Legislature preserves $100K for historic Tilden House

Preservation of the David Tilden House at Pequitside Farm will proceed with financial assistance from public and private sources. (Moira Sweetland photo)

Nearly two weeks after delivering a final state spending plan to the desk of Governor Charlie Baker, the Massachusetts legislature voted last week to override all but one of the governor’s budget vetoes for FY 2019 — preserving millions in local earmarks, including $100,000 for the preservation of Canton’s historic David Tilden House.

The funding for the 18th century wood frame house, known locally as the Little Red House, was included as a budget amendment by state Rep. Bill Galvin and passed by both houses of the legislature. The funds were then subsequently vetoed by the governor before being restored by a vote of the legislature a short time later.

The $100,000 from the state is in addition to a $50,000 grant that the project recently received from the Mass. Historical Commission. That funding, together with $362,000 remaining from Community Preservation Act (CPA) grants and $25,000 in private donations, will be used to renovate and preserve the structure under the leadership of the nonprofit Canton Historical Society, which is leasing the property from the town for a period of at least 25 years.

In addition to securing funds for the Tilden House, Galvin also filed successful budget amendments for the operation of the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center ($100,000), the Norfolk County Fire and Rescue Dispatch ($100,000), and the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children’s Summer Program ($100,000).

State Senator Walter Timilty (D-Milton) also filed several successful budget amendments in the Senate, including amendments that will support education programs and substance abuse prevention efforts, and fund active shooter training for the Canton Police Department and upgrades to the Blue Hills Trailside Museum.

In terms of overall state aid to the town, Canton will receive $6.1 million for education and $2.2 million in Unrestricted General Government Aid for FY19, representing an increase of $1.7 million over FY18.

“I am pleased that we were able to deliver a balanced budget that does not raise any taxes or fees while funding vital programs and increasing funding for education and local aid,” said Galvin.

“The Blue Hills Trailside Museum is a gem for the community and is enjoyed by residents from the surrounding communities,” noted Timilty. “It has been a pleasure working in collaboration with Representative Galvin. Together we were able to secure funding for essential services and projects improving both the safety and quality of life in the great community of Canton.”

The legislature approved an unprecedented $4.9 billion in Chapter 70 education funding, which represents an increase of 3.4 percent over the previous fiscal year and is a billion dollar increase since 2011. This includes $319.4 million for the Special Education Circuit Breaker, $90 million for charter school reimbursement, $68.9 million for regional school transportation, and $5 million to fund the Preschool Partnership Initiative. Additionally, funding for teacher health care costs will increase by $39 million.

In addition, the budget includes the following:

* $20 million to support high-quality early education and care programs, $10 million to create an EEC workforce development initiative, and $2.5 million for continued support for early childhood mental health consultation services.

* $100 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), $32 million for the HomeBASE program, $20 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program, and $5 million for a new rapid homeless rehousing program.

* $142 million to create five new substance abuse recovery centers in the state, $5 million to support community-based treatment programs, $4.9 million for step-down recovery services, and $1 million to provide increased access to Narcan to first responders.

* $88 million to Regional Transit Authorities across Massachusetts to ensure that residents have access to reliable and affordable transportation.

* Deposit of $367 million into the state’s “rainy day fund,” bringing the total to nearly $2 billion.

Tilden House Related News

BOS to decide fate of Tilden House preservation project

Town at a crossroads with historic ‘Little Red House’

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Aug 17 2018. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.