MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
September 19, 2023
20 recorded votes, 19 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 — Paper 23-409: Resolution: the Medford City Council congratulate Ray and Maureen Brady on the recent celebration of their 70th Wedding Anniversary
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 23-410: Resolution: the Medford City Council recognize the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and wish a happy and healthy New Year, and an easy fast, to all who...
Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Caraviello)
Records
Approve the records — Records of the meeting of September 5th, 2023
Councillor Caraviello moved to approve the records (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved to approve the records (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Tseng)
Reports of Committees
Join all Committee Reports, and further moved to approve all Committee Reports
Vice President Bears moved to join all Committee Reports, and further moved to approve all Committee Reports (Councillor Caraviello second)-joined and approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to join all Committee Reports, and further moved to approve all Committee Reports (Councillor Caraviello second)-joined and approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Communications from the Mayor
Enter executive session under Purpose 3 (above, litigation) because discussion in open session may have a detrimental effect on the City of Medford's litigation position
At 7:12 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to enter executive session under Purpose 3 (above, litigation) because discussion in open session may have a detrimental effect on the City of Medford's litigation position (Councillor Tseng second)-approved 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
“At 7:12 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to enter executive session under Purpose 3 (above, litigation) because discussion in open session may have a detrimental effect on the City of Medford's litigation position (Councillor Tseng second)-approved 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: Tseng)
Hearings
Approval, with conditions and amendments — Paper 23-375: petition from Matsuba Izakaya Sushi Bar & Grill, Inc
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval, with conditions and amendments (Councillor Collins second)-approved, with conditions and amendments, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties 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 for approval, with conditions and amendments (Councillor Collins second)-approved, with conditions and amendments, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Approval, with conditions and amendments — Paper 23-385: Hearing on a petition from TE Pizza LLC - Domino's
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval, with conditions and amendments (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved, with conditions and amendments, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties 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 for approval, with conditions and amendments (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved, with conditions and amendments, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Table — Paper 23-419: District Improvement Financing (DIF) Program Order
Councillor Caraviello moved to table (Councillor Scarpelli second)-motion failed on a roll call vote of two (Councillor Caraviello and Councillor Scarpelli) in favor, four (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng and President Morell) opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed.
Yes: Caraviello, ScarpelliNo: Bears, Collins, Morell, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved to table (Councillor Scarpelli second)-motion failed on a roll call vote of two (Councillor Caraviello and Councillor Scarpelli) in favor, four (Vice President Bears, Councillor Collins, Councillor Tseng and President Morell) opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Approve the paper for first reading — Paper 23-419: District Improvement Financing (DIF) Program Order
Councillor Collins moved to approve the paper for first reading (Vice President Bears second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, TsengNo: ScarpelliThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved to approve the paper for first reading (Vice President Bears second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Bears)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Refer the paper to the Community Development Board — Paper 23-411: To: City Council President Nicole Morell and Honorable Members of the City Council From: Office of Planning, Development, &...
Councillor Collins 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 five in favor, zero opposed, Councillor Tseng temporarily absent from the Chamber and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, ScarpelliThe records list Justin Tseng as absent for this vote. The records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins 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 five in favor, zero opposed, Councillor Tseng temporarily absent from the Chamber and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Caraviello)
Table until October 24 to allow these discussions to occur — Paper 23-412: 12 Dell Avenue Petition to Amend Deed Restriction Petitioners and Owners: Gerald L. Alves and Janet R. Alves
Vice President Bears further moved to table until October 24 to allow these discussions to occur (Councillor Collins second)-motion approved as detailed above, and then tabled until October 24, on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, TsengNo: ScarpelliThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears further moved to table until October 24 to allow these discussions to occur (Councillor Collins second)-motion approved as detailed above, and then tabled until October 24, on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Approval — Paper 23-414: Resolution: the Parks Department repair any and all turf issues at the Brooks School mini soccer field
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 23-415: Resolution: the Medford City Council discuss the overnight and daytime commercial parking issues within the City of Medford
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Collins)
Approval — Paper 23-416: Resolution: the Health Department meet with the City Council to discuss rodent concerns happening all over the City of Medford
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Caraviello)
Approval for first reading — Paper 23-023: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Medford BE IT ORDAINED: By the City Council of the City of Medford that Chapter...
Vice President Bears moved for approval for first reading (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of five in favor, zero opposed, Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed, and Councillor Scarpelli recused to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote. The records list George A. Scarpelli as recused for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved for approval for first reading (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of five in favor, zero opposed, Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed, and Councillor Scarpelli recused to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Receive and place on file — Paper 23-418: Proposed ARPA Project in Excess of $250k
Vice President Bears moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Tseng second)-received and placed on file.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Tseng second)-received and placed on file..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Accept the donation — Paper 23-420: Donation Acceptance
Councillor Scarpelli moved to accept the donation (Councillor Tseng second)-donation accepted on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties 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 accept the donation (Councillor Tseng second)-donation accepted on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk
At 9:54 p.m., Councillor Caraviello moved to take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“At 9:54 p.m., Councillor Caraviello moved to take papers under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Tseng)
Refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Zoning, Planning, and Development — Paper 23-421: Resolution: the Medford City Council request that the Subcommittee on Rules and Ordinances revise the...
Councillor Caraviello moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Zoning, Planning, and Development (Councillor Scarpelli second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Zoning, Planning and Development.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Zoning, Planning, and Development (Councillor Scarpelli second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Zoning, Planning and Development..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Scarpelli)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 10:06 p.m
Councillor Collins 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 Collins 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: Collins, 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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