PEABODY — Students and residents will see new transportation and safety investments thanks to the Massachusetts Senate’s passage of a $1.33 billion supplemental budget aimed at bolstering education and infrastructure across the state.
The legislation, approved on May 8, includes $160,000 specifically for Peabody. Sen. Joan B. Lovely, who represents the city as part of the Second Essex District, secured the funds through two amendments included in the final version of the bill. The allocations include $110,000 to purchase a new 42-passenger bus equipped with three wheelchair spaces to serve students with disabilities in Peabody Public Schools. An additional $50,000 will go toward pedestrian and traffic safety improvements within the city.
“I am pleased that all seven of the amendments I filed in this supplemental budget were accepted by my fellow senators,” Lovely said in a statement. “This funding will have broad impacts on our communities and provide them with critical resources to address the needs of our local transportation infrastructure and support our students.”
The bill, formally titled S.2512, directs a historic level of investment into public education and transportation initiatives using revenue from the Fair Share Amendment. Approved by voters in 2022, the amendment applies a 4% surtax to annual income over $1 million and has generated more than $1 billion beyond original estimates in the past two fiscal years. Lawmakers have emphasized that the bill focuses on one-time investments to address urgent statewide and local needs without creating new long-term financial obligations.
In Peabody, the funding for a new wheelchair-accessible bus responds to longstanding calls for improved transportation options for students with mobility challenges or special education needs. School officials are expected to work with city leaders to coordinate the purchase and implementation of the new vehicle. The traffic and pedestrian safety funds may support infrastructure such as improved crosswalks, signage, and traffic calming features, though specific projects have yet to be announced.
The Peabody funding is part of a broader $750,000 secured by Lovely for communities in her district, which also includes Beverly, Danvers, and Salem. Other amendments filed by Lovely direct funding to school improvements, transportation projects, and technology upgrades across those cities and towns.
Beyond district-specific funding, the statewide bill includes $248 million for special education reimbursements, $100 million for career technical education capital grants, $190 million to address deferred maintenance at public colleges, and $370 million for MBTA system upgrades. Additional funds target school construction relief, literacy programs, and support for English language learners. On the transportation side, the legislation also includes support for regional transit authorities, ferry service infrastructure, and local road and bridge improvements.
The Senate’s vote follows months of planning and input from municipal officials, education advocates, and transportation stakeholders. The version of the bill passed by the Senate now heads to a conference committee, where lawmakers from both chambers will reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions before a final bill is sent to Gov. Maura Healey.
For Peabody, the funding reflects both local priorities and the broader effort to ensure regional equity in how Fair Share funds are distributed. While the investments are not recurring, city officials and school leaders are expected to begin planning for how best to use the funds to improve daily services for residents and students alike.
