Subscribe to our mailing list and consider following WestfordCAT on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram for daily updates from Westford’s hometown source for news.
WESTFORD — The Select Board has approved a number of additional American Rescue Plan projects as it continues to allocate funding towards priority needs.
A full list of requests can be found online.
A complete list of funded projects can be found below:
- $50,000 for an additional supplemental appropriation for gasoline and diesel fuel for the town’s fleet of vehicles.
- $8,825 to purchase an additional 300 Electronic Vote Tabulators for Annual Town Meeting. The town currently owns 500 tabulators, but notes a number of registered voters did not receive tabulators at the Oct. 17 Special Town Meeting.
- $7,939 to supplement funding for hybrid vehicle for the building Department. $31,359 was originally approved at an Oct. 17 Special Town Meeting.
- $151,752.57 to supplement unanticipated bus transportation costs. The schools must pay a fuel surcharge for any amount in excess of $3.177 per gallon of diesel fuel. The projected amount to cover the current fuel surcharge is $97,931.57. Additionally, Dee Bus Service has quoted Westford Public Schools at $53,820 for bus service as a result of the Beaver Brook bridge closure.
- $49,250 for Westford Public Schools to purchase educational materials supporting trauma-sensitive classrooms, anxiety support groups and “Calming Kits” for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
- $4,509.11 for supplemental funding for a one ton dump truck with plow for the Highway Department. $65,000 was originally approved at the Oct. 17 Special Town Meeting for the vehicle.
- $5,000 to upgrade the town’s GIS system.
- $21,900 for entry level commercial drivers license training for the Department of Public Works.
- $6,000 for rental, mortgage and utility assistance for FY23.
The total cost for each project is $304,875.68. As of a Dec. 7 report, Westford has approximately $3.27 million in ARPA funding remaining.
The town’s remaining funding must be allocated by Dec. 31, 2024 and must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
Local journalism is vital to our communities. As other publications shift focus toward regional journalism, WestfordCAT continues to provide high-quality hyperlocal reporting to our town, free for everyone to read. So — we have a small favor to ask. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, helps us sustain our journalism and keep our community informed. Please consider supporting WestfordCAT for as little as $1 on PayPal.
