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Somerset council eyes remaining ARPA funds for pool bridge and solar panels
Summary
Town staff reported Somerset has obligated about 89.4% of its $1.25 million in ARPA funds and proposed using the roughly $137,000 left to help pay for a pool‑bridge renovation (budgeted ~$90,000) and solar panels for the pool house (~$70,000); council discussed timelines and contracting.
Somerset’s town manager told the council that the town received about $1.25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and has obligated roughly 89.4% (about $1.1 million), leaving about $137,000 uncommitted. The manager said all ARPA funds must be obligated by the end of this calendar year and spent by the end of 2026.
The manager recommended using the remaining funds toward two local capital projects: a pool‑bridge renovation (budgeted about $90,000) and installation of solar panels on the pool‑house roof (budgeted about $70,000). “These are two projects that I know residents are really excited about,” the town manager said, and staff proposed voting on a recommendation at the December work session.
Councilors pressed staff on timing and cost estimates. Council President Bar asked whether contracts for the two activities could be awarded and obligations executed before the month’s end; the manager said the work session schedule is the plan and staff have identified people to work the contracts. Councilor Kumar asked staff to double‑check that ARPA reporting categories in the budget match the Department of the Treasury categories used in prior submissions; the manager said the figures in the report came from the March submission by the previous manager and that staff would confirm category alignment.
Councilors also raised related capital‑project questions. Several members noted the stormwater contract for a separate project had come in higher than budgeted and would not be eligible to be obligated in time. On the pool bridge, staff said an inspection and quote would be part of a forthcoming work‑session discussion; staff described the $90,000 figure as a budget anchor pending final quotes.
Next steps: staff will present the inspection report and a contract recommendation at an upcoming work session, where the council may vote to obligate the remaining ARPA funds.
