MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
October 13, 2020
31 recorded votes, 2 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 paper 20-598
At 7:04 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to suspend the rules to take paper 20-598 (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:04 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to suspend the rules to take paper 20-598 (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
Grant the license — Paper 20-598: Petition for Common Victualler License by Klodian Qyrasi, 94 Birch Street Peabody, MA 01960 for Helen's Roast Beef & Pizzeria, 321A Boston Ave., Medford, MA 02155
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Vice President Caraviello second)-granted on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Knight opposed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Falco, Marks, Morell, ScarpelliNo: Knight
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Vice President Caraviello second)-granted on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Knight opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 20-597: Resolution: the City Administration provide an update on the status of the FY2021 state budget and its impact on city revenue
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)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 7:13 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Morell second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:13 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Morell second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Morell)
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
Waive reading in lieu of a synopsis of the draft ordinance
Councillor Knight moved to waive reading in lieu of a synopsis of the draft ordinance (Councillor Bears 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 of the draft ordinance (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approve for first reading — Paper 20-476: City of medford
Councillor Knight moved to approve for first reading (Councillor Bears second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to approve for first reading (Councillor Bears second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-590: Resolution: the Medford City Council request that representatives from the Amazon.Com distribution branch appear before the City Council to discuss the...
Councillors Knight and Scarpelli 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
“Councillors Knight and Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Bears second)-passed as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 20-591: Resolution: the City Solicitor provide an opinion on the following question: Does a meeting posted for a certain date that extends past midnight and into a different date...
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 20-592: Resolution: the hours at Park Medford's Main Street Office be reviewed to ensure that it is open later than 2pm at least one day per week
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 20-593: Resolution: the City Council request from the Administration a current list of non-ADA compliant sidewalks in the city and to the extent that it exists, plans...
Councillor Morell 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 Morell 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: Morell, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-594: Resolution: the City Council receive an update from Medford's Massport Community Advisory Committee representatives Peter Houk and Luke Preisner in response to...
Councillor Morell 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 Morell 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: Morell, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 20-595: Resolution: the Medford City Council expresses its support of H.5018, "An Act to guarantee housing stability during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery." Be it Further...
Councillor Bears moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Bears, Vice President Caraviello, Councillor Morell, President Falco), two opposed (Councillor Marks and Councillor Scarpelli) and Councillor Knight briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Falco, MorellNo: Marks, ScarpelliThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Bears, Vice President Caraviello, Councillor Morell, President Falco), two opposed (Councillor Marks and Councillor Scarpelli) and Councillor Knight briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 20-596: Resolution: the City Clerk provide a brief update on preparations for the November 3rd General Election
Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Morell second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Morell second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Morell)
Reports of Committees
Accept the report — Paper 20-295: October 6, 2020 Committee of the Whole Report. 20-295
Vice President Caraviello moved to accept the report (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved to accept the report (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Accept the report — Paper 19-660: October 7, 2020 Committee of the Whole Report. 19-660
Councillor Scarpelli moved to accept the report (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to accept the report (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
Take the Committee of the Whole Reports from July 27, August 19, and September 8 from the table
At 7:50 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to take the Committee of the Whole Reports from July 27, August 19, and September 8 from the table (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:50 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to take the Committee of the Whole Reports from July 27, August 19, and September 8 from the table (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Accept the first three reports — Paper 19-659 & 20-042: Committee of the whole meeting report tuesday, september
Vice President Caraviello moved to accept the first three reports (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved to accept the first three reports (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Bears)
Take the Committee of the Whole Reports from September 15 and September 16 from the table
At 7:53 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to take the Committee of the Whole Reports from September 15 and September 16 from the table (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:53 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to take the Committee of the Whole Reports from September 15 and September 16 from the table (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Accept the two Committee Reports — Paper 20-541: Committee of the whole
Vice President Caraviello moved to accept the two Committee Reports (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved to accept the two Committee Reports (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Bears)
Take papers 19-342, 19-526 and 19-623 from the table, and to receive and place on file
At 7:55 p.m., Councillor Knight moved to take papers 19-342, 19-526 and 19-623 from the table, and to receive and place on file (Councillor Bears second)-taken from the table, and received and placed on file, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:55 p.m., Councillor Knight moved to take papers 19-342, 19-526 and 19-623 from the table, and to receive and place on file (Councillor Bears second)-taken from the table, and received and placed on file, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Take paper 20-421 from the table
At 7:56 p.m., Councillor Knight moved to take paper 20-421 from the table (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:56 p.m., Councillor Knight moved to take paper 20-421 from the table (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval, and asked that the paper be forwarded to the City Solicitor once the Animal Control Officer provides his recommendations — Paper 20-421: Resolution: the Medford City Council request that...
Councillor Knight moved for approval, and asked that the paper be forwarded to the City Solicitor once the Animal Control Officer provides his recommendations (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, and asked that the paper be forwarded to the City Solicitor once the Animal Control Officer provides his recommendations (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Take paper 20-423 from the table
At 7:58 p.m., Councillor Knight moved to take paper 20-423 from the table (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:58 p.m., Councillor Knight moved to take paper 20-423 from the table (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 20-423: Be it so Resolved the Medford City Council thank the Belmont Chinese Society for their generous donation of 2000 surgical masks to Medford's First Responders
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)
Receive paper 18-686 and place on file — Paper 20-423: Be it so Resolved the Medford City Council thank the Belmont Chinese Society for their generous donation of 2000 surgical masks to Medford's...
Councillor Knight moved to receive paper 18-686 and place on file (Vice President Caraviello second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to receive paper 18-686 and place on file (Vice President Caraviello second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Receive paper 20-084 and place on file — Paper 20-423: Be it so Resolved the Medford City Council thank the Belmont Chinese Society for their generous donation of 2000 surgical masks to Medford's...
Vice President Caraviello moved to receive paper 20-084 and place on file (Councillor Knight second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Caraviello moved to receive paper 20-084 and place on file (Councillor Knight second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Knight)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of October 6, 2020
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk
At 8:04 p.m., Vice President Caraviello moved to take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 8:04 p.m., Vice President Caraviello moved to take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 20-599: Resolution: the Medford City Council send its sincere condolences to the family of Mary Byrnes on her recent passing
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)
Approval — Paper 20-601: Resolution: the Medford City Council offer its condolences to the family of Giuseppe "Nick" Mascarelli on his recent passing, and to adjourn the meeting in his 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)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 8:10 p.m
Councillor Knight moved to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, 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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