Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable..

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.

The town of Middlebury plans to replace Engine 1, which was purchased new in 1992. After the diesel engine failed in the winter of 2021, First Selectman Ed St. John worked with the fire department to identify a new pumper-tanker with a larger capacity for foam and water.

The town of Middlebury plans to replace Engine 1, which was purchased new in 1992. After the diesel engine failed in the winter of 2021, First Selectman Ed St. John worked with the fire department to identify a new pumper-tanker with a larger capacity for foam and water.

MIDDLEBURY — The Board of Selectmen, meeting Monday, July 18, adopted a resolution related to a Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant for sidewalks from the Middlebury Public Library to Store Road, tying into the greenway.

The work would take place on the north side of the road.

The STEAP grant may not fund the whole project at $500,000 so the town is seeking additional grants.

First Selectman Ed St. John described a study that would be prepared with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments to examine the safety and access concerns regarding Route 64.

He is hoping that federal funds would be available for this work. “As they improve things, we find traffic only increases.”

Mr. St. John said water mains on North and South Streets will be replaced this summer as part of an upgrade. He also referenced a new water line running from Richardson Drive to Park Road. “We have a lot of different activities going on,” he said.

In other business, the board appointed John A. Jenusaitis to the Board of Education to fill a vacancy after the passing of board member John Cookson.

Selectmen appointed Frank Mirovsky as alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

During the meeting, Fire Chief Brett Kales said the department recently purchased a new training prop for $8,000 to help the firefighters access buildings and a new spreader-cutter for $15,500 for the rescue truck.

Mr. St. John noted that the fire department has received several donations toward a new kitchen. “It’s our building … other than that, the fire department carried the ball on that project.”

He also reviewed the replacement of the 30-year-old Engine 1, which was towed in February 2021 during an emergency response as the diesel engine failed.

A repair facility in Hartford evaluated the apparatus to recommend rebuilding the engine.

In June of that year, Mr. St. John asked the fire department to develop a non-proprietary specification for a new pumper-tanker with a larger capacity for foam and water.

Proposals were sent to bidders with one resulting bid of $1.2 million and a 680-day delivery.

The board okayed a lease-purchase agreement in May.

The first selectman noted the number of leases that the town holds and said the town will save in interest with a lease-purchase approach.

Before adjourning, Terry S. McAuliffe, chair of the Economic Development Commission, provided an update on the commission’s website, which had been competing with the town’s webpage for the same group.

The EDC has updated the town page with information, featuring a photo of the first selectman because there is no Economic Development coordinator in Middlebury; the first selectman is the central contact point for many development projects.

This page also has links to available properties in town, as well as a map of business districts, the tax incentive program, the new development guide and the 2017 business survey report.

“Keep up the good work, Terry,” Mr. St. John said.

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