The Finance Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Appropriation of $297,400 to fund Pump Station Rehabilitation design (8–0). Pays for design and bidding to upgrade three sewer pump stations (Quinobequin Rd., Elliott St., Langley Rd.). DPW cited priority deficiencies—aging pumps/motors, end-of-life generators, deteriorated hatches/roofing/structural elements, and electrical/control systems. The design scope includes field evaluations, up-to-100% plans, and bid services (≈6 months), positioning the City to proceed promptly to construction; Chief Financial Officer noted strong fund capacity to cover both design and build.
- Appropriation of $325,000 to fund Cheesecake Brook subbasin stormwater analysis & plan (8-0) Launches an updated basin-wide study using refreshed GIS plus 1D/2D modeling to map present/future flooding and develop a prioritized resiliency plan. Staff highlighted recurring flooding (e.g., Border St.), the need to reflect newer climate projections, and an expected completion by December 31, 2026.
- Creation of an Older Adult Services Gift Account (8-0) with an upper limit of $1,000,000. The account will be funded by donations (non-revolving) to support scholarships, programs/events, supplies, and critical social services at the Cooper Center/Older Adult Services. Discussion clarified the difference between general gifts vs. fee-based revolving funds, how upper limits work within the budget exhibit, and that this supplements—not replaces—the regular department budget.
The Committee took No Action Necessary on:
- Outside special counsel for Turtle Lane (Auburndale) compliance/enforcement (8-0) Committee Chair reported the owner’s bankruptcy filing paused foreclosure; the City is a creditor seeking recovery of significant fines and has engaged outside counsel for the bankruptcy process and to help ensure a qualified buyer. Questions touched on tax payments (bank involvement), prospects for fine/tax recovery, and next status updates.
The Committee referred to the 2026–2027 term:
- Discussion and review of Workers’ Compensation Program (8-0)
- Discussion of a specific workers’ compensation claim (8-0)
Law/HR/CFO outlined the framework: Newton is self-insured; police/fire are covered under separate statutes; the 1984 Board Order defines eligibility (full-time covered; part-time not). Any expansion could carry significant fiscal/administrative implications (reserves, medical cost differentials, policy design). Staff provided current counts of cases and noted rare settlements return to Council when >$5,000.
Present: Councilors Gentile (Chair), Malakie, Greenberg, Bixby, Lipof, Humphrey, Micley and Grossman
City staff: Chief Financial Officer Maureen Lemieux, DPW Commissioner Shawna Sullivan, Comptroller Steve Curley, Senior Analyst Endrit Poreci, City Solicitor Ali Guliani, Director Older Adult Services Mignonne Murray, Human Resources Director Michelle Pizzi O’Brien and Worker’s Compensation & Safety Manager Kelly Brown
