2024-01-30 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Transportation

REP STRAUS - I'm Representative Bill Straus. I'm the House co-chair of the Joint Committee rotation. With me is, my Senate cochair, Senator Crighton, from Lynn. We are, conducting, a hybrid hearing, which means that we have and accept, live here, and we have some witnesses signed up and we also have, some witnesses who have signed up online. So that means with these hybrid hearings that we conduct now under our rules, the public is able to participate, both here and remotely so that the joint committees can get the, widest, opportunity to, hear public input on the legislation. We excuse me. We only have two Bills, before the committee.

One of them, of course, is the governor's Bill for, authorization and borrowing authority for this Chapter 90 program. I was reminded just before the hearing, that this is probably the earliest in the calendar year that the legislature has, at least within our collective memories, conducted a public hearing on, a governor's Chapter 90 requests. We do, as a courtesy for those as familiar, with our procedures. We do as a courtesy because275 of their schedules elsewhere in the building, recognize, members of the legislature who may be here, and some of them I know already will be testifying. We do, however, in this case, intend to start with the administration's witness that is on behalf of the governor's Bill, and that would be the highway administrator, Jonathan Gulliver.

Before I recognize him, I'm just looking and want to indicate the members of the committee, who, are here, already today, remotely, we have signed in as members of the committee, Representative Fluker Oakley, Representative, Natalie Blay, Representative, Steve Howitt, a ranking minority member, and representative Orell from Lakeville in attendance. We have the House Vice Chair, Murray. I see Representative Kerans is here, Representative Capano, and, Representative Sabadosa to my right. If347 I've missed any, I'll be corrected as we continue with our process. I'll353 turn it over to my co-chair if you have any, opening thoughts.

SEN CRIGHTON - No opening thoughts. I think you covered it all. I just want to welcome everyone and thank the members of the committee. Excited to have such an early hearing for Chapter 90 this year.

STRAUS - Okay. So, we do have the Governor's Bill. It was a referral, to the Committee, on Transportation, which had been approved by both the House and Senate in informal questions. So it is before us. At this point, I would turn the floor over to Mr. Gulliver. I see you, and, the floor is yours.

JONATHAN GULLIVER - MASSDOT - HB 4283 - Alright. Thank you, Chairman Strauss. Thank you, Chairman Crighton and members of the joint committee, and the many staff as well for the opportunity to speak here today. My name is Jonathan Gulliver,401 and I'm the state highway administrator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in the Healy Driscoll administration. On behalf of MassDOT secretary and CEO, Monica Tibbetts, not in the Healy Driscoll administration. I414 am here to testify in support of House 4283, an Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges. House 4283 strengthens our ongoing commitment to address critical local road and bridge needs. This legislation proposed is431 funding the Chapter 90 program at 400,000,000,433 spanning state years of fiscal 2025 and fiscal year 2026.

As we all know, the Chapter 90 program is a critical funding source relied upon by municipalities to fund road and, bridge maintenance needs. This two-year approach that is, proposed by the governor is the result of many, many conversations with cities and towns across the common who have clearly communicated that a two-year approach gives them more certainty462 and flexibility in the development of a roadway maintenance program. This proposed 400,000,000 allocation helps us meet historical funding levels for this program while balancing the state's many other transportation needs. Additionally, the governor's budget filed last week proposes supplementing the Chapter 90 program with an additional 100,000,000 as well as another 24,000,000 specifically for rural and regional transportation funding to address the needs of smaller communities across the state.

Combined, the administration's total investment in local transportation needs for this year is proposed to be $324,000,000. We also continue to support and supplement Chapter 90 with direct investments in our targeted grant programs like complete streets, shared streets, local the local bottleneck program, municipal paving, and the small bridge program. We continue to be extremely grateful to the legislature which has, continued to support these programs, which have really become an525 incredibly useful tool, when for communities that often combine those grant opportunities with Chapter 90 funds, to replace or improve bridges roadways, and other transportation infrastructure in538 their communities.

Communities are eager to plan and implement their investments542 for the year. As the administrator of the Chapter 90 program, MassDOT sees the on-the-ground changes that these important programs provide. From new roadway improvements to sidewalks553 and bike paths, municipalities are taking advantage556 of the variety of558 dynamic funding sources to respond to the560 unique needs of their residents. MassDOT is also aware that some communities struggle with how and when to best spend their Chapter 90 funds. Some allow their annual apportionments to stockpile over time, and roll ahead to several fiscal years. As this committee is well aware, we have put a lot of effort into providing resources to cities and towns.

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GULLIVER - As the committee is aware, we have put a lot of time and effort into providing resources to cities and towns to help592 them better manage their programs and take advantage of all the funds that are available to them. We have listened to communities and continue to listen to communities. And as a result of, those discussions, we've made a number of improvements over these last few years. Then, we're really excited this year to be releasing a new online municipal grant portal, which will be coming out this spring. This new online portal simplifies the application planning process for all of our grants making it easier than ever for municipalities to apply for funds from us from those grant sources.

