This Is How Melrose Is Spending $2.3 Million In 'Free Cash'

MELROSE, MA — Melrose is using a surplus in cash to address pedestrian safety, technology upgrades and other city issues — including anticipated legal needs in relation to Melrose's opposition to the proposed 40B development off Swains Pond Ave.

The city made sure to stress the free cash is a surplus from previous fiscal years, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the override.

"Once all expected revenues have been received and all bills have been paid for the fiscal year, we send a final budget report to the state, and the Department of Revenue certifies the remaining money as free cash," City Auditor Patrick Dello Russo said in a letter to Mayor Gail Infurna. "The money then becomes available for the city to use. Since it is one-time money, it is unrelated to our recent tax override, as that revenue was needed for ongoing expenses."

The largest portion of the money is going to public safety and DPW vehicles. Two new police cruisers cost $118,850; replacing six DPW vehicles cost $473,000; and an appropriation of $250,000 to the Capitalization Stabilization Fund for was made for a down payment for a new pumper, per the fire department's request.

Melrose is spending $100,000 on replacing an "unreliable and antiquated telephone system throughout municipal buildings."

The city is also allocating $50,000 to the Suits and Claims Stabilization Fund "in anticipation of outside professional and legal services needed in relation to the City’s strong opposition of the proposed 40B development off Swains Pond Avenue," Dello Russo said.

The city could see free cash for a number of reasons, including conservative initial estimates, replacing outgoing senior employees with lower-paid one and a generally strong economy, Dello Russo said.

The Board of Aldermen is set to vote on the free cash allotments Monday night.

This year, Melrose found itself with $2,327,694. Here is the breakdown, as spelled out by Dello Russo:

(Note: $50,000 of police overtime was moved to Department of Public Works sidewalk repair.)

"For pedestrian safety, funds are included for traffic calming measures and new crosswalks:

• Install rectangular rapid flashing beacon signals on Franklin at Vinton, on Upham at Ashcroft, and on Main at Linden Street. The signals are similar to those recently installed on Howard Street at Ruggles and are aimed at assisting pedestrians crossing these major roads ($82,500)
• Make significant patch repairs to areas of Upham Street that are deteriorating ($65,000)
• Repair and add accessible handicap ramps along Upham Street; on Howard Street east of Ruggles; and on Lebanon near Appleton and Beech ($68,000)
• Reconstruct the intersection of Cottage and West Foster streets for traffic calming purposes and to assist pedestrians trying to cross West Foster Street from the Levi Gould and Council on Aging ($30,000)
• Address sidewalk gaps on the west side of Mt. Vernon Avenue between Rockview and Sylvan Street in order to create a continuous walking path from Sylvan Street into this neighborhood ($34,600)
• Purchase and install two additional 25 MPH solar powered radar devices ($24,000)
• Purchase and install a flashing crosswalk sign for Wyoming Avenue at the Lincoln School ($8,500)

In addition, this order funds needed playground improvements and funding for tree plantings throughout the city:

• Make repairs, renovations and upgrades to Livermore Park on Felton Place off Upham Street ($62,500)
• Purchase and install 80 trees citywide from the existing list of resident requests ($50,000)

We will enhance security throughout the Melrose Public Schools and Melrose Public Library by allowing the Melrose Police Department to fund electronic mapping of the facilities:

• Funding the “Be Safe” Program ($5600)

Following an extensive review of our city’s vehicles, we have prioritized public safety and DPW vehicles that need to be updated:

• Two new police cruisers ($118,850)
• Replacing six DPW vehicles ($473,000)
• Appropriation to Capital Stabilization Fund ($250,000) for Pumper down payment.

Two items in the order address technology needs for items that are instrumental to our daily city operations:

• Required upgrade to the City’s MUNIS accounting software ($80,000)
• Replacement of the City’s unreliable and antiquated telephone system throughout municipal buildings ($100,000)

After a relatively mild season, this order balances our snow and ice costs for this past winter:

• Snow and ice deficit ($205,144)

The remainder of the available funds will be allocated to fund our stabilization accounts and address higher than anticipated costs:

• Police overtime ($100,000)
• Funding for the Contract Stabilization Fund ($365,000)
• Funding for the Special Education Reserve Fund ($155,000)
• Suits and Claims Stabilization Fund ($50,000)"