Got a project? Get a grant

AMENIA — To get anything done in this economy, you’re going to have to get a grant. That’s been the running consensus in the town of Amenia, which has grantwriter Mike Hagerty working hard to take advantage of the numerous funding opportunities available.

Hagerty gave his usual grant report to the Town Board during its meeting last Thursday, May 21, consisting of updates to old projects and permission to move forward with new ones.

Downtown Amenia

The Department of State’s Main Street grant, which would help fund the downtown revitalization of East Main Street and Fountain Square repairs, was turned down back in February, but Hagerty reported that the town has recently been put on the grant’s waiting list.

“It seems as though the state is cutting billions of dollars and relying on stimulus money, but there are still plenty of grant opportunities,� he said after the meeting.

Amenia Elementary

There are also several new grants that Hagerty received the board’s permission to apply for during the meeting. One is a Green Innovation grant from the state Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), which would raise money to look into sustainable energy improvements for the building. Funding comes from the stimulus package and requires a 10-percent match from the applicant.

As Deputy Supervisor Victoria Perotti reported (Supervisor Wayne Euvrard was unable to attend the meeting), district residents voted 275 to 118 in favor of donating the school building to the town. The town is looking into the possibility of using the building as a town hall, but Perotti stressed that the board is not going to  immediately vote on whether to accept the building, and “will have to look at the potential costs.â€�

The first step moving forward is to hire a consultant for environmental review, as well as to come up with a budget to see what renovations to the building would cost.

“We’re a long way from voting,� she stressed.

Wassaic hamlet plan

Another new grant opportunity is the Smart Growth grant from the Department of State. It would fund a planning study for a community revitalization plan of the Wassaic hamlet, similar to the Amenia hamlet plan that has already been endorsed by the town. Funding also comes from stimulus money and would be a 100-percent grant with no matching requirement from the town.

Rail Trail extension

The town recently received a $480,000 grant from the state’s Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP). Hagerty reported that he has received an award letter, and updated the board as to the next steps for the project, which is looking to construct about a half-mile of Rail Trail connecting the Wassaic train station to the hamlet.

“The state has a competitive process for selecting a design consultant,� Hagerty explained.

Hagerty said he could develop a template of the design plan, which could be used to select a qualified engineer for the project. The  next step is to complete a preliminary design. Right now though, the town is waiting to hear back from the state.

“I think they’re very busy with stimulus funding,� he said. “But the sooner we get started the better.�

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