Somerville to reapprove $1.11 million Union Square streetscape grant after clerical correction

Summary

Finance Director Alan Inacio said a clerical correction adds $10,000 to an earlier order; the committee will recommend approval of a $1,110,000 Massachusetts Gaming Commission grant to OSPCD and the Police Department for Union Square Plaza and Streetscape Phase 1, while some councilors questioned police-overtime allocations.

The Somerville Finance Committee on Nov. 10 considered a clerical correction to a previously approved request and will recommend approval of a $1,110,000 grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development and the Police Department for Union Square Plaza and Streetscape Phase 1.

Finance Director Alan Inacio said the original order was missing $10,000 and the committee should reapprove the corrected amount. Councilor Scott said he had raised the issue previously and that he was disappointed to see a sizable allocation for police overtime in the budget rather than more spending on design and direct implementation of the streetscape plan; he moved to approve the corrected order with that concern noted.

The committee laid the item on the table to recommend approval alongside other consent items; the administration and the OSPCD director agreed to remain available for further questions.

Provenance: Item ID 25-1600 — clerical correction and motion to recommend approval.