Meetings ▸ Agenda
City Council — Agenda, Aug 28, 2025
City of Somerville, Massachusetts
City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
City Council Chamber and Remote
Participation
7:00 PM
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Published August 26, 2025, 12:30 PM, Revised Published August 28, 2025, 11:45 AM.
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.
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meetings,
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contact
Adrienne
Pomeroy
in
advance,
at
[phone removed] x2059 or
ada@somervillema.gov.
1.
OPENING CEREMONIES
1.1.
Roll Call
(ID # 25-1359)
Call of the Roll.
1.2.
Remembrances
(ID # 25-1360)
Remembrances.
1.3.
Minutes
(ID # 25-1361)
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June
26, 2025.
2.
CITATIONS
3.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1.
Grant of Location
(ID # 25-1310)
Cambridge Network Solutions applying for a Grant of
Location to install a total of 88 feet of conduit in South
Street, from Manhole 44/464 to a point of pickup at an
existing manhole at the intersection of South Street and
Earle Street.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
August 28, 2025
3.2.
Grant of Location
(ID # 25-1311)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a
total of approximately 49 feet of conduit in Howard
Street, from Utility Pole 183/1 to a point of pickup at 29
Thorndike Street.
4.
ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
4.1.
Communication
(ID # 25-1287)
By Councilor Davis
In his capacity as President, conveying this Council's
updated Standing and Special Committee assignments
and Commission appointments for 2025.
4.2.
Order
(ID # 25-1297)
By Councilor Strezo
That the Director of Mobility appear before this Council
to discuss how the city may apply for the state’s
Microtransit and Last Mile Program grant which is being
funded through the FY 2025 Supplemental Education
and Transportation Funds (ETF) budget.
4.3.
Order
(ID # 25-1340)
By Councilor Strezo
That the Director of Emergency Management and Mayor
inform City Councilors in real time when emergency
events are occurring in the city, such as fires or
emergency evacuations.
4.4.
Resolution
(ID # 25-1296)
By Councilor Strezo and Councilor Davis
That the Mayor commit to and provide funds for
installing a winter ice sheet for the 2025-2026 season at
Founder’s Rink for all Somerville residents to engage in
winter activities such as hockey, curling, free skate, etc.
4.5.
Resolution
(ID # 25-1353)
By Councilor Strezo and Councilor Davis
That the Administration direct all relevant departments,
including Health and Human Services, to appear before
this City Council to discuss and update on current
unhoused outreach efforts.
4.6.
Resolution
(ID # 25-1341)
By Councilor Strezo and Councilor Wilson
Calling on MassHealth to enforce existing administrative
regulations and statutory authority pertaining to the
provision of Applied Behavioral Analysis services.
4.7.
Order
(ID # 25-1344)
By Councilor Mbah
That the Director of Finance provide a comprehensive
accounting of all stabilization accounts that have
remained unspent for three or more fiscal years and
provide a report for each fund.
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Regular Meeting Agenda
August 28, 2025
4.8.
Order
(ID # 25-1345)
By Councilor Mbah
That the Director of Economic Development provide a
report to this Council on the impact of Greentown Labs,
including job creation, local economic activity,
community engagement initiatives, climate and
sustainability contributions, and equity and inclusion
outcomes.
4.9.
Order
(ID # 25-1346)
By Councilor Mbah
That the Director of Parks and Recreation install a clock
on top of the Dilboy Pool building.
4.10.
Resolution
(ID # 25-1347)
By Councilor Mbah
That Somerville establish a sister-city relationship with
Pryluky, Ukraine.
4.11.
Communication
(ID # 25-1342)
By Councilor Mbah
Conveying a report of the Affordable Housing Trust
Fund.
4.12.
Communication
(ID # 25-1343)
By Councilor Mbah
Conveying a report of the Job Creation and Retention
Trust Fund.
4.13.
Order
(ID # 25-1350)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Wilson
That the Director of Health and Human Services create a
summer job in the Mayor's Jobs Program by which youth
can travel by bike to water public trees around the city.
4.14.
Order
(ID # 25-1349)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen
That the Director of Mobility install a left turn signal for
vehicles turning left from Somerville Avenue onto Bow
Street.
4.15.
Resolution
(ID # 25-1348)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen
That the Mayor explain to this Council why the
community process for a redesigned Highland Avenue
appears to have been postponed indefinitely, despite
repeated statements that it was to begin during summer
2025, including the introductory statement on the city's
dedicated "Highland Ave Redesign" website.
4.16.
