The budget discussion was a central focus of the meeting, with the mayor presenting the proposed budget that included an 8% property tax increase. The council debated the proposed cuts, which totaled $3,441,877, impacting departmental salaries, court judgments, and contributions to education and employee benefits. The council president highlighted the significance of an amendment to exclude the DPW department from the cuts. The council ultimately voted to accept the budget with the proposed cuts, excluding the DPW department.

Further deliberations led to a proposal to limit tax increases to 2.5%, with a specific focus on the Emergency Management department. The council voted to cut $25,000 from the Emergency Management position, resulting in a split vote that revealed differing opinions on the necessity of the position and resource allocation. Additionally, the council approved cuts to salaries and wages from the mayor’s office by $1,915 and voted against a proposed $15,000 cut to the Professional Services budget.

Public participation played a role in the meeting, with residents expressing concerns about the budget’s allocation of funds, the necessity of certain positions within the DPW, and the advocacy for cuts in snow removal and litigation funding. A resident also highlighted the need for more police officers and expressed support for the DPW and Inspection Department, while another raised issues regarding the treatment of veterans within the city’s administration.

The meeting addressed concerns about financial management, with the mayor’s senior advisor, Octavian Spanner, presenting the city’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2025. Spanner outlined the impacts of inflation on the city’s operating budget and detailed the proposed property tax rate increase and adjustments to water and sewer rates. The proposed budget aimed to support competitive salaries to attract talent and maintain quality city services.

There was debate over the DPW’s budget, with the council initially considering a motion to approve the budget with a $250,000 cut proposed by the mayor for snow and ice removal. A further motion to cut an additional $1 from the DPW budget was accepted, leading to discussion of a potential $95,000 cut from a specific account within the DPW budget. The council voted on these proposed cuts, but the motions failed to pass. Eventually, the council voted to approve the entire budget as presented, with the total general fund approved at $390 million and enterprise funds for parking, April, and water and sewer also approved.

The meeting also featured discussions on the authorization to expend grant funds for various purposes, including grant funds from the Commonwealth Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Trust Fund and for rail trail-related expenses. The council approved the allocation of $392,000 for rail trail-related expenses and unanimously authorized the expenditure of grant funds for the community compact municipal fiber grant to create a secondary point of redundancy for the fiber network.

An important donation was considered for the fire department, where the acceptance of gifts from Charles Dahar and Commonwealth Motors for a forcible entry prop valued at $8,605 was discussed. The prop, critical for performing tasks during building fires, was to be sent to the full Council for approval.

In addition, the council discussed the transfer of $511,000 from various accounts to the home buyer assistance program, with the goal of assisting residents looking to purchase homes in the city. Concerns were raised about the income limits for the program and the difficulties faced by residents in qualifying for a mortgage. The council ultimately decided to table the item until further documentation was provided.

The meeting also touched on a Mass Trails Grant for a rail trail project, with discussions on the details of the grant and subsequent approval by the council. Solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and Lease contracts with Select Electric for five city properties were debated, with discussions on the benefits of leasing versus ownership and the financial aspects of the solar projects.