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understood $500,000 was set aside for resident’s concerns and asked Mr. Pato to say more about <br />this. Mr. Pato said this refers to the Participatory Budgeting process for which $1.1 million has <br />been set aside over the next two years. There will be a total of three cycles, the first of which is <br />already completed. There were about 200 applications to the program. The Town Manager is in <br />the process of narrowing the number down to 10 and the Board will prioritize the list. This was <br />also a way to engage residents in the process. Mr. Bartenstein asked about the maximum allowed <br />grant for a request. Mr. Pato said it was $25,000, but merchants were required to demonstrate the <br />pandemic’s impact on their business. Grants were not intended to make them whole, but rather to <br />ensure that they did not go out of business. Mr. Bartenstein asked whether a business could apply <br />for grant money more than once. Mr. Pato said that was not the case. However, they did open it <br />up for all one time, but the conditions were very stringent. Mr. Bartenstein asked whether we <br />have set aside contingencies so that we are better prepared should such a pandemic occur another <br />time. Mr. Pato said that money was assigned for public health, mental health, and other services <br />and for a study for planning on how to respond. Mr. Parker commented that the funds need to be <br />spent and cannot just be put into reserves. <br />Adjourn <br />The meeting was adjourned by roll call vote at 9:38 p.m. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />Anil Ahuja <br /> <br />Approved: February 2, 2023 <br /> <br />Exhibits: <br />Agenda, posted by Mr. Parker <br />