Melrose Gets More Than $1 Million In Federal Funds For 2 Projects

MELROSE, MA — The city has received more than $1 million in federal funds to support two significant infrastructure projects, according to Mayor Jen Grigoraitis.

$852,500 of the $1.1 million total will be used to treat flooding issues in the Memorial Hall parking lot through the creation of rain gardens and bioretention swales. Rain gardens are shallow holes dug into the ground and then filled with soil and plants that are designed to capture, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff by acting as a natural filter. Bioretention swales are similar in that they also use vegetation to naturally absorb stormwater, however they are sloped creations that tend to be larger than rain gardens.

The remaining $250,000 will be allocated to replace multiple faulty and outdated public address and bell systems in both the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School and multiple elementary schools.

Grigoraitis credited Democratic Minority WHIP Katherine Clark for being the driving force behind securing the funds for Melrose as well as other communities across the state’s Fifth Congressional District.

“The Memorial Hall parking lot redesign will mitigate stormwater flooding and ensure continued access to our local small businesses, medical care, and downtown grocery store, especially for our low-income, elderly, and limited-mobility residents,” Grigoraitis said in a statement. “The Melrose Public Schools public address system upgrades in our school buildings will safeguard reliable communications and community safety for our students, staff, and first responders.”

The funding secured by Clark will also be used for projects in the nearby communities of Malden, Medford, and Arlington. Arlington received more than $1 million to be used in stormwater pollution reduction efforts in the Mystic River and its 76-mile watershed.

“I am proud to bring home critical investments that will construct welcoming and safe community gathering spaces, build affordable and accessible housing for seniors, advance our march toward a climate resilient future, strengthen our infrastructure, and so much more,” Clark said in a statement. “Thank you to the state and local leaders who partnered with me to identify these priorities. Together, we are building a future more worthy of our children.”

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