MassVoter.com← WalthamMunicipal votes · 2026–2027 Council
Waltham City Council
How the Waltham City Council voted, from the City Clerk's official minutes. 15 councillors: 6 at-large and 9 ward councillors, elected every two years. Elected November 4, 2025; inaugurated Sunday, January 4, 2026. Fifteen councillors: six at large and nine by ward. Tim King and Emma Tzioumis joined the council as councillors at large (Kathleen B. McMenimen and Thomas M. Stanley left). At the inauguration the council elected Robert G. Logan (Ward 9) President for 2026, with 8 votes to 6 for John J. McLaughlin (Carlos A. Vidal voted present), and confirmed President Logan’s appointment of Randall J. LeBlanc (at large) as Vice President, 11 yes, 2 no and 2 abstaining. The President is elected for one year, so the council will choose a President for 2027 in January 2027. The end date (January 2028) is a placeholder for the next inauguration. Covers 17 meetings so far, January 4 to September 14, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the City Council do? It is the city’s lawmaking body. It passes local laws (ordinances), votes on the yearly budget, and approves borrowing and zoning changes.
The mayor runs the city day to day and proposes the budget.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 44 § 32 (city budgets)Vote Transparency Score
Waltham City Council: 8 out of 10 · Mostly open
How easy Waltham makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the city’s records, not any official. Checked October 11, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for nearly every meeting more than three months old.Full points: 2/2
- Each vote namedWhen councillors split, the minutes list how each one voted.Full points: 3/3
- Posted quicklyMinutes go up within about a month.Full points: 2/2
- Past years onlineOnly minutes from January 2025 on are online.No points: 0/1
- Readable textThe minutes are text you can search and copy.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe city’s website lists the councillors but shows no photos of them.No points: 0/1
How the city can raise its score
- Past years online (+1): Keep at least five years of minutes online. When the website changes, move the old files instead of deleting them.
- Member photos (+1): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the city made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Council sessions
Coming up
- Tue, Oct 13Waltham City Council Meeting Docket →
From the agendas Waltham posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
Councilors
PresidentRobert G. LoganPresident · Ward 9 · at 17 of 17 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Vice PresidentRandall J. LeBlancVice President · At-large · at 17 of 17 meetings
Colleen Bradley-MacArthurCouncillor · At-large · at 17 of 17 meetings
Paul J. BrascoCouncillor · At-large · at 15 of 17 meetings
Caren DunnCouncillor · Ward 2 · at 14 of 17 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Sean DurkeeCouncillor · Ward 6 · at 17 of 17 meetings
Bill HanleyCouncillor · Ward 3 · at 16 of 17 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Cathyann HarrisCouncillor · Ward 8 · at 17 of 17 meetings
Paul S. KatzCouncillor · Ward 7 · at 16 of 17 meetings
Tim KingCouncillor · At-large · at 16 of 17 meetings
Joseph P. LaCavaCouncillor · Ward 5 · at 15 of 17 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Anthony LaFauciCouncillor · Ward 1 · at 17 of 17 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
John J. McLaughlinCouncillor · Ward 4 · at 17 of 17 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Emma TzioumisCouncillor · At-large · at 17 of 17 meetings
Carlos A. VidalCouncillor · At-large · at 16 of 17 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the roll call at the start of each meeting in this record. Councilors who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
17 full-board meetings so far this year, through September 14. Ties share a rank.
