FILE PHOTO
State Sen. Thomas McGee said the state budget includes $50,000 for the cleanup of Pilayella algae on King’s Beach and Long Beach, and $55,000 for the maintenance of Red Rock Park as well as funding for the mounted State Police beach patrols.
BOSTON – State Sen. Thomas McGee said he worked with fellow Lynn legislative delegation members to include money in the state budget for projects including algae cleanup on local beaches and anti-addiction support.
McGee, in a statement released by his office, said the $40.2 billion state budget “shows a strong commitment” to spending on public education and local aid for Lynn and other communities.
“During this tough budget season, I was proud to work with my colleagues to create a responsible and accountable budget that continues to provide services through the Commonwealth and my district,” said McGee.
Local aid is state money distributed to cities and towns. It serves as the chief source of local revenue for communities in addition to property taxes.
McGee said the state budget includes $50,000 for the cleanup of Pilayella algae on King’s Beach and Long Beach, and $55,000 for the maintenance of Red Rock Park as well as funding for the mounted State Police beach patrols.
Saugus will receive $10,000 for the Saugus United Against Substance Abuse Coalition for anti-drug and substance abuse programs.
McGee and fellow legislators secured $90,000 in the budget for the E-Team Machinist program which helps fill the area demand for qualified machinists.
The budget also includes public safety money, including $150,000 for the Lynn Police Department’s Behavioral Health Unit which provides overdose victims with access to licensed mental health and substance abuse clinicians.
The Lynn Fire Department received $40,000 for uniform sanitizing equipment and machinery with $100,000 for a geographic information system project in the city of Lynn.
Another $100,000 is in the budget for implementing a management information system for water management and $25,000 for dam inspections and repairs at Breed and Walden Ponds.
A $20,000 grant included in the state budget will support free community programing in Lynn to the Arts After Hours program and $10,000 is allocated for the management and cleanup of invasive pond vegetation at the Floating Bridge Pond.
“Despite facing a difficult fiscal climate, we were able to pass a balanced budget that brings important resources to our local governments and the people we represent,” said state Rep. Brendan Crighton.
Lynn is also receiving funding as one of four communities chosen to be part of a postpartum depression pilot program taking place at community health centers. Additionally, Girls Inc. of Greater Lynn along with their counterparts in Holyoke and Worcester will receive $50,000 for their Eureka program.
