OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Somerville City Council Finance Committee FY27 Budget Review – June 17, 2026

Meeting Portal — Thursday, June 18, 2026
BodySomerville, Massachusetts
SessionMeeting Portal
DateThursday, June 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:19:59

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Okay, good evening, everyone.

0:04

I'm Ben Wheeler.

0:05

I use he, him pronouns.

0:07

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

0:10

It is 6 p.m.

0:11

on the dot, and I'd like to call to order the Wednesday, June 17th, 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 the City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation.

0:25

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.

0:35

We are joined tonight by Clerk Delaney Fisher Cassial.

0:38

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

0:41

That I can.

0:41

Counselor Link.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Counselor Stretzo.

0:45

President.

0:46

Councilor Hart.

0:47

Here.

0:48

Councilor Scott.

0:50

President.

0:50

Chair Wheeler.

0:52

Here.

0:53

All right.

0:53

With that, everyone is here.

0:54

So we do have quorum and it is 6.02 p.m.

0:57

Okay.

0:58

Welcome to the third night in our series of departmental budget hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, a night which we hope does not go as late as Monday nights.

1:08

Thank you to the department heads who are appearing tonight, to their staff members who've been preparing for budget season, and to all the counselors who submitted questions in advance or asking questions tonight for department heads and division heads to address, uh, both in the memos that we're going to be looking at here tonight and in this meeting.

1:25

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

1:31

I want to get it right.

1:32

Here's how tonight's meeting is going to work.

1:35

For each department and division, if there was a departmental memo with responses to counselor questions, the clerk will display it on screen.

1:43

For the department, we'll first invite the department heads to give an overview of their department's role within the administration and its cabinet groupings and any changes for this fiscal year.

1:55

We'll then invite each division within the department to give a short overview of its work, its plans for this fiscal year, and any major changes.

2:10

And council members can then ask any follow-up questions or further questions we might have.

2:15

As a general guideline, we're looking for something like three or four minutes for the departmental overviews and something like one or two minutes for the division overviews.

2:28

So please don't feel pressure to give more uh more detail than that.

2:34

Uh after we finish discussing any department or division, uh, sorry, after we finish discussing the department as a whole, any counselor will be welcome to make a motion for a cut or to make a motion for a resolution suggesting additional funding.

2:47

Any such motions will be then tabled until cut night, which is Tuesday, June 23rd.

2:52

And then I also encourage anyone making such motions to speak with the council's financial analyst Mohammed Udin ahead of the 23rd.

3:00

Um, okay.

3:01

So agenda items.

3:04

We are going to begin with strategy and development.

3:08

And uh I believe that we will have executive director of strategy and development, Tom Galligani here.

3:14

I probably expect that we will also hear from Director of Finance and Administration Alan Inacio and probably many others.

3:21

Um I am seeing uh some of these folks in the committee room.

3:27

Uh welcome.

3:28

Please take it away and tell us about strategy and development.

3:34

Good evening, Chairman and members of the finance committee.

3:37

My name is Tom Galligani, and I'm proud to serve as the executive director of the expanded and renamed strategy and development department.

3:45

Tonight, we're introducing more than a budget.

3:48

We're introducing the next chapter in how Somerville plans for its future.

3:52

This year, we brought together planning, housing, economic development, mobility, public spaces, sustainability, anti-displacement efforts into one department because the challenges facing Somerville no longer fit neatly into separate boxes.

4:09

Housing affordability, climate resilience, economic opportunity, transportation, and neighborhood stability are all interconnected, and they need to be addressed together.

4:19

Our work touches the lives of our residents by helping people stay in-house, supporting local businesses, creating safer streets and public spaces, planning for neighborhood change, ensuring that growth benefits the entire community.

4:34

We're also doing this at a moment of fiscal constraint.

4:37

We have to make difficult choices, streamline operations, consolidate functions, and focus our efforts with new resources while protecting the services residents depend on both.

4:50

Over the next several years, our priorities will be clear.

5:00

Reducing and preserving housing, leading community centered planning efforts like Data Square and the Graph Boulevard, strengthening anti-displacement strategies, modernizing permitting, and continuing to invest in safer, greener, and more resilient public spaces.

5:11

At its core, this budget is about focus, aligning our resources around the priorities that matter most to some of the residents and positioning the city for the future.

