Representative Michael Kushmerek (D-Fitchburg)
Representative Kushmerek first took office as State Representative for the 3rd Worcester District (Fitchburg and Lunenburg, Precinct B) in January 2021. Prior to his role in the state legislature, he served as a Fitchburg City Councilor from 2014-2021, including five years as Council President. He is passionate about students’ access to affordable higher education opportunities, so he pursued a career in Higher Education Administration and Development at Northeastern University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Fitchburg State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in History. The Representative is married to Carissa Kushmerek, a licensed social worker and Program Director at Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts. As a high school dropout, and the product of a home that battled substance abuse, mental health and homelessness, he is passionate about dismantling financial and socioeconomic barriers to success and ensuring that everyone has an equitable opportunity to pursue their dreams and goals.
Q:
While the Federal Infrastructure Bill provides a much needed short term funding, as costs continue to rise, please give your thoughts on how the state will continue to support local aid to cities and towns to help support basic municipal services, specifically drinking water, wastewater, and underground utility infrastructure.
A:
During my eight years on the Fitchburg City Council, drinking water, wastewater, storm water, and high-speed internet were frequent topics of discussion and municipal need. Like many communities, Fitchburg has struggled, in the decades since Proposition 2½ limited the ability of municipalities to respond to Federal and State decrees to modernize underground utilities. As a result, we fell behind in making necessary upgrades and maintenance, and now with massive upgrades looming, “the bill has come due,” and it comes at an enormous expense to taxpayers and water/ sewer ratepayers alike. I believe these federal funds provide a once in a generation opportunity to help municipalities, like Fitchburg, accomplish these large capital expenses, particularly for water, sewer, storm water upgrades as well as broadband expansion. The Federal Infrastructure Bill will provide more than MAY, 2022
$1.1 billion to Massachusetts to improve water infrastructure, and it will be incumbent upon the State to ensure that these funds are efficiently and expeditiously allocated and released to municipalities. Under the strong leadership of House Speaker Ronald Mariano, the legislature recognized the need for the state to invest in these areas as well. In December 2021, the State committed another $100 million for water and sewer infrastructure investments, $100 million for environmental infrastructure investments, and another $50 million for broadband expansion.
Q: A:
What are the greatest challenges for your district and region with regard to continued economic recovery and future growth?
In addition to the costly, but necessary, upgrades for Fitchburg to comply with MS4 permits, transportation infrastructure, job growth and creation, and housing all present North Central Massachusetts with challenges and opportunities alike. With more than 260 miles of road between Fitchburg and Lunenburg, and hundreds of bridges, dams, and culverts, my district must strike a balance between infrastructure repair and economic reinvestment. continued on page 23
“BUY FROM THE ADVERTISERS IN CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK”
21
