2021-03-09 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Transportation
2021-03-09 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Transportation
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
committee from the house. Uh, so we welcome him experienced rep. And, uh, but, uh, be great to have him on the committee this term. Uh, for the minority we have, I think he's calling in. Rep. Howard is returning as the ranking minority member. Uh,281 so here, Mr Chairman, here he is. Okay, Um, so he's, uh, the only member of the legislature. I think that is a member also of the Screen Actors Guild. So I guess the reason he's not on video is because we would have to pay him whatever
the proper fee is. I don't know whether he's going to try with a comeback. I'm sure. Um, but, uh, we may have to license his image. He could talk to Private Citizen Trump about that. Um, I also saw Norma or Norman Oral has signed on. Welcome, Norman from my part of the state. But returning also, uh, for the minority party. I don't330 know if he's signed in reptile coast. Uh, and he's been helpful on the committee last term and appreciate having him here. Um, I didn't mention Susanna whips. I'm not sure if she signed in or not, but we have a great great group.
Mhm.
Somebody needs what in the world to Senate. Okay, What an entrance. There we go. All right. What an entrance. So, uh, with those brief introductory things, I just, uh, turn it over to my senate co chair, uh, to greet people. Oh, there we are. Without paying licensing fees, we have Rep. Howard. Thank you. Uh, so he's smiling, Senator Bank or good morning, Uh, and just want to welcome the new the new members of the house that are joining the committee also to the experienced members of the house. Welcome back to the transportation Committee. I want to thank uh, l i s for helping the transportation committee really get off to a great start and pretty, um, expedited. Start in this session. Uh, there's always a lot to do in transportation. Um, and I want to thank my co chair and his staff for helping and417 put this hearing together, Uh, and sort of the new normal will be the new normal for for some time. And, you know, I would just say, you know, Chairman Strauss is correct in what he says428 is we have a wonderful working relationship. Um and I think that bears out in the legislation that comes out of this committee, gets on the floor and436 gets on the governor's desk. Um, you know whether or not he signs it is something we'll continue to work on, but we're looking forward to a good year. It's my predecessor, uh, Mayor Maggie's to say it's a great year for transportation. Uh, so that being said, I want to introduce the members of the Senate. The Senate has a new vice chair in the committee. Senator John Kenyon. Um, he's not gonna be able to be with us today.
Uh, also coming back to the Transportation Committee is the president of Merida. Hire Harley Chandler. Welcome back, Senator. Uh, we also have the majority with, uh, Senator Mike Rush. Um, you know, with all this leadership on the transportation committee beginning to think, maybe the president's looking out keeping a close eye on me this year. But welcome back to those, uh, two members into the new members joining, uh, Senator Sue Moran. Uh, welcome to the best transfer. The best committee in the building. Uh, we have a new ranking minority member, uh, and Senator Patrick O Connor, who were looking forward to working with, um as as over the next two years. Um, you know, that being said thank you for the witnesses who are joining us today. I'm excited to get to work. Um, excited to see all the members here today. And back to516 you, Mr Culture.
Thank you again. I see. I don't know if my house vice chair was on before, but I see rep divorces there. Welcome, uh, looking forward to you serving and and I do see special Welcome to Admiral Rush. Highest compliment I can pay a senator is you'll always be a rep to me. So, uh, with that said, uh, we have only same same to same to, uh to to Harley Chandler as well, uh, always a pleasure not to cut any other senators, but there's nothing like reps. So, um, we have only one bill on today that should get us through all these technical issues. Although things are going well. And that's the chapter 90. Bill, Uh, we have a list of witnesses. I see. Some have checked in already. Uh, i'll be calling in a certain order. Uh, traditionally, we have a three minute limit, I think will be a little relaxed about that, I would say after statements. And when we go to questioning by the members of the committee, Uh, there is a raised hand feature, uh, more adept at noticing that in zoom rather than team. So if I miss you, just speak up that you have questions. I think we have a small enough group that will work. So the governor has filed the chapter 90 bond authorization. Uh, and we have on behalf of the administration, uh, Jonathan Gulliver from, uh, mass highway. Very experienced. He knows where this money will land and how it will be used. And so I would recognize Mr Gulliver now to speak, presumably on behalf of the bill in favor of it. The floor is yours. All right.
