Finance Committee

November 10, 2025
Watch Video View Transcript
AI Disclaimer: Summaries and transcripts above were created by various AI tools. By their nature, these tools will produce mistakes and inaccuraies. Links to the official meeting recordings are provided for verification. If you find an error, please report it to somervillecivicpulse at gmail dot com.

Podcast Summary

Subscribe to AI-generated podcasts:
RSS Spotify Apple Podcasts

Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

Governing Body: Somerville City Council Finance Committee Meeting Type: Remote Participation Meeting Meeting Date: November 10, 2025 Attendees:

  • Jake Wilson (Chair) - Councilor
  • Will Mbah - Councilor
  • Willie Burnley - Councilor
  • Jesse Clingan - Councilor
  • J.T. Scott - Councilor
  • Jill Lathan - Commissioner of DPW
  • Ashley Spelliotis - Director, Council on Aging
  • Alan Anasio - Finance Director, OSPCD
  • Ed Bean - Director of Finance
  • Tom Galigani - Executive Director, OSPCD
  • Ellen Schachter - Director, Office of Housing Stability

Executive Summary: The Finance Committee convened to address several key financial matters, including the approval of past meeting minutes, authorization of prior invoice payments for the Department of Public Works, acceptance of grants for senior transportation and Union Square Plaza development, and the establishment of a new Housing Assistance Stabilization Fund. A significant discussion occurred regarding the creation of a Community Benefit Stabilization Fund, which was ultimately discharged without a recommendation to allow for further clarification on funding sources and transfers.

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting of October 21st, 2025 (ID No. 25-1612)

  • Discussion: No discussion.
  • Action: Laid on the table to recommend approval with a single vote at the end of the meeting.

2. Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management, Conveying the Draft Combined Sewer Overflow Plan (ID No. 25-1451)

  • Discussion: Director Raish was not present.
  • Action: Item kept in committee for a subsequent meeting.

3. Mayor Requesting Approval to Pay Prior Invoices Totaling $23,109.33 Using Available Funds in Various Department of Public Works Accounts for Various Services (ID No. 25-1585)

  • Presenter: Jill Lathan, Commissioner of DPW.
  • Discussion:
    • Commissioner Lathan explained the invoices:
      • Primo Brands: $575.34 for outstanding invoices after a change in company ownership.
      • Impact Fire Alarm: $3,707.00 for services rendered, with delayed billing despite multiple requests.
      • Direct Energy: $18,827.17 for utility bills, a prior year invoice due to variable costs and estimation challenges.
    • Chair Wilson appreciated the explanation regarding the circumstances leading to prior invoices and efforts to prevent future occurrences.
  • Action: Laid on the table to recommend approval with a single vote at the end of the meeting.

4. Mayor Requesting Approval to Accept and Expend a $3,000 Grant with No New Match Required from the Somerville Cambridge Elder Services to the Council on Aging for Senior Transportation (ID No. 25-1584)

  • Presenter: Ashley Spelliotis, Director, Council on Aging.
  • Discussion:
    • Director Spelliotis stated this is an annual grant from Somerville Cambridge Elder Services, part of Title III funding.
    • Funds are used for emergency transportation needs directly to the Senior Center, including rides for social worker visits, emergency food access, or other essential services.
    • Clarified that this grant is separate from the "Taxi to Health" or other senior taxi programs, which transport seniors to grocery stores, pharmacies, or routine medical appointments. This grant is solely for transport to the Senior Center.
    • Councilor Mbah commented on the "excellent use of funds."
  • Action: Laid on the table to recommend approval with a single vote at the end of the meeting.

5. Mayor Requests Your Approval to Accept and Expend a $1,110,000 Grant with No New Match Required from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development and Police Department for the Development of the Union Square Plaza and Streetscape Phase 1 (ID No. 25-1600)

  • Presenter: Alan Anasio, Finance Director, OSPCD.
  • Discussion:
    • Director Anasio clarified that this item is a clerical correction to a previously approved order, adding $10,000 that was initially missing, bringing the total to $1,110,000.
    • Councilor Mbah inquired if there were new studies showing casino impacts reaching Union Square, as most mitigation funds typically target East Somerville and Assembly Square.
    • Director Anasio responded that while no direct study analyzes this specific question, the Union Square development is a relatively short distance from the casino and connects via Washington Street, suggesting proximity and expected impact.
    • Councilor Scott expressed disappointment that a significant portion of these funds goes to police overtime rather than directly to the design and implementation of the Union Square Streetscape Plan, but supported the approval with the corrected amount.
  • Action: Laid on the table to recommend approval with a single vote at the end of the meeting.

