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November 25, 2025 ·7:00 PM Final

City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 103 items

  1. 1 Published November 21, 2025, 12:30 PM, Revised Published November 25, 2025 12:30 PM.
  2. 1 NOTICE: This is NOT the official version of the City Council's minutes. While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data provided, do not rely on this information without first checking with the City Clerk.
  3. 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_uv1b5FriSnmceCMwqmyxJQ Individuals 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 and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov.
  4. 1. OPENING CEREMONIES
  5. 3 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Ward Six City Councilor Lance L. Davis. The City Council entered recess at 7:56 PM and returned at 7:59 PM. The City Council entered Executive Session at 9:50 PM and returned at 10:05 PM. The City Council entered Executive Session at 10:07 PM and returned at 10:19 PM.
  6. 1.1. Call of the Roll. 25-1771 Placed on file ▶ jump to 0:39
  7. 1.2. Remembrances. 25-1772 Approved ▶ jump to 1:13
  8. 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 23, 2025. 25-1773 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 1:52
  9. 2. CITATIONS
  10. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
  11. 3.1. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 10 feet of conduit in Harvard Street, from Utility Pole 163/1 to a point of pickup at 25 Atherton Street. 25-1756 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 2:02
  12. 3.2. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 28 feet of conduit in Indiana Avenue, from Manhole 8411 to a point of pickup at 8 Indiana Avenue. 25-1752 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 2:49
  13. 3.3. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 37 feet of conduit in Cleveland Street, from Utility Pole 420/4 to a new Handhole next to 11 Harvard Street. 25-1753 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 6:52
  14. 3.4. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 38 feet of conduit in Warwick Street, from Utility Pole 357/3 to a point of pickup at 16 Warwick Street. 25-1754 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 7:57
  15. 3.5. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 47 feet of conduit in Berkeley Street, from Utility Pole 30/3 to a point of pickup at 24 Berkeley Street. 25-1755 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 8:37
  16. 3.6. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 48 feet of conduit in Vernon Street, from Utility Pole 152/9 to a point of pickup at 70 Vernon Street. 25-1757 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 9:12
  17. 3.7. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 52 feet of conduit in Bolton Street, from Utility Pole 378/1 to a point of pickup at 8 Bolton Street. 25-1751 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 9:48
  18. 3.8. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 223 feet of conduit in Broadway, from Manhole 10195 to a point of pickup at 299 Broadway. 25-1758 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 10:25
  19. 3.9. Chief Assessor presenting proposed FY 2026 Tax Classifications and requesting the adoption of a minimum residential factor for FY 2026 and acceptance of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59 Section 5C, a residential exemption of 35% of average assessed value for owner-occupied properties. 25-1735 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 67:08
  20. 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
  21. 4.1. That the Code of Ordinances be amended to prohibit the use of tax-payer funds for self-promotion. 25-1762 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 199:16
  22. 4.2. That the City Attorney's Office is authorized to respond to the Open Meeting Law complaint by Osnat Hoffman on behalf of the City Council. 25-1716 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 185:01
  23. 4.3. That the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update on how snow and ice is removed from different types of surfaces in schoolyards, including any limitations based on surface type. 25-1722 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 203:33
  24. 4.4. That the Administration and the School Department discuss with this Council the budgetary and planning impact of snow days, and how adaptation to climate change may affect future snow day planning. 25-1721 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 203:51
  25. 4.5. In his capacity as President, cancelling the Regular Meeting of this Council scheduled for December 25, 2025. 25-1719 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 203:54
  26. 4.6. In support of Climate Forward 2024. 25-1720 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 126:24
  27. 4.7. That this City Council discuss the safety of the Summer Street bike lane design around or near Putnam Street to Benton Road and how and if additional safety modifications can be made. 25-1770 Laid on the table ▶ jump to 204:08
  28. 4.8. Supporting the resale of certain city owned property. 25-1763 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 204:25
  29. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  30. 5.1. In support of democratic divestment action regarding Ballot Question 3. 25-1700 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 13:25
  31. 5.2. That the Administration inform this Council of the process, action and communication used to consider acquiring the closed school building privately owned by the Archdiocese of Boston, on Thurston Street, after the Winter Hill Community Innovation School was deemed unsuitable for use. 25-1438 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 207:19
  32. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
  33. 6.A. FINANCE COMMITTEE
  34. 6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on November 19, 2025. 25-1730 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 211:35
  35. 6.A.2. Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management conveying the draft Combined Sewer Overflow Plan. 25-1451 Work completed
  36. 6.A.3. Requesting approval of a transfer of $15,500 from various SomerStat Ordinary Maintenance Accounts to the SomerStat Salaries & Wages Temporary Account to fund additional temporary employee time. 25-1620 Approved Pass
