BOSTON — Millions of dollars in funding from the Massachusetts fiscal year 2024 budget passed earlier this week have been allocated to bolster programs in local communities.
“One of our roles, as a delegation, is to listen to the folks at the ground level in our local governments. I think historically we have tried to provide funding for projects that are priorities for them,” state Sen. Brendan Crighton, who represents Lynn, Lynnfield, Swampscott, Saugus, Nahant and Marblehead, said. “I think, when you look at our local earmarks, that’s reflected in what we were able to get passed this year.”
According to a press release from Crighton’s office, mental-health programs were some of the major recipients of funding, with a combined $260,000 going to different mental-health and substance-use-disorder programs across Lynn, and $25,000 going to the Marblehead Counseling Center.
Crighton said the funding for mental health comes at a crucial time as awareness of the issue in the Commonwealth grows. He said specific funding for these municipalities’ programs was part of larger investments for mental-health and substance-use-disorder care.
“If you look at the overall funding statewide, you see a continued commitment across the Commonwealth recognizing how great the need is and in this area too,” Crighton said.
Public-safety infrastructure improvement projects in the area also secured major investment, with a combined $125,000 earmarked for Saugus for a radio-repeater system for the Middle-High School Complex and CPR apparatuses for the Fire Department.
“Multiple earmarks have been secured for the 2024 fiscal year, which includes critical funding for first responders and investments in public safety in the Town of Saugus,” state Rep. Jessica Giannino, whose district includes part of Saugus, said in a statement.
Other earmarks include $50,000 for solar speed lights as part of a traffic- and speed-reduction plan in Lynnfield, $65,000 for design improvements to street signs around the Hadley School in Swampscott, and $50,000 in funding for safety and security at the Johnson School in Nahant.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars went toward recreation infrastructure. That includes money earmarked for Peabody, which is represented by state Sen. Joan Lovely, to support the development and creation of George Peabody Park, along with $35,000 for an outdoor water splash pad at Farnham Park, according to a press release from Lovely’s office.
$105,000 will also go toward improvements to recreation facilities like outdoor basketball courts at Lynnfield High School, the restoration of Golden Hills Playground in Saugus, and for work on retaining walls and walkways at Redd’s Pond in Marblehead.
The largest single recipient, Lynn Housing Authority, was allotted $300,000 in the FY24 budget.
Organizations like Catholic Charities Food Pantry, Lynn Main Streets, and youth programming from organizations like the YMCA were also earmarked for five-digit allocations.
“The services funded support our administration’s efforts to address our most pressing needs and minimize resource gaps in public health, housing, education, and programming,” Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson said in a statement.
Crighton stressed that the funds earmarked for communities in the region come from all members of the local delegation, including state Rep. Bradley Jones, whose district includes Lynnfield; state Rep. Jenny Armini, whose district includes Swampscott, Marblehead, and part of Lynn; state Rep. Peter Capano, whose district includes Nahant and part of Lynn; and state Rep. Dan Cahill, whose district includes part of Lynn.
“It’s a team effort,” Crighton said. “We come together and identify the needs locally and try to deliver.”
