Dixfield will spend stimulus money on electronic city signs and more.

The current town notice board outside the Ludden Library in Dixfield. Bruce Farrin / Rumford Falls Times

DIXFIELD — The city will soon have an updated, double-sized electronic sign.
At its Oct. 28 meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 (Janice Merrill voted no) to spend the remainder of the government’s funds ($58,939) on various items for the city.

The city received $262,865 in ARPA funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also called the “COVID-19 Stimulus Package” or “American Rescue Plan.” It was a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 117th US Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden to speed the nation’s recovery from the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession.

Most of the remaining funds, estimated at about $48,000, will be used to replace the library’s outdated electronic sign, which was donated to the city.

City Manager Alicia Conn said the reason for the new sign is “because the one we have is very limited in what we can have and it only faces in the weirdest direction.”

She added that the new sign, which will include software updates, can be updated anywhere.
Conn said the city will also provide ARPA funds to purchase three “Welcome to Dixfield” signs costing $3,585 from Erik Designs. She said sign placement will come from Mexico, East Dixfield and Weld.

Board Chairman Richard Pickett said the cost would cost $7,353. Conn said the ARPA funds are about to expire.

With the remaining funds, Conn announced that it wanted to purchase two more sets of switch gear for firefighters. At the same time, the city provided firefighters with 12 sets of shoes, 8 sets of outerwear and 4 complete sets of inner clothing.

The city spent ARPA funds up front on a handicapped accessible door to City Hall, a security camera for City Hall, and updated software and technology.