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Tiverton council obligates $1.445 million in ARPA funds for capital items after debate over PFAS grant rules
Summary
The Tiverton Town Council approved obligating $1,445,000 in ARPA funds for fire apparatus, DPW vehicles and other capital items while flagging constraints tied to a federal PFAS grant and procurement timing; members ordered follow-up on procurement quotes and delivery timing before year-end.
The Tiverton Town Council voted to obligate $1,445,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to cover previously planned capital items, including a pumper, a DPW pickup truck and garage maintenance equipment.
Councilors and staff debated whether ARPA money could be paired with federal grant-funded PFAS equipment, with a town official warning that federal grant rules could bar using ARPA as leverage for a federal grant. Town staff said some items already have partial grant support but not full funding, and staff must secure signed contracts by the end of the year to meet obligation deadlines.
"You can't leverage ARPA monies for a federal grant," said an unidentified staff member explaining constraints tied to the PFAS equipment procurement, adding that obligations (not expenditures) must be contractually committed by 12/31/24. The council asked staff to pursue required quotes and contracts and report back at the next meeting.
Council members pressed staff on procurement rules, including whether three vendor quotes were required for MPA (state purchasing) items; staff said they had sought quotes but had received only one to date and would continue outreach. "We have to sign contracts," a councilor said, stressing the December deadline.
A motion to obligate items A, B, E and F for a total of $1,445,000 from ARPA passed by voice vote. Councilors also asked staff to confirm delivery and invoicing schedules so the obligations would satisfy the December deadline.
The council will revisit the allocation next week as staff bring firm procurement information and any contract language needed to obligate the funds.
