Sandy Beach Commission grant for tractor denied; commission to seek alternate funding

The Sandy Beach Commission learned on May 21 that the Seherr‑Thoss Foundations denied its $42,400 grant request to purchase a tractor with loader, mower and rake attachments and a storage garage, slowing plans to replace aging equipment ahead of the summer season.

Kathy VanOrmer, who presented the correspondence to the commission, said the foundation’s board notified the commission on May 7 that the request was denied. The commission’s available balance was reported as $2,343 as of May 20, 2026.

Commissioners discussed next steps to cover maintenance needs before opening day on May 23. Corinne Houle and Ed Ryle reported they met with the Town of Morris Board of Finance and were told special funding requests must be submitted in writing and presented by Ed at the town meeting next week. The commission directed Ed to follow up with Town of Litchfield staff about that town’s procedure for special funding requests after the commission’s May 13 request to Litchfield for beach raking produced no acknowledgement.

Commissioners noted the denial leaves a short-term gap for equipment replacement and storage; they discussed repairing the existing mower (Terry Connor will remove and evaluate it) and pursuing other funding or donations. The minutes record the commission thanked ACE Hardware of Litchfield for donating a ride‑on leaf blower used during a May 17 cleanup.

The commission did not vote on a specific alternative funding source at the May 21 meeting; members instructed staff to pursue written requests to town finance bodies and to report back at the next meeting on June 18.