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September 25, 2025 ·7:00 PM Final

City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 108 items

  1. 1 Published September 23, 2025, 1:15 PM, Revised Published September 25, 2025, 10:15 AM.
  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_rsE8ygvARe-p0Z2WBMfvzA 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 7:03 PM by Ward Six City Councilor Lance L. Davis. The City Council entered recess at 7:13 PM and returned at 7:17 PM. The City Council entered Executive Session at 7:32 PM and returned at 7:48 PM.
  6. 1.1. Call of the Roll. 25-1505 Placed on file ▶ jump to 1:05
  7. 1.2. Remembrances. 25-1506 Approved ▶ jump to 2:11
  8. 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 28, 2025. 25-1507 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 2:44
  9. 2. CITATIONS
  10. 2.1. Commending the Somerville Firefighters for their life saving actions in Summer 2025. 25-1365 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 2:52
  11. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
  12. 3.1. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 6 feet of conduit in Warwick Street, from Utility Pole 357/2 to a point of pickup at 13 Warwick Street. 25-1463 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 13:51
  13. 3.2. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 68 feet of conduit in Cedar Street, from Utility Pole 55/4 to a point of pickup at 33 Cedar Street. 25-1464 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 14:45
  14. 3.3. Verizon New England applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 305 feet of conduit in Somerville Avenue, from existing Manhole 44/42 to a point of pickup at existing Manhole 44/33. 25-1465 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 15:23
  15. 3.4. Verizon New England applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 385 feet of conduit in Bow Street, from existing Manhole 44/32 to a point of pickup at existing Manhole 44/33. 25-1466 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 16:42
  16. 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
  17. 4.1. That the Director of Health and Human Services inform this Council which school buildings have menstrual products available and which school buildings have inoperable menstrual product dispensers and when they are scheduled to be replaced. 25-1455 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 18:16
  18. 4.2. That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this Council the recent snagging of overhead wires by a semi-truck, that took out the electricity in Ward Seven, and what plans have been put in place to prevent a similar occurrence. 25-1456 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 19:16
  19. 4.3. That the Administration discuss with this Council its recent press release announcement of a Home Rule Petition to expand procurement opportunities for disadvantaged businesses. 25-1457 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 23:12
  20. 4.4. Withdrawn. 25-1491 Withdrawn
  21. 4.5. Conveying a report of the Affordable Housing Trust. 25-1492 Laid on the table Pass ▶ jump to 55:01
  22. 4.6. Conveying a report of the Job Creation and Retention Trust. 25-1493 Laid on the table Pass ▶ jump to 55:01
  23. 4.7. That the Director of Mobility develop and install quick-build safety infrastructure at the intersection of Webster and Prospect Streets. 25-1498 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 55:17
  24. 4.8. That the Director of Mobility install a pedestrian light signal at the intersection of Vinal Avenue and Highland Avenue. 25-1499 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 57:01
  25. 4.9. That the Director of Mobility deploy quick-build traffic calming measures on Grant Street until permanent speed humps are installed. 25-1500 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 60:35
  26. 4.10. That the Director of Mobility deploy quick-build traffic calming measures on Derby Street until permanent speed humps are installed. 25-1501 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 60:35
  27. 4.11. That the Director of Mobility install a solar powered digital YOUR SPEED IS display sign on Shore Drive westbound. 25-1502 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 60:51
  28. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  29. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
  30. 6.A. FINANCE COMMITTEE
  31. 6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on September 23, 2025. 25-1503 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 45:21
  32. 6.A.2. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $330 using available funds in the Office of Sustainability and Environment Professional and Technical Services Account for monitoring the Argenziano School solar array. 25-1294 Approved Pass
  33. 6.A.3. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $50,000 grant with no new match required, from Commonwealth of MA Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Office of Sustainability and Environment for a study investigating possible zoning incentives to increase the ability to comply with the Fossil Fuel Free Ordinance. 25-1295 Approved Pass
  34. 6.A.4. Requesting approval of the discontinuance of a portion of Sewall Court. 25-1382 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 50:16
  35. 6.A.5. Requesting approval of the partial termination of the City Utility Easement on Sewall Court. 25-1383 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 50:16
  36. 6.A.6. Requesting approval to extend and amend a contract with Eastern Bank for an additional year until 8/31/2026, for the banking services of the Treasury Department. 25-1384 Approved Pass
  37. 6.A.7. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $545.31 using available funds in the Police Department Equipment Maintenance Account for electronic access door service. 25-1387 Approved Pass
  38. 6.A.8. Requesting the adoption of an Order of Taking for the acquisition of Lot 3 at 299 Broadway for municipal purposes including parking. 25-1400 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 50:16
  39. 6.A.9. Requesting authorization to borrow $4,300,000 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for the design of the Morrison Avenue Linear Storage Sewer Separation project. 25-1411 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 51:33
