MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
November 14, 2023
21 recorded votes, 13 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: The roll call lists Councillor Knight as both present and absent. The records count seven councillors on the early votes and later say Councillor Knight was absent because of technical difficulties with his Zoom feed, so he is shown present and left out of the votes the records say he missed.
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
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of October 24, 2023
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Reports of Committees
Approve the report — Paper 23-398: October 24th Subcommittee on Ordinance and Rules Report. 23-398
Vice President Bears moved to approve the report (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the report (Councillor Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Suspend the rules to take papers 23-445, 23-450, and 23-451
At 7:09 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to suspend the rules to take papers 23-445, 23-450, and 23-451 (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:09 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to suspend the rules to take papers 23-445, 23-450, and 23-451 (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary from the petitioner
Councillor Tseng moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary from the petitioner (Councillor Scarpelli second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary from the petitioner (Councillor Scarpelli second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Scarpelli)
Vice President Bears offered an amendment requesting that Engineer Wartella's Condition 5 be further amended to reflect that National Grid will provide curb to curb repaving in equivalent area, in...
Vice President Bears offered an amendment requesting that Engineer Wartella's Condition 5 be further amended to reflect that National Grid will provide curb to curb repaving in equivalent area, in another area of the City to meet the curb to curb repaving square footage requirements for this project (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears offered an amendment requesting that Engineer Wartella's Condition 5 be further amended to reflect that National Grid will provide curb to curb repaving in equivalent area, in another area of the City to meet the curb to curb repaving square footage requirements for this project (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 23-445: Hearing on a petition from Massachusetts Electrical Company dba National Grid for permission to construct a line of underground electric conduits
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval on the B-Paper (Vice President Bears second)-B-Paper approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval on the B-Paper (Vice President Bears second)-B-Paper approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
Approve the main paper as amended, pending the six- day public comment period — Paper 23-445: Hearing on a petition from Massachusetts Electrical Company dba National Grid for permission to...
Vice President Bears moved to approve the main paper as amended, pending the six- day public comment period (Councillor Scarpelli second)-main paper approved as amended, pending the six-day public comment period, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the main paper as amended, pending the six- day public comment period (Councillor Scarpelli second)-main paper approved as amended, pending the six-day public comment period, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Join Paper 23-450 above to Paper 23-451 below
Vice President Bears moved to join Paper 23-450 above to Paper 23-451 below (Councillor Scarpelli second)-papers joined on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to join Paper 23-450 above to Paper 23-451 below (Councillor Scarpelli second)-papers joined on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Approve the joined papers as amended — Paper 23-451: Resolution: the Election Coordinator report back to the City Council with a detailed report and findings detailing the municipal election,...
Vice President Bears moved to approve the joined papers as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight temporarily absent because of technological issues with his Zoom link.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the joined papers as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight temporarily absent because of technological issues with his Zoom link..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 8:22 p.m., Councillor Tseng moved to revert to the regular order of business (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight temporarily absent because of technological issues with his Zoom link.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“At 8:22 p.m., Councillor Tseng moved to revert to the regular order of business (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight temporarily absent because of technological issues with his Zoom link..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Bears)
Hearings
Approve the zoning district designation change pending the six-day public comment period — Paper 23-411: petition by the Medford Housing Authority to amend "Zoning Map, City of Medford, MA," dated...
Councillor Collins moved to approve the zoning district designation change pending the six-day public comment period (Vice President Bears second)-approved, pending the six-day public comment period, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight temporarily absent because of technological issues with his Zoom link.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved to approve the zoning district designation change pending the six-day public comment period (Vice President Bears second)-approved, pending the six-day public comment period, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight temporarily absent because of technological issues with his Zoom link..” (Motion: Collins, second: Bears)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Waive reading of the paper in lieu of a synopsis
Councillor Tseng moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a synopsis (Councillor Caraviello second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight temporarily absent because of technological 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 Tseng moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a synopsis (Councillor Caraviello second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight temporarily absent because of technological issues with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Caraviello)
Refer the Paper to the Community Development Board — Paper 23-448: To: City Council President Nicole Morell and Honorable Members of the City Council From: Office of Planning, Development, and...
Vice President Bears moved to refer the Paper to the Community Development Board (Councillor Tseng 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 Tseng 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: Tseng)
Communications from the Mayor
Waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary
Councillor Collins moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Scarpelli)
Approve the paper for first reading — Paper 23-447: Loan Order Opinion $1,000,000 Carr Park Renovation Project Phase 2 Bonds
Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the paper for first reading (Councillor Collins second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technological 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 approve the paper for first reading (Councillor Collins second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent because of technological difficulties with his Zoom feed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 10:18 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli 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 10:18 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules — Paper 23-449: Resolution: the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules meet to consider a Wildlife Feeding Ordinance
Councillor Collins moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules (Councillor Caraviello second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules (Councillor Caraviello second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules..” (Motion: Collins, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 23-452: Resolution: the Medford City Council recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, 2023, and commit to remembering all those lost to anti-trans violence,...
Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules — Paper 23-453: Resolution: the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules meet to consider an ordinance to regulate the retail sales of...
Councillor Collins moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules (Vice President Bears second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules (Vice President Bears second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules..” (Motion: Collins, second: Bears)
Take the paper from the table and further moved for approval for third reading to be ordained
Vice President Bears moved to take the paper from the table and further moved for approval for third reading to be ordained (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved for third 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 to take the paper from the table and further moved for approval for third reading to be ordained (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved for third 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)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 10:48 p.m
Vice President Bears moved to adjourn at 10:48 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to adjourn at 10:48 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, 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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