New London - City Councilor Michael Buscetto III will receive the Martin Luther King Leadership Award early next year from the Connecticut Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission.

"Our recipient has dedicated his life to improving his hometown community of New London,'' Dennis J. King, chairman of the commission, said in making the announcement Thursday afternoon at Shiloh Baptist Church.

King highlighted Buscetto's accomplishments in the community including creating and chairing the Safe City Commission, starting the "Bash at the Beach'' that annually raises money for youth programs, and for mentoring students at the Science & Technology Magnet High School.

Buscetto, who is running for mayor of New London as a write-in candidate, also cofounded the New London Athletic Hall of Fame, helped revitalized Toby May Field and has been involved for years in youth sports.

About 35 people attended the brief ceremony. He was chosen from among 27 nominees, King said. Two other awards, one for community service and one for humanitarianism, will be announced next week in New Haven and Danbury, King said.

Buscetto was nominated in April and was interviewed by the committee in June, he said.

Buscetto will receive the award in January during the 26th Anniversary Ceremonies at the Capital. He also will be recognized in February, along with the other winners, during the 2012 Martin Luther King/Hord Foundation Black Tie Gala.

Past recipients of the leadership award have included University of Connecticut former football coach Randy Edsall, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and state Supreme Court Justice Norcott Flemming.