$525K Ticketed For Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem Projects

SALEM, MA — More than a half-million dollars in earmarks would be headed toward the North Shore as part of the Senate Fiscal Year 2026 state budget approved last week.

Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said the earmarks were approved for Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and Salem as part of the ongoing budget process.

The earmarks include:

• $100,000 for the city of Beverly to make improvements to vehicular, pedestrian, and bike safety navigation at the Essex Street/Spring Street/Corning Street intersection.

• $100,000 to the town of Danvers for streetscape enhancements, green spaces, and pocket parks in Danvers Square.

• $50,000 to the city of Peabody for a new surface at the Corbeil Park pickleball courts.

• $50,000 to the city of Peabody for fully accessible play equipment at the Adventures for Angels Playground at Lt. Ross Park.

• $100,000 for the city of Salem for improvements to the main entrance, safety improvements, and replacement of historic lighting on the Salem Common.

• $100,000 for planning and programming for Salem's 400th anniversary in 2026.

• $25,000 for the North Shore Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth to continue social, emotional, and mental health support for local LGBTQ+ youth.

"This earmark funding gives our communities the resources they need to improve quality of life for residents by investing in crucial local infrastructure and programming," Lovely said. "I look forward to seeing the impact these funds have on our communities, from local infrastructure improvements on our roads and in our parks, to supporting the important and transformative programming of NAGLY that allows young people to live safe, healthy, and happy lives."

Local earmarks direct funds to address municipalities' and organizations’ unmet capital needs through a collaborative process between legislators and local leaders.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)