Finance Committee

November 19, 2025
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Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

Governing Body: Somerville City Council Finance Committee Meeting Type: Committee Meeting Meeting Date: November 19, 2025, at 6:01 PM Attendees: Councilor Jake Wilson (Chair), Councilor Will Mbah, Councilor Willie Burnley, Councilor Jesse Clingan, Councilor J.T. Scott (joined late)

Executive Summary: The Finance Committee convened to discuss various financial matters, including the approval of past meeting minutes, a draft Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) plan, appropriations for debt service and the Armory Revolving Fund, and the payment of prior invoices. Key discussions included the financial implications of the CSO plan, the one-time nature of the Armory appropriation from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund, and the rationale behind several prior invoice payments. The committee also reviewed grant acceptances for public safety staffing for both the Police and Fire Departments.

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting of November 10, 2025

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

2. ID Number 25-1451: Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management conveying the draft Combined Sewer Overflow plan

  • Presenter: Rich Raish, Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management.
  • Key Discussion Points:
    • Director Raish noted that the MWRA Board of Directors delayed their vote on the CSO plan until December due to discussions regarding a higher level of control, which would significantly increase costs.
    • The current recommended plan involves a threefold increase to sewer rates. A higher level of control could result in a four to seven times increase, subject to negotiation.
    • Councilor Mbah expressed appreciation for Director Raish's work and clarified a previous comment, stating it was an oversight.
    • Councilor Burnley expressed distress over the historical context leading to the current financial burden on the municipality for CSO remediation.
    • The item was for discussion only, with no formal action required by the Council.
  • Action: Marked as "work completed" as the discussion was held, and the item would automatically expire at year-end.

3. ID Number 25-1680: Mayor requesting the appropriation of $407,090 from the Water Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings Account to the Water Enterprise Fund Debt Service Account to fund debt service for a Massachusetts Water Resource Authority loan.

  • Presenter: Director Bean.
  • Key Discussion Points:
    • This appropriation is from retained earnings (equivalent to free cash for an enterprise fund) to cover the first-year debt service on a zero-interest loan from the MWRA for pipeline replacement projects.
    • The loan paperwork arrived late, preventing its inclusion in the regular budget.
  • Action: Laid on the table for recommendation of approval.

4. ID Number 25-1679: Mayor requesting the appropriation of $403,980 from the unreserved fund balance, free cash, to the debt service interest on Notes Bands account for payment of interest for the 90 Washington Street property acquisition.

  • Presenter: Director Bean.
  • Key Discussion Points:
    • This appropriation covers the interest on the first-year bond anticipation note (BAN) for the acquisition of the 90 Washington Street property.
    • The interest rate on this BAN is 2.8%.
    • The city borrows short-term for two years; if the property is not sold via RFP within that time, long-term borrowing will incur principal and interest payments, potentially exceeding $1 million in debt service by the third year.
  • Action: Laid on the table for recommendation of approval.

5. ID Number 25-1698: Mayor requesting the appropriation of $100,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to the Armory Revolving Fund to prepare the Armory for onboarding and support of tenants.

  • Presenters: Rachel Nadkarni, Director of Economic Development; Greg Jenkins, Director of the Arts Council.
  • Key Discussion Points:
    • This is a one-time appropriation to cover startup costs for the Armory, which is expected to be financially self-sustaining through tenant rents.
    • Allocation of Funds:
      • $50,000 for a staff person to manage Armory tenant onboarding and property management.
      • $30,000 to modernize the front door call box system.
      • $20,000 for general custodial and maintenance support during the startup phase.
    • The RFP for new artist commercial tenants will be released in December, with selection in March and occupancy by mid-next year.
    • Councilor Mbah questioned if this sets a precedent for using the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund for ongoing operations. Director Nadkarni clarified it is a one-time "gap financing" measure.
    • Councilor Burnley inquired about the nature of tenants (artist commercial, not residential) and communication with current tenants. Director Jenkins stated communication was withheld until funding was secured.
    • The Armory Master Plan aims for a multi-tenanted building with a balanced rent structure to support the arts community while achieving financial stability. Rents will vary by space and floor.
    • The five-year pro forma projects approximately $200,000 in rents in the first year, with the goal of becoming cash-neutral by June 2027.
  • Vote:
    • Motion: To recommend approval.
    • Roll Call:
      • Councilor Mbah: Yes
      • Councilor Burnley: Aye
      • Councilor Clingan: Yes
      • Councilor Scott: Yes
      • Chair Wilson: Yes
    • Outcome: Approved (5-0).

6. ID Number 25-1620: Mayor requests an approval of a transfer of $15,500 from various Somerstadt ordinary maintenance accounts to the Somerstadt salaries and Wages Temporary Account to fund additional temporary employee time.

  • Presenter: Anna Gartsman, Director of Somerstadt.
  • Key Discussion Points:
    • Funds were originally allocated for professional development but are being reallocated to temporary staffing to address workload backlog due to staff leave and the timely release of the happiness survey.
  • Action: Laid on the table for recommendation of approval.