We additionally continue to provide technical expertise from each of our district offices where MassDOT engineers work directly with communities on transportation issues and help them develop strategies for using Chapter 90 funds and for these other direct funding opportunities. The resources that we provide help communities better plan projects and budget their Chapter 90 funds. The two-year allotment, currently proposed along with these tools helps communities plan for larger and more impactful transportation projects over those multiple fiscal years.

We appreciate that there's more work to do to make municipal programs more useful for communities, and we intend to continue to speak with community leaders and solicit feedback from the legislature and, again, local leaders, and really build upon what's working and look for opportunities to improve what is not. The proposed 400,000,000 two-year apportionment of Chapter 90 funding solidifies the Commonwealth's dedication to supporting municipalities in their effort to advance transportation priorities.

Again, I want to you for the opportunity to come here and talk to you today about the importance of these funding programs and, the improvements that they will support. The MassDOT team, as usual, is always looking forward to working with this committee considering this important legislation, and, again, answering any questions they have. So, again, I want to thank, the chairs for scheduling this hearing on this such an important Bill so quickly. We hope that the committee is able to report it715 favorably. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions.

720 STRAUS720 -720 Thank720 you, administrator. I appreciate, your coming in today on behalf of the administration. I just had a couple of questions, and it's really more engaging in a discussion about the program, I think. For those who follow the Chapter 90 program, of course, not from any governor who files say, a proposed dollar amount. But we do tend to hear regardless of how much is being750 asked to be, approved for borrowing authority, we do tend to hear from some municipal officials each year. It,760 is sometimes as predictable as the birds coming north in the spring, that, it's never enough. So that aside, and of course, it's never enough. The unmet needs in terms of transportation projects and maintenance work781 is something, I don't think we'll ever see fully, fully funded. But if we could focus on, the the administration's reasons because we've never done a multiyear authorization.

Certainly provided essentially as a808 base each year for many, many years that $200,000,000 figure, and then built on it from there on an annual basis, either through what was done in the current823 fiscal year's budget of an outright additional $100,000,000 appropriation, which, MassDot has very thoughtfully implemented to my mind. Then the last few years, we've added to, the governors, this, and the prior administration's request with an845 additional 150,000,000 of authorization in each of849 the recent years for those targeted programs that you mentioned. We854 take a great deal of pride in how supportive we've been of the program with a goal not only to provide sufficient funding but also to the point you make about the two-year request of the governor to encourage the municipalities to engage in the highest possible level of planning.

So two questions or thoughts880 and be Interested in in your feelings. Given the years in which we've always essentially exceeded any governor's request for Chapter 90, and the fact that it's a reimbursement program. So in a certain sense, certain legal sense, they don't have to wait, they, the municipalities, for us. They can engage in the planning, the thoughtful, local review of the projects they think are most needed on their own, streets, and undertake those projects knowing that we have never once, not funded Chapter 90 and never once funded929 it, as I recall, for less than a governor, has asked for. So, can't they do this planning process now that you're working with them?

GULLIVER - So for long-range planning, we released the tool, a couple of different tools now over the last two years that, are really intended for communities to put together a five-year capital plan. So they can start using that planning. I'm sure you'll hear, something similar from MMA on this topic, but, the gist that we get back talking to DPW directors and local leaders is that the bigger problem they run into is although the legislature has, like, as you said, always come through with the Chapter 19 funding and has, in fact, been more generous in many years. As far as letting out those larger contracts goes without having that funding in hand, it becomes very problematic for them.

They'd have to put up other local funds in order to,994 offset their, to have that full money in hand that allows them to let those contracts out, and1000 for1000 those smaller communities, that can really put them in a pinch. That's the feedback that would that we have gotten over the years. Again, we very much believe that, similar to what the state does, and what we do on the federal side as well a five-year capital plan helps to provide a little bit more certainty in how those contracts are going to go out. And we really encourage a lot of cities and towns to do that type of planning. We know many of them have availed themselves of the tools we provide and have worked with us to try to develop those plans.

STRAUS - So, and, again, I'm in no way challenging you on this. It's just to engage in the conversation, for, colleagues in the public. You mentioned, that we over the years have used the phrase banking.

GULLIVER - Mhmm.

STRAUS - And so, we've recognized MassDOT has recognized for years that, a municipality that wants to and should engage in the planning for five years is best, but any kind of planning for those municipalities whose one-year, allocation may not be sufficient. We do permit them. We've, I think, at best, asked them when they don't spend the money and kind of reserve it in their account, so to speak.

GULLIVER - Mhmm.

