New State Representative Dennis Gallagher Outlines Priorities for Bridgewater
Freshman legislator focuses on infrastructure, mental health initiatives, and securing funding for local projects
January 8, 2025
Newly elected State Representative Dennis Gallagher addressed the Bridgewater Town Council on January 7, 2025, outlining his legislative priorities and offering insights into the state budget process as he begins his tenure on Beacon Hill.
Gallagher, who was sworn in on New Year's Day, emphasizes infrastructure improvements, mental health initiatives, and securing funding for local projects as his key focus areas.
"As I indicated in my campaign, some of the things that I am going to advocate for are roads, bridges and sidewalks and improvement in infrastructure," Gallagher told the council.
The representative highlights mental health as another critical priority, particularly for young people and older residents.
"I also did talk about mental health and how we need to address that in a much more serious way when it affects our young people and our older population in our communities, whether it be additional funding through the opioid settlements that we got to help our police departments and health services in those areas," he said.
Gallagher introduces his legislative aide, Evan Francis, a recent Bridgewater State University graduate with a degree in political science, who will assist him in serving the towns of Bridgewater and Raynham.
The representative faces a tight timeline for filing legislation, with a January 17 deadline for bills to be guaranteed a hearing in the upcoming legislative session.
"Anything that is filed by that 5 o'clock on the 17th, not 5 o'clock, 4 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds, they said has to be... filed in order for that particular bill to get a hearing in the upcoming legislative session," Gallagher explained.
He notes that while bills can be filed after the deadline, they aren't guaranteed consideration unless deemed worthy by committee chairs or the Speaker.
Gallagher has already refiled four pieces of legislation previously introduced by his predecessor, including a bill advocating for a special fund for prison mitigation for towns with correctional facilities.
The representative encourages council members to attend the upcoming Massachusetts Municipal Conference, now called Connect 351, later this month.
"Usually what I get out of that conference... is that's when you initially hear from the governor as what the tone of the budget will be for the ensuing fiscal year starting July 1st," Gallagher said.
He explains that the governor's budget proposal, known as "House One," represents the first step in the state budget process before moving through committees and the legislature, potentially continuing into summer.
Gallagher emphasizes the importance of local aid and unrestricted general government aid to municipal operations, along with Chapter 70 and Chapter 71 funding for schools.
"Unrestricted government aid is very important to communities. And those are the areas that I'll be looking at when House One comes out, when the Governor's budget comes out," he said.
Council member Mark Linde raised several priorities for Gallagher to address, including securing more funding for Bridgewater, shepherding charter changes through the legislative process, restoring prison mitigation funds, and improving Route 18.
"First, one, get us as much money as you can get us. I know you'll deliver," Linde said.
Linde also mentions the need for prison mitigation funds, which have been cut for three consecutive years, and improvements to water and sewer capacity to support town expansion.
Town Manager Blythe Robinson brought attention to an outstanding payment issue with the state prison system, noting that Bridgewater is owed approximately $140,000 for emergency medical services provided to the prison.
"The company that the state had hired to process all the payments went bankrupt. And the town is owed about $135,000 or $140,000," Robinson said, requesting Gallagher's assistance in resolving the matter.
Gallagher promises to hold quarterly office hours in various locations throughout the district and encourages council members to contact his office or visit the State House.
"I'm here to work for you and the citizens of Bridgewater and Raynham as I move forward in this new venture in this area to help out the community," Gallagher said.
Council President Kevin Perry concluded by asking for Gallagher's support for the regional school system, which has faced budget challenges in recent cycles.
"I would certainly strongly ask for your support in fighting for those funds for our regional school system. I know they've been hurting in the last couple of budget cycles," Perry said.
Gallagher can be reached via email at dennis.gallagher@house.gov or by phone at 617-722-3600.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of BTV and the Town of Bridgewater.