2026-07-20 - City Council

0:03on Monday evening, July 20th, 2026. This

0:07meeting is being recorded. Please join

0:10me in the pledge of

0:11>> allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the

0:14flag of the United States of America,

0:16and to the republic for which it stands,

0:19one nation under God, indivisible, with

0:23liberty and justice for all.

0:25>> Thank you. We have 26 items on this

0:29evening's agenda and I will ask the city

0:31clerk to please read agenda item number

0:33one.

0:33>> Minutes of the city council meeting June

0:3522nd, 2026. Mr.

0:37>> Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion

0:39to accept and place on file the minutes.

0:42>> Motion's made in second to accept and

0:43place on file the minutes. Any

0:45discussion on the motion? Seeing none,

0:48all those in favor? Opposed. The minutes

0:50are filed and the vote is 100. Agenda

0:52item number two. Now is the time for the

0:54public hearing on the petition of Mass

0:55Electric and Verizon to install one

0:57joint own pole on Pleasant Street

0:59beginning at a point approximately 250

1:00ft northwest of the center line of the

1:02intersection of West Main Street

1:04National Grid to install a 50-ft class 2

1:06pole. The pole will be installed between

1:07poles 3 and 4 on Pleasant Street on the

1:10same side of the road as pole 3 and

1:11four. The pole will be labeled P350 on

1:14Pleasant Street. Order number 26-100

1:169781. And in addition, we have a

1:18communication from city engineer Thomas

1:20Dersio with recommended conditions for

1:22the petition.

1:23>> Okay. This public hearing we've taken up

1:25in four stages. First, the public

1:26speaking in favor starting with the

1:28applicant. Second, questions from the

1:30public. Third, public speaking in

1:32opposition. And finally, questions from

1:34the city council. So, we'll open the

1:36public hearing with the applicant and

1:38the public speaking in favor. So, I'll

1:39ask the applicant to come on up and

1:41explain the project.

1:45Please state your name and address for

1:47the record.

1:53>> My name is John Rupia and I'm coming

1:56from

1:57245 South Main Street in Hopedale.

2:01Um as you stated before

2:05uh we National G is going to install

2:08a 50oot class 2 pole on Pleasant Street.

2:13Uh this pole will be in between two

2:15poles port number three and port number

2:17four. And this poll will be labeled as

2:20three-50

2:25and

2:26>> Okay. Anything else on the polls? Is

2:28this one of those breaker poles to help?

2:30>> Yeah, that pole we going to install

2:33recloser.

2:35>> It's a big Yes. a huge equipment which

2:38is uh it's a

2:41it's a automatic

2:44I can say it's like electrical switch

2:46>> which is controls um

2:50um it can switch in case of um

2:53catastrophe let's say the tree fall the

2:55tree branch falls in on a line this

2:59equipment can automatically shut off the

3:01power and turn off the power without

3:05having the crew come to to the scene.

3:08>> Right? If you recall, councils, this is

3:10beneficial because it helps Mass

3:12Electric shut off power quickly so that

3:14we minimize the amount of folks that are

3:16being disrupted. So, these are these

3:18midspan polls that we're seeing a lot of

3:20and they're doing it on a proactive

3:22measure to help uh should issues come up

3:25in the city, they can react and respond

3:27quickly. Did I do good?

3:29>> Yes.

3:29>> Yes. Especially during winter time.

3:32>> Okay. Any other members of the public

3:34speak in favor?

3:35Members of the public speaking in favor.

3:38Any members of the public speaking in

3:39favor? Hearing none, I close that

3:41portion of the public hearing. Questions

3:44from the public. Any questions from the

3:46public? Any questions from the public?

3:49Hearing none, I close that portion of

3:51the public hearing. Public speaking in

3:54opposition.

3:55Any members of the public speaking in

3:57opposition?

3:59Members of the public speaking in

4:00opposition. Hearing none, I close that

4:02portion of the public hearing. Questions

4:05from the city councilors.

4:07Any questions from the city councilors?

4:10Questions from the city councilors.

4:12Hearing none, I close that portion of

4:13the public hearing in the entire public

4:15hearing. Council Villo.

4:17>> Thank you, Mr. President. Move to

4:18approve the petition with the conditions

4:20submitted by the city engineer.

4:21>> Motion made and seconded to approve the

4:23petition with the conditions submitted

4:25by the city engineer. Any discussion on

4:27the motion?

4:29Seeing none, all those in favor?

4:31Opposed? Petition is approved with the

4:33conditions identified by the city

4:34engineer and the vote is 100.

4:37Agenda item number three.

4:38>> Now is the time for the public hearing

4:39on petition of Mass Electric and Verizon

4:41to install one joint own pole on Sudbury

4:43Street beginning at a point

4:44approximately 400 ft south of the center

4:46line of the intersection of Carver Hill

4:48Road National Grant to install a 50ft

4:50class H1 pole. The pole will be

4:51installed between poles 36 and 37 on

4:53Sbury Street on the same side of the

4:55road as poles 36 and 37. And the pole

4:57will be labeled P3750. Order number

4:5926-1009782.

5:02In addition, we have a communication

5:03from city engineer Thomas Derscio with

5:05recommended conditions for the petition.

5:07>> Okay. This public hearing will be taken

5:08up in the same four stages. First with

5:10the public speaking in favor. Second,

5:12questions from the public. Third, public

5:14speaking in opposition and then finally,

5:16questions from the city council. I'll

5:18open the first part of the public

5:19hearing with the public speaking in

5:20favor. Starting with the applicant.

5:22Please state your name and address for

5:23the record.

5:25>> Uh my name is John Rupia. Again, I'm

5:28coming from 245 South Main Street in

5:30Hopedale. Um, this mid mid pole we call

5:34it is the same situation. We're going to

5:36install it closer. And this pole is

5:38going to be label 36-50.

5:40It's going to be between

5:43post 36 and 37 on Sbury Street.