5:20

We appreciate the council's partnership and we welcome your questions.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████23%
Affordable Housing████████8%
Economic Development███████7%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Climate Action██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Somerville City Council Finance Committee FY27 Budget Review – June 17, 2026

On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the Somerville City Council Finance Committee convened via Zoom at 6:02 PM to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget for three major departments: Strategy and Development (formerly OSPCD), Public Works, and Infrastructure. The meeting, chaired by Councilor Ben Wheeler, concluded at 10:21 PM after a brief recess. No public comments were taken, and no motions for budget cuts or additional funding were made; all potential motions were tabled for the cut night on June 23.

Discussion Items

Strategy and Development (Departments 1.1 – 1.3)

  • Administration: Director Tom Galligani outlined the department's expanded scope, now integrating Sustainability and Environment, and emphasized fiscal constraint leading to the elimination of three positions and leaving two vacancies unfilled. The department will prioritize housing preservation, community planning, anti-displacement, permitting modernization, and safer public spaces.
  • Mobility: Director Brad Rawson reported a 15% decrease in crashes in 2025 compared to 2024 and a 35% decrease from 2019. The division installed 70 traffic calming features, 4 miles of separated bike lanes, and 49 curb extensions. Outreach efforts included 120 events, 40 targeting priority populations. Staff distributed physical flyers and continued cross-training.
  • Planning: Director Daniel Bartman noted the division is fully staffed for the first time in years. The Davis Square Neighborhood Plan launched on June 17. ArcGIS Urban software will be implemented over six months, enabling in-house 3D modeling and analysis of fiscal, housing, and water/sewer impacts.
  • Public Space and Urban Forestry: Director Luisa Oliveira reported 350 street trees planted annually, with the urban canopy in its strongest condition. Emerging threats include emerald ash borer and beech leaf borer. Ward one remains a priority for environmental justice tree planting despite limited space.
  • Housing: Director Lisa Davidson stated the 15-member team oversees inclusionary housing and compliance. The consolidated rental waitlist has 4,302 households and is closed. The division is streamlining eligibility screening by reducing documentation from two months to one month and moving to a sampling approach for recertifications. Permanent supportive housing efforts face challenges from federal shifts toward transitional models.
  • Housing Stability: Director Ellen Shachter highlighted that the office serves over 1,100 households annually. The municipal voucher program is funded through FY28, and legal services are fully funded via rolled-over funds. A proposed $1 million in community benefits funding would sustain rental assistance.
  • Economic Development: Director Rachel Nadkarni updated that TransMedics has pulled its first building permit and expects all permits in FY27, eventually creating approximately 600 jobs phased over years. Workforce development staffing was reduced from six to two positions, with a focus on employer partnerships and youth exposure.
  • Sustainability and Environment: Director Steven Nutter noted 175 Climate Ambassador alumni and 49 applicants for 13 Climate Action Commission seats. A residential decarbonization strategy is being redeveloped. Geothermal work is shifting to a regional approach. The Dilboy and Trum Lighting project has a 3.5-year payback.
  • Somerville Redevelopment Authority: Director Nadkarni reported that the Urban Square project at 299 Broadway is progressing, and project D4.3 in Union Square is expected to advance in FY27.
  • Community Preservation Act: Manager Roberta Cameron noted that the CPA budget expanded after the November 2024 surcharge increase, allowing larger projects like Kennedy Schoolyard and Blessing of the Bay Linear Park. The annual allocation to the Affordable Housing Trust increased by about $2 million.

Public Works (Departments 1.4 – 1.5)

  • Administration: Commissioner Eric Weisman reported that DPW reduced vacancies from 33 in FY24 to 16 currently, adding 30 new employees and promoting 26. The division processes approximately 11,000 invoices annually.
  • Electricity: Superintendent Jeffrey Barbiere noted installation of six preemption systems in police/fire vehicles for testing at 21 intersections, with 10–15 more planned.
  • Facilities: Superintendent Matthew Bennett said the division uses in-house trades for maintenance across 29 city and 11 school buildings.
  • Fleet: Fleet Manager Max Bitaraes reported that the city is slightly behind on vehicle replacement schedules but maintaining safety. Electric vehicle adoption is being explored despite charging infrastructure constraints.
  • Grounds: Operations Director Ben Waldrip stated the division handles parks maintenance, tree care (with a dedicated crew), and rodent mitigation using the BurrowRX machine.
  • Snow Removal: Commissioner Weisman noted the snow removal budget increased from $1.7 million to $1.8 million. Designated snow storage locations are being secured after the loss of Holman and 90 Washington sites.
  • Streets and Sidewalks: Superintendent Waldrip reported 3,251 linear feet of sidewalk replaced in FY26 with 3,851 planned for FY27. ADA ramp upgrades are ongoing at schools.
  • School Custodians: Supervisor Michael Bowler said overtime is used for floater staff; hiring continues to fill vacancies.

