COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL COURT
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133

Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District

Representative Thomas P. Walsh
State Representative
12th Essex District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 10, 2021

Peabody to Receive $800,000 for Flood Mitigation and Downtown Lighting Improvements 

Representative Walsh and Senator Lovely Secure Funding for City Center Revitalization 

BOSTON –Representative Thomas P. Walsh (D-Peabody) and Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem) announce that the city of Peabody will be receiving more than three-quarters of a million dollars in direct funding for flood mitigation and downtown lighting improvements following the signing of House Bill 4269, An Act Relative to Immediate COVID-19 Recovery Needs into law.   

“I am pleased that these targeted investments in economic development and climate adaptation will further enhance Peabody’s weather resiliency and marketability,” said Representative Walsh. “This funding will serve to complement the City’s initiatives to create a more appealing downtown for both area residents and businesses alike”   

“This legislation provides critical investments in almost every sector of the Commonwealth, and I am pleased that we could dedicate these funds to promote climate resiliency and economic development in the city of Peabody,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). “Alleviating flood risks and creating a safer, more inviting downtown are notable and important projects that will benefit the city for years to come.” 

The city of Peabody will receive $500,000 for Lawrence Brook flood mitigation and $100,000 for the cleanup of the Proctor and Goldthwaite Brook and the North River; providing funding to projects to protect nearby structures and roadways from flooding during storms.  The city is also allocated $200,000 for the installation of lighting in downtown Peabody in an effort to further encourage economic development. 

This legislation is designed to facilitate state and municipal recovery through one-time investments in housing, environment and climate mitigation, economic development, workforce, health and human services, and education.  Utilizing the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and state Fiscal Year 2021 surplus funds, this law was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives and the State Senate and signed by Governor Baker. 

Representative Walsh serves as the State Representative for the 12th Essex District, serving the residents of Peabody in Wards 1-4 and Precincts 1 and 3 in Ward 5.  Representative Walsh can be reached by telephone at 617-722-2676 or by email at Thomas.Walsh@mahouse.gov.  

Senator Lovely serves as the State Senator for the 2nd Essex District, serving the residents of Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem, and Topsfield.  She can be reached by telephone at 617-722-1410 or by email at Joan.Lovely@masenate.gov

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