Government

State Rep. Hecht Hopeful About Getting More Special Ed Funds

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Watertown’s state representatives have been working to add more money to help the Watertown Public Schools deal with spiking special education costs, and State Rep. Jonathan Hecht said he is hopeful of getting some additional money. The cost came in more than $650,000 above the budgeted level, and funds had to be diverted from those intended for the regular education budget. The School Committee has requested extra funds from the town for Fiscal 2015 to bring the base up to the level of the current year (Fiscal 2014). The House budget includes a bill that would create a fund of $250,000 for school districts that have higher than average high-cost, out-of-district special education costs. Those programs are for students who have special needs that cannot be served in the Watertown schools, and in some cases cost $100,000, $200,000 or more, according to Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald.

Government

Watertown State Reps Pushing for Extra Special Education Funds

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{See the latest on this subject by clicking here.}

With Watertown facing higher than expected special education costs during the 2013-14 school year, the town’s State House delegation is asking for extra dollars from the state. State Rep. John Lawn said he is trying to get more money from the state budget, and have asked for $250,000 on the House side. “Jon Hecht and I are working on special education. Our costs are higher than other communities,” Lawn said. Meanwhile, State Sen. Will Brownsberger has requested an additional $100,000 in the Senate budget for a total of $350,000.

Government

Child Sex Abuse Law Pushed by Local Reps Moves Closer to Approval

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After years of pushing for a child sex abuse law, a bill on Beacon Hill has moved closer to being passed than ever thanks in part to the work of two local legislators. The law would extend the statue of limitations for civil law suits to be filed by victims of child abuse. Last week, the House gave initial approval of the bill that came out of the Committee on the Judiciary, which is co-chaired by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, D – Belmont, (who represents Watertown). Brownsberger has been a champion of the bill in the senate. On the House side, State Rep. John Lawn, D – Watertown, has worked hard on the bill.

Government

Legislators will Discuss Services for the Disabled and their Families

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Watertown will be the location for a Legislative breakfast focusing on services for people with special needs and their families. On Friday, May 16, the 11th annual Metro Suburban Advocacy Initiative Legislative Breakfast will be held at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Ave. in Watertown from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Local legislators, including Watertown’s State Reps. John Lawn and Jonathan Hecht, and State Sen. Will Brownsberger, will talk about their legislative priorities.

Around Town

Transportation Improvements May be in Watertown’s Future

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MBTA Buses may be one of the things improved under the Legislature’s Transportation Bond Bill. By Charlie Breitrose

Several proposals to improve transportation in Watertown have been included in the Legislature’s Transportation Bond Bill, including for buses, multi-use paths and intersection improvements. A summary of the proposals was collected by State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s office. The projects are proposed over the next five years. The joint House and Senate bills bot include:

$725,000 to create and improve the Community Path in Watertown
$1.3 million to create construct a multi-use path from Arlington Street in Watertown to Fresh Pond in Cambridge along a former railroad.