Barrett Secures Funds for Historic Building

Barrett secures funds for historic building

Spurred by State Senator Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, the Legislature has voted to override a gubernatorial veto of funds to restore and repurpose the historic Loring Parsonage in Sudbury Center.

Back in May, Barrett added $290,000 for the project via an amendment to the Senate budget. The language made it through a conference committee process and landed on the Governor’s desk for his approval. Governor Charlie Baker then nixed the item, a maneuver that left the fate of the funding up in the air until now.

Barrett lauded State Representative Carmine Gentile, D-Sudbury, for his successful advocacy on the House side, and State Senator Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, for his crucial support in the Senate. “Our job was to convince colleagues to undue the Governor’s action,” Barrett said, noting that a veto override requires two-thirds approval in both branches. “In the past few weeks, I heard from residents about how big a deal this funding is. I’m glad we made it happen.”

The Sudbury Historical Society has been pursuing plans to revitalize the building, with the goal of turning it into a museum to display the town’s amazing history. To do so, the interior will need to undergo a restoration. Barrett, who serves as Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Disabilities Caucus, points out that one priority is to make the Parsonage accessible for people with disabilities.

“Sudbury has an extraordinary history, which will be preserved and enriched through the Loring Parsonage,” said Gentile. “The Loring Parsonage will stand as a testament to our town’s rich historical importance to our nation.”

“I am pleased that the FY16 state budget includes 290K to refurbish the Loring Parsonage, which will help maintain the historical character of Sudbury Center,” said Eldridge. “The people of Sudbury take great pride in the history of their town, and I commend Senator Barrett for being such a strong advocate for securing this state funding.”

The Loring Parsonage was built by a minister more than 300 years ago. It’s since been used as a residence, tavern, and office building. The Historical Society hopes to have an addition built for use as a meeting space and visitor center. All told, the plans will cost roughly $2 million.

Barrett also led the effort to reverse a gubernatorial veto of funds to test the water quality of local rivers -- the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord.

Barrett sponsored the successful $25,000 amendment during Senate budget debate, backed by Gentile and Eldridge. But that item, too, was vetoed by the Governor. In response, Barrett called for the funding to be reinstated. His efforts paid off, as the funding was restored.

Currently the three waterways fail to meet certain quality benchmarks set by state and federal law.

“These rivers are treasures -- hot spots for local recreation and storied settings for Massachusetts history,” Barrett said. In 1999 the federal government designated parts of the waterways as “wild and scenic” for their ecological features and cultural importance. As it happens, they’re the closest “wild and scenic” rivers to a major metropolitan area in the entire U.S.

“Excellent non-profits have been doing the hard work of keeping our rivers clean and beautiful,” Barrett said. Specifically, Barrett commended OARS, the local organization expected to do the water quality testing. “I’m glad we were able to provide some support for its efforts.”

On a matter of statewide interest, the House and Senate voted to add back $500,000 in funding for a detention diversion program run by the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps. Barrett originally added funding for the program during the Senate budget process. He then successfully called for an override of a gubernatorial veto.

The aim of the initiative is to prevent young people from re-entering the juvenile justice system. Justice Policy Institute research suggests “the detention experience may increase the odds that youth will recidivate.”

The detention diversion program provides community-based support and supervision. Barrett notes that program workers provide 24/7 case management, including coordination with probation staff, face-to-face communication and curfew checks, and weekly family check-ins.

The Governor also nixed funding for a state climatologist. But the Legislature rebutted his veto. Barrett has been pushing for funds to hire a state climatologist to advise government on the impacts of global warming. “Climate change is definitely happening and means rising oceans, extreme temperatures, and wilder storms,” Barrett said. “A climatologist will provide enormous help to state and local officials.”