WILTON — The town has been approved to apply for a Community Development Block Grant for facade improvements for downtown businesses, Town Manager Rhonda Irish told the Board of Selectpersons on Tuesday.

Irish filed a letter of intent last month and will apply for the $150,000 grant before the April deadline, based on the number of businesses who have already expressed interest, she said.

The grant provides for improvements to the facade and some inside work, she said. For a project costing $14,000, a business would receive half that from the grant and be responsible for the rest, she said.

The funds can be used for new or existing businesses along Main and Depot streets from Main Street to Route 2, Irish said.

Darryl Sterling, economic and community development consultant for the town, has talked to all businesses in the Business District and found great interest, she said.

There is no cost for the town.

The town applied for the grant last year, but the program was out of money, she said. 

In other business, selectpersons agreed to shut off two Central Maine Power lights downtown. The town lights, replaced as part of the Downtown Revitalization project this summer, are bright and the CMP light over them is not necessary, Irish said.

The lights around Main Street include one on the bridge next to the former Ray Ray’s Cafe and Sweet Treats and another at the corner of Curve and High streets, she said.

A third light at the monument will be kept because it shines on the American flag.

The board also discussed potential use of the new gazebo in Bass Park.

Recreation Director Frank Donald asked for the board’s input on potential fees and time reservations for events such as concerts, weddings, birthday parties or fundraisers. The Recreation Committee is developing a plan for use of the gazebo this summer and will bring it to the board for approval, he said.

The committee is thinking about offering one concert a month and Donald was looking for ways to fund those. Some towns provide money, while others depend on sponsors and donations, he said.

The board agreed the committee should seek sponsors and not spend tax dollars. They also recommended time limits for reservations so the gazebo would be open to more people.

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