Senator Don Humason (left) and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito (third from right) stand with Tolland town officials after the announcement of the town receiving a portion of the $7.3 million in MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant money. (Photo Courtesy Sen. Don Humason)
TOLLAND – On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash joined community leaders and legislators to announce over $7.3 million in MassWorks Infrastructure Program awards to eight rural towns. These projects will make critical roadway and safety improvements to allow for increased safety, housing opportunities and job growth.
“Our Administration is committed to investing in programs like MassWorks, which impact not only local infrastructure, but also serve as a catalyst for growth in communities of all sizes,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The awards announced today will allow for small, rural towns to make critical roadway improvements that increase public safety and connectivity to schools, jobs and hospitals.”
The MassWorks Infrastructure Program makes grants to municipalities for public infrastructure projects that generate additional private sector investment. Each year, the MassWorks program allocates 10% of awarded funds to assist municipalities with populations of 7,000 or less in completing roadway safety projects.
“Governor Baker and I are happy to support small towns through MassWorks,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These grants enable rural communities to proceed with vital projects and upgrades that will support their communities.”
“Over the past four years, the Baker-Polito Administration has used the MassWorks program as a flexible and important source of funding for our cities and towns,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “The program recognizes that each city and town faces a different set of challenges, and the small town set aside allows rural communities to make necessary improvements to their roadways.”
“Thanks to the Baker-Polito Administration for awarding a MassWorks grant to the Town of Tolland to repair and improve Colebrook River Road,” said Tolland Board of Selectmen Chair Eric R. Munson, Jr. “This is a key commuter route for many of our residents to reach their work place, our first responders to reach this part of town in a safe and timely manner, and the main road in town for visitors coming to enjoy two campgrounds, which are important economic drivers in town. The state’s willingness and ability to invest in small towns help us maintain our quality of life and spur economic growth are a key element in our programs to grow our population and attract new jobs.”
“I am pleased to have worked with the Baker-Polito Administration to secure this important MassWorks grant to improve Colebrook River Road,” said Senator Don Humason. “Culvert repair is a pressing need for rural communities in Western Mass. This grant will enable Tolland to make necessary repairs to ensure access, and invest in its infrastructure for the future.”
“MassWorks grants provide critical assistance when towns need it most. We are thrilled to support these strategic investments to improve infrastructure in Buckland, Hawley, Monterey, Sheffield and Windsor – all of which will contribute to the region’s economic growth,” said Senator Adam G. Hinds, the Senate vice-chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies.
“This money will go a long way towards improving access to Public Safety in not only Bolton but in all of the communities that Route 117 passes through,” said Senator Dean A. Tran. “The Baker-Polito Administration has once again put municipalities first with this round of MassWorks grants, and these infrastructure improvements are just the latest example of this.”
“MassWorks grants serve as a lifeline for our small communities, and I am grateful to the program for investing over $2.8 million into Tolland, Monterey, and Sheffield,” said Representative Smitty Pignatelli. “As a former Selectman and the current Representative of Southern Berkshire County, I know first-hand how much small communities rely on critical infrastructure grants such as these. I want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for their continued work and support of these vital efforts.”
“Forward-thinking investment in infrastructure helps to foster economic growth while tempering its effects. This grant does both and supports those on the front lines working to protect our town,” said Representative Kate Hogan. “This MassWorks Grant will support improvements to the intersection of Route 117 and Wattaquadock Road that are critical to Bolton’s public safety, including the creation of a designated left turn lane, accessible bike lanes and sidewalks, and a modernized turn signal. This means that Bolton’s Police Officers and Firefighters will now be able to get on the road safely and quickly.”
“I am very pleased that Buckland is receiving this $1 million MassWorks grant to reconstruct and improve the drainage, roadway, and sidewalks on Upper Street. The deteriorated condition of this infrastructure has long posed public safety and maintenance problems for the community,”said Representative Stephen Kulik. “I was glad to advocate for this project and I thank the Baker-Polito Administration for supporting this significant investment in one of our smallest and most rural towns.”
“MassWorks Infrastructure Grants are an important tool available to towns across the Commonwealth to help fund local projects, and nowhere is this program more important than in our smallest, most rural towns,” said Representative Paul Mark. “Hawley and Windsor will both put this grant money to good use undertaking much needed road repairs they might not otherwise be able to afford. I congratulate both towns on their strong applications which resulted in these awards, and I thank the administration for recognizing the needs of two towns with fewer than 1,000 people.”
“I am pleased to see this investment in our local infrastructure. This rural road provides important access for our citizens, school children, first responders and visitors. I’m grateful to the administration for seeing the need and addressing it via this grant,” said Representative Susannah Whipps.
Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded over $275 million in MassWorks grants to support 138 projects in 106 communities. MassWorks funding has been critical to the addition of over 2 million square feet of commercial/retail space, approximately 10,000 full and part time jobs, more than 7,000 immediate housing units, at least 7,000 square feet of new public space and 1,200 new hotel rooms.
