Norwich - The Sachem Fund Committee received 15 applications for new grant requests Monday seeking funding for projects ranging from re-creating the Lincoln oil painting stolen years ago from City Hall to a request by a local business to expand.The committee set Monday as a deadline for the spring grant allocation round and will meet later this month to review applications and hear brief pitches from applicants for their projects, Chairman William Nash said. The committee will make recommendations to the City Council in April.

The committee set Monday as a deadline for the spring grant allocation round and will meet later this month to review applications and hear brief pitches from applicants for their projects, Chairman William Nash said. The committee will make recommendations to the City Council in April.The fund has about $200,000, but the committee might decide not to allocate the entire amount.

The fund has about $200,000, but the committee might decide not to allocate the entire amount.City Manager Alan Bergren requested $10,000 for a project he said would bring outside attention and a long-lasting asset to the city. Years ago, a large portrait of Abraham Lincoln was ripped from its ornate frame in City Hall and never recovered. The torn frame sat in storage.

City Manager Alan Bergren requested $10,000 for a project he said would bring outside attention and a long-lasting asset to the city. Years ago, a large portrait of Abraham Lincoln was ripped from its ornate frame in City Hall and never recovered. The torn frame sat in storage.City officials recently had the frame restored using insurance money, and now Bergren wants to fill it again. Using a photograph of the portrait, Bergren and Slater Memorial Museum Curator Vivian Zoe proposed holding an art contest for people to paint a replica of the portrait.

City officials recently had the frame restored using insurance money, and now Bergren wants to fill it again. Using a photograph of the portrait, Bergren and Slater Memorial Museum Curator Vivian Zoe proposed holding an art contest for people to paint a replica of the portrait.Bergren would use the $10,000 as the prize money and unbiased art experts would judge the submissions. Those paintings not selected could be auctioned, with 60 percent of the sale price going to the artist, 20 percent to the contest costs and 20 percent to install the painting in the frame and hang it once again in City Hall.

Bergren would use the $10,000 as the prize money and unbiased art experts would judge the submissions. Those paintings not selected could be auctioned, with 60 percent of the sale price going to the artist, 20 percent to the contest costs and 20 percent to install the painting in the frame and hang it once again in City Hall.One local business owner will try once again to persuade the fund committee and the City Council, which makes the final decision that the fund, also should help local businesses expand and thrive in Norwich.

One local business owner will try once again to persuade the fund committee and the City Council, which makes the final decision that the fund, also should help local businesses expand and thrive in Norwich. Lazizah Bakery, a Mediterranean bakery and lunch shop, was deemed ineligible last May for a $45,000 request to expand the restaurant. This year, co-owner Bassem Salahi is requesting $15,000 to purchase a small parcel adjacent to the shop to create a patio for outdoor seating.

Lazizah Bakery, a Mediterranean bakery and lunch shop, was deemed ineligible last May for a $45,000 request to expand the restaurant. This year, co-owner Bassem Salahi is requesting $15,000 to purchase a small parcel adjacent to the shop to create a patio for outdoor seating.The Norwich Historical Society did not request new grant funding, but sent a letter reminding the committee that the group is making progress on a proposed Norwich history timeline, which received $5,000 last year. The society now wants to place the timeline - depicting key points and artifacts in Norwich history - inside the proposed new atrium entrance at Slater Museum.

The Norwich Historical Society did not request new grant funding, but sent a letter reminding the committee that the group is making progress on a proposed Norwich history timeline, which received $5,000 last year. The society now wants to place the timeline - depicting key points and artifacts in Norwich history - inside the proposed new atrium entrance at Slater Museum.c.bessette@theday.com

c.bessette@theday.com

Sachem Fund requests

Summary of other grantapplications:VFW, Taftville: $10,000 to upgrade the kitchen.Children's First Norwich: $6,000 to helpfund Touch a Truck Day and Family Day events.Connecticut Storytelling Center: $5,000 to place resident storytellers for five days at Bishop and Uncas Schools.Kids Christmas: $5,000 to help fund the annual Christmas party for low income families.Norwich branch NAACP: $15,000 to fund various programs, includingannual Juneteenth celebration.Greater Norwich Anti-Bullying Coalition: $3,000 for activities and events.Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: $2,200 toreplace front door at Main Street halfway house.Norwich Human Services Safety Net Team: $3,000 for emergencyprescription drug fund.Chelsea Boat Club: $40,000 to leasewaterfront land and build a temporary boathouse, dock and ramp for cityrecreational boating program.Otis Library: $7,480 to enhance non-fiction collection.Norwich Arts Council: $44,052, with $28,500 to match Connecticut Commission on Tourism Grant to create a regional Local Arts Agency and$15,552 to replace gallery windows.Artworks Expressive Art Therapy: $12,000 tosupport programs andexpand open art studio.Norwich Public Works:$45,000 to restore twoexterior ornamentalporches on BuckinghamMemorial Building, 307Main St.