Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 6 PM
Online only Committee of the Whole
This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.
What happened
1 items of legislation were taken up.
- 1 kept in committee
Agenda 1 items
Notices from the agenda
The meeting took place virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair Wilson and adjourned at 6:55 PM on a roll call vote of 10 in favor (Councilors Mbah, Wilson, Ewen-Campen, Scott, McLaughlin, Sait, Strezo, Clingan, Davis and Pineda Neufeld), none against and 1 absent (Councilor Burnley). Others present: Delaney Fisher-Cassiol – Clerk of Committees
Referenced Documents: • Finance - 2025-06-03 Public Comments (with 25-1042)
(Posted online: 5/29/25 at 10:00 AM)
Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Copy & paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6bxa2NZvSqy0oHCYyXlJ_A Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e. CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov.
Roll Call
- 1. Public Hearing
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1.1
Requesting the appropriation of $362,915,509 to fund the FY 2026 General Fund Operating Budget.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Aptos;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Chair Wilson laid out the format for the public hearing and stated that each speaker would be given two minutes. The public hearing was opened at 6:09 PM.\f1\par \par \f0 27 residents spoke on the city\rquote s proposed budget. The dominant concern, raised by over 60 percent of speakers, was opposition to the $3 million increase in police funding. Many expressed frustration that the city continues to increase policing funding despite years of community pushback. Several said this budget increase ignores repeated community calls for alternative approaches to public safety. While the city has mentioned exploring alternative policing models, speakers noted little progress has been made.\f1\par \par \f0 About 10 speakers called for more investment in public education, urging better pay and job stability for teachers, stronger support for immigrant students and efforts to retain experienced educators. \f1\par \par \f0 Six speakers addressed the need to tackle air pollution through the air filtration pilot program. They cited high pollution levels near highways and the resulting health impacts on low-income residents and communities of color, framing air filtration as a public health and environmental justice priority.\f1\par \par \f0 A few speakers advocated for replacing police officers in traffic enforcement with civilian flaggers, to reduce costs and better meet community safety needs.\f1\par \par \f0 Several residents raised concerns about deferred capital projects and building maintenance, pointing out that the city continues making small, temporary repairs instead of undertaking major construction projects.\f1\par \par \f0 Chair Wilson closed the public hearing at 6:55 PM.\f1\par \f2\par }