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Norfolk County advances ARPA transfer tool and awards contract for monitoring services
Summary
Commissioners heard an update on a new ARPA transfer tool developed with neighboring counties and approved a contract to hire William C. Galvin as an ARPA monitoring consultant through June 30, 2026.
County staff told commissioners on Feb. 12 that Norfolk County sponsored development of a transfer tool in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) portal to let obligated funds deemed surplus be moved to other approved ARPA obligations. The tool was developed by Clifton Larson (presented by county staff) and was accepted in principle by participating neighboring counties to share costs.
County Director John Cronin said the transfer function will allow surplus funds from one obligated grant to be reallocated to another obligated program, either within the same organization or to a different eligible grantee, and that use of the tool is likely to increase as grants approach their obligation or expenditure deadlines in 2026. He said the town of Dover has a $15,000 transfer request in the queue and staff hope to have the tool approved within a week so the request can proceed.
Procurement staff presented a separate ARPA monitoring contract and recommended awarding it to William C. Galvin of Canton, Massachusetts. The contract covers monitoring and communications tasks with county partners and Clifton Larson and sets Galvin’s rate at $2,500 per month through June 30, 2026. Staff described the role as the point of contact to follow up with communities that do not provide required ledger and monitoring information.
A motion to approve the contract to William C. Galvin was made, seconded and approved unanimously. The motion’s recorded language described a consultant contract effective immediately for one year with an option to renew for one six‑month period and an expiration date of June 30, 2026. The commissioners voted in favor (3–0).
Cronin also said Norfolk County currently expects to have surplus from its Building Management System project at the district court when installation completes in May; staff will bring transfer requests for that surplus as appropriate. He emphasized that surplus funds can be transferred only into other approved ARPA obligations that have the capacity to receive transfers—entities that do not already have an eligible obligation cannot receive those transfers.
Staff said the multi‑county group (including Bristol and Plymouth counties) agreed to adopt the transfer tool, splitting cost and avoiding duplicate purchases. Cronin predicted 2026 will see more transfer activity as earlier grants begin to sunset.
