The Finance Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch NewTV video):
- Appropriate and expend $3,000 from Handicapped Parking Fines-Disability Commission Receipts Reserved for Appropriations Account. According to the report, the request is for targeted enforcement of accessible parking spaces during the holiday season to cover police overtime costs. The Committee voted to approve 5-0.
- Acceptance of $68,000 grant from MassDEP. According to the report, the Director of Sustainable Materials Management, Waneta Trabert explained that this is part of the “Recycling Dividends Program” designed to incentivize communities to adopt best practice policies. Communities earh points when certain types of policies/programs are in place. The City is eligible to earn $4,000 for each point earned and the City earned a total of 17 points. The funds received are not tied to any specific program (though generally spent on education campaigns) and there is no end date on when to spend the funds. Funds are generally spent on education campaigns. The Committee voted to approve 5-0.
- CPC Recommendation to appropriate $1,967,119 in CPA funding. According to the report, $562,034of the funds are to come from the FY24 Community Housing Reserve Account and $1,405,085 to come from FY24 Unrestricted Funding Account. The CPC currently has 2 applications this month: FamilyAid for the shelter on Washington Street, and 2Life Communities to support additional expenses with the Coleman House. The Walker House Project is a potential upcoming new project. The Warren House Proposal has been withdrawn to be restructured. The Committee voted to approve 5-0.
- Transfer request for $446,104.67 to Health & Human Services Department. According to the report, the funds are from FY23 unspent opioid settlements that are now certified free cash. The money will be used for opioid mitigation. The Committee voted to approve 5-0.
- Transfer request for $130,000 (from salary vacancies) to Clinical Health-Temp Staffing. According to the report, the funding will go to fill school nurse vacancies with agency nurses. NPS started the school year with 2-3 nurse vacancies and has had to use temporary staffing. There is a nationwide nursing shortage and the City anticipates an ongoing need for temporary nurses. The Committee voted to approve 5-0.
- Appropriation request for $612,134.74 from June 30,2023 Certified Free Cash to the Legal Claims/Settlements account. According to the report, the funds are needed for the full and final settlement of Anastasia et al. v. City of Newton. Discussed in executive session (not in public). The Committee voted 5-0.