Jones, Crighton deliver $130,000 in funding for Lynnfield projects

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and State Senator Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn) have secured $130,000 in state funding earmarks for three local projects in the Town of Lynnfield as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget that was enacted on July 31.

Under the new state budget, Lynnfield is scheduled to receive $50,000 for its war memorial project, $30,000 for upgrades to the outdoor basketball courts at Lynnfield High School, and another $50,000 for the purchase of solar speed signs to facilitate the implementation of a traffic and speed reduction plan in the town. The budget is now on Governor Maura Healey’s desk awaiting her signature.

In addition to the three local earmarks, the state’s annual spending plan also contains some welcome news for the Lynnfield Public Schools. The town’s Chapter 70 allocation for education aid has been increased from $4,996,011 to $5,945,010, a one-year increase of $948,999.

“The state budget supports several key local initiatives designed to honor our veterans, provide quality recreational facilities for the town’s students, and promote public safety on Lynnfield’s roadways,” said Representative Jones. “It also provides Lynnfield’s public schools with a substantial increase in Chapter 70 aid, which will help the town navigate recent cost increases, including rising out of district special education placement costs. I’m pleased that Senator Crighton and I were able to work collaboratively on the town’s behalf to successfully advocate for this critical funding assistance.”

“Thank you to Leader Jones for his continued partnership on crucial investments in our community, including the ones highlighted in this budget, which enhance our infrastructure, strengthen education, honor our veterans, and foster recreational activities,” said Senator Crighton.

This is the third consecutive year that Jones and Crighton have secured funding for the town’s war memorial in the budget, bringing the three-year total of state funding assistance for this project to $150,000. A public fundraising effort is also underway to support this project, with the goal of raising another $50,000. The Veterans Memorial Committee recently announced that $16,490 in donations has been raised to date. The town’s official website (www.town.lynnfield.ma.u) includes a link for donations, which can be found under the “Quick Links” section by clicking on “Donate to the War Memorial.”

The new war memorial is being constructed on the green space adjacent to South Common Street, across from the Town Common and near Lynnfield’s existing veterans memorial, with an expected 2024 completion date. The memorial will include the names of every Lynnfield man and woman who served in America’s major wars from the Revolutionary War to the present day and will help educate visitors about Lynnfield’s history.

The planned basketball court upgrades are part of a larger project the town is undertaking to improve Lynnfield High School’s student athletic facilities. The town is also rebuilding the school’s tennis courts – which is being partly funded through a $50,000 state grant Jones and Crighton secured in the 2022 Economic Development Bill – and replacing the fencing surrounding the high school’s five multi-use athletic fields.

Lynnfield will also be using state budget funding to purchase and install new solar speed signs throughout the town. These signs are designed to raise motorists’ awareness of how fast they are traveling to deter speeding and improve road safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.