MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
December 8, 2020
33 recorded votes, 8 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Zac Bears, Richard F. Caraviello, Adam Knight, Michael J. Marks, Nicole Morell, George A. Scarpelli, John C. Falco
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Records
Suspend the rules to take paper 20-672
At 7:04 p.m., Councillor Morell moved to suspend the rules to take paper 20-672 (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 Morell moved to suspend the rules to take paper 20-672 (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Morell, second: Caraviello)
Communications from the Mayor
Receive and place on file — Paper 20-672: Licensing of Food Trucks
Councillor Marks moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Scarpelli second)-received and placed on file 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 Marks moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Scarpelli second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of five in favor and Councillors Bears and Morell opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Scarpelli)
Approval on the D-Paper — Paper 20-656: November 25, 2020
Councillor Marks moved for approval on the D-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved for approval on the D-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Scarpelli)
Approval on the C-Paper — Paper 20-656: November 25, 2020
Councillor Knight moved for approval on the C-Paper (Councillor Bears 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 Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 20-656: November 25, 2020
Councillor Bears moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Morell 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 Morell second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Morell)
Approval on the main paper — Paper 20-656: November 25, 2020
Councillor Knight 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 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)
Petitions, Presentations and Similar Papers
Grant the license — Paper 20-670: Petition for Common Victualler License by Run Yan, 6E 4th Street, Attleboro, MA 02703 for Rainbow Rain, 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)
Grant the license — Paper 20-671: Petition for Common Victualler License by Robert Trotta, 73 Bow Street, Medford, MA 02155 for Medford Sons of Italy, 42 Alfred Street, Medford, MA 02155
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Vice President Caraviello second)-granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Vice President Caraviello second)-granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Hearings
Adopt the lowest residential factor to be used in 2021: 91.2072 — Paper 20-643: Tax hearing
Councillor Knight moved to adopt the lowest residential factor to be used in 2021: 91.2072 (Councillor Scarpelli second)-adopted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to adopt the lowest residential factor to be used in 2021: 91.2072 (Councillor Scarpelli second)-adopted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Adopt an open space discount — Paper 20-643: Tax hearing
Councillor Knight moved to adopt an open space discount (Councillor Scarpelli second)-failed on a roll call vote of zero in favor and seven opposed, and the open space discount was not adopted.
No: Bears, Caraviello, Falco, Knight, Marks, Morell, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to adopt an open space discount (Councillor Scarpelli second)-failed on a roll call vote of zero in favor and seven opposed, and the open space discount was not adopted..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Select a residential exemption — Paper 20-643: Tax hearing
Councillor Bears moved to select a residential exemption (Councillor Scarpelli second)-failed on a roll call vote of zero in favor and seven opposed, and the residential exemption was not selected.
No: Bears, Caraviello, Falco, Knight, Marks, Morell, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved to select a residential exemption (Councillor Scarpelli second)-failed on a roll call vote of zero in favor and seven opposed, and the residential exemption was not selected..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Select a small commercial exemption — Paper 20-643: Tax hearing
Councillor Knight moved to select a small commercial exemption (Councillor Bears second)-failed on a roll call vote of zero in favor and seven opposed, and the small commercial exemption was not selected.
No: Bears, Caraviello, Falco, Knight, Marks, Morell, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to select a small commercial exemption (Councillor Bears second)-failed on a roll call vote of zero in favor and seven opposed, and the small commercial exemption was not selected..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 20-639: Hearing on a petition from Adam LoRusso of Last Light Tattoo Studio
Vice President Caraviello moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved 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)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Approval on the main paper, as amended, with a condition — Paper 20-639: Hearing on a petition from Adam LoRusso of Last Light Tattoo Studio
Councillor Knight moved for approval on the main paper, as amended, with a condition (Councillor Bears second)-approved as amended, with a condition, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval on the main paper, as amended, with a condition (Councillor Bears second)-approved as amended, with a condition, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 9:33 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 9:33 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Hold a meeting of the Committee of the Whole with National Grid, the MWRA, and representatives of the Administration, to discuss mitigation
Councillor Knight moved to hold a meeting of the Committee of the Whole with National Grid, the MWRA, and representatives of the Administration, to discuss mitigation (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to hold a meeting of the Committee of the Whole with National Grid, the MWRA, and representatives of the Administration, to discuss mitigation (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Table the hearing — Paper 20-600: Hearing on a petition from Boston Gas Co
Councillor Marks moved to table the hearing (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 the hearing (Vice President Caraviello second)-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Caraviello)
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
Receive and place on file — Paper 20-660: Resolution: the Medford City Council request a briefing on the administration's newly established Commission on Parking Policy and Enforcement from the...
