Finance Committee

FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes of the Meeting May 19, 2025 1. Chairman LaFauci called the meeting to order at 9:40pm 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 LaCava, LeBlanc, McMenimen, and LaFauci were all present in-person. Councillor Vidal was absent. 3. Councillor LeBlanc moved to accept the minutes of the meeting held on May 5, 2025. The motion was adopted on a voice vote and the minutes of the meeting on May 5, 2025 were accepted. 4. Councillor McMenimen moved to hear from all individuals with an item on the docket – Mayor, Asst Library Director Deb Fasulo, Assessor Chairman Frank Craig, Recreation Director Kim Hebert and Public Works Director Michael Chiasson. The motion was adopted on a voice vote. 5. A request was received from the Mayor to approve a transfer in the amount of $20,000 from the Library State Aid special revenue account to the Library - Educational Supplies account. These funds will be used to supplement the FY2025 materials budget to qualify for state aid. Some of the following items to be purchased are to maintain and update the collections of books, magazines, audio, DVD’s e-books and online subscriptions. TRANSFER FROM: Library - State Aid #224-610-1065-5205 $20,000 TRANSFER TO: Library – Educational Supplies #001-610-5200-5510 $20,000 Upon questions from Councillors, Ms. Fasulo explained the purpose of using the state aid funds and it is an annual transfer to support the Library budget. A motion by VP LaCava to approve the transfer of $20,000 was adopted on a voice vote. 6. A request was received from the Mayor to approve the acceptance of various historical items from Donna Laswell for display in the City Hall Museum Room. The Mayor spoke briefly about the donation. A motion by Councillor McMenimen to accept the gift was adopted on a voice vote. 7. A request was received from the Mayor to approve the acceptance of the gift of two statues – a boy jumping rope and a girl with a balloon from Robert DiGregorio for display at the Recreation Area at 200 Trapelo Road. Councillor McMenimen recused herself from the discussion/vote due to the proximity of her residence to the property. The Mayor  spoke briefly about the donation. A motion by Councillor LeBlanc to accept the gift was adopted on a voice vote. 8. A request was received from the Mayor to approve the acceptance of the gift of a softball cage from Waltham Girls Softball to be installed at the Veterans Fields Athletic Complex. Councillor LeBlanc, McMenimen and VP LaCava asked questions of Ms. Hebert about the donation, including its value (approximately $10K) and where it would be located. A motion by Councillor LeBlanc to accept the gift was adopted on a voice vote. 9. A request was received from the Mayor to approve the acceptance of the gift various items regarding John Claffey from Randy LeBlanc for display in the City Hall Museum Room. The Mayor and Councillor LeBlanc spoke about the significance of the donation. A motion by Councillor LeBlanc to accept the gift was adopted on a voice vote. 10. A request was received from the Mayor to approve the transfer of $12,800 between the Assessor salary account and the Assessor operating account. These funds will be used to comply with the Department of Revenue requirement to conduct valuation services for personal property taxes on businesses once every 5 years. It was determined that approximately 300 remaining businesses need to be visited. The cost to conduct each visit is $64. Current available funds have been used for 100 visits. This funding request is to cover the other 200 visits. FROM: Assessor – Salary #001-141-5100-5111 $12,800 TO: Assessor – Valuation Services #001-141-5200-5310 $12,800 Assessor Craig explained the use of the funds was to conduct personal property site visits to comply with the Department of Revenue requirement. VP LaCava asked several follow up questions about the scope of work and how many businesses would be impacted. Councillor McMenimnen also asked several follow up questions about the scope of work and the need. A motion by Councillor McMenimen to approve the transfer of $12,800 was adopted on a voice vote. 11. A request was received from the Mayor to approves the transfer of $130,251.93 between two existing Public Works accounts. The funds will be used for Public Works projects for facilities repairs & maintenance purposes. TRANSFER FROM: CPW – Drainage Improvements #001-420-5400-7210 $130,251.93 (Hemlock / Leitha) TRANSFER TO: CPW – Facilities Repair & Maintenance #001-420-5400-5249 $130,251.93  Director Chiasson gave a brief summary of the origin of the funds, indicating it preceded his tenure as Director. Director Chiasson stated the funds would be used at the 240 Beaver Street property and to plant trees. A motion by Councillor LeBlanc to approve the transfer of $130,251.93 was adopted on a voice vote. 12. A request was received from the Mayor to approve funding in the amount of $20,643.80 for the purchase of a new vehicle to be used by the water meter reading staff to replace the 2019 Ford Fusion. The 2019 vehicle was totaled in an accident on April 14, 2025, in which our employee was not at fault. MIIA has assessed the vehicle and determined it to be a total loss. The City of Waltham has been issued an insurance settlement payment of $13,967.00 and will utilize these funds towards the purchase of a new vehicle. A quote was received from Liberty Chevrolet for a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox Compact SUV in the amount of $34,610.80. Liberty Chevrolet – Quote for 2026 Chevrolet $34,610.80 MIIA Insurance Settlement $13,967.00 Additional Funding Needed $20,643.80 FROM: Water O&M – Wages #610-452-5100-5112 $20,643.80 TO: Water – Vehicle #610-452-5800-6411 $20,643.80 Director Chiasson explained the circumstances for the needed funds for the replacement vehicle. A motion by VP LaCava to approve the transfer of $20,643.80 was adopted on a voice vote. 13. Chairman LaFauci spoke briefly about the upcoming budget review meetings of the Finance Committee and reminded the Councillors of the following scheduled days/times. FinCom Budget review Wed May 28 9:30am – all day FinCom Budget review Wed June 4 9:30am – all day FinCom Budget cutting session Mon June 9 6:00pm – 7:00pm City Council Budget approval Mon June 9 7:00pm – 7:30pm 14. A motion by VP LaCava to adjourn was adopted on a voice vote and Chairman LaFauci declared the meeting adjourned at 10:05pm. Paul G. Centofanti – Clerk to the Finance Committee