Essex elementary students walking to school from Western Avenue may find themselves walking on a sidewalk in the near future.
The state's House of Representatives has approved $50,000 to provide safer access to the elementary school for students. The House approval came at the initiative of state Rep. Anthony Verga, D-Gloucester, who said the project is part of a series of road projects that have received state funding.
"I am proud that by working with legislative leadership, Gloucester, Rockport and Essex have benefited and received crucial aid for local road projects over the last three years," Verga said in a prepared statement.
The money will be able to provide the funding that the town needs to finish construction of the sidewalk on Story Street, said Raymond Randall, chairman of the Essex Board of Selectmen.
The previous project had built a sidewalk to the school from Belcher Street for $75,000, but the town had not been able to afford its completion, Randall said. The new money will allow the walkway to be extended to Western Avenue.
The submission for the money into the budget was not accepted at first, said Verga. However, he spoke to Chairman of Ways and Means Bob DeLeo, D-Winthrop, and explained that the money was intended for the safety of children walking to school.
"Now kids get to walk to school safely," Essex Selectmen Raymond Randall said. "Tony's commitment to this result is appreciated, and we're grateful."
When the town will actually get the money is up in the air, said Verga, and the status the funding depends on how the state apportions the monies included in the budget once it gains full legislative approval.
Michael Farrell can be reached at gt_reporter@gloucestertimes.com.
