The Finance Committee met on Monday, March 9. See report and meeting video.
Approved
- Reappointment of M. Ronald Mendes as City Treasurer/Collector — the committee heard from Chief Financial Officer Maureen Lemieux, who praised Mendes for modernizing the Treasury department. Mendes described several innovations including an automated check processing system, electronic invoice payments through the Paymode X platform, and a new voluntary e-billing option for tax and water bills. He also described the City’s investment policy, which limits general operating funds to state-approved instruments and requires divestment from fossil fuel and Sudan-related investments. The committee voted unanimously to approve the reappointment.
- Accept a $113,956 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Electric Incentive Program (MassEVIP) and appropriate $9,290.85 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to install seven electric vehicle charging stations — Co-Director of Sustainability Sam Nighman explained that the funding would support seven new ChargePoint charging stations across three sites chosen for their existing electrical infrastructure and demonstrated demand. The City currently operates 48 publicly accessible ChargePoint chargers across 24 stations, with high daily usage across the system. The committee voted unanimously to approve.
- Accept and expend a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness 2.0 (MVP 2.0) program — Chief Environmental Planner Jennifer Steel explained that MVP 2.0 is an updated state climate resilience program requiring Newton to convene a Core Team including paid Community Liaisons drawn from underrepresented populations, complete a community resilience planning process, and implement a Seed Project. Completing MVP 2.0 is required to remain eligible for future MVP Action Grants. The committee voted unanimously to approve.
Present: Councilors Grossman (Chair), Bixby, Charm, Greenberg, Krintzman, Malakie, and Silber.
Absent: Councilor Micley.
City staff: Maureen Lemieux, Chief Financial Officer; Steve Curley, Comptroller; Trevor Goehring, Financial Analyst II; Alex Valcarce, Commissioner of Public Buildings; Ron Mendes, City Treasurer/Collector; Sam Nighman, Co-Director of Sustainability; Jennifer Steel, Chief Environmental Planner.
