2026-11-03 - City Council

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02:51>> November 3rd, 2026, LOL City Council

02:54meeting come to order. City prayer. Dear

02:58God, today as this session opens, we

02:59pray that your presence will be before

03:01us and everyone who serves in the

03:03decision-making process of our city. We

03:05pray for the direction which will lead

03:07our city to be strong and unified. May

03:10we continue the legacy of our founders.

03:12May we be granted this day the wisdom to

03:14make decisions which will be for the

03:16good of our city. We also pray for your

03:18special blessing on all those who are

03:20working to transform our city and make

03:22it a better place to live and work.

03:24Amen.

03:26Pledge Allegiance. I pledge allegiance

03:28to the flag of the United States of

03:30America and to the republic for which it

03:32stands, one nation under God,

03:35indivisible, with liberty and justice

03:37for all.

03:45>> Roll call. Mr. Clerk.

03:48>> Council Dakota

03:49>> here.

03:50>> Mayor Gia here.

03:51>> Council Geran

03:52>> here.

03:52>> Council Leang here. Council Mcdana

03:55>> here.

03:56>> Council Mercier

03:57>> here.

03:57>> Council Non

03:58>> here.

03:59>> Council Robinson

04:00>> here.

04:01>> Council Scott

04:02>> here.

04:03>> Council Chow

04:04>> here.

04:05>> 10 present.

04:06>> Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Are there any

04:08moment of silences?

04:12Seeing none, we'll move on to mayor's

04:14business. Number two, mayor's business

04:162.1, communication, remote zoom

04:18participation. Motion will accept and

04:20place on file by councelor Direan

04:22seconded by councelor Mercier. All in

04:24favor signify by saying I. Any opposed?

04:28So ordered. 2.2 proclamation

04:32lung cancer awareness.

04:36Whereas lung cancer is one of the

04:38leading causes of cancer related deaths

04:40in the United States, affecting

04:42thousands of individuals and families

04:44each year. And raising awareness is

04:46essential to promoting early detection,

04:48prevention, and access to life-saving

04:51screening and treatment. Whereas lung

04:53cancer awareness month provides an

04:55opportunity to honor those who have lost

04:57their lives to lung cancer, recognize

05:00survivors and individuals battling the

05:03disease and encourage our community to

05:05support research, prevention, early

05:07detection and improved treatment

05:10options. Now therefore, I, Mayor Eric R.

05:12Gia, do hereby proclaim November as lung

05:15cancer awareness month in the city of

05:17LOL and encourage all residents to

05:19increase their awareness, learn about

05:21the importance of early detection, and

05:24support individuals and families

05:25affected by lung cancer. Motion to

05:28accept and place on file by council

05:30Robinson, seconded by councel Mercier.

05:32All in favor signify by saying I. Any

05:35opposed? So ordered. Three city clerk

05:383.1 minutes of the city clerk regular

05:40meeting October 27th for acceptance

05:43motion to accept by council Yang

05:44seconded by councelor Dakota all in

05:47favor signify by saying I any opposed so

05:50ordered 3.2 to release executive session

05:54minutes October 6th, 2026. Flock cameras

05:58motion to adopt.

05:59>> There is a register speaker. Excuse me,

06:01sir.

06:04Emily Girtinbach.

06:10>> Yes, thank you. My name is Emily

06:11Girtton. I live at 124 Park Avenue East.

06:14I just wanted to make a comment

06:15regarding this current motion. Before I

06:18make that comment, I do need to provide

06:19a little additional context so that my

06:21comment makes sense to everyone here.

06:23So, I was one of the people who spoke at

06:24the September 22nd meeting where the

06:26council did vote to suspend use of the

06:29flock cameras. Now, since then, I was

06:31reading the Lel Sun article that

06:33recently published about the cameras

06:34turning back on. Had a few different

06:36quotes from the counselors, including

06:38why are we not talking about ALPRs in

06:40general, which I think is a good point,

06:41conversation for another time, and also

06:43why are we talking about flock

06:44specifically? For context, there are

06:46over 50 ALPRs in Lel. 98% of them are

06:49from Flock. That is why we, the

06:51constituents, have been talking about

06:53Flock. It's very relevant to us

06:54statistically here in the city. Also,

06:56there's the matter of data sharing,

06:58which is the point that is particularly

06:59relevant to the statement I want to make

07:01about what's on the docket tonight. Um,

07:03so you can stop sharing Flock data with

07:05other police departments, but you can't

07:07stop sharing it with Flock safety. Uh,

07:09Flock's own contract says, and I quote,

07:11"Customer hereby grants to Flock a

07:13non-exclusive, royalty-free,

07:15irrevocable, perpetual worldwide license

07:18to use and disclose customer data to

07:20provide the Flock services and use the

07:22customer data to improve Flock's

07:24products and services." Their data

07:26policy says in item two, data ownership

07:29is because Flock needs access to your

07:31data to operate the service, the terms

07:33and conditions include a limited license

07:35from you back to Flock. There's no way

07:37to avoid it. Now the point I wanted to

07:38make regarding the release of the

07:40minutes is inside l reported that

07:42cameras were turned back on with the

07:44caveat that data isn't shared with other

07:46LPDS or flock as we can see from the

07:49flock contract that is not pos the

07:51ladder there is not possible it's always

07:52shared with flock the LPD transparency

07:55portal is the web page on the flock

07:57website not a city site I know that

07:59transparency portals were referenced

08:00previously and in the sun article if you

08:02go to that portal it shows that data

08:04that has been shared with flock as it

08:06has to be providing approving the policy

08:08that Flock does have the data because

08:09the portal is on their website. So, my

08:12point is this. I really hope that the

08:14council votes to release those minutes

08:16so we can see what the decisions and the

08:18discussions were regarding turning the

08:19cameras back on. If you talk if you did

08:22indeed make that caveat, again, I don't

08:25know because I haven't seen the minutes.

08:26If you did make that caveat, it

08:27indicates to me that there is some

08:28disconnect between how flock actually

08:30works and how you've been told it works

08:32or how you infer it to work. And if you

08:34didn't make that caveat and you think,

08:36"Well, she doesn't know what she's

08:36talking about." Well, show me the

08:38minutes. Thank you.

08:40>> Thank you, [clears throat] Matt Lucas.

08:46>> Uh, good evening. My name is Matthew

08:47Lucas. I live at 331 Akenhab in

08:50Centralville. Uh, Mayor Mayor Ger, and

08:53members of the council, I filed the open

08:56meeting law complaint regarding the uh,

08:58October 6th session. Thank you for

09:00putting the release of the October 6th

09:02minutes on tonight's agenda. Re the

09:04residents have asked for this and it

09:05matters. I ask for three things. One,

09:08release it. Release the minutes in their

09:10entirety. If any part is withheld, name

09:13the exemption for each part. Two, open

09:16it. Your October 27 minutes say another

09:19executive session on flock is coming.

09:21Whether and how flock runs in LOL is a

09:23policy decision. Please debate it and

09:25vote on it in an open session. Three,

09:28write it. Whatever was decided, put it

09:30in police policy 330.08 and the flock

09:33contract. Today, that policy still

09:35allows sharing with any verified police

09:37agency. Name who approves exceptions and

09:40send the council the monthly audits.

09:44Release it, open it, and write it. Thank

09:46you very much.

09:48>> Thank you.

09:49>> That's it, Mr.

09:51>> Motion to adopt by councelor.

09:54>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. There's a person

09:57on the agenda this evening who wants to

10:00speak about it and I'm wondering if that

10:03person is here and we can get this issue

10:06behind us for some reason. We I don't

10:09want to come back again at the end of

10:11the meeting. Maybe the man is here. I

10:13don't know.

10:14>> Can we finish this portion and then if

10:16you want to suspend the rules to bring

10:17that up we can.

10:18>> All right. because without releasing the

10:20minutes.

10:21Motion to release the minutes. Adopt by

10:24council Mcdana, seconded by councel

10:27Leang. Roll call.

10:32>> Councilor Dakota.

10:34>> Yes.

10:35>> Mayor Gia.

10:36>> Yes.

10:37>> Councilor Jirean.

10:38>> Yes.

10:38>> Council Leang.

10:40>> Yes.

10:40>> Councilor Mcdana.

10:41>> Yes.

10:42>> Council Mia.

10:43>> Yes.

10:43>> Council Non.

10:45>> Yes.

10:45>> Council Robinson.

10:46>> Yes.

10:47>> Councilor Scott. Yes.

10:49>> Council Chow.

10:50>> Yes.

10:50>> 10 years.

10:52>> Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

10:55Motion to suspend the rules by councelor

10:57Mercier, seconded by councelor Mcdana to

11:01take petition

11:049.2 miscellaneous out of order.