5:47Again, we're going to install the

5:49recloser to help out with power surge.

5:54>> Thank you, John. Any other members of

5:56the public speak in favor? Any other

5:58members of the public speak in favor?

6:01Members of the public speak in favor?

6:03Hearing none, I close that portion of

6:04the public hearing. Any questions from

6:06the public? Any questions from the

6:09public? Any questions from the public?

6:12Hearing none, I close that portion of

6:14the public hearing. Public speaking in

6:16opposition. Any members of the public

6:18speaking in opposition? Members of the

6:21public speaking in opposition. hearing.

6:23None. I close that portion of the public

6:25hearing. Any questions from the city

6:27councilors?

6:29Council Gold.

6:31>> So, in the paperwork, it says that the

6:32poll should be labeled P37-50

6:35and he mentioned 36-50. I just wanted

6:37clarification.

6:38>> No, 36-50. Okay.

6:40>> That is going to be between 436 and 437.

6:44>> Oh, very good, Council Ghoul. Thank you

6:46very much. Any other questions from the

6:48counselors?

6:49Questions from the counselors? Any

6:52questions from the counselors? Hearing

6:53none, I close that portion of the public

6:55hearing and the entire public hearing.

6:57Councelor Fillo.

6:58>> Thank you, Mr. President. Very similar

6:59to the last one we saw. Thank you, John,

7:01for the presentation. And with that,

7:02move to approve the petition with the

7:04conditions by the city engineer.

7:06>> Motion's made and seconded to approve

7:08the petition with the conditions

7:09identified by the city engineer. Any

7:11discussion on the motion?

7:14Seeing none, all those in favor?

7:16Opposed? The petition is approved with

7:18the conditions identified by the city

7:20engineer and the vote is 100. John,

7:22thank you very much.

7:23>> Thank you. Good evening.

7:24>> Agenda item number four, certification

7:26from councelor at large mark or as

7:28required under Mass General law chapter

7:2939 section 23D regarding the proposed

7:32zoning amendment to chapter 650 zoning

7:34to add a new section to create the

7:35forest street residential overlay

7:36district and to amend the zoning

7:38district map to reszone certain parcels

7:40to the forest street residential overlay

7:42district. Order number 26-1009705

7:45C. Council Arm.

7:48>> Thank you, Mr. President. I would ask

7:49that the council accept this uh request

7:52and I guess place it on file at this

7:54point.

7:55>> Yep. Motion made and second to accept

7:56and place on file communication. Any

7:58discussion on the motion? Seeing none,

8:01all those in favor? Opposed?

8:02Communication is filed and the vote is

8:04100. Agenda item number five,

8:07>> communication from councelor Ducet

8:08regarding editorial relating to

8:09geothermal energy and a QR code for

8:11access to geothermal documents. Order

8:13number 26-1009726.

8:15>> Mr. President,

8:16>> absolutely.

8:17>> Thank you much, Mr. President. Uh, a

8:18couple of things here. [clears throat]

8:20First is uh we have a folder on the

8:22website and last time I was complaining

8:25that you couldn't click on it. So, at

8:27least now you can scan a QR code. I'm

8:30not sure if the screen can see it close

8:31enough, but uh it's out there. Someone

8:34wants to take a look at the material.

8:36Um, also, um, the [clears throat]

8:39editorial that I wrote, um, I was

8:42talking to the other counselors about

8:44possibly co-signing it. Um, to have an

8:47open discussion of it and actually

8:48sharing the document would be a conflict

8:50of open meeting laws. So, decided to do

8:53it this way, present it to the council.

8:55If anyone wants to co-sign it with me,

8:57they can reach out with me afterwards.

8:58So, thank you, Mr. President. Motion to

9:00accept and place on file.

9:02>> Motion made, second to accept and place

9:03on file. Communication. Any discussion

9:05on the motion? Seeing none, all those in

9:07favor? Opposed? It's filed and the vote

9:10is 100.

9:12Agenda item, where are we? Number six.

9:15>> Oh, six. Sorry. Communication from the

9:17mayor regarding request for an executive

9:19session to consider the purchase or

9:21value of real property.

9:23>> Councelor Irish.

9:24>> Oops.

9:24>> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, move

9:25agenda item to end of the meeting,

9:27please.

9:28>> Motion's made and second to move this

9:29item to the end of our agenda. Any

9:31discussion on the motion? Seeing none,

9:33all those in favor? Opposed. This item

9:35will go to the end of the agenda and the

9:37vote is 100.

9:39Item seven,

9:40>> communication from the mayor regarding

9:41gift acceptance in the amount of $6,000

9:43from the friends of the public library

9:44awarded to the public library to be used

9:46to support the summer reading program.

9:48Councilor Irish.

9:49>> Thank you, Mr. President. Motion to

9:50approve the gift, please.

9:51>> Motion made second to approve the gift.

9:53Any discussion on the motion? Seeing

9:56none, all those in favor? Opposed? The

9:58gift is approved and the vote is 100.

10:00Agenda item number eight,

10:02>> communication from the mayor regarding

10:03grant acceptances from the executive

10:04office of public safety and security for

10:06fiscal year 2027 awarded to the police

10:08department as follows. One, uh, state

10:10911 department training grant in the

10:12amount of 20 $21,964

10:14to be used to offset personnel overtime

10:16costs in the public safety dispatching

10:18center. B, state 911 department training

10:20grant in the amount of $66,429.14

10:24to be used to offset personal personnel

10:26training costs in the public safety

10:27dispatching center. and C is state 911

10:29department emergency medical dispatch

10:31grant in the amount of $38,1455

10:34to be used for equipment quality

10:36assurance reviews of dispatch personnel

10:37and in an offset of overtime costs

10:40Irish.

10:41>> Thank you, Mr. President. Motion to

10:42approve all three grants in the amount

10:44of $36,53869,

10:48please.

