Municipal Grants in Aid
Public Act 23-205 Section 55 continues the Municipal Grants-in-Aid to provide grants to municipalities and special taxing districts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
Funds may be used as specified in CT General Statutes (CGS) Section 13a-175a(a) “..to be used by the towns for construction, reconstruction, improvement or maintenance of highways, sections of highways, bridges or structures incidental to highways and bridges or the improvement thereof, including the plowing of snow , the sanding of icy pavements, the trimming and removal of trees, the installation, replacement and maintenance of traffic signs, signals and markings, and for traffic control and vehicular safety programs, traffic and parking planning and administration, and other purposes and programs related to highways, traffic and parking, and for the purposes of providing and operating essential public transportation services and related facilities.”
The main intent of this funding is to supplement your municipal infrastructure. CGS Section 13a-175a(b) states that if a municipality wishes to use the funds for purposes other than those listed under CGS Section 13a-175a(a); a waiver request must be sent to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management stating the purpose for which the grant will be used. While a municipality may not wish to use the funds for “town road” projects, the grant must be used for capital projects with a minimum 20-year life expectancy for consideration. The Secretary may either grant or deny the request.
Additionally, pursuant to CGS Sections 25-68b through 25-68h (“Flood Management Act”) any state agency proposing an activity within or affecting a floodplain must certify that the project meets certain requirements detailed in the Flood Management Act. As part of maintaining the state’s transportation infrastructure, OPM passes to municipalities’ state funding for municipal activities, such as local road and bridge projects as defined above.
For more information, contact: Gregory Lowrey, 860.418.6308 or Gregory.Lowrey@ct.gov