MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
February 28, 2023
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, Nicole Morell, George A. Scarpelli, Justin Tseng
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approval as amended — Paper 23-045: Resolution: the Medford City Council send its deepest and sincere condolences to the family of Paul Howard
Councillor Caraviello 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 Caraviello 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: Caraviello, second: Bears)
Suspend the rules to take Papers 23-063 and 23-056 out of order
At 7:05 p.m., Councillor Caraviello moved to suspend the rules to take Papers 23-063 and 23-056 out of order (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:05 p.m., Councillor Caraviello moved to suspend the rules to take Papers 23-063 and 23-056 out of order (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 23-063: Resolution: the Medford City Council send its deepest and sincere condolences to the family of former City Councillor Robert L
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)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Grant the license — Paper 23-056: Petition for Common Victualler License by Vithyea Samuth-Vong and Thol Phann, 9 W
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Councillor Caraviello second)-license granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Councillor Caraviello second)-license granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended — 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 issues...
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Caraviello 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 Caraviello second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Waive the reading of the document in lieu of a synopsis
Vice President Bears moved to waive the reading of the document in lieu of a synopsis (Councillor Tseng second)-reading waived 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
“Vice President Bears moved to waive the reading of the document in lieu of a synopsis (Councillor Tseng second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Scarpelli briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Adopt the amendments, and further moved to approve the paper, as amended, for first reading — Paper 20-024: Medford Affordable Housing Trust Chapter 49 - HOUSING Article II
Vice President Bears moved to adopt the amendments, and further moved to approve the paper, as amended, for first reading (Councillor Knight second)-approved, as amended, for first reading, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to adopt the amendments, and further moved to approve the paper, as amended, for first reading (Councillor Knight second)-approved, as amended, for first reading, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Communications from the Mayor
Combine all motions, adding amendments, referring the paper to the Office of the Attorney General, and tabling until the next meeting
Councillor Knight moved to combine all motions, adding amendments, referring the paper to the Office of the Attorney General, and tabling until the next meeting (Councillor Caraviello second)-amendments incorporated, paper referred to the Office of the Attorney General, and tabled until the next meeting on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to combine all motions, adding amendments, referring the paper to the Office of the Attorney General, and tabling until the next meeting (Councillor Caraviello second)-amendments incorporated, paper referred to the Office of the Attorney General, and tabled until the next meeting on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Approve the paper for first reading — Paper 23-057: Request to Establish the Traffic & Transportation Director Position in the City's Classification and Compensation Plan - Resubmitted
Vice President Bears moved to approve the paper for first reading (Councillor Tseng second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, and 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 for first reading (Councillor Tseng second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, and President Morell) and three opposed (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, and Councillor Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 23-058: Appropriation Request for Traffic & Transportation Director Salary Differential Resubmitted
Vice President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor and two opposed (Councillor Caraviello and Councillor Scarpelli).
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, TsengNo: Caraviello, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor and two opposed (Councillor Caraviello and Councillor Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Table all three papers until the March 14 Council meeting — Paper 23-061: Stabilization Fund Establishment and Funding
Vice President Bears moved to table all three papers until the March 14 Council meeting (Councillor Scarpelli second)-all three papers tabled until March 14.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to table all three papers until the March 14 Council meeting (Councillor Scarpelli second)-all three papers tabled until March 14..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Accept the donations — Paper 23-062: Donation Acceptances
Councillor Knight moved to accept the donations (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to accept the donations (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 9:27 p.m., Councillor Collins moved to revert to the regular order of business (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 9:27 p.m., Councillor Collins moved to revert to the regular order of business (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Bears)
Reports of Committees
Approve the Records of February 14 and further moved to approve the Committee Reports — Paper 22-604: February 21, 2023 Committee of the Whole Report. 22-604
Vice President Bears moved to approve the Records of February 14 and further moved to approve the Committee Reports (Councillor Knight second)-records and reports approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the Records of February 14 and further moved to approve the Committee Reports (Councillor Knight second)-records and reports approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Approval — Paper 23-046: Resolution: the City Administration take the necessary steps to register and garage the Parking Enforcement vehicles in the City of Medford
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 23-048: Resolution: the City Administration take the necessary steps to require that DCR and DOT perform roadway maintenance repairs on all on- ramps and off- ramps under their...
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 — Paper 23-049: Resolution: the Medford City Council publicize that increased SNAP payments, known as SNAP Emergency Allotments, will expire on March 2 and benefits will decrease for all...
Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 23-050: Resolution: the Medford City Council express its support of HD.2091 and SD.761, "An Act relative to payments in lieu of taxation by organizations exempt from the property...
Councillor Collins moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Knight opposed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengNo: Knight
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Knight opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 23-051: Resolution: the City Council request an update from the Administration on the status of Medford's allocation from the Commonwealth's opioid litigation settlement proceeds,...
Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Approve the paper for first reading — Paper 23-052: Resolution: Appendix A of the City of Medford Code of Ordinances be amended to include the following: Description Amount Section these Revised...
Vice President Bears moved to approve the paper for first reading (Councillor Collins second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the paper for first reading (Councillor Collins second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Approval — Paper 23-053: Resolution: the City Administration provide a report updating the City Council on its progress on the Social Justice Roadmap
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 23-054: Resolution: the City Council ask the City Administration to conduct an updated racial equity study
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 23-055: Resolution: the Subcommittee on Racial Justice, Disabilities, and Elder Affairs consider a Welcoming City ordinance
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Collins 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 Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight briefly absent from the Chamber..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 10:06 p.m
Councillor Scarpelli moved to adjourn at 10:06 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to adjourn at 10:06 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, 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.
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 →