10:48>> Motion made and seconded to approve all

10:50three grants. Any discussion on the

10:52motion? Seeing none, all those in favor?

10:55Opposed? The grants. All three grants

10:57are approved and the vote is 100. Agenda

11:00item number nine,

11:01>> communication communication from the

11:03mayor regarding a transfer request of

11:04the amount of $173,494

11:07from the undesated stabilization account

11:09to public safety capital police

11:11equipment account to be used for the

11:12purchase of two new police vehicles.

11:14Council Irish.

11:15>> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh motion to

11:17approve the transfer request in the

11:19amount of $173,494.

11:22Please.

11:22>> Motion's made in the second to approve

11:24the transfer request for the two police

11:25vehicles. Any discussion on the motion?

11:29>> Council Irish.

11:29>> Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to

11:31make uh one note um that uh we Yes, we

11:34are on our summer schedule. Um and

11:37tonight we are uh public safety is

11:40everything for our city. Um and we are

11:42approving tonight two vehicles from Mo

11:44Police Department. Um but with your

11:46leadership and this council, even if we

11:48had to be here until midnight tonight,

11:49we would approve this item. Thank you.

11:52[laughter]

11:53>> Motion has been made and seconded to

11:54approve the transfer. There any other

11:56further discussion on the motion? Seeing

11:59none, all those in favor? Opposed. The

12:01transfer for the two police vehicles is

12:04approved and the vote is 100.

12:07Agenda item number 10.

12:08>> Communication from the mayor regarding

12:10proposed zoning amendments to chapter

12:11650 zoning section 23 flood plane

12:14protection district.

12:15>> Council Roby.

12:19>> Thank you, Mr. President. Move to

12:22uh refer this to urban affairs, set a

12:24public hearing for August 17th, and

12:26refer to the planning board.

12:27>> Motion made and seconded to refer this

12:29item to urban affairs, the planning

12:31board, and we'll set a public hearing

12:33for August 17th and advertise. Any

12:37discussion on the motion?

12:39Seeing none, all those in favor?

12:41Opposed? The item will be going to urban

12:44affairs, the planning board, advertising

12:46a public hearing for August 17th. And

12:48the vote is 100.

12:51Agenda item 11,

12:52>> communication from the mayor writing

12:53notification of temporary appointment

12:54pursuant to Mass General law, chapter

12:5641, section 61A of Erin Regusa Canon as

13:00interim city collector assistant direct

13:01finance director effective June 29th,

13:032026 for a 60-day term to expire August

13:0628th, 2026.

13:08>> Council or

13:09>> Thank you, Mr. President. I would ask

13:10that we move this up to reports of

13:12committee and I'll

13:13>> You can just file this.

13:14>> We can. Okay. I didn't know if you

13:15wanted them to come by then to accept

13:17and place on file. Thank you,

13:19>> counselor. Motion's made and second to

13:20accept and place on file the

13:21communication. Any discussion on the

13:22motion? Seeing none, all those in favor?

13:25Opposed? Communication is filed and the

13:27vote is 100. Agenda item number 12.

13:30>> Communication from the mayor regarding

13:32the reappointment of David Bouvia to the

13:33license board for a six-year term to

13:35expire on June 7th, 2032.

13:38>> Councilor.

13:40Thank you, Mr. President. I would ask

13:41that this be accepted in place on file.

13:44It's a reappoint so I don't see the need

13:46to send it to personnel to approve it

13:49>> not accept and place on file but to

13:50approve the appointment and um we'll go

13:53from there.

13:54>> Motion made second to approve the

13:55appointment of Dave Bouvier to the

13:57licensing board for a six-year term. Any

13:59discussion on the motion? Seeing none,

14:01all those in favor? Opposed? Motion

14:04carries and the vote is 100.

14:07Agenda item 13. Communication from the

14:09mayor regarding the reappoint of Kathy

14:10Fedul to the Council on Aging Board for

14:12a 4-year term to expire May 6th, 2030.

14:16>> Council Orum.

14:16>> Thank you, Mr. President. I would ask

14:18that this also be approved since it's a

14:20reappointment and don't see the need for

14:22it to go to personnel.

14:23>> So, this would the C city council

14:25approved this one back on May 4th. So,

14:27uh it' be appropriate for this one to

14:29just be accepted on file. Was put on by

14:32mistake.

14:32>> So, this is the one we'll accept.

14:34>> That's correct.

14:35>> Thank you, Mr. President. Motion's made

14:36in second to accept and place on file a

14:38communication. Any discussion on the

14:40motion? Seeing none, all those in favor?

14:42Opposed? Communication is filed and the

14:45vote is 100.

14:47Agenda item 14.

14:48>> Communication from the mayor regarding

14:49proposed updated job description

14:51pursuant to chapter 125 personnel

14:53section 5, preparation of classification

14:55descriptions relative to the position of

14:56programming and outreach librarian.

14:58>> Councelor Iris.

14:59>> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, this is

15:01part of a succession planning and thank

15:03you to uh, director uh, Bazelle for

15:06sending in this information. Um, motion

15:08to approve the job description, please.

15:10>> Motion's made and seconded to approve

15:12the job description. This will let HR

15:14get started on the hiring process. Any

15:16discussion on the motion? Seeing none,

15:19all those in favor? Opposed? The job

15:21description is approved and the vote is

15:23100. Agenda item 15,

15:26>> communication from assistant city

15:27solicitor Jeremy Jeremy Mcmanis

15:29regarding proposed zoning amendment to

15:30chapter 650 zoning to add a new section

15:32to create the forest street residential

15:34overlay district and to amend the zoning

15:36district map to reszone certain parcels

15:37to the forest street residential overlay

15:39district in proper legal form order

15:40number 26-1009705C.

15:44Council

15:44>> Roby.

15:45>> Thank you Mr. President. I move to have

15:47this item moved to number 25 on the

15:50agenda. Motion's made in second. Move

15:52this item to agenda item 25 on our

15:55agenda. Any discussion on the motion?