11:09All in favor?

11:11>> If the man isn't here yet, then I

11:13wouldn't

11:14>> I don't know if he is or not. I'm going

11:15to call his name. His name is David

11:18Trainer.

11:20>> David Trainer.

11:22I

11:22>> mean, it's a public hearing. Council

11:24Mercy, you suspend the rules. They

11:25should be here on time to speak about

11:27it. And it's a motion that just got

11:30>> Maybe he's knowing that he's on the end

11:32of the meeting and he's probably going

11:33to come at 10:00 at night. I don't

11:35>> You want to withdraw your motion?

11:38>> Withdraw it then. I don't.

11:39>> Council Leang, do you want to withdraw a

11:40second?

11:42>> Yeah.

11:43>> All right.

11:45Motion to suspend the rules and take 7.3

11:47out of order by councelor Dakota,

11:49seconded by councelor Chow. All in favor

11:52signify by saying I. Any opposed? So

11:55ordered.

11:567.3 vote. Conf confirm executive session

12:01votes for Draper Laboratory.

12:04Wave full reading and second reading by

12:07title.

12:11Vote confirm votes taken in executive

12:15session to enter into and ex execute a

12:18parking agreement tax increment

12:20financing agreement parcel 15 in right

12:24of first refusal partial 16 with Charles

12:27Stark Draper Laboratories Inc. for

12:30property located in the Hamilton Canal

12:32Innovation District.

12:34Motion to adopt by councelor Robinson,

12:38seconded by councelor Scott. Mr.

12:41registered speakers. Mr. Mayor,

12:42>> Mr. Mayor, just uh I want to just note

12:46that

12:47without stopping any speakers from

12:49speaking, I I do object uh just under

12:52council rule 27 and and like this to

12:54come back before the council next week,

12:55it it's election. I can give a whole

12:57justification as to why, but there's a

12:58whole slew of speakers. Councelor, we're

13:00not letting people speak if you object

13:02to it. It's off the table and it's off

13:06the agenda and we will proceed to the

13:08regular agenda. If you'd like, I can I

13:11can wait and object after the speakers.

13:14Well,

13:14>> you already objected. So, we're not

13:17withdrawing an objection that was just

13:19objected to after you find.

13:20>> All right. Well, then in that then in

13:21that case, Mr. Mayor, and I and I I

13:23would appreciate you to address me as a

13:25colleague on the city council. You don't

13:26you don't I don't know if you can hear

13:28or not, but it was said.

13:30>> So, Mr. Mayor, I am objecting under rule

13:3327 uh and asserting that right. Um it's

13:36election night. It's in a neighborhood

13:38that has been told there was going to be

13:39a whole slew of community engagement

13:40that as far as I am aware has not

13:42happened and I believe that those

13:44residents in addition to everything else

13:46deserve the chance to be heard and to

13:47understand what is being built in their

13:49literal backyard. So thank you.

13:50>> I believe we had meetings down at the

13:53downtown neighborhood meeting where

13:55people were there including yourself and

13:57there weren't any questions in that

13:58neighborhood but you was st you were

14:01sitting there but we can move back on to

14:03the regular agenda since your objection

14:04is taken over.

14:06This item will be on the next agenda

14:08item. What's that?

14:09>> This item would be on the next agenda.

14:11>> Yeah, it we'll decide if it'll be on the

14:13next agenda.

14:15>> It was already seconded though, right?

14:16>> You don't need to.

14:17>> He objected after the second.

14:23>> So now we'll move back to the regular

14:25portion of the meeting. Five city

14:27council motions. 5.1 council noon.

14:30request the city manager collaborate

14:32with the parks and recreation to brief

14:34the city council on the future outlook

14:37of the summer youth program. Seconded by

14:39councelor Mercia. Councelor Noon,

14:47>> I guess.

14:51>> Council,

14:52>> thank you.

15:15is an investment

15:17uh for the future of law our young

15:20people. um now keep them engaged

15:24in

15:26the productive activity that provide

15:29through the summer use program that park

15:32and recre is doing. Uh so if Mr. Manager

15:37would you know uh work with the park and

15:41wreck uh to give council an update on

15:45you know what is the future of that park

15:47and wreck. Thank you. Thank you, Council

15:49New Council Robinson.

15:51>> Thank you. Um I thank my colleague for

15:53bringing this forward. If if it's okay

15:55with the maker of the motion, would you

15:57mind including if this comes back sooner

15:59rather than later, just also an update

16:01on what winter programming is being

16:03offered, if any, by by the same

16:05department. Thank you.

16:06>> Absolutely. And thank you.

16:08>> Thank you.

16:08>> Thank you, Council Robinson. Councelor

16:10Jan.

16:10>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I I know I've

16:13spoken with um assistant city manager

16:15Shawn Mishado about um a recent our uh

16:19request for information that the city

16:20has posted about expanding the summer

16:22opportunities for LOL youth. And I'm

16:24assuming some of that might play into

16:27this report, but I wanted to just check

16:29whether that does relate or not.

16:35>> Yeah, this is city manager Golden.

16:37>> Uh thank you very much, Mr. Mayor to the

16:39council. Uh yes, council. We could we

16:41would include that as well. Um

16:43opportunities I suppose.

16:44>> Okay. No, thank you.

16:48>> All in favor of the motion signify by

16:49saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 5.2

16:53Council Newman request the city measure

16:55direct the appropriate department to

16:57update the city council on the status of

16:59the public and sustainability council

17:01feedback regarding the specialized

17:03building code. Seconded by councelor

17:06Scott. Councelor Non.

17:08>> Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um so I I

17:10understood or I've heard that the

17:13sustainability council had met a while

17:17back you know there's some public

17:19comment on regarding the specialized

17:22building code. I know that we talk about

17:25you know in our uh 2030 you know um uh

17:29green energy greenhouse and whatnot.

17:32This is a good idea. Uh renewable

17:35energy, you know, it's uh certainly

17:37going to cut the long-term carbon

17:40footprint, you know, that we plan for

17:432030. It's also, you know, if we were to

17:46do this or we get the uh developer or

17:50builder to do this, it still needs going

17:52to reduce the utility bill, you know, uh

17:57for building owner and residences over

18:00time. So I I I I like I just like to

18:03know uh where are we at on it? What's

18:05what's the feedback so that um so that

18:08as a council we can you know uh uh think

18:10about what's next.

18:12>> Thank you.

18:14>> Thank you Council New and Council

18:15Robinson.

18:16>> Thank you. um on this motion.

18:21I agree in theory with with what we're

18:25trying to accomplish with this, but

18:28is there a way to also provide

18:31[clears throat]

18:32would this be a costly measure,

18:34additional cost to either us or projects

18:39that are going on in the community as a

18:40result of adoption of this? I think

18:43that's if if we're gonna if we're

18:44looking for information to to be able to

18:47make an informed decision, I think all

18:48those factors need to be put in there.

18:51>> Manager Golden.

18:52>> Uh thank you, Mr. May. I try not to

18:54answer these beforehand, but I know a

18:55little bit on it, but we can um we have

18:57the best the base code, the stretch

18:59code, and then the opt-in code. And I

19:02think that we could probably um put put

19:04together things that might help the

19:07council with all of that. Um, we do have

19:09the stretch code currently right now

19:11here in the city of LOL and the

19:13specialized code. So, I'll get all that

19:15information and probably balance it with

19:18whatever um the builders are saying

19:20versus the environmental and try to put

19:22it all together for you for the council

19:24to make a decision.

19:28All set council represent. All in favor

19:31of the motion signify by saying I. Any

19:33opposed? So ordered. 5.3 Council Noon

19:37request the city manager coordinate with

19:39the relevant department to present a

19:40fire station repair update to the public

19:43safety subcommittee seconded by

19:45councelor Mcdana. Council new.

19:48>> Thank you Mr. Mayor. So I know that um

19:51you know the uh fire department or the

19:55uh people involved in this um you know

19:58renovation of the firehouse has been

20:01working hard on this. I know that

20:03they'll come up with a report sometime

20:05soon. I just want to see as I want to

20:07see sooner if they can update the

20:10council so that we can maybe update the

20:12council, bring the report to the

20:13subcommittee, the public safety

20:15subcommittee to have a more discussion

20:17on it as to where

20:20where's the the worst firehouse that

20:22need to be repaired first or renovate

20:24first and then second just the timeline

20:26of it. That that that'd be good. Thank

20:28you.

20:30All in favor of the motion signify by

20:32saying I. Any opposed? So ordered. 5.4.

