Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 6 PM
City Council Chamber Committee of the Whole
This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.
What happened
16 items of legislation were taken up.
- 15 recommended to be discharged with no recommendation
- 1 recommended to be approved
Agenda 16 items
Notices from the agenda
This meeting was held via Zoom and in the City Council Chamber and was called to order by Chair Wheeler at 6:03 PM and adjourned at 7:30 PM. Councilor Ewen-Campen joined the meeting at 6:09 PM. Councilor Mbah joined the meeting at 6:13 PM. Others present: Jake Wilson - Maypr, Michael Mastrobuoni - Budget Director, Karin Carroll - Director of Health and Human Services, Thomas Galligani Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Madalyn Letellier – Assistant City Clerk.
(Posted online: 6/18/26 at 11:15 AM) Original (Posted online: 6/23/26 at 12:50 PM) Revised
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_JuzXsnw-Tqm7iA7pQlxVKA Persons 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, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.
Roll Call
- 2.3 Resolution by Councilor Strezo: That the funding for the previously cut Home Visitor position within the Summer Baby Program be reinstated through Health and Human Services and be inclusive of post-partum care.
- 2.4 Resolution by Councilor Strezo: That the Administration allocate $20,000 to support teens on early release Wednesday with additional out of school time programming.
- 2.5 Resolution by Councilor Link: That the crossing guards receive a 10% raise in the FY 2027 budget.
- 2.7 Resolution by Councilor Mbah: That the administration utilize the Small Business Stabilization Fund in FY 2027 to infuse spending to local small businesses and educate them on how to use these funds.
- 2.6 Resolution by Councilor Mbah: That the Administration restore the funding for the cut positions in the Racial and Social Justice Department and restore funding towards the mission of the Racial and Social Justice Department.
- 1. Review of the FY 2027 Budget
- 2. Submission of Orders and Resolutions by City Councilors
- 2.1 Resolution by Councilor Strezo 6/9/26 That the collective salaries of Licensing Commissioners be increased to $15,180 with the Chair receiving $5,180 and Licensing Commissioners 2 and 3 receiving $5,000 each annually.
- 2.2 Resolution by Councilor Link 6/15/26 That the Administration add $400,000 in funding for Youth Development Services grants so that Teen Empowerment may have full funding.
- 3. Enterprise Funds
-
3.1
Requesting the appropriation of $24,672,499 to fund the Fiscal Year 2027 Water Enterprise Fund budget.
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3.2
Requesting the appropriation of $2,000,000 from the Water Enterprise Retained Earnings Account to the Water Capital Stabilization Fund.
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3.3
Requesting the appropriation of $39,633,688 to fund the Fiscal Year 2027 Sewer Enterprise Fund budget.
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3.4
Requesting the appropriation of $16,000,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Retained Earnings Account to the Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund.
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3.5
Requesting the appropriation of $238,791 from the Kennedy School Pool Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings to support the Fiscal Year 2027 Kennedy School Pool Enterprise Fund Budget.
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3.6
Requesting the appropriation of $794,782 to fund the Fiscal Year 2027 Kennedy School Pool Enterprise Fund budget.
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3.7
Requesting the appropriation of $86,200 from the Dilboy Fields Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings Account to subsidize the Fiscal Year 2027 Dilboy Fields Enterprise Fund Budget.
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3.8
Requesting the appropriation of $237,500 to fund the Fiscal Year 2027 Dilboy Fields Enterprise Fund Budget.
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3.9
Requesting approval to appropriate and transfer $1,000,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to the Housing Assistance Stabilization Fund for housing assistance.
- 4. Infrastructure
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4.1
Requesting the appropriation of $7,150,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Street Reconstruction and Renovation Stabilization Fund to support the 5-Year Capital Investment Plan.
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4.2
Requesting the appropriation of $549,399 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Traffic Safety Stabilization Fund for traffic safety improvements.
- 5. Salary and Retirement
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5.1
Requesting approval of a transfer of $1,676,728 from the Salary Contingency Account-Salaries to the Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund.
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5.2
Requesting the appropriation of $1,000,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund.
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5.3
Requesting the appropriation of $1,200,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund.
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5.4
Requesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Compensated Absence Liability Fund.
- 6. FY27 Budget
-
6.1
Requesting the appropriation of $376,778,493 to fund the Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund Operating Budget.
{\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\tx720\cf1\f0\fs24 Councilor Scott spoke to the options available to the Council this evening regarding the budget. He expressed the possibility of voting the budget down completely and asking the administration to come back with a new budget on Thursday evening. Councilor Scott spoke to the attempt of the Council to act as financial carriers for the city and would rather focus his motions on legislative intent. He spoke to concerns throughout the budget season regarding Teen Empowerment, layoffs, increase to Police funding, and the School Committees request to add money and positions to their budget. He continued to speak to his ability to act as an advocate for his constituents during the budget season and ensure their priorities are funded. Councilor Scott shared he would be voting \ldblquote no\rdblquote on this item.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-328\slmult0\tx720\tx2640 Councilor Ewen-Campen spoke to previous budget seasons and the active shift in efficiency and process from Councilors and staff. He spoke to his support to pass the budget before the Council. The Councilor stated his inability to support the six additional positions that were proposed during the School Committee budget proposal due to the financial constraints currently facing the city. Councilor McLaughlin expressed his intent to vote to approve the budget and in the face of a large deficit not approving the budget would not assist anyone in the city. Councilors Mbah, Link, Hardt, and Sait expressed similar concerns regarding the hurdles faced this budget season and the impact it has had on schools, residents, and employees. \par \pard\f1\par }
Roll call: 8 aye · 1 nay · 2 recused
- Jon LinkAye
- Kristen StrezoAye
- Emily HardtAye
- Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottNay
- Ben WheelerAye
- Jesse ClinganRecused
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Lance L. DavisRecused
- Wilfred N. MbahAye
- Matthew McLaughlinAye
- Naima SaitAye