There are two important topics to which we hope all residents will pay attention in the next couple of months. One is emergency preparedness, and the other is our roads.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - The Town, in conjunction with the Police Department, is urging everyone to prepare themselves to receive emergency alerts from the PD. The process is very simple. By going to www.nixle.com, you can register your email address and/or cell phone to receive text messages, allowing the Police to communicate with residents quickly and efficiently. Alerts could range from an accident requiring the closing of a major road to the direction of a fire through town.

ROADS AT-RISK - Nearly 60% of our neighborhood roads have officially been classified as "poor, very poor, or failed". In just ten years from now, that percentage will be 90% failed roads, having large potholes and cracks. As the roads deteriorate, the replacement costs become untenable. This is the single largest critical issue in our Town.

Given our fiscally conservative budget, which provides for primarily essential services, we do not have the resources to adequately maintain our infrastructure. The current backlog of work that is needed is estimated at around $25 million. Even with the tightening of belts it is simply not possible to find that money in our annual budget.

A committee, charged by the Town Council, is currently speaking at informational neighborhood gatherings to present its findings and to have discussions about the options that the residents may have in future funding of a long-term repair strategy. How can you become informed about this issue? Attend a neighborhood coffee, or host one of your own. (Email your interest to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) Or read the town website pages on "Moraga's Roads At Risk". An informed public makes wise decisions!