Rep. John Velis
BOSTON – Westfield State Representative John Velis joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives on Wednesday to pass legislation that authorizes $200 million for Chapter 90 funding to help municipalities complete road, bridge and infrastructure improvement projects.
“Local aid funding like Chapter 90 is critical to our cities and towns,” says Velis. “Westfield is slated to receive over a million dollars to help our city fix and maintain our transportation infrastructure, including our roads.”
The exact amount Westfield will receive, according to a list distributed by the Joint Committee on Transportation, is $1,224,928. It is the 26th highest amount among the 351 municipalities in the Commonwealth, and the third highest in Hampden County behind Springfield and Chicopee.
The Representative stated, “Ever since my first campaign running for State Rep, I promised the residents of Westfield I would do everything in my power to get funds for road repairs and pot holes. Yesterday’s vote was a continuation of that promise.”
Chapter 90 funds are usually passed separately from the regular budget so that municipalities can make the most of construction season.
“It’s critical that we get these funds to cities and towns so that they can start work as soon as the weather permits,” says Velis. “Passing the Chapter 90 budget now means that public works can take advantage of more viable construction time, and taxpayers will not have to wait as long for improvements.”
“Chapter 90 funds are essential to providing stability and spurring economic growth in Massachusetts,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said. “That growth starts on the local level. I am pleased we were able to take action on this bill before April to support safety and efficiency in our municipalities.”
This legislation complements a 2016 transportation law focused on highways, small bridges and a municipal grant program. That bill authorized $750 million for both federal-aid interstate and non-interstate highway projects, and $50 million for a new program to repair small bridges.
Says Representative Velis, “One of my most important jobs as State Representative is to be a partner of my colleagues in city government and this legislation is a perfect example of that partnership”
