Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 6 PM
Online only
This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.
What happened
4 items of legislation were taken up.
- 3 recommended to be approved
- 1 accepted
Agenda 4 items
Notices from the agenda
This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Scott at 6:01 pm and adjourned at 6:30 pm on a roll call vote of 4 in favor (Councilors Mbah, Ewen-Campen, Strezo, Scott), and 1 absent (Councilor Davis). Others present: Robert Berretta - Interim Chief Financial Officer School Department, Frank Golden - Chief Assessor, Legislative Liaison - Yasmine Raddassi, Assistant City Clerk, Legislative Services - Madalyn Letellier.
(Posted online: 3/12/26 at 10:45 PM)
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_jvWlpnCTQXm1vj10o5d0pg 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
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1.
Approval of the Minutes of the Legislative Matters Committee Meeting of February 17, 2026.
Roll call: 4 aye · 1 absent
- Lance L. DavisAbsent
- Wilfred N. MbahAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Kristen StrezoAye
- Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
-
2.
Requesting the acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 13E, to establish a Special Education Reserve Fund.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa160\sl276\slmult1\kerning2\f0\fs24 Robert Berretta, Interim Chief Financial Officer for the School Department stated this is a great opportunity for collaboration between the city and the schools to provide support to the students most in need. This fund would help assist some unanticipated costs without endangering the rest of the School Department budget, and is designed to promote transparency and trust. \par In response to a question from Councilor Strezo, Mr. Berretta outlined the process for distributing funds, noting that it require approval by a majority vote from both the School Committee and the City Council. Mr. Berretta shared the funds are directly related to covering costs for students. \par Councilor Mbah inquired about the process to determine the needs of students across the many different experiences of families and students in the district. Mr. Berretta responded that, generally, a process is in place to address deficits in students early on through data tracking and if interventions are not successful a referral is done for additional testing for special education services. He directed Councilor Mbah to school staff who directly serve students with special needs. \par Councilor Ewen-Campen clarified upon the acceptance of this General Law that funds that are not used stay in this fund rather than being returned to the city in the general fund, Mr. Berretta confirmed that is the goal with this fund. Legislative Liaison Raddassi added that funds can be used in future years. \par Discussion continued around the timeline for this item. Once the Massachusetts General Law is accepted, there is an item pending in the Finance Committee to appropriate funds.\par \pard\cf1\kerning0\par }
Roll call: 4 aye · 1 absent
- Lance L. DavisAbsent
- Wilfred N. MbahAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Kristen StrezoAye
- Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
-
3.
Requesting acceptance of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 22J, to authorize an increase in the exemption amount granted under Chapter 59, Section 5, Clauses 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22E and 22F.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\tx360\tx720\tx1080\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2520\tx2880\tx3240\tx3600\tx3960\tx4320\tx4680\tx5040\tx5400\tx5760\tx6120\tx6480\tx6840\tx7200\cf1\kerning2\f0\fs23 Frank Golden, Chief Assessor, shared context regarding the acceptance of the Hero\rquote s Act that brings a cost of living adjustment to the veterans exemption. The exemption acknowledges the different levels of disabilities that are classified for veterans and that determines the exemption available to them, If the law is accepted, the update would take effect in FY 2027.\par \pard\kerning0\f1\fs24\par }
Roll call: 4 aye · 1 absent
- Lance L. DavisAbsent
- Wilfred N. MbahAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Kristen StrezoAye
- Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
-
4.
Requesting acceptance of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 22I, to authorize an annual cost of living adjustment increase in the exemption amount granted under Chapter 59, Section 5, Clauses 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22E and 22F.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Frank Golden, Chief Assessor, clarified this acceptance is part of the process when accepting Clauses 22J and 22I.\par \pard\f1\par }
Roll call: 4 aye · 1 absent
- Lance L. DavisAbsent
- Wilfred N. MbahAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Kristen StrezoAye
- Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye