Improving Accessibility

Saugus receives $167,750 in state grants to modify sidewalks and entrances to public buildings

By Mark E. Vogler

The state Office on Disability has awarded the Town of Saugus $167,750 through the Municipal Americans with Disabilities Act Improvement Grant Program for capital improvements to modify sidewalks and entrances to public buildings. Saugus was one of 74 communities receiving 86 grants totaling about $6 million, according to an announcement made this week by the Healey-Driscoll Administration.

The funding will be dispersed for the following projects:

• $74,800 to install ramps by the town’s facilities
• $37,400 to install ramps on Summer Street and Main Street
• $30,800 to repair sidewalks on Main Street
• $24,750 to repair sidewalks on Taylor Street

Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree told the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night (Dec. 16) that the grant money will be used “to fund capital improvements that will make sidewalks and public entrances safer and more accessible for residents of all ages and abilities.”

“The four grants will support construction and installation of new ADA-compliant curb ramps and targeted sidewalk repairs and replacements in and around the Saugus Public Library and along here on Taylor Street near Town Hall and in other high use public areas where improved access will make the greatest impact for our pedestrians,” Crabtree said.

Following through on a plan

The grant award – based on an application the town submitted earlier this year – is the latest of several Municipal ADA Improvement grants awarded to the town. The town received a $15,575 planning grant during the 2023 Fiscal Year. A year (FY 2022) earlier, the town received a planning grant that was funded for $28,925.

“We did a study when we got this grant a few years ago. We used that money to do a study – to do an assessment – and these were the high areas to be addressed,” Crabtree told selectmen at Tuesday night’s meeting during the town manager’s report session.

“Once we had that study together, we put an actual plan together and applied for a grant to get this so we could move forward,” Crabtree said.

“What I’d say, the projects are about assuring that every resident – including seniors, families and strollers and residents and visitors with disabilities – can safely navigate our sidewalks and access public spaces with greater independence,” Crabtree said.

“By leveraging the state grant dollars, we can make meaningful, long-term infrastructure improvements while delivering real value for the Saugus taxpayers. And this is something that’s been a priority for this board and myself – that we always look to see what grant money is available and target those things so that we can use that money to offset so we’re not taking it out of the operating budget,” he said.

“I think that’s great for the residents and the taxpayers and also great for anybody – pedestrians included. …New construction funding builds on the town’s previous ADA-related grant work that helped assess where accessibility barriers exist and identify priority locations for improvements.”

The projects will go out to bid next year with work expected to start in the spring or summer, according to Crabtree. Work will be coordinated through the town Engineering Department and the Department of Public Works. Updates on the project will be shared with the public as construction schedules are started and finished, the town manager said.

“That’s great news about the grant,” Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta said.

Legislators optimistic about grant

Members of the Saugus legislative delegation learned about the grant awards before the town did and issued a joint statement on Monday after the announcement by the Healey-Driscoll Administration.

“Making sure that all municipal facilities and streets are accessible to residents is incredibly important, and I am thrilled to see the Town of Saugus awarded this funding,” state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) said in the press release issued earlier this week.

“Thank you to the town for making these investments so that all residents can safely navigate to and utilize their buildings,” he said.

State Rep. Jessica Ann Giannino (D-Revere) said she was “grateful that Saugus is making such a positive impact on accessibility through these meaningful community investments.”

“This funding is essential to ensuring our public spaces are safe and accessible for all residents,” she said.

State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) echoed the comments of his fellow legislators. “I’m glad to see that the Town of Saugus was able to secure this funding for improvements to our sidewalks and to the entrance ramps at public spaces,” Wong said.

“It’s important that we keep our residents safe,” he said.

The Municipal ADA Grant Improvement Program is funded through the state’s capital budget and managed by the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) in partnership with the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F). Since 2017, MOD has awarded more than $26 million to 224 cities and towns across the Commonwealth who demonstrated a sincere dedication to implementing needed accessibility improvements.

This competitive grant program helps municipalities complete projects that improve access to public programs, services and spaces for people with disabilities. Eligible projects include ADA Self-Evaluations, Transition Plans and capital improvements.

“Our Administration is committed to partnering with municipal leaders to make Massachusetts communities safer, more accessible, and even more welcoming,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This successful grant program is just one way that we work with our cities and towns to make tangible infrastructure improvements across the state.”

Projects funded through this year’s grant include updates to municipal emergency preparedness plans and emergency equipment to ensure the safety of people with disabilities; accessible playground equipment to allow children with disabilities to play alongside their peers; assistive technology for public school students; architectural improvements to town senior centers to ensure safety and access for older adults; and accessible signage, equipment and sensory activities at public trails and beaches.

“This grant program makes strategic and much-needed investments in communities across Massachusetts—providing municipalities with additional resources and improving quality of life for residents,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “I am pleased to see these funds deployed and I look forward to cities and towns experiencing the benefits of these projects.”