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Rome councilors discuss formally accepting roads to capture state CHIPS funding
Summary
Councilors and city staff discussed mapping and formally taking responsibility for sections of roadway now maintained by DPW so the city can receive state CHIPS funding based on mileage; staff said the city already performs maintenance but has not been credited.
Council members and public works officials discussed plans to formally accept additional city streets so the city can be credited for them in the state’s Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding formula.
The conversation grew out of a Municipal Operations Committee meeting that included representatives from Mohawk Valley EDGE, Rome Department of Public Works Commissioner Giuliano and Mayor’s Chief of Staff Kim Rogers. City officials said DPW crews have been maintaining and plowing some streets that are not yet formally recorded as city roads, and that omission reduces the mileage used to calculate CHIPS payments from the state.
City officials said the practical effect is that the city’s recorded mileage — the measure state allocates CHIPS funds on — understates the roads the DPW actually maintains. Staff described the mapping work as time-consuming because some older maps must be reconciled to decide which segments previously belonged to the town of Floyd and which belong to the city of Rome. Officials said the process could involve legislative steps and may take several weeks to months.
A city official said the governor’s office and state lawmakers are considering increases to CHIPS funding for communities with poor pavement conditions; formally adding the mileage would increase Rome’s share in future distributions. City staff called the committee meeting “positive” and credited Commissioner Giuliano for leading the mapping effort.
No final action or vote on changing road ownership was taken during the council meeting. Council discussion indicated the matter will be a multi-step process that may include formal acceptance of roads, updates to city maps, and potential state legislation to adjust funding formulas or allocations.
Meeting context: councilors and staff discussed the item during regular business; the exchange included references to previous maintenance practice and to recent interagency coordination with Mohawk Valley EDGE.
