Framingham Finance Subcommittee Meeting - June 23, 2026: Energy Costs, Aggregation Fund, and COVID-19 Appropriations
Framingham Finance Subcommittee Meeting - June 23, 2026
The City Council Finance Subcommittee met on June 23, 2026 at 5 p.m. to discuss energy cost increases, a proposed revolving fund for the municipal aggregation program, multiple free cash appropriations, and updates from the Economic Development Corporation and the city auditor. The meeting featured extensive public comment, detailed technical presentations, and several unanimous votes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jerry Bloomfield (public) criticized the city for "insufficient growth in revenue relative to expenses" and for raising taxes, adding health insurance costs, and maintaining a generous CBA. He asked if the committee was committed to addressing financial issues aggressively starting July 1, 2026. He later returned to wish the EDC good luck and suggested considering the MCI prison property, questioned how revenue claims are tested, and noted the Salvation Army building.
- Donna Kilcoin (public) expressed support for strategic planning and the new CFO, but stated that focusing on residential development as a cure-all is "disingenuous" and that some projects bringing in $1–$2 million won't solve the problem. She later asked why the school budget increased by $1 million for energy while the municipal portion did not.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of May 27, May 28, and June 2, 2026 were approved by a vote of 4–0.
Discussion Items
Energy Costs Presentation – Sean Lutz (Energy Manager) and Lincoln Lynch (School Facilities) presented slides showing:
- Total energy budget increase from FY26 to FY27 of ~20% (compared to 10% increase from FY25 to FY26).
- Electricity contract rate rose from ~9¢/kWh (2021–2024) to 12.773¢/kWh (Dec 2024–Dec 2027), a ~50% increase.
- Natural gas rate rose from 52.6¢/therm to 85.94¢/therm, a ~60% increase.
- Even with these increases, the city is still saving compared to basic service.
- FY26 saw a ~5% increase in total energy consumption due to one of the coldest winters since 1994.
- Success stories: Memorial Building achieved ~30% energy efficiency gains; the new Fuller Middle School uses ~60% less energy than the old one.
- Net metering credits: the city already has one such agreement and is evaluating another to get a discount on utility bills. Councilor Cannon asked about broker commissions (Fell Energy) and was told they are 0.003¢/kWh and 0.03¢/therm. Councilors pressed for more accountability and competitive bidding for brokers.
Municipal Aggregation Operational Adder Revolving Fund (Order 2026-05901) – Sean Lutz proposed a revolving fund to use operational adder funds for clean energy incentives. Options included refunding to ratepayers or using for projects. After lengthy debate, the subcommittee created a revolving fund with the CFO as responsible party, a spending limit of $1 (to park funds), and announced that further discussion would be held on whether to stop collection and how to use the money. The motion passed 4–0.
Free Cash Appropriation for Health Insurance and Medicare (Order 2026-065) – CFO Brian Turbitt requested $1.5 million for group insurance (due to 75 unanticipated qualifying events) and $101,000 for Medicare FICA (5% higher than last year), total $1,601,000. Approved 4–0.
Free Cash Appropriation for COVID-19 Disallowed Costs (Order 2026-066) – CFO Turbitt requested $365,828 from free cash to close a $1,074,876 deficit from FEMA-disallowed COVID-19 expenses. The remainder was covered by salary reserves ($91,400), reserve fund ($200,000), snow & ice surplus ($108,000), and unemployment savings ($308,000). Approved 4–0.
Economic Development Corporation Update – Doug Lawrence (EDC Chair) and Dennis reviewed five priority areas:
- Pearl Street Garage: city solicitor approved transfer to EDC; final agreement being drafted; expected to generate $1 million in annual revenue when projects around it are completed.
- Cochituate Road: a soccer group withdrew; EDC working with property owner on alternative uses.
- Saxonville: fire station transfer being pursued; possible pub-style tenant.
- 990/Office Park: exploring zoning changes and incentive programs (TIFs) to attract industry.
- Avalon property: 40Y starter/ downsizing homes possible. EDC noted it needs to generate enough revenue by February 2027 to become self-sustaining. Councilors asked for specific written plans and requested that any TIF proposals follow the adopted council ordinance.
City Auditor Update – Auditor Anthony discussed plans for a department-by-department review process, focusing on improving procedures. He also mentioned compiling vehicle use data (police cruisers: 12,000–14,000 miles/year; snow equipment: 6,000 miles/year). Councilors urged the COO to develop a formal fleet policy rather than relying on ad hoc decisions.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes of May 27, May 28, and June 2, 2026 (4–0).
- Approved creation of a revolving fund for the municipal aggregation operational adder, with CFO as responsible party and a spending limit of $1. The fund will park money collected (~$163,000) pending further policy decisions. (4–0)
- Approved $1,601,000 free cash appropriation for group insurance ($1.5M) and Medicare ($101,000). (4–0)
- Approved $365,828 free cash appropriation for COVID-19 disallowed costs. (4–0)
- The EDC will bring forward specific transfer requests for Pearl Street Garage and other properties, along with written plans.
- The COO and auditor will work on developing a comprehensive vehicle policy.
- Future discussion on whether to stop collecting the operational adder and how to use accumulated funds will occur at the next subcommittee meeting.
Meeting Transcript
The finance subcommittee of the city council is comprised of five council members and considers any or all questions appropriate for the purpose of considering the budget, including the creation of new positions to the payroll, changes to the employee classification plan. Or any matters pertaining to increasing the City of Framingham employee headcount. The following City Council Finance Subcommittee meeting coverage is brought to you by the government channel. A service of the City of Framingham ready to the City Council Finance Subcommittee meeting on June 23rd, 2026 at 5 p.m. This is version two of our agenda. First order of business is public participation. If there's anybody that would like to publicly participate on anything that is not on our agenda, you are more than welcome. I am gonna go out to Zoom land, and we do have one attendee with his hand up. Mr. Bloomfield, you have three minutes, sir. And I won't start until you start, but three minutes. Jerry. Yes. Okay, you're up to the Mr. Chairman. Yep, you can hear me. We can hear you, sir. Yep. All right, great. How is everybody? Okay? That's good. We're all good. Listen, uh, I'm gonna be very brief. How did this happen? City Council, so smart, and so too the mayor, lost awareness of insufficient growth in revenue relative to expenses. This priority was somewhere in the back seat until we finally got around to the FY27 budget. Too late. Too late, we were stacking were staring you in your face, and oh well. You raise taxes, put the cost of city employees' health insurance premium cost increases on top of the residents' own burdens. Oh well. Left in place, very generous CBA in place, adding to the budget crisis for years ahead. Oh well. Added vacancy slush fund money available to police, fire, and the DPW, but not to the school department. Oh well. Did not adequately demonstrate city infrastructure requirements clearly to the residents. Oh well, you better get on it. There are many other issues, concerns to be determined causing more and more stress and anxiety. Oh well. And lastly, are you committed, prepared to address all financial issues aggressively, starting immediately right after July 1st, FY87? Yes or no. Oh well. Time will tell if you are or not willing, committed, uh up to it. Then you should consider if you're not up to it to resigning for the overall benefit of the people of Framingham. This is the state of Framingham, and uh unfortunately we have to deal with it. So I'm not happy to talk this way, but that's how many people in Framingham are feeling right now. And uh so you should know all this and deal with it appropriately immediately, and therefore. Thank you, and good night. Thank you, Mr. Bloomfield.
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