Over $1 Million in State Money Coming To Local Communities

BOSTON – Rep. Michael Costello has announced more than $1 million in direct additional aid from the state for the communities in his district, including an additional $400,000 for local schools.

House Members decided last night to increase Chapter 70 school spending by $171 million over last year and committed to a five-year-plan that would further increase funding during that period.

“This decision reaffirms the House’s support for quality, public education,” Rep. Costello said. “I am pleased that we went beyond our original spending proposal. It will benefit all students in the Commonwealth.”

“We have worked hard on this budget over the last month and those efforts with a lot of perseverance have resulted the proposal,” Costello added.

Under the House plan, Newburyport will receive $3,021,320 from the state in Chapter 70 aid, an increase of $113,300 over last year; Amesbury will receive $8,583,727, a $127,850 increase and the Triton Regional School District will receive 7,959,908, a $167,000 increase.

Mayor John Moak praised Rep. Costello’s work on behalf on the students of Newburyport.

“As Mayor and Chairman of the School Committee, I am well aware of the tight times here and at the state level,” Moak said. “The efforts of the House to reexamine its budget are most encouraging.”

“Representative Costello’s office has been extremely open to our suggestions, comments and needs and we’re very grateful for that,” Moak added.

To further ease the burden on municipal budgets, the House also decided to uncap lottery aid, a proposal that will bring hundreds of thousands of additional dollars to Newburyport, Amesbury and Salisbury. Newburyport will receive $252,278 more than last year; Amesbury will receive $383,476 more and Salisbury will receive $147,302.

Representative Costello has also worked hard to secure specific earmarks for projects in his communities, which combined with direct local aid, should help municipal budgets.

Among those items that will be funded in the House budget are (items in italics were also funded in last year’s budget):
• Newburyport Economic Development Director - $60,000
• Newburyport Community Policing - $60,000
• C-10 Monitoring in Newburyport, Phase II - $75,000
• Newburyport YWCA - $100,000
• Newburyport YWCA - $100,000
• Pettengill House - $75,000, a $25,000 increase from last year
• Amesbury Our Neighbor’s Table - $25,000 for food pantry services
• Salisbury Chamber of Commerce - $25,000