Stafford School, Road Work Getting Boost From State

STAFFORD, CT — A municipal and school project in Stafford are to receive a half-million dollars worth of state aid.

Gov. Ned Lamont Monday announced that he is approving $31.3 million in state grants for 77 "small towns" in Connecticut 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.

The grants are provided through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program commonly known at the STEAP grant. The program is managed by the Office of Policy and Management that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.

"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.

Towns seeking funding under the latest round of STEAP grants were required to submit applications to the state by Aug. 15, and will soon receive official award notification and instructions from OPM. Funding to support the grants was approved at the March 31 meeting of the State Bond Commission, a group that Lamont leads as chairman.

In Stafford, $500,000 in state funding has been approved for the reconstruction of Levinthal Run and the rehabilitation of the Stafford Middle School parking lot. The amount will be matched by $143,202 from the town.