Stonington Making Progress Toward Inclusion Goals Through Capital Improvement Grant

The Town of Stonington received notification this week that it will be awarded a $230,452 state grant to make ADA improvements to existing sidewalk ramps. Thanks to a 2020 CT Community Connectivity grant application, the Town will be able to make improvements to about 50 sidewalk ramps.

The new ramps will be compliant with Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards that permit wheelchairs, walkers and strollers’ access to sidewalks.  

The town has been making a focused effort to make measurable progress toward making all our sidewalks ADA accessible. However, due to fiscal restraints, the Town has only been able to address a small portion of ramp improvements each year. As of the last budget season, it was noted that of 464 ramps in Stonington, 377 did not meet ADA compliance. Each ramp replacement, at that time, was estimated to cost approximately $4,500.

This grant from the State will make a big difference toward reaching our accessibility goals. As part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work we want to keep making progress toward removing barriers and ensuring all people can be active members of our community.

In 2021-22 budget, the Town created a dedicated line item to ADA ramp upgrades as a way to enhance its focus on improving accessibility. Previously, the ADA upgrades were funded through the general paving budget. In addition to this grant, the 2022-23 year’s budget will again request funding to continue to make progress on this important part of the community’s infrastructure.

In recent years the Town has funded other ADA accessible projects, such as work at the Stonington Free Library and Stonington Lighthouse Museum. Through the Town’s ARPA budget, funding also recently went to help a new Stonington-based nonprofit, New Heights, obtain a wheelchair accessible minivan.

This grant was made possible thanks to the ongoing teamwork from Town Planner Keith Brynes, Director of Economic and Community Development Susan Cullen, Director of Public Works Barbara McKrell, Highway Supervisor Tom Curioso and Director of Administrative Services Patti Burmahl (who is leading the Town’s DEI efforts).

Meanwhile, in related news, the town is making progress each month on the Route One sidewalk project, with the goal for construction to begin this spring.