MassVoter.com← Medford City CouncilMedford City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
August 4, 2026
24 recorded votes, 5 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Zac Bears, Emily Lazzaro, Anna Callahan, Matt Leming, Liz Mullane, George A. Scarpelli, Justin Tseng
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Announcements, Accolades, Remembrances, Reports, and Records
Approve — Paper 26-135: Resolution: we share our deepest condolences with Mr
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 Joining the Records and Reports together — Paper 26-135: Resolution: we share our deepest condolences with Mr
Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve Joining the Records and Reports together (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve Joining the Records and Reports together (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Mullane)
Approve Joining the Records and Reports together — Paper 26-031: Public Health and Community Safety Committee, July 15, 2026, Report Overview by Vice President Lazzaro
Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve Joining the Records and Reports together (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to Approve Joining the Records and Reports together (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Mullane)
Approve and refer 26-138 out to committee — Paper 26-138: Resolution to Update the Noise Ordinance (to be referred to Resident Services Committee)
Councilor Mullane motioned to approve and refer 26-138 out to committee (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Mullane motioned to approve and refer 26-138 out to committee (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Mullane, second: Tseng)
Approve — Paper 26-143: Relocation of Polling Place - Ward 4, Precinct 2
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Callahan)
Approve — Paper 26-144: Medford Call for Election September 1, 2026
Vice President Lazzaro motioned to approve (seconded by Councilor Justin 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 Justin Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Approve — Paper 26-145: Medford Election Warrant September 1, 2026
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)
Motions, Orders, and Resolutions
Refer the paper back to Committee — Paper 26-024: Resolution: the Council's Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee discuss a plan to schedule Neighborhood Ward Meetings hosted by the...
Councilor Mullane motioned to refer the paper back to Committee (seconded by Councilor Scarpelli) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Mullane motioned to refer the paper back to Committee (seconded by Councilor Scarpelli) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Mullane, second: Scarpelli)
Approve — Paper 26-136: Resolution to Demand Tufts Reinstate Graduate Worker Facing Retaliation and Retribution
President Bears motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“President Bears motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Bears, second: Tseng)
Approve — Paper 26-137: Resolution to Support Tufts Facilities Workers Bargaining for a Fair Contract
President Bears motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“President Bears motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Bears, second: Mullane)
Communications from the Mayor
Table — Paper 26-133: Capital and General Stabilization Fund Appropriation Requests #2
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Table (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Failed on a Three in Favor, Four opposed (Callhan, Leming, Tseng and Lazzaro)
Yes: Bears, Mullane, ScarpelliNo: Callahan, Lazzaro, Leming, Tseng
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Table (seconded by Councilor Mullane) - Failed on a Three in Favor, Four opposed (Callhan, Leming, Tseng and Lazzaro).” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Mullane)
President Bears motioned to Table (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Five in Favor, Two opposed (Leming and Lazzaro)
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Mullane, Scarpelli, TsengNo: Lazzaro, Leming
From the minutes
“President Bears motioned to Table (seconded by Councilor Callahan) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Five in Favor, Two opposed (Leming and Lazzaro).” (Motion: Bears, second: Callahan)
Approve — Paper 26-139: Board and Commission Appointments Zoning Board of Appeals Chris D'Aveta Reapplication to the ZBA 3 years - expiring on 3-31-2029 Water & Sewer Commission Lucica
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 26-140: Community Preservation Committee Appropriation Request - Playstead Park Digital Scoreboard Contingency and Osgood House Gutter/Storm Window Restoration
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 26-141: Unpaid Bill of Previous Fiscal Year
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)
Amend the Appropriation paper to cut 382,586.70 from the Appropriation and approve 42,507.63 one-month funding
Councilor Tseng motioned to Amend the Appropriation paper to cut 382,586.70 from the Appropriation and approve 42,507.63 one-month funding (seconded by Councilor Scarpelli) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to Amend the Appropriation paper to cut 382,586.70 from the Appropriation and approve 42,507.63 one-month funding (seconded by Councilor Scarpelli) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Tseng, second: Scarpelli)
Motion on the paper — Paper 26-142: Motion to Approve: Councilor Tseng Approved Unanimously
Councilor Scarpelli (seconded by Councilor Scarpelli) - Approved on a roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli (seconded by Councilor Scarpelli) - Approved on a roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Scarpelli)
Take 26-054, 26-124 and 26-063 off the Table
Councilor Leming motioned to take 26-054, 26-124 and 26-063 off the Table (seconded by Pres Bears) _ Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Leming motioned to take 26-054, 26-124 and 26-063 off the Table (seconded by Pres Bears) _ Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in Favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Leming, second: Bears)
Severe changes 4, 6, 7 from the amendments
Vice President Lazzaro motioned to Severe changes 4, 6, 7 from the amendments (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll Call vote of Four in favor, Three opposed (Mullane, Scarpelli, Bears)
Yes: Callahan, Lazzaro, Leming, TsengNo: Bears, Mullane, Scarpelli
From the minutes
“Vice President Lazzaro motioned to Severe changes 4, 6, 7 from the amendments (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll Call vote of Four in favor, Three opposed (Mullane, Scarpelli, Bears).” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Tseng)
Adopt changes 4, 6 and 7 — Paper 25-054: Chapter 10, Article VIII - Proposed Vacant Building Ordinance CHAPTER 94 - Sec 94-7.5 is hereby removed. CHAPTER 10
Councilor Tseng motioned to Adopt changes 4, 6 and 7 (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Four in favor, Three opposed (Callahan, Leming and Lazzaro)
Yes: Bears, Mullane, Scarpelli, TsengNo: Callahan, Lazzaro, Leming
From the minutes
“Councilor Tseng motioned to Adopt changes 4, 6 and 7 (seconded by Vice President Lazzaro) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Four in favor, Three opposed (Callahan, Leming and Lazzaro).” (Motion: Tseng, second: Lazzaro)
Approve ordinance as Amended to be ordained — Paper 25-054: Chapter 10, Article VIII - Proposed Vacant Building Ordinance CHAPTER 94 - Sec 94-7.5 is hereby removed. CHAPTER 10
Councilor Leming motioned to Approve ordinance as Amended to be ordained (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Leming motioned to Approve ordinance as Amended to be ordained (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Leming, second: Tseng)
Approve — Paper 26-124: Personnel Ordinance Amendments - Director and Assistant Director of Health and Human Services
Councilor Callahan motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Councilor Callahan motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Callahan, second: Tseng)
Approve — Paper 26-063: Resolution to Update the Ordinance Establishing the Medford Commission for Persons with Disabilities "Full text of the Ordinance can be found online"
Vice President Lazzaro motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Leming) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed
From the minutes
“Vice President Lazzaro motioned to Approve (seconded by Councilor Leming) - Approved on a Roll call vote of Seven in favor, Zero opposed.” (Motion: Lazzaro, second: Leming)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Adjourn (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved by Roll call vote Six in favor, Zero opposed and one absent (Leming)
Yes: Bears, Callahan, Lazzaro, Mullane, Scarpelli, TsengThe records list Matt Leming as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Scarpelli motioned to Adjourn (seconded by Councilor Tseng) - Approved by Roll call vote Six in favor, Zero opposed and one absent (Leming).” (Motion: Scarpelli, second: Tseng)
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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