By Greg Ellison

(Aug. 12, 2021) Berlin Town Council approved a grant application for basketball court lighting at Henry Park, along with a special use request for a school supply and movie night at the site, as well as reviewing timelines for dispersing federal covid relief funds during its meeting on Monday.

ARPA timelines

Mayor Zach Tyndall reviewed proposed target dates for allocating recently awarded American Rescue Plan Act funds totaling $4.06 million.

“ARPA money is a covid relief package coming down from the federal government,” he said. “We have received payment number one, which is 50 percent of what we are slated to receive.”

Tyndall said the finance department, the mayor’s office, Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood and department heads are gathering data regarding financial impacts from covid-19.

“The idea of this money is really geared to be covid-centered,” he said.

ARPA funds are required to be allocated by Dec. 2024 and spent by Dec. 2026.

Tyndall said where and how funds could be directed, along with accounting procedures are still being examined.

“The goal is to have the information at the department level gathered and vetted for public review by November or December this year,” he said.

ARPA guidelines require elected officials to hold a listening session to solicit public comment on where to direct funding.

“We do want to hear from every resident about how they think that money should be spent,” he said. “Start creating a list because we want to hear what you have to say.”

Tyndall said the public meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 2022.

“Following that, we would have a work session with council to review planning documents, public input and develop a formal plan for the allocation of that money,” he said.

The goal is having funding earmarked for FY23 budget considerations.

“We are trying to have a solid plan together by March or April of 2022,” he said.

Court lights

The council voted 4-0, with member Troy Purnell absent, to approve a FY23 Program Open Space grant application to finance installation of overhead lights at the Henry Park basketball courts.

Department of Natural Resources’ Program Open Space funding applications are due by Aug. 26

Tyndall said overall project costs are roughly $122,000, with all but a $10,000 town match, financed through a grant request for $111,000.

Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen is overseeing the grant process.

“The project has been discussed a couple times in recent meetings,” she said.

Tyndall asked if the recently approved basketball court painting project would be referenced in grant paperwork.

“Would it help our application?” he said.

Bohlen said mention of the pending painting work could be added.

“I did include the fact that Program Open Space Program monies were used to completely renovate the courts, so this would be complimentary,” she said.

Tyndall noted the grant request would be awarded for FY23, with the current budget reflecting the prior year Program Open Space grant application. 

Bohlen acknowledged the grant program involves extended time frames for approval.

“This is the program that we apply for in late summer, but we do not receive notification of award until the following late summer,” she said. “It’s one of the longest grant processes.”

School supplies, movie

The council approved a request from the Briddell Family Foundation to stage a school supplies giveaway and movie night at Henry Park on Sept. 4 from 6-9 p.m.

Bohlen said the request to use park facilities after hours is to distribute academic supplies for students and screen a family-friendly film.

“The Parks Commission did a movie night in the park several years ago,” she said.

Council member Jack Orris asked if the event would conflict with an upcoming basketball court painting project.

Bohlen said the court renovations are slated to begin after the date requested.