East Bridgewater Receives $2.6 Million in ARPA Funds

Still faces budget challenges amid extended retirement system funding timeline

EAST BRIDGEWATER, MA -November 18 - East Bridgewater received $2,610,048.88 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from Plymouth County Commissioners, officials announced at a recent Select Board meeting. The town plans to use the money for infrastructure improvements and to address students' social and emotional needs following the pandemic.

Commissioner Jared Valanzola presented the funds, highlighting the unique use East Bridgewater has planned for the money.

"A lot of the social and emotional behavioral health for students during and now since the pandemic concluded is an issue that I think was flying a little under the radar," Valanzola said. "Certainly, in East Bridgewater, you have not only been on the forefront of addressing that issue, but continuing to find ways to address that issue, and it's an important one."

The ARPA funds come as East Bridgewater grapples with financial constraints due to changes in the Plymouth County retirement system. Town Administrator Charlie Seelig explained that the retirement system has extended its full funding timeline from four to six years, creating budget challenges.

"We were under the impression when we went to town meeting in May that we would be done within four years, and now they're saying in six," Seelig said. "But it's not a reduction in payments during that time."

The extended timeline means the town must spread its financial obligations over a longer period, potentially impacting future budgets and contract negotiations. Seelig warned that increases in retirement system payments and health insurance costs could consume most of the town's property tax increases for the next six years.

"What that means is that if we want increases in any budget line item, whether they're for union contracts or for any other reasons, that there are going to have to be some traction somehow at the other end," Seelig said.

The town is also facing several major projects, including potential renovations or replacement of the Central School and repairs to the Mitchell Middle School. The school department is working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority on both projects.

Superintendent Elizabeth Legault explained the need for repairs at Mitchell Middle School, saying, "The roof is old. I don't know the exact year, and we've been repairing it over and over and over again."

The town must hold a special town meeting by mid-January to appropriate funds for a feasibility study for the Mitchell Middle School project. The select board voted to schedule this meeting for Jan. 13, 2025.

Despite the financial challenges, town officials expressed optimism about recent land sales that could provide some short term relief. The town recently sold a large parcel for $2.1 million, which will be used to balance operations and capital expenses.

"It's off our rolls, off our responsibility, and we'll at some point be getting property tax revenue on an annual basis, which will help the town's cost," Seelig said.

Select Board member Peter Spagone emphasized the need for additional funding sources, highlighting a proposed development project along Route 18 as a potential solution.

"It's one of the opportunities. The only one I've come up with and we've come up with in the last few years that has the ability to get this additional funding on a revolving aspect," Spagone said.

As the town navigates these financial challenges, officials stressed the importance of open communication and collaboration between departments. School Committee Chair Gordon McKinnon echoed this sentiment.

"More information is always better than the opposite. That helps everybody in the process," McKinnon said.

The Select Board and School Committee agreed to meet again in January to continue discussions on budget issues and potential solutions. In the meantime, town officials will work to balance the needs of various departments and services while addressing the financial constraints posed by the extended retirement system funding timeline.