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Select Board rehires grant coordinator to lead infrastructure and downtown projects
Summary
The Harrison Select Board approved a one-year contract to continue the town's grant coordination work, authorizing the consultant to pursue infrastructure grants, downtown revitalization, housing projects and TIF planning; the board voted unanimously.
The Harrison Select Board voted unanimously June 25 to rehire the town's grant coordinator for another year to lead grant-writing and project coordination for infrastructure, downtown revitalization and housing initiatives.
The coordinator, introduced to the board as Daryl, told the Select Board she has helped bring "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in outside funding to Harrison and outlined active and prospective projects. She said three federal grant applications are pending — combined project estimates total roughly $3 million — and described how matching funds (USDA, Lakes Environmental and other partners) reduce the town's share.
Why it matters: the coordinator said recently funded projects (East Falls, Carsley Brook) will enter construction this summer and that careful grant coordination can minimize town costs for similar stream-crossing and roadway projects. She also recommended pursuing planning funds with MDOT for downtown crosswalks, sidewalks and traffic-calming, and offered to develop a facade-rehabilitation program to help private downtown property owners.
Board members asked how the town should prioritize applications if not all three pending grants are funded. The coordinator replied the grants are judged on project merit and that projects with stronger prior scoping (such as Tommesbrook/Tom's Brook) may have better chances; she said unsuccessful federal applications could be resubmitted to upcoming state funding rounds or referendum-driven programs.
The coordinator also described other work in the contract: technical assistance with engineers and environmental consultants, seeking funding for attainable/affordable housing projects, exploring timber-harvesting and trail opportunities at the radar recreation facility, and arranging a TIF (tax-increment financing) 101 presentation with legal counsel. She proposed modest on-site days each month, waiving some mileage and validating remote work in invoices.
A motion to approve the FY27 contract was made, seconded and approved by voice vote (5 in favor). The board asked staff to provide a contract document for the town packet and to pursue an intern through the regional planning COG to support downtown tasks.
What happens next: staff will finalize the contract paperwork and the coordinator will continue coordinating pending grant applications, seek matching funds and return with progress updates to the board.
