What North Shore Earmarks Are In $56.2B State Budget Compromise?

SALEM, MA — The $56.2 billion budget that the state House of Representatives and Senate sent to Gov. Maura Healey's office for approval on Monday included historic levels of spending on education, housing, regional transportation, health care, and workforce development, as well as more than $2 million in earmarks for programs and projects in Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and Salem.

"Proud to join my Senate colleagues to unanimously pass an FY2024 Budget that will positively impact the North Shore and our Commonwealth," State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said in a statement on Tuesday. "In addition to making historic investments in education and supporting families, this budget will help grow our economy, expand opportunities for all Commonwealth residents, and support our local communities.

"I am also especially grateful to partner with Representatives Jerry Parisella (D-Beverly), Sally Kerans (D-Danvers), Tom Walsh (D-Peabody) and Manny Cruz (D-Salem) to secure earmarks for key investment projects and initiatives across the Second Essex District."

The reconciled budget includes:

• $2,350,000 for child sexual abuse prevention; including $150,000 for MassKids.
• $860,000 for postpartum depression screening programs at community health centers.
• $800,000 for the Home Works program which provides funding for after-school and out-of-school programming for children living in shelters and emergency housing.
• $200,000 for The NAN Project, a youth-suicide prevention initiative, to expand its successful peer-to-peer mentoring model to more schools and communities.
• $2,500,000 for the YMCA Youth-at-Risk matching grant program.
• $1,000,000 for the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative to fight food insecurity on state community college and university campuses by expanding campus-based food initiatives.
• $4,250,000 for the ParentChild+ program to provide critical, targeted services focused on those at greatest risk of entering kindergarten unprepared.
• $5,000,000 for the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment program, which allows students with disabilities who have not passed their MCAS to still attend college with their peers.
• $2,500,000 for North Shore Community Health Center building costs.

Funding for initiatives in the North Shore in the final budget includes:

• $75,000 for LEAP for Education, which works with middle and high school students on academic enrichment, post-secondary and career readiness, social-emotional support and social capital.
• $50,000 for Essex National Heritage Area to support their Teaching Hidden Histories program.
• $50,000 for the Essex National Heritage Future Leaders Program.

Beverly

• $75,000 for improvements to parks and recreation areas in Beverly.
• $250,000 for road and sidewalk repairs on Elliott Street in Beverly.
• $200,000 for park renovations at Simon Street and Gage Street in Beverly.
• $75,000 to expand STEM programming at Change is Simple in Beverly.

Danvers

• $75,000 to upgrade sports facilities at Holten Richmond Middle School in Danvers.
• $50,000 for the procurement and facilitation of an open space and natural resources plan in Danvers.

Peabody

• $100,000 for upgrades to the Portuguese American Veterans Post 1, which serves the veterans organizations of Peabody.
• $75,000 to support the development and creation of George Peabody Park.
• $60,000 to support the Northeast Arc with repairs to its work-training program café, Breaking Grounds.
• $100,000 planning for Rousselot Inc.’s departure.
• $35,000 for an outdoor water splash pad at Farnham Park in Peabody.
• $10,000 for the Peabody rain barrel program.
• $50,000 for an ADA-accessible playground at the John E. McCarthy Memorial Elementary School in Peabody.

Salem

• $50,000 to support the expansion of The Salem Pantry mobile market.
• $75,000 to support inclusive updates to the playground at Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem.
• $50,000 for improvements to the Salem Common in anticipation of Salem’s 400th Anniversary.
• $250,000 to support the creation of an exhibit honoring the birthplace of the National Guard in Salem.
• $200,000 for the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics at Salem State University.
• $25,000 to hire a Community Programs Assistant at the Salem Food Pantry.
• $25,000 to upgrade the gym floor and other play surfaces at Salem High School.

(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.)