Marblehead to net $400G in state aid

MARBLEHEAD – Marblehead will be getting some financial assistance from the state on its $7.5 million Marblehead Causeway seawall repair project.State Sen. Thomas McGee, D-Lynn, told Selectmen Wednesday that the Seaport Bond Council has approved $400,000 in state aid for the project.Work is scheduled to end July 1 on the reconstruction of the 77-year-old seawall, which is being funded by a 10-year bond issue. The town was fortunate on the bidding for the repairs, which are designed to last 50 years. The cost was originally pegged at $8.7 million.Town Administrator Tony Sasso expressed his gratitude to McGee."He was extremely helpful in establishing meetings with the executive branch," Sasso said.McGee said he is continuing to seek additional aid for the town.Last year, when the voters approved the project and an override for the bond issue, Sasso said, "There is no state money at this time and if we delay the project until there is, the cost will keep going up."Former State Rep. Douglas Petersen, D-Marblehead, tried in 2006 and 2007 to obtain state aid or a state grant to help the town with the cost of the project.