By Jordan Pagkalinawan

As part of its final meeting of the year, the Somerville Finance Committee met on December 9th to approve funding for various city improvement projects, namely the 2026 Street Resurfacing Program, as well as several monetary and property gifts. The committee also heard updates on recent funding cuts and a potential requirement to cooperate with immigration authorities as part of future Urban and Safety Initiative (UASI) grants.

Street improvement projects

The committee began by approving the authorization of $3.05 million in bonds toward the 2026 Street Resurfacing Program and appropriating another $3 million from the Street Reconstruction & Resurfacing Stabilization Fund to the same cause. Director of Finance and Administration Michael Richards explained that both requests are among five sources that will be used to fund the 2026 Street Resurfacing Program, which includes two projects: the “Annual Streets Reconstruction Project” and the upgrades to West Pearl Street.

The Annual Streets Reconstruction Project will include a full-street reconstruction on Holyoke Road from Elm Street East to Elm Street West, Grandview Avenue from Walnut Street to Vinal Avenue, and Aldersey Street from Walnut Street to Vinal Avenue. A sidewalk-only reconstruction is set for Prescott Street from Summer Street to Highland Avenue, and a partial pave will occur on Putnam Street from Summer to Highland.

The West Pearl Street reconstruction will take place from Medford Street to MacGrath Highway. Postlewaite said the city is expected to go out to bid by mid-to-late winter, with the potential to break ground by late summer or early fall.

Postlewaite explained that the Annual Streets Resurfacing Project is “a quick project to get out the door” using state funds, while the bond authorization and stabilization fund will “primarily” support the West Pearl Complete Streets Project.

“We are currently wrapping up design with our consultant,” he said. “We have done a number of public outreach programs to discuss the project with the community, and that’s why we’ve broken these up into two separate projects, so that we could expedite both of them on the time scale that was best suited for the design scale on each.”

He added that “a portion of funds” will address several ADA-related upgrades to sidewalks, curb ramps, and tree pits, the last of which would cover roots with gravel for a slip-resistant surface.

Appropriated funds

The committee then addressed several “delinquent electricity bills” for the Dillboy Enterprise Fund Electricity Account by appropriating $205,000 from the Dilboy Field Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings and $225,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance. Chief of Staff Nikki Spencer explained that because of several changes to the Parks and Recreation department, the city was unable to transfer all bills to the Department of Public Works. To centralize electricity accounts and pay bills in a timely manner, city auditor Ed Bean said department heads are expected to use electronic mailboxes “to facilitate payment.”

Roughly $10,600 was appropriated from the Unresolved Fund Balance to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund to amend unallowable offenses. Additionally, the committee appropriated nearly $6,800 from the Medicinal Marijuana Stabilization Fund to cover an increased workload for the Out of School Time Coordinator, according to SomerPromise Director Christopher Hosman.

Gifts, grants, and contracts

The committee then authorized a consolidated “Gift Account” for the Veteran Services Department so they could accept four donations for the Veterans Holiday Season and support veterans in need of financial assistance. They also approved a $370 gift from the Tufts University Softball team to the Health and Human Services Mobile Farmers Market Revolving Fund.

A $22,570 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security was accepted to go toward the Somerville Police Department in order to replace three mobile data terminals, which are computers installed in police cruisers. SPD’s Director of Finance and Administration, Emily Wisdom, noted that these funds came from the state, and the department was able to purchase three of the five requested mobile data terminals with the funds. Councilor J.T. Scott and Councilor Wilfred Mbah expressed concern that the funds were directed to upgrade the mobile terminals in SPD cruisers instead of those used by the Somerville Housing Authority.

“I would hope this comment would direct the administration to reconsider where those terminals go,” Scott said. “If we can only get them into one place, I’d much rather they go into the SHA cruisers rather than upgrading our SPD [cruisers].”

Following that discussion, the committee approved a gift of property at 17 Inner Belt Road from members of the RCD Foundation, which would go from a trustee to the Council on Aging, according to attorney Catherine Lester Salchert. Councilor Jesse Clingan appreciated the gift and its intention to ensure the Council on Aging has a permanent home. Councilor Willie Burnley Jr. said he hopes that the city’s current and future administrations can “work proactively” with the property’s numerous tenants to determine “the future of the building and how it can best serve the city and the public.”

A utility easement of approximately 200 square feet was approved for the NStar Electric Company at Boynton Yards. According to Salchert, the easement would be required to operate electric lines for 600 Windsor Place.

Transfer and prior-year invoice

The committee approved a $150 transfer from the Office of Immigrant Affairs Neighborhood Improvement Council Account to the Somerville Public Schools Food Services Account for the Latin American and Caribbean Heritage Celebration.

Nearly $148 of a prior-year invoice was approved for the Department of Health and Human Services Program Supplies and Materials Account for meeting snacks.

The committee also approved a resolution supporting the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, which is committing additional resources to stormwater management.

Financial implications of Public Safety for All program

Legislative Liaison Kimberly Hunter updated the committee on the progress of the Public Safety for All project, saying that the program manager was hired over the summer and has met with staff to sustainably build out the program’s next steps. The program’s current recommendations include understanding the costs of hiring additional officers, utilizing body cameras, and implementing a “co-response model.”

“Those conversations have included how that would be funded—both the mid-term and long-term—with both the city’s current resources or with potential external funding sources,” she said. “There are no conclusions at this time. We’re excited to get the results of that conversation in the new year.”

Councilor Burnley, who submitted this item, said he sought further clarity on the program’s financial implications, adding that he would follow up with the next city council via memo.

Impacts of federal funding cuts on grants, programs, and services

Hunter acknowledged that federal funding has been “tumultuous” this year, with higher education and research nonprofits feeling the brunt of those impacts. As for local governments, she noted that while there have been no freezes in funding, there have been several delays in the process due to staff reductions from the federal government shutdown.

In response to Burnley’s clarifying question on the funding of the McGrath Highway project, Hunter said that the state has experienced “significant delays” that have led to “funding uncertainty.” However, the $43 million MassDOT grant for McGrath Highway is “moving forward as planned,” she said.

Potential ICE cooperation with future UASI grants

The committee’s final three agenda items focused on potential requirements to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of future UASI grants. Hunter said that the city is continuing to wait on the state, since they applied for the federal grants and would be responsible for distributing the funds if accepted. She noted that a meeting between the state and UASI originally scheduled for December has been postponed to January.

“We expect an update in the new year on what steps the state is taking, and then we can make a decision as a city from there,” Hunter said.

Committee Chair and Mayor-elect Jake Wilson said that the Law Department and Mayor’s Office must “[run] a fine-tooth comb over these obligations that we’re potentially signing up for, and making sure that we’re not agreeing to anything that’s out of step with our values as a community.”

“I’ll commit to making sure that that’s happening,” Wilson said. “I’ll also commit to making sure that this council stays updated on any changes that do come in.”

Before adjourning, Wilson expressed his gratitude to his fellow councilors and the general public as he finished his final Finance Committee meeting and ended his four-year run as chairman.

“This committee met more than any other committee over [four years]. We processed more items than any other committee during that time. We do the work,” he said. “You [councilors] all gave up a lot of your Junes to do budget season, and it’s a big deal. I just really appreciate it. I hope the public appreciates the work you all gave, and just really, really appreciate you serving on Finance with me.”