Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
An MMA panel testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation on March 3 in strong support of a transportation bond bill filed by the governor. MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine, left, Sherborn Town Administrator Jeremy Marsette, center, and Yarmouth Public Works Director Jeff Colby testified in person.
An MMA panel testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation on March 3 in strong support of a transportation bond bill filed by the governor that includes $300 million per year for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge maintenance program.
The panel included MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine; Sherborn Town Administrator Jeremy Marsette, who serves as chair of the MMA Policy Committee on Public Works, Transportation and Public Utilities; Yarmouth Public Works Director Jeff Colby; and Conway Town Administrator Veronique Blanchard.
The panelists highlighted the importance of Chapter 90 funding in their communities and shared examples of projects made possible by last year’s funding boost to $300 million for fiscal 2026.
They also emphasized the benefits, particularly for rural communities, of a formula based on road miles for one-third of the funding, as well as the importance of a multi-year authorization.
The MMA also submitted written testimony to the committee.
Gov. Maura Healey’s bill would provide $1.2 billion over four years for Chapter 90, which would help municipalities strategically plan their capital investments and address infrastructure needs proactively, rather than being forced to respond to urgent repairs.
The MMA has long advocated for both a significant increase in Chapter 90 funding and a multi-year authorization.
The governor’s bill, filed on Jan. 23, includes several other major investments:
• $200 million for transportation improvements that support expanded housing development
• $200 million for a new Parkway Resilience Improvement and Safety Modernization investment program to repair, improve safety, and enhance the resilience of transportation infrastructure under the care and control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation
• $500 million for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Bridge and Pavement Lifecycle Asset Management Programs, designed to improve bridges and pavement on an accelerated schedule
• $200 million for the MBTA’s Rail Reliability Program
The Joint Committee on Transportation may offer amendments to the bill before advancing it to the next stage of the legislative process. The committee chairs have been strong partners with the MMA on this issue.
The MMA and local leaders are urging prompt action on the bond bill so municipalities can make optimal use of the Chapter 90 funds in the coming construction season.