Wendell mulls adding position to handle grant applications

Published: 11-27-2024 11:58 AM

WENDELL — As they weigh adding another job to the staff roster, town officials intend to talk with Northfield’s grant development director to try to determine the effectiveness of having such a position.

Wendell is considering adding someone to the municipal payroll to handle grant applications if the cost can be justified, and the consensus at the most recent Selectboard meeting last week was to reach out to Leslie Roberts to learn more details about what the position might look like.

“Often grants come across our desks right now and we don’t have the capacity to write the application and submit it,” Selectboard Vice Chair Gillian Budine said.

She said Northfield started its program using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money. Budine also suggested having another conversation with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) to determine how it might be able to help Wendell with grant applications.

Phil Delorey, chair the Road Commission, attended the Selectboard meeting remotely and chimed in to say he might be interested in handling the town’s grant applications if a new role is created.

“I’ll just throw my hat in the ring,” he said. “I’d be interested to take on more of that, if you’re planning to hire someone to do it.”

Delorey pointed out he has secured two grants for Wendell — one for $500,000 and another for $150,000.

Selectboard member Paul Doud said tapping Delorey for the position is likely a good idea but he advocated for speaking with Roberts first “to see what the ins and outs are.” Roberts, a Fairfield, Vermont native and Holyoke resident, took over as Northfield’s grant development director in March.

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