Plymouth Plans To Seek Community Investment Fund Grant

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

July 25, 2022

Mayor Joe Kilduff has announced the road paving schedule for fiscal year 2023 and plans to seek Community Investment Fund grant funding for town improvements.

Kilduff said Thursday that the Public Works Department is “hard at work” putting the “finishing touches” on their road paving schedule.

Roads that will see improvements include Allentown Road from Lane Hill Road to Wolcott Road, Lane Hill from Allentown Road to the top of the hill, Preston Road between N. Harwinton and Schroback Road and from Preston Road to Harwinton Avenue.

In addition, paving will also take place on Meghan Boulevard, Elm Street, Cedar Street, Pine Street, Walnut Street, Tulip Street, Mountain View Road and part of Crestview Road.

“Public Works will also be doing routine maintenance on other roads throughout our community as the weather permits,” said Kilduff. “I acknowledge that if your road is not on this list, you may be frustrated. Please understand that, while we did increase town aid to roads in this year’s budget, that asphalt prices have skyrocketed, and we will not be able to get as much done as we would have liked.”

Kilduff said that his administrated “remains committed” to improving the condition of town roads.

“We will seek out any potential grants and other sources of funding that can be used to improve our roads without burdening our local taxpayers any further,” he said.

In addition, Kilduff said, Plymouth is one of 54 municipalities that is eligible to apply for grant funding through a new program - Community Investment Fund 2030.

“There is $875 million available that will be dispersed over the next 5 years,” said Kilduff.

Kilduff said that this funding is intended to be used toward Capital improvement programs, Brownfield remediation, affordable housing, infrastructure, clean energy development, and home or public facility rehabilitation as well as small business capital programs. The funding can also include revolving or micro loan programs, gap financing, and start-up funds to establish small businesses.

“At our last Town Council meeting, an Ad-Hoc Committee was established to compile a comprehensive plan for Plymouth/Terryville that will focus on economic development of our downtown area and allow us to seek funding to make that plan a reality,” said Kilduff. “Our business park is booming, and we need to continue the growth we have seen in that area. But, until we have a workable downtown development plan, our growth will be stunted. As such, the ability to control taxes will be limited.”

Kilduff encouraged members of the community to attend Ad-Hoc Committee meetings to share their ideas.

“We’re looking for economic for economic development opportunities for Main Street and to develop downtown,” he said. “Our economic development plan is moving forward, with the goal of investing in downtown and getting it past being just a ‘drive-through’ area.”

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.