Hartford, CT – Today state Senator Matthew Lesser (D-Middletown), state Senator Jan Hochadel (D-Middletown), state Representative Brandon Chafee (D-Middletown) and state Representative Kai Belton (D-Middletown) welcomed nearly $350,000 in state funding for Middletown. The State Bond Commission, led by chairman Governor Lamont, voted to approve a $250,000 grant-in-aid for the Russell Library accessibility and remodeling project and a $91,763 reimbursement to the Middletown Police Department for the purchase of body cameras, dashboard cameras and video storage devices.
“The Russell Library is a cornerstone of our community and is in real need of renovation,” said Sen. Lesser. “These funds, combined with local support with ARPA funds dedicated by the City of Middletown, will allow Russell Library to renovate its lobby and entrance. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for voting to approve these funds to provide essential updates to the library, and to also reimburse the Middletown Police Department for important equipment to bolster public safety.”
“These investments will only enhance our community here in Middletown and provide necessary upgrades,” said Sen. Hochadel. “I am thankful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for approving this funding that will work to complete these important projects in our community.”
“This funding is great for our city as it will reimburse our police department for equipment crucial to their roles and provide funding for renovations to the Russell Library, making it a better public space for residents to enjoy,” said Rep. Chafee “I thank the Governor and State Bonding Commission for their support.”
“Libraries provide vital resources to the communities that they serve. The money allocated to Russell Library will ensure that it will continue to be a staple of Middletown for the foreseeable future. I’d like to thank the bond commission and Governor Lamont for this funding, as well as the funds to reimburse Middletown PD for the purchase of body cameras, dash cameras, and video storage devices,” said Rep. Belton.
“Body cameras have been proven to provide both police and civilians with a valuable resource that benefits public safety, and I am glad that the state could partner with the City of Middletown to get this funding approved,” Governor Ned Lamont, who serves as chairman of the State Bond Commission, said.
The funding for the Middletown Police Department was authorized by Public Act 20-1 which passed on a bipartisan vote and allows municipalities to apply for reimbursement for the purchase of body-worn cameras, dashboard cameras, and video storage devices to archive footage.
“Middletown’s Russell Library provides an invaluable resource to the area’s residents, and I am glad that the state could partner with the city to ensure that these much-needed renovations can move forward and the services the library provides can continue for many years to come,” Governor Ned Lamont, who serves as chairman of the State Bond Commission, said.
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