STRAUS - At least tell MassDOT why you're not spending your money, so it's not an onerous, administrative burden on the municipalities. However, given that they can bank, and some do for many years, with specific projects in mind, aren't we already there without doing an authorization beyond the traditional one year because we do permit the1110 banking? My follow-up to that would be, do you happen1114 to have a handy number on what the dollar amount of prior fiscal year unspent Chapter 90 money is statewide?

GULLIVER - I can1124 get you, we can definitely get you that number and, provide it to you in the1128 next day or two. I do not1130 have it with me today.

STRAUS - Because and I'll just add, we once had a governor who then moved back to Utah, as I recall, who had sent out press releases while he was governor, or then did, threatening to take the money away. No one is suggesting that. I don't think he is anymore either even from whatever the area code is out there. But, I think it's worth knowing how much money remains available from our prior authorization years that the cities and towns can already draw1167 on for these Chapter 90 projects.

GULLIVER - We can definitely get you that right away. We have those numbers.

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SEN KEENAN - HB 4283 - Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a quick follow-up, mostly by way of comment or observation as opposed to question. I've tried for several years to get a two-year $400,000,000 minimum, approval. Having served in local government, my perspective is this, and I agree wholeheartedly with what the chair says that, yes, there's a sense it's going to come. It historically has come. The obligation has been met, but, having served as the chair of the finance committee and council for nine years and1212 then doing the budget work, at May's office for about three and a half years. Even though you had that sense, I always cautioned that until there's money in hand, be careful how you spend it.

So I think having a two-year appropriation does allow, for that sense that with the reality that money will be in hand, particularly in year two of the two-year authorization. The other thing that I like about the two-year authorization is that it just moves things more quickly last year, I think it was August when we may have done chapter 90. So that adds an element of, a sense of not having the security that the money would be there because it just took too long. Again, you know it's coming, but it really does hinder, I think, the contracting process for roadwork. Then also, you know, that late1267 approval to the extent that communities are cautious and putting contracts out.

That then results in money being carried over into the accounts, which in some cases is a good thing because it then allows them to do perhaps a two-year project base because they do have that money that they're carrying over. So I just wanted to say that I wholeheartedly agree with the two-year authorization. I agree with the chair that the committee here certainly and the legislature in the past years has gone above and beyond that, which is a credit to the work that's being done. But I just wanted to say that I appreciate1302 the two year1304 authorization.1304 It gives some security. It doesn't make you wait until August until you have that security. Then in the second year, there is no wait for any sort of approval because it's already it's already there. So thank you.

GULLIVER - Thank you, Senator.

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REP SABADOSA - HB 4283 - Thank you. If you don't mind indulging me, I'd like to dig in. I believe that the number you said for rural funding is higher than from the last Chapter 90 Bill 24,000,000. Did I,

GULLIVER - I'm going to defer to my finance guy over here, Matt Lamonte. But you yes. I think it's about the same if I'm not mistaken. 24. It may even be,

SABADOSA - Okay. Great. So I guess just sort of building off what the chairman said, I wonder how was that utilized last year.

GULLIVER - So, we've spent a lot of time determining how the formula should work. I know we did some consultation with the legislature on what the intent was behind it. I believe what we settled on, and, again, I'm going to defer to Matt Bimonte here to help me with my memory, but, we removed the typical formula for Chapter 90 distribution based on population, the local job economy, and, road miles. I believe what we settled on is to just go with road1402 miles. Correct? Yes. So we dropped those other two segments of the formula, and what that resulted in is a higher distribution to those, communities, especially in, what we consider dash districts one and two, but west of Worcester, where you have a number of small towns that are small in population, big in roads, and, with a lot1425 of obligations to take care for the residents. This allows a lot more funds to flow to those small rural communities.

SABADOSA - I guess, though, just to build off the Chairman's question about, like, funds being left over and not utilized. Like, did we see that within this particular rural funding, or did we actually see an uptick in it? Because I represent a lot of District One and District Two towns. Yes. They were all hit by massive flooding, as well as major other weather events time after time all year. I just wonder, like, are we giving them what they really need through this funding?

GULLIVER - So I know1454 the 100,000,000 extra, which is winter recovery money, was spent out is my understanding, for 2023. The 24,000,000 extra for roads, I think, is going still through the distribution process with A and F.

SABADOSA - Okay.

STRAUS - Okay.

SABADOSA - Okay. So that's too soon to tell,

GULLIVER - Too soon to tell. Correct.

SABADOSA - Alright. But you feel confident that 24 is the right number going into this fiscal year?

GULLIVER - Yes. Again, I think this is the, we can consider this a good test run to see if that's a number that makes the real difference for those communities. I think based on what we've seen,1492 how that works out that extra distribution should be a huge help to many of them.

SABADOSA - Alright. Well, I'll look forward to hearing more when you have the numbers. Thank you.

GULLIVER - Alright. Thanks.

