MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
October 6, 2020
39 recorded votes, 7 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- 583 and 20-570
At 7:05 p.m., Vice President Caraviello moved to suspend the rules to take papers 20- 583 and 20-570 (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:05 p.m., Vice President Caraviello moved to suspend the rules to take papers 20- 583 and 20-570 (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Knight)
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
Approval — Paper 20-583: Resolution: the Medford City Council commend and congratulate Stanley Chiozzi on his 101st birthday
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
“Vice President Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Revert to the regular order of business
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
“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)
Table until the next regular meeting on October 13 — Paper 20-476: City of medford
Councillor Knight moved to table until the next regular meeting on October 13 (Councillor Bears second)-tabled until October 13 on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to table until the next regular meeting on October 13 (Councillor Bears second)-tabled until October 13 on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
As amended, to re-convene in six months, or sooner, if necessary — Paper 20-570: Update on Lawrence Memorial Hospital
Councillor Knight moved, as amended, to re-convene in six months, or sooner, if necessary (Councillor Bears second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved, as amended, to re-convene in six months, or sooner, if necessary (Councillor Bears second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Suspend the rules to take paper 20-587
At 8:05 p.m., Councillor Morell moved to suspend the rules to take paper 20-587 (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Knight opposed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Falco, Marks, Morell, ScarpelliNo: Knight
From the minutes
“At 8:05 p.m., Councillor Morell moved to suspend the rules to take paper 20-587 (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Knight opposed..” (Motion: Morell, second: Caraviello)
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 20-587: COVID-19 Monthly Update
Vice President Caraviello 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
“Vice President Caraviello moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Approval on the C-Paper — Paper 20-587: COVID-19 Monthly Update
Councillor Knight moved for approval on the C-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval on the C-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Report the questions out and to receive and place on file
Councillor Knight moved to report the questions out and to receive and place on file (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor and President Falco briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Knight, Marks, Morell, ScarpelliThe records list John C. Falco as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to report the questions out and to receive and place on file (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor and President Falco briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Communications from the Mayor
Waive reading of the paper, and to take the paper under suspension
Councillor Knight moved to waive reading of the paper, and to take the paper under suspension (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to waive reading of the paper, and to take the paper under suspension (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 20-541: Proposed Ordinance; Historic District
Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Morell second)-failed on a vote of three in favor (Councillor Bears, Councillor Morell and President Falco) and four opposed (Vice President Caraviello, Councillor Knight, Councillor Marks, Councillor Scarpelli).
Yes: Bears, Falco, MorellNo: Caraviello, Knight, Marks, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Morell second)-failed on a vote of three in favor (Councillor Bears, Councillor Morell and President Falco) and four opposed (Vice President Caraviello, Councillor Knight, Councillor Marks, Councillor Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Bears, second: Morell)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 10:40 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 10:40 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)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-571: Resolution: the City Administration provide the Council with a list of unsettled union contracts
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 on the B-Paper — Paper 20-572: Resolution: the City repave the street in front of 69-77 Winslow Ave in the interest of public safety
Vice President Caraviello moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Knight)
Approval on the main paper — Paper 20-572: Resolution: the City repave the street in front of 69-77 Winslow Ave in the interest of public safety
Councillors Marks and Scarpelli moved for approval on the main paper (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillors Marks and Scarpelli moved for approval on the main paper (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Bears)
Refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Public Works — Paper 20-573: Resolution: the Revised Ordinances of the City of Medford, as most recently amended, is hereby further amended by changing the...
Councillor Bears moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Public Works (Councillor Morell second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Public Works as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Public Works (Councillor Morell second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Public Works as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Morell)
Suspend the rules to take papers 20-584, 20-585 and 20-586
At 11:24 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to suspend the rules to take papers 20-584, 20-585 and 20-586 (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 11:24 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to suspend the rules to take papers 20-584, 20-585 and 20-586 (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Petitions, Presentations and Similar Papers
Combine all three papers — Paper 20-586: Petition for Common Victualler License by David Cafua, 280 Merrimack Street, Methuen, MA 01844 for Greater Boston BJ's Donuts, LLC, 620 Fellsway, Medford,...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to combine all three papers (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Bears temporarily absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Caraviello, Falco, Knight, Marks, Morell, ScarpelliThe records list Zac Bears as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to combine all three papers (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Bears temporarily absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-586: Petition for Common Victualler License by David Cafua, 280 Merrimack Street, Methuen, MA 01844 for Greater Boston BJ's Donuts, LLC, 620 Fellsway, Medford, MA 02155
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Vice President Caraviello second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Vice President Caraviello second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 11:34 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 11:34 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 20-574: Resolution: the Director of Board of Health get the input from our partners in the medical field Dr
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed 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 Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of five in favor and Councillors Bears and Morell opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 20-575: Resolution: the City Solicitor gives the City Council an opinion dealing with open meeting law violations for overcrowding due to Fire Department protocol on maximum...
