5 Things To Know In New London: Superintendent Search Survey, 38-Bed Care Facility Plan, ECSO And More

NEW LONDON, CT — The school board's superintendent search survey closes Friday and focus groups start Wednesday, the Planning and Zoning Commission hears plans for a 38-bed residential care facility on Viets Street and the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra plays the Garde Saturday.

Here are five things to know about life around New London this week:

1. Superintendent Search: Survey Closes Friday, Focus Groups Begin
When: Survey due Friday, Nov. 20; parent focus group Wednesday, Nov. 18, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Online; focus groups at the Shaw's Cove Community Room, 3 Shaw's Cove, and on Zoom
What to know: Search consultants working with the Board of Education are running an anonymous survey and focus groups on what residents want in the next superintendent, according to the district's notice. The survey, in English and Spanish, closes Nov. 20. A parents and guardians focus group meets Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Shaw's Cove, and teachers meet on Zoom at 7 p.m.; community members and more parents meet Nov. 23. The board is accepting applications through Jan. 7 for a superintendent to start in spring 2027.
More information here.

2. P&Z Hears 38-Bed Residential Care Facility Plan On Viets Street
When: Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m.
Where: City Council Chambers, third floor, City Hall, 181 State St.
What to know: The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on a special permit and site plan to convert 89 Viets St. to a 38-bed residential care facility, with drainage, parking and landscaping improvements, according to the agenda. A second hearing covers moving an existing package store permit from 89 Broad St. to 623 Bank St. The commission will also review the infrastructure and transportation sections of the 2027 Plan of Conservation and Development.
More information here.

3. City Council Meets Monday
When: Monday, Nov. 16
Where: Council Chambers, City Hall, 181 State St.
What to know: The City Council meets Monday, according to the city's meeting calendar. The agenda had not been posted as of Friday.
More information here.

4. NAACP, Connecticut Landmarks Book Talk At The Garde
When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2 p.m.
Where: Garde Arts Center, 325 State St.
What to know: The New London NAACP and Connecticut Landmarks present a free book discussion with authors Richard Kurin and Tamara Lanier, moderated by writer Liz Welch, on the books "History by a Hair" and "From These Roots," according to the Garde. Free tickets are required.
More information here.

5. Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra Plays 'Paris To Pathos'
When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Garde Arts Center, 325 State St.
What to know: The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, led by music director Toshiyuki Shimada, performs "Paris to Pathos: A Journey through Sound," according to the Garde's events page.
More information here.