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Date: 10/3/2023
BELCHERTOWN — The Select Board approved two separate requests for proposed projects using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Belchertown was awarded approximately $4.5 million in ARPA funds to help the community’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
After allocating most of the funds for multiple projects in town, the board has approximately $300,000.
BCTV Manager Lew Louraine met with the Select Board at its Sept. 18 meeting to discuss a request to improve his department.
Louraine requested $12,000 to buy updated equipment that will help improve BCTV.
He added, “As many people may know, BCTV is limping right now. It’s not even limping, it’s more of a crawl. The brains of the operation have died of old age.”
After working with Information Technology Director Kevin Hannon and contacting three separate companies, Louraine said they did all they could to try and fix the problems before he put in the request for additional funds.
Louraine added the funds will be used for a new software that is easy to learn and use for its volunteers.
He said that he has reached out to three different vendors before making his decision on which software to go with.
The Select Board unanimously approved the $12,000 request. Select Board member Peg Louraine recused herself from the vote to avoid a conflict of interest.
The Select Board then discussed using ARPA funds to add an automatic door opener for the Town Hall public entrance.
Town Administrator Steve Williams said the town received a suggestion after seeing how difficult it is for people to access the entrance to Town Hall at the end of the ramp where the elevator is located.
“I agree. It’s a little awkward. I ultimately think we need to add this,” Williams added.
The Select Board approved Williams’s request to use ARPA funds to add an automatic door opener at the Town Hall public entrance.
Williams said he has already received two quotes from an electrician to run the electrical to the location and for the door opener.
He added it will cost approximately $4,500 for the whole project.
“It is certainly something that is in reach and that we can do. I don’t think it makes sense for the [Americans with Disabilities Act] self-assessment that we will be conducting. I think this is something we should move on now. I am certain it would be a recommendation in that report,” Williams said.
The Select Board agreed that this project should be done sooner rather than later.
Louraine said, “I am surprised this hasn’t been done before.”
Select Board member Ron Aponte added, “Its disingenuous to have the ramp and make it quote-unquote accessible when someone with even slight mobility issues is unable to open that door. I think this is a no-brainer.”
After approving these two projects, the town still has approximately $300,000 in available ARPA funds.
According to Aponte, the ARPA funds do not have to be encumbered until December 2024, so the board still has time to make more decisions.
The Select Board will continue to discuss a proposed ARPA fund request about reviewing its municipal government organization chart and efficiency at a future meeting.