MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
February 8, 2022
24 recorded votes, 6 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Zac Bears, Richard F. Caraviello, Kit Collins, Adam Knight, George A. Scarpelli, Justin Tseng, Nicole Morell
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Hearings
Continue the public hearing until February 15 so that the Council could receive a written opinion from the Building Commissioner and City Solicitor
Councillor Scarpelli moved to continue the public hearing until February 15 so that the Council could receive a written opinion from the Building Commissioner and City Solicitor (Councillor Collins second)-hearing continued for one week on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to continue the public hearing until February 15 so that the Council could receive a written opinion from the Building Commissioner and City Solicitor (Councillor Collins second)-hearing continued for one week on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
Approval — Paper 22-037: petition from Orbelin Abazi of OB's Auto Service, to operate an Automotive Repair & Auto Body Shop (Class 4 License) at 38 Harvard Avenue, Medford, MA 02155 in a...
Councillor Knight and Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight and Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Suspend the rules to take Paper 22-073
At 7:20 p.m., Councillor Caraviello moved to suspend the rules to take Paper 22-073 (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:20 p.m., Councillor Caraviello moved to suspend the rules to take Paper 22-073 (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Collins)
Communications from the Mayor
Refer the paper to the Committee of the Whole for a meeting with the Administration, Council and other stakeholders, including — Paper 22-073: Home Rule Petition - Charter Commission
Councillor Scarpelli moved to refer the paper to the Committee of the Whole for a meeting with the Administration, Council and other stakeholders, including (Councillor Knight second)-referred to the Committee of the Whole on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to refer the paper to the Committee of the Whole for a meeting with the Administration, Council and other stakeholders, including (Councillor Knight second)-referred to the Committee of the Whole on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Knight)
Revert to the regular order of business
Councillor Caraviello moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Scarpelli briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Knight, Morell, TsengThe records list George A. Scarpelli as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Scarpelli briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Collins)
Approval — Paper 22-073: Home Rule Petition - Charter Commission
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Collins)
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended — Paper 22-073: Home Rule Petition - Charter Commission
President Morell moved for approval as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“President Morell moved for approval as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Morell, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 22-073: Home Rule Petition - Charter Commission
Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 22-068: Resolution: the Medford City Council ask the City Administration and the Office of Planning, Sustainability, and Development to study and reach out to potential locations...
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Knight)
Vice President Bears withdrew his second motion and moved to table the paper, as amended, until the Council receives a legal opinion from the City Solicitor on whether this is legal under zoning...
Vice President Bears withdrew his second motion and moved to table the paper, as amended, until the Council receives a legal opinion from the City Solicitor on whether this is legal under zoning law, and also an opinion from Attorney Bobrowski on this matter (Councillor Knight second)-tabled as amended until receipt of legal opinions on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears withdrew his second motion and moved to table the paper, as amended, until the Council receives a legal opinion from the City Solicitor on whether this is legal under zoning law, and also an opinion from Attorney Bobrowski on this matter (Councillor Knight second)-tabled as amended until receipt of legal opinions on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 22-070: Resolution: the Medford City Council expresses its support of H.2137, "An Act granting the City of Medford the authority to require the adoption of institutional master...
Vice President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, President Morell) one opposed (Councillor Knight) and two voting present (Councillor Scarpelli and Councillor Caraviello).
Yes: Bears, Collins, Morell, TsengNo: KnightAbstained: Caraviello, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, President Morell) one opposed (Councillor Knight) and two voting present (Councillor Scarpelli and Councillor Caraviello)..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Approval — Paper 22-071: Resolution: the Medford City Council express its support for a higher level of Unrestricted General Government Aid in the FY2023 state budget
Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Vice President Bears voting present.
Yes: Caraviello, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengAbstained: Bears
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Vice President Bears voting present..” (Motion: Collins, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 22-072: Resolution: the Medford City Council reaffirm the pledge to make our city hunger-free by 2028; Be it further Resolved that the Medford City Council express support for...
Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Scarpelli)
Take Papers 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021); 21-631 (First Reading January 4, 2022); and 22-023 from the table
At 9:13 p.m., Councillor Collins moved to take Papers 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021); 21-631 (First Reading January 4, 2022); and 22-023 from the table (President Morell second)-taken from the table on a roll call vote of five in favor and two opposed (Councillor Knight and Councillor Scarpelli).
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, TsengNo: Knight, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“At 9:13 p.m., Councillor Collins moved to take Papers 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021); 21-631 (First Reading January 4, 2022); and 22-023 from the table (President Morell second)-taken from the table on a roll call vote of five in favor and two opposed (Councillor Knight and Councillor Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Collins, second: Morell)
Approve Paper 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021) for third reading to be ordained — Paper 22-072: Resolution: the Medford City Council reaffirm the pledge to make our city hunger-free by...
President Morell moved to approve Paper 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021) for third reading to be ordained (Councillor Collins second)-Vice President Bears ruled that the paper was approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, President Morell, and Vice President Bears) and three opposed (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, and Councillor Scarpelli).
Yes: Bears, Collins, Morell, TsengNo: Caraviello, Knight, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“President Morell moved to approve Paper 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021) for third reading to be ordained (Councillor Collins second)-Vice President Bears ruled that the paper was approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, President Morell, and Vice President Bears) and three opposed (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, and Councillor Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Morell, second: Collins)
Question the ruling of the Chair — Paper 22-072: Resolution: the Medford City Council reaffirm the pledge to make our city hunger-free by 2028; Be it further Resolved that the Medford City Council...
Councillor Knight moved to question the ruling of the Chair (Councillor Caraviello second)-motion approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Collins and Councillor Tseng voting present.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Knight, Morell, ScarpelliAbstained: Collins, Tseng
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to question the ruling of the Chair (Councillor Caraviello second)-motion approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Collins and Councillor Tseng voting present..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Table Papers 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021); 21-631 (First Reading January 4, 2022); and 22-023 — Paper 22-072: Resolution: the Medford City Council reaffirm the pledge to make our city...
Councillor Knight moved to table Papers 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021); 21-631 (First Reading January 4, 2022); and 22-023 (Councillor Tseng second)-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to table Papers 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021); 21-631 (First Reading January 4, 2022); and 22-023 (Councillor Tseng second)-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Tseng)
Reconsider the vote on Paper 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021) for third reading to be ordained
Councillor Knight moved to reconsider the vote on Paper 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021) for third reading to be ordained (President Morell second)-motion to reconsider approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to reconsider the vote on Paper 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021) for third reading to be ordained (President Morell second)-motion to reconsider approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Morell)
Re-table Paper 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021)
Councillor Knight moved to re-table Paper 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021) (Councillor Collins second)-re-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to re-table Paper 21-631 (First Reading December 21, 2021) (Councillor Collins second)-re-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Collins)
Reports of Committees
Approve the report — Paper 22-043: February 1, 2022 Committee of the Whole Report. 22-043
Councillor Caraviello moved to approve the report (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved to approve the report (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Approve the report — Paper 20-568: February 2, 2022 Committee of the Whole Report. 20-568
Councillor Caraviello moved to approve the report (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved to approve the report (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of February 1, 2022
Vice President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President 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 9:33 p.m
Councillor Caraviello moved to adjourn at 9:33 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved to adjourn at 9:33 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Tseng)
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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