Funds are flowing into Stafford from two very different sources.
Thanks to a campaign from Domino's Pizza called Plowing for Pizza (and residents who took a few minutes to nominate the town for the prize), the town is receiving a $25,000 grant to help pay for plowing. According to a press release from Domino's, Stafford is one of 20 cities to receive this grant, which also comes with "a winter-themed Domino’s Plowing for Pizza kit, including winter hats, scarves, snow measuring stick and sign, vehicle magnets and other themed items, including $200 in Domino’s gift cards, so plow drivers can warm up with hot pizza after a cold, hard day of work." Given the messy winter we've had so far and the presence of the new Domino's in town, the timing is perfect!
In addition, to the plowing grant, Stafford also learned that it will receive $883,844 from the state to help with the Levinthal Run multi-use path construction project. The money is part of the Transportation Rural Improvement Program (TRIP), a new competitive grant program supported by state bond funds through the expanded CTDOT Capital Program. In 2023, towns with 50% of the population living in rural areas were eligible to apply. Municipalities are required to cover design costs, but the CTDOT will cover 100% of construction costs.
According to the Town of Stafford's announcement, "this funding enables the construction of an eight-foot-wide separated pedestrian through zone on the west side of Levinthal Run, from the High School to the Middle School. This project corridor will include all necessary pedestrian transportation amenities such as crosswalks, signage, rights-of-way, and accessible curb ramps, and designed to current ADA and ABA standards. The project provides safe, continuous, and accessible multi-use sidewalk trail that networks the facility and removes pedestrians from road dangers. Complimenting this pedestrian safety construction project, the overall improvement plan for the project area also includes installation of various park amenities along the path that include sitting areas, fitness stations, and other structures. The goal of this project is to establish and improve pedestrian safety and accessibility, promote healthy activity for all ages, and build momentum for future projects."
The project has been in the works since 2015 and got a boost thanks to ARPA funds.