The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) working group met January 12 at a special Board of Selectmen meeting. During the meeting there was discussion of several potential projects that might be eligible for ARPA reimbursement. The projects discussed included small business economic recovery grants, business district sewer design, and Ball Pond watershed drainage.

Economic Development Commission Chair Myke Fuhrman spoke about potential projects that could be eligible for ARPA reimbursement. One potential project discussed was a small business grant program. First Selectman Pat Del Monaco noted she was in favor of such a program.

Selectman Khris Hall asked about criteria. Mr. Fuhrman said that the Commission is using an existing program in Bethel as a model. That program, he said, stipulates that a business would have to be able to prove actual revenue losses incurred during the pandemic. He also said that while Bethel’s program does not have a minimum, the Commission had been discussing a 20% or greater loss of revenue as a threshold. He said that both brick and mortar and home-based businesses should be eligible to apply. He also stated that the Commission was studying New Milford’s facade grant program that businesses could use to improve the exterior look of their establishments.

Grant amounts issued by the Bethel and New Milford programs were capped at $5,000, although Fuhrman did note that both of those towns had more businesses than New Fairfield. Ms. Hall asked if the plan was to set aside a fixed total amount or if the total would be more “open-ended.” Mr. Fuhrman said he thought it would be a fixed amount. He said that he believed New Milford was setting aside $1 million in ARPA funds for grants, but he again noted that New Fairfield had fewer businesses. Ms. Del Monaco also pointed out that New Milford had a larger amount of funds to work with based on its population size.

After further discussion, it was decided that the EDC will work to find out more details about the Bethel and New Milford programs. Mr. Fuhrman was also going to gather more detailed information on the exact number and needs of businesses in town–including home businesses.

Other possible projects discussed were installation of a synthetic ice rink, either year round or seasonally, and installation of electric vehicle charging stations in various locations around town. Ms. Del Monaco noted the latter possibility would probably be a candidate for the regional infrastructure ARPA funding and not necessarily from the Town’s ARPA allotment.

Town Engineer Tony Iadarola spoke about potential infrastructure projects. The first was the downtown sewage feasibility study. In speaking about the state of the current study, Mr. Iadarola said that there are a total of 5 phases. Two phases encompass the downtown area and Saw Mill Road. Another includes the schools and the fire and police departments. The other two stretch along Route 37 to the north and south of the intersection with Route 39.

He said the next step would be to go into final design, which would include a study of necessary easements and land acquisitions required to implement the project. He said that some soil study boring had also been done along Route 37 and other areas as part of the preliminary study. He noted that the anticipated flow for all 5 areas would be about 150,000 gallons per day based on the existing zoning.

The final design is anticipated to cost $1.6 million to get to the point where everything is shovel ready. When asked, he said that there was no plan for any affordable housing project. He noted that flows generated from such housing were not incorporated into the plan.

The next project Mr. Iadarola spoke about was the Ball Pond Watershed study. There have been significant drainage issues that have plagued the area for many years. According to Mr. Iadarola, several of the projects have been completed. There is one large area where erosion is taking place. Drainage moves from Ball Pond, downhill to Putnam Lake. The project that Mr. Iadarola spoke about involves channeling drainage to halt the erosion that had been taking place. He said that the goal is to “evaluate the drainage basin and install multiple detention and retention systems to slow the flow of water before it hits Ore Hill Road.” The overall cost to make it shovel ready would be $150,000.

The third possible project was the replacement of the town beach house at the town beach. The project would include new bathrooms and a medical station to evaluate any potential injuries right on site. Anticipated cost of the project would be $815,000, with $115,000 coming from Park & Rec.

New Fairfield is set to receive a total of $4,107,202.22 under ARPA. The funds will be made available over 2 years, half ($2,053,601.11) in 2021 and the other half in 2022. The town received the first allotment in June and is keeping it in a segregated fund. Funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and spent by December 31, 2026. The Treasury Department must sign off on all proposed expenditures.

According to the act, the purpose of these funds is “to provide a substantial infusion of resources to help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery.”

By Greg Slomba