JONATHAN GULLIVER - MASSDOT - HB 57 - Thank you. Chairman Straus, Chairman Boncore, Representatives and senators of the committee. It is very good to see all of you. I hope all of you and your families are doing well during these651 difficult times. Hopefully, I can get through the rest of my testimony without any major technical issues too. So,657 um, thank you for having me today again. My name is Jonathan Gulliver, and I am the highway administrator at MassDOT am here today testify in strong support of Bill 57 act financing the Chapter 90 program. The legislation before you here today is for our fiscal year 2022 Chapter 90 program at 200 million. As I know, all of you are aware the Chapter 90 program is counted by on by our684 cities and towns to help supplement they're roadway maintenance needs.
This proposed 200 million allocation helps us meet historical funding levels of this program while balancing the state's many other transportation needs. Taken over five years, the Chapter 90 program is over a $1 billion program for our cities701 and towns and prompt the passage of this legislation as critical as the cities and towns playing construction. Based707 on the limited seasonality for construction of Massachusetts over the past several years of the complete streets and municipal small bridge programs, both of which we are grateful for your support, we have seen towns combined Chapter 90 with other discretionary grant programs like like the Complete streets and municipal bridge programs, as well as some newer programs like shared streets to replace or improve bridges, roadways and other infrastructure within their towns.
We recognize the importance of giving communities the tools they need to put that money to work and to see real improvements to their infrastructure. In partnership with our municipal affairs team and the regional district highway directors across the state, we continue to focus on a number of important issues regarding municipal programs, including the753 following improving services to towns through a new municipal porter that organizes the information for our discretionary and formula grants into one convenient place. This has been rolled out this year, uh, streamlining our internal procedures to improve collaboration between Chapter 90 and other funding programs, as well as the approval process within various sections of mass bot. We are also modernizing the Chapter 90 process for communities by creating a mechanism for the submittal of paperwork online.
And we are strengthening the Chapter 90 resources available to municipalities with a revamped guidance document that not only provides updated program information but offers strategies for planning, transportation, investments, best practices, if you will within cities and towns. We have an existing document for resources available to cities and towns that the guidance document that I just spoke of. This is a first major update we've done in almost 20 years. So we're really pleased to808 see that get underway this year. We're also ensuring that we transition our focus towards technical assistance to municipalities. That815 is, how can our staff best assist communities the planning, design and execution of projects820 and services as compared to contract management. Finally, I thank you for your time today. I urged the committee to report this bill out favorably, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
REP STRAUS - Well, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Gulliver. Um, and I appreciate the comments. The only thing I would amplify on an agreement is I know we'll have other witnesses who will talk about the likely talk about the dollar amount of the authorization, But I think it is fair to point out that, uh, from, uh, on behalf of the administration's view. But also, what the House and Senate have been able to do is the topic of assisting the municipalities in direct aid for transportation is now more871 than just chapter 90 the bridge program which we we worked on together a few years ago, I think has been a tremendous success in targeting aid, uh, complete streets as well. So I think it's important for people to understand that although the requested amount is 200 we'll see where the committee goes on on that question of the dollar amount of the authorization, there's more going on for municipal, uh, projects through other programs that we've been providing to them over the years. And I appreciate your pointing that out, SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Any. Any questions? Uh, Senator Bond. Corey. And then I opened it up to members of the committee.
SEN BONCORE - Yeah, I just like to thank uh took all over for a testimony today. I think my coach Anthony, on the head924 when he said, You know, we have authorized in the last session a bond bill. Um, they had sent a lot of money to our municipalities for bridges and culverts for complete street program. Um, and just given the winter we had, um, I think this Chapter 90 authorization will complement that money quite well. But also we'll get, um, you know, money to the communities that we care about most to ensure that they're able to keep the roads in the state of good repair. Um, because that's so important. Transportation. So I have nothing further than. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
okay. Members of the committee. I'm not seeing hands. But maybe if anyone could just speak up if they have questions for this witness.
