Meriden council hears public comment on proposed $243.6 million fiscal 2027 budget; library and school funding highlighted

The Meriden City Council held a public hearing on April 14, 2026, at Meriden City Hall on the city manager’s proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget, which the clerk read as $243,640,765 in revenues and $243,640,765 in expenditures. Residents and civic groups used the three-minute public-comment period to urge continued support for libraries and schools, press for careful enterprise-fund accounting, and raise concerns about tax arrears and condominium mill-rate impacts.

Community member Jeffrey Frieser praised the council and city staff and urged investment to expand the tax base and maintain municipal services. "Let's not engage in a race to the bottom," Frieser said, arguing that investments in services, schools and parks will help attract families and businesses to increase the tax base.

Dave Rausch, who reviewed the budget in detail, told the council the document showed a high level of detail and urged continued use of grants and volunteer partnerships. He also warned that enterprise operations such as the airport and the municipal golf course must be carefully accounted for because they operate like businesses and, in the airport’s case, federal rules limit how airport revenue may be used.

Frank Ridley, president of the Friends of the Public Library, asked the council to approve a Librarian 3 position requested in the manager’s budget. "We fully support this request," Ridley said, noting the Friends’ fundraising—including a wine-tasting that netted more than $12,000—and the organization’s role funding programming and museum passes.

Tom Welsh, president of the Meriden Public Library Board of Trustees, presented library usage statistics and said services have been busy and are approaching a leveling point. He cited 2025 door counts of more than 140,000 visits and asked the council to fund a management upgrade to support future growth and allow additional hours and programming.

In contrast, Dan Zebrowski used his time to criticize council attendance and city hiring, and to raise enforcement concerns. He said state records showed 29 Meriden properties in tax arrears totaling about $475,000 (he described the figure as close to $500,000) and questioned why some businesses that owed taxes had also received ARPA funds. "This budget, turn it down because it's the only thing that's totally ludicrous," Zebrowski said.

The clerk read written submissions into the record after in-person comments. Jack Brooks’ letter commended the council’s capital projects and urged stronger support for the Board of Education, noting a per-student spending figure of $16,351 compared with a state average he cited at $22,721 and reporting an enrollment increase of roughly 700 students last year. Elizabeth Grossman’s emailed comment said condominium owners face a particular burden from any mill-rate increase and listed sample condominium expenses (tree trimming $36,000; snow removal $96,000; refuse removal $64,000) to illustrate operating costs that are separate from municipal services.

With no further speakers, a councilor moved and seconded to close the public hearing. The Chair called for the ayes, the clerk recorded 'Aye,' and the Chair declared the public hearing adjourned. The Chair said a special personnel meeting would convene immediately afterward.