1Colleen Bradley-MacArthur17 of 17 meetings Every meeting100%1Sean Durkee17 of 17 meetings Every meeting100%1Cathyann Harris17 of 17 meetings Every meeting100%1Anthony LaFauci17 of 17 meetings Every meeting100%1Randall J. LeBlanc17 of 17 meetings Every meeting100%1Robert G. Logan17 of 17 meetings Every meeting100%1John J. McLaughlin17 of 17 meetings Every meeting100%1Emma Tzioumis17 of 17 meetings Every meeting100%9Bill Hanley16 of 17 meetings94%9Paul S. Katz16 of 17 meetings94%9Tim King16 of 17 meetings94%9Carlos A. Vidal16 of 17 meetings94%13Paul J. Brasco15 of 17 meetings88%13Joseph P. LaCava15 of 17 meetings88%15Caren Dunn14 of 17 meetings82%23 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Colleen Bradley-MacArthur23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Cathyann Harris23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1John J. McLaughlin23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%4Paul J. Brasco22 of 23 meetings96%4Sean Durkee22 of 23 meetings96%4Bill Hanley22 of 23 meetings96%4Kathleen B. McMenimen22 of 23 meetings96%8Caren Dunn21 of 23 meetings91%8Paul S. Katz21 of 23 meetings91%8Joseph P. LaCava21 of 23 meetings91%8Anthony LaFauci21 of 23 meetings91%8Randall J. LeBlanc21 of 23 meetings91%8Robert G. Logan21 of 23 meetings91%8Carlos A. Vidal21 of 23 meetings91%15Thomas M. Stanley19 of 23 meetings83%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Only January 2025 onward is online: the city’s Agenda Center (the City Council category and every other board) starts in January 2025, and we found no older council minutes anywhere on the city’s website. Loaded: every full City Council meeting with minutes posted, from January 13, 2025 through September 14, 2026 (40 meetings: 35 regular, 4 special, including the January 4, 2026 inauguration, two budget sessions and a citizens’ input hearing, and 1 joint convention with the School Committee, where only councillors’ votes are shown) and 1,102 votes. The council has fifteen members, six elected at large and nine by ward, for two-year terms; it elects its President each January for one year, and the President appoints a Vice President, subject to the council’s confirmation. Committee of the Whole and other committee minutes, which the city files in the same Agenda Center list, are not loaded: committee votes are recommendations, and the council acts on them at its own meetings. Not here: the minutes of the December 8, 2025 council meeting (the council approved them on December 22, 2025, but they are not posted), and meetings after September 14, 2026 (the September 28, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Waltham’s minutes record most actions as “The motion was approved by a voice vote.” A voice vote has no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and never assumes it was unanimous (942 votes). Loans, ordinances, special permits, appointments and other matters that need a roll call list every councillor by name (“In favor: … Opposed: … Recused: … Absent: … Presiding: …”, then a tally), so MassVoter shows each councillor’s vote. The Council President presides and does not vote on most roll calls (the minutes list him as “Presiding”); he is shown at the meeting but not in that vote. Councillors who recused or were listed absent for a roll call are left out of that vote. When a tally does not match the names listed, MassVoter shows the count only, with a note (10 votes). The 2026 President election (a choice between two councillors) shows the result only, with a note quoting each councillor’s choice. We will ask the City Clerk to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where councilors disagreed
Most council votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one councilor voted no or abstained, newest first.
Sep 14Approve: Matter. The motion was approved by a voice…Motion: President Logan moved approval of the matter. The motion was approved…Passed · see note
September 14, 2026: Approve: Matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the McDevitt Eighth Grade Civic Sidewalk Project Resolution
President Logan moved approval of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the McDevitt Eighth Grade Civic Sidewalk Project Resolution was approved.
The minutes say the motion was approved by a voice vote, with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councillor voted.
From the minutes
“President Logan moved approval of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the McDevitt Eighth Grade Civic Sidewalk Project Resolution was approved..” (Motion: Logan)
Sep 14Approve: Public hearing: Secondhand Dealers license at 56 Felton…Motion: Councillor Vidal moved for approval of the matter. The motion was…Passed · see note
September 14, 2026: Approve: Public hearing: Secondhand Dealers license at 56 Felton Street for More Than Words
Councillor Vidal moved for approval of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the Secondhand Dealers license for More than Words at 56 Felton Street was approved.
The minutes say the motion was approved by a voice vote, with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councillor voted.
From the minutes
“Councillor Vidal moved for approval of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the Secondhand Dealers license for More than Words at 56 Felton Street was approved..” (Motion: Vidal)
Sep 14Approve: Acceptance of a grant in the amount of…Motion: Councillor Katz made a motion for approval. The motion was approved…Passed · see note
September 14, 2026: Approve: Acceptance of a grant in the amount of $208,096 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence to be used by the...
Councillor Katz made a motion for approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote 5.
The minutes say the motion was approved by a voice vote, with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councillor voted.
From the minutes
“Councillor Katz made a motion for approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote 5..” (Motion: Katz)
Sep 14Approve: Transfer in the amount of $98,672.05 towards the…Motion: Councillor Katz moved approval of the matter. The motion was approved…Passed · see note
September 14, 2026: Approve: Transfer in the amount of $98,672.05 towards the construction phase of the Green Infrastructure Retrofit Project at the Embassy Garage
Councillor Katz moved approval of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote Applications and Licenses All Applications and Licenses referred to the Licenses and Franchises Committee.
The minutes say the motion was approved by a voice vote, with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councillor voted.
From the minutes
“Councillor Katz moved approval of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote Applications and Licenses All Applications and Licenses referred to the Licenses and Franchises Committee..” (Motion: Katz)
Sep 14Approve: National Hispanic Heritage Month ResolutionMotion: Councillor Vidal moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice…Passed · see note
September 14, 2026: Approve: National Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution
Councillor Vidal moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the National Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution was approved.
The minutes say the motion was approved by a voice vote, with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councillor voted.
