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Scituate council approves pursuit of state/ARPA paving funds that would require local match
Summary
The council authorized the town to pursue a Rhode Island Department of Transportation and ARPA paving funding opportunity that would require a local match discussed at roughly 33%; the funds have not been awarded and the approval is contingent on written confirmation of amounts and terms.
The Scituate Town Council approved a resolution authorizing the town to pursue participating paving funds from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), contingent on written confirmation of the amounts and terms.
Council members discussed that the state funding would reimburse a portion of paving costs and would require a local contribution; council discussion referenced a roughly 33% match though members described that percentage as approximated. One council member noted, “So it’s money that we don’t have yet,” underscoring that approval authorizes interest and pursuit rather than immediate receipt of funds.
Council members and town counsel explained this resolution gives the town authority to accept and spend the funds if a formal award is made and the state forwards reimbursement, but that the town would need to supply the local share up front from its paving budget. The transcript records that the funds, if awarded, are reimbursements rather than upfront grants, and that written confirmation of available amounts and terms is required before the town proceeds.
The vote to authorize pursuit of the funds was recorded as passing by voice vote with no opposition noted.
What comes next: town staff will seek written confirmation from RIDOT/state about available funding and the award terms and will return to council with details before obligating funds or committing to a final contract.
