January 21, 2026

Votes & Decisions

Union Square Auto Sales License – Recommended for Approval (3-0)

The committee recommended approval of a new Class 2 used car dealer license for Union Square Auto Sales at 39 Webster Avenue. The business will display up to 20 vehicles outside, operating Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8am-2pm, and closed Sundays.

Attorney Adam Dash represented applicants Chris Vigos and Thatcher Irvin, who already operate Assembly Square Auto Sales on Mystic Avenue. Dash emphasized this is a continuation of the same use at the location—same hours, same number of vehicles—just with new operators taking over from the previous dealership.

Councilor Wheeler, noting this was his first meeting on the committee, asked about tracking automotive businesses to ensure bad actors aren't simply renaming operations to avoid scrutiny. Dash explained the licensing process is "one of the more rigorous licenses to obtain," requiring a bond, two letters of recommendation, and criminal background checks on principals.

Chair Hardt confirmed the operators have had no complaints or citations at their existing Somerville location.

Eversource Conduit Installation – Forwarded Without Recommendation (3-0)

The committee forwarded an Eversource grant of location request to the full council without a recommendation, allowing time to follow up with a concerned abutter before the January 22 council meeting.

The application seeks to install 38 feet of underground conduit on Warwick Street to service an accessory dwelling unit at 16 Warwick Street. This item was carried over from December after an abutter questioned why another riser was needed on an already cluttered utility pole.

Hannah Cooper, representing Eversource, explained that the company owns two of the existing risers on the pole—one feeds a transformer and the other serves as a backup for that primary line. A third riser is owned by another company. Because both Eversource risers are necessary, a new conduit must be added.

Councilor Davis pressed on the "messy" appearance of the pole, visible in street view images: "I've got a constituent who's got a pole which frankly looks like a kind of a mess... no one wants to take responsibility for cleaning them up. There's always a good legal explanation that, well, we don't know who's this. It's not ours."

He requested that Eversource tidy up the pole to the extent possible as part of the work. Clerk Potere noted there is precedent for "leaving a worksite clean" as a condition.

Councilor Wheeler suggested the abutter's concerns may have stemmed from confusion about what the work involved. Chair Hardt noted the work wouldn't happen until April due to winter conditions, so there's no immediate time pressure.

Davis proposed forwarding without recommendation to preserve flexibility—the full council could approve it if the abutter's concerns are resolved, or send it back to committee if needed.

December 10, 2025 Committee Minutes – Accepted (3-0)

Routine approval with no discussion.

Notable Moments

• New committee member's first meeting: Councilor Ben Wheeler participated in his first Licenses and Permits Committee meeting, asking thoughtful process questions throughout.

• Utility pole frustration: Councilor Davis voiced broader frustration about cluttered utility poles citywide: "At the end of the day, basically, the buck stops nowhere."

• Procedural flexibility: The committee demonstrated a pragmatic approach by forwarding the Eversource item without recommendation rather than holding it in committee, giving the full council options while preserving time to address abutter concerns.

What's Next

• Both items go to the full City Council meeting on January 22, 2026

• Committee members plan to reach out to the Warwick Street abutter before the council meeting to explain Eversource's response to their concerns

• The Eversource conduit work, if approved, would be scheduled for April 2026