City Council
City Council Chamber and Remote Participation
Agenda — 105 items
- 1 Published August 25, 2026, 3:50 P.M.
- 2 NOTICE: Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of the City Council may be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audiovideo recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Register at the following website to listen to this meeting live or to testify at any public hearing: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LlV64-CzRim7fdboZEfxrw Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.
- 1. OPENING CEREMONIES
- 1.1. Call of the Roll.
- 1.2. Remembrances.
- 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 25, 2026.
- 2. CITATIONS
- 2.1. Commending Dan Amelin for eight years of service in the Engineering Division.
- 2.2. Commending Ramón Bueno for his commitment to climate action.
- 2.3. Commending Eliza Johnston for her commitment to climate action.
- 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
- 3.1. Lightpath applying for a Grant of Location to install 41 feet of conduit in Grand Union Boulevard, from existing telephone conduit near the intersection of Revolution Drive and Grand Union Boulevard to a point of pickup at existing Manhole 29310 next to 188 Assembly Park Drive.
- 3.2. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 208 feet of conduit in Taylor Street and Sydney Street and one new Manhole 32883, from Utility Pole 387/4 passing through the new Manhole 32883 to a point of pickup at 9 Taylor Street.
- 3.3. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 201 feet of conduit in Charlestown Street and Allen Street, from proposed Manhole 32885 to a point of pickup at 37 Allen Street.
- 3.4. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 51 feet of conduit in Prescott Street, from Utility Pole 287/8 to a point of pickup at 53 Prescott Street.
- 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
- 4.1. In his capacity as President, that this Council schedule a Public Hearing regarding the establishment of an entity to provide civilian oversight of the Police Department.
- 4.2. That Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances be amended as detailed within.
- 4.3. To end the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program access crisis.
- 4.4. In support of a fair and dignified resolution for an international graduate student at Tufts University.
- 4.5. In support of security officers in Greater Boston and airport service workers at Logan International Airport.
- 4.6. In support of Service Employees International Union 32BJ facilities workers at Tufts University.
- 4.7. That the Director of Health and Human Services discuss the street harassment reported by abutters and pedestrians on Prescott Street, School Street and the area surrounding the Warming Center (when it is open) and what steps are being taken to address this going forward.
- 4.8. That the Director of Inspectional Services provide a report to the City Council detailing the number of 1) short-term rentals registered, 2) illegal short-term rentals reported during 2025 and 3) a high-level summary of the outcomes and enforcement actions taken.
- 4.9. That the Director of Inspectional Services and the Director of Constituent Services work together to update the short-term rental webpage with reporting instructions, and to establish a designated 311 category for reporting suspected illegal short-term rentals.
- 4.10. That the Director of Planning work with this Council to increase accessible housing.
- 4.11. That the Administration organize another city-wide neighborhood trash pickup for public spaces this fall.
- 4.12. In support of retaining Route 80 service through Somerville.
- 4.13. That the Director of Mobility consider prioritizing the area near the intersection of Belmont Street and Spring Hill Terrace for street painting in several areas.
- 4.14. That pay for crossing guards be increased, both in recognition of the crucial work that they do serving the children in our schools, and as a means to ensure the city is adequately staffed with crossing guards.
- 4.15. Supporting an application to create a state-authorized Cultural District in East Somerville.
- 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
- 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
- 7.1. Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to regulate anticoagulant rodenticides.
- 7.2. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Section 1-11(b) of the Code of Ordinances to update enforcement personnel.
- 7.3. Requesting approval to create the Tufts Street Soil Project Stabilization Fund and accept a payment to the Fund of $332,497 from the Unifirst Corporation to pay for cleanup and soil disposal costs associated with remediation work at 50 Tufts Street.
- 7.4. Requesting the appropriation of $937,409 from the Salary Contingency Account to various Fire Department Personal Services Accounts to fund a collective bargaining agreement with the Firefighters Association of Somerville, Local 76 Union.
