Natick Earmarks Included In Final Environmental Bond Bill

NATICK, MA—MetroWest earmarks, including Natick, were included in the final version of the Environmental Bond Bill, surviving Governor Charlie Baker's vetoes of the FY2019 budget, announced Representative David Linsky.

“I am very pleased with the funds that the towns of Natick, Sherborn, and Millis have received from both the Environmental Bond Bill, and the FY2019 Budget,” said Linsky in a statement. “These funds will allow the Fifth Middlesex District to continue to thrive, and I am glad that Natick, Sherborn, and Millis will be able to start and maintain various projects and programs from the funds granted in these bills.”

The Environmental Bond Bill authorizes more than two billion dollars in funding to protect against the impacts of climate change and conserve natural resources. Included in the Environmental Bond Bill were the following funds that will benefit the Fifth Middlesex District:

· $15,000 to replace the existing water booster pump station in the Town of Millis

· $2,000,000 for the design, acquisition, and construction of multipurpose trails in the Town of Natick

· $1,000,000 for the replacement of equipment at the Springvale Water Treatment Facility in the Town of Natick

· $700,000 for the acquisition of the CSX property north of Whitney Street and converting it to a rail trail in the Town of Sherborn

· $50,000 to conduct an environmental impact study and related engineering at the intersection of Coolidge Street and Speen Street in the Town of Sherborn

In the afternoon of Thursday, July 26, Governor Baker released his vetoes to the FY19 Budget. The local funds and earmarks affecting the Fifth Middlesex District survived the gubernatorial vetoes:

Chapter 70 Education Funding:

· Millis received $4,796,932, which is a $35,310 increase over FY18.

· Natick received $9,762,979, which is a $481,154 increase over FY18.

· Sherborn received $681,763, which is a $19,042 increase over FY18.

· Dover-Sherborn Regional School District received $2,182,791, a $135,068 increase over FY18.

· Tri-County Regional High School received $5,687,408, a $28,140 increase over FY18.

· Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School received $4,810,820, a $403,179 increase over FY18.

Unrestricted General Government Aid (Local Aid):

· Millis received $1,082,529, a $36,607 increase over FY18.

· Natick received $3,940,047, a $133,238 increase over FY18.

· Sherborn received $223,966, a $7,574 increase over FY18.

Other 5th Middlesex Funding Included:

· Natick Veteran’s Oral History Project received $30,000.

· Natick received $60,000 for an Opioid Task Force.

· Natick’s Camp Arrowhead received $75,000 to provide recreational programs for individuals with disabilities.

· The Natick Service Council received $25,000 for veteran’s substance abuse prevention.

· Millis received $50,000 for the purchase of a new senior transportation van.

· Millis received $60,000 for renovations to their high school auditorium.

Photo via Shutterstock