  40. 6.A.10. Requesting approval of a transfer of $350,048 from the Department of Infrastructure and Asset Management (IAM) Ordinary Maintenance Professional & Technical Services Account to the IAM Capital Outlay Professional & Technical Services Account. 25-1412 Approved Pass
  41. 6.A.11. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $10,452.22 using available funds in the Department of Infrastructure & Asset Management Ordinary Maintenance Professional & Technical Account for Strategic Asset Management Plan. 25-1413 Approved Pass
  42. 6.A.12. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $596.25 using available funds in the Department of Public Works Repairs-Comm Equipment, Repairs-Fire Alarm, and Reimbursement of Licenses Accounts. 25-1414 Approved Pass
  43. 6.A.13. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $23.41 using available funds in the Emergency Management Public Safety Supplies Account for public safety supplies. 25-1415 Approved Pass
  44. 6.A.14. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $137.77 using available funds in the Emergency Management Office Supplies Account for office supplies. 25-1416 Approved Pass
  45. 6.A.15. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $71.88 using available funds in the Emergency Management Office Supplies Account for office supplies. 25-1417 Approved Pass
  46. 6.A.16. Requesting approval of temporary and permanent easements over Lot 3 of 299 Broadway in favor of 299 Broadway Property Owner, LLC. 25-1433 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 50:16
  47. 6.B. LAND USE COMMITTEE
  48. 6.B.1. Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on September 18, 2025. 25-1477 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 61:15
  49. 6.B.2. 15 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend the Zoning Ordinance sections 3.1.8c, 3.1.9c, 3.1.10c, 3.1.13k, 3.1.13l, 3.2.12l. and 3.2.12m. 25-0200 Placed on file Pass
  50. 6.B.3. That the Director of Inspectional Services and the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning discuss with this Council, Type IV heavy timber construction now permitted in the 10th edition of Massachusetts State Building Code 780 and potential impacts on inspections, development, and the Zoning Ordinance. 25-0246 Work completed
  51. 6.B.4. That the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning provide the Committee on Land Use with an opinion as to whether the City Council may dictate standards and materials used for outdoor bike facilities. 25-0338 Work completed
  52. 6.C. SCHOOL BUILDING FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
  53. 6.C.1. Report of the Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on September 15, 2025. 25-1448 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 61:34
  54. 6.C.2. That the Administration report to this Council on the cause of the reported chemical imbalance at the Ginny Smithers Pool and the process being used to address the imbalance. 25-0727 Work completed
  55. 6.C.3. That the Administration develop a new process to address ongoing maintenance at the Ginny Smithers Pool and report to this Council to describe that process. 25-0729 Work completed
  56. 6.C.4. That the Director of Parks and Recreation report to this Council on the cause of the chemical spill at the Ginny Smithers Pool and the process to address the cause of the spill and prevent a future occurrence. 25-1132 Work completed
  57. 6.C.5. That the Administration submit to the City Council and School Committee, the city’s contingency plan in the event of an emergency school closure during the 2025-2026 school year. 25-1231 Work completed
  58. 6.C.6. Conveying an update regarding work completed during Summer 2025 on Somerville Public Schools buildings. 25-1333 Work completed
  59. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
  60. 7.1. Requesting that this Council convene in Executive Session to discuss the proposed settlement of opioid litigation involving the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case. 25-1432 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 28:27
  61. 7.2. Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to raise the maximum amount of fines for violations allowed by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 21D. 25-1429 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 66:37
  62. 7.3. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Section 7 and Section 1-11(b) of the Code of Ordinances to require notification to tenants of parking permit restrictions in transit areas. 25-1460 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 66:51
  63. 7.4. Requesting approval to appropriate $2,286,090 from the Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund to the Police Department Other Lump Sum Payments Account to fund retroactive payments in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement with the Somerville Police Superior Officers Association. 25-1496 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 52:16
  64. 7.5. Requesting approval to appropriate $100,000 from the Encore Artist and Cultural Support Stabilization Fund to support Local Cultural Council grants to artists, organizations, and schools. 25-1459 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:05
  65. 7.6. Requesting the appropriation of $240,664.10 from the Transportation Network Company Special Revenue Fund for FY 2026 Vision Zero safety efforts. 25-1449 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:05
  66. 7.7. Requesting the appropriation of $97,160 from the Salary Contingency Account to various Police Department Personal Services Accounts to fund a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Somerville Police Superior Officers Association. 25-1497 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 52:16
  67. 7.8. Requesting approval to use available funds in the Law Department Personal Services accounts in the amount of $6,296.88 to increase the annual salary of the Municipal Hearing Officer. 25-1494 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:05
  68. 7.9. Requesting approval to extend and amend a contract with City Hall Systems for an additional two years until 12/17/2027, for online bill payment services. 25-1462 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:05
  69. 7.10. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $54,400 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Cultural Council to the Arts Council for the Local Cultural Council grant program. 25-1447 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:05
