Somerville

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee

The Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee will review and recommend several mayoral appointments to city advisory boards. The committee will also consider a councilor’s order to update hiring practices for the City Council and City Clerk departments. All recommendations will go to the full City Council for final action.

• Confirm Taylor Perkins and Calli Masters to the Fair Housing Commission
• Confirm Jurett Mooltrey-Weathers to the Affordable Housing Trust
• Confirm 14 residents to the Climate Action Commission
• Approve councilor order updating hiring practices for City Council and Clerk departments
• Appoint six members to the Wage Theft Advisory Committee

Finance Committee

The committee will approve minutes from seven recent meetings. The main item involves recommending approval of a $231,635 state grant for the police department to fund a body-worn camera program.

• $231,635 state grant for police body-worn cameras

Public Health and Public Safety Committee

The committee will review several resolutions regarding police activity in Davis Square, digital and physical ADA compliance, and public health concerns. Discussions also include rodent control measures, fire equipment maintenance, and the provision of free menstrual products in City Hall.

• Police report on drug activity near Davis Square and Hodgkins-Curtin park
• Request for documentation regarding cyclist traffic enforcement in Union Square
• Report on digital accessibility and WCAG compliance for city websites
• Proposal for latched trash barrels to address rodent issues
• Resolution to install free menstrual product dispensers in City Hall and city bathrooms

Housing, Community Development and Equity Committee

The committee will review updates on inclusive playground accessibility and the condition of communication boards for nonverbal children. Members will also discuss the future of Founders Rink and cost barriers facing low-income residents in city programs.

• Report on playground communication boards for nonverbal children
• Update on the Kensington Connector mobility project
• Discussion on future community use of Founders Rink
• Staffing update for the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Coordinator role
• Review of cost barriers for youth accessing programs like Veterans Memorial Rink

Legislative Matters Committee

The Legislative Matters Committee will review mayoral requests for surveillance technology impact reports covering Smart Tree Inventory, CrimeTracer, and body-worn cameras, alongside a new use policy and grant application. The body will also consider a home rule petition to authorize city regulation of leases and tenancy-at-will agreements, plus an ordinance mandating building sale notices to tenants. Additional items include amendments to the Welcoming Communities Ordinance for stronger civil rights protections and a proposal to ban taxpayer funds from self-promotion.

• Approval of Surveillance Technology Impact Reports for Smart Tree Inventory, CrimeTracer, and Body-Worn Cameras
• Adoption of a Technology-Specific Surveillance Use Policy for Body-Worn Cameras
• Mayor’s home rule petition to authorize city regulation of leases and tenancy-at-will agreements
• Ordinance requiring property owners to provide tenants with notice of building sales
• Amendment to the Welcoming Communities Ordinance to enhance civil rights protections

Sustainability and Infrastructure Committee

The committee will review how water and sewer meters are assigned to residential properties. Members will also discuss the implementation of a tiered base rate structure based on pipe size and address public comments regarding the Combined Sewer Overflow Plan.

• Review of water and sewer metering and billing practices
• Request for portable restrooms at Hoyt-Sullivan playground
• Discussion of tiered residential base rates for 5/8-inch vs 1-inch pipes
• Public comments regarding the draft Combined Sewer Overflow Plan

City Council

The Somerville City Council will review and vote on numerous budget transfers, grant acceptances, and contract extensions, including over $1.6 million for snow removal and $8.3 million in Community Preservation Act funds. The meeting also covers public hearings for utility conduit installations on several streets, a requested zoning text amendment by residents, and resolutions on traffic calming in Prospect Hill and heat reduction near two schools. Councilors are also addressing equity barriers for youth city programs and standardizing the city’s volunteer policy.

• Request for zoning text amendment by 26 voters to modify multiple Zoning Ordinance sections
• Resolution calling for traffic calming measures in the Prospect Hill neighborhood
• Approval of $1,624,494 in free cash transfers to cover FY2026 snow removal deficits
• Acceptance of $8,367,344 in estimated FY2027 Community Preservation Act revenue
• Public hearings for Eversource and Verizon conduit installations on Mt. Vernon, Main, Bow, and Somerville Streets

The City Council passed a zoning text amendment requested by registered voters. They also approved numerous budget transfers for tree maintenance, snow removal, and housing assistance.

