The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Selectmen question sustainability of new positions
Concerns focus on initiatives funded with one-time federal dollars
WINSTED — Now that Town Manager Josh Kelly has a second list of projects and incentives that would be funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act money, it’s up to selectmen to decide what moves forward, with some questioning whether positions funded with the federal dollars can be maintained once those funds run out.
Winsted has received $3.138 million from the program, intended to help municipalities recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Kelly last year assembled a committee to create a list of projects focused on economic development, social services, health and emergency services and public utilities.
The ARPA project list was presented and approved by the Board of Selectmen earlier this year, with half the money allocated for 17 projects. The projects, which must meet the U.S. Treasury Department’s 150-page list of rules and regulations around what the money can be spent on, look to benefit the community long-term.
Kelly’s second round of project proposals includes $450,000 for an automated sewer plant screening system for waste; $320,000 for the Sue Grossman Still River Greenway’s continuing extension; $250,000 for sewer plant capital projects; $207,000 for the Winsted Fire Department to purchase a pumper truck; an additional $100,000 for the town’s facade improvement grant program; $100,000 to help replace another Fire Department vehicle; $50,000 for a senior enrichment program for developmentally disabled seniors; $24,475 for senior center fitness programs; $25,000 for educational panels at the Solider’s Monument; and $20,000 for improved online business promotion with Discover Connecticut.
Kelly also proposed addi-
Winsted has received $3.138 million from the program, intended to help municipalities recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
tional money for the now-full-time social services coordinator, Katie Vaill, and a part-time economic development director. Last year, he said making the town's part-time social services coordinator a full-time position was necessary as more residents were in need of guidance and resources provided by her office. The salary is $80,000.
Winsted also used ARPA funds to hire former Burlington First Selectman Ted Shafer as the town's parttime economic development director. He was hired in January at a salary of $48,000. Kelly allocated funds to increase that salary for next year.
However, once the special federal funds run out, such positions would have to be paid for with town funds, something that raised concerns of selectman. Selectwoman Candy Perez this week questioned the positions, saying “We need more data.”
“We need to know who we are serving and where we are serving them,” she said. “The salary is up there now, and we need to have data to drive these decisions . ... I'd be concerned about extending these positions.”
Kelly said it would be difficult to measure any “metrics” of success for Shafer, since he was only hired at the end of January. “It's really not enough time to measure that success,” he said. “I hope this allocation won't be contingent on three months.”
Selectwoman Candace Bouchard also questioned the $80,000 salary for the social services position. “That seems high,” she said. “Is that right?”
“It's not high, really,” Kelly responded. “It's competitive; right on target with other positions of the same job. There are lots of vacancies across the state right now for these jobs.”
The ability of sustaining positions initially paid for with one-time funding was a sticking point.
“We have to be able to afford these things, as a community,” Perez said. “We have to make sure these are sustainable, moving forward.”
The board also wants Shafer and Vaill to send monthly reports.
“It's important for us to know what the social services department and the economic development department are doing,” said Selectwoman Linda Groppo. “We've had no feedback from them.”
Kelly also proposed using $50,000 to improve the old Bank of America Building on Elm Street, or study it for a community center or senior center program. “It's one of two goals: put this building back on the tax rolls, or use it for the town,” he said. “The proposal is to invest in the building.”
The Board of Selectmen will next meet June 6.