[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6539134,"mediaKeyId","3736858-81c9484cf41a75abbd1f61f0ebc839bb","parentId",3736858,"title","Finance committee recommends approval of minutes, Council on Aging grant and small Parks invoice; police grants held in committee","audioSeconds",1355,"startMs",92000,"endMs",1447000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736858-81c9484cf41a75abbd1f61f0ebc839bb&start=92&end=1447","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736858-81c9484cf41a75abbd1f61f0ebc839bb/thumbnail_92000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6539134/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-recommends-approval-of-minutes-Council-on-Aging-grant-and-small-Parks-invoice-police-grants-held-in-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539134-4521b63321b319c4e79dec73107a4969/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443318&Signature=ZtYheRq4WiddKjFh8BRB1K6PP9LTkVtSwe4e5RxNhS-hknMpRM5-GoI5wzMOyDHo5MuzdJg29XKN-mOxsr2del2He1it-ba0mftYMmB2Eu-Lxvt3uS5t2lzaXfKJvHnjcj7SZ4heLo3JG9aHbWsvlcsE7efoXVJ6TPJ5d2CqFyR2ShbbZXnL8gV2i9UdgquP1IZlIEFkvapWKPeqrahBBWJfSwm2WNDa045k~yw0grEjMVpM5IHwoipmqdHwgrVBFY~9MfGIgZpQ-0qYm8ZW0zLmatkXLA7RY9yznaUBDPz2JJR2dFRBwSTH2qEn0~naNdXBKOASYTlGSmi96pPlhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Somerville City, MA","date","2025-06-10T07:56:00Z","article","The Somerville City Finance Committee on June 9 recommended approval of a set of routine consent items and separately held two police grant requests for further review.

Items the committee recommended for approval (laid on the table and then approved by roll call) included:
- Approval of the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting of May 20, 2025.
- Acceptance and expenditure of an $82,357.50 grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (referred in committee materials as the Executive Office of Aging and Independence) to the Council on Aging for social, educational and physical wellness programming; no new match required.
- Payment of prior invoices totaling $575.16 from Parks & Recreation office supplies to reimburse the department for cork boards.
- Acceptance of the MBTA gift to the Fire Department and the Eversource resurfacing grant (covered in separate articles).

Two police grant items (agenda IDs 25-0848 and 25-0849) from the Boston Office of Emergency Management for special response team equipment ($38,500 and $127,000 respectively) were kept in committee. Staff reported they will submit surveillance technology impact reports to comply with the city's surveillance technology ordinance before the committee takes further action.

The committee took a roll-call to recommend approval of the items that had been laid on the table; the clerk recorded all votes in favor by members present. The committee then recessed the meeting after completing the final easement vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Somerville City, MA - Finance - 2025-06-09 - Jun 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Somerville City Finance Committee on June 9 recommended approval of routine items including May 20 minutes, a Council on Aging grant of $82,357.50 and a small Parks & Recreation invoice; two police grants were held pending surveillance-technology impact reports.","taxTitle","Somerville City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",4564,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539139,"Finance committee recommends acceptance of $5,399 MBTA gift to Somerville Fire Department for rail rescue carts",186,417000,603000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736858-81c9484cf41a75abbd1f61f0ebc839bb&start=417&end=603","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736858-81c9484cf41a75abbd1f61f0ebc839bb/thumbnail_417000.jpg","/articles/6539139/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-recommends-acceptance-of-5399-MBTA-gift-to-Somerville-Fire-Department-for-rail-rescue-carts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539139-6cdcbf75933dc0158a100c282bb5019f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443319&Signature=AJ5WluLeIoeapdCWZ36Dv8FmDWLDPtHH-877ALLgjrz8P1PdQ5WAWg99jTHn9Ql3TDlkFiVze-NpTgg84BvAwXUUSI7alzVhUAL3C8PkjzEGDGDnG50SQmZlR0gtEBg6gXoKJp3OWLXkG7-HJwOon8wCc9bUSU0m9my~bN22oAYCfT85~QJEugeh2uqg9LqpXBNGzE1Js2zd7GTy63MOSV2Lua6vf1QIS08jma0J2l4asmmlfRHgf4VXnPDQ66jM1b3-x2YuUyXP06M8yv2cam8CzMEJ38YspEWYD3XZPQPcKs4f~65v~ufGKKd08P25MXJy3MjDVhRtTDllBChaeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somerville City Finance Committee on June 9 recommended approval to accept a donated package of equipment valued at approximately $5,399 from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to the fire department.

