Behind Southington’s $11 Million Roads Referendum

Complete text of story published on October 26, 2012 in the Southington Citizen 

Southington, Connecticut

Southington’s election ballot this year includes a critically important  vote on a referendum that reads: “Shall the Town of Southington appropriate $11,000,000 for design and construction of various roads and bridge improvements, and authorize the issue of bonds and notes not to exceed $11,000,000 to finance the appropriation?”

A point-by-point extensive research-based summary of the facts and what is at stake follows.

1. On July 9, 2012, the Town Council, passed a resolution by a vote of 8-0 approving a bond ordinance with a referendum date of November 6, 2012.

2. Consider the magnitude of this plan. Southington’s roads measure 202.3 miles,  (the distance from Hartford to Boston and back), serving a population of 42,000 living in 15,510 residences and 1,900 non-residential properties, valued at $3.228 billion in a land area of 36.8 square miles. (Sources: Town Assessor, Brian Lastra, the Grand List and Southington’s website at www.southington.org.

3. The $ 11 million is includes $1 million for road restoration, $9 million for road reconstruction, and $1 million for the repair of the West Queen St bridge, according to Town Manager, Garry Brumback.

4. The town receives LOCIP (Local Capital Improvement Program) annually diminishing state grants for road improvements. This year’s grant was $540,000. Brumback explained that the town adds an amount from tax revenue that about doubles available funds, for a total this year of about $1 million which is about the cost of 1 mile of road each year.  Board of Finance Chairman, John Leary, pointed out that this does not pay for any preventive maintenance beyond pot hole filling.

5. To put it into an illustrative perspective, Brumback presented these facts:  Roads have a life of about 20 years. With 202.3 miles of roads, valued between $100 to $120 million, the town needs to replace 10 miles of road costing $10 million each year.  Obviously, the $1 million per year that has been available  falls far short of the mark for prudent management of our road system. Leary added that those numbers don’t include the added costs of maintaining new roads built in Southington’s real estate expansion.  

6. With no road replacement program in place, Citizens notice the deterioration and are rightly demanding attention.

7. To help resolve the problems, at a cost of $55,000 last year, the town purchased a computer software system and hired a firm to assess our 202.3 miles of roads. Data was collected by a physical assessment of  every inch of town roads and then entered into new Pavement Management System, with details as to o type, age, use and condition.  The results helped the town identify and prioritize what was needed into three types of road repairs: crack sealing, mill and overlay, and complete reconstruction, with varying types of roads, i..e. those with storm sewers, sidewalks, high traffic, low traffic, etc.

8. Utilizing the new data system, the Public Works Committee, established by the Town Council 2 to 3 years ago, can prioritize and balance cost/benefit of bringing town roads up to an optimal condition within 15 years.

9. The $11 million, if approved, will be raised by issuing bonds and notes, while paying interest and principal over time, Leary said. In the first phase, we will invest $10 million in priority road work starting April 2013 with completion in 3 years. We can then move forward to the next phase requiring an additional $10 million, until borrowing about $50 million to complete the project in about 15 years, Brumback explained.

The idea is to set a standard for road repair and other infrastructure costs which will be managed by a  revolving fund. Doing this road plan and the middle school expansions will not cause us to exceed our self-imposed borrowing limit per finance policy, said Leary. Town Council minority leader and member of its Public Works committee, Christopher Palmieri, (Dem.), said “It’s always a struggle to balance costs with the many needs of our town. Now, with systematized planning, the
town council was able to prioritize our present and future needs. It is also important to do this properly by giving the citizens of the town the opportunity to have their say in the referendum process.”

Town Council Vice -chairman and chairman of the Public Works committee, Peter Romano, (Rep.), whose expertise is in construction, said:  “Town management, officials and people of many areas of expertise have put a lot of energy in this plan. While, the cost is significant, I believe it is justified and viable because of the\reality that it is necessary. We must protect our road system, an asset of $120 million.  And that’s the cost today! Bituminous material (black top) is made from liquid asphalt, a petroleum based commodity so its future cost is directly tied to the price of oil. So,it is most prudent to begin now rather than risking road failures or higher costs.”    

Leary said that this type of borrowing will not negatively impact the town’s credit rating, which according to Brumback is excellent:  AA+ (S&P).  Our action tends to strengthen our credit rating, which is also a factor of the condition of our infrastructure, including roads, sewers, town buildings, school buildings, library &
parks.
 
There are some who fear that utilities will tear up new roads to do repair work.  Through Brumback’s coordinated efforts with the independent Southington Water Department, Yankee Gas and others, a new policy has been set: Utilities may not cut into newly constructed roads for two years. If they do so for emergency repairs, they must pay to repair the first two cuts in the road. On the third cut, they must pay to replace the entire block. Also, expansions by Yankee Gas of existing service to new areas will be coordinated with Southington’s schedule for new road construction for greater efficiencies.

Board of Finance Chairman Leary summarized his views, saying: “Our new system enables us to objectively direct funds with a data-driven approach benefiting all. We can no longer afford to ignore or delay the upkeep of our infrastructure.  That’s why we have recently begun to intelligently address the modernization of our buildings, schools and the condition of our roads while supporting a balanced effort to make Southington a desirable town for business, families, children and seniors which will increase property values and provide a sustainable tax base.”

For more information about the referendum and about the Town of Southington go to the Southington website.