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01/11/10
Town begins grant applications for Shore Road Path construction costs
The Town Council on Jan. 11, 2010 authorized the town's first grant
application to fund construction of the Shore Road pathway.
By a 5-2 vote, councilors gave town staff the go-ahead to complete an
application to the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System,
the regional authority that oversees federal and state funding for
transportation, for the full $980,000 anticipated construction cost of
a pathway next to Shore Road.
Councilors Penny Jordan and Jessica Sullivan voted against the
application.
On Jan. 8, the town delivered a preliminary application for $600,000
toward the project, but the council's action Jan. 11 authorizes an
amended application for the full construction cost. PACTS grant funding
for pedestrian and bicycle improvements is limited to $600,000 for the
whole 15-town region during this funding cycle, said Town Manager
Michael McGovern. However, the town is applying for the full amount in
case other funds, such as federal stimulus money, become available.
"If stimulus funds come along, we will be shovel-ready" McGovern said.
Last September, the council approved the Shore Road Pathway in concept,
and authorized $110,000 in town funds for permitting, surveying and
design. The funds came from a 2008 bond issue for town center
improvements and infrastructure.
While the majority of councilors voted to go ahead with the grant
application, there was some concern that town funds might end up being
used for the 20 percent local match required of PACTS-funded projects.
"My question is, how do we ensure that town dollars are not part of
that 20 percent?" said Jordan. Sullivan also asked what the council
would do if private fundraising efforts failed to raise enough money by
the time the town is ready to use whatever grant might be awarded.
Other councilors, however, said their understanding of the council's
September vote was that the council would fund design, permitting and
engineering costs only. "We agreed to fund the survey work, but it was
quite clear that the 20 percent for construction costs would need to
come from other sources," said Councilor David Sherman. "I'm only
speaking for myself, but I would be surprised if we deviated from that
approach," he said.
Anne Swift-Kayatta, council chair, said it was also her supposition
that construction costs would be funded privately or through grants.
PACTS is just one source of grant money the town will pursue, said Town
Planner Maureen O'Meara. There are at least two other funding sources
town staff is eyeing, "this was just the first one that the deadline
came up for," O'Meara said.
"The point is to get our credentials in
there for consideration for the grant by all of the various entities
related to the Department of Transportation that serve as funding
vehicles for projects such as this," said McGovern.
The application seeks funding specifically from the bicycle and
pedestrian component of PACTS.
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