Representative Jones Secures $175K for Three North Reading Initiatives in FY27 House Budget

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has secured preliminary approval for directing a total of $175,000 in state funding assistance to North Reading for three local initiatives as part of the House of Representatives’ proposed Fiscal Year 2027 state budget.

During the recent House budget debate, Representative Jones successfully advocated for the adoption of three amendments earmarking funding for the Flint Memorial Library, Benevento Memorial Park and the historic Rev. Daniel Putnam House. The House approved its version of the budget on a vote of 149-9 on April 29.

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Included in the House budget is a $75,000 earmark for the Flint Memorial Library, which will be used for flooring maintenance. Another $25,000 has been allocated for upgrades to the Benevento Memorial Park Little League fields, and an additional $75,000 will be spent on roof maintenance at the Putnam House.

Representative Jones noted that the Flint Memorial Library has been an invaluable resource serving the local community since 1872 while the Putnam House, which was built in 1720 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, serves as the headquarters of the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society, which hosts the annual North Reading Apple Festival every September. He also noted that Benevento Memorial Park is a popular recreational destination for local residents and is the home of the North Reading Little League.

“All three of these local landmarks play an important role in the North Reading community and are utilized by town residents of all ages,” said Representative Jones. “I’m pleased to get my colleagues’ support for these local priorities in the House budget and will do everything I can to see that funding for all three projects is maintained in the final budget.”

Representative Jones noted that this funding is still preliminary and needs to be approved by the Senate and Governor Maura Healey before any money can be disbursed to the town. The Senate released its version of the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget on May 5, with debate on amendments expected to take place the week of May 18.