Bedford will be receiving about $4 million in federal post-Covid relief over the next year.
Town Manager Sarah Stanton said Monday permitted uses are limited to response to the public health emergency; replacement of revenue lost due to the pandemic; or some categories of infrastructure.
The money results from approval of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It is expected in three installments, with the first $1.6 million before the end of the month and the remainder before the close of fiscal year 2022.
“The ARPA grant is accepted on behalf of the town by the Select Board and town manager, per the Massachusetts Department of Revenue,” said Stanton in a recent memorandum to the Finance Committee chair.
“Once accepted, eligible ARPA expenses are managed by the town manager, in collaboration with the department heads, and the superintendent of schools,” the memo continued. “ARPA grant funds do not require approval, appropriation, or authorization for spending by the Select Board, School Committee, Finance Committee, or Town Meeting.”
The $4 million allocated to Bedford is based on population size and socio-economic status, Stanton explained on Monday, noting that some communities received more because of the disproportionate impact of Covid-19.
Stanton said the initial allocation will address any pandemic-related deficit in the current year’s school budget, as well as eligible spending locked in for the coming year. School expenditures that could be covered are technology, additional staffing, personal protective equipment, and air filtration equipment, the town manager said.
The Finance Committee reserve account includes $1.9 million moved from the stabilization fund to help the schools with recovery. Current plans call for additional personnel in the elementary schools to reduce student-teacher ratios. The School Committee and administration have said they will spend any federal or state aid before touching the local reserve.
The town manager, in her Finance Committee memo, said ARPA funds could be earmarked for water and sewer needs “as identified in the six-year capital improvement plan.” Bedford does not intend to use ARPA funds for revenue replacement, she noted.
Stanton wrote that some town reopening/recovery costs are also eligible for the federal reimbursement funding, such as remote meeting technology, and community vaccination clinics that may be needed for young children or booster shots.
The town manager advised the Finance Committee that the money cannot be used for tax reduction; replenishing reserve accounts; non-Covid related operating budget expenses; debt reduction; and infrastructure projects not related to water, sewer, or broadband.
She also advised the committee that she is working with the schools and town department heads “to reconcile Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and reimbursements covering the past year-plus.”
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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