Councillor Morell moved to receive 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 Morell moved to receive 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: Morell, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-661: Resolution: the Medford City Council request a report from the DPW Commissioner concerning brown water in the South Medford area water delivery system
Councillor Knight moved for approval as amended (Vice President Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Morell briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Falco, Knight, Marks, ScarpelliThe records list Nicole Morell as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval as amended (Vice President Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Morell briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval, and further moved to send the paper to the DPW and Engineer's Office to contact Anheuser-Busch for this request — Paper 20-662: Resolution: Anheuser-Busch Corporation located at...
Councillor Marks moved for approval, and further moved to send the paper to the DPW and Engineer's Office to contact Anheuser-Busch for this request (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved for approval, and further moved to send the paper to the DPW and Engineer's Office to contact Anheuser-Busch for this request (Councillor Bears second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Bears)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-663: Resolution: the City Administration explore any and all options to increase COVID-19 mitigation actions in the City of Medford and provide an update on any...
Councillor Bears moved for approval as amended (Councillor Marks 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 (Councillor Marks second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Marks)
Suspend the rules to take papers 20-668 and 20-669
President Falco moved to suspend the rules to take papers 20-668 and 20-669 (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of five in favor and Councillors Bears and Knight opposed.
Yes: Caraviello, Falco, Marks, Morell, ScarpelliNo: Bears, Knight
From the minutes
“President Falco moved to suspend the rules to take papers 20-668 and 20-669 (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of five in favor and Councillors Bears and Knight opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Scarpelli)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-668: Resolution: the DPW install marked parking spaces on Governors Avenue from the intersection of Governors Avenue and High Street to Terrace Road in the interest...
President Falco moved for approval as amended (Councillor Knight second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“President Falco moved for approval as amended (Councillor Knight second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Knight)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-669: Resolution: the DPW remove the trash in between the addresses of 205 and 243 Fellsway West in the interest of public safety
President Falco moved for approval as amended (Councillor Knight second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“President Falco moved for approval as amended (Councillor Knight second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Knight)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 10:51 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 10:51 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Scarpelli second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 20-664: Be it Resolved by the Medford City Council that the City Administration provide a written and verbal update to the Medford City Council no later than the Decemb
Councillor Knight moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Approval on the main paper — Paper 20-664: Be it Resolved by the Medford City Council that the City Administration provide a written and verbal update to the Medford City Council no later than the...
Councillor Bears moved for approval on the main paper (Councillor Morell second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved for approval on the main paper (Councillor Morell second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Morell)
Approval — Paper 20-665: Resolution: the City Administration establish a commission for the construction of a COVID-19 memorial in the City of Medford
Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Morell second)-approved 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
“Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Morell second)-approved 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: Bears, second: Morell)
Approval as amended — Paper 20-666: Resolution: the Board of Health and Office of Energy and Environment establish a policy that restaurants and other eating establishments only provide plastic...
Councillor Morell moved for approval as amended (Councillor Bears second)-failed on a roll call vote of three in favor (Councillor Bears, Councillor Morell, and President Falco) and four opposed (Vice President Caraviello and Councillors Knight, Marks and Scarpelli).
Yes: Bears, Falco, MorellNo: Caraviello, Knight, Marks, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Morell moved for approval as amended (Councillor Bears second)-failed on a roll call vote of three in favor (Councillor Bears, Councillor Morell, and President Falco) and four opposed (Vice President Caraviello and Councillors Knight, Marks and Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Morell, second: Bears)
Refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances for further review — Paper 20-667: Chapter 49 - HOUSING ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL Secs. 49-1-49-30. - Reserved. ARTICLE II
Councillor Bears moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances for further review (Councillor Knight second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Ordinances 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 Ordinances for further review (Councillor Knight second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Ordinances on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Reports of Committees
Table until the next meeting — Paper 20-295, 19-660 & 20-519: December 2, 2020 Committee of the Whole Report
Councillor Knight moved to table until the next meeting (Councillor Morell second)-tabled until the next meeting on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to table until the next meeting (Councillor Morell second)-tabled until the next meeting on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Morell)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of December 1, 2020
Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 11:24 p.m
Councillor Bears moved to adjourn at 11:24 p.m. (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Bears moved to adjourn at 11:24 p.m. (Vice President Caraviello second)-passed on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →