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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Somerville Finance Committee Reviews FY27 Budget on June 9, 2026

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, June 10, 2026

BodySomerville, Massachusetts

SessionMeeting Portal

DateWednesday, June 10, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:39:52

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:04

Good evening, everyone.

0:05

I'm Ben Wheeler.

0:06

I use he, him pronouns.

0:07

I'm a counselor at large and the finance committee chair.

0:10

It is 6.04 p.m., and I'd like to call to order the Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 meeting of the Finance Committee of the Somerville City Council.

0:18

Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of a city council committee will be conducted via remote participation.

0:26

We'll post an audio video recording and a comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels.

0:36

We are joined by Clerk Madeline Latelier.

0:38

Clerk, could you please call the role to establish quorum?

0:41

This is roll call, Counselor Link.

0:44

Here.

0:46

Counselor Shrezo, present.

0:49

Counselor Hart.

0:50

Here.

0:51

Counselor Scott.

0:53

Rosen.

0:54

Counselor Wheeler.

0:55

Here.

0:56

We have counselors present.

0:57

We have.

0:58

Okay.

0:59

Welcome everyone to the first night in a series of departmental budget hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget.

1:06

Thank you to the department heads who are appearing tonight, to their staff members who've been preparing for budget season, to all the counselors who have submitted questions in advance for department heads to address in the memos that we're going to be looking at here tonight, and all the counselors who've got questions brewing to ask further.

1:23

As a general note, if I pronounce your name wrong or get your title wrong or use the wrong pronouns for you, please do not hesitate to interrupt me.

1:30

I want to get it right.

1:32

We will be taking up our agenda, which was just revised slightly about the order, intended to clarify that the law department and the city clerk's office don't report to the chief administrative officer.

1:46

And here's how tonight's meeting is going to work, or the intention behind it at least.

1:53

This is a slight variation on the approach that the finance committee developed in the last few years, intended to provide opportunity for more thorough answers in advance than in many years before.

2:07

And to provide also some context for anyone watching at home and also for us counselors who can't know everything while still keeping the meetings focused.

2:17

For each department and division, if there was a departmental memo with responses to counselor questions, uh then uh clerk, uh I would appreciate it if that could be pulled up on screen.

2:28

We'll invite the department heads to give a brief overview of their department's role within the administration and its cabinet groupings, especially given that those have been changing a bit.

2:39

Uh, and invite each division within the department to give a short overview of their work, uh, any plans for this fiscal year and any major changes.

2:48

I'll briefly recap any questions that counselors submitted for that division uh and attempt to quickly paraphrase answers so that people don't have to read the entirety of the answers in these memos aloud, but also invite departments and divisions to elaborate if they wish.

3:07

And council members can then take the opportunity to ask any follow-up questions or further questions that they might have.

3:15

Also, after we finish discussing any department or division, any counselor will be welcome to make a motion for a cut, should they want to, or to make a motion for a resolution suggesting additional funding.

3:28

Uh, those are all within our rights to do.

3:31

Any such motions uh we will then table until cut night, which is Tuesday, June 23rd.

3:37

Uh, and also I encourage anyone making such motions to uh reach out to the clerk's office and especially to talk to the council's finance analyst, Mohammed Udin ahead of the 23rd.

3:50

Okay, with all of that uh out of the way.

3:54

Um, first, any questions about our procedures tonight from anyone on the council?

4:00

On the committee.

4:02

Thanks.

4:03

Um, so we're gonna move to executive administration.

4:08

Uh and I am not a hundred percent sure who we have from each area.

4:16

So um from executive administration.

4:20

Uh who do we have here?

4:24

Uh I'm seeing a bunch of people.

4:26

Hello, Sarah Anders.

4:28

Um, please uh feel free to introduce yourself and uh and begin.

4:33

Thank you.

4:35

Thank you, uh, Chair Wheeler, and through the chair.

4:38

Um, my name is Sarah Anders.

4:39

I'm the chief of staff for Mayor Jake Wilson, and I'm joined here by our intergovernmental affairs director, Amanda Najin Williams, and our chief administrator, the officer Ken Blouse.

4:50

The executive office plays a key leadership function citywide and engages closely with the community to deliver on the mayor's agenda.

5:00

That includes strengthening core services, greater transparency and communication with the public, increased efficiency, accessibility, accountability and equity, and building partnerships, both in our local community and region wide.

5:12

This year, we, as the mayor presented to you earlier in the year, we have a slightly different structure.

5:18

We have two new positions.

5:20

One is a community partnerships liaison, and one is the mayor's public liaison.

