Trappe Council approves ARPA spending for IT, meters and treatment‑plant HVAC

The Trappe Town Council on Sept. 4 approved the use of remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to buy technology and treatment‑plant equipment and to outfit town vehicles.

President Schmidt summarized items discussed during a 5 p.m. workshop, and Commissioner Jeremy Newnam moved to use ARPA funds to purchase new computers, new monitors and two firewalls per BDK’s proposal, outfit the town trucks with requested equipment (excluding window tinting until legal review), buy three new 2‑inch water meters per L/B Water’s proposal and accept Comfort Plus’ proposal to replace the heating and air conditioning unit at the wastewater treatment plant. Commissioner Walter Chase seconded the motion and the council voted unanimously to approve the purchases.

Town Administrator Erin Braband told the council the General Fund and Enterprise Fund budgets are on file and that staff had compiled pricing for items discussed at prior workshops. Attorney Lyndsey Ryan advised the council she would check regulations affecting window tinting before the town proceeds with that portion of the truck outfitting.

Council members asked staff to return with additional details where needed — for example, the council requested the playground mulch base recommendation before spending on Lakeview Park and asked staff to obtain a quote from the snow‑removal contractor PE Moore for review in October rather than immediately switching procurement methods.

The council took the measures as part of several actions aimed at closing out capital and security needs using the town’s remaining ARPA allocation.