FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 24, 2022
Contact: Steve Smirti, Director of Communications (ssmirti@medford-ma.gov), 516-606-1524
Medford Releases Results of American Rescue Plan Survey, Sets Date of Community Meeting for November 9th
Respondents identified several areas of interest for investment, including parks/open spaces, food insecurity and water/sewer improvements
(MEDFORD)—The City has closed its American Rescue Plan survey and will outline the results at a virtual community meeting via zoom on November 9th at 6p.m., Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced.
Upon the signing of the American Rescue Plan by President Biden in March 2021, the City of Medford was allocated nearly $50 million in federal stimulus funding over a four-year period. The funding must be allocated to eligible pandemic-affected programs and resources. After allocating a percentage to existing fiscal needs—such as revenue replacement (over $20 million) and needs outlined by city staff who are working every day to help those most affected by COVID-19—some of the over $20 million remaining will be invested directly into community projects, programs and initiatives as well as water and sewer infrastructure, open space need, and so much more.
“The data we received from this survey will help inform our future project investments and allow us to better understand where there are unmet needs in our community,” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said. “While the projects we’ve already allocated funding for closely match the wishes of our residents, we’re now equipped with additional information from the public that will allow us to better craft our strategy to closely align with their priorities.”
The survey, launched in July, was distributed in multiple languages and aimed at helping gather community input and priorities for how to best allocate a portion of the remaining available funding.
Respondents ranged from a broad cross section of backgrounds and demographics—making up varying income, education and housing levels—and highlighted several areas of interest for the City to invest funding.
Respondents were asked to identify several areas that they wanted to see the most investment. Per the data, the top three eligible areas where the City should allocate ARPA monies are:
- Water/Sewer/Street improvements — 64.2%
- Improvements to outdoor green and park spaces — 61.5%
- Investment in Social Services (housing services, food assistance, mental health services, childcare)— 60.3%
These results closely reflect the priorities of the City’s ARPA strategy and to date, about 80 projects have been approved that fulfill these expenditure areas, as well as several other key buckets such as Public Health, Infrastructure/Broadband and negative economic impact.
How funds are allocated:
While some Cities allocated specific funding amounts to various sectors, Medford took a needs-based approach, driven by department head requests for projects and initiatives that were emergent. This strategy allows for department heads, City staff and the Mayor to identify and fund immediate projects that fulfill eligible criteria. This enables City staff to be nimble and flexible when prioritizing where to invest funding. As a result, the City has a robust list of projects currently underway or approved.
Brief overview of projects:
- Public Health
- Rapid COVID-19 tests
- Multi-language Kiosk payment system
- Water Filling stations installed in our schools
- Public Health Rodent Program
- Voting Booth upgrades
- Negative Economic Impact
- Renovation of Tufts Pool Deck
- Free one-month trial memberships of Bluebikes to low-income residents
- McGlynn Playground Redesign
- Support for Community Memorial Gardens at MPS
- Parking Meter upgrades in Medford Square
- Public Sector Workforce
- Admin support in the Board of Health
- Community Social Worker
- Board of Health 5 Multilingual Community Liaisons Project
- Health Equity and Outreach Coordinator
- Translation Services for communications
- Economic Development Planner
- Infrastructure
- Sewer lining upgrades
- Centralized wastewater treatment projects on Main Street and Mystic Avenue
- DPW Water Meter System
- Flood mitigation projects
- Lead Rebate Program
- Water/Sewer/Street upgrades on Pinkert Street
Residents will receive a more comprehensive presentation of current and future projects, along with a thorough breakdown of data compiled from the ARPA survey at the November 9th meeting. For more info, including zoom information and a complete list of projects visit medfordma.org/arpa.
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Steve Smirti
Director of Communications | Office of Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn
Medford City Hall
85 George P Hassett Dr, Medford, MA 02155
781-393-2529 (office)
516-606-1524 (mobile)
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