Town of Wayland Seeks Community Input on American Rescue Plan Act Spending

WAYLAND — The Town of Wayland announces that it will seek public input to help set priorities for the Town’s usage of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding at a virtual forum next week. 

WHEN:

Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m.

WHERE:

Virtual. A Zoom link will be posted here on the day of the forum.

WHAT:

The Town of Wayland will receive about $4.1 million through ARPA, $1.7 million of which has already been allocated. This leaves $2.4 million to be disbursed for community-related projects.

The forum presents an opportunity for the community to connect with the ARPA Sub-Committee to learn about the possible uses of these funds and provide comments and suggestions on expenditures.  

Under ARPA, which was enacted by the federal government in March 2021, Massachusetts state, county, tribal and local entities will receive federal aid to respond to the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government has given local jurisdictions discretion over how to spend the money to ensure funding responds to the wide range of community needs.

Possible uses may include: supporting public health response efforts or addressing negative economic impacts; replacing public sector revenue loss; establishing premium pay for essential workers; investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure; and more.

The Town established the ARPA Sub-Committee to advise the Wayland Select Board on recommendations for allowed uses of ARPA grant funds to fund community priorities.

“It is important for residents to be involved in this process so that we ensure the usage of the funding reflects the visions and priorities of all community members,” Acting Town Manager Stephen Crane said. “We encourage residents to attend this public forum and share their valuable input and help identify where funding is most needed.”

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