Area reaps rewards

Area reaps rewards
Several projects given funds in state budget
Katie Landeck
News Staff Writer

Although the Legislature’s $38.1 billion state budget made $1.8 billion in cuts, it still sets aside some funding for projects in Greater Gardner and increases local aid.

“This budget represents a solid financial foundation for the commonwealth,” said state Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik, D-Gardner. “It makes significant investments in substance abuse and mental health while keeping our commitments to local aid and education.”

The budget still has to go before Gov. Charlie Baker for approval before the numbers are official. However, after a drawn-out debate forced the state to operate on a $5.5 billion stopgap budget at the start of the fiscal year, officials are expecting few vetoes from the governor.

In the Gardner region, the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center is slated to receive the biggest check — $124,000 for its new women’s housing program.

“It will allow us to establish and grow the program without taking shortcuts or making compromises to the quality of our women veterans services,” said MVOC Executive Director William Edson, who thanked the region’s legislative team. “It also immediately puts us ahead within our strategic timeline to engage families and single veterans with children in order to expand those supportive services sooner rather than later.”

An $85,000 grant to restore a Templeton playground, which had been eliminated in a round of midyear 9C cuts, has been reallocated. In addition, Winchendon received $50,000 for a handicapped-accessible bathroom at the Senior Center.

“It’s very good news,” said Winchendon acting Town Manager Bernie Lynch.

“I am thrilled that the funding for the Winchendon Senior Center Representative Zlotnik and I advocated for was included in the final budget,” said state Sen. Anne Gobi, D-Spencer, who is filling the shoes of former Sen. Stephen Brewer. “Having accessible facilities is a necessity and this funding will be a great help.”

Another local line item gives $100,000 to the North Central Chamber of Commerce to distribute to local businesses through microloans.

“Their funds will go a long way to support small businesses,” said Chamber President Roy Nascimento, who added that the money often goes to entrepreneurs who have difficulties getting a bank loan. “It helps business start up, it creates jobs and is really a positive.”

This is the second year it has received state funding, although the program has existed for decades, Mr. Nascimento said. The group has worked with many Gardner, Leominster and Fitchburg businesses, as well as businesses in smaller communities such as Westminster.

Other initiatives in the budget, while not specific to the region, are likely to have a significant impact, such as an increase to local aid.

Gov. Baker has promised that he would work to keep the growth in local aid consistent with growth in the overall budget. As a starting point, this year’s local aid was increased by 3.6 percent, compared to about a 4 percent increase in the overall budget.

“I’m appreciative the governor kept his word. ... He truly understands that 35 strong cities and towns makes for a strong commonwealth,” said Mayor Mark Hawke. “But we are not at historic levels.”

In 2008, when Mr. Hawke first took office, the city received more than $5 million in local aid, coming from both lottery money and elsewhere in the budget. This year, the city received about $3.9 million, Mr. Hawke said.

Local aid has increased the past two years, Mr. Hawke said, but the effects of cuts from previous years linger.

“Former Gov. Deval Patrick gutted the cities and towns,” Mr. Hawke said, “with his historic, almost draconian cuts.”

Mr. Lynch said he was relieved to see the increase in local aid. Winchendon had already been counting on a local aid increase before the final version of the budget was released. The 3.6 percent total increase means an additional $16,000 to $17,000 for Toy Town, Mr. Lynch said.
“It’s always good to have more money than less money,” Mr. Lynch said. “We need every dime we can get.”

The regional school districts will likely be affected by the 73 percent reimbursement rate for transportation, which does not fully restore cuts made by both the Baker and Patrick administrations. Narragansett, Quabbin and the Ashburnham-Westminster regional school districts have already had to close gaps in their respective transportation accounts.

Also reflected in the budget is a continued effort to fund the state’s fight against the ongoing opiate epidemic, which has been declared a public health emergency.

Officials for state Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, D-Leominster, said the funding — which includes $5 million in substance abuse trust funds, $3 million for 250 new treatment beds and $1 million for two new recovery high schools — will be spread throughout the state.

Worcester is in the process of opening a recovery high school.

“This budget represents a strong commitment to our towns, schools, and invests in the state’s most vulnerable populations,” said Ms. Flanagan. It “addresses the needs of the Department of Children and Families, veterans, persons with mental illness and substance abuse addiction.”

Gov. Baker has the ability to veto line items in the budget, which can be restored by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature.