MassVoter.com← Somerville City CouncilSomerville City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
September 10, 2026
42 recorded votes, 42 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: Jon Link, Wilfred Mbah, Kristen Strezo, Ben Wheeler, Matthew McLaughlin, J.T. Scott, Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Naima Sait, Lance Davis, Emily Hardt
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Minutes #26-1372
Approve the minutes of the July 9, 2026 regular meeting
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 9, 2026.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #26-1217
Recognizing the seriousness of myotonic dystrophy and expressing support for the designation of September 15, as ‘‘International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day’’
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #26-1359
In support of striking Encore Boston Harbor workers
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Resolution #26-1360
That the Director of Engineering and the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works the City’s current requirements for restoration of streets...
That the Director of Engineering and the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works the City’s current requirements for restoration of streets following utility and other permitted excavations, including whether the City has the authority and ability to require full-lane, expanded, or curb-to-curb restoration on streets that have passed the five-year street opening moratorium but remain in good condition.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Resolution #26-1361
That the Director of Engineering and Commissioner of Public Works discuss with the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works the feasibility of establishing a Street Preservation Offset Fee...
That the Director of Engineering and Commissioner of Public Works discuss with the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works the feasibility of establishing a Street Preservation Offset Fee or similar pavement-degradation fee, modeled on programs such as Cambridge’s, to help offset the City’s costs associated with utility and other excavations in public streets.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Resolution #26-1362
That the Director of Engineering, the Commissioner of Public Works, and the Chief Procurement Officer discuss with the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works the City’s current practices...
That the Director of Engineering, the Commissioner of Public Works, and the Chief Procurement Officer discuss with the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works the City’s current practices for establishing, monitoring, and enforcing construction timelines for municipal projects, including the use of project milestones, completion deadlines, contractor staffing levels, liquidated damages, and other tools to ensure that projects are completed in a timely manner.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Resolution #26-1363
That the Director of Engineering, the Commissioner of Public Works, and the Chief Procurement Officer explore best practices used by other municipalities and public agencies to encourage timely...
That the Director of Engineering, the Commissioner of Public Works, and the Chief Procurement Officer explore best practices used by other municipalities and public agencies to encourage timely completion of public construction projects, including performance incentives, liquidated damages, milestone requirements, recovery schedules, and cost-plus-time or “A+B” bidding, and discuss which approaches could be appropriate for Somerville.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT FOR DISCUSSION.”
Committee Report #26-1355
Accept the report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on September 3, 2026
Report of the Committee on Finance, meeting on September 3, 2026.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1219 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $65,000 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Department of Mental Health to the Police Department for operational funding for the Metro Boston...
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $65,000 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Department of Mental Health to the Police Department for operational funding for the Metro Boston Crisis Intervention Training and Technical Assistance Center.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1220 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $12,000 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Department of Mental Health to the Police Department to partially fund the operation of the...
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $12,000 grant with no new match required, from the Mass Department of Mental Health to the Police Department to partially fund the operation of the jail/arrest diversion program.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1226 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval of a transfer of $315,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Debt Service Account to the Morrison Avenue & Greater Davis Square Area Sewer Separation Design Capital Fund to fund...
Requesting approval of a transfer of $315,000 from the Sewer Enterprise Debt Service Account to the Morrison Avenue & Greater Davis Square Area Sewer Separation Design Capital Fund to fund required project expenditures.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1234 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to use available funds in the Police Salaries account in the amount of $8,800 to fund Fiscal Year 2027 cost of living increases for the Deputy Chief positions
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1241 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $284,700 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Strategy and Development Department for Eastern Washington...
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $284,700 grant with no new match required, from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to the Strategy and Development Department for Eastern Washington Street Transit Priority Project.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1242 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to pay a prior year invoice totaling $3,572 using available funds in the Professional & Technical Services Account for the implementation of ArcGIS Urban module
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1243 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $85,933.60 grant with no new match required, from the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization to the Mobility Division for the Bluebikes state...
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $85,933.60 grant with no new match required, from the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization to the Mobility Division for the Bluebikes state of good repair equipment replacement.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1248 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $366,729.25 grant with no new match required, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to the Mobility Division, for new e-bikes, replacement...
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $366,729.25 grant with no new match required, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to the Mobility Division, for new e-bikes, replacement batteries and two new docking stations as a part of the Bluebikes bikeshare system.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1249 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to create the Tufts Street Soil Project Stabilization Fund and accept a payment to the Fund of $332,497 from the Unifirst Corporation to pay for cleanup and soil disposal costs...
