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Regional Highlights

School Building Assistance

Legislation spearheaded by Treasurer Tim Cahill was recently signed by the Governor to fund all 425 school building projects on the SBA waitlist by FY07 and open the list to new projects.  Senator Resor worked continuously with the Treasurer’s office and Senate Ways and Means to promote successful passage of this legislation to assist all of her district communities that have school building projects on the waitlist.   

FYI: Senator Resor and state Treasurer Tim Cahill will be hosting two informational forums next month regarding the new SBA regulations.  These will be held on September 9, 2004 in Littleton from 9:00-11:00am and September 17, 2004 at Assabet Valley from 11:00am-1:00pm.  The Senator encourages anyone who may be interested to attend.

Route 2 Rest Stop Closure

Working closely with Representative Eldridge and Town officials from Harvard and Ayer, Senator Resor opposed proposals to develop a 24 hour gas station and restaurant at the Route 2 rest stop in Harvard.  Senator Resor and Rep. Eldridge were thrilled to include language in the FY’05 budget appropriation for MassHighway directing them and the Division of Capital Asset Management to permanently close the rest stop.

Transportation Assistance

On July 31, the Legislature sent a three year, comprehensive $2.55 billion Transportation Bond bill to the Governor for action.The bill authorizes $450 million dollars for Chapter 90 funding, specifically $120 million for FY 2005.  

Senator Resor also worked to include a provision in the bill that provided that $9,500,000 in matching funds to the MBTA for costs associated with the design, acquisition, renovation, construction, reconstruction, and other improvements for the improvement and extension of commuter rail service on the Fitchburg rail commuter line, provided that such improvements shall be included, but not limited to the installation of double track and signaling upgrades. The reintroduction of the Express train from Acton has also helped ease the commute to Boston by area residents.   

Nashoba Board of Health

Senator Resor and Representative Walrath worked together to pass Senate Bill 2185, to amend Chapter 25, the Acts of 2004 and further regulate the early retirement of eligible employees of the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health.  

Fitchburg Line Advisory Commission 2002

In the FY2003 budget, Senator Resor established this advisory commission in an effort to bring various state and local officials together to work on critical service issues along the Fitchburg Rail line.

Planning Funds for Devens

The Senator and Rep Eldridge have pressed for $390,000 in funding for the Devens Disposition Steering Committee as the JBOS works on its long term plan and participation at Devens.  So far, these efforts have been unsuccessful, but a request is pending for the supplemental budget.  

Ayer

CDBG Funds

Senator Resor and Rep Hargraves assisted the town in obtaining funds from the Commonwealth’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the Ayer Assisted Living Project, bringing the total amount awarded to $1 million.

The Town of Ayer was also awarded a FY 2004 Community Development Fund I (CDF I) grant in the amount of $800,000 from the Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Emergency Funding for Town Hall Renovations

Senator Resor worked with Rep Hargraves and Ayer residents to secure emergency funds for necessary renovations at the Ayer Town Hall.

Guilford Rail

Senator Resor has been instrumental in the efforts in fighting Guilford Rail plans to build an auto-unloading facility.  Such a facility would likely contaminate the Spectacle Pond aquifer.

Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit

Senator Resor supports efforts to increase the annual available funds for the Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits from $10 million to $20 million.  This effort will help enable groups like the Volunteers of America receive more credits to launch this project.

Ayer MBTA Station

Senator Resor was able to secure the two million dollars needed for the completion of the Ayer Regional Transportation station in the State’s Transportation Bond Bill, now on the Governor’s desk. This money will leverage the remaining eight million federal dollars needed to complete the project and will be used to construct a 300 space parking facility and to make rail station improvements at the Ayer Station.  Senator Resor worked with Ayer officials and businessman, as well as Congressman Meehan to ensure this language was included in the bill. Not only does this project demonstrate smart growth principles in order to achieve a multi-modal facility while preserving the community’s historic integrity but; it will also significantly improve the region’s transportation capacity and economy.

Willow Street

Senator Resor also worked to include a provision in the bill that funds be expended to design safety improvements and signals for the intersection of Littleton Road (Route 2A) and Willow Street in Littleton.  

Harvard

DHCD Funds

Senator Resor and Representative Eldridge helped the Town of Harvard acquire $250,000 from the state Department of Housing and Community Development to assist low-income homeowners finance household improvement projects.  

Home Rule Petition for Harvard Fire Chief

Senator Resor and Representative Eldridge have assisted in the passage of a home rule petition to authorize the Town to employ Peter Warren as Fire Chief beyond his 65th birthday. The bill (S.1930) has been engrossed in the Senate and is currently in House Rules.    

Still River Waste Water Management District

The Senator and Representative Eldridge have filed a home rule petition to ensure and facilitate the connection of buildings and structures located in the Still River Village wastewater management service area to the common wastewater management system in Harvard.  The bill S.2339 has been engrossed in the Senate, and is awaiting second reading in the House.

Harvard Park Land

The Senator and Representative Eldridge worked together to pass a home rule petition (S. 3999) authorizing the Town to convey park land as voted by Town Meeting. The bill was signed into law on June 16, 2004 (Chapter 131 of the Acts of 2004)  

Freedom’s Way Heritage Association

Senator Resor and Representative Hall worked with local officials to include state funds in the FY 2001 budget for the establishment of a Freedom’s Way Heritage Association headquarters. Congressman Olver and Meehan created the Freedom’s Way area to encourage locally initiated projects and to assist in regional efforts to help towns understand the economic potential of heritage tourism.  Although the state funds were successfully secured in the budget, the grant was never received because of lacking federal matching funds.  Senator Resor is committed to supporting this project and will work with Rep Eldridge to file legislation establishing the corridor for the next legislative session.

