2026-10-08 - City Council Regular Meeting

Summary

All 11 councillors were present, Lance Davis presiding. The council observed a moment of silence for two longtime residents and approved the August 27 minutes.
Hispanic and Latin American Caribbean Heritage Month items were taken together: citations for three local advocates (spellings uncertain), a resolution recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, and the mayor's proclamation placed on file.
Resolutions approved: support for Head Start and Early Head Start (after the Community Action Agency of Somerville's executive director spoke), and urging Governor Healey to end the state Department of Correction's 287(g) agreement with ICE. See Massachusetts DOC 287(g) Agreement Resolution.
Four utility conduit public hearings (Utility Conduit Grants of Location): a Comcast grant for 187 feet at Sycamore Street and Broadway was approved; an Eversource grant for 346 feet on Newton Street was referred to Licenses and Permits after abutter questions (JT Scott recused as an abutter); an Eversource grant on Felsway West was withdrawn because the petition had been filed in error; an Eversource grant for 266 feet on School Street was approved.
The elections director presented the earliest dates for the Ward 2 and Ward 3 special elections: preliminary February 2, general election Wednesday March 24 (March 23 conflicts with a religious holiday), nomination papers available November 16. Placed on file. See Special Election Calendar for Wards 2 and 3.
The lease with the Center for the Arts at the Armory (191 Highland Avenue) for commercial arts space was approved on roll call, 11 in favor. See Somerville Armory Lease with Center for the Arts.
Collective bargaining appropriations were approved: $17,663 for SEIU Chapter 3 school custodians (roll call 11-0; the caption reading is $17,636 in one place), $384,000 for the Police Superior Officers Association (11-0), and further amounts for Municipal Employees Unit A and the custodians' contract from salary contingency (amounts garbled in captions). See Collective Bargaining Appropriations.
The ordinance establishing a periodic review and recodification of the Code of Ordinances (the first since 1963) was approved, enrolled and ordained, each by 11-0 roll call; a motion to reconsider failed. See Code of Ordinances Periodic Review.
Borrowing of about $2.08 million for an aerial ladder truck and a rescue truck for the fire department was approved on roll call (the chair announced 10 in favor; the captions list more names).
New items referred or approved: protecting significant private trees during construction (referred to Legislative Matters); an amendment tightening the primary-residence test for short-term rentals (referred to Legislative Matters); heat pump permitting, the municipal road safety grant, bicycle parking at Argenziano School, electric leaf blowers at school grounds, Alcoholics Anonymous meeting spaces, plain-language zoning fact sheets, repairs to Winter Hill Innovation School bathrooms, and simpler permits for small repairs. See Private Tree Protection and Short-Term Rental Rules.
A resolution thanking firefighters and first responders for the Teal Square fire response was approved; the councillor who introduced it said 43 residents and six businesses were displaced.
Committee reports were accepted: Finance (October 6), Housing, Community Development and Equity (September 30), Land Use (October 1), Public Health and Public Safety (September 30; the warming center item was postponed because of the Teal Square fire), School Building Facilities and Maintenance (October 6) and Traffic and Parking (October 5). The Land Use report covered the backyard cottage proposal (Backyard Cottage Zoning Rules); Traffic and Parking said data collection for Prospect Hill Traffic Calming would happen in October; the school report covered the new Winter Hill school (School Building Project).
Communications: a Boynton Yards/Windsor Place zoning text amendment request was referred to Land Use with a copy to the Planning Board; a public communication on body-worn cameras was placed on file (Police Body Worn Camera Program); a car show and the Summer Streets Monster Mash were approved for October 18; the citywide fall cleanup was announced for November 7.

Sources

Video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ScE_nx0POr8

Video

Transcript

These are auto-generated captions; names and numbers may be misheard.

Transcript

02:36Sure.

03:03>> All right. Good evening everyone.

03:06It is Thursday, October 8th. Uh, this is

03:08a meeting of the Summer Somerville City

03:10Council. I'm calling this meeting to

03:11order. My name is Lance Davis presiding.

03:13I use hehim pronouns. Um, note that

03:15video and audio recording of this

03:16meeting is being recorded and and may be

03:18shown live on local uh local government

03:20access channels and the city of

03:22Summerville website and will be made

03:24available for future review. Will the

03:25clerk please call the role?

03:27>> This is roll call. Councelor Yunampen

03:29>> here.

03:29>> Councelor Link

03:30>> here.

03:31>> Councelor Scott,

03:32>> present.

03:32>> Councelor Klingan,

03:33>> present. Councelor Strezo

03:34>> present.

03:35>> Councelor Say

03:36>> here.

03:37>> Councelor Wheeler

03:38>> here.

03:38>> Councelor Hart

03:39>> here.

03:40>> Councelor Mclofflin

03:41>> here.

03:41>> Councelor Emba

03:42>> present.

03:43>> Councelor Davis

03:44>> here.

03:44>> With all counselors present, we have

03:45quorum.

03:46>> All right. Thank you. Uh pursuant to our

03:48rule 32, let it be known that the city

03:50council salutes the flag of the United

03:51States of America. And let us recall our

03:53oath to uphold the constitution and the

03:55laws of the commonwealth to the best of

03:57our abilities and understanding. We

03:59begin our meetings with a moment of

04:00silence. Are there counselors wishing to

04:01say a few words in remembrance of anyone

04:03this evening? Councelor Mclofflin.

04:06>> Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to

04:07remember uh Terresa Hussy of Rush

04:10Street. Uh lifelong some resident,

04:13multi-generation some resident, former

04:15employee of the city of Sville. Uh just

04:17all around great person, mother,

04:19grandmother. Uh I went to high school

04:21with her son, played football with him.

04:23her daughter also served in the military

04:25in the US Army and she's very proud of

04:27her grandson that she helped raise as

04:29well. Uh just a really great person,

04:32very genuine person, very honest and

04:34direct. Uh and took a lot of pride in

04:36her work. Uh I put place orders as a

04:39counselor all the time and she'd see me

04:41on the street and she's like, "Matt, I

04:43took care of those five orders for you."

04:45Uh so she she took a lot of pride in

04:47doing the work and being a part of the

04:49city and uh was really proud of being a

04:51summer villain. Uh, so I'm really going

04:53to miss her and uh my thoughts go out to

04:55her family.

04:56>> Thank you, Councelor Scott.

04:58>> Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Thank you

05:00for my colleague from board one for

05:01bringing this moment. Um, Theresa

05:03[clears throat] Aussie was an incredible

05:05individual, very well known in

05:07Somerville, but for anybody who didn't

05:08know her, uh, really just exemplified

05:11the strength, um, that I associate with

05:15with Somerville. She um, one of the few

05:18people I know to sue the city twice and

05:20win. [clears throat]

05:21uh while working for the city. Uh when I

05:24talk about how nobody knows their blocks

05:28better than the people who live on it,

05:29I'm talking about Theresa Hassi. You

05:32know, when I talk about the generational

05:34knowledge that we lose out of water and

05:36sewer when the people have been working

05:37on it for so long go away. I remember in

05:39the first month that I got elected, she

05:42told me about a couple water valves over

05:44on Beacon Street. She's like, "They're

05:45not busted yet, but they will be. You

05:48mark my words." And within a year they

05:50were she knew this city top to bottom,

05:53inside and out. Um,

05:58you know, her son at the at the funeral

06:00said that if if she liked you, you

06:03absolutely knew it. And if she didn't

06:05like you, she absolutely [laughter] you

06:07absolutely knew that, too. Um, and I

06:10know she gave our director of sewer uh

06:12an earful on more than one occasion. uh

06:14and frankly probably a lot of us who sit

06:16around this horseshoe uh when she felt

06:18like we needed it. So uh she was an

06:21incredibly special character in the city

06:23uh throughout her entire life. She

06:25devoted to serving a city and serving

06:27her neighbors uh and and she will be

06:30fondly remembered by me and I'm sure

06:32many many others in the city. Thank you.

06:36>> Let's uh let's have that one come from

06:37the entire council please unless there's

06:39any objection. Any others? Councelor

06:42Clay.

06:44[clears throat]

06:45>> Mr. President, thank you. Uh this

06:47evening, I ask that we hold a moment of

06:48silence in memory of Keith Michael Manx,

06:51uh who passed away suddenly at the age

06:53of 49, uh shortly after relocating to

06:56Colorado. Uh Keith was was raised here

06:59in Somerville. He graduated Somerville

07:01High School and played hockey for the

07:03Highlanders. He had a lasting impact on

07:05everybody who had the privilege of

07:06knowing him. Uh Keith was the kind of

07:09person you could always count on.

07:10Generous, fiercely loyal, and always

07:12ready to lend a helping hand. He was the

07:14ultimate go-to guy. He was also

07:17[clears throat] he also had a great

07:18sense of humor, loved having a good

07:20time, and lived life to the fullest. He

07:23was a proud Summerville native, a

07:24passionate Boston sports fan, and an

07:26aver avid lover of cars, the outdoors,

07:29and his beloved dogs, Lucy and Lola.

07:33Keith leaves behind his parents Nancy

07:34and Kevin Manx, his sister Kelly Manx of

07:37Winthre, her loving, sorry, his loving

07:39partner Gabriella Lombardi, and her

07:42family in Denver, and his beloved niece,

07:44Caitlyn Demados, and her fianceé Jose

07:47Barbosa,

07:48to whom Keith was a devoted uncle and

07:51father figure. He also leaves behind

07:53many aunts, uncles, cousins, and

07:54countless friends who loved him dearly.

07:56[clears throat] So, I went to high

07:58school with Keith. I had the I was lucky

08:00enough to call him a friend. Uh even

08:02though he was a Lincoln Park kid and I

08:03was a Winter Hill kid, but um he was one

08:06of those guys that could cross any

08:08boundary and make friends with anybody.

08:10That's just the type of person that he

08:11was. Uh he was one of the biggest,

08:13hardest people I've ever known.

08:15[clears throat] And you know, Keith's

08:17life was cut far too short, but the

08:19kindness, laughter, and lasting memories

08:21he leaves behind will not be forgotten.

08:23I want to express uh extend my deepest

08:25condolences to Keith's friends, family,

08:28and everyone grieving his loss, everyone

08:30who knew and loved him. Uh thank you.

08:33>> Thank you.

08:36Others.

08:37All right. Would everyone in the chamber

08:39please rise however you are able for a

08:41moment of silence?

09:04Thank you,

09:08[clears throat]

09:09>> madame clerk. Next item.

09:11>> Agenda item 1.3, approval of the minutes

09:13of the regular meeting of August 27th,

09:152026.

09:16>> Seeing no discussion, that item is

09:17approved. Um, next council and Campen

09:20would like to take uh up items 2.1, 2.3,

09:24and 2.2 together. And then along with uh

09:27along with those items also together out

09:28of order item 4.9 and 7.10.

09:32Any objection? All right. Seeing no

09:35objection, we'll wave the rules and take

09:36up those five items together. Madam

09:37clerk, would you read those in, please?

09:39>> Agenda item 2.1, a citation by councelor

09:42Yuencampen and councelor Davis,

09:43commending Nancy Paw for her work with

09:45Latino families in the community. Agenda

09:47item 2.2, a citation by councelor

09:49Yuancampen and councelor Davis,

09:51commending Alejandra Benuelos for her

09:53work with Latino families in the

09:54community. Agenda item 2.3, a citation

09:57by councelor Yuancampen and councelor

09:59Davis commending Marissa Purdom for her

10:01work with Latino families in the

10:03community. Agenda item 4.9, a resolution

10:06by councelor Yuampen and councelor Davis

10:08recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and

10:10the contributions of Somerville's

10:11Hispanic, Latin American, and Caribbean

10:13communities. And agenda item 7.10, a

10:16communication from the mayor proclaiming

10:18that September 15th through October 15,

10:202026 to be Latin American Caribbean

10:23Heritage Month. Council, you Kevin.

10:26>> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, thank you

10:29to all of my colleagues, to the mayor's

10:30office, um, for for all the

10:32collaboration on this. We are so happy

10:34to have a resolution tonight and a

10:37proclamation recognizing Hispanic

10:39Heritage Month, also known as Latin

10:40American and Caribbean Heritage Month,

10:43and to uh, a part of that, and there

10:45there are events going on in the city

10:47this month to recognize to celebrate the

10:48amazing Latin American community here in

10:50Somerville. So, we have a resolution, we

10:52have a proclamation. Um, but we thought

10:54that the best way to celebrate this

10:56month would be to uplift several really

10:58extraordinary um members of our

11:00community who we are here with tonight

11:02who are very active members of Padres's

11:04Latinos. Um, and so I just want to

11:07mention while I was preparing my my

11:09remarks, um, Padres's Latinos sent me

11:11little descriptions of these three

11:13amazing people. And you know, normally I

11:15would take what they sent me and then I

11:16would put it in my own voice and I would

11:19shorten it. and I just loved what they

11:21sent me so much. Um, so I just basically

11:23I'm going to read you word for word um

11:25what Padres's Latino wrote about these

11:26amazing people. So we're going to take

11:28these one after the other and we're

11:29going to give them an opportunity to

11:30speak if they'd like. First up is Nancy

11:33Paw. So Nancy is originally from

11:36Colombia. She moved to Somerville two

11:38and a half years ago with her husband

11:39and their two children. And in a

11:41remarkably short time, she has become

11:43one of the most trusted and recognizable

11:45voices, connecting Latino families with

11:47information, resources, opportunities,

11:49and one another. Nancy serves as the

11:52Padre Latino's WhatsApp chat

11:54coordinator. This is a role that has

11:56become an essential bridge between local

11:59organizations, community partners,

12:00service providers, um, and more than 350

12:04Somerville families. So, if an

12:06organization has an event, a job

12:07opportunity, community resource,

12:09deadline, announcement, anything that

12:11needs to reach Latino families, Nancy is

12:13often the person that they contact. And

12:15her talent is taking complicated

12:17information and making it accessible.

12:19She receives long emails, flyers,

12:22announcements filled with information,

12:24and she transforms them into short,

12:26clear WhatsApp messages that families

12:27can understand quickly. She uses simple,

12:30welcoming language, makes sure that the

12:32most important information is easy to

12:33find. And thanks to her work, families

12:35have learned that sometimes all they

12:37need to do is click a button to access

12:38an opportunity or a resource. More than

12:41350 families trust the information that

12:44Nancy shares.

12:46[gasps]

12:47They know that when Nancy posts

12:48something, it is because she believes it

12:49may be useful to them. Nancy is also a

12:52strong advocate for children and

12:54families, particularly when it comes to

12:56access to out of schooltime programming.

12:58She consistently reminds community

13:00leaders and partners that families need

13:02more resources and funding for programs

13:03that keep children engaged, supported,

13:06connected outside of regular school

13:07hours. She is also an entrepreneur and a

13:10graduate of the Nibble program. She has

13:12developed a small food business

13:14specializing in Colombian empanadas,

13:16which she brings to community events and

13:17local markets whenever she has the

13:19opportunity. And if you have attended a

13:20Padres's Latinos event and enjoyed

13:22delicious empanadas, there is a very

13:24good chance that Nancy made them.

13:26Through her communication,

13:28entrepreneurship, advocacy, food, and

13:31relationships, Nancy Paw reminds us that

13:33building community is often about making

13:35people feel seen, informed, welcome, and

13:38trusted. Somerville is stronger because

13:40Nancy is here. Nancy, please. [applause]

13:48>> [applause]

13:53[applause]

13:54>> Thank you. This is so wonderful. Yes.

13:56I'll hold it while you say a few words.

13:58>> Thank you. [applause]

14:00>> I'm sorry. I am excited.

14:04I'm sorry.

14:07Good evening. My name is Nancy Pass. I

14:10from Colombia.

14:12For the past two years, I have

14:14volunteered with Padre Latinos in

14:17communication.

14:19It's an honor to do the work.

14:23Thank you, Judy Summerville City,

14:27Jud City Council for your continued

14:30support for all immigrant community.

14:35Thank you.

14:38[applause]

14:43Um, I'm sorry my English is short.

14:47My is

14:49better.

14:51Um,

15:18Gracias.

15:21[applause]

15:25Hello. I'm the interpreter. Um, hi. I

15:28would like to say something in my native

15:30language. Um, thank you everyone for

15:33being here. Um, I love the city of

15:35Somerville. Uh, thank you for the

15:37recognition. Thank you to my husband, my

15:40daughter, and my son. Um, thank you for

15:44um this appreciation. Uh, I really love

15:47the city of Somerville, so thank you so

15:49much. [applause]

15:56>> Okay,

15:58next up we have Alejandra Banuelos.

16:02Alejandra serves as the project manager

16:05for Padres's Latinos events. She plays

16:08an essential role in planning and

16:09coordinating programs and activities

16:11that bring Latino families together. Her

16:14ability to organize, connect people, and

16:16turn ideas into meaningful community

16:18programs has made her an invaluable part

16:20of the Padres's Latinos community.

16:22Originally from Mexico, Alejandra earned

16:25a degree in nutritional sciences and

16:27moved to Somerville six years ago with

16:29her son, Gadiel. Since arriving in the

16:31United States, she has built a life

16:33defined by perseverance, professional

16:35growth, community service, and a deep

16:37commitment to helping others feel that

16:39they belong. She also coordinates the

16:41wellness program at Connection Church,

16:43which operates throughout the year and

16:44provides opportunities for community

16:46members to care for their physical and

16:48emotional well-being. The program offers

16:50activities such as Zumba classes,

16:52healing sessions, creating welcoming

16:54spaces where families can exercise,

16:56connect, support one another, and build

16:58community.

16:59In addition to her work with Padres's

17:01Latinos and the wellness program,

17:02Alejandra works as a in the Somerville

17:04public schools as a paraprofessional at

17:06the Winter Hill Community Innovation

17:08School where she brings the same

17:10dedication and compassion to supporting

17:12students and families. Through her

17:14leadership, advocacy, and service,

17:17Alejandra has make some has helped make

17:19Somerville a more connected, inclusive,

17:20and welcoming community. Her story is

17:23one of resilience, growth, and service,

17:24and a powerful example of what Latino

17:26residents contribute to this city that

17:28they proudly call home. Alejandra's

17:30journey reflects remarkable professional

17:32and personal growth. In only six years

17:34in Somerville, she has built a career,

17:37learned English, continued her education

17:39and professional development, become a

17:41community leader, and dedicated herself

17:43to creating opportunities for others.

17:45Her journey is also a reminder of the

17:47contributions that immigrant residents

17:48make every day in schools, workplaces,

17:51community organizations, families, and

17:53neighborhoods throughout Somerville.

17:55Congratulations, Alejandra.

17:58[applause]

18:04[applause]

18:08[applause]

18:11Good evening everyone. I'm deeply

18:14grateful to honored to receive this

18:15recognition. Sorry. I'm sorry.

18:19[snorts]

18:24Min knowledge for my work in the

18:27community means a great deal to me.

18:36As a single mom, [snorts] we sometimes

18:39limit ourself because we think we are

18:43not capable.

18:45But this recognition serves as a power

18:48as a powerful remind,

18:52resilient, and capable of overcoming any

18:55challenge.

18:57Patrick Latinos has taught me the

19:00importance of perseverance and showed me

19:03that I'm never alone.

19:05I sincerely appreciate the wonderful

19:07support from Padres's Latinos provide to

19:10me and my son who is here present.

19:15[applause]

19:20I'm so proud to help my community and to

19:23continue making the difference. I would

19:26like to express my sincerest gratitude

19:28to the mayor, the city council members,

19:32and everyone present for your dedicated

19:34service to our community. Thank you

19:37again for this honor and from believing

19:39in our work. Thank you.

19:42[applause]

19:52And next we have award three resident

19:55Marita Perdomo. Originally from El

19:58Salvador where she earned a bachelor's

20:00degree in law. And she has been a proud

20:02resident of Somerville since 2007.

20:05Marita grew up in a low-income family

20:07and understands firsthand the sacrifices

20:09that immigrant families make to create

20:11better opportunities for their children.

20:13Her parents immigrated to the United

20:15States several years before she did,

20:16hoping to provide Marita and her

20:18siblings with access to a better

20:20education and a brighter future.

20:22In 2007, Marita moved to Somerville

20:25where she has built a life centered

20:26around family, hard work,

20:28entrepreneurship, and community service.

20:30Today, Marissa owns and operates her own

20:33business where she provides tax

20:34preparation, notoriization, translation,

20:36and other services to residents and

20:38families in Somerville. Through her

20:40work, she continuously encourages people

20:42to move forward, pursue opportunities,

20:44and achieve their goals. Marissa's

20:46commitment to the community extends

20:47beyond her professional work. As an

20:49active member of Padres's Latino, she

20:51has become a valuable resource for many

20:53local families. She regularly shares

20:55important information and updates,

20:56including information related to

20:58temporary protected status, TPS, and

21:00other issues affecting immigrant

21:02families. And she is always willing to

21:03answer questions, share resources, and

21:06help families connect with additional

21:07assistance when needed. Marita is also

21:10dedicated to celebrating and preserving

21:12the cultural traditions in our

21:13community. She plays an important role

21:15in coordinating the annual traditional

21:17dress parade during Hispanic Heritage

21:19Month. Um for folks who weren't present

21:21at the Growing Center, my 5-year-old

21:23snuck into the costume contest in his

21:25soccer uniform and came in dead last and

21:28I was very proud. [laughter]

21:30Um helping bring families together and

21:33celebrate the diverse cultures and

21:34traditions that make Somerville such a

21:36vibrant community. For Marissa, serving

21:38others is also a way of honoring the

21:40sacrifices that her parents made for her

21:41and her siblings. Her prof personal

21:44experience as an immigrant,

21:45professional, entrepreneur, and

21:46community member allows her to

21:48understand many of the challenges

21:49families face. Her story is an example

21:51of how education, hard work,

21:53perseverance, and community service can

21:56transform not only one person's life,

21:58but also the lives of the people around

22:00them. Her dedication, compassion, and

22:02commitment to helping others make her an

22:04inspiration to many families in our

22:06community. Congratulations, Marita.

22:10[applause]

22:14[applause]

22:16I'll hold this for you.

22:23Good evening, members of the city

22:26council, a special guest, and everyone

22:29here tonight. Again,

22:32my name is Marita Perdomia. I am from El

22:36Salvador. I live here in Somerville for

22:38about 19 years.

22:41I have two daughters who attended

22:44Argentiano School. I am volunteer of

22:47Padre Latinos. It is a true honor to be

22:51here to accept this recognization on

22:55behalf of Padre Latinos in our

22:57community. The Hispanic community is

23:00more than a culture. We bring our

23:03tradition, our language, our values, and

23:06our dreams.

23:08And every day we contribute to making

23:10this city stronger, more diverse, and

23:14more be brand.

23:16Members of the city council, thank you

23:18for opening your doors through our

23:21community, for listening to our voice,

23:24and for giving us the opportunity to

23:27participate and be part to this

23:29beautiful city. Thank you so much.

23:32[applause]

23:36Thank you,

23:40>> Mr. President. I asked for a brief

23:42recess so we can take some celebratory

23:44photos. We will stand in recess for

23:45photos.

32:05form present. Um, and so madam clerk,

32:07items 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 4.9 are

32:12approved. 710 is placed on file. And I

32:16should note that we are served tonight

32:18by our assistant city clerk, Madellier,

32:20because clerk Henderson is receiving an

32:21award, the catalyst for democracy award

32:24for mass vote. So, she is in a in a very

32:27very excellent excuse to uh to miss the

32:29meeting tonight. So, we congratulate her

32:30on that. Um all right. Um we the next

32:34item out of order. Let's go to item

32:3644.15

32:38415. That's okay. If there's no

32:41objection, we'll wave the rules and take

32:42up item 415 out of order.

