Treasurer flags $37,170 in fines and $6,129 interest; commission seeks clarity on longstanding 'leftover' line items

The Framingham Disability Commission’s treasurer reported Feb. 26 that the commission has collected $37,170 in handicap‑parking fine receipts and $6,129.95 in investment interest for the July–December period of fiscal 2025. Treasurer Susie Santone said the commission has difficulty discerning which past allocations remain obligated and which line items represent unobligated leftover funds; she cited examples such as $96.59 remaining from a 2021 wheelchair‑lift line item and other small balances dating to 2019.

Commissioners and finance staff (Jen Pratt) discussed administrative steps needed to clean up the accounts, including votes to close completed projects so funds can be returned to the commission’s general line and moved forward for reallocation. Pratt offered to attend a future commission meeting to walk through the reports and assist with the procedural votes and FinCom materials. The treasurer warned that certain types of expenditures — notably donations — cannot be funded from the handicap‑parking fine account under current procedures and that some ADA Day costs (such as ASL interpreters) must come from the commission’s general fund rather than fines.

Santone said she had been trying to reconcile totals with the treasurer’s office (Richard) and requested clearer reporting on what has already been moved back to the commission and what still requires a vote. Commissioners agreed to seek a short meeting with finance staff and to present a reconciliation and funding plan to FinCom on March 11.

What happens next: Finance staff will meet with commission representatives to reconcile leftover and obligated balances, prepare any votes needed to close completed projects, and present a clear accounting to the Finance Subcommittee so the commission can determine what funds are available for grants and other programs.