Milford Seeks City's Input On American Rescue Plan Funding Use

MILFORD, CT — Milford residents who wish to have a say in their city's use of the over $14 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding it received have until Aug. 18 to submit their ideas online.

A working group made up of Mayor Ben Blake, city department heads and alders has been meeting for weeks to determine qualifying uses of the funds, Justin Rosen, the mayor's chief of staff, told Patch.

Now, Milford residents can submit their ideas via a Google Form or by emailing them to MilfordARPA@gmail.com.

Federal legislation dictates that projects must be related to supporting the public health response to COVID-19, addressing the negative economic impacts of COVID-19, replacing loss of public sector revenue, water or sewer infrastructure, broadband infrastructure or equity-focused services.

Full guidelines can be found on the U.S. Department of the Treasury website.

"We weighed the option of a public meeting, but due to the concerns of the pandemic, we thought we’d have better luck with a Google Form," Rosen said.

After the window for public comment closes, Rosen said, the working group will hold more meetings to determine the uses of the funds.

Milford received $14,598,371.45 in funding from the federal government to be used at the city's discretion, Rosen said, in addition to $5,879,251 that was sent directly to the Milford Board of Education for projects such as improved ventilation and enhanced air conditioning in school buildings.

"I know other communities seem to have moved a little quicker (with their ARPA funds). We just want to make sure that our policies and procedures are ironclad," Rosen said. "We look forward to hearing from the community."

The members of the working group are:

• Ben Blake, Mayor
• Deepa Joseph, Health Director
• Peter Erodici, Finance Director
• Adam Heller, MIS Director
• Tania Barnes, HR Director
• Chris Saley, Public Works Director
• Julie Nash, Economic and Community Development Director
• Andretta Swift, Special Projects Manager
• Greg Harla, Alderman (D-5)
• Connie Gaynor, Alderman (R-3)
• Justin Rosen, Chief of Staff