15:57Seeing none, all those in favor?

15:59Opposed? This item is going to agenda

16:01item 25. And the vote is 100. Agenda

16:04item 16. Communication from assistant

16:06city solicitor Jeremy Mcmanis regarding

16:08the application for modification of a

16:09special permit from Matthew Donnelly on

16:11behalf of Target to amend condition

16:12number nine to increase the wall signage

16:14from three to four signs at the target

16:16location at the target located at 423

16:19Donald J. Lynch Boulevard in proper

16:21legal form order number 26-1009747B.

16:25Councelor Roby.

16:26>> Thank you, Mr. President. I move to have

16:28this one moved to item number 26 on the

16:30agenda.

16:31>> Motion's made in second to move this

16:32item down to agenda item number 26. Any

16:35discussion on the motion? Seeing none,

16:38all those in favor? Opposed? Motion

16:40carries. This item is going to agenda

16:42item 26 and the vote is 100. Agenda item

16:4617. Communication from city clerk Steven

16:48Carrian regarding the early voting hours

16:50for the state primary to be held on

16:51Tuesday, September 1st, 2026.

16:54>> Councelor Naven,

16:56>> thank you very much, Mr. President. Like

16:57to ask the city clerk to read the

16:58communication, including the um very

17:00special information about the colors

17:02[laughter] uh that are changing this

17:03year.

17:05Honorable President Austin and Council,

17:06I'm writing to inform the council and

17:08residents of Malro that as required by

17:10the votes act of chap chapter 92 of the

17:12acts of 2022, we will be having

17:14in-person early voting for one week

17:15prior to the state primary, which is

17:16scheduled for Tuesday, September 1st,

17:182026 for the state primary election.

17:21Inperson early voting will begin on

17:22Saturday, August 22nd, 2026, and be

17:24available daily ending on Friday, August

17:2628th, 2026. Inerson early voting will

17:29take place at City Hall, 140 Main Street

17:30for the hours listed on the attached

17:32sheet. residents have until Saturday,

17:34August 22nd, 2026 to register to vote or

17:37change their party to be eligible to

17:38vote in this election. In addition, it

17:41has been announced that pursuant to Mass

17:42General Law, Chapter 53, section 33, the

17:45colors on the state primary ballots will

17:47be different starting this year.

17:49Residents will still need to request a

17:51specific party ballot if they are

17:53unenrolled, as other people refer to it,

17:55independent, that they want to vote, not

17:58by the color, but the colors will now

18:00align more with the expectation of

18:01voters and will help reduce confusion

18:03when voters receive ballots. We

18:05encourage the residents of Malber to

18:07come out and exercise their right to

18:08vote. Sincerely, Steven Carrian, city

18:10clerk.

18:12>> Did you want me to read the hours, too,

18:13councelor, or no?

18:14>> Sure. That's yeah, that that's worth

18:16it's worth reminding because we're in

18:18the middle of the summer and the primary

18:19is before Labor Day and it's got it's

18:21just

18:22>> early early voting will take place on

18:23Saturday, August 22nd from 9 to 9:00

18:25a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23rd

18:28from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Monday t

18:31Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to

18:345:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 26th from

18:367:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, August

18:3827th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. And

18:41finally on Friday, August 28th from 7:00

18:44a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

18:46>> Thank you very much, Mr. Clerk. It's uh

18:48very very clear as always. Um I just

18:51want to highlight something the

18:52president um said um just a minute ago

18:55um and remind people that the primary

18:57day is September 1st. That is

18:58approximately one week before Labor Day.

19:00So um I think we're often accustomed to

19:02it being a little bit later than that.

19:03So remind folks at home um that voting

19:06is a little bit early.

19:08>> Ruined my my uh Labor Day

19:10>> motion to accept and place on file.

19:12Motion made and second to accept and

19:14place on file the communication. Any

19:16discussion on the motion? Councelor

19:17Presiato.

19:19>> Thank you, Mr. President. I would also

19:20like the uh clerk to read the new colors

19:23designated on the ballot to avoid any

19:25confusion for the folks at home. Thank

19:27you.

19:27>> Pursuant to the directive of Secretary

19:29Galvin, new colors on the state primary

19:31ballots for September 1st as required

19:33under Mass General Law Chapter 53,

19:35section 33, the official Democratic

19:37primary ballot will have a blue header

19:39on the top. The official Democratic

19:41early/Appsentee ballot will have a light

19:43blue header across the top. The official

19:45Republican primary ballot will be pink,

19:47pink header across the top. The official

19:50Republican early absentee primary ballot

19:52will be salmon. Official state election

19:54ballot will be white as always and early

19:56absentee state election ballots will be

19:58yellow. This is

19:59>> You want to hold that up? So there you

20:00go. Let

20:01>> this is Yeah, Garrett, where are you?

20:03Um, this is in direct contrast to what

20:05they currently are. The Democratic

20:07ballots here in the state of

20:08Massachusetts have always been with a

20:10red header on the top and the de

20:12Republican ballots have always been with

20:14a blue header on the top. And Secretary

20:16Galvin has sworn to the clerk's

20:18association for as long as I've been a

20:19clerk that he will never change the

20:20colors, but mysteriously somehow he's

20:23decided to change the colors this year.

20:25So,

20:28>> you're welcome, Kasa Preiato. I think

20:30we've confused them all now. Yes. Um,

20:33>> on that ballot by the color, please. on

20:36the motion to accept and place on file

20:38the communication. Any further

20:40discussion? Seeing none, all those in

20:42favor? Opposed? The communication is

20:44filed and the vote is 10. Agenda item

20:48number 18. Petition of Mass Electric and

20:50Verizon to install one joint own pole on

20:52Hilder Street beginning at a point

20:53approximately 276 ft west of the center

20:56line of the intersection of Hilder

20:57Street and Church Street and continuing

20:59approximately 14 ft in a north

21:00direction. National Grid is proposing to

21:02install a new 45 foot midspan pole class

21:04H1 on Hilder Street. The pole to be

21:06labeled P850.

