Overview
Infrastructure development in Massachusetts is a highly complex topic, and to better understand the policy environment in which it exists, the Division of Local Mandates (DLM) undertook a review of numerous materials, conducted a survey and analysis of data, and interviewed more than two dozen people in the process of preparing this report.
Infrastructure Survey
In order to assess the cost and operational impacts of infrastructure development, DLM conducted a survey beginning in October 2020 to collect budgetary data and perceptions of infrastructure from municipal executives in the four westernmost counties of Massachusetts: Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties. We analyzed quantitative and qualitative data from survey responses by municipal executives across Western Massachusetts. Our survey asked a total of six main questions that were meant to assess the costs of municipal infrastructure maintenance and development, the size of municipalities’ budgetary and staffing resources, and municipal executives’ opinions on infrastructure resources and solutions. A copy of this survey can be viewed in Appendix C, and summary statistics of the survey can be viewed in Appendix D.
Infrastructure Cost Projections
Further methods were used to estimate the costs of infrastructure maintenance based on the sample data our survey collected. Our survey collected responses from 46 cities and towns, including the city of Springfield, which is by far the largest community in Western Massachusetts. Springfield is analyzed separately in a case study in Appendix E. Projections in our survey were based on the population of our sample size of 45 communities and the population of Western Massachusetts as a whole. Towards the end of the drafting of this report, the US Census Bureau published figures relating to the 2020 decennial census. However, figures in this report are based on population estimates from the state Division of Local Services (DLS), which were readily available during the research and drafting of this report. 2019 5-year estimate US Census Bureau data was used in the creation of figures relating to the average and median age of geographic areas in Massachusetts. Among respondent communities, the population shifted by 2,302 people. For Western Massachusetts as a whole, the population change was 884 people based on comparisons of figures from DLS estimates and the 2020 decennial census. Owing to the small change, which changed response rates by not even one percentage point and did not significantly change projections, this report retains the usage of DLS population estimates that were available during drafting.
Public Safety Facility Projections
The total cost for repair and renovation of public safety facilities was estimated based on data from 45 respondent communities representing 41.09% of the population of Western Massachusetts. Among respondents, costs for repair and renovation of these facilities totaled $16,720,549. By dividing this figure by 41.09%, DLM projects, based on population, that total repair and renovation costs of public safety facilities for Western Massachusetts could approach an estimated $40,689,359.
Communications Facility Projections
The total cost for repair and renovation of communications facilities was estimated based on data from 45 respondent communities representing 41.09% of the population of Western Massachusetts. Among respondents, costs for repair and renovation of these facilities totaled $2,500,000. By dividing this figure by 41.09%, DLM projects, based on population, that total repair and renovation costs of communications facilities for Western Massachusetts could approach an estimated $6,083,735.
Public Works Projections
The total cost for repair and renovation of public works facilities was estimated based on data from 45 respondent communities representing 41.09% of the population of Western Massachusetts. Among respondents, costs for repair and renovation of these facilities totaled $41,813,175. By dividing this figure by 41.09%, DLM projects, based on population, that total repair and renovation costs for Western Massachusetts of public works facilities could approach an estimated $101,752,118. However, of the $41,813,175 figure, $30,000,000 came from one community, Great Barrington. When eliminating this outlier from the data, the total of repair and renovation for public works facilities among respondents is $11,813,175. Excluding Great Barrington, respondent communities represent 38.99% of the population of Western Massachusetts. By dividing $11,813,175 by this percentage, DLM projects a figure for total repair and renovation costs of the public works facilities of the 101 communities of Western Massachusetts to be $30,300,133.
Administrative Building Projections
The total cost for repair and renovation of administrative buildings was estimated based on data from 45 respondent communities representing 41.09% of the population of Western Massachusetts. Among respondents, costs for repair and renovation of these facilities totaled $25,195,900. By dividing this figure by 41.09%, DLM projects, based on population, that total repair and renovation costs of administrative facilities for Western Massachusetts could approach an estimated $61,314,076.
Library Projections
The total cost for repair and renovation of libraries was estimated based on data from 45 respondent communities representing 41.09% of the population of Western Massachusetts. Among respondents, costs for repair and renovation of these facilities totaled $6,661,175. By dividing this figure by 41.09%, DLM projects, based on population, that total repair and renovation costs of library facilities for Western Massachusetts could approach an estimated $16,209,931.
Council on Aging Building Projections
The total cost for repair and renovation of Council on Aging Buildings was estimated based on data from 45 respondent communities representing 41.09% of the population of Western Massachusetts. Among respondents, costs for repair and renovation of these facilities totaled $161,675. By dividing this figure by 41.09%, DLM projects, based on population, that total repair and renovation costs of Council on Aging facilities for Western Massachusetts could approach an estimated $393,435.
Other Buildings and Facilities Projections
The total cost for repair and renovation of other facilities was estimated based on data from 45 respondent communities representing 41.09% of the population of Western Massachusetts. Among respondents, costs for repair and renovation of these facilities totaled $14,543,072. By dividing this figure by 41.09%, DLM projects, based on population, that total repair and renovation costs of these other facilities for Western Massachusetts could approach an estimated $35,390,481.
Chapter 90 Program
Analysis of Chapter 90 Program data was based on fiscal year (FY) 2021 apportionment data for each municipality in the Commonwealth. This data was then manipulated to project apportionments at a funding level of $200 million and $300 million using the current Chapter 90 formula weights, as well as weights proposed by Rep. Pignatelli. We also received data from the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Chapter 90 Program survey, which, when using a state of good repair standard, provided a model to estimate total roadway maintenance costs. For figures on Chapter 90 dollars per roadway mile, information was sourced from the FY 2021 Chapter 90 Program apportionment. These figures were created by dividing the apportioned funds for a municipality by the roadway miles used in that year’s formula.
Chapter 90 Program Funding Gap
In question 3c of the survey, we asked for data on the estimated funding gap for roadway maintenance. Among the 44 respondent communities, representing 40.98% of the population, the total estimated gap was $31,044,000. By dividing this figure by 40.98%, DLM projects that for the entirety of Western Massachusetts, the gap could be as high as $75,751,954.
Interviews
A large amount of quantitative and qualitative data used in this survey was collected from stakeholders in local, county, and state government. DLM used this data to illustrate issues arising from poor infrastructure, as well as to supplement the findings from our survey.