SUNDERLAND – The Selectboard faced a difficult question at its last meeting: How will the town spend $1 million in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) money?

The funds, according to Town Administrator Geoffrey Kravitz, have two different intended uses. The bill signed into law by President Joe Biden last year mobilized $345 billion to help municipalities deal with losses of revenue and infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The revenue replacement funds, of which we have about $345,000 available, are much more flexible,” Kravitz said. “The non-revenue replacement funds are more specific, fewer categories, and more money available, about $740,000.”

Kravitz, working from a list of existing needs and new projects submitted by town departments, engaged the board partly to clarify whether the money should be spent this year, or over several years. The town has until Dec. 31, 2024 to spend the windfall.

“The non-revenue replacements are going to be a bit of a challenge,” Kravitz said. The money coming to Sunderland, “It’s not enough for the bigger projects we have, but it’s bigger than the smaller projects combined. So figuring out how to spend that as wisely as possible” is the goal.

The number of projects the town can address may be limited. Kravitz heard the reporting requirements are onerous and that municipalities are being coached to trim the number of projects submitted to the federal program.

“Municipalities are being advised to choose one or two projects,” Kravitz said.

“To minimize the reporting,” said Thomas Fydenkevez, chair of the Selectboard.

“That being said, one of the recommendations of the revenue recovery plan was to hire an ARPA grant administrator,” Kravitz said, which “might be easier.”

Kravitz informed the board the ARPA funds will impact Sunderland’s budgeting. Expenses paid by ARPA funds keep several accounts, including free cash and capital improvements, more flush with locally sourced revenue, taxes and fees. He cited a request for a new cruiser for the Police Department, last year, was delayed by the Budget Planning Committee until this year.

“That would have a net effect on the budget,” said board member David J. Pierce.

Grounded in the formalities, the Selectboard turned to specific projects. Kravitz maintained a focus on the Police Department.

“When I look at the revenue recovery,” Kravitz said, “in particular the emergency radio upgrade, I think that has to be done.”

Pierce agreed, after which Kravitz added, “You also have the opportunity to … get the necessary repeaters.” He also recommended using $7,000 in program funds to purchase new firearms for the department.

Fydenkevez bemoaned money spent on the public safety building for the HVAC systems.

“I don’t have a problem fixing it,” Fydenkevez said. “I have a problem fixing it repeatedly and not solving the problem.”

Pierce said, “We’ve spent a lot more than we had to.”

Kravitz suggested community involvement, asking residents for ideas on how the money should be spent. The list of fundable projects, he said, should also reflect the long term goals and values of the community.

“Are we looking at reducing our carbon footprint here in town?” he asked. “None of the things listed here addresses that?”

Pierce replied, “That would probably come up under the Green Communities. We can look at tying that into here. Do we have five things on our checklist that we need to get to, for Green Communities, we could put on here?”

“Maybe that’s when we get charging stations up,” Fydenkevez said, referring to electrical car parking. “Talk to the school, talk to fire, police, let them know what you’re trying to do. Again, let’s build consensus and put together a solid plan.”

That plan may include a bonus for town employees who stayed on the job during the pandemic.

“I don’t have a problem giving them a one-time bonus to compensate those employees for their time, when they came in,” Fydenkevez said. “And I don’t think any monetary amount will compensate those people.”

“And it doesn’t express the gratitude we feel for them,” Kravitz said. Armed with new ideas, and the board’s tacit permission to solicit ideas from residents, he said, “Let’s circle back in a couple weeks.”