Meetings ▸ Minutes
Finance Committee — Minutes, Sep 9, 2025
City of Somerville, Massachusetts
City Council Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
This meeting was held virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:01 pm
by Chair Wilson and adjourned at 7:00 pm with a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Mbah,
Burnley, Clingan, Scott and Wilson), none opposed, and none absent.
Others present: Anoop Malik - Health and Human Services Finance Manager, Alan Inacio - Office of
Strategic Planning and Community Development Director of Finance and Administration, Emily
Wisdom - Police Finance Manager, Kimbereley Hutter - Legislative Liaison, David Goodridge - Chief
Information Officer Information Technology, Delaney Fisher-Cassiol - Clerk of Committees
Roll Call
City Councilor At Large Jake Wilson, Ward Two City
Councilor Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) Scott, Ward Four City
Councilor Jesse Clingan, City Councilor At Large Willie
Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Wilfred N. Mbah
Present:
1.
Approval of the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting of July 8, 2025.
Committee
Minutes
(ID # 25-1253)
ACCEPTED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
Appropriations
2.
Requesting approval to appropriate $56,601 from the Salary & Wage
Stabilization Fund to the Non-Contributory Pension Account to fund an
increased pension amount.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1289)
Liaison Hutter explained that the request was for an appropriation to fund
pension benefits for an individual, consistent with the recent agreement
reached with the Police Department.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
3.
Requesting the appropriation of $2,630,071 from the Community
Preservation Act Affordable Housing Reserve to the Affordable Housing
Trust.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1280)
Page 1 of 8
Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2025
Director Alan Inacio explained that this represents the Fiscal Year 2026
Community Preservation Act (CPA) 50 percent allocation to the Housing
Trust.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
4.
Requesting the appropriation of $240,664.10 from the Receipts
Reserved-Transportation Network Company Revenue Fund to the
Transportation Network Company Special Revenue Fund for Vision Zero
safety efforts.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1303)
Liaison Hutter was present to state there was an error on this item and the
administration will look to re-submit in the future.
RECOMMENDED TO BE WITHDRAWN
RESULT:
Grant and Gift Acceptances
5.
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $212,842.26 grant with no new
match required, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to the Health
and Human Services Department for a Shared Services Coordinator and a
Clinical Community Health Worker.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1285)
Manager Anoop Malik provided an overview of the Massachusetts
Municipal Public Health Shared Services Grant Program, launched by the
Department of Public Health in January 2020 with funding from the Fiscal
Year 2020 state budget. Somerville and Cambridge are partnering in a
multi-year collaborative grant, with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council
serving as fiscal agent and contract manager through Fiscal Year 2027. To
date, the program has funded a regional coordinator and a regional
community health worker, both based in Somerville, and is in the process of
hiring a regional vaccine nurse to be hosted by Cambridge. The two
communities have also collaborated on a rodent mitigation initiative using
non-poisonous bait stations.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
6.
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $1,100,000 grant with no new
match required, from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Office
of Strategic Planning and Community Development and Police Department
for the development of the Union Square Plaza and Streetscape Phase 1.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1339)
Director Alan Inacio presented the annual Massachusetts Gaming
Commission block grant, through which the City was awarded $1.1 million.
The funding includes three components: $775,000 for the Union Square
Page 2 of 8
Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2025
Plaza design, continuation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) advertising to
promote local businesses on bus routes, and additional police patrols in the
Broadway/casino area.
Councilor Scott requested clarification regarding officer pay related to
casino traffic enforcement. Manager Wisdom from the Police Department
explained that approximately $308,000 has been allocated for overtime,
equating to about 4,000 hours over a two-year period. This overtime will
fund traffic enforcement and community engagement patrols, primarily
Thursday through Saturday evenings, in areas most impacted by casino
traffic. Patrols will be assigned in four-hour blocks to provide flexibility and
coverage. Councilor Scott asked for additional details on the scope of
community engagement patrols, and Manager Wisdom committed to
providing a memo with maps and specifics.
Chair Wilson requested that traffic enforcement, particularly in East
Somerville, not be conducted by unmarked vehicles, citing concerns raised
by immigrant communities. Councilor Mbah requested further information
on this practice, and Manager Wisdom agreed to follow up in writing.
Councilor Burnley noted that enforcement along Broadway would not fully
address casino-related traffic impacts, suggesting Mystic Avenue as a more
significant area of concern.
RECOMMENDED TO BE DISCHARGED WITH NO
RECOMMENDATION
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
7.
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $128,500 grant with no new
match required, from the Boston Office of Emergency Management to the
Police Department for target hardening at the Police Department
headquarters.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1300)
Manager Wisdom explained that the funding is intended for critical
infrastructure improvements. Councilor Burnley raised concerns about the
use of such grants, noting that federal funding has at times required cities to
cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Director
Wisdom clarified that this funding is from Fiscal Year 2023 and is subject to
that year’s guidelines, which did not include such requirements.
Councilor Mbah requested clarification on the term “target hardening.”
Manager Wisdom explained that it refers to measures designed to make an
area more secure against potential threats, such as card access systems or
security cameras. She emphasized that the project will not affect public
access to the Police Department headquarters but will secure the area where
Page 3 of 8
Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2025
cruisers are stored.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
8.
