BOSTON — Massachusetts Representative Lori Ehrlich of Marblehead has secured money in the final House budget for several local projects, including $100,000 for a racial equity plan in Swampscott.
“I’m pleased and excited to stand up in support of local leadership as Swampscott engages in a community-wide discussion regarding white privilege and systemic bias,” said Ehrlich, whose district includes the town. “This funding will help establish our town as an inclusive, diverse workplace and community where all employees, residents, families and students feel welcome and empowered to speak up and engage with our community’s institutions.”
In addition to the town’s plans to create a diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at town hall, the funding would help “conduct a full review of town hiring practices (as well as) train staff and municipal leaders to better identify the complexities and ongoing history of racial bias in Swampscott,” Ehrlich said.
Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald said he was happy to see the concrete steps being taken toward equity.
“I’m grateful for that support. That reflects an extraordinary passion that Swampscott citizens have for building a very inclusive and welcoming community,” Fitzgerald said. “As we look beyond civil service and finding a more inclusive way to hire and really engage with the 21st century standard for inclusivity, this is going to go a long way in helping the town to do that.”
In Lynn, budget lines include $55,000 for maintenance of Red Rock Park and $50,000 for cleanup of pilayella algae on the beaches.
Ehrlich said that the algae is found only in Nahant Bay and Broad Sound and in one area of Italy, and while it is not toxic, it is the cause of a bad smell that can linger on the beach all summer long if the algae is not cleaned up in the spring.
This budget amendment funds the cleanup by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages the beaches in Lynn and Revere where the algae grows.
“DCR has been wonderful and diligent about doing the work in the spring so that we all can enjoy the beach throughout the summer,” Ehrlich said.
The final budget amendment Ehrlich proposed would provide $50,000 for the renovation of the public restrooms at State Street Landing in Marblehead.
“This is to repair, update, and improve disability access for residents, the community, fishermen, tourists, and campers,” Ehrlich said. “The bathrooms are in a terrible state of disrepair.”
The House budget was finalized Thursday and will be sent to the State Senate for more deliberation before being approved.
Tréa Lavery can be reached at [email protected].
