In State Senate debate, area legislator Mike Barrett successfully amended the state budget to offset costs Concord incurs in providing fire, EMT and other help to two state-operated correctional facilities in town.
Barrett’s amendment stipulates that the several communities in Massachusetts supplying such services to correctional institutions will divide $2.2 million in state appropriations.
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“Town officials tell me how important this reimbursement is,” Barrett said. “Both Concord facilities benefit from local assistance. The amendment makes sure the town gets reimbursed fairly for providing fire, police and other services when needed.”
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Barrett’s amendment, also supported by State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), State Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton) and State Sen. Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), divides the funding among the several Massachusetts communities that house correctional facilities and supply local assistance.
This is the second consecutive year Barrett has succeeded in getting reimbursement adopted in Senate budget debate. The process for the upcoming fiscal year isn’t over; Barrett’s provision still needs to make it through a so-called “conference committee” appointed to reconcile Senate and House versions of the budget. Both versions contain similar language, so prospects for ultimate adoption of the funds appear good.
