May 26, 2026

Items Recommended for Full Council

$8.7M in Stabilization Fund Appropriations to Pay Down Capital Bonds – Recommended

The committee recommended four appropriations totaling approximately $7.6 million from stabilization funds to pay cash for capital projects rather than borrow long-term:

• $3,940,905 from Street Reconstruction Stabilization to the Street Resurfacing Bond Fund

• $2,381,625 from Street Reconstruction Stabilization to the Somerville Avenue Streetscape Bond Fund (work near Union Square completed around the pandemic, financed short-term through the Union Square DIF)

• $999,000 from Facility Construction Stabilization to the Building Improvements Bond Fund (Argenziano kitchen, Kennedy School chiller, City Hall improvements)

• $320,000 from Street Reconstruction Stabilization to the Union Square Streetscape and Plaza Bond Fund

Director of Finance Edward Bean explained these cash payments will avoid roughly $751,557 in FY27 debt service costs and produce larger savings over the life of the loans, helping close a projected budget deficit. Councilor Scott asked detailed questions about remaining fund balances; Bean confirmed the Street Reconstruction fund has about $8.08M unexpended after encumbrances, and Facility Construction has about $20.8M unexpended, with the latter being preserved for upcoming school building projects.

Two Fire Pumper Appropriations Totaling $1,078,434 – Recommended

The committee recommended appropriating $545,985 and $532,449 from the Capital Projects Stabilization Fund to two fire pumper bond funds. Chief Charles Breen explained one pumper ordered in October 2023 should arrive within weeks and a second ordered in June 2024 should arrive in October. Post-COVID supply chain issues have stretched delivery times significantly. When asked whether traffic calming damages trucks, Breen said potholes and puddles are likely a bigger factor than speed bumps.

Waste Management 60-Month Contract Renewal – Recommended (with condition)

The committee recommended a five-year solid waste disposal (tipping) contract renewal with Waste Management of Massachusetts Inc. DPW Commissioner Eric Weisman said the longer term yielded better rates than a three-year option. Councilor Hardt confirmed the per-ton structure accommodates future municipal composting that would reduce tonnage. Councilor Scott requested information on the union status of the Waste Management Innovation Saugus facility and reserved the right to sever the item at full council if that information is unsatisfactory; Liaison Raddassi committed to providing an answer before Thursday's meeting.

Assembly Square DIF Map and Program Amendment – Recommended

OSPCD Executive Director Tom Galligani requested adding the new Assembly Square Fire Station at 45 Middlesex Avenue and improvements to the Middlesex/Mystic Avenue intersection to the 2010 Assembly Square District Improvement Financing district. Director Bean explained the DIF allows flexible short-term borrowing for up to five years at lower rates (currently 2.5% vs. 3.5% long-term), saving money on a planned $7 million borrowing for the fire station. The intersection work will straighten the odd angle into a proper right angle.

$182,469 Healthcare for the Homeless Appropriation – Recommended

HHS Finance Manager Anoop Malik requested funds from the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Stabilization Fund for the Healthcare for the Homeless program, which has operated since 2020. Councilor Link asked whether this is an appropriate use of opioid settlement funds; Malik confirmed staff have verified compliance with restrictions, as many program beneficiaries suffer from substance use disorder. Councilor Hardt asked about the vendor (likely Cambridge Health Alliance, pending procurement) and care coordination; Malik will follow up on coordination details. The appropriation covers FY27 as a "testing phase" for long-term sustainability.

Other Recommended Items

• $15,200 in Fire Department grants from the Department of Fire Services for the SAFE (school children) and Senior SAFE programs, funding fire safety education, smoke/CO detectors, and the iconic red fire helmets.

• $6,660 prior year invoice payment for police fingerprinting machine software (used for gun license and private employment background checks); invoice was sent to a former employee and went unseen for months.

• $4,000 CPA transfer to the Historic Preservation Reserve to correct a prior underestimate of debt service.

• $2,000 for new Arts Council desks and chairs to accommodate staff sharing workstations.

• Time-only contract extension to 5/22/2027 with UEL Contractors for Junction Park improvements (no additional money, just time for punch-list completion).

• Minutes of April 21, 2026 meeting – Approved.

Items Kept in Committee

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

At the suggestion of the Mayor's Intergovernmental Affairs office, the committee held this Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety grant pending the full council's May 28 introduction of the police collective bargaining agreement. Liaison Raddassi clarified the CBA will be introduced and tabled May 28, with discussion at the June 11 meeting after public comment.

Councilor Scott pushed back firmly on any suggestion of bundling these items for a quick vote, saying he would have "a problem" with any attempt to vote on both the CBA and body camera grant on the same night. The committee will take the item up again at its next regular meeting on June 16 to allow for a department presentation before sending a recommendation to full council.

Committee Discussion

Utility Trench Repair Funding

Councilor Strezo asked whether any bond pay-down items relate to the city's arrangement with utility companies like Eversource. Director of Infrastructure Rich Raiche explained the city negotiates cash payments from utilities in lieu of their performing trench repairs themselves, then uses those funds (along with Chapter 90 state monies) first before tapping bond authorizations.

Free Cash and Upcoming Budget

Director Bean indicated free cash certification was about $23 million, but significant amounts have already been spent (including $3.5M for an eminent domain settlement). Upcoming free cash appropriations will cover the snow removal deficit, legal settlements, Assembly Square Fire Station closing costs, and replenishment of the Salary and Wage Stabilization Fund following recent collective bargaining agreements.

What's Next

• Recommended items advance to the full City Council, likely the May 28 meeting

• The body-worn camera grant returns to the Finance Committee on June 16

• Liaison Raddassi will provide union status information on the Waste Management Innovation Saugus site before Thursday's council meeting

• HHS will follow up on care coordination details for the Healthcare for the Homeless program

• The FY27 budget will be submitted June 4; the next regular Finance Committee meeting (non-budget) is June 16