Finance committee reviews audit and outlines funding plan for new public safety facility; several budget and procurement motions pass

The finance committee reviewed the town’s February financials and a completed fiscal‑year 2024 audit, and discussed financing options for a proposed public safety facility. The committee also approved multiple motions: declaring surplus parks equipment, applying for the Short Central PARD grant (previously discussed by parks), authorizing purchase funding for a reserve ladder truck, changing the town’s health‑insurance broker of record, and approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) deputizing Somerville officers as members of a U.S. Secret Service task force.

Financial report and audit: Rhonda (finance staff) reported the town had completed 67% of the fiscal year and summarized monthly and year‑to‑date revenue and expense totals, noting a large miscellaneous‑revenue line that staff agreed to itemize for future reports. Presenting the audit, Emily (audit presenter from the external auditor) said the firm issued an unmodified (clean)…