Meriden committee repeals obsolete city code on taxation apportionment

Meriden — The finance committee voted Jan. 8 to repeal Meriden City Code section 187‑1, a provision governing apportionment of certain police and fire maintenance costs between the city’s tax districts.

City Attorney Emily Holland reviewed the ordinance’s history, saying it dates to the 1960s and was tied to construction of a firehouse; she said subsequent changes in municipal practice and new public‑safety facilities mean the apportionment language no longer reflects how the city allocates maintenance costs. "In reviewing the ordinance... it does not seem to reflect, how we are the care and maintenance of the police and fire departments," Holland said, recommending repeal to align the code with current operations.

Council members asked whether taxpayers would see any change; Holland said the city had not been applying the apportionment in recent years and that repeal would not change current taxpayer allocations. The committee approved the repeal.