$314,000 in state funds awarded to Kent, Burlington

State grants awarded last week will fund the replacement of the roof of Bulls Bridge in Kent and help reconstruct the bike and walking trail in Burlington that connects it to the Farmington Valley.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy awarded the Small Town Economic Assistance Prograim (STEAP) grants to Kent ($100,000), Burlington ($214,000) and 12 other towns. More grant announcements are expected.

“These STEAP grants are critical to many small towns across the state that need this funding to complete important capital im- provement projects that otherwise may never get financed,” Malloy said in a statement. “These are funds that will have a lasting effect on the towns for years to come, whether they are for necessary transportation system upkeep, downtown revitalization, renovation of historic buildings, public works improvements, or other various construction projects. By partnering together, the state and local governments can make meaningful improvements that directly impact residents and help small towns maintain the New England charm that makes Connecticut so unique.”

State Rep. Roberta Willis, D-Lakeville, said in a news release praising the grant that the current roof over Kent’s Bulls Bridge was installed in 1994 and now has numerous leaks and tears. The wooden shingle roof will be replaced with Enviroshakes, which look like wood but is made from recycled materials that should last longer, according to the release.

Willis said the covered bridge is one of three in Connecticut and serves as a quick shortcut from Kent to New York. “I am very pleased that the Town of Kent will be the recipient of this $100,000 STEAP grant to replace the Bull’s Bridge roof,” Willis said in a statement.

“It’s very important to preserve and maintain unique structures like Bull’s Bridge and that we continue to support our small communities with funding from the STEAP program.

“Bulls Bridge is visited by thousands of tourists to our region of the state every year and this funding will help preserve an historic landmark,” Willis added.

Bulls Bridge offers a river walk with waterfalls, rapids, overviews, a small gorge and a picturesque viewing point looking back at the Housatonic River, according to the release. Part of the trail system encompasses the Appalachian Trial.

State Sen. Clark Chapin, R-New Milford, also praised the awarding of the grant to Kent, stating, “STEAP grants have become increasingly important to Connecticut’s smaller municipalities. I’m grateful that Kent was able to take advantage of these funds this year by submitting a strong application for such a worthwhile project.”

In Burlington, the heavily used recreation trail linking Burlington with Farmington and Canton will be restored with help of the grant the town received, The funds will be used for tree removal adjacent to the trail, grinding up the existing trail base material, removal of large roots and paving of the trial.

“I’d like to thank the town leadership of Burlington for their focus on improvements to the Farmington River Bike Path,” State Rep. John Piscopo, R-Thomaston, said. “This grant will help with continued development of the waterfront and improve the quality of life for the people of Burlington and the greater district.”

Other towns receiving grants include Granby, for improvements to Holcomb Farm, Branford for a public restrooms facility and Union for improvements to Cemetery Road in the center of town. Bolton, Chaplin, Columbia, Durham, East Lyme, Marlborough, North Haven, Old Lyme and Trumbull also received STEAP grants. The total grants equaled $5.3 million.