The $30,000 pledged by developers toward Watertown’s Transportation Management Association is just the start of the funding, said Assistant Town Manger Steve Magoon.
A report of the Town Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation in February said that the owners of large commercial and residential projects had committed $30,000 towards the TMA. Magoon said this money will help establish the TMA, and once it gets going the members will pay more.
“A big part of the work establishing a TMA is front loaded,” Magoon said. “It’s hard to get payments when there is not an organization yet.”
A dues structure is being created, where developments will pay between $2,000 to $12,000 a year based on their size, Magoon said.
There are also projects that have not been completed, and once they are they will begin paying dues, Magoon said.
The members include established properties such as the Arsenal Mall and the apartment complexes on Pleasant Street, as well as projects underway, such as apartment complexes on Arsenal Street and the Linx Office Complex. The Town of Watertown is also a member, and will pay dues, Magoon said.
“We want to make the shuttle available to the public, so it is only fair that the town take on some of the burden,” Magoon said.
Running a shuttle would be the most costly part of the TMA, Magoon said.
“If we went to an actual shuttle service those payments would be higher,” said Magoon, who said the total cost for a shuttle is estimated to be $500,000 to $600,000 annually.
The Transportation Committee will continue its discussion of the TMA and the shuttle on Tuesday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber in Town Hall. Consultants from the 128 Business Council will provide an update on the formation of the TMA and the shuttle.