BEDFORD, N.Y. - Facing a year-end deadline, Bedford town officials completed spending plans last week for the last of their $1.8 million in federal Covid relief.
Affordable housing and additional road paving were the top-dollar beneficiaries in allocations of almost $1.5 million in stimulus cash. Outlays also went to increased funding for libraries, sewers, economic development and drug-abuse prevention.
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a $19.5 trillion federal stimulus windfall in 2021, gave Bedford $1,802,992 to help with pandemic recovery. The town had until Dec. 31 to specify the ways it will use the cash, which must be spent before 2027.
Supervisor Ellen Calves had convened a Town Board work session in September to discuss what she called the town’s “obligation to spend this money wisely.”
In approving $1,483,879 in ARPA spending at its Dec. 3 meeting, the board earmarked another $535,245 for road paving. Combining that latest allocation with $200,000 set aside two years ago, street resurfacing—a visible, popular expenditure—captured 40 percent of the total ARPA pie. Calves called paving “very expensive and . . . incredibly important.”
The funds are in addition to more than $1 million in town money set aside for the roadwork, Comptroller Brian Kenneally pointed out. “We’re still doing the exact same paving we intended to do—plus some,” he said, “so, I think that’s very positive.”
Public Works Commissioner Kevin Winn said later that the specific streets to be resurfaced will be selected next spring or early summer. “DPW is pleased to have the additional funds to improve our infrastructure condition,” he said in an email.
Affordable housing, a longtime town concern, received more than $650,000 in ARPA funding, which Calves and others applauded. “I am thrilled that we are getting a chance to use this money for affordable housing,” she said. “It is not easy to do, and this is a great use.”
In September the board had allocated $350,000 in Covid cash for a project to build four townhomes off South Bedford Road that would sell at below-market prices. Last week’s vote brought the total to $450,000 to help with land-acquisition and construction costs.
Two existing Katonah properties got more than $200,000 in funding: $100,000 for 123 Valley Road and $104,500 for Doyle House on North Katonah Avenue.
With almost $134,000 in ARPA money, the town’s two-year-old effort to revitalize local business activity, especially in Bedford Hills, was extended another two years; libraries will share about $194,000; and the Bedford Village Sewer District will add $5,450 to the $39,964 it received last year.
Budget Adopted
At its Nov. 19 meeting, the Town Board adopted Bedford’s $39.3 million budget for next year.
Tax-cap-compliant, the spending plan hikes the townwide tax rate by 63 cents to $42.75 for each $1,000 of assessed value. No one spoke at a pre-adoption public hearing.
Tortorella Honored
Proclaiming Dec. 3 “Geraldine ‘Gerri’ Tortorella Day,” the Town Board honored the lawyer, a Bedford resident, for her many contributions, especially in land-use law and conflict resolution.
New Town Flag?
When it comes to Bedford’s flag design, Trevor Lombardo of Katonah, a ninth grader at Rippowam Cisqua School, thinks the town “may be able to do better” than the one it now proudly flies.
“A fresh, new design flying along the downtown streets of the three villages would be a great way of showing our community and connection, as well as a great way to show our identity as a town,” he told the Dec. 3 meeting.
Saying Trevor has a point, Supervisor Ellen Calves asked the Town Board to establish a “small task force”—chaired by Councilwoman Stephanie McCaine and including Trevor, of course—to create a new flag, something that’s more than the town’s “seal on a bedsheet,” as the young vexillologist put it.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here