21:10>> Thank you, Mr. President. Refer the

21:12petition to the city engineer and set a

21:13date for public hearing on August 17th.

21:16>> Motion's made and seconded to set a

21:18public hearing for August 17th and refer

21:21this to the city engineer for

21:23conditions. Any discussion on the

21:25motion?

21:27Seeing none, all those in favor? Oppose.

21:29This item will have a public hearing on

21:31August 17th and will go to engineering

21:34and the vote is 100. Agenda item 19.

21:37>> Petition of Mass Electric and Verizon to

21:38install one joint owned pole on Steven

21:40Street beginning at a point

21:41approximately 192 ft northeast of the

21:44center line of the intersection of

21:45Pemroke Street and Steven Street and

21:47continuing approximately 13 ft in

21:48northwest direction. National Grid is

21:50proposing to install a new 45T midspan

21:52pole class H1 on Steven Street. The pole

21:54to be labeled P-5250.

21:57>> Councelor Fchillo. Thank you, Mr.

21:58present. I've been waiting for some of

22:00these midspans be six, so I'm excited.

22:02But please refer this to the city

22:04engineer and to set a date for a public

22:05hearing on August 17th.

22:07>> Motion made in second to set a public

22:08hearing for August 17th and refer this

22:10item to the city engineer. Any

22:12discussion on the motion?

22:13>> Excuse me.

22:14>> Seeing none, all those in favor?

22:16Opposed? Motion carries. This is have a

22:18public hearing on August 17th and go to

22:20the city engineer and the vote is 100.

22:24Agenda item 20, communication from Feara

22:27Inc. regarding requests for special

22:28license for temporary charitable purpose

22:30sales pursuant to Mass General Law

22:32Chapter 101 section 12A from August 13,

22:352026 to August 16th, 2026.

22:38>> Council Naven,

22:38>> thank you very much, Mr. President. Uh,

22:40this is a special license request um,

22:42similar to one that we've granted for

22:43this nonprofit three times in the past.

22:45Um, want to thank them for moving their

22:47trade show um, here to the city of Malro

22:50as they did back in 2021. And uh, would

22:52motion to approve um, this temporary

22:55license tonight. Motion's made in second

22:57to approve the uh request from the

22:59applicant. Any discussion on the motion?

23:02Seeing none, all those in favor?

23:04Opposed? Motion carries. That uh request

23:07to have the fees waved is approved and

23:11the vote is 100. Agenda item 21,

23:14communication from Central Massachusetts

23:16Mosquito Control Project regarding

23:18personnel will be in the community

23:19responding to residents concerns about

23:20mosquitoes on various dates in July

23:222026.

23:23>> Councelor Oram.

23:24>> Thank you, Mr. President Central Mass

23:26Mosquito will be spraying on Wednesdays

23:28the month of July depending on weather.

23:31And if you need to request spraying, you

23:33can contact them. All the information

23:36will be listed on the clerk's website.

23:38Yes, sir.

23:38>> Thank you, Mr. President. I would ask

23:40that we accept and place on file this

23:42document. Motion's made and seconded to

23:44accept and place on file the

23:45communication. Any discussion on the

23:47motion? Seeing none, all those in favor?

23:50Opposed? The communication is filed and

23:52the vote is 10. Agenda item 22,

23:56>> minutes of boards, commissions, and

23:57committees.

23:57>> Mr. President,

23:58>> council Ducet.

23:59>> Thank you very much, Mr. President.

24:01Motion to accept and place on file the

24:02minutes.

24:03>> Motion's made, seconded to accept and

24:05place on file the minutes. Any

24:06discussion on the motion? Seeing none,

24:09all those in favor? Opposed? The minutes

24:11are filed and the vote is 100. Agenda

24:13item 23

24:15>> claims.

24:16>> Council Dusat.

24:17>> Mr. President, motion to submit the

24:19claims to the legal department.

24:20>> Motion's made and seconded. submit the

24:22claims to the legal department. Any

24:23discussion on the motion?

24:26Seeing none, all those in favor?

24:27Opposed? Claims are going to legal and

24:29the vote is 100. Reports of committees.

24:33Who would like to go first?

24:36You want to go?

24:37>> How about I let you go first so maybe we

24:40can get Miss Kaitton out here early?

24:43>> Council Orum.

24:44>> Thank you, Mr. President. Although I did

24:46hear the chair of finance say we could

24:48stay here till midnight if we'd like.

24:50Please. But anyways, let me read the

24:53minutes from the committee meetings we

24:55had. The committee meeting we had. Uh we

24:58received on June 8th, 2026 order number

25:01261 097

25:0664 the appointment of Lynn FA to the

25:08zoning board of appeals as an alternate

25:10member for a two-year term from the date

25:13of the city council of city council

25:14confirmation. On a motion made by

25:17councelor Ducet, seconded by chair Oram,

25:20the committee recommended approval of

25:21the appointment of Lynfiles to the

25:23zoning board of appeals as an alternate

25:25member for a two-year term from the date

25:27of city council confirmation. The vote

25:30was two to zero on a motion made by

25:32councelor Ducet, seconded by chair or

25:35the committee will request a suspension

25:37of the rules at the July 20th, 2026 city

25:41council meeting to take action on this

25:43item. The vote was two to zero. Voting

25:46members present at this meeting were

25:48chair Oram and councelor Ducet, voting

25:50member absent, councelor Naven. Other

25:52council is present, counceloring.

25:55So that's the first motion and I would

25:57ask for a suspension on this. Um the

26:00chair's act requested a suspension of

26:02the rules. Suspension has been made and

26:04seconded. Any all those in favor?

26:06Opposed? Suspension's approved. The vote

26:08is 10-0.