- 7.5. Requesting approval to appropriate $332,497 from the Tufts Street Soil Project Stabilization Fund for remediation efforts at 50 Tufts Street.
- 7.6. Requesting approval to use available funds in the Police Salaries account in the amount of $8,800 to fund Fiscal Year 2027 cost of living increases for the Deputy Chief positions.
- 7.7. Requesting approval of a transfer of $315,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Debt Service Account to the Morrison Avenue & Greater Davis Square Area Sewer Separation Design Capital Fund to fund required project expenditures.
- 7.8. Requesting approval of a transfer of $60,000 from the DPW-Admin Salaries & Wages Temp Account to the DPW-Admin Professional & Technical Services Account to support temporary clerical staffing.
- 7.9. Requesting approval of an inter-fund transfer of $1,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Debt Service Account to the Somerville Avenue Infrastructure Improvement Sewer Capital Fund Union Square Sewer Bond Account to fund required project expenditures.
- 7.10. Requesting approval of an inter-fund transfer of $1,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Debt Service Account to the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project Design Capital Fund to pay for required project expenditures.
- 7.11. Requesting approval of an inter-fund transfer of $1,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Debt Service Account to the Poplar Street Pump Station Design Capital Fund to pay for required project expenditures.
- 7.12. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $366,729.25 grant with no new match required, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to the Mobility Division, for new e-bikes, replacement batteries and two new docking stations as a part of the Bluebikes bikeshare system.
- 7.13. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $284,700 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Strategy and Development Department for Eastern Washington Street Transit Priority Project.
- 7.14. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $187,200.00 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Public Space and Urban Forestry Division for the Green and Cool Somerville: Sustainable Sidewalk and Tree's project.
- 7.15. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $85,933.60 grant with no new match required, from the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization to the Mobility Division for the Bluebikes state of good repair equipment replacement.
- 7.16. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $65,000 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Department of Mental Health to the Police Department for operational funding for the Metro Boston Crisis Intervention Training and Technical Assistance Center.
- 7.17. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $20,239 grant with no new match required, from the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance to the Police Department for overtime related to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association In World Cup 2026 summer games.
- 7.18. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $12,000 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Department of Mental Health to the Police Department to partially fund the operation of the jail/arrest diversion program.
- 7.19. Requesting approval to accept a gift of 200 soccer balls with an approximate value of $5,000 from the United States Conference of Mayors.
- 7.20. Requesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $3,572 using available funds in the Professional & Technical Services Account for the implementation of ArcGIS Urban module.
- 7.21. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Chanthan Neang to the position of Police Officer.
- 7.22. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Isaiah Saint-Vil to the position of Police Officer.
- 7.23. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Joshua Benson to the position of Police Officer.
- 7.24. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Christian Marsden to the position of Police Officer.
- 7.25. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Odamarys Pamela Acosta to the position of Police Officer.
- 7.26. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Michael Avery to the Elections Commission.
- 7.27. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Mary Otiato to the Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
- 7.28. Requesting approval of an exemption for Mark Antonelli as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A, § 20(b).
- 7.29. Requesting approval of the Technology-Specific Surveillance Use Policy for Body Worn Cameras.
- 7.30. Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Body Worn Cameras.
- 7.31. Proclaiming July 2026 as South Asian Heritage Month in Somerville.
- 7.32. Proclaiming August 26, 2026 as Women’s Equality Day in Somerville.
- 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
- 8.1. Planning Board conveying recommendations for item #26-0835.
- 8.2. School Committee Chair conveying the appointment of Ellenor Barish to the Ranked Choice Voting Committee.
- 8.3. School Committee Chair conveying the appointment of Jack Perenick to the Ranked Choice Voting Committee.
- 8.4. School Committee Chair conveying the appointment of Ilana Krepchin to the Public Financing of Campaigns Committee.
- 8.5. School Committee Chair conveying the appointment of Devon Moos to the Public Financing of Campaigns Committee.
