During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the allocation of remaining funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), emphasizing the urgency to utilize the available $21,100.47 by the end of the year to avoid losing the funds. The meeting highlighted three key proposals for the allocation of these funds, which are still open for discussion among the Select Board members.

The first proposal involves funding an actuarial study for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) at a cost of $39,100. This initiative aims to address the town's OPEB liability, an area where the town has lagged behind, with only about 10% of communities in the Commonwealth having taken similar steps.

The second proposal suggests purchasing new laptops for the Select Board, estimated at $5,120.50. The current laptops, which are over a decade old, are in disrepair, prompting the need for an upgrade to ensure all members have access to functioning technology. This move is also seen as a step towards reducing paper usage in meetings.

Lastly, the third proposal includes funding for a server and equipment necessary for a temporary move of the town office, although specific costs for this proposal were not detailed in the discussion.

The Select Board is expected to deliberate on these proposals further, weighing the benefits and implications of each before making a final decision on the allocation of the ARPA funds.