Representative Jones Secures $110,000 For North Reading Initiatives

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has secured a total of $110,000 in state funding earmarks for North Reading as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 House budget that was engrossed on April 26.

The House gave preliminary approval to four amendments Representative Jones filed on North Reading’s behalf, which will benefit the town’s seniors, students, first responders and historic district. Each of the earmarks must still be agreed to by the Senate and signed by Governor Maura Healey before any of the money can be released to the town.

The local budget earmarks secured by Representative Jones include:

SENIOR/DISABLED TRANSPORTATION – The House budget authorizes $50,000 to supplement a transportation services pilot program for North Reading seniors and disabled residents. This pilot program will assist residents with out-of-town transportation to and from their medical appointments.

SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY – The House budget earmarks $25,000 for the North Reading Public Schools’ 1:1 school technology initiative. This money will be used to replace student Chromebooks so every student will have access to a working device at school and at home.

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS – In recent months, the North Reading Police and Fire Departments have implemented a wellness program that offers mental health, fitness and nutrition guidance to all officers, as well as heart health testing for police officers to help detect the early onset of potential health conditions. The House budget includes $25,000 for the continuation of this wellness program for local first responders.

HISTORIC DISTRICT IMPROVEMENTS – The House budget authorizes $10,000 for improvements to buildings at the Putnam historic district property to be administered by the North Reading Minit and Militia. This funding will be used for preservation and restoration work.

“The House budget provides funding for several important local initiatives that town officials have identified as priorities,” said Representative Jones. “As the budget process moves forward, I will continue to advocate on North Reading’s behalf to ensure that these items are retained in the final budget that is sent to Governor Healey.”

The budget now heads to the Senate, which is expected to begin debating its own spending proposal the week prior to Memorial Day. The differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget will then be resolved by a joint conference committee, which will produce a final spending plan to send to Governor Healey.