Meetings ▸ Agenda
City Council — Agenda, Jun 11, 2026
City of Somerville, Massachusetts
City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
City Council Chamber and Remote
Participation
7:00 PM
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Published June 9, 2026, 2:40 PM, Revised Published June 11, 2026, 1:00 PM.
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
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1.
OPENING CEREMONIES
1.1.
Roll Call
(ID # 26-1037)
Call of the Roll.
1.2.
Remembrances
(ID # 26-1038)
Remembrances.
1.3.
Minutes
(ID # 26-1039)
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May
14, 2026.
1.4.
Minutes
(ID # 26-1040)
Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of May
20, 2026.
2.
CITATIONS
2.1.
Citation
(ID # 26-1004)
By Councilor Hardt
Commending Mary Jeka on the auspicious occasion of
her retirement.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
June 11, 2026
3.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0980)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install 31
feet of conduit in Richardson Street, from Utility Pole
296/1 to a point of pickup at 0 Richardson Street.
3.2.
Grant of Location
(ID # 26-0981)
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install
641 feet of conduit in Somerville Avenue and Prospect
Street, and one new Manhole 31333, from existing
Manhole 27921 and from existing Manhole 25406 to a
point of pickup at 51 Prospect Street.
4.
ORDERS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS OF MEMBERS
4.1.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0972)
By Councilor Sait
That the Administration address the ongoing public
health and safety concerns at the Broadway Salvation
Army site.
4.2.
Order
(ID # 26-0979)
By Councilor McLaughlin
That the Director of Health and Human Services update
this Council on recent changes for Requests For
Proposals for youth programming grants, particularly
grants that impact Teen Empowerment directly.
4.3.
Order
(ID # 26-1007)
By Councilor McLaughlin and Councilor Mbah
That the Director of Veterans Services update this City
Council on the status of any veterans memorials
currently in storage, as well as the status of the Central
Hill Memorial Plaza.
4.4.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0978)
By Councilor McLaughlin
Recognizing Teen Empowerment for providing over 20
years of service to young people in the Somerville.
4.5.
Resolution
(ID # 26-1012)
By Councilor Hardt
That the Chief of Police increase traffic enforcement in
Teele Square, especially focusing on the lights and
crosswalks between Broadway and Holland Street, and
especially in the morning when students and families are
walking to school.
4.6.
Resolution
(ID # 26-1020)
By Councilor Hardt
That the Director of Mobility prioritize Curtis Street for
pedestrian safety improvements, including traffic
calming measures and an Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) accessible crosswalk in the vicinity of Sunset
Road.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
June 11, 2026
4.7.
Resolution
(ID # 26-1021)
By Councilor Hardt
That the Director of Mobility install additional signage
and the Chief of Police increase enforcement to ensure
compliance with the one-way traffic direction on
Whitfield Road.
4.8.
Resolution
(ID # 26-1022)
By Councilor Hardt
Recognizing and expressing appreciation to the
Department of Public Works, the Department of Health
and Human Services Division of Public Health, and the
Inspectional Services Department for their work in
addressing rodent issues at the West Somerville
Neighborhood School.
4.9.
Resolution
(ID # 26-1018)
By Councilor Hardt and Councilor Mbah
That the Chief of Police report to this Council on the
response to the recent upsurge in drug use and other
drug-related activity in public spaces in and around
Davis Square, including in Hodgkins-Curtin park.
4.10.
Resolution
(ID # 26-1019)
By Councilor Wheeler
That the Director of Parking discuss with this Council
the possibility of administering a parking permit type
intended for vehicle owners with driveways, at a lower
price than standard residential parking permits, which
would allow only daytime and evening street parking but
not overnight street parking, and which would not be
usable during street cleaning or snow emergencies.
4.11.
Ordinance
(ID # 26-1023)
By Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Wheeler
That Chapter 2, Article VIII, Division 1 of the Code of
Ordinances be amended as detailed within.
4.12.
Order
(ID # 26-1024)
By Councilor Scott
That this Council schedule a Public Hearing regarding
construction parking permits and the impact of current
enforcement policy on neighborhood residents.
4.13.
Order
(ID # 26-1025)
By Councilor Scott
That the City Attorney advise this Council on the
Mayor's compliance with Section 6-4 of the Somerville
Charter as it relates to the submission of the Fiscal Year
2027 budget, particularly "the school budget, as adopted
by the school committee".
