Branford Dems: More 'Public Input, Inclusive Process' For ARPA $8.2M

BRANFORD, CT —Democratic members of the Branford Representative Town Meeting are calling for a "public, more inclusive process" for determining the use of $8.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds earmarked for the town, per a news release.

ARPA funds are to be used to help towns and cities to recover from the effects of the COVID pandemic and follow specific guidelines.

From Branford Democrats:

"The first request for use of these funds came before the RTM at their April 13, 2022 meeting from the town administration. Presented by First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove and Finance Director James Finch, the RTM was asked to authorize spending $380,000 on a SAN Storage Device for Information Technology and a “Showmobile” for Parks and Recreation. The measure passed on a voice vote, with the 17-member Republican majority supporting the Republican-led proposal These were the first of 13 capital items in the administration-developed $2.6 million proposal, which totals about a third of the $8.2 million received. The full initial request can be found in the RTM agenda items for April 13, 2022.

With the passage of the expenditures, however, RTM Minority Leader Tracy Everson and her Democratic colleagues, Representatives Chris Sullivan, Maryann Amore and Peter Hentschel joined together in encouraging the administration to instead allow the citizens, businesses, and non-profit organizations to have formal input on how they would like to see the town spend the remaining $5 million dollars in federal ARPA money.

Everson objected to how the administration is determining the funds’ usage. “The common element of what some other towns have done is to look at the financial impact on people and businesses that continue to struggle as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Everson. She explained that other towns have held public meetings, established task forces, surveyed the public, or held workshops, with ARPA allocations for food banks, community-based organizations, small business grants, and foreclosure rental assistance among others. “This federal funding is specifically designed to be used to assist those most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” she stated further.

Representative Sullivan (6th District) said, “There should be a public opportunity to help determine the items that come before the Board of Finance and the RTM.” Representative Amore (4th District) agreed, asking that for the remaining allocation of some five million dollars that the administration, “...use this as an opportunity to hear directly from the various sectors who are providing the services around town, not just through the town departments.” Representative Hentschel (2nd District) also supports a public input process, similar to how every ten years the Plan of Conservation and Development “I would hate to see requests for this $8 million to come before the RTM with decisions already made as to how it is going to be spent.”

During the discussion before the RTM the Democrats' calls for more public participation appeared to be met with strong resistance from the First Selectman. Democrats are encouraging the general public and organizations to make their voices heard now. “There has been no public appeal by the administration to ask for feedback on uses for the funding. The time to speak out is now,” said Everson.

There are specific guidelines for the ARPA funds. Those interested in learning more or providing ideas and input are welcome to send an email to: BranfordARPAideas@gmail.com. All are encouraged to respond with creativity and integrity for best use of this recovery opportunity. Input received will be forwarded directly to the administration."