No hearing? None. I'd like administrator for you to think of this as the the easiest testimony you've ever provided to the committee. Hopefully, all days will be like this, but thank you very much. Certainly. You're985 free to stay and, uh, listen to the balance of the hearing, having no questions992 for members of the committee. Uh, we do have. And I think he had seen997 that he signed in before. Chris Dempsey, from T for Mass. Are you still here?
I am, Mr Sharon. Thank you. The floor is yours.
CHRIS DEMPSEY - TRANSPORTATION FOR MASSACHUSETTS ADVOCACY COALITION - HB 57 - Thank you. Chairman Straus and Chairman Boncore and members of the committee very much appreciate the opportunity to testify today on House 57 which would allocate $200 million to the Chapter 90 program that supports municipal roads. My name is Chris Dempsey, and I'm the director of the Transportation for Massachusetts Advocacy Coalition. Representing more than 100 organizations across the Commonwealth that at a stake in making our transportation system more efficient and more equitable. There is no doubt that cities and towns in every corner of the state could use more funding to fix and repair municipally owned roadways.
For that reason, T4Mass supports the Legislature funding Chapter 90 above $200 million. The need is clear to Massachusetts residents who walk, bike or drive down main streets or back roads. But the fix to this problem isn't as simple as crossing out the number two in the governor's bill and replacing it with a three or a four. We need more sources of funding for transportation to support Chapter 90 and to address the billions of dollars in deferred maintenance at the MBTA to fund capital investments for our regional transit authorities that serve over 250 cities and towns, and to fix more than 460 structurally division bridges across the Commonwealth. The sources of the funding also matter. We need at least a portion of that funding to be generated by the users of our transportation system, just as it is in other infrastructure intensive systems such as water, sewer and electricity.
Systems, in which costs and benefits to society must be balanced against each other and where user fees help us better achieve that balance by managing demand. The large negative externalities we observe in our transportation status quo, including greenhouse gas emissions, local air pollution that causes asthma and oversubscribed congested roads, are in part the result of a now decades long political reluctance to set the right incentives to offer just one example. Since 1991 we've raised the gas tax a total of three cents, or 14% in the same period of time, a PVT a bus fare is up 130% and MBTA commuter rail pass is up 250%. Fixing these broken broken incentives means increasing the gas tax, implementing congestion pricing in Greater Boston, appropriately charging for parking and allowing citizen towns to raise revenue and user fees to fund local transportation projects.
None of these are politically easy, but kicking the can down our potholed roads only makes things worse, are broken status quo most hurts, marginalized communities and people. It's a system in which bus lines on the South coast could provide access to jobs at grocery stores or health health care facilities, but don't run at night or on the weekends in which riders in East Boston are packed onto buses that sometimes move at less than four miles per hour, and where rural residents must drive a dozen miles out of their way because of a closed, structurally deficient bridge. We know that you understand these challenges, and we urge you to take action. Following up on progress that was made last session but fell far short of what the Commonwealth residents deserve. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today in support of increased funding for Chapter 90 and for a better transportation system for all of us.
STRAUS - Thank you. Thank you for participating today. Obviously, what you've done is very well put in context the fact that even just the chapter 90 bill fits in the framework of the rest of the transportation questions that will be confronting shortly and and through the session. Uh, so I appreciate that and just point out because you do mention the wider issues. Of course, we'll be looking later this week1267 to an expected further input of transportation and transit funds when Congress. Hopefully, from my view, wraps up later this week, and the president signs that legislation. Uh, certainly that's going to raise an issue, Uh, in terms of added money to the T and maybe the RTAs as well to maybe cushion or pull back on some of the scheduled service and schedule cuts. So, uh, that wider? Uh, that wider question is soon in play. And And thank you for bringing that up. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Are there any questions from members of the committee? Um, as I say, the hand feature isn't necessarily visible to me on my screen. So feel free to speak up if you have some questions for the witness. Anyone,
Harry? None. Thank you, Chris. Thank you, Mr Chairman. Testimony? Yep. Good to see you directly. I should point out at this point, we did have, uh, invited guests or witnesses, and we'll keep working down that. But if there are members of the public who are watching Certainly the committee will be accepting written testimony, I
would say, at least for the next couple of weeks. But the sooner the better. If you'd like to submit it electronically to the committee, you can find links on on the statehouse website and directly to the, uh, the committee, uh,1367 web page. Uh, my next witness. I'm not sure if I've seen Sign in is on behalf of the SIM. The construction industry of Massachusetts. We had invited John Poor Bay. Uh, anyone here? Is he here or anyone from the group? I am walking. Okay. John forbade the floor is yours.