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
June 11, 2026
4.14.
Order
(ID # 26-1026)
By Councilor Scott
That the City Clerk inform this Council as to the final
status of item #25-0905, a unanimous vote in favor of
adopting Chapter 329 of the Acts of 1987 on May 22,
2025.
4.15.
Order
(ID # 26-1027)
By Councilor Scott
That the City Clerk provide the procedure followed upon
a Mayoral veto of any measure approved by this Council.
4.16.
Communication
(ID # 26-1028)
By Councilor Scott
Conveying the Ward 2 Councilor's opposition to placing
armed police officers in Somerville schools.
4.17.
Order
(ID # 26-1030)
By Councilor Link
That the Commissioner of Public Works or the Director
of Mobility provide an update to this Council on the
policies in place to ensure pedestrian safety when closing
sidewalks on both sides of a street, the criteria used to
determine when such closures are necessary, and the
process for notifying residents and businesses about
upcoming sidewalk closures as well as the timeline for
reopening.
4.18.
Order
(ID # 26-1032)
By Councilor Link and Councilor Wheeler
That the Director of Procurement and Contracting
Services provide this City Council with a report of all
artificial intelligence vendors and services for which the
city currently has contracts or ongoing payment
obligations.
4.19.
Resolution
(ID # 26-1031)
By Councilor Link and Councilor Scott
That the Director of Mobility and the Director of
Engineering discuss changing Hawkins Street into a
two-way street for bikes, considering it is already being
used by families as part of a safer route to school,
allowing parents and children to bypass the dangerous
and unprotected intersection of Somerville Avenue and
Washington Street.
4.20.
Resolution
(ID # 26-1029)
By Councilor Link and Councilor Ewen-Campen
In support of House Bill 3587 and Senate Bill 2334, an
Act to grow and maintain space in cities and towns for
the creative economy.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
June 11, 2026
4.21.
Order
(ID # 26-1013)
By Councilor Davis
That this City Council appoints Rodrigo Badaro, Bea
Gomez-Mouakad, Marianne Walles, Martin Sanchez,
Yesenia Alfaro, and Marcy Goldstein-Gelb to the Wage
Theft Advisory Committee.
5.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0915)
Requesting the appropriation of $15,015 from the Salary
Contingency Account to the Police Department Personal
Services Salary Account to fund a Collective Bargaining
Agreement with the Somerville Police Superior Officers
Association.
5.2.
Resolution
(ID # 26-0944)
By Councilor Scott
That the Chief of Police provide documentation in
writing regarding the circumstances surrounding cyclist
traffic enforcement in Union Square on the morning of
May 28.
6.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
7.
COMMUNICATIONS OF THE MAYOR
7.1.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0988)
Requesting approval of Fiscal Year 2027 Water & Sewer
Rates.
7.2.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0957)
Requesting the appropriation of $2,500,000 from the
Facility Construction and Renovation Stabilization Fund
for replacement of the Department of Public Works
building roof at 1 Franey Road.
7.3.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0958)
Requesting the appropriation of $2,000,000 from the
Facility Construction and Renovation Stabilization Fund
for replacement of the West Somerville Neighborhood
School roof.
7.4.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0959)
Requesting the appropriation of $900,000 from the
Facility Renovation Stabilization Fund to convert
existing space at the Healey School into five functional
classrooms.
7.5.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0960)
Requesting the appropriation of $500,000 from the
Facility Construction and Renovation Stabilization Fund
to replace the boilers at the Argenziano School.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
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7.6.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1017)
Requesting the appropriation of $196,086 from the
Salary & Wage Stabilization Fund to various
departmental Other Lump Sum Payment Accounts to
fund a collective bargaining agreement with Somerville
Municipal Employees Union, Unit D.
7.7.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1001)
Requesting the appropriation of $144,235 from the
Opioid Recovery and Remediation Stabilization Fund to
support various projects related to opioid initiatives.
7.8.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1014)
Requesting approval to repurpose and appropriate
$45,000 from the COVID-19 Stabilization fund to
continue the Playworks Program at the Winter Hill
Community School for the 2026-2027 School Year.
7.9.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1015)
Requesting approval to appropriate and transfer
$1,000,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization
Fund to the Housing Assistance Stabilization Fund for
housing assistance.
