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Charlestown uses $31,000 in ARPA funds for town-hall furniture; council tables remainder for later decision
Summary
The council approved a $31,000 appropriation from remaining ARPA funds to upgrade town-hall office furniture and debated directing $45,251.48 to animal-shelter exterior work or to Charlestown Beach Road pedestrian improvements; council tabled the remaining allocation 3–1 to gather firmer cost estimates.
Charlestown — The Town Council on Nov. 12 voted to appropriate $31,000 from the town’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to replace and upgrade furniture in town-hall offices.
Treasurer Gormley confirmed a current ARPA balance of $76,251.48 (after excluding a previously allocated $25,000 scoreboard). With the $31,000 furniture appropriation approved unanimously, the council noted a remaining balance of $45,251.48.
Councilors debated proposals for that remainder: one caucus favored applying the funds to an animal-control exterior project (which would cover roughly 85% of the estimated cost); others argued the money should be reserved for pedestrian-safety improvements along Charlestown Beach Road, referencing an engineering report and crosswalk recommendations. Councilor Stokes recommended getting simple email notice from the applicant if events are used and emphasized prioritizing projects that affect the most residents.
Because councilors said they lacked firm cost estimates for beach-road work, and because ARPA funds must be allocated by December, Councilor Stokes moved to table the allocation of the remaining $45,251.48 to the next meeting to allow staff to provide firmer numbers. That motion passed 3–1 (Councilor Sarah opposed).
