2026-09-15 - City Council

Summary

Built from the city's approved minutes, which were read in full. Roll-call tallies are Yeas-Nays; absences are noted separately.

Called to order 6:39 PM and adjourned 7:41 PM; Councilors I. Rivera and J. Rivera absent.
Approved the September 2 minutes. The Mayor's letters appointing six members to the new merged Historical Commission were referred to Public Service. Conservation Commission minutes (May 14) and Fire Commission minutes (August 19) were received. See Historical Commission Merger.
Finance transfers and grants were adopted 11-0 (one item 10-1, Sullivan no). See Bond Orders and Financial Reviews.
DGR reports: a home dog-training occupation special permit was granted with conditions (no signage, at most two dogs, set hours), 10-1 (Greaney no); a barber-shop home occupation on Sargeant St was sent back to DGR.
A Clean Slate and housing-stability (TOPA) resolution (Councilors Purcell and Anderson-Burgos) was referred to DGR. See Housing and Redevelopment.
Councilor Sullivan's order to bring in the Registrar about voter turnout went to DGR; a comprehensive review of the Council's rules (Thalheimer, Panitch) went to Charter and Rules. See Open Government and Public Access.
Councilor Devine's order for a Law Department opinion on a ban on data centers was adopted. See Data Center Ad Hoc Committee.
Councilor Magrath-Smith asked for a joint Council and School Committee look at professional-development days on election days. See School Committee Oversight Exit and Library Policy.

Agenda posted on the city's meeting page; see Sources.