Ways and Means Committee Meeting 09-15-25

Meeting Date: Monday, September 15, 2025 Governing Body: Ever City Council Committee on Ways and Means Meeting Type: Committee Meeting Attendees: Councilor Stephanie Smith, Councilor Anthony DiPierro, Councilor John Hanlon, Councilor Peter Pietrantonio

Executive Summary: The Ever City Council Committee on Ways and Means met to discuss several key financial appropriations. Major items included a request for $945,000 to renovate Chelsea Street Park, which was referred to the full City Council without recommendation due to a lack of prior information. The committee also favorably recommended the appropriation of $1,782,072 from the capital stabilization account for 19 capital projects, including significant upgrades for the Police and Fire Departments and new handicap-accessible voting machines. Additionally, a $126,675 grant for energy conservation measures at the Ferry Street Fire Station and a $216,434 grant for transportation improvements were both favorably recommended. Finally, the committee favorably recommended the appropriation of $299,750 to fund the recently ratified Local 25 DPW collective bargaining contract.

• Sponsor: Councilor Stephanie Miles
• Discussion:
  • Councilor Hanlon expressed concern about the high cost of the renovation, stating, "That's not worth $945,000. I'm sorry to say." He noted the park is currently used as a temporary dog park and questioned the necessity of such a large expenditure for its current state.
  • Councilor DiPierro moved to invite Matt Lattanzi, Director of Planning and Development, to provide information.
  • Matt Lattanzi (Director of Planning and Development) clarified that the intention of the funding is to construct a "people park," a multi-generational park with elements for children, adults, and seniors, including a bocce ball court and equipment for individuals with mobility issues. He stated, "It is currently, very temporarily, a dog park. This money that is being used to redevelop that site into a park is slated for humans."
  • Mr. Lattanzi explained that the park was designed with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and SLR was the winning bid for the design. A 90% design and cost breakdown were available, with equipment being a significant portion of the expense. Community meetings were held at the Connelly Center, where seniors voted on park features.
  • Councilor Hanlon requested to see the plans on paper before voting.
  • Councilor Smith inquired about the timeline of the park's current state and compared it to the Central Avenue Park, which has been awaiting renovation for several years.
• Motion: Councilor DiPierro moved to refer the item to the full body with no recommendation, as no information was provided to the board beforehand.
• Vote:
  • For: All present
  • Against: 0
  • Abstentions: 0
• Outcome: Motion passed. The item was referred to the full City Council with no recommendation.

• Sponsor: Councilor Stephanie Miles
• Discussion:
  • Councilor DiPierro moved to invite Police Chief Strong and Fire Chief Hickey to appear before the committee.
  • Police Chief Strong presented on the Police Department's capital requests:
    • Non-Administrative Vehicles (Patrol Division): Request for four new hybrid patrol vehicles to replace older models (one 2018, three 2017).
    • Administrative Vehicles: Request for eight new administrative cars for detective units, drug units, and the Gaming Enforcement Unit, replacing older models (two 2013 Ford Tauruses, one 2016, two 2017, two 2016, one 2015 Ford Explorer).
    • Radio System Replacement (Channel 2 Repeater): To purchase new equipment for direct communication with Boston PD, Gaming Enforcement Unit, and Greater Boston Marine units, due to software changes and digital upgrades in other cities.
    • Police Computers: Adding computers to cruisers without them, replacing aged computers, and purchasing printers for vehicles to comply with new registry requirements for printed citations. This also includes new mounts and equipment for special operations and detective units.
    • E911 Antenna Replacements: To replace old and damaged antennas as part of upgrading to a digital radio system.
    • BAPRN Replacement: To replace aged BAPRN system hardware due to BAPRN going digital and over-the-air programming requirements.
    • Patrol Rifles: To update patrol rifles that have not been updated in several years.
    • Less Lethal Shotguns: To acquire four new less lethal shotguns for frontline vehicles as a de-escalation tactic.
  • Councilor Hanlon inquired about the installation of equipment in new police cars and the disposition of old vehicles. Chief Strong confirmed new equipment is installed by the vendor and older, usable vehicles are passed down to other city departments like DPW.
  • Fire Chief Hickey presented on the Fire Department's capital requests:
    • Turnout Gear ($65,000): To fund turnout gear for seven new hires (two sets per member at approximately $4,500 per set) and repairs for existing gear.
    • Administrative Vehicles: To replace three 2014 Explorers (11 years old). Quotes from MHQ are slightly under the requested amount, and new equipment (radios, lights) will be included.
    • Reporting Software (RMS System): To replace a three-decade-old system to achieve NARIS compliance (new real-time reporting system). This system will integrate with CAD and MDTs, providing real-time information on screens, including addresses, property owners, and hazards, enhancing safety and information transfer.
    • Computer Automated Dispatch (CAD): To replace an antiquated "mini CAD" system with a modern system that allows interoperability with surrounding cities and towns using similar software, improving incident command and resource deployment.
  • Councilor Smith questioned if the requested funds were sufficient for the computer systems and emphasized the importance of integrating police and fire CAD systems for city-wide consistency and future scalability. Chief Hickey confirmed the goal is a single CAD system for both departments, acknowledging police have more requirements, and they are working towards a system that meets both needs.
  • Councilor DiPierro moved to invite the City Clerk to discuss the voting machine expenditure.
  • City Clerk explained the request for $60,000 for handicap-accessible voting machines:
    • The funds are specifically for replacing 21-year-old handicap machines, whose technology is 30 years old.
    • The Secretary of the Commonwealth's office is certifying new machines, expected in the next few months.
    • The funds will replace 12 machines (one per polling location) and purchase one extra for backup, totaling 13 machines.
    • Quotes range from $3,000 to $5,000 per machine.
    • The City Clerk confirmed no additional city funds would be needed beyond the $60,000.
• Motion: Councilor DiPierro moved to refer the item to the full body with a favorable recommendation.
• Vote:
  • For: All present
  • Against: 0
  • Abstentions: 0
• Outcome: Motion passed. The item was referred to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation.

