The Town of Reading is pleased to share that the Town has been awarded more than $400,000 in state supplemental and earmark funds from several state agencies.
- Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) funding: $244,971.67. This is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and is supplemental funding for cities and towns to improve their transportation networks in response to harsh winter weather. Eligible projects for WRAP funds include snow clearing & plowing, roadway preparation & salting, and any unanticipated costs attributed to winter weather preparation or recovery.
- Transportation earmarks: $75,000. Another program from MassDOT, these funds are designated to specific projects, with $25,000 earmarked for the procurement of a passenger bus or van to provide transportation services, and $50,000 for the maintenance and repair of transportation infrastructure.
- Education earmarks: $100,000. Administered by the Executive Office of Education (EOE), this funding is designed for one-time education projects. For Reading, it specifies it be expended for materials, equipment and capital improvements for public schools in the town of Reading.
“I’m happy to have been able to work closely with Representative Richard Haggerty and Senator Jason Lewis to secure these critical funding earmarks for the Town of Reading,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “This state funding assistance will help to relieve some of the financial pressures Reading is facing and allow the town to address certain transportation infrastructure needs while also enhancing shuttle services for its seniors through the Council on Aging and supporting students by pursuing capital improvements and other worthy initiatives in the Reading Public Schools.”
The WRAP funding was passed in Governor Maura Healey’s supplemental budget in June. These $80 million dollars are in response to the harsh winter season. This is only the fourth winter that WRAP funds have been distributed following:2014, 2015, 2022 and now 2026.
The earmarks are regular funding sources, with various amounts allocated to communities based on population and road miles.
“As we navigate tightening budgets in Reading, these supplemental and earmark funds from the state are welcome additions to help us achieve our goals, especially after the extreme winter we’ve endured,” said Town Manager Jayne Wellman. “Thank you to Reading’s tireless delegation of Senator Lewis, Rep. Haggerty and Rep. Jones for their advocacy and work on behalf of Reading residents. These funds will be put to very good use in our community.”
For more information, contact the Office of the Town Manager at (781) 942-9043.