• Approved zoning text amendment (11-0)
• Approved Eversource grant of location for Mt. Vernon Street conduit
• Approved Verizon New England grants of location for Main St, Bow St, and Somerville Ave
• Referred pet store animal sale ordinance to Legislative Matters Committee
• Sent traffic calming resolution for Prospect Hill to Traffic and Parking Committee
• Approved resolution for heat island reduction near local schools
• Sent order regarding youth ice rink costs to Housing, Community Development and Equity Committee
• Sent volunteer policy resolution to Housing, Community Development and Equity Committee

Licenses and Permits Committee

The committee will consider several requests from Eversource to install underground conduit across various city streets. This includes a small installation near Hudson Street and a larger project involving 641 feet of conduit at Somerville Avenue and Prospect Street.

• Grant of Location: 10 feet of conduit next to 135 Hudson Street
• Grant of Location: 31 feet of conduit at 0 Richardson Street
• Grant of Location: 641 feet of conduit at Somerville Avenue and Prospect Street
• Public comments regarding the 135 Hudson Street project

The committee approved three grants of location for Eversource conduit work, including one supporting new city EV charging stations at 135 Hudson Street. Two public comments regarding the EV charger location were marked as work completed. The prior meeting minutes were also accepted.

• Approved minutes of May 13, 2026 (3-0)
• Marked public comments #26-0910 and #26-0864 as work completed
• Approved Grant of Location for 10 ft conduit at 135 Hudson St for EV chargers (3-0)
• Approved Grant of Location for 31 ft conduit at 0 Richardson St (3-0)
• Approved Grant of Location for 641 ft conduit and manhole at 51 Prospect St (3-0)

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is reviewing the upcoming fiscal year budget, including a $376.7 million general fund request. Members will consider several large-scale transfers for water, sewer, infrastructure, and salary stabilization funds.

• Increase Licensing Commissioner salaries to $15,180 total
• $400,000 request for Youth Development Services grants
• $24.6 million Water Enterprise Fund and $39.6 million Sewer Enterprise Fund budgets
• $7.15 million transfer for Street Reconstruction and Renovation
• $376,778,493 General Fund Operating Budget appropriation

The Finance Committee recommended approval of the $376.8M FY27 General Fund Operating Budget (8-1). Seven resolutions were approved unanimously, including a 10% raise for crossing guards, restoration of Youth Development grants, and funding for the Summer Baby Program. Several enterprise and capital fund transfers were discharged with no recommendation.

• Approved $376.8M FY27 General Fund Operating Budget (8-1, 2 recused)
• Approved 10% raise for crossing guards (unanimous)
• Approved $400,000 for Youth Development Services grants (unanimous)
• Approved $20,000 for teen out-of-school time programming (unanimous)
• Approved $15,180 increase for Licensing Commission salaries (unanimous)
• Approved restoring Racial and Social Justice Department funding (unanimous)
• Approved reinstating Home Visitor position in Summer Baby Program (unanimous)
• Discharged without recommendation $24.7M Water Enterprise Fund budget and other enterprise/transfer items

Traffic and Parking Committee

The Traffic and Parking Committee will discuss multiple resolutions including installing colored lane markings for bus and bike lanes on Prospect Street, evaluating a raised intersection at Columbus/Prospect Hill/Stone, adding speed bumps on Vernon and Elmwood streets, and increasing enforcement in Teele Square. They will also approve minutes from previous meetings.