Order
(ID # 25-1354)
By Councilor Sait
That the Director of Mobility update this Council on
when the speed limit signage and NO MOTORIZED
VEHICLES signage will be installed along the
Community Path and at its entrances.
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4.17.
Order
(ID # 25-1355)
By Councilor Sait
That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset
Management update this Council on when the school
buildings maintenance project website will be available
to the public.
4.18.
Order
(ID # 25-1357)
By Councilor Sait
That the Commissioner of Public Works clear the
overgrowth on the sidewalk at 19 Elm Street and that the
Director of Inspectional Services cite the property owner
accordingly.
4.19.
Resolution
(ID # 25-1356)
By Councilor Sait
That the Administration release the report on the School
Department composting pilot program and that the
Commissioner of Public Works update this Council on
any plans to re-introduce composting in the schools.
5.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1237)
Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections
7-64, 7-65 and 7-68 of the Code of Ordinances to reduce
displacement of tenants and update relocation payments.
5.2.
Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1236)
Dan Casparriello submitting comments re: item
#25-1044, amendments to Sections 7-64 and 7-65 of the
Code of Ordinances to reduce displacement of tenants
and update relocation payments.
5.3.
Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1264)
The Somerville Chamber of Commerce submitting
comments re: item #25-1044, amendments to Sections
7-64 and 7-65 of the Code of Ordinances to reduce
displacement of tenants and update relocation payments.
5.4.
Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1265)
John M. (Jack) Connolly submitting comments re: item
#25-1044, amendments to Sections 7-64 and 7-65 of the
Code of Ordinances to reduce displacement of tenants
and update relocation payments.
5.5.
Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1266)
Fernando Bento and Niranjan Gawli submitting
comments re: item #25-1044, amendments to Sections
7-64 and 7-65 of the Code of Ordinances to reduce
displacement of tenants and update relocation payments.
6.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
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7.
COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
7.1.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1358)
Requesting that this Council convene in Executive
Session to discuss techniques for incentivizing tenant
recruitment to vacant laboratory space.
7.2.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1290)
Requesting approval to appropriate $1,238,000 from the
Open Space Stabilization Fund to pay additional costs of
purchasing the parcel of land known as 217 Somerville
Avenue (Ken Kelly Park).
7.3.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1278)
Requesting approval to appropriate $591,190 from the
Capital Stabilization Fund for Information Technology
equipment relating to workstation setups, network
devices, and other hardware.
7.4.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1352)
Requesting approval to appropriate $73,750 from the
Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund to the Department of
Public Works School Custodians Other Lump Sum
Payments Account to fund the retrospective portion of a
Memorandum of Agreement with the Service Employees
International Union Local 3 - School Custodians.
7.5.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1289)
Requesting approval to appropriate $56,601 from the
Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund to the
Non-Contributory Pension Account to fund an increased
pension amount.
7.6.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1280)
Requesting the appropriation of $2,630,071 from the
Community Preservation Act Affordable Housing
Reserve to the Affordable Housing Trust.
7.7.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1303)
Requesting the appropriation of $240,664.10 from the
Receipts Reserved-Transportation Network Company
Revenue Fund to the Transportation Network Company
Special Revenue Fund for Vision Zero safety efforts.
7.8.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1351)
Requesting approval of a transfer of $448,180 from the
Salary Contingency account to various departmental
Salaries accounts to fund FY 2026 Non-Union employee
step increases.
7.9.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1299)
Requesting approval of a transfer of $5,777 from the
Police Overtime Account to the Police Grant Match
Account for the FY 2025 Shannon Grant match
requirement.
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City Council
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7.10.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1339)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $1,100,000
grant with no new match required, from the
Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Office of
Strategic Planning and Community Development and
Police Department for the development of the Union
Square Plaza and Streetscape Phase 1.
7.11.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1285)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $212,842.26
grant with no new match required, from the Metropolitan
Area Planning Council to the Health and Human
Services Department for a Shared Services Coordinator
and a Clinical Community Health Worker.
7.12.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1300)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $128,500
grant with no new match required, from the Boston
Office of Emergency Management to the Police
Department for target hardening at the Police
Department headquarters.
7.13.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1304)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $55,000
grant with no new match required, from the Department
of Mental Health to the Police Department for Crisis
Intervention Training and technical assistance for
personnel and program expenses.
7.14.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1305)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $10,000
grant with no new match required, from the Department
of Mental Health to the Police Department for Jail
Diversion Program personnel expenses.
7.15.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1279)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$19,188.01 using available funds in the Information
Technology Maintenance Software and Computer
Equipment Accounts for monitoring software and
Uninterruptible Power Supply hardware.
