MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
June 23, 2026
23 recorded votes, 3 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 26-116: City Councilor City Councilor Resolution to Celebrate Marie Cassidy and Her Years of Service and Devotion to the Children and City of Medford
Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Mullane)
Approve with amendments — Paper 24-354 and 26-024: Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee, June 16, 2026, Report to Follow
Councilor Callahan motioned to Approve with amendments (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Callahan motioned to Approve with amendments (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Callahan, second: Tseng)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Suspend the rules and take papers 26-127, 26-120 and 26-125 out of order
Vice President Lazzaro motioned to suspend the rules and take papers 26-127, 26-120 and 26-125 out of order (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - 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 papers 26-127, 26-120 and 26-125 out of order (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Callahan)
Approve — Paper 26-127: Resolution to Establish a Special Education Reserve Fund for Medford Resolution to Establish a Special Education Reserve Fund for Medford
Vice President Lazzaro motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Scarpelli) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Vice President Lazzaro motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Scarpelli) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Scarpelli)
Communications from the Mayor
Approve — Paper 26-120: Free Cash and Retained Earnings Appropriations
Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Table to July 14th meeting — Paper 26-125: Main Street Corridor - Order to Acquire Easements, Order of Taking and Order of Alteration of Layout
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Table to July 14th meeting (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Table to July 14th meeting (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Callahan)
Approve — Paper 26-118: Resolution to Appeal Deficient Public Records Response of City Administration Regarding Legal Matters
Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve (seconded by Vice Preesident Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve (seconded by Vice Preesident Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Lazzaro)
Tabled to end of the meeting — Paper 26-119: Resolution: the Council vote to reject the budget submitted by the Mayor and, instead, vote that the mayor submit a "1/12" budget which is a...
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Tabled to end of the meeting (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Tabled to end of the meeting (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Approve — Paper 26-105: Use of Free Cash
Councilor Leming motioned to Approve (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Leming motioned to Approve (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Leming, second: Lazzaro)
Approve — Paper 26-121: Free Cash Appropriation
Vice President Lazzaro motioned to Approve (seconded by councilor Mullane) - Approved on a roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Vice President Lazzaro motioned to Approve (seconded by councilor Mullane) - Approved on a roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Mullane)
Approve — Paper 26-112: Food Truck Permit
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Approve — Paper 26-122: FY26 CPA Appropriation Requests - Royall House Emergency Perimeter Wall Repair and Shiloh Baptist Church ADA Improvements Final Contingency
Councilor Leming motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Leming motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Leming, second: Callahan)
Approve — Paper 26-123: Capital Stabilization Fund Appropriation Request
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 for 1st Reading — Paper 26-124: Personnel Ordinance Amendments
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve for 1st Reading (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve for 1st Reading (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Take paper 26-126 out of order
Councilor Tseng motioned to take paper 26-126 out of order (seconded by Councilor Scarpelli) - Approved on a roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to take paper 26-126 out of order (seconded by Councilor Scarpelli) - Approved on a roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Scarpelli)
Approve — Paper 26-126: Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Submission - Supplemental Appropriations
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Lazzaro)
Approve — Paper 26-119: Resolution: the Council vote to reject the budget submitted by the Mayor and, instead, vote that the mayor submit a "1/12" budget which is a "continuing appropriation budget ..
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Tseng) - Motion Failed on a Roll call vote of Three in Favor, Four opposed
The records give the count as 3-4 but do not say who voted no. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Tseng) - Motion Failed on a Roll call vote of Three in Favor, Four opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
Move the question to end debate which require a Two Thirds majority
Vice President Lazzaro motioned to move the question to end debate which require a Two Thirds majority (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Vice President Lazzaro motioned to move the question to end debate which require a Two Thirds majority (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Cut Law department budget by 83% from these specific line items and allow administration to come back to the council with the requested information on legal expenses alongside a request to fund...
Councilor Tseng motioned to Cut Law department budget by 83% from these specific line items and allow administration to come back to the council with the requested information on legal expenses alongside a request to fund the Law department for the remaining 10 months of the Fiscal year (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed 1.
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to Cut Law department budget by 83% from these specific line items and allow administration to come back to the council with the requested information on legal expenses alongside a request to fund the Law department for the remaining 10 months of the Fiscal year (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed 1..” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Approve — Paper 26-119: Resolution: the Council vote to reject the budget submitted by the Mayor and, instead, vote that the mayor submit a "1/12" budget which is a "continuing appropriation budget ..
Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Approve the Budget as reduced — Paper 26-119: Resolution: the Council vote to reject the budget submitted by the Mayor and, instead, vote that the mayor submit a "1/12" budget which is a...
Councilor Tseng motioned Approve the Budget as reduced (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a roll call vote of Six in Favor, One opposed (Scarpelli)
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Lazzaro, Leming, Mullane, TsengNo: Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned Approve the Budget as reduced (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a roll call vote of Six in Favor, One opposed (Scarpelli).” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Unfinished Business
Take paper 26-092 from unfished business for Third reading and Approve
Councilor Tseng Motioned to take paper 26-092 from unfished business for Third reading and Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Six in Favor, one Absent (VP Lazzaro)
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Leming, Mullane, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Emily Lazzaro as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng Motioned to take paper 26-092 from unfished business for Third reading and Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Six in Favor, one Absent (VP Lazzaro).” (Motion: Tseng, second: Callahan)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Councilor Callahan motioned to Adjourn (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Callahan motioned to Adjourn (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Callahan, second: Mullane)
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →