EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
New Hampshire
Salem's stimulus wish list tops $36 million
Bridges, roads, sewer high on list
Published: January 14, 2009
SALEM — The town's wish list of projects it hopes will qualify for the economic stimulus package proposed by President-elect Barack Obama has been turned in to the state.
The list — totaling $36.6 million — includes 17 proposals for rebuilding three major bridges, large-scale water and sewer projects, and rebuilding several roads. The town initially assembled a list of projects roughly half that size — totaling $16 million — last week.
Selectmen's Chairwoman Elizabeth Roth said the town has expanded the roster of proposals because it's merely a wish list.
"We wanted to be more inclusive than exclusive," she said.
Roth said it's still unclear what projects will be deemed viable by federal or state officials.
The state Department of Environmental Services told a group of town and public works administrators it believes some of the stimulus money will be distributed by the state. If that happens, then towns could end up competing for the federal money.
Town Manager Jonathan Sistare said he believes Salem could have an edge over other communities by virtue of the number of projects that already have engineering work completed and are essentially ready for construction.
"The catchphrase that's being emphasized is 'shovel-ready' projects," he said.
Each of the projects Salem has proposed could be ready for construction or bidding within three to six months, according to town documents.
Federal lawmakers have been focusing on proposals that would require projects to be ready within 120 to 180 days.
Roth said whether Salem gets the money or not, they are all projects the town needs to do at some point. Selectmen didn't have a chance to weigh what projects were a priority because the Local Government Center suddenly requested the information last week, Sistare said.
Roth said she helped put together the list with an eye toward safety. The three bridges deemed to be in decrepit condition by the state topped the wish list.
"We're talking about safety and people driving on these bridges every day," she said.
Sistare said it's unclear what the next step will be for towns in the application process. Lawmakers believe the stimulus bill, now estimated at $775 billion, could be passed by midwinter.
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