Here’s What Medford Will Get In Latest State Budget

MEDFORD, MA — The state budget passed by the legislature Monday includes $14,051,147 in unrestricted funding for Medford, as well as $13,938,241 in Chapter 70 funding for Medford Public Schools.

The local funding is up 5.4 percent from $13,331,259 last year. School funding under the spending plan rose 13.5 percent from the $12,275,726 Medford received in the fiscal year that ended on 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:

• $15,000for the Medford Food Policy Council for operational efficiency
• $50,000 for the replacement of the entrance along Route 28 to the Torbert Macdonald park in Medford to meet current bicycle and pedestrian design standards
• $125,000 for Portal to Hope to develop programs combatting domestic violence in Medford, Malden, Everett, and Winthrop
• $50,000 for Action for Boston Community Development for its mobile homeless outreach team for services in Everett, Malden, and Medford
• $75,000 for the historic Chevalier Theatre in Medford
• $50,000 for the historic West Medford Community Center
• $30,000 for the Medford fire department to upgrade tablets and equipment
• $150,000 shall be expended for pedestrian safety improvements and the installation of three enhanced crossings for users of all abilities at the following intersections in Medford:
  • Elm Street and Aquavia Road
  • Elm and Sturges Streets
  • South Border Road and Governors Avenue

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.