5:25

The community partnerships role plays a key function in working closely with nonprofit partners to deliver on community priorities.

5:32

And the public liaison works constantly uh with constituents in pretty much every quorum, uh, in person, email, phone, um, any way that a constituent could be in touch.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Personnel Matters███████████████████████23%

Budget Equity Analysis████████████12%

Public Works Budget███████████11%

Racial Equity█████████9%

Public Engagement█████████9%

Technology and Innovation████████8%

Community Engagement███████7%

Procedural██████6%

Fiscal Sustainability████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Somerville Finance Committee Reviews FY27 Budget on June 9, 2026

The Somerville City Council Finance Committee met on June 9, 2026, to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The meeting, chaired by Councilor Ben Wheeler, began at 6:04 PM and adjourned at 9:43 PM. Present were Councilors Jon Link, Kristen Strezo, Emily Hardt, J.T. Scott, and Ben Wheeler. The meeting covered multiple departments, including Executive Administration, City Council, City Clerk, Licensing Commission, Finance divisions, and Operations & Systems. Several motions were laid on the table for further discussion on June 23, 2026.

Consent Calendar

The meeting was called to order and quorum established. Procedural notes were given on how the hearing would function, including opportunities for motions for cuts or additional funding, which would be tabled until June 23, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments or testimony were recorded during this session.

Discussion Items

Executive Administration: Chief of Staff Sarah Anders introduced two new positions: community partnerships liaison and mayor's public liaison, funded by repurposing the Digital Innovation Officer position (which was never hired under the previous administration). Councilor Scott asked about the distinction between the Public Safety For All Program Manager (focused on community process) and the Police Accountability Program Director (overseeing the new civilian oversight board). Councilor Strezo asked about the reduction in the budget for badges, emblems, and trophies from $27,920 in FY25 to $4,000 proposed; Anders explained the line would be used for plaques, portraits, or trophies as needed.
City Council: City Clerk Courtney Henderson presented the budget for council salaries and support staff. Councilor Link asked about past dues and memberships; Budget Director Mastrobuoni stated a misallocation in last year's budget had been corrected.
City Clerk: Clerk Henderson discussed the loss of the Assistant City Clerk of Vital Services and efforts to maintain service levels. Councilor Hardt asked about part-time positions; Mastrobuoni clarified part-time non-benefited roles are not listed in the budget. Councilor Strezo asked about disincentivizing credit card use to reduce convenience fees ($3,500 proposed). Councilor Link expressed concern about using part-time positions to avoid providing benefits.
Law Department: City Attorney Cindy Amara noted the office's role as internal counsel. Councilor Scott asked if the goal of implementing the City Charter was completed; Amara confirmed. Scott also asked if the School Committee voted on its budget before submission on June 4; Amara stated an opinion had been sent that day and that the budget could proceed.
Licensing Commission: Clerk Henderson presented the budget for three commissioners. Councilor Strezo noted commissioners have not received a pay increase since 2012 despite increased workload (outdoor dining, cannabis licensing). Budget Director Mastrobuoni referenced a compensation study. Strezo made a motion to increase collective salaries to $15,180 (Chair $5,180, two commissioners $5,000 each). The motion was laid on the table until June 23.
Finance:
- Auditing: Director Ed Bean described the department's role. Councilor Scott asked about EFT payments; Treasurer Linda Dubuque said 24% of payments are via EFT, with a new vendor access system rolling out.
- Grants: Director Kate Hartke noted a reduction in staff from three to two (one grant writer position eliminated while filled). Councilor Scott asked about the director/deputy director structure without direct reports; Hartke explained the deputy handles pre-award work. Councilor Wheeler asked if an additional person could pay for itself; Hartke said that model has not been explored.
- Assessing: Chief Assessor Frank Golden said lower-value properties are selling more rapidly. Councilor Link asked about empty lab space; Golden noted assessed values have been declining for the last two years.
- Treasurer/Collector: Treasurer Dubuque reported the Municipal Scholarship Fund at about $90,000, with 11 $2,000 scholarships awarded; the committee will explore increasing revenue in the fall.
- Salary Contingency, PAYGO, Debt Service, etc.: Budget Director Mastrobuoni noted the city is in year two of a five-year lease for the Tufts Administration Building (TAB) at $2.1 million/year. The unfunded pension liability is $114.6 million as of January 2025, with full funding expected by 2033.
Operations & Systems:
- Constituent Services: Director Steve Craig reported 118,000 requests, up 1,000–5,000 year-over-year since 2021. Councilor Link asked about the after-hours 311 contract; Craig explained it covers telephone service during off-peak hours (118 hours/week receiving 15–17% of calls).
- Elections: Commissioner Nick Salerno noted 56,000 voters and preparations for a large November election with 13 offices and up to 12 ballot questions. Salerno cited security measures including state computers and 10 drop boxes emptied daily.
- Equity & Belonging: Director Catherine Nakato described the transition from the Department of Racial & Social Justice, with some functions (ADA coordinator, public safety implementation) moving to other departments. Councilor Scott confirmed the RSJ fund will still be administered by the new department; 65 applications were received. Councilor Wheeler asked about LGBTQ+ services in schools; Nakato said there is opportunity through partnerships.
- People Operations: Director Anne Gill noted 264 hires in FY25 and 380 projected for FY26. The ADA coordinator position is moving to this department. Councilor Scott asked about the consolidation of HR Manager and Benefits Manager positions; Gill said one was vacated before budget submission.
- SomerStat: Director Anna Gartsman said the program evaluation manager position is being in-housed (previously ARPA-funded) because of the need for standardized evaluations and institutional knowledge. Stationery costs ($20,000) cover printing and mailing of the Happiness Survey.
- Technology & Innovation: CIO David Goodridge noted a five-year lease on network equipment is fully paid off; equipment is owned outright and up to date.