STRAUS - Thank you. I'd just point out, following up on the Representative's question on the rural character. There was a lot of work, and, we wanted to and this included the co-chairs. The administration was very good, very courteous, and bent over backward to, work with us to get the first year of rural allocations in a balanced way because, for the first time, we put into a rural road program a definition of, rural1539 community, which was, in the law right around the beginning of August when we did this, which is, no more than 10,000 population and no more than 500 people per square mile is a good target, easily known,1559 and identifies as rural, as it turns out, about a 150, municipalities in the state. So the rural aid that we did is directed at them then based on, population, because they vary, obviously, and road mileage. So there's no perfect formula.

But, clearly, in this case, the rural program, call it a subset of Chapter 90, is just beginning. So no community would have been expected to have spent that yet. But there's no question that there was within this separate program that was newly created, by the legislature, a greater emphasis on a certain category of Chapter 90 funds toward those 150 or so rural communities, in the state. So, any other members of the committee with questions. I don't know if we've got members, who are remotely looking to ask questions. If not, I think that will do it, Mr. Gulliver. There were a couple of just follow-ups, for information that that were asked, and, we'll see what the other witnesses say. But thank you again testimony on behalf of the administration. Alright. Thank you.

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REP CRUZ - HB 287 - Thank you, Senator. Good afternoon, Chair Straus, Chair Crighton, and my distinguished colleagues, on the committee. I want to thank you, for taking the time1699 today to consider, this legislation that I filed with my dear colleague, Senator Lovely, H 287, there's a home rule petition that's aimed at authorizing the city of Salem, to engage in automated traffic enforcement in school zones. So just to provide context with respect to this Bill and its provisions. This particular, legislation, which I do view as vital, to, enhancing public safety, I would empower, our municipality to use, a limited form of automated, enforcement, in traffic, and in school zones.

This ultimately is about prioritizing the safety of our children and giving our public safety officials more tools in the toolbox to really educate folks, on the importance of, driving safely, in our school zones. Every single day, in Salem, our young students are walking, they're cycling, and riding to school. Our educators are doing the same. I grew up in the city of Salem and have fond memories of walking from, my elementary school, to my middle school, all the way up to my high school. The safety of our school communities is paramount, and yet, I can tell you as a sitting member and the vice chair of the Salem School Community that we often hear, from our parents, our educators, our students, public safety officials, and local leaders about the concerns that they have around reckless driving that does occur, in our school zones.

So what this Bill would do is, provide us with, additional tools to help mitigate the risks of speeding in school zones by ensuring, that we're creating a safer environment for schoolgoers. I think contextually, one of the things1799 that I always raise for folks is that Salem is uniquely positioned, on the North Shore, we're a hub for tourism. So while a lot of our members of the community step up to ensure that our school's children are safe, we get millions of visitors who come annually who don't always understand, the various parts of Salem, and the fact that joined to all major, roads and state roads, are school zones. So with respect to some of the challenges that we've had with public safety, speeding is Probably the most common, that we have to deal with throughout the city and the proximity, again, that the schools have to a lot of main roads, continues to contribute to that.

So this modest, and limited home rule petition, would, in effect, allow for the city to set up, no more than two automated enforcement cameras and designated school zones, within 300 feet of real school property. There is a component, around, some modest fines, $25, when there is an offense, with the discretion of, local law enforcement to be able to send out educational materials in lieu of issuing a fine, with the intent of trying to get folks, Again, educated about the importance of understanding where they're driving, in proximity to school zones and really trying to mitigate speeds. Additionally, the provisions of the Bill, do include some safeguards around privacy concerns, the storage of materials, and then ensuring again that, we're not using this a tool to try to, generate revenue.

That's not the objective. It really is more so focused on public safety. So you'll have noted, if you had an opportunity to review the legislation, that, there are a lot of steps that are taken from an education standpoint before any, communication begins, with the RMV, whether it be, significant implications around, a driver's record for multiple offenses. So, I think, what the city's put forward is, a really limited form of automated enforcement that ensures as we consider our school children who are the most vulnerable amongst us, we're mitigating speed and would invite, of course, the committee to respectfully consider, moving this out of committee, and would be happy to take any questions with respect to the legislation.

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SEN LOVELY - HB 287 - Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee, I will be very brief. The Representative outlined the Bill perfectly and what1952 it does and what we're trying to do, what the city of Salem is trying to do to ensure the protection of their students in school zones. It's not unlike actually a Bill that Rep Walsh filed for the city across the Commonwealth, but from the city1966 of Peabody of having, cameras on school buses, so that, you know, when kids are lighting from the school bus or getting on to that,1974 this we've just seen so there's been actually, people did a little pilot on that.

It was, like, over 900 violations in a matter of six months. It was just crazy. So a little plug for that Bill. I know you already heard this, but for this Bill today, Salem is looking for this, and we hope that you will be supportive. I just want to thank, Representative Cruz for filing it, and for me to sign on. He also is the vice chair of the Salem School Committee, so he knows the issue even better. So thank you so much. Happy to answer any questions.

