MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
July 19, 2022
25 recorded votes, 17 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
During the meeting:
- Richard F. Caraviello left the meeting or the Chamber for part of the meeting.
- Adam Knight left the meeting or the Chamber for part of the meeting.
Every vote, in order
Regular meeting
Suspend the rules to take Papers 22-411, 22-431, 22-436, 22-437, 22-441, 22-442, 22-443, and 22-439
At 7:01 p.m. Vice President Bears moved to suspend the rules to take Papers 22-411, 22-431, 22-436, 22-437, 22-441, 22-442, 22-443, and 22-439 (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:01 p.m. Vice President Bears moved to suspend the rules to take Papers 22-411, 22-431, 22-436, 22-437, 22-441, 22-442, 22-443, and 22-439 (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Waive the six-day comment period, and further moved to approve the proposed zoning changes
Vice President Bears moved to waive the six-day comment period, and further moved to approve the proposed zoning changes (Councillor Knight second)-zoning changes approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to waive the six-day comment period, and further moved to approve the proposed zoning changes (Councillor Knight second)-zoning changes approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Approval pending the six-day comment period and pending feedback from the Code Enforcement Officer and the Police Chief after site visits, as amended with conditions — Paper 22-431: petition from...
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval pending the six-day comment period and pending feedback from the Code Enforcement Officer and the Police Chief after site visits, as amended with conditions (Councillor Collins second)-approved as amended, with conditions, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval pending the six-day comment period and pending feedback from the Code Enforcement Officer and the Police Chief after site visits, as amended with conditions (Councillor Collins second)-approved as amended, with conditions, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Approval as amended — Paper 22-436: Resolution: the Medford City Council invite representatives from Medford Police Department to discuss National Night Out in Medford
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Vice President Bears 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 Bears second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 22-437: Resolution: the Medford City Council have the Medford Police address the overnight tractor trailer parking within the City
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Knight)
Communications from the Mayor
Confirm the appointment — Paper 22-441: Board of Election Commission Appointment
Councillor Scarpelli moved to confirm the appointment (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to confirm the appointment (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
Approval as amended — Paper 22-442: Resolution: a TREASURER; an AUDITOR; a REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS 5th DISTRICT: a COUNCILLOR 6th DISTRICT; a SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT SECOND MIDDLESEX DISTRICT;...
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Collins 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 (Councillor Collins second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Approve the early voting dates and times — Paper 22-443: To: The Honorable Medford City Council In response to the Election Advisory #22-01. The following are The City of Medford's Early In-Person...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the early voting dates and times (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the early voting dates and times (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 9:52 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 9:52 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of June 28, 2022
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Knight, second: Collins)
Reports of Committees
Join the two reports and further moved to approve the joined reports
Vice President Bears moved to join the two reports and further moved to approve the joined reports (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to join the two reports and further moved to approve the joined reports (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Join Papers 22-414 and 22-435, then further moved for approval of the joined papers
Councillor Knight moved to join Papers 22-414 and 22-435, then further moved for approval of the joined papers (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to join Papers 22-414 and 22-435, then further moved for approval of the joined papers (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Join Papers 22-433 and 22-434 — Paper 22-434: Resolution: the Medford City Council congratulate Gwendolin V
Councillor Knight moved to join Papers 22-433 and 22-434 (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to join Papers 22-433 and 22-434 (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Knight, second: Collins)
Approval of the joined papers — Paper 22-434: Resolution: the Medford City Council congratulate Gwendolin V
Councillor Knight moved for approval of the joined papers (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval of the joined papers (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Keep the public hearing open for 90 days
Councillor Knight moved to keep the public hearing open for 90 days (Vice President Bears second)-public hearing kept open for 90 days on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to keep the public hearing open for 90 days (Vice President Bears second)-public hearing kept open for 90 days on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approve the petition after the close of the public comment period — Paper 22-432: Legal notice city clerk's office
Councillor Knight moved to approve the petition after the close of the public comment period (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to approve the petition after the close of the public comment period (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent..” (Motion: Knight, second: Collins)
Table this paper and all papers offered by Councillor Caraviello (including Papers 22-416 and 22-421) until the next meeting — Paper 22-413: Resolution: the Medford City Council commend and...
