Finance Committee

FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes of the Meeting April 7, 2025 1. Chairman LaFauci called the meeting to order at 8:25pm in the City Council Chamber. 2. Chairman LaFauci requested that a roll call be taken to record the attendance for the meeting. The Clerk called the roll – Committee members LeBlanc, McMenimen, Vidal, and LaFauci were all present in-person. VP LaCava was absent. 3. Councillor McMenimen moved to accept the minutes of the meeting held on March 17, 2025. The motion was adopted on a voice vote and the minutes of the meeting on March 17, 2025 were accepted. 4. Councillor McMenimen moved to hear from all individuals with an item on the agenda – DSC Chair Mark Johnson, Superintendent of Schools Marisa Mendonsa and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Chad Mazza. The motion was adopted on a voice vote. 5. Councillor McMenimen move to take the matter of the DSC appropriation and the School Department mid-year budget report out of agenda order. The motion was adopted on a voice vote. 6. A request was received from the Mayor to approve the appropriation of $15,500 from F/B Reserved for Handicap Projects #237-560-2300-3591 for the following handicap projects: HP Scholarships #237-560-2328-5205 $6,000 HP OIC Special Day #237-560-2338-5205 $2,500 HP Benches #237-560-2345-5205 $5,000 HP Utility Carts #237-560-2346-5205 $2,000 DSC Chair Mark Johnson explained the specific use of each the projects and answered questions about the location of the benches and the criteria for the scholarships. Councillor McMenimen moved to approve the appropriation of $15,500. The motion was adopted on a voice vote. 7. In accordance with Council Rule #66, Superintendent Mendonsa and Assistant Superintendent Mazza were in attendance to discuss the FY2025 mid-year budget report for the School Department. Mr. Mazza distributed a summary of the report stating about 48% has been expended to January 31, 2025. Mr. Mazza gave an overview of the personnel, operating expenses and other account classifications. Mr. Mazza stated that the age of the boilers and air handlers in the elementary schools were a concern. Mr. Mazza also spoke of the SPED program, including the circuit breaker funds and the  potential impact of the loss of federal funds. Councillor LeBlanc asked questions about the cost of out-of-district placements and if any in-house opportunities were being considered. Councillor McMenimen asked several follow questions about the School Committee response to the mid-year report and the staffing of administrative positions. Superintendent Mendonsa gave a detailed response including her vision and outlook for the school district. Off-committee Councillor Katz asked for a detail breakdown of the building rental fund. Chairman LaFauci asked several questions about the status of the athletic fund, school lunch and any other funds that may have a financial shortfall. Councillor LeBlanc asked additional questions about future capital needs and the ability to provide parking of school buses on City property. Councillor McMenimen expressed the need for a strategic plan for future capital needs. The Committee thanked Superintendent Mendonsa and Assistant Superintendent Mazza for their discussion of the report and a motion to file the matter was adopted on a voice vote. 8. A request was received from the Mayor to approve the acceptance of memorabilia from the 100th anniversary of the appointment of Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis to the United States Supreme Court from Kathleen B. McMenimen for display in the City Hall Museum Room. Councillor Vidal moved to acceptance the donation. The motion was adopted on a voice vote. 9. A request was received from the Mayor to approve the acceptance of a Handbook for Commissioners & Code book from Kathleen B. McMenimen for display in the City Hall Museum Room. Councillor Vidal moved to acceptance the donation. The motion was adopted on a voice vote. 10. A request was received from the Mayor to approve the acceptance of a Waltham Trivia Game from Therese Ricci for display in the City Hall Museum Room. Councillor McMenimen moved to acceptance the donation. The motion was adopted on a voice vote. 11. A motion by Councillor McMenimen to adjourn was adopted on a voice vote and Chairman LaFauci declared the meeting adjourned at 9:40pm. Paul G. Centofanti – Clerk to the Finance Committee