The town has again applied for Congressional discretionary funds to offset some of the expense of constructing a new $9.3 million firehouse.
First Selectman Matt Riiska told the Board of Finance Tuesday that $750,000 in previously approved Senate discretionary spending funds were axed during the continuing budget resolution process. A similar fate awaited a $500,000 grant he sought from the House of Representative’s discretionary funds.
He has since reapplied and been assured by Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congresswoman Jahanna Hayes that the requests have been forwarded to their respective appropriations committees. “Cross your fingers,” he told the finance members.
He said the Firehouse Committee is in the bidding process and it is hoped that the bids will be lower than previously estimated because contractors are looking for work in the current economy.