Sen. Lewis & Rep. Day Secure Funding For Stoneham Priorities

A release from State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representative Michael Day:

BOSTON, Ma. - Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Michael Day are pleased to announce that the recently passed state budget includes major investments in the Town of Stoneham and funds a number of its fiscal priorities.

Under this budget, Stoneham will receive a total of $5,266,351 in Chapter 70 education funding this year, an increase of $269,200 over the last year’s budget. Crucially, the budget fully funds the state’s Special Education Circuit Breaker program, meaning that the program will reimburse districts for high special education costs up to the full 75%, as stipulated in statute.

Senator Lewis and Representative Day also successfully fought to secure special funding for several additional local priorities, including:

 $50,000 to fund a new roof for the Stoneham Senior Center;
 $100,000 for trail safety improvements throughout the town; and
 $50,000 to ensure full accessibility and ADA compliance in the Stoneham Town Hall auditorium.

“I’m proud that this year’s budget delivers record levels of funding to Stoneham for local schools and other municipal services,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m particularly pleased that we were also able to secure funding for important local priorities like the Stoneham Senior Center, an indispensable community resource, and Town Hall accessibility, to ensure that all residents have equal and adequate access to the seat of government.”

“This budget reflects our shared priorities in delivering a fiscally responsible, balanced budget for the State that also increases local aid to our community and makes historic investments in our future,” said Representative Michael Day. “We worked hard to make sure we funded Stoneham’s priorities while we made significant increases in the areas of education, housing and the environment, and I thank my colleagues for working with me to pass this budget.”

Having been passed by the House and Senate, the legislation now goes to Governor Baker for his signature.