20:36Council request the city clerk prepare

20:38the executive session minutes regarding

20:40the LHA tiff for the city council in the

20:43solicitor's review ahead of their

20:44release. Seconded by councelor Leang.

20:48Council no.

20:49>> The mayor motion speak for itself.

20:52>> Thank you. All in favor of the motion

20:54signify by saying I. Any opposed? So

20:57ordered. 5.5 Councelor Robinson request

21:01the city manager provide an update

21:02replanting plan complete with locations

21:05and tree types in Senville Woodward and

21:08current original plan seconded by

21:11councelor Scott councelor Robinson.

21:13>> Thank you. Um we had an original plan

21:15that was proposed and and presented

21:17through I believe it was the planning

21:19board and um I I just want to I want to

21:21premise this that I've gotten quite a

21:24bit of calls and and all positive.

21:26People are thrilled to see that we're

21:28currently replanting. I saw some new

21:30trees going into McFersonson. I mean,

21:32all throughout putting some back based

21:34on the number that was taken out of the

21:36reservoir, so and it's helping, I think,

21:39to try to long-term break up some of

21:41those hotter areas in the the district.

21:43Um,

21:45I don't know what the total anticipated

21:48number is going in over in Centerville

21:49or or locations. And I think it'd be

21:51helpful just to get maybe it's something

21:53that the city puts up, DBD puts out for

21:55the public to be aware because I've even

21:57been asked what type of trees and last I

21:59was unaware. I think a lot of red maples

22:02is what initially the plan was to put

22:05in. So any information is greatly

22:07appreciated. Thank you.

22:09>> All in favor of the motion signify by

22:11saying I. Any opposed? So ordered.

22:165.6 6. Council Robertson request the

22:18city manager have the property

22:19department provide a report on what is

22:21being done to enforce the approved

22:24conditions of the apple orchard project

22:26as well as how occupy permits and all

22:29other permitting continues without being

22:31in compliance. Seconded by councelon

22:33councelor Robinson.

22:35>> Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um again this

22:38project has been a nightmare since day

22:40one. It's it's they went in and clearcut

22:42the entire parcel. There was serious

22:44concerns about storm water mitigation.

22:47Now the part I find troubling is when

22:51they went for the subdivision because it

22:52was approval not required. When they

22:54proposed to subdivide more than three

22:57units on one lot, it triggered site plan

23:00review. During the process of site plan

23:03review, they went in front of the

23:05planning board and and they also had

23:08serious concerns about storm water

23:10mitigation amongst many other things. I

23:13have seen firsthand in heavy rains the

23:16the deposits, the silt, the sediment

23:18left behind that runs right off of that

23:20parcel as we knew it would happen down

23:23to First Street.

23:25I have a copy of the approval conditions

23:28that one of our boards put on and it's

23:31been filed.

23:33It's not being followed. I'm seeing

23:36people moving into a unit. I'm seeing a

23:38foundation being dug. I'm seeing a bunch

23:40of work continuing to progress, but yet

23:45the subdivision

23:47requirements

23:49still apply. It doesn't matter if it's

23:5115 different owners, that subdivision

23:54process has approval conditions applied

23:57to it. And we're not following up. I

23:59don't know whose responsibility it is. I

24:02mean, something as simple as the

24:03curbing.

24:05The applicant shall conduct test pit and

24:07soil analysis on each lot prior to any

24:10storm water infrastructure installation

24:12subject to approval from the low

24:14regional wastewater utility. The

24:17applicant shall submit a retaining wall

24:19design from a qualified engineer prior

24:21to the issuance of any permits. The

24:24applicant shall install vertical granite

24:26curbon VA4 with a 6-in reveal along the

24:30frontage of each property subject to

24:32engineering department approval. and the

24:35applicant shall work with low regional

24:36wastewater utility and engineering

24:38department to address any issues that

24:40may arise with the conditions outlined

24:42in the correspondence.

24:44I'm not seeing follow-up on any of this,

24:46but I am seeing forward movement,

24:48forward progress on this sub

24:50subdivision.

24:52What is the point of of putting all

24:55these codes and and ordinances and

24:58everything on the books that we have if

25:00we're not going to enforce it? I I mean

25:03this we knew that project was

25:05challenging.

25:07It was made very clear to the owner and

25:10the developer and the subdivider. It's a

25:12challenging project. Uh our boards have

25:17explained their concerns and and spelled

25:19out requirements. Whose responsibility

25:22is it to enforce this and put a stop

25:24work order until these conditions are

25:26met? Because nothing's being met but the

25:28work continues. And I think it's it's a

25:31slap in the face to the residents for

25:33one and it slap in the face to the

25:35council because here we are looking to

25:37make ordinance and policy that govern

25:39the way business is conducted in the

25:41city. But for what it's words on paper

25:44at this point, I hope we can really put

25:47some eyes on this and and and figure out

25:49why this is allowed to go and and I

25:52don't see how this justification to

25:54allow people to move into a project like

25:57this currently when they have not met

25:59any of these requirements. Thank you.

26:02>> Thank you, Council Robinson. All in

26:05favor of the motion signify by saying I.

26:07Any opposed? So ordered. 5.7 Council

26:11Mcdana request the city manager work

26:13with the appropriate department to

26:15explore the implications of adopting the

26:17residential tax exemption mass general

26:19law chapter 59 section 5C and the good

26:23landlord tax abatement Massachusetts

26:25general law chapter 59 section 50

26:28simultaneously

26:30to ensure that working families are

26:32taxed fairly while maintaining civ city

26:34revenues and protecting naturally

26:36occurring affordable housing. Seconded

26:38by Council Leang, Council Mcdana.

26:41>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um,

26:45there's no way around the the difficult

26:48financial times that we're in and in and

26:49the the period of tax increases. I know

26:52at the last meeting there was a

26:53discussion about trying to figure out

26:55tax exemptions for senior citizens who

26:56had lived in the city for 30 years.

26:59There there have been plenty of times

27:00the council has discussed a whole host

27:02of of attempts at at uh mitigating the

27:05impact on on longtime law residents. Um,

27:08in 2023, the Commonwealth adopted this

27:11good landlord tax abatement, the the

27:13chapter 59, uh, section 50 as a local

27:17option. Um

27:20my hope would be that that combined with

27:22a residential tax exemption would help

27:24to ensure that uh those paying ju just

27:26like we do a commercial residential

27:28split um where commercial and industrial

27:31properties are paying at a higher rate.

27:33um that this could maybe help further

27:36split so that those paying uh the higher

27:39percentage of uh city taxes are are

27:43those that own a whole host of rental

27:45properties and who are not renting them

27:46out at any sort of affordable rate. Uh

27:48it's just explore motion and see what it

27:50would look like. So, thank you.

27:53>> Thank you, Council Mcdana. Councelor

27:55Durant.

27:55>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to

27:57thank councelor Mcdana for framing this

28:00motion as he did which is an ex sorry um

28:05which is to explore the implications of

28:08this because I think rather than sort of

28:11insisting that we move forward I think

28:13that's exactly the right way we should

28:16be exploring if we're exploring anything

28:18um so I appreciate that thank you

28:21>> thank you councel all in favor of the

28:23motion signify by saying I any opposed

28:26So ordered 5.8 Council Direan requests

28:29the finance subcommittee and city

28:31finance team meet as needed to prepare

28:33for FY28 budget process to ensure

28:36coordination and communication between

28:38city council and city administration.

28:40Seconded by council Dakota council

28:43>> thank you very much. Um, last year, last

28:46sorry, last week, we had several

28:48requests come before us for additional

28:50funding, which while they're not going

28:52to increase taxes to the residents, they

28:55will still reduce our uh the city's

28:57financial flexibility during the next

28:59year and potentially coming years. And

29:02to me, a big part of the concern about

29:05things like the appropriation for the

29:07police department last week was the lack

29:09of awareness um that the city council

29:11had that that spending, which was not in

29:14the budget, was a priority for the city

29:16administration if the funding could be

29:18found. Um, you know, we've had and I

29:22appreciate the presentations that the

29:24CFO has provided to uh the council and

29:27to the finance committee about the

29:28budget stressors that have affected us

29:31this year and will do in the future. Um,

29:34and we should continue that discussion.

29:36Um, but I think it's also important that

29:39as the budget is put together, the

29:42council understand the administration's

29:44priorities for items that aren't already

29:47budgeted or that aren't, you know, end

29:49up not included in the budget, but

29:52[clears throat] for which um, you know,

29:55there is an intent if the money can be

29:57found to um, you know, to fund it. so

30:01that we can go into the requests that

30:04might be made later on with an

30:05understanding of how everything fits

30:08together in terms of the

30:09administration's goals and then ideally

30:11the council has some input in in that

30:14process. Um, and I'm assuming the

30:16finance comm uh committee is the right

30:19place to have that discussion although

30:21it certainly could be done in the

30:23council as a whole if that is the will

30:26of the body. Thank you.