6. Mayor Requested Approval to Create the Community Benefit Stabilization Fund and Accept a Payment to the Fund of $3,946,742.98 from the Community Benefit Contributions Outlined in Project Development Covenants (ID No. 25-1560)

  • Presenters: Alan Anasio, Finance Director, OSPCD; Ed Bean, Director of Finance; Tom Galigani, Executive Director, OSPCD.
  • Discussion:
    • Director Anasio explained this initiative aims to consolidate community benefit payments from various large-scale development projects (e.g., Assembly Square, Boynton Yards, US2) into a single, generalized Community Benefits Stabilization Fund, as per the official Community Benefits Ordinance. Previously, some payments were held in the Union Square Stabilization Fund.
    • Director Bean added that the enabling language mirrors the Community Benefits Ordinance, allowing broad use for human services, arts, culture, sustainability, public health, displacement mitigation, housing, and educational programs.
    • Councilor Clingan sought clarification that this fund is for master plan covenants, distinct from area-specific stabilization funds. Director Galigani confirmed it's for larger transformative district projects, not unique zoning conditions.
    • Councilor Mbah questioned if the funds were from one or several developers and if they were voluntary or mandated.
    • Director Galigani clarified that the funds come from approximately six different large development projects, each with project-specific covenants outlining voluntary contributions for "social infrastructure" (e.g., job training, affordable housing, social services). He noted that the Union Square Community Benefit Stabilization Fund's money has largely been expended on projects benefiting Union Square.
    • Councilor Scott sought clarification on the source of the $3,946,742.98, asking if it was a single payment, multiple payments, or a transfer from another fund.
    • Director Anasio presented a spreadsheet (to be shared with the committee) indicating that the proposed payment includes funds not attributable to US-2 (green) and funds previously collected for the existing Union Square Civic Advisory Community Benefits Fund (yellow). He clarified that the Union Square fund has largely been depleted by previous appropriations.
    • Councilor Scott expressed concern that the proposed transfer would effectively empty the existing Union Square Community Benefits Stabilization Fund, which he believed was not clearly articulated as a transfer request.
    • Director Bean stated that the action conforms with the ordinance for a consolidated fund, allowing reclassification without a formal transfer.
    • Councilor Scott requested further documentation and a conversation with staff to fully understand the transaction, particularly the discrepancy in totals and the impact on the Union Square fund.
    • Director Singh noted that two requests to appropriate funds from this Community Benefits Stabilization Fund for food security initiatives are on the agenda for the upcoming City Council meeting, urging resolution of questions before then.
    • Councilor Scott, acknowledging the urgency of food security, agreed to discharge the item without a recommendation, requesting that Deputy Director Anasio or Director Bean contact him to discuss the matter further before Thursday's City Council meeting.
  • Action:
    • Motion: Councilor Clingan moved to discharge the item without a recommendation.
    • Roll Call Vote:
      • Councilor Mbah: Yes
      • Councilor Burnley: Aye
      • Councilor Clingan: Yes
      • Councilor Scott: Yes
      • Chair Wilson: Yes
    • Outcome: Motion passed (5-0). Item discharged without a recommendation.

7. Mayor Requests Approval to Create a Housing Assistance Stabilization Fund Under the Provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 5B (ID No. 25-1599)

  • Presenters: Ed Bean, Director of Finance; Ellen Schachter, Director, Office of Housing Stability; Tom Galigani, Executive Director, OSPCD.
  • Discussion:
    • Director Bean explained the rationale for creating the fund: to provide long-term stability for housing assistance programs, allow for multi-year contracts, avoid year-end encumbrance issues, and earn interest on funds. No money is being appropriated at this meeting; the request is solely to establish the fund.
    • Director Schachter emphasized the importance of the fund for programs like FLEX-SAHTF and the municipal voucher program, which provide ongoing rental assistance. She noted that these programs are often funded through one-time appropriations or free cash, making long-term planning and contracting difficult. The stabilization fund would ensure continuity and allow for the use of additional funding sources.
    • Councilor Mbah inquired about potential competition with the Affordable Housing Trust and how the new fund would be managed.
    • Director Schachter clarified that while some current funding for her programs comes from the Affordable Housing Trust, the stabilization fund aims to leverage other revenue sources (e.g., short-term rental dollars, repurposed stabilization funds) to ensure continued funding beyond the current fiscal year. She deferred to other directors on the exact transfer mechanisms.
    • Director Bean stated that 35% of the community impact fee from short-term rentals (as per state law) would be dedicated to this fund, subject to a legislative body vote. Other potential sources include repurposing dormant stabilization funds, the Racial and Social Justice Fund, grants, free cash, and developer mitigation.
    • Director Bean clarified that a new committee similar to the Affordable Housing Trust is not envisioned; the fund would support Director Schachter's existing programs directly.
    • Councilor Scott supported the creation of the fund, viewing it as a transparent and effective bookkeeping measure to ensure the continuity of housing stabilization programs that often span annual budget cycles. He expressed surprise it hadn't been done sooner.
  • Action: Laid on the table to recommend approval with a single vote at the end of the meeting.

Adjournment

  • Motion: Councilor Clingan moved to recommend approval of the items on the table and to adjourn.
  • Items for Recommendation of Approval:
    • ID No. 25-1612 (Approval of Minutes)
    • ID No. 25-1585 (DPW Prior Invoices)
    • ID No. 25-1584 (Senior Transportation Grant)
    • ID No. 25-1600 (Union Square Plaza Grant)
    • ID No. 25-1599 (Housing Assistance Stabilization Fund)
  • Roll Call Vote:
    • Councilor Mbah: Yes
    • Councilor Burnley: Aye
    • Councilor Clingan: Yes
    • Councilor Scott: Yes
    • Chair Wilson: Yes
  • Outcome: Motion passed (5-0). All listed items recommended for approval.
  • Time of Adjournment: 6:55 p.m.

Last updated: Nov 12, 2025

Back to Meetings