In a perfect world, there would be boatloads of money to fix or replace decaying, decrepit and deficient bridges in even the state’s smallest towns.
Obviously, we don’t live in a perfect work. Yet, it’s nice to see that some of our small town leaders understand the concept of making the best of an imperfect world — and have been willing and able to work against the odds to get help from urban-centric Beacon Hill for their communities. And they’ve had some success.
Charlemont recently was credited with squeezing $50 million from the Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration and the Legislature to help small towns repair town-owned bridges that are less than 20 feet long and not otherwise eligible for state or federal highway funds.
According to state Rep. Paul Mark, “Charlemont’s been really the driving force behind this.”
Charlemont’s Selectboard has been agitating for state or other aid because, as they are fond of saying, theirs is a “town of 46 bridges,” many less than 20 feet long, which keeps them off the state and federal radar. Currently, two are closed and the town, with an annual operating budget of about $3 million, estimates it is facing $5 million worth of bridge work in the near future. The Deerfield River runs through town, along with other streams.
Many of Charlemont’s weaker town-owned bridges — built in the 1940s, after the Flood of 1938 — are nearing the end of their life spans.
Charlemont’s selectboard members recently also explained their plight to aides for Congessman Richard Neal and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who suggested grant programs and other resources that might help the town — and other small neighbors — pay for bridge repairs or replacement.
The congressional aides said they would look into grants or loans that might apply to the old bridges.
Selectboard members Toby Gould, Sarah Reynolds and Beth Bandy deserve lots of credit and thanks for bringing state help and promise of federal help to their town.
We trust they will keep the pressure up, although it’s unfortunate that they have to in this imperfect world.