Requesting approval to create the Tufts Street Soil Project Stabilization Fund and accept a payment to the Fund of $332,497 from the Unifirst Corporation to pay for cleanup and soil disposal costs associated with remediation work at 50 Tufts Street.
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hardt, Link, Mbah, McLaughlin, Sait, Scott, WheelerThe minutes list Kristen Strezo as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Link, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Wheeler, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Strezo.”
Mayor's Request #26-1250 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to appropriate $332,497 from the Tufts Street Soil Project Stabilization Fund for remediation efforts at 50 Tufts Street
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hardt, Link, Mbah, McLaughlin, Sait, Scott, WheelerThe minutes list Kristen Strezo as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Link, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Wheeler, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Strezo.”
Mayor's Request #26-1255 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $187,200.00 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the...
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $187,200.00 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant with no new match required, from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to the Public Space and Urban Forestry Division for the Green and Cool Somerville: Sustainable Sidewalk and Tree's project.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1256 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $20,239 grant with no new match required, from the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance to the Police Department for overtime related to the...
Requesting approval to accept and expend a $20,239 grant with no new match required, from the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance to the Police Department for overtime related to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association In World Cup 2026 summer games.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1316 (report of the Finance Committee)
Requesting approval of a transfer of $60,000 from the DPW-Admin Salaries & Wages Temp Account to the DPW-Admin Professional & Technical Services Account to support temporary clerical staffing
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Committee Report #26-1356
Accept the report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on September 3, 2026
Report of the Committee on Land Use, meeting on September 3, 2026.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-0746 (report of the Land Use Committee)
Requesting approval of the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Zone, Plan, and Form of Agreement for Assembly Square and East Somerville
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hardt, Link, Mbah, McLaughlin, Sait, Scott, WheelerThe minutes list Kristen Strezo as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Link, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Wheeler, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Strezo.”
Zoning #26-0835 (report of the Land Use Committee)
Proposing an amendment to Section 2.1.1 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Homeless Shelters
Yes: Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hardt, Link, Mbah, McLaughlin, Sait, Scott, WheelerThe minutes list Kristen Strezo as absent for this vote; left out of it.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AS AMENDED AYE: Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, City Councilor At Large Link, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Wheeler, Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Strezo.”
Committee Report #26-1357
Accept the report of the Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on September 8, 2026
Report of the Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance, meeting on September 8, 2026.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1364
Requesting that this Council convene in Executive Session to receive an update on collective bargaining negotiations
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1271
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoices totaling $1,687.50 using available funds in the Fire Department Professional and Technical Services Account for medical screening services
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Mayor's Request #26-1328
Requesting approval to pay prior year invoice totaling $19.76 using available funds in the Immigrant Advancement Professional and Technical Services Account for on demand phone interpretation services
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #26-1349
Theatre@First applying for a Public Event License for Iphigenia by Euripides on various dates between September 26 and October 11 from 3pm to 7:30pm
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #26-1351
Saint Benedict Parish applying for a Public Event License for Journey to World Youth Day 2027 Fundraiser on September 12 from 11:30am to 2pm (raindate September 19)
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #26-1348
Matthew Taylor applying for a Public Event License for 21st Honk! Festival on October 9, 10 & 11 for various times
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #26-1346
Bow Market applying for a Public Event License for Bow Market Renaissance Faire on November 7 from 8am to 8:30pm (raindate November 14)
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #26-1347
Somerville Road Runners applying for a Public Event License for 30th Annual Gobble Gobble Gobble Road Race on November 26 from 6am to 1pm
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #26-1350
Mayor's Office applying for a Public Event License for City Hall Truck O' Treat 2026 Spectacular! on October 29 from 4pm to 8pm (raindate November 5)
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #26-1342
New Drainlayer's License, Valor Excavation, LLC
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #26-1343
New Livery License, Lubana Coach, 2 Snow Terrace, operating 1 vehicle
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #26-1344
New Second Hander Dealer License, Somerville Communications, 52 Broadway
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #26-1345
Renewing Taxi Medallion License, Country Club Transportation Inc, Med. #3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,46
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #26-1379
Veteran Services applying for a Public Event License for 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on September 11 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
Public Event #26-1377
Junkyard LLC applying for a Public Event License for Junkyard Davis Square on September 19 from 10am to 11:30pm
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #26-1375
New Drainlayer's License, Knight Excavation Co. Inc
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
License #26-1376
New Second Hand Dealer License, The Heartland Roadshow, 30 Washington Street
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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