Utilizing input from the public through an online survey, the Town of Warren has established a prioritized list of potential projects to be funded by approximately $3.14 million in federal money accessed via the American Rescue Plan Act over the next two years.

The town put out a list of possible projects eligible for reimbursement under the program in early October. They received 80 responses that ranked the 10 projects from highest priority to lowest, and allowed for other comments on how they believe the money should be spent.

The results were as followed, from highest to lowest priority, with preliminary budgets for each attached when available (all subject to change as the process continues):

1. Improving food security for children (budget TBD)

Citing alarming statistics about how quickly children became food insecure in the midst of the pandemic, Town Manager Kate Michaud spoke about how ARPA money could be used to expand access to healthy, locally prepared meals to those in need, and increase community awareness about resources available locally that assist with food security.

Michaud said the town would work with local nonprofit Hope & Main to boost their existing efforts within the community.

“Personally this was the most upsetting and most unexpected impact of COVID, was how quickly food insecurity rose to the top as a problem,” Michaud said, noting that the number of food insecure children rose from 1 in 8 to 1 in 4 during the pandemic. “Virtually as soon as schools closed, it was an issue.”

2. Implementing a storefront improvement program ($250K budget for 10+ properties)

Creating a fund to help improve blighted storefronts scored highly with respondents. Michaud explained, however, that the limitations of the ARPA requirements regarding how a business must prove whether or not it has endured a “hardship” during COVID has tied the hands of the town when it comes to the area in which this type of improvement program would be possible.

The solution proposed by Michaud was to improve storefront properties located within Warren’s only Qualified Census Tract — which is an area where at least 50 percent of residents are low to moderate income earners that can bypass this “hardship” requirement. The tract includes a significant portion of uptown Warren that spans northwest from the junction of Franklin Street and Metacom Avenue to the Warren Bridge and includes the Main Street shopping area.

3. Replace lost town revenues (amount TBD)

ARPA money can be used to replace revenue that was lost as a result of COVID. Municipalities are able to assume a 4.1 percent of growth as a baseline to determine how much revenue fell short. Michaud said the town would perform the exact calculation as to how much money could be restored and come back to the council, which could approve the infusion immediately.

The amount could be in the neighborhood of $800,000 for each of the two years the town receives money.

4. Support new fire/rescue station plans ($100-150K budget)

Federal dollars could go towards the construction of a new fire/rescue station. Specifically, the preliminary steps towards construction (the feasibility study, engineering design, permitting, etc.) to make the project “shovel ready” could be handled with the money.

“Through the pandemic, the fire and rescue department took on a whole new host of responsibilities,” Michaud said, adding that the town would look for more federal funding to supplement the construction. She said the timeline of the design phase could take 12-18 months.

5. Improving broadband access across Warren ($100K)

A program to improve internet access and infrastructure across the town ranked in the middle of the respondents priorities.

“Through COVID, it became very obvious that there was a need for improved connectivity for businesses, for students and for people working from home or seeking medical care from home,” Michaud said. “We want to be ready to take advantage of what may be available to improve quality and affordability of broadband, because we’ve found it is very unaffordable for many residents.”

6. Assisting Warren’s Health Equity Zone (budget TBD)

ARPA money would be used to help connect residents to services available that can help them live healthier lives, working in collaboration with the town’s new Health Equity Zone that was established in July, and is supported by the East Bay Community Action Program.

“COVID has definitely brought to light a lot of the health inequities and disparities of people living in Warren,” Michaud said. “What we’ve seen is that there’s a lot of services and a lot of help out there, but a lot of times people don’t know how to access that help.”

7. Improving access to affordable housing (budget TBD)

A yet-to-be-determined amount of ARPA money could supplement the town’s existing affordable housing trust to improve affordable housing opportunities. Michaud said the town would target five affordable housing projects in the coming two years.

8. Communicating ARPA plans to community (budget TBD)

Resources maybe spent to further communicate the plans of ARPA spending to the town through media and more surveys, in multiple languages when necessary.

9. Assistance with data analytics ($5-25K budget)

Michaud explained how there is an abundance of data that has been collected on COVID and its various impacts, but the data is “difficult to corral and understand.” Paying for professional data analysis could help the town make more informed decisions about policy and programs to help people where they need it most.

10. Transportation issues for employers ($5-10K budget)

The town would take six months to study how transportation issues have negatively impacted employers in the community. Michaud said that while the money wouldn’t solve all the town’s transportation issues, the goal should be to create clearly-defined recommendations moving forward.

The next steps for the process include finalizing the list of priorities and associated projects, determining budget amounts and further engaging the public for their input.