Connecticut grants $11M to improve town infrastructures

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has announced the distribution of more than $11 million in state grants to fund economic development, community conservation and quality-of-life projects in 27 towns, eight of which are in Fairfield County.

The grants are part of the Connecticut’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program, which allows the state to partner with municipalities on projects that rebuild the communities’ infrastructures and create new jobs.

“These are investments that will make our towns a better place to live and work, will increase the quality of life, and help attract economic development and growth,” Malloy said in a statement.

About $2.9 million will be distributed to Bethel, Greenwich, Redding, Ridgefield, Sherman, Trumbull, Weston and Wilton.

Bethel: $430,000 for sidewalk installations and street repairs. The upgrades will provide pedestrian and handicapped pathways to the downtown business district and the Bethel Metro-North train station.

Greenwich: $500,000 to help fund the expansion of the Nathaniel Witherell rehabilitation center. The upgrades will provide patients with more comfort and accessibility to the facility, according to the sate. Nathaniel Witherell is a 110-year-old, municipality-owned skilled nursing facility and short-term rehabilitation center.

Redding: $342,000 to improve and expand parking lots at the Mark Twain Library. The funding will also be used to make improvements to drainage and septic system infrastructure.

Ridgefield: $320,000 for the installation of streetlights, sidewalks and retrofitted handicapped ramps to improve pedestrian safety as part of the Danbury Road streetscape project; and $180,000 for final exterior design and construction of the Ridgefield Town Hall, which includes reconstructing walkways and stairs, installing new lighting and improving the site’s safety and aesthetics.

Sherman: $205,000 for a public works wash station, which will be used to offset the town’s maintenance and replacement costs for public works vehicles. It will help clear road salt that causes erosion on the public works vehicles.

Trumbull: $226,000 for the renovation of the Mary J. Sherlach Counseling Center, including renovations to make the building accessible for people with disabilities.

Weston: $225,000 to replace the town’s soccer and lacrosse field with synthetic turf. The field is used by Weston High School and other soccer clubs and community groups.

Wilton: $500,000 for the Wilton Train Station walkway project, which consists of the design and construction of a pedestrian travelway connecting Wilton Train Station, Wilton Center  and several multifamily residential communities.