32:44>> Agenda item 415, a resolution by

32:46councelor Davis and councelor Yuan

32:48Campen in support of Head Start and

32:49Early Head Start and the vital role

32:51their programs play in the city of

32:52Somerville. Rather than stepping down

32:54and talking about this myself, I'll

32:56defer to my co-sponsor, Council Young

32:58Campin.

32:59>> Thank you, President Davis. Thank you

33:00for your leadership on this. Um, I'll be

33:02brief because we have here tonight the

33:04director of the Community Action Agency

33:05of Somerville, one of the major

33:07organizations that that enacts the Head

33:09Start programs here in Somerville. Um,

33:12Head Start, it's a federally funded

33:14program that provides early childhood

33:16education, health care, nutrition, and

33:18other supports to low-income families,

33:20other vulnerable families from birth

33:21through the age of five. Here in

33:23Massachusetts, we're talking about uh

33:25100,000 families. In Somerville, the

33:27program is administered through the

33:29Community Action Agency of Somerville,

33:31which has about 115 children in their

33:33classrooms and also through the

33:34Riverside Community Care, uh who work

33:36with people from pregnancy through early

33:38child care in their homes. This has been

33:40in place in this country since 1965. It

33:42has been a fundamental part of the

33:45commitment that this country makes to

33:46ensure a basic standard of living for

33:48for anyone in this country. and the

33:51current president of the United States

33:52is now working overtime to try to weaken

33:55and undermine and ultimately destroy

33:57this program. Um, when you think about

34:00the the most powerful people in the

34:02world, the wealthiest people in the

34:04world going after literally some of the

34:06most vulnerable young children in our

34:09society, it is hard to find a word for

34:10this except evil. Um, they're going

34:13about this in a very devious way, which

34:15is to quote unquote relax the standards

34:17for Head Start programs, which basically

34:19means lower the standards to the floor

34:21so that teachers get paid less, class

34:23sizes increase, more kids become

34:24ineligible. There has been a public

34:26comment period on this federal change

34:28that ends tomorrow, October 9th, is my

34:31understanding. Um, I know many people in

34:32our community have submitted comments

34:33opposing this. Um, so we are filing this

34:35here tonight, Mr. president to put

34:37Somerville City Council firmly on the

34:38record in support of Head Start and

34:40committing to doing everything that we

34:42can in our power to ensure that this

34:43program continues serving everyone who

34:45needs it. Um, and I'd like to sponsor uh

34:47David Gibbs. Um, unless you have

34:49something you'd like to add, Mr.

34:50President.

34:51>> Thank you, Council Campin. Council Camp

34:52would like to sponsor David Gibbs. See

34:54no objection. Mr. Gibbs, please

34:56approach.

34:58>> Thank you all. My name is David Gibbs.

35:02I'm the executive director of Cass and I

35:04live at Nine Lindon Place here in

35:05Somerville and I'm fighting a cold,

35:08hence the mask, so I'll stay away from

35:10y'all. Um, and I'm going to keep this

35:13brief. Uh, Ben laid out very nicely the

35:18situation we find ourselves in. It it is

35:20inconceivable to me that a government

35:23that has supported Head Start for 60

35:25years straight should now want to uh

35:29demolish it. uh take away one of the

35:32foundational

35:33uh programs that support uh low-income

35:36families and their children in this

35:38country. Um but I think it's important

35:42to note that they told us they would do

35:45this in project 2025. It says deregulate

35:51Head Start and eventually defund it.

35:54Just laid it out right there. And so I

35:57think it's incumbent on us to pay

36:00attention to what what is in that

36:02document and to what these folks say

36:04they're going to do because they are

36:05trying to do it. Um

36:08my staff have been amazing through all

36:11of this. They are very aware that this

36:13is happening. Not a single one of them

36:15has come to me and said, "I need to find

36:17another job." Not a single one has said,

36:19you know, this this program just isn't

36:22good anymore. It's not supported

36:23anymore. I'm going to go do something

36:25else. Our families aren't leaving

36:27either. They are sticking with the

36:29program and I'm sure they'll continue to

36:32do so as long as we are here. Um, we've

36:34been here for 45 years in Somerville and

36:37you know, God willing, we'll be here for

36:39another 45 or more. So, that's all I

36:41have to say. I thank you for your

36:43attention and thank you for your

36:44support.

36:46Thank you.

36:48[applause]

36:52I think the whole council would like to

36:53sign on. Any discussion?

36:56Okay. Thank you, Mr. Gibbs. So, that

36:58item is approved. And now, Councelor

37:02Hart would like to request to wave the

37:03rules to take item 4.13 413 out of

37:06order. Seeing no objection. Uh, madam

37:09clerk, would you read 413?

37:11>> Agenda item 413, a resolution by

37:13councelor Hart and councelor Yankampen

37:15urging Governor Healey to end the

37:17Massachusetts Department of Corrections

37:18287G agreement.

37:21Counc.

37:23>> Thank you so much. Um, clerk, would you

37:25mind reading it into the record?

37:30>> Yes. One moment.

37:40Whereas the Massachusetts Department of

37:42Correction, an executive agency under

37:44the authority of the Governor of

37:46Massachusetts, has participated in the

37:48federal 287G program since 2007. And

37:52whereas this program results in

37:54Massachusetts residents who have served

37:56their full prison sentences and met all

37:58requirements of our judicial system

38:00being released into the custody of

38:01Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE

38:05and ICE detention has reached historic

38:07levels in 2026 with more than 73,000

38:10people currently being held in detention

38:12facilities across the country. And

38:14whereas ICE and the Department of

38:16Homeland Security more broadly have a

38:18wellocumented practice of denying people

38:20in their custody basic rights to due

38:22process, medical care, and adequate food

38:25and water as guaranteed under the fifth,

38:278th, and 14th amendments to United

38:29States Constitution. And whereas ICE and

38:32DHS claim the right to detain almost all

38:34non-citizens and suspected non-citizens

38:37indefinitely without the right to a

38:39hearing a and routinely defy court

38:41orders requiring that detained

38:42individuals be given a hearing or even

38:45released. And whereas ICE and DHS

38:49routinely and rapidly transport detained

38:52individuals out of state to regions of

38:54the country where courts have been more

38:55solicitous of the agency's claims, often

38:58thousands of miles away from their

39:00families and attorneys, further

39:01frustrating their rights to due process.

39:04And whereas when ICE and DHS determine

39:06that an individual is subject to a final

39:08order of deportation, the agencies

39:11refuse to publish or disclose even to an

39:13individual's family or attorney where or

39:16even whether that individual is in

39:17custody. And whereas on January 29th,

39:212026, Governor Mora Mora Healey signed

39:25executive order number 650 prohibiting

39:27all future 287g agreements unless there

39:30is a specific and certified public

39:32safety risk or need. And whereas on

39:35August 5th, 2026, Governor Healey signed

39:38chapter 163 of the Acts of 2026, the

39:41Protect Act, which expanded rights and

39:44protections for immigrants in

39:45Massachusetts,

39:46including banning all future 287

39:48agreements. And whereas Governor Healey

39:51is the only member of the Democratic

39:52Governor's Association to maintain an

39:55active 287g agreement with ICE and DHS.

39:58And whereas the city of Somerville has

40:00declared itself a welcoming city and

40:02prohibited Somerville Police Department

40:03cooperation with ICE. Now therefore, be

40:06it resolved that the Somerville City

40:08Council urges Governor Healey to end the

40:10Department of Correction 287G agreement

40:13immediately. And be it further resolved

40:15that a copy of this resolution be sent

40:16to Governor Healey and the Somerville

40:18State delegation.

40:22>> Thank you so much. Um so um as the

40:25resolution said uh this year has we've

40:29seen the highest level uh nationally of

40:32people being detained by ICE and uh

40:34being held in ICE detention. Um and

40:38unfortunately the in August we reached

40:41the highest level ever recorded of

40:44people being detained by ICE. So even

40:47though this uh this what what the

40:51administration is doing what DHS is

40:53doing through ICE is really this

40:55campaign of terror even though it's not

40:57making front page news all the time

40:59anymore it is still happening and it's

41:02the levels are increasing. Um so I feel

41:06so grateful that we live in a city and a

41:10state where so much work has been done.

41:13um the all of the welcoming ordinances

41:16that we have here in the city. Um at the

41:18state which some of which were mentioned

41:20in the resolution including the protect

41:22act which has uh a lot of wonderful

41:27protections and a lot of ways that we

41:29can push back on this assault by the

41:32federal government. Um but we still have

41:35here in Massachusetts the uh this 287g

41:38agreement. So, a 287G

41:41is a federal program that um localities

41:45and states can opt into. And this is

41:48specifically about the 287G agreement

41:51that the department, the Massachusetts

41:53Department of Correction has with ICE.

41:56Um so, this is a cooperation where

42:00people being released from prison go

42:04directly into ICE custody. Um so a few

42:08uh a couple of months ago actually a W

42:11seven resident um Christy Lasal who's

42:13here this evening um contacted me um

42:16because she was very concerned about

42:18this agreement and listening to her

42:22stories which you will hear more um

42:24really you know opened my eyes to the

42:28the the

42:30details and the depth of what was

42:32happening um through ICE and agreements.

42:36like this. So, um I'd like to but after

42:39my um colleague uh councelor Yuampen has

42:44a chance to speak, I'd like to sponsor

42:45Christie to speak as well. Thank you.

42:48Campen.

42:49>> Oh, Mr. President, through you. I'd just

42:51like to associate myself with everything

42:53that the good counselor just said. I'd

42:54very much like to hear from Miss Sal as

42:56well.

42:56>> Councelor Hart would like to sponsor Mr.

42:59Sal to speak. See no objection. Please

43:01step forward.

43:10Good evening. As you heard, um my name

43:12is Christy Lasal. I'm a resident of Ward

43:147. Uh am also a lawyer and I've had the

43:17opportunity to have a really wonderful

43:18dialogue with counselors Hart and Yu and

43:20Campen about 287G.

43:23Uh and its unintended consequences. Uh

43:26and the counselors have asked me to

43:28speak tonight. Uh the thing you should

43:30know from the outset before January I

43:32had never practiced immigration law. I

43:35practiced civil litigation. Uh but I

43:37work for a law firm that's based in

43:38Minneapolis. So when Metro Operation

43:41Metro Surge began and when local

43:43immigration support groups were swamped,

43:46every lawyer of conscience became an

43:47immigration lawyer overnight. I've seen

43:50firsthand the evolution of ISIS policies

43:52and tactics and how they've evolved to

43:55exploit 287G agreements.

43:59287G agreement with uh the Department of

44:02Correction requires the facilities to

44:04hand over incarcerated non-citizens upon

44:07the completion of their sentence. But

44:09whatever benefits that might have and

44:11however much we should applaud the

44:12Protect Acts uh ban on localities

44:15maintaining these agreements, the

44:17state's agreement continues to create

44:19real risks for our community because of

44:21the way that ICE leverages the agreement

44:24and how the Department of Homeland

44:25Security interprets and executes the

44:28immigration laws that they enforce.

44:31So, if you'll let me get a little bit

44:32wonky about it, uh, one of those laws is

44:35the Lake and Riley Act, which says that

44:36any non-citizen arrested, indicted, or

44:39convicted of a certain crime of violence

44:41is not entitled to a bond hearing. They

44:43don't have the right to go before a

44:45court and say, "I should not be

44:46detained." Um, that includes people who

44:48are arrested but released without

44:50charges, people who are tried and found

44:52not guilty. Um, all of these individuals

44:55are subject to indefinite detention

44:56without due process under Lake and

44:58Riley. And I've seen that happen over

45:00and over and over again. Now, since the

45:03287 AG agreement that the Commonwealth

45:05holds applies only to the Department of

45:06Corrections, which houses those

45:08convicted, those aren't the exact

45:10concerns that I'm speaking about

45:11tonight. But it carries an even cruer

45:15consequence. Uh, imagine someone who is

45:17wrongfully convicted and exonerated.

45:19Under the 287G agreement, that person

45:22would have to be handed over to ICE upon

45:24their exoneration for redetition and

45:27deportation.

45:29That's not the only way that 287G helps

45:32ICE deprive non-citizens of their due

45:35process rights. Recently, as you heard

45:37in the resolution, ICE has begun to

45:39refuse to disclose where they are

45:41detaining individuals who are subject to

45:43final orders of deportation. That means

45:46their families who are waiting for them

45:47to come home from prison don't know

45:49where they are. It means their lawyers

45:51don't know where they are. And this is a

45:53deliberate tactic meant to speed up and

45:55multiply the number of deportations that

45:57ICE effectuates.

45:59The only thing that keeps mass

46:01deportation at bay is the rid of habius

46:03corpus. And the only way you can file a

46:05rid of habius corpus is if you know

46:07where your client is. If I don't know

46:10where my client is being held, I cannot

46:12file a a claim on their behalf to

46:15maintain their constitutional rights.

46:17Now, that [clears throat] applies to

46:19anyone who has a final order of

46:21deportation. But the thing to understand

46:23is most people who have been

46:24incarcerated will have a final order of

46:27deportation. That's because ICE will

46:29schedule an immigration hearing while

46:31they're detained and when they don't

46:33show up, they will order them removable

46:35in absentia, which means they have no

46:37right to speak on their behalf and they

46:38lose their appeal rights.

46:40So when you put all of that together,

46:42ICE has adopted a policy of inabsential

46:45rulings followed by detention,

46:46relocation, and secrecy in order to

46:49facilitate mass deportations.

46:52The Commonwealth should be playing no

46:54role in a scheme like that to deprive

46:55our community members of due process.

46:58And remember, if unless everyone has due

47:00process, nobody has due process. That's

47:03not just a chant that you hear at No

47:05Kings. That's the reality. As ProPublica

47:08reported this week, there have been

47:10American citizens who were deported to

47:13other countries in cases of mistaken

47:15identity just because they share the

47:17same last name and year of birth as a

47:19non-citizen with a deportation order.

47:22Those individuals had proof of

47:24citizenship, but were not allowed to go

47:26before a judge to show it. Our community

47:29is richer and more vibrant because of

47:31its diversity, because of our

47:33non-citizen neighbors, co-workers, and

47:34friends, and the fact that Massachusetts

47:37is the only democratically led state in

47:38the country to have an active 287g

47:40agreement with ICE is a stain on what we

47:43stand for. I want to thank councilors

47:45Hart and you and Campen for sponsoring

47:46this resolution and all of you for your

47:48time and your consideration. Thank you.

47:51>> Thank you.

47:54Councelor Scott would like to sign on.

47:55Councilor link site. I think the whole

47:57council would like to sign on. Any

47:58discussion? Council councelor Willer.

48:14>> Sorry, didn't go on. I want to recognize

48:16first that the climate that we're in is

48:18infuriating, deeply painful, and deeply

48:21unjust. No one should have to live in

48:23fear. And in all the complexities of our

48:26normal criminal justice system, people

48:28should not bear the added burden of

48:30being found not guilty and released or

48:33released after serving their assigned

48:34time just to additionally face arrest

48:37and possible deportation by the

48:38government.

48:40This year, there was work at the state

48:42house on passing the Protect Act. And

48:45I'm deeply grateful for the Protect Act

48:48and its protections, however partial,

48:51uh, and deeply grateful to the state

48:53houses's Black and Latino caucus for

48:55working on it. One thing that I learned

48:57and was surprised to learn in in

48:59following the Protect Act and learning

49:00about the work on the Protect Act was

49:02that in the course of meeting with a

49:05variety of different groups of

49:07immigrants representing immigrants, the

49:09Black and Latino Caucus reports having

49:12heard a bunch of disagreement on the

49:14question of the state's 287g agreements

49:17with the Department of Corrections. And

49:20um

49:22I think

49:24there is a a real importance for us in

49:28discussing

49:30issues this complex issues with um these

49:34deep and profound effects on people to

49:37um to make sure that we are

49:41we are listening and we are approaching

49:43the subject ready to hear whatever it is

49:46that the people most effective have to

49:48say. some of the people most effective

49:50told, you know, as reported by Black and

49:52Latino Caucus Chair, uh, Representative

49:55Andy Vargas, um, some of the people that

49:58that the Black and Latino Caucus reports

50:00meeting with, uh, felt that we should

50:02absolutely end this 287g agreement. Um

50:06other people they met with felt that on

50:09balance uh as as horrible as these

50:12agreements and the current uh the

50:16current setup that the state has with

50:18Department of Homeland Security is

50:21that as bad as that is it would be worse

50:23in the current environment to end that

50:25agreement.

50:27I don't pretend to know all of these

50:29nuances. Uh, and ultimately I feel like

50:33I I come down on the side of not wanting

50:39to continue an agreement with the

50:40Department of Homeland Security

50:43and I appreciate my colleague

50:45sponsorship. Um,

50:48my experience learning about this felt

50:51like a strong reminder that as the

50:55federal government tries to turn the

50:57screws on cities that try to be

51:00welcoming to immigrant communities and

51:03as they punish immigrant communities,

51:06uh, the policy questions are going to be

51:09thorny and complex and we are going to

51:12have to remember to stay curious and

51:16humble and be ready to hear what we

51:18don't expect to hear. Um,

51:21that's what I'm sort of surprised to

51:23find with this. Uh, and I appreciate

51:26everyone's uh, everyone's attention to

51:29trying to get these things right. Thank

51:31you.

51:33>> Thank you. That item is approved.

51:37Madame clerk, let's go back to the

51:40regular order before we take up any

51:42additional out of order items and do our

51:44public hearings and grants of locations,

51:45please.

51:48>> Agenda item 3.1, a grant of location

51:51from Comcast, applying for a grant of

51:53location to install 187 ft of conduit in

51:56Sycamore Street and Broadway and one new

51:58sidewalk vault from the existing Comcast

52:00manhole at the intersection of Sycamore

52:02Street and Broadway. passing through the

52:04proposed sidewalk vault continuing to

52:06points of pickup at 382 Broadway and 386

52:08Broadway. All

52:09>> right, I now declare this public hearing

52:11to be open. Is there anyone here to

52:12speak on the item?

52:13>> Dave.

52:18>> Dave Flleand online.

52:30Give us a minute to get the

52:34Get all the unmuting done.

52:58>> There you go,

53:00Mr. Fine. Go right ahead.

53:07Massachusetts

53:09would like to speak in favor of the

53:10Comcast petition to place 187 ft of

53:13conduit for the purpose of providing the

53:15service to 382 Broadway and 386.

53:19>> Okay, thank you. Is there anyone else

53:21here to speak on the item?

53:23If you're online, you can use the raise

53:25hand uh function at the bottom of your

53:28screen.

53:30Not seeing anyone. All right, then I

53:31declare the public hearing closed. Any

53:33questions or discussion? Councelor Link.

53:36>> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, so I was

53:38taking a quick look at some of these.

53:40Uh, and I noticed this one stood out to

53:42me because,

53:44um, it looks like the work that's going

53:45to happen um, where they're going to be

53:47cutting is, uh, on the schematic, it

53:49doesn't show it, but there is actually a

53:51curb cut for a crosswalk right there.

53:54Um, so I'm just curious uh if that's

53:57been taken into account the fact that we

53:59need to have a um a curb cut fixed and

54:03all the work that that might entail. Mr.

54:05Flowing, can you speak to how the uh

54:07work will will interface with a curb

54:09cut?

54:11>> Yes, that curb cut will be restored back

54:13to the original condition for the street

54:15opening permit that will be issued by

54:17the city.

54:20>> So Mr. President I understand just by

54:23restored back to condition means that

54:25it'll be cement again or that it's going

54:28to be cement with um asphalt

54:33trip hazard right in the middle.

54:36>> It'll be a temporary patch and then we

54:38will return to replace the concrete.

54:44M

54:45>> this if you can just indulge me one more

54:46time. uh how how long will it be a

54:51>> Mr. Flyn can can you speak a little bit

54:53just to the the required process of that

54:55sort of two-step replacement

54:59>> the conduit so the um they'll excavate

55:02place the pipe they'll cable um they

55:05will put the temporary patch there then

55:08they'll coordinate um with the cement

55:11truck to replace that concrete patch of

55:14the sidewalk p

55:19Got you want to ask about asking about

55:21the the time between I think so. Yes.

55:23Like is it going to be for the concrete

55:26step

55:26>> a month a year?

55:28>> Oh no be taken care of right away.

55:31>> Thank you Mr. President.

55:32>> All right. Thank you councelor Clay.

55:35>> Thank you Mr. President. I want to thank

55:36uh my coun colleague at large for

55:38flagging this. Um I believe this cross

55:41this is part of a crosswalk uh which is

55:43a route to school for the kids going to

55:44the Healey school. Um so I would I

55:47really would urge uh the utility to take

55:51swift action and making sure we restore

55:53this 100% as our kids do rely on that

55:56crosswalk to get to school. Thank you.

55:59>> Understood.

56:01>> Thank you. Any further discussion?

56:05All right. Seeing none, then this item

56:06is approved.

56:08Uh, next item,

56:12>> Mr. Chair.

56:13>> Councelor Scott.

56:14>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm going to be

56:15recused from this one as I appear on the

56:17list of abutters on page seven.

56:19>> All right. Very good. Councelor Scott is

56:21is recused. Madam Clerk,

56:24>> agenda item 3.2, a grant of location.

56:27Eversource applying for a grant of

56:28location to install 346 ft of conduit in

56:31Newton Street from the existing manhole

56:334115 passing through the existing

56:36manhole 4123 to appoint a pickup at

56:39existing manhole 31223 next to 24

56:42Webster Avenue.

56:44>> All right. I now declare the public

56:45hearing to be open. Is there anyone here

56:47to speak on the item?

56:49We

56:50>> have Michael Katz online.

56:54>> Good morning.

56:56Can you hear me?

56:57>> We can.

56:59>> Okay. Um, I'm one of the abutters. I

57:02live at 3 Emerson Street. My name is

57:04Michael Catz. I live at 3 Emerson

57:06Street, which is at the corner of

57:08Emerson and Newton. Um, obviously, we

57:12need to get power to 24 Webster. There's

57:15not a an issue there. Uh, what I do have

57:20a couple of questions. I want to know

57:23uh when the utility is doing this work,

57:28are they also going to be doing the

57:33conduit etc for 32 Webster which they

57:37literally are passing as they go to uh

57:41Newton so that they don't have to rip up

57:43the street more than once and create all

57:46the problems of that of ripping up the

57:49street uh makes for us and the costs. Um

57:55so that's one question. Uh when are they

57:58planning to do this and how long will it

58:00take? Uh and the third one is um how

58:04will a butters

58:07get to their driveways and to their

58:09houses

58:11uh during this process?

58:16>> Okay. Thank you. Is there anyone else to

58:18speak on the item? Anyone from

58:21Eversource by any chance?

58:26>> Yeah. Is there anyone from Eversource

58:28here to speak on this item?

58:34Council and Kevin, did you want to

58:36speak?

58:37>> Oh, after the public hearing. Okay.

58:39>> Okay. Uh, hearing none, then I'll

58:41declare the public hearing closed.

58:42Council and Kevin.

58:44>> Uh, thank you, Mr. President. as the

58:47nearest non-recused ward counselor. I'll

58:49say if there are questions from the

58:50abutters and there's I'd ask that this

58:52go to committee please.

58:54>> All right. No objection to that. We'll

58:57send this one refer this one to licenses

58:59and permits. Thank you. Next item.

59:03>> Agenda item 3.3. A grant of location.

59:06Eversource applying for a grant of

59:08location to install 15 feet of conduit

59:10in Felsway West Street from existing

59:12manhole 1897 to appoint a pickup at the

59:15demarcation line next to 49 Felsway

59:17West.

