Mayoral Notes: Committed to funding infrastructure improvements

By Charlene Lovett
By Charlene Lovett

Governments at all levels are recognizing the need to invest more into infrastructure to foster economic growth, improve public safety and create resilient communities. On June 30, the Claremont City Council approved the budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 22, allocating the highest amount for streets and roads in at least 15 years. A day later, Congresswoman Kuster’s office issued a press release announcing her vote in favor of the Invest in America Act. If signed into law, this would put millions of dollars into communities, bolstering limited resources at the local level to complete much needed infrastructure projects.

During the city’s budgetary process, council members noted that the number one complaint heard from residents was the condition of Claremont’s roads and streets. Over the years, the amount allocated for maintaining the 132 miles of road fluctuated primarily due to the limited tax base. Last year, $650,000 was in the budget and City Manager Ed Morris proposed the same amount for FY22. However, the council directed the city manager to increase that amount without increasing the tax rate. He accomplished this and the council adopted a budget with approximately $750,000 set aside for streets and roads.

While this was a major accomplishment, it is not enough to address the needs. It is why there is an ongoing effort to revisit the budget throughout the year to determine if unspent funds within the budget can be redirected to roads. This effort was successful in FY21. Although $650,000 was allocated in our last budget, by the end of the fiscal year Claremont had invested approximately $870,000 in roads. This FY, the city council and administration will review the budget in December to see if this can be done again.

Whatever the outcome, we do not have the financial resources locally to do all that is needed. It is estimated that it costs approximately $250,000 per mile to build or reconstruct a municipal road. During the city’s budgetary process, Jeremy Clay, assistant director of the Department of Public Works, commented that it would take about $40,000,000 to make all the road repairs needed. Consequently, state and federal resources are essential to this effort.

That is why Congresswoman Kuster’s vote in favor of the Invest in America Act is so important to New Hampshire communities. On July 1, the House passed this Act which will provide federal funding for multiple transportation programs, including highway, rail and bridges. One of the many projects included in the Act is $1,000,000 for Claremont to complete improvements to the Main St/North Street intersection. Such funding will enable the city to complete a multi-million dollar project, diverting large trucks from the downtown area and improving public safety.

This government focus on infrastructure reflects the needs voiced by communities. In FY 22, Claremont residents will see a greater investment in roads and the reconstruction of Pleasant Street in the Historic District. Should the Invest in America Act be signed into law, Claremont will have the resources to complete a project designed to alleviate traffic issues and improve public safety. Maintaining this focus and continuing this collaboration will ensure that Claremont is well-positioned for the future.

Charlene Lovett is the mayor of Claremont and welcomes your feedback. Please email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected]