Page 11 - BusinessWest November 24, 2021

Community Spotlight
Ludlow Weighs Options for Rescue Plan Funds
By Mark Morris
This fall, two long-anticipated projects in Ludlow opened to the public, and offi- cials say there’s more to come.
In September, the Harris Brook Elementary School on Fuller Street opened for full classes for students in grades 2-5. And in early November, the new Ludlow Senior Center officially opened on State Street. Board of Selectmen Chairman William Rosenblum said that, while Ludlow is already a desirable community, the new school and senior center make it even more so.
“It’s like the quote from Star Trek — ‘the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.’”
“We’ve addressed the bookends of our lives by investing in our children and our seniors,” Rosenblum told BusinessWest, adding that next up for this community is determining the best ways to spend $6.3 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Rosenblum said the Board of Selectmen is asking for input from town department heads and Ludlow citi-
zens on how to spend the funds in a way that will benefit the most people in the community and act as investments for the future.
“It’s like the quote from Star Trek — ‘the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few,’” he said, citing a line credited to Mr. Spock.
Rosenblum added that using the funds to make improvements and updates to existing facilities will take priority over embarking on new projects.
“For example, we’ll be upgrading the HVAC system at the safety complex,” he said. “It’s some- thing that needs to be done, and we will most likely use ARPA funds for it.”
Ludlow Town Planner Doug Stefancik said the guidelines in spending ARPA money focus on helping public health departments and business- es that were hit hard by the pandemic. They also allow towns to address recreational areas such as community centers and parks.
“This might be an opportunity to upgrade some of the existing facilities in our parks,” he added.
Another type of project allowed by ARPA involves investments in broadband. Rosenblum
Ludlow
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
NOVEMBER 24, 2021 11
Ludlow
at a glance
YEAR INCORPORATED: 1774
POPULATION: 21,002
AREA: 28.2 square miles
COUNTY: Hampden
RESIDENTIAL TAX RATE: $21.08
COMMERCIAL TAX RATE: $21.08
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $53,244
MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME: $67,797
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: Board of Selectmen, Representative Town Meeting
LARGEST EMPLOYERS: Hampden County House of Correction; Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital; Massachusetts Air National Guard; Kleeberg Sheet Metal Inc.
*Latest information available
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