The Healey-Driscoll administration announced its decision to distribute $100 million, through revenue generated from Fair Share funds, among all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts last week.
Marblehead will receive $227,078 through the distribution.
“Our administration said from day one that we were going to make sure that Fair Share revenue was used to improve transportation and education for our communities, as the voters intended,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “This funding is particularly impactful because we are empowering cities and towns to decide how to use it to address their unique needs. We are grateful to the legislature for making this funding available and look forward to seeing how the municipalities will use it to strengthen their communities.”
According to Healey’s office, official notifications have been dispatched to every municipality, confirming their Fair Share apportionment for fiscal year 2024. The distribution of Fair Share Amendment funds follows two formulas. The initial $50 million adheres to the conventional Chapter 90 formula, which considers local road mileage (58.33%), population (20.83%), and employment (20.83%). The subsequent $50 million is allocated based on each municipality’s proportion of road mileage.
This financial allocation aims to bolster local infrastructure projects across the state, focusing on key elements such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, new pavement, retaining walks, crossing signals, and other transportation-infrastructure features.
“As a former mayor, I know how much our cities and towns rely on state funding to support the infrastructure needs of their communities,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in the press release. “This funding will be a critical boost for them to move forward on projects like bridge-preservation projects, improving Regional Transit Authority service, and expanding multi-modal pathways.”
According to Healey’s office, communities have the flexibility to utilize Fair Share revenue for projects that construct, preserve, or enhance capital facilities, prolonging their lifespan. This covers expenses for highway projects and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.