JOHN POURBAIX - CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES OF MASSACHUSETTS - HB 57 - Thank you. Good morning. Chairman Boncore. Chairman Straus, members of the committee. I'm John Pourbaix executive director of Construction Industries in Massachusetts. And we're happy to be here today to offer our full support for the chapter 90 bill. Before I give my remarks on the bill, I just would like to to thank express our sincere appreciation for all of the hard work that the joint committee did last year and getting the transportation bill passed. Um, it's extraordinary what you did under the conditions you did. And we certainly appreciate that. And on behalf of membership, thank you. Um, I know I'm gonna have a hard time competing against some of the guests, especially on Chairman's uh, Boncore’ lap. But1447 I'll try to give my SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
You're losing attention fast. I can promise you your transportation finance really gets them excited. He crawled all the way over into the office to here to here from John Paul. Uh,
POURBAIX - Well, um, thank you to the committee for quickly scheduling, uh, the hearing on this important funding bill. And we're hopeful that the bill is enacted quickly by the full legislature. As you are aware, 78% of the lane miles in the Commonwealth municipally owned roadways. The funding provided through the Chapter 90 program is extremely critical funding source. The projects needed to maintain these roadways that are so integral to our local and statewide travel. With this in mind, we respectfully as the committee to consider increasing the1501 annual authorization and consider making it a multi year bill. Passage of a multi year bill would avoid the pressure of meeting the March 1st date each year. And it would also make the program more efficient, allowing communities to utilize the full construction season.
And providing construction companies the opportunity to develop business plans and strategize which projects to seek ultimately benefits the cities and towns. The procurement process for projects is time consuming, and the construction season is short and limited. the sooner communities get their spending authorizations, the sooner projects can be advertised. Bid awarded a notice to proceed, issued and ultimately work can start. This all leads to the more efficient use of taxpayer dollars, and the more local and bridge work can be undertaken. We respectfully ask the committee to report the bill out with a favorable recommendation in urged to consider an increased multiyear authorization. Thank you for the opportunity to testify and appreciate the committee holding the this hearing today. Thank you.
STRAUS - Thank you, Mr. Pourbaix Always a pleasure. Thank you for the focus on the bill and your comments on behalf of your members. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Any questions from members of the committee for Sim or Mr Corbet?1596
Hearing None. Thank you again, John. Pleasure to make contact even indirectly. We'll see you soon. Thank you. Our next group of witnesses, Uh, and I'll call in order, but I I frankly, if you want to shift the order, uh, leave it, But, uh, on behalf of Mass Municipal Association, uh, I think we have aerials.1625 Love it. Are you here?
Yes. Hi, I'm here. Okay, great. The floor is yours.
Thank you for signing in today. Yes. Great. So, yeah, I'll speak first. And then my colleagues from1640 municipal government will speak after me, so that makes sense. You can hear me.1645 Okay. Absolutely. Okay. Wonderful. Right.
ARIELA LOVETT - MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION - HB 57 - Thank you. And good morning to chair Straus, Chair Boncore, um, and the rest of the committee. I was equally excited to see your baby. Uh, Senator Boncore. Um, my name is Ariela Lovett. I'm a legislative analyst with the Mass Municipal Association covering transportation, public works, um, and environmental policy on behalf of the cities and towns of the Commonwealth. We respectfully request that the Committee on Transportation issue a favorable report on H 57. And we also ask that you increase the chapter 90 bond authorization amount for fiscal year 22 to 300 million. Um, as the mm has advocated for many years.
Cities and towns desperately need an increase in locally controlled funds which are used to maintain 3 30,000 miles of local roads and bridges in a state of good repair. We recently updated our biennial survey on gaps and local road funding across the state, which demonstrates that our cities and towns need $600 million in Chapter 90 funding to adequately fund these projects. And so the current funding, which has been flat at $200 million supports only one third of the reported need. Um, and further, We wanted to point out that three quarters of survey respondents reported that they had to save up Chapter 90 funds over the past five years in order to cover the cost of necessary road projects that exceed their annual allotment. Um, and I know it's been mentioned about the other municipal grant programs, um, that were funded through the1739 transportation bond bill.
