MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
September 22, 2020
43 recorded votes, 5 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: The roll call in the records is blank; the records count all seven councillors voting, so all are shown present.
Present: Richard F. Caraviello, John C. Falco, Adam Knight, Michael J. Marks, George A. Scarpelli, Zac Bears, Nicole Morell
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Records
Suspend the rules to take papers 20-561, 20-562, 20-564, 20-565, 20-447 and 20-544
At 7:14 p.m., Vice President Caraviello moved to suspend the rules to take papers 20-561, 20-562, 20-564, 20-565, 20-447 and 20-544 (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:14 p.m., Vice President Caraviello moved to suspend the rules to take papers 20-561, 20-562, 20-564, 20-565, 20-447 and 20-544 (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Knight)
Petitions, Presentations and Similar Papers
Approval — Paper 20-561: Petition for Common Victualler License by Robert Miller, 49 Poole Street Medford, MA 02155 for American Legion Post 45, 321 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA 02155
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Table until the end of the meeting — Paper 20-562: Petition to Reverse Sign Denial by Heather Dudko for XSS Hotels (Fairfield/Marriot), 85 Station Landing. Medford, MA OCD application 2-A exceeds...
Councillor Marks moved to table until the end of the meeting (Vice President Caraviello second)-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved to table until the end of the meeting (Vice President Caraviello second)-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Caraviello)
Approve the petition for reversal as amended — Paper 20-564: Petition to Reverse Sign Denial by Neil Paris for Liv's Juice Bar, 56 Station Landing. Medford, MA OCD application 3 exceeds maximum...
Vice President Caraviello moved to approve the petition for reversal as amended (Councillor Morell second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved to approve the petition for reversal as amended (Councillor Morell second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Morell)
Approve the petition for reversal, with a restriction requesting that, out of the request for 13 canvas awnings, that 13 awnings be allowed, but only 3 awnings with signage that says, "Free...
Councillor Marks moved to approve the petition for reversal, with a restriction requesting that, out of the request for 13 canvas awnings, that 13 awnings be allowed, but only 3 awnings with signage that says, "Free Vacuuming." He also moved that the banners come down after the awnings go up (Councillor Knight second)-approved with the restriction on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved to approve the petition for reversal, with a restriction requesting that, out of the request for 13 canvas awnings, that 13 awnings be allowed, but only 3 awnings with signage that says, "Free Vacuuming." He also moved that the banners come down after the awnings go up (Councillor Knight second)-approved with the restriction on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Knight)
Take paper 20-562 from the table
At 7:45 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to take paper 20-562 from the table (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:45 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to take paper 20-562 from the table (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Join papers 20-562 and 20-563 — Paper 20-562: Petition to Reverse Sign Denial by Heather Dudko for XSS Hotels (Fairfield/Marriott), 85 Station Landing. Medford, MA OCD application 2-A exceeds...
Vice President Caraviello moved to join papers 20-562 and 20-563 (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved to join papers 20-562 and 20-563 (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Approve the petition for reversal as amended — Paper 20-563: Petition to Reverse Sign Denial by Heather Dudko for XSS Hotels (Fairfield/Marriott), 85 Station Landing. Medford, MA OCD application...
Vice President Caraviello moved to approve the petition for reversal as amended (Councillor Morell second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved to approve the petition for reversal as amended (Councillor Morell second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Morell)
Waive reading of the paper in lieu of a synopsis from the petitioner
Councillor Marks moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a synopsis from the petitioner (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a synopsis from the petitioner (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Knight)
Approve the petition — Paper 20-447: Hearing on a petition from Boston Gas Co
Councillor Marks moved to approve the petition (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved to approve the petition (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Bears)
Waive reading in lieu of a synopsis from the petitioner
Councillor Knight moved to waive reading in lieu of a synopsis from the petitioner (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to waive reading in lieu of a synopsis from the petitioner (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended, with conditions — Paper 20-544: Hearing on a petition from Comcast Cable Communications
Councillor Bears moved for approval as amended, with conditions (Vice President Caraviello second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved for approval as amended, with conditions (Vice President Caraviello second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Communications from the Mayor
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 20-541: Proposed Ordinance; Historic District
Councillor Knight moved for approval on the B-Paper (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval on the B-Paper (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Table the Main Paper until October 6 — Paper 20-541: Proposed Ordinance; Historic District
Councillor Knight moved to table the Main Paper until October 6 (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor and President Falco opposed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Knight, Marks, Morell, ScarpelliNo: Falco
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to table the Main Paper until October 6 (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor and President Falco opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 20-566: Home Rule Petition - Charter Commission
Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Morell second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Bears, Councillor Morell, Councillor Marks and President Falco) and three opposed (Vice President Caraviello, Councillor Knight, Councillor Scarpelli).
