FARMINGTON — Selectmen on Tuesday, Jan. 23, approved accepting $25,000 from Domino’s to go towards a new sidewalk machine.

“Domino’s is having a campaign called Plowing for Pizza,” Public Works Director Phil Hutchins noted. “A lot of people have mentioned to me that they have seen the commercials. We had a video conference with the national corporation. Basically they are trying to help municipalities. That entails anything that has to do with winter operations.”

Farmington would be the eighth town nationwide to participate, he said. “[Domino’s] has $500,000 to get rid of this winter,” he stated.

Some towns are putting the funds towards salt or plow equipment, Hutchins noted. [Domino’s] is only requesting brief descriptions of what the funds will be used for, he said.

“It sounds like a good opportunity,” Hutchins stated. “I would like to see these funds go towards the new sidewalk machine which is accounted for in the budget.”

Chair Matthew Smith noted the request for pictures from Domino’s and asked if Farmington would be part of an ad campaign.

Farmington would be listed on Domino’s website with generic photos and not Farmington’s actual pictures, Hutchins thought.

Selectman Byron Staples asked if Domino’s had reached out to Farmington or had someone reached out to them.

“We didn’t get a straight answer,” Hutchins replied. “They didn’t specifically say who put us in for nomination but said our community came up multiple times.”

“I am always happy to accept money,” Selectman Dennis O’Neil stated.

The Domino’s franchise opened at 596 Wilton Rd. on Feb. 27, 2023.

On Tuesday, Jan. 30, a release noted, “Domino’s believes nothing should stand in the way of carrying out a hot delicious pizza in Farmington, including snowy, cold weather. In an effort to go above and beyond for pizza lovers across the country, Domino’s is awarding half a million dollars across 20 cities to support snow plowing efforts so that carryout customers can have access to hot pizza, even on the coldest, snowiest days. As part of this national initiative, the city of Farmington has been selected to receive a $25,000 snow plowing grant.

Farmington was selected to receive the grant from an open call for nominations by the public via Plowingforpizza.com, where users submitted nominations with a zip code and email address, the release stated. “Grant offers are made based on a cluster of nominated zip codes surrounding a municipality where snowfall tends to be plentiful,” it noted. “The presence of a Domino’s store in the area is also considered. As a chosen municipality, Farmington will be listed on the Plowing for Pizza website, which will also feature images and footage from other plowing locations across the country.”

In addition to the $25,000, Farmington will receive $200 in Domino’s gift cards so ​​plow drivers can warm up with hot pizza after a cold, hard day of work. It will also be given a winter-themed Domino’s Plowing for Pizza kit [including winter hats, scarves, snow measuring stick and sign], vehicle magnets and other themed items.

Nominations end Jan. 21 or when all available funds have been claimed, according to the release. “Must be 13+ years of age to make a nomination; eligible minors should have parental consent to participate. Limit one [1] nomination per person, per email address. Void where prohibited by law,” it stated.

For full details visit https://claim.dominosplowingforpizzaprogram.com/terms.

“At Domino’s we’ve made delivery cars with warming ovens built in, paved roads to get your pizza home smoothly in perfect, hot condition, and offered pizza insurance for when that goes awry,” said Joe Jordan, Domino’s president of U.S. and global services. “To us, nothing should stand in the way of getting a delicious pizza, including snowy, cold weather. ​​So yes—you heard it right: a pizza company is actually helping to plow roads.”

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