7.16.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1298)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$8,748.66 using available funds in the Police Department
Maintenance Software, Professional & Technical
Services, and In-State Travel accounts for various items.
7.17.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1301)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$4,015 using available funds in the Human Resources
Professional and Technical Services Account for medical
screening services.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
August 28, 2025
7.18.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1283)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$1,497.50 using available funds in the Communications
Department Food Supplies & Refreshment Account for
Civic Day event food.
7.19.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1284)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$925 using available funds in the Parks & Recreation
Equipment Rental Account for equipment rentals during
Family Fun Day event.
7.20.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1274)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$840 using available funds in the Communications
Department Food Supplies & Refreshment Account for
Slice of the City events pizza orders.
7.21.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1271)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$323.75 using available funds in the CityTV R&M -
Audio/Visual Equipment Account for on-site engineering
services and travel expenses.
7.22.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1302)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$100.08 using available funds in the Human Resources
Professional and Technical Services Account for
confidential shredding services.
7.23.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1286)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$98.39 using available funds in the Parks & Recreation
Athletic Supplies Account for tag belts for a teen flag
football program.
7.24.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1277)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$91.62 using available funds in the Office of Immigrant
Affairs Neighborhood Improvement Council Account for
snacks for Community Get Together event.
7.25.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1332)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$71.88 using available funds in the Emergency
Management Office Supplies Account for office
supplies.
7.26.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1309)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$25.69 using available funds in the Emergency
Management Office Supplies Account for office
supplies.
7.27.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1293)
Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Olivia
Mobayed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
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7.28.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-1291)
Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Suzanne
Warner to the Urban Forestry Committee.
7.29.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 25-1333)
Conveying an update regarding work completed during
Summer 2025 on Somerville Public Schools buildings.
7.30.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 25-1336)
Conveying an update on the status of the charter for the
City of Somerville.
7.31.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 25-1337)
Proclaiming that the week of September 12 through
September 21, 2025 is Welcoming Week.
7.32.
Withdrawn
(ID # 25-1292)
Withdrawn.
7.33.
Withdrawn
(ID # 25-1306)
Withdrawn.
7.34.
Withdrawn
(ID # 25-1307)
Withdrawn.
7.35.
Withdrawn
(ID # 25-1308)
Withdrawn.
8.
COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
8.1.
Officer's
Communication
(ID # 25-1282)
City Clerk requesting approval of her Public Official's
Bond.
8.2.
Officer's
Communication
(ID # 25-1317)
Licensing Commission requesting the acceptance of
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 138, Section 12D,
to allow current wine and malt beverages license holders
to apply to convert to a non-transferable all forms
alcohol license.
8.3.
Officer's
Communication
(ID # 25-1338)
City Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued.
9.
NEW BUSINESS
9.1.
License
(ID # 25-1312)
New Drainlayer's License, A.R. Belli, Inc.
9.2.
License
(ID # 25-1313)
New Drainlayer's License, DJ Morris Contracting.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
August 28, 2025
9.3.
License
(ID # 25-1314)
New Drainlayer's License, Genesis Utilities Corporation.
9.4.
License
(ID # 25-1315)
Renewing Drainlayer's License, Doherty Excavating Inc.
9.5.
License
(ID # 25-1316)
New Extended Operating Hours License, Mint Indian
Eatery, 868 Broadway, for in-store, take-out, and
delivery services until 4am.
9.6.
License
(ID # 25-1318)
New Flammables License, POAH Clarendon LLC, 20
Stephenson Aman Street, storing 1,001 gallons.
9.7.
License
(ID # 25-1319)
New Outdoor Goods License, Villari's Martial Arts
Center, 54 Union Square.
9.8.
License
(ID # 25-1320)
New Sign/Awning License, Brancato Barber Co LLC,
282A Broadway, 2 signs.
9.9.
License
(ID # 25-1321)
New Sign/Awning License, The Brow Lab Somerville,
595 Somerville Avenue, 1 sign.
9.10.
License
(ID # 25-1322)
New Sign/Awning License, Ethereal Ink, 321 Broadway,
1 sign.
9.11.
Public Event
(ID # 25-1323)
Office of Immigrant Affairs applying for a Public Event
License for Brazilian Flag Raising on September 4 from
2:30pm to 4:30pm (raindate September 8).
9.12.
Public Event
(ID # 25-1324)
Akiva Jackson applying for a Public Event License for
Challapalooza on September 7 from 8am to 8pm.
9.13.
Public Event
(ID # 25-1325)
East Somerville Main Streets applying for a Public Event
License for Foodie Crawl on September 9 from 2pm to
9:30pm (raindate September 10).
