MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
May 13, 2025
21 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: The roll call marks Matt Leming absent.
Present: Anna Callahan, Kit Collins, Emily Lazzaro, George A. Scarpelli, Justin Tseng, Zac Bears
Absent: Matt Leming
Every vote, in order
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approval — Paper 25-062: WHEREAS, the Medford City Council deeply mourns the passing of Mr. William "Shayne" Hoarty, a lifelong resident of the City of Medford, who passed away on March
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent for military service.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent for military service..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 25-076: Offered from the Podium by President Bears
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of April 8, 2025
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Callahan)
Approval — Records of the meeting of April 29, 2025
Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval ( Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Lazzaro moved for approval ( Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Reports of Committees
Join all Committee Reports — Records of the meeting of April 29, 2025
Councillor Tseng moved to join all Committee Reports (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to join all Committee Reports (Councillor Callahan second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Approve the joined Committee Reports — Paper 24-074: Public Health and Community Safety Committee, Report, May 7, 2025 24-074
Vice President Collins moved to approve the joined Committee Reports (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to approve the joined Committee Reports (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Lazzaro)
Refer the paper to the Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee — Paper 25-073: Resolution: a City Councilor join the Medford Veterans' Services Director Veronica Shaw at the Veterans...
Councillor Lazzaro moved to refer the paper to the Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee (Councillor Callahan second)-referred to the Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Lazzaro moved to refer the paper to the Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee (Councillor Callahan second)-referred to the Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Callahan)
Refer the paper to the Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee — Paper 25-074: Resolution: we invite the Office of Prevention and Outreach staff to join us at a Resident Services and...
Councillor Callahan moved to refer the paper to the Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee (Councillor Lazzaro second)-referred to the Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Callahan moved to refer the paper to the Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee (Councillor Lazzaro second)-referred to the Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Callahan, second: Lazzaro)
Hearings
Continue the public hearing to the next regular meeting, and further moved to request a legal review from the City Solicitor
Councillor Scarpelli moved to continue the public hearing to the next regular meeting, and further moved to request a legal review from the City Solicitor (Councillor Callahan second)-hearing continued to the next regular meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to continue the public hearing to the next regular meeting, and further moved to request a legal review from the City Solicitor (Councillor Callahan second)-hearing continued to the next regular meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Callahan)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Approve the amendment to the license, with 30-, 60-, and 90-day reviews — Paper 25-072: Petition for Amendment to a Common Victualler License - The Establishment All required paperwork
Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the amendment to the license, with 30-, 60-, and 90-day reviews (Councillor Lazzaro second)-amendment approved, with 30-, 60-, and 90-day reviews on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the amendment to the license, with 30-, 60-, and 90-day reviews (Councillor Lazzaro second)-amendment approved, with 30-, 60-, and 90-day reviews on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Waive reading in lieu of a summary
Councillor Tseng moved to waive reading in lieu of a summary (Councillor Lazzaro second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to waive reading in lieu of a summary (Councillor Lazzaro second)-reading waived on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Lazzaro)
Approve the ordinance for first reading, as amended — Paper 24-069: DIVISION 2
Councillor Tseng moved to approve the ordinance for first reading, as amended ( Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved for first reading, as amended, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to approve the ordinance for first reading, as amended ( Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved for first reading, as amended, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Lazzaro)
Refer the paper to the Community Development Board — Paper 25-075: Proposed Amendments to the Medford Zoning Ordinance - Medford Square District and West Medford Square District (for referral to...
Vice President Collins moved to refer the paper to the Community Development Board ( Councillor Callahan second)-referred to the Community Development Board on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to refer the paper to the Community Development Board ( Councillor Callahan second)-referred to the Community Development Board on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Callahan)
Communications from the Mayor
Table until later in the meeting so that Director Hunt could get to the meeting from the Traffic Commission meeting — Paper 25-077: Medford Square Parking Lot Development - RFP Evaluation Committee
Councillor Callahan moved to table until later in the meeting so that Director Hunt could get to the meeting from the Traffic Commission meeting (Councillor Tseng second)-failed on a roll call vote of zero in favor, six opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
No: Bears, Callahan, Collins, Lazzaro, Scarpelli, Tseng
From the minutes
“Councillor Callahan moved to table until later in the meeting so that Director Hunt could get to the meeting from the Traffic Commission meeting (Councillor Tseng second)-failed on a roll call vote of zero in favor, six opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Callahan, second: Tseng)
Receive and place on file — Paper 25-077: Medford Square Parking Lot Development - RFP Evaluation Committee
Councillor Lazzaro moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Callahan second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Lazzaro moved to receive and place on file (Councillor Callahan second)-received and placed on file on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Callahan)
Approve for first reading — Paper 78-173: Mayor’s request: repeal Sec
Councillor Tseng moved to approve for first reading (Councillor Callahan second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to approve for first reading (Councillor Callahan second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Approve the appropriation — Paper 25-079: Use of Free Cash
Councillor Callahan moved to approve the appropriation (Councillor Lazzaro second)-appropriation approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Callahan moved to approve the appropriation (Councillor Lazzaro second)-appropriation approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Callahan, second: Lazzaro)
Approve the appropriations — Paper 25-080: CPA Appropriation Requests - Carr Park Phase II Additional Tranche and Medford Square Pop-Up Community Garden
Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the appropriations (Councillor Callahan second)-appropriations approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the appropriations (Councillor Callahan second)-appropriations approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Callahan)
Approval — Paper 25-081: Approval for Lease-Purchase Financing Agreement
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Public Participation
Take Paper 25-053 from the table and approve for third reading to be ordained
At 10:20 p.m., Councillor Lazzaro moved to take Paper 25-053 from the table and approve for third reading to be ordained (Councillor Tseng second)-taken from the table and approved for third reading to be ordained on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent.
From the minutes
“At 10:20 p.m., Councillor Lazzaro moved to take Paper 25-053 from the table and approve for third reading to be ordained (Councillor Tseng second)-taken from the table and approved for third reading to be ordained on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Unfinished Business
Adjourn at 10:22 p.m
Councillor Lazzaro moved to adjourn at 10:22 p.m. (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent for military service.
The records name Matt Leming as the seconder, but Matt Leming is not on the roll call, so no seconder is shown.
From the minutes
“Councillor Lazzaro moved to adjourn at 10:22 p.m. (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Leming absent for military service..” (Motion: 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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