State Senator Ceci Maher announced on Tuesday evening that Weston will receive $500,000 from the state to help defray costs of the new emergency operations radio system.

The senator said legislation passed by both houses of the General Assembly distributes over $360 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that were unspent by state agencies and about to expire. Senator Maher said she was also able to secure $20,000 to fund kitchen equipment upgrades at Wilton High School.

“Our communities benefit from strong support in Hartford,” said Ms. Maher. “It’s rewarding to be able to deliver this funding. Knowing these projects will impact so many members of our community is one of the best parts of being a state senator.”

In June of 2023, voters at a Special Town Meeting approved a $4.5 million draw from the Town’s unreserved fund balance to finance a long-needed upgrade to the radio system used by emergency responders.

The hope at the time was that a third of that amount might come back to Town reserves from potential state and federal grants.

In March, Rep. Jim Himes announced that Weston was awarded $963,000 for the radio system in a $460 billion omnibus appropriations bill that ended a months-long budget impasse in Washington. The half million approved on Tuesday in Hartford closes the loop.

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