59:18>> All right. I now declare the public

59:19hearing to be open. Is there anyone here

59:21to speak on the item?

59:29>> Anyone online? If you're online, you can

59:31use the raise hand feature.

59:38All right. Seeing none, I will declare

59:40the public hearing closed. Any

59:42discussion or preference on this item?

59:45Felway West.

59:50Trying to figure out which word

59:51counselor this would fall in there.

59:53I thought so. Do you want to send this

59:55one to committee since we don't hear

59:56from the uh well anyone on it or you

1:00:00okay approving it tonight?

1:00:03Uh

1:00:03>> I will I will note that typically when

1:00:05repres representatives from ever source

1:00:06come they effectively just read what we

1:00:08have in front of us. So that's typically

1:00:10this we're not missing we're not missing

1:00:13out on information we usually would

1:00:15receive by there not being anyone here

1:00:16to speak from it there being no other

1:00:18questions.

1:00:20>> Yeah. I mean rather than that said if no

1:00:23one's here to speak on it we certainly

1:00:24could send it to

1:00:25>> rather than send to committee. Can we

1:00:26just lay it on the table or something

1:00:27for next meeting?

1:00:28>> We can do that as well. See if uh ah we

1:00:31have someone here. All right, I'm going

1:00:32to reopen the public hearing uh so that

1:00:35we have someone online. Who is it?

1:00:38>> Emmy Mweeny. You would like to speak on

1:00:40this item. This is item 3.3, Felsway

1:00:44West.

1:00:45>> So, this is Can you hear me? This is

1:00:48Emmy Mweeny from Eversource.

1:00:50>> Yes, now we can hear you very well.

1:00:52Okay. So the second item we respectfully

1:00:56request to withdraw this application

1:00:58this evening

1:01:00I am covering this tonight and the

1:01:03client the what was submitted to you was

1:01:06a portion of the this is DCR

1:01:09jurisdiction and a portion is

1:01:11summerville. We inadvertently submitted

1:01:13the DCR petition. So we respectfully

1:01:16request that we withdraw it and resubmit

1:01:19it for next hearing.

1:01:22All right. Well, we will

1:01:25can't be withdrawn once it's on the

1:01:26agenda, but let's let's let's table that

1:01:28one until we make sure we get the the

1:01:30correct uh procedural uh uh

1:01:35what's the word I'm looking for?

1:01:36Treatment handling. Um uh All right.

1:01:40Very well then. So that item 3.3 will

1:01:42lay on the table. Uh next item, Madam

1:01:44Clerk.

1:01:46>> Agenda item 3.4 for a grant of location

1:01:49from Eversource applying for a grant of

1:01:50location to install 266 ft of condo in

1:01:53School Street from existing manhole

1:01:5529855

1:01:56passing through existing manholes 13425

1:02:00and 13085 to appointed pickup at 93

1:02:02Highland Avenue.

1:02:03>> All right, I now declare the public

1:02:05hearing to be open. Is there anyone here

1:02:06to speak on the item?

1:02:09Yes, Debbie Mcweeni and we are

1:02:13requesting grant location so we may

1:02:15place our permanent utilities

1:02:18>> in through those manholes that were

1:02:20listed on 93 Highland Avenue.

1:02:26>> Okay. Anyone else here to speak on the

1:02:28item?

1:02:33>> All right. Seeing none, I declare the

1:02:34public hearing to be closed. Any

1:02:37discussion? Any objections? No. All

1:02:40right, that item is approved. Um Emmy,

1:02:43before you go, I just want to note that

1:02:45item 3.2 we set to committee because

1:02:46there were some questions from some

1:02:48abutters there. So, we'll uh we'll take

1:02:49that up in committee and um and the make

1:02:52sure that you have a notice that that

1:02:53one's when that's going to uh to be on

1:02:55agenda. Okay.

1:02:57>> Okay.

1:02:58>> All right. Thank you. So, uh yeah, 3.4

1:03:01is approved.

1:03:07>> All right. Let's take item 3.3 off the

1:03:10table and the clerk informs me that we

1:03:12can with withdraw it live here this

1:03:14evening at the request of the applicant.

1:03:15So, it shall be done. Consider it

1:03:17withdrawn.

1:03:19All right. Very good. Um, now let's go

1:03:22back to our out of order items. We got a

1:03:24few more exciting stuff we want to get

1:03:25to before we uh go through everything

1:03:28else in order. Um, if there's no

1:03:31objection, I'd like to wave the rules to

1:03:33take up item 8.3 out of order. Seeing no

1:03:37objection, madame clerk,

1:03:40>> agenda item 8.3, an officer's

1:03:41communication conveying the municipal

1:03:43special election calendar for 2026 2027.

1:03:47>> All right, Director Serno, I see you are

1:03:50here this evening. You introduce

1:03:51yourself formally for the record and uh

1:03:54let us know what we got in front of us

1:03:56here.

1:03:57>> Good evening. Nicholas Solerno,

1:03:59elections director,

1:04:01[clears throat]

1:04:02here to talk about the future special

1:04:06election for wards two and three.

1:04:10Now,

1:04:11we've been asked as an elections

1:04:13department to put a calendar together to

1:04:16run the elections for both wards.

1:04:18Unfortunately, we can't just do it at

1:04:21the convenience of the people who want

1:04:24to run the or the people in my office.

1:04:27We have to take it by statute and we

1:04:31have endeavored to

1:04:34pay close attention to every statute

1:04:39past charter, current charter and act

1:04:43accordingly.

1:04:44And the goal being to put together a

1:04:48special election in the shortest

1:04:50possible time frame. What you have in

1:04:53front of you is exactly that.

1:04:57endeavor. the earliest we can run by by

1:05:01statute the preliminary would be

1:05:04February 2nd

1:05:06and we were and that's a Tuesday and we

1:05:11were planning on once we go through all

1:05:13the steps that are required that we have

1:05:16to have do be between the preliminary

1:05:19and the final election the general

1:05:21election we were going to hold the

1:05:25election on Tuesday

1:05:27March 23rd third, but we couldn't do

1:05:30that because there's a religious

1:05:32holiday. So, I just want you to know at

1:05:34the outset that the earliest we can have

1:05:38the final election is the following day

1:05:40on a Wednesday, March 24th. Now,

1:05:44precedent has been set in the past for

1:05:47different days of the week other than

1:05:48Tuesday. So, don't let that get anybody

1:05:51too nervous here. So, having said that,

1:05:55what you have [cough]

1:05:57>> [clears throat]

1:05:58>> in the special calendar proposal is the

1:06:01quickest

1:06:03dates that we could provide statutoily

1:06:06and following city charters

1:06:10possible. February 2nd for the

1:06:13preliminary and March 24th for the

1:06:17general

1:06:19and nomination papers. That's a little

1:06:22bit we have a little more flexibility

1:06:24for everybody who wants to move quickly.

1:06:26They will be available November 16th.

1:06:31That is my presentation with a smile.

1:06:35>> All right. Thank you, Director Serno.

1:06:37Any discussion? Any questions?

1:06:41All right. See none. Thank you. That

1:06:44>> Thank you all. Have a great evening.

1:06:45>> You as well. That item is placed on

1:06:47file.

1:06:49Our next item out of order

1:06:53at the request of the administration.

1:06:54Uh, so I'd like to uh wave the rules to

1:06:57take item 7.9 out of order. If there's

1:07:00no objection, seeing none, Madam Clerk,

1:07:03>> 7.9, a request of the mayor requesting

1:07:05approval to enter into a lease agreement

1:07:07with the Center for the Arts at the

1:07:08Armory to provide commercial arts space

1:07:11at the Somerville Armory Building, 191

1:07:13Highland Avenue.

1:07:14>> All right, go ahead.

1:07:17>> Through the president, my name is Josh

1:07:18Mccoral. I am the property and tenant

1:07:20relations manager for the city. And what

1:07:23you have before you here is uh a lease

1:07:27for approval for the armory. This is for

1:07:29the center for the arts of the armory.

1:07:32Uh there was a previous set of leases

1:07:34that already came to this body to get

1:07:37approved. Um this one is lagging a

1:07:39little later just because we had some

1:07:41back and forth with center for arts the

1:07:43armory to make sure that we were both on

1:07:44the same page. They had some small

1:07:46changes they wanted to see in the lease.

1:07:48So we worked with them to get those

1:07:50changes made. They've been made. Center

1:07:52for Arts of the Armory is satisfied.

1:07:54They signed and so now we're just

1:07:56looking for approval so that we can uh

1:07:58start on this lease period with them. Um

1:08:02and you know they're such an important

1:08:04tenant in the armory obviously. So we're

1:08:07just excited to uh continue the

1:08:09relationship with them.

1:08:10>> Okay. Thank you. And the the request is

1:08:12uh if if it's the will of the council to

1:08:14approve this lease this evening. That's

1:08:15correct.

1:08:16>> Okay. Questions?

1:08:20Councelor Scott.

1:08:21>> Uh thank you, Mr. President. Uh I don't

1:08:24have any questions. I very much

1:08:25appreciate being provided with the lease

1:08:27so that I could review it before the

1:08:28meeting. Also want to say thank you to

1:08:31uh Director Sher at Arts of the Armory

1:08:34for providing the city council with a

1:08:36letter uh giving us a heads up that the

1:08:38lease had been finalized and conveying

1:08:40their continued concerns. Um I'm

1:08:44grateful for the work of staff to try to

1:08:46get this thing buttoned up and put away

1:08:47in a satisfactory manner. uh and for

1:08:49being responsive to those concerns uh

1:08:52and making edits to lease and uh it's my

1:08:55fervent wish that the city can manage to

1:08:57be a better landlord going forward.

1:08:59Thank you

1:09:01>> councelor Sate.

1:09:03>> You Mr. President. Yeah. So um as you

1:09:06know I'm the world counselor so I've

1:09:08been following this for years at this

1:09:10point. uh when I first got on the

1:09:12council January, this was my the first

1:09:15order I put in a council order which is

1:09:18securing um leases for uh the armory

1:09:21tenants. Um yeah, I'm very excited about

1:09:24this moment. I want to thank the

1:09:26administration and everyone who's worked

1:09:28on this. Um and I am looking forward to

1:09:31this next chapter and I'm really glad

1:09:34you're joining the team and you will be

1:09:37um you know the

1:09:39you know the connection [laughter] right

1:09:43between you know the city and all these

1:09:45tenants making sure you know you're

1:09:47there and you're listening to all their

1:09:49concerns. Um they've been waiting for

1:09:51this for a really long time. So um I

1:09:55think everyone is really excited to

1:09:56start this new chapter. Thank you.

1:10:01>> Further discussion council link.

1:10:04>> Uh I'll I just thank you Mr. President.

1:10:06I just want to say that um you know just

1:10:08today I was having a conversation u with

1:10:11council campen and uh a few others about

1:10:13how arts at the army really kind of

1:10:15punches above their weight. Uh, and I'm

1:10:17I'm just so happy that that we've got

1:10:19this locked in now. Um, or that we're

1:10:22about to have it locked in. And, you

1:10:23know, I really hope that we're going to

1:10:24make sure that uh we as we keep moving

1:10:27forward that we the the renewal

1:10:30processes are uh smooth. Uh, and I

1:10:34assume that now that we've got a

1:10:36wonderful person in there to look it

1:10:38over, we we we will have just that.

1:10:42>> Councelor Ba.

1:10:43>> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. just to

1:10:45underscore my two cent that we should

1:10:47never forget why we took that building

1:10:50you know so it's been like long overdue

1:10:54just to echo councelor Scott's sentiment

1:10:58you know my hope is that you're going to

1:11:01preserve the artist that we're there

1:11:04that's that's it thank you

1:11:09>> all right seeing no further discussion

1:11:10oh council uh councelor wheeler

1:11:12>> thank you Mr. Mr. President, just very

1:11:14briefly, I just wanted to to appreciate

1:11:16this work um to appreciate the coming

1:11:19together in all the legal negotiations

1:11:22of uh of all the different parties

1:11:24involved in order to enable arts because

1:11:26that's ultimately what we're trying to

1:11:28do here. And uh I hope that both in in

1:11:31this work this year and in our work

1:11:33going forward, we really are holding on

1:11:36tightly to this idea that uh arts are

1:11:39not made to fit in legal contracts and

1:11:44we have a system that requires them. We

1:11:47need to do everything by the book. But

1:11:49as much as possible, if we can build uh

1:11:52approaches that welcome and support the

1:11:56the flexible outpouring of creativity

1:11:59that we have in this city, I think we

1:12:01will all benefit. Thank you.

1:12:05>> All right, seeing no further discussion,

1:12:06councelor say moves for approval. And

1:12:08that requires a roll call, I believe,

1:12:10madam clerk.

1:12:12>> Sorry.

1:12:13>> All right, very good. I call the roll.

1:12:16>> And roll call for approval on agenda

1:12:19item 79 to enter into a lease agreement

1:12:21with the Center for the Arts at the

1:12:22Armory. Councelor Yuampen,

1:12:24>> yes.

1:12:24>> Councelor Link,

1:12:25>> yes.

1:12:26>> Councelor Scott,

1:12:27>> yes.

1:12:28>> Councelor Klingan,

1:12:28>> yes.

1:12:29>> Councelor Shrezo,

1:12:30>> yes.

1:12:30>> Councelor Say,

1:12:32>> yes.

1:12:33>> Councelor Wheeler,

1:12:34>> yes.

1:12:35>> Councelor Hart,

1:12:36>> yes.

1:12:36>> Councelor Mclofflin,

1:12:37>> yes.

1:12:38>> Councelor Emba,

1:12:38>> yes.

1:12:39>> Councelor Davis,

1:12:40>> yes.

1:12:40>> The 11 counselors in favor, that is

1:12:42approved.

1:12:42>> All right. Very good. Thank you.

1:12:47All right. Next item out of order. This

1:12:49is uh another item at the request of the

1:12:51administration. I'd like to uh wave the

1:12:54rules to take up items actually item 7.3

1:12:58and 7.7 together and out of order.

1:13:01Seeing no objection, then madam clerk,

1:13:03would you read those two?

1:13:05>> 7.3. A request of the mayor requesting

1:13:07the appropriation of $17,663

1:13:11from the salary and wage stabilization

1:13:13fund to the department of public works

1:13:15school custodians other lumpsum benefits

1:13:18account to fund a collective bargaining

1:13:20bargaining agreement with the service

1:13:21employees international union chapter 3

1:13:24school custodians and agenda item 7.7 a

1:13:28request of the mayor requesting the

1:13:29appropriation of $59,37

1:13:32from the salary contingency salaries

1:13:34account to various Department of Public

1:13:36Works school custodians personal

1:13:38services account to fund a collective

1:13:40bargaining agreement with the service

1:13:41employees international union chapter 3

1:13:44school custodians.

1:13:45>> I see we have the chief administrative

1:13:47officer as well here to speak on this I

1:13:49believe. Is that right? Step right up.

1:13:52>> Thank you so much Mr. President.

1:13:53Kimberly Wells chief administrative

1:13:55officer through you. Um, you'll see that

1:13:58there are two appropriations here, both

1:14:00for the retroactive component of the

1:14:03fiscal 26 through 28 memorandum of

1:14:06agreement with the school custodians.

1:14:08Um, the council, you may remember, voted

1:14:10to fund this agreement back in July. And

1:14:13for any municipal finance wons who are

1:14:16at home listening, um I will share that

1:14:17it is split into two appropriations

1:14:19which is outside of the norm because the

1:14:23uh first item 7.3 I think that's the

1:14:26order that they showed up in the agenda

1:14:27in um is an appropriation from the

1:14:29salary and wage stabilization fund

1:14:31covering fiscal year 2026. So

1:14:33stabilization funds I hope you all

1:14:35remember from the budget are the

1:14:36container that we can use for things

1:14:38that bridge fiscal years. So, we're

1:14:40taking sort of old money to pay for

1:14:44previously done things. Um, and then

1:14:46we're using the salary contingency

1:14:47account, which is part of this year's

1:14:49operating budget to pay for the

1:14:51retroactive component of the current

1:14:52year, meaning basically July through

1:14:54September.

1:14:57Very good. Any questions?

1:15:01All right. See none. Thank you. So, item

1:15:037.7 is approved and item 7.3 uh requires

1:15:08a roll call for approval. Call the roll

1:15:09on that, please. Madam clerk,

1:15:11>> and this is roll call on agenda item

1:15:127.3, the appropriation of $17,636

1:15:16from the state salary and wage

1:15:18stabilization fund. Councelor Yuampen,

1:15:21>> yes.

1:15:21>> Councelor Link,

1:15:22>> yes.

1:15:23>> Councelor Scott,

1:15:24>> yes.

1:15:24>> Councelor Klingan,

1:15:25>> yes.

1:15:25>> Councelor Stretzo,

1:15:26>> yes.

1:15:27>> Councelor Sait,

1:15:28>> yes.

1:15:29>> Councelor Wheeler,

1:15:30>> yes.

1:15:31>> Councelor Hart,

1:15:32>> yes.

1:15:33>> Councelor Mclofflin,

1:15:34>> yes.

1:15:35>> Councelor Emba,

1:15:36>> yes.

1:15:36>> Councelor Davis,

1:15:37>> yes. With all 11 counselors in favor,

1:15:39that is approved.

1:15:40>> All right. Very good. Next item. Uh next

1:15:42item out of order. Another request from

1:15:44the administration to take item 7.2 out

1:15:47of order. So I'll request to wave wave

1:15:48the rules. And see no objection. Madam

1:15:51clerk, would you read 7.2?

1:15:52>> Agenda item 7.2, Two, a request of the

1:15:54mayor requesting the appropriation of

1:15:56$384,000

1:15:58from the salary and wage stabilization

1:16:00fund to the police department other

1:16:01lumpsum payment account to fund a

1:16:03collective bargaining agreement with the

1:16:05Somerville Police Superior Officers

1:16:07Association.

1:16:08Miss

1:16:12>> Thank you, Mr. President. Kimberly

1:16:13Wells, chief administrative officer. Um,

1:16:15so this item is also an appropriation

1:16:17for a retroactive component of an MOA.

1:16:20This one for the FY25 element of the MOA

1:16:24that was recently appropriated by the

1:16:26city council back in June for the

1:16:28superior officers.

1:16:32>> Any discussion?

1:16:34Councelor Link and then Scott.

1:16:38>> Thank you, Mr. President. Um a a

1:16:40question. So, um not our last finance

1:16:44meeting, but the one before that, uh we

1:16:47had two grants come up. um for E911. Uh

1:16:52and both of those we for one reason or

1:16:55another uh even though we we knew we

1:16:57were applying for a grant, we had to

1:16:59still ask for the money in the budget.

1:17:01Um we have the grant now and the

1:17:06those grants were for

1:17:09$29500,000

1:17:12and 159 $100,000 which seems like it

1:17:16would more than cover this. So, I'm just

1:17:17curious why we need to uh use wage

1:17:20stabilization funds when we uh looks

1:17:22like we have uh in our police operating

1:17:24budget the this amount that we need

1:17:28>> through you Mr. President. Thank you for

1:17:30the question. So, as I mentioned before,

1:17:32as we think about the purpose of

1:17:33stabilization funds, it is really to set

1:17:36aside funding from in previous years for

1:17:39use for things that occurred in those

1:17:42years. So the idea is that we are using

1:17:44FY25 dollars to pay for time in FY25 and

1:17:49that the new money coming in will be um

1:17:51allocated towards things that are

1:17:53happening in this budget and going

1:17:55forward. So if at the end of this fiscal

1:17:57year there's let's call it extra um it

1:18:01would potentially be allocated back to a

1:18:03stabilization fund the council would

1:18:04need to approve that. So really in the

1:18:07sort of municipal accounting rules, we

1:18:09want to make sure that we're using the

1:18:10money for the specific purposes that it

1:18:13was designated when it was designated.

1:18:18>> Thank you, Mr. President. Councelor

1:18:20Scott.

1:18:22>> Uh thank you, Mr. President. Uh it is a

1:18:25very subtle thing the difference between

1:18:26the stabilization fund and the salary

1:18:28contingency account. Uh I just had one

1:18:31question just to be perfectly clear

1:18:32about this. This is not a request to

1:18:34ratify a new contract agreement. This is

1:18:37simply a funding appropriation

1:18:40uh to pay the prior year balance of an

1:18:43agreement that's already been reached.

1:18:45Correct,

1:18:46>> Mr. President. Through you councelor.

1:18:47Yes, that is correct.

1:18:48>> All right. Thank you, Mr. President.

1:18:51Any further questions, discussion?

1:18:55All right. Seeing none, that also

1:18:57requires a roll call vote. Madam clerk,

1:18:58would you call the role on approval?

1:19:00>> This is roll call for agenda item 7.2

1:19:02two requesting the appropriation of

1:19:03$384,000 from the salary and wage

1:19:06stabilization fund. Councelor Yuan,

1:19:08>> yes.

1:19:09>> Councelor Link,

1:19:10>> yes.

1:19:11>> Councelor Scott,

1:19:12>> yes.

1:19:12>> Councelor Klingan,

1:19:13>> yes.

1:19:14>> Councelor Shrezo,

1:19:15>> yes.

1:19:16>> Councelor Say,

1:19:17>> yes.

1:19:18>> Councelor Wheeler,

1:19:19>> yes.

1:19:19>> Councelor Hart,

1:19:20>> yes.

1:19:21>> Councelor Mclofflin,

1:19:22>> yes.

1:19:23>> Councelor Emba,

1:19:24>> yes.

1:19:25>> Councelor Davis,

1:19:26>> yes.

1:19:26>> All counselors in favor, the item is

1:19:28approved.

1:19:28>> All right. Thank you. One more in this

1:19:30category. uh request the administration

1:19:32to take up item 7.5 out of order. So I

1:19:34will make that request to wave the rules

1:19:36and take up item 7.5. Seeing no

1:19:38objection, Madam Clerk, agenda item 7.5,

1:19:41a request of the mayor requesting the

1:19:43appropriation of 308,54

1:19:46from the salary contingency account to

1:19:48various departmental personal services

1:19:50accounts to fund a collective bargaining

1:19:52agreement with the Somerville Municipal

1:19:53Employees Unit Union Unit A.

1:19:56>> Miss Wells.

1:19:58>> Thank you, Mr. President. Kimberly

1:20:00Wells, chief administrative officer.

1:20:02This one is a bit more exciting only

1:20:04because it represents a new contract

1:20:06that we have signed um with unit A. So,

1:20:10this is the request to appropriate the

1:20:11funds for the prospective um component

1:20:13of the union's uh MOA um for FY23

1:20:17through FY25.

1:20:19So, I' I'd be happy to share some of the

1:20:22details um of this. You may remember

1:20:24that recently, I think recently means

1:20:26last year, but perhaps last year and the

1:20:29previous year, um we and by we in this

1:20:32case I mean the council um approved the

1:20:35appropriations for units B and D. And so

1:20:39this unit A MOA is very consistent with

1:20:42both of those. It includes 3% cost of

1:20:45living increases for the fiscal years 23

1:20:48and 24. It also includes a comprehensive

1:20:51market adjustment for fiscal year 2025

1:20:53which was based on the city's wage

1:20:55study. Um it includes an increase to

1:20:58vacation benefits and a transition to a

1:21:01vacation acrruel system. It gives this

1:21:03group access to the PFML benefit that

1:21:06the city provides. Um creates a new sick

1:21:09leave bank for this unit. Um and also

1:21:11increases the longevity schedule, the

1:21:14clothing allowance and the car

1:21:15allowance. So, the administration is

1:21:16really excited to um complete really the

1:21:19the trifecta of SMMEU um MOAs with unit

1:21:24A rounding out B and D.