- 8.6. City Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued.
- 8.7. Director of Economic Development conveying the presentation materials for the update on the 90 Washington Street Request for Proposals.
- 9. NEW BUSINESS
- 9.1. Somerville Public Schools applying for a Public Event License for 2026 Back to Fair on August 25th from 2pm to 7pm.
- 9.2. Health and Human Services Office of Prevention Services applying for a Public Event License for Overdose Awareness Day on August 27 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
- 9.3. Office of Immigrant Affairs applying for a Public Event License for Brazilian Flag Raising on September 10 from 2:30pm to 5pm (raindate September 14).
- 9.4. Council on Aging applying for a Public Event License for Senior's Picnic on September 10 from 7am to 6pm (raindate September 11).
- 9.5. Arts Council applying for a Public Event License for SomerStreets: G26 Gilman Arts and Music Festival on September 12 from 9am to 7pm (raindate September 13).
- 9.6. Veterans Services Division applying for a Public Event License for Health and Wellness Day on September 12 from 10am to 3pm.
- 9.7. Society of S.S. Cosmas & Damian of Somerville & Cambridge applying for a Public Event License for Procession for S.S. Cosmas & Damian on September 13 from 3pm to 6pm (raindate September 14).
- 9.8. East Somerville Main Streets applying for a Public Event License for Foodie Crawl on September 15 from 2pm to 9:30pm (raindate September 16).
- 9.9. Arts Council applying for a Public Event License for Legally Fluff on September 19 from 10am to 7pm (raindate September 20).
- 9.10. Davis Square Village applying for a Public Event License for Davis Square Village Community Event on September 19 from 11am to 5pm (raindate September 20).
- 9.11. Kids Like You and Me applying for a Public Event License for Somerville Underground Pop Arts Performance Showcase on September 19 from 12pm to 6pm (raindate September 20).
- 9.12. Office of Immigrant Affairs applying for a Public Event License for Latin American & Caribbean Heritage Celebration on September 26 from 1pm to 6pm.
- 9.13. Homeless Coalition applying for a Public Event License for Somerville 5k Road Race on October 3 from 6am to 11:30am.
- 9.14. New Drainlayer's License, J Busteed Construction LLC.
- 9.15. Renewing Flammables License, Speedway #02513, 709 McGrath Highway.
- 9.16. Renewing Extended Operating Hours License, Pepi's Pizzeria, 516B Medford Street.
- 9.17. New Sign/Awning License, Saint Brigids Well Pub and Restaurant, 525 Medford Street, 1 Sign.
- 9.18. Davis Square Neighborhood Council submitting information re: item #26-1165, a request for formal recognition as a neighborhood council.
- 9.19. 6 residents submitting comments re: item #26-1165, Davis Square Neighborhood Council recognition.
- 9.20. Maria Lisac submitting comments re: Magoun Square.
- 9.21. Pedestrian & Transit Advisory Committee & Travis McGrath submitting comments re: pedestrian safety.
- 9.22. Gilman Square Neighborhood Council submitting comments re: better bus project.
- 9.23. Lisa Shatz submitting comments re: item # 26-1185, a petition a public hearing regarding the proposed ethical procurement ordinance.
- 9.24. Joey O'Neill submitting comments re: illegal dumping.
- 9.25. 56 registered voters submitting comments re: Zoning Ordinance Sections 3.1.7c, 3.1.8c, 3.1.9c, 3.1.10c, 3.1.11c, 3.1.15a.i, 3.2.7c, 3.2.8c, 3.2.9c, 3.2.10c, 3.2.11c, 4.1.7c, 4.2.7c, 4.3.7c, 4.4.7c.
- 9.26. 4 residents submitting comments re: body-worn cameras.
- 9.27. Zach Farhm submitting comments re: Central Avenue.
- 9.28. Anne Ryan submitting comments re: 90 Washington Street.
- 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
- 11. ADJOURNMENT