The MNA and our member municipalities are extremely grateful for those funding sources, and we supported them when we testified on behalf of the transportation bond bill at several points in the process, Um, and we see those as complementary to the core purpose of the Chapter 90 program, and Chapter 901759 stands out as the only universal, non competitive funding source for local road funding for our cities and towns. So while you know, we really appreciate both the renewed funding for programs like complete streets and small bridges and also new programs which we're excited to work with Mass DOT on helping to develop On behalf of our municipalities, we still believe that there is1781 no substitute for the core Chapter 90 program and the need to increase it.
Um, because, you know, it's the only non competitive program that maintains local control over how to spend the dollars on local road projects. Um, and so, you know, thank you for, you know, hearing our testimony on you know, the need to increase it. We were grateful for the houses leadership in passing an increased Chapter 90 bill $3001808 million last year. And we understand that because of the covid 19 crisis, it wasn't possible to maintain that increased level of1815 funding. But we do see increasing it now as supporting an economic recovery from covid. I brought with me to municipal DPW directors who1825 can speak to the challenges in their own communities and why Chapter 90 is important to them, and why increasing it at this moment will help support the, you know, infrastructure needs throughout the Commonwealth. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Very good. Why don't we go to them and then open it up for questions after they've spoken? Um, I don't know if the order matters. But next I have Mike Hale, DPW director from the City of Gloucester. If that's okay, and if he's on, we could go to him now.
Yes, I am here. Can you hear me? Well, yes. Floor is yours. Okay. All right.
MICHAEL HALE - GLOUCESTER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - HB 57 - Thank you. Cheers. Straus, Chair Boncore. Chapter 90 is more than a a supplemental, um, funding for local cities and towns for the roads. It's primarily the only source most of us use for maintaining our public roadways. Um, the ability to increase funding in an equitable manner across the Commonwealth multi year funding and an early release of the funding is critical to our planning efforts for payment management through our through our communities. I look at some of the correspondence that goes back between MNA and the various highway associations on need. Um, most communities that I see we're short by about 200% annually on what we need to truly keep our roads in good condition.
Most roadways these days have a 15 to 25 year life expectancy with normal traffic a well done road. Most communities aren't 40 to 50 year cycle based on our shopping 90 funding that puts these roads twice past their useful life expectancy. Which leads to trouble with pedestrians, bicyclists and various transportation means around the Bay State, with nearly 80% of the basic roads being municipally1946 controlled, this Chapter 90 program and the other programs who DOT are critical to our survival and our ability to provide a good service to our constituents. As a member of Messiah association director of Gloucester Public Works, I certainly support Bill 57 but I would urge for additional funding annually, early release and multi year funding if possible. Uh, certainly appreciate the ability to testify today. And I'll stick around for any questions that you may have. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Great. Thank you, Mr Hale. Next. I have, um, on on my list from town of Franklin Brutus Contour E G. Did I get that right? Yes, Mr Chairman. Do you hear me? Yes. Thank you very much.
BRUTUS CANTOREGGI - FRANKLIN DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - HB 57 - Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2000 Everybody else, um I want to apologize for my dress. I actually got2003 called out this morning to go handle an issue. Uh, honestly, I really miss coming to Boston and testifying in front of you folks. It's a nice day and getting dressed up. So I'm sorry. Um, with that said not to reiterate the issues have already been brought up by, MNA my peers and the other construction folks2023 out there. But obviously we would really like more money. Um, I'm also board members. Mr. Hale is another mass high women's association, and we're on the, you know, the the Easter Mass of the state.
And we tend to get a little more funds because of size. But you talk to our peers and western Mass and you know, they can only get, uh, 30 to 40 grand a year and has stated they need to save up on these programs. So, um, that brings two factors in there. Obviously the amount of2051 money that's received but also the timeliness of getting the funds out there. Um, I know last year is a little dated because of COVID, but if the appropriations, particularly capital funding, can2063 be done early in the year as the uh, the folks in the construction industry talk about, it's all about towns getting it out through proper procurement and on a timely mayor. So they get to work. I can tell you Additionally, we're talking with MNA.
