Jones, Tarr Secure $130K in FY25 Budget for North Reading Projects

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) have secured $130,000 in state funding earmarks for five North Reading initiatives as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) state budget.

Enacted by the House and Senate on July 19, the $58.1 billion state budget includes funding for the purchase of life-saving defibrillators and to support the work of the North Reading Community Impact Team (CIT), the town’s first responder wellness program, and the North Reading Public Schools. The budget is now on Governor Maura Healey’s desk for her review and signature.

“I am pleased to have worked alongside Senator Tarr to help deliver this critical funding for North Reading so town officials can carry out some of their top local priorities,” said Representative Jones. “All of these projects will have a positive impact on the residents of North Reading, and I look forward to continuing to maintain this strong state-local partnership moving forward.”

“I am pleased that Representative Jones and I have been able to work together once again to direct state investment to local priorities for North Reading,” said Senator Tarr. “Through these earmarks we are boosting public safety, local schools, and the community."

The final state budget includes $25,000 for North Reading’s first responder wellness program, which provides mental health, fitness and nutrition guidance to members of the North Reading Police and Fire Departments, as well as heart health testing for local police to help detect the early onset of potential health conditions. An additional $40,000 has been earmarked for the town to purchase life-saving defibrillators.

The CIT, which is a collaborative venture involving North Reading’s police, fire, youth services, elder services, school, health and parks & recreation departments, as well as the Board of Selectmen, is the recipient of a $15,000 budget earmark. Formed in 2012 in response to the opioid crisis, the CIT uses a team approach to address issues of concern to the community and currently works to address a wide range of issues impacting North Reading residents of all ages to help promote a safer and healthier community.

The North Reading Public Schools (NRPS) is the beneficiary of two earmarks in the FY25 state budget. The schools will receive $25,000 for the phase I upgrade of the NRPS’ intrusion alarm system. Another $25,000 has been allocated for the continued funding of the 1:1 school technology initiative, which provides North Reading students with Chromebooks that can be used at school and at home.

Governor Healey has until July 29 to sign the budget into law.