Officials in Colrain and Hawley met with state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, on Tuesday to bring to light the many infrastructure and funding issues their towns face.

“I am here to help in any way I can,” Blais told the crowd gathered in Colrain.

Colrain

Among top concerns for the town, residents spoke about the quickly developing issue of Barnhardt Manufacturing Co.’s plant closure, leading to 21 homes (which contain 26 residences, because many are duplexes) soon losing the plant that processes their sewage; the lack of state aid to Mohawk Trail Regional School; and several road, bridge and culvert projects.

The newly appointed sewer commissioners explained to Blais that they are scrambling to find a quick solution for their sewage problems. Because the company plans on keeping a skeleton crew in the plant until mid to late summer, sewage processing will continue as usual until then.

Blais responded by saying she will seek out federal expertise to assist in the problem, and asked to be kept in the loop as solutions unfold for the Colrain Sewer District.

“I am really sorry,” Blais said. “This is a colossal undertaking.”

When Kate Barrows, a Colrain representative on the Mohawk Trail School Committee, spoke about how the state formula for school funding is insufficient, Blais responded by touting the recent report by the Special Commission on Rural School Districts.

Blais explained the report found that rural schools need an aid increase of at least $60 million — as compared to the $4 million in rural school aid allocated in the state’s General Appropriations Act.

“We will try like hell to get up to $60 million,” Blais said.

She went on to say there needs to be a specific state fund for rural school transportation. Mohawk Trail pays 15% of its transportation bill, though Selectboard Chair Michael Slowinski said the district is supposed to be reimbursed for the full cost.

Transportation regulations are laid out in Chapter 71, Sections 7A and 16 of Massachusetts General Laws.

“The commonwealth shall reimburse such district to the full extent of the amounts expended for such transportation, subject to appropriation,” the law reads. “Subject to appropriation” is the essential point to note, however, because while the state said it will fully reimburse schools, it does not have to do so because appropriations can be changed by the Legislature.

Regarding road concerns, Slowinski spoke about the need for a runaway truck ramp on Greenfield Road near Colrain Center; a failing Charlemont Road culvert that is less than 1 inch smaller than 10 feet, meaning it does not qualify as a small bridge and is therefore not eligible for several grants; the need to reconfigure a dangerous intersection at Frankton Road and Route 112; and concerns about the North River flooding and washing out nearby roads.

Blais said the town needs to identify funding available for each project and build up a case for needing safety improvements. Between the state Department of Transportation and the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, there are various funding options.

“We need funds for the small bridge and culvert program,” Blais added. “They seem to be hearing our pleas to invest.”

Hawley

After the Colrain meeting, Blais headed to Hawley.

One of the largest issues at the forefront of town officials’ minds is Hawley’s failing Fire Station and Highway Garage.

The Fire Station needs upgrades to have a bathroom, be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant and be large enough to fit a modern firetruck. Meanwhile, the Highway Garage is too close to the Chickley River and was washed out during Hurricane Irene. The Selectboard hopes to rebuild both to make a public safety complex.

Blais spoke with Hawley town officials about a bill she is sponsoring, H.3821, that would create a municipal and public safety building authority. This authority would provide matching funds for public safety complexes like the one desired in Hawley. The authority would function similarly to bodies that already exist for libraries and schools.

Those gathered at the Town Office also discussed the need for a regional ambulance service. Currently, Hawley has a contract to receive ambulance services from Adams, but officials would like to have a parametric-level emergency response closer to home.

“If there was state funding available to get something like this off the ground, it could work,” said Selectboard member Hussain Hamdan.

Tuesday’s meeting also included a discussion about the high cost of road and culvert repairs in small towns, vocational school transportation costs and digital equity.

“I feel she was receptive to our concerns and came to the table already being well-informed of the challenges,” Hamdan said.

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

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