And I think it's2079 very important to you all economic stimulus that we're gonna be looking at. particularly the laborers that are out there. Um, Franklin. Last year we decided to go forward with our road work in March,2090 when it's all getting shut down A year ago. Um, personally, we benefited from that because one contractor did not have work. So he's able to put two crews in town. We were able to get our job done quicker, faster, and we save money for the residents of Franklin. And we're able to do more work. So timeless is a big key for us. As far as you know. Mr. Hale said we got, you know, planning. We have five years payment management program so we can go ahead and do that.
Um, finally, I would just like to you know, not to You all don't know this, but Cove is just a big thing for us. It's gonna be a budget impact. I think you know the state and then trickles down to the town. We're gonna be dealing for the next two or three years. But you know, our our roads, the potholes are not taking a break. The crack sales are going to keep failing. The roads are going to keep failing. Whether Cove is going on or not, this is a blip. But we need2140 to keep planning, planning forward and2142 you know, the capital. So it's a year to year appropriation that the communities can count on. So, once again, Mr. Chairman, thank you for your time.
STRAUS - Thank you. And we also look forward to when we can all be together doing these hearings live. But this will have to do, uh, thank you very much. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
So we have the three witnesses then from or on behalf of the mm A and the municipalities. Um, I don't know if Miss Lovett given their statements, if there was anything else you wanted to recap from the municipal side otherwise, then I'd open it up for questions from members of the committee.
I don't think Yeah, I2189 don't think there's anything. Yeah, especially, but yes, I'm happy to open it up if there's any questions. Okay. Members of the committee Anyone have any questions for this? Uh, this, uh, decentralized panel? Uh,
yes. Senator Moran. Uh, welcome.
SEN MORAN - Thank you, Chairman. Uh, hello, chairman Boncore as well as everyone else. I appreciate the testimony. I have a municipal background myself having, uh, shared,2224 uh, selectman in my one of my six towns. And I was curious from the DPW um, experts who obviously deal with this day in and day out. If you would say that as a direct result of covid, um, there has been some,2244 in fact, delayed maintenance, which2246 will make your work even more expensive going forward either through the need for, um, half staffing rules that you municipality may have had or for any other reason climate change effects included. Given the five of my six communities are ocean facing, So thanks for that. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
And any of the panel can answer that. Mike, do anything. Dad. You want me to say anything? Um, well, I I can contribute somewhat to this Protess. Um go ahead. Thank you.
HALE - Thank you for senator. For your question. Um, COVID 19 is certainly impacted our ability to deliver a reliable um yeah, effort to our community. Last April, we went to a half staffing measure to protect our public works employees try to reduce the number of individuals working together, driving together, commuting from jobs at the job site, lunchrooms so forth. So certainly, um, that impacted us during the busiest time of our construction season After winter, which is spring leading into summer, we were fortunate that we had a relatively safe summer 2000.
Um, and only recently did we go back to half staff with the winter months and vacationing in the holidays to protect our staff. So we are behind in all of our road maintenance work. Um, you mentioned climate change. Um, we are a coastal community. Sea level rises.2340 Um, we're seeing it daily. Um, and some of the low lying roads within the community, um, they suffer the most as the tide rolls in and takes part of the road out. Certainly during storms. Um, so we are behind, um, the pandemic has impacted us. And certainly climate change will continue to impact us long after this pandemic passes.