Councillor Collins moved to table this paper and all papers offered by Councillor Caraviello (including Papers 22-416 and 22-421) until the next meeting (Councillor Scarpelli second)-tabled until the next meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved to table this paper and all papers offered by Councillor Caraviello (including Papers 22-416 and 22-421) until the next meeting (Councillor Scarpelli second)-tabled until the next meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Scarpelli)
Approve the signs requested by the Petitioner — Paper 22-415: Petition to Reverse Sign Denial by Michael R. Dolan and Trent Suddeth for Volta 760 Fellsway, Medford, MA reason for denial -...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the signs requested by the Petitioner (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the signs requested by the Petitioner (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
Refer the paper, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole for a meeting in August with the Interim Chief Assessor — Paper 22-417: Resolution: the City of Medford increase the Property Tax...
Vice President Bears moved to refer the paper, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole for a meeting in August with the Interim Chief Assessor (Councillor Knight second)-referred as amended to the Committee of the Whole on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to refer the paper, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole for a meeting in August with the Interim Chief Assessor (Councillor Knight second)-referred as amended to the Committee of the Whole on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 22-418: Resolution: the Medford City Council ask the relevant state agencies to fix broken signage and remove signage debris in Wellington Circle
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Collins, Councillor Scarpelli, Councillor Tseng and Vice President Bears), zero opposed, and three absent (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight and President Morell, with the latter two briefly absent from the Chamber).
Yes: Bears, Collins, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote. The records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote. The records list Nicole Morell as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Collins, Councillor Scarpelli, Councillor Tseng and Vice President Bears), zero opposed, and three absent (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight and President Morell, with the latter two briefly absent from the Chamber)..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Scarpelli)
Approval as amended — Paper 22-419: Resolution: the Medford City Council ask the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to remove debris from Wellington station grounds
Councillor Tseng moved for approval as amended (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of five in favor, zero opposed, and two absent (Councillor Caraviello absent, and President Morell briefly absent from the Chamber).
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote. The records list Nicole Morell as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval as amended (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of five in favor, zero opposed, and two absent (Councillor Caraviello absent, and President Morell briefly absent from the Chamber)..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 22-420: Resolution: the City Administration inform local restaurants and food trucks about the Massachusetts SNAP Restaurant Meals Program and encourage them to apply to this program
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, zero opposed, and two absent (Councillor Caraviello absent, and President Morell briefly absent from the Chamber).
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote. The records list Nicole Morell as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, zero opposed, and two absent (Councillor Caraviello absent, and President Morell briefly absent from the Chamber)..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 22-438: Resolution: the Medford City Council request an update from the Department of Public Works on the measures, standards, or contracts in place for cleaning and waste pickup...
Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 22-440: Resolution: the Medford City Council express its support for House bill H.4795, "An Act to Expand Access to High-Quality, Affordable Early Education and Care," which would...
Councillor Collins moved for approval (President Morell second, from the Floor)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Knight opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengNo: KnightThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved for approval (President Morell second, from the Floor)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Knight opposed, and Councillor Caraviello absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Morell)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 10:43 p.m
President Morell moved to adjourn at 10:43 p.m. (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, zero opposed, and two absent (Councillors Caraviello and Knight; Councillor Knight departed at 10:42 p.m.).
Yes: Bears, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Richard F. Caraviello as absent for this vote. The records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“President Morell moved to adjourn at 10:43 p.m. (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, zero opposed, and two absent (Councillors Caraviello and Knight; Councillor Knight departed at 10:42 p.m.)..” (Motion: Morell, second: Collins)
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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