The Cheshire Town Council approved an $800,000 appropriation Aug. 25 for south parking‑lot reconfiguration and related improvements at Cheshire High School, a package that includes stormwater repairs, a failing loading dock and refrigerated-storage needs for the school’s food‑service operation.
Staff told the council the driving force for the project is long‑running stormwater management problems in the south parking lot. Because the remedy requires excavation below grade, officials proposed combining the stormwater repairs with related work to rebuild the loading dock, pave the lot and add or improve refrigeration for the food‑service operation so the overall work is coordinated and avoids repeat disruptions.
Councilors asked about priority compared with other capital needs. Staff said the loading dock has been in the capital plan since 2021 and that temporary shoring had been used to keep it safe; design funds were previously authorized and the project is now ready to go to construction. Several councilors expressed concern about the overall capital program’s size but supported this combined scope because the underlying stormwater issue will not disappear and costs rise with delay.
Nut graf: By approving a bundled $800,000 appropriation, the council authorized a coordinated fix intended to solve a persistent stormwater problem while addressing an overdue loading‑dock replacement and refrigeration needs that affect school operations.
Ending: The motion passed (vote recorded as 5–3 on the resolution). Staff will proceed with procurement and scheduling for construction.