STRAUS - Thank you, senator. Any questions from members of the committee? If not, thank you both. I should say one of the other things procedurally, not so much on this Bill that I meant to say at the beginning, is it's become the practice of this committee for, those watching remotely or those in attendance who realize after hearing testimony on Bills that they wanted to get something in. We do hold the record open for, submission of emails or letter testimony, for 10 days after the conclusion of the hearing if people still want to get word to us. Thank you again, Senator.

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ADRIENNE NUNEZ - MMA - HB 4283 - Thank you, Chair Straus. And, hello, Chair Crighton, distinguished members of the2100 committee. It's a pleasure to be here. Thank2102 you very much. Did you want to say something?

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NUNEZ - Okay. Cool. Well, thank you so much for calling this hearing. It is a pleasure to be here early, of course, in the year, to testify on House 4283. I'm Adrienne Nunez. I'm a legislative analyst at the Massachusetts Municipal Association. As I noted, we do have a panel of municipal officials that will be testifying virtually. All of us are here as, representatives on behalf of cities2135 and towns across the Commonwealth to express our gratitude for all of the investments that you all have made in the Chapter 90 program. We very much appreciate Governor Healy's prompt filing of House 4283. Again, your prompt, calling for a hearing for this Bill. As2154 you know and as the administrator noted, the sooner that these funds move through the legislative process, the easier it is for communities to take advantage of the construction season.

Similarly, a two-year authorization would provide a similar benefit, and allow our communities to better plan and program this funding. Again, Chapter 90 is essential funding support to, cities and towns to maintain over 30,000 miles of municipal roads and bridges.2182 We heard this from the highway administrator. I appreciate him underlining a lot of the points I'll make today. As you know, our roadways are fundamental infrastructure. They're critical to support our economy. They're critical to supporting the well-being of our residents to ensure that they're able to connect with family, work, school, and all of the happenings in their daily lives.

Cities and towns are deeply grateful for the direct, investments that you all have made in municipal roads and bridges through the fiscal 24 budget as well as the transportation bond Bill, so thank you very much for that. Together, this group of investments is helping to offset a considerable reduction in purchasing power that communities continue to face. In purchasing power that communities continue to face. We strongly encourage you to build on these investments with this Bill and with investments moving forward this year. As you know, Chapter 90 is not just, filling potholes. There's so much more to it.

We heard that again from the highway administrator. From across the Commonwealth from the Cape to Western Mass, this funding is helping to ensure that our transportation infrastructure is reliable,2251 resilient, safe, and accessible. Today, you will hear from municipal officials sending Athol, East Hampton, Franklin, Gardner, Gloucester, and Granby, and they will tell you in their own words how important the Chapter 90 program is. Just to close up my statement, again, we deeply appreciate your partnership, and your investments in, these programs that are supporting municipal infrastructure, and we very much appreciate, your consideration today.

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UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER - Mr. Chairman, Crighton and Straus, and members of the I just wanted to stop in and emphasize how important I think Chapter 90 is and to support the governor's Bill, particularly because it is a two-year Bill and has the 400,000,000, which is an unprecedented amount of funding that we have not seen proposed in the past. People who know me know that I was once a municipal official. I spent 20 years as an assistant town administrator and then also was a select board member and planning board member in my hometown, and I dealt a lot with Chapter 90 in that capacity. I also served on the MMA's transportation committee for five years or so, maybe longer.

I know for sure that there are small towns that are afraid to contract, or their finance committees will not allow them to advertise contracts if the money is not in hand. There are small communities that prefer because they believe that that's how their, town council wants them to do it, to go to town meetings for appropriations before they ever actually did any of the work. So the planning they can do the long-range planning, and absolutely many communities do. I also know that wealthier communities routinely appropriate their own funds to match, and it's still not enough to get their roads to a B plus condition. Not even high-quality roads, but just a little bit better than average. We2396 all know that roads are like roofs if don't fix them.

The cost associated with, completely reconstructing a road is dramatic, and so this is money well spent when it's spent on maintenance because it is cost avoidance down the road. So the final thing I wanted to say is that I'm in full support. I really do hope we consider for the first time in many years doing a multiyear Bill and that we do the request at the governor's level. I just also wanted to mention, know you're probably all aware of the very exciting Transportation Finance Commission executive order 626, I think it is, and that well,

STRAUS - You got me on that. - The good Chairs have, seats on that commission, I'm hoping that Chapter 90 can be looked at. The formula, in particular, I have a Bill as well before your committee that's not yet been reported out. It's H 3284 that asks to look at the formula for Chapter 90. I think it's very important because the Chapter 90 formula is based only on lanes, single lines, and single road miles, not on the number of lanes. So if you're a municipality that has a lot of turning movements or you're an urban area, you're not giving credit for the width of your roads nor any of our sidewalks or any other facilities actually calculated into the formula.

