Madison has received about $5.3 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, the federal progrm intended to help the nation recover from the COVID pandemic. The next steps will be to find the best use within the constraints of the funding.

First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said that the money Madison received is going to have a lasting impact on a number of programs and projects for the town. Though there are the usual restrictions on how and where the funds are directed, Lyons the public needs to be part of that equation.

According to Lyons, there is some leeway in what municipalities can use the funds for.

“Basically, the funds help towns impacted by the pandemic and are part of the revitalization process. These funds ensure communities like Madison recover,” said Lyons.

According to Lyons, a small portion of the money has already been spent on public safety projects and another $800,000 is earmarked for the school district, but the rest of the funds can be spent in a number of ways that residents can have a direct say in.

“We are currently in the process of setting up a committee to put a plan together for public hearings. We hope to have that committee seated some time in November. The Board of Selectman will obviously provide some guidance but we need public input,” Lyons said. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity in many respects and we felt as a board that the public needs to be part of this process and that takes time. We hope the board with the input form the community can supply an overall strategic plan on where best to spend the funds.”

Selectman Bruce Wilson, said he urges residents to seek information and provide feedback to the board.

“As a rule, I believe grant money should be used for one-time projects, like purchasing the oxygen generator for the Madison Ambulance Association. This equipment will allow all of our first responders to refill oxygen tanks here in town,” said Wilson. “The [American Rescue Plan] grant, like all public funds, should be spent with careful thought and taxpayer input. The Board of Selectmen created an ad hoc committee in August to provide a mechanism for requests to be submitted and considered by the town. I would encourage any organization that believes they meet the federal eligibility requirements to submit a proposal to the town.”

Lyons said no decisions have been made on where to allocate the remaining funds, but said that public safety and infrastructure are two areas that will likely be part of the discussion. Lyons said there are a number of projects and issues that could benefit from these funds, but as with most federal money, there are some constraints on how and where municipalities use their allotment.

“Parts of the plan and funding can be quite restrictive, but we want to target health and safety as a priority. The original intent was to focus on the most vulnerable and those most impacted by the pandemic, and that’s our focus as well,” Lyons said.

Restrictions on the funds include identifying specific projects for allocation by 2024 and that the money must be spent by 2026, according to Lyons.

Residents are encouraged to visit the town website www.madisonct.org and to review upcoming Board of Selectmen meetings to see when the public discussion on the use of these funds will be on the agenda.