MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
March 12, 2024
18 recorded votes, 7 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Anna Callahan, Kit Collins, Emily Lazzaro, Matt Leming, George A. Scarpelli, Justin Tseng, Zac Bears
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approval — Paper 24-050: Resolution: the Medford City Council send our deepest condolences to the family of Joseph Rossetti on his recent passing
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 24-051: Resolution: the Medford City Council send our deepest condolences to the family of James Byrnes on his recent passing
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of February 20th, 2024
Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Reports of Committees
Join and approve all Reports of Committees
Councillor Tseng moved to join and approve all Reports of Committees (Councillor Callahan second)-joined and approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to join and approve all Reports of Committees (Councillor Callahan second)-joined and approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Suspend the rules to take Paper 24-055
At 7:15 p.m., Councillor Tseng moved to suspend the rules to take Paper 24-055 (Councillor Leming second)-rules suspended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:15 p.m., Councillor Tseng moved to suspend the rules to take Paper 24-055 (Councillor Leming second)-rules suspended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Leming)
Communications from the Mayor
Table — Paper 24-055: Stabilization Fund Establishment
Councillor Scarpelli moved to table (Councillor Callahan second)-motion failed on a roll call vote of two in favor (Councillor Callahan and Councillor Scarpelli) and five opposed.
Yes: Callahan, ScarpelliNo: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Tseng
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to table (Councillor Callahan second)-motion failed on a roll call vote of two in favor (Councillor Callahan and Councillor Scarpelli) and five opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Callahan)
Approve establishment of the fund — Paper 24-055: Stabilization Fund Establishment
Councillor Tseng moved to approve establishment of the fund (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and zero opposed.
The records give the count as 6-0, which does not add up with the seven councillors on the roll call (Anna Callahan, Kit Collins, Emily Lazzaro, Matt Leming, George A. Scarpelli, Justin Tseng and Zac Bears). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to approve establishment of the fund (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Hearings
Continue the hearing until April 2, 2024
Councillor Tseng moved to continue the hearing until April 2, 2024 (Councillor Callahan second)-hearing continued until April 2 on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to continue the hearing until April 2, 2024 (Councillor Callahan second)-hearing continued until April 2 on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Approve the special permit and site plan, with the conditions recommended by the Community Development Board, and with the following two amendments: 1). Striking Condition 12 as duplicative of...
Councillor Tseng moved to approve the special permit and site plan, with the conditions recommended by the Community Development Board, and with the following two amendments: 1). Striking Condition 12 as duplicative of Condition 9; and 2). Residents of the new building will be restricted from obtaining City of Medford residential street parking permits to ensure that on street parking capacity is not impacted by the development which is intended to attract residents with lower rates of car ownership as it is approximately one block from the Ball Square MBTA Green Line Station (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved, with the conditions recommended by the Community Development Board, and with amendments 1 and 2 from Councillor Tseng, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to approve the special permit and site plan, with the conditions recommended by the Community Development Board, and with the following two amendments: 1). Striking Condition 12 as duplicative of Condition 9; and 2). Residents of the new building will be restricted from obtaining City of Medford residential street parking permits to ensure that on street parking capacity is not impacted by the development which is intended to attract residents with lower rates of car ownership as it is approximately one block from the Ball Square MBTA Green Line Station (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved, with the conditions recommended by the Community Development Board, and with amendments 1 and 2 from Councillor Tseng, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Lazzaro)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Approval — Paper 23-081: MBTA Plan for Accessible Transit Infrastructure (PATI)
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Leming)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
A brief recess at 9:25 p.m — Paper 24-041: Resolution: the Committee on Planning and Permitting meet to develop a home rule petition, "An Act Authorizing the City of Medford to Impose a Real...
Councillor Tseng moved for a brief recess at 9:25 p.m. (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for a brief recess at 9:25 p.m. (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Refer the paper, as amended, to the Committee on Planning and Permitting — Paper 24-041: Resolution: the Committee on Planning and Permitting meet to develop a home rule petition, "An Act...
Councillor Leming moved to refer the paper, as amended, to the Committee on Planning and Permitting (Vice President Collins second)-referred, as amended, to the Committee on Planning and Permitting on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed.
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Leming moved to refer the paper, as amended, to the Committee on Planning and Permitting (Vice President Collins second)-referred, as amended, to the Committee on Planning and Permitting on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Leming, second: Collins)
Approval for first reading, as amended — Paper 21-057: CHAPTER 38 - ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE V
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval for first reading, as amended (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved for first reading, as amended, on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed.
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval for first reading, as amended (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved for first reading, as amended, on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Table the paper until the next meeting — Paper 22-494: CHAPTER 3 - FINANCE ARTICLE I. - GENERALLY Sec. 3-1. - Purpose and intent. The purpose and intent of this article is to define, by ordinance,...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to table the paper until the next meeting (Councillor Leming second)-tabled until the next meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed.
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to table the paper until the next meeting (Councillor Leming second)-tabled until the next meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Leming)
Table until the next meeting — Paper 24-047: A
Councillor Leming moved to table until the next meeting (Councillor Callahan second)-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Leming moved to table until the next meeting (Councillor Callahan second)-tabled on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Leming, second: Callahan)
Approval — Paper 24-048: Be it Resolved by the Medford City Council that, in accordance with the intent of the Council's vote in 2022 to establish an independent Elections Department, t
Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Table all three papers until the next meeting — Paper 24-054: Resolution: the Medford City Council move to schedule a Committee of the Whole meeting dealing with the Civil Service appointment...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to table all three papers until the next meeting (Councillor Leming second)-tabled until the next meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor and President Bears opposed.
Yes: Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Scarpelli, TsengNo: Bears
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to table all three papers until the next meeting (Councillor Leming second)-tabled until the next meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor and President Bears opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Leming)
Unfinished Business
Adjourn at 1:06 a.m
Councillor Scarpelli moved to adjourn at 1:06 a.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming voting present.
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, Scarpelli, TsengAbstained: Leming
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to adjourn at 1:06 a.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming voting present..” (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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