Selectmen: Climate resiliency grant for Day Street denied; site visit planned

First Selectman Joe Bellavance told the Board of Selectmen at its July 7 meeting that the town "received a formal denial that we did not receive this grant" for Day Street. The board discussed the road’s ongoing condition and the town’s next steps to address safety and access.

Ciaran Wilcox raised concerns about Day Street during the public-comment portion of the meeting, emphasizing the need for a plan to rectify the situation. In response, the board agreed to schedule a site visit that will include the Board of Selectmen, the Highway Foreman, Eversource and the town’s engineers to evaluate the damage and identify potential fixes.

Bellavance said the town will determine whether repairs require town funds, outside grants, or actions by utility or private parties, and that the site visit is intended to produce a clearer scope and cost estimate. The board did not adopt any formal project or appropriation at the meeting.

Attorney Kelly is conducting an inquiry into road ownership for nearby Old Tatnic Hill Road and related access questions; Bellavance said she hopes to present findings by the end of the month. That ownership review may affect responsibility for repairs or for extending access to adjacent properties.

The board listed the denial of the climate resiliency grant as a setback in the near term and prioritized the site visit as the next concrete step; no additional votes were taken on Day Street at the July 7 meeting.