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Blackstone reviews ARPA balance, earmarks filtration plant and 'quick-hit' park projects
Summary
Officials reviewed remaining ARPA funds, highlighted the filtration plant as the primary forthcoming expenditure and discussed using remaining balances for quick procurements (picnic tables, small park work) before the Dec. 31 contracting deadline.
Town staff summarized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations and remaining balances during the Sept. 10 Selectmen meeting and urged a careful approach to obligating funds before the federal deadline.
An assistant reported an ARPA overview of previously approved items including the filtration plant (the largest remaining commitment), ClearGov budgeting software, library HVAC replacement, radios for the fire department and municipal building upgrades. The assistant said there is "roughly $1,000,000 in a balance" associated with the filtration plant contract and noted that most ARPA items must be contracted by Dec. 31, 2024.
Board members discussed using ARPA for "quick-hit" procurements that do not require design and lengthy procurement — picnic tables and other park items were offered as examples — because design-heavy projects are unlikely to be fully designed and contracted before the ARPA deadline. The town administrator said staff will track project statuses monthly and try to avoid returning any ARPA money to the state by the December deadline.
No ARPA reallocation vote was taken; the board directed staff to continue reviewing items, prioritize projects that can be contracted quickly and bring recommended allocations back for formal action.
