Pittsfield Select Board
Special Remote Community Meeting on the Pittsfield Rescue Plan
To listen to a recording of the meeting please click here: https://bit.ly/3oW68vx
To view the list of spending proposals as of February 17, 2022 click here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HclPaNwZygMAUKDyfX0q925N-qE2rz1uXOWYbxDwxWI/edit?usp=sharing
DATE: February 10, 2022
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben, Trish Fryer, Sarah Wraight (TRORC)
PUBLIC PRESENT: Ray & Linda Colton, Coral & Caleb Hawley, Carl Oertel, Sarah Gallagher
WELCOME:
Ann welcomed those present by saying that this was an informal meeting, the first of a series of meetings, and even though it is being held remotely, everyone is welcome to speak. She then explained the procedure for being recognized and how the meeting would be conducted. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how the money from ARPA would be spent and asked Sarah Wraight from TRORC to facilitate the meeting.
INTRODUCTION:
Ann presented a short bio of Sarah’s and then turned the meeting over to her. Sarah screen shared a Power Point overview of ARPA Funding. It explained the timeline of payments to municipalities (Pittsfield is receiving $165,306.10), that they must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and expended by December 31, 2026, and what happens to any unused funds. It also explained the Treasury’s guidance as to what the funds can and cannot be spent on.
Sarah said she prepared a spreadsheet that listed ideas that Ann had sent to her, and ideas presented at this meeting. A sampling included renovations to the Town Hall so that it could be used as an emergency shelter, a cell tower that would handle all carriers to benefit Pittsfield residents, creating outside structures to provide picnicking, update the playground, and many more. It was felt that some outside projects could be completed this summer. Columns on the spreadsheet included: project ideas, supplemental ideas, timeline, and estimate cost. Ann said that she had met with an electrician about the installation of a generator to benefit the Town Hall and will check with him about adding heat and lights for the Town Office. Sarah encouraged the Town to wait until after April 30thfor a more uncomplicated method of reporting. Evaluation criteria was discussed, and many ideas were presented.
ARPA OVERVIEW:
Handout. Ann reviewed the handout on the program’s structure. These included the purpose of the committee and its responsibilities and activities, the makeup of the committee, and its ultimately presenting the Select Board with a list of qualified projects ranked by the scoring criteria. The proposed committee would include a member of the Select Board, a member of the Planning Commission, a member of the PCC, a business owner, and three seats for Pittsfield residents. Linda Colton volunteered
Pittsfield Select Board page 2
Special Remote Community Meeting on the Pittsfield Rescue Plan
February 10, 2022
to fill the business owner position. Ann said she would speak with Betty regarding the PCC and contact the Planning Commission for their member selection. She added that a special email account has been set up for people to send in project ideas: [email protected]. There is more information on the Pittsfield Rescue Plan on the Town’s website: pittsfieldvt.com.
CLOSING REMARKS & ADJOURNMENT: Ann thanked those that attended the meeting. The meeting lasted just over an hour, and it was felt to be very productive.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
Approved: February 17,2022
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A.J. Ruben
Special Remote Community Meeting on the Pittsfield Rescue Plan
To listen to a recording of the meeting please click here: https://bit.ly/3oW68vx
To view the list of spending proposals as of February 17, 2022 click here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HclPaNwZygMAUKDyfX0q925N-qE2rz1uXOWYbxDwxWI/edit?usp=sharing
DATE: February 10, 2022
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben, Trish Fryer, Sarah Wraight (TRORC)
PUBLIC PRESENT: Ray & Linda Colton, Coral & Caleb Hawley, Carl Oertel, Sarah Gallagher
WELCOME:
Ann welcomed those present by saying that this was an informal meeting, the first of a series of meetings, and even though it is being held remotely, everyone is welcome to speak. She then explained the procedure for being recognized and how the meeting would be conducted. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how the money from ARPA would be spent and asked Sarah Wraight from TRORC to facilitate the meeting.
INTRODUCTION:
Ann presented a short bio of Sarah’s and then turned the meeting over to her. Sarah screen shared a Power Point overview of ARPA Funding. It explained the timeline of payments to municipalities (Pittsfield is receiving $165,306.10), that they must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and expended by December 31, 2026, and what happens to any unused funds. It also explained the Treasury’s guidance as to what the funds can and cannot be spent on.
Sarah said she prepared a spreadsheet that listed ideas that Ann had sent to her, and ideas presented at this meeting. A sampling included renovations to the Town Hall so that it could be used as an emergency shelter, a cell tower that would handle all carriers to benefit Pittsfield residents, creating outside structures to provide picnicking, update the playground, and many more. It was felt that some outside projects could be completed this summer. Columns on the spreadsheet included: project ideas, supplemental ideas, timeline, and estimate cost. Ann said that she had met with an electrician about the installation of a generator to benefit the Town Hall and will check with him about adding heat and lights for the Town Office. Sarah encouraged the Town to wait until after April 30thfor a more uncomplicated method of reporting. Evaluation criteria was discussed, and many ideas were presented.
ARPA OVERVIEW:
Handout. Ann reviewed the handout on the program’s structure. These included the purpose of the committee and its responsibilities and activities, the makeup of the committee, and its ultimately presenting the Select Board with a list of qualified projects ranked by the scoring criteria. The proposed committee would include a member of the Select Board, a member of the Planning Commission, a member of the PCC, a business owner, and three seats for Pittsfield residents. Linda Colton volunteered
Pittsfield Select Board page 2
Special Remote Community Meeting on the Pittsfield Rescue Plan
February 10, 2022
to fill the business owner position. Ann said she would speak with Betty regarding the PCC and contact the Planning Commission for their member selection. She added that a special email account has been set up for people to send in project ideas: [email protected]. There is more information on the Pittsfield Rescue Plan on the Town’s website: pittsfieldvt.com.
CLOSING REMARKS & ADJOURNMENT: Ann thanked those that attended the meeting. The meeting lasted just over an hour, and it was felt to be very productive.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
Approved: February 17,2022
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A.J. Ruben