26:10council or

26:11>> and the second item was

26:13>> So now you want to just you got to do

26:14the suspension approve the uh the item.

26:16>> Sorry. Yes.

26:17>> Okay. No, you go ahead. No, you just you

26:19want to make a motion to approve.

26:20>> Yes, I would ask that we move this

26:22approval per the suspension uh and ask

26:25for

26:25>> motion's made. Second to approve the

26:27appointment of Lynn Fos to the as an

26:29alternate ZBA member. Any discussion on

26:31the motion?

26:33>> Seeing none. All those in favor?

26:34Opposed? Motion carries. Uh Lynn is

26:37approved to the as an alternate member

26:39of the ZBA and the vote is 100. Council

26:42or

26:42>> Yes. And at the same city at the same

26:45city council personnel committee on July

26:4714th, 2026, we brought up an item that

26:50was brought to our attention on June

26:5222nd, 2026. Order number 2610009779.

26:59that the appointment of Erin Ragusa

27:02Kaitton as city collector assistant

27:04director of finance for a two-year term

27:07from the date of council confirmation on

27:10a motion made by councelor Ducet

27:12seconded by chair Oram the committee

27:14recommends approval of the appointment

27:16of Aaron Regusa Kaitton as city

27:19collector assistant director of finance

27:21for a two-year term from the date of

27:23council confirmation and an additional

27:25week of vacation vote was two to Nothing

27:29two to zero. On a motion made by

27:31councelor Ducet, seconded by chair Oram,

27:35the committee will request a suspension

27:36of the rules at the July 20th, 2026 city

27:40council meeting to take action on this

27:43item. The vote was two to nothing.

27:46And just so all the councilors know,

27:50Erin is in the audience. I think she

27:52was. Yes, this is Aaron right here. if

27:56anyone hadn't met her. We'll see where

27:58we go with this vote, but I would ask

28:00that we vote to suspend our rules so

28:03this can be voted.

28:03>> Motion made second to suspend the rules.

28:05All those in favor of the suspension

28:07opposed? Suspension carries. The vote is

28:0910-0. Council or

28:10>> Mr. President, I would ask that we vote

28:12on this approval as noted with the

28:15additional week of vacation. Um, as

28:17noted from what I just read,

28:19>> motion made and seconded to approve the

28:21appointment of Miss Kaitton to the

28:25collector assistant finance director.

28:27>> Yes.

28:27>> Any discussion on the motion?

28:30Seeing none, all those in favor?

28:31Opposed? The motion carries. Erin's

28:34appointed and the vote is 100. Erin,

28:36congratulations. Well done. [applause]

28:41Anything

28:45else for reports of committee? Council

28:47Orum, you're good.

28:49>> I'm all set. I'll leave it up to finance

28:50at this time.

28:52>> Councelor Irish.

28:53>> Thank [clears throat] you, Mr.

28:54President. Uh, city count uh uh finance

28:57committee met on July 13, 2026. Uh,

29:00meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. We had

29:03three items on the agenda that evening.

29:05Uh, first order was number 26-1009778.

29:10um that the proposed ordinance amendment

29:12to the city code chapter 125 personnel

29:15section 5 uh preparation of

29:17classification descriptions and to

29:19chapter 125 personnel section six uh

29:23salary schedule relative to the position

29:25of recreation coordinator uh on a motion

29:28by council vital seconded by the chair

29:31uh the committee recommends approval of

29:33the job description and salary schedule

29:35uh for the position of recreation

29:37coordinator the vote carried five to

29:39zero

29:40Uh on a motion by councelor Fillo,

29:42seconded by the chair, uh the committee

29:44supports a suspension of the rules at

29:46the next city council meeting to

29:48advertise the salary ordinance. That

29:50vote carried 520.

29:52Next up was uh order number 26-1009766

29:58uh proposed richer K through5 elementary

30:00school project bond uh in the amount of

30:03$160,544,91

30:07on a motion by council seconded by the

30:10chair. Uh the committee recommends

30:12approval of the proposed richer K

30:14through5 elementary school project bond

30:17in the amount of 160,544,91

30:22and a request for a suspension of the

30:24rules at the next city council meeting.

30:25The vote carried 520.

30:28Uh next item on the agenda was uh order

30:31number 26-1009766.

30:34uh proposed storm water bond in the

30:37amount of $6,300,000

30:39for the design, construction, and

30:41improvement of storm water drainage

30:43relative to municipal infrastructure. On

30:46a motion by council, seconded by the

30:49chair, the committee recommends approval

30:50of the proposed storm water bond in the

30:53amount of $6,300,000

30:56and a request for suspension of the

30:57rules at the next city council meeting.

30:59The vote carried at 5 to zero. uh

31:02meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Mr.

31:04President, that is the end of my report

31:06and I'll be asking for three suspensions

31:08this evening. Uh first item for

31:10suspension would be order number

31:1226-1009778.

31:15Please

31:16>> motion made and second for the

31:17suspension for the rec coordinator

31:19position. All those in favor of the

31:20suspension opposed. Suspension carries.

31:22The vote is 100. Council or I mean

31:25councelor Irish.

31:26>> Thank uh thank you Mr. President. Uh

31:28move the recommendation of committee to

31:30advertise.

31:31>> Motion made second to move the

31:33recommendation of committee which is to

31:34advertise the salary ordinance. Any

31:36discussion on the motion? Seeing none,

31:38all those in favor? Opposed? Salary

31:40ordinance will be advertised and the

31:42vote is 100. Councelor Irish.

31:45>> Thank you, Mr. President. Next item for

31:46suspension is uh item number 26-1009766,

31:51the elementary school bond.

31:53>> Motion made and seconded to approve the

31:56suspension. All those in favor of the

31:58suspension opposed. Suspension carries.

32:00The vote is 100. Councelor Irish.