From the minutes
“Councillor Vidal moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the National Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution was approved..” (Motion: Vidal)
Sep 14The Director of Information Technology be invited to appear…Motion: Councillor Vidal made a request that the Director of Information Technology…Passed · see note
September 14, 2026: The Director of Information Technology be invited to appear before the Committee of the Whole to discuss the City’s current use of artificial...
Councillor Vidal made a request that the Director of Information Technology be invited to appear before the Committee of the Whole to discuss the City’s current use of artificial intelligence technologies, any existing policies, practices, or safeguards relating to their use, and considerations regarding the responsible use of artificial intelligence in municipal operations. Further, the Director discuss any recommendations or guidance he may have for the City Council as the City considers the opportunities and potential risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence. The request was approved by a voice vote.
The minutes say the motion was approved by a voice vote, with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councillor voted.
From the minutes
“Councillor Vidal made a request that the Director of Information Technology be invited to appear before the Committee of the Whole to discuss the City’s current use of artificial intelligence technologies, any existing policies, practices, or safeguards relating to their use, and considerations regarding the responsible use of artificial intelligence in municipal operations. Further, the Director discuss any recommendations or guidance he may have for the City Council as the City considers the opportunities and potential risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence. The request was approved by a voice vote..” (Motion: Vidal)
Sep 14Approve: Yolanda ResolutionMotion: Councillor Hanley moved for approval. The motion was approved by a…Passed · see note
September 14, 2026: Approve: Yolanda Resolution
Councillor Hanley moved for approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the Yolanda Cellucci Resolution was approved.
The minutes say the motion was approved by a voice vote, with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councillor voted.
From the minutes
“Councillor Hanley moved for approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the Yolanda Cellucci Resolution was approved..” (Motion: Hanley)
Sep 14Second and final reading: Loan Authorization $2,125,684 Water/Street/ SewerMotion: Councillor Katz made a motion for a second and final reading…Passed 13–0 · see note
September 14, 2026: Second and final reading: Loan Authorization $2,125,684 Water/Street/ Sewer
Councillor Katz made a motion for a second and final reading of the matter. Roll Call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, King, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, McLaughlin, Tzioumis and Vidal Opposed: None. Absent: Dunn. Presiding: Logan. Approved: 13-0-1-1.
Yes: Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, King, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, McLaughlin, Tzioumis, VidalCouncil President Robert G. Logan presided and did not vote (the minutes list him as Presiding).
From the minutes
“Councillor Katz made a motion for a second and final reading of the matter. Roll Call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, King, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, McLaughlin, Tzioumis and Vidal Opposed: None. Absent: Dunn. Presiding: Logan. Approved: 13-0-1-1..” (Motion: Katz)
Sep 14Second and final reading: Loan Authorization $1,675,000 Zetron Max…Motion: Councillor Katz made a motion for a second and final reading…Passed 13–0 · see note
September 14, 2026: Second and final reading: Loan Authorization $1,675,000 Zetron Max alerting/radio control system
Councillor Katz made a motion for a second and final reading of the matter. Roll Call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, King, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, McLaughlin, Tzioumis and Vidal Opposed: None. Absent: Dunn. Presiding: Logan. Approved: 13-0-1-1.
Yes: Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, King, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, McLaughlin, Tzioumis, VidalCouncil President Robert G. Logan presided and did not vote (the minutes list him as Presiding).
From the minutes
“Councillor Katz made a motion for a second and final reading of the matter. Roll Call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, King, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, McLaughlin, Tzioumis and Vidal Opposed: None. Absent: Dunn. Presiding: Logan. Approved: 13-0-1-1..” (Motion: Katz)
Sep 14Second reading: Compensation Ordinance to amend the existing pay…Motion: Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice…Passed · see note
September 14, 2026: Second reading: Compensation Ordinance to amend the existing pay charts for non-union employees
Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote for a second reading.
The minutes say the motion was approved by a voice vote, with no count or names, so MassVoter shows the result only and does not show how each councillor voted. Tim King recused from this item.
From the minutes
“Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote for a second reading..” (Motion: Harris)
From the Waltham City Council’s official minutes, posted by the City Clerk in the city’s Agenda Center (City Council). We check every vote against the councillors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the city’s website has no City Council photos): The Waltham Times candidate profiles, October–November 2025 — Paul Brasco, Tim King (Artie Kronenfeld), Randall LeBlanc, Emma Tzioumis, Carlos Vidal, Anthony LaFauci, Caren Dunn, John McLaughlin (Isabella Lapriore), Joey LaCava (courtesy WCAC), Paul Katz (courtesy LWV) and Robert Logan; League of Women Voters of Waltham candidate pages — Colleen Bradley-MacArthur and Bill Hanley (2023), Sean Durkee and Cathyann Harris (2021). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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