Rochester allots $60,803 of ARPA funds

Aug 20, 2024

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Select Board unanimously voted to use a total of $60,803 of town American Rescue Plan Act funds on three different projects at a meeting on Monday, Aug. 19.

The Rochester Board of Assessors was granted $7,500 in ARPA funds to go towards a mapping system update.

Earlier in the meeting, David Hughes of the Rochester Park Commission proposed a new playground located at Gifford Park. About half of the expected $82,000 cost will be paid for by local organization Tri-Town for Protecting Children. The remaining $40,941 will be paid for with ARPA funds.

The Select Board also voted to allot $12,000 in ARPA funds to repair the Rochester Police Department’s heating and cooling system. “It’s a problem and it needs to be fixed,” said Select Board member Paul Ciaburri.

Use of additional ARPA funds for a police department vehicle were also discussed but ultimately tabled after it was determined that new police chief Michael Assad Jr. would review details before selecting a vehicle.