Town manager says CT DOT awarded $500,000 match to unlock $2 million federal trail grant

Town Manager Paul Harrington announced June 2 that the Connecticut Department of Transportation has committed $500,000 to match a roughly $2 million federal grant for the Sue Grossman Trail project, which town leaders say will extend water and sewer infrastructure and support development along the trail corridor.

"Happy to report...we got the $500,000 match that's gonna put towards unlocking the $2,000,000," Harrington told the Board of Selectmen. He said the $2 million came from a federal grant awarded more than two years earlier and that the $500,000 state match was confirmed by commitment letter received Thursday.

Harrington described the trail as more than a recreation project: the plan includes building water and sewer to the area, which town officials say could enable housing and commercial development without asking taxpayers for additional funds. He said project partners had worked on the match for months, naming Tom Hershkull as a persistent advocate for the DOT funding.

Harrington said town officials plan a public announcement with development plans once design details are ready. He also cautioned that "the real hard work begins" — local design, permitting, and coordination with state and federal partners will be required before construction.

No formal votes were taken on the project at the June 2 meeting. Selectmen and staff noted the award does not fully fund construction and that further design and local approvals will be needed to spend the funds and proceed with infrastructure work.