• Install colored lane markings on Prospect Street for bus and bike lanes
• Evaluate raised intersection at Columbus Ave, Prospect Hill Pkwy, and Stone Ave
• Install speed bumps on Vernon Street and Elmwood Street
• Increase traffic enforcement in Teele Square focusing on crosswalks
• Add signage and enforcement for one-way direction on Whitfield Road

The Traffic and Parking Committee voted to recommend all eight resolutions as work completed, covering signage enforcement on Whitfield Road, art for pedestrian safety on Perkins Street, increased enforcement in Teele Square, colored lane markings for bus and bike lanes on Prospect Street, daylighting at Durham and Hanson, speed bumps on Vernon Street and Elmwood Street, and a raised intersection study at Columbus/Prospect Hill/Stone. The committee also accepted minutes from April and May meetings. All votes were 3-0.

• Approved signage and enforcement for one-way traffic on Whitfield Road (3-0)
• Approved urban Neighborways art on Perkins Street for pedestrian safety (3-0)
• Approved increased traffic enforcement in Teele Square with four-week evaluation (3-0)
• Approved colored pavement markings for bus and bike lanes on Prospect Street, work to begin August (3-0)
• Approved daylighting improvements at Durham and Hanson Street intersection (3-0)
• Approved data collection for speed bump on Vernon Street (3-0)
• Approved data collection and review for speed bumps on Elmwood Street (3-0)
• Approved evaluation of raised intersection at Columbus/Prospect Hill/Stone (3-0)

Finance Committee

Land Use Committee

The Land Use Committee will hold public hearings on two items: a proposed Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Zone for Assembly Square and East Somerville, and a zoning ordinance amendment regarding homeless shelters. They will also consider a zoning map amendment for properties at 2 and 9 Union Square and 286, 290, 298 Somerville Avenue.

• Public hearing on UCH-TIF Zone, Plan, and Agreement for Assembly Square and East Somerville
• Public hearing on zoning ordinance amendment to Section 2.1.1 regarding Homeless Shelters
• Other business: Zoning Map Amendment request for 2,9 Union Square and 286,290,298 Somerville Ave from CC5 to MR6

The Land Use Committee held public hearings on the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Zone and a homeless shelter zoning amendment, both kept in committee. The committee recommended withdrawal of a zoning map amendment for properties at 2 and 9 Union Square and 286, 290, 298 Somerville Avenue.

• Recommended withdrawal of zoning map amendment for 2 and 9 Union Square, 286, 290, 298 Somerville Ave

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is reviewing the proposed FY27 budget across various city departments. Discussions will cover strategic planning for areas like housing, mobility, and economic development, as well as public works and infrastructure needs.

• FY27 Budget Strategy and Development review
• Public Works administration and operations
• Infrastructure and Capital Projects review
• Water and Sewer planning

The Finance Committee held a hearing to review the FY27 budgets for the Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development (OSPCD) and its divisions, including Mobility, Planning, Public Space, Housing, Housing Stability, Economic Development, and Sustainability. Department heads presented priorities and staffing changes, but no formal votes on the budget were recorded. The meeting was largely informational and procedural.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will consider 30+ items including major appropriations, transfers, and grants. Key decisions include $8.4M for CPA projects, a $1.6M snow removal deficit, and a settlement for the Assembly Square Fire Station lease.

• Appropriate $8,367,344 in CPA funds for projects
• Transfer $1.84M from multiple accounts to cover snow removal deficit
• Accept $222,502 grant for Blue Bikes repairs
• Appropriate $360,000 for Assembly Square Fire Station settlement
• Accept $231,635 grant for police body-worn cameras

The Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of nearly all items, including an $8,367,344 Community Preservation Act appropriation, multiple budget transfers, and grant acceptances. One item (fire station lease settlement) was discharged without recommendation for a lower amount in a future meeting.

• Recommended $8.37M CPA appropriation (5-0)
• Approved lease amendment for Grove Street parking lot (5-0)
• Increased Special Event Revolving Fund limit to $20,000 (5-0)
• Approved $250,000 from free cash for unemployment deficit (5-0)
• Approved $58,642 YouthWorks grant acceptance (5-0)
• Approved transfer of $127,358 to Housing Assistance Stabilization Fund (5-0)
• Approved $144,235 from Opioid Recovery Fund for initiatives (5-0)
• Discharged fire station lease settlement item with no recommendation (5-0)

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund Operating Budget of $376,778,493, covering departments under Culture & Community, Health & Human Services, and Public Safety. They will also discuss a resolution to increase Licensing Commissioners' salaries and an order regarding changes to youth programming grant RFPs affecting Teen Empowerment.

