Towns see record jump in Chapter 90 aidDate: 4/18/2011 April 18, 2011
By Katelyn Gendron
Assistant Managing Editor
GREATER SPRINGFIELD — Drivers will see significant improvements to the Commonwealth's roadways thanks to record level Chapter 90 allotments announced by Gov. Deval Patrick last week. The increases, according to town officials, will do little more than cover the cost of inflation, however.
East Longmeadow will receive an additional $147,443 in state aid for infrastructure repairs in fiscal year 2012 (FY12), bringing the total to approximately $590,00. Hampden was allocated $258,747 for FY12, an increase of about $57,000, while Longmeadow has been granted a total of $485,949, a bump of $107,151 from FY11. Wilbraham received a sizeable increase of $127,070, bringing its FY12 total to $554,570.
"Unfortunately, all the unrest in the Middle East has resulted in increases in the costs of asphalt. It almost [supplements] the cost of inflation," Michael Wrabel, director of Longmeadow Public Works, said of the increase in Chapter 90 funding. "It's helpful because we are able to maintain the same level of service we've been providing but it's not going to help us get ahead."
The department is responsible for maintaining approximately 100 miles of road, Wrabel noted, adding that the repaving schedule for FY12 will encompass about 1.75 miles throughout town.
He said improvements are in the pipeline for Forest Glen Road and portions of Laurel, Dickson and Converse streets.
"We hope to put out to bid an aggressive $800,000 [infrastructure] improvement project," Edmond Miga Jr., director of Wilbraham's Department of Public Works, said, adding that the Chapter 90 allotment will be combined with local funding to repave 4.7 miles of roadway.
Improvements are scheduled for Stony Hill, River, Brainard and Monson roads, Rochford Drive, Oakland Street, Gary Drive, Ronald Circle and others.
"We've not made any definitive plans as of yet but we maintain a list of streets that need repaving," Sean Kelly, senior project manager at the East Longmeadow Department of Public Works, said.
He noted the department will "attempt to [repave] the more heavily traveled roads first" such as Benton Drive, Shaker Road, Elm and Prospect streets.
Construction bids will go out next month and construction will most likely begin in June, according to town officials.
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