MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
April 8, 2025
26 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
During the meeting:
- Anna Callahan left the meeting or the Chamber for part of the meeting.
Every vote, in order
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of March 25, 2025
Councillor Callahan moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Callahan moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Callahan, second: Collins)
Reports of Committees
Join and approve all committee reports — Paper 24-069, 24-354 and 25-041: Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee Report, April 2, 2025 24-069, 24-354, & 25-041
Vice President Collins moved to join and approve all committee reports (Councillor Leming second)-joined and approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to join and approve all committee reports (Councillor Leming second)-joined and approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Suspend the rules to take Papers 25-050, 25-051, and 25- 052
At 7:24 p.m., Vice President Collins moved to suspend the rules to take Papers 25-050, 25-051, and 25- 052 (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:24 p.m., Vice President Collins moved to suspend the rules to take Papers 25-050, 25-051, and 25- 052 (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Approve the paper — Paper 25-052: Commission Originals on file with the Office of the City Clerk and in the Elections Office
Councillor Leming moved to approve the paper (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Leming moved to approve the paper (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Leming, second: Tseng)
Communications from the Mayor
Approve the paper for first reading — Paper 25-050: Loan Order Opinion $25,775,000 School HVAC Infrastructure and Roof Bonds (Supplemental)
Vice President Collins moved to approve the paper for first reading (Councillor Tseng second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to approve the paper for first reading (Councillor Tseng second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 25-051: Winthrop Street Gardens Pergola Installation
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Hearings
Continue the hearing to the next meeting, and to request an update on the application and fee from the Building Department and an opinion from Legal on whether the fee can be reduced
Councillor Scarpelli moved to continue the hearing to the next meeting, and to request an update on the application and fee from the Building Department and an opinion from Legal on whether the fee can be reduced (Councillor Tseng second)-continued on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to continue the hearing to the next meeting, and to request an update on the application and fee from the Building Department and an opinion from Legal on whether the fee can be reduced (Councillor Tseng second)-continued on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Take Papers 25-053, 25-055, 25-057, and 24- 468
At 7:56 p.m., Councillor Tseng moved to take Papers 25-053, 25-055, 25-057, and 24- 468 (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 7:56 p.m., Councillor Tseng moved to take Papers 25-053, 25-055, 25-057, and 24- 468 (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Waive reading in lieu of a summary
Councillor Tseng moved to waive reading in lieu of a summary (Vice President Collins second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to waive reading in lieu of a summary (Vice President Collins second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Approve the paper for first reading — Paper 25-053: Securing the rights of individuals seeking gender-affirming care and reproductive healthcare. (a) Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to...
Councillor Tseng moved to approve the paper for first reading (Vice President Collins second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to approve the paper for first reading (Vice President Collins second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 25-055: Whereas Rumeysa Ozturk was an international student with a legal student visa at Tufts University in Medford, and
Councillor Tseng moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Leming second)-B- Paper approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Leming second)-B- Paper approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Leming)
Approval on the main paper — Paper 25-055: Whereas Rumeysa Ozturk was an international student with a legal student visa at Tufts University in Medford, and
Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval on the main paper (Councillor Tseng second)-main paper approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval on the main paper (Councillor Tseng second)-main paper approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 25-057: Resolution: the City of Med
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Amend Section 9-4, subsection b) to amend the language allocating membership to future charter study committees to say that "this review shall be made by a special committee to be composed of...
Vice President Collins moved to amend Section 9-4, subsection b) to amend the language allocating membership to future charter study committees to say that "this review shall be made by a special committee to be composed of three appointees of the Mayor, three appointees of the City Council, and three appointees of the School Committee." (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to amend Section 9-4, subsection b) to amend the language allocating membership to future charter study committees to say that "this review shall be made by a special committee to be composed of three appointees of the Mayor, three appointees of the City Council, and three appointees of the School Committee." (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Remove the Mayor from the School Committee, by amending Section 4-1, beginning with the last sentence of 4-1 a). (The Mayor would be replaced by an at-large member of the School Committee.)
Vice President Collins moved to remove the Mayor from the School Committee, by amending Section 4-1, beginning with the last sentence of 4-1 a). (The Mayor would be replaced by an at-large member of the School Committee.) (Councillor Leming second) -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
“Vice President Collins moved to remove the Mayor from the School Committee, by amending Section 4-1, beginning with the last sentence of 4-1 a). (The Mayor would be replaced by an at-large member of the School Committee.) (Councillor Leming second) -approved on a roll call vote of six in favor and Councillor Scarpelli opposed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Amend Section 8-2, reverting from the City Clerk, back to the Board of Election Commissioners
Councillor Tseng moved to amend Section 8-2, reverting from the City Clerk, back to the Board of Election Commissioners (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to amend Section 8-2, reverting from the City Clerk, back to the Board of Election Commissioners (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Councillor Tseng offered an amendment to Section 8-2 e), to revert back to a standard of twelve percent as the threshold to make sure that the citizen new initiative petition and the repeal...
