Marblehead, Swampscott Earmarks Touted In $56.2B Legislative Budget

MARBLEHEAD, MA — North Shore state legislators are touting local earmarks set in the $56.2 billion proposed state budget that the House of Representatives and Senate sent to Gov. Maura Healey for final approval late last week.

Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and Rep. Jenny Armini (D-Marblehead) said the funding for Marblehead and Swampscott projects will go toward the Marblehead Counseling Center services, Redd's Pond infrastructure restoration and to defray increases in the new Swampscott K-4 School.

The Marblehead Counseling Center will receive $25,000 to help reduce the wait list for their services, while the town of Marblehead will receive $25,000 toward its effort to restore the retaining wall and walkways around Redd’s Pond.

"Redd's Pond and the Counseling Center are two Marblehead treasures that serve the well-being of our community in different but important ways," Armini said in a joint statement with Crighton. "The Marblehead Counseling Center is a frontline resource tirelessly addressing the breadth and depth of the mental health crisis.

"This funding is meant to support their work as they support us."

The budget also includes funding for Swampscott's new K-4 School, including $65,000 for street design improvements and a significant grant to defray the unexpected post-COVID inflationary costs associated with finishing the project.

"I am thrilled and proud to have collaboratively passed a budget that makes historic levels of investment toward creating a stronger, more competitive, and equitable Commonwealth," Crighton said. "Directing funds toward local initiatives reflects our dedication to ensuring that our communities thrive and offer better opportunities for all."

Armini and Crighton said both communities will receive Chapter 70 education dollars — Swampscott $5,114,454 and Marblehead $6,354,327) — which includes a doubling of the minimum per pupil allotment from $30 to $60.

Marblehead will receive $1,361,321 in local aid, and Swampscott will receive $1,547,423.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)