LePage can’t help owners of damaged roads

Gov. Paul LePage says he can’t help provide financial assistance for repairs on private roads in rural Somerset County damaged by flash flooding in late June, but members of his administration could offer technical expertise to local road associations in the unorganized territory.

The governor, in a letter sent to Somerset County commissioners and local lawmakers Tuesday, put the onus on the Legislature to convene a special session to consider an emergency bill.

More than a dozen miles of roads in the unorganized territory between The Forks and Jackman were damaged in the June 28 flash flooding, initially trapping some residents and camp owners, exposing boulders and creating craters making roads largely impassable. The cost of repairs has been estimated at up to $100,000 for at least one road association, and tens of thousands of dollars for others.

“After carefully reviewing the private road damage and the state budget, the executive branch is unable to provide financial assistance with the repairs, as the Legislature is the only branch of government that can appropriate money,” LePage wrote.

Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2016/08/03/lepage-cant-help-owners-of-damaged-roads/