SPIRA
SPIRA - Sustainability Plan Implementation Reserve Account
Grant funds to address sustainability and resiliency are becoming more available through state, federal and private dollars, and we need to be able to apply for them in a timely way. We need to be nimble. By having a Reserve Account available, we can quickly access matching funds so that we are able to be “at the table” when grants are awarded. The Board of Selectman approves any grant application and any expenditure of funds, providing important oversight for each decision. Reserve Account expenditures can also be approved for use on projects for which there is no grant funding available.
Since the account's inception in 2023 SPIRA enabled the town to to pursue and receive planning grants in the amount of $196,000 with an outlay from the town of $34,000.
For a detailed Q&A about SPIRA read the document linked below titled SPIRA Q&A
SPIRA Reserve Account
| 3/11/2023 | SPIRA Account Established | $60,000 |
| 10/25/2023 | Abner Pt. and Bethel Pt. Roads Grant Match (Committed) | ($10,000) |
| 2/28/2024 | Lowell's Cove and Dingley Islands Road Grant Match (Committed) | ($9,000) |
| 3/9/2024 | Town Meeting Added | $50,000 |
| 11/7/2024 | Town Dock FEMA Project + resiliency upgrade (Committed) | ($10,000) |
| 12/17/2024 | Flooding Potential Analysis Map Grant Match (Committed) | ($5,000) |
| Balance | $76,000 | |
| 3/8/2025 | Request to bring fund back to $100k | $24,000 |