1:21:27>> Thank you. Any discussion, questions?

1:21:32>> No. All right. Seeing none, that item is

1:21:34approved.

1:21:34>> Thank you so much.

1:22:00Agenda item 8.2, an officer's

1:22:02communication from the city council

1:22:04legislative and policy analyst conveying

1:22:06information on the upcoming periodic

1:22:08review of the code of ordinances.

1:22:15A thing that you will surely regret, Mr.

1:22:16President.

1:22:18Uh, I will give the clerk a moment to

1:22:21get the presentation up. And I will give

1:22:23my customary notice that uh, public

1:22:26speaking is not my passion. So, I hope

1:22:28that you will forgive me as I spend most

1:22:31of my time staring at my notes and

1:22:32stumbling through them rather than

1:22:33making eye contact with any of you. For

1:22:36the record, uh, city council's

1:22:38legislative and policy analyst, Brendan

1:22:39Salisbury. Um,

1:22:43I've already thrown myself off by

1:22:45skipping several parts of my notes. Um,

1:22:48I am here to present to you tonight on

1:22:50the 2027 periodic review of the code of

1:22:53ordinances. Uh, this is required by the

1:22:552025 revised city charter. Uh, which is

1:22:58something that is very exciting to me,

1:23:00but is likely to put some of you to

1:23:02sleep. Hopefully not enough to cause

1:23:04quorum issues, but we will see how

1:23:05things go. Um, I do ask that you hold

1:23:09your questions to the end as I have

1:23:11already demonstrated now. I am very

1:23:12distractable, much more so than other

1:23:15regular presenters, but my slide deck is

1:23:17much shorter. So, we will get through

1:23:19this very quickly as long as I am

1:23:20allowed to stay focused. Uh, next slide,

1:23:23please.

1:23:26So, what are we talking about here? Uh

1:23:28section 85 of the 2025 revised city

1:23:31charter does require a review of the

1:23:32code of ordinances be conducted

1:23:34periodically every 10 years specifically

1:23:37uh and that is similar to the required

1:23:38periodic review of the charter and of

1:23:41multiple member bodies. Uh we are

1:23:43required to wait at least one year after

1:23:44the periodic review of the charter so

1:23:46that we don't work on both of those at

1:23:48the same time because I will quit. Um,

1:23:51we are also required to incorporate

1:23:53opportunities for community input and to

1:23:55conduct this under the supervision of

1:23:57the city attorney. The specific matter

1:24:00uh specific manner and timeline is to be

1:24:02set by ordinance. More on that in a bit.

1:24:04Next slide, please.

1:24:06So, for a quick bit of history about our

1:24:08code of ordinances, uh, several of you

1:24:10at this point have been treated to my

1:24:12endless frustration about the fact that

1:24:15the code has not been subject to a

1:24:17recontification since 1963.

1:24:20And a great many of our ordinances, the

1:24:23entirety of the readily available

1:24:24history for them is a small footnote

1:24:26that says code 1963. And that's it. Uh

1:24:30this has led to a great number of people

1:24:33assuming that that means that all of

1:24:34those ordinances were created in 1963,

1:24:37but unfortunately

1:24:39uh many of them are decades older. And

1:24:41it can get a little frustrating to do

1:24:43the historical research to determine

1:24:45exactly how much older because there is

1:24:48unfortunately little to no information

1:24:50about the recontification of 1963.

1:24:53Apparently they did not write things

1:24:54down in that year. Next slide please.

1:24:58This brings us to why a review is a

1:25:01necessary process. Uh, simply speaking,

1:25:03regular review helps us make sure that

1:25:05we are staying on top of how reality is

1:25:07playing out and gives us an opportunity

1:25:09to go back and identify what may not be

1:25:12working or what may no longer be

1:25:13necessary. Uh, it's pretty common to

1:25:15focus in on what you can add to the code

1:25:17of ordinances. That is natural. You have

1:25:19a two-year term. You have very little

1:25:20time. You're probably not interested in

1:25:22going back to look at why squirrels are

1:25:24something that you're not allowed to

1:25:25talk to in the park. Um, so

1:25:30that's where I come in. Uh, in order to

1:25:32keep the code of ordinances from getting

1:25:34goofy, um, it helps to have somebody who

1:25:37has a full sense of the context of the

1:25:39code of ordinances. And, uh, I actually

1:25:41know and have gotten confessions from

1:25:43several of you that you have not read

1:25:44the code of ordinances in their

1:25:46entirety. Well, I have done that several

1:25:48times. So,

1:25:50uh, the idea is for me mostly hopefully

1:25:55with some help because there's a lot of

1:25:56ordinances to go through and identify

1:25:58things like, um, fines for not singing

1:26:01the national anthem. That's not a

1:26:03Somerville one. I was going to use it as

1:26:04a test. That is actually state law. Fun

1:26:07fact. Um, it's also worth saying here

1:26:10that the longer there is between the

1:26:11reviews, the more difficult these

1:26:13reviews get.

1:26:15Case in point, it's been 63 years.

1:26:18Uh so in order to keep these functional,

1:26:20we will be doing these every 10 years

1:26:22for as long as I am here. And I speaking

1:26:25for the historical record, encourage

1:26:26whoever follows me to make sure to

1:26:28maintain this practice. Please, next

1:26:31slide, please.

1:26:35Now, as it has been over 63 years since

1:26:37the last review, uh, and we don't

1:26:39actually know what the scope of that

1:26:41review was, uh, it would be impossible

1:26:44to get everything done that we need to

1:26:46do all at once.

1:26:48So, uh, after consulting with the city

1:26:51attorney, the city clerk, and the city

1:26:52council president, uh, this is a spoiler

1:26:55for what the ordinance is going to say.

1:26:57Um, the decision has been made to

1:26:59conduct this initial review on a

1:27:00slightly extended timeline and in two

1:27:03parts. uh recottification and

1:27:05substantive review. Uh with this

1:27:07presentation I am covering

1:27:08recontification as noted by the title of

1:27:11the slide recontification. Um the goal

1:27:14there is to have a solid foundation for

1:27:16all of you to conduct a substantive

1:27:18review once that is completed. Um in the

1:27:21future this level of work will hopefully

1:27:22not be necessary because we will be

1:27:24doing this routinely.

1:27:26I will be doing this routinely and I

1:27:28will know what I did last time. And I am

1:27:29also documenting every step of this

1:27:31process so that again the person who

1:27:33comes after me does not have to flail

1:27:35around and wonder what they were doing

1:27:36in 1963.

1:27:39I'm not bitter. Uh the first step is to

1:27:41pass an ordinance uh that is going to

1:27:44establish the manner of review and the

1:27:46date for submission of recommendations.

1:27:48Uh I am going to make the unusual

1:27:50request to have this council pass that

1:27:52tonight so that I can actually legally

1:27:54and officially get to work on this. Um

1:27:58that is coming up next. Uh the next step

1:28:01is identification and removal of

1:28:03outdated provisions. We will cover this

1:28:04in the next slide. Uh followed by a

1:28:06unification of style which is

1:28:08everybody's favorite reorganization of

1:28:10chapters and then submission of

1:28:11recommendations and city council

1:28:13deliberation. Next slide please.

1:28:16Identification

1:28:18and removal of outdated provisions. Some

1:28:20of you have taken my civics day quiz for

1:28:23the first two years that civics day was

1:28:24running and I did have a lot of fun

1:28:26testing your knowledge on the things

1:28:29that we have in the ordinance still.

1:28:30This is a small sampling of them.

1:28:34I don't know that there were a lot of

1:28:35horses in Somerville in 1963. So I am

1:28:38left wondering why we kept those

1:28:40provisions in when we last did the

1:28:42reconification. But suffice to say, they

1:28:44will be coming out. Uh there are

1:28:48numerous provisions in fact that I feel

1:28:50confident saying were out of step with

1:28:52reality in 1963 and yet remained in

1:28:54force for the last 63 years. Uh things

1:28:57like prohibitions against frightening

1:28:59horses, uh allowing them to graze at

1:29:02large, which is a serious problem that

1:29:04we need to address right now. uh things

1:29:07like requirements that your Starbucks

1:29:08employee have a chest X-ray because of

1:29:11the consumption that is rampant in our

1:29:13community right now. Um

1:29:17some of these are more obviously archaic

1:29:19than others. Um

1:29:22some will require substantive review. My

1:29:24plan is to air on the side of caution.

1:29:26To the extent that something requires a

1:29:28substantive

1:29:30um and substantial policy discussion, it

1:29:33will be marked for substantive review

1:29:35later. and I will not be removing it.

1:29:37That being said, I also do not want to

1:29:39run into a situation where we are

1:29:41flagging more minimal substantive

1:29:43changes that we could have a very brief

1:29:45policy conversation about uh and do away

1:29:48with or keep um because the intent of

1:29:51the substantive review is to be much

1:29:53more holistic. Again, more on that in a

1:29:55little bit.

1:29:57Next slide, please. Unification of

1:30:00style. I have examples for this one. Um,

1:30:04this is following the removal of the

1:30:07outdated provisions because I don't want

1:30:09to waste my time unifying the style of

1:30:11provisions that I know are coming out.

1:30:15If there are individual provisions that

1:30:16I think should come out and this council

1:30:18decides should stay in, I will unify the

1:30:20style then. But, uh, there's a lot. Um

1:30:24so over the course of the last century

1:30:27inclusive unfortunately of the last

1:30:29decade or two uh there has been no

1:30:31consistent style within the code of

1:30:32ordinances uh despite the evolution and

1:30:35progression of language. Uh certain

1:30:37deeply archaic drafting practices have

1:30:39remained in place. Uh thankfully those

1:30:42have been largely eliminated by the

1:30:44drafting manual that this council

1:30:45accepted in 2025. Um admittedly after

1:30:49some uh robust debate about the value of

1:30:52semicolons, Oxford commas and uh the

1:30:56phrase without limitation and but not

1:30:58limited to. I did win that one. Uh

1:31:02credit where it is due though these bad

1:31:04drafting practices have unfortunately

1:31:06continued into more recent times. Uh, I

1:31:09will not cite specific examples, but

1:31:11there is at least one example of an

1:31:13ordinance with no less than six

1:31:15different list formats.

1:31:19I know that that bores most of you, but

1:31:21it is a problem.

1:31:25I recognize that my obsession with

1:31:28format and style does maybe seem quirky

1:31:31at best to some of you. Um but I would

1:31:34like to point out that every single

1:31:36error, every potential misunderstanding

1:31:39at any level of government has the

1:31:41potential to ruin a person's day or life

1:31:45because this is law. And so it is

1:31:47important that the people who are

1:31:49burdened by or granted responsibility or

1:31:52rights by the law can understand it.

1:31:56So we all recognize that it's important

1:31:59to make our physical infrastructure

1:32:01accessible in a way so that people are

1:32:03not put at risk of injury. It is equally

1:32:06important that we make our legal

1:32:09infrastructure the same way. And every

1:32:11little bit of polish helps including the

1:32:13Oxford comma.

1:32:15So by applying a clear and consistent

1:32:17style to the code of ordinances, we make

1:32:19the ordinances predictable and

1:32:21digestible and in some cases

1:32:23significantly less wordy. Um there will

1:32:27be some minor substantive issues to

1:32:29address because as we work through this

1:32:31process of unification of style, we are

1:32:33going to find duplications and

1:32:34contradictions that is included in my

1:32:37example coming up. Uh any substantive

1:32:40changes that are included as part of the

1:32:42unification of style will be clearly

1:32:43noted. the recommendations that I will

1:32:46talk about those in a bit. They will

1:32:48include a memorandum and a list of all

1:32:50of the substantive issues.

1:32:53So, if the council does determine though

1:32:55that it is more appropriate to uh have a

1:32:58more robust conversation about any of

1:33:00those substantive issues, they will be

1:33:02removed. They will not be included in

1:33:04the final recommendations and we'll be

1:33:05able to proceed from there. Next slide,

1:33:08please.

1:33:11So, this one and the next two slides are

1:33:14the smoking in parks ordinance. Um, and

1:33:17this is an example of what unification

1:33:19of style can do. Uh, I've actually

1:33:21started using the edits to this to show

1:33:23people what I actually do with my

1:33:25dayto-day. Um, nobody seems to

1:33:28understand what my job is among my

1:33:30friend group and this serves as a great

1:33:32example.

1:33:33Uh I am happy to create a markedup

1:33:36version of this with comments that

1:33:38explain the changes that you are about

1:33:40to see. Let me know if any of you are

1:33:43interested. Next slide please.

1:33:47Here it is with my favorite color. Uh

1:33:50some of you are flinching when you see

1:33:52this because you have submitted things

1:33:54to me that I have returned looking like

1:33:56this and I do apologize for that. Uh you

1:34:00may notice that all of the definitions

1:34:02are struck. Uh that is because I do have

1:34:06a pathological hatred for defining terms

1:34:08in ordinance that makes the city council

1:34:10president shudder every time I bring it

1:34:12up. But every single definition within

1:34:15the code of ordinances is being reviewed

1:34:18to determine whether the term is

1:34:19ambiguous, vague, or readily interpreted

1:34:22in a way that would not serve the

1:34:23purpose of the legislation and their use

1:34:26is unavoidable. If the definition does

1:34:29not meet both of those standards, it is

1:34:31either being eliminated or incorporated

1:34:33into the text of the ordinance as

1:34:34necessary. Every single one of these

1:34:36fails this test. Every single one of

1:34:38these fails this test. Most of them are

1:34:40just a copy paste of the Marryiam

1:34:42Webster definition. Um, which means that

1:34:45it is a term in common use and it cannot

1:34:47readily be interpreted vaguely. The

1:34:50definition of scheduled is actually

1:34:52nonsensical. um and basically takes a

1:34:56term and completely redefineses it in a

1:34:58way that makes it terribly confusing. Uh

1:35:01and the definition of tobacco product is

1:35:04just a duplication of the FDA's

1:35:06definition. If court needs to interpret

1:35:08this, I have it on good authority from

1:35:09the law department. They will go to

1:35:11Miriam Webster first, then possibly to

1:35:13the Oxford English Dictionary, then to

1:35:16substantially similar similar regulatory

1:35:19authority, and then maybe to Black's Law

1:35:21Dictionary if they're feeling

1:35:22particularly bored.

1:35:25Just to really drive home why this is a

1:35:29thing that has been stuck in my craw for

1:35:31a while, we have no less than nine

1:35:35definitions of owner in the Code of

1:35:37Ordinances.

1:35:39uh person is defined six times, tenant

1:35:43three times and mayor because we are

1:35:45very confused about what that means

1:35:47twice.

1:35:49[sighs] Duplication and contradiction

1:35:50are rampant and um I would like to get

1:35:54rid of them because importantly there

1:35:56are terms of art and jargon that appear

1:35:58in the code of ordinances that do need

1:36:00to be defined. I looked at the

1:36:02biotechnology ordinance which was one of

1:36:04the very first ordinances that was put

1:36:05in front of me um by councelor Yuampen

1:36:08when I started and I think I immediately

1:36:10handed it back to him and said I don't

1:36:12know what any of these words mean. So

1:36:15sometimes they do need to be defined.

1:36:16It's very important that we use

1:36:18definitions only when they are necessary

1:36:20so we are not generating confusion.

1:36:22Next slide please.

1:36:25This is its final form. I have taken an

1:36:28entire page and condensed it down to six

1:36:32bullet points. It says the exact same

1:36:35thing.

1:36:37Now, if you look closely, you will spot

1:36:39one of those wonderful little uh

1:36:42substantive issues that needs to be

1:36:43addressed. Specifically, uh a person may

1:36:46not smoke within 50 ft of a person who

1:36:48is participating in or attending a

1:36:50licensed public event held in a public

1:36:52park. A person may also not smoke within

1:36:5550 ft of a public park. So, one of those

1:36:59doesn't need to be in there.

1:37:02We'll talk about that when we actually

1:37:03get to my recommendations,

1:37:05but noodle on it for now.

1:37:08Next slide.

1:37:11This is actually included in the

1:37:14ordinance amendment that changed the

1:37:16smoking and parks ordinance to what it

1:37:18is now. Um, I'd like you to look at that

1:37:21underlined text.

1:37:23And consider for a moment that we could

1:37:25have literally just after

1:37:27tetrahydroanabanyl,

1:37:29you know what, THC um said within 50 ft

1:37:34of or in a public park, playground, rest

1:37:37area, etc. It would have accomplished

1:37:39exactly the same thing with 10 fewer

1:37:41words

1:37:43and also would have put it all in the

1:37:45same place without having to reduplicate

1:37:46things.

1:37:48Again, I understand that this sounds

1:37:50weird and quirky.

1:37:53I'm obsessed with it for a reason, I

1:37:55promise.

1:37:57Next slide, please.

1:38:00On to the reorganization of chapters. We

1:38:03have 15 chapters in the code of

1:38:05ordinances. Um, one of them is three

1:38:08sections, four sentences, and 126 words

1:38:12long. Another one has 57 numbered

1:38:17sections, 300 of which are reserved and

1:38:20includes everything from the mayor's

1:38:22authority to hire secretaries to our

1:38:24welcoming community ordinance.

1:38:27Our offenses and miscellaneous

1:38:29provisions chapter, which I would posit

1:38:31is a thing that should not exist in any

1:38:34code of ordinances, includes everything

1:38:37from skinny dipping

1:38:39to Sorry, let me pull up the absolutely

1:38:42ridiculous Ah, yes. skinny dipping,

1:38:44drinking in public, a ban on facial

1:38:46recognition technology, which one of

1:38:48these things is not like the others, uh,

1:38:50and a ordinance in response to the 2007

1:38:54Boston Moonnight panic. Does anybody

1:38:56remember that?

1:39:00>> So,

1:39:02you also have three sections in that

1:39:03miscellaneous provisions thing that

1:39:05says, hey, to the extent that we're

1:39:06allowed to enforce things under state

1:39:08law, we're doing that. We have three

1:39:10different sections that say that exact

1:39:12thing.

1:39:13Point is,

1:39:15the structure of our ordinances has

1:39:17reached a point where it is

1:39:18incomprehensible. One can no longer look

1:39:21at the chapters and intuit it what is

1:39:23contained within them. That is a problem

1:39:26because if I can't navigate it and I

1:39:29have read the entire code of ordinances

1:39:31back to front

1:39:33more times than I'm going to admit,

1:39:36a random member of the public cannot be

1:39:38expected to. As a matter of fact, it is

1:39:41so bad that you cannot be given a

1:39:43section number and reliably identify

1:39:46where in the code of ordinances that

1:39:48section lies because we have sometimes a

1:39:51bunch of divisions under our chapter

1:39:53article structure and those are not

1:39:56labeled very well either. So we are

1:39:59changing our numbering format. We are

1:40:01reorganizing the chapters and from now

1:40:03on when people get a section number it

1:40:05will say the chapter number, the article

1:40:07number and the section number. This also

1:40:09has the added benefit of we no longer

1:40:11need reserved sections because reserved

1:40:13sections are assigned apparently at

1:40:15random with anywhere from none to 70

1:40:18reserved at the end of an article in the

1:40:21fear that at some point a subsequent

1:40:23article will be added and we won't have

1:40:25enough sections available. We have one

1:40:27that is uh I think 2309.1

1:40:31through5 because nobody reserved

1:40:34sections. We will not be dealing with

1:40:36that anymore. we will have a numbering

1:40:38system that makes sense. It's a it's a

1:40:40wonder that they couldn't come up with

1:40:41it in 1963.

1:40:44Next slide, please.

1:40:48On to the submission of recommendations.

1:40:50Um,

1:40:51as this slide says, I do not currently

1:40:53have a specific timeline for submissions

1:40:55because unfortunately I simply cannot

1:40:58tell you what I need to do until I get

1:41:00into this and really dig in. Um,

1:41:04I also don't actually know how much help

1:41:05I'm going to get. We do have two project

1:41:07assistants, but if all of you decide to

1:41:10make more use of my services, most of

1:41:13that is going to be going to the project

1:41:14assistants and they will not be able to

1:41:15help me because I need to work on this.

1:41:18Um, and they are fully capable of

1:41:21assisting you in most tasks,

1:41:24which means they won't be able to assist

1:41:26me with this. I will of course receive

1:41:28some help from the city attorney's

1:41:29office as I am doing this under the city

1:41:31attorney's supervision. Um but again no

1:41:34guarantees on how much bandwidth they

1:41:36are going to have to help me with this

1:41:38and I don't want this to stretch 10

1:41:40years. So

1:41:43more info on this to come. Uh

1:41:46recommendations will be presented as a

1:41:49packet. Uh as I noted before there will

1:41:51be an explanatory memorandum laying out

1:41:53every single one of these changes and

1:41:55why I made them. Some of that is going

1:41:57to be because the style guide says so.

1:41:59Some of that is going to be because

1:42:01adhering to the style guide made it more

1:42:02confusing.

1:42:04Uh, a redline version of the entire code

1:42:07of ordinances containing all proposed

1:42:09changes.

1:42:11That's going to be really fun to work

1:42:12through in committee. A version of the

1:42:14code of ordinances with all changes

1:42:16accepted so that everybody can look

1:42:18through and find every single

1:42:19grammatical error that I have managed to

1:42:21make because I will be making some. Uh,

1:42:23and a list of any substantive changes

1:42:25that need to be addressed. Again, this

1:42:27list of substantive changes is not

1:42:30definitive. If you look at one of those

1:42:32substantive changes and you say, "I

1:42:34would rather have a more robust

1:42:35conversation about this later," we will

1:42:37table it. It will be taken out of the

1:42:39recommendations.

1:42:41Um, I want to be clear, it is my goal to

1:42:43make this as painless for you as

1:42:45possible. Uh, but this is going to be a

1:42:47lot to wade through. So, wherever this

1:42:50ends up, the members of that committee

1:42:53are going to need to do their homework.

1:42:55There is going to be a lot of reading

1:42:57and a lot of talking to me, which is

1:42:59probably the most painful part of this

1:43:01in between committee meetings.

1:43:06Sorry, it's got to be done.

1:43:11Next slide, please.

1:43:13Now, these are my suggestions for

1:43:15process. These are not this is up to

1:43:18you. That being said, there are some

1:43:20things that we absolutely are required

1:43:22to do and I will make some strong

1:43:23recommendations on those. We are

1:43:25required to provide an opportunity for

1:43:27public feedback and to incorporate that

1:43:29feedback. My recommendation for that is

1:43:31to hold at least two public hearings.

1:43:34The first to solicit feedback on the

1:43:36structural and style changes and the

1:43:38second to solicit suggestions for

1:43:40substantive review of existing

1:43:42ordinances. Um

1:43:45I don't recommend doing this at the full

1:43:47council level um for a variety of

1:43:50reasons. I recommend that you maintain

1:43:52your practice of sending things like

1:43:53this to committee. Um, we will then be

1:43:57making necessary changes uh in the

1:43:59committee and then recommendations to

1:44:01the full city council. Again, this is

1:44:03going to be a slog. I am sorry.

1:44:09Next slide, please.

1:44:14Last but not least, a bit of a sneak

1:44:16preview about my plans, such as they are

1:44:19at the moment for substantive review.

1:44:22Mostly at this point, I am

1:44:25um as I work through unification of

1:44:28style uh and reorganization going to be

1:44:31identifying ordinances that I have heard

1:44:33a lot of complaints about in the last

1:44:35five years of my being one of your

1:44:37staff.

