The Finance Committee met on February 23, 2026. See report and meeting video.
Approved
- Appointment of Ruthanne Fuller to the Horace Cousens Industrial Fund for a term expiring March 2, 2029 (8-0). The fund currently stands at about $3 million. It gives individual grants of $1,000 or less to Newtonians in severe financial hardship. A part-time director was paid $31,000 last year to verify applicants’ income and residency. City social workers and guidance counselors direct residents-in-need to the fund.
- Transfer of $150,000 from the Cooper Center Owners’ Project Contingency to cover project closeout costs (8-0). The money covers the cost of miscellaneous metals, which were not included in the project when it was sent out to bid the second time. The funds will be used for furnishings, technology or “issues related to abutters and the surrounding streets.”
- Transfer of $1,500,000 from the FY2026 Budget Reserve — Snow Removal, with $350,000 to Regular Overtime and $1,150,000 to Contractors, to cover snow removal hauling costs (7-0, Councilor Krintzman not voting).
Present: Councilors Grossman (Chair), Bixby, Charm, Greenberg, Krintzman, Malakie, Micley, and Silber.
City staff: Maureen Lemieux, Chief Financial Officer; Steve Curley, Comptroller; Alex Valcarce, Commissioner of Public Buildings.
