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Committee advances several small grants and donations including $80K for digital equity programs and restart of senior employment grant
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Summary
The finance committee advanced a set of smaller items to the full council: an $80,000 MassTech amendment for digital equity initiatives, a parks bench donation, the annual recycling dividend (smaller than prior years), and reactivation of a federal senior community service employment grant that had been on furlough.
A cluster of smaller items drew brief presentation and were advanced to the full council.
Digital equity: A staff member working on the city’s digital equity plan described an $80,000 MassTech grant amendment to expand hotspot lending, increase public Wi‑Fi and support digital literacy through libraries and councils on aging. Councilors praised staff and discussed pursuing larger federal funding opportunities; staff said many federal grants are ISP‑directed and the city will engage providers via the digital equity group.
Recycling dividend and parks donation: DPW reported the city’s annual recycling dividend from the state DEP this year is smaller than in recent years due to program changes; the funds will support education and purchase of new recycling barrels. A donor offered a bench for Forest Park and the committee accepted the donation with no questions.
Senior employment grant: A Department of Elder Affairs representative said the Senior Community Service Employment grant (packet shows '168') had been paused while federal funds were withheld; the program recently restarted with about 15 participants and staff are recruiting to return to the customary 25–30 participants.
Ending: The items were advanced to the full council for final action.
