HARRISON — With the clock ticking toward year-end expiration for American Rescue Plan Act funds, Harrison’s Select Board has authorized Town Manager Cass Newell to commit to a handful of safety and civic expenditures, with final decisions on one to made by Dec. 12. Eight projects were up for consideration and the board determined to move forward on four of them during its meeting Nov. 14 at Town Office.

At the top of its priority list, the board favored the installation of flashing crosswalk alerts on Main Street – one at Crystal Lake Park and one at the other end of the village in the vicinity of the Long Lake public boat launch. Each section will have a warning light to alert drivers they are approaching pedestrian crossings as well as flashing lights when people are using the crosswalks.

The systems are provided by Maine Department of Transportation, which will determine where each flasher will be installed. The combined cost will be $16,000, although Town Manager Cass Newell will also pursue state-level grant opportunities that may defray the total amount needed from ARPA.

Harrison identified and approved its final priority list to use American Rescue Plan Act funds on during their Nov. 14 selectmen’s meeting. Pictured from right: Board member Kebora Kane, Vice-Chair Philip Devlin, Town Manager Cass Newell, Chair Matthew Frank, and Board members Nathan Sessions and Colleen Densmore.

The board approved purchasing up to 300 digital voting devices for use at town meetings, which will replace the paper vote and manual count system currently used. Newell noted that a couple of neighboring towns already utilize the “clickers” and she plans to purchase the same technology in anticipation that 300 may not be enough at a future time.

Select Board Chairman Matt Frank noted that Harrison’s could also be available for other communities to use. Newell said she recently checked pricing online and the current options posted are 250 units for $6,000. She will also review attendance data from recent town meetings before purchasing.

During the same motion, selectmen voted to allocate up to $11,000 for Portland Council of Governments to conduct a capital asset value study for Harrison, the first step before developing a capital needs assessment and eventually a comprehensive plan for the town.

The final project designated for ARPA funds is to assess Harrison’s needs for shoring up communications signals and using town-owned land for towers. Newell said there are gaps throughout the area that affect WIFI, cellular and first responder connectivity.

Crown Castle is the organization that owns tower infrastructure in the area, but property owners are able to collect revenues from service providers that sign on to use the signals. Crown Castle and providers Verizon and T-Mobile have presented their own engineering studies of geographic gaps, but the board felt Harrison should conduct its own study before accepting them.

Crown Castle estimates that a tower focused on local signals can be constructed for around $10,000. Board Vice-Chair Philip Devlin said at least two towers and possibly three may be needed, based on what a mapping study showing poor signal strength may be needed.

The board directed Newell to collect studies that have been provided and assess potential costs for Harrison to hire a third-party to assess the three-pronged needs for public safety, WIFI and cellular signals. A special Select Board meeting will be held to review the research and costs, with a vote to tap ARPA funds coming by Dec. 12.

That will leave about two weeks, including the Christmas holiday, to sign contracts and finalize purchases for the four projects.

Several other projects were included on Harrison’s ARPA list: constructing new playgrounds at Crystal Lake and the RADR park; a UTV and trailer for the fire department (estimated at around $50,000), Spectrum improvements; upgrading municipal phone systems; and repair or replacement of the Long Lake boat launch.

A private donor has offered to fund the playgrounds and the Spectrum issues have been resolved.

Selectmen agreed that time and resource constraints make the town’s phone system and boat launch rehabilitation not feasible at this time. There was no discussion to pursue a UTV/trailer.