MMA says state to provide pothole repair $

This notice from the Massachusetts Municipal Association this morning-

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

^{PATRICK ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE CITIES AND TOWNS WITH $30 MILLION FOR POTHOLE AND WINTER RECOVERY EFFORTS}

^{$30 MILLION IN ONE-TIME AID TO BE AVAILABLE AND ALLOCATED THROUGH CHAPTER 90 FORMULA}

In one hour, Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey will officially announce that Governor Patrick has established a $40 million “Pothole and Winter Recovery Program” that will provide cities and towns with $30 million in funding this spring to repair potholes and other damage to roads, signs, facilities and equipment caused by the punishing winter. The remaining $10 million will be used by the state Highway Division for similar repairs to state roads.

Secretary Davey will make the announcement at a press conference in Dorchester, joined by MMA President and Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas, Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan and other state and local officials.

According to MassDOT, this one-time program is funded through anticipated surpluses in the state’s fiscal 2014 capital spending plan, caused by “the delay in the passage of transportation bond bill.”

The $30 million for cities and towns will be allocated to municipalities using the Chapter 90 formula. The program will allow municipalities to implement “repairs of potholes, cracking, signage, guardrail or other damage,” as well as “repairs to municipal vehicles or transportation facilities (e.g. garages, fueling stations)” or “projects identified through written agreement between MassDOT and a municipality.”

MassDOT officials have outlined the following details: 1) the program will be implemented this month, with all qualifying work completed by September of 2014; 2) the department will issue one-time contracts with municipalities allowing them to draw down their share of the $30 million for the specific purpose of road and facility repairs; and 3) these contracts will include a “use it or lose it” clause to ensure that the funds are obligated for specific projects prior to the end of this fiscal year on June 30 and that funds are spend and projects completed by next September.

Cities and towns will be receiving official notification and information of this program within the next several days.

This year’s harsh winter has damaged local roads, generated countless potholes and placed a huge burden on local taxpayers as municipal leaders work to shore up their crumbling roadways. Communities will put these funds to immediate use rebuilding and repairing roads, equipment and facilities in every corner of Massachusetts, which will save money, help our economy and improve public safety.

This is very good news for cities and towns, and the MMA applauds Governor Patrick, Secretary Davey and MassDOT for this important program!