View from the Hill - Apr '07

from State Rep. Robert S. Hargraves

The Legislature took two significant actions last week which should help communities struggling to finalize their FY08 operating budgets and plan their schedules for vital road maintenance.

Both branches overwhelmingly approved a "declaration of intent" relative to the amount and distribution of local aid to cities, towns, and regional school districts that will eventually be approved as part of the state budget act later this year. The declaration covers Chapter 70 school aid and lottery funds, but does not address school transportation or payments in lieu of taxes. The Chapter 70 amounts (and increases over FY07) for our district are: Ayer $4,095,225 ($211,553); Groton Dunstable $10,757,109 ($166,149); and North Middlesex $20,148,846 ($490,808). The lottery amounts (and increases) are: Ayer $897,962 ($14,496); Dunstable $259,136 ($5,341); Groton $957,896 ($18,351); Pepperell $1,591,572 ($27,513); and Townsend $1,454,476 ($25,511).

Meanwhile, the Joint Transportation Committee forwarded information on the most recent apportionment under the Chapter 90 program, which assists a wide variety of maintenance, repair, improvement, and construction projects involving town ways, bridges, sidewalks, signage, etc. The Chapter 90 program has historically been funded in the capital budget at a total amount that has fluctuated between $100 million and $150 million per year. The FY08 apportionment is $150 million, the first time in nine years that this level has been attained.

Each municipality's Chapter 90 apportionment is determined by a set formula. The major factors in the formula are miles of public ways (58.33%), population (20.83%) and employment level within each city or town (20.83%). The FY08 allocations for our district are: Ayer $204, 199; Dunstable $136,219; Groton $387,807; Pepperell $310,957; and Townsend $329,700.

The annual Student Government Day at the State House also took place last week. A section of the Massachusetts General Laws allows each high school in the state to democratically elect student delegates who for one day assume the roles of constitutional officers, court justices, and legislators. The event includes a simulated hearing and executive session on two actual bills, a Joint Convention, formal sessions of the House and Senate, and a visit to the Supreme Judicial Court for students representing the justices. Participants from our area were Stephen Wright and Julie Scunziano of Ayer High School, Christine Converse and Steven Lunt of Groton Dunstable Regional High School, Adam Dunbar and Kimberly Post of North Middlesex Regional High School, and Danielle Dube of Greater Lowell Regional Technical High School.

Congratulations to Anshalee Guarnieri and Jonny Donell of Ayer for receiving awards from the Massachusetts Letters About Literature program. Congratulations also to Patrick Walkovich of Pepperell, Casey Garvey of Groton, and Justin Starr of Dunstable for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.