Meetings ▸ Agenda
City Council — Agenda, Mar 12, 2026
City of Somerville, Massachusetts
City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
City Council Chamber and Remote
Participation
7:00 PM
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Published March 10, 2026 2:00 PM, Revised Published March 12, 2026, 10:00 AM.
NOTICE: Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of the City Council may be conducted
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1.
OPENING CEREMONIES
1.1.
Roll Call
(ID # 26-0366)
Call of the Roll.
1.2.
Remembrances
(ID # 26-0367)
Remembrances.
1.3.
Minutes
(ID # 26-0368)
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of
February 12, 2026.
2.
CITATIONS
2.1.
Citation
(ID # 26-0347)
By Councilor Wheeler and Councilor Clingan
Commending the Kendall Wanderers Football Club on
the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
3.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0304)
Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install 20
feet of conduit in Allen Street, from Utility Pole 3 to a
point of pickup at 13-17 Allen Street.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
March 12, 2026
3.2.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0305)
Dagle Electrical applying for a Grant of Location to
install 57 feet of conduit and one new charging station in
the City Hall Concourse, from the War Memorial to a
point of pickup at the proposed electrical vehicle
charging station.
3.3.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0306)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to relocate
existing Utility Pole 60/40 four feet northerly of its
current location, near 3 Chester Avenue.
3.4.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0312)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install
164 feet of conduit and one new Manhole in Grant
Street, from an existing Manhole 1900 to a point of
pickup at 299 Broadway.
3.5.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0309)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 82
feet of conduit in MacArthur Street, from Utility Pole
122/2 to a point of pickup at 17 MacArthur Street.
3.6.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0307)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 64
feet of conduit in Stone Avenue, from existing Manhole
14068 to a point of pickup at 11 Stone Avenue.
3.7.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0310)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 6
feet of conduit in Chandler Street, from Utility Pole
227/6 to a point of pickup at 53 Chandler Street.
3.8.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0311)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 6
feet of conduit in Line Street, from Utility Pole 211/7 to
a point of pickup at 62 Line Street.
3.9.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0308)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 5
feet of conduit in Heath Street, from Utility Pole 165/13
to a point of pickup at 16 Edgar Avenue.
4.
ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
4.1.
Communication
(ID # 26-0335)
By Councilor Mbah
Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
4.2.
Order
(ID # 26-0354)
By Councilor Davis
That Rule 4 of the Rules of the City Council be amended
to update submission deadlines for agenda items,
consistent with the provisions of the Open Meeting Law.
4.3.
Order
(ID # 26-0340)
By Councilor Davis
That this City Council appoints Jessica Smith to the
Public Financing of Campaigns Committee.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
March 12, 2026
4.4.
Order
(ID # 26-0341)
By Councilor Davis
That this City Council appoints James Leo Bedard to the
Ranked Choice Voting Committee.
4.5.
Order
(ID # 26-0342)
By Councilor Davis
That this City Council appoints Crystal Huff to the
Ranked Choice Voting Committee.
4.6.
Order
(ID # 26-0343)
By Councilor Davis
That this City Council appoints Derrick Rice to the
Review of Multiple Member Bodies Committee.
4.7.
Communication
(ID # 26-0339)
By Councilor Davis
In his capacity as President, conveying this Council's
updated Standing Committee assignments and
Commission appointments for 2026.
4.8.
Communication
(ID # 26-0351)
By Councilor Davis
Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
4.9.
Order
(ID # 26-0336)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen
That the Director of Inspectional Services discuss with
this Council how to ensure that temporary dumpster
permits do not conflict with handicapped parking spaces,
or that temporary handicapped parking spaces are
relocated for the duration of the dumpster permit.
4.10.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0337)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen
That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with
this Council how to ensure that handicapped parking
spaces are not used for snow storage and are cleared at
the same time as other spaces.
4.11.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0338)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen
That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with
this Council how to ensure that accessible sidewalk
ramps are cleared following snowstorms, and ensure that
311 reports on this issue are promptly responded to.
4.12.
Communication
(ID # 26-0344)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen
Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
4.13.
Communication
(ID # 26-0345)
By Councilor Sait
Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
4.14.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0350)
By Councilor Link
In support of House Bill H.965 and Senate Bill S.2721,
an Act restricting the use of rodenticides in the
environment.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
March 12, 2026
4.15.
Communication
(ID # 26-0349)
By Councilor Link
Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
4.16.
Order
(ID # 26-0352)
By Councilor Hardt
That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with
this Council, the policy of prohibiting parking on
alternating sides of the street during a snow emergency,
and whether it is the best way to meet snow removal
needs.
4.17.
