Finance Committee

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair Ben Wheeler. The meeting was conducted via remote participation.

Attendance:

• Councilor Jon Link: Present
• Councilor Kristen Strezo: Present
• Councilor Emily Hardt: Present
• Councilor J.T. Scott: Present
• Councilor Ben Wheeler: Present

Staff Present:

• Madeline Letellier, Clerk
• Megan Huckenpahler, DPW Director of Finance and Administration
• Alan Inacio, Planning and Strategy Director of Finance and Administration
• Michael Richards, Infrastructure and Asset Management Director of Finance
• Michael Mastroboni, Budget Manager
• CAO Wells, Chief Administrative Officer

The committee reviewed the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on July 7, 2026.

• Discussion: Chair Wheeler questioned the phrasing regarding Item 26-0378 (Body Worn Camera Grant), noting the minutes stated the result was "recommended to be approved" despite the negative vote outcome. The item was laid on the table and ultimately recommended for approval at the end of the meeting.

Requesting approval of a transfer of $60,000 from the DPW Admin Salaries and Wages Temp account to the DPW Admin Professional and Technical Services account.

• Purpose: To support temporary clerical staffing through an agency due to three out of five clerical positions being vacant.
• Discussion: Director Megan Huckenpahler noted that one temp has been hired for the principal clerk position. Councilor Link inquired if these were temp-to-hire; Director Huckenpahler clarified they are not due to high agency fees (50% of annual salary).

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $187,200 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

• Project: Green and Cool Somerville Sustainable Sidewalk and Trees Project.
• Match: No new match required; the match is met through in-kind staff time.
• Discussion: Director Alan Inacio explained the project focuses on narrow sidewalks to expand tree canopy and heat resiliency. Councilor Hardt asked about site identification; staff will work with Engineering and the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSC).

Requesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $3,572 using available funds in the Professional and Technical Services account.

• Purpose: Implementation of the ArcGIS Urban Module for geographical spatial mapping and permitting improvements.
• Reason: A clerical error in FY26 resulted in the invoice being tagged to the incorrect contract.

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $284,700 grant from the Mass Gaming Commission.

• Purpose: Pedestrian and traffic safety improvements at the Washington Street and Myrtle Street intersection near Sullivan Square.
• Timeline: Construction could begin as early as late 2027.

Requesting approval of a transfer of $315,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Debt Service Account to the Morrison Avenue and Greater Davis Square Area Sewer Separation Design Capital Fund.

• Purpose: To pay off short-term borrowing debt service and avoid rolling the balance into long-term debt.
• Discussion: Director Michael Richards confirmed this was an expected payment to utilize available cash on hand.

Requesting approval to create the Tufts Street Soil Project Stabilization Fund and appropriate $332,497 for remediation efforts at 50 Tuft Street.

• Source of Funds: A payment from UniFirst Corporation associated with remediation work at 52nd Street.
• Discussion: Councilor Strezo inquired if this was related to the 1980s toxic chemical spill. Director Richards confirmed it relates to a decades-long incident on the property. Councilor Strezo requested written confirmation regarding resident notification and safety protocols. Director Richards promised a response by early the following week.

Requesting approval to accept two grants for the Blue Bikes system:

1. $366,729.25 (MAPC): For new e-bikes, replacement batteries, and two new docking stations (Blessing of the Bay and Junction Park).
2. $85,933.60 (MPO): For state of good repair equipment replacement.

• Match: No new general fund match; the 20% local match is funded through transactional revenue generated by the Blue Bikes network.

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $20,239 grant from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance.

• Purpose: Reimbursement for police overtime costs associated with increased visibility during FIFA World Cup 2026 events.

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $12,000 grant from the Mass Department of Mental Health.

• Purpose: Funding for the Q1 salary of the Jail Diversion Clinical Coordinator within the Community Outreach, Help and Recovery (CORE) unit.
• Discussion: Budget Manager Mastroboni noted an amended award for the full year is expected soon.

Requesting approval to accept and expend a $65,000 grant from the Mass Department of Mental Health.

• Purpose: Q1 operational funding for the Metro Boston Crisis Intervention Training and Technical Assistance Center (CITAC).
• Discussion: The CORE team leads these trainings for police officers across the metro region. Manager Mastroboni noted that Somerville is considered a regional leader in this training.

Requesting approval to use $8,800 from the police salaries account to fund FY2027 cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for two Deputy Chief positions.

• Discussion: CAO Wells explained that these non-union positions were inadvertently omitted from the initial budget projections. The increase is consistent with other non-union staff. Councilor Scott noted that senior public safety salaries are generally at the Mayor's discretion, with some historical statutory exceptions for the Fire Chief.

Councilor Strezo moved to recommend approval of all items on the agenda and to adjourn.

Vote to Recommend Approval (Items 1-14):

• Councilor Link: Yes
• Councilor Strezo: Yes
• Councilor Hardt: Yes
• Councilor Scott: Yes
• Councilor Wheeler: Yes

Result: All items recommended for approval (5-0). The meeting was adjourned.