New London — The City Council on Monday reversed its decision to deny federal funding aimed at renovations to a downtown restaurant run by a man convicted on drug trafficking charges.

Joshua Feldman, who runs Noble Restaurant at 74 Bank St., had applied to the city for a $50,000 grant under the city’s downtown infrastructure, storefront activation and beautification initiative.  American Rescue Plan Act money for the federal program is being distributed through the city’s Office of Development and Planning.

Feldman’s application was one of 11 chosen by ODP to receive portions of nearly $500,000 in this first round of funding for small businesses. The money was requested by Feldman to complete interior renovations of the restaurant, which opened in 2019 but is currently closed.

Feldman said he would get a better sense of a timeline for reopening the restaurant once the renovation project, which already has started, is further along.

Earlier this month, the council voted 4-3 to deny the application following concerns raised by Councilor John Satti about the appropriateness of money going to a man with drug-related charges. The council, against the continued objections of Satti, revisited the matter on Monday and voted 5-1 to rescind its prior vote and approve the funding. Satti was the lone dissenting vote and Councilor James Burke was not present for the vote.

Satti, a retired probation officer, said he is the son of a former state’s attorney and brother to a former assistant state’s attorney, who he said all fought the war on drugs.

“Most importantly to me though is I have a child that died of a drug overdose,” Satti said. “I think it would be totally unacceptable for this body to give a black eye to our city by giving a drug dealer ... federal funds.”

“I just believe it is totally inappropriate, with more people out there requesting funds, for us at this juncture to do that,” Satti said.

Feldman, 48, was one of two dozen people indicted by a federal grand jury in 2019 as part of an investigation into a drug trafficking ring in eastern Connecticut. As part of a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 to 100 grams of cocaine.

He was sentenced in 2021 to four years of probation and 100 hours of community service. At Feldman's sentencing, his attorney informed the court that Feldman had “stabilized his life” since his arrest, addressed his own substance abuse issues, sought counseling, completed a court support program and was focused on being a good parent and running his business.

City records show the 74 Bank St. building is owned by Steven Feldman, Joshua feldman's father, under the business name Berstev LLC.

Felix Reyes, director of the city's Office of Development and Planning, reiterated to the council that the investment by the city was for the building and not the individual, while questioning the appropriateness of singling out Feldman because of a past criminal conviction.

“This money is about historic preservation. This money is about infrastructure improvements," Reyes said. "The buildings in downtown are a key component to the infrastructure of our downtown. We are investing in properties for the benefit of our city."

Reyes said his office had fielded 20 applications for funding and initially vetted and approved 11. Others, he said, had not been denied funding and still would be considered in the next round of grants.

Funds being distributed by the city are for construction costs and require at least a 25% funding match from applicants; the grants are for businesses and do not benefit people individually.

Reached on Tuesday, Feldman said the city's $50,000 was a much appreciated but small contribution toward an estimated $500,000 in planned renovations to the building. He also addressed his conviction.

“I’ve made some mistakes in the past but I’m doing my best to do the right thing now,” he said. “People make mistakes but it doesn’t mean they can’t turn their life around.”

Feldman last year opened the successful Noble Smokehouse in Mystic and said he expects to reopen Noble on Bank Street once extensive renovations are completed. The building is mostly gutted and being redesigned, he said.

“It was time to address some of the safety concerns with the building. These are old buildings and they need a lot of upkeep," Feldman said. "I love New London and I’m very committed. I have four kids and trying to do the best I can for them and for the city.”

Councilor Martha Marx at Monday’s meeting said she was voting on the funding for the building and not the individual but added, “I do believe people deserve a second chance.”

Council President Efrain Dominguez said he respected Satti’s stance but said he was separating the business from the individual.

“This is investing in our city,” Dominguez said.

 g.smith@theday.com