Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
At an Aug. 14 meeting sponsored by the MMA and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in Springfield, mayors, select board members and town managers from the region met with Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Richard Davey to discuss the future of transportation funding across the Commonwealth.
In welcoming remarks, Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno said, “Transportation is key to our economic development, moving goods, customers and residents while at the same time creating well-paying construction jobs.”
Davey highlighted the Patrick administration’s efforts on transportation reform and infrastructure investments over the past few years. He asked municipal officials to share their vision for future transportation initiatives.
Many local officials thanked the secretary for the increase in Chapter 90 funding over the past two years, but said that the region still faces a road and bridge maintenance backlog due to inadequate funding.
The local officials said they support a long-term transportation-financing plan that includes an increased, multi-year Chapter 90 program.
The governor has said that he would be receptive to a multi-year transportation bond bill with funding for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program.