Finance Committee – Sep 3, 2026

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

Thursday, September 3, 2026

6:00 PM

This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Wheeler at 6:03pm and adjourned at 7:05pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Link, Strezo, Hardt, Scott, and Wheeler), 0 opposed, and 0 absent.

Others present: Alan Inacio – Director of Finance for Planning & Strateg, Michael Mastrobuoni – Budget Director, Megan Huckenpahler – Director of Finance & Administration of Public Works, Michael Richards – Director of Finance for Infrastructure & Asset Management, Madalyn Letellier - Assistant City Clerk.

Roll Call

• Present: City Councilor At Large Jon Link, City Councilor At Large
• Kristen Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Emily Hardt,

Ward Two City Councilor Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) Scott and City Councilor At Large Ben Wheeler

1. Committee

Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting of July 7, 2026.

Minutes

(ID # 26-1214 )

• RESULT: ACCEPTED

• AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large

• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

DPW

2. Mayor's Request Requesting approval of a transfer of $60,000 from the DPW-Admin Salaries

(ID # 26-1316 ) & Wages Temp Account to the DPW-Admin Professional & Technical

Services Account to support temporary clerical staffing.

• Director Huckenpahler shared there are three vacancies on the clerical staff

and need the support to process the amount of work that is done in the department. Councilor Link, if these roles were in hopes to hire full time, Director Huckenpahler shared there were additional fees through the agency, and the current postings are only for temporary work.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City

• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

• Public Space and Urban Forestry

• 3. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to accept and expend a $187,200.00 Municipal

(ID # 26-1255 ) Vulnerability Preparedness Grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Public Space

• and Urban Forestry Division for the Green and Cool Somerville: Sustainable
• Sidewalk and Tree's project.

Director Inacio was present to discuss the grant. He shared the purpose of the grant is in conjunction with multiple departments and finding

opportunities to expand the tree canopy and heat resiliency throughout the city. Councilor Hardt asked how sidewalks will be chosen, Director Inacio

said suggestions are welcome but ultimately the departments are working with Engineering and Public Safety and Urban Forestry (PSUF) to determine

• the most viable locations.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

Strategy and Planning

4. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $3,572 using

(ID # 26-1242 ) available funds in the Professional & Technical Services Account for the implementation of ArcGIS Urban module.

• Director Inacio shared the purchase order was sent with an incorrect contract
• and is approval of the item so the invoice can be paid.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

Mobility

5. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to accept and expend a $284,700 grant with no new

(ID # 26-1241 ) match required, from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Strategy and Development Department for Eastern Washington Street

• Transit Priority Project.

Director Inacio stated this is part of an annual grant process, this year the award is for improvement to pedestrian and traffic safety off Sullivan

• Station.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City

• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

• Infrastructure

• 6. Mayor's Request Requesting approval of a transfer of $315,000 from the Sewer Enterprise

(ID # 26-1226 ) Debt Service Account to the Morrison Avenue & Greater Davis Square Area

• Sewer Separation Design Capital Fund to fund required project

• expenditures.

• Director Richards stated this is a procedural transfer to pay off terms

• associated with the short term bond agreement.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

7. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to appropriate $332,497 from the Tufts Street Soil

(ID # 26-1250 ) Project Stabilization Fund for remediation efforts at 50 Tufts Street.

• This item was discussed with agenda item #26-1249. Director Richards

shared these funds, will be accepted to apply to the contract to perform necessary soil remediation efforts that were not previously up to par to complete the construction. In response to Councilor Strezo’s concern about

exposure to the community during this work, Director Richards stated he would get back to the Council with additional information on the project

plan. In response to Councilor Wheeler, Director Richards shared the legal agreement that was come to with the property owner can be shared out.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

8. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to create the Tufts Street Soil Project Stabilization

(ID # 26-1249 ) Fund and accept a payment to the Fund of $332,497 from the Unifirst

• Corporation to pay for cleanup and soil disposal costs associated with
• remediation work at 50 Tufts Street.

This item was discussed with agenda item #26-1250.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

9. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to accept and expend a $366,729.25 grant with no new

(ID # 26-1248 ) match required, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to the Mobility Division, for new e-bikes, replacement batteries and two new

• docking stations as a part of the Bluebikes bikeshare system.

• This item was discussed with agenda item #26-1243. Director Inacio shared

the grant opportunities present to expand a station for e-bikes and to make upgrades to existing bike infrastructure throughout. The new stations will be

• focused on the Blessing of the Bay and Junction Park.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

10. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to accept and expend a $85,933.60 grant with no new

(ID # 26-1243 ) match required, from the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning

• Organization to the Mobility Division for the Bluebikes state of good repair
• equipment replacement.

This item was discussed with agenda item # 26-1248.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

Police Department

11. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to accept and expend a $20,239 grant with no new

(ID # 26-1256 ) match required, from the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance to the Police Department for overtime related to the Fédération Internationale de

• Football Association In World Cup 2026 summer games.

• Director Mastrobuoni shared this is to reimburse for costs associated during

• the 2026 summer games for police officers.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

12. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to accept and expend a $12,000 grant with no new

(ID # 26-1220 ) match required, from the Mass Department of Mental Health to the Police

• Department to partially fund the operation of the jail/arrest diversion

• program.

• Director Mastrobuoni shared this amount is to fund quarter 1 of a salary in

Community Outreach, Help and Recovery Unit (COHR). Councilor Hardt asked if the Jail Diversion Clinical Coordinator role is full time, Director

Mastrobuoni stated it is. In response to Chair Wheeler this request is just for quarter 1 and the full year grant applicant is currently being reviewed and should be brought in front of the Council.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

13. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to accept and expend a $65,000 grant with no new

(ID # 26-1219 ) match required, from the Mass Department of Mental Health to the Police

• Department for operational funding for the Metro Boston Crisis Intervention
• Training and Technical Assistance Center.

Director Mastrobuoni stated this is another grant that has been awarded to Community Outreach, Help and Recovery Unit (COHR) and represents

quarter 1 for the operational costs to the Metro Boston Training Center. An amended award for the full year will be presented in front of the full

Council. Training is administered by Somerville officers to people throughout the Commonwealth.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler

14. Mayor's Request Requesting approval to use available funds in the Police Salaries account in

(ID # 26-1234 ) the amount of $8,800 to fund Fiscal Year 2027 cost of living increases for

the Deputy Chief positions.

• Director Mastrobuoni shared in the budget development process an

opportunity for improvement that the Deputy Chiefs cost of living increase was not originally included. The increase is consistent with other non-union

• staff.

RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE:

• City Councilor At Large Link, City Councilor At Large
• Strezo, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward Two City
• Councilor Scott and City Councilor At Large Wheeler