$800G grant for Saugus Route 1 water main work in limbo

SAUGUS – A legislative snag has put a damper on a big chunk of the money Saugus was awarded to repair water mains along Route 1, according to Town Manager Scott Crabtree.Crabtree said an $800,000 MassWorks Infrastructure grant, which is part of $2.8 million in state aid for water-main repair, is in limbo pending legislation on Beacon Hill.?Apparently the grant that we?re in says it can?t be used for utilities,” said Crabtree. “Somehow we just figured that out. In order to use that we?d have to change the legislation. It?s a timing issue because everything is out to bid. We have to complete the project.”Victoria Maguire, the State Permit Ombudsman and Director at Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, said the current MassWorks program is a consolidation of six formerly separate grant programs. The current water-main project would not meet the requirements of those programs until legislation for the program changes.?The problem is that it?s been consolidated into one office,” said Maguire. “The legislation for all six programs still exists. For the time being, we still have to issue contracts under the programs that still exist, so we have to abide by the legislation?s authorization and the regulations.”Maguire said legislation has been pending “for some time,” but noted she?s confident it will go through soon.?We thought this would happen a little sooner,” said Maguire. “The town currently has a contract for the majority of the grant. I have every reason to believe this legislation will go through. Having it reported out in the House jobs bill is a major step in the right direction. We?re working very closely with the town and the legislature to see this through. We?re very confident it will happen.”State Rep. Donald Wong, R-Saugus, said he?s working with state Sen. Thomas M. McGee, D-Lynn and state Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein, D-Revere to figure out how move the legislation along.?What we?re doing is, myself, Kathi Reinstein and Sen. McGee are looking into this and are calling the Department of Transportation and everyone else to see why it wouldn?t be recognized,” said Wong. “We?re trying to find out how we can change it or alter it. I really can?t say more until we get more information on it.”Crabtree said work on the project has already started, but the $800,000 is still needed to prevent any future delays.?It?s very critical,” said Crabtree. “You can?t contract or encumber money that you don?t have available. We?re going to look at that. It?s needed now.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].