1:44:39things that I have heard frequent

1:44:41complaints about from either members of

1:44:43the council or complaints about from

1:44:45members of the public are immediately

1:44:47going to be a focus for review. That

1:44:50does not mean that those are the only

1:44:51things that I'm going to focus on. It

1:44:53simply means that those are things that

1:44:54I already know are pain points. And

1:44:57since the whole point of this is to

1:44:59address pain points, I might as well

1:45:01make my life easier by making a list of

1:45:03the ones that I already know about. Um,

1:45:05I will be reviewing these based on these

1:45:08five standards of good legislation that

1:45:10all of you have heard enough that you

1:45:12probably have nightmares about them. Um,

1:45:14the idea here being that if any

1:45:16ordinance utterly fails any one of

1:45:19these, it is going to be flagged for

1:45:21review. Once it is flagged for review, I

1:45:24will be coming back with recommendations

1:45:26and each one of those will be in a

1:45:28separate packet. I am not going to give

1:45:30you the entire code of ordinances

1:45:32redlinined with my substantive edits. It

1:45:34is going to be here's this specific

1:45:37ordinance with all of its sections. We

1:45:39can address this and give it its proper

1:45:42disposition. Whatever that ends up being

1:45:44with whatever edits end up being in

1:45:46there separately from the rest of these

1:45:48things. Now, I want to note this is

1:45:50going to take a lot of time on the back

1:45:52end because this is going to require a

1:45:54lot more interaction with city staff and

1:45:56community stakeholders. So, this part I

1:45:59will come back to talk to you about once

1:46:01we have gotten further into the

1:46:02recontification process and once I have

1:46:04more of an understanding of exactly how

1:46:07many ordinances are going to be subject

1:46:09to substantive review. That being said,

1:46:12uh the administration has been busy and

1:46:14at least two of the ordinances that I

1:46:16had already flagged for substantive

1:46:17review are apparently under review by

1:46:19the administration. So stay tuned.

1:46:23And with that for the next slide, happy

1:46:27to take your questions.

1:46:33>> Councelor Hart.

1:46:35>> Thank you, Mr. President. And through

1:46:36you to Anna Salsbury. Thank you so much.

1:46:38This is a very informative and

1:46:41interesting presentation. Um, you just

1:46:44alluded to getting feedback from staff,

1:46:46but I was wondering if you could say a

1:46:48little bit more about the because I

1:46:50imagine, you know, many many many city

1:46:53staff would have um a relationship to

1:46:56these ordinances and how do you envision

1:47:00that process going in terms of getting

1:47:02feedback

1:47:04>> through you, Mr. President? Uh, to

1:47:06councelor Hart. Uh, it depends. uh which

1:47:09is every lawyer's favorite answer I'm

1:47:12given to believe. Um

1:47:15it really does depend on the ordinance.

1:47:17Um as you say uh a a great number of

1:47:20city staff do have um I'll say

1:47:23particular affinity and affection for

1:47:25certain components of the code of

1:47:26ordinances. Um some of which I may not

1:47:29share. Um that's fine. That's the way

1:47:33that it works. My role is just to make

1:47:35sure that the things that we have on the

1:47:37books are actually accomplishing the

1:47:40things that we want to happen. And to

1:47:41the extent that they are not, the intent

1:47:43is not to look at a piece of legislation

1:47:45and say, "I I don't like this. We should

1:47:47get rid of it." The intent is to look at

1:47:48a piece of legislation and say, "This

1:47:50isn't performing the way that we would

1:47:51like it to. We would like it to do

1:47:53better." So go to city staff and say,

1:47:56"Hey, I have some thoughts about this.

1:47:58Do you have some thoughts about this?

1:48:00Maybe you have some pain points with

1:48:01this. Maybe this isn't exactly what you

1:48:03intended. How can we work together to

1:48:04make this better?

1:48:08>> Thank you.

1:48:11>> Other questions? Council McAfflin.

1:48:14>> I just need to point out you used a

1:48:15whole lot of words to say that we got to

1:48:17get rid of more words in our code of

1:48:19ordinances.

1:48:20Um Mr. President, through you to

1:48:23councelor Mclofflin, I am nothing if not

1:48:26loquacious.

1:48:27>> Yes. Uh big undertaking. Thank you for

1:48:30this. I do I on the positive I I will

1:48:32say I hope that a revision of the

1:48:34ordinances will lead to the valid

1:48:37legitimate ordinances that we have that

1:48:39don't always get enforced. Uh maybe

1:48:41it'll be more clear and easy to

1:48:43understand and we can get a vacant

1:48:45storefronts ordinance for example to be

1:48:47enforced or many other ordinances that

1:48:49we spend a lot of time working on uh

1:48:52that feel like they're going into an

1:48:53empty book or a very full book

1:48:55apparently.

1:48:57>> Mr. president through you. Um, no

1:48:59spoilers, but stay tuned.

1:49:04>> Other questions? Councelor Wheeler.

1:49:06>> Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I just

1:49:09wanted to say I think everyone can hear

1:49:12loud and clear the passion uh, for this

1:49:15work that came through from our

1:49:17legislative analyst. And I just want to

1:49:20say I very much appreciate this precise

1:49:23pedantic passion. Thank you.

1:49:27Mr. President, I have been accused of

1:49:29far worse than pet injury.

1:49:33>> Got you.

1:49:34>> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh I am a

1:49:36little worried that we're going to have

1:49:37horses running rampant uh rough shot

1:49:40over the city, but uh I'll I'll wait to

1:49:42see. Uh I no I'm I'm really uh excited

1:49:45to see I I had actually noticed um many

1:49:48years ago all the the horses um and uh

1:49:52you know I'm glad to see that we're

1:49:53going to have some things that don't

1:49:55make sense uh out of there to make it um

1:49:58a lot more digestible for people so they

1:50:01can actually go through the ordinances

1:50:03and um and and see what's what. Uh and I

1:50:06guess I I

1:50:09I'm excited to see it. Uh, and I I I

1:50:11guess I just um as as one counselor

1:50:14who's not on legislative matters, I'm uh

1:50:18I'm

1:50:21excited and scared because I want to

1:50:24make sure that I'm also paying

1:50:25attention. Um, and I'm just I guess I

1:50:27request that we make sure that people

1:50:30even if they're not going to be in the

1:50:33committee that they're also still um

1:50:35well aware of everything that's

1:50:36happening.

1:50:38>> Mr. President, if I if I may, just to

1:50:40respond to that. Uh I will note that of

1:50:42course once an item has been discussed

1:50:45in committee, there is no reason that a

1:50:47counselor could not put in a

1:50:48communication uh before the full body

1:50:51expressing a particular interest in a

1:50:53particular thing that has already been

1:50:54discussed before legislative matters and

1:50:56have that item sent to legislative

1:50:58matters for review by that committee.

1:51:04>> Other discussion?

1:51:07I will uh take the liberty of speaking

1:51:10from up here if I if I may just to echo

1:51:12the the thanks. Um as as I'm as has been

1:51:15the case many many many times. I'm just

1:51:17sitting here thinking boy we got the

1:51:18right guy for this job. So glad that

1:51:20that you are sorry so sorry and glad

1:51:23that that you are undertaking this task.

1:51:25Um and I just want to express my my

1:51:27gratitude for the work you've already

1:51:28done the work that you're going to be

1:51:29doing and and express you know on behalf

1:51:31of myself at least you know full support

1:51:33and and cooperation whatever you need at

1:51:35any point. And I hope my colleagues and

1:51:37I'm sure my colleagues will uh will will

1:51:39do the same. Um

1:51:42the timing as I understand the of the

1:51:44recommendations, I know you said you

1:51:46didn't want to, you know, we would want

1:51:47to set any any targets, but we're

1:51:49talking calendar 27, right?

1:51:52>> Uh yes, Mr. President, my apologies. Uh

1:51:54as previously noted, easily distracted

1:51:56and I forgot to include uh something

1:51:59that is in my notes and I forgot to

1:52:00read. Uh my goal personally is

1:52:04pre-appril for initial recommendations

1:52:07on recotification and restructuring.

1:52:11The more realistic

1:52:14goal is probably pre-recess.

1:52:17That being said, I feel pretty confident

1:52:19that I can get it in pre-recess and I

1:52:22will absolutely be letting you know if I

1:52:24am not going to hit that target.

1:52:27>> Okay. Very well. And so that that what

1:52:30that translates to is that then the

1:52:32council the then council will will will

1:52:34will be digesting the first phase of

1:52:37this process

1:52:39either maybe during budget during recess

1:52:42and or more materially probably in in

1:52:44the fall given the given what our spring

1:52:47looks like and early summer looks like.

1:52:49>> Yes, Mr. President. Um, in much the same

1:52:51way as I don't want to do the charter

1:52:53review and the code of ordinances review

1:52:54at the same time, I would certainly not

1:52:56ask this council to do budget and this

1:52:58at the same time. That would be

1:53:03offensive.

1:53:04Well, you know, sometimes we can walk

1:53:06and chew gum at the same time. That's

1:53:07why we have uh finance committee

1:53:09committee meetings more often now than

1:53:11we have. So, we we'll see how it all

1:53:13plays out. And and I will say I you know

1:53:14to whomever is serving as president next

1:53:16year I think you know that it it would

1:53:18behoove the council to consider the the

1:53:21right approach to to this whether that

1:53:23whether that's in the committees as you

1:53:25sort of alluded to whether that's in the

1:53:26committas we currently have or creating

1:53:28a special committee that'll be a

1:53:29decision to be made I think at the time

1:53:32based on what what what we all have in

1:53:34front of us and and what are what are in

1:53:36various committees and what those what

1:53:38those dockets look like. So cross that

1:53:40bridge when we get to it. I I hear a uh

1:53:43whether the memorandum is 10 pages or

1:53:4530. That's what I'm hearing. Mr.

1:53:47President, I I I'm thinking more in

1:53:49terms of you know how long the docket

1:53:51and legislative matters happens to be

1:53:52whenever this comes down and and and you

1:53:54know for whomever it is thinking about

1:53:57uh you know what makes the most sense.

1:53:58But I know that we will have uh we will

1:54:00at that point hopefully and barring any

1:54:03catastrophes have a full council back

1:54:05again and uh and and we'll uh we'll get

1:54:07it all sorted and work it out. Any other

1:54:09questions? Councelor Bob. Uh thank you

1:54:11Mr. President. I just want to you know

1:54:13echo you know your sentiment to Dr.

1:54:16Salisbury for all the work you've done.

1:54:19You always bring it a lot of passion.

1:54:21You have my full support behind this

1:54:24work. So thank you

1:54:26>> for you Mr. President. Thank you

1:54:28councelor.

1:54:29>> All right. Thank you Brandon. I see no

1:54:31further questions. Then that item is

1:54:35placed on file and I'd like to wave the

1:54:38rules to take up item 8.1. If there's no

1:54:40objection, madame clerk, would you read

1:54:428.1?

1:54:43>> Agenda item 8.1 in officer's

1:54:45communication from the city clerk

1:54:46submitting an amendment to chapter one

1:54:48of the code of ordinances to add a

1:54:49periodic review of the code of

1:54:51ordinances pursuant to the requirements

1:54:53of the city charter.

1:54:54>> L Salsbury.

1:54:56>> Thank you, Mr. President. That's right.

1:54:57I'm not done yet.

1:55:00>> How many slides on this one?

1:55:01>> None, thankfully. Um, I will simply note

1:55:05that due to something of an oversight in

1:55:08the last leg of our journey through the

1:55:11production of a charter in 2025, I

1:55:14missed that we require an ordinance to

1:55:18conduct the review of ordinances.

1:55:26So that is what this is. Uh, as I said,

1:55:30I'm going to make the unusual request

1:55:32this evening that you uh enroll and

1:55:35ordain this tonight. Uh, I have been

1:55:38assured by the city attorney that I can

1:55:41without fear of repercussion say that

1:55:43she has reviewed this and approves it.

1:55:46Um, I have also run this by the city

1:55:48council president and the city clerk.

1:55:51Uh, which will become important in a

1:55:52moment when we talk about the provisions

1:55:54of this. um

1:55:57because of the rather unusual

1:56:00circumstances that we find ourselves in

1:56:01where it has been 63 years since the

1:56:04last recotification and nobody is quite

1:56:06sure how to do this. Uh we have kept the

1:56:09provisions of this relatively vague.

1:56:11Specifically,

1:56:13pursuant to section 85 of the charter,

1:56:16the city shall at least once every 10

1:56:17years conduct a review of the code of

1:56:19ordinances in the manner deemed most

1:56:21appropriate by the city attorney, city

1:56:23clerk, and city council president.

1:56:25beginning no later than January of the

1:56:26year following the periodic review of

1:56:28the charter required by section 84 of

1:56:30the charter. Uh recommendations for

1:56:32amendments shall be submitted no later

1:56:34than the last regular meeting of the

1:56:35city council in December of the same

1:56:37year that the city began conducting its

1:56:39review. The city attorney, city clerk,

1:56:41or their design may at any time prior to

1:56:44the deadline for submitting the

1:56:45recommendations make a written request

1:56:46for city council approval to extend the

1:56:48deadline. The requesttor shall include

1:56:50in their request an expected timeline

1:56:52for submitting recommendations. The

1:56:54purpose of this very simply is so that

1:56:56we can have some flexibility this first

1:56:58time and perhaps come back with some

1:57:00more concrete language for a future

1:57:02ordinance. But for right now, we we

1:57:05simply don't know what we don't know

1:57:06about what we need to do here. And we

1:57:08also don't know how long it's going to

1:57:09take. So I would rather not put us in a

1:57:12situation where we need to request an

1:57:14amendment to the ordinance to give me an

1:57:16extension of time to accomplish this

1:57:18work.

1:57:20I'm very happy to answer any questions

1:57:22because again I am making a very unusual

1:57:25request here.

1:57:27>> Councelor Scott and council.

1:57:28>> Thank you, Mr. President. I've reviewed

1:57:30this and as much as I would tend to want

1:57:33to only include the discretion of the

1:57:35council president as the way to conduct

1:57:37this uh particular review. I don't have

1:57:40a problem with it as submitted and fine

1:57:41with having it approved tonight.

1:57:45>> Councelor Link.

1:57:46>> Thank you, Mr. Do we want to consider

1:57:48adding a definition section to this?

1:57:51>> Mr. President, how about a purpose

1:57:52section?

1:57:55>> As long as it's a uh includes without

1:57:57limitation

1:57:59Oxford commas and colons, semicolons.

1:58:02>> No, Oxford commas are still in there.

1:58:04>> We're just going to throw all of them in

1:58:05there just for fun.

1:58:07Any other discussion, questions?

1:58:10All right. Um, seeing none, Council Hart

1:58:13moves to approve. Uh this is as this an

1:58:16amendment is an ordinance that is before

1:58:18us the first time. Um we will it would

1:58:20require approval, enrollment and

1:58:22ordainment. Um so on approval see no

1:58:26discussion. Madam clerk

1:58:30roll call on approval.

1:58:36>> Oh we don't need to approve the Okay,

1:58:37Greg. We we'll take it. Uh all right. So

1:58:39then see object that as approved and

1:58:41then we need roll call on enrollment and

1:58:43ordainism. Let's start with enrollment,

1:58:45please.

1:58:46>> And on enrollment of agenda item 8.1, an

1:58:49amendment to chapter one of the code of

1:58:50ordinances to add a periodic review.

1:58:52>> Councelor Yuancampen,

1:58:54>> yes.

1:58:54>> Councelor Link,

1:58:55>> yes.

1:58:56>> Councelor Scott,

1:58:57>> yes.

1:58:57>> Councelor Klingan,

1:58:58>> yes.

1:58:59>> Councelor Strezo,

1:59:00>> yes.

1:59:00>> Councelor say,

1:59:02>> yes.

1:59:02>> Councelor Wheeler,

1:59:03>> yes.

1:59:04>> Councelor Hart,

1:59:05>> yes.

1:59:05>> Councelor Mclofflin,

1:59:06>> yes.

1:59:07>> Councelor Emba,

1:59:08>> yes.

1:59:09>> Councelor Davis,

1:59:09>> yes.

1:59:11>> 11 counselors in favor. That is

1:59:12enrolled. That is now appropriate for

1:59:14ordainment. Madam clerk,

1:59:15>> and on ordainment, councelor Yunampen,

1:59:19>> yes.

1:59:19>> Councelor Link,

1:59:20>> yes.

1:59:21>> Councelor Scott,

1:59:22>> yes.

1:59:22>> Councelor Klingan,

1:59:23>> yes.

1:59:24>> Councelor Shrezo,

1:59:25>> yes.

1:59:25>> Councelor Say,

1:59:26>> yes.

1:59:27>> Councelor Wheeler,

1:59:28>> yes.

1:59:28>> Councelor Hart,

1:59:29>> yes. Councelor Mclofflin,

1:59:31>> yes.

1:59:31>> Councelor Emba,

1:59:32>> yes.

1:59:33>> Councelor Davis,

1:59:34>> yes.

1:59:34>> 11 counselors in favor, the item is

1:59:36ordained.

1:59:37>> All right. Very good. Analyst Salsbury,

1:59:38you have your ordinance.

1:59:40>> Thank you, Mr. or at least as soon as

1:59:42the other shall we uh council and campin

1:59:44would like to move to reconsider

1:59:47and in the hopes that reconsideration

1:59:49fails.

1:59:50Um [clears throat] on reconsideration,

1:59:52anyone want to change your votes?

1:59:55All right, see none. Reconsideration has

1:59:56failed. Now you have your ordinance.

2:00:00All right.

2:00:02Very good. Thank you again. All right,

2:00:04folks. Time to start the meeting.

2:00:09Madame Clerk, back to the regular order

2:00:12of business, which I think takes us

2:00:13right to 4.1. Is that right? All right,

2:00:16let's go. Uh, actually, hold on. Do uh

2:00:19would folks like a quick recess or have

2:00:21y'all sort of taking care of things

2:00:22while we've been going here?

2:00:23>> Yeah, two minute recess.

2:00:25>> Two minutes. Well, let's let's call it

2:00:26five and we'll be right back. So, stand

2:00:28in recess for five minutes.

2:10:01to order.

2:10:03>> All right, I can do that. I call this

2:10:05meeting back to order.

2:10:08I don't have to ask.

2:10:11I can see that there is a quorum

2:10:12present.

2:10:14>> Madam clerk, would you read the next

2:10:15item, please? Agenda item 4.1, an

2:10:17ordinance by councelor say that section

2:10:1912-111.1

2:10:21of the code of ordinances be amended as

2:10:23detailed herein to protect private

2:10:25significant trees during construction.

2:10:29>> Dr. say

2:10:32>> uh thank you Mr. President. Um first I

2:10:35would like to thank staff with land use

2:10:38analyst Samantha our policy analyst

2:10:41Brandon for working with me on this

2:10:43amendment. Uh I would also like to thank

2:10:46my constituent Denise Provo uh whose

2:10:49experience helped to bring this issue to

2:10:51my attention and staff's attention. Was

2:10:54like a year and a half ago um or two

2:10:56years at this point. Um if you know

2:10:59Denise, if you have been to Denise yard,

2:11:01you know that she has one of the biggest

2:11:03silver maple trees in the city. Uh she's

2:11:06been taking care of the tree for

2:11:08decades. The whole neighborhood gets to

2:11:10enjoy the tree. The tree is over 150

2:11:13years. It's it's massive. Um, and it was

2:11:18impacted by construction uh that was

2:11:21happening on the abining lot when a

2:11:24garage was demolished. And prior to the

2:11:26garage being demolished, um, Denise

2:11:29hired an arborist. She worked with city

2:11:32staff. Denise is, you know, a former uh,

2:11:35state rep counselor. Uh, she knows where

2:11:38to find the information, the ordinances,

2:11:41uh, the state law. um how who's you know

2:11:45the staff to connect with. So she did

2:11:47all that hard work um and let's just

2:11:50remember not our constituents can do

2:11:52that and they well the arborist and

2:11:55staff they came up with um a tree

2:11:58protection plan. Uh the other developer

2:12:01completely ignored when the demolition

2:12:04occurred. Uh the tree is still alive. Um

2:12:07I think the roots were uh impacted but

2:12:11it's hard to tell right

2:12:14maybe um hopefully you know it's uh it's

2:12:17fine but we'll know that in few years.

2:12:19Um and um yeah so again the developer

2:12:23did not follow the plan and uh there was

2:12:26no way for staff to enforce the

2:12:28protection plan because we don't have

2:12:30specific language on that in our current

2:12:33ordinance. Um so after seeing this they

2:12:36started paying more attention to this

2:12:37issue and realizing this is an issue

2:12:40that could impact any significant native

2:12:42tree on a private lot on a private lot

2:12:45that abuts a construction site. Um, and

2:12:49what I learned from this experience,

2:12:51from my constituents experience is that

2:12:52it's one, it's challenging for staff to

2:12:54protect native significant trees on a

2:12:56budding lots impacted by construction

2:12:59and our ordinance does not include

2:13:02anything uh about that. Um, therefore a

2:13:06protection plan and our staff work hard

2:13:09on coming up with a protection plan with

2:13:10an arborist. They cannot be enforced. Um

2:13:14so this amendment the will extend the

2:13:16tree protection to all those significant

2:13:18trees on private lots and it would like

2:13:21to send it to legislative matters. Mr.

2:13:23President,

2:13:26>> any other discussion?

2:13:28>> Gotcha. Lake.

2:13:30>> Um I just want to commend uh the the

2:13:32fire council on this one. It's like a

2:13:34very it's the the

2:13:38ideal kind of fix where it's very

2:13:40concise. goes in there, solves the

2:13:43problem. Um, it's fantastic. Uh, and,

2:13:46uh, you know, I just also want to call

2:13:48out for anyone watching at home that

2:13:50it's for this kind of situation too, it

2:13:52wouldn't necessarily only be your

2:13:54recourse isn't only the city because,

2:13:55uh, having I'm certainly not a lawyer,

2:13:58but I've read enough um, of the tree law

2:14:02um, things where you, you know, there's

2:14:03definitely other civil litigations. Um

2:14:06so if this ever does happen to you, use

2:14:09every single tool um that's available to

2:14:11you. Please

2:14:14>> councelor Bot.

2:14:16>> Yeah, thank you Mr. President. Just to

2:14:18echo counselor link. Thank you councelor

2:14:20S. I mean I know exactly that situation

2:14:23we you know wrestle with it for quite a

2:14:26while. Even the previous administration

2:14:28we came here to city hall made ISD they

2:14:31said there's nothing they can do. So

2:14:33this is you know the only recourse that

2:14:35we need to take. Thank you

2:14:39>> councelor Willer.

2:14:40>> Thank you Mr. President. Uh a rule of

2:14:42thumb I have heard from people who know

2:14:43a lot more about trees than I do is that

2:14:45tree roots are at least two times as

2:14:48wide as the tree branch canopy. Um and

2:14:52so that means that excavation 20 30 more

2:14:55feet away from a tree can cut into roots

2:14:58and risk killing it. Um and so you know

2:15:01along with the real needs that we have

2:15:03for housing to be built uh we really

2:15:04need sensible tree policies like this uh

2:15:07to work with development to protect our

2:15:09trees especially the grand old trees

2:15:11which as uh my colleague mentioned uh

2:15:14can be much older than anyone in this

2:15:16room. Thank you.

2:15:19>> All right. That item is referred to

2:15:20legislative matters. Next item

2:15:22>> agenda item 4.2. a resolution by

2:15:24councelor say that the director of

2:15:26inspectional services clarify the

2:15:28permitting process for heat pump

2:15:29systems.

