HUDSON – The Town of Hudson is seeking a consultant’s support to help it meet federal reporting guidelines for its uses of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
These services, which will be paid for out of the nearly $6 million in ARPA funding allocated to the town, are slated to cost $160 per hour.
A number of other area communities have taken similar steps with consultants in recent months as ARPA money has become available.
Select Board approves proposal for services
The Select Board formally authorized Executive Assistant Thomas Gregory to sign a proposal for ARPA grant support services with a firm called Capital Strategic Solutions back on Jan. 24.
“[They will] assist the town in the required reporting function associated with the ARPA fund distribution,” Gregory said of the consultants.
He said consultants will also help with “eligibility-related questions.”
Gregory told the Community Advocate last week that he did not have a total estimate for the cost of Capital Strategic Solutions’ services, beyond that $160 per hour rate, noting that the first reporting deadline is not until later this year.
“The requirements are pretty extensive, so we want to make sure that the reporting is accurate [and] timely,” he said. “That’s how [Capital Strategic Solutions] will help us.”
Town plans use of ARPA money
ARPA was passed by the federal government last year. It, among other things, sent money to municipalities to support their pandemic recovery efforts.
The Town of Hudson has already earmarked some of its ARPA funding for physical and human infrastructure improvements.
A number these improvements had been authorized as of Nov. 30, according to a document circulated at a past town listening session. They include:
- $672,020 for a full time social worker and a full time public health nurse. Money will also be spent on expanded health department office space and a new vehicle for the Board of Health.
- $1.4 million to support the replacement of a culvert under the intersection of Main Street and Houghton Street.
- $1 million for wastewater treatment plant upgrades – which have led to rate increases. Gregory said these ARPA dollars will help keep those rates from rising further.
- $55,000 to “bridge the gap between the lowest bidder and funds previously appropriated” for stormwater drain improvements on Green and Florence Streets.
- $25,000 for programming/counseling run through the Council on Aging
- $750,000 for a new fire department pumper truck.
The town just recently allocated an additional $13,500 in ARPA funding to purchase 2,700 at-home COVID-19 tests for municipal employees and vulnerable employees.
Gregory noted that the town is planning another session in March to help determine priorities for remaining ARPA funding.
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