Western Massachusetts could see an infusion of public dollars for capital projects under a $2 billion environmental bond bill passed by the state Senate last week.
Wish-list amendments to the bill, successfully tacked on by the region's senators, include extending bike paths, upgrading water and sewer plants, fixing dams and reservoirs, cleaning up lakes and rivers, boosting outdoor recreation and improving urban parks.
During debate last Thursday, amendments were secured by senators Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield), Donald Humason (R-Westfield), James Welch (D-West Springfield), Anne Gobi (D-Spencer) and Eric Lesser (D-Longmeadow). Staffers for former Sen. Stan Rosenberg, who resigned in May, also secured authorizations by working through Senate Ways and Means chair Karen Spilka (D-Ashland).
Bonding authorizations do not guarantee funding, but instead create a priority list of environment-related capital projects that could see some state funding over several years if the governor's office sees fit.
However, inclusion in the bond bill "is an important first step" in securing such funding, said an aide to Hinds, who last week touted his nearly $23 million in renewed authorizations and $6 million in new amendments to the five-year bill.
Hinds' amendments included $10 million for water quality in lakes and ponds across the state; $8.8 million to help the Hoosic River; $6.7 million for a planned outdoor recreation center near Mount Greylock; $800,000 to develop and market mountain bike trails; $800,000 for culverts at Onota Lake in Pittsfield; $500,000 to advance the Highlands Footpath walking trail; $500,000 for the Ashfield Lake Dam; and $200,000 for repairs to the Glacial Pothole overlook in Shelburne Falls.
"My goal was to secure capital support to maintain and repair local culverts and dams, protect the region's lakes, ponds, and natural resources, and continue our efforts to promote Western Mass as a major destination for outdoor recreation activities," said Hinds, who represents the sprawling Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden district.
Rosenberg's office secured $6 million in new authorizations for the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester district. Northampton was the big winner, with a potential $2 million for water and sewer infrastructure; $1 million to help build a bike path between Route 66 and Route 10; and $500,000 for invasive species mitigation.
"Rosenberg's chief of staff, Rosalie Acosta, reached out to us, and I provided her with a list of some of our capital priorities," said Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz.
He said the city projects are expensive -- sewer upgrades alone would cost $10 million -- but that any extra money from the state would be welcome.
Narkewicz noted that Northampton and Hatfield remain without representation, following Rosenberg's resignation on May 3 and the February death of state Rep. Peter Kocot, and thanked Acosta, Spilka, and other delegates for their help on Beacon Hill.
Elsewhere in Rosenberg's district, Colrain would receive $1 million for water and sewer upgrades; a dam-related project on the Green River would see $1.25 million; Royalston would gain $150,000 for its town common; and $100,000 would help the Leverett Pond dam.
Humason announced $6 million in bond bill amendments, including $1.35 million for Hampton Ponds State Park, Mount Tom Reservation, Granville State Forest, and Robinson State Park. Another $200,000 would support swimming pools in Agawam and Chicopee; $1 million would go to "flood control, dredging, and eradication of non-native plant species" at an outlet to Lake Congamond; $100,000 would remove a pumphouse at the Lower Mill Pond in Easthampton; and $600,000 would support drainage improvements at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport.
Fans of multi-use rail trails could see reason to rejoice if two of Humason's amendments win funding: $800,000 to help extend the Columbia Greenway through downtown Westfield, and $850,000 "for construction of a bike path in the town of Southampton."
Welch and Lesser worked together for Springfield, and secured a $2.5 million bond authorization to reopen an access park road to Blunt Park; $2.5 million to help maintain city dams; and $1 million to upgrade woodland trail systems in city parks.
Lesser secured a $4.5 million amendment for improvements to Forest Park in Springfield. The funds would support Camp STAR Angelina, a camp for children with physical and intellectual disabilities, with a new lodge. The park's comfort shelter and horticultural training center would also be upgraded.
Lesser's amendments included $250,000 for a canoe and kayak launch on the Chicopee River, $685,000 for the dredging of Laurel Pond in Longmeadow, and $175,000 in bonds for the Belchertown schools to resurface a track and tennis courts.
"These improvements are worthy projects that will improve the quality of life for our residents, and I hope Gov. Baker releases the funds to make them happen," said Lesser.
Lesser also joined Gobi in supporting an amendment that would let licensed raw milk farmers deliver directly to consumers.
Among many amendments secured by Gobi, the towns of Palmer, Hardwick, and Sturbridge would see a combined $9 million for their water and sewer systems.
The amendments to support Western Massachusetts are part of an overall five-year bill that authorizes bonding for programs and projects regarding climate change adaptation, environmental and natural resource protection, and recreation.
The environmental bond bill must now be reconciled with the House version. The Legislature has 13 days to act until the end of its July 31 session.