New Haven Independent

The parks-related fees were the most controversial part of a bigger fee-hike package introduced to the full board in August. Aldermen approved all the fee hikes except the ones related to the parks.

The parks fees lingered on the agenda for months until aldermen agreed to “leave to withrdaw” the item at their meeting Monday night, meaning New Haveners won’t have to pay more to rent the Carousel this year.

In other business Monday night:

Energy Contract For Schools

Aldermen approved a 10-year contract with Aegis Energy Services for cogeneration of electricity and heat at six public schools. The contract was approved by the school board in January after a competitive bidding process.

According to the agreement, “Aegis will design, build, install and maintain individual cogeneration plants AT NO COST to the Board of Education.” The idea behind the proposal is to secure savings, as City Hall has, by entering into long-term energy contracts. (Click here to read the agreement.)

Shot-Spotter

Aldermen approved application to and acceptance of a $374,120 grant to implement so-called Shot-Spotter technology to detect the location of gunshots in the city.

New Haven would be one of the first cities to try out the equipment, aldermen said. Chief Administrative Officer Rob Smuts said the money has already been earmarked for New Haven; the city just has to apply for the federal grant.