Town accepts $195,000 Long Island Sound grant to design Fort Hill stormwater upgrades

Members unanimously approved acceptance of a $195,000 Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant to support design of stormwater and climate‑resilient street improvements in the Fort Hill neighborhood.

John Reiner said the town was awarded the $195,000 grant through the Connecticut Long Island Sound Ecosystems program and that "there are no matching funds for this one." He described the project as a design effort to address stormwater, flooding and heat vulnerabilities in the Fort Hill area consistent with the town's plan of conservation and development and climate action plan.

Reiner said the grant will fund green infrastructure and street‑design work in a neighborhood that "has historically lacked a lot of investment," and that staff time will be applied to the project alongside any necessary consultant support. Members discussed coordination with utilities and street upgrades; Reiner said the town will coordinate timing and design with those efforts.

A motion to accept the Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant was moved and seconded and the body recorded unanimous approval in the transcript. The transcript does not list individual yes/no votes. Reiner noted that the project specifically targets the Fort Hill area (sometimes referenced as the Peconic Bridge area in the discussion) and asked that meeting materials clearly identify the neighborhood to avoid confusion.

Next steps: staff will begin design work under the grant, coordinate with utilities and other infrastructure projects, and report back on implementation planning.