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Committee Recommends $430,000 in Appropriations to Clear Delinquent Electricity Bills at Dillboy Field; DPW to Consolidate Accounts
Summary
The Finance Committee recommended two appropriations totaling $430,000 to cover delinquent electricity invoices at Dillboy Field and heard testimony that account transitions, misdirected paper bills and a supplier/transmitter split caused the arrears; DPW will consolidate and oversee city utility accounts going forward.
Somerville — The Finance Committee on Tuesday recommended that the City Council approve two appropriations totaling $430,000 to cover delinquent electricity bills at Dillboy Field.
Chair Jake Wilson read the two related requests: $205,000 from Dillboy Field Enterprise Fund retained earnings and $225,000 from unreserved fund balance (free cash) to the Dillboy Field Enterprise Fund electricity account. "Parks and Recreation originally held these electricity accounts and the plan was to transfer this responsibility to DPW," said Nikki Spencer, chief of staff, who appeared on behalf of Parks & Recreation and the Valentine administration.
Spencer said staff turnover, building relocations and at least one changed account number caused paper invoices to be misdirected during the transfer process. "Paper bills did not always follow," she said, and the administration has set up an electronic mailbox for invoice submittal to prevent recurrence.
Commissioner Jill Lathan (DPW) told the committee DPW discovered outstanding balances after utilities sent notices threatening shutoffs. Director Bean explained a supplier/transmitter split in early 2024 — with Eversource as supplier and Direct Energy as transmitter — which meant DPW paid some Direct Energy lines while Eversource bills went unpaid in Parks & Rec records. Bean said DPW has negotiated waivers of certain late charges while cleaning up accounts.
Councilors pressed for who would track individual charges and how similar lapses will be prevented. Lathan said DPW staff, led operationally by Danielle Palazzo and working with Parks & Rec finance and auditing teams, will own and monitor consolidated accounts going forward. "We're going to consolidate all of these accounts under DPW," Director Bean said, describing a plan to centralize invoices and require vendors to use department electronic mailboxes.
Committee members expressed frustration that the problem persisted across multiple years; Councilor Scott noted some charges dated back before November 2022. Still, the committee voted to lay the items on the table to recommend approval so funds can be used to avoid service interruptions.
Next steps: The committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the full City Council for a final vote.
