Somerville council approves 2026 DSA budget, directs $50,000 borough match for downtown sidewalks

The Somerville Borough Council on Nov. 3 approved the Downtown Somerville Alliance’s (DSA) 2026 budget and directed a two‑to‑one infrastructure match from the borough to seed downtown sidewalk repairs.

Dana, who presented the DSA budget to the council, outlined several budget adjustments to create a new infrastructure repair fund and proposed relocating the DSA’s storage garage to an unused borough property under a $1-per-year lease to save about $5,000 annually. Dana said the DSA would add $5,000 to the fund in 2026 and aim to reprogram other event contributions in 2027 to increase annual infrastructure funding to about $23,000.

“Relocating our garage would save the DSA approximately $5,000 annually, and we would allocate these savings along with an additional $5,000 directly to a newly established DSA infrastructure repair fund,” Dana said.

Council members pressed for stronger, sustained funding. One council member said the borough should begin a two‑to‑one match in 2026 with the goal of moving to a one‑to‑one match in 2027. Mayor Brian Gallagher said the borough would provide $50,000 and asked the DSA to supply $25,000 to address immediate trip hazards on Main Street.

“I have no problem passing the budget with the caveat that the mayor and council are requesting that you go back and insert a significant amount of money for infrastructure,” Gallagher said, adding that the investment is about safety and economic vitality.

Council debate touched on the DSA’s use of contracted cleaning and maintenance services (ABS — Affordable Building Solutions), how event budgets produce revenues, and whether some external event contributions could be reprogrammed into infrastructure work. Dana explained ABS’s role: during busier months a three‑member crew cleans downtown each morning and provides seasonal maintenance.

A public commenter urged the council and DSA to invest far more than the modest sums discussed, calling sidewalk replacement a matter of “hundreds of thousands of dollars” and recommending more immediate action or financing such as a bond.

The council approved the DSA budget by roll call with the agreed 2:1 direction for 2026 (borough $50,000; DSA $25,000), and a plan to reassess match levels in 2027. Gallagher and multiple council members emphasized the need to pursue grants, consult arborists for tree‑sidewalk interactions, and pursue a multi‑year plan for larger repairs.

Next steps: the borough will coordinate with the DSA and the environmental commission to seek a consultant (tree inventory grant pending) and refine the multi‑year funding approach.