Committee reviews library devices, brownfield testing, MassWorks streets and Complete Streets sidewalk awards

City grants staff and department directors briefed the Finance Committee on a package of state and philanthropic awards to support library access, brownfield assessment and public‑way improvements across Springfield.

Sequoia Malone, grants administrator, reported the Mass Broadband Institute award to the library: "we will be receiving 50 Dell, Latitude, touch tablets and a 104 Dell Chromebooks, with both of them having 3 year warranties," and she gave an estimated value of $7,072,558.75 for the equipment. Molly, the library director, said the devices will be circulated across nine library branches and must be reported on through December 31, 2026.

Brian Connor summarized three grants from the state's One-Stop for Growth program targeted to Mason Square (140 Wilbraham Ave). "This one will allow us to do environmental site testing," Connor said of the Brownfield site assessment award, and he added the site-readiness grant will fund planning work to prepare for redevelopment near the Community Music School and the site where a park garage and housing are under development.

On MassWorks funding, Connor said the FY26 MassWorks award—discussed during the same grant briefings—will pay for roadway construction and public-way improvements in the block bounded by Main, State, Willow and Union Streets, supporting sidewalk reconstruction, plantings and other public‑realm upgrades tied to nearby housing development.

The DPW director told the committee that MassDOT notified the city of a Complete Streets Tier 3 award to construct sidewalks on the west side of Roosevelt Avenue between Olden Street and Wilbraham Road. "MassDOT notified us of an award of 269,000," the DPW director reported, adding that the work will be concrete sidewalks in an area that currently has none and is identified as a walking route to several schools; the DPW director said the work is expected to occur this summer. Committee members noted that the transcript also referenced a figure of $279,000 for that project; staff did not resolve the discrepancy during the meeting.

Public-safety grant discussion included a SHINE earmark and a SHINE CSI award requiring a 25% in-kind match; the police award amount cited was $860,688.88 with a match of $215,172.22 for youth gang prevention, intervention and suppression programs. The committee confirmed the SHINE earmark (about $104,000) will pay staff wages and program costs for Medicare counseling services.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about device circulation, match requirements and project locations. No individual grants were pulled for separate votes; the package of items on the agenda was accepted by motion at the end of the meeting.

The committee asked staff to track reporting requirements and to return if additional funding or free-cash requests are required during the fiscal year.