By John Lynds
Representative Dan Ryan was able to secure several line items for Charlestown and Chelsea when the House approved a $39.56 billion Fiscal Year 2017 budget.
Ryan, who represents both Charlestown and Chelsea, secured $1.2 million for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs that will help both Clubs in Charlestown and Chelsea.
Ryan earmarked another $500,000 for Sail Boston for 2017 Tall Ships Regatta that is usually a boom for Charlestown’s local economy, said Ryan.
“As visitors and tourists attend the Regatta they are encouraged to tour the Freedom Trail that leads them into our neighborhood as they visit the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill,” said Ryan.
Ryan secured $750,000 for the Meals on Wheels program that delivers food to elderly citizens in Charlestown and Chelsea.
Another line item was $250,000 that will go to CAPIC Emergency Services. CAPIC runs Fuel Assistance, Head Start, After School and other social service programs in the city.
The Chelsea Fire Investigative Unit will get $4,600 under Ryan’s earmarks.
Ryan also added an amendment to a bill to add an additional $1 million to the state’s Shannon Grant Fund. The earmark was set at $5 million but Ryan’s amendment brought funding up to $6 million.
“We had a problem with gang activity in Chelsea this past year and thanks to the U.S. Attorney we were able to take dozens of violent gang members off our streets a few months ago,” said Ryan.
The Shannon Grant allows non profits like ROCA and others to apply for money to combat gang violence with anti-violence activities, sports, and other programs.
Ryan co-sponsored an amendment for almost $129 million to expand the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services in Charlestown, Chelsea and the rest of the state. With the opioid crisis affecting nearly every city and town in the Commonwealth, Ryan said more funding is needed for substance abuse services in order to combat the growing trend of addiction and overdoses.
Ryan also co-sponsored an amendment for $9.7 million to fund Summer Jobs for At Risk Youth, the YouthWorks Program. This will help teens and Charlestown and Chelsea stay off the streets during the summer months while working and earning workforce skills and a paycheck.
Other earmarks Ryan co-sponsored included $5.1 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program, $75,000 for the Landmarks Orchestra and $12.189 million for Mass Cultural Council.