CANTOREGGI - Okay, um, I just reiterate with Mr. Hale said Mr. Chairman and Senator, the one thing we need to think about is, you know, all communities I know they work would have done the similar type. Things is the rotations. It's more about our response. You know, I know we're talking about chapter nine long range planning, but the response to the day to day operations. And I can tell you, Franklin, um, you know the residents there, they're sitting here now and Franklin not going to Boston, so they're much more noticeable. I'm sure you folks have noticed that, you know, traffic going to Boston is still down, But if you drive around Franklin, you know, at five o'clock in the afternoon, it's still rush hour, so their expectations are still the same. But as I said before, the roads keep failing. So the the ongoing main this is difficult to keep up with. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Very good senator, any any follow up, or is that the satisfactory to,
MORAN - Uh, it's, um, satisfactory in that it really pinpoint some of the particular needs that are being experienced right now. So thank you for both witnesses and thank you to the chairs for that opportunity,
STRAUS - I would only add, and it was a great point from the municipal officials. Uh, if Administrator Gulliver would was is still on it, at least the last update he provided to me in terms of, uh, traffic volumes as as Mass DOT monitor monitors them. I think it was as late as January. Statewide traffic volume that is, the activity of vehicles on the roads is back to around 80 90% depending on the area. You look the one that's lagged the region the most. As I recall, the data is actually in the Boston area, which means, and it's an argument in terms of programs like Chapter 90 people are2487 moving around again. They're just not moving around in the same places. Uh, and so they're out in their vehicles, but often maybe closer to home, uh, and I use the phrase earlier, more decentralized. So if the traffic patterns of the vehicles are changing, the impact on the roads is going to change,2510 too. And we have to be mindful in Chapter 90 is certainly a part of that. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Are there any questions or even comments from other members of the committee? We've as far as I know, we've gone through the witness list. But2526 I didn't want to cut anyone off If they had something they wanted to ask2532 anyone. Mr. Charities. Nathalie Blais. Sure. Replay.
REP BLAIS - Thank you. I appreciate that, Mr. Cantoreggi I appreciate you, uh, saying that you are not missing the drive2549 into Boston. I'm sitting here in Central Massachusetts and put on a suit coat today. So, uh, we're all we're all adapting to this new norm. And it's I appreciate you being here. Mr. Hale, I appreciate you talking about the impact of climate change on our roadways. We're certainly seeing that in our rural communities where we have dirt roads that are experiencing2571 a freeze thaw cycle that's really putting an additional financial burden on our small communities. I'm2578 interested. You know, last last time we talked about chapter 90 the prior secretary talked about the fact that towns are not spending down the amounts that were that they were given.
And as a result, there is no need for additional chapter 90 funding. And that's sort of been touched on here. How do we How do we get Mass DOT and Mass highway to better understand the fact that a number of communities across the Commonwealth our banking these dollars in order to fund a single project? Because year after year for hearing that same argument. And there's not a better understanding if there's not that data of what we're trying to get to two. Fund A single project. It's going to be really difficult to make that argument in support of additional funding. Are there recommendations that you have for mass highway to better track those longer term goals? SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Mhm. Um,2634 uh, it's it's I gotta be candid, and hopefully I'll get myself in trouble. We like candor on this committee.
CANTOREGGI - Okay, um, you know, as I represent, like I said, mass High Women's Association, which mostly a lot of communities and, uh, Mr.2651 Hale was talking about earlier. It's very good information that you're looking for, and it is sad that some towns have to save up, but we do know towns have to save up for funding. I'm fortunate, Franklin. You know, we have a pretty robust budget, so I've been able to hold money from year to year, so I never have to wait for my contracts, But a lot of communities can't do that. Um, we were kind of just throwing out the number like, you know, five year limit should be what is because I'll be honest with there are communities out there. They get chapter 90. We've looked at. They've never spent a dime of it. I have no idea why. I mean,
I want their money. I wanted to be2684 released. If they're not gonna spend it, I'll spend it. But, you know, we do have to recognize that some communities do need do need to save up. So there should be a policy type thing that you know that you folks come up with as far as it goes out there. But, um I mean, I think five years is reasonable, you know, for a larger sized job, for, you know, uh, you know, place like Sunderland. You know, if you're working on route nine or forget your roads out there, the highways, But, uh, I've been out there. I went to u MASS. So I know, Um but anyways, uh, I think that's reasonable, but there are communities. Don't spend the money. It does. It does make us all look bad. Then we're you know, we're all just begging for more and more and more. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Mr Chairman.
Yes. Senator Chandler?
