Board puts $50,000 seed money in capital budget for Vauxhall Street project to pursue grants

The Board of Finance voted to appropriate $50,000 to establish a new capital project for the multi‑phase Vauxhall (transcript variants: Voxal/Voxall/Vox Hall) Street project and to forward the appropriation to the Representative Town Meeting for authorization.

Public Works outlined that engineering work will start at Huntsbrook Road and proceed to the Eversource power lines; the project is intended to improve roadway safety with possible widening, drainage improvements and the potential for bike lanes. Board members raised questions about the exact project limits and whether the town has discussed intersection adjustments with neighboring Montville; the Public Works director said those conversations had not yet taken place and that the V‑shaped border intersection currently serves as a turnaround for town trucks.

The first selectman told the board he wanted to begin engineering now to position the town for state and regional grants and to have projects under way before the Crystal Mall construction increases traffic on the corridor. Board members discussed whether the appropriation would come from the unassigned fund balance and the town’s capital non‑recurring fund; the first selectman and Public Works said the $50,000 is seed money that will be used to prepare designs and pursue grant funding. The board approved the appropriation by voice vote.

Next steps: Public Works will engage engineering services, coordinate with planning and the town’s environmental planner, and pursue grant opportunities; any further appropriation will depend on design, grant awards and RTM action.