Through the 2018 MassWorks round, the Administration will award more than $82 million in new grants for 40 projects that intend to leverage $2.9 billion in private investment, and drive an anticipated 4,000 units of new housing and more than 9,000 full time jobs. 37 communities across the Commonwealth will benefit from this round’s investments.
Governor Baker signed economic development legislation in August that includes substantial new funding for municipalities, including another $250 million for MassWorks awards. The legislation builds on the Baker-Polito Administration’s work to partner with communities to catalyze economic development and create new opportunities for residents across the Commonwealth, including the2016 Job Creation and Workforce Development act, which authorized $1 billion to support economic development efforts across the state, including $500 million authorization for MassWorks Infrastructure Program, enhanced tools and the introduction of new strategies for job-readiness efforts.
Learn more about MassWorks at mass.gov.
2018 MassWorks Small Town Rural Assistance Program Award Winners:
Bolton, Safety Improvements Main St & Wattaquadock Hill Rd: $975,000
The Project improves roadway and pedestrian safety as well as access for emergency vehicles at the intersection of Route 117 and Wattaquadock Hill Road. Congestion on Route 117 has hindered Bolton’s Police and Fire Department from exiting the Public Safety Building on Wattaquadock Hill Road. A dedicated left-turn lane and an actuated traffic signal with emergency pre -emption will be provided to allow first responders to efficiently exit Bolton Public Safety. Crosswalks, bike lanes and ADA compliant sidewalks will also be provided with improved geometry.
Buckland, Upper Street Reconstruction: $1,000,000
The Project will provide new drainage and reconstruct 7,500 feet of roadway and correct 2,000 feet of curb and sidewalk on Upper Street. The condition of the road has drivers crossing the middle to avoid potholes, puddles and ice. The poor drainage causes flooding of the road and adjacent properties. In the winter flooding leads to large areas of ice and extremely dangerous sections of frozen road. This impacts response times by Buckland police, fire and ambulance to Upper Street residents, as well as to the Towns of Hawley and Charlemont where they are mutual aid responders.
Hawley, Route 8A Rebuild: $466,900
The Project will rebuild 1,000 feet of Route 8A and install a drainage system to address dangerous road conditions. The road has experienced sinking each spring, causing hazardous conditions due to fracturing at its perimeter, leaving a two inch drop at a sharp bend in the road. The road is currently used as a truck detour for bridge construction in Shelburne causing the sunken area to compromise regional safety.
Monterey, Blue Hill Road Safety Improvements Project: $1,000,000
Monterey will use MassWorks funding to perform a full depth reconstruction on Blue Hill Road to improve safety for school buses that transport children to a regional school system in Great Barrington and increase access to businesses and recreational activities, retaining existing jobs in addition to fostering the potential revitalization and expansion of the local economy. The project will consist of full depth reclamation, replacement of 20 failing culverts, installation of guardrails, rebuilding of swales, catch basins and line painting. The project will leverage $200,100 in Chapter 90 local infrastructure aid.
Royalston, Athol, Bolton Roads Reconstruction: $1,000,000
The Project will reconstruct 13,600 linear feet of Bolton and Athol Roads and provide new drainage, guardrails, and culverts. The combined roads form the shortest route between Royalston’s and Athol’s town centers and are primary emergency response routes for both towns’ first-responders. Current deteriorated surface conditions cause emergency vehicles to reduce speeds and the alternative route is more than twice as long. The road is also a vital route for school busses, commuters, and regional mutual aid.
Sheffield, 2 Bridge Repairs and 1 Bridge Replacement: $1,000,000
MassWorks funding will be used to complete vital infrastructure improvements to 3 of the Town’s bridges. The Project will continue and complete improvements to County Road, complementing a previous MassWorks investment. The Project will also complete the construction for Bridge S-10-010 that has already been designed and permitted with a 2016 MassDot small bridge award and support the design of the required bridge replacement of Lime Kiln Road over Hubbard Brook. In order to utilize the benefits of previous state investments, these bridges must be repaired or the road is at risk of being closed.
Tolland, Colebrook River Road Rehabilitation: $889,664
Tolland will perform road improvements to Colebrook River Road to enhance safety and accommodate school buses, public safety vehicles and larger trucks. The infrastructure project consists of ditch work and the replacement of six 18” culverts. MassWorks funding will leverage a MassDot small bridge award and Chapter 90 local infrastructure aid.
Windsor, River Road Project: $1,000,000
MassWorks funding will be used for improvements to River Road, a major connector between two state highways, Route 9 and Route 116. The infrastructure project would improve safety to accommodate school buses, road maintenance vehicles and emergency vehicles without significant delay. The project includes culverts, guard rails, shoulders, milling and hot mix asphalt resurfacing. River Road is adjacent to the Westfield River, which is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River. If the road is repaired and brought to MassDOT standards, it would support the increased traffic due to the possible re-opening of the facilities at Windsor State Park (by DCR), which have been closed for many years.
