Nahant to receive Chapter 90 funds for road and sidewalk improvements

NAHANT-The town expects to receive $75,000 in Chapter 90 funds again this year, which will be used for sidewalk repairs.Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan said the town has a five year road/sidewalk improvement plan and it usually spends $150,000 a year on those improvements.?We usually get $75,000 from the state and the town matches that,” he said.Cullinan said the condition of roads is measured using a Paving Condition Index (PCI). The PCI, which was developed by the Army Corps of Engineers, is a numerical index between 0 and 100 with 0 being the worst and 100 excellent.?We have an 80 PCI,” he said. “That means the roads are in very good shape.”Department of Public Works Director Robert Ward said the town is fortunate it has a five year plan in place and works on the roads in town on a regular basis.?It’s a good thing we did it when we had the money and it cost less,” he said. “The money doesn’t go far and no one will guarantee a price anymore because hot top is oil based.”Ward said last year the town spent $150,000 on road and sidewalk repairs and half of that amount was from Chapter 70 funds.?The money doesn’t go far now,” he said. “Last year we spent $150,000 and did sections of Willow and Foxhill Roads. We also did work on the sidewalks on Bay View Avenue.”Ward said the town would use the Chapter 70 money it receives this year to work on the sidewalks along Phillips Road and he expects that work to get underway in July.