Melrose Initiatives To Be Bolstered By State Money

MELROSE, MA — The FY22 state budget sitting on Gov. Charlie Baker's desk includes money for several local initiatives, including refurbishing the Milano Senior Center and upgrading streetscape infrastructure.

Sen. Jason Lewis and Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian announced this week they secured $175,000 in funding for Melrose through the budget, which just awaits the governor's signature.

The funds will see $50,000 apiece for the Milano Center, additional sidewalks, trees and trash receptacles and mitigating invasive species in public ponds — think Ell Pond's water chestnuts. There's also $25,000 for the Melrose Alliance Against Violence Healthy Relationships program.

"I’m very thankful for our delegation’s leadership through this budget process and their championing of a sustainable and age-friendly Melrose," said Mayor Paul Brodeur said in a release. "These are all important investments, particularly for the Milano Senior Center, which is so much more than a resource for older adults—it also serves as a social service hub for all residents in need, which has become hugely evident through the pandemic."

The Healthy Relationships program teaches middle school and high school students about teen dating violence.

"We are so honored and grateful to be included in the state budget," said MAAV Executive Director Rebecca Mooney. "These funds will enable MAAV to strengthen and expand the online version of our Healthy Relationships program for teens and share it with surrounding schools and communities."

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook