MADAWASKA, Maine — The town accepted a matching $63,153 American Rescue Plan Act grant from Aroostook County on Tuesday that will help finance water and sewer work being done at the midtown plaza.
The town received $2 million from the federal government just two weeks ago to help revitalize the shopping plaza area. The new funding will not only help with the water and sewer work, but also go toward rebuilding the lot itself and creating entrances that lead in from Main Street and Seventh Avenue. The federal money will also fund ADA-compliant sidewalks.
The federal money, which comes from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, will significantly speed up the work and is the last significant piece needed to replace essential infrastructure. It will also fund EV charging stations, a multi-use recreation trail, public bathrooms and a space where vendors can showcase their products.
The town has also received grants from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Northern Border Regional Commission to help revitalize the plaza.
The water and sewer work, which the ARPA money is specifically funding, will support Fish River Rural Health’s expansion into the plaza.
Fish River Rural Health currently has a part-time clinic in Madawaska, but officials are expanding to a larger full-time facility due to a significant increase in demand. Fish River CEO Heather Pelletier said the facility has seen a 31 percent increase in visits from January to June of last year when compared to this year.
“What needs to happen there no matter what, for Fish River Rural Health to be able to build, is the sewer line needs to be relocated,” Town Manager Gary Picard said.
He said the town will use its existing ARPA monies to fund the match.
Picard said the town likely would not get a notice to proceed for the project until about November, which would be too late to begin construction.
“There are a lot of things that have to happen before you can put a shovel in the ground,” he said. “There’s a lot of paperwork.”
The board of selectmen unanimously agreed to accept the funding.
