East Lyme selectmen discuss $1.8 million project wish list
Apr. 16—EAST LYME — Main Street. Mental health. Dinghy docks. Darrow Pond. Sidewalks. Dams.
These are just some of the topics being considered by East Lyme officials as they decide how to allocate more than $3 million in federal COVID-19 relief throughout the community.
First Selectman Mark Nickerson said Thursday that the American Rescue Plan will deliver roughly $1.8 million to the town side of the government and just under that amount to the schools. He expects half of the aid to be released by mid-June.
The town has more than three years to use the money, according to Nickerson.
"We're not going to rush the process," he said. "We have until Dec. 31, 2024, and we're not going to do it foolishly."
The $1.9 trillion federal plan approved last month will funnel $2.6 billion to municipalities in Connecticut, including $1.6 billion for general government and $1 billion for schools. The general government portion includes $870 million in aid to cities and towns and $691 million for counties, which, because there is no county government in the state, will be distributed to municipalities on a per capita basis.
A total of $114.4 million is earmarked for general government in New London County, a sum that includes $63 million in direct awards to cities and towns, as well as a $51.4 million county allocation.
Nickerson said the math for the county allocation, if applied on a per capita basis as guidance indicates, could mean an additional $1.9 million for the town.
Selectmen last week discussed priorities, with several of them showing support for economic development on Main Street.
Selectman Daniel Cunningham said the pandemic has changed shopping habits, with a new focus on local businesses. "It really seems that all the malls are dying, and Main Street is back," he said.
Discussions on enhancing the area include parking, sidewalks and how the current police building will be used once the department moves into its new facility on West Main Street, according to Cunningham.
Selectman Marc Salerno pointed to sidewalk priorities already laid out as part of the town's capital improvement plan. "We already have a plan right in front of us; maybe we could speed some of those things up," he said, using as an example an area of West Main Street where the sidewalk stops "pretty abruptly."
There is currently $115,000 in the capital budget for sidewalks, with a recurring annual request of $10,000 outlined in the 10-year capital improvement plan.
Also high on the board's list of priorities is supporting the town's food pantries and providing enhanced mental health services.
Nickerson described the town's most immediate needs as ones that involve taking care of people and businesses.
Parks and Recreation Department Director David Putnam that same evening presented his proposal for a youth services wellness and prevention coordinator to help address the social and emotional needs of children. The person in the position would coordinate with the school system to enhance mental health services in and out of the schools.
"This is the perfect time to address the mental health issues of our community," he said, citing the profound effect of the pandemic on anxiety levels in children.
Nickerson on Thursday identified mental health as one of his key priorities for the COVID relief funds. "Many towns have a youth services department that encompasses social workers and mental health facilities," he said. "Ours doesn't."
He said the new position would be a resource for the police department as well as the schools to better serve the children of East Lyme.
Selectman Paul Dagle, in discussing the expected COVID relief aid, expressed interest in hearing from the public about their priorities. "At least we could hear what their thoughts are for how the money could be invested in the community as well, besides just ours as a board," he said.
Other project ideas mentioned during the meeting could benefit local dam repair in areas such as Plants Dam Road; preservation and tourism through the Samuel Smith Farmstead and Brookside Farm; recreational opportunities at sites like the town-owned Darrow Pond property; and the creation of more dinghy docks in town.
Selectman Rose Ann Hardy said she'd like to hear from boards, commissions and town departments about their wish lists.
Nickerson agreed. "There might be a couple gems hidden away, so by all means, we should talk to as many people as possible," he said.
