HEBRON | It didn't take long for the town to get its first application for a facade improvement grant, funded from Hebron's share of the county economic development income tax.

The two-year budget for the estimated $440,000 from CEDIT was approved by the council Tuesday. It included $6,000 set aside for the grants, which will pay 20 percent, as much as $1,000, of the cost for improvements made by businesses. Minutes later, the council approved its first grant to Town Attorney Ted Fitzgerald, who did $4,400 in improvements to his offices.

"I did it to get some publicity for the program," Fitzgerald said of the grant application. "I'm not looking for the money, and I will probably spend it on something for the town."

He said town officials agreed to wait until the Main Street reconstruction project was completed before starting the program. The project was completed last fall, except for some minor work to repair areas damaged by the construction, and Fitzgerald said he doesn't think most businesses know about the facade grants.

As for the budget itself, the council approved spending $90,000 on the purchase or repair of equipment; $85,000 for improving town infrastructure, including streets, upgrading and expanding the parks and community spaces and beautification projects; $75,000 for economic development programs to attract new businesses and retain the existing ones, and $10,000 for town events and promotional efforts, such as paying for July 4 fireworks.

The remaining $180,000 will go to pay off the $1 million bond issue the council took out last year to pave several streets and upgrade the sewer lines.