City Council

City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

Agenda — 112 items

1. 1 Published August 25, 2026, 3:50 P.M., Revised Published August 27, 2026, 4:30 P.M.
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_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.
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 7:03 PM and returned at 7:19 PM. The City Council entered recess at 7:42 PM and returned at 7:44 PM. The City Council entered recess at 8:04 PM and returned at 8:07 PM. The City Council entered recess at 9:48 PM and returned at 10:24 PM.
6. 1.1. Call of the Roll. 26-1324 Placed on file
7. 1.2. Remembrances. 26-1325 Approved
8. 1.3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 25, 2026. 26-1326 Approved
9. 2. CITATIONS
10. 2.1. Commending Dan Amelin for eight years of service in the Engineering Division. 26-1251 Approved
11. 2.2. Commending Ramón Bueno for his commitment to climate action. 26-1312 Approved
12. 2.3. Commending Eliza Johnston for her commitment to climate action. 26-1313 Approved
13. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
14. 11 PAGE BREAK
15. 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. 26-1278 Approved
16. 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. 26-1275 Approved
17. 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. 26-1276 Approved
18. 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. 26-1277 Approved
19. 4. ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
20. 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. 26-1321 Approved
21. 4.2. That Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances be amended as detailed within. 26-1310 Referred for recommendation
22. 4.3. To end the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program access crisis. 26-1301 Approved
23. 4.4. In support of a fair and dignified resolution for an international graduate student at Tufts University. 26-1302 Approved
24. 4.5. In support of security officers in Greater Boston and airport service workers at Logan International Airport. 26-1303 Approved
25. 4.6. In support of Service Employees International Union 32BJ facilities workers at Tufts University. 26-1304 Approved
26. 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. 26-1305 Approved and sent for discussion
27. 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. 26-1306 Approved and sent for discussion
28. 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. 26-1307 Approved and sent for discussion
29. 4.10. That the Director of Planning work with this Council to increase accessible housing. 26-1308 Approved
30. 4.11. That the Administration organize another city-wide neighborhood trash pickup for public spaces this fall. 26-1309 Approved
31. 4.12. In support of retaining Route 80 service through Somerville. 26-1314 Approved
32. 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. 26-1317 Approved
33. 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. 26-1318 Approved
34. 4.15. Supporting an application to create a state-authorized Cultural District in East Somerville. 26-1319 Withdrawn
35. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
36. 6. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
37. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
38. 7.1. Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to regulate anticoagulant rodenticides. 26-1257 Referred for recommendation
39. 7.2. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Section 1-11(b) of the Code of Ordinances to update enforcement personnel. 26-1274 Referred for recommendation
40. 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. 26-1249 Referred for recommendation
41. 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. 26-1253 Approved Pass
42. 7.5. Requesting approval to appropriate $332,497 from the Tufts Street Soil Project Stabilization Fund for remediation efforts at 50 Tufts Street. 26-1250 Referred for recommendation
43. 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. 26-1234 Referred for recommendation
44. 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. 26-1226 Referred for recommendation
45. 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. 26-1316 Referred for recommendation
46. 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. 26-1223 Approved
47. 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. 26-1224 Approved
48. 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. 26-1225 Approved
49. 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. 26-1248 Referred for recommendation
50. 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. 26-1241 Referred for recommendation
51. 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. 26-1255 Referred for recommendation
52. 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. 26-1243 Referred for recommendation
53. 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. 26-1219 Referred for recommendation
54. 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. 26-1256 Referred for recommendation
55. 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. 26-1220 Referred for recommendation
56. 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. 26-1252 Approved
57. 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. 26-1242 Referred for recommendation
58. 7.21. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Chanthan Neang to the position of Police Officer. 26-1235 Approved
59. 7.22. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Isaiah Saint-Vil to the position of Police Officer. 26-1236 Approved
60. 7.23. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Joshua Benson to the position of Police Officer. 26-1237 Approved
