April 7, 2026

Items Recommended for Full Council

Eversource Street Resurfacing Grant ($103,514) – Recommended 5-0

The committee approved a grant from Eversource Energy to the Engineering Division for permanent resurfacing of West Broadway and Holyoke Street (off Elm near Cedar). Director Brian Postlewaite explained this is the second year of a coordination program: when Eversource completes gas line work on streets already in the city's five-year paving plan, instead of Eversource doing a narrow 12-foot trench repair, they grant those funds to the city so it can do full curb-to-curb repaving. Both entities save money by not paving over each other's work. Chair Wheeler noted residents can find the city's paving plan by searching "paving map Somerville."

CPA Grant Amendment for Somerville Community Land Trust – Recommended 5-0

The committee approved changing the conditions on a $365,000 CPA historic preservation grant to the Somerville Community Land Trust for its Pleasant Avenue project. Director Alan Inacio explained that the Community Preservation Committee is reviewing its policy on preservation restrictions for historic projects. The original grant required a permanent (in perpetuity) preservation restriction, which interferes with the SCLT's ability to finance and refinance a project with multiple lenders. The amendment replaces that with a clawback and expiring restriction—a new policy the CPC wants to pilot. Inacio noted this barrier affects many historic CPA applicants, not just the SCLT. Chair Wheeler and Councilor Link both disclosed they are unpaid SCLT volunteers but were advised they did not need to recuse themselves. Wheeler also noted the city's demolition review ordinance provides a separate layer of protection for historically significant properties.

Fire Department Vehicle Gift from Medway ($15,000 value) – Recommended 5-0

The Town of Medway donated a lighting and pump support vehicle to Somerville's Auxiliary Fire Department after acquiring a newer replacement. Director James Mucci said Somerville recently lost one of its two vehicles used for lighting and pumping at fire scenes, crime scenes, city events, and resident basement flooding. A city mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed it is in good condition. Councilor Scott praised the Auxiliary Fire Department's work, citing their response to a major water main break during a winter freeze.

Website Redesign Grant ($100,000) – Recommended 5-0

A Massachusetts Department of Revenue grant will fund Phase 1 of overhauling somervillema.gov, last redesigned 10–11 years ago. Director Denise Taylor described it as a 90,000+ page site (200,000+ including documents) that needs a major rebuild. The city's 3.5-person web team will maintain the site long-term, but the overhaul requires bringing in external web development specialists for the initial push. Councilor Scott asked about the proliferation of microsites (SomerVoice, the police department website) that operate separately from the main site. Taylor explained these emerged because the aging main site couldn't meet departments' needs and said the long-term goal is to consolidate sites where possible, which would reduce costs and improve user experience—including ADA compliance costs. The webmaster position was posted Monday after a recent departure.

Crisis Intervention Training Grant ($47,580) – Recommended 5-0

A Department of Mental Health grant covers overtime and backfill costs so officers can attend crisis intervention training without reducing patrol staffing. Director Emily Wisdom explained this funding was previously embedded in a larger DMH grant but was separated this year due to a state process change. The grant will certify 7 new officers (40-hour course covering behavioral health, de-escalation, risk assessment, and community resources) and recertify 25 officers/superiors. Councilor Scott walked through the budget details, noting this covers overtime when officers attend training on days off or when other officers backfill their shifts. He flagged a broader conversation about police staffing levels but supported the grant. Chair Wheeler asked about a requirement to enter data into a state Jail Diversion Program database; Wisdom said she would follow up with details on what data is shared, noting the department already reports under two related grants accepted earlier this year.

Items Kept in Committee

Body-Worn Camera Grant ($231,635) – Kept in Committee

This grant from the Mass. Executive Office of Public Safety and Security was not discussed. Legislative Liaison Yasmine Raddassi explained the administration is not ready to take up the item due to ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. An executive session at the upcoming full council meeting will provide updates. Staff are also preparing responses to questions submitted by committee members. Chair Wheeler indicated the item would be taken up at the April 21 Finance Committee meeting.

What's Next

• Five recommended items head to the full council for approval

• Body-worn camera grant returns to Finance Committee on April 21, pending resolution of collective bargaining issues and staff responses to councilor questions

• Crisis intervention training data sharing: Director Wisdom will provide the committee with more detail on the nature of data entered into the state Jail Diversion Program database

• Webmaster hiring: Search is underway (posted April 6) for both internal and external candidates