I see the comment by Larry Kendzior and can't help but wonder how the city chooses which roads are to be fixed and which have to wait. Johnson Avenue is one of those roads that keeps getting patched every year but never completely fixed. The sidewalks are a total mess and just as you turn to go into our driveway which is CITY property there is a huge pothole where any visitors to my home can and do bottom out with their cars. We have thrown dirt in it which hasn't done much good. Also, I had received a note from the Postman complaining about a pothole near our mailbox which is also CITY property. Last year, he said that unless we get it fixed, he would not deliver our mail???? This is a CITY issue not our issue and it was the MAILTRUCK that made this hole to begin with! Where is the common sense here?

I can understand funds being low but can't understand things like Bradley Ave getting new sidewalks and new paving, Curtis Street the same? Oh and recently wasn't it South Second or one of those North/South streets just past Bradley that got re-done??

Our taxes here on Johnson Avenue are in the THOUSANDS of dollars and we get absolutely no road repair for our dollars and now we are also dealing with stinky water..where IS our tax dollar going??

Ms. DeFrances: /The issue with Johnson Avenue is very similar to that with Allen Avenue. In order to redo the roadway so that it will last in good condition, it is necessary to install drainage and other improvments before reconstructing and resurfacing. This is extremely expensive. The short portion of Curtis Street that was done cost about $1 million and Johnson Avenue would be much more costly. It is the sort of project for which we attempt to obtain federal transportation funding. Because it is a local road, the City must compete for a limited pool of funds with many other municipalities in our region. We have been successful in having some preliminary work done, which is often the prelude to getting on the list for future funding. All city roadways are evaluated annually by anoutside engineering firm and prioritized in terms of the cost effectiveness of needed repairs. The City expends over a million dollars annually on general road work involving streets that can be worked on within our local budget. Unfortunately, the needs of a city with our age infrastructure are great and available funding is limited. If you would email me with your address on Johnson, I will have a crew out to repair the pothole that you mentioned. The address is lkendzior@ci.meriden.ct.us

I have been sent a question as to whether this problem has been fixed.
The problem has gotten much worst. The pot holes have gotten bigger and the storm drain manhole at the bottom of the hill has put water all across the road. With the cold mornings this is a sheet of ice.
Russ Linsley

No,
The condition is not fixed.  It is  worse with the winter conditions.
The City Manager has stated they are aware of the problem but it would be
costly to fix.  If someone gets hurt because of the condition of this
road, I would hope they seek restitution from the city for their lack of
response.
Also, I need to correct the spelling of the problem street.  It is Allen
Ave.  Having lived in Meriden for over 5 years, I have watched the
streets go from bad to worst.  I would say that the city has a major
rehabilitation of all roads to consider.  There is a definite need for
fiscal awareness and budget constraints and directing the city income in
the best direction.  This city is sinking and out of control.

Russ Linsley

Mr Kendzior,

I appreciate you being candid about the financial state of Meriden as almost all Cities in the US face the same struggles but not all are willing to speak openly about that.

Do you think it would be helpful if residents rallied here to get the Federal and State Government to hear their concerns.

Clearly the cost for repair is beyond the local municipalities reach so maybe all of you can work together to request funding.

Happy New Year,
Ben

No,
The condition is not fixed. However, if you drive around Meriden you will realize that many roads have problems. The road crews come through, dump some blacktop in a hole, and drive on. Then the hole reopens about a week later. This keeps the highway department happy with employment and it keeps the automobile shops happy because they have to align the wheels of the cars that drive on Meriden roads. Gee, that sounds like a Demecrat plan for a good economy. We should send it on to Obama.

Russ Linsley