BCAT News

Burlington is set to receive some additional funds from the state thanks to legislation pushed by the town’s delegation at the State House.

Town Administrator Paul Sagarino announced at Monday night’s Select Board meeting that Burlington had been earmarked for $200,000 from the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the federal government’s second aid package approved in response to the pandemic. $100,000 of the funds will go towards air quality improvements at the Burlington Fire Department’s main headquarters and $100,000 will go to improvements, activities and other expenses related to the Burlington Pocket Park or other placemaking activities that are part of an effort to support local businesses.

Sagarino said he wanted to thank State Rep. Ken Gordon and State Sen. Cindy Friedman for their efforts that made these earmarks possible.

“I thank them for all they have done to help us out at the state level,” he said.

Burlington had previously been granted over $8,000,000 in funds under ARPA. $1.5 million of those funds will go towards replenishing the town’s operating budget, evenly divided over three fiscal years, after local receipts, including the meal and hotel taxes, came in much shorter than usual due to the economic shutdown.

$500,000 for the project to add PFAS filters to the Mill Pond Water Treatment Plant. Town leaders have also set $1 million for any COVID-related expenses that could come up. The other $5.5 million, which can be allocated at a future date, could be used for water/sewer infrastructure improvements or other projects that present themselves as an immediate need.