The Dorr Township Board Thursday night finally made some headway on spending federal money granted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Dorr received about $829,000 in ARPA money over the past two years and now has committed all but approximately $290,000 of it to projects believed to benefit the community.
The board already had agreed earlier to give $200,000 to the sustainable business park project in the northeast quadrant, which will help pay for a new way to recycle most trash rather than put it in a landfill. Also agreed to was $125,000 for the local fire department, leaving around $500,000 in the fund.
On Thursday evening, board members voted to spend $15,000 in support of several library projects, including books, authors, security and Internet “hot spots.” They also agreed to contribute $200,000 to the Parks Commission to pay for paving a parking lot, which spokeswoman Amanda Winters said is sorely needed, especially when there are ballgames at the park. Other needs include basketball and volleyball courts, a tennis court and a one-mile track.
Supervisor Jeff Miling praised the decision, saying, “I think it’s a great idea to invest in our parks. I think they’ve been hurting for money for decades.”
All but Trustee Patrick Champion voted in favor, with Champion insisting all projects per voted on as a complete package. He and Trustee John Tuinstra voted against the library funding as well.
Miling insisted that it’s perfectly legitimate to approve some but not all funding at the same time.
Board members discussed other ideas about spending funds on wage bonuses for office one election workers, firefighters and maintenance, on Wayland Area Emergency Services, broadband Internet and the Allegan County Community Health services. Still yet to be determined are support for finding a way to expand township offices into another building and the possibility of purchasing land for another cemetery.
Miling said he is opposed to spending ARPA funds on services or personnel outside Dorr Township and several colleagues agreed.
Clerk Debbie Sewers suggested the Parks Commission discuss the possibility a couple of years down the road of having a dedicated local millage for the parks.
Mr Young over the last few weeks we have seen stories of other municipalities and how they are using their ARPA money. Do you know how much the city of Wayland has received?And what ,if anything they have spent it on . I don’t recall reading anything about it, but maybe I missed it.