Jones, Crighton Secure $175K For Lynnfield Projects In State Budget

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and State Senator Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn) have secured $175,000 in state funding for three projects in the Town of Lynnfield as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget.

The final budget, which was released from conference committee on July 17 and enacted by the House and the Senate the following day, includes $50,000 to help defray the costs associated with the construction of the town’s new war memorial, along with $50,000 for improvements to the historic Lynnfield Meeting House and $75,000 for upgrades to Jordan Park.

“Senator Crighton and I worked together to advocate on the town’s behalf for these important local priorities, which not only will honor Lynnfield’s veterans and rich history, but also will provide enhanced recreational opportunities for the town’s children and other residents,” said Representative Jones. “I am pleased that our collective efforts were successful in ensuring that this funding was retained in the final budget.”

“Investing in local infrastructure projects like these must always remain a top priority,” said Senator Crighton. “I appreciate Rep. Jones’ collaboration in securing this funding in the budget for these important community projects.”

The Lynnfield legislative delegation previously secured $50,000 in the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget for the town’s new war memorial, which will educate visitors about the town’s history and will include the names of every Lynnfield resident who has served in the country’s major wars from the Revolutionary War to the present day. The monument will be constructed on the green space adjacent to South Common Street, across from the Town Common and near Lynnfield’s existing veterans memorial.

The $50,000 earmarked in the state budget for the Lynnfield Meeting House will be used for interior preservation work and kitchen facility upgrades. Built in 1714, the Lynnfield Meeting House is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Massachusetts State Register of Historic Places and is reportedly the third oldest Puritan meetinghouse in New England still standing on its original ‘green,’ as well as the second oldest active meetinghouse in New England, according to the Lynnfield Historical Commission.

The Jordan Park renovation project was first proposed by the town’s Fields Committee in 2013 and was approved to move forward at the October 2019 Town Meeting. The project calls for expansion of the existing field and parking lot, along with the construction of a new playground area for pre-school and elementary school children.

The FY23 budget now moves to Governor Charlie Baker’s desk for his review and signature.