Ken
O’Brien
"I am pleased that one of the first acts of
this administration is to fulfill our commitment to ensure local governments
have access to the infrastructure funds they have been promised for
transportation upgrades," said Governor Baker. "The release of these
funds represents a step towards creating better jobs and building stronger
communities in Massachusetts."
A letter from Governor Baker was issued today
informing local officials of his decision to release the funds. Each
community’s share of funding is predetermined by a formula that includes
factors such as population, road miles and employment. The release of this $100
million constitutes the remaining one-third of additional Chapter 90 funding
authorized in 2014.
The letter to Southbridge officials read as follows:
"After serving as local elected officials,
Governor Baker and I understand the need for a strong partnership between our
communities and state government," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.
"Today's announcement sends a clear message that our administration will
be responsive to the needs of local governments across the commonwealth."
Chapter 90 reimburses cities and towns for costs
incurred for eligible transportation projects. Cities and towns must submit
receipts to the Highway Department district in which they are located which
verifies that the expenditures qualify for reimbursement under Chapter 90. The
Highway Department districts in turn submit these receipts to the Department of
Transportation’s Fiscal Department which facilitates the reimbursements to
cities and towns. Funding for Chapter 90 is accomplished through the issuance
of bonds.
Can we buy a scale and put it at the bottom of Commercial Drive? The landfill filled up almost twice as fast as promised, and with less than half the weight the expert engineers certified it would take.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a second scale would pay for itself in a year or or less, so that wouldn't need state funding. That's what the Landfill Enterprise Fund is for, right?
The Stone Bridge on Central Street should be repaired and its features highlighted, or perhaps the money can be used to replace the dozens of beautiful trees that were destroyed to widen Woodstock Road a few feet.
Why did they widen Woodstock Road? Is it true that it was for commercial trucking?
Let's hope they spend it well. We better watch it close before they figure out how to use it to resurface a pension fund.
They will likely waste that money finishing the sidewalk to the Community Center that is seldom used by the pedestrians. I am not saying pedestrians don't use the sidewalk, I am saying that they don't bother walking the distance to the Community Center.
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