September 19, 2007

Legislature overrides Gov’s veto on fire station funds

By Chrissie Long
Newton Tab

The state legislature overrode several of the governor’s budget cuts, including one that would fund the renovation of Newton’s Fire Station 4.

Governor Deval Patrick sliced the fire station funding from the legislature’s budget in July, calling the proposed funding plan “poor fiscal policy.”

But the House and the Senate’s vote reinstated the proposed funding this week.
 “I am just thrilled that my colleagues in the house support this,” said Rep. Ruth Balser, who has played a pivotal role in pushing the plan through the House. “The House maintained its commitment to the city of Newton and fire safety.” 

Newton intends to extend a loan received for a 1993 explosion at the HC Stark Company. The state loan received in 1996 was for $2.6 million.

The interest earned off that loan, which amounts to $138,000 a year, would be applied to the debt service for the renovations of Fire Station 4.