Avon And State Officials Celebrate $500K Grant For Sewer Upgrades

AVON/CANTON, CT — A sewer project in Avon that will also benefit nearby Canton was discussed at a special press conference of multiple state officials Monday.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Avon elected and town officials officially announced Monday a $500,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant for the rehabilitation of the Route 44 Sanitary Sewer Pump Station.

This grant will be matched by $130,000 from the town.

In addition to Avon sewers, the system upgrade will also aid sewer customers in neighboring Canton.

"These awards will go a long way to enhancing the quality of life for residents of Avon and Canton while protecting public health and safety. I am grateful the governor chose to invest in these two towns and for supporting our state’s small municipalities,” said state Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, D-Avon.

Last week, Gov. Ned Lamont announced $31.3 million dollars in state grants for 77 small towns throughout the state.

The money was allocated to complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements, such as the road safety reconstruction projects, sewer and drainage upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements and other kinds of capital improvement projects.

“Gov. Lamont and I believe in investing our smaller town’s infrastructure just like our larger cities,” said Bysiewicz. “Instead of responding reactively, our administration wants to act proactively whenever we can, which is why we are investing these dollars in this project today to prevent issues rather than treat them.

"When we prioritize the needs of all of our Connecticut communities, our state is a better place.”

"Our small towns are part of what makes Connecticut such a great place to live and work, and by partnering with them on these grants, the state can help get these infrastructure projects completed so these towns can continue to thrive, remain competitive, attract businesses, and improve the quality of life for our residents," Lamont said.

STEAP was established in 2001 to fund economic development, community conservation and quality of life projects in municipalities that are ineligible for Urban Action bonds.

The program is coordinated by the state Office of Policy and Management and the grants are administered by state agencies.

"Thank you to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor for their role in approving this maximum $500,000 in STEAP funding for this much needed Sewer Pump project,” said state Rep. Tammy Exum, D-West Hartford.

“A thank you also goes out to the Town of Avon for the local funds they will be contributing, and for submitting a successful application that I was proud to support.

"Whenever the state can help partner up with small towns for these projects, it helps in defraying some of the cost on local property taxpayers, which is a win-win."

Additional information about the program is available on the OPM website at this link.