Westerly council approves $8.03 million CDBG application including water-main and community projects

The Westerly Town Council adopted a resolution to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to the Rhode Island Office of Housing and Community Development seeking approximately $8.03 million for multiple projects.

Town staff described five town projects and five community-submitted projects included in the application. Town projects listed in the application included PSPS Street water-main replacement ($2,536,000), Bridal High/Inlet canal water-main replacement ($4,542,000) and Ward Avenue drainage and pavement ($500,000). Community proposals listed included $50,000 for the Johnny Cake Food Pantry, $50,000 for Tower Street programming at the township community center, $50,000 for a community health worker through Wood River Health, $164,800 for housing for medically compromised homeless people via the warm shelter and $130,000 for workforce development training from WEC.

The total application as described by staff came to $8,022,800; staff noted the application includes an administrative reimbursement at 10 percent (about $802,280) for grant administration. During the public hearing no members of the public spoke in opposition and councilors moved to close the hearing and adopt the application.

Councilors asked whether the state uses an internal prioritization and staff explained the state no longer requires a local priority ranking for the second group of community projects; the state evaluates projects and selects awards as it deems appropriate. The council approved the application and moved it forward.