SCOTLAND — Scotland leaders continue to build bridges into 2026.
The town faced disastrous flooding in 2023, which destroyed or compromised several bridges over the Merrick Brook, a tributary of the Shetucket River. The town sought, and received, emergency funding to tide it over, while federal and state funds are being allocated to rehabilitate the bridges.
Work will also continue on improvements to the historic Town Hall, once a school house, and requests for bids went out at the end of 2025 to upgrade the public safety complex. That work is slated to be funded in part by the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program, and will include the replacement of the garage doors, a new automatic generator transfer stitch, removal of the underground oil tank, the installation of a propane-fueled hot water, heating and cooling system and a new above ground propane tank, replacement of doors and windows and the addition of a new storage building and a new pavilion.
The elementary school has been using grant funding for mental health services and behavioral supports. The monies were first allocated to the school in 2023, with extended funding provided in decreasing amounts for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
“We cannot anticipate receiving the same funding that we’ve received in previous years,” Scotland School Superintendent Valerie Bruneau said. “We will be on pins and needles in anticipation of new competitive grants for 2026. It is difficult because there are just not as many grants out there. 2026 is going to be a difficult year.”
Bruneau did say she anticipated the state to continue to help fund preschool initiatives.
“I’m very optimistic that we will see more assistance for families in 2026 for early childhood programs,” Bruneau said.
Leading the town into 2026, along with Bruneau and Scotland principal Ann Knowles, is the town’s reconfigured legislative body.
First Selectman Dana Barrow Jr. was returned to his post for a second term following the November municipal elections, but Selectman Michael Barton Laws, who had campaigned against Barrow, lost his chance to even land on the Board of Selectmen. His seat was taken by newcomer John Aldrich. Aldrich and Barrow are joined on the Board of Selectmen by Michael Gurnack, who was re-elected for a second term.
Town agencies are working to blaze a trail in other initiatives. Staff and volunteers from the elementary school, the library, the Huntington Trust and the Invasive Plants Working Group have applied for grant funding through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. If awarded, the funding would help create a trail from the school to the public safety complex and library on Brook Road, build a bridge across the Merrick Brook in that area and ultimately connect to a trail on the ground of the historic Huntington Homestead Museum on Route 14, the birthplace of Samuel Huntington, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Invasive plant species along the trails would be removed, while educational and recreational opportunities for school children and community members would be added.
The town expects to hear if the grant will be awarded in the spring.