Milford, New Milford, in line for small-town funding

Governor Dannel P. Malloy just announced the preliminary recipients of this year’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants. About $2.4 million will be given to Milford, New Milford, Avon, Chester, Farmington and Sprague for local capital improvements.

“Over the last three years, we have worked with our partners in towns across the state to identify and invest in important capital projects that are growing jobs and local economies, strengthening local infrastructure and encouraging business growth,” Malloy said in a statement. “STEAP has allowed us to get money directly to municipalities to complete projects that are benefiting residents now and helping small towns maintain the unique qualities that are a large part of what makes Connecticut such a great place to live, work and visit.”

Here’s are some details:

“Milford: $500,000 for the design and reconstruction of the boardwalk connecting Silver Sands State Park and Walnut Beach

This project consists of designing, reconstructing and enhancing portions of a 1.5 mile long boardwalk running through the Beaver Brook nature preserve which was destroyed by two-day fire in April 2012. The damage was not covered by the Town’s insurance. Platt Tech students will assist the town with this project.

 

“It was a terrible loss for the community when a brush fire severely damaged the boardwalk at Beaverbrook Park nearly two years ago,” said Senator Gayle S. Slossberg (D-14). “With the state’s support, we’ll now be able to return the boardwalk to its former beauty. This is wonderful news for Milford residents.”

 

“The STEAP funding will help restore an important City asset destroyed by fire so that residents and visitors can, once again, enjoy the beautiful hiking trails and boardwalk of the Beaverbrook preserve,” said Milford Mayor Benjamin Blake.  “I’d like to thank Milford’s Open Space Manager, Steve Johnson, for spearheading the project and the Governor for this wise investment in our community.”

 


 

New Milford: $448,334 for Downtown Village Center Streetscape

This project consists of reconstructing sidewalks to comply with ADA requirements and installing lighting and way-finder signage to make New Milford’s Village Center more inviting and pedestrian friendly. The town estimates it will take 2-3 months for final design, engineering and permitting, 1-2 months for the bidding process and 2-3 months for construction.

 

“I’m very appreciative of the Governor’s decision to award STEAP funding for improvements to New Milford’s Village Center,” said State Senator Clark Chapin (R-30). “This grant will go a long way to make the downtown area even more vibrant.”

 

“This grant represents economic development in its truest form,” said State Representative Cecilia Buck-Taylor (R-67). “This money will allow local leaders to move forward with a project that will transform our downtown into a destination—a location that will make investors, entrepreneurs, and tourists stand up and take notice.”

 

“These improvements will boost the quality of life for New Milford residents by making the town safer and more inviting to the foot traffic needed to drive business and foster a sense of community,” said State Representative Richard A. Smith (R-108). “This is a great investment in New Milford as we seek to cultivate economic development and enhance the value of the downtown area.”

 

“We are incredibly excited and thankful that the governor acknowledged the value of this project,” said New Milford Mayor Patricia Murphy.  “When completed, the sidewalks on the north side of Bridge Street will provide our residents with a more pedestrian friendly, smoother, safer connection between our downtown and the recreation facilities on Young’s Field Road.”

danmay9