Representative Geraldo Alicea (D-Charlton) and Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) said today that a supplemental budget filed by Governor Patrick last week includes $737,000 to reimburse the Town of Southbridge for the purchase of the Southbridge Armory. The Armory, which the town purchased from the Commonwealth in 2004, has been renovated and reopened as the Southbridge Community Center. 

“I commend Governor Patrick for recognizing the importance of fully reimbursing the town of Southbridge for this purchase. This funding is critical to ensuring the success of the Southbridge Community Center,” said Representative Alicea, “It allows the town to invest in critical upgrades of the facilities as well as new and exciting programs for the use of the residents of Southbridge, instead of continuing to pay for the purchase of the building.” 

In 2004, Southbridge was forced to purchase the armory at a competitive auction after the Romney Administration decided to move forward with the sale even though Senator Moore and former Rep. Mark Carron (D-Southbridge) were working to transfer the property to the town for $100, the amount the state paid for the property in the 1950s. Since that time, there have been several attempts to transfer the property to the financially strapped town, including adding the funds to a Supplemental Budget in 2004, which was vetoed by former Governor Mitt Romney. 

"Unlike his predecessor, I’m pleased Governor Patrick has taken a genuine interest in addressing this critical financial issue for Southbridge,” said Moore. “I also want to commend the hard work of Rep. Alicea, who from his first day in office has worked with me to lobby the Administration for this reimbursement. Now the task falls to Geraldo and I to convince our colleagues to once again fund this vital allocation of funds. I’m confident we will be successful.”

Over the last three years, the Community Center has become a multipurpose facility for the residents of Southbridge. It has been used to launch after school programs for students as well as the summer antiviolence prevention programs facilitated by the Southbridge Police Department. The Community Center is also set up to serve as an emergency facility in times of crisis or natural disaster.