Malden City Hall

215 Pleasant Street

Malden, MA 02148

City of Malden

Meeting Minutes - Final

Finance Committee

Councillor McDonald, Chair

Councillor Taylor, Vice Chair

Councillor Condon

Councillor Luong

Councillor Sica

Councillor Simonelli

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

6:15 PM

City Hall, Room 105

215 Pleasant Street

Malden, MA 02148

Watch the meeting with Teams: https://tinyurl.com/4dzevm5w

Roll Call

6 -

Present:

Carey McDonald, Ari Taylor, Paul Condon, Michelle Luong, Jadeane Sica and Chris

Simonelli

Also Present: Council President Linehan, Councillors Colon

Hayes,Crowe,O'Malley, Winslow

Maria Luise-Special Assistant to the Mayor

Christopher Mooney-Assistant City Solicitor

Dan Grover-Treasurer

Carol Ann Desiderio-City Clerk

Daniel Koff-CPC Administration

Note: Councillor McDonald, Chair of Finance is attending the meeting via

Teams. Councillor Taylor, Vice Chair of Finance called the meeting to order at

6:24 PM.

There will be audio and video of this meeting via Teams.

Minutes to be Approved

207-26

Minutes of April 14, 2026 to be approved.

A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor Luong, that the

Committee Minutes of April 14, 2026 be approved. The motion carried by a

unanimous vote.

Business

208-26

Order: That the appropriation enumerated below, being in the amount of $60,000

be appropriated from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the following

project: Malden Rental Assistance Program from Fund Balance to Action for Boston

Community Development (ABCD).

Sponsors: Amanda Linehan

Attachments: ABCD Malden Rental Assistance Program CPC Recommendation

Mayor Christenson Letter of Support for CPC Recommendations 4 15

2025

Councillor Taylor started the meeting by asking the committee to take Paper #212-26 out

of order and take it up a the end of the meeting.

The Clerk read Paper #208-26 into the record.

Dan Koff explained that the $60,000 would fund a pilot rental assistance program in

Malden, operated by ABCD, providing up to 20 people with approximately one year's worth

of rent and wraparound support including financial literacy programs.

Councillor McDonald asked about the relationship between this program and previous

CDBG-funded initiatives?

Dan clarified that while they could not speak to CDBG specifics, the new program is

intended to supplement existing rental assistance and help residents become

self-sufficient.

Councillor Luong inquired about support for individuals with Section 8 or other housing

programs.

Dan confirmed that ABCD would conduct intake interviews to connect applicants with

appropriate programs and provide additional assistance as needed.

A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor Luong, that the

Order be recommended favorably to the City Council. The motion carried by the

following vote:

5 -

Yea:

Councillor McDonald, Councillor Taylor, Councillor Condon, Councillor Luong and

Councillor Sica

Order: That the appropriation enumerated below, being in the amount of $100,000

be appropriated from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the following

project: Oliver Street Restoration Project from Fund Balance to Malden Public

Facilities Department.

209-26

Sponsors: Amanda Linehan

Attachments: 139 Oliver Street Rehabilitation Project CPC Recommendation

Mayor Christenson Letter of Support for CPC Recommendations 4 15

2025

The Clerk read Paper #209-26 into the record.

Dan described the restoration project, including repointing the brick facade, removal of

hazardous materials, and engineering work, with quotes totaling around $80,000 for

masonry and up to $10,000 for hazardous material removal.

Council President Linehan asked about the current use of the building, which houses the

Public Facilities Department and a small area used by law enforcement, and discussed

potential future uses and storage functions.

Councillor Sica explained right now we have Public Facilities Department there and the

old Linden Library is the Police which is not Malden Police but it is law enforcement.

Public Facilities use the majority of the building. This appropriation is for the outside of

the building. The law enforcement work together with our Police Department and she

doesn't see them leaving the building.

Councillor Colon Hayes asked what is Public Facilities using the building for is it being

used for storage?

Dan said his understanding is it is used a an active shop.

Councillor O'Malley said he is fully supportive of this proposal but discussed whether the

restoration would trigger ADA accessibility requirements

Councillor Sica said it would be accessible you just need to open up the garage doors

there are no stairs in the back or the front to get into this building

Dan concluded that the cost threshold for such requirements is 30% of the building's

value, which the project does not meet.

A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor Luong, that the

Order be recommended favorably. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Yea:

Councillor McDonald, Councillor Taylor, Councillor Condon, Councillor Luong and

Councillor Sica

Order: That the appropriation enumerated below, being in the amount of $114,000

be appropriated from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the following

project: Digitization and Preservation of Historical Records Project from Fund

Balance to the City Clerk’s Office.

210-26

Sponsors: Amanda Linehan

Attachments:

City Clerk's Office Records Preservation and Digitization Project CPC

Recommendtion

Mayor Christenson Letter of Support for CPC Recommendations 4 15

2025

The Clerk read Paper #210-26 into the record.

Dan explained that the City Clerk's office would use the funds to preserve and digitize

frequently requested records stored in the vault, making them more accessible and

preventing further deterioration. He described obtaining three quotes from preservation

vendors, with work including physical restoration, proper rebinding, and digitization, and

discussed options for digital storage and access.

