MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
June 24, 2025
22 recorded votes, 7 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 does not include Anna Callahan, who is counted absent.
Present: Kit Collins, Emily Lazzaro, Matt Leming, George A. Scarpelli, Justin Tseng, Zac Bears
Absent: Anna Callahan
Every vote, in order
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approval — Paper 25-100: WHEREAS, the Medford City Council has learned with deep sadness of the passing of Richard Caraviello, a proud lifelong resident of Medford, who passed away peac
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Approval — Paper 25-101: Resolution: the City Council thank and congratulate Karen Breen on her retirement after 25 years as a School Nurse at multiple Medford Schools but most recently the...
Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved for approval (Vice President Collins second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Records
Approval — Records of the meeting of June 10, 2025
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Reports of Committees
Approve the report — Paper 24-033: Planning and Permitting Committee Report, June 11, 2025 24-033
Vice President Collins moved to approve the report (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to approve the report (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Hearings
Continue the public hearing until the next regular meeting
Vice President Collins moved to continue the public hearing until the next regular meeting (Councillor Leming second)-hearing continued until the next regular meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to continue the public hearing until the next regular meeting (Councillor Leming second)-hearing continued until the next regular meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Continue the hearing until the October 21, 2025 City Council Meeting
Vice President Collins moved to continue the hearing until the October 21, 2025 City Council Meeting (Councillor Leming second)-continued until October 21, 2025 on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to continue the hearing until the October 21, 2025 City Council Meeting (Councillor Leming second)-continued until October 21, 2025 on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Grant the license — Paper 25-097: Petition For a Class II/IV Auto License - Asbury BMB, LLC d/b/a Herb Chambers Certified Preowned Medford All required documents
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Vice President Collins second)-license granted on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Vice President Collins second)-license granted on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Grant the license — Paper 25-099: Petition For a Class I/IV Auto License - MAG Retail Holdings - CJDRM, LLC dba McGovern Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Medford All required documents
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Vice President Collins second)-license granted on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the license (Vice President Collins second)-license granted on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Collins)
Grant the amendment to the Common Victualler License, with the condition of no idling trucks, and with the further request for 30- and 60-day reviews — Paper 25-102: Petition for Amendment to a...
Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the amendment to the Common Victualler License, with the condition of no idling trucks, and with the further request for 30- and 60-day reviews (Councillor Leming second)-amendment approved, with the condition of no idling trucks, and with 30- and 60-day reviews on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Councillor Scarpelli moved to grant the amendment to the Common Victualler License, with the condition of no idling trucks, and with the further request for 30- and 60-day reviews (Councillor Leming second)-amendment approved, with the condition of no idling trucks, and with 30- and 60-day reviews on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Leming)
Suspend the rules to take Paper 25-093 and Communications from the Mayor
At 7:39 p.m., Vice President Collins moved to suspend the rules to take Paper 25-093 and Communications from the Mayor (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“At 7:39 p.m., Vice President Collins moved to suspend the rules to take Paper 25-093 and Communications from the Mayor (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Approval — Paper 25-093: Resolution: the City Council discuss issues on Quincy Street, in particular regarding a large rat infestation, needed street paving, and needed stop signs at the...
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Communications from the Mayor
Approval — Paper 25-106: Use of Free Cash and Retained Earnings
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Collins, Councillor Leming, Councillor Tseng, and President Bears), two opposed (Councillor Lazzaro and Councillor Scarpelli) and Councillor Callahan absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Leming, TsengNo: Lazzaro, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of four in favor (Vice President Collins, Councillor Leming, Councillor Tseng, and President Bears), two opposed (Councillor Lazzaro and Councillor Scarpelli) and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Approval — Paper 25-107: Fiscal Year 2025 Year End Transfers
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Establish the fund — Paper 25-108: Establish and Transfer Funds to Medford Public Schools Special Purpose Override Stabilization Fund
Vice President Collins moved to establish the fund (Councillor Leming second)-fuund established on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to establish the fund (Councillor Leming second)-fuund established on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Transfer $2,185,000 into the fund — Paper 25-108: Establish and Transfer Funds to Medford Public Schools Special Purpose Override Stabilization Fund
Vice President Collins moved to transfer $2,185,000 into the fund (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to transfer $2,185,000 into the fund (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed.” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Table the paper until the next regular meeting — Paper 25-103: MEMORANDUM To Members of the Planning and Permitting Committee Alicia Hunt, Director of Planning, Development & Sustainability...
Vice President Collins moved to table the paper until the next regular meeting ( Councillor Leming second)-tabled until the next regular meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to table the paper until the next regular meeting ( Councillor Leming second)-tabled until the next regular meeting on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Approval, from the floor — Paper 25-104: Resolution: we strongly oppose the Skrmetti v
President Bears moved for approval, from the floor (Councillor Lazzaro second) -approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“President Bears moved for approval, from the floor (Councillor Lazzaro second) -approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Bears, second: Lazzaro)
Take Public Participation under suspension
President Bears moved to take Public Participation under suspension (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Scarpelli absent.
The records give the count as 6-0 (1 absent) and names George A. Scarpelli (absent), which does not add up with the six councillors on the roll call (Kit Collins, Emily Lazzaro, Matt Leming, George A. Scarpelli, Justin Tseng and Zac Bears). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“President Bears moved to take Public Participation under suspension (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Scarpelli absent..” (Motion: Bears, second: Leming)
Public Participation
Take Paper 25-090 from the table and to approve the paper for third reading to be ordained
At 10:49 p.m., Vice President Collins moved to take Paper 25-090 from the table and to approve the paper for third reading to be ordained (Councillor Leming second)-paper taken from the table and approved for third reading to be ordained on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
Yes: Bears, Collins, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“At 10:49 p.m., Vice President Collins moved to take Paper 25-090 from the table and to approve the paper for third reading to be ordained (Councillor Leming second)-paper taken from the table and approved for third reading to be ordained on a roll call vote of five in favor, Councillor Scarpelli opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
Take Paper 25-110, under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk
At 10:51 p.m., Councillor Lazzaro moved to take Paper 25-110, under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“At 10:51 p.m., Councillor Lazzaro moved to take Paper 25-110, under suspension and in the hands of the Clerk (Councillor Leming second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Leming)
Approval — Paper 25-110: Offered Under Suspension by Vice President Collins and Councillor Lazzaro Be it Resolved the Medford Police Department provide an after-report to the City Counc
Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved for approval (Councillor Lazzaro second)-approved on a roll call vote of six in favor, zero opposed, and Councillor Callahan absent..” (Motion: Collins, second: Lazzaro)
Unfinished Business
Adjourn at 11:05 p.m
Vice President Collins moved to adjourn at 11:05 p.m. (Councillor Leming second)-approved.
The records give the result only, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Vice President Collins moved to adjourn at 11:05 p.m. (Councillor Leming second)-approved..” (Motion: Collins, second: Leming)
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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