MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
May 27, 2025
23 recorded votes, 20 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 — Paper 25-089: Resolution: the Medford City Council congratulate the Medford High School Orchestra and the Medford Middle School String Ensemble on winning Gold Medals at the prestigious...
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Suspend the rules to take papers in the hands of the Clerk
At 8:33 p.m., Councillor Leming moved to suspend the rules to take papers in the hands of the Clerk (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“At 8:33 p.m., Councillor Leming moved to suspend the rules to take papers in the hands of the Clerk (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Leming, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 25-092: Resolution: the Medford City Council commemorate Memorial Day to honor our veterans and all those who support them
Councillor Leming moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed.
From the minutes
“Councillor Leming moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of seven in favor and zero opposed..” (Motion: Leming, second: Collins)
Communications from the Mayor
Table until the next regular meeting — Paper 25-039: Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Submissions
Vice President Collins moved to table until the next regular meeting (Councillor Tseng second)-tabled until the next regular meeting with
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to table until the next regular meeting (Councillor Tseng second)-tabled until the next regular meeting with.” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of May 13, 2025
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Reports of Committees
Approval — Paper 24-033: Planning and Permitting Committee Report, May 14, 2025 24-033
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Lazzaro)
Approval — Paper 25-069: Public Works and Facilities Committee Report, May 20, 2025 25-069
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
Approval — Paper 25-039: Committee of the Whole Report, May 20, 2025 25-039
Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved for approval (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Lazzaro)
Approval — Paper 25-039: Committee of the Whole Report, May 21, 2025 25-039
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Hearings
Continue the hearing until the next regular meeting
Vice President Collins moved to continue the hearing until the next regular meeting (Councillor Tseng second)-hearing continued until the next regular meeting.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to continue the hearing until the next regular meeting (Councillor Tseng second)-hearing continued until the next regular meeting..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Continue the public hearing until June 10
Vice President Collins moved to continue the public hearing until June 10 (Councillor Tseng second)-hearing continued until June 10.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to continue the public hearing until June 10 (Councillor Tseng second)-hearing continued until June 10..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Approve the grant of location, subject to the conditions recommended by the City Engineer — Paper 25-070: PETITION FOR GRANT OF LOCATION, NATIONAL GRID, NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, PROPOSED...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the grant of location, subject to the conditions recommended by the City Engineer (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved, with conditions recommended by the City Engineer, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the grant of location, subject to the conditions recommended by the City Engineer (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved, with conditions recommended by the City Engineer, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Approve the grant of location, with conditions recommended by the City Engineer — Paper 25-071: PETITION FOR GRANT OF LOCATION, NATIONAL GRID, NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, PROPOSED RELOCATION OF...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the grant of location, with conditions recommended by the City Engineer (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved, with conditions recommended by the City Engineer, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to approve the grant of location, with conditions recommended by the City Engineer (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved, with conditions recommended by the City Engineer, on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Adopt the provisions of state law — Paper 25-075: Resolution: we adopt the provisions of M.G.L
Councillor Leming moved to adopt the provisions of state law (Councillor Tseng second)-provisions accepted/adopted on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councillor Leming moved to adopt the provisions of state law (Councillor Tseng second)-provisions accepted/adopted on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Leming, second: Tseng)
Refer the amendments to the Community Development Board — Paper 25-086: Proposed Amendments to the Medford Zoning Ordinance - Accessory Dwelling Units (for referral to the Community Development...
Vice President Collins moved to refer the amendments to the Community Development Board (Councillor Lazzaro second)-referred to the Community Development Board with
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to refer the amendments to the Community Development Board (Councillor Lazzaro second)-referred to the Community Development Board with.” (Motion: Collins, second: Lazzaro)
Approval on the B-Paper — Paper 25-087: Resolution: the City Council discuss and approve the 2024 Community Control Over Public Surveillance Annual Public Report, pursuant to Sec
Vice President Collins moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Tseng second)-approved, with
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval on the B-Paper (Councillor Tseng second)-approved, with.” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Approval on the City Council Annual Surveillance Report — Paper 25-087: Resolution: the City Council discuss and approve the 2024 Community Control Over Public Surveillance Annual Public Report,...
Vice President Collins moved for approval on the City Council Annual Surveillance Report (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved, with
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval on the City Council Annual Surveillance Report (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved, with.” (Motion: Collins, second: Lazzaro)
Table the paper — Paper 25-088: Resolution: the Medford Chief of Police deliver a report of ICE operations in Medford after the fact on a monthly basis
Councillor Lazzaro moved to table the paper (Councillor Tseng second)-tabled.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Lazzaro moved to table the paper (Councillor Tseng second)-tabled..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Communications from the Mayor
Approve the appropriation — Paper 25-085: Use of Free Cash
Vice President Collins moved to approve the appropriation (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to approve the appropriation (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Approve the paper for first reading — Paper 25-090: Proposed Wage Adjustment for Non-Union Personnel
Vice President Collins moved to approve the paper for first reading (Councillor Tseng second)-approved for first reading on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: ScarpelliThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
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 five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Approval — Paper 25-091: Five Year Contract Approval
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Anna Callahan as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Tseng second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Tseng)
Public Participation
Carry the petition over to the next regular meeting
Councillor Tseng moved to carry the petition over to the next regular meeting (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to carry the petition over to the next regular meeting (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Lazzaro)
Unfinished Business
Adjourn at 10:48 p.m
Councillor Tseng moved to adjourn at 10:48 p.m. (Vice President Collins second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Councillor Tseng moved to adjourn at 10:48 p.m. (Vice President Collins second)-approved..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Collins)
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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