State funds earmarked for Dartmouth

As part of a supplemental budget secured by Sen. Mark Montigny to offset local tax burdens, Dartmouth will be receiving $660,750 to cover school needs and offsetting costs associated with the February blizzard.

The Dartmouth Public Schools district will receive $170,000 for a new school bus, musical equipment and athletic equipment. Town officials are also looking for funding help for the High School Orchestra to travel to Carnegie Hall next year. 

The town will also receive $490,750 to offset costs from the Blizzard in February. The Commonwealth is also looking into a Major Disaster Declaration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to gain access to the Public Assistance Program funding. 

“I am pleased to earmark these funds for Dartmouth but know that further work is ahead to continue easing affordability challenges facing hardworking residents, their families, and seniors,” said Montigny. 

There is $32 million set aside for special education circuit breakers, which Dartmouth schools are expected to receive some. There is an additional $200 million on top of this year's allotted $485 million for special education instruction and transportation. 

Dartmouth will receive part of $20 million that is set aside by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for “extraordinary costs occurred.”

Another $20 million, which Dartmouth will receive part of, is for home energy assistance for the elderly, working family and other families paying for winter heating. Montigny also cosponsored an  amendment raising this to $35 million, to help those specifically on a fixed income.