  70. 7.11. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $121,818.23 using available funds in various Department of Public Works Accounts for various services. 25-1479 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:05
  71. 7.12. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $527 using available funds in the Parks & Recreation Department Equipment Rental Account for truck rental. 25-1452 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:05
  72. 7.13. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $159.96 using available funds in the Parks & Recreation Department Recreation Supplies Account for picnic blankets. 25-1419 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:05
  73. 7.14. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $94.75 using available funds in the Parks & Recreation Department Recreation Supplies Account for carbon dioxide tank refill at Dilboy Pool. 25-1453 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:05
  74. 7.15. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Richard Lavey Jr. to the position of Police Deputy Chief. 25-1488 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:31
  75. 7.16. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Michael R. Perrone to the position of Police Captain. 25-1480 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:31
  76. 7.17. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Rico Isidoro to the position of Police Lieutenant. 25-1481 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:31
  77. 7.18. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Marc DiFava to the position of Police Lieutenant. 25-1483 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:31
  78. 7.19. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Joseph Teves to the position of Police Sergeant. 25-1484 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:31
  79. 7.20. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Jason Costa to the position of Police Sergeant. 25-1485 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:31
  80. 7.21. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Patrick Canty to the position of Police Sergeant. 25-1486 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:31
  81. 7.22. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Cassandra Campers to the position of Police Sergeant. 25-1487 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:31
  82. 7.23. Requesting confirmation of the reappointment of Richard Scanlon to the Board of Assessors. 25-1440 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 68:15
  83. 7.24. Requesting confirmation of the reappointment of Michael Flynn to the Board of Assessors. 25-1441 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 68:25
  84. 7.25. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Nick Pittman to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. 25-1450 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 68:34
  85. 7.26. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Coralie Cooper to the Planning Board. 25-1475 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 67:31
  86. 7.27. Withdrawn. 25-1461 Withdrawn
  87. 7.28. Withdrawn. 25-1476 Withdrawn
  88. 7.29. Withdrawn. 25-1482 Withdrawn
  89. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
  90. 8.1. City Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued. 25-1458 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 68:45
  91. 9. NEW BUSINESS
  92. 9.1. New Garage License, Roman Auto Repair LLC, 45 Mystic Avenue, 5 Vehicles inside, 4 Vehicles outside, Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm, Sat: 7am-12pm, Sun: closed. 25-1467 Referred for recommendation ▶ jump to 69:01
  93. 9.2. Mobility Division applying for a Public Event License for Western Pearl Street Reconstruction Updated Design Open House on October 4 from 11am to 2:30pm. 25-1474 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 69:01
  94. 9.3. Zinnia Smith applying for a Public Event License for Poetry in the Park on October 10 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm (raindate October 17). 25-1473 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 69:01
  95. 9.4. Kids Like You and Me applying for a Public Event License for KLYAM Autumnal Music Spectacular on October 18 from 1pm to 8pm (raindate October 19). 25-1469 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 69:01
  96. 9.5. Arts Council applying for a Public Event License for Monster Mash on October 19 from 11:30am to 8pm (raindate October 26). 25-1472 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 69:01
  97. 9.6. Federal Realty Investment Trust applying for a Public Event License for 5th Annual Halloween Family Bike Ride on October 26 from 9am to 4pm (raindate November 2). 25-1471 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 69:01
  98. 9.7. Somerville Road Runners applying for a Public Event License for 29th Annual Gobble Gobble Gobble Road Race on November 27 from 6am to 1pm. 25-1470 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 69:01
  99. 9.8. Katie Pilat submitting comments re: bike lanes. 25-1468 Placed on file Pass ▶ jump to 69:52
  100. 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
  101. 98 page break
  102. 10.1. That the Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs discuss with this Council the most critical content to include in an immigrant defense Know Your Rights document and how best to make it available in the preferred languages of residents. 25-1513 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 69:58
  103. 10.2. That the Mayor allocate funds for a citywide immigrant defense Know Your Rights mailing, and make this document available in Somerville's most prominent languages. 25-1512 Approved and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 69:58
  104. 10.3. Groundwork Somerville applying for a Public Event License for Harvest Festival on October 4 from 9am to 6pm (raindate October 5). 25-1516 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 69:01
  105. 10.4. Bill Valletta submitting comments re: item #25-1344, an Order that the Director of Finance provide a comprehensive accounting of all stabilization accounts. 25-1514 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 75:46
  106. 10.5. Crystal Huff submitting comments re: items #25-1445 and #25-1446, Orders regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and ShotSpotter. 25-1515 Placed on file and sent for discussion Pass ▶ jump to 76:50
  107. 11. ADJOURNMENT
  108. 106 The meeting was Adjourned at 8:21 PM.