MassVoter.com← Somerville City CouncilSomerville City Council · 2018–2019 Council · Meeting night
November 26, 2019
2 meetings this evening, 53 recorded votes in all, in the order they were held.
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Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · City meeting page
Attendance
Note on these minutes: Called to order by Ward Seven City Councilor Katjana Ballantyne.
Present: Stephanie Hirsch, Wilfred Mbah, Mary Jo Rossetti, William White, J.T. Scott, Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Mark Niedergang, Lance Davis, Katjana Ballantyne
Absent: Matthew McLaughlin
53 recorded votes, 52 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
Minutes #209280
Approve the minutes of the October 24, 2019 regular meeting
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, October 24, 2019.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Citation #209281
Commending Phillip Weiss, in recognition of his 40 years as Darshan, spiritual leader, at Temple B'nai Brith
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Grant of Location #209282
Submitted by Eversource to install 36 feet of conduit in Hudson Street, from Pole 202/21 to a point of pickup at 150 Hudson Street
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Grant of Location #209283
Submitted by Eversource to install 8 feet of conduit in Fremont Street, from Pole 136/2 to a point of pickup at 17 Fremont Street
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209285
That the Director of SPCD advise the Ward 7 Councilor in writing by November 27, 2019, of the Parking Policy identified in the recent Traffic and Parking Committee meeting, and advise how it...
By City Councilor Ballantyne That the Director of SPCD advise the Ward 7 Councilor in writing by November 27, 2019, of the Parking Policy identified in the recent Traffic and Parking Committee meeting, and advise how it affects 395 Alewife Brook Parkway and 1244 Broadway.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209286
That the Director of Engineering and the Commissioner of Public Works repave the crosswalk on Aberdeen Road at Highland Avenue, as it remains a tripping hazard for pedestrians
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209288
That the City Solicitor provide guidance on whether the City can take property by eminent domain to create affordable housing
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209289
That the Director of Inspectional Services provide preliminary feedback on how the zoning overhaul, if passed, will affect ISD staffing needs, practices, and systems
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209290
That the Director of SPCD provide an update on affordable housing units created in 2019, relative to the projected 51 units outlined in SomerVision update documents
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Committee Report #209292
Accept the report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on November 19, 2019
Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on November 19, 2019.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #209293 (report of the Land Use Committee)
That the Administration advise this Council on what policy would be necessary to enforce green roof and related requirements in the future
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Committee Report #209294
Accept the report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on November 21, 2019
Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting as a Committee of the Whole on November 21, 2019.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209295 (report of the Land Use Committee)
That the City Solicitor advise the Committee on Land Use whether the regulation of bedrooms through the zoning ordinance would be allowable by law
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Committee Report #209296
Accept the report of the Committee on Licenses and Permits, meeting on November 25, 2019
Report of the Committee on Licenses and Permits, meeting on November 25, 2019.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #208790 (report of the Licenses and Permits Committee)
New Garage License, Dino's Auto Center, 308 McGrath, 10 cars inside, 3 outside for mechanical repairs only, Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM, Sat 8AM-2PM, Sun closed
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Grant of Location #208800 (report of the Licenses and Permits Committee)
Submitted by Eversource to install 76 feet of conduit in Farragut Ave from Pole 220/1 to a point of pickup at the rear of 1244-1248 Broadway
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Grant of Location #208981 (report of the Licenses and Permits Committee)
Submitted by ExteNet Systems to replace a City-owned streetlight at 411 Somerville Ave with a similar streetlight that includes a wireless small cell antenna and related equipment
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209115 (report of the Licenses and Permits Committee)
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 1, Mercedes Benz of Boston, 259 McGrath Hwy
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209116 (report of the Licenses and Permits Committee)
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 1, Smart Center Boston, 257 McGrath Hwy
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209117 (report of the Licenses and Permits Committee)
Renewing Used Car Dealer Class 1, Herb Chambers Mercedes Benz of Boston Commercial Vans, 161 Linwood St
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Officer's Communication #209162 (report of the Licenses and Permits Committee)
Assistant City Solicitor conveying 15 "Eligible Facilities Requests" from Crown Castle, which is requesting approval to modify 15 of its existing transmission installations
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209297 (report of the Licenses and Permits Committee)
That the Commissioner of Public Works communicate with Comcast and report back to the Committee on Licenses and Permits with results of the request for removal of all dead drops
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Committee Report #209298
Accept the report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on November 20, 2019
Report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on November 20, 2019.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209299 (report of the Public Utilities and Public Works Committee)
That the Commissioner of Public Works report to the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works about DPW monitoring of utility pole complaints to determine whether the utilities follow through...
By City Councilor White Jr. That the Commissioner of Public Works report to the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works about DPW monitoring of utility pole complaints to determine whether the utilities follow through on them.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209300 (report of the Public Utilities and Public Works Committee)
That the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer provide a written response to the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works by November 26, 2019, on meetings with Spectra Energy/Enbridge...
