The New Fairfield Town Board of Selectmen (BOS) announced on Thursday, January 12 that the Town had been awarded a $2.1 million grant that was advocated for and secured by Senator Jahana Hayes.

The grant, which totals $ 23 million and covers 14 other communities besides New Fairfield, is part of the 2023 appropriations government funding package. The money designated for the Town is earmarked to improve and upgrade the police department’s emergency radio communications infrastructure throughout the town. 

“This is a very big deal for the Town,” said First Selectman Pat Del Monaco . She went on to say, “This is going to be tremendously helpful–we really do need help in this area and I’m absolutely delighted the Congresswoman could help us.”

Del Monaco went on t o describe the scope of the project, noting that the Town will be able to hire a consultant who will evaluate the various pieces of emergency radio infrastructure that are used throughout the Town, and how they will all eventual ly be replaced by systems that best meet the Town’s specific needs. “It will replace our soon to be end-of-life equipment on our towers, vehicles, and handheld radios as well.”

This is in addition to, but not part of, the $250,000 grant the Town was offered to purchase new and required equipment for a permanent dispatch center. In recent years the Town has been aiming to revamp and upgrade its various infrastructures.

In new business, the Board discussed a proposed $25 boat slip increase, which would lead to a total of $4,050 for the 1 53 boats and nine jet skis registered in the Town. The increase is recommended to cover the cost of replacing and removing the elastic rodes on the newer dock systems.

The Board also voted on the Town’s surplus for the fiscal 2023 year, which has been covered in previous issues of The Town Tribune.

The Board also considered an “adopt-a-spot” program, that was tabled for the next BOS meeting. The program, if it was adopted, would allow Town residents to ‘adopt’ different designated areas of New Fairfield and maintain them for gardening and environmental purposes.

The BOS also went on to discuss and approve budget transfers for the police department, which is currently short one officer, and landscape expenditures.

The next New Fairfield Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 7:30 p.m.

By Timothy Koppe