MassVoter.com← Somerville City CouncilSomerville City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
November 23, 2021
52 recorded votes, 13 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · City meeting page
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Note on these minutes: Called to order by Ward One City Councilor Matthew McLaughlin.
Present: Wilfred Mbah, Mary Jo Rossetti, William White, Matthew McLaughlin, J.T. Scott, Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Mark Niedergang, Lance Davis, Katjana Ballantyne, Kristen Strezo
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Minutes #212653
Approve the minutes of the October 28, 2021 regular meeting
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, October 28, 2021.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Officer's Communication #212654
Chief Assessor presenting proposed FY2022 Tax Classifications and requesting: 1) the adoption of a residential factor of 86.0377, the minimum allowable for the City for FY2022; and 2) the...
Chief Assessor presenting proposed FY2022 Tax Classifications and requesting: 1) the adoption of a residential factor of 86.0377, the minimum allowable for the City for FY2022; and 2) the acceptance of MGL c59 s5C, approving a residential exemption of 35% of average assessed value for owner occupied properties for FY2022.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Committee Report #212655
Accept the report of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting on November 16, 2021
Report of the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters, meeting on November 16, 2021.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #212526 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)
Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Eli D. Kim to the position of Police Sergeant
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #212629 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)
Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Daniel Costa to the position of Fire Lieutenant
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #212630 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)
Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Joseph G. Papetti to the position of Fire Lieutenant
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #212631 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)
Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Cheri Ruane to the position of Full Member of the Urban Design Commission
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #212632 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)
Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Timothy Houde to the position of Alternate Member of the Urban Design Commission
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #212633 (report of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee)
Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Jacques Thomas, Jr. to the position of Licensing Commission member
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Committee Report #212656
Accept the report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on November 16, 2021
Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on November 16, 2021.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #211693 (report of the Land Use Committee)
Veto - Requesting approval of proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinances at Article 8.2 - Small Business Overlay District, and to the Zoning Map
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #212306 (report of the Land Use Committee)
Requesting approval of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for Commercial Spaces
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Public Communication #212540 (report of the Land Use Committee)
10 registered voters requesting the adoption of a Zoning Map amendment to change the zoning district of 3 Prescott Street from UR to NR
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #212606 (report of the Land Use Committee)
Requesting approval of amendments to Sections 2.1 and 2.4 of the Zoning Ordinance
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AS AMENDED..”
Mayor's Request #212642 (report of the Land Use Committee)
Requesting approval of an Ordinance amending the Local Historic District Map to create a new Upper Central Street Historic District encompassing properties in the area of Central Street and Broadway
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Committee Report #212657
Accept the report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on November 22, 2021
Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on November 22, 2021.
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Mbah, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Rossetti, Scott, Strezo, WhiteThe minutes list Katjana Ballantyne as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis ABSENT: Ballantyne.”
Public Communication #212301 (report of the Land Use Committee)
AP Davis Square Plaza, LP requesting the adoption of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Map to re-zone four parcels in Davis Square Plaza from MR-4 to Civic and CC-4
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Mbah, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Rossetti, Scott, Strezo, WhiteThe minutes list Katjana Ballantyne as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis ABSENT: Ballantyne.”
Committee Report #212658
Accept the report of the Special Committee on Rules, meeting on November 22, 2021
Report of the Special Committee on Rules, meeting on November 22, 2021.
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Mbah, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Rossetti, Scott, Strezo, WhiteThe minutes list Katjana Ballantyne as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis ABSENT: Ballantyne.”
