MassVoter.com← Somerville City CouncilSomerville City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
October 23, 2025
28 recorded votes, 22 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · City meeting page
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Note on these minutes: Called to order by Ward Six City Councilor Lance L.
Present: Willie Burnley, Wilfred Mbah, Kristen Strezo, Jake Wilson, Matthew McLaughlin, J.T. Scott, Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Naima Sait, Lance Davis
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Minutes #25-1610
Approve the minutes of the September 25, 2025 regular meeting
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 25, 2025.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Grant of Location #25-1583
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 7 feet of conduit in White Street, from Cambridge/Somerville line to a point of pickup at White Street Place
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #25-1578
In support of public higher education in Massachusetts
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #25-1589
That the Director of Engineering and the Director of Mobility work to block off the end of Virginia Street and Aldrich Street to through traffic
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #25-1590
That the Director of Mobility provide an update on the Kensington Connector
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #25-1592
That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development direct that all funds generated from Assembly Row community benefits funds be used in East Somerville
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Order #25-1593
That the Director of Human Resources and the Chief of Police work with state officials to provide crossing guards on McGrath Highway
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #25-1591
That the Administration collaborate with East Somerville Main Streets and the Ward 1 City Councilor to promote Eat Out in East to support East Somerville immigrant-owned businesses
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #25-1588
That this City Council commends the members of the Charter Review Committee on their years of volunteer service to the community
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Committee Report #25-1602
Accept the report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on October 21, 2025
Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on October 21, 2025.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #25-1504 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $13,084.20 using available funds in the Parks & Recreation Department Recreation Supplies Account for pool chemicals
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #25-1508 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,533.75 using available funds in the Parks & Recreation Department Recreation Supplies Account for pool chemicals
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #25-1520 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $500,000 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to the Office of Sustainability and Environment for six no-cost...
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $500,000 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to the Office of Sustainability and Environment for six no-cost electric vehicle charging station installations.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #25-1538 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to appropriate $56,215.42 from the Bike Share Stabilization Fund for installation and startup costs of a Blue Bike station at the 495 Columbia Street development site
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”
Mayor's Request #25-1543 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to appropriate $147,724.07 from the COVID-19 Stabilization Fund for the 2026 Warming Center
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”
Mayor's Request #25-1545 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval of a time-only extension until 12/31/2028 for the contract with Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners for design services on the Building Master Plan
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #25-1546 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval of a time-only extension until 12/31/2028 for the contract with Kleinfelder Northeast Inc. for design services on the Morrison Avenue Linear Storage Sewer project
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #25-1557 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to create the BrickBottom Infrastructure Stabilization fund and accept a payment to the fund of $763,814.81, from off-site infrastructure and other contributions outlined in...
Requesting approval to create the BrickBottom Infrastructure Stabilization fund and accept a payment to the fund of $763,814.81, from off-site infrastructure and other contributions outlined in the BrickBottom district project development covenants, for the purpose of funding public infrastructure projects that mitigate the impact of large-scale development in the BrickBottom district.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”
Mayor's Request #25-1559 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to create the Boynton Yards Infrastructure Stabilization fund and accept a payment to the fund of $384,025, from off-site infrastructure and other contributions outlined in the...
Requesting approval to create the Boynton Yards Infrastructure Stabilization fund and accept a payment to the fund of $384,025, from off-site infrastructure and other contributions outlined in the Boynton Yards district project development covenants, for the purpose of funding public infrastructure projects that mitigate the impact of large-scale development in the Boynton Yards district.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”
Committee Report #25-1601
Accept the report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on October 20, 2025
Report of the Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting on October 20, 2025.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #25-1407 (report of the Legislative Matters Committee)
Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to raise the sound business practices and written quote contract thresholds under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B for city contracts with...
Requesting approval of a Home Rule Petition to raise the sound business practices and written quote contract thresholds under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B for city contracts with certified disadvantaged businesses.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”
Committee Report #25-1580
Accept the report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on October 15, 2025
Report of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, meeting on October 15, 2025.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #25-1606
Requesting authorization to enter into a Tax Increment Financing Agreement with a full building occupant of a laboratory building
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”
Officer's Communication #25-1587
Chief Assessor requesting to appear at this Council's November 13, 2025 meeting for the Tax Classification Public Hearing and the determination and adoption of tax levy percentages for FY 2026
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #25-1614
New Drainlayer's License, American Site Corp
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #25-1615
New Drainlayer's License, Despres Landscape & Excavation
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #25-1616
Somerville YMCA applying for a Public Event License for Community Bike Giveaway on October 26 from 2:30pm to 5pm
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #25-1617
Office of Immigrant Affairs applying for a Public Event License for 102nd Anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye Flag Raising Ceremony on October 29 from 2:30pm to 4:30pm
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
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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