2:15:32>> Councelor say

2:15:32>> um through you Mr. President. This is

2:15:34another uh issue that was brought up to

2:15:36attention by world five constituents. Uh

2:15:40we know that now with the massive

2:15:42programs we have more neighbors um

2:15:45applying and benefiting

2:15:48to to get heat pumps or insulation.

2:15:51Um and yeah, with um you know, the

2:15:53summer's getting warmer. Um yeah, we

2:15:58have we have just more applications uh

2:16:01with mass save, therefore people also

2:16:04have to pull permits to get that work

2:16:07done. Um we know that program also had a

2:16:11huge cut recently and Massave now works

2:16:14with just 15 contractors

2:16:17um you know for installation and then if

2:16:19you're doing heat pumps uh the chances

2:16:22that you go with them too. So um yeah so

2:16:26making sure that we have a very clear uh

2:16:30permitting process is really important

2:16:32here. Um and uh yeah, a constituent um

2:16:37shared um you know an article that was

2:16:40wrote um yeah by um yeah this nonprofit

2:16:44in Cambridge where basically they were

2:16:46comparing the permitting process in

2:16:48Cambridge uh Somerville and other

2:16:51neighboring cities and realizing that

2:16:54our permitting process is very

2:16:56complicated, hard to navigate and has

2:16:59some um parts that are not necessary.

2:17:03because the state law was um uh has

2:17:07changed. Uh so we met with ISD and staff

2:17:11um are going to look into it and we'll

2:17:14review uh the permitting process and

2:17:16we'll update this council in committee.

2:17:20Um so we'd like to send this item, Mr.

2:17:22President, to sustainability and

2:17:23infrastructure.

2:17:24>> Right. Uh councelor Bond.

2:17:27>> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. And I

2:17:29would like to co-sign this and yeah I've

2:17:31also this is a common uh complaint that

2:17:34I also hear from resident because we

2:17:36have this ambitious climate goals and

2:17:38yet uh we don't have a a blueprint for

2:17:42residents to be able to implement. So

2:17:45this is part of that process you know

2:17:47how do you make it easy for people to

2:17:50move to clean that clean energy

2:17:52transition people our residents are

2:17:54curious they they're eager to also adapt

2:17:58but sometime they say there's no uh like

2:18:03road map to be able to do it and also

2:18:05it's not even easy the process is kind

2:18:07of still antiquated so this is you know

2:18:10one part of you know kind of like

2:18:12unveiling and helping in making it

2:18:15easier for our residents to be able to

2:18:17adopt a clean energy transition.

2:18:21>> Councelor Link,

2:18:23>> thank you, Mr. President. Um, once

2:18:24again, thank you to the the Word Five

2:18:27counselor for bringing this. Um, and uh,

2:18:30on the the note of um, what my counselor

2:18:32[snorts] at large uh, just said, you

2:18:34know, I I guess I'm I'm curious to the

2:18:37um, to the administration if this might

2:18:39be like a really good way to pilot some

2:18:42of the ideas where we've been talking

2:18:43about, you know, combining permits and

2:18:45bulk permitting. Uh and you know um it's

2:18:47one small thing uh and it might be a

2:18:49really easy way to try to help um people

2:18:52hit those climate goals uh without um

2:18:56having to go through some sort of

2:18:57ownorous process and then we can maybe

2:18:59if that's successful bring that success

2:19:02to the rest of our permitting [snorts]

2:19:06>> say

2:19:07>> yeah we'll just add one more thing Mr.

2:19:09president and uh someone who uh had heat

2:19:12pumps installed a few months ago. Um you

2:19:15know, working with contractors who are

2:19:17like the HVAC contractors, you know, a

2:19:20lot of them they're doing this oneman

2:19:22show. They do everything. They don't

2:19:23have administrative staff. They

2:19:25certainly don't have the time to go

2:19:27through a website and uh you know, look

2:19:30for documents and you know some are not

2:19:33English is not necessarily their first

2:19:35language. So it's just like how do we

2:19:37make this process as easy as possible

2:19:39for home owners but also for these

2:19:41contractors.

2:19:44>> Okay, that item is approved with a copy

2:19:46to sustainability and infrastructure.

2:19:49Next item,

2:19:50>> agenda item 4.3, a resolution by

2:19:52councelor Sei and councelor link that

2:19:54the chief of police provide an update to

2:19:56this council regarding the municipal

2:19:57road safety grant program.

2:20:02>> Thank you, Mr. President. Um so this is

2:20:04a grant that we apply for every year and

2:20:07before it comes uh before um before us

2:20:10again for approval usually the last one

2:20:13we approved it in January of this year.

2:20:16Um I would like to hear from SPD about

2:20:18the financial breakdown of how this

2:20:21grant was used uh the areas of education

2:20:24enforcement

2:20:26and uh I think it's a good practice for

2:20:28us once a year to have an opportunity to

2:20:31discuss ways the community can best

2:20:34benefit from this grant by identifying

2:20:37the current needs um and um yeah

2:20:41improving our practices. I would like to

2:20:44send this to traffic and parking. Mr.

2:20:46President.

2:20:49>> Okay. Council lady, do you want to speak

2:20:50on this? Councelor Mike.

2:20:51>> Yeah. Thank you again. I just keep

2:20:54saying thank you. Um through the through

2:20:56you uh to our W five counselor. Um you

2:20:59know uh be as one of the members of the

2:21:02finance committee uh who approved this

2:21:05grant. Uh I've not been totally happy

2:21:07with um the reality of um you know where

2:21:12the rubber m meets the road if we can um

2:21:15mix in some some transportation

2:21:17metaphors. Uh so you know we hearing

2:21:21just from community members once again

2:21:23that you know people are getting um

2:21:26stopped at u in uh intersections

2:21:29crossing um safely during a pedestrian

2:21:32cycle. uh you know we the we already

2:21:36know that that's if you're yielding to

2:21:40progressions properly properly then it's

2:21:43uh the safest thing that a um person on

2:21:45a bike can do uh rather than staying in

2:21:48the intersection and in fact in many

2:21:49intersections now we um specifically uh

2:21:52tell people on bikes that they should be

2:21:55crossing with signals um and we see that

2:21:58also on um you know places like McGrath

2:22:01highway um so you I just really want to

2:22:04say like if we're if we're really truly

2:22:05focused on on you know safe streets um

2:22:09you know then I think we should be

2:22:11focusing on the things that actually

2:22:12contribute to safe streets. Uh and I for

2:22:15one um you know I'm going to be looking

2:22:17really carefully uh you know watching um

2:22:20this committee meeting uh because I want

2:22:22to hear why um if I'm on the finance

2:22:24committee I should vote for this again

2:22:26because uh the way I feel right now I

2:22:28don't think I would.

2:22:31Councelor Willer.

2:22:32>> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I'd like

2:22:34to co-sponsor this item. Um, we apply

2:22:37for this grant every year as my

2:22:39colleagues have mentioned. Uh, and as

2:22:41they have also mentioned, there's been

2:22:42real confusion and inconsistency in the

2:22:44past about what it is asking our city to

2:22:47do and what we want our city to do in

2:22:50response to a grant like this. uh there

2:22:53uh in 2024 I I've seen some uh back and

2:22:57forth uh between the police department

2:23:00and the pedestrian transit advisory

2:23:03committee uh trying to get clarification

2:23:06and there have been at least some

2:23:07understandings in the course of this

2:23:09grant over the years that uh in the

2:23:12hours that are dedicated for safety

2:23:15around cycling and pedestrian um

2:23:18experience that the only thing the

2:23:21officers uh on the clock for that uh can

2:23:24do is enforce against cyclists and

2:23:27pedestrians, not against cars, even if

2:23:30those cars are observed uh exhibiting

2:23:33dangerous behavior towards cyclists and

2:23:35pedestrians. Uh I don't think that's

2:23:37what really anybody in the city wants us

2:23:40to be doing um with our approach to

2:23:43enforcement. I think we want a safety

2:23:46first orientation. We want everybody, no

2:23:49matter what method they're using, to be

2:23:51safe as they're traveling through the

2:23:52city and any dangerous behavior that

2:23:55really impinges on that safety should be

2:23:59a a real focus. Um, I just want to share

2:24:02that I have uh spoken with our director

2:24:05of grants uh specifically about this

2:24:07grant. Uh I and some other colleagues

2:24:11are trying to make clear that we would

2:24:13really like the language that the city

2:24:16submits for this specific grant to to

2:24:20change to orient towards uh whatever

2:24:23enforcement is necessary for the safety

2:24:26of all people who use our streets. Thank

2:24:28you.

2:24:31>> Further discussion. All right. Seeing

2:24:33none, that item is approved. The copy to

2:24:34traffic and parking. Next item,

2:24:37>> agenda item 4.4, an ordinance by

2:24:39councelor link, councelor Hart, and

2:24:40councelor Yunampen that the short-term

2:24:42rental ordinance be amended as detailed

2:24:44within.

2:24:45>> Councelor Link. Thank you, Mr.

2:24:47President. This is um kind of a

2:24:49continuation of the work that um

2:24:51councelor Hart and I have started um

2:24:54with the um short-term uh rentals

2:24:57ordinance and uh have been helped by uh

2:25:00councelor Yan Campen um who has some uh

2:25:03residents in his ward who uh had a

2:25:06pretty clear um and well- definfined

2:25:10case of how we could change uh make a

2:25:13small change to this ordinance um and

2:25:16create

2:25:18actual substantive change. Um so you

2:25:21know it's become pretty pretty clear uh

2:25:22that if we just did this one thing um

2:25:26we'd have you know with the good

2:25:28intentions of the ordinance um the

2:25:30overly broad um uh

2:25:34definition of um that being of a place

2:25:37being your primary residence that that

2:25:39test it was a little too weak um and it

2:25:41meant that um it was being subverted by

2:25:44some uh bad actors. So, this is just one

2:25:46quick fix um and one of the easiest

2:25:49problems to solve. Uh but it just

2:25:50represents a start of what we're doing.

2:25:52Um and for me, like this the stakes of

2:25:54this this short-term residence

2:25:55ordinance, short-term residence

2:25:57short-term rental ordinance um are are

2:25:59pretty clear. Uh you know, as a city uh

2:26:02and as a state, we've got a well-

2:26:04acknowledged um housing crisis and

2:26:06having investors running um boutique

2:26:08hotels uh throughout Somerville. um you

2:26:12know it's uh with you know cutesy titles

2:26:14like superhost uh on uh Airbnb where we

2:26:18can see that uh there's a um a host

2:26:20that's got maybe four five different

2:26:24full house rentals in Somerville uh

2:26:26maybe Medford as well uh maybe somewhere

2:26:28in New York City. Um it's clear that

2:26:30these are not the people that we uh have

2:26:32intended to allow um to to run uh an

2:26:35Airbnb in the city. Um, so I want the

2:26:39people operating this to understand that

2:26:40we're

2:26:42updating this ordinance and we're coming

2:26:43after them. Um, and we want the homes

2:26:46returned to the community. Um, so that

2:26:48we can have new neighbors that live

2:26:50here. Uh, and

2:26:52yeah, that's that's all I got to say

2:26:54about it.

2:26:56>> Kazar, do you want to speak on us?

2:26:58>> Sure. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I

2:27:00just echo um what my colleague at large

2:27:04just said and laid out the problem very

2:27:06well and I appreciate uh his uh crafting

2:27:11this specific ordinance to address this

2:27:14one thing and and like he said, we're

2:27:16going to keep working on it. Thank you,

2:27:19>> Counc.

2:27:21Thank you, Mr. President. Um I'm very

2:27:23grateful to my colleagues for for

2:27:24leading on this. We learned last night

2:27:25at the W three community meeting, the

2:27:27mayor let a lot of residents know that

2:27:29they're close to having a new piece of

2:27:31enforcement software that they're very

2:27:32excited about. We're all very excited

2:27:33about the issue here. So, what the

2:27:36ordinance says is you cannot rent out a

2:27:38whole apartment. You can't if you have

2:27:40another apartment in your building or

2:27:41you own an apartment somewhere in the

2:27:42city, you can't rent it out as an

2:27:43Airbnb. If you have a room or two in the

2:27:46place where you live, you can use those

2:27:48for Airbnb. That's what the ordinance

2:27:49says. We now have allegedly uh a number

2:27:53of operators who are just shamelessly

2:27:57hiring people to pretend to live in the

2:27:58units and they're lying to ISD's faces

2:28:01about it. I mean, that's that's my

2:28:02opinion of what's going on. And part of

2:28:05the issue is that the ordinance we have

2:28:08uh clear uh we lay out what h how you

2:28:11can prove that you live somewhere and we

2:28:13were too lenient. It's very very easy to

2:28:15fake it. Basically, um we require a

2:28:18driver's license. Apparently, you can

2:28:19write your address on the back of a

2:28:20driver's license and that's officially,

2:28:22you know, that counts if you just write

2:28:23it there. So, for folks who are willing

2:28:25to do this, which there very clearly

2:28:26are, I know in W 3 and you know, based

2:28:29on the over a thousand listings in

2:28:31Somerville, likely other places as well,

2:28:33um I think that this fix will make will

2:28:34will put tools in ISD's hands that they

2:28:36need to be able to to enforce this. So,

2:28:38thank you all.

2:28:40>> Council B.

2:28:44>> Thank you.

2:28:44>> Okay.

2:28:45>> Yeah. But I really appreciate the the

2:28:47intent. I know even a friend that I just

2:28:49saw yesterday, she went to Greece. She

2:28:52was doing research there, you know. So,

2:28:53this is like people travel around, they

2:28:56do research for a couple of months. I

2:28:59think it's okay for them to kind of like

2:29:02it's just normal that this is something

2:29:04that they can use that as a short-term

2:29:06rental because this is but that's their

2:29:08permanent residence. So, I think I

2:29:10appreciate the thoughtfulness in it.

2:29:12Thank you, Councelor Ling.

2:29:14>> All right. Any further discussion? All

2:29:16right. Seeing none, that is referred to

2:29:18legislative matters. Next item,

2:29:21>> agenda item 4.5, a resolution by

2:29:23councelor link, councelor yungampen, and

2:29:25councelor Scott that the director of

2:29:26mobility add more secure bicycle parking

2:29:28at the Argenzian, excuse me, Archenziano

2:29:31school.

2:29:34>> Uh, don't have much to say. If we could

2:29:35just go send it.

2:29:37>> Do you want to send it to committee or?

2:29:38>> Uh, just follow up.

2:29:39>> Yeah, just follow up.

2:29:40>> That item is approved.

2:29:42>> Next item,

2:29:43>> agenda item 4.6, Six, a resolution by

2:29:45councelor link that the commissioner of

2:29:46public works in consideration of

2:29:48children with sensory sensitivities

2:29:50utilize electric leaf blowers when doing

2:29:52maintenance on school grounds during

2:29:53school hours.

2:29:54>> Council Link, uh just I'll just say real

2:29:57quick, you know, I think we've heard

2:29:57from constituents that our leaf blower

2:29:59ordinance is largely ignored. Uh and I'm

2:30:02not sure what the fix is there. Um but

2:30:04the reason that we made the ordinance is

2:30:06because um we had acknowledged that uh

2:30:08it these gas powered leaf blowers create

2:30:11a tremendous amount of noise and air

2:30:13pollution. Um, and I'm just saying if we

2:30:16agree that that's a problem, um, we

2:30:18shouldn't be running gas powered leaf

2:30:19blowers around schools during school

2:30:21hours. Uh, and um, as

2:30:25uh, a person who is very well aware at

2:30:28this point as an Argentino parent of the

2:30:30the AIM program that's come to the

2:30:32school, uh, we've got sensory uh, like

2:30:35whisper quiet sensory bells uh, to

2:30:37accommodate for our um, our our students

2:30:40who have sensory sensitivities. Uh so I

2:30:43think that we should just follow that

2:30:44same principle and make sure that um you

2:30:45know we're in everything that we do

2:30:47around the school where possible uh we

2:30:50we take that into account and try to

2:30:52make sure that we're doing doing right

2:30:53by the those kids. Thank you.

2:30:55>> I'm reminded of a presenter we had a

2:30:58long long time ago who mentioned that

2:30:59there was a whole list of ordinances he

2:31:01hears about a lot that seem to be not

2:31:03doing what they were intended or in fact

2:31:05what the literal words of the ordinance

2:31:07say can and can't happen. Hypothetically

2:31:10speaking,

2:31:11any further discussion?

2:31:15You want to follow up with this one

2:31:16committee or or look for a response from

2:31:18the administration?

2:31:19>> Yeah, if we could put that one in the

2:31:20school building facilities and maint

2:31:23facilities and maintenance. I Yeah, I

2:31:24mean, sure.

2:31:25>> Or it could go I don't have you to go

2:31:27there.

2:31:27>> You since you chair that committee, I'm

2:31:29happy to send it that way unless there's

2:31:30any objection. All right. So, that's

2:31:31approved with a copy to school

2:31:32buildings, facilities, and maintenance.

2:31:34Next item.

2:31:36Agenda item 4.7, a resolution by

2:31:38councelor link and councelor Mclofflin

2:31:40in support of meeting spaces for

2:31:41alcoholics anonymous.

2:31:46No. U Mr. President, so uh I'll just say

2:31:49I was a little surprised to learn that

2:31:51um uh the the Ralph and Jenny Center was

2:31:54uh had been closed to um the Alcoholics

2:31:58Anonymous meetings. Uh we learned that

2:32:00recently. Um and

2:32:03uh you know I guess for me

2:32:07so uh in my family uh there is a a

2:32:11history of um substance use disorder and

2:32:15uh I know how important these meetings

2:32:18are uh for people's recovery uh so that

2:32:20they can maintain um recovery and I

2:32:23think that you know um as a community we

2:32:26say we want to see uh you know our

2:32:30community taken care of. We want to make

2:32:31sure that we're seeing uh you know fewer

2:32:33people who have um these issues and we

2:32:35want to make sure that we we see the our

2:32:37you know uh community being taken care

2:32:39of. So we need to follow through with

2:32:42that. I think it's our responsibility to

2:32:44make sure um if we happen to have a

2:32:47situation like this where we're um you

2:32:49know taking over a um you know a

2:32:52property and there's uh something like

2:32:54this happening, we really um we have to

2:32:56put our money where our mouth is and

2:32:58make sure that we're doing everything

2:33:00possible to make sure uh that we're not

2:33:04disrupting um people's sobriety. It's

2:33:07hugely hugely important. Uh, and I just

2:33:10cannot stress enough that we should not

2:33:13close the doors unless we are opening

2:33:15another. Thank you, Council Mclofflin.

2:33:18>> Uh, thank you, M. Mr. President. I too

2:33:21was surprised uh to hear that this

2:33:23happened because I spoke to the city

2:33:25about this several months ago uh and was

2:33:28led to believe that the AA program would

2:33:30not be moved until there was a suitable

2:33:33replacement space. Uh so this is very

2:33:35frustrating to me as someone who also

2:33:38has had family members go through the AA

2:33:40program and actually recover uh using

2:33:42their program and as someone who

2:33:44represents this ward and the building

2:33:46that it's in uh that is now owned by the

2:33:48city that we really don't have a stated

2:33:51plan for. I'm sure everyone here knows

2:33:53about 90 Washington Street. There's a

2:33:55lot of discussion about that. But

2:33:57there's a lot of development happening

2:33:58in the inner belt road area. Uh so now

2:34:01I'm very curious one what's going on

2:34:03with AA but what's going to happen to

2:34:04this building in general. Uh so I would

2:34:07like to discuss this further in the

2:34:08public health and safety committee.

2:34:11>> Council

2:34:13uh Mr. President, thank you. This is the

2:34:15first I'm learning of this um this group

2:34:19being uh evicted from this property. Um,

2:34:23I I it sounds like the ward council's

2:34:25been on it and it sounds like it's sort

2:34:27of being addressed by the city, but uh,

2:34:30you know, I can't for the life of me

2:34:32figure out why so early in the process

2:34:35with no plan at all. I mean, I'm I'm

2:34:37thinking it's probably

2:34:40DPW workers have to open or and close

2:34:43it. It's now city pro, you know, but

2:34:45that's really unfortunate. that meeting

2:34:46has been going on for I don't even know

2:34:50how many you know how many years. Um and

2:34:53they've now been displaced and that is

2:34:54really really upsetting and uh I you

2:34:57know

2:34:59I I don't know uh I'm just learning of

2:35:01this so that's I hope we can figure

2:35:03something out find another place.

2:35:08So, so the issue is is that the city now

2:35:11owns this building which very similar to

2:35:13the armory. It's like hooray, we own

2:35:15this building now. We can do something

2:35:16with it. And now there's a number of

2:35:18liability issues that go with it with

2:35:20who owns the property, who gets to have

2:35:22a key, for example. Uh so there are

2:35:24issues that make it difficult to allow

2:35:27just random people to have access to

2:35:29this building. But when I discussed this

2:35:32with the city, it was understood that

2:35:34they would not be ending meetings until

2:35:36uh we found a replacement for them. And

2:35:39it doesn't sound like that's happening.

2:35:40So that's what's frustrating about this.

2:35:45>> I see uh Director Naji Williams uh

2:35:49with a metaphorical hand up, I guess. Go

2:35:53ahead.

2:35:53>> Um good evening to the president. Amanda

2:35:56Najim Williams, director of

2:35:57intergovernmental affairs. Um,

2:35:59counselors, thank you for your comments

2:36:00on this. Uh, director Galagani actually

2:36:03spoke about this item most recently last

2:36:05week in HCDE committee. Um, the city is

2:36:10in control of the Ralph Jenny Center.

2:36:13Now, my understanding is that there were

2:36:14three alcoholic anomous anonymous groups

2:36:17that were meeting various different

2:36:19times. Uh, previously they had several

2:36:22different keys. Um once the city had

2:36:24ownership of the space, we needed to

2:36:26make sure that we understood who had

2:36:28keys and access um at different times.

2:36:31My understanding as of right now is that

2:36:33two of the three groups have been um

2:36:36rehomed essentially. Uh the last group

2:36:38is a group that meets on Sundays. Um and

2:36:41it doesn't meet the spaces for uh where

2:36:44the other two are placed because it's at

2:36:46a place of worship um that has been

2:36:48looking for some revitalization in the

2:36:50community and being additional spots.

2:36:52So, just that third spot is outstanding

2:36:54right now. Um, it is a priority for us

2:36:56to find a space for folks to continue to

2:36:58meet. Um, and I'm happy to provide more

2:37:00updates on that, but I did want to let

2:37:02folks know that those two groups have

2:37:04been um, re rehomed right now.

2:37:12>> Any further discussion?

2:37:15Um if this one is

2:37:18council strazo the the um item that was

2:37:20that director Nin Williams mentioned

2:37:22that was discussed in HD is that uh was

2:37:25that discharged from committee or is it

2:37:27still in committee?

2:37:31>> Why that's a very good question Mr.

2:37:33President

2:37:34>> ask because I don't want to send the

2:37:35same issue to two separate committees

2:37:36but

2:37:37>> if you want to we can discuss it with

2:37:39the minutes and send it back to

2:37:40committee. I'm perfectly fine with that.

2:37:42That was uh yes the last item on the

2:37:45agenda that we talked about it in but

2:37:48that was so we were not talking about

2:37:51the Ralph and Jenny center on that

2:37:53agenda at on that agenda item we were

2:37:56talking about the St. James Church in W

2:37:587. So um and it came out that AA was

2:38:04meeting with Ralph and Jenny and that

2:38:07St. James was a consideration of a one

2:38:09of the possible rehoming locations, etc.

2:38:13That's how it came out. But we can sever

2:38:15the item when we get to the meeting

2:38:17minutes and send it back to committee. I

2:38:19am fine with that. I'd love an update.

