MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
December 17, 2024
29 recorded votes, 11 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 as amended — Paper 24-512: Resolution: the Medford City Council commend and congratulate Barbara Kerr for her 40 years of tireless and selfless service at the Medford Public Library
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of November 26, 2024
Councillor Leming moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Leming moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Leming, second: Callahan)
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Callahan)
Reports of Committees
Join all committee reports — Records of the meeting of December 3, 2024
Vice President Collins moved to join all committee reports (Councillor Tseng second)-reports joined on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to join all committee reports (Councillor Tseng second)-reports joined on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Approve the joined reports — Paper 24-033: Planning and Permitting Committee, December 11, 2024, Report 24-033
Vice President Collins moved to approve the joined reports (Councillor Tseng second)-reports approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to approve the joined reports (Councillor Tseng second)-reports approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Suspend the rules to take Paper 24-494 for third reading, and also to take Papers 24-510 and 24-517
At 7:22 p.m., Vice President Collins moved to suspend the rules to take Paper 24-494 for third reading, and also to take Papers 24-510 and 24-517 (Councillor Tseng second)-rules suspended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:22 p.m., Vice President Collins moved to suspend the rules to take Paper 24-494 for third reading, and also to take Papers 24-510 and 24-517 (Councillor Tseng second)-rules suspended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Communications from the Mayor
Approve the loan order for third reading to be ordained — Paper 24-494: Loan Order Opinion Riverside Plaza Bonds
Councillor Tseng moved to approve the loan order for third reading to be ordained (Vice President Collins second)-loan order approved for third reading to be ordained on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to approve the loan order for third reading to be ordained (Vice President Collins second)-loan order approved for third reading to be ordained on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Approve the loan order for first reading, as amended — Paper 24-510: Loan Order Opinion $5,000,000 School HVAC Infrastructure and Roof Bonds
Vice President Collins moved to approve the loan order for first reading, as amended ( Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved as amended for first reading on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed.
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to approve the loan order for first reading, as amended ( Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved as amended for first reading on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Lazzaro)
Approval — Paper 24-517: Water & Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund Appropriation Request
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Callahan)
Take Papers 24-518 and 24-519
At 8:08 p.m., while under suspension, Councillor Scarpelli moved to take Papers 24-518 and 24-519 (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 8:08 p.m., while under suspension, Councillor Scarpelli moved to take Papers 24-518 and 24-519 (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Leming)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Question the ruling of the Chair — Paper 24-518: Resolution: the City Administration report back to the Council the following information: Cost associated with terminating the School...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to question the ruling of the Chair (Councillor Callahan second)-motion failed on a roll call vote of three in favor (Councillor Callahan, Councillor Scarpelli, and Councillor Tseng), three opposed (Vice President Collins, Councillor Lazzaro, and Councillor Leming), and President Bears voting present.
Yes: Callahan, Scarpelli, TsengNo: Collins, Lazzaro, LemingAbstained: Bears
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to question the ruling of the Chair (Councillor Callahan second)-motion failed on a roll call vote of three in favor (Councillor Callahan, Councillor Scarpelli, and Councillor Tseng), three opposed (Vice President Collins, Councillor Lazzaro, and Councillor Leming), and President Bears voting present..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Callahan)
Motion to sever as amended approved — Paper 24-518: Resolution: the City Administration report back to the Council the following information: Cost associated with terminating the School...
Motion to sever as amended 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
“Motion to sever as amended approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..”
Approval — Paper 24-518: Resolution: the City Administration report back to the Council the following information: Cost associated with terminating the School Superintendent's contract Any and all...
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-failed on a roll call vote of three in favor (Councillor Callahan, Councillor Scarpelli, and President Bears) and four opposed (Vice President Collins, Councillor Lazzaro, Councillor Leming, and Councillor Tseng).
Yes: Bears, Callahan, ScarpelliNo: Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Tseng
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-failed on a roll call vote of three in favor (Councillor Callahan, Councillor Scarpelli, and President Bears) and four opposed (Vice President Collins, Councillor Lazzaro, Councillor Leming, and Councillor Tseng)..” (Motion: Collins, second: Callahan)
Approval as amended — Paper 24-518: Resolution: the City Administration report back to the Council the following information: Cost associated with terminating the School Superintendent's contract...
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Leming opposed.
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, Scarpelli, TsengNo: Leming
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Leming opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Vice President Collins second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Vice President Collins second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Approval as amended — Paper 24-519: Resolution: the Administration give us an update on the requested meeting to review the MFD report completed by the consultants that the City Council voted and...
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved as amended on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Hearings
Approve the Mystic Ave Corridor District zoning proposal and adopt the recommended amendments by the Community Development Board, to change the Special Permit Granting Authority on cannabis uses...
