The town has received a significant boost with a community crossing grant of nearly $500,000 from the state. This funding will be used to improve local roads and bridges. The success in securing this grant is attributed to the efforts of Lance, who has been instrumental in obtaining funding since the program began in 2016.

In addition to the grant, the council has approved a $60,000 appropriation from the food and beverage fund to hire a grant writer. This position aims to help the town find more funding opportunities across various departments. The grant writer, Amy Connolly, has already made progress. She reported that requests for funding totaling over $502 million have been submitted, with additional requests in progress.

So far, the town has secured $15,563 for two parks and recreation projects. There are also several major grants being pursued, including nearly $280,000 for the fire department and about $150,000 for the police department. Amy is also working on a database for projects related to the Carpenter Nature Preserve, which will help identify future funding opportunities.

While many grant applications take time to process, the relationships and contacts Amy is building will benefit the town in the long run. She has also directed some projects to other community organizations, ensuring that all potential funding opportunities are explored. The council plans to revisit the effectiveness of the grant writer position in six months.