So you have higher maintenance needs if some of those things would actually be considered, and we don't bother to consider a community's ability to pay for its roads. The wealthy towns, as I said, often will appropriate additional funds, but it sets up a real dichotomy between the haves and the have-nots, which quite isn't acceptable given that 85% of our roads are in, municipalities control, and those roads directly affect bike and pedestrian safety an ability to access transit, which is mobility for everybody. So I do think this is a great program, and I thank you for the opportunity to testify. I'm sorry for breaking in on your panel.

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UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER - We had a great, forum with them earlier this year where a lot of DPW directors came, and I hope we'll do that again because I think it was very informative. Maybe some more committee members can join next year.

STRAUS - Thank you.

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SHAUN SUHOSKI - TOWN OF ATHOL - HB 4283 - Excellent. Well, I'll jump right in, as I see the timer will begin ticking down. First, I want to thank the committee, Chairman Straus, Chairman Crighton, and all of the members. It's great that you take the time to hear from local officials on an issue that's just so important. I've come to Boston previously, to testify. But although I look youthful and strong, I had hip placement surgery. So I'm coming to you from my home. I got my cane. That's right there. Just to prop and give you, my creds. So, thank you for letting us talk to you.

Let me talk to you about the good of H 4283. We appreciate the administration doing a two-year authorization. We appreciate that the funding has stayed stable at the same level since, well, 14, 12, 12 years ago, anyway. We also greatly appreciate the supplemental actions Chairman Straus has talked about it, in recent years to help us, try to keep up with the declining condition of roadways. So we're here as partners. We're not here, you know, we are like the birds coming north, I guess, every year because there never is enough money. I'm sorry, Chairman Straus. I know.

STRAUS - No. I agree with you.

SUHOSKI - It's right but we're all on the same team. There are, between 85 to 90% of all the road miles in the Commonwealth our local jurisdiction. Right? And so, cities and towns, big, small, rich, poor, trying to maintain that inventory. So I'll use an example from Athol. We're not a wealthy community but a very strong, resilient community out on Route Two. We have 110 miles of road. We had a pavement management study done just, a year and a half ago. 43 miles, that's 43 are in fair to poor condition, the roads. We have implemented local funding to match Chapter 90 to seek CDBG funds, to seek, complete streets. We're trying to utilize all of the tools that the legislature and the governor have graciously put before us.

But when you look at the Chapter 90 baseline that has declined in value by 65%, or a $131,000,000 since 2012, a year with that $200,000,000 baseline set. We're really not asking for more money. I think we're seeking, the legislature2711 and the governor, and I need to keep the administration forefront, to undertake all options to increase that baseline. The other tools you've given us, because I don't want to sound unthankful because they have helped us. In Athol, we did a rural road with country drainage that hadn't seen pavement in 25 years, last year with that supplemental funding. So I'm both appreciative, but I do have to sing the song of the birds and with regret point out that, Chapter 90 is all of us. Cities, towns, 40 senators, 160 representative districts, it impacts all of us. So, thank you for your time.

STRAUS - Thank you, and we'll continue with the panel for the moment and then questions.

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DAVID DESROSIERS - TOWN OF GRANBY MA - HB 4283 - I am. First of all, I'd like to thank the Chairs, Crighton and Straus, and your committee, what you've done and the previous administrations have done by giving us the extra money has really helped us turn the corner. We've had declining pavements for almost a decade, and we've finally started to see them get a getting a little better in recent years because of the extra funds. But, I'd like to try to answer a couple of the questions that Chair Straus just brought up. He was asking, highway administrator about, the Chapter 90 unspent monies. I've got a spreadsheet in front of me from Nasty OT, and it shows about $600,000 worth of projects that are approved, but not completed. Well, in fact, those projects are totally completed, built, and are being used today.

The problem is, that our administrator and our accountant put together the paperwork2831 to put the request in for reimbursement. So2835 in order to get a true,2837 picture. You can't just go to MassDOT because they're going to tell you that those funds aren't spent. They are spent. They just haven't been reimbursed yet. So I would ask that maybe MassDOT have their state aid engineers put a little checkbox on their website or whatever on the projects that we have completed, but not put reimbursements in. That would give you a much clearer picture in the future of what we've done and what we've completed. The other question you asked is how much is enough? And, the previous speaker sort of mentioned that, yes. I've been around a while. I've been here in my current position for over 24 years and in around the year 2,000, we could buy asphalt in place for about $27 a ton.

It was really great for a short period there, eight or so years ago. Asphalt prices were pretty stable around $50 a ton. With the extra wrap monies and everything else that you have provided us, we were able to turn that corner and get the payments a little better. But this year, the cost of asphalt has gone and soared to almost $100 a ton. That's three times what it was back in 2,000 when we were getting $200,000,000 a year. So, if you tied something to the cost of not just inflation, but the cost of construction materials, we wouldn't have to come back and keep2921 sort of explaining to you every year why we're running short. I guess that's about all I have. If you have some questions for me, those are the key points I'd like to make. Thank you again. What you've done has been super helpful to small communities like ours.

