City Council
City Council Chamber and Remote Participation
Agenda — 171 items
- 1 Published April 8, 2025, 2:00 PM, Revised Published April 10, 2025, 1:00 PM.
- 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.
- 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_Xdw9IqZLRkmyAdueHmhq1A 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.
- 1. OPENING CEREMONIES
- 3 The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM by Ward Seven City Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld. The City Council entered recess at 7:18 PM and returned at 7:38 PM. The City Council entered recess at 9:02 PM and returned at 9:15 PM.
- 1.1. Call of the Roll.
- 1.2. Remembrances.
- 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 13, 2025.
- 2. CITATIONS
- 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
- 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
- 9 page break
- 4.1. That the Middlesex District Attorney appear before this Council to provide an update on the unsolved murders of Deanna Cremin and Charline Rosamond.
- 4.2. In support of an Act Facilitating Public Ownership of Public Utilities.
- 4.3. That the City Solicitor appear before this City Council to discuss the proposed Charter currently in the Mayor's office and update this Council on its progress.
- 4.4. That the Director of Mobility install a rapid flashing beacon with push button STOP sign in front of the East Somerville Community School, on the Cross Street side, to assist in street crossings.
- 4.5. That Commissioner of Public Works increase the lighting at Chuckie Harris Park along the fence abutting properties on Minnesota Avenue.
- 4.6. That the Chief Assessor and the City Treasurer discuss with this Council the issue of residents not receiving initial motor vehicle excise tax bills, resulting in demand fees.
- 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- 5.1. In support of completing the Mass Central Rail Trail.
- 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
- 6.A. CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONNEL MATTERS COMMITTEE
- 6.A.1. Report of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting on April 8, 2025.
- 6.A.2. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Alfred Rymill III as Housing Authority Police Officer.
- 6.A.3. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Eric Saulnier to the position of Fire Captain.
- 6.A.4. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Mark Wall to the position of Fire Lieutenant.
- 6.A.5. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Patrick Barry to the position of Fire Lieutenant.
- 6.A.6. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Joseph Laudano to the position of Fire Lieutenant.
- 6.A.7. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Troy Saulnier to the position of Fire Lieutenant.
- 6.A.8. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Eric Collins to the position of Fire Lieutenant.
- 6.B. FINANCE COMMITTEE
- 6.B.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on April 2, 2025.
- 6.B.2. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 6.B.3. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 6.B.4. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 6.B.5. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 6.B.6. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 6.B.7. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 6.B.8. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 6.B.9. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 6.B.10. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 6.B.11. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 6.C. FINANCE COMMITTEE
- 6.C.1. Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on April 8, 2025.
- 6.C.2. That the Director of Finance discuss the path for City Councilors to receive administrative support staff to assist with City Council work and communication with constituents.
- 6.C.3. That the Director of Finance discuss the path for City Councilors to receive administrative support staff in the form of paid internships to assist City Councilors with City Council work and communication with constituents.
- 6.C.4. That the Director of Racial and Social Justice provide an update on the citywide disparity study, including when the report will be made available to the public.
- 6.C.5. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $25,600 grant that requires an in-kind match which is a portion of the Director's salary, to the Office of Emergency Management for emergency management and Fire Department supplies.
- 6.C.6. Amending the Code of Ordinances by adding Section 2-325 to Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 3 related to compensation for elected officials.
- 6.C.7. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $787.50 using available funds in the Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Supplies Account for ray catchers.
- 6.C.8. Requesting the approval of a time-only contract extension for three years for the Somerville Hispanic Association for Community Development for restoration of 59 Cross Street.
- 6.C.9. Requesting the appropriation of $160,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Department of Public Works Repairs to Buildings Account for fabrication and installation of courts at Founders Rink.
- 6.C.10. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $276.94 using available funds in the Parks and Recreation Department Kennedy Pool Account for paint supplies.
- 6.C.11. Requesting approval to accept and expend a $3,000 grant with no new match required, from Somerville Cambridge Elder Services to the Council on Aging for senior transportation services.
- 6.C.12. Requesting approval to appropriate $76,787.19 from the Medicinal Marijuana Stabilization Fund for the salary and fringe of the Prevention Services Coordinator for FY 2026.
- 6.C.13. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoice totaling $1,200 using available funds in the Human Resources Professional and Technical Services Account for arbitration services.
- 6.C.14. Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $2,282.76 using available funds in the Police Department Public Safety Supply Account for bicycles, parts, and accessories.
- 6.C.15. Requesting authorization to borrow $9,750,000 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for a portion of the costs associated with the development of the Clarendon Hill Phase II Housing Project.
- 6.D. LAND USE COMMITTEE
- 6.D.1. Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on April 3, 2025.
- 6.E. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS COMMITTEE
- 6.E.1. Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on April 1, 2025.
- 6.F. OPEN SPACE, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE
- 6.F.1. Report of the Committee on Open Space, Environment and Energy, meeting on April 7, 2025.
- 6.F.2. That the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment work with this Council and Green and Open Somerville to develop a job description for an Invasive Species position to spearhead outreach, education, and citywide invasive plant species removal and to allocate funding for such a position in the FY 2025 budget.
