Finance Committee Meeting – October 19, 2026

The Finance Committee met on Monday, October 19, 2026 at 7:01 PM in Council Chambers to consider nine orders for the payment of unpaid bills from Fiscal Year 2026 totaling approximately $34,019.30, using Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations. Committee members expressed frustration over the recurring nature of these requests, citing a total of 21 outstanding obligations worth nearly $73,000 across the city. The committee also discussed two items related to the Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) funds but took no further action on them. All unpaid bill items were voted favorably for referral to the full City Council.

Discussion Items

• Chairman Joseph Lopes voiced concern that the practice of paying prior-year bills from the current budget has become a recurring issue. He noted that many departments received budget cuts in FY2027 and that these requests effectively impose a double cut, as funds must be diverted from current services. He stated that the body was not made aware of these unencumbered obligations during the May budget hearings.
• Councillor Shane Burgo criticized the administration for mismanagement, pointing to the failure to encumber purchase orders in time. He stated that this was not a one-time issue but had occurred 21 times, totaling almost $73,000, and argued that the council should not be asked to repeatedly cover such oversights.
• City Auditor Quillan Lowney explained that invoices received after July 15, 2026—the statutory deadline for paying prior-year bills without an encumbrance—cannot be paid from FY2026 funds. He clarified that during the May budget hearings, the administration was unaware these invoices would remain unpaid, as the deadline was after those hearings. He noted that outreach was done in January to remind departments of the encumbrance requirement.
• Department heads provided specific reasons for each unpaid bill:
  • Commissioner Jamie Ponte (DPI) cited late vendor invoices, incomplete purchase orders (e.g., work at Quitticus treatment plant where the PO was not increased), and delays in receiving final bills (e.g., John Deere repair, Lemue Heating invoice dropped off at an unstaffed building).
  • Shara Rapoza (Zoo) explained that a laboratory services invoice for June was sent directly to accounts payable and attached to a statement, so she was unaware of the amount until July 31. She has since arranged for invoices to come to her directly.
  • Olivia Melo (Library) stated a Boston Globe subscription invoice was misplaced by a new branch manager who thought it was a solicitation. She noted the complexity of newspaper billing (monthly, varying amounts) and that this was the first such rollover in her 11-year tenure.
  • Jim Marshall (Cable Access) said a trash pickup invoice was delayed due to the July 4th holiday, arriving on July 8 instead of July 7.
  • Scot Servis (Airport) reported an Amazon invoice for absorbent mats arrived on July 16, one day after the encumbrance deadline.
• Councillor Ian Abreu questioned the library director about the specifics of the newspaper subscription and whether a July invoice should have been anticipated in the FY2027 budget. Director Melo clarified that the July invoice covered June services, requiring prior-year funds.

Key Outcomes

• Items 1–9 (unpaid bill orders) were each approved by voice vote and will be referred to the full City Council with favorable recommendations. The votes were as follows:
  • Item 1 (Water Enterprise Fund, $25,388.75) – motion by Councillor Pereira, second by Councilor Carney, passed.
  • Item 2 (Wastewater Enterprise Fund, $1,011.96) – motion by Councillor Abreu, second by Councilor Carney, passed.
  • Items 3–5 (DPI Purchase of Services and Supplies, $3,593.00, $2,360.43, $148.30) – taken together, motion by Councillor Pereira, second by Councillor Burgo, passed.
  • Item 6 (Zoo Purchase of Services, $833.53) – motion by Councillor Abreu, second by Councilor Carney, passed.
  • Item 7 (Library Supplies, $469.26) – motion by Councillor Burgo, second by Councillor Pemberton, passed.
  • Item 8 (Cable Access Enterprise Fund, $110.23) – motion by Councillor Burgo, second by Councillor Choquette, passed.
  • Item 9 (Airport Enterprise Fund, $103.84) – motion by Councillor Burgo, second by Councilor Roy, passed.
• Items 10 and 11 (WRAP funds) – Councillor Roy moved to waive reading and take no further action; seconded by Councilor Carney. The motion passed by voice vote. No substantive discussion occurred on these items.
• The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 PM.