Securing Record Local Aid

Securing Record Local Aid

Bringing back your tax dollars to build up our communities

Since being sworn-in as State Senator in May of 2016, Senator O’Connor has secured record local aid and returned over $500 million for the Plymouth and Norfolk District. On his very first day in office, he filed 58 amendments to the budget to secure funding for education, public safety, infrastructure, local needs, and more. Every time a spending bill or a legislative opportunity is presented, Senator O’Connor’s office reaches out to each of the 8 towns in the district to solicit input and requests. The office has formed strong working relationships with every community in the South Shore to give them the resources they need to be successful.  

Senator O'Connor has secured the following for the district:

  • $350+ million for education funding
  • $95 million in unrestricted local aid
  • $ 4.4 million in funding for local projects and organizations
  • $ 24 million for infrastructure improvements

Cohasset

Senator O'Connor helps break ground on the new Trettis House project in Cohasset, an Adult Disabled Housing project set to open in the fall of 2020. Senator O'Connor secured $180,000 in funding to help support the project.

Senator O'Connor worked to secure:

  • $50,000 to support Cohasset250 efforts
  • $35,000 for Aquatic Weed Harvester to assist with pond management
  • $75,000 for a Regional Animal Control Vehicle to be shared between Cohasset, Hull, and Norwell
  • $180,000 to rebuilt the Trettis House and build more Adult Disabled Housing Units
  • $220,000 over three budgets to support a school resource officer position at Cohasset public schools

Duxbury

Senator O'Connor regularly teaches a class at the Duxbury Senior Center as part of the Lifelong Learning Program. He recently secured $50,000 for the center to make improvements to the building to better adjust for the rising senior population in the community. 

Senator O'Connor worked to secure:

  • $50,000 to repair the Orchestra Pit at the Duxbury High Performing Arts Center
  • $35,000 for an aquatic weed harvester machine
  • $50,000 to support Crossroads for Kids at Camp Wing across multiple budgets
  • $40,000 for a mobile de-watering pump for the towns of Scituate, Duxbury and Marshfield
  • $50,000 for improvements at the Duxbury Senior Center

Hingham

In 2019, Senator O'Connor worked with the Baker-Polito Administration to secure a $2 Million grant award for Hingham through the Massachusetts Dredging Program. The project will remove an estimated 62,000 cubic yards of sediment from the Hingham Inner Harbor and allow for all-tide use of the boat ramp and restore all-tide access to over 230 public moorings.

Senator O'Connor worked to secure:

  • $50,000 for structural repairs at Whitney Wharf park
  • $40,000 for the purchase of a multi-purpose tractor for sidewalk snow removal
  • $20,000 for safety upgrades for Hingham public schools
  • $100,000 in capital improvements at Hingham district court
  • $201,500 for Hingham public schools’ emergency response coordination across two budgets

Hull

Senator O'Connor secured $20,000 for a seasonal trolley program, known as the Hull O Trolley, to take beach-goers and Hull residents up and down Hull to experience everything the town has to offer. 

Senator O'Connor worked to secure:

  • $20,000 to establish the Hull O’Trolley and create a seasonal trolley program.
  • $75,000 for a Regional Animal Control Vehicle to be shared between Cohasset, Hull, and Norwell
  • $250,000 to support the Manet Community Health Center over multiple budgets
  • $30,000 for Hull main street economic development and storefront improvements
  • $221,794 for a School Resource Officer position for Hull public schools over multiple budgets

Marshfield

Senator O'Connor has worked to secure $50,000 across two budgets to support the work of Donna Green (pictured above) and the Magical Moon Farm - the organization provides support services and creative activities for children living with cancer diagnoses. 

Senator O'Connor worked to secure:

  • $75,000 to make updates to the Marshfield Senior Center
  • $50,000 to support the Magical Moon Farm across multiple budgets
  • $5,000 for Grad Nite Live to create and display banners for 2020 High School Graduates around town
  • $40,000 for a mobile de-watering pump for the towns of Scituate, Duxbury and Marshfield
  • $100,000 to support design, planning, and construction costs for a new veterans home in Marshfield
  • $70,000 for the completion of a large scale sidewalk construction project in Marshfield

Norwell

Senator O'Connor partnered with Rep. Meschino to secure $75,000 for a Regional Animal Control Vehicle to be shared between Cohasset, Hull, and Norwell. O'Connor and Meschino are pictured above with Cohasset Town Manager, Chris Senior, and the brand new truck. 

Senator O'Connor worked to secure:

  • $6,360,764 to rebuild the Norwell Public Library. The previous library faced severe spatial limitations and challenges with parking. The new library will alleviate these issues, add technology-equipped study rooms, and bring the building into the 21st century.
  • $10,000 to Simple Gesture, a door-to-door food collection program that provides a steady supply of food to the neediest families in Norwell
  • $20,000 to EmpowerHER, a Norwell based organization which provides guidance and mentorship services to young women who have lost their mothers.
  • $75,000 to assist Norwell with their town center revitalization efforts. These funds helped plan infrastructure, traffic flow and storefront improvements to spur additional commercial investment.
  • $75,000 for a Regional Animal Control Vehicle to be shared between Cohasset, Hull, and Norwell
  • $30,000  for the purchase of an emergency generator for the Norwell Senior Center

Scituate

Senator O'Connor helped secure a $210,000 grant in 2017 to develop a design and permit for dune nourishment on Humarock Beach to protect public and private infrastructure from storm damage.

Senator O'Connor worked to secure:

  • $75,000 for Wampatuck Elementary School to use for repairs, renovations, and upgrades.
  • $100,000 for structural repairs for the Humarock Fire Station in Scituate
  • $10,000 for Scituate Community Christmas, a non-profit organization that helps up to 175 families each year in Scituate struggling with economic hardship during the holiday season.
  • $30,000 to Alice's House for operation and maintenance costs. Alice’s House, located in Humarock, Scituate, offers space for individuals, families, and groups to overcome grief, engage in group therapy, and other wellness-oriented uses.
  • $35,000 for a Pedestrian Crosswalk on Route 3A in Scituate

  

Weymouth

Working together, Senator O'Connor and Rep. Murphy (pictured above) secured $12,085,184 to support the construction of the new Tufts Library in Weymouth.

Senator O'Connor worked to secure:

  • $10,000 for the Weymouth Police Department to design and construct a memorial for fallen Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna.
  • $27,000 for Weymouth Food Pantry - the organization provides free groceries to approximately 3,600 people in Weymouth at any given time.
  • $10,000 for Joanna's Place, an organization committed to supporting children that have suffered through emotional trauma or loss.
  • $13,000 for Coop's Troop to assist with their work supporting the needs of children with life-threatening diseases and special needs.
  • $200,000 for the maintenance of Herring Run to Whitman’s Pond over multiple budgets.
  • $250,000 to support the Weymouth Teen Center, including job skills training and remedial education services, over multiple budgets.
  • $75,000 to the Weymouth public schools for new security features and practical training exercises for school staff.
  • $10,000 for the furnishing of meals to school children through the Weymouth public schools backpack program.
  • $275,000 for the cost associated with care and services provided at Whipple Senior Center over multiple budgets.
  • $50,000 for improvements to Heritage park at the intersection of Washington street and Middle street.
  • $50,000 for signage improvements and sidewalk installation at the intersection of Washington street and Broad street.
  • $200,000 to provide better conditions for traffic operations at the state highway route 53 intersection at Broad street.
  • $100,000 to support additional resources for the Weymouth Fire Department