Money from the American Rescue Plan Act has already started to arrive in Barrington, with additional funding expected in the near future.

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha said the town recently received $866,000, which is about half of the allocation due to Barrington. The community will also receive funding as part of the distribution to Bristol County.

In total, Barrington will receive $4.7 million from the federal government’s ARP Act.

The next question is “what will the town spend that money on?” Town officials created a virtual suggestion box on the town’s website, collecting dozens of ideas on how to spend the $4.7 million. 

“Bathrooms at Walker Farm would be an amazing addition to the changes that are happening there,” wrote one person. 

“Outdoor recreation! This town is lacking in outdoor recreation facilities, specially, for seniors,” wrote another.

“Help fix the bike path bridges,” wrote someone else.

All the suggestions are submitted anonymously. Mr. Cunha said the virtual suggestion box has received some very good ideas, but he cautioned that the town may be limited in how it spends the federal funding. He said the guidelines for the funding may allow the town to use the money to compensate for revenue lost because of Covid. Mr. Cunha said he has directed the business and finance department to further investigate revenue losses possibly associated with the pandemic. 

“We’re trying to figure that out,” he said. 

Mr. Cunha said the federal government has also attached a deadline to use the funding: Dec. 2024. 

During a recent interview, the town manager offered a few ideas of his own on how to spend the money: Upgrades to Haines Park, new and improved sidewalks, improved technology, cyber-security upgrades, and additional electric car charging stations. 

Mr. Cunha also mentioned the need to make improvements to the wastewater treatment facility in East Providence; Barrington shares use of the facility. Mr. Cunha said officials are still investigating possible upgrades, and said very preliminary estimates for the cost of repairing the facility are $4 million. 

“They’re still looking at it,” he said. 

Mr. Cunha said there will be public hearings held in the future to discuss the ARP money.

Which ideas do you like?

Following are some ideas submitted to the virtual suggestion box:

• Our existing infrastructure should be assessed and upgraded, if necessary…

• Help fix the bike path bridges

• Sidewalks!

• Reduce property taxes for residents, especially retirees, who cannot afford to stay in home due to taxes

• Fully fund the fire/police pension

• Improve the electricity infrastructure

• Improve access to RIPTA bus stops 

• Fix the roads!

• Improve broadband infrastructure west of Washington Road

• Outdoor recreation!

• Bike path improvements, sidewalk improvements, cutting carbon emissions

• Improved cell service

• Fix the bike path bridges; fix sidewalks to schools and town center

• Create sidewalks on Washington Road to Nayatt Road

• Turf sports fields

• Eliminate some sources of pollution/runoff to improve the water quality of Narragansett Bay

• Tap-In and other charities that help people

• Scholarships for BHS graduates

• Develop permanent pickle ball courts; offer clinics

• Indoor and outdoor pickle ball courts

• Community-based wifi

• Subtract sewer payments for all residents each year until fund runs out

• Do not use for raises for town employees or town manager

• Build more housing

• Update electronic grid

• Give low income home owners a property tax break

• Put the bike path crossing at County Road underground

• Pay down debt from middle school bond

• Rehabilitate South Lake Drive

• Schools, roads

• Improve non-automobile connectivity and circulation in town

• Pay for a town-wide stormwater drainage and resilience study