Stonington — The state Department of Housing on Wednesday provided the criteria it used to assess applications for $2 million in Main Street Investment Fund grants as well as the description of the five projects that were funded instead of one in Pawcatuck.

On Monday, the town learned that it would not receive a $500,000 state grant it was told it would receive to install sidewalks along Route 1 from the high school to downtown Pawcatuck. First Selectman Rob Simmons has called the decisions an “irresponsible action” by the state, as the project would ensure the safety of pedestrians who walk along the narrow, busy state road.

When the town was informed last year it would receive the grant, the expected bonding for the Main Street Investment fund was $8 million. But the General Assembly reduced that to $2 million, which resulted in the Housing Department not funding Stonington’s $500,000 grant.

The five projects approved for funding were:

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[naviga:li]$25,000 for Bridgewater to reconfigure a downtown street with diagonal parking to improve traffic flow, increase parking and improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]$500,000 for a streetscape project in the village center of Kent that calls for handicapped-accessible sidewalks, 25 trees and a dozen street lamps.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]$500,000 for Sprague to make improvements to a bus lot and skating pond, including sidewalks, a streetscape, landscaping and a bus shelter.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]$500,000 for Suffield to enhance a community center site with new parking, walkways, sidewalks, field improvements, landscaping and decorative lighting.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]$475,813 for Trumbull to expand sidewalk access to the commerce center from adjacent neighborhoods and improve and expand the green space in the commerce area. Money will be used for sidewalk installation, a retaining wall, demolition of existing trees shrubs and walkways, leveling the site, installation of a patio and granite benches and new trees.[/naviga:li]

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State law establishes the criteria for evaluating the applications. This includes that the "projects be part of a plan previously approved by the governing body of the municipality to develop or improve town commercial centers to attract small businesses, promote commercial viability, and improve aesthetics and pedestrian access.”

Stonington’s project would have helped pedestrians access downtown Pawcatuck, possibly aiding in its revitalization.

Examples of projects that can receive funding are “facade or awning improvements; sidewalk improvements or construction; street lighting; building renovations, including mixed use of residential and commercial; landscaping and development of recreational areas and greenspace; bicycle paths; and other improvements or renovations deemed by the commissioner (of housing) to contribute to the economic success of the municipality.”

“This is not a beautification project. We’re not beautifying anything. This is about safety and pedestrian access,” Simmons said Wednesday about the town’s application. “Safety should be a consideration. I’m worried someone is going to get hurt.”

In an email Wednesday, state Department of Housing spokesman Dan Arsenault said that Simmons’ concerns about the lack of sidewalks along Route 1 extend “beyond the Main Street Investment Fund. The appropriate state agency for the First Selectman to engage would be the State Department of Transportation. We certainly understand the Town’s disappointment, but unfortunately the legislature cut the funding by more than half.”

Simmons said the town will continue to seek funding for the sidewalk project, which was first discussed more than 15 years ago.

j.wojtas@theday.com