MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
April 25, 2023
27 recorded votes, 9 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
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approval, and further moved that tonight's meeting be dedicated in honor of Stella Tenaglia — Paper 23-094: Resolution: the Medford City Council send its deepest and most sincere condolences to...
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval, and further moved that tonight's meeting be dedicated in honor of Stella Tenaglia (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval, and further moved that tonight's meeting be dedicated in honor of Stella Tenaglia (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 April 11, 2023
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Reports of Committees
Approve the report — Paper 22-533: April 12, 2023 Committee of the Whole Report. 22-533
Councillor Knight moved to approve the report (Councillor Scarpelli second)-report approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to approve the report (Councillor Scarpelli second)-report approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Approve the report — Paper 23-093: April 18, 2023 Committee of the Whole Report. 23-093
Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the report (Councillor Knight second)-report approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the report (Councillor Knight second)-report approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Knight)
Approve the report — Paper 23-074: April 18, 2023 Committee of the Whole Report 23-074
Councillor Knight moved to approve the report (Councillor Collins second)-report approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to approve the report (Councillor Collins second)-report approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Collins)
Hearings
Approve the special permit, pending feedback from the Community Development Board and pending expiration of the 6-day public comment period — Paper 23-083: Hearing on a petition from 640 Medford
Vice President Bears moved to approve the special permit, pending feedback from the Community Development Board and pending expiration of the 6-day public comment period (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed, pending feedback from the Community Development Board and pending expiration of the 6-day public comment period.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the special permit, pending feedback from the Community Development Board and pending expiration of the 6-day public comment period (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed, pending feedback from the Community Development Board and pending expiration of the 6-day public comment period..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Approve the special permit, pending feedback from the Community Development Board and pending expiration of the 6-day public comment period — Paper 23-084: Hearing on a petition from Maylene Tene...
Vice President Bears moved to approve the special permit, pending feedback from the Community Development Board and pending expiration of the 6-day public comment period (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed, pending feedback from the Community Development Board and pending expiration of the 6-day public comment period.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the special permit, pending feedback from the Community Development Board and pending expiration of the 6-day public comment period (Councillor Knight second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed, pending feedback from the Community Development Board and pending expiration of the 6-day public comment period..” (Motion: Bears, second: Knight)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Grant the license — Paper 23-095: Petition for Paranormal License by Maylene Tene, 198 Broadway, Malden, MA, 02148, for Maylene Spiritual Shoppe, 16 Main Street, Medford, MA 02155
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Councillor Knight 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 Knight second)-license granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Knight)
Suspend the rules to take Paper 23-026 from Unfinished Business/Reports Due, and to take Paper 23-285
At 7:31 p.m., Councillor Caraviello moved to suspend the rules to take Paper 23-026 from Unfinished Business/Reports Due, and to take Paper 23-285 (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:31 p.m., Councillor Caraviello moved to suspend the rules to take Paper 23-026 from Unfinished Business/Reports Due, and to take Paper 23-285 (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Bears)
Receive and place on file — Paper 23-026: Resolution: the Elections Department and local US Postal Service communicate with residents about when they can expect to receive their census forms given...
Councillor Knight moved to receive and place on file (Vice President Bears second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to receive and place on file (Vice President Bears second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
Communications from the Mayor
Approval — Paper 23-285: Community Preservation Committee Appropriation Request On behalf of the Community Preservation Committee,
Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved for approval (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Scarpelli)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 8:16 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 8:16 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Approval — Paper 23-096: Resolution: the Medford City Council that we request an update from the City Administration on efforts to assist Medford residents facing the Medicaid cliff due to the end...
Vice President Bears moved for approval (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 for approval (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)
Refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules for a public meeting, and then to the Committee of the Whole for a public meeting, and for the City Council to hold a public hearing on...