7.10.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0951)
Requesting the appropriation of $39,633,688 to fund the
Fiscal Year 2027 Sewer Enterprise Fund budget.
7.11.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0952)
Requesting the appropriation of $24,672,499 to fund the
Fiscal Year 2027 Water Enterprise Fund budget.
7.12.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0962)
Requesting the appropriation of $16,000,000 from the
Sewer Enterprise Retained Earnings Account to the
Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund.
7.13.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0965)
Requesting the appropriation of $7,150,000 from the
Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Street
Reconstruction and Renovation Stabilization Fund to
support the 5-Year Capital Investment Plan.
7.14.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0964)
Requesting the appropriation of $6,600,000 from the
Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Facility
Renovation and Reconstruction Stabilization Fund to
support the 5-Year Capital Investment Plan.
7.15.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0963)
Requesting the appropriation of $2,000,000 from the
Water Enterprise Retained Earnings Account to the
Water Capital Stabilization Fund..
7.16.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0967)
Requesting the appropriation of $1,200,000 from the
Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Other
Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
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7.17.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0966)
Requesting the appropriation of $1,000,000 from the
Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Salary &
Wage Stabilization Fund.
7.18.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1016)
Requesting the appropriation of $549,399 from the
Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the Traffic
Safety Stabilization Fund for traffic safety
improvements.
7.19.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1010)
Requesting the appropriation of $360,000 from the
Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the
Judgments & Settlements Account for settlement
payments relative to the lease between BRE-BMR,
Middlesex LLC and the City of Somerville for the
Assembly Square Fire Station at 45 Middlesex Avenue.
7.20.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1008)
Requesting the appropriation of $200,000 from the
Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the
Compensated Absence Liability Fund.
7.21.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1009)
Requesting the appropriation of $18,850 from the
Unreserved Fund Balance ("Free Cash") to the
Judgments & Settlements Account for closing costs
relative to the purchase of the Assembly Square Fire
Station Condominium Unit at 45 Middlesex Avenue.
7.22.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0961)
Requesting approval of a transfer of $1,676,728 from the
Salary Contingency Account-Salaries to the Salary &
Wage Stabilization Fund.
7.23.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0877)
Requesting approval to increase the Somertime
Revolving Account Expenditure Limit for Fiscal Year
2026.
7.24.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0949)
Requesting approval to increase the Special Event
Revolving Fund Expenditure Limit for FY 2026.
7.25.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0977)
Requesting approval to execute the Fifth Amendment to
the lease agreement with Dana Family Series, LLC, for
the Grove Street parking lot, through June 30, 2027.
7.26.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0998)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$41,257.05 using available funds in various Department
of Public Works accounts for various services.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
June 11, 2026
7.27.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0868)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling
$2,500 using available funds in the Parks & Recreation
Department Professional Services Account for removal
and storage of floating docks at the Blessing of the Bay
boathouse.
7.28.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1002)
Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Efecan
Yigitpasa to the position of Police Officer.
7.29.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1003)
Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Joshua
Nardelli to the position of Police Officer.
7.30.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0878)
Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology
Impact Report for the Smart Tree Inventory.
7.31.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-0999)
Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology
Impact Report for Body Worn Cameras.
7.32.
Mayor's Request
(ID # 26-1000)
Requesting approval of the Technology-Specific
Surveillance Use Policy for Body Worn Cameras.
7.33.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 26-0936)
Conveying the updated 2025 Surveillance Technology
Annual Report.
7.34.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 26-1033)
Conveying an update regarding item #26-0825, a
Resolution that the Administration submit a written
report to this Council regarding the timeline and process
for staffing the Americans with Disabilities (ADA)
Coordinator role and update this Council on the plan to
process ADA complaints and accessibility coordination
when this position is vacant.
7.35.
Mayor's
Communication
(ID # 26-1035)
Conveying information regarding changes in positions in
the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
8.
COMMUNICATIONS OF CITY OFFICERS
8.1.
Officer's
Communication
(ID # 26-0973)
Director of Communications & Community Engagement
conveying the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
(WCAG) 2.1 Accessibility Compliance update for city
website and digital assets.
8.2.
Officer's
Communication
(ID # 26-1036)
City Clerk conveying Block Party Licenses issued.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
June 11, 2026
8.3.