32:03>> Thank you, Mr. President. Move the

32:04recommendation of committee to approve

32:05the bond appropriation.

32:07>> Motion's made and seconded to approve

32:10the bond. Is there any discussion on the

32:12bond before we vote? This will be a roll

32:14call vote. Any discussion?

32:18Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call

32:21the role, please.

32:22>> Councelor Oram, yes. Councelor Presiato,

32:25>> yes. Yes. Council Roi,

32:27>> yes.

32:27>> Councelor Naven,

32:28>> yes.

32:28>> Councelor Irish,

32:29>> yes.

32:30>> Councelor Sergeant is absent. Councelor

32:32Vital,

32:32>> yes.

32:32>> Councelor Oing,

32:33>> yes.

32:34>> Councelor Pillo,

32:35>> yes.

32:35>> Council Dat,

32:36>> yes.

32:37>> Councelor Gould,

32:38>> yes.

32:38>> 10 in favor, one absent, sir.

32:42>> The motion to approve the school bond is

32:44approved by a vote of 10 in favor and

32:47zero opposed, one not present.

32:51Councelor Irish.

32:52>> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, next item

32:54for suspension is order number

32:5626-1009766

32:58proposed storm water bond.

33:01>> Motion made in second for suspension for

33:03the storm water bond. All those in favor

33:05of the suspension opposed? Suspension

33:07carries. The vote is 100. Councelor

33:10Irish.

33:11>> Hey, Mr. President. Move the

33:12recommendation of committee to approve

33:14the storm water bond. Please.

33:16>> Motion made and seconded to approve the

33:18storm water bond. Is there any

33:19discussion on the storm water bond?

33:21Councelor Vital. Thank you, Mr.

33:23President. Um, should we be because

33:25we're on film tonight, should we uh

33:27explain where this construction

33:29project's going to be?

33:32Meaning, you know, it's it it's in

33:34support of the richer the new richer

33:36school and we have to take the water

33:38away from the school.

33:39>> I'll let you do the all the talking.

33:41[laughter]

33:42>> All right. So, I can do that, I guess,

33:44as best. [clears throat] And correct me

33:45if I'm wrong, Mr. Chair.

33:47>> Yes. Um the this project is going to

33:51involve um taking an existing cover that

33:54goes under the the development the rich

33:57I always call refer to it as the richer

33:59school development and take a larger

34:02volume of water out out of the basin and

34:04the streams in that area and take it to

34:06the other side of the development. So

34:08that's basically what we're approving

34:09tonight. Thank you, Mr. President.

34:11>> Yes.

34:11>> Commissioner may be looking for a

34:13spokesman. [laughter]

34:15>> Thank you. Council of Vital. Any other

34:17discussion on the bond? Seeing none,

34:19this is a bond, so it does require a

34:21roll call vote. I will ask the clerk to

34:23please call the role.

34:25>> Councelor Roby,

34:26>> yes.

34:26>> Councelor Irish,

34:27>> yes.

34:28>> Councelor Oing,

34:28>> yes.

34:29>> Councelor Sergeant is absent. Councelor

34:30Gould?

34:31>> Yes.

34:32>> Councelor Fuchillo,

34:33>> yes.

34:33>> Council Presiato,

34:34>> yes.

34:35>> Yes.

34:36>> Council Orum,

34:37>> yes.

34:38>> Council Naven,

34:38>> yes.

34:39>> Councelor Vital,

34:40>> yes.

34:40>> And council Ducet,

34:41>> yes.

34:41>> 10, one absent, sir. The motion to

34:44approve the stormwater bond is approved

34:46by a vote of 10 in favor with one

34:48absent.

34:51Any other reports of committees?

34:54Councelor Ducet.

34:56>> Thank you very much, Mr. President. Just

34:58a public notice that the climate

34:59resiliency committee is meeting tomorrow

35:02night at 7 p.m.

35:04>> 700 p.m.

35:06Anyone else? Everybody's good.

35:11Everybody's good. All right. Agenda item

35:13number 24.

35:15>> Order number 26-1009697E.

35:17Proposed salary ordinance amendment

35:19pursuant to chapter 125 personnel

35:21section 6 salary schedule relative to

35:23the positions of city collector

35:24assistant finance director, city

35:25collector, recreation director, and

35:27assistant recreation director.

35:28Recommendation of the finance committee

35:30is to approve and the proposed ordinance

35:32was properly advertised on July 1st,

35:332026. The 10-day requirement has been

35:36met.

35:37>> Councelor Irish.

35:38>> Thank you, Mr. President. Move the

35:39recommendation of committee to approve.

35:41Motion made and seconded to approve the

35:43salary ordinance changes. Any discussion

35:46on the motion?

35:48Seeing none, this is an ordinance

35:50change. Does require to go through the

35:52four stages. All those in favor

35:55suspending the first reading and

35:56approving the second. All in favor? It

35:59carries 100. All those in favor of the

36:02passage to be enrolled. All those in

36:04favor?

36:05Opposed? Carries. That approves 100. All

36:08those in favor of the passage to be

36:10ordained. All those in favor? Opposed?

36:13That carries 100. Any objection to

36:17passage in one evening?

36:21Seeing none, the ordinance, the salary

36:23ordinance is approved. Agenda item

36:25number 25.

36:26>> War number 26-1009705C.

36:29Proposed zoning amendment to chapter 650

36:30zoning to add a new section to create

36:32the forest street residential overlay

36:34district and to amend the zoning

36:35district map to reszone certain parcels

36:37to the four street residential overlay

36:38district. Um I'm sorry recommendation of

36:41the urban affairs committee is to

36:43approve.

36:44>> Council Roby.

36:45>> Thank you Mr. President. Move the

36:47recommendation of committee to approve.

36:49Motion's made and seconded to approve

36:51the recommendation of committee which is

36:52to approve the zoning change. Any

36:54discussion on the motion?

