ARPA Funds Listening & Ideas Meeting 7-20-2021
ARPA Funds Listening & Ideas Meeting 7-20-2021
TOWN OF RUTLAND PUBLIC MEETING
ARPA FUNDS DISCUSSION
RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL
181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT 05736
JULY 20th, 2021
A zoom conference line was available for joining the meeting remotely.
- Meeting opened at 5:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, Don Chioffi, and John Paul Faignant
- Members of the public present Lydia Flynn, Dana Peterson, Kirsten Hathaway, Howard Burgess, and Dick Bailey
This meeting was held to allow department head, and public input into projects which could be funded with anticipated funds from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act).
The amount of money expected is $430,000 over 2 installments. There is a possibility of additional funds, but it is not known yet if the Town will receive any of that, or when. The funds need to be allocated by December 31st, 2024 and must be spent prior to December 31st, 2026.
Ms. Ashcroft discussed some of the allowable uses, and restrictions placed on the funds.
Mr. Chioffi commented on the ability to be creative with the expenditures.
Discussed the possibility of receiving the funds from the county allocation but it is not known yet if we will.
Howard Burgess asked if a project for Fire District #1 could be funded by this. Upgrades at their collection station in Center Rutland are needed. They would like to install a grinder and add a generator. They would like a grant rather than a loan but are open to the idea of the loan. There are approximately 125 connections to the system.
Kirsten Hathaway suggested using some of the funds for small grants or loans for businesses that would like to move into town. Suggested a grants teams that could look at applications. Ms. Hathaway and Mr. Bailey both said they would be interested in being on that team.
A request from Fire District #6 was received asking for funds to be allocated to assist with a grant of $10,000 to fund an infrastructure study.
Lydia Flynn suggested using some of the funds to be able to support public transportation.
Mr. Chioffi suggested the possibility of using the funds to sponsor a large-scale public event to help draw people to the area, with the intention of enticing them to stay.
Dana Peterson suggested the possibility of using the funds to help with education and training opportunities as well as investments in broad band access to help with access for education and tele-commuting. Mr. Chioffi suggested using the funds to help establish emergency communication at parks and to help support trade school programs.
Ms. Ashcroft asked for suggestions to keep coming since there is plenty of time to allocate funds.
The meeting adjourned at 5:57 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet
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Mary Ashcroft, Chair
ABSENT
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Joseph Denardo, Clerk
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John Paul Faignant
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Sharon Russell
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Don Chioffi
Center Rutland, VT.