The council on July 28 approved a transfer of $143,300 from a capital nonrecurring account to pay local design costs required to accept a Connecticut Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOT C IP / LOTCIP) grant for sidewalk improvements on Benham Hill Road, Morgan Lane and Shingle Hill Road.

Background: LOTCIP funds typically cover construction but require the municipality to cover local design and preliminary engineering. City staff said the design funding is a prerequisite to secure approximately $1.7 million in construction funding from the state program. Finance Director Michael Gormani and the mayor explained the transfer uses leftover revaluation account funds and will not jeopardize future revaluation work; the council approved the motion.

Why it matters: The project targets school‑adjacent streets and aims to create continuous sidewalks near schools and high‑traffic areas. Staff noted additional right‑of‑way and easement work and that some streets require more extensive design to meet LOTCIP rules; project delivery is expected to take multiple years.