East Lyme — A list of projects that local officials want to fund with a small portion of the $2.7 million in federal COVID-relief funds coming to the town is making its way through official channels.

Again.

The Board of Selectmen on Monday resubmitted to the Board of Finance a $280,557 funding request after the finance board failed to act on it the first time around. The request earmarks a portion of the town's $2.7 million American Rescue Plan allocation for projects such as emergency services and information technology upgrades, youth services staffing and addressing regional hunger.

The Board of Selectmen initially sent the request to the Board of Finance for approval on July 7. As outlined in the town charter, the finance board had 30 days to vote on the request. But finance board chairwoman Camille Alberti said at the board's July 14 regular meeting that there wasn't enough time to discuss the request and any resulting questions, according to minutes. The request also did not appear on the agenda at the finance board's July 28 special meeting during which members voted on several other motions, including a roof replacement on the public safety building that is under renovation.

So selectmen met again Monday in an afternoon videoconference to resubmit the request, citing inaction by the finance board.

First Selectman Mark Nickerson called the delay unfortunate because it affects projects that could "help people through the pandemic."

"To my knowledge, as long as I've been around, I have not seen the Board of Finance deliberately not act on a finance matter and let the 30 days expire," Nickerson said.

He said the language in the town charter does not specify what happens if the finance board doesn't act on a request.

"Does that mean it's an automatic approval? Does that mean it's an automatic denial? The charter is silent, so the Board of Selectmen had to once again meet to reaffirm our support for the American Rescue funds," he said.

Alberti on Monday said the selectmen's request is on the agenda for Wednesday's finance board meeting.

Nickerson at the July 7 Board of Selectmen meeting said the $280,557 in funding requests were the most immediate priorities for COVID-relief funds in East Lyme. The town has already received $2.7 million, with the same amount to be deposited again next year. The funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2024.

The $280,557 appropriation includes $55,000 for a full-time youth services position to coordinate efforts in drug and alcohol prevention, wellness and mentoring. It also allocates $20,000 for a contracted clinical therapist.

Parks and Recreation Department director Dave Putnam, who oversees youth services, told selectmen back in July that the new coordinator would be charged with running the East Lyme Youth Coalition and revitalizing a youth mentorship program that fell to the wayside during the pandemic.

"I think now, with the kids coming out of COVID and not knowing what to expect here, is the appropriate time to use these monies for a wellness/prevention/mentoring coordinator," Putnam said.

He said the clinical therapist would work approximately eight hours per week, with a focus on after-school hours, weekends and summer vacation when counselors may not be available at the schools. Those involved with the youth services program would also like to be able to serve young adults ages 18 to 25 who are no longer in the school system, according to Putnam.

Nickerson in July told selectmen the need for additional mental health services has grown amid the pandemic. He cited several cases this summer involving the police that would have benefited from a youth services counselor who could work with young adults once the immediate crisis intervention services offered through the state have been completed.

Selectman Daniel Cunningham said the position is consistent with a view of policing promoted by social justice advocates in the aftermath of the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a police officer. The advocates have called for a shift in how much governments spend on policing, with some recommending that social workers become more involved in non emergency issues typically handled by law enforcement.

Also on the list is $14,428 to fund a high-end virtual meeting setup in Town Hall that will allow residents to use Zoom to participate in public meetings. The system includes a new computer, audio components, design engineering and installation.

Nickerson has said he hopes the technology will integrate seamlessly into the meeting without the kind of technical difficulties that can plague more informal setups.

The town's IT technology supervisor, Carmen Ames, said the equipment will allow board members to host a meeting in person while giving the public the option to join remotely to promote social distancing. She said the technology also could allow board members to participate remotely if necessary.

The largest chunk of the requested appropriation, which comes in at $132,000, would replace four microwave dishes that transmit radio signals for police, fire, EMS and emergency management services, as well as the public works department, water and sewer department and the senior center buses.

Another public safety communication project comes in at $44,000 to streamline town video surveillance systems, according to Police Chief Michael Finkelstein. The amount includes upgrading some cameras and adding additional cameras so that the feed can be transmitted to the new dispatch center in the public safety building, when it is completed. Cameras would be installed at sites including the community center and McCook's Point Park.

Finkelstein said the upgrades allow for greater security at the parks, boardwalk and beaches. He said the town is working with the nonprofit East Lyme Public Trust Foundation to reestablish the group's camera feed for the Niantic Bay Boardwalk after it was struck by lightning about two years ago.

At the community center, he said camera coverage will be expanded to cover the whole parking lot, where catalytic converters were stolen out of senior center buses on two occasions this year.

The total request from the selectmen also includes $5,129 for wireless networking improvements and a $10,000 contribution to help purchase a refrigerated truck for the regional, interfaith Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries organization.

The finance board will take up the request at 7 p.m. Wednesday in a virtual meeting. Remote participation details are available at www.eltownhall.com.