• Sponsor: Councilor Stephanie Miles
• Discussion:
  • Councilor DiPierro moved to invite members of the Planning Department.
  • Kate Jenkins Sullivan (Sustainability Manager, Planning Department) explained the grant:
    • The funds will be used to replace a failing steam boiler with a new heat pump rooftop unit system at the Ferry Street Fire Station.
    • This system will provide both heating and cooling.
    • A $10,000 city match is required, which will be covered by National Grid's on-bill repayment program using Sincarfa solar credits, meaning no capital or city funds will be used for the match.
    • The rooftop unit is significant enough to cover the entire station, and the facilities team has confirmed the roof's stability.
• Motion: Councilor DiPierro moved to refer the item to the full body with a favorable recommendation.
• Vote:
  • For: All present
  • Against: 0
  • Abstentions: 0
• Outcome: Motion passed. The item was referred to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation.

• Sponsor: Councilor Stephanie Miles
• Discussion:
  • Councilor DiPierro moved to invite Eric Molinari from the Transportation Department.
  • Eric Molinari (Senior Transportation Planner, Transportation Department) explained the grant:
    • The funds are from the MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program for a "Neighborways" project.
    • Neighborways are designed to create high-comfort, low-stress networks for walking, biking, and rolling on streets with low traffic volumes (roughly 2,000 vehicles/day or less).
    • The project aims to connect the Northern Strand into communities, specifically along West Street and Wellington Avenue.
    • Funds will primarily cover street pavement, street paint, and signage (e.g., "Neighborway" signs, pavement markings indicating bike presence) for wayfinding to destinations like schools, municipal buildings, and business districts.
    • The only construction piece is a new sidewalk between Kelvin Street and May Street along Bizarro Avenue, which currently lacks a sidewalk. This portion is not yet designed and requires further outreach.
    • Six outreach events, including walk and bike audits, were conducted, and feedback was gathered from the Active Transportation Advisory Committee.
    • There are no current plans to eliminate parking or traffic lanes. The routes were chosen for their existing comfort for biking and walking.
    • The grant is a reimbursement grant, and MassDOT will reimburse the city for costs; no city funds will be spent on the project.
    • Funds will also go towards placemaking and cooling structures at Weston Wellington Plaza along the Northern Strand Community Trail.
  • Councilor Smith inquired about the Bizarro Avenue sidewalk cost within the $216,434 and expressed concern about pavement markings for bikes in tight spaces, suggesting signs might be more effective to avoid confusion with cars. She emphasized ensuring the money is used effectively to clearly delineate bikeable/walkable areas.
  • Councilor Hanlon requested a chart or layout of the streets involved. Mr. Molinari confirmed he could provide preliminary designs.
• Motion: Councilor DiPierro moved to refer the item to the full body with a favorable recommendation.
• Vote:
  • For: All present
  • Against: 0
  • Abstentions: 0
• Outcome: Motion passed. The item was referred to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation.

• Sponsor: Councilor Stephanie Miles
• Discussion:
  • Councilor DiPierro moved to invite Mr. Russolillo, Director of HR.
  • Mr. Russolillo (Director of HR) explained the components of the appropriation:
    • Training Fund ($15,000): The city contributes $0.10 for every 40 hours worked per DPW employee into a fund for employee training. This fund goes to the Local 25 benefits account.
    • Clothing Incentive: An additional $250 for boots was added, separating it from the general clothing allowance due to increasing boot costs.
    • Certification Incentive: Monetary incentives for employees to obtain 34 different certifications, aiming for a more robust and versatile workforce.
    • The $299,750 is split among different DPW departments.
  • Councilor Hanlon inquired about the $64,000 allocated for certification, asking if it was mandatory and what would happen if employees did not pursue certifications. Mr. Russolillo clarified it is an incentive, not a requirement. He stated, "We are funding each department as if every single person were to get the full incentive. We hope that everyone gets the full incentives and takes advantage of it. But if it doesn't, then at the end of the year, it would go to free cash."
• Motion: Councilor DiPierro moved to refer the item to the full body with a favorable recommendation.
• Vote:
  • For: All present
  • Against: 0
  • Abstentions: 0
• Outcome: Motion passed. The item was referred to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation.

• Motion: Moved to adjourn.
• Vote:
  • For: All present
  • Against: 0
  • Abstentions: 0
• Outcome: Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned.