Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arpa Event topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sudbury board approves $10,000 ARPA grant to bring Dr. Jean Twenge for community talk on phones and youth mental health
Summary
After debate over process and limited remaining ARPA funds, the Select Board voted 3-1 to allocate $10,000 to support a Nov. 12 community presentation featuring Dr. Jean Twenge on smartphone use and youth mental health.
The Sudbury Select Board on Sept. 10 approved a $10,000 allocation from remaining ARPA funds to help bring Dr. Jean Twenge, author and researcher on technology and youth mental health, to a community presentation tentatively scheduled for Nov. 12.
Resident Jackie Barry, a clinical psychologist speaking on behalf of a parent coalition called Sudbury for Digital Balance, described research linking heavy smartphone use with anxiety, depression and cyberbullying and said the group has secured partial private support and school cooperation. "Dr. Twenge has committed to holding us on her calendar for this date," she said, and the event would include research, practical strategies and outreach to parents and educators.
Board members discussed procedural concerns before the vote. Dan Cardi expressed reservations about the speed of the request and the precedent of new community groups receiving last-minute ARPA allocations, noting other volunteer groups and PTOs could also seek funding. Cardi moved to allocate $10,000; Lisa seconded. During roll call Cardi voted no; Charlie Russo, Lisa and Robert voted aye; the motion carried 3-1.
Town Manager Andy Sheehan advised the board that roughly $91,000 remained in unallocated ARPA funds, excluding small pending returns and reallocations, and flagged an expected request from the Permanent Building Committee to reallocate nearly $400,000 in unspent Fire Station 2 ARPA funds to the Fairbank Community Center contingency (a forthcoming PBC request). Board members debated whether to "keep powder dry" for potential capital contingencies or to fund one-time community programming; those favoring the speaker noted public-health intent of ARPA funds and strong community interest.
The board asked event organizers to confirm recording and rebroadcast rights and to work with town staff on logistics and outreach. Organizers said they were pursuing library foundation, family network and private donor support to cover remaining costs. The town will oversee expenditure under town-manager direction.