By City Councilor White Jr., Ballantyne That the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer provide a written response to the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works by November 26, 2019, on meetings with Spectra Energy/Enbridge about the Algonquin Gas transmission line and the J2 loop, and on any communications about risks and safety procedures.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Committee Report #209301
Accept the report of the Committee on Traffic and Parking, meeting on November 20, 2019
Report of the Committee on Traffic and Parking, meeting on November 20, 2019.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #209302 (report of the Traffic and Parking Committee)
That the Administration submit draft language for the deed-based parking permit restriction program to this Council for review and to the Traffic Commission for implementation
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209303 (report of the Traffic and Parking Committee)
That the City Solicitor advise on how this Council can regulate by ordinance the issuance of parking permits, and prohibit the issuance of parking permits to residents of new construction or...
By City Councilor Davis That the City Solicitor advise on how this Council can regulate by ordinance the issuance of parking permits, and prohibit the issuance of parking permits to residents of new construction or renovation that doesn't provide on-site parking,
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #209306
Requesting the appropriation of $1,500,000 from the Unreserved Fund Balance Account to the Law Department's Damages to Persons and Property Account in order to settle a lawsuit
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Officer's Communication #209319
Assistant City Solicitor requesting to appear with outside legal counsel in Executive Session to discuss a matter of pending litigation
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Hirsch, Mbah, Rossetti, White Jr., Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne ABSENT: McLaughlin.”
License/Permit #209323
Renewing Outdoor Seating License, Vinal Bakery, 222 Somerville Ave
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209324
Renewing Outdoor Seating License, The Burren, 247 Elm St
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209325
Renewing Outdoor Seating License, Comicazi, 407 Highland Ave
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209326
Renewing Outdoor Seating License, Ola Gifts Cafe, 112 Broadway
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209327
Renewing Outdoor Seating License, Tony C's Sports Bar and Grill, 699 Assembly Row
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209328
Renewing Outdoor Seating License, Reliable Market, 45 Union Sq
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209329
Renewing Outdoor Seating License, The Independent, 75 Union Sq
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209330
Renewing Outdoor Seating License, Diesel Cafe, 257 Elm St
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209331
Renewing Outdoor Seating License, NU Cafe and Juice Bar, 195 Washington St
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209332
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Top Gear Motor Group, 24 Joy St
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209333
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Web Motor Sales, 5 Middlesex Ave
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209334
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Motorcycles and More, 109 Bailey Rd
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209335
Renewing Dog Kennel License, Riverdog Daycare, 321 Somerville Ave
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209336
Sign/Awning License, Lux Dental Inc., 185 Washington Street, 1 flat and 2 blade signs
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License/Permit #209337
New Transient Vendor License, Not Just Co., 1 Bow Market Way Stall 27, selling shelf-stable packaged foods
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #209341
That the Administration incorporate the Green New Deal into all aspects of SomerVision 2040
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #209343
That the Administration provide (in the socrata portal) data in database-ready format on zoning relief requests, so the public may better understand the impact of Zoning and Planning Board...
By City Councilor Hirsch That the Administration provide (in the socrata portal) data in database-ready format on zoning relief requests, so the public may better understand the impact of Zoning and Planning Board requests on neighborhoods and housing stock.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Grant of Location #208974
Submitted by Eversource to install 93 feet of conduit in Somerville Ave from Manhole 20650 to a new Extenet handhole near 411 Somerville Ave
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209344
That the Chief of Police inform this Council as to the Police Department's policy on ticketing vehicles parked in front of fire hydrants and whether that policy has been consistently enforced
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209345
That the Commissioner of Public Works repaint the "No-Cycling" decals on business district sidewalks
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209346
That the Director of SPCD and the Administration advise the Ward 7 City Councilor in writing by Nov. 27, 2019 what instructions and process they are allowing for parking in new projects
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209347
That the Director of Inspectional Services determine whether 107 Electric Avenue is being used to operate a contracting business storing contracting equipment and supplies in a RA-zoned neighborhood
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #209348
That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management advise this Council what can be done immediately to lessen the continual flooding of Alewife Brook Pkwy when it rains
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Somerville City Council · Special meeting
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · City meeting page
Attendance
Note on these minutes: Called to order by Ward Seven City Councilor Katjana Ballantyne.
Present: Stephanie Hirsch, Wilfred Mbah, Mary Jo Rossetti, William White, J.T. Scott, Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Mark Niedergang, Lance Davis, Katjana Ballantyne
Absent: Matthew McLaughlin
0 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement. This meeting on its own page
No recorded votes.
From the Somerville City Council’s official minutes, posted on the city’s Legistar meeting calendar (July 2022 on) and its older meeting portal (2010 to mid-2022), both linked from the City Council page on somervillema.gov. We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: City of Somerville (somervillema.gov) official headshots for Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Lance Davis, Wilfred Mbah, Naima Sait, J.T. Scott and Kristen Strezo; The Somerville Times (thesomervilletimes.com) for Emily Hardt, Jon Link, Matthew McLaughlin and Ben Wheeler. Former councilors show initials.
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