SAUGUS — Spring Pond will be getting some much-needed upgrades thanks to funding awarded to the town this week by Gov. Charlie Baker.
The Baker-Polito administration announced over $17.3 million in grants to address failing dams, coastal infrastructure and levees across Massachusetts. As part of that grant funding, Saugus will be receiving $261,959 for its Spring Pond Dam Rehabilitation project.
Town Manager Scott Crabtree said he was grateful for the state funds that have been awarded to the town.
“There’s lots of requirements and needs that local communities such as Saugus have,” said Crabtree. “(I’m grateful to be) working with the state on bringing the dam and ponds into compliance and (performing) preventative maintenance with them. So, we’re really thrilled to be able to identify this as a need and find the source of funding and be able to save taxpayers (money) and be able to take advantage of this money that is available.”
Crabtree also added that there are some needs to be addressed and that the town has had those needs inspected. He said the town is working with the state in regards to the specifics of the rehabilitation project of the dam.
In a statement, Baker said “the Commonwealth’s cities and towns are seeing the impacts of climate change every day, and our administration is committed to providing needed funding to support critical resilience projects to address these issues.
“These grants will help municipalities make substantial progress to maintain and repair aging dams and seawalls across Massachusetts.”
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito added that the administration is happy to provide these grants to local municipalities.
“It is critical that we continue to foster strong partnerships with local communities and organizations to create a more resilient Massachusetts,” she said.