Officer's
Communication
(ID # 26-1034)
Chief of Police conveying information regarding item
#26-0378, a request of the Mayor for acceptance of a
grant for a body-worn camera program.
9.
NEW BUSINESS
9.1.
License
(ID # 26-0982)
Renewing Drainlayer's License, Galway Excavation
LLC.
9.2.
License
(ID # 26-0983)
Renewing Drainlayer's License, Genesis Utilities
Corporation.
9.3.
License
(ID # 26-0984)
Renewing Drainlayer's License, Mass Earthworks &
Demolition.
9.4.
License
(ID # 26-0985)
Renewing Extended Operating Hours License, Dunkin,
504 Broadway.
9.5.
License
(ID # 26-0986)
Renewing Extended Operating Hours License,
McDonalds, 14 McGrath Highway.
9.6.
License
(ID # 26-0987)
Renewing Flammables License, Pearl Street Auto Sales,
182 Pearl Street.
9.7.
License
(ID # 26-0989)
Renewing Flammables License, Winter Hill Yacht Club,
500 Artisan Way.
9.8.
License
(ID # 26-0990)
Renewing Garage License, BRE-BMR Assembly
Innovation I LLC, 122 Assembly Park Drive.
9.9.
License
(ID # 26-0991)
Renewing Garage License, John's Auto Sales, Inc., 181
Somerville Avenue.
9.10.
License
(ID # 26-0992)
Renewing Garage License, Pearl Street Auto Sales, 182
Pearl Street.
9.11.
License
(ID # 26-0993)
Renewing Outdoor Parking License, DM Collision
Center LLC, 30 Joy Street.
9.12.
License
(ID # 26-0994)
Renewing Taxi Medallion License, V.I.N.L.
Transportation, Inc., Med. #65.
9.13.
License
(ID # 26-0995)
Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Pearl Street
Auto Sales, 182 Pearl Street.
9.14.
Public Event
(ID # 26-0997)
St. Benedict Parish applying for a Public Event License
for A mile with Jesus on July 5 from 9:30 AM to 12 PM.
9.15.
Public Event
(ID # 26-0996)
Horizons Trio applying for a Public Event License for
Elation: An Exploration Through Music on July 21 from
6 PM to 7:30 PM (rain date July 27).
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
June 11, 2026
9.16.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-1006)
89 registered voters submitting a petition requesting a
public hearing regarding Police Body-Worn Cameras,
pursuant to Section 2-11 of the City Charter.
9.17.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-1005)
Four residents submitting comments re: police presence
in schools.
10.
SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
10.1.
Citation
(ID # 26-1042)
By Councilor Davis
Commending Alex Epstein on his commitment and
activism to safe streets.
10.2.
Citation
(ID # 26-1046)
By Councilor Mbah
Commending Jane Gardner on the auspicious occasion of
her retirement.
10.3.
Citation
(ID # 26-1047)
By Councilor Mbah
Commending Kimberly Baker on the auspicious
occasion of her retirement.
10.4.
Order
(ID # 26-1053)
By Councilor Sait and Councilor Ewen-Campen
That the Director of Engineering and the Commissioner
of Public Works provide an update on Highland Ave
temporary paving.
10.5.
Resolution
(ID # 26-1041)
By Councilor Wheeler
In support of rent control negotiations between the Keep
Massachusetts Home campaign and Massachusetts
developers.
10.6.
License
(ID # 26-1043)
New Sign/Awning License, Parlor Bird, 151 Cedar
Street, 1 Sign.
10.7.
Public Event
(ID # 26-1045)
Office of Immigrant Affairs applying for a Public Event
License for Portugal Day Flag Raising Ceremony on
June 13 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm.
10.8.
Public Event
(ID # 26-1044)
Groundwork Somerville applying for a Public Event
License for Love in Bloom on June 20 from 12pm to
8:30pm.
10.9.
Public
Communication
(ID # 26-1050)
Aaron Drasner submitting comments re: item #26-1023,
that Chapter 2, Article VIII, Division 1 of the Code of
Ordinances be amended as detailed within.
10.10. Public
Communication
(ID # 26-1049)
Jonah Abrams and Zachariah Trinagli submitting
comments re: Davis Square.
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City Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
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10.11. Public
Communication
(ID # 26-1048)
Three residents submitting comments re: police presence
in schools.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Page 11 of 11