Key Outcomes

A motion by Councilor Strezo to increase Licensing Commissioner salaries to $15,180 total was laid on the table, to be taken up on June 23, 2026.
All motions for cuts or additional funding were tabled until the Finance Committee of the Whole meeting on June 23, 2026.
The meeting adjourned at 9:43 PM by a roll call vote of 5–0.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. I'm Ben Wheeler. I use he, him pronouns. I'm a counselor at large and the finance committee chair. It is 6.04 p.m., and I'd like to call to order the Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 meeting of the Finance Committee of the Somerville City Council. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of a city council committee will be conducted via remote participation. We'll post an audio video recording and a comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. We are joined by Clerk Madeline Latelier. Clerk, could you please call the role to establish quorum? This is roll call, Counselor Link. Here. Counselor Shrezo, present. Counselor Hart. Here. Counselor Scott. Rosen. Counselor Wheeler. Here. We have counselors present. We have. Okay. Welcome everyone to the first night in a series of departmental budget hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. Thank you to the department heads who are appearing tonight, to their staff members who've been preparing for budget season, to all the counselors who have submitted questions in advance for department heads to address in the memos that we're going to be looking at here tonight, and all the counselors who've got questions brewing to ask further. As a general note, if I pronounce your name wrong or get your title wrong or use the wrong pronouns for you, please do not hesitate to interrupt me. I want to get it right. We will be taking up our agenda, which was just revised slightly about the order, intended to clarify that the law department and the city clerk's office don't report to the chief administrative officer. And here's how tonight's meeting is going to work, or the intention behind it at least. This is a slight variation on the approach that the finance committee developed in the last few years, intended to provide opportunity for more thorough answers in advance than in many years before. And to provide also some context for anyone watching at home and also for us counselors who can't know everything while still keeping the meetings focused. For each department and division, if there was a departmental memo with responses to counselor questions, uh then uh clerk, uh I would appreciate it if that could be pulled up on screen. We'll invite the department heads to give a brief overview of their department's role within the administration and its cabinet groupings, especially given that those have been changing a bit. Uh, and invite each division within the department to give a short overview of their work, uh, any plans for this fiscal year and any major changes. I'll briefly recap any questions that counselors submitted for that division uh and attempt to quickly paraphrase answers so that people don't have to read the entirety of the answers in these memos aloud, but also invite departments and divisions to elaborate if they wish. And council members can then take the opportunity to ask any follow-up questions or further questions that they might have. Also, after we finish discussing any department or division, any counselor will be welcome to make a motion for a cut, should they want to, or to make a motion for a resolution suggesting additional funding. Uh, those are all within our rights to do. Any such motions uh we will then table until cut night, which is Tuesday, June 23rd. Uh, and also I encourage anyone making such motions to uh reach out to the clerk's office and especially to talk to the council's finance analyst, Mohammed Udin ahead of the 23rd. Okay, with all of that uh out of the way. Um, first, any questions about our procedures tonight from anyone on the council? On the committee. Thanks. Um, so we're gonna move to executive administration. Uh and I am not a hundred percent sure who we have from each area. So um from executive administration. Uh who do we have here? Uh I'm seeing a bunch of people. Hello, Sarah Anders. Um, please uh feel free to introduce yourself and uh and begin. Thank you.

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