Haverhill will receive more than $2.5 million in additional state aid this year to meet its “unique financial needs,” state Rep. Brian S. Dempsey said Tuesday.
Dempsey, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said Haverhill is receiving special treatment because of the $85 million in debt left behind after the closing of Hale Hospital 10 years ago. Besides $2.4 million for payment toward the hospital’s debt, money will also go to Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, Haverhill Downtown Boxing Club, Haverhill Inner City Boxing and Haverhill’s 375th Anniversary.
“I am pleased that my colleagues continue to understand and to show support for Haverhill’s unique financial needs due to the Hale hospital debt,’ said Dempsey. “ I have worked extremely hard to secure this funding for the city and will continue to work to secure assistance as the city continues to address the impact of the Hale.” He made the announcement following Gov. Charles D. Baker’s approval of the budget.
Hale Hospital was sold by the city more than 10 years ago and leftover debt includes workers’ pension and health care the city agreed to pay over 20 years. This year’s $2.4 million contribution brings total state assistance for the Hale debt to $16.8 million. “No other city or town in Mass. has received this amount of additional aid during this time period,” Dempsey’s statement read.
“I am pleased that my colleagues continue to understand and to show support for Haverhill’s unique financial needs due to the Hale hospital debt,’ said Dempsey. “ I have worked extremely hard to secure this funding for the city and will continue to work to secure assistance as the city continues to address the impact of the Hale.”
Haverhill Downtown Boxing Club and Haverhill Inner City Boxing will each receive $25,000. “Both clubs are more than just boxing gyms, they are positive and safe environments that keep kids off the street while providing teens lessons in healthy living, leadership, mentorship and discipline. These funds will be used to assist the clubs in providing critical services and a safe place for at risk youth in the city,” said Dempsey.
Haverhill will also receive $75,000 for its 375th anniversary celebration of the city’s founding, while the Greater Haverhill Chamber Commerce will receive $25,000. It was not clear how the chamber will use the money.
“I am thrilled that we were able to find support for a diverse set of programs in the city of Haverhill from the critical services the boxing clubs provide our youth to the exciting 375th birthday of our city,” said Dempsey.
So $150K out of $2.5 million is called for, where’s the rest going? Also, when you’re Chair of Ways & Means, the rest of the pols go along with whatever larceny you want to impose on other cities and towns out of fear of being shut out. It will be interesting who else the recipients are of the remaining $2 million-plus, maybe friends of The Fish Family? Or maybe some of Brian’s donors? Brian is off to a great year with new campaign laws (can now contribute $1K as individuals), he’s already over $125K half way through the year.
“Pay-to-Play” in Massachusetts does in fact payoff, just don’t ask about the rule of law in this state, it’s nearly completely absent, depending on your political ideology and who your crony political friend of choice is.
“Besides $2.4 million for payment toward the hospital’s debt” –
Needs clarification, if this is included in the $2.5 million, not in addition to the Hale deb, then there is $50K no accounted for.
Haverhill is the only city to get this much aid ? Wow ! We are very lucky. Imagine if the geniuses running the city would have listened to the experts who knew what they were doing and sold the hospital when they were told to ? All this money could have gone somewhere else like the current heroin problem or more cops, ect. Oh well !