2:38:22>> Council McGoff, you want you want you

2:38:24want to have this conversation of public

2:38:25health public safety?

2:38:27>> I think it's appropriate on either

2:38:29committee.

2:38:29>> I think I have a whole It can't be in

2:38:30two.

2:38:31>> What's up?

2:38:31>> Can't be in two. That's the only issue.

2:38:33I think it's worth to well

2:38:36>> why don't we approve the item tonight in

2:38:39housing and then I can take it up in

2:38:41public health. Does that make sense?

2:38:43Because I have a whole separate issue

2:38:44with the use of the building itself.

2:38:46>> Yeah. Okay. So, let's we'll approve this

2:38:49item. Um we tenatively we'll have a copy

2:38:52to public health public safety um so

2:38:55long as we don't have the same item

2:38:57still in in HCC HCD whatever it is. Um

2:39:02and we'll uh we'll resolve that when

2:39:03>> president it's it's October now.

2:39:05>> I know it's I think

2:39:08um all right very good. So that is

2:39:10approved to the copy to public health

2:39:11public safety. Next item madam clerk.

2:39:13>> Agenda item 4.8 a resolution by

2:39:15councelor yuancen that the director of

2:39:17planning submit a plain language

2:39:19explanation and fact sheet for each

2:39:21proposed zoning amendment to be attached

2:39:22directly to the corresponding zoning

2:39:24amendment item.

2:39:25>> Councelor Yancampen.

2:39:27>> Thank you Mr. President. I've already

2:39:28discussed this with planning staff and

2:39:30and they're all on board with it. You

2:39:32know, zoning documents are very

2:39:34difficult to understand for counselors,

2:39:36let alone the public. It's often like a

2:39:37list of numbers and uh you know,

2:39:40amending an existing thing that's 100

2:39:42pages long. So, I think it's it's really

2:39:44important. Uh these are they're always

2:39:46explained at the public hearing, but

2:39:48we're asking people to come to a public

2:39:49hearing to share their views. They

2:39:50should have a chance before they come to

2:39:52actually understand what's being

2:39:53proposed. Um so, I'd like this to be

2:39:55approved, please.

2:39:57All right. Uh, councelor Hart,

2:40:01>> I'd like to sign on to this, please. Um,

2:40:03I really appreciate the this uh

2:40:07straightforward and useful um

2:40:10resolution. Thank you.

2:40:14>> Councelor Link would like to sign on.

2:40:16All right, that item is approved. Did

2:40:19you want that? Does that go to

2:40:20committee? No. Okay, next item.

2:40:23>> Agenda item 4.10, 10. A resolution by

2:40:25councelor Shrezo that the commissioner

2:40:27of public works repair all broken and

2:40:29inoperable plumbing appliances and

2:40:31privacy treatments of the Winter Hill

2:40:33Innovation School bathrooms and provide

2:40:35regular work timelines in writing

2:40:37detailing when work will be initiated to

2:40:39when work is anticipated to be fully

2:40:41completed.

2:40:42>> Strezo

2:40:43>> and may also read the next agenda item

2:40:45alongside this. We can take this up

2:40:47together.

2:40:47>> Counc would like to take item 4.11 up

2:40:49together. Seeing no objection, madam

2:40:51clerk. Agenda item 4.11, a resolution by

2:40:54councelor Shrezo that the commissioner

2:40:55of public works immediately repair the

2:40:57urinal fixture, otherwise known as the

2:40:59blaster, at the Winter Hill Innovation

2:41:01School and present present written

2:41:03updated work timelines on a regular

2:41:05basis until the urinal fixture is

2:41:07entirely repaired.

2:41:09>> You're welcome. You are welcome. I'm

2:41:11keeping you awake at uh 15 to 10. You're

2:41:15welcome. And for emphasis, I did very

2:41:19much want um 4.11 to be placed on our

2:41:25agenda item as written, as specific as

2:41:28that because

2:41:30if the

2:41:33urinal um was such an issue for so long

2:41:38at the Winter Hill School that

2:41:41it eventually had a nickname then it has

2:41:45been a problem for a long time and

2:41:48neglected for a long time and we should

2:41:50be addressing that. So this item or

2:41:54these two items

2:41:57came originally from a public testimony

2:42:02at school committee

2:42:06several weeks ago.

2:42:08And um

2:42:13I um I I heard possibly the best public

2:42:18testimony I ever heard in all of our

2:42:20years of public hearings.

2:42:24And the the issue is that there have

2:42:28been numerous um faulty a lot of

2:42:32problems with you know the Winter Hill

2:42:34bathrooms

2:42:35that have been going on for numerous

2:42:38years. But uh don't take my word for it.

2:42:41I'm going to read to you the testimony

2:42:44that was put forward um by Thomas, a

2:42:48fourth grader at the Winter Hill School.

2:42:51So I'm going to read you his words.

2:42:55He says, "How would you feel if you had

2:42:58nowhere to go to the bathroom in

2:42:59private? The Winterill students deserve

2:43:02better bathrooms. First, the toilet

2:43:05stalls are broken. Second, the urinals

2:43:08are also broken.

2:43:10The toilet stalls are broken. There is

2:43:13only one boy's bathroom for the entire

2:43:15first and second floor. And first,

2:43:18second, third, fourth, and fifth grade

2:43:20use it. We have been like this since I

2:43:23was in second grade. I'm in fourth

2:43:26grade. One stall is fine. Two are

2:43:29missing doors and two can't lock. We

2:43:32have nowhere to poop in private. And

2:43:35lots of students use it and we've been

2:43:38using it for a long time. A lot of

2:43:40students are affected and don't love it.

2:43:43But wait, the urinals are also broken.

2:43:47There are four urinals. one at the end

2:43:50of the row that is missing a privacy

2:43:52wall and one that jets toilet water and

2:43:55we call it the blaster.

2:43:58Nobody wants to be sprayed with toilet

2:44:00water.

2:44:02This shows the urinals are in very bad

2:44:04shape. In conclusion, you should fix the

2:44:07bathrooms for Winter Hill.

2:44:10So

2:44:12yeah,

2:44:14I then heard from some parents

2:44:18that additionally that the girls

2:44:22bathroom on the first floor of the

2:44:24Winter Hill School still has a bunch of

2:44:26doors that don't lock.

2:44:29And that was as recent as back to school

2:44:31night not too long ago.

2:44:34This is a huge issue and I'm not

2:44:37entirely sure why it's gone on as long

2:44:40as it has and why it continues to be a

2:44:43problem.

2:44:45And I want to commend um our Ward 7

2:44:50school committee member for his help um

2:44:53when I reached out to him about these

2:44:55issues. Um so I want to give him credit

2:44:58for that as well. And I would like this

2:45:01to be sent to um to our buildings

2:45:05committee. And I did include in this

2:45:08that I and I am very much asking um

2:45:11councelor link, Mr. president threw you

2:45:13to councelor link uh that we are getting

2:45:16um work timelines on a regular basis

2:45:20until it's fixed and repaired and that

2:45:22you please hold it in committee until we

2:45:24have a work complete and that includes

2:45:27hearing from parents, caregivers and

2:45:30children at Winter Hill that it is done.

2:45:33Thank you.

2:45:34>> Good discussion. Counc

2:45:36>> Mr. President, I would love to talk

2:45:38about the blaster until it's fixed.

2:45:40[snorts]

2:45:41>> All right, very good. Thank you. Um, so

2:45:43those two items are approved with a copy

2:45:45to school buildings, facilities, and

2:45:47maintenance. Next item,

2:45:49>> agenda item 412, a resolution by

2:45:51councelor Wheeler and councelor Klingan

2:45:53that the director of inspectional

2:45:54services division simplify and clarify

2:45:57the permitting process for small-cale

2:45:59residential repairs and alterations that

2:46:01do not change a building structure or

2:46:03use.

2:46:06>> Council,

2:46:07>> thank you, Mr. President. So, it's no

2:46:10secret that lots of smallcale internal

2:46:13carpentry and repairs in homes in the

2:46:16city are done under the table. So, I'm

2:46:18talking about replacing baseboard

2:46:20molding, hanging a new door that

2:46:21requires sanding and cutting the

2:46:23doorway, uh installing a new bathroom

2:46:25cabinet, but officially you are supposed

2:46:27to have a building permit for all these

2:46:29things.

2:46:30I know someone who hired a carpenter for

2:46:32a few hours for a small project uh where

2:46:35the city came by and shut down the work

2:46:37because he did not have a permit. So, it

2:46:39it's a real requirement. But if you go

2:46:42and try to do this the right way and

2:46:44file for a building permit yourself,

2:46:46there are so many obscure questions that

2:46:50are nearly impossible for somebody

2:46:52outside the contracting world to know.

2:46:55uh if the construction type is IIB or I

2:46:58III or something else, if the alteration

2:47:01level is level one, level two, level

2:47:03three, I tried to file for a building

2:47:05permit recently uh for a small scale uh

2:47:08project. I read the documentation that

2:47:10we provide folks and I gave up. I've

2:47:13spoken to friends who work in

2:47:14contracting and they don't all know what

2:47:16all of these terms mean. Now, I'm happy

2:47:19to say this is not news to our

2:47:21inspectional services department. They

2:47:22have wanted to improve this for years. I

2:47:24know they are short staffed uh and they

2:47:28are in fact working now as part of a

2:47:29larger administrative effort that's

2:47:31specifically focused on improving the

2:47:33clarity and navigability of our

2:47:35permitting processes uh and to reduce

2:47:37the paperwork necessary before people

2:47:39can get to the actual work. And I also

2:47:41appreciate some of my colleagues for

2:47:42bringing up other items uh that are very

2:47:44much in line with this like uh related

2:47:46to the heat pump. One tool that I know

2:47:50we might be able to study and learn from

2:47:52is Boston's short form application for

2:47:55small-scale residential repairs and

2:47:57alterations that do not change the the

2:47:59function of the building. I applaud this

2:48:02administration's effort and ISD's work

2:48:04on this uh which can lower the cost to

2:48:07do repairs and help our processes make

2:48:08sense for everyone. Thank you.

2:48:14Councelor Ling would like to sign on for

2:48:16the discussion. All right. Seeing none,

2:48:17that item is approved. M

2:48:20>> Mr. President, would it make sense to

2:48:22refer it to licenses and permits um to

2:48:26follow up?

2:48:29>> Certainly could.

2:48:31Trying to think of as that's probably

2:48:33good a place as any I guess

2:48:35>> or or sustainability.

2:48:37>> Well, housing community development

2:48:40housing HC with that one. Um we could go

2:48:43madam madam chair you want to take this

2:48:45on in licenses and permits give us

2:48:46something to talk about.

2:48:48>> I'm happy to just wondering about you

2:48:51know uh staff time that because we don't

2:48:54usually in licenses and permits have

2:48:57>> staff come so if it's easier.

2:49:00>> Director Najim Williams do does the

2:49:01administration have a preferences in

2:49:03terms of of staff that would need to

2:49:05address this and where they usually you

2:49:06know what committees they anticipate

2:49:08showing up in the next month or two? I

2:49:11know that's a we want to make it easy

2:49:12for folks so I don't have to show up to

2:49:14too many different committees if they

2:49:15can't.

2:49:18>> And Mr. President, also

2:49:19>> can you repeat that?

2:49:21>> It's a question to director Najim

2:49:22Williams. Sure. Counc Willy, did you

2:49:24want to add some?

2:49:24>> I just wanted to point out it it would

2:49:26not necessarily need to be a uh an

2:49:29appearance soon. Uh I understand that

2:49:32there's going to be work on this for

2:49:34some months. It would be nice to get an

2:49:37update at some some point that makes

2:49:39sense for the administration along the

2:49:40way.

2:49:43Maybe we could approve this today and

2:49:47put something in new. Yeah, I was just I

2:49:49was just going to suggest the other

2:49:50option would be to just approve this. Um

2:49:52if the administration's working on it

2:49:53and then we and we have a you know a

2:49:56milestone down the road where they have

2:49:58something to share, we can um put

2:50:01another item in or perhaps receive, you

2:50:03know, if there's I guess there probably

2:50:06wouldn't be approvals of the council for

2:50:07that sort of change, but um we can do

2:50:09that too if you want to if you want to

2:50:11let them work on it a bit. And the the

2:50:12request here has been made. I think it's

2:50:14heard loud and clear. I I see nodding

2:50:16from director Najin Williams. So, all

2:50:18right. Um, let's do that and then if

2:50:20you're in contact, you know, or any

2:50:21councils are in contact with the

2:50:22administration on the improvements there

2:50:23when the time seems right to uh to have

2:50:25that discussion, as you said, you can

2:50:27put another item in and we'll at that

2:50:28time figure out where's the best place

2:50:30to put it to have that conversation.

2:50:31Excellent. All right. Very good. So,

2:50:32that item is approved.

2:50:36>> Next item, please. Agenda item 414, a

2:50:39resolution by councelor Hart expressing

2:50:41deep appreciation to the Somerville

2:50:42firefighters, firefighters from

2:50:44neighboring communities, and all first

2:50:46responders for ensuring the safe

2:50:47evacuation of every resident from the

2:50:49Teal Square fire and for successfully

2:50:51containing the fire to one side of the

2:50:53building.

2:50:54>> All right, I see the whole council would

2:50:55like to sign on this one. Council Hart.

2:50:57>> Thank you, Mr. President. So last week

2:51:01um I'm sure everyone is aware of the

2:51:03devastating fire that happened in Teal

2:51:05Square and um you know I've been my

2:51:09thoughts are you know still with the 43

2:51:11residents who have were displaced um and

2:51:15but I'm so appreciative of the response

2:51:18by our firefighters and all the first

2:51:22responders. Um, I mean it was just

2:51:25incredible that everybody was able to be

2:51:27evacuated with without injuries. Um,

2:51:30although I understand that some

2:51:32firefighters did sustain minor injuries.

2:51:34Um, and the um so many city staff have

2:51:40been working so hard to, you know, from

2:51:43from the time that they arrived on the

2:51:46scene that night um until today have

2:51:48been working so hard. Um, our partners

2:51:51at Somerville Homeless Coalition have

2:51:54also been assisting the Red Cross,

2:51:57Salvation Army. Um, so I I just wanted

2:52:01to extend my appreciation to everyone um

2:52:05who has been helping with this. Um, I

2:52:09also wanted to

2:52:12uh express appreciation for um the

2:52:15staff. You know, this is an unusual

2:52:18situation. uh usually it is not 43

2:52:22residents and six bas business

2:52:24businesses that are displaced all at the

2:52:26same time and um and all having varying

2:52:30levels of need. Um, so I know that it

2:52:33has been, you know, challenging to to

2:52:36work through this and um, there have

2:52:39been, you know, uh, I I appreciate that

2:52:42having some conversations with staff and

2:52:44also counselor Wheeler um, about the

2:52:47process and communication and ways that

2:52:49could be improved uh, going forward and

2:52:51I really appreciate their their thinking

2:52:54about that and continuing to strive for

2:52:57um, communicating as much as possible.

2:53:00Uh, and um, I did also want to give an

2:53:05update because I want everybody to

2:53:08remember to support our local businesses

2:53:11uh, in Teal Square. And so, fortunately,

2:53:14three of the businesses on the right

2:53:16side of the building um, have been able

2:53:18to reopen in their locations uh,

2:53:22including Masala and um, and residents

2:53:25have been able to go back to that side

2:53:27of the building. there was a very

2:53:28effective firewall um in the building

2:53:32and the laundromat even though the the

2:53:35actual existing laundromat is closed and

2:53:38will have to be totally rebuilt, they

2:53:41are the owners are being able to operate

2:53:44uh down the street uh a few doors down.

2:53:47So, I hope that everyone will continue

2:53:50patronizing these businesses and support

2:53:53them through this challenging time.

2:53:55Thank you. Thank you. Further

2:53:58discussion. All right, that item is

2:54:00placed on file. Next item.

2:54:05All right. Sorry, that item is approved.

2:54:06I've got my items mixed up here. My bad.

2:54:08That item is approved. Thank you. Next

2:54:10item.

2:54:10>> Agenda item 4.16, a communication by

2:54:13councelor Davis in his capacity as

2:54:14president conveying this council's

2:54:16updated standing committee assignments

2:54:17and commission appointments for 2026.

2:54:19>> That item is placed on file. Next item,

2:54:24>> agenda item 6A1, a report of the

2:54:26committee on finance meeting on October

2:54:286, 2026.

2:54:29>> Councelor Wheeler.

2:54:31>> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, the

2:54:33finance committee met on Tuesday,

2:54:34October 6th, 2026 via remote

2:54:37participation with four members present

2:54:38at the start and all five by the end.

2:54:40And with the help of assistant clerk,

2:54:42city clerk Maline Latellier, we took up

2:54:44a nine item agenda. We approved a prior

2:54:47year invoice of approximately $10,000

2:54:50for Denovo, which provides housing

2:54:52related legal services primarily to

2:54:54immigrant residents through the Office

2:54:55of Housing Stability.

2:54:57We also approved two transfers of

2:54:59leftover communic Community Preservation

2:55:01Act debt service money back into

2:55:03reserves, approximately $150,000 for

2:55:06community housing and approximately

2:55:07$23,000 for historic preservation. In

2:55:10both cases, the city budgeted

2:55:12conservatively for debt payments. the

2:55:14actual cost came in lower and the

2:55:16remaining money can now go back towards

2:55:18future CPA projects.

2:55:20We approved an approximately $170,000

2:55:24urban areas security initiative grant

2:55:26UASI for public address system upgrades

2:55:28at the Brown Capuano and Edgerly school

2:55:31buildings. Note that this money comes

2:55:33from the fiscal year 2024 grant cycle

2:55:36for UASI and the committee has overall

2:55:39found the requirements attached to the

2:55:40grants for that year compatible with our

2:55:43values. The grant does allow the money

2:55:46to also be used for security cameras,

2:55:48but any such cameras added would still

2:55:50have to comply with several surveillance

2:55:52technology ordinance.

2:55:54The largest item of the night was an

2:55:55authorization to borrow approximately

2:55:57$2.1 million to finish purchasing two

2:56:00new trucks for the fire department, a

2:56:02new aerial ladder truck and a rescue

2:56:04truck. These trucks were already

2:56:06partially paid for with federal ARPA

2:56:08money, but nationwide manufacturing

2:56:10delays mean they won't be finished

2:56:12before the federal funds expire at the

2:56:14end of December. Rather than lose that

2:56:17money, the city is shifting the ARPA

2:56:18funding to another eligible project and

2:56:20using the funding lined up for that

2:56:22project instead for these trucks. These

2:56:25trucks are not replacing trucks that are

2:56:27too worn. Instead, they will allow the

2:56:29fire department to have trucks in

2:56:30reserve. The fire department is also

2:56:32developing a longerterm vehicle

2:56:34replacement plan that we expect to see

2:56:36with the capital improvement plan around

2:56:38November.

2:56:40We approved two state department of

2:56:42mental health grants totaling

2:56:43approximately $360,000 for the police

2:56:46department's crisis intervention and

2:56:48jail and arrest diversion work. These

2:56:51are the fullear grants. Earlier this

2:56:52year, we approved smaller amounts uh

2:56:55enough funding to cover the first

2:56:56quarter while the state finalized its

2:56:58contracts. Much of this money pays for

2:57:00staff salaries and benefits in the

2:57:02public safety department's community

2:57:03outreach help and recovery program core.

2:57:07Finally, we approved a timelyonly

2:57:08extension for a zoning consulting

2:57:10contract with no additional money needed

2:57:12so staff can finish work related to the

2:57:13city's upzoning feasibility work and

2:57:155-year zoning review. Chair, I ask that

2:57:18this committee report be accepted as

2:57:20submitted. Any discussion on the report?

2:57:24All right, seeing none, the report is

2:57:26approved and that puts one item before

2:57:28us for a roll call vote. Madam clerk, I

2:57:30believe that's 6 A7.

2:57:32>> Correct. Agenda item 6 A7, a request of

2:57:34the mayor requesting authorization to

2:57:36borrow 2,82,498

2:57:39in a bond and to appropriate 2

2:57:41million82,498

2:57:44for the purchases of an aerial ladder

2:57:46truck and a rescue truck for the fire

2:57:48department. Councelor Yuampen,

2:57:50>> yes.

2:57:51>> Councilor Link,

2:57:52>> yes.

2:57:53>> Councelor Scott.

2:57:55>> Councelor Klingan,

2:57:56>> yes.

2:57:57>> Councelor Strezo,

2:57:58>> yes.

2:57:58>> Councelor Sait,

2:58:00>> yes. Councelor Wheeler,

2:58:02>> yes.

2:58:02>> Councelor Hart,

2:58:03>> yes.

2:58:04>> Councelor McGofflin,

2:58:05>> yes.

2:58:06>> Councelor Emba,

2:58:07>> yes.

2:58:07>> Councelor Davis,

2:58:08>> yes.

2:58:09>> The 10 counselors in favor that is

2:58:10approved.

2:58:11>> All right. Very good. Thank you. Next

2:58:12item.

2:58:15>> Agenda item 6B1, a report of the

2:58:17committee on housing, community

2:58:18development, and equity meeting on

2:58:19September 30th, 2026. Shreza,

2:58:27>> we had our regular

2:58:32housing and community development and

2:58:34equity committee committee on Wednesday,

2:58:36September 30th to 2026 was at 6 p.m. and

2:58:41it was hybrid, so in person and virtual.

2:58:44We had um all three members in

2:58:48attendance.

2:58:50We discussed and approved the one-year

2:58:54action plan for um the community

2:58:57development block grant, which is a

2:58:59regular um annual

2:59:03action plan that we we talk about and

2:59:05and

2:59:07it was interesting to see the the

2:59:09updates and the dialogue was uh

2:59:11definitely flowing. We will have to I

2:59:13will be asking to sever the items

2:59:15because as you can tell um there were

2:59:19two agenda items on this that were

2:59:22virtually identical. Um so I'll come

2:59:27back to that before I ask for approval

2:59:28of this. We also discussed the

2:59:31resolution talking about the ADA

2:59:34coordinator position.

2:59:37I had uh the chair

2:59:41of the commission for persons with

2:59:43disabilities, Holly Simeone, come to

2:59:45speak on behalf. She wanted to uh she

2:59:51presented a letter that was voted on and

2:59:53approved and uh read before the

2:59:57committee discussing this position and

2:59:59also it talked about concerns

3:00:03about the fact that they have no access

3:00:08to the reports of ADA accessibility

3:00:11concerns coming into the commission.

3:00:13They don't have their own email address.

3:00:15they don't have access to the email that

3:00:18are coming in through the city and

3:00:21they're concerned that the

3:00:24that the ADA information isn't getting

3:00:28to them.

3:00:30there still is a vacancy within the ADA

3:00:33position

3:00:35and so

3:00:37um and and

3:00:40a potential modification of what the

3:00:44actual position entails. I chose to keep

3:00:46this in committee to make sure that we

3:00:50are uh receiving updates on this.

3:00:54We also discussed

3:00:56uh let's see where oh yes um this was

3:00:59councelor Hart's

3:01:01resolution discussing the

3:01:05the spaces and accessible to us that are

3:01:10free for community use. There was a list

3:01:13probably about 2020 that was discussed

3:01:17or presented or potentially presented

3:01:21and with of all the available spaces

3:01:23that any constituent can sign up to use.

3:01:28We uh director Galggani came to speak on

3:01:32this item and said that there's a

3:01:36website in planning to happen with the

3:01:39full list

3:01:42and I requested that we also when that

3:01:45list does get presented because it is

3:01:48not yet live when it is presented that

3:01:52we have that constituents have the

3:01:54information on how to access these

3:01:56spaces aka meaning how they can sign up

3:02:00to reserve the space.

