LYNNFIELD — House Minority Leader Brad Jones recently secured $85,000 in preliminary funding to support A Healthy Lynnfield, the Public Library’s renovation project, and preservation efforts to repair the West Burying Ground and Old Burying Ground in the Commonwealth’s fiscal year 2025 budget.
The funding would allocate $35,000 for A Healthy Lynnfield’s substance-abuse education and programming, $25,000 for the library’s renovation project, and $25,000 to support preservation efforts by the Historical Commission to repair gravestones, markers, and monuments at the two cemeteries.
Jones said he advocated for funding the three initiatives during a three-day House budget debate, which ended with a vote of 153-4, amid a budget cycle that saw declining state revenues.
“Our cities and towns are certainly not immune from these trends and are facing the same challenges to balance their municipal budgets, which is why I am pleased to have been able to secure preliminary approval to help fund Lynnfield’s top local priorities in the House budget,” Jones said.
The West Burying Ground and Old Burying Ground are home to the graves of many local veterans, including some who fought on the eve of the American Revolution.
According to a statement from Jones’ office, the gravestones and markers at both cemeteries are damaged and in need of repairs, and the monuments are old and fragile. The Historical Commission is conducting the required repair work and focusing on developing a care plan for carrying out ongoing maintenance at both sites.
“The Lynnfield Historical Commission is thankful for the support of the town as well as Rep. Brad Jones in advocating for state funds to assist in the preservation of the Old Burying Ground and West Burying Ground,” Commission member Abigail Kilgore said. “We await further news from the Senate as they debate and vote on the budget.”
The funding for the library renovation project would go toward design and development costs after voters rejected plans to construct a new library at last year’s Fall Town Meeting.
A Healthy Lynnfield is an organization dedicated to promoting a healthier and safer community by preventing substance abuse and providing residents with access to treatment and recovery resources.
The budget now heads to the Senate, which will have its own debate during the week of May 20. The differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget will be worked out and finalized by a six-person committee, and the final spending plan will be sent to Gov. Maura Healey for her approval.
