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01/18/2022 03:28 PMThe Town Council presented its proposed plan for spending the town’s share of federal American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Recovery Funds, adjusted the plan after receiving public input, and now will seek approval of the plan at a town meeting.
Clinton will receive a total of $3.8 million in ARPA funds.
Of that, the council has approved $2.3 million in spending, with the bulk of that going toward alleviating negative economic impacts from the virus. A town meeting will be called in the coming weeks to authorize the $2.3 million that was approved by the council.
Town Manager Karl Kilduff told Harbor News that the town has already received $1,912,580 in ARPA funds, and that in July 2022 it will receive a second installment of the same amount.
Proposed Plan
After a workshop and meetings with the council members over the last several months during which several projects were considered, Kilduff presented a proposal to the council at a public hearing on Jan. 12.
The plan calls for $1,010,000 to go toward small business economic assistance, while $341,1000 will go toward aiding nonprofit organizations. Tourism and hospitality efforts will get $151,000 in aid; households that need help with rent, mortgage, or utility will get $200,000 in aid; while programs for seniors get $50,000 in aid. Another $57,000 has been earmarked to improve Internet access.
If approved, housing support will receive $75,000 in aid, $59,000 will be allocated to infrastructure improvements, and $232,000 will be set aside for mental health services. Additionally, $75,000 has been proposed for other pandemic-related health expenses and $118,200 for additional economic support.
Kilduff said that the federal Department of the Treasury, which administers the money, has set rules for the kinds of projects that towns are allowed to spend money on. That guidance shaped Clinton’s proposed plan. Prohibited uses include items like offsetting a reduction in net tax revenue, making payments to a pension fund, or using the funds as a local match for a federal grant.
The town has until New Year’s Eve 2024 to allocate the funds and until New Year’s Eve 2026 to spend the money.
At the Jan. 12 meeting, Kilduff said that new guidelines had been set shortly before that night that will require his review and he anticipated additional proposed projects would be vetted. The Town Council will discuss and refine the proposed plan in the coming weeks.
Council Chair Chris Aniskovich said that the town will schedule a town meeting sometime in February or March so that the citizens can approve or deny the spending of the funds.
When it came time for the public to weigh in, six members of the public spoke, expressing several ideas to the council. Phil Sengle said that he was pleased to see that nonprofits would be receiving money.
“I think nonprofits are the heart and soul of any community and I appreciate that you did this,” said Sengle.
Economic Development Commission Chair John Allen said in a letter sent to the council that the commission endorses the proposed plan, especially when it comes to business relief.
“The proposed funding for small business economic assistance includes additional funding for façade improvements as well as business rent rebates, vacant storefronts activation, and economic recovery and business support grants. All are critical to first stabilize and then grow increasing our commercial base and lessening the tax burden on residents,” Allen wrote in part.
Mark Richards asked that the council consider a project that would place the utility lines in downtown underground, which he said would hopefully alleviate problems in the case of storms. Eric Bergman also advocated for more money to be used on infrastructure to battle climate change.
The Adam Stanton house asked for $30,000 to be allocated to repairs in the house.
Alan Kravitz asked that more money go to school kids or directly to people who need it.
After the meeting, Aniskovich told Harbor News that he felt the hearing went well and that Kilduff “was great and I think answered a lot of questions people may have had.”
“I think people have a better understanding of what we can do and I know some may have more questions and I hope they reach out,” said Aniskovich.