Councillor O'Malley asked about access to birth, death, and marriage records

Carol Ann clarified that most records are public except for restricted or impounded

records, which are only accessible to named individuals. She said 90% or more are

public records. She feels we are not talking about any restricted records for this

conversation.

A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor Condon, that the

Order be recommended favorably to the City Council. The motion carried by the

following vote:

5 -

Yea:

Councillor McDonald, Councillor Taylor, Councillor Condon, Councillor Luong and

Councillor Sica

Order: That the appropriation enumerated below, being in the amount of $122,500

be appropriated from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the following

project: Saint Paul's Parish Church Buttress Restoration Project from Fund Balance

to Saint Paul’s Parish.

211-26

Sponsors: Amanda Linehan

Attachments:

Saint Paul’s Parish Buttress Restoration Project CPC

Recommendation

Mayor Christenson Letter of Support for CPC Recommendations 4 15

2025

The Clerk read Paper #211-26 into the record.

Dan explained that St. Paul's Parish Church is a significant historic building on the

National Register, and the restoration project focuses on repairing a buttress and

surrounding windows to prevent further deterioration and emphasized the urgent need for

repairs, noting visible plywood over windows and the importance of restoring the building's

historic character.

A motion was made by Councillor Luong, seconded by Councillor Sica, that the

Order be recommended favorably to the City Council. The motion carried by the

following vote:

5 -

Yea:

Councillor McDonald, Councillor Taylor, Councillor Condon, Councillor Luong and

Councillor Sica

Order: That the appropriation enumerated below, being in the amount of $250,000

be appropriated from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the following

project: First Parish Church Restoration Project from Historic Preservation Reserve

and the Fund Balance to First Parish Church.

212-26

Sponsors: Amanda Linehan

Attachments: First Parish Church Restoration Project CPC Recommendation

Mayor Christenson Letter of Support for CPC Recommendations 4 15

2025

The Clerk read Paper #212-26 into the record.

Councillor McDonald announced their recusal from voting on this item due to their

membership in the congregation. They do not have any involvement in the project

however, out of an abundance of caution asked to be recused.

Dan explained that the First Parish Church is a historic congregation, and a

comprehensive building assessment by DRLA architects identified immediate life safety

repairs and additional masonry work needed in the next one to two years and noted that

the $250,000 award is partial and intended to be used as matching funds for other grant

applications, enabling the church to leverage additional resources.

A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor Luong, that the

Order be recommended favorably to the City Council. The motion carried by the

following vote:

4 - Councillor Taylor, Councillor Condon, Councillor Luong and Councillor Sica

1 - Councillor McDonald

Yea:

Recused:

Order: That the appropriation enumerated below, being in the amount of $500,000

be appropriated from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the following

project: Malden Affordable Housing Trust Fund from Housing Reserve, the

Budgeted Reserve, and Fund Balance to Office of Strategic Planning and Community

Development (OSPCD).

213-26

Sponsors: Amanda Linehan

Attachments: Affordable Housing Trust Fund CPC Recommendation

Mayor Christenson Letter of Support for CPC Recommendations 4 15

2025

The Clerk read Paper 213-26 into the record.

Dan explained that the Community Preservation Act Fund is a major source for the

Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and this is the third award, with previous funds

successfully supporting multiple housing projects. He also noted that the Trust Fund's

awards have helped leverage other funding sources, making local dollars foundational for

affordable housing development.

A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor Luong, that the

Order be recommended favorably to the City Council. The motion carried by the

following vote:

5 -

Yea:

Councillor McDonald, Councillor Taylor, Councillor Condon, Councillor Luong and

Councillor Sica

Order: That the appropriation enumerated below, being in the amount of $500,000

be appropriated from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the following

project: Linden Park Restoration Project from Open Space Reserve, Budgeted

Reserve, and Fund Balance to the Office of Strategic Planning and Community

Development (OSPCD).

214-26

Sponsors: Amanda Linehan

Attachments: Linden Park Improvement Project CPC Recommendation

Mayor Christenson Letter of Support for CPC Recommendations 4 15

2025

The Clerk read Paper #214-26 into the record.

Councillor Sica described the restoration plans for Linden Park, including upgrades to

playground equipment and replacement of mulch with a rubberized surface. This is just

for both tot lot play areas to bring it up to par with all the other parks in the City. It is

desperate need for repair. It hasn't been redone since 2001 when the building was built.

Councillor McDonald Carey noted he is happy to see two projects from this side of the

City.that Linden Park which is overdue for repairs and improvements, and highlighted the

importance of investing in parks on the east side of the city.

A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor McDonald, that

the Order be recommended favorably to the City Council. The motion carried by

the following vote:

5 -

Yea:

Councillor McDonald, Councillor Taylor, Councillor Condon, Councillor Luong and

Councillor Sica

Adjournment

A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor Luong, that this

meeting be adjourned at 7:00 PM. The motion carried unanimously.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Maria Luise, ADA

Compliance Coordinator at mluise@cityofmalden.org or 781-397-7000 Ext. 2005

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