Mayor Domenic J. Sarno continues with his citywide listening tour as part of the Administration’s community outreach initiatives on utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Today, Mayor Sarno, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer (CAFO) TJ Plante, Chief Development Officer (CDO) Tim Sheehan, Director of Recovery and Business Continuity Attorney Tom Moore, and Director of Technical Assistance and Compliance Patrice ‘Chae’ Swan had meetings with the New North Citizens Council and the Old Hill Neighborhood Council to discuss their ideas and thoughts on how the City can best utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to continue to enhance their respective neighborhoods.
New North Citizens Council Executive Director Maria Ligus, Chief Operating Officer Jose Claudio, and fellow board members, including School Committee Woman Maria Perez were in attendance for the New North Citizens Council meeting. Old Hill Neighborhood Council President and School Committee Woman Barbara Gresham and State Representative Bud Williams were among those present for the Old Hill Neighborhood Council meeting, along with other board members.
Mayor Sarno stated, “My ARPA team and I had two very productive discussions today with my friends at the New North Citizens Council and the Old Hill Neighborhood Council. I was very pleased to hear their ideas on the potential use of ARPA funding towards the seven categories my Administration has identified to capitalize on and to continue to move our City forward for everyone. We have another transformative opportunity to continue to shape the future of our City, similar to the numerous neighborhood and economic development projects my Administration made post tornado. As previously announced, I have created these seven (7) categories; job creation/economic development, capital projects, assistance for businesses, non-profits, seniors, our neighborhoods, and housing, in which my administration will issue RFP’s in order to enhance these initiatives for the betterment of all in our City. I look forward to these listening sessions with our neighborhood councils, some of which we have already begun and received feedback from.”
Mayor Sarno has already met with a number of non-profit agencies, business groups and religious organizations to discuss the potential opportunities for the City of Springfield to utilize ARPA funding. In addition to today’s meetings, Mayor Sarno and city officials have met with the Hungry Hill, East Springfield, Maple High Six Corners and McKnight Neighborhood Councils. More Neighborhood Council meetings have continued to be scheduled and so far their feedback has been that they love the more personalized meetings. They have been very focused and constructive.
