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 Pulaski at the 1 King Place hospital site could be built to serve pre‑K through grade 5, provide improved bus and parent drop‑off circulation, and eliminate a long‑standing eyesore. Consultants estimated total project costs at roughly $122 million and projected the city’s share after state reimbursement at about 14.8 percent. City Manager Daniels noted the demolition of the old hospital, which the city has been working to remediate, is expensive but that demolition costs can be included in the school construction package; consultants placed that demolition cost at about $16 million.

The committee voted to authorize submission of the Pulaski application; the vote was recorded by voice as carried.

Thomas Elementary: motion for new school fails

By contrast, a motion to proceed tonight with a plan to build a new Thomas Elementary — after a detailed presentation comparing "renovate-as-new" versus full replacement — failed on a voice vote. Tekton Architects and Arcadis presented enrollment projections, allowable area calculations used by the state, and cost models. The consultants estimated a total project cost for a renovate‑as‑new Thomas at about $62.7 million and discussed a new‑build alternative. Board of Education representatives emphasized the building’s age and programmatic shortcomings; Superintendent Mark Benigni said the 1963-era facility “needs to be reinvented to address today’s educational needs.” Several councilors questioned whether the city should add the Thomas request to a slate of large projects given CIP and debt-service implications, and the motion for a new Thomas failed.

Project labor agreement and workforce commitments

To increase CIF competitiveness, the committee approved authorizing a signed project labor agreement (PLA) to be submitted with grant materials. Joe Toner of the Connecticut State Building Trades said PLAs help ensure prevailing wages and local hiring goals — he said Meriden had set a 30% resident‑hire target in prior projects — and Yolanda Rivera described the Building Trades Training Institute’s efforts to recruit and train residents and returning citizens for apprenticeships. Several councilors opposed the PLA, arguing it can reduce bidding competition and increase costs; others said the PLA’s local hiring goals and apprenticeship pipeline were important community benefits.

Brownfields grant

Finally, the committee approved applying for a Brownfields grant (CERCLA) to address contamination at the former Factory H site; the grant request would be for $250,000 toward an estimated $350,000 cleanup.

Votes at a glance

- Online permitting license: authorized transfer of $102,200 to maintain existing permitting system while new system is built — motion passed. - CIF application (165 Miller Street health component): authorized application (round 8) and $250,000 municipal commitment if awarded — motion passed. - Board of Education Success Academy (165 Miller Street, BOE component): authorized application for school reimbursement (gross cost approx. $13.95M) — motion passed. - Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for 165 Miller Street: authorized signed PLA to be submitted with CIF application — motion passed (majority; several nays recorded). - CIF parks accessibility reapplication (project total $1.5M): authorized application and $100,000 municipal pledge — motion passed. - Thomas Elementary (new): motion to proceed (as presented) failed on voice vote. - Pulaski School (new construction at 1 King Place): authorized submission of application — motion passed (unanimous on voice vote). - Brownfields/CERCLA grant (Factory H) $250,000: authorized application — motion passed.

What’s next

Several applications have Dec. 5 filing deadlines; staff said they plan to file early to avoid upload problems. If CIF or state school reimbursement awards are made, the city council would face subsequent decisions about borrowing, CIP allocations and implementation timing. The committee’s votes authorize staff to pursue the funding and submit required documents; final project approvals and borrowing decisions will return to the full council.