What Shrewsbury, Westborough May Get In MA 2025 Budget

SHREWSBURY, MA — State House lawmakers last week passed their version of the fiscal 2025 budget, with local lawmakers including plenty of funding for local projects in the $58 billion spending plan.

State reps. Hannah Kane, R-Shrewsbury, and Kate Donaghue, D-Westborough, said they included money in the budget for the following local initiatives:

• $50,000 for Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services
• $10,000 for accessibility improvements to the bathrooms at Dean Park (Shrewsbury)
• $10,000 for improvements to the gazebo at the Shrewsbury Town Common
• $27,000 for radios for Westborough ambulances

The fiscal 2025 budget also includes an increase in Chapter 70 funding, which is the state's contribution to each school district. Westborough could get about $12.3 million compared to $11.9 million in fiscal 2024, and Shrewsbury could get about $21.5 million compared to about $20.7 million in fiscal 2024.

The budget also includes an increase in unrestricted aid for cities and towns. That type of cash can be used for a variety of municipal services, ranging from libraries to the fire department. Westborough may get about $1.4 million in unrestricted aid ($1.39 million in fiscal 2024), and Shrewsbury may get $3.36 million ($3.22 million in fiscal 2024).

The House budget proposal, however, is subject to change. The state Senate will next take a crack at the budget with possible changes before it goes to Gov. Maura Healey for a signature. Healey could also veto portions of the budget. Last year, Healey vetoed $272 million in spending priorities.