East Lyme — Selectmen this week authorized the formation of a committee to help guide decisions on how to spend roughly $3.8 million in federal pandemic relief aid.

The funding is part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that funnels $2.6 billion to municipalities in Connecticut to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The town, under the leadership of former First Selectman Mark Nickerson, allocated the first $1.6 million of its overall $5.46 million allocation on what were identified as immediate needs.

Newly seated Republican First Selectman Kevin Seery, who said distributing the funds is one of his top priorities, recommended during the reconstituted Board of Selectmen's first regular meeting that the board have a group of residents look into a "strategic plan" for administering the remaining funds.

The selectmen voted to include on the committee a selectman, Board of Finance member and town department head, along with members representing local nonprofit organizations, small businesses and the community at large.

Selectmen will appoint members, set ground rules and provide a timeline at their Jan. 5 meeting, Seery said.

Also planned for the same night is a special town meeting for residents to vote on a $67,392 request to use pandemic relief funds for a modernized timekeeping and attendance system at Town Hall. Selectmen earlier this month discussed the need to replace outdated equipment like the time-punch machine employees use to clock in and out and the three-part carbon paper still used for leave requests.

All requests for funding under the American Rescue Plan so far have gone through the process outlined in the town charter for special appropriations over $10,000, which requires endorsement by selectmen and the finance board before going to a public vote at a town meeting.

Money has been awarded to date for projects large and small, with a new roof for the public safety building and the reconstruction of one of the town's wells coming in as the biggest-ticket items. Smaller awards went to nonprofit organizations including the East Lyme Giving garden, local veterans groups and the New London Homeless Hospitality Center to help them better serve the community affected by the pandemic.

Federal guidance specifies the funds can be used in several categories that target individuals or the community as a whole. Qualifying uses revolve around responding to the coronavirus public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, providing premium pay to eligible essential workers, replacing lost public-sector revenue and making necessary investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure.

Those interested in being considered for membership on the committee should contact the first selectman's office at (860) 691-4110 or kseery@eltownhall.com.

e.regan@theday.com