By Shavonne Potts

shavonne.potts@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — In order to get the word out about the 2020 Census, East Spencer Mayor Barbara Mallett participated in a county video highlighting the importance of completing the forms.

In the video, which is featured on the county’s website, Mallett detailed how filling out the form could mean billions of dollars in federal funding for affordable housing, fire departments and employment/training programs

Town Administrator James Bennett said East Spencer is lagging in getting residents to complete the census. He said the town is also behind in sending in forms.

The board during its meeting this week also:

• Discussed the participation of an interlocal agreement with the county to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and shields as many other municipalities have done because of COVID-19.

The county has been able to purchase certain PPEs and is willing to make them available to municipalities at cost. The equipment is for firefighters and other first responders.

FEMA is likely to reimburse municipalities also.

• Contracted with Centric Technologies in Lexington to handle the town’s IT work.

• Contracted with Yates Grading & Paving to repave and patch a number of streets. The board and town staff created a master list of streets that are in need of repaving.