The House has approved $75,000 for a study of a sewage treatment system for Mansfield, Norton, Foxboro, Easton and Sharon and $50,000 for repairs to the Academy Building in Attleboro.

The money was added to the $27 billion state budget through amendments offered by local legislators.

Rep. Jay Barrows, R-Mansfield, said the sewage study would determine what kind of upgrades are needed for a treatment plant owned by Mansfield, but located in Norton.

Mansfield, Norton and Foxboro all use the plant, but Barrows said it is possible that Easton and Sharon might want to join an agreement to use it.

The current agreement is set to expire in 2009. The study would determine the needs of all the communities and recommend ways of modernizing the plant.

Barrows said he and Reps. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, Steve D'Amico, D-Seekonk, and Louis Kafka, D-Sharon, joined forces to get the amendment passed.

"I was pretty pleased as a rookie to be able to get something done," the first-term legislator said.

He cautioned that House approval is just the first step and the Senate and governor would have to go along before the money is assured.

Poirier said the $75,000 was just one of several earmarks and amendments area representative attached to the budget.

She said she was able to get another $100,000 for repair of the Fisher Street bridge on top of the $100,000 she got last year.

North Attleboro schools would benefit from a $40,000 item she worked for that would provide security measures like new locks and cameras for the school buildings.

State Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro, said he and Poirier sponsored an amendment that would provide $50,000 to Attleboro for renovations to the historic Academy Building.

The money will pay for roofing repairs, along with new siding and windows.