MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
May 23, 2023
24 recorded votes, 18 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:
- Adam Knight left the meeting or the Chamber for part of the meeting.
Every vote, in order
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approval — Paper 23-309: Resolution: the City Council celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and wish our burgeoning AAPI community a happy month
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 — Paper 23-310: Resolution: the City Council celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month and offer our best wishes to our Jewish residents
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)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of May 9, 2023
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)
Reports of Committees
Join the reports, and further moved to approve the joined reports
Vice President Bears moved to join the reports, and further moved to approve the joined reports (Councillor Collins second)-joined and approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to join the reports, and further moved to approve the joined reports (Councillor Collins second)-joined and approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Suspend the rules to take Papers 23-287, 23-315, 23-317, and 23-318
At 7:22 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to suspend the rules to take Papers 23-287, 23-315, 23-317, and 23-318 (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:22 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to suspend the rules to take Papers 23-287, 23-315, 23-317, and 23-318 (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Hearings
Leave the hearing open and to continue until the next regular meeting on June 6
Councillor Scarpelli moved to leave the hearing open and to continue until the next regular meeting on June 6 (Councillor Caraviello second)-failed on a roll call vote of three in favor (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, and Councillor Scarpelli) and four opposed (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, and President Morell).
Yes: Caraviello, Knight, ScarpelliNo: Bears, Collins, Morell, Tseng
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to leave the hearing open and to continue until the next regular meeting on June 6 (Councillor Caraviello second)-failed on a roll call vote of three in favor (Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, and Councillor Scarpelli) and four opposed (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, and President Morell)..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Reconsider the vote to continue the public hearing
Vice President Bears moved to reconsider the vote to continue the public hearing (Councillor Tseng second)-motion for reconsideration approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Bears, Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, and Councillor Scarpelli) and three opposed (Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, and President Morell).
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Knight, ScarpelliNo: Collins, Morell, Tseng
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to reconsider the vote to continue the public hearing (Councillor Tseng second)-motion for reconsideration approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Bears, Councillor Caraviello, Councillor Knight, and Councillor Scarpelli) and three opposed (Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng, and President Morell)..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Keep the public hearing open until June 6, and to have legal counsel present at the June 6 meeting
Councillor Scarpelli moved to keep the public hearing open until June 6, and to have legal counsel present at the June 6 meeting (Councillor Caraviello second)-hearing kept open until June 6 on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to keep the public hearing open until June 6, and to have legal counsel present at the June 6 meeting (Councillor Caraviello second)-hearing kept open until June 6 on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 23-315: and Councillor Collins
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 23-318: Resolution: the Medford City Council congratulate the Medford High School Bo-Tech Robotics team which won the New England Regionals
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)
Communications from the Mayor
Grant the food truck permit — Paper 23-317: Food Truck Permitting
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the food truck permit (Councillor Caraviello second)-permit granted.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the food truck permit (Councillor Caraviello second)-permit granted..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Grant the license — Paper 23-311: Petition for Common Victualler License by Kenel Vertil, 40 Penniman Circle, Stoughton, MA 02702 for La Baguette Bakery, at 428 Salem St., Medford, MA 02155
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Councillor Caraviello second)-license granted.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Councillor Caraviello second)-license granted..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Refer the paper to the Community Development Board — Paper 23-312: Petition for Zoning Map Change to Mixed Use Zone 99 Revere Beach Parkway, Medford - Map 7, Block 5, Lots 21 and 22 Members of the...
Vice President Bears moved to refer the paper to the Community Development Board (Councillor Caraviello second)-referred to the Community Development Board on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical issues with his Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to refer the paper to the Community Development Board (Councillor Caraviello second)-referred to the Community Development Board on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical issues with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Public Participation
Revert to the regular order of business
At 10:17 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 10:17 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Waive reading of the paper in lieu of a short summary
Vice President Bears moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a short summary (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 of the paper in lieu of a short summary (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Keep the public hearing open until the next regular meeting, and further moved to incorporate the suggested language changes from legal counsel
Vice President Bears moved to keep the public hearing open until the next regular meeting, and further moved to incorporate the suggested language changes from legal counsel (Councillor Caraviello second)-continued on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical issues with his Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to keep the public hearing open until the next regular meeting, and further moved to incorporate the suggested language changes from legal counsel (Councillor Caraviello second)-continued on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical issues with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Waive reading of the paper in lieu of a short summary
Vice President Bears moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a short summary (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 of the paper in lieu of a short summary (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Continue the public hearing until the June 6 regular meeting and further moved to incorporate the suggested changes from legal counsel
Vice President Bears moved to continue the public hearing until the June 6 regular meeting and further moved to incorporate the suggested changes from legal counsel (Councillor Caraviello second)-continued on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical issues with his Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to continue the public hearing until the June 6 regular meeting and further moved to incorporate the suggested changes from legal counsel (Councillor Caraviello second)-continued on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical issues with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary
Vice President Bears moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary (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 of the paper in lieu of a summary (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Continue the public hearing until the June 6 regular meeting, and further moved to incorporate the suggested language by legal counsel
Vice President Bears moved to continue the public hearing until the June 6 regular meeting, and further moved to incorporate the suggested language by legal counsel (Councillor Caraviello second)-- continued on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical issues with his Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to continue the public hearing until the June 6 regular meeting, and further moved to incorporate the suggested language by legal counsel (Councillor Caraviello second)-- continued on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical issues with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Grant the license, as amended above with conditions — Paper 23-286: Hearing on a petition from Cheryl Horan of Green Automotive
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license, as amended above with conditions (Councillor Collins second)-approved, as amended above with conditions, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical issues with his Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license, as amended above with conditions (Councillor Collins second)-approved, as amended above with conditions, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical issues with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Table both papers until the June 6 regular meeting — Paper 23-314: Resolution: the Medford City Council invite residents and the City Engineer to speak with the Council regarding safety issues...
Vice President Bears moved to table both papers until the June 6 regular meeting (Councillor Scarpelli second)-tabled until the June 6 regular meeting.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to table both papers until the June 6 regular meeting (Councillor Scarpelli second)-tabled until the June 6 regular meeting..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Communications from the Mayor
Approval — Paper 23-316: Donation Acceptances
Vice President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 10:40 p.m
Councillor Caraviello moved to adjourn at 10:40 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved to adjourn at 10:40 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (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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