Minutes of the ARPA Funds Working Group (Filed Subject for Approval)
March 17, 2022, by Zoom
Attending: Mary Campbell, Brianna Carvalho, Karen Gifford, Wes Higgins, Ward Mazzucco, Chris Parkin, James Sanders, Julia Pemberton
The meeting was called to order at 5:14 pm by Chair Higgins.
The minutes of the March 10th, 2022 meeting were reviewed.
Motion to adopt minutes (W. Mazzucco, C. Parkin) Adopted by unanimous vote
Motion (W. Mazzucco, M. Campbell) To recommend to the Board of Selectmen that they approve the expenditure of ARPA funds for the proposal to increase the hours of the Senior Center’s Senior Coordinator to full time status. The expected total expenditure through 6/30/2024 is approximately $45,000. The Working Group determined the expenditure is ARPA eligible under expenditure category 6.1.
6 In Favor (Mary Campbell, Brianna Carvalho, Karen Gifford, Wes Higgins, Ward Mazzucco, James Sanders); 1 Opposed (Chris Parkin)
Comments: W. Mazzucco: in favor as a Covid related response
C. Parkin- opposed due to concerns of a long-term tail of expense for the Town after ARPA funding is exhausted
M.D. Lancaster (by email)- Fully in favor as an appropriate response to Covid and it will ease the Social Services budget
Motion (W. Mazzucco, C. Parkin) To recommend to the Board of Selectmen that they approve the expenditure of ARPA funds for the proposal to create a Covid Relief Fund to provide assistance payments to residents of Redding to be administered by the Town’s Director of Social Services for the period ending 12/31/2024 up to an amount of $50,000. The Working Group determined the expenditure is ARPA eligible under expenditure category 2.1 and 2.2.
7 In Favor (Mary Campbell, Brianna Carvalho, Karen Gifford, Wes Higgins, Ward Mazzucco, Chris Parkin, James Sanders); 0 Opposed
Comments: M.D. Lancaster (by email)-There exists no more important use of ARPA funds than to assist Town residents who have been directly affected by Covid.
J. Sanders- The relief fund must be conducted in conformance with the existing policies, procedures, and reporting guidelines required of the Town’s Social Services programs.
Motion (W. Mazzucco, J. Sanders) To recommend to the Board of Selectmen that they approve the expenditure of ARPA funds for the proposal of a dry hydrant as requested by Redding Fire District #1 in an amount not to exceed $180,000. The Working Group determined the expenditure is ARPA eligible under expenditure category 6.1.
6 In Favor (Mary Campbell, Brianna Carvalho, Karen Gifford, Wes Higgins, Ward Mazzucco, James Sanders); 1 Opposed (Chris Parkin, voted nay without prejudice)
Comments: M. Campbell, B. Carvalho, K. Gifford: The Hydrant project was placed early in the Working Group’s approval process. It is both an infrastructure project and a public safety project.
The Working Group needs to define the approval process in more precise terms going forward to achieve complete transparency.
C. Parkin- The project is an infrastructure project and should be considered with all other infrastructure proposals, and not be recommended at this time.
M.D. Lancaster (by email)- Although the project was presented before capital projects were officially solicited by the Working Group, it is hard to conceive of a public safety initiative more vital to the well-being of the Town.
Following the discussion and votes regarding the three projects the Working Group discussed efforts by direct mail, email, and direct phone contact to arrange an outreach effort to organizations in Town who might be able to make proposals for projects.
Adjourned 6:21 pm (K. Gifford, J. Sanders)
Submitted by Wes Higgins