
The town of Kent has applied for a STEAP grant to convert the Swift House into social service offices and the food bank.
Ruth Epstein
The town of Kent has applied for a STEAP grant to convert the Swift House into social service offices and the food bank.
It’s a never-ending goal for selectmen: find ways to increase revenue for their towns. One helpful source for many towns across the state, including those in the Northwest Corner, is the Small Town Economic Assistance Program, commonly know as a STEAP grant.
Martin Heft, who works with those grants at the state’s Office of Policy and Management, explained that these are funds available to towns that are ineligible to receive Urban Action bonds. They may be used for economic development, community conservation and quality-of-life projects. They must be for capital expenditures, which are those considered to be new construction, expansion, renovation or replacement for an existing facility or facilities.
This year $30 million has been allotted for the STEAP grants. The most a town can receive each fiscal year is $1 million. Award amounts will be based on the number of participating municipalities and the number of qualified applications. A 20% municipal match is preferred, but not required. Notification of award winners is expected to take place on April 3.
Once a town is granted the funds, an authorizing referendum vote and/or resolution by the local legislative body needs to be called by the Board of Selectmen in order to authorize the chief elected official to accept such a grant and enter into all contracts and agreements. If an award is approved, the town will be notified which state agency will be assigned to administer it. All grant payments will be made on a reimbursement basis.
Heft noted these are not annual grants, but are dependent on available funds and the governor’s approval.
According to information from OPM, “Any municipality that fails to adopt a plan of conservation and development at least once every 10 years shall be ineligible for discretionary state funding in excess of $25,000,” unless a special waiver is received.
Region One towns have submitted grant requests for a wide variety of projects.
In Sharon, the money is being sought to help correct a long-standing problem. First Selectman Casey Flanagan said the town is asking for $1 million to repair River Road, which has been reduced to one lane for about two years due to cracks in the pavement. “Water is seeping underneath and undermining the roadway,” he said. “Heavy rains are causing water to come down and wash away fine materials. We’ve been working with Cardinal Engineering to fix it. It’s not good. If the road washes away, it could trap those in houses beyond that area.”
Kent First Selectman Martin Lindenmayer said his town is looking for $1 million to renovate the Swift House on Maple Street (Route 341 East), which dates back to the 1700s, in order to relocate the social services office and town food bank to that site. “This will give us an opportunity to have the food bank open more,” he said. There are plans to put another room onto the building. A center room will be used for a common area. He said the food bank’s refrigerators and freezers can be housed there, since the floors have been determined to have adequate weight-bearing features.
In Falls Village, First Selectman David Barger said the town hopes to get a grant of $977,507 for several projects. These include making improvements to the salt shed and water-oil separator at the town garage, a new trash compactor at the transfer station, as well as a more secure (bear-proof) area at the site, some renovations to the Senior Center, repairs to the Town Hall roof, tree removal, upgrades at the recreation center and money toward replacing two town trucks. He gave high praise to the newly formed grant committee that helped in devising the list.
STEAP grants in Cornwall will go toward façade improvements for buildings owned by businesses or nonprofits, said First Selectman Gordon M. Ridgway. “We’ve done this before in three other cycles and it’s really been a big help,” he said. “It’s key to building the local economy, giving jobs to contractors and supporting lumberyards” The upgrades can be to increase energy efficiency, improve landscapes, parking lots and plantings, as well as painting. He said a prominent barn in town will be painted if the grant comes through. Cornwall is asking for $475,000.
Recreational projects are the focus of the STEAP grant application for $350,000 in Salisbury. First Selectman Curtis G. Rand said the bulk of the work is for upgrades at the Town Grove, such as the kiddy swimming dock and padding under the playground. Improvements will also be made to the all-purpose court on Salmon Kill Road if the grant is awarded.
North Canaan did not submit a STEAP grant application this year. Paul Mattingly, the selectmen’s executive assistant, wrote he and First Selectman Brian Ohler “are still gathering the necessary information for numerous road/bridge projects, as well as the pending needs for our local transfer station. North Elm Street, Sand Road, West Main Street and Old Turnpike South are all in need of engineering assessments, which will allow us to then compile the data needed to support our future STEAP grant applications. Each road’s surface is deplorable, and in some areas, a harboring pool for excess water and stormwater runoff. Increased truck traffic has not been kind to these particular roads. The scope of work will include all new excavations and drainage, along with a new road surface which will be rebuilt from the subsurface on up.”
