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State Grant Will Keep Westbrook Facility Functional

The Town of Westbrook has received a $1.5 million grant that will be used to upgrade Worthington Manor, an assisted living facility located in town.

Earlier last month, Governor Ned Lamont announced that six towns in the state would receive a Small Cities Grant award for infrastructure upgrades that will modernize and rehabilitate housing for low and moderate-income individuals. Westbrook was one of those towns and with only $9 million to split amongst the awardees, the grant was quite competitive.

“This may be the largest single grant the town has received in the last 10 years,” First Selectman Noel Bishop said in an Oct. 14 statement.

The money will be used to spruce up Worthington Manor. As part of the renovations the facility will receive new roofing and gutter system, new vinyl siding and triple-pane windows, automatic door openers, HVAC upgrades, and other health and safety improvements.

According to a press release from Lamont’s office, the Small Cities program is part of the Community Development Block Grant administered by the state’s housing department. The money was targeted to towns of fewer than 50,000 people and for projects aimed at improving housing for low- or moderate-income people.

In speaking with the Harbor News, Bishop called the grant money a “Godsend.”

“We’re very, very pleased,” Bishop said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Peter Testa [of] A&E Services Group, Ms. Cheryl Dani [of] Merit Properties, and Suzanne Helchowski, executive assistant, First Selectman’s Office, who prepared the extensive documentation needed for the submission of the grant,” Bishop said.