Oct. 13 Update From Monroe First Selectman Kellogg

**News Release Submitted by Monroe First Selectman Ken Kellogg**

Oct. 13, 2023

$500,000 Grant for Monroe Animal Shelter

Monroe has been approved to receive $500,000 in state funding for upgrades and a small expansion to the our Animal Shelter. The grant is provided through the State of Connecticut’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) that provides funding for certain municipal capital projects.

The project will involve renovation and expansion of the existing facility, to improve animal care and sheltering conditions, provide improved customer service, and bring the shelter up to State of Connecticut Department of Agriculture standards. Such needed upgrades include new doors and windows, roof replacement, HVAC replacement, plumbing alterations and electrical and security upgrades. A small, 250 square foot addition to the structure will be included.

Our animal shelter was built in 1990 and there have been minimal improvements since. We have already conducted significant evaluation and design for this project, and this state funding will cover about 60% of the estimated construction costs. The Town’s portion of the costs were appropriated in a prior budget cycle and will not require any bonding.

This is yet another example of the success the Town has had in securing over $5 million in grants during my administration, not including federal and state statutory grants. My thanks to Bill Holsworth, Director of Community & Economic Development, for putting together this successful application with assistance from multiple staff from the Police and Public Works departments.

Town Meeting October 23, 2023

The Town Council has called a Special Town Meeting, as per our Town Charter, to present, discuss, consider and act upon various resolutions for capital projects for the current fiscal year. All the resolutions have been recommended by me, Town Council, and the Board of Finance.

There will be four resolutions discussed during the meeting. Three are to approve bonding for capital projects already included in the capital budget that was approve during the May budget referendum. These projects include funding for road paving and reconstruction, various school facility improvements, and public works trucks and equipment.

The fourth resolution is to authorize and approve funding for the Community Center project at the former St. Jude school. This funding will not require bonding, but instead utilize a portion of the surplus in the Town's healthy fund balance.

Please click here to access a presentation that I will utilize during the meeting to share more information regarding these projects and the use of these funding sources. Please come out to this important meeting to learn more and to cast your vote on each of these projects.