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2026-10-20 - 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 6:36 PM and adjourned 8:00 PM; 13 members present, four on Zoom. The President noted the November 3 election and the October 24 registration deadline. Approved the October 6 minutes.
  • Appointments: a Library Board appointment was confirmed immediately; an appointment to the Redevelopment Authority went to Public Service. The CPA financial report for FY2018 to FY2026 was referred to Finance. See Community Preservation Act Funding.
  • Dazed Cannabis and Buudha Brothers filed notices of hours of operation under the new pilot; a Board of Health fines-update request went to Ordinance. See Cannabis Hours Pilot and Permits.
  • Two resident petitions (against 'as of right' assisted and independent living in residential zones; against eliminating the R1A zone), both tied to the Planning Board's February zoning package, went to Ordinance with a copy to the Planning Board. See Zoning Overhaul and Comprehensive Plan.
  • Special permit petitions for Gates St (Real Estate Investments NE LLC, dimensional variation) and Easthampton Rd Lot A (Salmar Realty, drive-thru) were referred to DGR. See Easthampton Road Drive-Thru and Wetlands Filing.
  • Zone change for Crescent St, IG to DR: leave to withdraw without prejudice adopted, citing state variance-law changes and the applicant seeking another pathway (Board of Appeals Petition 979). See Crescent Street Treatment Facility Rezoning and Variance.
  • Diablo Man LLC special permit (pre-roll manufacturing microbusiness, Sargeant St) granted with eight conditions, 12-1 (Greaney no). See Cannabis Hours Pilot and Permits.
  • A livery license for non-emergency medical transport on Northampton St was granted 12-0 (one absent).
  • Data center ad hoc committee ordinance: after long debate it was amended so that the Planning Board designates its member (8-5: Devine, Greaney, I. Rivera, Sullivan, Vacon no) and ordained 11-2 (Devine, I. Rivera no). The temporary committee sunsets June 30, 2027. See Data Center Ad Hoc Committee.
  • Winter-parking ordinance rewrite (simplified odd/even, DPW flexibility) ordained 13-0; 90-degree diagonal parking on Westfield Rd ordained 13-0. See Parking and Traffic Ordinances.
  • An Assistant Treasurer/Collector Grade 10 order was withdrawn by leave; collective-bargaining red-lining and investment-policy orders were 'complied with'. See Finance Department Reorganization.
  • Finance reports: MassDOT $3,260 in-kind grant 13-0; Massachusetts Technology Collaborative $75,000.98 grant (hotspot lending, Senior Center laptops, PVPC) 10-0; $16,774 transfer for three unemployment claims 10-0; $9,560 veterans transfer 12-0; $48,000 position transfer to the CAFO 11-2 (Greaney, Vacon no). See Bond Orders and Financial Reviews.
  • Public Safety orders asking the police department and License Board for information were adopted. Public Service: Historical Commission appointments were confirmed. See Historical Commission Merger.
  • New orders: Law Department opinion on whether any city board may meet only on Zoom (adopted, see Open Government and Public Access); Law review of MGL chapter 61B recreational land (adopted); a traffic-mitigation study from the Wyckoff Country Club owner (adopted, see Northampton Street Corridor Development); a CPA request to use $15,000 to restore a 1935 Mack fire truck (to Finance); and naming a Cabot St segment 'Capri Way' (adopted).

Agenda

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

Sources

Video

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