  37. 6.A.4. Requesting approval to accept and expend an $87,450 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Office of Grants & Research to the Police Department for public safety staffing. 25-1621 Approved Pass
  38. 6.A.5. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,765.28 using available funds in the Police Department Professional and Technical Services Account for case management services. 25-1622 Approved Pass
  39. 6.A.6. Requesting approval of a transfer of $729 from the Communications Department Community Outreach Account to the Somerville High School (SHS) Salaries Account for SHS staff participation in the new PK-8 School Building Planning Focus Group Session. 25-1624 Withdrawn
  40. 6.A.7. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $109,296 grant, with no new match required, from Executive Office of Public Safety to the Fire Department for staffing costs. 25-1636 Approved Pass
  41. 6.A.8. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $125.43 using available funds in the Department of Racial and Social Justice Computer Equipment Account for freight charges. 25-1638 Approved Pass
  42. 6.A.9. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $5,285.77 using available funds in the Police Department Computer Supplies Account for computer supplies. 25-1640 Approved Pass
  43. 6.A.10. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,547.55 using available funds in the Police Department Animal Control Professional and Technical Services Account for veterinary services. 25-1646 Approved Pass
  44. 6.A.11. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $271 using available funds in the Police Department Badges, Emblems, Trophies Account for educational achievement award bars. 25-1648 Approved Pass
  45. 6.A.12. Requesting approval of a Pedestrian Access Easement and grant of a Maintenance License for 495 Columbia Street. 25-1649 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 212:49
  46. 6.A.13. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $54 using available funds in the Police Department Badges, Emblems, Trophies Account for a hat badge. 25-1651 Approved Pass
  47. 6.A.14. Requesting the appropriation of $403,980 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Debt Service, Interest on Notes/BANS Account for payment of interest for the 90 Washington Street property acquisition. 25-1679 Approved Pass
  48. 6.A.15. Requesting the appropriation of $407,090 from the Water Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings Account to the Water Enterprise Fund Debt Service Account to fund debt service for a Massachusetts Water Resource Authority loan. 25-1680 Approved Pass
  49. 6.A.16. Requesting the appropriation of $100,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to the Armory Revolving Fund to prepare the Armory for onboarding and support of tenants. 25-1698 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 213:18
  50. 6.B. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
  51. 6.B.1. Report of the Committee on Housing and Community Development, meeting on November 18, 2025. 25-1729 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 213:53
  52. 6.B.2. That the Director of Parks and Recreation discuss how inclusive playground accessibility is being considered in future playground plans and redesign projects. 24-0070 Work completed
  53. 6.B.3. That the Director of Economic Development discuss with this Council ways to provide small businesses with financial and technical support when impacted by construction and other emergencies. 24-1008 Work completed
  54. 6.B.4. That the Director of Economic Development appear before this Council’s Committee on Housing and Community Development to discuss the immediate plans and short-term response efforts to best support and sustain small businesses, post-COVID. 24-1488 Work completed
  55. 6.C. LAND USE COMMITTEE
  56. 6.C.1. Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on November 20, 2025. 25-1731 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 121:54
  57. 6.C.2. Requesting approval of the amended 90 Washington Street Demonstration Project Plan. 25-1594 Approved Pass
  58. 6.C.3. Requesting approval of an amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement between the City Council and Redevelopment Authority regarding the redevelopment of 90 Washington Street. 25-1595 Approved Pass
  59. 6.C.4. Requesting approval of the development objectives for the redevelopment of 90 Washington Street. 25-1596 Approved Pass
  60. 6.C.5. Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development conveying a summary of the 90 Washington process review and development objectives. 25-1607 Work completed
  61. 6.D. TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE
  62. 6.D.1. Report of the Committee on Traffic and Parking, meeting on November 17, 2025. 25-1718 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 218:30
  63. 61 page break
  64. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
  65. 7.1. Requesting that this Council convene in Executive Session to discuss the potential settlement of a claim against a former employee. 25-1765 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 185:24
  66. 7.2. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Section 12-178 of the Code of Ordinances to remove the prohibition on sourcing neonicotinoid-treated plants. 25-1714 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:06
  67. 7.3. Requesting approval of a utility easement for NStar Electric Company at 0 Windsor Place (Boynton Yards). 25-1728 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:22
  68. 7.4. Requesting approval to accept a gift of real property located at 17 Inner Belt Road (9 New Washington Street) from Ralph C. DeVitto, Jr. and A Bram, Trustee, RCD Foundation. 25-1737 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:23
  69. 7.5. Requesting authorization to borrow $3,057,826 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for the Fiscal Year 2026 Street Resurfacing Program. 25-1742 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:25
  70. 7.6. Requesting approval to appropriate $3,000,000 from the Street Reconstruction & Resurfacing Stabilization Fund for the FY 2026 Street Resurfacing Program. 25-1743 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:26
