Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6 PM

Agenda 7 items

1. 1.
   26-0504 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee of the Whole Meeting of March 24, 2026.

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Jon LinkAye
   • Kristen StrezoAye
   • Emily HardtAye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
   • Ben WheelerAye

   • 📎 Minutes - Finance - 3-24-26 Full
2. 2.
   26-0388 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

   Requesting approval to amend the Community Preservation Act Fund FY 2025 grant of $365,000 to the Somerville Community Land Trust to change the grant conditions.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl276\slmult1\tx2640\tx2880\tx3240\tx3600\tx3960\tx4320\tx4680\tx5040\tx5400\tx5760\tx6120\tx6480\tx6840\tx7200\cf1\kerning2\f0\fs24 Director Inacio shared the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has amended the process for reviewing historic projects and stated the Somerville Community Land Trust raised the issue for the committee that some policies restricted the Trust\rquote s ability to do work. This opportunity allows the CPC to test out the new processes for historical properties.\par \pard\kerning0\par }

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Jon LinkAye
   • Kristen StrezoAye
   • Emily HardtAye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
   • Ben WheelerAye

   • 📎 Amended CPA Recommendation 12 Pleasant Ave
   • 📎 CPC Funding Rec 12 Pleasant Ave SCLT FY25
3. 3.
   26-0385 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

   Requesting approval to accept a gift with an approximate value of $15,000 from the Town of Medway, Massachusetts to the Fire Department for use by the Auxiliary Fire Department as a lighting and pump support unit.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\kerning2\f0\fs24 Director Mucci shared the Town of Medway acquired a new vehicle and had knowledge of the need for avehicle for the city\rquote s Auxiliary Fire Department. Councilor Link asked what condition the vehicle is in and Director Mucci verified the city had someone go out and inspect the vehicle before accepting.\kerning0\par }

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Jon LinkAye
   • Kristen StrezoAye
   • Emily HardtAye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
   • Ben WheelerAye

   • 📎 Fire Gift Agreement
4. 4.
   26-0372 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

   Requesting approval to accept and expend a $103,514 grant with no new match required, from Eversource Energy to the Engineering Division for permanent resurfacing and restoration of various streets.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl276\slmult1\tx2640\tx2880\tx3240\tx3600\tx3960\tx4320\tx4680\tx5040\tx5400\tx5760\tx6120\tx6480\tx6840\tx7200\cf1\kerning2\f0\fs24 Director Postlewaite shared this is the second year the city has cooperated with Eversource Gas on this program and relayed that when Eversource is doing gas line work that requires permanent trench restoration, which is pavement over gas lines, there is coordination between the city when the street is slated for redesign in the five-year plan. Eversource will allocate funds to the city so that the street can be added to next year\rquote s redesign and the city will pave after the trenches are complete, which alleviates the need to re-pave again. \par \pard\kerning0\par }

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Jon LinkAye
   • Kristen StrezoAye
   • Emily HardtAye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
   • Ben WheelerAye

   • 📎 Estimated City Costs_Eversource Restoration_FY26
   • 📎 Holyoke_Eversource COOP_012026
   • 📎 West Broadway_Eversource COOP_012026
5. 5.
   26-0382 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

   Requesting approval to accept and expend a $100,000 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to the Communications and Community Engagement Department for Phase 1 of a website redesign.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl276\slmult1\tx2640\tx2880\tx3240\tx3600\tx3960\tx4320\tx4680\tx5040\tx5400\tx5760\tx6120\tx6480\tx6840\tx7200\cf1\kerning2\f0\fs24 Director Taylor stated the city received this grant which will offset costs and allow for the beginning of a website redesign which was last done over a decade ago. In response to a question from Councilor Wheeler, Director Taylor stated the website redesign has multiple service tools integrated and over 200,000 documents within and this grant will involve web development staff with a range of skills and abilities. In response to a question from Councilor Scott, Director Taylor shared some departments were able to buy software or create micro-sites that allow for more up to date visuals and interactions. The current site cannot handle certain updates, but the goal is to be able to fold sites in the revamp which will also assist in offsetting costs.\par \f1\fs23\par \pard\kerning0\f0\fs24\par }

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Jon LinkAye
   • Kristen StrezoAye
   • Emily HardtAye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
   • Ben WheelerAye

   • 📎 FY26 Community Compact IT Grant Somerville
   • 📎 FY26CCCITGrantAwardeeLetterSomerville
6. 6.
   26-0301 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

   Requesting approval to accept and expend a $47,580 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to the Police Department for overtime and backfill for Crisis Intervention Training certification and recertification.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl276\slmult1\tx2640\tx2880\tx3240\tx3600\tx3960\tx4320\tx4680\tx5040\tx5400\tx5760\tx6120\tx6480\tx6840\tx7200\cf1\kerning2\f0\fs24 Director Wisdom stated the goal of this funding is to get seven of the ten new officers and 25 officers whose certifications have expired to complete the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training. Councilor Wheeler asked what this training focuses on. Director Wisdom said it covers behavioral health crisis calls and scenarios that are designed for real life when officers interact with residents experiencing a crisis. The recertification is in the same themes to keep them up to date on any new tactics and to continue learning. Overtime hours are only used if the training is scheduled during a time when an officer is scheduled off and then must come in. Councilor Scott expressed concerns over the staffing budget in the Police Department and the desire to have a larger conversation but expressed overall support for this grant.\par Councilor Wheeler asked about the requirement of the grant to enter information into a state database. Director Wisdom said as part of the Jail Diversion Program and the Crisis Intervention Training grant both have reporting required and she can follow up with more information on what exactly is recorded.\par \pard\kerning0\par }

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Jon LinkAye
   • Kristen StrezoAye
   • Emily HardtAye
   • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
   • Ben WheelerAye

   • 📎 Somerville_TrainingBackfillReimbursementApplication_Submitted12.05.25
   • 📎 Somerville FY26 PDSOMERV
7. 7.
   26-0378 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

   Requesting approval to accept and expend a $231,635 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Police Department for a body-worn camera program.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\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\fs24 Chair Wheeler and Legislative Liaison Raddassi relayed to the committee that this item will not be discussed until the next Finance Committee meeting, on Tuesday April 21st. \par \pard\kerning0\par }

   • 📎 SFY2026 BWC Grant Program Application - Somerville Police Department
   • 📎 BWC Grant Contract