Seventeen municipalities ”” three in Fairfield County ”” are to be awarded grants targeting capital improvements under the state”™s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP).
The sites include Sherman, Bethel and Darien, which netted a total $719,000.
Other sites are in Canaan, Canterbury, Clinton, Colebrook, Deep River, Ellington, Glastonbury, Litchfield, Montville, North Canaan, Salisbury, Seymour, Wallingford and Westbrook.
“STEAP grants give us the opportunity to invest in quality of life improvements in small towns across our state,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said.
Darien received $400,000 to construct an aquatic habitat and remove sediment within the Goodwives River watershed from Upper Pond. Upper Pond empties into Gorham”™s Pond, which, in turn, leads into Long Island Sound.
The town of Bethel will receive $250,000 to replace and construct sidewalks at several locations. The project also includes replacing stairs at several entrances to the CJ Hurgin Municipal Center.
State Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said, “Protecting our natural resources and maintaining Darien Harbor is essential to the health of the environment and local our economy. This STEAP grant is a smart investment that builds on our prior efforts, and I thank Gov. Malloy for his support.”
“Long Island Sound and its many tributaries are the defining characteristics of our region, and protecting them is in everyone”™s interest,” said State Sen. Carlo Leone, D-Stamford. “The Goodwives watershed is a local landmark and all of Darien will be appreciative of this wonderful investment.”
“As a longtime conservationist, I am very pleased to hear that Gorham”™s Pond will be receiving funds to remediate and restore it as well as protect it for the future. Many thanks to the governor”™s office for this appropriation and investment,” State Rep. Terrie Wood, R-Darien, Norwalk, said.
Sherman received $69,000 for repairs and upgrades to the Sherman Playhouse. The playhouse has hosted productions for more than 100 years.
Sherman First Selectman Clay Cope said, “With these funds, the historic Sherman Playhouse will have much needed updated facilities for both patrons and staff.”
State Sen. Michael McLachlan, R-Danbury, said, “Thanks to this funding, the playhouse will now undergo necessary repairs and upgrades that will allow this cultural landmark to continue entertaining for many generations to come.”
