A federal economic stimulus grant could pay for a surveillance system to guard much of the Town of Tonawanda against the threat of terrorism.

Monday, lawmakers approved filing an application for an approximately $1.7 million grant from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act’s Port Security Grant Program.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the purpose of the grant program is to create sustainable, risk-based efforts to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism. A total pool of $150 million is available.

Infrastructure in the Town of Tonawanda is considered part of the Port of Buffalo, which is among 47 ports nationwide that have been classified as a Group II risk—out of three. Under the grant program, $54 million has been allocated for projects in Group II ports.

Dennis J. Carson, emergency services coordinator for the Town of Tonawanda, told lawmakers at their afternoon work session that the grant doesn’t require any matching funds from the town.

A waterside surveillance system would replace some equipment already in use as part of a pilot project.

“We are going to replace the one on Huntley [Station] — it’s a demo system,” Carson said. Another would be added in the vicinity of Two Mile Creek, providing radar and camera coverage for most of the town and into Niagara County.

Carson said the grant application also proposes 14 street-side surveillance cameras to cover infrastructure in the town’s industrial area, including Sawyer Avenue, River Road and Grand Island Boulevard.

In other business Monday, the Town Board agreed to allow Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Meals on Wheels to continue using space in the Sheridan Parkside Community Building through 2011.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Jean M. Bennett, the agency’s former executive director, had pleaded guilty to stealing roughly $35,000 during her tenure. Bennett is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

Amanda Matyjas Crotty, who took over as executive director last month, told the Town Board about plans for the agency’s future, including an enhanced Web site and volunteer training.