61. 7.24. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Christian Marsden to the position of Police Officer. 26-1238 Approved
62. 7.25. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Odamarys Pamela Acosta to the position of Police Officer. 26-1260 Approved
63. 7.26. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Michael Avery to the Elections Commission. 26-1296 Approved
64. 7.27. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Mary Otiato to the Commission for Persons with Disabilities. 26-1297 Approved
65. 7.28. Requesting approval of an exemption for Mark Antonelli as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268A, § 20(b). 26-1239 Approved
66. 7.29. Requesting approval of the Technology-Specific Surveillance Use Policy for Body Worn Cameras. 26-1272 Referred for recommendation
67. 7.30. Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Body Worn Cameras. 26-1273 Referred for recommendation
68. 7.31. Proclaiming July 2026 as South Asian Heritage Month in Somerville. 26-1300 Approved
69. 7.32. Proclaiming August 26, 2026 as Women’s Equality Day in Somerville. 26-1299 Approved
70. 8. COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
71. 8.1. Planning Board conveying recommendations for item #26-0835. 26-1233 Placed on file and sent for discussion
72. 68 PAGE BREAK
73. 8.2. School Committee Chair conveying the appointment of Ellenor Barish to the Ranked Choice Voting Committee. 26-1244 Placed on file
74. 8.3. School Committee Chair conveying the appointment of Jack Perenick to the Ranked Choice Voting Committee. 26-1245 Placed on file
75. 8.4. School Committee Chair conveying the appointment of Ilana Krepchin to the Public Financing of Campaigns Committee. 26-1246 Placed on file
76. 8.5. School Committee Chair conveying the appointment of Devon Moos to the Public Financing of Campaigns Committee. 26-1247 Placed on file
77. 8.6. City Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued. 26-1298 Placed on file
78. 8.7. Director of Economic Development conveying the presentation materials for the update on the 90 Washington Street Request for Proposals. 26-1315 Placed on file
79. 9. NEW BUSINESS
80. 9.1. Somerville Public Schools applying for a Public Event License for 2026 Back to Fair on August 25th from 2pm to 7pm. 26-1283 Approved
81. 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. 26-1290 Approved
82. 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). 26-1284 Approved
83. 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). 26-1292 Approved
84. 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). 26-1293 Approved
85. 9.6. Veterans Services Division applying for a Public Event License for Health and Wellness Day on September 12 from 10am to 3pm. 26-1295 Approved
86. 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). 26-1285 Approved
87. 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). 26-1288 Approved
88. 9.9. Arts Council applying for a Public Event License for Legally Fluff on September 19 from 10am to 7pm (raindate September 20). 26-1287 Approved
89. 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). 26-1286 Approved
90. 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). 26-1291 Approved
91. 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. 26-1289 Approved
92. 9.13. Homeless Coalition applying for a Public Event License for Somerville 5k Road Race on October 3 from 6am to 11:30am. 26-1294 Approved
93. 9.14. New Drainlayer's License, J Busteed Construction LLC. 26-1279 Approved
94. 9.15. Renewing Flammables License, Speedway #02513, 709 McGrath Highway. 26-1281 Approved
95. 9.16. Renewing Extended Operating Hours License, Pepi's Pizzeria, 516B Medford Street. 26-1280 Approved
96. 9.17. Withdrawn 26-1282 Withdrawn
97. 9.18. Davis Square Neighborhood Council submitting information re: item #26-1165, a request for formal recognition as a neighborhood council. 26-1218 Placed on file and sent for discussion
98. 9.19. 6 residents submitting comments re: item #26-1165, Davis Square Neighborhood Council recognition. 26-1262 Placed on file and sent for discussion
99. 9.20. Maria Lisac submitting comments re: Magoun Square. 26-1263 Placed on file
100. 9.21. Pedestrian & Transit Advisory Committee & Travis McGrath submitting comments re: pedestrian safety. 26-1264 Placed on file
101. 9.22. Gilman Square Neighborhood Council submitting comments re: better bus project. 26-1265 Placed on file
102. 9.23. Lisa Shatz submitting comments re: item # 26-1185, a petition a public hearing regarding the proposed ethical procurement ordinance. 26-1266 Placed on file
103. 9.24. Joey O'Neill submitting comments re: illegal dumping. 26-1267 Placed on file
104. 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. 26-1268 Placed on file
105. 9.26. 4 residents submitting comments re: body-worn cameras. 26-1269 Placed on file
106. 9.27. Zach Farhm submitting comments re: Central Avenue. 26-1270 Placed on file
107. 9.28. Anne Ryan submitting comments re: 90 Washington Street. 26-1311 Placed on file
108. 10. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
109. 10.1. Derek DuPont and Emily Sandler submitting comments re: item # 26-1268, comments related to 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. 26-1327 Placed on file and sent for discussion
110. 10.2. Rocco DiRico submitting comments re: item #26-1302, in support of a fair and dignified resolution for an international graduate student at Tufts University. 26-1329 Placed on file
111. 11. ADJOURNMENT
112. 110 The meeting was Adjourned at 10:46 PM.

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