Delegation Votes to Bring Money to Andover

Senator Barry Finegold voted yesterday in favor of a $200 million bond bill that would provide monies to cities and towns for local road and bridge repairs. The town of Andover will receive $1,378,069.

“Anyone who drives down North Main Street, and almost any street in Andover, can see the desperate need for repair,” Finegold said. “This winter was brutal, and our roads and bridges really took a beating, causing the number of potholes to greatly increase. This money is critical for those communities who need to make these necessary repairs.”

The $200 million is part of the Chapter 90 program, which is a 100-percent reimbursement program that entitles municipalities to be reimbursed for documented and approved projects. The part of this program this is specific to allows for the maintaining, repairing and improvement of town and
county roads and bridges.

Officials said money would be made available to communities within 30 days of the bill being signed by Gov. Deval Patrick.

“In addition to allowing for these repairs, putting these projects into Chapter 90 will be an immediate boost to the construction trades that are suffering at 30 percent unemployment,” Finegold said. “Contracts from the private sector have become few and far between, making the state’s investment in road projects the main source of employment for thousands of construction workers. The combination of cleaning up our roads and putting people back to work is absolutely ideal.”

This press release was provided by the office of Sen. Barry Finegold, D-Andover.