30:28>> Thank you councelor Duran. All in favor

30:30of the motion signify by saying I. Any

30:32opposed? So ordered. 5.9 Council Direan

30:36request the city council to go into

30:38executive session to A review unreleased

30:41executive session minutes. B approve

30:43final minutes. C. Determine which

30:45portions, if any, of such approved

30:47minutes are ready for release. And D,

30:50agree on a timeline for ongoing review

30:52of minutes in determination of portions

30:55which if any minutes should be released.

30:59Seconded by councelor Chow, Councelor

31:01Tran.

31:02>> Thank you very much. Um, as my husband

31:05well knows, my eight years or really

31:07nine, including kindergarten, at

31:08Catholic school, um, made me a lifelong

31:11rule follower. And, um, you know, I know

31:15that my colleagues, whether or not they

31:16went to Catholic school, we all and the

31:19city clerk and the city solicitor are

31:21all conscious of our obligations under

31:23the open meeting laws. Um, including

31:25with respect to executive session

31:27minutes. Um, and I think we comply with

31:29them. But I think [clears throat] you

31:32know bal having sorry I don't know what

31:34my why I'm horse today. Um you know

31:36being we have an obligation to balance

31:39you know our need to protect the city's

31:41interests with the interests of all our

31:44residents to be informed. So I think

31:46coming up with a standard process and

31:48time frame for reviewing approving and

31:51considering the release of minutes. I'm

31:53not suggesting that, you know, we

31:55immediately release them because, as you

31:57know, I've been a proponent of ensuring

31:59we find that right balance. But I do

32:01think if we just come up with a time

32:03frame, that will probably be a, you

32:05know, and a procedure that we follow. I

32:08think that would be a good thing for us

32:10to be doing um more regularly. Thank

32:13you.

32:14>> Thank you, Council Dan.

32:16All in favor of the motion signify by

32:18saying I. Any opposed? So ordered

32:22being 7 o'clock, we'll go to the utility

32:24public hearings. 4.1 Boston Gas. Request

32:27replacement of existing gas main at 217

32:30to 250 Westford Street in portion of

32:33Lane and Fenade Street. Give second

32:36reading. We're going to open the

32:37hearing. Anyone wishing to speak in

32:39favor,

32:42please state your name and address the

32:43record.

32:43>> Good evening. Diana Cuddy, National

32:44Grid, 170 Data Drive, Waltham,

32:46Massachusetts. I'm here today to request

32:48a grant a location for um for this uh

32:52for this location on Westford and uh

32:54Lane Street. The city uh sewer

32:57separation project has resulted in

32:59encroachment approximately 350 ft of our

33:01gas main that we need to relocate.

33:04>> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak

33:07in favor? In favor. In favor. That

33:11portion of the hearing is closed. Anyone

33:13wishing to speak in opposition?

33:14Opposition. opposition. That portion of

33:18the hearing is closed.

33:20Motion to refer to the wire inspector

33:22for report and recommendation by

33:23councelor Mcdana. Seconded by council

33:26mercia.

33:28All in favor signify by saying I. Any

33:31opposed? So ordered. 4.2 National Grid

33:34request installation of underground

33:36electrical conduit along Robson Street

33:39for service at 225 Middle Sex Street.

33:43We're going to open the hearing. Anyone

33:44wishing to speak in favor?

33:46>> Uh yes. Hello. My name is Alec BSong.

33:48I'm here to speak in favor of the

33:50petition. Uh we're looking to install uh

33:54conduit across Robinson to the property

33:56for service.

33:58>> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak

34:00in favor? In favor.

34:03In favor. That portion of the hearing is

34:05now closed. Anyone wishing to speak in

34:07opposition? Opposition.

34:10Opposition. That portion of the hearing

34:12is now closed.

34:14Motion refer the wire inspector for

34:16report and recommendation by councelor

34:17Scott seconded by councelor Robinson.

34:20All in favor signify by saying I. Any

34:22opposed? So ordered. 4.3 zo enterprise

34:26networks request installation of

34:28underground fiber optic conduit at 174

34:31South Street. We're going to open the

34:33hearing. Anyone wishing to speak in

34:35favor?

34:37In favor.

34:39In favor. That portion of the hearing is

34:41now closed. Anyone wishing to speak in

34:44opposition?

34:45Opposition. Opposition. That portion of

34:48the hearing is now closed. Motion to

34:50refer to the wire inspector for report

34:52and recommendation by councelor Dakota.

34:54Seconded by councelor Chow. All in favor

34:57signify by saying I. Any opposed? So

35:00ordered.

35:03We go back to the regular agenda. Six,

35:05communications from the city manager.

35:076.1 motion response.

35:10A Western Street and Steman Street.

35:13Thank you, Mr. Manager, for the

35:14response. Anyone wishing to

35:17motion to accept in place on file by

35:20council Dakota, seconded by Council

35:22Mcdana. All in favor signify by saying

35:25I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.1B.

35:29South Ling and Shaw. Council Noon.

35:33Council Noon. South Laring and Shaw.

35:39Mr. Mayor,

35:42sorry.

35:54Control.

35:56I do appreciate it.

35:59I carry that recommendation.

36:02>> I thank you. Uh, assistant city manager

36:04Jovan by Roses. Although like I said uh

36:08the traffic engineer and her team uh

36:12recommend against any change in the

36:14traffic control.

36:19I appreciate their report. Really I do

36:21and and I I take her recommendation. Um

36:25you know uh I will relay the message to

36:27those who call me on this um because

36:31they know best and I don't. So meaning

36:34that the traffic uh engineer. So

36:36appreciate the report. Thank you.

36:37>> Thank you, Council No. Councelor Jirean.

36:40>> Yes. I just had a question. Um in the

36:42report it mentioned that the flashing

36:44stop signs are of questionable

36:46durability and I was just curious like

36:49why or what that

36:51>> manager Golden.

36:52>> Uh thank you very much, Mr. Mayor

36:53through to the council. Uh we had

36:55installed flashing stop signs.

36:57>> Oh, and actually I think I'm on the

36:58wrong item. I'm sorry.

37:00>> Okay.

37:01>> All right. We can come back to it.

37:01>> We can come back to it.

37:03Motion to accept and place on file by

37:05councel noon, seconded by councelor

37:07Dakota. All in favor signify by saying

37:10I. Any oppose? So ordered 6.1 C

37:12Princeton Boulevard in Baldwin Street.

37:14Council Dakota.

37:16>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I do appreciate

37:18Miss Alman's

37:20reply, but I the city has continued to

37:24pave paint pavement markings through

37:26November and we'll address the crosswalk

37:27and stop bars of Princeton Boulevard and

37:29Foster. I I think Council Dan just

37:32brought up um the flashing stop signs.

37:34If there was ever an intersection that

37:36needs those, city manager, it's

37:38Princeton at Foster and Westfed Foster

37:40to be quite frank. There's accidents

37:41going on all

37:45I'm sorry,

37:46>> manager.

37:47>> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor to the council.

37:49Uh council, that is under state control.

37:51However, that doesn't mean we can't try

37:53to get it accomplished. Um, and to

37:54answer the question, previously we've

37:56had some issues over on West Sixth

37:58Street in Bunker with this um

38:01with with with uh these working

38:03appropriately. So, there has been a

38:05little bit of a challenge on it, but it

38:07is a state state road. So, we can talk

38:08to Mass Dot and see if they they did

38:11they were so generous to uh bring us

38:14West Six and Bunker at the time and we

38:16are definitely interested in them, but

38:18the um it it appears that our our sign

38:21folks have to go out and readjust them

38:23often to make sure they're flashing and

38:25working.

38:26>> I mean, they're expensive. I mean,

38:28solar. Are we looking at solar plated?

38:30Uh I'm sorry, I didn't see Miss Alman

38:32there. I apologize

38:35cuz I understand it's state highway but

38:38what um I think I also want to include

38:39Westford at Foster as well where there's

38:41been accidents as well.

38:42>> We did file [clears throat] this motion

38:44about three years ago. Yeah, it's

38:45ultimate and we told the state did this.

