Wareham is eligible to apply for $825,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, and the Select Board is inviting members of the public to share their thoughts on the potential uses of the money during its upcoming meeting on Aug. 24.

Jaime Rebhan-Buckminster of Community Opportunities Group, the firm that has managed Wareham’s Community Development Block Grants for years, briefed the Select Board on this year’s grant opportunities during the board’s Aug. 10 meeting.

Rebhan-Buckminster said that CDBG funds can only be used for projects in certain categories including those that benefit low or moderate-income people or prevent or eliminate slums and blight. 

After looking at the town’s priorities, Rebhan-Buckminster said the Community Opportunities Group proposed Wareham’s grant application commit:

• $415,000 to public improvements in Onset — including sidewalk repair along Highland Avenue near the Hammond School

• $165,000 to public social services (20 percent of the grant; the maximum allowed)

• $25,000 for an engineering study of 195 Main St., the dilapidated Cornwell’s building 

• $220,000 for program delivery and general administration of the grant.

But, she said, “the grant’s not written yet.” The allocations of money could change as the grant is written or based on public input.

Wareham is considered a “mini-entitlement plan community,” which means the town does not compete for these grants. Instead, Wareham is eligible to apply for the funding and receive the money automatically because it has demonstrated high need. 

“It’s not necessarily a good thing to have high need, but these funds are here so we can address some of those needs,” Rebhan-Buckminster said.