At a recent council meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Brad Dennehy provided council with details on funding that may be approved for the Riverwalk Handrail Lighting project which was placed on hold when Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF) monies were not approved.
“As a result of some other projects not connected with the city either were not funded or approved, Representative [Charlie] Postles and Senator [Dave] Wilson are working to reallocate funding for new projects,” Dennehy said. “Because the city submitted an application already, the Riverwalk Project is now being reconsidered. Representative Postles is in contact with Councilmember James who informed me of this opportunity.”
Dennehy spoke directly to both legislators and was informed that they were recommending the project. The request will be presented to the Bond Bill committee at the January 22 meeting and, if supported, would move to the General Assembly before heading to the desk of Governor Matt Meyer.
“The city is being asked to approve up to 50 percent of the project cost, or $160,000, primarily through general fund reserves, although $80,000 in green energy funds may be available to offset the impact to the general fund,” Dennehy said. “We recommend this project primarily due to the safety benefits, but also due to the emergent opportunity of grant funding. Further, this project has been represented in the Capital Improvement Plan as a compliment to the same project on the other side of the Riverwalk.”
According to Dennehy, approval would advance the project to level one on the Capital Improvement Plan.
“I think that the lighting would be a nice thing,” Mayor Todd Culotta said when calling for a motion. “The Riverwalk is one of the jewels of Milford.”
The motion passed by a vote of 7 to 0 as Councilwoman Katrina Wilson was not present at the meeting.
