Meriden Finance Committee advances multiple grant applications; Pulaski school plan approved, Thomas new-build motion fails

Meriden — The Finance Committee on Thursday evening endorsed a slate of grant applications and construction plans that together could reshape city-owned facilities and school buildings over the next decade.

The committee authorized city staff to submit a DECD Community Investment Fund (CIF) construction grant application for renovations to the health department at 165 Miller Street and approved a companion Board of Education application to relocate the Success Academy to the building’s second floor. City Manager Brian Daniels said the health department cost estimate is “around $11,300,000” and the resolution before the committee would authorize filing for a grant “not to exceed $11,100,000” and, if awarded, a municipal non‑state leverage commitment of $250,000.

Daniels also described the implementation timeline for a separate online permitting system, saying the city expects to be live in spring 2026 and needs a $102,200 transfer to keep the existing system running during the transition.

The committee approved a parks CIF reapplication that aims to make pathways and access improvements across a dozen parks, authorizing a $100,000 municipal pledge to qualify as non‑state leverage for a $1.4 million project.

Pulaski school, demolition and site reuse

A major decision came on the Casimir Pulaski Elementary School. Consultants told the committee a new…