$1.6 Million in Winter Aid Approved for Braintree

With a record breaking winter still fresh in everyone’s mind, Braintree is set to receive over $1.6 million in aid to help with the cost of recovering from an unprecedented season.

On Wednesday, the Massachusetts House of Representatives approved legislation that authorized the state to borrow $200 million to address and repair municipally owned roads and bridges.

Entering the winter, the town’s snow and ice removal budget was $400,000. By the end of the winter, it was estimated that the town would spend up to $1.6 million.

“Braintree, like most cities and towns across the state, spent an overwhelming amount of money this winter on snow removal operations to keep our residents safe,” Representative Mark Cusack said in a statement. “The House of Representatives realized that quick action on state funding was necessary to ensure that our local roads receive the attention they rightfully deserve.”

Without the funding, the town would be unable to continue progress on projects like the 100 Roads Programs according to Cusack.

Under this legislation, Braintree is slated to receive $991,546 in Chapter 90 funding. This funding is in addition to $149,765 Braintree can receive under the recently created Winter Recovery Assistance Program, and $499,216 in Chapter 90 funding that Representative Cusack and his colleagues voted to be released in FY15, but was refused by the Patrick Administration. The Baker Administration released this additional Chapter 90 funding upon taking office.