ARPA, Surplus Bill Provides Funding For North Reading Projects

North Reading MA

08 December, 2021

9:24 AM

Description

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) have secured $315,000 in funding for North Reading as part of a multi-billion dollar COVID relief bill that utilizes a combination of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and FY21 state budget surplus funds. House Bill 4269, An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs, was enacted in the House and Senate on December 3 and is now on Governor Charlie Baker's desk. The bill represents a compromise that reconciles the differences between previous versions of the bill approved in the two branches earlier this fall. Included in the bill is a $100,000 earmark for renovations and improvements to Ipswich River Park a 49-acre multi-use facility that first opened in 1997 and offers playgrounds, walking paths, and other recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. The bill also provides $75,000 for the installation of wireless radio alarms in the Town's municipal buildings, along with $40,000 for bathroom renovations at the Flint Memorial Library. Another $100,000 is earmarked in the bill for the replacement of the turf field carpet at the Arthur J. Kenney Field, which was dedicated in 2009 and is named after North Reading High School's longtime principal, who retired in 1981. A World War II U.S. Army Air Force veteran and former Major League Baseball player for the Boston Bees, Mr. Kenney passed away in 2014 at the age of 97. "Nearly two years into the COVID-19 global pandemic, Massachusetts residents, employers, and municipalities are still dealing with its public health and financial impacts," said Representative Jones. "This bill provides a blueprint for using federal ARPA funds and the FY21 state budget surplus to make important investments in our communities and our Commonwealth." "The Act Relative To Immediate COVID-19 Recovery Needs will quickly put funds to work for the residents of North Reading and across the state to facilitate economic recovery, build critical infrastructure, and address pressing needs," said Senator Tarr. "The legislation captures an unprecedented opportunity to make meaningful and effective investments in a wide range of priorities." In addition to the local earmarks, House Bill 4269 also provides significant financial support for housing, economic development, workforce training, health and human services, education, food security, the environment, and other critical areas impacted by the global pandemic. The bill includes: $500 million to help sustain the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund a $500 million premium pay program to provide bonuses of $500-$2,000 for lower-income essential employees who continued to work in person during the pandemic $200 million for local and regional public health systems $260 million for financially-strained hospitals in communities that were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 $50 million for capital improvements and workforce recruitment and retention at nursing facilities $100 million for capital improvements grants for vocational high schools $100 million for public school districts to improve ventilation and indoor air quality in their facilities $150 million to rehabilitate state-aided public housing developments $150 million for developing permanent supportive housing $115 million for the creation of affordable rental housing $115 million to promote homeownership opportunities $107 million for workforce and career technical skills training $75 million in small business grants $100 million for environmental infrastructure $100 million for water and sewer infrastructure a $400 million reserve for expanded access to mental and behavioral health services a $300 million reserve to support expanded Medicaid and community-based services $44.8 million to address food insecurity issues Governor Baker has 10 days to review and sign the bill.