Dedham To Receive $10.6 Million In State Budget

DEDHAM, MA - Dedham will receive nearly $6.8 million in Chapter 70 funding for its public schools and nearly $3.8 million in unrestricted general government aid as part of the state budget passed on Monday by the state legislature.

The state budget includes a 5.4 percent increase in aid for local governments, as well a 9 percent increase in Chapter 70 funding for public school districts over the budget for the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

Dedham's share includes $6,786,428 in Chapter 70 aid for the public schools and $3,788,092 in unrestricted general government aid.

School funding increased nearly 10.46% from the $6,143,940 in the FY 22 budget. Local funding rose 5.4 percent from $3,594,015 the town received for the last fiscal year which ended June 30.

The $52.7 billion package does not contain any broad-based tax hikes. Tax revenues are actually above previous estimates - leaving a surplus of around $3 billion from fiscal year 2022. The budget also includes $110 million to continue free, universal school meals for all school children in Massachusetts.

Money was earmarked for several Dedham initiatives, including:

• $75,000 for the town to construct a memorial statue of former slave and Civil War Navy veteran William B. Gould. A park near Mother Brook in Dedham was renamed in Gould's honor last year.
• $75,000 for a senior housing feasibility study by the Dedham Housing Authority
• $50,000 for the Motherbrook Arts and Community Center
• $50,000 for the Town of Dedham for the annual Flag Day parade
• $35,000 for the Dedham Fire Department's restoration of their 1953 fire engine

Gov. Charlie Baker has 10 days to sign the budget into law or send it back to the legislature for amendments.