  71. 7.7. Requesting approval to appropriate $250,000 from the Immigrant Legal Services Stabilization Fund for legal services for immigrants and asylum seekers seeking permanent residency. 25-1746 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:27
  72. 7.8. Requesting approval to appropriate $250,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund Account to the Immigrant Legal Services Stabilization Fund Account for legal services for immigrants and asylum seekers seeking permanent residency. 25-1745 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:29
  73. 7.9. Requesting approval to appropriate $6,750 from the Medicinal Marijuana Stabilization Fund for additional duties related to the Out of School time activities for FY 2026. 25-1732 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:29
  74. 7.10. Requesting the appropriation of $205,000 from the Dilboy Field Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings to the Dilboy Field Enterprise Fund Electricity Account for delinquent electricity bills. 25-1747 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:30
  75. 7.11. Requesting the appropriation of $225,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Dilboy Field Enterprise Fund Electricity Account for delinquent electricity bills. 25-1748 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:31
  76. 7.12. Requesting the appropriation of $10,643 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund to recompense the fund for unallowable expenses. 25-1744 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:34
  77. 7.13. Requesting the appropriation or reserve of $7,260,181 in estimated FY 2026 Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenue for CPA projects and expenses. 25-1750 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 58:50
  78. 7.14. Requesting authorization to establish a consolidated Gift Account for the Veteran Services Department to accept donations for Veterans Holiday Season uses and veterans in need of financial assistance. 25-1736 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:35
  79. 7.15. Requesting approval of a transfer of $150 from the Office of Immigrant Affairs Neighborhood Improvement Council Account to the Somerville Public Schools Food Services Account for the Latin American and Caribbean Heritage Celebration. 25-1697 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:41
  80. 7.16. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $304,954.10 grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to the Health and Human Services department for the 2025-2026 Winter Warming Center. 25-1734 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 60:27
  81. 7.17. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $22,570 grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Police Department for mobile data terminals. 25-1740 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:47
  82. 7.18. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $370 gift from the Tufts University Softball team to the Health and Human Services Mobile Farmers Market Revolving Fund for market needs. 25-1741 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:49
  83. 7.19. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $147.86 using available funds in the Department of Health and Human Services Program Supplies and Materials Account for meeting snacks. 25-1733 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:51
  84. 7.20. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Andrew Patriquin to the position of Fire Captain. 25-1726 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 222:38
  85. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
  86. 8.1. Condominium Review Board conveying the FY 2023 Annual Report, pursuant to Section 7-70 of the Code of Ordinances. 25-1509 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 222:55
  87. 8.2. The Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment conveying Climate Forward 2024. 25-1699 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 126:12
  88. 8.3. SomerStat Director conveying an update on the Happiness Survey 2025. 25-1738 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 137:31
  89. 8.4. City Attorney conveying a clarification on the purpose of item #25-1639. 25-1764 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 223:07
  90. 9. NEW BUSINESS
  91. 9.1. New Drainlayer's License, Elite Construction Management Inc. 25-1759 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 223:23
  92. 9.2. New Sign/Awning License, 59-61 Bow St LLC, 59-61 Bow Street, 6 Balconies and 12 Bays. 25-1761 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 223:24
  93. 9.3. New Sign/Awning License, Bakery and Cafe Komugi, 68 Prospect Street, 2 Signs. 25-1760 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 223:25
  94. 9.4. Osnat Hoffman submitting an Open Meeting Law complaint against this City Council. Note that the Council may enter executive session pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(1) to discuss. 25-1715 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 168:47
  95. 9.5. Bill Valletta submitting comments re: item #25-1698, regarding the Armory Revolving Fund. 25-1749 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 224:03
  96. 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
  97. 10.1. Requesting the appropriation of $2,400,000 from the Receipts Reserved for Appropriation, Parking Meter Receipts Account to reduce the FY 2026 Tax Rate. 25-1781 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 120:56
  98. 10.2. Requesting approval of a transfer of $729 from the Communications Department Community Outreach Account to the Somerville Public Schools Professional Salaries Account for staff participation in the PK-8 School Building Planning Focus Group Session. 25-1739 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 224:14
  99. 10.3. Davis Square Neighborhood Council submitting comments re: item #25-1539, a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 363 Highland Avenue from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid-Rise 5 (MR5) and from MR4 to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6), and 110 Willow Avenue MR4 to MR6. 25-1774 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 224:42
  100. 10.4. Daniel Wong submitting comments re: 90 Washington Street. 25-1775 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 224:55
  101. 10.5. Withdrawn. 25-1727 Withdrawn
  102. 11. ADJOURNMENT
  103. 100 The meeting was Adjourned at 10:45 PM.