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Bears opposed.
Yes: Caraviello, Falco, Knight, Marks, Morell, ScarpelliNo: Bears
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Bears opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-576: Resolution: the City Administration, Traffic Engineer and MPD Traffic Department install temporary raised crosswalks on Both Main St and South St intersection...
Marks and Knight 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
“Marks and Knight 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)
Councillor Scarpelli offered an amendment asking what the City is doing for employees whose information was disclosed, and how the City is supporting them. Vice President moved to refer the paper...
Councillor Scarpelli offered an amendment asking what the City is doing for employees whose information was disclosed, and how the City is supporting them. Vice President moved to refer the paper as amended to the Committee of the Whole for an executive session (Councillor Bears second)-referred as amended to the Committee of the Whole for an executive session on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli offered an amendment asking what the City is doing for employees whose information was disclosed, and how the City is supporting them. Vice President moved to refer the paper as amended to the Committee of the Whole for an executive session (Councillor Bears second)-referred as amended to the Committee of the Whole for an executive session on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 20-578: Resolution: the dangerous intersection and crossing at the Mystic Bridge on High Street be discussed in the interest of public safety
Councillor Marks moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 20-579: Resolution: a moment of silence be held for long time Medford resident Joanne Caputo on her recent passing and that the Medford City Council meeting be dedicated in her memory
Councillor Marks moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 20-580: Resolution: the Medford City Council ask the residents of Medford to join us in acknowledging October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Mayor as has been done in...
Vice President Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 20-581: Resolution: the Medford City Council look into creating a safe disposal site for fuel, oil, and other waste
Vice President Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Bears)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-582: Resolution: the Medford City Council ask that the Historical Commission or the Building Department notify residents which have had their building permits...
Vice President Caraviello moved for approval as amended (Councillor Morell second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Bears, Vice President Caraviello, Councillor Morell, and President Falco) and three opposed (Councillors Knight, Marks and Scarpelli).
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Falco, MorellNo: Knight, Marks, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved for approval as amended (Councillor Morell second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Bears, Vice President Caraviello, Councillor Morell, and President Falco) and three opposed (Councillors Knight, Marks and Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Morell)
Reports of Committees
Receive and place on file — Paper 20-541: September 21, 2020 Committee of the Whole Report. 20-541
Councillor Knight moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 20-567: September 22, 2020 Committee of the Whole Report. 20-567
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 20-568: September 23, 2020 Committee of the Whole Report. 20-568
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 20-513: September 30, 2020 Cultural Arts and History Subcommittee Report. 20-513
Councillor Morell moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Morell moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Morell, second: Bears)
Take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk
At 12:17 a.m., Councillor Knight moved to take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 12:17 a.m., Councillor Knight moved to take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 20-588: Resolution: the Head of Wires Stephen Randazzo reach out directly to National Grid in the interest of public safety
Councillor Marks moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 20-589: Resolution: a moment of silence be held for long time Medford resident Louise Musto Choate on her recent passing
Councillor Marks and Vice President Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks and Vice President Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Knight)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of September 8, 2020
Councillor Marks moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Knight)
Councillor Morell announced that she had alerted the City Clerk to an error in the records of September 22, that the City Clerk had corrected the records before this meeting, and moved for...
Councillor Morell announced that she had alerted the City Clerk to an error in the records of September 22, that the City Clerk had corrected the records before this meeting, and moved for approval as amended (Councillor Bears second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Morell announced that she had alerted the City Clerk to an error in the records of September 22, that the City Clerk had corrected the records before this meeting, and moved for approval as amended (Councillor Bears second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Morell, second: Bears)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 12:25 a.m
Councillor Scarpelli moved to adjourn at 12:25 a.m. (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to adjourn at 12:25 a.m. (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
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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