The ARPA money is designed to get people outside.”

Barrington Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Mike Seward

First there was $4.7 million.

Then there was $2.8 million. 

And soon, the town’s allotment of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding will be completely consumed by various projects and purchases. 

Members of the Barrington Town Council are expected to discuss the ARPA funding at their meeting on Sept. 12, and officials from the town’s Park and Recreation Commission are hoping that the council earmarks some of the money for recreation projects and improvements.

Barrington Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Mike Seward said there is a lot of interest in the proposed recreation upgrades.

“The ARPA money is designed to get people outside,” Seward said, during a recent interview. “That’s what the money was meant for.”

So far, the town council has dedicated the ARPA money to a variety of other projects. They spent more than $1 million on upgrades to the regional wastewater facility. Other projects to receive funding include cybersecurity for town, a fiber optic upgrade for town buildings, fire department radios, and “electrifying” the fleet of town vehicles. 

Barrington Park and Recreation Commission member Thomas “TR” Rimoshytus questioned whether use of the ARPA funds on some of the projects was appropriate — he specifically mentioned electrifying the fleet of town vehicles. 

“What does that have to do with the community?” Rimoshytus asked. 

During a recent Park and Recreation Commission meeting, officials from youth sports leagues in town discussed some of the projects they would like to see completed: roofs for Little League dugouts, a scoreboard for a softball field, irrigation for playing fields, and shade structures and pavilions. 

Seward said he expects youth sports league officials and parents of young athletes to attend the upcoming council meeting. 

Seward said there is also interest in the proposed improvements to tennis and pickleball courts.

Rimoshytus said the Park and Recreation Commission had recommended a number of the projects receive ARPA funding, but they failed to receive support from the council during their July meeting. 

That experience left Rimoshytus feeling frustrated.

“Why do they even have a Park and Recreation Commission?” Rimoshytus said.

Not funded yet

Following is a list of projects that have not yet received earmark funding from the ARPA money:

• Haines Park, Phase 1: $1,000,000

• Tennis courts resurfacing: $500,000

• Beach shade structure: $97,077

• Lincoln Ave. tennis courts shade structure: $43,266

• Rooftop HVAC units at library: $280,000

• Chianese baseball field dugout covers: $13,750

• Resurface Legion Way rink: $39,875

• Police Cove splash pad expansion: $50,000

• AC for planning office: $15,000

• Pavillion at middle school: $47,000

• Dugout covers at BMS baseball field: $27,000

• Skate park at Legion Way: $250,000

• Sidewalk and bike infrastructure: NA

Already funded

The following projects have already been earmarked for ARPA funds but he council:

• Cybersecurity for town: $40,000

• Fiber optic upgrade for town buildings: $77,000

• Upgrade IT closet at town hall: $10,175

• Fire department radios: $75,000

• SigCom radio consoles: $80,000

• Repair drainage problem outside senior center: $125,000

• Electrify town fleet: $75,000

• Fix erosion at Latham Park, Allin’s Cove: $100,000

• Repair sea wall at Police Cove: $200,000

• New way-finding signs: $19,000

• Playground improvements: $50,000

• Police Cove fence along seawall: $30,000

• South Lake Drive bike path: $75,000