Budget & Finance Standing Committee
Thursday, August 6, 2026 – 5:30 p.m.
City Hall
1st Floor Council Conference Room
9 Dale Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
and via Zoom
-Minutes-
Present: Chair Councilor Scott Memhard; Vice Chair Councilor Tony Gross; Councilor Patti-Ann Page
Also Present: CFO, Conor MacCorkle; Auditor, Kenny Costa; Community Development Director, Alex Koppleman; Building Commissioner, Rob Vicari; Financial Coordinator, Stacie Nicastro; Economic Development Coordinator, Emily Sloane
Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m.
This meeting was conducted in-person and remotely via ZOOM.
Councilor Memhard announced the names of the B&F Committee members in attendance and City staff who were in attendance in person and on Zoom.
1. Memorandum from the Interim Police Chief requesting acceptance of CIU donations for the Youth Anglers Program in the amount of $5,500
Summary of Discussion: None.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: On a motion by Councilor Memhard, seconded by Councilor Page, the Budget & Finance Committee voted, 3 in favor, 0 opposed, to recommend that the City Council accept various cash donations and a gift card under MGL c. 44, §53A, to support the Community Impact Unit for the Youth Anglers Program in the amount of $4,500 from the following members and business partners in our community:
- Bass Pro Shops — $500.00 — 7/8/26
- Campbell Funeral Service, Inc. — $1,000.00 — 7/8/26
- Harsheel Inc. — $1,000.00 — 7/8/26
- Fisherman's Wharf — $1,000.00 — 7/8/26
- North Atlantic Pacific Seafood LLC — $500.00 — 7/8/26
- Goucester Lane Inc. — $500.00 — 7/8/26
Total — $4,500.00
2. Memorandum from the Building Commissioner requesting approval to pay a 2019 invoice with FY2027 funds
Summary of Discussion: Building Commissioner, Rob Vicari stated that there had been a car accident in 2019, where a car ran into the concession stand at Wilson Field. He stated that the stand had to be boarded up and there had been confusion as to if the City or the Little League would pay for the services. He stated that per State law when a car damaged a structure, the structure had to be boarded up per specific regulations, which is why an outside company had been contracted.
Councilor Memhard asked if the concession stand was back in use. Rob Vicari stated that it had been back in use since April 2020.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: On a motion by Councilor Memhard, seconded by Councilor Page, the Budget & Finance Committee voted, 3 in favor, 0 opposed, to recommend that the City Council approve, in accordance with MGL c. 44, §64, payment of a prior year invoice for Boston Board Up Services LLC at 11 Adam Road, Unit #9, Stoneham, MA 02180 provided boarding up services of the concession stand at Wilson Field in FY2019, for the purpose of paying invoice #10800, invoice dated December 24, 2019, in the amount of $3,592.90 to be paid with the current year FY2027 General Fund, Inspectional Services – Ordinary Maintenance budgeted funds.
3. Memorandum from the Economic Development Coordinator requesting acceptance of the amendment to the MassDevelopment memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
Summary of Discussion: Economic Development Coordinator, Emily Sloane stated that when the grant had originally been awarded the intention had been for the City to draft a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the I4C2 site. She stated that through the visioning process it was decided that an Expression of Interest (EOI) should be completed first. She stated that that I4C2 was a very complex site which will require feedback and iteration with finding the right partners to develop a successful project on the site. She stated that the State had offered an additional $17,000 to support the EOI process.
Councilor Page asked what the local match for the grant was. Emily Sloane stated that there would be a $3,000 match required from the City.
Councilor Page asked if there would be an additional amendment to fund the RFP process. Emily Sloane stated that there was a separate grant that had been applied for, which if successful, would be awarded in November.
Councilor Page asked for clarification regarding MassDEP's response to any proposed work. Emily Sloane stated that if there was a proposed project with proposed uses that did not have a regulatory precedent, then the City would speak with the DEP regarding it. She stated that the idea of the blue economy sector was evolving and the DEP may have emerging ideas on what uses fell under the allowable uses for the site.
Councilor Page asked what conversations had already occurred with MassDEP. Emily Sloane stated that there had been an informal conversation with the office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and one formal phone call with MassDEP and the CZM. She stated that the conversations had been about streamlining the process due to the difficult nature of the site, and a lot of conversation on if parking could count towards the 75% marine use required. She stated that there was not a clear answer regarding the parking.
Councilor Page asked for clarification regarding the timeline for the RFP and EOI process. Emily Sloane stated that EOIs were typically only for a short time, but due to the complexity of the site the EOI period would be about five and a half weeks long. She stated that the EOI was meant to be a light and manageable process compared to the RFP process.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: On a motion by Councilor Memhard, seconded by Councilor Page, the Budget & Finance Committee voted, 3 in favor, 0 opposed, to recommend that the City Council accept a state grant, under MGL c. 44, §53A, an amendment to the Community One Stop for Growth Grant from MassDevelopment in the amount of $17,000 from the Real Estate Services Technical Assistance Program Scope Extension to support the 65 Rogers Street (I4C2) Visioning and RFP Development project. There is a local match of $3,000 for this grant.
4. Memorandum from the City Auditor regarding accounts having expenditures which exceed their authorization & Auditor's Report and other related business
Summary of Discussion: Auditor, Kenny Costa stated that the total amount had decreased. He stated that two accounts were no longer on the report, as their deficits had been closed. He stated that the Assessors had completed a transfer, and the Library had cleared a payroll encumbrance.
Councilor Gross stated that the Council on Aging was waiting on a grant to clear their deficit.
No motion offered.
MOTION: On a motion by Councilor Gross, seconded by Councilor Page, the Budget & Finance Committee voted, 3 in favor, 0 opposed, to adjourn at 5:49 p.m.
Submitted by: Lynds Jones, Legislative Aide.
Documents submitted at the meeting: None.
Matters appearing on the agenda that are to be continued: None.
Meeting Recording: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/1097/Past-Remote-Public-Meetings