Ways and Means Committee Meeting 12-01-25

Meeting Date: December 01, 2025 Meeting Type: Committee of Ways and Means Meeting Governing Body: City Council Attendees: Councilor Stephanie Smith (Chair), Councilor Anthony DiPierro, Councilor John Hanlon, Councilor Peter Pietrantonio.

Executive Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met to discuss two key agenda items. The first involved approving a $100,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation for watering city trees, with discussions focusing on watering priorities, funding mechanisms, and operational logistics. The second item concerned a request for an additional $455,000, to be appropriated by borrowing, for the Everett Police Station Roof Improvement Project, bringing the total project cost to $655,000. Discussions highlighted the necessity of a full roof replacement due to extensive damage, the borrowing process, and the inability to use ARPA funds for this project. Both items received a favorable recommendation to the full City Council.

Discussion:

• Grant Details: The order, sponsored by Councilor Stephanie Martins, requested approval to accept and expand a grant of $100,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for watering trees.
• Witness Testimony: Mr. St. Louis, the Tree Warden, was invited to speak.
  • Watering Priorities:
    • Street trees are the highest priority due to their struggle.
    • Trees along the Santilli Highway (gateway) are a low priority but may be watered if they show signs of drought stress.
    • Trees in parks are also a low priority, but the option to water them if needed remains open.
    • Trees planted near Costco along the river are generally doing well and require less supplemental watering due to their wetland environment.
  • Funding and Operations:
    • The grant funds are used to pay city staff for overtime to water trees.
    • The DCR currently waters most city trees.
    • The grant is a reimbursement grant; the city pays DPW staff, then submits invoices to the state for reimbursement.
    • The Planning Department controls the grant.
    • The previous DCR grant was for $150,000, with approximately $130,000 spent.
  • Watering Equipment:
    • The city has a water trailer (rented) and a red bucket truck with a 275-gallon water tank.
    • The bucket truck was recently returned after repairs.
    • Due to equipment sharing with other departments (e.g., watering flowers, park spaces), some grant funds will be used for contractors with their own water trucks.
  • Tree Care Practices:
    • Mr. St. Louis oversees tree watering schedules and tracks tree ages for watering needs.
    • New trees are typically watered for a minimum of two years, with a preference for three to five years, but staffing and funding limit this.
    • Approximately 80 trees were planted in the past year.
    • Trees are equipped with two water bags to spread water to the root zone, encouraging outward root growth and stability.
    • During drought conditions, trees require watering twice a week.
    • An estimated seven trees can be watered per hour.
• Councilor Pietrantonio's Concerns: Expressed concern over the term "low priority" for any tree, emphasizing that all planted trees should be a priority.
• Councilor Hanlon's Questions: Inquired about the location of trees (city streets vs. parks) and the status of trees planted near Costco.
• Chair's Clarification: Inquired about the method of watering and the use of contractors.

Outcome:

• Motion: Moved to refer to the body with favorable action.
• Vote:
  • For: All members present (Councilor Smith, Councilor DiPierro, Councilor Hanlon, Councilor Pietrantonio).
  • Against: 0
  • Abstentions: 0
• Decision: The motion passed unanimously.

Discussion:

• Project Request: The order, sponsored by Councilor Stephanie Martins, requested an additional $455,000 to be appropriated by borrowing for the Everett Police Station Roof Improvement Project.
• Witness Testimony: Kiara Freeman, Chief Procurement Officer, and Angelo Febo, Director of Facilities, were invited to speak.
  • Project Background and Justification:
    • An initial appropriation of $220,000 was approved last year for a less expensive re-roofing option.
    • Due to delays and new assessments, moisture scans revealed over 40% of the roof insulation was wet.
    • The project scope expanded to include the garage roof (an additional 4,600 sq ft), bringing the total roof area to approximately 16,750 sq ft.
    • The current plan is for a complete roof replacement, removing the existing assembly down to the structural decking and replacing it with materials meeting current building codes.
    • The police station, built in 1980, has infrastructure predating 9/11 and is past its lifetime, but the roof cannot wait for a new building.
    • The project involves careful disconnection and reconnection of equipment, HVAC, and emergency communications wiring due to connections with Massport.
    • Evidence in the garage is at risk due to leaks.
    • Asbestos remediation (approx. 600-700 sq ft) is also required.
    • A budget hold for structural engineering is included in case of decking damage.
    • The building will remain occupied during construction.
  • Borrowing Process (Bonds):
    • The additional funds will be raised through municipal bonds.
    • The Treasurer's Office handles the underwriting process and bond issuance.
    • Interest rates vary based on market conditions, time of year, and bond size.
    • Payments (monthly or quarterly) depend on the bond's term.
    • The Treasurer's Office manages payments and accruals.
    • Prepayment of bonds is possible but not a standard practice.
  • Project Timeline:
    • Bids are expected to go out in January.
    • Construction is planned to start as early as August 15th, to avoid the more expensive winter construction.
  • Cost Breakdown:
    • The initial $220,000 plus the additional $455,000 totals $675,000 for the full project.
    • The numbers were provided by STV (project manager) and ARM consultants (roof consultant) after test cuts and infrared moisture scans.
  • ARPA Funds:
    • ARPA funds cannot be used for this project because the police station roof was not signed off as a project by the end of 2024, a requirement for ARPA fund allocation.
    • Funds can only be shifted to projects already funded under ARPA, not to new projects.
• Councilor Hanlon's Questions: Focused on the mechanics of municipal borrowing, including interest rates, payment schedules, and the role of the Treasurer's Office.
• Councilor Pietrantonio's Questions: Sought clarification on the increase in project cost, the scope change from re-roof to full replacement, the condition of the building, and the timeline. He also jokingly inquired about using police department funds.
• Chair's Clarification: Confirmed the inability to use ARPA funds due to the 2024 sign-off deadline.

Outcome:

• Motion: Moved to make a favorable recommendation to the full body.
• Vote:
  • For: All members present (Councilor Smith, Councilor DiPierro, Councilor Hanlon, Councilor Pietrantonio).
  • Against: 0
  • Abstentions: 0
• Decision: The motion passed unanimously.

Outcome:

• Motion: Moved to adjourn.
• Vote:
  • For: All members present (Councilor Smith, Councilor DiPierro, Councilor Hanlon, Councilor Pietrantonio).
  • Against: 0
  • Abstentions: 0
• Decision: The meeting was adjourned.