(12/20) The Town Council voted to reallocate the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which need to be spoken for by Dec. 31. The ARPA funds, leftover from an MS4 project, will be reallocated to three separate projects.
Town Manager Jim Humerick first introduced a water infrastructure project with a budget of $105,000, and the Council approved the reallocation unanimously. The project will involve installing a new tie to the water main at North Center Street and Main Street intersection. "That’s a definite need," he said.
Humerick went on to explain that the funding can also go toward preliminary work to replace the entire water main along N. Center St. The project would also include replacing a few fire hydrants throughout the Town as well. S-Works Construction will complete the project through the already-existing contract with Gordian, who has worked with the Town before and recommended the former for the project.
The Council also approved reallocating $15,825 of the funds to build a garage building to house the Electric Department’s digger/derek truck. The truck has been in a temporary "tent" structure since 2018, which Humerick explained does not sufficiently protect it already resulting in damage from weather and animals. "That truck needs to be in top operating form when it gets called out," he said. "We can’t worry about the risk of something not operating because of exposure to weather." The Board approved Carolina Carport’s bid of $15,825 to build a 20’x40’ structure with a 16’ door to properly house and protect the truck.
After brief discussion, the Council approved the final $11,732 to purchase two additional modules, permitting and fixed assets, for the Town’s current financial software program. "It’ll allow us to intake permits online as well as in person," Town Planner Kelly Duty said. "And we’ll be able to review and inspect those permits that come in and be able to do it live and essentially email it almost instantly to the applicant."
The concern, brought up by Commissioner Bob Lookingbill, was the uncertainty regarding sending water/sewer and electric bills separately rather than at the same time—the latter being preferred to save the Town money. Humerick said he would look into it, and the Council agreed that the reallocation would be rescinded if the Town couldn’t mail water/sewer and electric bills at the same time, in one envelope.
Humerick reminded Lookingbill and the Board that the funds need to be obligated by Dec. 31, so the Town will need to return the $11,732 to the federal government if the funding for the additional modules is rescinded.
ARPA funds are provided to help finance infrastructure and "other qualified projects," according to Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird. According to the National League of Cities website, "ARPA regulations require local governments to return grant funding that remains unobligated beyond the December 2024 end-of-year deadline to the U.S. Department of Treasury — making this deadline one of the most important for cities, towns and villages."