38:48>> So the flashing stop signs cost about

38:51$1,500 a piece and then they have to be

38:53assembled. So it takes the sign shop

38:56between three and four hours to assemble

38:58them and install them. Um each one um

39:01the ones at West 6th and um Bunker Hill,

39:05couple of them work great. One of them

39:07kind of works when it feels like it. Um

39:10so that's just we're keeping an eye on

39:12them. The state is more in favor of

39:14them. I can I've asked them if they

39:16would consider putting them at Princeton

39:18and Foster, but that's their that's

39:20their

39:21>> Is this uh the faulty equipment with one

39:24vendor or is this something that we can

39:26>> We don't know. We received them from the

39:28the ones at Bunker Hill and Wessix from

39:31the state. Um they just delivered them

39:34to us. So I'm looking into it a little

39:36bit because the the ones now on Broadway

39:39at Mount Vernon seem to be working

39:41pretty well and they also came from the

39:43state. So I'm just looking I'm have a

39:47request for information in from them if

39:49they use two different vendors or what's

39:50going on.

39:51>> Okay. And if we could put Westford and

39:53Foster as well because I know we've had

39:55accidents there as well.

39:56>> Correct. There's a number of

39:57intersections that I'm looking at that

39:59are always stops that um might need that

40:02those kind of treatments to help.

40:05>> Thank you very much.

40:07>> Thank you, Councelor Dakota. I'm sorry.

40:09>> Councelor Leang,

40:10>> just want to mention one of the four on

40:13the Broadway is not working today just

40:15in case. [laughter]

40:18Uh just want to give you a heads up on

40:20that one. the one that's uh coming

40:21toward the city hall. Thank you.

40:25>> Motion to accept and place on file by

40:28councelor Dakota, seconded by councelor

40:30Chow. All in favor signify by saying I.

40:33Any opposed? So ordered. 6.1D motion

40:37response. Mount Pleasant and First

40:39Street. Councelor Robinson.

40:41>> Thank you. Thank you very much. Um I

40:43think from what I've heard the West

40:45Sixth ones

40:47great improvements. I haven't I haven't

40:49heard really any negatives on that. I'm

40:52glad to see that First Street in uh M

40:54Pleasant do meet the criteria. In the

40:57community I work in um they also

41:00received some from the state.

41:02I think there's there's a lot of

41:04variables with them um because I believe

41:07they are solar powered the ones that we

41:10have in the community working as well as

41:13the installation. If if whoever does the

41:15installation of them nicks a wire or or

41:18doesn't completely tighten down the

41:20wire, then you're going to see a

41:22lackluster uh operational lifespan. So,

41:27there's a bunch of things that go

41:28through, but I'm glad to see that we can

41:30um get these now through you to the

41:34manager. Is this something we have to

41:36purchase or is there grants available

41:39again for these type of devices?

41:42>> Mr. manager.

41:43>> Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Through to the

41:45council. Counselor, we do try to get

41:46them for free from Mass DOT, but this is

41:49probably one of those purchases piece. I

41:50know the West Sixth Street um and bunker

41:53were free. They were they were kind of

41:56trying them out. So, we will continue to

41:58try to get them on a grant, I suppose,

42:00if that's the case. Um, but

42:02probabilities will be we will be

42:04purchasing them in the future.

42:05>> Okay. Thank you very much.

42:07>> Is it district four we deal with?

42:13So, I'll give everybody someone's phone

42:14number call them tomorrow.

42:17Uh, motion would adopt and place on

42:19accept and place on file by councelor

42:21Scott, seconded by councelor Mercier.

42:24All in favor signify by saying I. Any

42:26oppose? So ordered. 6.1 motion response

42:29E. Lawrence and Burka Street. Council

42:31Dan and Council Scott.

42:34>> Council Scott, just thank you for the

42:36response. Um, it doesn't surprise me. I

42:38guess there was seven crashes between

42:40between 25 and 26 is such a blind spot

42:42to pull out of. I'm so I'm glad to see

42:44that this will be under consideration a

42:46good candidate for intervention in 2027.

42:49Thank you.

42:50>> Thank you, Council Scott. Council Dan.

42:52>> Yeah, thank you very much, Miss Ultman.

42:53Um I [clears throat] uh I always get

42:56nervous when I come through that

42:57intersection traveling I think south um

43:00because I always worry about the

43:02northbound Laurens Street folks sort of

43:04move going to Bill Rico Street without

43:06realizing that there are people who are

43:08like have the right away to go you know

43:10in effect left there. So, I get um so

43:14I'm really hopeful that um improving the

43:17sidewalk and doing the realignment is

43:20going to help, but uh yeah, it's it's

43:22always I always pause. My husband never

43:25does and he says, "No, we have the

43:26rightway. We should go, but I always get

43:28worried." So, [laughter]

43:29hopefully he will not be one of those

43:31accident numbers. Thank you.

43:34>> Thank you, Councelor Jiren. Motion to

43:35accept and place on file by council

43:37Yang, seconded by Council Mcdana. All in

43:40favor signify by saying I. Okay. Any

43:42opposed? So ordered. Motion response

43:456.1. Motion response F. Gorm Street in

43:47Manchester Street. Mr. Vice Mayor, if

43:50you would come up for a minute.

43:51>> Absolutely.

43:52>> Thank you.

44:08>> Mr. Mayor.

44:10>> Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. um through

44:13you to Yavani Bayz Rose.

44:16We want to thank you for the report or

44:18Miss Alman, whoever wants to take this.

44:20Um Miss Alman, thank you for the report.

44:23I think that this one needs to be done

44:25yesterday. When you drive up Garm Street

44:28and you got two schools there and all

44:29those kids that cross those roads and

44:31every I'm hoping that this can be done

44:33before the winter, but I'm I don't know

44:34that that's the case. But it's really

44:37important to watch those kids cross that

44:39street. And I I wish Miss Alman, and she

44:41probably has, just goes up there and

44:42watches it in the morning and then watch

44:44it in the afternoon and watch how tough

44:46it is to navigate that area when

44:48someone's coming up the hill or coming

44:49across and going down. Um, even with the

44:52crossing people, I think we need the

44:54signage put up yesterday and this stuff

44:56really needs to be done. But I I thank

44:58you for all the recommendations. I think

45:00that um right now it is imperative that

45:02we get up there quick because they're

45:04really young students walking across

45:06those streets and sometimes they don't

45:08always adhere to to crossing pieces. So,

45:11um thank you again,

45:12>> Mr. Mayor. You want Miss Alman to come

45:14to the podium?

45:17>> I'm sure

45:20>> tomorrow, Mr. Alman

45:34I second with Vice Mayor Nun said.

45:38>> Motion to accept and place on file by

45:40councelor Mcdana, seconded by councelor

45:42Dakota. All in favor signify by saying

45:44I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.1g

45:48Elm in Chapel. Council Mcdana.

45:51>> Uh I Mr. Mayor, thank you. Um, it threw

45:54you to the manager and Miss Alman and

45:56the guy with the line marking equipment.

45:58Uh, thank you to everybody. Um, this is

46:03this was uh one of the most complained

46:06about sections of street in all of

46:09district 4, never mind in that section

46:11of back central. Um, since the lines

46:15have gone in, I I don't mean to jinx us

46:17now if if we all get a bunch of

46:19complaints tomorrow, but I know I'm

46:20going to say it. I'm going to say it.

46:21I'm going to say it. I I need good news

46:23right now. Um since the lines have gone

46:25in, okay, it's been several weeks and

46:27and the complaints that I have received,

46:29I don't know if 311 is also reflective,

46:31have have plummeted. Um you know, watch

46:34I was watching some of the cars this

46:36morning and uh it looks so much better.

46:39You know, the double yellow with the

46:40white line on the side, cars are not

46:42zigzagging all over the place. It it I'm

46:44really hoping that this is an effective

46:46and lowcost uh control on some dangerous

46:49driving going forward. So, thank you.

46:51Motion to accept and place on file by

46:53council Mcdana seconded by councel

46:55juran. All in favor signified by saying

46:58I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.1 motion

47:01response H. Pine and Georgia council

47:04child.

47:05>> Thank you Mr. Mayor. I want to thank the

47:07traffic engineer and the assistant city

47:08manager for the report and for going to

47:12look at uh the area um on the motion. Uh

47:16this motion was brought out by uh

47:18residents uh families with uh school age

47:20children who uh take the bus uh to

47:23school. Um I know that um the traffic

47:26engineer went to look at the area during

47:29um the day uh when the school's in

47:31session. Um I was wondering that the

47:33real concern from the family is really

47:35when the the school bus uh pick up and

47:37drop off. um with an area like that um

47:40it's a it's a beautiful area but I can

47:42see that when the children get off the

47:44bus um they might be running around uh

47:47what have you and I know that they will

47:50be continuing study of that corridor. I

47:52was wondering if you could go look at

47:54that area again um during when the

47:56school buses are there when they pick up

47:58or drop off um just to see how safe it

48:01is uh for the for the school children.

48:03Um but overall a thank you report.

48:07Thank you, councelor Cow.