- 6.F.3. That the Director of Parks and Recreation restore or replace the nearly 30 year old Nunziato Field plaque.
- 6.F.4. That the Commissioner of Public Works make a change to the calendar by extending the yard waste collection by at least one week.
- 6.G. SCHOOL BUILDING FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
- 6.G.1. Report of the Special Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on March 31, 2025.
- 6.G.2. That the Superintendent of Schools consider opening the Highlander Cafe within Somerville High School to the public for regular lunch hours while school is in session and that the Administration address any barriers to this request.
- 6.G.3. That the Director of Inspectional Services discuss the metrics for measuring the effectiveness of rodent mitigation strategies in Somerville Public School buildings.
- 6.G.4. That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management work with a consultant to provide this Council with the renovation cost of the Cummings School building.
- 6.G.5. 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.
- 6.G.6. 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.
- 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
- 7.1. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Article 2 and Article 10 of the Zoning Ordinance to revise definitions and the green score calculation of columnar trees.
- 7.2. Requesting approval of a Deed, Maintenance License, and Maintenance Easement for 808 Windsor Street.
- 7.3. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Kevin McGuirk to the position of Firefighter
- 7.4. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Mitzschael Myrthil to the position of Firefighter.
- 7.5. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Norberto Maldonado to the position of Firefighter.
- 7.6. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Nolan Carrier to the position of Firefighter.
- 7.7. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Peter Donovan to the position of Firefighter.
- 7.8. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Jovana Calvillo to the Human Rights Commission.
- 7.9. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Primrose Chareka to the Human Rights Commission.
- 7.10. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Suelin Chen to the Human Rights Commission.
- 7.11. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Salma Kazmi to the Human Rights Commission.
- 7.12. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Paola Mendez to the Human Rights Commission.
- 7.13. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Martin Pavlinic to the Urban Design Commission.
- 7.14. Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Hudl Focus cameras.
- 7.15. Proclaiming that the week of April 5 through April 11, 2025 is the Week of the Young Child.
- 7.16. Proclaiming that the week of April 21 through April 25, 2025 is Community Development Week.
- 7.17. Conveying the appointment of Lisa Anne Davidson to the Affordable Housing Trust.
- 7.18. Responding to item #25-0482, a Home Rule Petition to establish a charter for the City of Somerville.
- 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
- 8.1. Retirement Board notifying this City Council of a vote at the May 29, 2025 meeting regarding a 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment for eligible retirees.
- 8.2. Deputy Director of Human Resources conveying the Civil Service signing list for Certification #09897.
- 8.3. City Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued.
- 9. NEW BUSINESS
- 9.1. Renewing Drainlayer's License, Caruso Corp.
- 9.2. Renewing Drainlayer's License, E.B. Rotondi & Sons Inc.
- 9.3. Renewing Drainlayer's License, F.E. French Construction Inc.
- 9.4. Renewing Drainlayer's License, Form Up Sitework LLC.
- 9.5. Renewing Drainlayer's License, Kealey Excavation Corporation.
- 9.6. Renewing Drainlayer's License, LaMountain Brothers Inc.
- 9.7. Renewing Drainlayer's License, Meninno Construction Co., Inc.
- 9.8. Renewing Flammables License, Broadway Sunoco, 258 Broadway.
- 9.9. Renewing Flammables License, Hillside Auto Repair, Inc., 583 Broadway.
- 9.10. Renewing Flammables License, Keolis Commuter Services, LLC, 23R Inner Belt Rd.
- 9.11. Renewing Flammables License, Keolis Commuter Services, LLC, 70R Third Avenue.
- 9.12. Renewing Flammables License, Keolis Commuter Services, LLC, 132 Washington Street.
- 9.13. Renewing Flammables License, Pearl Street Auto Sales, 182 Pearl Street.
- 9.14. Renewing Garage License, 101 South Street Owner LLC, 101 South Street.
- 9.15. Renewing Garage License, Automotive Transport Services Inc, 40 Joy Street.
- 9.16. Renewing Garage License, BBC Auto Repair, 42 Joy Street.
- 9.17. Renewing Garage License, Brazil Auto Repair Inc, 635 Somerville Avenue.
- 9.18. Renewing Garage License, Broadway Gulf Inc., 212 Broadway.
- 9.19. Renewing Garage License, Dino's Auto Center, 308 McGrath Highway.
- 9.20. Renewing Garage License, Federal Realty Investment Trust, 445 Artisan Way.
- 9.21. Renewing Garage License, GE Auto Repair, 631 Somerville Avenue.
- 9.22. Renewing Garage License, John's Auto Sales, Inc., 181 Somerville Avenue.
- 9.23. Renewing Garage License, Mass Inspection, 712 Mystic Avenue.
- 9.24. Renewing Garage License, New England Collision Center Inc., 224 Somerville Avenue.
- 9.25. Renewing Garage License, Ravelo's Auto Service, 63 Washington Street.
- 9.26. Renewing Garage License, Union Gulf Service LLC, 231 Washington St.
