Meriden council unanimously approves Murdoch Ave easement, OKs $64,000 in asset-forfeiture funds for police motorcycles

The Meriden mayor and city council unanimously approved a temporary state easement for slope and construction work at 311 Murdoch Avenue and authorized $64,000 in asset-forfeiture funds to replace two aging police motorcycles.

Clerk-introduced Item 14 reported that the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Committee recommended adoption of a resolution granting a temporary easement so the state can access the side of the Murdoch Avenue bridge over I-91 as part of the larger project 9115691. Councilor Chad Cardillo summarized the request and said the easement is needed to access the bridge for the state project. Because Councilor Bruce Fontanella joined remotely, the council conducted a roll-call vote; all present councilors voted in favor and the measure passed 11-0.

Separately, the council discharged a finance-committee item and considered an allocation of $64,000 from asset-forfeiture funds to replace two police motorcycles (one vehicle had been totaled; the other was 18 years old). City Manager Bridal Daniels told the council the city received $10,000 in insurance proceeds for the totaled motorcycle. Councilor Drew Graham moved the allocation; the motion was seconded and approved by roll-call vote, 11-0.

Earlier in the meeting the council approved the consent calendar and took a voice vote to approve minutes from 08/04/2025.

Both roll-call votes were unanimous, and councilors did not attach additional conditions to the easement or the asset-forfeiture allocation. Next procedural steps for the Murdoch Ave work are determined by the state's project schedule for 9115691; the council did not set local contingencies in the meeting record.