Bourne taps first ARPA funds for ambulances, not sewerage pacts
BUZZARDS BAY – The Board of Selectmen – in their role as Select Board members and as Board of Sewer Commissioners – is redirecting federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money from financing sewerage contracts to future purchases of two ambulances.
The panel on April 26 voted for ambulance funding at the recommendation of Town Administrator Marlene McCollem, who said rescue vehicles are needed due to heavy use of current vehicles during COVID.
McCollem said ARPA funds cannot be used for sewer projects now underway. She said financing for sewer projects will come from other sources.
The COVID relief money, nearly $ 2 million in two installments, is a direct payment to the town and should not be confused with ARPA money flowing to county government.
Buying the ambulances will not cost more than $ 800,000, commissioners said. Sewer contracts in need of new financing include rules and regulations review ($ 35,000), capital improvements ($ 475,000) and the feasibility study into a possible municipal takeover of the waste plant at Kingman Yachting Center in Cataumet ($ 66,400).
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The next allocation of ARPA money will go toward upgrading the Buzzards Bay sewer system that McCollem said is “ailing.” That includes upgrading manhole sites, replacing sewage collection pumps at Taylors Point and Main Street’s east end and upgrades of low-pressure grinder pumps on private property. That will continue until ARPA money is exhausted, she said.
“We need a capital plan for sewer (issues),” said Sewer Commissioners Chair Mary Jane Mastrangelo. “Not having a plan is not a plan; just sticking our head in the sand. ”
“That’s a high priority,” McCollem said.
“It’s critical,” Public Works Director Shawn Patterson said.