In race for Executive Council, Pignatelli turns focus to Merrimack tolls

Executive Councilor Deb Pignatelli (D-Nashua) said that she will continue to attempt to develop a plan that would reduce tolls at the Merrimack booths.

"If I'm elected, I'll be working to bring relieve to that heavily tolled town," Pignatelli said. "I haven't been successful, but I'm still looking for opportunities to help them out."

Merrimack residents currently pay a toll to use the Everett Turnpike if they use the ramps located in the town. Last year the Executive Council voted 4-1 against a plan by Pignatelli to reduce the tolls at the Merrimack ramps. The Council said the bonds to build the ramps have yet to be paid off and thus the tolls should not be reduced.

Pignatelli said that she needs to convince two other councilors and Gov. John Lynch (D-Hopkinton) to adapt a plan to help reduce tolls. She also took a swipe at her opponent state Rep. Stephen Stepanek (R-Amherst).

"My opponent claims that he has a plan, but we haven't seen it," Pignatelli said.

In September, Stepanek held a press conference to argue that Pignatelli failed on a campaign promise to reduce the Merrimack tolls. Pignatelli responded at the time, "The only vow that I could have made in good faith to Merrimack was exactly what I did-to give it all that I had."

Pignatelli added that her re-election campaign is "difficult" because the district stretches from Nashua to Keene.

"It's difficult and one of the things that make it difficult is that people don't know what we're doing," she said.