MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
February 14, 2023
26 recorded votes, 25 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, Nicole Morell, George A. Scarpelli, Justin Tseng
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approval — Paper 23-033: Resolution: the Medford City Council wish Jack McDevitt a happy 85th birthday
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval, and further moved that tonight's meeting be dedicated in Mr. Rossetti's honor — Paper 23-034: Resolution: the Medford City Council send its deepest and sincere condolences to the family...
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval, and further moved that tonight's meeting be dedicated in Mr. Rossetti's honor (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved, and meeting dedicated in Mr.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval, and further moved that tonight's meeting be dedicated in Mr. Rossetti's honor (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved, and meeting dedicated in Mr..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 23-035: Resolution: the City Council celebrate this month as Black History Month and recognize the significant contributions that Black Medford residents have made in shaping our...
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 23-036: Resolution: the Medford City Council commend and congratulate the following firefighters on their respective promotions: Frank Giliberti to Deputy Chief; Michael Halloran...
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Tseng)
Records
Approval — Paper 23-036: Resolution: the Medford City Council commend and congratulate the following firefighters on their respective promotions: Frank Giliberti to Deputy Chief; Michael Halloran...
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Knight, second: Tseng)
Approval — Records of the meeting of January 31, 2023
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Reports of Committees
Approve the report — Paper 22-581: January 31, 2023 Committee of the Whole Report. 22-581
Councillor Knight moved to approve the report (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to approve the report (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Knight, second: Tseng)
Approve the report — Paper 22-494: February 7, 2023 Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules Report. 22-494
Vice President Bears moved to approve the report (Councillor Scarpelli second)- approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the report (Councillor Scarpelli second)- approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Approve the report — Paper 22-514: February 8, 2023 Committee of the Whole Report. 22-514
Vice President Bears moved to approve the report (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the report (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Table until the next meeting — Paper 23-025: Resolution: the City Council invite a member of the City Administration, Neil Osborne, and a representative from the Medford Fire Department to discuss...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to table until the next meeting (Vice President Bears second)-tabled until the next meeting.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to table until the next meeting (Vice President Bears second)-tabled until the next meeting..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
Communications from the Mayor
Approval for first reading — Paper 23-043: Request to Establish a Revolving Fund for Stormwater
Councillor Knight moved for approval for first reading (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Collins briefly absent from the Chamber.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Knight, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Kit Collins as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval for first reading (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Collins briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 23-038: Resolution: the Medford City Council request the City Administration to deploy pothole crews to patch roadways with priority to emergency arteries in the City of Medford
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 23-039: Resolution: the Medford City Council have the City Engineer report back with the repaving schedule for Bower, Holton, Temple, and Tontine Streets this spring
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 23-042: Resolution: the Medford City Council reach out to our Federal delegation in regards to the continued problems at the Medford Post office
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Knight second)-approved..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 23-040: Resolution: the Medford City Council request that the Recreation Department look into putting a Porta Potty at the Pickle Ball Courts at Dugger Park
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 23-041: Resolution: the Medford City Council request the DPW place a rubbish receptacle in front of Saint Joseph school
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 7:37 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“At 7:37 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Approval as amended — Paper 23-037: Resolution: the City Administration take the following steps relative to the City Budget to ensure transparency, accuracy of information and reporting, and that...
Vice President Bears moved for approval as amended (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved as amended.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved for approval as amended (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved as amended..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Waive reading in lieu of a synopsis
Vice President Bears moved to waive reading in lieu of a synopsis (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to waive reading in lieu of a synopsis (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Amend the ordinance based on the 12 amendments presented earlier
Vice President Bears moved to amend the ordinance based on the 12 amendments presented earlier (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to amend the ordinance based on the 12 amendments presented earlier (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Approve the paper, as amended, for first reading
Vice President Bears moved to approve the paper, as amended, for first reading (Councillor Tseng second)-approved for first reading, as amended, on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, President Morell) and three opposed (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, and Councillor Scarpelli).
Yes: Bears, Collins, Morell, TsengNo: Caraviello, Knight, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the paper, as amended, for first reading (Councillor Tseng second)-approved for first reading, as amended, on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, President Morell) and three opposed (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, and Councillor Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Waive reading of the paper in lieu of a synopsis
Vice President Bears moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a synopsis (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a synopsis (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Councillor Knight offered an amendment striking "a fine of $300" and replacing it with "a fine of $50"
Councillor Knight offered an amendment striking "a fine of $300" and replacing it with "a fine of $50" (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Bears, Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, Councillor Scarpelli) and three opposed (Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, President Morell).
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Knight, ScarpelliNo: Collins, Morell, Tseng
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight offered an amendment striking "a fine of $300" and replacing it with "a fine of $50" (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Bears, Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, Councillor Scarpelli) and three opposed (Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, President Morell)..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Councillor Knight offered an amendment exempting Tufts-owned on-campus housing
Councillor Knight offered an amendment exempting Tufts-owned on-campus housing (Councillor Caraviello second)-failed on a roll call vote of three in favor (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, Councillor Scarpelli) and four opposed (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, President Morell).
Yes: Caraviello, Knight, ScarpelliNo: Bears, Collins, Morell, Tseng
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight offered an amendment exempting Tufts-owned on-campus housing (Councillor Caraviello second)-failed on a roll call vote of three in favor (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, Councillor Scarpelli) and four opposed (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, President Morell)..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approval, as amended, for first reading — Paper 21-053: Housing Stability Notification Ordinance Chapter 49 - Housing Article I. - IN GENERAL Secs. 49-1-49-30. - Reserved. Article II
Councillor Knight moved for approval, as amended, for first reading (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Knight, Morell, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval, as amended, for first reading (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 9:11 p.m
Councillor Knight moved to adjourn at 9:11 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to adjourn at 9:11 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Knight, 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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