- 9.27. New Livery License, Osho Uber Services LLC, 68 Gilman Street, operating 1 vehicle.
- 9.28. Renewing Outdoor Parking License, John's Auto Sales, 216 McGrath Highway.
- 9.29. New Sign/Awning License, Los Tacos Hermanos, 253 Washington Street, 1 sign.
- 9.30. Transferring Taxi Medallion License, from Bostonshuttles.com LLP to Renesans LLC for Medallions #69,71,89.
- 9.31. Renewing Taxi Medallion License, Yolande Trans., Inc., Med. #15.
- 9.32. Renewing Taxi Medallion, Jolina Taxi, Inc., Med. #52.
- 9.33. Renewing Taxi Medallion License, Michael H. Garvey, Med. #57.
- 9.34. Renewing Taxi Medallion License, Charlie's Family LLC, Med. #80.
- 9.35. Renewing Taxi Medallion License, SSR Cab Inc, Med. #81.
- 9.36. Renewing Taxi Stand License, Green and Yellow Cab, 295 Broadway.
- 9.37. Renewing Taxi Stand License, Green and Yellow Cab, 1 Davis Square.
- 9.38. Renewing Taxi Stand License, Green and Yellow Cab, 22-26 Union Square.
- 9.39. Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Ravelo's Auto Sales, 63 Washington Street.
- 9.40. Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville applying for a Public Event License for Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville Free Store on April 19 from 10am to 4pm (raindate April 27).
- 9.41. Somerville Museum applying for a Public Event License for Patriots Day Colonial Fair on April 21 from 8am to 1:30pm.
- 9.42. Arts Council and SomerViva applying for a Public Event License for Haitian Flag Festival on May 17 from 12pm to 8pm (raindate May 18).
- 9.43. Mystic River Watershed Association applying for a Public Event License for Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle on May 18 from 7am to 3pm.
- 9.44. SomerViva applying for a Public Event License for New England Hong Kong Festival on May 31 from 8am to 8pm (raindate June 1).
- 9.45. Abbey Judd applying for a Public Event License for Joy Fest on May 31 from 9am to 7pm (raindate June 1).
- 9.46. Kids Like You and Me applying for a Public Event License for KLYAM Summer Series on May 31 from 1pm to 7pm (raindate June 1).
- 9.47. Arts Council applying for a Public Event License for SomerStreets: Carnaval on June 1 from 2pm to 8pm (raindate June 8).
- 9.48. Four residents submitting comments re: Founders Memorial Skating Rink.
- 9.49. Eight residents submitting comments re: item #25-0269, a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 295-297 Medford Street and 93 Walnut Street from Mid-Rise 3 (MR3) to Mid-Rise 4 (MR4).
- 9.50. Senator Jehlen and 61 residents submitting comments re: items #24-1460, #25-0128, #25-0129, and #25-0131, amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for laboratory, research and development, and arts uses.
- 9.51. Charlotte Somerville submitting comments re: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- 9.52. 1,238 individuals, including 10 residents, submitting comments re: Israel.
- 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
- 10.1. Commending the Somerville Public Libraries in honor of National Library Week.
- 10.2. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install approximately 14 feet of conduit in Warwick Street, from Utility Pole 357/4 to a point of pickup at 25 Warwick Street.
- 10.3. Proposing a Home Rule Petition to establish a charter for the City of Somerville.
- 10.4. Conveying an update on the possible effects of expansion tanks on water meters.
- 10.5. That this City Council convene in Executive Session with relevant departments, to discuss the interaction between the Commission for Persons with Disabilities and Racial and Social Justice Department and to receive an update on what steps and goals have been established to resolve the disconnect between both parties.
- 10.6. Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2026.
- 10.7. Commissioner of Public Works and Director of Parks and Recreation conveying program and cost information related to item #25-0456, appropriation of $160,000 from Free Cash to the Department of Public Works Repairs to Buildings Account for fabrication and installation of courts at Founders Rink.
- 10.8. Crown Castle Fiber LLC applying for a Small Wireless Facility License for facilities on an existing pole at 81 Newton Street.
- 10.9. Renewing Billiards and Bowling License, The Public, 563 Broadway.
- 10.10. Renewing Drainlayer's License, Riccio Excavation.
- 10.11. Renewing Garage License, Boston Sand and Gravel Company, 492R Rutherford Avenue.
- 10.12. Renewing Garage License, Broadway Motor Cars, 161 Broadway.
- 10.13. Renewing Garage License, DW Propco JK, LLC, 0 Dawes Street.
- 10.14. Renewing Garage License, Fred M. Susan Auto Body, Inc., 269 Somerville Avenue.
- 10.15. New Sign/Awning License, Ginger Exchange & Bok Bok Chicken, 22 Highland Ave, 1 sign.
- 10.16. Bow Market applying for a Public Event License for Annual Curated Vintage Market on June 1 and September 28 from 8am to 9pm (raindate June 8).
- 10.17. Five residents submitting comments re: charter.
- 10.18. 654 individuals submitting comments re: Israel.
- 11. ADJOURNMENT
- 169 The meeting was Adjourned at 10:23 PM.