Kingston, NY—Legislative Chair Tracey Bartels has announced appointments to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Special Committee established at the January 10 Organizational Meeting.
Chair
Peter Criswell—City of Kingston, District 7
Deputy Chair
Thomas Corcoran, Jr.—Town of Marlborough, District 11
Members
Aaron J. Levine—Town of Saugerties, District 1
Craig V. Lopez—Towns of Shawangunk & Wawarsing, District 14
Megan Sperry—Towns of Esopus & New Paltz, District 17
The ARPA Special Committee will focus on the investment and allocation of the $34,491,474 in American Rescue Plan Act federal funding. All ARPA expenditure proposals will be reviewed and tracked by the special committee before being forwarded to the appropriate Legislative Standing Committees.
The special committee will ensure ARPA funds are effectively used to provide immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses affected by COVID-19, improve essential public services, and eliminate systemic health and economic challenges that have contributed to the unequal impact of the pandemic.
Chair Bartels (Towns of Gardiner & Shawangunk, District 16) states, “I view the ARPA Special Committee as a critically important committee and thank the Legislature for supporting its creation. During the coming term, the special committee will have a great deal of responsibility and work to do as it vets and evaluates all ARPA-funded projects on behalf of the residents of Ulster County. I thank each of the committee members for agreeing to do this important work.”
The committee will work in partnership with the executive team to make long-term improvements, with special focus on the people and communities that COVID and the COVID pandemic have most impacted.
ARPA Special Committee chair Legislator Peter Criswell (City of Kingston, District 7) explained that this is a once-in-a-lifetime funding opportunity for Ulster County. “The committee's goal is to ensure that ARPA funds have the greatest impact possible, said Legislator Criswell. “The committee will think carefully about long-term effects and how to seed projects that will continue to bear fruit in the future," said Legislator Criswell.
"I'm honored and appreciate the assignment to this committee. I take the responsibility of overseeing the distribution of these funds seriously and look forward to helping our communities and the residents of Ulster County,” said Deputy Chair Thomas Corcoran (Town of Marlborough, District 11).
Deputy Chair Corcoran adds, "I look forward to partnering with ARPA Special Committee members, the Legislature, and the executive team to determine how to invest the federal funds to serve the long-term best interests of Ulster County and each our individual communities."
"The committee is prepared to hit the ground running," Criswell shares. "Over the past year, legislators and the Executive branch have had many valuable discussions about how to spend the funds," says Criswell. "In addition, we have a great deal of input from Ulster residents and insightful data to draw upon."
The public is encouraged to listen to ARPA Special Committee discussions and reach out to the committee with agenda topics of special concern.
The ARPA Special Committee will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be online via Zoom. To listen by phone, call 846–558–8656; Meeting ID: 846 2769 9696.
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