WILTON — Selectmen approved canceling a public hearing and special town meeting scheduled to take place during their regular Tuesday meeting.

The advertised hearing and meeting would have regarded an application for a Community Development Block Grant sought by Jarden Plastic Solutions in East Wilton.

The plastic cutlery manufacturer wanted the municipality’s help in securing funding for an intended expansion, one that would add three production machines and create 17 new jobs.

Town Manager Rhonda Irish told the board that Jarden’s was not ready to apply due to assessments being undertaken by the parent company. Maybe next year, she said.

In other business, the board unanimously agreed to move forward on a grant project that would create a sidewalk downtown in front of the library and create handicapped accessibility in some areas.

Last year, the town applied for a Transportation Enhancement Program grant through the Maine Department of Transportation. The grant requires a 20 percent match from the town.

The project has been approved for future design and construction but depends on when federal funding becomes available. The projects to be undertaken in 2016 will be announced in 2014, Irish told the board.

The $52,000 project requires a $13,000 match from the town. Irish suggested taking the funds from the town’s sidewalk account. The money should be there by 2016, she said.

While the pros for the project include making it a safer walk from the stores to the library and post office, the cons include eliminating four, maybe five, parking spaces in front of the library, she said.

“We’ll gain safety and accessibility and lose parking spots,” she said.

The board voted to continue on and put the town’s name in for potential work in 2016.

“It may not happen, but we’re putting our foot in the door,” Board of Selectmen Chairman Terry Brann said.

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