Town of Salisbury
Board of Finance
Notice of Public Hearing Hybrid Meeting
Wednesday,
April 30th, 2025
7:30pm
A public hearing called by the Board of Finance will be held in-person and via Zoom at 7:30pm on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 at Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068 with the following agenda:
1. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Education budget as presented.
2. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Selectmen, town government budget as presented.
Note: Copies of the proposed budgets are available at Town Hall.
Board of Finance Meeting Immediately following the Public Hearing
1. Final Budget Review; Discussion and possible vote to present the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen, Town Government Budget to the Annual Town Budget meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm
Please Note: The Annual Town Budget Meeting date has been changed to Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm.
Topic: Public Hearing on Budgets immediately followed by Board of Finance
Time: Apr 30, 2025 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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04-24-25
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2025-0280 by owner Richard Cantele for Structures Located less than Fifty (50) feet from a Waterbody or Watercourse at 204 Between the Lakes Road, Salisbury, Map 58, Lot 03 per Section 404 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The hearing will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
04-24-25
05-01-25
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury
Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
Notice is hereby given that the following action was taken by the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on April 14, 2025:
Approved - Application 2025-IW-050 by Engineer Pat Hackett to install a new septic system. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 59 as lot 09 and is known as 36 South Shore Road, Salisbury. The owner of the property is Noelle G Becker, Trustee.
Any aggrieved person may appeal this decision to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §22a-43(a) & §8-8.
04-24-25
TAX COLLECTOR TOWN OF
SALISBURY CT
LEGAL NOTICE
Pursuant to Sec. 12-145 of the Connecticut State Statutes, the taxpayers of the Town of Salisbury are hereby notified that the fourth installment on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 is due and payable on April l, 2025. Payments must be received or postmarked by May 1, 2025. If said Real Estate and Personal Property taxes are not paid on or before May 1, 2025, interest at the rate of one and one half percent (18% per year) will be added for each month or a fraction thereof which elapses from the time when such tax becomes due and payable until the same is paid. Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
Pursuant to Section 12-173 of the Connecticut State Statutes, unpaid Real Estate tax on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 will be LIENED on JUNE 6, 2025. Payment must be received by 12:00 p.m. on June 6, 2025 to avoid a Lien. Tax Office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am- 4pm. Closed 12:30pm- 1 :30 pm.
Taxes can be paid by mail addressed to: Tax Collector, P.O. Box 338, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068, There is a drop box in the vestibule of the Town Hall which is available 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday as well as a 24-hour drop slot at the rear of the building adjacent to the parking area. The Town is urging taxpayers to mail checks or use the option of paying by credit card or E-Check. Please see the Town website salisburyct.us for additional information. Dated at Town of Salisbury, CT this 15TH day of March 2025.
Jean F. Bell, CCMC
Tax Collector
Salisbury CT 06068
03-20-25
04-03-25
04-24-25
Experienced horse equestrian: to train three-year-old white Persian Mare for trail riding. 860-67-0499.
Help wanted: Small Angus Farm seeks reliable help for cattle and horses. Duties include feeding, fence repair, machine repair. Will train the right person. 860-671-0499.
The Town of Cornwall has several job openings for the Town Beach: Beach Director, Water Safety Instructor, and Certified Lifeguards. For more details and to apply, contact First Selectman’s office 860-672-4959.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
Hay For Sale: Round Bales. First Cutting covered hay, round bales. First cut hay covered with plastic. $25 for bale loaded. 860-671-0499.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
3b/3b home in Sharon:fully furnished, lake access, 3.84 acres. $5000 per month. 860-309-4482.
MT RIGA Two Bedroom LAKEFRONT: Log cabin. Private beach, canoes and kayaks. $1350/Week. 585-355-5245.
Seasonal rental: Very private and comfortable 4B/3B home set back from the road. 6/15-9/15. sun rm/dr, upper and lower decks, ping pong and knock hockey, den, FP, W/D, fully equipped. 15K seas. 917-887-8885.
Sharon Rentals: 1b/1b home on a private lake. Avail 4/1/25. Yearly. $2750/Furnished, weekly house--keeping, garbage, water, ground maint. included. utilities addtl. 860-309-4482.