The city was spared its second referendum of the year as the City Council voted last week to nullify its sale of a swatch of land on the waterfront to Cross Sound Ferry—a proposition that ignited a petition drive.
The move came after Cross Sound President John Wronowski dispatched a letter to Mayor Kevin Cavanagh 90 minutes before the May 5 council meeting, informing city leaders the company pulled out of the agreement.
Wronowski cited the proposed referendum as well as “articles in the New London Day” that “called into question the process” New London and Cross Sound went through to reach an agreement.
Cross Sound Ferry suggested in the letter the city auction the 17,310-square-foot gravel parking lot, which is sandwiched between the ferry landing and the Waterfront Park, claiming “this process will presumably save the city the cost of a referendum vote.”
Another option would be to ask for proposals from those interested in the property.
According to Thomas Londregan, the city’s director of law, a referendum would still be possible once the council ultimately decides to sell the land, no matter what method the council employs to arrive at a price,
Cavanagh said after the meeting that the council’s decision to nullify the agreement was not the start of an end run around a possible referendum.
News of the dissolution of the agreement was not released to the public until an hour into the session, though several of the Democratic councilors were seen caucusing in the ante chamber before the meeting was gaveled open.
The sale of the property, which the City Council has discussed in executive session for more than a year, became politically radioactive in February when the intention to sell was announced past midnight within the chamber, without any members of the press or public present.
The Democrats, all of whom voted for the sale, then began to turn the gears of its political machine to convince the public of the merits of Cross Sound’s offer of $346,200 for the land.
Councilor Michael Buscetto, the sale’s most ardent supporter, maintained his position that the property would not be of use to anyone else but Cross Sound Ferry and would be “good business” to a company that employs more than 400 people.
Councilor John Maynard, the other vocal supporter, did not want the city to be liable for anything that might occur on the land.
Maynard, however, indicated that he would not be in favor of an auction.
“I don’t want another Capitol Theater,” he said, noting the sale of the dilapidated theater to a company run by a person who served prison time for fraud.
Republican Councilors Rob Pero and Adam Sprecace maintained their opposition to the sale.
Pero said the city should continue to collect the $17,000 a month in rent from Cross Sound, even suggesting New London should raise the rent during the peak summer months.
Sprecace, on the other hand, said the sale should be postponed until the city receives an evaluation of the transportation center by the state.
Looming in the background of the debate of the land is the issue of Cross Sound Ferry’s influence over politics in New London.
Cross Sound noted in its letter that “it is proud of its long history in the City of New London and considers itself as a leading corporate citizen.”
Members of the Wronowski family who own the company routinely give money to both the Democratic and Republican parties. In the past year, they have donated money to Sen. Christopher Dodd’s quixotic presidential campaign and have bolstered the coffers of Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd, by $9,200.
The Wronowskis also donated money to past GOP candidates such as Rob Simmons.
The company also retains the services of Hartford lobby firm Levin, Powers, Breman & Shea, headed by Jay Levin, perhaps the grand sachem of Democratic politics in New London. Levin was instrumental in encouraging Buscetto to run for City Council in 2007.
The council did not say when it will vote on a method to dispose of the property, if at all.