Summary

Somerville Approves Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

SomervilleJun 25, 20265 min read

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The City Council approved the amended Fiscal Year 2027 budget, with $394,172,946 in total proposed spending and $376,778,493 in municipal appropriations, by a 9–2 vote.

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What this means

The amended budget corrects funding-allocation errors in the original submission without changing its overall bottom line. The Council also approved funding for sewer, water, recreation, housing assistance, traffic safety, street reconstruction, and several city programs. Two councilors voted against the budget, citing concerns about staffing, school funding, special education support, and police raises.

Key decisions

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Approved the amended Fiscal Year 2027 budget by a 9–2 vote.
Approved $39,633,688 for the Fiscal Year 2027 Sewer Enterprise Fund and $24,672,499 for the Water Enterprise Fund.
Approved $1,000,000 for housing assistance and $549,399 for traffic safety improvements.
Approved $7,150,000 for the Street Reconstruction and Renovation Stabilization Fund to support the five-year capital investment plan.
Ordained a zoning text amendment requested by 26 registered voters.
Approved four public-hearing grants of location for conduit installations on Mt. Vernon Street, Main Street, Bow Street and Warren Avenue, and Somerville Avenue and Craigie Street.
Approved a resolution seeking measures to reduce heat-island effects around the East Somerville Community School and the Edgerly School.
Approved funding to reinstate the SomerBaby Home Visitor position, provide $20,000 for teen programming on early-release Wednesdays, and restore funding for cut positions in the Racial and Social Justice Department.
Referred a proposed ban on retail sales of exotic birds, fish, and other animals in pet stores to the Legislative Matters Committee for a recommendation.
Approved a resolution increasing crossing-guard pay by 10% in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
The Administration said it would collaborate with the Council on implementing body-worn cameras; no vote was taken on implementation.

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