Neighbor News
Waltham Delegation Votes to Override Critical Budget Vetoes
Rep. Tom Stanley, Rep. John Lawn, and Sen. Michael Barrett vote to keep funding for Waltham programs in the FY17 state budget.
(Waltham, MA)— State Representative Tom Stanley (D-Waltham), State Representative John Lawn (D-Watertown) and State Senator Michael Barrett (D-Lexington) led the charge to restore appropriations for vital initiatives serving the people of Waltham that were vetoed in the Fiscal Year 2017 state budget by Governor Baker.
In late June, the Legislature enacted a budget which balanced the many competing needs of the Commonwealth with the fiscal discipline necessary to ensure the long-term well being of the state. After carefully considering a number of Governor Baker’s vetoes and amendments, the Legislature voted on Saturday (7/30/16) and Sunday (7/31/16) to restore funding to several items, including:
- $75,000 to the Waltham Tourism Council that will be used to help promote and advertise special events in Waltham year-round such as the Riverfest and the Steam Punk Festival.
Find out what's happening in Walthamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- $156,000 for Traffic Signal Upgrades intended for the installation a wireless coordination system for 39 identified traffic signals in the business district of Waltham
- $50,000 for Public Safety Improvements, which WPD will put towards a special police drug task force to pursue various, complicated and time consuming investigations including the sales of narcotics and associated criminal activities.
Find out what's happening in Walthamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- $46,790 for the WATCH Community Development Corporation’s Housing Clinic that will strengthen and streamline the Clinic’s support services as well as provide additional time for follow-up on critical cases.
- 38,000 for a full-time dual-diagnosis clinician at the Waltham Community Day Center to provide short-term clinical and support services, maximizing the potential for successful recovery.
The FY17 budget allocates $10,865,166 in Chapter 70 Education funds to Waltham to support the public school system as well as $9,233,209 in Unrestricted General Government Aid for other city services. The legislation also contains a section designating the Winter Street Bridge as the Arthur H. Nelson Memorial Bridge.
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