For technical assistance, grants and support of efforts consistent with the Massachusetts Recycling and Solid Waste Master Plan and the Massachusetts Climate Protection Plan; provided, that funds may be expended for a recycling industries reimbursement program under
section 241 of chapter 43 of the acts of 1997; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the purchase and installation of dishwashers at Harrington elementary school and Fiske elementary school in the town of Lexington; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the purchase, operation and maintenance of solid waste management equipment and practices in the town of Winchester; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the department of environmental protection to develop and administer a grant program for small businesses to support alternatives to single-use plastics; provided further, that grants may be used by grantees to purchase biodegradable, compostable or reusable food service ware, water bottles, bags, packaging or other similar single-use plastics reduction efforts or activities; provided further, that small businesses located in low-income communities shall be prioritized in the grant application review process; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2025, the department shall submit a report to the senate and house committees on ways and means and the joint committee on environment and natural resources on the implementation of the grant program which shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the names and locations of the grantees; (ii) the grant amounts distributed; (iii) the implemented plastic reduction efforts through utilization of grant funds; and (iv) if possible, the estimated amount of single-use plastics reduced; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the department of conservation and recreation for a study on improving public and emergency access to the Elm Bank reservation, which shall include, but not be limited to the: (i) potential purchase of private land; (ii) maintenance, construction and rehabilitation of current state-owned land; and (iii) long-term expansion and rehabilitation of the current Elm Bank reservation to maximize public use; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2025, the department shall submit a report to the joint committee on the environment and natural resources, the house and senate committee on ways and means and the clerks of the house and senate detailing the results of the study; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the city of Salem, in consultation with the Friends of The Salem Common, Inc., for improvements to the main entrance of the Salem common; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for the department of environmental protection to develop an employment social enterprise impact pilot program to provide funding for at least 1 nonprofit entity to provide recycling services with the overall goal of fostering job security for individuals facing barriers to employment through the provision of mattress recycling work opportunities; provided further, that eligible applicants shall have a demonstrated history of providing mattress recycling services in the commonwealth as an approved vendor to the department for not less than 5 years; provided further, that contracts through the program may be awarded for periods of not more than 5 years with options for renewal; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Rochester for improvements to the town's transfer station; and provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Westport for improvements to the town's transfer station