SEN CHANDLER - Yes. I've been asked by the six towns that I represent who have been deeply concerned about the level of funding that we have had in Chapter 90 This is our fifth year of level funding. Uh, and they asked me to at least direct your attention to the fact that the reality is that the purchasing power of the Chapter 90 program the fiscal year 2012, uh, Chapter 90 remaining at $200 million for fiscal year 2021. Uh, real inflation adjusted level of state support for local road projects has dropped by 34% to an inflation adjusted $132 million in fiscal year 2021. That is a loss $68 million in purchasing power over the past nine years.
That is really what our cities and towns particularly are smaller towns are facing. Uh, and as you well know, municipalities, particularly smaller municipalities, spend far less on road maintenance and repairs than the estimated annual expenditure that they believe is needed here of $700 million that we need to get our municipal road infrastructure system into a state of good repair. So, uh, tightly capped property tax communities just don't have the resources to close this massive $5 million. Yes, they're asking, what should they do? How should they handle it? SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
I'm not sure I'm not going to view that as a question to me. Uh,
but this is what we face.
STRAUS - Yeah, well, I I think, uh, certainly the committee has been well aware of this and that. And that's why, uh, we've, uh, done the kind of authorizations we did in last session's bond bill. And then, uh, the supplemental programs which go beyond chapter 90 but are targeted in terms of, uh, other policy needs bridges, obviously, is a safety issue. Complete streets is a effort on the part of us to, uh, direct municipalities. Some do it well, Some do it not as well toward the kind of road, uh, designs that include the other ways in which people travel, uh, whether it's, uh, the needs of sidewalk, how the pedestrians interact.
Those who ride on bicycles. So I would say this to our municipal colleagues. At least my view um, we are anxious to help the towns and cities beyond the traditional chapter 90 kinds of things, but it's going to involve some, uh, guidance is probably too2935 strong a word, but some indication2937 that the way in which planning occurs2941 and the kinds of projects. Uh, do have an impact on on how your community is going to handle transportation things. Transportation is more than just cars. We all know that. And so, um, that's the only observation I could offer on that. But I don't know if you if I didn't mean to cut you short, Senator.
CHANDLER - Thank you very much for hearing me out. Very most.
STRAUS - Of course.
CANTOREGGI - Mr. Chairman.
STRAUS - Yes.
CANTOREGGI - Uh, Mr. Cantoreggi again. from Franklin.2980
STRAUS - Sure.
CANTOREGGI - I really appreciate the centers comments about inflation. And I know a lot of those are based on numbers, stats and economics. I can tell you realistically that right now it's gone up even more for towns for construction projects, and we're noticing it because of because of COVID. Um, reason being is, you know, a lot of contractors that we're trying to get to come and work on municipalities are working on the housing, which is I know on the other issue. But if you haven't seen this more development going on housing. So we're competing with the same contractors to get the roads built for a new road or water infrastructure or sewer, all to be put in so our costs are going up.
Because, you know, we're competing with the private guys. The private guys, they used to say, I don't get an average house of 350. Now they're getting 450 so they can pay more, and they want to get it done. So the municipalities are gonna We want to keep doing our work. I have to pay more money. And that's realistic thing to happen for next two or three years until the magic bubble in3042 real estate pops again. And then they all come back and work for us again. Like we got really, really good raids into 11 to 12. I'm not gonna lie. We did a lot of work cheap then, but it's very selectical. And that's what's going to happen.
STRAUS - Well, uh, this has been very helpful and giving us, uh, members of the committee, I think a window into the municipal challenges that you face. Uh, right now, especially. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
any other members of the committee had questions, uh, hearing none. I don't know whether my co chair wanted to, uh, offer any any final thoughts, but otherwise, I think the, uh, the hearing is is pretty much concluded. Uh, it's, uh It's been a new experience for me to be helping on a hearing like this. Um, I think3098 I still prefer the live ones where we're3100 all together. But until then, this will have to do, Senator. No, I think, uh, just ran. Very well, Mr Chairman. Job well done. Um, you know, I think at this time I'd make a motion to adjourn, uh, subject to any communications we may receive due to the fact that people may have had a difficult time joining the committee hearing today. Um, I'm moving during the during the hearing. Do I hear a second? I do, Uh, and I see them. So all in favor. Uh, this hearing on this bill is wrapped up. Thank you, everybody. We'll see you soon, I hope. Goodbye. Have a great day. Thank you, everyone. You know, Thank you. Thanks.
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