Fire Chief Breen described the donation as two \"Nolan rail carts,\" lightweight aluminum carts that mount on MBTA tracks and allow crews to push equipment along the rail line to reach incidents more easily than carrying equipment by hand. \"These carts let us put equipment on these carts and push them, which is a lot easier than carrying it for long distances,\" Chief Breen said, adding the department recently evacuated a train outside Union Square Station and has responded to accidents there.

Chief Breen said the MBTA approached the department and the department requested two carts. Committee members expressed support. The committee laid the item on the table to recommend approval and later recommended it for approval as part of the group vote of consent items.

No additional match was required and staff said the department will incorporate the donated equipment into its rescue response plans for rail incidents.","The Somerville City Finance Committee recommended accepting a $5,399 gift from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to the fire department for two Nolan rail carts to carry rescue equipment on light-rail lines.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539144,"Somerville committee recommends easement for Eversource (NSTAR) substation at 51 Prospect Street",1714,1457000,3171000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736858-81c9484cf41a75abbd1f61f0ebc839bb&start=1457&end=3171","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736858-81c9484cf41a75abbd1f61f0ebc839bb/thumbnail_1457000.jpg","/articles/6539144/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somerville-committee-recommends-easement-for-Eversource-NSTAR-substation-at-51-Prospect-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539144-06d217aa1aad919a0e33cfef406bab3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443319&Signature=NhoxzyCqmAje0WfCvOg0v2zBbUWAYggzZETX~uMF1dkaNXK~hY8rzo3HHKtXaxaZvn7AopW5P2DNv3v8tavQmmA4k73k-eFWGueRStRr3Gj7aizxRiP3zIHaYG4hMD~DUF-LSCkCuKkTUsgjbOrttoPjMmBqexTHZyMSSmFehwebTxNtfhLff5RRzMDUFvhhICOiQPMjtfcGZ7dhqbJ~EAy3A55hCRck5mSxb3dCIRwVi-5DbXPEOl~y3AsFf3u9Iv9xPiDaazHYSbjcfabD44M5d21-CxTFTGSznHqP9P4HMTrOoAzHE8fY2kLVwPhkmi~ZGTm~YoqQ6zXPyyVjRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somerville City Finance Committee on June 9 recommended approval of a permanent easement granting NSTAR Electric Company (doing business as Eversource) the right to install, operate, maintain and remove underground electric equipment across a small city-owned private way near 51 Prospect Street in the Union Square area.

City engineering staff said the parcel is an islanded remnant of an old private way near the Union Square MBTA station that Eversource needs to cross to connect new transformers and conduit installations for an expanded substation. \"This easement is primarily and exclusively to give Eversource the right to install underground utilities crossing this portion of private property owned by the city,\" said Brian Postalway, Director of Engineering.

Attorney Kathy Salkert of the Law Department explained legal protections in the draft easement: Eversource must carry specified insurance (general liability, automobile, umbrella, workers'comp and construction coverage), provide at least 30 days'written notice for nonemergency excavation, restore the area to pre-excavation condition at its cost (including paving), provide updated as-built plans after work, and comply with environmental laws for any hazardous-materials release. The easement is nonexclusive; the city may allow other uses so long as they do not unreasonably interfere with Eversource's rights.

Councilors asked about aesthetic screening, community notification, liability and flood risk. Postalway said the larger substation project underwent Planning Board review and includes exterior screening and cladding; construction communication has occurred through the planning process. On liability, city attorneys and staff said the city requires Eversource and its contractors to maintain insurance and indemnify the city for construction-related risks; utilities'own insurance would typically respond for incidents arising from their work. On flood risk, Postalway said the site falls within the projected 10-year flood zone for 2030 with an estimated two-foot depth in that projection, but that underground conduit and manhole systems are designed to be occasionally submerged and include waterproof couplings and pumping or recovery procedures.

