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Charlestown council approves ARPA spending package; solar scoreboard wins 4–1
Summary
The council endorsed a package of American Rescue Plan Act purchases — including a senior‑center van and police radios — and separately approved $25,000 for a solar scoreboard at Pachelski Field by a 4–1 vote. Remaining ARPA items were deferred to Nov. 12 for firmer cost estimates.
Charlestown’s Town Council on Oct. 28 voted to spend remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on a slate of local capital projects and set aside follow‑up for several items that need firmer cost estimates.
The council approved by roll call a package of purchases drawn from the $289,163.25 list presented by town staff, including a $30,000 senior‑center van, eight police portable radios ($28,679.28), a Ferris mower for parks ($26,000), an interior office addition at town hall ($25,000), an emergency chimney repair ($24,240.69), police gun upgrades ($15,000), furniture and a computer workstation for the new office ($10,000), a storage unit for the Department of Public Works ($10,000), senior‑center stairs and ramp repairs ($9,228.45), lifeguard chairs ($3,500), bike racks for Town Beach ($3,287.40) and a stealth traffic data collector ($2,975.95).
Town Administrator Allen summarized the ARPA timeline and constraints, noting the town “was granted approximately $2,300,000 in the ARPA funds” and must appropriate the money by Dec. 30, 2024. Councilors said the approved purchases were mostly capital items that otherwise would have been budgeted in future years.
Debate over a proposed solar scoreboard at Pachelski Field highlighted the meeting. Councilor Kearney moved to appropriate $25,000 from ARPA for a solar scoreboard; Councilor Sloane seconded. Supporters said the solar unit avoids the far higher cost of extending electrical service; opponents questioned prioritization while other capital needs remain. The scoreboard motion passed 4–1 on a roll‑call vote (Councilor Cooper cast the lone No vote).
Several line items lacking firm contractor quotes were left undecided. Councilors agreed to defer the balance of the ARPA requests to the Nov. 12 meeting so staff could gather written estimates, particularly for lighting and certain building work, and return with clearer figures.
The council recorded the fiscal votes by roll call and directed the town administrator to confirm final totals and update the ARPA line‑item accounting.
