During a recent government meeting, the town council discussed the approval of a significant grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) aimed at supporting the local playhouse. First Selectman Greg Riley presented the agenda item, highlighting the receipt of legal documents necessary for the town to officially accept a $2 million grant.

The grant comes with specific conditions: the playhouse must remain operational as a movie theater for a minimum of ten years, and the town is prohibited from selling the building during that same period. This funding is intended to reimburse costs associated with the ongoing construction of the playhouse, which had already commenced prior to the grant application—a somewhat atypical process, as grants are usually sought before project initiation.

Riley noted that while the town has not yet bonded any funds for the playhouse, the grant will help reduce the amount needed for future bonding, which is anticipated to occur in March. The council moved swiftly to vote on the motion, with one member recusing themselves from the decision. The meeting concluded with unanimous support for the grant acceptance, marking a significant step forward for the town's cultural infrastructure.