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Meriden swears in mayor, council and school board; officials honor late Mike Rohde
Summary
Meriden held inauguration ceremonies at Platt High School where Mayor Kevin M. Scarpati, city councilors and Board of Education members were sworn in. Officials paid tribute to former mayor and councilman Mike Rohde and outlined priorities including school projects and flood control.
Mayor Kevin M. Scarpati, newly sworn in at Platt High School on Dec. 1, thanked supporters and outlined priorities for his sixth term, including continued investments in flood control, downtown development and a planned demolition of the former Meriden Wallingford Hospital site to make way for a new elementary school if the state approves the plan.
The ceremony included oaths for members of the Meriden Board of Education — Dr. Steven O'Donnell, Ira Garcia, Stephanie Morales Valentin, Migdalia Alisaea and Kim Carbone Pandiani — administered by Superior Court Judge Donald Green, and the city council oath administered by Probate Judge Ariana Cenaviva. Mayor Scarpati noted the city has delivered six consecutive balanced budgets and said ongoing infrastructure work, including the Route 15 interchange project, is expected to continue into 2028.
Officials and community members paused to honor the late Mike Rohde, a former mayor and long-serving councilman. Tony Tursey read an email tribute and invited donations to a faith-based organization in lieu of flowers. Sonia Jokes, the council majority leader, described Rohde as “essentially Mister Meriden” and offered condolences. Several speakers praised Rohde’s decades of service and called on elected officials to follow his example of civic commitment.
The ceremony also featured a presentation of colors by local honor guards, a performance by the Con Alma Platt High School select chorus and invocations and benedictions from local clergy. Mayor Scarpati closed by inviting attendees to a post-ceremony reception and by reiterating an emphasis on collaboration between the council and the Board of Education.
The inaugural proceedings transitioned directly into the City Council’s brief December meeting, which began with a roll call and a public input period.
