SWAMPSCOTT — The town is seeking feedback on how to spend more than $4 million in funding received from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Town officials released a survey last week prompting residents to make their voices heard by completing a questionnaire, which proposes more than a dozen areas in which the town might spend the $4.1 million.
“While ARPA has a broad range of allowable spending categories, the funds do come with limitations on how these funds can be spent in the community. Most importantly, there must be a relationship between the pandemic, its effects, and the steps the Town is taking to respond and recover from it,” officials wrote in the survey, which was posted to the town website Thursday.
Potential areas of spending proposed in the survey include: COVID public health measures, mental health assistance, substance abuse, small business grants, mitigation for infrastructure improvement projects, mortgage support, rental relief, utilities assistance, improved broadband/public WiFi, water main replacements for lead/copper, wastewater upgrades, stormwater enhancements, roadway and sidewalk improvements, public safety facilities and equipment, updates to existing parks, creation of pocket parks, increased green space, and construction improvements and updates to existing school buildings, subject to limitations under the general government services category.
Swampscott has already spent $400,000 of the total $4.5 million it received on salary compensation for town employees. The remaining funds must be expended by Dec. 31, 2024.
“Together we are tasked with recognizing areas where one-time investments can have long-term benefits to our residents and community. Through close collaboration, we will identify solutions that allow for economic growth and development while making the right choices for our community,” town officials said.