Vice President Collins moved to approve the Mystic Ave Corridor District zoning proposal and adopt the recommended amendments by the Community Development Board, to change the Special Permit Granting Authority on cannabis uses to the ZBA, and to change the Special Permit Granting Authority on adult uses to the City Council, to maintain consistency with the rest of the zoning ordinance, with an amendment from Councillor Callahan striking Line A8 of the Use Table (Councillor Tseng second) -approved as amended, including recommended amendments by the Community Development Board, and with the change in the Special Permit Granting Authority on adult uses to the City Council, on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed.
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to approve the Mystic Ave Corridor District zoning proposal and adopt the recommended amendments by the Community Development Board, to change the Special Permit Granting Authority on cannabis uses to the ZBA, and to change the Special Permit Granting Authority on adult uses to the City Council, to maintain consistency with the rest of the zoning ordinance, with an amendment from Councillor Callahan striking Line A8 of the Use Table (Councillor Tseng second) -approved as amended, including recommended amendments by the Community Development Board, and with the change in the Special Permit Granting Authority on adult uses to the City Council, on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Continue the public hearing until the next regular Council meeting because the petitioner had departed
At 10:23 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to continue the public hearing until the next regular Council meeting because the petitioner had departed (Councillor Callahan second)-hearing continued to the next regular Council meeting on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 10:23 p.m., Councillor Scarpelli moved to continue the public hearing until the next regular Council meeting because the petitioner had departed (Councillor Callahan second)-hearing continued to the next regular Council meeting on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Callahan)
Grant the license — Paper 24-516: Petition for a Common Victualler License - Mrs
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Councillor Callahan second)-license granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Councillor Callahan second)-license granted on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Callahan)
Suspend the rules to take Papers 23-055 and 24-502
At 10:27 p.m., Vice President Collins moved to suspend the rules to take Papers 23-055 and 24-502 (Councillor Tseng second-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 10:27 p.m., Vice President Collins moved to suspend the rules to take Papers 23-055 and 24-502 (Councillor Tseng second-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary from the proponent
Vice President Collins moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary from the proponent (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a summary from the proponent (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Approve for first reading as amended in the current draft with the amendments presented tonight except for 50-103 (c) — Paper 50-106: Compliance with Federal Law Nothing in this Welcoming City...
Vice President Collins moved to approve for first reading as amended in the current draft with the amendments presented tonight except for 50-103 (c) (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
“Vice President Collins moved to approve for first reading as amended in the current draft with the amendments presented tonight except for 50-103 (c) (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved for first reading, as amended, on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Lazzaro)
Approval for first reading, as amended — Paper 24-502: Amendments to the Community Control Over Public Surveillance Ordinance Section 50, Article III - An Ordinance to Promote Transparency and...
Vice President Collins moved for approval for first reading, as amended (Councillor Tseng 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
“Vice President Collins moved for approval for first reading, as amended (Councillor Tseng second)-approved for first reading, as amended, on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Approval — Paper 24-513: Resolution: we request that Tufts University use an alternative site plan or add another site to the projec
President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“President Bears moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Bears, second: Callahan)
Waive reading of the paper in lieu of a brief summary
Vice President Collins moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a brief summary ( Councillor Leming second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to waive reading of the paper in lieu of a brief summary ( Councillor Leming second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Councillor Scarpelli offered a B-Paper amendment requesting that one of the final meetings be moved to the Roberts Elementary School
Councillor Scarpelli offered a B-Paper amendment requesting that one of the final meetings be moved to the Roberts Elementary School (Councillor Callahan second)-B-Paper approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Callahan, Vice President Collins, Councillor Scarpelli, and Councillor Tseng) and three opposed (Councillor Lazzaro, Councillor Leming, and President Bears).
Yes: Callahan, Collins, Scarpelli, TsengNo: Bears, Lazzaro, Leming
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli offered a B-Paper amendment requesting that one of the final meetings be moved to the Roberts Elementary School (Councillor Callahan second)-B-Paper approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Councillor Callahan, Vice President Collins, Councillor Scarpelli, and Councillor Tseng) and three opposed (Councillor Lazzaro, Councillor Leming, and President Bears)..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Callahan)
Refer the paper to the Community Development Board — Paper 24-515: Proposed Amendments to the Medford Zoning Ordinance - Salem Street Corridor District (for referral to the Community Development...
Councillor Callahan 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 and Councillor Scarpelli opposed.
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councillor Callahan 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 and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Callahan, second: Tseng)
Unfinished Business
Adjourn at 12:59 a.m
Councillor Tseng moved to adjourn at 12:59 a.m. (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved 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 Tseng moved to adjourn at 12:59 a.m. (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and President Bears opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, 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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →