The Framingham City Disability Commission reviewed its treasurer's report on Jan. 7 and directed staff to pursue unreturned line-item balances and a clearer process for awarding and tracking grants funded from handicap-parking fines.

The commission's treasurer, Susie Santone, told members the city's CFO and Finance Committee (Fincom) have delayed some transfers and that she and commission leadership are working to recover roughly $25,000 in leftover funds that the treasurer's office says still belong to the commission. "Once I get Richard to confirm all of those amounts and dates, I believe we will have to go to Fincom with that and request that it be transferred back to us," Santone said.

Why it matters: the commission uses the handicap parking fund to pay for enforcement overtime, grants for accessibility projects and small scholarships. Without clear accounting and a predictable grant process the commission said it cannot reliably commit money to community projects.

Santone described three practical steps she has started: separating fine payments from interest on the fund, asking the police business office for monthly overtime claims rather than a single annual lump sum, and requiring grantees to return unused funds after a six-month unused-funds window the mayor's office is requiring. "It will be advantageous going forward," Santone said of the move to monthly reporting by the police department.

Commissioners asked how compliance and grant administration will be handled. Santone said she is working with the mayor's office and assistant CFO Margaret (last name not specified in the meeting) to adopt a standard grant application and reporting process; that application will require grantees to document how funds were spent and to return unspent money after six months.

The commission also directed staff to work with the Finance Committee to reclaim line items that were never fully spent. Santone said some legacy items'for example, a 2021 wheelchair-lift allocation with $96.59 remaining'remain on the treasurer's ledger as small balances. "All of the money we have right now in what I call leftovers is money that did belong to the commission," she said.

Police overtime and grant administration: Santone said the commission provided $15,000 recently to the Framingham Police Department for overtime related to handicap parking enforcement. She and Lieutenant Harry Wareham plan to create a template the police can use to request additional funds so the commission can monitor spend-down and avoid surprise shortfalls.

Next steps and risk: commissioners asked staff to confirm whether the commission can require grantees to document spending and to request returned funds. Santone said Fincom wants the commission to present concrete plans for utilization and recovery of funds before it will transfer additional handicap-parking fine revenue.

Ending: Commissioners approved the treasurer's report by roll call during the meeting. Santone said she will continue work with the CFO's office and Fincom and circulate a draft grant application and reporting form for the commission's review.