48:09Motion to accept and place on file by

48:12councelor Scott, seconded by councelor

48:15Mercier. All in favor signify by saying

48:17I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.1. Motion

48:21response I. Alcohol bar licenses.

48:25Councelor [clears throat] Mercia,

48:26Council Dakota, Council Robinson,

48:28Council Mcdana. We'll go with Council

48:29Mercia first.

48:31>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. um as it indicated

48:34and it was a very lengthy uh response

48:38and it was a very good response uh that

48:41councelor Mcdana and myself did attend

48:44the August 13th uh 2026

48:48license commission meeting and I just

48:51want to say thank you for the report and

48:53also to state that there will be another

48:58meeting uh to propose for the proposed

49:02those regulations during the November

49:055th meeting and that'll be this

49:07Thursday. That'll be uh at 6:00 in the

49:12uh city council chambers right here. So,

49:15just in case anybody would like to come

49:17and still discuss this, very

49:20informative, very important, and I think

49:22that the rule should revert back to um

49:27getting rid of that no bar license.

49:32I think it there are bars, there are uh

49:36restaurants, there is a big difference

49:38and I think when we spoke the police

49:42seemed to be happy with what we were

49:44saying because they kind of agreed. So I

49:47think we want to make this city safe and

49:50I don't feel as well that we should

49:52punish the good uh owners of restaurants

49:56and things. That's not what we're trying

49:59to do. But we're trying to protect the

50:02people that are still 14, 15 years old

50:06from going in and calling it a

50:08restaurant and being served without

50:10being ced. It's about public safety and

50:13we're that's our responsibility. Thank

50:15you.

50:16>> Thank you, Council Mia. Council Dakota.

50:18>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. through you to the

50:20city solicitor. Um, understanding that

50:23the license commission is getting

50:25together this Thursday, is it going to

50:27be put forth that there will be a bar

50:29license and there will be a restaurant

50:31license? And if so, what are are there

50:34any different provisions for each of the

50:36licenses as well?

50:38>> Sister Williams.

50:40>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, the license

50:42commission actually already voted in

50:44favor of um moving forward with these on

50:47premise licenses and being able to

50:49differentiate between a restaurant and

50:52uh you know a pub license or a bar and a

50:55pub license. So, they just they simply

50:57ran out of time at their last meeting.

50:58So, this meeting will be a continuation

51:00of that and they're going to talk about

51:02the different requirements that will be

51:04attached to these different licenses.

51:06So, you know, if it's this particular

51:08license where it's not a restaurant,

51:10where it's more of a bar or a pub, you

51:12have to be 21 to go in. You um there's

51:14going to be a further sort of subset of

51:17requirements for serving food. You're

51:19going to have to prove, show equipment,

51:21show a menu, actually show the different

51:23foods that are being served. Um, and

51:27there was one other one that I can't

51:29think. There's a few others that's just

51:32like off the top of my head. All of this

51:34is going to be fleshed out on Thursday

51:36at the license commission meeting. So,

51:37we're as close as we've ever been on

51:40something like this. So, it's a good

51:41thing.

51:42>> The cost of each license will be the

51:43same.

51:44>> I'm sorry.

51:45>> The cost of each license will be same on

51:47a yearly basis.

51:48>> I I don't know where the commission's I

51:50don't even know if they've spoken about

51:51that yet. Um, so maybe Thursday is a

51:54good time for that discussion to come

51:55up.

51:56>> I'll resign tonight and I'll get on the

51:57commission for Thursday. How's that?

51:59[laughter]

52:02>> [snorts]

52:02>> Thank you.

52:04>> That really wasn't funny,

52:07Council Mcdana.

52:08>> Yes.

52:09>> Thank you, uh, Mr. Mayor, and thank you

52:11to, uh, to the administration for this

52:14incredibly detailed report and a whole

52:15host of motion responses. Um, one of

52:17which was, uh, the the motion about

52:20acknowledging that there are, in fact,

52:22bars and law. Uh, councelor Mercier, I

52:24think, already said everything there is

52:25to say on that. I look forward to the

52:26license commission's meeting and

52:28hopefully we get some common sense

52:29regulation moving forward. I do want to

52:31note uh just as the person who

52:33represents the area of the city with a

52:35whole lot of bars who were have been

52:37upset since the motion to

52:42uh study early closing. Um I I need to

52:45say on TV right now uh thank you in case

52:48nobody reads this report uh thank you to

52:51DPD for acknowledging what a

52:52horrifically bad idea that would be. Um,

52:54I would not support that either. Um, I

52:58am I am glad I I think going forward

53:00that we have a we have a common sense

53:02solution here to establish that there

53:03are bars and and make sure that the good

53:05actors are not being punished for uh

53:07other people failing to to run their

53:09business appropriately. So, thank you.

53:11>> Thank you, Council Mcdana. Council

53:12Robinson.

53:13>> Thank you. Um, again, I I'd like to echo

53:16thank you for the report. Um, I

53:20wholeheartedly agree. No blanket uh

53:23blanket policy regarding this is is only

53:26harmful.

53:28I have a question though uh one of the

53:29words well one of the phrases they use.

53:32Um suitable food

53:36just find that awkward u through you

53:37maybe to the solicitor. Do you know what

53:39what that seems kind of tricky to to

53:42define. We're going to look for

53:45establishments that serve suitable food.

53:48>> Senator Williams.

53:49>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So again, these

53:52are more detailed conversations we'll

53:54have in the license commission. I think

53:56um it's trying to find a way to quantify

54:01things and how to actually put pen to

54:03paper when it comes to these

54:04requirements. um you know, it's not a

54:07candy bar and a couple bags of chips

54:08that are on the end of the bar as

54:10opposed to, you know, hot meals are

54:12actually cooked and served that could

54:14potentially, you know, I know in the

54:16past establishments have said, "Well,

54:18yeah, we got some cool range Doritos

54:20right there. Um some Cheeits, so that's

54:23fine." Well, that's not I don't think

54:25the spirit of why we're doing this. So,

54:27um I suspect the license commission will

54:28also get into that in more detail.

54:30>> Okay. Thank you. So it's it's more or

54:32less an attempt to kind of close that

54:34loophole,

54:35>> right? and and and ensure that they are

54:37in fact serving food like um

54:40and again maybe this is a question for

54:42Thursday but but would would we have the

54:46ability to to request well obviously ask

54:50the um board

54:52continued verification through maybe

54:56their receipts Males tax receipts or

54:59something along those lines to to verify

55:01you know maybe it's annual that they are

55:03in fact still selling food and and and

55:06they still are functioning once that

55:08license is given out. Because we've seen

55:10an establishment in the city that had a

55:12full kitchen, got fully licensed, were

55:15operational, and out of the blue yanked

55:18the code on the kitchen and still kept

55:20the name and operated as if it was a

55:22restaurant, but they didn't even have a

55:24kitchen, let alone food at that point.

55:27>> Manager Gold, uh, CFO Baldin.

55:32>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I think there

55:34is a way for us to try to identify this

55:37information you're looking for. The

55:39comment I wanted to make is that we

55:41we've attempted to get this kind of

55:42information from the department of

55:43revenue before and it as some of the

55:45counselors may recall there was a

55:47question about the Popeye's uh that's on

55:50the border of of lol and and chumpsford

55:52and the question was as to uh their

55:54receipts and how much was being sold

55:56through the drive-thru window which is

55:58right on the border and it is as a

56:00matter of policy they don't give out

56:01individual tax uh information so they

56:04report they can report to us in the

56:06aggregate how much which they do when we

56:08get our quarterly dispersement of the

56:10meals tax receipt, but we can't ask them

56:13and they won't give us uh how much an

56:16individual business is is making or what

56:19they're reporting as receipts. That's

56:20all private. So, we we can try to come

56:22up with some other creative ways to try

56:24to address your question though,

56:25counselor. Thank you. And I wouldn't

56:27even be looking to to kind of pry into

56:30what that that business is making so

56:32much. If if we're getting any kind of

56:36refund back for that meals tax, then I'd

56:40imagine that would kind of substantiate

56:42that they are in fact still serving

56:45food. Correct. Cuz it wouldn't would it

56:47apply to beverage as well though?

56:51>> CFO B.

56:53>> Thank you. I I guess what I mean is when

56:54we get our dispersement from the state,

56:56there's no we have no way of knowing how

56:59much comes from any individual business.

57:01It just comes in an aggregate total. So

57:03if it's a million dollars over a year,

57:05we get $250,000 a quarter, but we don't

57:08know how much is from business X

57:10business Y. And I I'm only mentioning

57:14this because we've asked before. They

57:15have refused to give us that

57:16information.