Yes: Bears, Falco, Marks, MorellNo: Caraviello, Knight, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Morell second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Bears, Councillor Morell, Councillor Marks and President Falco) and three opposed (Vice President Caraviello, Councillor Knight, Councillor Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Bears, second: Morell)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 9:37 p.m., Councillor Knight moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 9:37 p.m., Councillor Knight moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Hearings
Approval of the ordinance as amended — Paper 20-566: Home Rule Petition - Charter Commission
Councillor Marks moved for approval of the ordinance as amended (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved for approval of the ordinance as amended (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Knight)
Sever the CAC Ordinance from the Zoning Ordinance
Councillor Knight moved to sever the CAC Ordinance from the Zoning Ordinance (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to sever the CAC Ordinance from the Zoning Ordinance (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-476: City of medford
Councillor Knight moved for approval as amended (Councillor Bears second)-main motion passed as amended and then tabled until October 6 on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval as amended (Councillor Bears second)-main motion passed as amended and then tabled until October 6 on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Call the continued public hearing to order
Councillor Knight moved to call the continued public hearing to order (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to call the continued public hearing to order (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approve paper 20-042 for third reading — Paper 20-476: City of medford
Councillor Knight moved to approve paper 20-042 for third reading (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved for third reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to approve paper 20-042 for third reading (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved for third reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
Approval — Paper 20-545: Resolution: the City Clerk be directed to schedule and post a standing notice for a meeting of the Ordinace Subcommitee on the second Tuesday of October, November and...
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Scarpelli briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Falco, Knight, Marks, MorellThe records list George A. Scarpelli as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Scarpelli briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 20-546: Resolution: the City Administration provide the Council with monthly reports regarding the See Click Fix Program, including the following information: 1
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 20-547: Resolution: the City Administration provide the Council with a monthly report on the issuance of street opening permits, including the following information: 1
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-548: Resolution: the City Auditor conduct an audit of the Treasurer/Collector's Office
Councillor Knight moved for approval as amended (Councillor Marks second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval as amended (Councillor Marks second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Marks)
Approval — Paper 20-549: Resolution: the Medford City Council thank Richard Raso for his commitment to the community and congratulate Raso's Grille for 15 years of success anniversary; and Be it...
Councillor Knight and Vice President Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight and Vice President Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 20-550: Resolution: the Medford City Council extends its deep and sincere condolences to the family of Theresa Ghiloni on her recent passing
Councillor Bears moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Approval on the main paper — Paper 20-550: Resolution: the Medford City Council extends its deep and sincere condolences to the family of Theresa Ghiloni on her recent passing
Councillor Knight and Vice President Caraviello moved for approval on the main paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight and Vice President Caraviello moved for approval on the main paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 20-551: Resolution: the Medford City Council hold a Committee of the Whole to review the draft ordinance regulating donation collection bins as offered under paper 20- 295 and...
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-553: Resolution: the Medford City Council request a report from the School Committee on its plans to address truancy during remote learning
Councillor Knight moved for approval as amended (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of five in favor and Councillors Bears and Morell opposed.
Yes: Caraviello, Falco, Knight, Marks, ScarpelliNo: Bears, Morell
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval as amended (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of five in favor and Councillors Bears and Morell opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-554: Resolution: the City Administration report back to the Council on the hiring of an Election Coordinator to oversee and coordinate elections in the City of Medford
Councillor Marks moved for approval as amended (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved for approval as amended (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-555: Resolution: the most recent visit to Medford by Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack be discussed
Councillor Marks moved for approval as amended (Councillor Knight second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved for approval as amended (Councillor Knight second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Knight)
Refer the paper as amended to the Committee of the Whole — Paper 20-556: Resolution: the Medford City Council meet with the Chief Buckley, our state delegation, Building Commissioner Mochi and...
Councillor Marks moved to refer the paper as amended to the Committee of the Whole (Councillor Scarpelli second)-referred as amended to the Committee of the Whole.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved to refer the paper as amended to the Committee of the Whole (Councillor Scarpelli second)-referred as amended to the Committee of the Whole..” (Motion: Marks, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 20-557: Resolution: the Medford City Council request an update from the City Administration on the status of the 2020 Census and how our current response rate will affect future...
Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 20-558: Resolution: Medford City Council requests an update from the Department of Public Works on the condition of pavement and line painting on Rivers Edge Drive
Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 20-559: Resolution: the Medford City Council be provided with an update on the current financial circumstances and projections following the close of the first quarter of the...
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 20-560: Resolution: the Medford City Council request that the City Administration use all available resources to ensure addiction and substance use recovery meetings are supported...
Councillors Morell and Bears moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillors Morell and Bears moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Morell, second: Caraviello)
Take paper 20-540 from the table
At 10:37 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to take paper 20-540 from the table (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 10:37 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to take paper 20-540 from the table (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Petitions, Presentations and Similar Papers
Grant the license — Paper 20-540: Petition for Common Victualler License by Mohammad Anwar, 2292 Boston Turnpike, Coventry, CT 06238 for The Anwar Group, Inc
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Councillor Knight second)-granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Councillor Knight second)-granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Knight)
Reports of Committees
Table all Committee Reports — Paper 20-541: September 16, 2020 Committee of the Whole Report to follow
Councillor Knight moved to table all Committee Reports (Councillor Scarpelli second)-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to table all Committee Reports (Councillor Scarpelli second)-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Records
Approve the records — Records of the meeting of August 25, 2020
Councillor Knight moved to approve the records (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to approve the records (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Table until the next meeting — Records of the meeting of August 25, 2020
Councillor Marks moved to table until the next meeting (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved to table until the next meeting (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Knight)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 11:44 p.m
Councillor Bears moved to adjourn at 11:44 p.m. (Councillor Morell second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved to adjourn at 11:44 p.m. (Councillor Morell second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Morell)
From the Medford City Council’s official records (its minutes), posted in the city’s Municode document library (Council Records) and on its CivicClerk meeting portal. We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: City of Medford (medfordma.org), cropped from the captioned 2026 City Council photo on the official City Council page (Gotta Know Media). Justin Tseng: Harvard Law School. Former councilors show initials.
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