Marblehead will receive $227,078 in transportation infrastructure funding from the state’s new Fair Share program, money raised from the so-called millionaire’s tax, according to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer.
The Fair Share money can pay for an array of municipal road and sidewalk repair projects, pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes and other transportation infrastructure needs.
Marblehead plans to put some of the money toward its Village Street rehabilitation initiative, Kezer said.
Department of Public Works Director Amy McHugh said that the extra money “is not going to pay for absolutely everything that needs to be done. But you know it does give us the opportunity to do more maintenance. Every little bit counts.”
Kezer agreed: “Any additional dollars from the state allows the town to engage in more projects that make Marblehead more attractive for private sector investment in the community.”
The money, part of $100 million in funding allocated to Massachusetts cities and towns, will supplement Marblehead’s existing annual Chapter 90 road repair funds from the state Transportation Department. For the 2024 budget year, Marblehead has already been allotted $448,374 in Chapter 90 funds, money towns traditionally use for projects like road resurfacing.
“Be aware that Chapter 90 is a reimbursement program,” Kezer said. “So we need to expend our funds on Chapter 90-eligible projects and then submit for reimbursement. Often, we use Chapter 90 to supplement portions of town funded projects to stretch the Marblehead dollars.”
The extra Fair Share money wasn’t a surprise, Kezer said, because municipal officials knew the new funding program was in development. But the final dollar amount came as welcome news.
The allocations are based on a formula that takes into account municipal population, employment rates and total road miles. Marblehead is receiving a smaller cut than some larger communities but more than many smaller towns. For example, Lawrence is getting $542,000 while tiny Littleton is receiving $210,000.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, a former Salem mayor, said the funds will help local leaders “move forward on projects like bridge preservation projects, improving Regional Transit Authority service and expanding multi-modal pathways.”
Gov. Maura Healey said the administration is “empowering cities and towns to decide how to use it to address their unique needs.”