57:17>> Okay.

57:18>> Privacy reasons.

57:19>> Thank you for that clarification.

57:20>> Cele.

57:22>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council

57:24Robinson, I want to just mention

57:25something quick. You alluded to, you

57:27know, perhaps some of these um points

57:30that you've raised being discussed on

57:32Thursday and and to your point, it it

57:34may be worthy of a conversation.

57:38Do we want to find a way to tie this to

57:39the license itself? Do we want the

57:41license commission to establish a policy

57:43that there needs to be there will be an

57:44annual requirement and figure again it's

57:47it's hard to say exactly what would go

57:50into that but hey once a year you have

57:52to show us x y and z to prove to us that

57:55you are you know serving suitable food

57:57and that the kitchen's still operation

57:59employees stuff like that the license

58:01commission does have the authority to

58:03you know put almost like conditions on

58:06the license or to add these things to

58:08help ensure um you know that that

58:11businesses are are um following the

58:13rules.

58:14>> Thank you very much. So it looks like

58:16Thursday is the meeting for the

58:18conversation. Greatly appreciate it.

58:20>> Thank you, Council Robinson. Council

58:21Dakota.

58:22>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I I think it

58:24actually could be quant quite quantit

58:27quantitative is that once inspectional

58:30services give out the permits

58:33then there would be something that would

58:34trigger at city hall that something

58:37would be a monthly receipts would be

58:39sent to the state at that point. So I

58:41don't think it's a big obstacle. I

58:43remember when I owned an establishment

58:45that said when special services came in,

58:47they checked every six months. I was I

58:50was still in compliance, but that state

58:52reports were were sent on a monthly

58:54basis. So, I don't think it's a a heavy

58:57lift. Thank you.

59:00>> Thank you, Council Dakota.

59:02Motion to accept and place on file by

59:04Council Robinson, seconded by Council

59:06Dakota. All in favor signified by saying

59:08I. Any opposed? So ordered. 6.2 to

59:11communications. Reappoint of Maria

59:14Shehy, Memorial Auditorium Board.

59:16Richard Cody, Veterans Commission, James

59:18Gaffne, Veterans Commission. Motion to

59:21adopt by Councelor Nune, seconded by

59:23Councelor Mercier. Roll call.

59:27>> Councelor Dakota,

59:28>> yes.

59:29>> Mayor Gia,

59:30>> yes.

59:30>> Council Durant,

59:31>> yes.

59:31>> Council Leang,

59:32>> yes.

59:33>> Council Mcdana,

59:34>> yes.

59:34>> Councelor Mercia,

59:35>> yes.

59:35>> Council Noon,

59:36>> yes.

59:37>> Council Robinson,

59:38>> yes.

59:38>> Council Scott,

59:39>> yes. Council Chiao.

59:40>> Yes.

59:41>> Nes.

59:43>> Thank you, Mr. Kirk. 6.3. Communication.

59:45City major request one out ofstate

59:47travel DPD. Motion to adopt by council

59:49juran. Seconded by councelor Chow.

59:52>> Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call.

59:55>> Council Dakota.

59:57>> Yes.

59:58>> Mayor Gia.

59:58>> Yes.

59:59>> Council Durant.

1:00:00>> Yes.

1:00:00>> Council Leang,

1:00:01>> yes.

1:00:01>> Council Mcdana,

1:00:02>> yes.

1:00:03>> Council Mercia,

1:00:04>> yes.

1:00:04>> Council N.

1:00:05>> Yes.

1:00:05>> Council Robinson,

1:00:06>> yes.

1:00:07>> Council Scott,

1:00:08>> yes. Council Chow.

1:00:09>> Yes. 10 years.

1:00:11>> Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Seven votes from

1:00:12the city manager. 7.1 vote authorizing

1:00:15amendment to the AKA urban renewal plan

1:00:18276 Broadway Street. Wave full reading

1:00:21and second reading by title.

1:00:26Vote authorizing the city manager on

1:00:28behalf of the city of l to request

1:00:29approval for the following plan change

1:00:32to the acre urban renewal revitalization

1:00:35and development plan from the

1:00:37commonwealth of Massachusetts department

1:00:39of housing and community development.

1:00:42Motion to adopt by councelor Scott,

1:00:46seconded by councelor noon.

1:00:49>> Roll call.

1:00:50>> Councelor Dakota.

1:00:51>> Yes.

1:00:51>> Mayor Gia.

1:00:52>> Yes.

1:00:53>> Council Jirean.

1:00:54>> Yes.

1:00:54>> Council Leang.

1:00:55>> Yes. Yes. Council Mcdana,

1:00:56>> yes.

1:00:56>> Council Mia,

1:00:57>> yes.

1:00:58>> Council Non,

1:00:59>> yes.

1:00:59>> Council Robbins,

1:01:00>> yes.

1:01:00>> Council Scott,

1:01:01>> yes.

1:01:02>> Council Chow,

1:01:02>> yes.

1:01:03>> That's 10 years.

1:01:04>> Thank you, Mr. Clerk. 7.2 vote

1:01:06authorizing purchase of the senior

1:01:08center 276 Broadway Street. Wave full

1:01:10reading is second reading by title. Vote

1:01:12authorizing the city of LOL buyer

1:01:15through its city council to enter into a

1:01:17purchase and sales agreement with

1:01:19Nicholas C. Saris, trustee of the city

1:01:22barns condominium trust seller for the

1:01:25purchase of property located at 276

1:01:28Broadway Street in the city of l. Motion

1:01:30to adopt by councelor

1:01:33Leang, seconded by councelor Mercia. Any

1:01:36questions? Councelor Dan.

1:01:37>> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I this might

1:01:40be for the city solicitor or his team.

1:01:42Um, I assume there'll also uh be a

1:01:44settlement agreement at some point that

1:01:46or at some point as part of this that

1:01:48resolves any outstanding issues about

1:01:51this property.

1:01:54>> Manager Goldman,

1:01:56>> city solic.

1:01:58>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, that's

1:01:59correct.

1:02:00>> Great. Thank you. And then are is the

1:02:03city comfortable that once the purchase

1:02:04and sale and the deeds are, you know,

1:02:07signed and filed and the settlement

1:02:09agreement is signed that the city will

1:02:11own the entire parcel and all the

1:02:13condominiums, the common areas and the

1:02:15leases and the parking spaces. Just

1:02:17wanted to make sure it's sort of all

1:02:19wrapped into a

1:02:20>> a hole. Right.

1:02:24>> Celestia Williams.

1:02:25>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh yes. Uh as you

1:02:27know, this is um this has been around

1:02:29for a while. So, um, a lot of a lot of

1:02:32work's gone into this and and I think

1:02:34the end product, um, everything looks

1:02:36good.

1:02:37>> Great. Thank you very much.

1:02:39>> Thank you, Council Dian, Council Dakota.

1:02:41>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to take

1:02:42this opportunity to thank City Celissa

1:02:45Williams, and Councelor Theodoris, who's

1:02:47sitting here as well for the for the

1:02:49jobs they've done on this. Well done.

1:02:52>> Thank you, Council Dakota. Any other

1:02:54questions? Roll call.

1:02:59Council Dakota.

1:03:01>> Yes.

1:03:02>> Mayor Gia,

1:03:03>> yes.

1:03:03>> Council Dire,

1:03:04>> yes.

1:03:04>> Council Leang,

1:03:05>> yes.

1:03:06>> Council Mcdana,

1:03:07>> yes.

1:03:07>> Council Meria,

1:03:08>> yes.

1:03:09>> Council Non,

1:03:10>> yes.

1:03:10>> Council Robbins,

1:03:11>> yes.

1:03:12>> Council Scott,

1:03:13>> yes.

1:03:13>> Council Chow,

1:03:14>> yes.

1:03:14>> It's 10 years.

1:03:15>> Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Eight reports of

1:03:17subcommittee. There are none. So, we

1:03:18move on to nine. Petition 9.1 claims

1:03:21three property damage. Motion to refer

1:03:22to law department for report and

1:03:24recommendation by councelor Mercier,

1:03:26seconded by councel Mcdana. All in favor

1:03:28signify by saying I. Any opposed? So

1:03:31ordered. 9.2. Miscellaneous. David

1:03:34Trainer. Request to address the city

1:03:36council regarding flock cameras.

1:03:40>> David Trainer.

1:03:44Please state your name and address for

1:03:46the record. And there's three minutes.

1:03:48>> All right.

1:03:53All right. So, I'm David Trainer, uh, 38

1:03:55Meredith Street in LOL.

