Select Board August 17: public discussion of ARPA funds distribution

“The Milton Select Board invites public participation in a meeting to discuss uses of $2,888,119 in federal funds made available to Milton through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).   The federal government has targeted ARPA funds for infrastructure, broadband and other projects.  ARPA funds are under the control of the Select Board and are not subject to the usual Town Meeting appropriation process.  The Select Board’s decision-making process will be open and transparent.  To that end, the Board is seeking public input on the use of ARPA funds and will report regularly on its uses of such funds to the Warrant Committee and Town Meeting.”

Some of the ideas that the participants who called in would like to see money allocated to: affordable housing, more lighting around town and capital projects to enhance accessibility in the town, like missing crosswalks, structures could be repainted, and repaving of some roads. Some of the ideas are already ‘shovel-ready’ projects that are in the works. $2.7 million could be given to the town, through the Select Board, as early as September and a second, equal installment is to be distributed within a year.

This allocation discussion is scheduled to continue at the Aug. 25 Select Board meeting.

Additional item of discussion

On Sunday, August 29^th, the Town will host a free, drive-through COVID testing day, from 10am to 3pm, at the Department of Public Works (DPW) yard at 629 Randolph Avenue. Please click here for additional information.