Infrastructure (Departments 1.6 – 1.7)

  • Administration: Director Richard Raiche explained the department now includes Infrastructure and Asset Management, Capital Projects, Engineering, Inspectional Services, and Water and Sewer. An updated capital investment plan is expected in November.
  • Capital Projects: Director Ralph Henry noted that the 1895 High School project never started due to complications; asset preservation work was done. Fire station rehabilitation is stalled for financial reasons. The upcoming CIP update will address long-term needs.
  • Engineering: Director Brian Postlewaite stated that street paving priorities are determined annually in November. Green stormwater infrastructure (e.g., vegetated bump-outs) is tied to sewer work and faces logistical barriers. The GPS traffic preemption system should be operational at 21 intersections by summer's end.
  • Inspectional Services: Interim Director Kevin Klein reported 28 employees. Permitting reform is underway, with a focus on interdepartmental coordination. Staffing is stable, and succession planning is in place.
  • Water and Sewer: Director Michael Richards noted the department is fully staffed and no longer uses temporary hires. The meter replacement program is nearly complete. A full lien program is being reinstituted to recover lost revenue. Sewer vehicle repair costs are budgeted for the vacuum truck.

Key Outcomes

  • No motions for budget cuts or additional funding were made during the meeting. Any such proposals will be considered on cut night scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
  • The committee took a recess from 8:15 PM to 8:20 PM.
  • The meeting adjourned at 10:21 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, 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 p.m. on the dot, and I'd like to call to order the Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 meeting of the Finance Committee of the Somerville City Council. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of the 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 tonight by Clerk Delaney Fisher Cassial. Clerk, could you please call the role to establish quorum? That I can. Counselor Link. Here. Counselor Stretzo. President. Councilor Hart. Here. Councilor Scott. President. Chair Wheeler. Here. All right. With that, everyone is here. So we do have quorum and it is 6.02 p.m. Okay. Welcome to the third night in our series of departmental budget hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, a night which we hope does not go as late as Monday nights. Thank you to the department heads who are appearing tonight, to their staff members who've been preparing for budget season, and to all the counselors who submitted questions in advance or asking questions tonight for department heads and division heads to address, uh, both in the memos that we're going to be looking at here tonight and in this meeting. As a general note, if I pronounce your name wrong or get your title wrong or use the wrong pronouns for you, please don't hesitate to interrupt me. I want to get it right. Here's how tonight's meeting is going to work. For each department and division, if there was a departmental memo with responses to counselor questions, the clerk will display it on screen. For the department, we'll first invite the department heads to give an overview of their department's role within the administration and its cabinet groupings and any changes for this fiscal year. We'll then invite each division within the department to give a short overview of its work, its plans for this fiscal year, and any major changes. And council members can then ask any follow-up questions or further questions we might have. As a general guideline, we're looking for something like three or four minutes for the departmental overviews and something like one or two minutes for the division overviews. So please don't feel pressure to give more uh more detail than that. Uh after we finish discussing any department or division, uh, sorry, after we finish discussing the department as a whole, any counselor will be welcome to make a motion for a cut or to make a motion for a resolution suggesting additional funding. Any such motions will be then tabled until cut night, which is Tuesday, June 23rd. And then I also encourage anyone making such motions to speak with the council's financial analyst Mohammed Udin ahead of the 23rd. Um, okay. So agenda items. We are going to begin with strategy and development. And uh I believe that we will have executive director of strategy and development, Tom Galligani here. I probably expect that we will also hear from Director of Finance and Administration Alan Inacio and probably many others. Um I am seeing uh some of these folks in the committee room. Uh welcome. Please take it away and tell us about strategy and development. Good evening, Chairman and members of the finance committee. My name is Tom Galligani, and I'm proud to serve as the executive director of the expanded and renamed strategy and development department. Tonight, we're introducing more than a budget.

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