BOSTON, Mass. — After closing the 2011 books, the state is giving $65 million back to cities and towns.
State Sen. Benjamin Downing, D - Pittsfield, announced the updated figures on Friday and municipalities should expect the money by the end of the month. The money will be distributed to ensure that no city or town receives less in direct aid than it received in Fiscal Year 2011, according to Downing.
"This additional payment represents a commitment my colleagues and I made to our communities back home during the Senate’s budget debate in the spring to provide as much Local Aid support as possible this fiscal year," said Downing. "I hope this additional funding will help cities and towns advance projects and provide local services this year."
An additional $1.5 million will be distributed to the 48 western communities of Downing’s Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin Senate District. The payments will be made by the State Comptroller by October 31, 2011.
Additional payments to the cities and towns of the Berkshires:
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Editor: The amount of local aid doled out is based on a complex equation. Williamstown doesn't historically get as much as some of the other towns, and therefore doesn't rely on it as much.
The editor is wrong when she states North Adams has a deficit of $400,000 plus. This figure is based upon what the city will need when it sets its tax rate in November. There cannot be a deficit if the tax rate hasn't been set. The Mayor is confused on this and thus the press reports incorrectly. In fact the City can use this money in many different ways including special projects, or for pay raises which the Mayor has promised the unions after the election is over!
Would the editor know if, when the $400k deficit is calculated, is that using the current tax rate or the levy limit. Just wondering. Keep in mind if the $271 is not used to pay the deficit, the defecit remains.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Some $130 million in federal monies is being invested into passenger rail along the so-called Knowledge Corridor and for laying the groundwork to establish West-East Rail from Albany, N.Y., to Boston.
The funding for the Springfield Hub Modernization Project was announced on Friday by Gov. Maura Healey, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and James McGovern.
The project is part of the state's Compass Rail vision, centered on Springfield Union Station and building on existing Amtrak Vermonter, Hartford Line and Valley Flyer service.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was awarded the funding through the Federal Railroad Administration's Fiscal Years 2025-2026 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program to support modernization of the rail infrastructure around Springfield Union Station.
"This is a major win for Western Massachusetts and a big step forward for West-East Rail," said Healey in a statement. "This $130 million investment in Springfield will help us improve transportation, reduce congestion and connect more communities to jobs, housing and economic opportunity. I'm grateful to Senators Markey and Warren, Congressmen Neal and McGovern, and all of our partners for helping us secure this critical funding and move us closer to expanded passenger rail service across Massachusetts."
The project will upgrade tracks, signals and other infrastructure to address a major rail bottleneck, reduce conflicts between freight and passenger trains, and allow more efficient operations and expanded rail service. This work is expected to improve on-time performance, reduce delays and provide more schedule flexibility for Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer passengers. The project will also create capacity for future passenger rail service while reducing unnecessary train idling, emissions and operating costs.
"Building West-East rail is a once-in a-lifetime investment to connect Massachusetts' communities and our regional economies like never before. It will mean lower costs, less congestion, and access to opportunity for families across the state," said Markey. "I'm proud to have secured this $130 million in federal funding alongside Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Congressman Neal and Congressman McGovern, bringing our total federal investment to more than $280 million to date, which will build the track to this more affordable, cleaner, better connected future."
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