Easton Selectmen Support Legislation To Keep Parking Funds at Borderland

The Easton Board of Selectmen voted to support a bill Monday that calls for parking fees at Borderland State Park to be used for the park itself.

Currently, the $2 fee to enter Borderland State Park is put towards the Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Fund. Last year, fees totaled $300,000 - an amount that could dramatically affect the upkeep of the Easton-based State Park, proponents said.

"The park is falling apart and the money isn’t coming back to the park," Historical Commission Chair Melanie Deware told Selectmen Monday.

The proposed bill, drafted by State Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton) creates the "Borderland Retention Trust Fund." It is supported by the Historical Commission and Borderland Advisory Council.

The money would help preserve the Ames Mansion at the Park and other areas in need of restoration, Deware said.

"There is great financial need not only to maintain the Park's present condition, but to preserve and prevent further deterioration of this unique and irreplaceable building and its land. It seems appropriate that money generated through parking fees should stay at Borderland State Park. Many of the problems that exist today are longstanding and have worsened by the lack of action, prevented by the deficiency of funds," Historical Commission Vice Chair John Ventresco wrote in a memo to Selectmen.

Selectmen agreed to draft a letter in support of the bill, which is before the State's House of Representatives.