Dighton is eligible for $2.12 million in ARPA funding.
Of the $2.12 million, Dighton received approximately $832K in direct local ARPA funding as a non-entitlement unit of local government (NEU) under the Standard Allowance ARPA Rule.
In addition to allowable investments in Public Health, Premium Pay, and Water/Sewer/Broadband, spending funds under the Standard Allowance Revenue Replacement Rule allows a local government to undertake a wide array of potential expenditures, including capital costs, local government operations, building and facility renovations, and many more.
Confirmed with auditors on May 19, 2022 that acquisition of 207 Main Street qualifies for standard allowance expenditure.
Dighton is proposing to use $790K for acquisition of 207 Main Street. The only way Dighton is able address this long standing need and fund the purchase of the building without impacting tax rate is through its Standard Allowance ARPA funds, which has been recommended by the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen.
Dighton is also eligible to apply for $1.38 million in ARPA funding through Bristol County to meet qualifying Public Health/Safety, Premium Pay, and Water/Sewer/Broadband needs.
Town officials and town departments still have the ability to leverage approximately $1.1 million to meet qualifying Public Health/Safety, Premium Pay, and Water/Sewer/Broadband needs.
Town’s $273K upgrade of its public safety repeater and radio communications, approved by Capital Outlay Committee and BOS in December, was Dighton’s first successful application to Bristol County’s ARPA portal.
This funding is in addition to $300,000/year ARPA-funded state Public Health Excellence Grant that Dighton was recently awarded to share with 5 other local communities to meet specific COVID-19, public health, and health inspection related needs and challenges.