The committee voted to recommend approval of the easement; Councilor Scott was recused from the final vote. Chair Jake Wilson moved the recommendation and asked the clerk to take a roll call. The committee recommended approval by members present.","The finance committee recommended approval of a permanent easement allowing NSTAR Electric Company (doing business as Eversource) to install and maintain underground conduit and a manhole across a small city-owned private way adjacent to Union Square.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539149,"Somerville committee backs $257,540 Eversource grant to coordinate trench restorations and street paving",915,304000,1219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736858-81c9484cf41a75abbd1f61f0ebc839bb&start=304&end=1219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736858-81c9484cf41a75abbd1f61f0ebc839bb/thumbnail_304000.jpg","/articles/6539149/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somerville-committee-backs-257540-Eversource-grant-to-coordinate-trench-restorations-and-street-paving","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539149-6054851e50119ca7213b396721d726c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443319&Signature=fwkurvPih8uuG7SoElUsKGSTaUDx9QOUqpep1xdn6B~xjGOamNNbRBEQzAkwgReIVz3v8IRcCK2l44Sba2go10ZopiE4G-IjaiK~sPU~BhfOBiE6wuhAoOXk~Hd1fpjOh0bdDzhNl3~e6CdRQKRvmLo23RAAuSBvelcfWGwD1cqXRqYswR~ZcTq2HqsgOdi3POt1iceVG6p1dUNpVDkYQbTH7Uar2ycc2JRL8ejkKu4nYxtJp45B5lvu6eL8lSUpGTDnRnVfQS9QJ0qJYwNeYH0tA8UlrMSWhkT2XWBLVJg7DFsuPdI1ay9tAZaX3pvrbx8m5LwBRZ7WH1ERjCtggA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somerville City Finance Committee on June 9 recommended approval of a $257,540 grant from Eversource Energy to the city engineering division for permanent resurfacing and restoration of several streets.

City engineers told the committee the grant funds will let the city combine Eversource trench restoration work with the city's partial paving program, reducing the need to repave streets twice and improving seam quality. \"When you go in and pave 6 feet it's really hard to get a good seam,\" said Director Brian Postalway, Director of Engineering. \"This allows us to combine those efforts so the entire travel lane can be paved.\"

Postalway said the grant covers five streets, each assigned a value in the agreement, and that Eversource will provide the lump-sum funds within 45 days of signatures. The city plans to use an existing contractor under its annual paving contract; the work will be implemented via a change order so the Eversource funds are encumbered and tracked separately. \"We were also able to coordinate with them to get some of our own staff time reimbursed,\" Postalway said.

Committee members asked whether the funds are retroactive or will be provided in advance. Postalway and Finance staff said the arrangement is intended to be proactive: Eversource would pay prior to the city executing the paving work for the coordinated streets, though some work may begin before funds are fully in hand because the city has budget capacity in existing contracts.

Councilors also asked about procurement and contract flexibility. Postalway described the city's use of a \"book job\" approach for paving: a contract format that purchases square footage of paving and allows the city to select streets over the contract period rather than rebidding each time. That, he said, lets the city respond quickly to additional funds without disrupting the annual contract.

The committee laid the item on the table to recommend approval; it was included in a subsequent roll-call recommendation of consent items and was recommended for approval by the committee.

The discussion did not alter the grant terms; committee members asked staff to continue coordinating schedules with Eversource to limit neighborhood disruption from concurrent construction.","The Somerville City Finance Committee recommended approval of a $257,540 no-match grant from Eversource to the city engineering division to combine utility trench restoration and municipal paving, aiming to reduce duplicate work and improve paving quality.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance committee recommends approval of minutes, Council on Aging grant and small Parks invoice; police grants held in committee

Finance committee recommends acceptance of $5,399 MBTA gift to Somerville Fire Department for rail rescue carts

Somerville committee recommends easement for Eversource (NSTAR) substation at 51 Prospect Street

Somerville committee backs $257,540 Eversource grant to coordinate trench restorations and street paving