Councilors debate using $247,000 Neighborhood Preservation Program funds for sidewalks after implementation problems

Councilors on Meriden’s Human Services Committee debated whether to keep funding the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) or shift roughly $247,000 in a revolving account to sidewalk repairs after staff described multiple implementation failures.

Councilor Bruce Fontanella pressed staff for an explanation of the NPP’s long-standing lack of results and proposed reallocating the $247,000 into sidewalk projects in low-income neighborhoods to put the money to use. "This money is sitting there not being spent," Fontanella said, urging the committee to move the funds to sidewalks if the program will not advance.

Joe Fest, director of economic development, responded that staff have undertaken procurement and outreach efforts: they issued RFQs twice and received either no responses or unqualified responses that purchasing rejected for failing HUD and city purchasing requirements. Fest said a later contractor candidate lacked required lead-abatement certification discovered during final review. He described options staff are considering to improve feasibility, including narrowing the program’s scope to exterior-only work (ADA ramps, heating-system replacement, water heaters) to reduce regulatory barriers and make more contractors eligible.

Fest told the committee a revolving account contains roughly $247,000 (rounded) available for NPP; he said the funds could be reallocated if the program were formally closed. Councilors asked whether repayments from previously secured NPP loans could replenish the account if new loans are successfully issued; Fest confirmed the revolving structure allows the account to be refilled as mortgages (program liens) are recorded and repaid or forgiven under program rules.

Committee members and staff agreed to carry the item to a future meeting and asked staff to return with a clearer plan that compares (a) changing the NPP program design to improve contractor participation and homeowner access and (b) the fiscal and programmatic impact of transferring some or all of the $247,000 to sidewalk projects. Fest and staff agreed to prepare cost estimates and options for the committee’s next meeting.

The exchange highlighted two recurring implementation constraints: procurement under HUD/purchasing requirements that narrows eligible contractors, and certification requirements (lead abatement) that many local vendors may not hold. Councilors recommended renewed outreach (neighborhood associations, senior center) once an implementable approach is ready. Staff said outreach has been cautious while implementation barriers persist to avoid raising expectations without the ability to deliver. The committee carried the item to the next meeting and requested a staff report with options.