Councillor Tseng offered an amendment to Section 8-2 e), to revert back to a standard of twelve percent as the threshold to make sure that the citizen new initiative petition and the repeal referendum have the same signature requirement (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng offered an amendment to Section 8-2 e), to revert back to a standard of twelve percent as the threshold to make sure that the citizen new initiative petition and the repeal referendum have the same signature requirement (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Scarpelli to a special meeting of the City Council), so that there can be a definitive answer on the powers of the charter review committees established under the special act charter; would they...
Scarpelli to a special meeting of the City Council), so that there can be a definitive answer on the powers of the charter review committees established under the special act charter; would they be home rule charter powers or just special act charter powers? (Questions answered by Mr. Wilson, below, so the final motion, as amended, is to refer the draft charter as amended by the motions at this meeting to a special meeting of the City Council on April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Scarpelli to a special meeting of the City Council), so that there can be a definitive answer on the powers of the charter review committees established under the special act charter; would they be home rule charter powers or just special act charter powers? (Questions answered by Mr. Wilson, below, so the final motion, as amended, is to refer the draft charter as amended by the motions at this meeting to a special meeting of the City Council on April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Approval on the main motion (see above as also amended by Councillor Lazzaro before votes on the additional individual amendments), as amended by Vice President Collins, Councillor Tseng, Vice...
Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval on the main motion (see above as also amended by Councillor Lazzaro before votes on the additional individual amendments), as amended by Vice President Collins, Councillor Tseng, Vice President Collins, Councillor Callahan, and Councillor Scarpelli, referring the Mayor's draft, as amended, to a special meeting of the City Council on April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (all roll call votes as recorded above for the individual amendments) (Councillor Tseng second) -approved as amended and referred to a special meeting on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval on the main motion (see above as also amended by Councillor Lazzaro before votes on the additional individual amendments), as amended by Vice President Collins, Councillor Tseng, Vice President Collins, Councillor Callahan, and Councillor Scarpelli, referring the Mayor's draft, as amended, to a special meeting of the City Council on April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (all roll call votes as recorded above for the individual amendments) (Councillor Tseng second) -approved as amended and referred to a special meeting on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Refer the paper to the Administration and Finance Committee for further discussion with the Economic Development Director, the Building Commissioner, and the Chamber of Commerce, and further moved...
Councillor Leming moved to refer the paper to the Administration and Finance Committee for further discussion with the Economic Development Director, the Building Commissioner, and the Chamber of Commerce, and further moved to send draft language to counsel for legal review (Councillor Lazzaro second)-referred to the Committee on Administration and Finance, and to counsel, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Leming moved to refer the paper to the Administration and Finance Committee for further discussion with the Economic Development Director, the Building Commissioner, and the Chamber of Commerce, and further moved to send draft language to counsel for legal review (Councillor Lazzaro second)-referred to the Committee on Administration and Finance, and to counsel, on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Leming, second: Lazzaro)
Approval — Paper 25-056: Offered from the Podium by President Bears
Councillor Leming moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Leming moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed..” (Motion: Leming, second: Collins)
Receive and place on file — Paper 25-058: Resolution: the DPW commissioner and city arborist report back to the City Council with the reasons and process for the tree removal at Capen Park
Councillor Scarpelli moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Leming second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Leming second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Leming)
Table — Paper 25-059: WHEREAS, the City of Medford values diversity, inclusivity, and the peaceful coexistence of all its citizens, regardless of race, religion, or national origin
Vice President Collins moved to table (Councillor Tseng second)-tabled on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Collins, Councillor Lazzaro, Councillor Tseng, and President Bears), Councillor Scarpelli opposed, Councillor Leming voting present, and Councillor Callahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, TsengNo: ScarpelliAbstained: LemingThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to table (Councillor Tseng second)-tabled on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Collins, Councillor Lazzaro, Councillor Tseng, and President Bears), Councillor Scarpelli opposed, Councillor Leming voting present, and Councillor Callahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Public Participation
Take Paper 25-020 from the table
At 12:31 a.m., Councillor Tseng moved to take Paper 25-020 from the table (Vice President Collins second)-Paper 25-020 taken from the table on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“At 12:31 a.m., Councillor Tseng moved to take Paper 25-020 from the table (Vice President Collins second)-Paper 25-020 taken from the table on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Communications from the Mayor
Approve the transfer and conveyance — Paper 25-020: Transfer and Conveyance of McCormack Avenue Parcels
Councillor Tseng then moved to approve the transfer and conveyance (Vice President Collins second)-failed on a roll call vote of two in favor (Councillor Leming and Councillor Scarpelli), four opposed (Vice President Collins, Councillor Lazzaro, Councillor Tseng, and President Bears) and Councillor Callahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed.
Yes: Leming, ScarpelliNo: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, TsengThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng then moved to approve the transfer and conveyance (Vice President Collins second)-failed on a roll call vote of two in favor (Councillor Leming and Councillor Scarpelli), four opposed (Vice President Collins, Councillor Lazzaro, Councillor Tseng, and President Bears) and Councillor Callahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Unfinished Business
Adjourn at 12:39 a.m
Vice President Collins moved to adjourn at 12:39 a.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor C allahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to adjourn at 12:39 a.m. (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor C allahan absent because of technical issues with her Zoom feed..” (Motion: Collins, 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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