to the building and maintenance committee for members to develop a time line and phase-in construction costs.

k.edgecomb@theday.com