You Asked Patch Answers: Chapter 90 Paving Funds

Question: Can you ask Rep. Ehrlich why Swampscott receives much less than other towns. In this case, specifically Marblehead receives 25% more funding.

Chapter 90 funding for Road Repairs, FY 2013: 
Beverly $1,029,148 
Danvers $920,156 
Salem $874,160 
Peabody $1,279,587 
Ipswich $442,076 
Marblehead $449,162 
Swampscott $302,863 
Hamilton $246,225 
Wenham $152,698

Source: Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Answer (From Thomas Mills of  Rep. Ehrlich's office):

Thanks for bringing the question to our attention.
First I wanted to provide your readers/our constituents with some background on the Chapter 90 program. MassDOT does a good job of ensuring this information is available on their website, so it would be great if you could direct people here (http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/stateaid01a&sid=about) if they do not already know about the Chapter 90 program.
Chapter 90 distributions to municipalities are done by utilizing a formula which includes calculating total road mileage, municipality population, and employment within the town/city borders. This information is again available on the MassDOT website and your readers can go here (http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/ch90FY.asp?c=13a) to search every municipality in the Commonwealth.
Given that the commenter, Allen, asked specifically about Swampscott and Marblehead I wanted to provide the data that is used to calculate Chapter 90 funds to those communities:
Swampscott (Allotment: $302,863)

Mileage: 42.55

Population: 13,787

Employment: 3,429

Marblehead (Allotment: $449,162)

Mileage: 65.78

Population: 19,808

Employment: 4,589

So as you can see in the areas used to calculate the allotment Marblehead has 23.23 more miles of roadway as well as over 6,000 more residents. This is how the number is reached - it is a matter of a mathematical formula, not representation as Allen suggests.
Often times there are additional funds that municipalities can apply for. Since I have worked for Rep. Ehrlich I know communities have asked us to help them with the application process for certain funding.

Representative Ehrlich believes that infrastructure improvements are engines of economic development. She has often sought funds for her communities when opportunities have come up over the years, either at the request of the community or during the budget process. Please let your readers know that we are always available to answer questions regarding state issues.

For your reference I have attached a spreadsheet from the MassDOT budget office on this matter and you are welcome to share it with your readers.  
I also wanted to add an additional point because Allen mentioned Chapter 70 funding as well.

Representative Ehrlich has worked from day 1 in office to reform the way chapter 70 is calculated while simultaneously working to get her communities the funds they deserve. We knew this was an issue from having constructive discussions with municipal officials in communities she represents.

However, no municipal official (and as you know we speak with them often) has ever had a discussion with me about the need to reform the Chapter 90 formula. Representative Ehrlich's record clearly shows that if there is an issue she is going to roll up her sleeves to fix it - this would be no exception.