1:03:58All right. So, there's been a lot of

1:04:00talk about the low police misusing the

1:04:03technology and of the flock cameras. And

1:04:06while I think this is a concern, I don't

1:04:08think it's the main issue here. My main

1:04:10concern is about a billion-dollar

1:04:12surveillance company having eyes on us

1:04:14and tracking us and stalking us wherever

1:04:16we go. Yes, Chief Hudon has proven

1:04:19himself to be a liar multiple times. He

1:04:21said that there was only 25 cameras when

1:04:23there actually 37. says we only share

1:04:26with a few communities around us. We

1:04:27share with 11 as far as New York. We

1:04:30also share with the postal service who

1:04:32works with ICE. So that's how ICE gets

1:04:34into our system. But I feel like those

1:04:36are smaller issues uh that we can work

1:04:39out and get under control. What we can't

1:04:42control is the big brother corporation

1:04:44looming over us with its equipment. Uh,

1:04:47right after the cameras got suspended,

1:04:49Chief Hudon admitted in the Inside Lol

1:04:51podcast that he didn't know how to shut

1:04:53off the cameras. You'd have to go find

1:04:55out. Not that it really matters. Flock

1:04:57has been uh caught turning on the

1:05:00cameras in Boston after they've been

1:05:02suspended.

1:05:03Um, you know, technology this day is

1:05:05very sneaky and it's very easy to cover

1:05:07things up and it's very hard to prove

1:05:10allegations of misuse. Chief Hudon also

1:05:13assures us that after 7 days it's the

1:05:16footage is deleted.

1:05:18Sure, maybe on his screen it's deleted,

1:05:20but they're not building all these data

1:05:21centers around here to delete

1:05:23information.

1:05:25An example of this type of u violation

1:05:27became apparent in the Nancy Guthrie

1:05:29kidnapping case. uh she had a doorbell

1:05:32camera uh when the masked intruders

1:05:34approach, you know, came into the

1:05:36building, but she didn't have a

1:05:37subscription service, so the camera

1:05:39wasn't on, except a week later, Cash

1:05:42Patel of the FBI pulled up footage

1:05:44pulled from back channels of the mass

1:05:46men at her front door. So there you go.

1:05:50Uh Chief Hudon also assured us that

1:05:52Flock has no way of tracking us, you

1:05:54know, because they don't have access to

1:05:55our license plate database. Well, these

1:05:58cameras have AI and they can understand

1:06:00and analyze what they're looking at.

1:06:02That's the whole pitch of Flock. So,

1:06:04they can just take a picture of me in my

1:06:06car, look me up on the internet, cuz we

1:06:08all have at least a LinkedIn, so my face

1:06:10is on the internet. And then boom, they

1:06:12know it's me in my car and where I'm

1:06:14going. I personally did this test

1:06:16myself. I took a screenshot of Chief

1:06:18Hudon talking at the LOL Council. I put

1:06:20it into a few I put him into a few chat

1:06:22bots and said, "Hey, I'm in LOL. Who is

1:06:24this man?"

1:06:25Um, it it told me, "Hey, that looks like

1:06:27Chief Hudon of LOL." I asked him, "How

1:06:30can I reach him? I got his office number

1:06:32and his cell phone number." I asked him

1:06:34where he lived. I got his address. I can

1:06:38pull it up on the Google Street View and

1:06:39find out where he lives. 2 minutes, not

1:06:42even. Flock also has, you know,

1:06:44contracts with the government, so they

1:06:46probably have access to databases that

1:06:48supersede any of ours. This is really

1:06:50dangerous stuff we're talking about

1:06:51here. AI has been doing bad things all

1:06:54sorts all around the world. In France,

1:06:57for instance, a group of hackers used AI

1:06:59to shut off every single refrigerator in

1:07:01a chain of grocery stores. Can you

1:07:04imagine that? In Market Basket, they

1:07:05have no electricity and all our food

1:07:07goes bad. North Korea last week stole $6

1:07:10billion of crypto, the biggest heist in

1:07:13human history using AI. And we want to

1:07:16put this on the streets of LOL. you

1:07:18know, we could have North Koreans

1:07:20looking at us right now, you know,

1:07:21through the breaches.

1:07:24So, and I also asked a detective in LOL,

1:07:27you know, what he thinks of the

1:07:28technology. He he said he would love to

1:07:29have it on every stringle every single

1:07:31street corner if he could. Is that the

1:07:34future we want to live in?

1:07:37Uh, so I'm just saying it doesn't sound

1:07:40like freedom to me. I'd ask you guys to

1:07:42please reconsider. A lot of people

1:07:44online would like to as well, all the

1:07:46young people at least. Uh this this is

1:07:49dangerous stuff. I'm not really

1:07:50concerned as much with the low police.

1:07:52It's it's more of big brother watching

1:07:55over us. Thank you.

1:07:58>> Thank you, David. [clears throat]

1:07:59>> Thank you.

1:08:01Motion to refer to the city manager for

1:08:03report and recommendation by council

1:08:06Mcdana, seconded by councelor Leang. All

1:08:09in favor signify by saying I. Any

1:08:12opposed?

1:08:13>> So ordered.

1:08:14>> Excuse me.

1:08:16No council me.

1:08:18>> I don't know. I thought this gentleman

1:08:20wanted to speak, but

1:08:21>> did he register to speak?

1:08:23>> I did. It was voted to 7.3.

1:08:25>> 7.3.

1:08:26>> Yeah.

1:08:28>> All right.

1:08:29>> Yes. 7.3.

1:08:30>> Anybody

1:08:31>> withdrawn?

1:08:32>> Yep.

1:08:34>> It's all right.

1:08:35>> If you want to suspend the rules and

1:08:37have him speak, you can.

1:08:38>> No, he he I he's signed up to speak.

1:08:42>> Thank you.

1:08:43>> Nobody wants to speak. 9.3 miscellaneous

1:08:46ernak request installation of a handicap

1:08:49parking sign at 57 wear street motion to

1:08:51refer to transportation engineer for

1:08:53report and recommendation by councelor

1:08:55Scott seconded by councelor Dakota all

1:08:57in favor signify by saying I any opposed

1:09:00so ordered 9.4 24 miscellaneous William

1:09:03J. Mallister request installation of a

1:09:06handicap parking sign located at 105 JW

1:09:09Street. Motion to refer to

1:09:10transportation engineer for report and

1:09:12recommendation by councel Robinson

1:09:14seconded by councelor Juran. All in

1:09:17favor signified by saying I. Any

1:09:19announcements

1:09:21council Dakota.

1:09:22>> Thank you Mr. Mayor. Uh this Thursday um

1:09:24the little community charter school is

1:09:26having a

1:09:28um a night uh with Mickey Ward and

1:09:31showing the fighter movie. Um all the

1:09:33proceeds will go to the team Mickey Wood

1:09:35charities. Uh if any of the counselors

1:09:37are interested, please let me know.

1:09:39>> Thank you.

1:09:40>> Thank you, Council Dakota. Councelor

1:09:41Mercia.

1:09:42>> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh this

1:09:44Thursday,

1:09:46November 5th, in the morning, the

1:09:49Salvation Army will be holding their

1:09:5134th Christmas Castle breakfast from

1:09:547:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Lindsy's. The

1:09:58honore is Chris Dick. Uh, he will be

1:10:01roasted like a Thanksgiving turkey by

1:10:04his friends by his friends John Chemley,

1:10:08Danielle McFaden, school committee

1:10:11woman, and um, his brother Brian. So,

1:10:15just if anybody wants to know about that

1:10:19because I'm the MC and I'm going to do

1:10:21the roasting. [laughter]

1:10:22They're in trouble.

1:10:24>> Thank you, Council Me. Council Jiren.

1:10:26>> Well, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, next

1:10:28Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. there will be a

1:10:30Veterans Day um, remembrance at LOL

1:10:33Memorial Auditorium. So, I would like to

1:10:36just make sure folks remember our

1:10:38veterans. Thank you.

1:10:39>> Thank you, Councelor Durant. Coun, no

1:10:42more counselors. Assistant City Manager

1:10:44Shadow.

1:10:46>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, this Sunday

1:10:47there is a ribbon cutting for the Steve

1:10:49BTO concession stand, long overdue at

1:10:52Shed Park. It'll be Sunday from 11 to 1.

1:10:55um again at shed park for the Steve Bto

1:10:57concession stand.

1:10:59>> Thank you, Mr. Mishado.

1:11:02With that, I just want to thank all the

1:11:04people who put their name on a ballot

1:11:05and wish them all luck tonight in the uh

1:11:07voting. So, good luck to all the

1:11:09candidates. Motion to adjourn by

1:11:11councelor Charles, seconded by

1:11:13councilto. All in favor signify by

1:11:15saying I. Any opposed? So ordered.

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