BOSTON — A bipartisan show of support was made on behalf of the Wakefield and Lynnfield Rails to Trails committees last Tuesday, Dec. 16, as Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei and House Minority Leader Brad Jones joined Democratic Representatives Katherine Clark and Mark Falzone to request that the Governor release $500,000 from the transportation bond bill to fund the design engineering of the 4.5-mile trail project.
In addition to creating jobs in the short term, according to Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio, the trail will become an environmentally friendly and safe way for citizens of the region to enjoy conservation land, get to school and make their daily commutes — while patronizing and helping to revitalize local businesses along the way.
"And this is exactly the type of municipal cooperation the governor has advocated," Maio added.
Wakefield Selectman Al Turco said both towns are ready to finalize engineering contracts as soon as the funding is available.
Karol Ostberg, director of Capital Finance for the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, said the overall capital spending plan for 2009-2013 has been prepared but, as to which projects will get what funds in fiscal year 2009, nothing is final.
Ostberg called the Wakefield-Lynnfield project "intriguing" but could make no promises.