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BRUTUS CANTOREGGI - TOWN OF FRANKLIN MA - HB 4283 - Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Once again, I want to give you a lot of love, this is early. I've been doing this for a long time and talked to a lot of, different governors through the years. This is early and then you know what? It's part of one thing that, you know, I'm a member of, obviously, MFA, transportation, but I also want the board of directors from Mass Highway. This is one of the things that we've been talking about for a long time is mean, getting the money out, getting the money to2983 the communities so2985 we can plan. A lot of communities have planning in place, but, you know, you get to the point where the money is not allocated sometimes until I've seen it as late as August, and you missed the construction season.

So this is huge that particularly going to have a couple of years of place. I can tell you at Franklin, we're fortunate enough that,3006 you know, we have funds so we can bid early and bid often. You know, we're putting our bids out now for work this year even though we might not have been appropriate for Chapter 91. But we get good prices. So that's an option that we do because I can tell you it's not just from municipalities, the contractors like that. They like knowing the work they're going to have. So if you get a bit out early. They get, you get a good contractor, and he's going to set his year up. So that helps out the communities quite a lot. I could talk a lot about the cost associated with construction. I think everybody knows it's gone up with inflation like everything else. Yes. Our buying power is less.

But timing is important to getting things out there and planning. You know, here in Franklin, you know, we're fortunate enough and, you know, the commissioner talked about it. We're able to what we try to do here is tie multiple funding programs together. Locally, we have what's called a water main replacement program so we can use water funds to replace a water main. I can tell you, and you've heard me say this before, that the residents really don't care about the water main or the pipe underneath. They only care about the new roadway. So what we can do is we can use our water funds and supplement the cost of redoing the roads.

So Chapter 90 is integral in that because we're using our water funds and we can use Chapter 90 to do drainage improvements or sidewalk improvements. So basically do a complete streets program. You obviously, have pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Another one that's been really helpful for us supplementing, we were able to get a mass branch program, economic development for Grove Street, Key Road in Franklin has, you know, been falling apart. We're doing all kinds of improvements out there with stormwater management, pedestrians, and bicycles.

So we're using Chapter 90 to supplement that two-and-a-half million dollars that we got.3111 We wouldn't be able to do the program without Chapter 90. So that's, you know, that's very important. I let you know, that I still have $60,000,000 worth of improvements from the asset management plan. I've done it for 12 years now. And, you know, we always need more money. You get that but I'm telling you, this has really helped this year and I really appreciate it. I can tell you from the board about timing and about the extra allocations that, you guys are supporting or the governor's supporting. So, thank you very much.

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JILL CAHILL - CITY OF GLOUCESTOR - HB 4283 - Hi. Thank you, Chair Crighton and Chair Straus, and through you to the members. My name is Jill Cahill. I'm the chief administrative officer in the city of Gloucester, and I want to thank you, here on behalf of Mayor Virga in support of house 4283. You've heard from DPW directors and highway school attendants who have been doing this a lot longer than I have, so I will just highlight some of the really important reasons why we're so grateful to have this funding and to have, the advance notice to plan. As many of you know, this past year, 2023, was Gloucester's commemoration and celebration of our four-hundredth anniversary. With advanced planning, we were with the advanced funding and the ability to plan, we were able to maintain prepare, and maintain some of our major thoroughfares.

We saw a dramatic increase in tourism from people throughout the Commonwealth as well as people throughout the world, to visit Gloucester this past summer and the welcoming streets and the safety of the sidewalks and streets in which most of them traveled were a real improvement. As you all know, the gateways to our communities are the streets and the sidewalks, and we really want to make people welcome when they come and visit, we want to help our residents with their day-to-day lives, getting through our community. A small island, basically, a community, we get, really trapped up. We only have a few roads that make thoroughfares to get there.

So when they're in disrepair, we have major problems in our construction season and as it relates to tourism season, is a real tricky strategy game of when to when you can do work that will not screw up the traffic all summer long, but will be beneficial the people who come here to visit and3254 the residents as they move through their lives. As a coastal community, this winter has also been tough and brings challenges day after day. The increasing astronomical high tides and storms really take a beating. Our roads and bridges take a beating. This month alone, we have three sinkholes, which are leading to costly road repairs, and bridge repairs, and that's and it's the end of January. February is still to come. We are preparing for February is still to come.

We are preparing right now our next fiscal year's budget. Same as you, we're seeing costs across all3288 of our budget line items. We know the complications of3292 delivering a balanced budget while maintaining services,3294 but we also know that the roads are one of our very most important, commodities and pieces of infrastructure. As Mr. Mayor says, it does the most investment does the most good for the most people over the most amount of time, and this is absolutely critical to our entire infrastructure. So we appreciate the governor's prompt filing and the committee's prompt taking up this Bill, and we hope you will support it, and move it through as quickly as possible. Thanks so much.

