MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
April 2, 2024
24 recorded votes, 22 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 on the joined papers — Paper 24-070: Resolution: the Medford City Council recognize and thank former Mayor Jack McGlynn for his service to our great country and finally being recognized...
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval on the joined papers (Councilor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval on the joined papers (Councilor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 24-063: Resolution: the Medford City Council recognize the holy month of Ramadan and wish a happy Ramadan and an easy fast to all who observe
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of March 19th, 2024
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Leming)
Reports of Committees
Approve the report — Paper 24-045: Committee of the Whole Report, March 19, 2024. 24-045
Vice President Collins moved to approve the report (Councillor Leming second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to approve the report (Councillor Leming second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Approve the report — Paper 20-020: Committee of the Whole Report, March 20, 2024. 20-020
Councillor Callahan moved to approve the report (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Callahan moved to approve the report (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved..” (Motion: Callahan, second: Lazzaro)
Approve the report — Paper 24-056 & 24-057: Administration and Finance Committee Report, March 26, 2024. 24-056 & 24-057
Vice President Collins moved to approve the report (Councillor Leming second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to approve the report (Councillor Leming second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Approve the report — Paper 23-474: Governance Committee Report, March 26, 2024
Councillor Tseng moved to approve the report (Councillor Callahan second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to approve the report (Councillor Callahan second)-approved..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Approve the report — Paper 23-427 & 24-008: Planning and Permitting Committee Report, March 27, 2024. 23-427 & 24-008
Vice President Collins moved to approve the report (Councillor Leming second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to approve the report (Councillor Leming second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Hearings
Approve the special permit, with the conditions as outlined above — Paper 23-319: petition for a special permit for signs by Raising Cane's Restaurants, LLC, d/b/a Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers,...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the special permit, with the conditions as outlined above (Vice President Collins second)-approved, with conditions, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the special permit, with the conditions as outlined above (Vice President Collins second)-approved, with conditions, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Waive reading in lieu of a summary from the chair
Councillor Leming moved to waive reading in lieu of a summary from the chair ( Councillor Callahan second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Leming moved to waive reading in lieu of a summary from the chair ( Councillor Callahan second)-approved..” (Motion: Leming, second: Callahan)
Refer the paper to the Community Development Board — Paper 24-056: Chapter 94 - Zoning SECTION 94-10.0
Vice President Collins moved to refer the paper to the Community Development Board ( Councillor Leming second)-referred to the Community Development Board on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to refer the paper to the Community Development Board ( Councillor Leming second)-referred to the Community Development Board on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Call the question and end debate — Paper 24-059: Resolution: the Council explore and consider language for a rental licensing ordinance with energy efficiency standards as described in the CAAP...
Councillor Tseng moved to call the question and end debate (Vice President Collins second)-question called and debate ended on a roll call vote of five in favor and Councillors Lazzaro and Scarpelli opposed.
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Leming, TsengNo: Lazzaro, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to call the question and end debate (Vice President Collins second)-question called and debate ended on a roll call vote of five in favor and Councillors Lazzaro and Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Refer the paper to the Planning and Permitting Committee — Paper 24-059: Resolution: the Council explore and consider language for a rental licensing ordinance with energy efficiency standards as...
Councillor Tseng moved to refer the paper to the Planning and Permitting Committee ( Vice President Collins second)-referred to the Planning and Permitting Committee, with Councillors Lazzaro and Scarpelli opposed.
The records give the result only, with no count or names. The records add: “Councillors Lazzaro and Scarpelli opposed”.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to refer the paper to the Planning and Permitting Committee ( Vice President Collins second)-referred to the Planning and Permitting Committee, with Councillors Lazzaro and Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
A brief recess — Paper 24-060: Resolution: Rule 16 of the Rules of the Medford City Council be amended to state the following: Any resident, petitioner, or interested party shall be able to speak...
At 11:21 p.m., Councillor Tseng moved for a brief recess (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved, and
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“At 11:21 p.m., Councillor Tseng moved for a brief recess (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved, and.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Lazzaro)
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 24-060: Resolution: Rule 16 of the Rules of the Medford City Council be amended to state the following: Any resident, petitioner, or interested party shall be able...
Councillor Callahan moved for approval on the B-Paper (Vice President Collins second)-B-Paper approved 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 Callahan moved for approval on the B-Paper (Vice President Collins second)-B-Paper approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Callahan, second: Collins)
Approval on the main paper, as amended — Paper 24-060: Resolution: Rule 16 of the Rules of the Medford City Council be amended to state the following: Any resident, petitioner, or interested party...
Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval on the main paper, as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Collins, Councillor Lazzaro, Councillor Leming, and Councillor Tseng) and three opposed (Councillor Callahan, Councillor Scarpelli, and President Bears).
Yes: Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Bears, Callahan, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval on the main paper, as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Collins, Councillor Lazzaro, Councillor Leming, and Councillor Tseng) and three opposed (Councillor Callahan, Councillor Scarpelli, and President Bears)..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 24-064: Whereas, this legislative session, bill H.872/S.481, "An Act establishing a climate change superfund and promoting polluter responsibility," also known as the "
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)
Receive and place on file — Paper 24-071: Resolution: the Mayor, Superintendent of Schools, and the MPS Finance team meet with the City Council to discuss the financial shortfalls that were...
Councillor Scarpelli 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
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Tseng second)-received and placed on file..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 24-061: Resolution: we join with neighboring communities, environmental protection activists, and the residents of Hardwick, MA in opposing the proposed construction of a landfill...
President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Callahan)
Waive reading in lieu of a summary by the proponent
President Bears moved to waive reading in lieu of a summary by the proponent (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“President Bears moved to waive reading in lieu of a summary by the proponent (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 24-065: Resolution: we support the CHERISH Act (S.816/H.1260) to reinvest in our p
President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved..” (Motion: Bears, second: Callahan)
Refer the paper to the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement — Paper 24-069: Resolution: the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement meet to discuss a modernization of...
Councillor Tseng moved to refer the paper to the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement (Councillor Collins second)-referred to the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to refer the paper to the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement (Councillor Collins second)-referred to the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Refer the paper to the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement — Paper 24-073: Resolution: the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement reach out to city staff, residents,...
Councillor Tseng moved to refer the paper to the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement (Councillor Callahan second)-referred to the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to refer the paper to the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement (Councillor Callahan second)-referred to the Committee on Resident Services and Public Engagement..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Unfinished Business
Adjourn at 1:18 a.m
Vice President Collins moved to adjourn at 1:18 a.m. (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to adjourn at 1:18 a.m. (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Lazzaro)
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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