Grants for Historic Preservation and Homeland Security in Clinton

CLINTON - The Board of Selectmen recently accepted two grants that will aid in preservation of documents in the town clerk's office and homeland security.

Every year, the town clerk's office receives a grant for the preservation of historic maps and documents. This year's Historic Preservation grant is $3,500. Town Clerk Karen Marsden said that the grant will be used to purchase a new map case cabinet and new filing cabinets for her office.

"I've used my [past] grant money for a variety of things," she said. "All my vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates), all town meeting books have been preserved against 'burning'; all land records from 1977 to date have been entered into the land record computer system."

She said that all of the town maps have been digitized and entered into the computers as well.

Upon the Board of Selectmen's approval, the grant went to the Board of Finance for approval at its July 18 meeting (after press time).

The selectmen also accepted a homeland security grant resolution to apply for funds disbursed annually by the State of Connecticut for emergency management.

"This allows us to, through our emergency management director, apply for funding if there is any," said First Selectman William "Willie" Fritz.

As written in the resolution, "the Board of Selectmen may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate" and the first selectman has the authority to deliver and execute any document on behalf of the Town of Clinton.