36:57Seeing none, again this is a uh zoning

37:00change. It has to go through the

37:01ordinance process. So with that, all

37:04those in favor of suspending the first

37:06reading and approving the second. All

37:08those in favor oppose. That carries 100.

37:11All those in favor of the passage to be

37:13enrolled. All those in favor oppose.

37:16That carries 100. All those in favor of

37:19the passage to be ordained. All those in

37:22favor opposed. That carries 100. Is

37:25there any objection to passage in one

37:27evening?

37:31Seeing none, the zoning ordinance is

37:33approved. Agenda item 26.

37:36>> Order number 26-1009747B.

37:39An application for modification of

37:40special permit from Matthew Donnelly on

37:41behalf of Target to amend condition

37:43number nine to increase the wall wall

37:45signage from 3 to four for the target

37:48located at 423 Donald J. Lynch

37:50Boulevard. Recommendation of the urban

37:51affairs committee is to approve.

37:53Councelor Roi.

37:55>> Thank you, Mr. President. As was stated

37:57at the committee, the council can amend

38:00the special permit, but the planning

38:01board also needed to do a variance. And

38:04I know they were on their agenda

38:05tonight. I don't know what happened cuz

38:07we had to come back down for our

38:09meeting. Um, but I would move the

38:10recommendation of committee to approve

38:13the change in the special permit for the

38:15signs.

38:16>> Motion made second to approve the

38:18modification to the special permit to

38:20add the sign at the target facility at

38:23423 Donald Lynch Boulevard. Any

38:25discussion on the motion?

38:28Seeing none, I will ask the clerk to

38:31read the condition. The city council

38:33pursuant to its authority on the

38:34Massachusetts general law chapter 48 in

38:35the zoning orders of the city of Malboro

38:37hereby grants the applicant an amendment

38:39to modify condition number nine of the

38:40original special permit as follows. By

38:42amending one by amending condition

38:44number nine subsection A to read as

38:46follows. 9A wall signage. Two signs

38:48located over the store entrances. One

38:50pharmacy sign and one sign to read drive

38:51up. All to be located as depicted on the

38:54plans. All other conditions of the

38:56original special permit shall continue

38:57in full force and effect and are

38:58incorporated by reference as part of

39:00this decision. And finally, in

39:01accordance with the provisions of

39:02Massachusetts general law, chapter 48,

39:04section 11, the applicant successors

39:05and/or assigns at its expense, shall

39:07record this special permit in the Middle

39:08Sex South registry of deeds after the

39:09city clerk has certified that the 20-day

39:11period for appealing this special permit

39:12has elapsed and no appeal having been

39:14filed and before the applicant is

39:15applied to the building commissioner for

39:16building permit. Upon recording, this

39:18applicant shall forth with provide a

39:19copy of the recorded special permit to

39:20the city council's office, the building

39:22department, and the city solicitor's

39:23office.

39:24>> Councilors, you've heard the conditions.

39:26Is there any final comments or questions

39:28on the motion to approve the spe

39:30modification to the target special

39:31permit?

39:33>> Seeing none, it is a roll call vote. I

39:35will ask the clerk to please call the

39:37role.

39:37>> Council Haven,

39:38>> yes.

39:38>> Councelor Roby,

39:39>> yes.

39:40>> Council Presiato,

39:41>> no.

39:42>> I'm sorry. No.

39:42>> No.

39:43>> Council Orum.

39:44>> Yes.

39:45>> Council Det.

39:46>> Yes.

39:46>> Council Vital.

39:47>> Yes.

39:48>> Council Fill.

39:49>> Yes.

39:49>> Councelor Oing.

39:50>> Yes.

39:50>> Councilor Sergeant is absent. Councelor

39:52Irish.

39:52>> Yes.

39:53>> Councelor Gould?

39:54>> Yes.

39:54>> Nine in favor. One opposed, one absent.

39:56Sir,

39:57>> the motion to approve the modification

39:59to the target special permit is approved

40:01by a vote of nine in favor and one

40:04opposed.

40:08Uh based on tonight's votes, uh city

40:11councils, we will not need a special

40:13meeting on Wednesday night, which I'm

40:15sure you will all breathe a sigh of

40:17[laughter] relief for. Uh with that,

40:20we'll go to the executive session item

40:23that we move to the end of the agenda.

40:24Councelor Irish.

40:25>> Yes.

40:29>> Yeah. You got to make a motion to go

40:30into executive session.

40:31>> Motion to go into executive session.

40:33>> Okay. The motion's made and second to go

40:35into executive session. I'll ask the

40:37clerk to read the order. We will not

40:39reconvene after executive session. Uh so

40:42I'll ask you to read the order and then

40:44call the role. move that the Malber city

40:46council meet in executive session under

40:47purpose six of the open meeting law mass

40:49general law chapter 38 section 21A6 to

40:51consider the purchase exchange lease or

40:54value of real property as the chair

40:56hereby declares that discussion in open

40:57session may have a detrimental effect on

40:59the city and the city council's

41:00negotiating position the city council

41:02will not reconvene in open session after

41:04the executive session and councelor

41:07Gould

41:10>> yes

41:11>> councelor Roby

41:12>> yes

41:13>> councelor just Yes.

41:14>> Council Orum.

41:15>> Yes.

41:15>> Councelor Sergeant is absent. Councelor

41:17Oing.

41:17>> Yes.

41:17>> Council Navan.

41:18>> Yes.

41:18>> Councelor Presiato.

41:20>> Yes.

41:20>> Councelor Vital.

41:21>> Yes.

41:21>> Councilor Villo.

41:22>> Yes.

41:22>> Councelor Irish.

41:23>> Yes.

41:23>> 10. Yay. One absent sir.

41:25>> Okay. The city council will go into

41:26executive session and the vote is 10 in

41:28favor. None opposed. We will not

41:31reconvene. I'll give a two-minute recess

41:33to clear the chamber and have Garrett

41:35shut all the communication information

41:38down.