Meriden resident urges council to restore maintenance of upper Ann Street ahead of winter

At the Meriden City Council meeting, resident Owen McClure told councilors that he and several long-term neighbors received a March 7 letter from the city attorney stating the upper portion of Ann Street has never been adopted as a city road and will not be maintained by the city after July 1, 2025.

McClure said five other older, long-time residents live on the stretch that provides access to Saint Stan's and Meaden House Hill Cemetery and that the street has been maintained by the city Public Works Department for 75 years, including repaving within the last decade. He told the council he had already shared the attorney's letter with the mayor, the city manager and the city attorney and asked for an immediate resolution before winter, noting safety concerns and frequent visitors to the cemeteries.

The clerk acknowledged receipt of McClure's original letter and said the council heard his concern; councilors did not offer immediate remedial action at the meeting but indicated staff had the letter and would follow up.

McClure said utilities in the roadway are maintained by the city water and sewer department and that the city's GIS and property card reflect municipal right-of-way lines at that location. He asked why the residents should shoulder maintenance because two properties (306 Ann and 310 Ann Street Extension) allegedly have different ownership statuses. "Why should the other residents of Ann Street suffer because these two parties can't agree on the turnaround?" he asked.

No formal motion or vote resulted from the public comment; the item was recorded in the public record for follow-up by staff.