Chapter 90 holdup… Or holdup?

Chapter 90 holdup…

Or holdup?

Communities throughout Massachusetts rely on Chapter 90 money to complete road projects. In Templeton, Chapter 90 money is used for engineering and design as well as road reconstruction. Templeton has used Ch. 90 money for Baldwinville Rd engineering ($380,821.70 so far), Back Bay Project CDBG Grant– Columbus, Mason, Cherry & Summer St. ($23,952.94). Wellington Rd resurfacing ($86,992.23)

Templeton Chapter 90 spreadsheet .

The cost difference in road resurfacing between Wellington Rd and the Back Bay project, is due to the CDBG grant funding for the Back Bay project.

At Town Meeting, a vote was taken:

To see if the Town will vote to accept and expend a sum of money from the Town of Templeton’s fiscal year 2014 Chapter 90 apportionment from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Chapter 90 program, and any additional sums of money that may be available in accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Chapter 90 program and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Works, and to borrow in anticipation of 100% reimbursement of said amounts, or to take any other action relative thereto.

Submitted by the Board of Selectmen

On a motion duly made and seconded the town voted that Five Hundred Fourteen Thousand Four Hundred Eighteen Dollars ($514,418.00) and any additional sum of money that may be available in accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Chapter 90 program be hereby accepted and the Board of Selectmen is hereby authorized to enter into one or more contracts with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Works and to expend such funds for the purposes provided, and further that the Treasurer of the town, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be hereby authorized to borrow in anticipation of 100% reimbursement of said amounts.

Passed Unanimously/May 14th @ 7:38

The construction season is limited in Massachusetts. Asphalt plants usually close in November. The window of opportunity for completing road projects is from early April until November…depending on the weather. Any hold up on the release of Chapter 90 money impacts road reconstruction.

The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) sends out legislative alerts when there are changes that will impact communities throughout Massachusetts. Yesterday this message was released by the MMA:

GOVERNOR RELEASES $150 MILLION FOR CHAPTER 90, WITHHOLDING HALF OF THE PROGRAM FROM CITIES AND TOWNS

GOVERNOR OFFERS NO COMMITMENT OR FIRM PLAN TO RELEASE ALL $300 MILLION AFTER THE TRANSPORTATION FINANCE BILL REACHES HIS DESK.

Full Text of Legislative Alert

PLEASE CONTACT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE (617-725-4000) AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND ASK THE GOVERNOR TO COMMIT TO RELEASE THE FULL $300 MILLION AUTHORIZATION.  SHORTCHANGING CHAPTER 90 WILL DELAY IMPORTANT LOCAL PROJECTS, SHORTEN THE CONSTRUCTION SEASON, AND INCREASE COSTS FOR CITIES AND TOWNS.

It appears the governor is holding Chapter 90 money hostage to gain support from legislators for the governor’s other budget initiatives. For Templeton, this means we will receive half of the amount voted on at Town Meeting ($514,418.00 voted… $250,000).

If you feel strongly about this issue, please contact the governor’s office. Also contact Senator Brewer and Rep. Andrews about this important issue.

My opinions…supported by FACTS ! ! !

Julie Farrell