Order
(ID # 26-0353)
By Councilor Hardt
That the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with
this Council the frequency of street sweeping throughout
the period of April through November.
4.18.
Communication
(ID # 26-0355)
By Councilor Strezo
Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
4.19.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0356)
By Councilor McLaughlin and Councilor Clingan
In support of Senate Bill S.2975, an Act protecting
access to justice.
4.20.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0358)
By Councilor Wheeler
That this City Council calls on the Massachusetts
Legislature and Governor to increase Unrestricted
General Government Aid (UGGA) by at least 6% in
Fiscal Year 2027.
4.21.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0359)
By Councilor Wheeler
That this City Council calls on the Massachusetts
Legislature and Governor to fully fund the Student
Opportunity Act, and maintain the $150 per pupil
minimum aid increase in Fiscal Year 2027.
4.22.
Communication
(ID # 26-0360)
By Councilor Wheeler
Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
4.23.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0362)
By Councilor Clingan and Councilor Ewen-Campen
That the Administration create a publicly accessible
dashboard tracking progress toward planning and
development goals in Gilman Square.
4.24.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0363)
By Councilor Clingan
That Director of Mobility evaluate opportunities for
improved pedestrian safety at the intersection of
Broadway and Main Street.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
March 12, 2026
4.25.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0364)
By Councilor Clingan
That the Director of Housing provide data on units
produced through the city’s inclusionary housing
program, including length of occupancy, unit refusal by
lottery winners and other data to demonstrate the health
of the program.
4.26.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0365)
By Councilor Clingan
Recognizing March 2026 as National Social Work
Month.
4.27.
Communication
(ID # 26-0357)
By Councilor Clingan
Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
5.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0185)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a
total of 75 feet of conduit in Prospect Street, from Utility
Pole 291/12 to a point of pickup at 91 Prospect Street.
6.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
6.A.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
6.A.1. Committee Report
(ID # 26-0332)
Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on March
10, 2026.
6.A.2. Mayor's Request
(ID # 25-0849)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $127,000
grant with no new match required, from the Boston
Office of Emergency Management to the Police
Department for Special Response Team equipment and
training.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.A.3. Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0169)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $43,000
grant with no new match required, from the Boston
Office of Emergency Management to the Police
Department for software.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.A.4. Officer's
Communication
(ID # 26-0201)
Director of Economic Development conveying the
potential use of an Urban Center Housing Tax Increment
Financing Tool (UCH-TIF) to incentivize housing
production.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be marked work
completed.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
March 12, 2026
6.A.5. Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0268)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $31,000
grant with no new match required, from the Department
of Environmental Protection to the Department of Public
Works for upgrades to the Hazardous Household Waste
Facility.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.A.6. Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0270)
Requesting approval to appropriate $56,339.46 from the
Bike Share Stabilization Fund for installation and startup
costs of a Blue Bike station at the Boynton Union
Connect Transportation Management Association
development site.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.A.7. Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0271)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $22,800.08
grant that requires a match, from the Metropolitan
Mayors Coalition Community Safety Initiative to the
Police Department for youth violence prevention.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved.
6.B.
HOUSING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND EQUITY COMMITTEE
6.B.1. Committee Report
(ID # 26-0331)
Report of the Committee on Housing, Community
Development and Equity, meeting on March 4, 2026.
6.B.2. Public
Communication
(ID # 26-0265)
That this City Council hold a public hearing on the
petition submitted by 52 registered voters regarding Out
of the Blue Community Arts Space at Arts at the
Armory, pursuant to Section 2-11 of the City Charter.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be discharged
with no recommendation.
6.C.
LICENSES AND PERMITS COMMITTEE
6.C.1. Committee Report
(ID # 26-0333)
Report of the Committee on Licenses and Permits,
meeting on March 11, 2026.
6.C.2. Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0181)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a
total of 62 feet of conduit in Ivaloo Street, from Utility
Pole 179/5 to a point of pickup at 38 Ivaloo Street.
RECOMMENDED: Recommended to be approved with
conditions.
7.
COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
7.1.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0334)
Requesting that this Council convene in Executive
Session to receive an update on collective bargaining
negotiations.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
March 12, 2026
7.2.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0202)
Requesting approval to appropriate $75,000 from the
Bike Share Stabilization Fund for installation and startup
costs of a Blue Bike station at the 16-20 Medford Street
development site.
7.3.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0298)
Requesting the appropriation of $1,167,395 from the
Community Preservation Act Fund Community Housing
Reserve to the Affordable Housing Trust.
7.4.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0297)
Requesting the appropriation of $399,255 from the
Community Preservation Act (CPA) Undesignated Fund
Balance to the CPA Fund Community Housing Reserve.