3:02:03And so because it is not yet live, I

3:02:05kept this in committee as well and

3:02:07hoping to hear an update with of of this

3:02:10website as soon as possible. Until then,

3:02:12we'll just keep it in committee. Last we

3:02:14talked about what we were what um the

3:02:18St. James location over in Ward 7 space

3:02:22and how Alcoholics Anonymous came into

3:02:25the conversation with this and now that

3:02:27Alcoholics Anonymous is also possibly

3:02:30meeting there. What one of the one of

3:02:32the groups is meeting there. [snorts]

3:02:35Um,

3:02:36and by the way, this church has the

3:02:39capacity for 80, 50, and 15, three

3:02:43different rooms of those capacities,

3:02:46which is pretty great. Um, hoping to get

3:02:49a tour soon. Would definitely like to

3:02:51see. Um, yeah, love it. Um,

3:02:57so stay tuned on that and happy to pass

3:02:59that along as approved. I do want to

3:03:02move to

3:03:04place on file file

3:03:06item 260688

3:03:10and then I uh move move to place that

3:03:12one on file. Uh would you prefer this as

3:03:14two steps

3:03:23or we can can we take this all together

3:03:25sever them both? Okay. So would you

3:03:29prefer then I can read the second item

3:03:31to sever. Okay. And then uh so I'm I'm

3:03:33asking to sever the first item of

3:03:35numbers I just uh read 26688

3:03:39and sever the item 26870.

3:03:58Now with these two items severed, I

3:04:00would like to I move to place the first

3:04:03item that I read on.

3:04:04>> I did all that with my microphone on.

3:04:05I'm sorry watching at home. Councelor

3:04:08Strezo moved to sever the two two items

3:04:10that she mentioned. That item those were

3:04:12severed because there was no objection.

3:04:13Uh the council then approved the

3:04:15committee report as submitted and now we

3:04:16have the two separate items before us.

3:04:19>> Okay. Thank you.

3:04:20>> And then the second item 260870.

3:04:24I am move asking to move for approval of

3:04:27that one.

3:04:29>> All right. So, let's take this one step

3:04:30at a time. So, the uh the first one at

3:04:36>> scrambling

3:04:36>> 260688

3:04:38you want to have placed on file.

3:04:39>> Correct.

3:04:40>> All right. No objection. That's placed

3:04:41on file. And then 260870.

3:04:45You move to approve.

3:04:46>> Yes.

3:04:47>> All right. So, that item is before us

3:04:48approval. Any discussion on the motion?

3:04:51All right. Seeing none, that item is

3:04:52approved.

3:04:54Great. Thank you.

3:04:56Next item.

3:04:58>> Agenda item 6 C one, a report of the

3:05:01committee on land use meeting on October

3:05:021st, 2026.

3:05:05>> Council Gapin.

3:05:07>> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, we had a

3:05:09public hearing, a joint public hearing

3:05:11with the planning board. We heard five

3:05:13items from the administration. Um

3:05:16details are in the committee report and

3:05:17in the video, but I'll just mention

3:05:18tonight I think the one that brought the

3:05:20most members of the public there that I

3:05:21think will be the most interest um to to

3:05:24the council. Um is the mayor's proposal

3:05:28for what to do about backyard cottages,

3:05:30ADUs. Um the the presentation is an

3:05:34attempt to come into compliance with the

3:05:36state regulations.

3:05:38Um and the the reading of the state

3:05:42regulations that our city staff and

3:05:44legal term have team have done that I

3:05:46have no reason to to doubt is that uh we

3:05:49cannot have restrictions on a backyard

3:05:53cottage that are more restrictive than

3:05:56the principal building on that lot. Um,

3:05:59so what that means is that if there's a

3:06:01triple- decker, according to the state

3:06:04regulations, we cannot prohibit a ADU

3:06:08from being uh three stories tall. They

3:06:11could be a three-story uh flat roof

3:06:13struct like a little mini triple decker

3:06:15behind the triple decker. Um, and we

3:06:17can't say no to that like in any part of

3:06:20the city. Um,

3:06:22it's frankly bizarre. I I just I think

3:06:24it's extremely I thought it was a

3:06:25misunderstanding of the state law. Um

3:06:27there is a um the the executive agency,

3:06:31the EOHLC, the Housing and Livable

3:06:34Communities um that that wrote these

3:06:36regulations, they have a website where

3:06:38you can look at uh frequently asked

3:06:40questions. Um and they actually use this

3:06:43example as a clarifying one of their

3:06:45questions. You know, what about on a lot

3:06:47with a triple decker? And they say,

3:06:48"Yeah, that's right. Like we we that's

3:06:50what we mean. You have to allow a

3:06:52three-story ADU." Um, so it's in my

3:06:56opinion editorializing here, it's a

3:06:58pickle that we're in. It's a very

3:06:59strange situation. Um, and I know our

3:07:02state delegation cares about this and is

3:07:03trying to get clarification on, you

3:07:05know, whether there is an appetite to

3:07:08revisit these regulations. Um, there is

3:07:11actually currently an open comment

3:07:12period, FYI, uh, where the the executive

3:07:16agency is reviewing these. Um, all to

3:07:19say, we're trying to figure this out.

3:07:21Um, we can change the overall square

3:07:24footage of these buildings. So, the

3:07:25state says you cannot go below 900

3:07:27square feet. Um, the mayor's proposal is

3:07:29currently 1750

3:07:32square ft, which I'll just say is a very

3:07:34large building, a three-story building.

3:07:36That's, you know, 1,750. That's it's

3:07:38larger than my house. Um, as a backyard

3:07:40cottage, that would be a large building.

3:07:43Um, so this is something that we're

3:07:45going to be dealing with. And you know,

3:07:46I encourage everyone who's interested to

3:07:48to uh look at the presentation attached

3:07:50to this item and do some thinking. I ask

3:07:54that this be accepted.

3:07:56>> All right. Any discussion on the report?

3:07:58Seeing none, that report is uh approved.

3:08:01>> Next item,

3:08:02>> agenda item 61, a report of the

3:08:04committee on public health and public

3:08:05safety meeting on September 30th, 2026.

3:08:08>> Council Mofflin.

3:08:08>> Thank you, Mr. President. We did meet uh

3:08:10we met mostly to discuss uh the warming

3:08:14center uh um that many people were

3:08:16interested in learning about.

3:08:18Unfortunately, we weren't able to

3:08:19discuss that item due to the fire in

3:08:21Teal Square and many city officials had

3:08:23to uh that obviously took priority. So,

3:08:26we weren't able to discuss that. I am

3:08:28going to schedule another meeting soon

3:08:30uh so that we can have a full

3:08:31discussion. Uh, one item that did get

3:08:34discussion is that the commissioner of

3:08:36public work and work works invest in

3:08:38trash barrels with latches to address

3:08:40rodent issues. We discussed this issue.

3:08:43DPW is looking into it. They agree that

3:08:46uh it will be more expensive than a

3:08:47regular trash barrel, but might be

3:08:49better off than having to replace chewed

3:08:51up barrels over and over again. Uh, they

3:08:53are looking into that and looking into

3:08:55the effectiveness of it as well. Uh, so

3:08:58that's all I got for today. I submit the

3:09:00committee report to be accepted. All

3:09:02right. Council McGloffin moves to

3:09:03approve the report as submitted. Any

3:09:05discussion? Seeing none, that as item is

3:09:08approved. Next item.

3:09:09>> Agenda item 6E1, a report of the school

3:09:11building facilities and maintenance

3:09:13committee meeting on October 6th, 2026.

3:09:15>> Council Link.

3:09:16>> Thank you, Mr. President. So, the school

3:09:19building facilities and maintenance

3:09:20committee met for just a tad under 50

3:09:23minutes. Um, we discussed uh let's see.

3:09:27So, we discussed

3:09:29um with the commissioner of DPW and the

3:09:32director of PIO uh the how to deal with

3:09:36snow um

3:09:39kind of closing out an old item. So,

3:09:41we've uh learned that the DPW has

3:09:43created a three-step process um where

3:09:46step one is um you know while this storm

3:09:50is happening or shortly thereafter uh

3:09:52the making sure that doors and ADA ramps

3:09:54are clear uh and culminating with step

3:09:56three which is where uh which happens uh

3:09:59after the storm and that's where we uh

3:10:01see the the schoolyards and parking and

3:10:04whatnot being cleared. Uh, and then we

3:10:08kind of topped it off by um talking a

3:10:10little bit about how uh it would be

3:10:12great if um we could find um ways to use

3:10:16the snow as a means of play rather than

3:10:19uh a hindrance of play. Um but we also

3:10:21ultimately agreed that uh the

3:10:24conversation stray to uh a place where

3:10:26it really belonged um to the school and

3:10:29to the school committee. Uh we then

3:10:32discussed uh the Edgerly school building

3:10:35uh and the temperature control in the

3:10:37cafeterium. Uh and the the short version

3:10:40there is just that uh you know we we're

3:10:43confident now that we've got that under

3:10:44control. DPW did a great job. Uh and

3:10:47after that we talked a little bit um

3:10:50about uh the whether or not the uh

3:10:55changes made at the Argentiano school uh

3:10:57in preparation to welcome the AIM

3:10:59program were uh sufficient and uh

3:11:02everyone agreed uh including finally

3:11:04hearing from the schools themselves uh

3:11:06that everything um was a-ok okay. Uh and

3:11:11then we've also heard an update uh from

3:11:14uh director uh that about the u progress

3:11:19on the new Winter Hill School. Uh and

3:11:24um that was essentially just that we're

3:11:28we're slowly but surely continuing our

3:11:31progress and and we're uh we're we're

3:11:34going to be hearing on October 28th

3:11:38um from the the full board. Uh and then

3:11:42finally, we heard again from Director R

3:11:43uh talking a little bit about the tiles

3:11:46on the high school. Uh there's some of

3:11:48them it's kind of a that are attached as

3:11:51uh seem to be like kind of like fascia

3:11:53almost

3:11:55um there was some that were were loose

3:11:57around window sills. Uh it's happened

3:12:00before. Uh the um company that uh did

3:12:03all the work I believe their name was

3:12:05Sunrise. Uh yes Sunrise. Um they have

3:12:08been very reactive uh and um have jumped

3:12:11on this. Uh the manufacturer there was a

3:12:14lot of back and forth the save you all

3:12:16the details just to say that um Sunrise

3:12:19is now going ahead and on their dime

3:12:22manufacturing brackets that will be

3:12:23attached uh around the window sills um

3:12:26to ensure that these brackets that have

3:12:29failed uh will not um cause any

3:12:32problems. Uh so that's everything that

3:12:35we discussed and I ask that this be

3:12:37submitted. Accepted.

3:12:40>> All right. [snorts] Council Link asks

3:12:41that the report be accepted as

3:12:43submitted. Any discussion? Seeing none,

3:12:46that item is approved. Next item.

3:12:48>> Agenda item 6F1, a report of the

3:12:50committee on traffic and parking meeting

3:12:52on October 5th, 2026.

3:12:54>> Council state.

3:12:56>> Uh through you, Mr. President, traffic

3:12:58and parking committee met with all three

3:13:00members present. Uh we discussed the

3:13:03pedestrian and transit advisory

3:13:05committee. Uh it's um public comment

3:13:08regarding the ba the bus network

3:13:11redesign. Uh the MBTA board of directors

3:13:14previously voted to endorse the system

3:13:16redesign which included changes to route

3:13:1980. Uh but the MBTA has more recently

3:13:22been committed to fine-tuning the

3:13:24proposal and being open to feedback. We

3:13:27discussed that losing the current 80 bus

3:13:30route would be a major loss for

3:13:33supporting the 115 school. Uh we learned

3:13:37that the Western Pearl Street or

3:13:38construction was planned with the

3:13:40assumption that Route 80 would continue.

3:13:43Uh, Director Rosson said that our

3:13:44regular meetings with the MBTA and the

3:13:46city will continue advocating on the

3:13:49issue and he added that the MBTA has

3:13:52indicated that an update will come in

3:13:54the winter likely after the new year. So

3:13:58all advocates reach out keep reaching

3:14:00out to the MBTA in the next few months.

3:14:03Um, we discussed the note turn on red at

3:14:06the intersection of Broadway and Cedar

3:14:08Street. We learned that staff are

3:14:09continuing to review intersections and

3:14:11install signage where needed and we

3:14:14review this intersection as part of that

3:14:16process. Uh the director noted that the

3:14:19city may need to conduct an assessment

3:14:20of the signal timing. This intersection

3:14:23is also part of the upcoming Broadway

3:14:25mcoon uh construction project. Um the

3:14:28city anticip um yeah which will uh start

3:14:32next summer. Um, in the meantime, staff

3:14:35will pursue short-term remedies while

3:14:38also considering long-term improvements

3:14:41to make this intersection safer.

3:14:44We also discussed um making the

3:14:46intersection of Vernon Street and

3:14:48Partridge AB safer. We learned that

3:14:50staff have not yet completed their

3:14:52assessment of this area, but they can

3:14:54pursue other safety improvements in the

3:14:56meantime, including through the city's

3:14:58clear corners program. Um the director

3:15:02noted that staff are currently

3:15:03prioritizing higher volume streets

3:15:06though he expect to have an update in

3:15:07the fall

3:15:10regarding um calling for traffic coming

3:15:13measures in the Prospect Hill

3:15:14neighborhood. The director noted that

3:15:18there has been significant outreach from

3:15:20neighborhood residents. Um the

3:15:22prospectial streets identified

3:15:26for review will have data collected in

3:15:29October which t will take a few months

3:15:32to process uh before the results are in.

3:15:36Um we received an update on the

3:15:39construction of the low street and

3:15:41school street crosswalks facing the

3:15:43green line stations. Um Brian Postoay,

3:15:47engineering director,

3:15:49um shared that there's an approved

3:15:51design raised crosswalk uh will be

3:15:55installed on Low Street at Lowel and

3:15:58Vernon streets which will be added to

3:16:01improve safety while better

3:16:03accommodating the fire department.

3:16:05Um and this um uh crosswalk will be uh

3:16:11constructed uh next summer. So that

3:16:14actually we learned that the contractor

3:16:16of the Broadway Magun is the same one

3:16:18who will be uh doing this work. Uh

3:16:22regarding the school street crosswalk,

3:16:24um the director noted that the community

3:16:27path is offset in this area creating a

3:16:30challenging right or left turn for

3:16:32people trying to remain on the path and

3:16:34across um and across the street. Part of

3:16:37the path is on the bridge and part is

3:16:39off the bridge requiring the crosswalk

3:16:41to cross the edge of the bridge. make

3:16:44which makes the design more complicated.

3:16:47Uh staff are considering an option that

3:16:49mass dot has agreed to although that

3:16:52option presents a challenge for the fire

3:16:55department. He noted that the fire

3:16:57department has been a good partner in

3:16:59working through the issue and there's

3:17:01not yet a final design but staff are

3:17:03continuing to work on it. Uh and uh

3:17:07hopefully before the end of the year

3:17:10the and meet with MBTA Gibb before the

3:17:13end of the year uh staff hope to have

3:17:16final plans by midsummer or fall and

3:17:19incorporate the work into the FY28

3:17:22annual streets.

3:17:25Um and then regarding strategies for

3:17:27improving the safety of users on the

3:17:29community path, uh the director uh

3:17:32shared that um newsletter just went out

3:17:35last week. They have published

3:17:37short-term measures to improve safety

3:17:40for all users. They encourage the public

3:17:42to uh check them out on the community

3:17:45path voice page. Um and um um the

3:17:51director highlighted that one safety

3:17:53measure already is already underway.

3:17:55It's the thermoplastic speed humps

3:17:58designed to slow faster moving wheeled

3:18:01vehicles. He noted that the path has a

3:18:04high volume of traffic and that one of

3:18:05the biggest challenges is fast faster

3:18:08moving users needing to make space for

3:18:10slower moving users. But um yeah, we

3:18:14looked at the improvements. you know,

3:18:16they there will be better signage with

3:18:18visuals. Um, yeah, and just, you know,

3:18:22signs that asking, you know, folks to

3:18:25slow down. Um, yeah, please check them

3:18:27out. Very exciting. And those are all

3:18:29happening this fall.

3:18:32Uh, with that, I ask that this committee

3:18:34report be approved as submitted.

3:18:36>> All right. Any discussion on the

3:18:37committee report?

3:18:40All right. See none, that is approved.

3:18:43Next item.

3:18:46Agenda item 7.1, a request of the mayor

3:18:49requesting authorization to borrow

3:18:503,43,557

3:18:54in a bond and to appropriate the same

3:18:56amount for additional cost of design,

3:18:58construction.

3:18:58>> I'm sorry, clerk, I can interrupt you

3:19:00because uh I move to wave the readings

3:19:04and refer to the finance committee uh

3:19:06this item 7.1 as well as 7.4, 7.6, and

3:19:107.8.

3:19:13>> All right. Councelor Wheeler moves to

3:19:15wave the rest of the rating of 71 all of

3:19:1874 76 [clears throat] and 78.

3:19:21>> Seeing no and and refer those items to

3:19:23finance.

3:19:24>> Yes.

3:19:24>> Seeing no objection, those items are

3:19:26referred to finance. Next item,

3:19:29>> agenda item 711, a request of the mayor

3:19:31requesting confirmation of the

3:19:32appointment of Christopher Gaya to the

3:19:34board of assessors.

3:19:35>> Bot confirmation of appointment.

3:19:38that that item is referred to

3:19:41conferential appointments and

3:19:43personnel matters.

3:19:46Next item,

3:19:47>> agenda item 8.4, an officer's

3:19:48communication, fair housing commission

3:19:50conveying the fiscal year 2025 annual

3:19:53report pursuant to section 177 of the

3:19:55code of ordinances.

3:19:56>> That thatm is placed on file with a copy

3:19:59to housing, community development, and

3:20:00equity. Next item,

3:20:05>> agenda item 8.5, an officer's

3:20:07communication. City clerk conveying,

3:20:08excuse me, city clerk conveying block

3:20:11party licenses issued.

3:20:12>> Still a great season for block parties.

3:20:14Check out the list. See if your street's

3:20:16on there. If your street's not on there

3:20:17and you haven't had a block party

3:20:18recently, or even if you did, have

3:20:20another one. Call the clerk's office.

3:20:21Find out how to do a block party because

3:20:22they're wicked fun. It's the year of the

3:20:25neighbor. Get together with your

3:20:26neighbors on your block. That's all I

3:20:28got to say about block parties. That

3:20:30item is placed on file.

3:20:32>> Agenda item 9.1.

3:20:33>> Sirart.

3:20:34>> Yeah.

3:20:34>> Yes. I'd like to move to wave the

3:20:36readings of 9.1 through 9.3 um and

3:20:40approve this evening and also just note

3:20:42the citywide fall cleanup on November

3:20:457th.

3:20:46>> November 7th. You all heard it here

3:20:48first. Or maybe not first, but you heard

3:20:50it here. I read it in an email. Maybe

3:20:53you read it somewhere else. But we're

3:20:54going to clean up the city on November

3:20:567th. Any discussion? All right. Seeing

3:20:59none, those three items are approved.

3:21:02>> Agenda item 9.4 4 a public communication

3:21:04from Buon Yards Land Company LLC and

3:21:08Windsor Place Owner LLC requesting a

3:21:10zoning text amendment to amend section

3:21:128412 EI.

3:21:14>> That item is referred to land use.

3:21:17>> Agenda item N.

3:21:18>> Mr. President, if I could answer like

3:21:20just um so uh just for that item um I

3:21:24just wanted to call out that

3:21:26>> [clears throat]

3:21:26>> uh where is it? Here we are. Um the so

3:21:29Union Square Neighborhood Council has a

3:21:31CBA with them. Um and also that uh any

3:21:34change here um potentially changes the

3:21:37amount or not potentially does change

3:21:39the amount of eight space. Um so uh when

3:21:43that item is taken up, I'd love it if

3:21:45people would take those things into

3:21:47account.

3:21:47>> Very good. And we need to send a copy of

3:21:48that to the planning board for a public

3:21:51hearing as well.

3:21:52>> And I'm I'm sorry, Councelor Link. Uh it

3:21:55changes the what?

3:21:56>> Okay, hold on. Hold on. We're going to

3:21:57do this according to the rules.

3:21:59>> We need a copy of that one to planning

3:22:01board as well, right? Okay, Council

3:22:02Wheeler, on this item.

3:22:04>> I apologize. I was just trying to to

3:22:06hear what my colleague said,

3:22:10Mr. President, uh through you. Uh so the

3:22:13ACE space, which is the the arts and

3:22:14creative enterprises space. So um the

3:22:18the in this Boton yards um overlay, it's

3:22:22a percent. So the

3:22:25this zoning amendment reduces the uh

3:22:29amount of residential space um and the

3:22:33ACE space is a percentage of that. So

3:22:36therefore it would further reduce that.

3:22:40Okay. So that is refer to land use with

3:22:42a copy to the planning board. Next item,

3:22:47>> agenda item 9.5, a public communication

3:22:50from Barbara Phillips, submitting

3:22:51comments about the warming center.

3:22:53>> All right, that item is placed on file

3:22:54with a copy to public health and public

3:22:56safety.

3:22:58>> Next item,

3:22:59>> agenda item 9.6, a public communication

3:23:01from digital forth submitting comments

3:23:03about body warn cameras.

3:23:05>> Uh, that'll be placed on file with a

3:23:06copy to legislative matters. Next item,

3:23:10>> agenda item 10.1, a public event. Wilks

3:23:13Productions Consultancy applying for a

3:23:15public event license for Girk Mgherk

3:23:17back to school cops and cars car show on

3:23:20October 18th from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

3:23:23rain day October 25th.

3:23:24>> I believe this is an already rescheduled

3:23:26item because of the storm a little bit a

3:23:28little bit ago if I'm remembering

3:23:30correctly. Um, any discussion on this

3:23:34one?

3:23:35Um, all right. Seeing none, councelor

3:23:38Hart moves to approve.

3:23:41All right. And I see no discussion. That

3:23:42item is approved.

3:23:43>> Agenda item 10.2, a public event for the

3:23:45arts council applying for a public event

3:23:47license for Summer Streets Monster Mash

3:23:50on October 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 7

3:23:52p.m. Rain Day, October 25th.

3:23:55>> Councelor Yun Campin moves to approve

3:23:56this one. Any discussion? All right,

3:23:59seeing none, that item is approved.

3:24:02Agenda item 10.3, a public communication

3:24:04from the Commission for Persons with

3:24:05Disabilities, submitting comments about

3:24:07agenda item 26-0825,

3:24:10that the administration submit a written

3:24:12report to this council regarding the

3:24:13timeline and process for staffing the

3:24:15Americans with Disabilities ADA

3:24:17coordinator role and update this council

3:24:19on the plan to process ADA complaints

3:24:20and accessibility coordination when this

3:24:22position is vacant.

3:24:24>> That item is placed on file.

3:24:26>> Mr. President, I move to wave the

3:24:28readings of items 10.4 4 through 10.7

3:24:31and send them to land use with a copy to

3:24:33the planning board. Please

3:24:34>> see no objection, we'll wave the rules

3:24:36to send to wave the readings. Send those

3:24:38items to land use with copy to the

3:24:40planning board for each of the four.

3:24:44>> There are no further items.

3:24:46>> Any laid items?

3:24:47>> There are no laid items.

3:24:48>> All right. Uh with that, councelor Bob

3:24:51moves to adjurnn and we are adjourned.

3:24:53Thank you everyone.