Order #212659 (report of the Rules Special Committee)
That the City Council approve four amendments to the Rules of the City Council, as written herein and as recommended by the Special Committee on Rules
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Mbah, McLaughlin, Niedergang, Rossetti, Scott, Strezo, WhiteThe minutes list Katjana Ballantyne as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis ABSENT: Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request
Requesting the renaming of Cedar Street Place as Carole Place
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] (ID:27609) AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Officer's Communication #212673
Place on file: Planning Board conveying its recommendations for proposed amendments to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance (items #212048, #212301, #212305, #212306, #212307, and #212309)
The minutes record the result as “Placed on file”, with a roll call.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Officer's Communication #212674
Place on file: Planning Board conveying its recommendations for the following proposed amendments to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance (items #212308 and #212337)
The minutes record the result as “Placed on file”, with a roll call.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Officer's Communication #212675
Place on file: Commissioner of Public Works submitting a memo in response to items #212569 and #211134 regarding the Snow Shoveling Pilot for FY22
The minutes record the result as “Placed on file”, with a roll call.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Officer's Communication #212676
Place on file: Memorialization Committee conveying the naming of the Teen Center at Somerville High School after Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay
The minutes record the result as “Placed on file”, with a roll call.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Officer's Communication #212677
Place on file: Memorialization Committee conveying the naming of the Media/Broadcasting Vocational space at Somerville High School after Barbara Galpin
The minutes record the result as “Placed on file”, with a roll call.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212678
Renewing Used Car Dealer's Class 2 License, Barnes and Walsh, 224 Somerville Ave
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212679
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 3, Ed's Used Auto Parts, 516 Columbia St
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212680
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Executive Auto Leasing and Sales, 30 Medford St
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212681
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Green Automotive, 600 Windsor Pl
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212682
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Master Used Cars, 121 Prospect St
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212683
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 3, Nissenbaum Auto Parts, 0 Windsor St
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212684
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 3, Nissenbaum Auto Parts, 480 Columbia St
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212685
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Real Auto Shop, 463 McGrath Hwy
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212686
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Somerville Motors, 182 Washington St
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212687
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, United Motors, 188 Broadway
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212688
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Web Motor Sales, 5 Middlesex Ave
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212689
Renewing Used Car Dealers License Class 2, Webster Auto Sales, 61 Prospect St
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212690
Renewing Open Air Vendor License, Next Wave-Full Circle School, 8 Bonair St
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212691
Renewing Outdoor Goods License, When Pigs Fly, 241 Elm St
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212692
Renewing Outdoor Goods License, 130 Broadway LLC, for Fat Hen and Perfect Dental
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Citation #212693
Commending Marjorie MacDonald for 43 years as the owner and operator of Margie's Salon
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Order #212694
That the Executive Director of OSPCD and the Director of Economic Development discuss the city's maintenance plan for tenants and occupants of the Arts at the Armory
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Communication #212695
Place on file: Reporting on discussions and decisions of the Traffic Commission from July through November 2021
The minutes record the result as “Placed on file”, with a roll call.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Resolution #212696
That the Traffic Commission install traffic calming on the streets surrounding the Brown School, in particular on Willow Avenue, between Morrison and Kidder Avenues, including consideration of a...
By City Councilor Davis, Strezo That the Traffic Commission install traffic calming on the streets surrounding the Brown School, in particular on Willow Avenue, between Morrison and Kidder Avenues, including consideration of a "Your Speed Is" radar sign.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #212698
Requesting approval to create the Encore Artist and Cultural Support Stabilization Fund and accept a payment to the Fund of $100,000 from Encore mitigations payments to support the Arts and...
Requesting approval to create the Encore Artist and Cultural Support Stabilization Fund and accept a payment to the Fund of $100,000 from Encore mitigations payments to support the Arts and Cultural activities and communities.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Officer's Communication #212701
Place on file: Planning Board conveying its recommendations for proposed amendments to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance (items #212540, #212606, and #212541)
The minutes record the result as “Placed on file”, with a roll call.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Officer's Communication
Place on file: City Clerk conveying the non-binding votes of the 2022 City Council Caucus
The minutes record the result as “Placed on file”, with a roll call.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE. [UNANIMOUS] (ID:27635) AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
License/Permit #212703
New Drainlayer's License, NECM Corp
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Mayor's Request #212622
Requesting the appropriation of $1,481,578 from the Receipts Reserved for Appropriation Parking Meter Receipts Account in order to reduce the FY22 Tax Rate
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Order #212704
That the Commissioner of Public Works repair the granite monument at Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Broadway
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Order #212705
That the Commissioner of Public Works re-stripe the mid-block crosswalk on Perry Street connecting to Lincoln Park, and consider adding signage to call attention to the crosswalk for motorists
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
Order #212706
That the Traffic Commission install a speed board on Willow Avenue, between Morrison Avenue and Broadway
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED. [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Mbah, Rossetti, Strezo, White Jr., McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Niedergang, Davis, Ballantyne.”
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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