MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
May 26, 2026
15 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Zac Bears, Anna Callahan, Emily Lazzaro, Matt Leming, Liz Mullane, Justin Tseng, George A. Scarpelli
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approve — Paper 26-096: Resolution: we offer condolences to the family and friends of Miriam "Mimi" Gordon and commemorate her life
Councilor Callahan motioned to Approve (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Callahan motioned to Approve (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Callahan, second: Lazzaro)
Approve — Paper 26-097: Resolution: the Medford City Council discuss and promote the important work of Medford's recovery coach Chris Summa who is now offering a regular weekly recovery meeting...
Vice President Lazzaro Motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Vice President Lazzaro Motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Approve all Records and Reports of Committees — Paper 24-354 & 26-024: Resident Service and Public Engagement May 20, 2026 Report offered by Councilor Mullane
Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve all Records and Reports of Committees (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve all Records and Reports of Committees (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Refer to Public Health and Safety and invite police to speak — Paper 26-098: Resolution: the Medford City Council draft amendments to close identified loopholes in the Welcoming City Ordinance,...
Councilor Tseng Motioned to refer to Public Health and Safety and invite police to speak (seconded by VP Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng Motioned to refer to Public Health and Safety and invite police to speak (seconded by VP Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Lazzaro)
Refer to Public Works and Facilities Committee — Paper 26-099: Resolution: the Public Works and Facilities Committee review the recommendations of the Urban Forest Management Plan, with particular...
Councilor Tseng motioned to refer to Public Works and Facilities Committee (seconded by Councilor Callahan) _ Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to refer to Public Works and Facilities Committee (seconded by Councilor Callahan) _ Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Hearings
Continue Public hearing till July 14th — Paper 25-136: Public Hearing - Proposed Amendments to the Medford Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 94 (Inclusionary Housing Fractional Payment)
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to continue Public hearing till July 14th (seconded by VP Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to continue Public hearing till July 14th (seconded by VP Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Suspend the rules and take paper 26-105 out of order
Vice President Lazzaro motioned to suspend the rules and take paper 26-105 out of order (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Vice President Lazzaro motioned to suspend the rules and take paper 26-105 out of order (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Mullane)
Communications from the Mayor
Table — Paper 26-105: Free Cash Appropriation for Affordable Housing Trust
Councilor Scarpelli Motioned to table (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Five in favor, Two Opposed (Leming, VP Lazzaro)
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Mullane, Scarpelli, TsengNo: Lazzaro, Leming
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli Motioned to table (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Five in favor, Two Opposed (Leming, VP Lazzaro).” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Mullane)
Petitions, Presentations, and Similar Papers
Approve — Paper 26-100: Petition for a New Class I Auto Sales and Class IV Auto Repair License - Asbury Boston T, LLC d/b/a Herb Chambers Toyota Boston
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by VP Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero Opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by VP Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero Opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Refer the Amendments and review the background element of the Ordinance to the Subcommittee of Licensing and Permiting — Paper 26-101: Resolution: the Medford City Council amend Section 14- 315 of...
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to refer the Amendments and review the background element of the Ordinance to the Subcommittee of Licensing and Permiting (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Six in favor, One opposed (Pres. Bears)
Yes: Callahan, Lazzaro, Leming, Mullane, Scarpelli, TsengNo: Bears
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to refer the Amendments and review the background element of the Ordinance to the Subcommittee of Licensing and Permiting (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Six in favor, One opposed (Pres. Bears).” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Communications from the Mayor
Approve — Paper 26-102: Board and Commission Appointments Community Garden Commission 1. Linda Arini Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board 1. Kayla Lessin Zoning Board of Appeals 1. Mary
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Mullane)
Approve — Paper 26-103: Donation Acceptance
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Approve — Paper 26-104: Adoption of Updated Hazard Mitigation Plan
Vice President Lazzaro Motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Vice President Lazzaro Motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Callahan)
Approve — Paper 26-106: Amendment to Personnel Ordinance - Tree Warden
Vice President Lazzaro motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Vice President Lazzaro motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Callahan)
Adjourn
Councilor Callahan motioned to Adjourn (seconded by Councilor ) - Approved on a Voice vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Callahan motioned to Adjourn (seconded by Councilor ) - Approved on a Voice vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Callahan)
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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