9.14.
Public Event
(ID # 25-1328)
Arts Council applying for a Public Event License for
Gilman Square Fest on September 13 from 10am to 7pm
(raindate September 14).
9.15.
Public Event
(ID # 25-1329)
Veterans Services Department applying for a Public
Event License for Health and Wellness 2025 on
September 20 from 10am to 4pm.
9.16.
Public Event
(ID # 25-1326)
Arts Council applying for a Public Event License for
Forever Fluff on September 20 from 11am to 8pm
(raindate September 21).
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9.17.
Public Event
(ID # 25-1327)
Somerville Garden Club applying for a Public Event
License for Somerville Garden Club Plant Sale on
September 21 from 8am to 4pm.
9.18.
Public Event
(ID # 25-1331)
Somerville Homeless Coalition applying for a Public
Event License for Somerville 5k Road Race on October
4 from 6am to 11am.
9.19.
Public Event
(ID # 25-1330)
Office of Immigrant Affairs applying for a Public Event
License for Italian Flag Raising on October 9 from
4:30pm to 6:30pm.
9.20.
Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1281)
Massachusetts Attorney General issuing a determination
re: item #25-0105, an Open Meeting Law complaint filed
against this Council by Laura Ortiz on January 11, 2025.
9.21.
Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1288)
Jonah Abrams submitting comments re: Davis Square.
9.22.
Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1334)
Thouis Jones submitting comments re: bike lanes.
9.23.
Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1335)
Former Mayor Eugene C. Brune, former Mayor Dorothy
Kelly Gay, and former Alderman John "Jack" Connolly
submitting comments re: Chapter 53, Section 18B of the
Massachusetts General Laws.
10.
SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
10.1.
Citation
(ID # 25-1366)
By Councilor Clingan and Councilor Wilson
Commending Stephanie Estrela for leadership and
support during a recent house fire.
10.2.
Order
(ID # 25-1363)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
That the Director of Engineering respond to the
Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee's recently
released walk audit, and how the city will implement its
short-term recommendations.
10.3.
Resolution
(ID # 25-1362)
By Councilor Burnley Jr.
In support of innovation in East Somerville.
10.4.
Order
(ID # 25-1373)
By Councilor Mbah
That the City of Somerville hereby accepts the provisions
of Chapter 53 Section 18B of the Massachusetts General
Laws.
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10.5.
Order
(ID # 25-1375)
By Councilor Wilson and Councilor Scott
That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset
Management and the Director of Public Space and Urban
Forestry update this Council on the status of ArtFarm
and the funding for the project.
10.6.
Order
(ID # 25-1376)
By Councilor Wilson
That the Commissioner of Public Works update this
Council on the policy for mattress recycling for residents
of buildings with seven or more units.
10.7.
Officer's
Communication
(ID # 25-1364)
Director of Emergency Management conveying
information about the recent Local Recovery Resources
Center.
10.8.
License
(ID # 25-1367)
New Dog Kennel License, Pup Yard, 321 Somerville
Avenue, 30 dogs maximum, commercial
boarding/training.
10.9.
License
(ID # 25-1368)
New Sign/Awning License, Build Equity Investment
Home LLC, 76 Franklin Street, 1 awning.
10.10. Public Event
(ID # 25-1370)
Somerville Museum applying for a Public Event License
for History in the Park: 251 Powder Alarm Anniversary
on September 6 from 8am to 1pm (raindate September
13).
10.11. Public Event
(ID # 25-1372)
Council on Aging applying for a Public Event License
for Mayor's Senior Picnic on September 9 from 8am to
2:30pm (raindate September 10).
10.12. Public Event
(ID # 25-1369)
Veterans Services Department applying for a Public
Event License for 9/11 Ceremony on September 11 from
5:30pm to 7:30pm.
10.13. Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1377)
Scott Peterson submitting comments re: community
fridges.
10.14. Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1378)
Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee, Somerville
Alliance for Safe Streets, Commission for Persons with
Disabilities, Groundwork Somerville Green Team and
Union Square Main Streets submitting comments re:
Union Square Walk Audit.
10.15. Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1379)
Ruth Kearns submitting comments re: sidewalks.
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Regular Meeting Agenda
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10.16. Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1380)
Nicholas Kelton submitting comments re: balcony solar.
10.17. Public
Communication
(ID # 25-1381)
Christopher Beland submitting comments re: item
#25-1311, Eversource applying for a Grant of Location
to install a total of approximately 49 feet of conduit in
Howard Street.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Page 12 of 12