7. ID Number 25-1624: Mayor requesting approval of transfer of $729 from the Communications Department Community Outreach Account to the Somerville High School SHS Salaries Account for SHS staff participation in the new Pre-K-8 School Building Planning Focus Group Session.

  • Presenter: Kimberly Hutter, Legislative Liaison, IGA.
  • Key Discussion Points:
    • A small error in the item's labeling was noted; the correct account is the "Somerville Public Schools High School Account," as participants were from various schools.
    • The item will be resubmitted with the correction.
  • Action: Marked as "withdrawn." A replacement item will be submitted for the next regular meeting.

8. ID Number 25-1649: Mayor requested approval of a pedestrian access easement and grant of maintenance license for 495 Columbia Street.

  • Presenter: Kathy Lester Salkert, Attorney, Law Department.
  • Key Discussion Points:
    • This item concerns a public access easement for pedestrian access and a maintenance license for a curb-protected bike lane along Columbia Street and Webster Avenue.
    • The bike lane appears to be on private property due to its construction, but it is within the public way.
    • The property owner is responsible for maintaining the entire area, including snow removal.
    • Attorney Salkert provided a visual aid via screen share to illustrate the unique configuration of the bike lane and sidewalk.
  • Action: Laid on the table for recommendation of approval.

9. ID Number 25-163: Mayor requests your approval to pay prior invoices totaling $125.43 using available funds of the Department of Racial and Social Justice computer equipment account for freight charges.

  • Discussion: No discussion beyond acknowledging the need to pay invoices.
  • Action: Laid on the table for recommendation of approval.

10. ID Number 25-1640: Mayor requesting approval to pay prior invoices totaling $5,285.77 using available funds in the Police Department Computer Supplies account for computer supplies.

11. ID Number 25-1622: Mayor requests approval to pay prior invoices totaling $1,765.28 using available funds in the police department professional and technical services account for case management services.

12. ID Number 25-1646: Mayor requests your approval to pay prior invoices totaling $1,547.55 using available funds in the police department animal control professional and technical services account for veterinary services.

13. ID Number 25-1648: Mayor requests approval to pay prior invoices totaling $271. These are available funds in the police department badges, emblems, trophies, account for educational achievement award bars.

14. ID Number 25-1651: Mayor requesting approval to pay prior invoices totaling $54 using available funds in the police department, badges, emblems, trophies, account for a hat badge.

  • Presenter (for items 10-14): Emily Wisdom, Director, Police Department.
  • Key Discussion Points:
    • These five items represent prior invoices, mostly from FY23 and FY24, that were missed due to employee turnover.
    • The Police Department is actively working to contact vendors and streamline the invoice process to prevent future occurrences.
  • Action: Laid on the table for recommendation of approval.

15. ID Number 25-1621: Mayor requests your approval to accept and expend an $87,450 grant with no new match required from the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research to the Police Department for Public Safety Staffing.

  • Presenter: Emily Wisdom, Director, Police Department.
  • Key Discussion Points:
    • This grant, from the Massachusetts Municipal Public Safety Staffing Program, helps municipalities address police staffing shortfalls.
    • Somerville is one of 10 eligible communities (population > 60,000, operating budget per capita < $200).
    • The funds will be used for overtime (OT) to cover vacancies, promotions, and increased public safety needs during peak times (e.g., holiday season, elections).
    • Councilor Burnley clarified that the grant is for existing staff overtime, not new hires.
    • The "diversity supplier" question on the application was marked "no" because the funds are for internal staff overtime, not external vendors.
  • Vote:
    • Motion: To recommend approval.
    • Roll Call:
      • Councilor Mbah: Yes
      • Councilor Burnley: No
      • Councilor Clingan: Yes
      • Councilor Scott: Yes
      • Chair Wilson: Yes
    • Outcome: Approved (4-1).

16. ID Number 25-1636: Mayor requests an approval to accept and expend a $109,296 grant with no new match required from Executive Office of Public Safety to the Fire Department for staffing costs.

  • Presenter: James Mucci, Director, Fire Department.
  • Key Discussion Points:
    • This is a "sister grant" to the police department's grant, from the same agency.
    • Funds will be used for overtime to ensure full staffing on all shifts, covering sick leave, injury leave, and vacation.
  • Action: Laid on the table for recommendation of approval.

Adjournment

  • Motion: Councilor Mbah moved to recommend approval of all items laid on the table and to adjourn the meeting.
  • Items for Approval: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16.
  • Roll Call:
    • Councilor Mbah: Yes
    • Councilor Burnley: Aye
    • Councilor Clingan: Yes
    • Councilor Scott: Yes
    • Chair Wilson: Yes
  • Outcome: Approved (5-0).
  • Time: 7:06 PM.

Last updated: Nov 25, 2025

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