BY ADAM ATKINSON

North Country This Week

POTSDAM — The town board has renewed its contract with a consulting firm that will advise the municipality on how best to spend its dole from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The contractual arrangement the town has with East Syracuse firm Strategic Development Specialists, LLC to provide administration and compliance for the municipality’s funding allotment will renew on Oct. 29.

The town board approved the new contract at its meeting on Sept. 13.

The town of Potsdam has received $500,000 from the federal government as part of the ARPA redistribution of $1.9 trillion in tax dollars to municipalities for economic stimulus in the wake of the pandemic. The money can only be used for specific things, including acute pandemic response needs, filling revenue shortfalls, and supporting populations of communities affected by the pandemic.

The town previously agreed to hire the firm in December 2021 to provide the services. That agreement was to lapse on Oct. 29 if not renewed.

Under the contract the firm will be paid $5,000 per quarter to advise the town. Strategic Development Specialists will assist the town in submitting necessary annual reports and other required documentation with the federal government.

They will also attend the necessary webinars, keep required records of Rescue Fund expenditures, determine eligibility of projects and help the town maintain compliance with the Treasury Department’s rules and regulations for the funding.

The new contract will lapse on April 30, 2023.