WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Massachusetts State Senate voted to authorize up to $3.65 billion in bonds for repairs and improvements of capital facilities across the Commonwealth – $500,000 of which could go to West Springfield.

According to the Senate, the spending authorizations in the bill include bonds for state university and community college campus improvements, public safety and security facilities and clean energy and efficiency programs. State Sen. James Welch – who represents Agawam, Chicopee, Springfield and West Springfield – offered an amendment to the bill allocating $500,000 for energy efficiency projects to municipally owned buildings in West Springfield. On Feb. 12, the body adopted the amendment and included it in the Senate’s version of the bill.

“This funding in the recent bond bill isn’t about just helping save the town money,” said Welch. “Over the past few years West Springfield and Mayor Reichelt have committed to being a part of the solution to our climate issues, evident in its designation as a Green Community back in 2015. This funding will serve as another step forward in this commitment.”

The bill will now be reconciled with a version passed by the State House of Representatives.

While Welch offered the amendment, it was initially filed by state Rep. Michael J. Finn as an authorization for energy efficiency upgrades to the West Springfield Housing Authority.

Finn told Reminder Publications he decided to file for the amendment after speaking with the Housing Authority to discuss their upcoming projects.

“We talked about three or four different housing projects in town where there were things like the insulation wasn’t as effective in some apartments, and some of the price tags on those projects were pretty high,” said Finn. “So, I said, ‘let me see if I can get something in the Bond Bill.’ I filed the amendment and it was adopted in full – I was ecstatic.”  

The Housing Authority is planning to use the bond money for several repairs to their Grove Village Apartments, Finn explained. The apartments are a Chapter 667 state-aided public housing opportunity for applicants 60 years or older or disabled persons under 60. The projected projects include residing and insulation.

The Housing Authority was established in 1946 to provide affordable, decent, safe and sanitary housing for low and moderate-income persons, as well as to create an environment that enables residents to live responsibly. According to its website, the Housing Authority also strives to support residents in their efforts to achieve “self-sufficiency” and ensure that they can live with dignity.  

The entity owns and manages five low-income housing developments and nine scattered site dwellings. Four of the developments house elderly and disabled persons.

“Anything you can do to make improvements for elderly housing is just a benefit all the way around,” said Finn. “It helps them [the Housing Authority] to reprioritize and it takes a major item off of their capital planning list. So, all the way around, it’s just really good to be able to accomplish this. I was very happy that the whole amount was left in the bond.”

After the bill is reconciled in the House, it will be placed on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk to be signed.