MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
October 12, 2021
30 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Zac Bears, John C. Falco, Adam Knight, Michael J. Marks, Nicole Morell, George A. Scarpelli, Richard F. Caraviello
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Records
Suspend the rules to take paper 21-568
At 7:03 p.m., Vice President Knight moved to suspend the rules to take paper 21-568 (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:03 p.m., Vice President Knight moved to suspend the rules to take paper 21-568 (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Petitions, Presentations and Similar Papers
Approval as amended, reversing the sign denial — Paper 21-568: Petition to Reverse Sign Denial by Yano Amara for Clear Channel Outdoor, 236 Mystic Avenue, Medford, MA, reason for denial - needs...
Vice President Knight moved for approval as amended, reversing the sign denial (Councillor Bears second)-approved as amended, reversing the sign denial, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Knight moved for approval as amended, reversing the sign denial (Councillor Bears second)-approved as amended, reversing the sign denial, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 7:18 p.m., Councillor Marks moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:18 p.m., Councillor Marks moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Falco)
Hearings
Continue the hearing and to refer the paper as amended to the Community Development Board
Vice President Knight moved to continue the hearing and to refer the paper as amended to the Community Development Board (Councillor Falco second)-continued and referred as amended to the Community Development Board on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Knight moved to continue the hearing and to refer the paper as amended to the Community Development Board (Councillor Falco second)-continued and referred as amended to the Community Development Board on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Falco)
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
Approval — Paper 21-527: Resolution: the City Council get a report from the City Engineer and Administration on street openings and final paving of those projects with dates of paving completion...
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Falco)
Approval — Paper 21-528: Resolution: the City Council express its sincere condolences to the family of Richard Thorud, a long-time Medford resident
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Marks second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Marks second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Marks)
Approval — Paper 21-575: Bi it Resolved that the Administration notify residents via Reverse 911 call and inform them that these 5G facilities have been approved: 0 Gourley Road; 0 West
Vice President Knight moved for approval (Councillor Marks second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Knight moved for approval (Councillor Marks second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Marks)
Approval as amended — Paper 21-529: Resolution: the City Administration organize a professional working group dealing with the severe rat concerns in our community
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Vice President Knight second)-approved as amended, and for scheduling of a Committee of the Whole meeting, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Vice President Knight second)-approved as amended, and for scheduling of a Committee of the Whole meeting, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Knight)
Suspend the rules to take paper 21-551
At 7:43 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to suspend the rules to take paper 21-551 (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:43 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to suspend the rules to take paper 21-551 (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Approve the report — Paper 21-551: Committee of the whole meeting report tuesday, october
Councillor Bears moved to approve the report (Councillor Falco 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 Bears moved to approve the report (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Morell briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Bears, second: Falco)
Adopt Plan C, which creates eight wards with three precincts per ward — Paper 21-551: Committee of the whole meeting report tuesday, october
Vice President Knight moved to adopt Plan C, which creates eight wards with three precincts per ward (Councillor Morell second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Bears, Vice President Knight, Councillor Morell, and Councillor Scarpelli) and three opposed (Councillor Falco, Councillor Marks, and President Caraviello).
Yes: Bears, Knight, Morell, ScarpelliNo: Caraviello, Falco, Marks
From the minutes
“Vice President Knight moved to adopt Plan C, which creates eight wards with three precincts per ward (Councillor Morell second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Bears, Vice President Knight, Councillor Morell, and Councillor Scarpelli) and three opposed (Councillor Falco, Councillor Marks, and President Caraviello)..” (Motion: Knight, second: Morell)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 7:55 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:55 p.m., Councillor Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 21-576: Be it so Resolved that the Medford City Council recognize the following 41 Medford Athletes who participated in the 2021 Boston Marathon: Ibrahim Abdullah, Aman
Vice President Knight moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Knight moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Refer the paper to the Committee of the Whole — Paper 21-577: Resolution: a new limit for the program be set by tying it to the state senior circuit breaker tax credit yearly maximum cap
Councillor Morell moved to refer the paper to the Committee of the Whole (Councillor Falco second)-referred to the Committee of the Whole on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Morell moved to refer the paper to the Committee of the Whole (Councillor Falco second)-referred to the Committee of the Whole on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Morell, second: Falco)
Approval (Councillor Falco) — Paper 21-578: Resolution: the Medford City Council request the City Administration take the appropriate steps to have the exposed castings along Mystic Avenue clearly...
Vice President Knight moved for approval (Councillor Falco)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Knight moved for approval (Councillor Falco)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight)
Approval — Paper 21-579: Resolution: the Medford City Council request the City Engineer restrict the hours of construction for the project abutting the Brooks School to begin following the start...
Vice President Knight moved for approval (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Knight moved for approval (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Falco)
Approve the joined papers — Paper 21-581: Resolution: the Medford City Council extend its deep and sincere condolences to the family of Mary M
Councillor Falco moved to approve the joined papers (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Falco moved to approve the joined papers (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 21-582: Resolution: the DPW repair the pothole in front of 491 High Street in the interest of public safety
Councillor Falco moved for approval (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Falco moved for approval (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 21-583: Resolution: the Health Department provide the Medford City Council with the standards and protocols that are being used to test the air quality as well as the frequency of...
Councillor Falco moved for approval (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Falco moved for approval (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 21-584: Resolution: the DPW install crosswalks at the intersection of Cherry Street and Salem Street and Almont Street and Salem Street in the interest of public safety
Councillor Falco moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Falco moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 21-585: Resolution: the Medford City Council extend its deep and sincere condolences to the family of retired Medford Firefighter Joseph Cantalupa on his recent passing
Councillor Falco moved for approval (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Falco moved for approval (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Knight)
Approval as amended — Paper 21-586: Resolution: the Administration provide a City Hall staffing update to the Medford City Council
Councillor Falco moved for approval as amended (Councillor Bears second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Falco moved for approval as amended (Councillor Bears second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 21-587: Resolution: the Administration provide an update regarding the upcoming leadership transition within the Medford Fire Department
Councillor Falco moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Falco moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 21-588: Resolution: the Administration provide an update regarding the staffing at Medford Community Media
Councillor Falco moved for approval (Councillor Marks second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Falco moved for approval (Councillor Marks second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Marks)
Take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk
At 8:55 p.m., Councillor Falco moved to take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 8:55 p.m., Councillor Falco moved to take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 21-589: Resolution: the Medford City Council extend a deep and sincere congratulations to Marie and Michael Price on the momentous occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary
Vice President Knight moved for approval (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Knight moved for approval (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Falco)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 8:57 p.m., Councillor Marks moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Scarpelli briefly absent.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Falco, Knight, Marks, MorellThe records list George A. Scarpelli as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“At 8:57 p.m., Councillor Marks moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Scarpelli briefly absent..” (Motion: Marks, second: Bears)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of September 25, 2021
Councillor Falco moved for approval (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Falco moved for approval (Vice President Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Falco, second: Knight)
Councillor Marks moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Marks moved for approval (Councillor Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Marks, second: Bears)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 9:14 p.m
Councillor Morell moved to adjourn at 9:14 p.m. (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Morell moved to adjourn at 9:14 p.m. (Councillor Falco second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Morell, second: Falco)
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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