MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
December 12, 2023
21 recorded votes, 17 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
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of November 28, 2023
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Bears)
Reports of Committees
Approve the report — Paper 22-494: November 28, 2023 Subcommittee on Ordinances and Rules (Budget Ordinance) Report. 22-494
Vice President Bears moved to approve the report (Councillor Collins second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to approve the report (Councillor Collins second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Collins)
Approve the report — Paper 23-448: November 29, 2023 Committee of the Whole (MBTA Communities Zoning Ordinance) Report. 23-448
Councillor Knight moved to approve the report (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Knight moved to approve the report (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Knight, second: Tseng)
Approve the report — Paper 23-314: December 5, 2023 Committee of the Whole (Private Ways) Report. 23-314
Councillor Tseng moved to approve the report (Councillor Collins second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to approve the report (Councillor Collins second)-approved..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Approve the report — Paper 22-533: December 6, 2023 Committee of the Whole (Zoning RFP) Report. 22-533
Councillor Collins moved to approve the report (Vice President Bears second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Collins moved to approve the report (Vice President Bears second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Bears)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Table until December 19 — Paper 23-412: 12 Dell Avenue Petition to Amend Deed Restriction Petitioners and Owners: Gerald L. Alves and Janet R. Alves
Vice President Bears moved to table until December 19 (Councillor Caraviello second)-tabled until December 19.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved to table until December 19 (Councillor Caraviello second)-tabled until December 19..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Signs for a meeting on January 16, 2024 with the Petitioner, legal counsel, and representatives from the Building Department — Paper 23-464: Petition to...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Signs for a meeting on January 16, 2024 with the Petitioner, legal counsel, and representatives from the Building Department (Councillor Collins second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Signs.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Signs for a meeting on January 16, 2024 with the Petitioner, legal counsel, and representatives from the Building Department (Councillor Collins second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Signs..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Communications from the Mayor
Approval — Paper 23-468: Request for expenditure from law department claims over
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Bears)
Approval — Paper 23-469: Donation Acceptance
Vice President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Caraviello second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Approval — Paper 23-462: Resolution: WHEREAS, the City and Tree
Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved for approval (Vice President Bears second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Bears)
Approve the paper for first reading — Paper 23-463: Loan Order Opinion $3,422,000 City Water System Bonds
Vice President Bears moved to approve the paper for first reading (Councillor Caraviello 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 Caraviello second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Caraviello)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Refer the paper, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole — Paper 23-467: Whereas M.G.L c.71, s.52 places the authority for School Committee compensation with the City Council; and
President Morell moved to refer the paper, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole (Councillor Collins second)-referred, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole on a roll call vote of five in favor and two (Councillor Caraviello and Councillor Scarpelli) opposed.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Knight, Morell, TsengNo: Caraviello, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“President Morell moved to refer the paper, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole (Councillor Collins second)-referred, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole on a roll call vote of five in favor and two (Councillor Caraviello and Councillor Scarpelli) opposed..” (Motion: Morell, second: Collins)
Revert to the regular order of business
President Morell moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“President Morell moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved..” (Motion: Morell, second: Scarpelli)
A brief recess — Paper 23-467: Whereas M.G.L c.71, s.52 places the authority for School Committee compensation with the City Council; and
President Morell moved for a brief recess (Councillor Knight second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“President Morell moved for a brief recess (Councillor Knight second)-approved..” (Motion: Morell, second: Knight)
Suspend the rules to take public participation
At 9:53 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to suspend the rules to take public participation (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“At 9:53 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to suspend the rules to take public participation (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Ask the Mayor to create a Home Rule Petition and send the petition to the legislature
Councillor Caraviello moved to ask the Mayor to create a Home Rule Petition and send the petition to the legislature (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Caraviello moved to ask the Mayor to create a Home Rule Petition and send the petition to the legislature (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent..” (Motion: Caraviello, second: Tseng)
Revert to the regular order of business
At 10:13 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 10:13 p.m., Vice President Bears moved to revert to the regular order of business (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Hearings
Approve the zoning amendment to be ordained, including adoption of the recommendations from the Community Development Board, and also including a reduction in the minimum lot size to 7,000 square...
Vice President Bears moved to approve the zoning amendment to be ordained, including adoption of the recommendations from the Community Development Board, and also including a reduction in the minimum lot size to 7,000 square feet (Councillor Tseng second)-approved to be ordained, including adoption of recommendations from the Community Development Board, and also including a reduction in the minimum lot size to 7,000 square feet, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent.
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 zoning amendment to be ordained, including adoption of the recommendations from the Community Development Board, and also including a reduction in the minimum lot size to 7,000 square feet (Councillor Tseng second)-approved to be ordained, including adoption of recommendations from the Community Development Board, and also including a reduction in the minimum lot size to 7,000 square feet, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Approval, as amended, for first reading — Paper 70-105: Reserved. Vice President Bears moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary (Councillor Scarpelli second)-reading waived. a)...
Vice President Bears moved for approval, as amended, for first reading (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved, as amended, for first reading on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent.
Yes: Bears, Caraviello, Collins, Morell, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Adam Knight as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Bears moved for approval, as amended, for first reading (Councillor Scarpelli second)-approved, as amended, for first reading on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Knight absent..” (Motion: Bears, second: Scarpelli)
Refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Public Works and Utilities for a meeting with all parties — Paper 23-465: Resolution: the Medford City Council call for a meeting to resolve public safety...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Public Works and Utilities for a meeting with all parties (Vice President Bears second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Public Works and Utilities.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to refer the paper to the Subcommittee on Public Works and Utilities for a meeting with all parties (Vice President Bears second)-referred to the Subcommittee on Public Works and Utilities..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Bears)
Adjournment
Adjourn at 10:44 p.m
Councillor Scarpelli moved to adjourn at 10:44 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to adjourn at 10:44 p.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (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.
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