Legislative Matters Committee — Minutes, Feb 17, 2026

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Legislative Matters Committee Meeting Minutes 6:00 PM Tuesday, February 17, 2026 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Scott at 6:00 pm and adjourned at 6:31 pm on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Ewen-Campen, Strezo, Scott), 0 opposed, and 2 absent (Councilors Davis, Mbah). Others present: Brendan Salisbury - Legislative and Policy Analyst, Sean Sheehan - Police Captain, Madalyn Letellier - Assistant City Clerk, Legislative Services. Roll Call Ward Three City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Kristen Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) Scott Present: Ward Six City Councilor Lance L. Davis and City Councilor At Large Wilfred N. Mbah Absent: 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Rules Special Committee Meeting of May 6, 2024. Committee Minutes (ID # 24-0649) ACCEPTED RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 2. Approval of the Minutes of the Charter Review Special Committee of the Whole Meeting of March 18, 2025. Committee Minutes (ID # 25-0518) ACCEPTED RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Legislative Matters Committee Meeting of December 2, 2025. Committee Minutes (ID # 25-1856) ACCEPTED RESULT: Page 1 of 5

Legislative Matters Committee Meeting Minutes February 17, 2026 Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 4. City Clerk submitting an amendment to Chapter 2, Article V, Division 1 of the Code of Ordinances to add a review of multiple-member bodies, pursuant to the requirements of the City Charter. Officer's Communication (ID # 26-0044) Legislative & Policy Analyst Salisbury outlined that this ordinance is required by Charter and noted the slight differences in inclusion of specific dates for convening of the committee and a deadline for the submission of the report. Chair Scott asked about what happened to the Wage Theft Ordinance. Analyst Salisbury stated that a continuation of government is in effect so any ordinance that is on the books is still valid. RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 5. City Clerk submitting an amendment to Section 10-20 of the Code of Ordinances to align the constable appointment process with the provisions of the revised City Charter. Officer's Communication (ID # 26-0043) Legislative & Policy Analyst Salisbury recommended that an amendment be made to strike the entire section. Further review of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) makes it explicitly clear the City Council does not have authority in the appointing process of constables. Further explanation clarified that without the acceptance of the MGL the City Council does not have the ability to appoint constables and it should be put in the Administrative Code. Councilor Ewen-Campen clarified following the acceptance of the MGL the City Council would still have a role in removal of a constable should there be a need. Chair Scott moved to amend the item by striking the entirety of Section 10-20. The motion was approved on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Ewen-Campen, Strezo, Scott), 0 opposed, 2 absent (Davis, Mbah). RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AS AMENDED RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: Page 2 of 5

Legislative Matters Committee Meeting Minutes February 17, 2026 6. City Clerk requesting acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, Section 91, relating to the appointment and removal of constables. Officer's Communication (ID # 26-0042) RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 7. City Clerk submitting an amendment to the Rules of the City Council to align with the provisions of the City Charter. Officer's Communication (ID # 26-0127) Legislative & Policy Analyst Salisbury stated this process was largely undefined and the new charter has established that a group petition requires a hearing within three months. It also defines that a hearing on the same topic cannot be heard within twelve months. This clarifies that the clock starts from twelve months from when the item was submitted. RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 8. Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Ball Cameras. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0094) Items #26-0093, #2-0092, #25-1605, #25-1604, and #25-1603 were taken up together. Captain Sheehan was present to review the re-submittal of the items following suggestions that were given at the previous Legislative Matters meeting from Councilor Davis. Councilor Ewen-Campen spoke to the process these reports go through before approval. The Council cannot amend the documents specifically, but requests can be made and staff can resubmit them based off the changes requested. Councilor Ewen-Campen highlighted that the main point is that anything that has a surveillance aspect is not overly broad and does not impinge on the rights of individuals. Specific improvements and clarifications were requested on how they work and their regulations. Councilor Scott sponsored Councilor Ben Wheeler to speak, who commented on the lack of information around costs and inconsistency in the reports. RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED RESULT: Page 3 of 5

Legislative Matters Committee Meeting Minutes February 17, 2026 Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 9. Requesting approval of Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Thermal Imaging Monoculars. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0093) This item was taken up with item #26-0094. RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 10. Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Under Door Cameras. Mayor's Request (ID # 26-0092) This item was taken up with item #26-0094. RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 11. Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Ball Cameras. Mayor's Request (ID # 25-1605) This item was taken up with item #26-0094. RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON FILE RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 12. Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Thermal Imaging Monoculars. Mayor's Request (ID # 25-1604) This item was taken up with item #26-0094. RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON FILE RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Page 4 of 5

Legislative Matters Committee Meeting Minutes February 17, 2026 Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: 13. Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Under Door Cameras. Mayor's Request (ID # 25-1603) This item was taken up with item #26-0094. RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON FILE RESULT: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Strezo and Ward Two City Councilor Scott AYE: Ward Six City Councilor Davis and City Councilor At Large Mbah ABSENT: Page 5 of 5