By Amanda Falcone
Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN — Every year, Mayor Mark D. Benigni likes to hold a meeting with city officials to discuss projects. It helps everyone to understand what is going on and what the expectations are, he said.
Wednesday, Benigni held his annual meeting, and city officials discussed the plans for a new playscape at Hubbard Park. They also talked about Meriden’s blight list and its economic development projects.
Noah ’s Ark of Hope, a local nonprofit organization, has raised the money needed to pay for a new playscape, but city officials were still developing a timeline.
The playscape will be dedicated to the late Noah Bourdon , the 1-year-old son of the city’s recreation supervisor, Christian Bourdon . In August 2006, Noah accidentally fell from a playscape at Baldwin Pond, struck his head and died.
Because of the tragedy and because of the community’s efforts to raise money for the project, Benigni pushed for it to be completed this fall.
“I think we should have an aggressive timeline here,” he said.
City officials, however, initially wondered if the work could be done by this fall, and City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior stepped in to facilitate discussion.
Director of Public Works Robert J. Bass and Mark G. Zebora, director of parks and recreation and building maintenance, said they were worried about the fall timeline because of the type of work that needs to be done. The city needs to do some sewage and drainage work before the playscape is installed, Bass said. Zebora needs to notify the factory making the playscape equipment 30 days in advance, he said. If both departments coordinate, Kendzior said the city should try to get the playscape done this fall, instead of the proposed April 2008 completion.
The mayor also was briefed on the Falcon Field project. The Falcon Field Committee has not accepted any bids yet for the multi-purpose athletic field or the field house.
Also discussed Wednesday was the city’s blight list. The city is keeping an eye on the appearance and condition of several buildings, including the Wilcox building at 24-30 Colony St. The city also is looking to knock down one of its own buildings, 66½ E. Main St. City Planner Dominick Caruso said he wants the building down before winter.
“If we don’t take it down, it’s coming down,” Kendzior said, saying the building is a safety concern.
Benigni said the city would remain focused on improving Meriden, particularly downtown.
“We are going to stay on top of these downtown property owners,” he said.
And the city also will be talking with the Meriden Housing Authority in an attempt to speed up the Chamberlain Heights renovation project. It is also planning to continue its push for the demolition of the Mills Memorial Apartments and the relocation of its residents.
Helping city officials in their quest to make Meriden a better place are several 55-and-older housing units. Construction at complexes on Coe Avenue, Baldwin Avenue and Preston Avenue is moving along, officials said.
Meriden is also progressing because of the construction of stores such as Lowe’s and Ocean State Job Lot and the development of plazas such as Silver Commons Plaza on Broad Street, they said.
“I’m excited by some of the projects we have going on in the city,” Benigni said.
afalcone@record-journal.com (203) 317-2232