City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council School Building Facilities and Maintenance Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
6:00 PM
This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Link at 6:00pm and adjourned at 7:45pm on a roll call vote of 2 in favor (Councilors Sait and Link), 0 opposed, and 1 absent (Councilor Scott).
Others present: Eric Weisman – Commissioner of Public Works, Rich Raiche – Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management , Danielle Barry – Facilities Safety and Transportation Coordinator in Somerville Public Schools, Laura Piton – School Committee Member, Liz Eldridge – School Committee Member, Leiran Biton – School Committee Chair, Madalyn Letellier - Assistant City Clerk, Legislative Services.
Roll Call
- Present: Ward Five City Councilor Naima Sait and City Councilor
- At Large Jon Link
Absent:
Ward Two City Councilor Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) Scott
- Committee
Approval of the Minutes of the School Building Facilities and Maintenance
Minutes
Committee Meeting of May 21, 2026.
(ID # 26-0941 )
- Order
By Councilor Link and Councilor McLaughlin
(ID # 26-0839 ) That the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update to this Council
but is expected to be completed soon. The initial posting of the swing custodian role had no interest internally and the position is posted to the public to be filled, staffing is being accommodated by changing shifts of other staff to fulfill the custodial needs. School Committee Member
- Eldridge asked about the shift schedule for coverage. Commissioner
- Weisman clarified that the role is advertised for 10:30AM-6:00PM.
RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK
COMPLETED
- Order
By Councilor Link and Councilor McLaughlin
(ID # 26-0841 ) That the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update on the improvements made to the temperature in the Edgerly Education Center
Cafetorium and kitchen following the installation of the air conditioning unit.
Commissioner Weisman shared the unit was placed in the cafetorium and was able to cool both areas. The unit was removed to do the floors over the summer and has since been replaced. The temperature in the cafetorium has
gotten positive feedback and deemed a success. In response to Chair Link the temperature is set at 72 but remains at a steady 74 due to logistics in the building and staff are exploring options to keep certain doors closed and keep the area cooler. In response to School Committee Member Pitone
Coordinator Barry echoed the positive feedback received from staff and students.
RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE
- Resolution
By Councilor Hardt
(ID # 26-1022 ) Recognizing and expressing appreciation to the Department of Public
- Works, the Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public
Health, and the Inspectional Services Department for their work in addressing rodent issues at the West Somerville Neighborhood School.
- Committee members spoke in praise to the work being done to address
rodent issues and acknowledged it is ongoing and will continue to be monitored.
RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK
COMPLETED
- Order
By Councilor Davis
(ID # 26-0710 ) That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Infrastructure
- and Asset Management update this Council and the School Committee about
safety improvements to security cameras, enclosed schoolyard fencing, balconies, and other infrastructure at the Argenziano School.
- Commissioner Weisman was able to state the fences went up and have been
sufficient. Director Raiche shared that no additional interventions would happen on the balcony as there were no solutions that did not drastically
change the appearance of the building. Additionally, the condition as it stands is compliant with the Massachusetts Building Code and is present in
other schools throughout the city. Coordinator Barry, without speaking on behalf of the school administrators, shared her impression is to go with what
capital projects has recommended and will continue to monitor and gauge satisfaction across the district.
RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE
- Resolution
By Councilor Link and Councilor Mbah
(ID # 26-0241 ) That the Administration provide the Committee on School Building
report from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is underway. It has been placed in the official sub-committee for review and will be on the agenda by the end of September. The submission for the building and education plan will be reviewed at that time, and the goal is to come out of the sub-committee with a vote and get before the full body by
late fall. In response to Councilor Sait a decision about geo-thermal will be final by February. Conversation continued around the cost efficiency of geo-thermal and the logistics of implementing such technology at the site.
- Director Raiche also touched upon the capital costs during the evaluation
- stage and information is continued being gathered at this specific site.
RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE
- Resolution
By Councilor Link and Councilor Wheeler
(ID # 26-0063 ) That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Engineering
explore the feasibility of establishing a teen center at the Cummings School, accessible via School Street, considering current building uses and provide
this Council with an analysis on space availability, operational considerations, community impacts, and potential next steps.
AMENDMENT: That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management
Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Engineering explore the feasibility of establishing a teen center at the Cummings School, accessible
via School Street, considering current building uses and provide this Council with an analysis on space availability, operational considerations, community impacts, and potential next steps.
Director Raiche laid out several extensive repairs needed to the structure and to the electrical systems. There are numerous accessibility and code issues
that mean the building does not meet compliance. The costs estimate to occupy the building for any use, office space, swing space, or a teen center, are very high. Capital Projects is currently undergoing a city wide
- evaluation, and a firmer answer will be given in November when the Capital
- Improvement Plan is submitted to the Council. In response to School
Committee Member Piton Director Raiche stated his opinion on reuse, reconstruction, or rehabilitation for the building is likely unfeasible at this time.
RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK
COMPLETED
Referenced Documents:
• SBFM 2026-09-08 Memo Cummings Reno (with 26-0063)