• Appropriation of $376,778,493 for FY27 General Fund Operating Budget
• Increase Licensing Commissioners' salaries: Chair $5,180, Commissioners $5,000 each annually
• Order (ID #26-0979) for update on youth programming grant RFPs impacting Teen Empowerment

The Finance Committee reviewed the FY27 budget for Culture and Community and Health and Human Services departments. Presentations were given by department heads covering arts, libraries, parks, communications, and public health. No motions or votes were taken on any budget items. The meeting was procedural only.

City Council

The council holds public hearings on two Eversource conduit installations. It considers numerous orders and resolutions on traffic safety, drug activity, parking permits, and school issues. A major portion of the agenda is mayor's requests for over $100 million in appropriations, including water and sewer budgets, capital projects, and various fund transfers.

• Public hearing on Eversource conduit installation on Somerville Ave & Prospect St (641 ft)
• Mayor's request to approve FY2027 Water & Sewer Rates
• Appropriation of $2.5M for DPW building roof replacement at 1 Franey Road
• Appropriation of $2M for West Somerville Neighborhood School roof replacement
• Resolution for increased traffic enforcement in Teele Square

The Somerville City Council approved several non-binding resolutions and referred a proposed ordinance regarding city investments and international humanitarian law to the Legislative Matters Committee. The council also referred Eversource conduit location grants to the Licenses and Permits Committee and sent multiple orders and resolutions to various committees for further discussion. No final votes on new ordinances or contracts were taken.

• Referred ordinance on divestment from companies profiting from human rights violations to Legislative Matters Committee
• Referred Eversource conduit grant on Richardson Street to Licenses and Permits Committee
• Referred Eversource conduit grant on Somerville Avenue/Prospect Street to Licenses and Permits Committee
• Approved resolution addressing safety concerns at Broadway Salvation Army site, sent to Public Health and Public Safety Committee
• Approved order on Teen Empowerment funding changes, sent to Finance Committee
• Approved resolution for increased traffic enforcement in Teele Square, sent to Traffic and Parking Committee
• Approved order on city attorney advice regarding FY2027 budget compliance, sent to Finance Committee
• Approved resolution on drug use in Davis Square, sent to Public Health and Public Safety Committee

Finance Committee

The Somerville Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the mayor’s proposed $376,778,493 operating budget for fiscal year 2027. The committee will also consider a resolution to adjust annual salaries for the city’s licensing commissioners. The meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom.

• Public hearing on $376,778,493 FY2027 General Fund Operating Budget appropriation
• Resolution to set licensing commissioner salaries at $5,180 (chair) and $5,000 (commissioners) annually

The Finance Committee held a public hearing on the proposed $376,778,493 FY2027 General Fund Operating Budget. After hearing from 24 residents, the committee laid the appropriation request on the table without taking a vote. A resolution to increase Licensing Commissioners' salaries was introduced but no action was taken.

• Tabled FY2027 General Fund Operating Budget appropriation ($376.8M)

Finance Committee

The committee will conduct a department-by-department review of the proposed FY 2027 municipal budget. The agenda outlines administrative, financial, and operational divisions to be examined, including debt service, pensions, and technology. No specific funding changes, dollar amounts, or public hearings are listed for this session.

• FY 2027 budget review for executive, legal, and administrative departments
• Finance division review covering debt service, pensions, and state assessments
• Operations and systems budget review for technology, elections, and equity programs

The committee reviewed the FY2027 budgets for Executive Administration, City Council, City Clerk, Law, Licensing Commission, Finance, and Operations & Systems. A motion to increase Licensing Commissioner salaries to $15,180 total was laid on the table until the June 23, 2026 committee meeting. No other votes were taken.

• Tabled motion to increase Licensing Commissioner salaries to $15,180 (deferred to June 23)