Here's What Chelmsford Will Get In The Latest State Budget

CHELMSFORD, MA — The state budget passed by the legislature Monday includes $5.9 million in unrestricted funding for Chelmsford as well as $12 million Chapter 70 funding for Chelmsford Public Schools.

The local funding is up 5.4 percent from $5.6 million last year. School funding under the spending plan rose 5.4 percent from $11.34 million Chelmsford received in the fiscal year ended June 30.

Overall, local funding in the $52.7 billion package rose 5.4 percent to $2.07 billion from $1.96 billion last year. Chapter 70 school funding increased $495 million, or 9 percent, to nearly $600 million. The budget also includes $110 million to continue free, universal school meals for all school children in Massachusetts.

The budget also includes funding for several local projects:

• $50,000 for Budget Buddies, Inc. in the town of Chelmsford to operate a program that mentors and teaches financial literacy to low-income women throughout the state.
• $25,000 for food insecurity and nutrition programs at the Chelmsford Senior Center.
• $100,000 for the Chelmsford Center for the Arts for energy efficiency improvements.
• $100,000 for the preliminary design of transportation improvements to Vinal square in the town of Chelmsford.

The budget was hammered out in a conference committee and unanimously passed both chambers. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has 10 days to sign the budget.