The Finance Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
Acceptance and expenditure of a $5,000,000 FY2026 MassWorks grant for the Crafts Street Culvert Replacement project. The Committee approved acceptance of a competitive state grant to support replacement or lining of a deteriorated culvert segment near 78 Crafts Street. Public Works staff described structural failures including breached pilings, wall deterioration, and sagging, and noted coordination is required with an approved 307-unit residential development nearby. Design work is underway, with construction bidding to follow, and the grant is expected to cover most or all project costs. The culvert stems off of the main culvert connected with Bullough’s Pond (downstream) and reconnects to the main culvert in front of the new Lincoln Elliot School. (7–0; Councilor Micley not voting)
Appropriation of $2,304,983.75 for Phase 2 of the Pump Station Rehabilitation CIP Project. The Committee approved funding for construction and construction oversight to rehabilitate five pump stations—Quinobequin Road, Elliot Street, Edgewater Park, Manet Road, and Flowed Meadows. Staff detailed long-planned upgrades addressing aging infrastructure, operational risk, and system reliability, and outlined the cost breakdown for construction, contingency, and oversight by Brown and Caldwell. (7–0; Councilor Micley not voting)
Authorization to transfer $45,000 for vacation and special leave disbursements. The Committee approved a transfer from the Current Year Budget Reserve to cover vacation and special leave payouts for the Mayor and Chief Operating Officer, both departing on January 1, 2026. Staff explained that typical attrition savings in the Executive Office were not available due to staff retention by the incoming administration and that vacation time is considered wages under Massachusetts law. Councilors suggested encouraging staff to take vacation time and moving retirement dates to December 31 to avoid future payouts of extra weeks of a year’s vacation time. (8–0)
Authorization to transfer $425,000 to fund the FY2025–FY2027 Teamsters collective bargaining agreement settlement. The Committee approved funding from wage reserves in the General Fund and Water Fund to cover the negotiated agreement, which follows the settlement pattern established with other unions. Staff noted that existing savings were sufficient and no additional funds were required. (8–0)
The Committee took No Action Necessary on the following:
Request for information regarding Mayor-Elect Laredo’s plan to staff the Executive Department. The Committee voted No Action Necessary after discussion of announced staffing additions, budgeted FTE levels, and fiscal oversight expectations, noting that Council approval would be required for any future reorganization or funding changes. The additional staff will be funded through unfilled positions in the Public Buildings, Parks and Rec, and Planning Departments, some of which have been vacant for years. The Mayor-elect “explained he plans to avoid duplication of efforts and conflicts among departments and invest in Information Technology to automate certain functions in City Hall that are paper-dependent, such as within hiring and purchasing processes.” He clarified he is not expanding city services, but repurposing money in payroll “to drive efficiency and collaboration.”(8–0)
Present: Councilors Gentile (Chair), Malakie, Greenberg, Bixby, Lipof, Humphrey, Micley and Grossman
Also present: Councilors Lucas, Krintzman, and Laredo
City staff present: Chief Financial Officer Maureen Lemieux, Comptroller Steve Curley, Senior Analyst Endrit Poreci, Financial Analyst II Trevor Goehring, Commissioner of Public Works Shawna Sullivan, Commissioner of Public Buildings Josh Morse, City Solicitor Ali Giuliani, Human Resources Director Michelle Pizzi O’Brien
