State Sen. James Timilty says the state is about to bestow $1 million on the town to improve its athletic fields.
He told the Board of Selectmen this week that Gov. Deval Patrick will soon authorize the funding.
"I think this will happen and we'll be in a better place in no time," the Walpole Democrat said at the board's Tuesday night meeting. Revitalizing the town's fields will help everyone from athletic youths to senior citizens.
"Even couch potatoes like myself," he added.
The $1 million earmark is part of a $1.7 billion environmental bond bill the state Legislature approved on the last day of its formal session, July 31. It also includes $11.5 million for a proposed cleanup of the lower Neponset River.
Timilty said the bill will, in all likelihood, be signed by the governor, meaning the fate of the $1 million Walpole fields earmark appears secure. He made this assessment "on good authority" after several conversations with members of the governor's staff.
"It is there, and I'm quite certain it will come and come soon," he said.
In the run-up to the July 31 deadline, Timilty made the case to fellow legislators for including the $1 million earmark by explaining all the ways Walpole benefits the state, he said. Foremost among those is the town's hosting of MCI-Cedar Junction state prison.
Timilty cited the support of Walpole's legislative delegation in attaching the earmark, which he's worked with for four years, he said.
Timilty is up for re-election this fall.