Littleton

Prouty Woods

Senator Resor and Rep Hall worked with the Town to obtain a Self Help grant to assist in the acquisition of the Prouty Woods conservation land.  The grant was $250,000, which was the maximum grant awarded in FY04.

Pothole grant for the Littleton School district

Senator Resor and Rep Hall worked to assure that Littleton would be awarded $133,000 from the Foundation Reserve Fund ("pothole" grant) to address unexpected increases in required local contributions for special education costs.  The award was granted in January of 2004.  Littleton was one of only 47 cities and towns to receive awards in FY04.

Littleton School Building Assistance

During the FY 2004 budget debates, the House Ways and Means committee eliminated important line items, which fund the payments to school building assistance projects approved in the 2003 budget.  Without this funding, Littleton would not have been able to meet their financial obligations. Senator Resor worked with local officials and her colleagues in the Senate to ensure that this funding was included in the Senate’s budget recommendations.

Littleton Sidewalks

Senator Resor and Representative Hall included aprovision in the state's transportation bond bill that funds be expended to improve or install sidewalks from Littleton Common to Shaker Lane along the eastbound side of Route 2A in Littleton.

Safety Signals

Another provision in the state's tranportation bill that was supported by Senator Resor and Representative Hall was for funds to be expended to design safety improvements and signals for the intersection of Littleton Road (Route 2A) and Willow Street in Littleton.

Westlawn Cemetery 2000

Senator Resor and Littleton officials were able to secure $42,000 in funding for the Westlawn Cemetery. This money was assisted the town in completing various restoration improvements to the cemetery grounds.  

Morrison Land 2000

Senator Resor assisted the town in obtaining a Self Help grant of $250,000 in FY 2001 to assist in the acquisition of the Morrison/ Nagog Hill Land.  This grant helped the property continue to support active agricultural use, forest management, water supply protection, wildlife habitat protection and passive reaction.

Lakes and Ponds 2001

Senator Resor and Rep Hall assisted the town in obtaining, a $300,000 Lakes and Ponds grant award for use on Long Lake and its watershed.

Water Tower 2002

Senator Resor and Rep Hall assisted the Littleton Light and Water Department in receiving legislative approval for a land swap needed to build a new water tower.

Turning Lanes 2002

Senator Resor helped the town of Littleton successfully secure MassHighway funds for a

turning lane at Littleton high school.  The project is part of the Road Resurfacing contract

and is expected to completed by the close of the next construction season.    

Fitchburg Line Advisory Commission 2002

In the FY2003 budget, Senator Resor established this commission in an effort to bring various state and local officials together to work on critical service issues along the Fitchburg line.   

Shirley

Longley Farm

Throughout 2003, Senator Resor worked closely with state and local officials to ensure the $1 million in Environmental Bond Funds was properly expended and was very proud to attend the opening ceremony of Longley Farm in 2003.   

Prison Mitigation Funds

Senator Resor has been instrumental in the effort to ensure Shirley receives their share of prison mitigation funds.   Last year, Governor Romney tried to eliminate this funding altogether.  Working with her colleagues and local officials, Senator Resor successfully reinstated this fund, which was included in the FY05 budget.  

Economic Stimulus

Senator Resor has worked to add Shirley to the list of towns included in the Devens “economic target opportunity area”. This redevelopment program aims to support the residents and promote commercial growth opportunities in the area.  Senator Resor succeeded in having this language included in the Senate budget, but it was not included in the Conference Committee’s Report. Senator Resor and Rep Eldridge continue to work to move this provision forward, requesting its inclusion in a supplemental budget request and filing Senate Bill 2450, the home rule petition voted by Shirley’s annual town meeting.    

School Building Assistance

Senator Resor assisted the Town of Shirley in getting various school building projects on the State reimbursement list sooner than had been expected & prior to the FY07 & FY08 budgets as was originally anticipated.

Transportation Assistance

Senator Resor and Representative Eldridge have worked successfully on behalf of the town of Harvard and neighboring communities to block a proposed rest stop by Mass Highway on Route 2.  The Senator feels that this rest stop would not create jobs and stimulate growth, but rather take business away from established businesses in the area.  Their efforts were successful and the rest stop is now scheduled for closure.

Senator Resor also worked to include a provision in the bill that provided that $9,500,000 in matching funds to the MBTA for costs associated with the design, acquisition, renovation, construction, reconstruction, and other improvements for the improvement and extension of commuter rail service on the Fitchburg rail commuter line, provided that such improvements shall be included, but not limited to the installation of double track and signaling upgrades.

Planning Funds for Devens

The Senator and Rep Eldridge have pressed for $390,000 in funding for the Devens Disposition Steering Committee.  So far, these efforts have been unsuccessful, but a request is pending for the supplemental budget.  

Pumpkin Brook Project 1999

Senator Resor worked with the town of Stow to secure $250,000 in Self Help Assistance funds for the Pumpkin Brook Project.

Redistricting 2001

Senator Resor worked to sustain a single congressional district for the town of Shirley.

Community Development Block Grants Fund 2002

Senator Resor assisted the town of Shirley in obtaining a CDBG grant in the amount of $600,000 to assist elderly residents in connecting the sewer collection system.

Longley Farm 2002

Senator Resor worked closely with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA), the Shirley Conservation Commission and the Longley Family to ensure that active farming could continue at the Longley Farm.  To do this, in 2002 she successfully secured $1 million in grant funding so that the Shirley Conservation Commission could purchase the land and continue working with the Longley family to manage the land.

Fitchburg Line Advisory Commission 2002

In the FY2003 budget, Senator Resor established this commission in an effort to bring various state and local officials together to work on critical service issues along the Fitchburg line.