Rochester’s Select Board on Monday afternoon set a special meeting for Wednesday, February 28, at 1:30 pm to decide on spending the remainder of the town’s share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The meeting was scheduled for Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
In the Select Board meeting held on February 19, town officials revealed that the ARPA funds must be appropriated by December 31, but Plymouth County has requested an application from member towns by March 1. In all, Rochester was awarded $1,021,846.89 in total ARPA funds, $216,413 which has been used to acquire digital radios, leaving a remaining amount of $805,433.89.
On February 26, Town Administrator Glenn Cannon listed the items that will probably be on the list for further ARPA funding. But he added the apportionment costs could have changed by February 28 when the board was scheduled to take another look at ambulance costs, public safety department radios and repeaters, reimbursing costs paid during the COVID pandemic for employees who had to work from home and, as discussed in a previous meeting, a new fire engine.
“We are exploring more avenues for the money than just the fire truck,” Select Board member Adam Murphy elaborated, “looking through several projects.”
In other action, the board signed the warrant for the Presidential Primary Election. Residents will be able to vote on Tuesday, March 5, at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
The Rochester Select Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Monday, March 4, at 6:00 pm at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.
Rochester Select Board
By Michael J. DeCicco