Athol Every day Information – Diehl discusses rail, homelessness and reasonably priced housing, and state support

ATHOL — Former state Consultant and present Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl says present issues on the MBTA shouldn’t deter the extension of rail service to Athol and past.

In a latest interview with the Athol Every day Information, Diehl stated, “Even supposing the MBTA proper now has its main points with deferred upkeep, I feel the state is ready to stroll and chew gum on the identical time. I feel we are able to work on making an attempt to replace what (Boston) has occurring, in addition to take a look at a option to develop our rail providers and extra reasonably priced commuting and fewer congestion. And I feel east-west rail is a part of that answer. I feel South Coast rail — extending that additional alongside the South Coast — is one other manner.

“I feel what these tasks do is assist unlock components of our state the place we are able to enable individuals to start out taking a look at — maybe they’re working in Boston however they’ll truly work remotely now — they’ll truly begin to, with expanded rail additional west, take into consideration commuting from a barely longer distance away, from communities that need to carry in additional residents and the income that comes with that. Rail is definitely an essential a part of unlocking the general community of our state.”

Diehl added that expanded rail service would assist scale back congestion on Route 2 and the Mass Pike.

“Rail, if it’s executed appropriately, could be a long-term answer to serving to ease housing congestion within the japanese a part of Massachusetts, and in addition spur some development and financial vitality in different components of the state,” he stated.

Past expanded rail service, nonetheless, Diehl continued, “I feel what now we have to do on this state is decide to different infrastructure enhancements. By that I imply telecommunications and broadband infrastructure, as a result of if you wish to begin to having individuals and corporations shifting into different components of the state — like central and western Massachusetts — you’ve acquired to additionally be certain these core providers that companies count on are secured as properly. I feel now we have to have a look at each transportation and telecommunication infrastructure as going hand-in-hand.”

The Republican candidate additionally stated native transit authorities will want extra state help shifting ahead.

“The RTAs (regional transit authorities) are going to be a significant a part of persevering with to permit reasonably priced housing as a result of individuals could or could not be capable of afford automobiles, particularly with the price of gas proper now. The state has to fill the hole with regional transportation networks that enable individuals to get from one place to a different.”

Requested about addressing the dual issues of homelessness and reasonably priced housing, Diehl stated, “There’s psychological well being elements to homelessness and, for me, one of many issues I feel the state must concentrate on is getting psychological well being providers accessible. Proper now, opioid habit, psychological well being, homelessness — all of them form of intertwine to an extent. What we’ve seen is a centralized effort to offer both psychological well being providers or habit providers, however they’re centralized in bigger cities.

“I’d wish to see a push of psychological well being providers and habit providers again into the suburban and rural areas. Fairly truthfully, these cities and areas, they should personal a number of the psychological well being providers as properly; there can’t be a ‘not in my yard’ perspective as a result of individuals should be near their households throughout restoration time, and probably with the ability to return to their former employers.”

Athol Constructing Inspector and Zoning Agent Bob Legare just lately estimated that as many as a 3rd of the homeless within the Athol space are working homeless — that’s, employed however unable to seek out reasonably priced housing. Requested what the state may do to help with the growth of reasonably priced housing, Diehl responded, “One of many issues I help is the state utilizing its cash for brownfields reclamation; in sure areas of the state there are areas designated as brownfields. What I’d wish to see is the state are available and reclaim that land within the brownfield areas after which making an attempt to show these areas that weren’t usable into reasonably priced housing areas; these areas that cities and cities perhaps simply can’t develop proper now. Attempt to get the state to unlock properties that may very well be cited for future housing growth.

Diehl stated he helps Gov. Baker’s proposal to website extra reasonably priced housing close to transit hubs, thus giving low-income residents who could not personal autos the chance to commute to work.

Diehl was additionally requested about the potential for revamping the PILOT program, which pays cities and cities for state-owned land inside their borders. Many municipalities really feel they’re being shortchanged by this system.

“Whether or not it’s a tax exemption or it’s extra funding again to the town or city in both native support or unrestricted funds, that might be one thing I feel would make loads of sense,” he defined. “The opposite factor, I do know our Chapter 90 reimbursement for street building tends to be primarily based on inhabitants density, not essentially on miles of street, so central and western Massachusetts get much less Chapter 90 funds due to a extra sparse inhabitants over a geographic space. I’d wish to re-work that in order that it’s actually extra in regards to the miles than the density.

Diehl is going through off in opposition to businessman Chris Doughty, to whom the Athol Every day Information additionally spoke just lately, within the Sept. 6 Republican major.

Preparations are being made to talk with Democratic gubernatorial candidate state Lawyer Common Maura Healey within the close to future. Though the title of state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz will seem on the Sept. 6 major poll, she has withdrawn from the race, leaving Healey unopposed for her celebration’s nomination.

Greg Vine might be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com