Committee on Finance Meeting Summary - November 19, 2025

The Committee on Finance convened on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, to discuss several key items including personnel authorization, airport leasing, real estate donations, and major school roof repair projects. Councilor Lopes was absent. The meeting featured testimony from city officials and community advocates regarding salary negotiations, land conservation, and infrastructure investments.

Consent Calendar

• Received and placed on file a letter of apology for absence from Councilor Lopes.
• Received and placed on file Item 2: Mayor Mitchell's order authorizing the negotiation of a salary up to Step 3 for the Executive Finance and Operations Manager.
• Received and placed on file Item 3A, 3B: Mayor Mitchell's order and lease agreement between the Airport Commission and Sam Piper Air.
• Received and placed on file Item 4A: Mayor Mitchell's order and agreement to accept a donation of real estate from Whalen Development Corp.
• Received and placed on file Items 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A: Loan orders for accelerated repair projects at six schools and a feasibility study for Trinity Day Academy.
• Items 9 and 10A were waived for reading and referred to the full City Council for no further action.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chance Perks (City Councilor/Community Advocate): Expressed full support for the donation of the two land parcels, emphasizing their critical role as headwaters of the Atlantic Cedar Swamp and their potential for flood risk mitigation. Perks voiced concern regarding the potential for future development on adjacent uplands if access points remain open. Perks acknowledged the minimal loss to the tax base ($5,486.48 annually, likely discounted) and stated that the ecological and flood control value outweighs the revenue loss. Perks voiced a position that preserving wetlands is a priority over acquiring wetlands for wildlife values alone, framing the acquisition as control of freshwater resources.
• Councilor Sean Shouquette: Raised a question regarding the proximity of the donated land to a proposed trash transfer facility in the Industrial Park, questioning if the historical significance of the site (a sawmill foundation) could be used as leverage against the facility. Shouquette expressed a position that the waterway protection is "1,000 percent correct" and that the trash facility location is unwise, though he noted he had not yet discussed this with the Mayor.

Discussion Items

• Executive Finance and Operations Manager (Item 2):

  • Quinlin (City Councilor/Director of Auditors) stated the position that the current salary range is inadequate to attract qualified applicants, noting that six candidates rejected the offer because they are currently earning in the mid-90s or over six figures. Quinlin recommended authorizing salary negotiation up to Step 3 ($91,994) as necessary to compete.
  • Bob Ekstrom (City Auditor) noted the position that the current Step 1 requirement is a common barrier in the private sector and expressed concern that the search duration could extend 5-6 months past Thanksgiving without a resolution.
  • Councilor Ryan Pereira and Councilor Sean Oliver expressed skepticism regarding the ordinance's potential for abuse but indicated support for this specific instance, noting the need to bring qualified experience "in house".
  • Councilor Maria Giesta voiced a position favoring internal promotion but accepted the need for external candidates based on specific managerial experience deficits.
  • Councilor Linda Morrod and Councilor Ian Abrew discussed the potential morale impact on existing staff (who have been with the city for over 10 years) but acknowledged agreement from the affected team members to proceed.

• Sam Piper Air Lease (Item 3):

  • Scott Service (Director of Aviation) explained the 30-year lease structure and stated that capital investment (e.g., HVAC, roof upgrades) is required to exercise renewal options. Service indicated that while inspections occur for capital improvements, there are no active annual building inspections for the leaseholder.
  • Councilor Ian Abrew questioned the long-term financial oversight value, to which Service responded that the role helps manage a team of five and ensures proper invoice auditing.
  • Councilor Ryan Pereira asked about maintenance stipulations and received confirmation that the lease includes requirements to keep the facility in good condition to prevent it from becoming derelict.

• Real Estate Donation (Item 4):

  • Chance Perks presented the two parcels (12 acres) as a strategic acquisition for water quality protection and stated that the properties are currently undevelopable due to wetlands. Perks noted that the land contains a historical sawmill foundation and a cascade.
  • Councilor Leo Shouquette inquired about the Phase I study costs and funding sources, to which Perks identified as Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds totaling $45,000.
  • Councilor Ian Abrew raised a concern regarding the non-recording of the agreement (No Notice of Agreement) and speculated about potential conflict of interest regarding the current owner's harbor contracts.
  • Catherine (Solicitor's Office) expressed a position of uncertainty regarding the legal rationale for not recording the agreement and stated she would research the issue. Councilor Abrew noted the tax abatement status of the larger parcel.

• School Roof Repairs (Items 5-8):

  • Superintendent O'Leary, Barry Flynn, and David Rabinovich explained that the projects aim to extend the useful life of roofs by 25-30 years and stated the position that the MSBA is offering an 80% reimbursement rate, a significant improvement over previous years.
  • Barry Flynn noted that roofs must be "solar ready" as a mandatory MSBA requirement, which incurs additional costs for structural steel and electrical conduits, even if solar panels are not immediately installed.
  • Councilor Ryan Pereira expressed concern about the Whaling City Jr./Sr. High School roof project, stating a long-term preference to move away from the building, but acknowledged the financial logic of maintaining the envelope before a potential sale in 10+ years.
  • Councilor Sean Oliver questioned if the Pachico Elementary roof work would trigger a repayment if the school is replaced soon, to which officials responded that repayment would be calculated based on usage time and MSBA negotiations.
  • Councilor Linda Morrod voiced strong opposition to the high costs associated with the "solar ready" mandate, stating these requirements are "killing residents" with delivery charges and expressing skepticism that the city would see a bottom-line utility savings.
  • David Rabinovich clarified that the "up to 80%" reimbursement applies to eligible expenses only and stated that the actual reimbursement rates for these specific projects range from 74% to 76%.
  • Councilor Shouquette confirmed a total city cost estimate of approximately $8.7 million, noting the discrepancy with earlier calculations.
  • Bob Ekstrom explained the debt capacity, stating the city has the legal capacity to bond the funds and indicating a plan to use bond anticipation notes before permanent financing.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2: Motion to authorize salary negotiation up to Step 3 for the Executive Finance and Operations Manager passed unanimously (Ayes: All present, Nays: None). The order will be referred to the full City Council.
• Item 3: Motion to refer the Sam Piper Air lease order and agreement to the full City Council passed unanimously (Ayes: All present, Nays: None).
• Item 4: Roll call vote on the real estate donation order passed 7 to 2 (Nays: Councilors Morrod, Oliver). The order will be reported to the full City Council agenda for November 25th.
• Items 5-8: Motion to refer all school roof repair loan orders to the full City Council passed 9 to 2 (Nays: Councilors Morrod, Oliver). The items will be reported to the full City Council agenda for November 25th.
• General: The Committee recommended the adoption of all orders with favorable recommendations. The Solicitor's office and City Auditor agreed to provide further clarification on tax abatement discounts and the legal reasoning for the non-recording clause on the real estate donation by the next meeting. The City Auditor requested a revised budget sheet to confirm the total 20% city cost figure ($8,735,742).
• Adjourned at 9:01 PM.