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MICHAEL NICHOLSON - CITY OF GARDNER MA - HB 4283 - Thank you very much, Chair Crighton, Chair Straus, and, all the members of the committee. As a mayor of a smaller city out in Central Massachusetts, these funds have been very, helpful to us over the past three years. We've been able to pave, about 20% of our city's roads, thanks to the funding that we've received from this program as well as, the the mass works program and other grant programs, through the help of the Commonwealth. So it's something that's really appreciated. Gardner does have a five-year payment management plan we, utilize and implement. So when the two-year authorization was announced, it actually helped us a lot in planning what we're able to pave and what we're able to do, moving forward. So that is very helpful for us. So I do want to thank, the committee and the administration for your consideration of a two-year authorization.

Just to give a brief anecdote as to how this has helped us in Gardner, I had one of my largest manufacturers, a paper and Gardner was looking to expand their operations and move their corporate headquarters into the city. When I was meeting with the business owner of this manufacturing company that's our third largest in the city. I said, well, what do I have what's one of the things we could do to get you to expand your business in Gardner instead of looking for somewhere else? And the first thing he said was can you pave the road? And we were able to pave it, utilizing some of our Chapter 90 funding last year, and I believe the plans are in place now for the business to expand. So that's a direct thank you. I owe to all of you for your consideration of last year's proposal and an example of where this could bring us as we move forward in, planning for the next two years.

Gardner is a community that has 225 housing units currently being constructed in our downtown and has had 50 businesses open in the last 18 months. So we know there's going to be increased craft traffic in the city, for a city that's bisected by route two right in between Greenfield and Boston. The traffic we're seeing is growing. The amount of, population increase that we're seeing is something that's happening at a percentage quicker than we previously expected, mainly people who are commuting to other areas of the Commonwealth for work too. So our roadways really are one of the things that help these people, look at Gardner for a place to call their home, and this funding that, is being proposed is crucial to keeping that trend moving forward. So I do want to say thank you very much for your prompt scheduling of this hearing and for listening to us all on these matters. Thank you.

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STRAUS - Thank you very3477 much and thank you to the members of the panel who took the time out from,3481 their work, at the municipal level. Much appreciated. Helpful to the committee members, I'm sure. Are there any questions for any members of the panel, from members of the committee. If not, then, thank you, Miss Nunez, and3498 individually, please thank your association members who showed up today.

NUNEZ - I absolutely will.

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GEORGIA BARLOW - MAPC - HB 4283 - Good afternoon, Chair Crighton, Chair Straus, and members of the committee. Thanks for the opportunity to testify today on, behalf of MAPC and the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies in support of House Bill 4283 regarding Chapter 90 funding. MAPC is the regional planning agency for the 101 cities and towns in Metropolitan, Boston, and, Marpas comprised of 13 regional planning agencies across the Commonwealth. We prioritize efforts that foster regional collaboration, and we have long advocated increasing the Chapter 90 funding to support a large volume of roadway repair and maintenance needs both in the individual regions and across the Commonwealth as a whole.

We're grateful, similarly for today's early hearing on Chapter 90, funding, this is really critical to ensuring that municipalities can plan for3570 the projects that they plan to proceed with this year. At current funding levels, roadway construction and reconstruction needs continue to outpace the municipality's ability to keep up with and3582 we're3582 grateful for the legislature's commitment to funding a variety of programs over the years to3586 help the municipalities address this growing backlog,3588 we ask that there that you consider an increase again for the Chapter 90 funding so that cities and towns can plan for roadway projects without needing to go through additional avenues, funding applications, and programs to complete these projects.

As has been mentioned today, the rising inflation, rising construction costs, and the continual backlog of these projects have made it hard for cities and towns to keep pace. As we look to fiscal year 25, we urge the legislature to at least a $350,000,000 investment in Chapter 90 funding to more closely match the needs of infrastructure, and projects across the Commonwealth. As reflected in the governor's proposal, we really are in support of the multiyear authorization so that cities and towns can, plan for these projects more robustly, and plan for these long-term infrastructure projects and future years. Both MAPC and MARPA will be sending, written testimony to the committee, I'm happy to answer any questions you have today.

STRAUS - Thank you very much. Just a quick question. In terms of the funding level. I thought I heard you say 350.

BARLOW - Yes.

STRAUS - So, since the discussion is in the context of a two-year request, are you saying 350 times two?

BARLOW - Yes.

STRAUS - So okay. So MAPC's, position is, that the basic authorization then in the Bill should be 700.

BARLOW - 700. Over two years. Yes.

STRAUS - Over two years.

BARLOW - Okay. Perfect. Thank you.

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