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2026-10-06 - City Council

Summary

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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 6:37 PM and adjourned 8:56 PM; Councilor Panitch absent, Councilors I. Rivera and J. Rivera on Zoom. Approved the September 15 minutes.
  • Police Chief Brian Keenan's ALPR (license plate recognition) policy and procedure was received. See Police Technology and Oversight.
  • Zone change for Sargeant St, BG to DR, was ordained 10-0 (three absent).
  • Cannabis dispensary hours pilot ordinance (6 AM to 2 AM instead of 8 AM to 11 PM, to January 31, 2027, with data reviewed in January; prompted by a request from Dazed Cannabis) ordained 9-2 (Sullivan, Vacon no; Greaney and Panitch absent). See Cannabis Hours Pilot and Permits.
  • Replacement of 'Columbus Day' with 'Indigenous Peoples' Day' in ordinance sections 2-38 and 2-39 ordained 9-3 (Greaney, Sullivan, Vacon no; Panitch absent). Petitions for and against were received; a Vacon order to name both holidays went to Ordinance. See Indigenous Peoples Day Ordinance.
  • Handicap-sign add and remove ordinances passed 10-0 and 11-0. See Parking and Traffic Ordinances.
  • Public Safety reports adopted: the Flock/ALPR review order 'has been complied with' (the police department provided data), and the shock-glove ban order was adopted; Councilor Thalheimer said the chief would not be getting shock gloves any time soon. See Police Technology and Oversight.
  • Councilor Vacon's orders: a Board of Health report on kratom after the statewide ban (to Public Safety); the Registrars and Clerk to audit the November 2025 vote after a six-vote machine over-count in Ward 1 (adopted, see Ward 1 Vote Audit); an audit-plan order to Finance; and a zone-change legal-notice summary order to Ordinance.
  • Councilor Devine's orders forwarding citations to two Northampton St motels were adopted; one transfer order passed 10-1. See Northampton Street Corridor Development.
  • Adopted the November 3 election warrant; the November 3 meeting was moved to November 5.
  • Petition for a zone change on Elmwood Ave (RA to R-2, two duplexes) went to Ordinance; a livery license on Northampton St went to Finance; a food-truck street-vendor license on Main St went to DGR.
  • The Mayor's communication on the City Forestry Crew was received. See Urban Forestry and Tree Planning.

Agenda

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

Sources

Video

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