Vice President Bears moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules for a public meeting, and then to the Committee of the Whole for a public meeting, and for the City Council to hold a public hearing on this paper at the May 23 City Council Meeting as required by Chapter 43B (Councillor Scarpelli 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
“Vice President Bears moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules for a public meeting, and then to the Committee of the Whole for a public meeting, and for the City Council to hold a public hearing on this paper at the May 23 City Council Meeting as required by Chapter 43B (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Knight opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Vice President Bears moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules for a public meeting, and then to the Committee of the Whole for a public meeting, and for the City Council to hold a public hearing on this paper at the May 23 City Council Meeting as required by Chapter 43B (Councillor Scarpelli 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
“Vice President Bears moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules for a public meeting, and then to the Committee of the Whole for a public meeting, and for the City Council to hold a public hearing on this paper at the May 23 City Council Meeting as required by Chapter 43B (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Knight opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Vice President Bears moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules for a public meeting, and then to the Committee of the Whole for a public meeting, and for the City Council to hold a public hearing on this paper at the May 23 City Council Meeting as required by Chapter 43B (Councillor Scarpelli 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
“Vice President Bears moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules for a public meeting, and then to the Committee of the Whole for a public meeting, and for the City Council to hold a public hearing on this paper at the May 23 City Council Meeting as required by Chapter 43B (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Knight opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Approval — Paper 23-100: Resolution: the City Council ask the Department of Public Works to explore solutions to this problem and collaborate with Tufts University where needed
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Caraviello)
Approval as amended — Paper 23-281: Resolution: the City Council ask the City Administration for prioritization and updates on the resurfacing of/fixing potholes on Riverside Ave
Councillor Tseng 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 Tseng moved for approval as amended (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 23-282: Resolution: the City Council ask the City Administration to include foreign language signage in City Hall to help non-English speaking residents navigate the building
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Caraviello)
Communications from the Mayor
Waive reading of the paper, and further moved to approve all food truck permits
Councillor Knight moved to waive reading of the paper, and further moved to approve all food truck permits (Councillor Caraviello second)-reading waived and food truck permits approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to waive reading of the paper, and further moved to approve all food truck permits (Councillor Caraviello second)-reading waived and food truck permits approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Caraviello)
Take Papers 23-044 and 23-059 from the table for consideration for third reading
At 9:08 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to take Papers 23-044 and 23-059 from the table for consideration for third reading (Councillor Collins second)-approved 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 9:08 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to take Papers 23-044 and 23-059 from the table for consideration for third reading (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor and two opposed (Councillor Knight and Councillor Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 23-044: Loan Order Opinion $1,500,000 Sidewalk Construction and Equipment Bonds
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-B-paper approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Scarpelli second)-B-paper approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Approve the main paper for third reading to be ordained — Paper 23-044: Loan Order Opinion $1,500,000 Sidewalk Construction and Equipment Bonds
Vice President Bears moved to approve the main paper for third reading to be ordained (Councillor Collins second)-main paper approved for third reading to be ordained 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
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the main paper for third reading to be ordained (Councillor Collins second)-main paper approved for third reading to be ordained on a roll call vote of five in favor and two opposed (Councillor Knight and Councillor Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Approve the paper for third reading to be ordained, with the Mayor and the City Council excluded — Paper 23-059: Proposed Wage Adjustment for Non-Union Personnel
Vice President Bears moved to approve the paper for third reading to be ordained, with the Mayor and the City Council excluded (Councillor Tseng second)-approved for third reading to be ordained, with the Mayor and the City Council excluded, 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 third reading to be ordained, with the Mayor and the City Council excluded (Councillor Tseng second)-approved for third reading to be ordained, with the Mayor and the City Council excluded, 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)
Take Paper 23-060 from the table
At 9:48 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to take Paper 23-060 from the table (Councillor Collins second)-approved 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
“At 9:48 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to take Paper 23-060 from the table (Councillor Collins second)-approved 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: Collins)
Approve Item 2, $80,000 in free cash for 2% COLAs for non-union personnel — Paper 23-059: Proposed Wage Adjustment for Non-Union Personnel
Vice President Bears moved to approve Item 2, $80,000 in free cash for 2% COLAs for non-union personnel (Councillor Collins second)-Item 2 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 to approve Item 2, $80,000 in free cash for 2% COLAs for non-union personnel (Councillor Collins second)-Item 2 approved on a roll call vote of five in favor and two opposed (Councillor Caraviello and Councillor Scarpelli)..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 9:57 p.m
Councillor Knight moved to adjourn at 9:57 p.m. (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to adjourn at 9:57 p.m. (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Knight, second: Bears)
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 →