February 10, 2026

Committee Discussion

Public Hearing on FY2027 Budget Priorities – Work Completed

The Finance Committee held its second annual community budget hearing, receiving public testimony on spending priorities for fiscal year 2027. Chair Ben Wheeler opened by framing the fiscal context: reduced federal funding and slowing business revenue mean the city budget needs to shrink by nearly $5 million, limiting new spending and putting pressure on existing programs.

Approximately 20 residents and advocates spoke during the two-minute-per-speaker hearing. Several clear themes emerged:

Affordable Housing & Rental Assistance — The most frequently raised priority. Susan Hagel (Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services) urged continued funding for two Office of Housing Stability programs: the municipal voucher program (providing rental subsidies to immigrants ineligible for federal housing aid, now being modeled by Cambridge) and flexible homeless prevention funds (covering rental arrears, moving costs, and emergency cleanups for elderly/disabled residents). Lori Goldman (Tufts faculty, Ward 2) emphasized housing as foundational to all other social services. Daniel McLaughlin urged investment in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and early acquisition funds. Alexandra Barba and Susan Miller echoed these priorities. Susan Miller noted the flexible rental assistance program saved 170 families from eviction last year.

Immigrant Services & Federal Resistance — Multiple speakers (Derek DuPont, Courtney Pollack, Susan Miller) urged expanded funding for the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs, legal services for immigrants, know-your-rights trainings, and rapid response efforts. DuPont noted ICE was in East Somerville the day of the hearing. Pollack asked the city to avoid accepting federal grants (like UASI) that require DHS cooperation and to create accountability mechanisms documenting federal activity in Somerville.

Antisemitism Commission Recommendations — At least six speakers (Richard Maidman, Joshua Gensler Steinberg, Daniel Engel, Emma Lebwal, David Lichter, Jonathan Dovev) asked the city to fund implementation of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism recommendations, citing recurring swastikas at the high school, anti-Jewish graffiti, and vandalism of Jewish residents' homes.

Pedestrian & Cycling Safety — Bruce Kaplan, a transportation planner, highlighted dangerous unsignalized and unlit pedestrian crossings near Green Line stations and the community path, specifically near Gilman Square Station. He recommended HAWK beacons. Richard Maidman noted a third-mile stretch of North Street near West Somerville Neighborhood School lacks any crosswalk.

Alternative Emergency Response — Derek DuPont urged funding for an unarmed non-police emergency response team, noting this has been requested for several years without action from the previous administration.

Other Notable Priorities Raised:

• Childcare/youth programs: Before- and after-school care, pre-K options, youth summer jobs programs, and a future youth center (Joshua Gensler Steinberg, Daniel Engel, Emma Lebwal, Daniel McLaughlin)

• Schools: Concerns about MCAS scores and need for increased school funding (Emma Lebwal)

• Infrastructure: Road conditions, water/sewer rate increases (described as doubling or quadrupling), and need for better long-term infrastructure planning (Emma Lebwal, David Lichter, Daniel Engel)

• Arts: Support for Somerville Arts Council, independent artist collective, and preserving studios like Joy Street and Brickbottom (Jen Harrington, Madeline Werner)

• Community fridges: Emily Bally noted $7,000 in city funding enabled distribution of 56,000 pounds of food

• Dog park in West Somerville: Requested by Ellie Bachchan, supported by several others

• Founders' Rink: Annette McKee urged reinvestment to restore community ice recreation

• Composting: Both Chris Dwan and Daniel Engel supported citywide composting, though Dwan argued against curbside pickup in favor of park bins and backyard composters

• Policing costs: Chris Dwan criticized overtime-funded policing as cost-ineffective, urged civilian flaggers for traffic details; Daniel Engel called for police/fire recruitment to reduce overtime

• Bond rating: Jonathan Dovev and Emma Lebwal urged protecting Somerville's AAA bond rating

• Israel divestment ballot measure: Several speakers on both sides referenced the November ballot initiative, with some urging implementation and others calling it discriminatory and urging no city funds be spent on it

Procedural Notes

Chair Wheeler disclosed a conflict of interest (family member employed in the Department of Racial and Social Justice youth league) and offered to recuse himself from discussion of that department's budget. No one raised those items during testimony.

Some technical difficulties occurred with Zoom interpretation channels, briefly delaying testimony from one speaker (Lori Goldman). Councilor Scott reminded attendees to use the raise-hand function.

What's Next

• All public testimony will be considered as the Finance Committee and full council review Mayor Wilson's FY2027 budget proposal when submitted

• Written comments can be sent anytime to publiccomments@somervillema.gov

• No specific next meeting date was announced for budget action