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DCAMM presents lease‑extension analysis; Council staff secure security upgrades and rent credit
Summary
A guest from the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance briefed the Executive Committee on a proposed lease amendment: a landlord proposal for a 5‑year extension (to a 15‑year total), tenant improvements including card access and intrusion alarms, and a below‑market rent outcome approved by DCAMM pending final execution.
Paul Burke, Senior Project Manager with the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), briefed the Executive Committee on Aug. 6 about negotiations for a lease amendment to the Council’s expiring 10‑year office lease.
Burke said the landlord proposed a five‑year extension—the statutory maximum beyond an original 10‑year term—and DCAMM’s cost‑benefit analysis concluded that extending the lease to a total of 15 years would be in the Commonwealth’s best interest. He said negotiations produced tenant improvements (a new card access system, an intrusion alarm, and a full repaint of the premises) and an allocation of free rent that was applied as a credit to reduce the overall rent. Burke reported that DCAMM’s commissioner has approved the analysis subject to final review and execution.
Committee members asked for specifics about the security upgrades. Burke described a card/badge system that will integrate with the existing alarm system; individual cards or fobs can be deactivated if an employee leaves, which reduces the need to collect physical keys. Catherine Cheng‑Anderson (Chief Financial Officer) added that some interior doors securing computers and servers will be locked, temperature and moisture sensors will be installed to protect equipment, and video cameras are already in place to provide visual monitoring.
David Slatery (Deputy Executive Director) said the agency intends to include the finalized lease numbers in the FY26 spending plan that will be reviewed by the Council. The Committee did not take a formal vote on the lease amendment at the meeting; DCAMM’s approval was reported as a procedural step prior to final execution.