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $55,000 grant with no new
match required, from the Department of Mental Health to the Police
Department for Crisis Intervention Training and technical assistance for
personnel and program expenses.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1304)
This item was taken up with item 25-1305.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
9.
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $10,000 grant with no new
match required, from the Department of Mental Health to the Police
Department for Jail Diversion Program personnel expenses.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1305)
Manager Wisdom requested to withdraw these items due to the amounts
involved, noting that item 8 totals $301,000 for the full year and item 9
totals $50,000. She explained that the funding supports three positions
within the department and also covers expenses related to operating the
Crisis Intervention Training and Technical Assistance Center. The jail
diversion portion of the grant covers 60% of the Clinical Coordinator’s
salary.
Councilor Scott requested additional grant documents and reports. He
emphasized that this funding supports current positions within the
department and noted the importance of considering grants like these as part
of overall police expenditures.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
Transfers
10.
Requesting approval of a transfer of $5,777 from the Police Overtime
Account to the Police Grant Match Account for the FY 2025 Shannon Grant
match requirement.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1299)
Manager Wisdom explained that this grant funds community youth
programs, specifically the Youth Police Academy and basketball events,
which have been successful in fostering positive relationships between
officers and local youth. She noted that the current request is being made
Page 4 of 8
Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2025
with Council concerns about overtime in mind and added that the
department has begun applying for other grants to cover overtime expenses.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
Prior Year Invoices
11.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $8,748.66 using
available funds in the Police Department Maintenance Software,
Professional & Technical Services, and In-State Travel accounts for various
items.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1298)
Manager Wisdom explained that, due to employee turnover, some vendors
had sent invoices to former staff. She emphasized that it is now a
departmental priority to have all invoices sent to a departmental email rather
than personal accounts to ensure they are properly tracked and do not fall
through the cracks.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
12.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $19,188.01 using
available funds in the Information Technology Maintenance Software and
Computer Equipment Accounts for monitoring software and Uninterruptible
Power Supply hardware.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1279)
Chief Information Officer Dave Goodridge explained that there were two
invoices requiring payment. The first, for monitoring software, involved a
misunderstanding that delayed payment for Fiscal Year 2025. The second,
for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) hardware, resulted from a clerical
error by a consultant. He noted that the department intends to pay the vendor
for both invoices and is working with the Law Department to determine
whether funds can be recovered from the consultant.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
13.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $4,015 using
available funds in the Human Resources Professional and Technical
Services Account for medical screening services.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1301)
This item was taken up with item 25-1302.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
Page 5 of 8
Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2025
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
14.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $100.08 using
available funds in the Human Resources Professional and Technical
Services Account for confidential shredding services.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1302)
Liaison Hutter explained that the invoice for $4,015, covered services
rendered in February 2024 and June 2024. Payment was delayed due to
discrepancies in the invoices, including incorrect rates that did not match the
contract. Human Resources worked with the vendor to resolve these issues
and prevent future discrepancies. Funding for this payment will come from
the HR Department’s Professional and Technical Services account. The
invoice for $100.08, was for shredding services. Payment was delayed
because the vendor had been acquired by another company, and the Human
Resources Department was not notified. The purchase order address no
longer matched, requiring a new purchase order in Fiscal Year 2026. With
the updated information, the department can now process these payments.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
15.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,497.50 using
available funds in the Communications Department Food Supplies &
Refreshment Account for Civic Day event food.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1283)
This invoice is from Gerley’s Ice Cream for Civic Day, an event that took
place in April. Chair Wilson noted that timely payment was important
especially to small businesses.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
16.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $840 using available
funds in the Communications Department Food Supplies & Refreshment
Account for Slice of the City events pizza orders.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1274)
Chair Wilson expressed his desire to take up the last 7 items together as they
are all prior year invoives on small dollar amounts, he gave the opportunity
for any discussion and there was none.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
Page 6 of 8
Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2025
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
17.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $925 using available
funds in the Parks & Recreation Equipment Rental Account for equipment
rentals during Family Fun Day event.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1284)
This item was taken up with item 25-1274.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
18.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $323.75 using
available funds in the CityTV R&M - Audio/Visual Equipment Account for
on-site engineering services and travel expenses.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1271)
This item was taken up with item 25-1274.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
19.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $91.62 using
available funds in the Office of Immigrant Affairs Neighborhood
Improvement Council Account for snacks for Community Get Together
event.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1277)
This item was taken up with item 25-1274.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
20.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $98.39 using
available funds in the Parks & Recreation Athletic Supplies Account for tag
belts for a teen flag football program.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1286)
This item was taken up with item 25-1274.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
Page 7 of 8
Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2025
21.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $25.69 using
available funds in the Emergency Management Office Supplies Account for
office supplies.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1309)
This item was taken up with item 25-1274.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
22.
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $71.88 using
available funds in the Emergency Management Office Supplies Account for
office supplies.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1332)
This item was taken up with item 25-1274.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Two City Councilor
Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At
Large Burnley Jr. and City Councilor At Large Mbah
AYE:
Referenced Documents:
•
Finance - 2025-09-09 Mem _Auditing 9.8.25 (with 25-1289)
•
Finance - 2025-09-09 Memo HR PYI 9.8.25 (with 25-1301, 25-1302)
Page 8 of 8