7.5.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0299)
Requesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the
Community Preservation Act Fund Open Space Reserve
to the Open Space Land Acquisition Fund.
7.6.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0300)
Requesting the appropriation of $100,766 from the
Community Preservation Act Fund Historic Preservation
Reserve to the Somerville Museum to conserve artifacts
in its collection.
7.7.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0323)
Requesting the appropriation of $50,000 from the
Community Preservation Act Budgeted Reserve to the
Housing Authority for improvements to the open space at
the Mystic River/View developments.
7.8.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0301)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $47,580
grant with no new match required, from the
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to the
Police Department for overtime and backfill for Crisis
Intervention Training certification and recertification.
7.9.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0325)
Requesting approval to establish a Grant Match Account
with a $15,000 transfer from the Department of Veterans'
Services Grounds Maintenance Account to the
Department of Veterans' Services Special Items Account
for the Massachusetts General Court and the State
Historical Records Advisory Board Grant match
requirement.
7.10.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0321)
Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Courtney
Reece to the position of Police Sergeant.
7.11.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0322)
Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Ashley
Catatao to the position of Police Sergeant.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
March 12, 2026
7.12.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 26-0361)
Conveying the appointment of Chris Dwan to the Review
of Multiple Member Bodies Committee.
7.13.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 26-0302)
Conveying the 2025 Surveillance Technology Annual
Report.
7.14.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 26-0303)
Conveying the 2026 Safe Streets Ordinance Annual
Report.
7.15.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 26-0348)
Conveying Public Safety for All findings and current
initiatives.
7.16.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 26-0346)
Proclaiming 2026 to be the Year of the Neighbor.
8.
COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
8.1.
Officer's
Communication
(ID # 26-0324)
City Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued.
8.2.
Withdrawn
(ID # 26-0203)
Withdrawn.
9.
NEW BUSINESS
9.1.
Public Event
(ID # 26-0316)
Dormition of the Virgin Mary applying for a Public
Event License for Greek Independence Day Celebration
2026 on March 28 from 10am to 1:30pm.
9.2.
Public Event
(ID # 26-0315)
St. Benedict Parish applying for a Public Event License
for Good Friday Stations of the Cross on April 3 from
4:30pm to 6:30pm.
9.3.
Public Event
(ID # 26-0319)
Tufts Engineers without Borders applying for a Public
Event License for Fred Berger Memorial 6K Run/Walk
on April 12 from 10:30am to 3pm (raindate April 19).
9.4.
Public Event
(ID # 26-0318)
Office of Immigrant Affairs applying for a Public Event
License for Nepali National Flag Raising Ceremony
2026 on April 12 from 1pm to 4:30pm (raindate April
19).
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
March 12, 2026
9.5.
Public Event
(ID # 26-0320)
SomerPromise applying for a Public Event License for
Week of the Young Child Celebration 2026 on April 16
from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.
9.6.
Public Event
(ID # 26-0317)
Mystic River Watershed Association applying for a
Public Event License for Mystic River Herring Run and
Paddle on May 17 from 6am to 3pm.
9.7.
Public Event
(ID # 26-0314)
Mass Farmers Markets applying for a Public Event
License for Davis Square Farmers Market every
Wednesday from May 20 to November 25.
9.8.
Public Event
(ID # 26-0313)
The Curl Bar applying for a Public Event License for The
Curl Bar Community Event 2026 on May 30 from 6am
to 7pm (raindate May 31).
9.9.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-0327)
29 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text
Amendment to amend Zoning Ordinance Section
15.7.2.d Zoning Board of Appeals Board Rules.
9.10.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-0328)
14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text
Amendment to amend Zoning Ordinance Section 12.2.2
regarding affordable dwelling units.
9.11.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-0329)
14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text
Amendment to amend the Zoning Ordinance Section
3.1.12 Backyard Cottage.
9.12.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-0330)
29 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text
Amendment to amend Zoning Ordinance Section 3.1.12
Backyard Cottage.
9.13.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-0326)
Tufts University conveying its Spring 2026
Accountability Report.
10.
SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
10.1.
Communication
(ID # 26-0371)
By Councilor Hardt
Conveying budget priorities and requests for FY 2027.
10.2.
Order
(ID # 26-0373)
By Councilor Wheeler
That this Council review construction-related parking in
the area of Oak Street and Bolton Street.
10.3.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-0369)
62 individuals, including 60 residents, submitting
comments re: item #26-0114, Fiscal Year 2027 budget
priorities.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
March 12, 2026
10.4.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-0370)
Thouis Jones submitting comments re: bike lanes.
10.5.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-0377)
Courtney Pollack submitting comments re: items
#26-0055, #26-0156, and #26-0168, requests regarding
public safety grants.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
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