Local legislators land $1.25M in bond bills
Published on August 6th, 2008
BOSTON, MA-State Representative Paul C. Casey (D-Winchester), State Senator Richard R. Tisei (R-Wakefield) and State Rep. Patrick M. Natale (D-Woburn) announced today that they successfully fought for the inclusion of $1.25 million in funding for the town's fire station and public swimming pool in two recent capital spending bills concerning the environment and government facilities.
“These bond authorizations reconfirm our commitment to fight for every available dollar in state funds for Stoneham,” said Rep Casey. “In particular, the earmark for fire station repairs could help free up money to meet the town's more pressing fiscal needs.”
“We would like to personally thank House Speaker Salvatore Di Masi for granting our request for these earmarks. This funding will help relieve some of the financial burdens on the taxpayers of Stoneham,” stated Rep. Natale
The Environmental Bond bill, shepherded through the legislature by Casey, Tisei and Natale authorized $1,000,000 for repairs and renovations to Stoneham's historic fire station. This latest earmark follows a $200,000 historical grant secured by Stoneham's legislative delegation in a 2007 supplemental budget and $125,000 included in the House and Senate budget for FY2009.
Additionally, amendments from the Stoneham Delegation to the General Government/IT Bond authorized $250,000 for upgrades to the Hall Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The public pool and park remains a popular spot for individuals and families to cool off in the hot summer months.
Both Casey and Natale cautioned that, while the inclusion of these earmarks in the Legislature's latest capital spending bills is certainly good news for the town, there are still several hurdles that would need to be cleared in order for Stoneham to receive the additional funding. After legislative approval, it would ultimately be up to the Patrick Administration as to whether or not these items will be incorporated into the state's five-year capital spending plan.
“The first step is legislative authorization of the funds,” said Casey and Natale in a joint statement. “Right now, we're working with Senator Tisei towards that end. We will certainly fight to ensure that the money is issued when the time comes.”
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