City Council - Finance Committee

CITY OF EASTHAMPTON OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL Easthampton Municipal Building 50 Payson Ave., Ste. 100 Easthampton, Massachusetts 01027-2260 Telephone #: (413) 529-1460 MINUTES FINANCE Meeting 09/14/2021 Attendees: FINANCE Committee Members: Councilor Peg Conniff Councilor Homar Gomez, Chair of this meeting Other Attendees: Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor Jennifer Gallant, City Treasurer Jeff Bagg, City Planner Jamie Webb, Assistant City Planner Greg Nuttleman, Director DPW Donal Carbaugh, Resident Meeting called to order at 5:00pm. The meeting was held remotely due to the COVID-19 pan- demic and was videotaped. No minutes to approve Mayor Communication: None Public Speak: None New Business 1. Interdepartmental Transfer A. $1.00 to correct a “rounding error” in the Library budget. Motion (Gomez), Second (Conniff) passed 2-0 2. Supplemental Appropriations  A. $245,412 from Stabilization for Reservation Road - state LAND grant reimburse- ments. Funding is needed to match the FY22 LAND grant. This money will not be used if the LAND grant is not approved by the state. These properties fill the open space requirements of the current Open Space plan for the city and the Kestral Land Trust endorses this purchase. Property is 5.5 acres. Neighbors are very con- cerned that this land be properly maintained and fully support this purchase. Mo- tion (Conniff), Second (Gomez) passed 2-0 B. $121,588 from CPA for Reservation Road - for acquisition costs. These funds are the portion of the acquisition of the land referenced in A above. Heard from resi- dent Donal Carbaugh - resident who started petition to ensure this land would be acquired for public use and to maintain open spaces. Petition received 1600 signa- tures. This has been a difficult parcel to consider for development as it sits on the side of Mt. Tom. Motion (Conniff), Second (Gomez) passed 2-0 C. 230,000 from Cannabis Stabilization towards Main Street re-paving/drainage prob- lem. DPW Director Greg Nuttleman spoke of the catch basins that were in need of repair. The re-paving will extend from South Street to Park Street (Library). This appropriation will cover shortfall from contract versus Chapter 90 funding. This will include a Rapid Flashing Beacon at inter Motion (Conniff), Second (Gomez) passed 2-0 3. RESERVATION ROAD - Request to authorize Mayor to enter into Option to Purchase Agreement. Motion (Conniff), Second (Gomez) passed 2-0 Continuing Business • UPDATE on COVID 19 Grant money: Mayor reports that the city is still owed significant dollars from government for COVID-19 funds from America Rescue Plan - $4.7M. No time- line for when that will be received. Meeting Adjourned at 5:43 PM Next Meeting 9/29 @ 5:00pm