February 11, 2026

Items Recommended for Full Council

Eversource Grant of Location, Warwick Street – Recommended 3-0 (with conditions)

Eversource's application to install 38 feet of conduit on Warwick Street (from utility pole 357/3 to 16 Warwick Street) was recommended for approval with conditions. This item had been carried over from the previous meeting. Eversource representative Jacqueline Duffy confirmed that the company had worked with the affected resident, Matt Penny, to address his concerns about the messy state of the pole. The agreed-upon conditions: Eversource will install a new pole and use two existing empty risers rather than adding new ones, which will be stipulated in the work order.

Councilor Sait (Ward 5) attended to advocate for the resident and also requested—separately from the formal conditions—that the city try to coordinate this Eversource project with a potential Comcast project at the same property to avoid digging up the street twice. This coordination request was not made a formal condition since the committee hadn't confirmed whether Comcast has applied for a grant of location.

Items Kept in Committee

New Used Car Dealer License, USA Auto Hub, 61 Prospect Street – Kept in Committee

Applicant Gilvan Costa seeks a Class 2 used car dealer license for 15 vehicles outside, operating Monday–Friday 9am–7pm and Saturday 9am–3pm. The committee could not hold the required public hearing because proper notice (newspaper advertisement and abutter notification) had not been completed. Costa introduced himself, noting he is a Somerville resident of nearly ten years, currently owns an auto body shop in Weymouth, and previously worked for the prior business at this location (Website Auto Sales, owned by Jerome Batesh). He described the application as essentially a continuation of the existing use under new ownership and name.

The public hearing will be scheduled for the next committee meeting on February 21, with the required newspaper notice published at least ten days in advance. Costa was told he is welcome but not required to attend that hearing.

Committee Discussion

Councilor Wheeler asked about which license types require a public hearing versus routine approval. Assistant City Clerk Potere explained that used car dealers, garages, and certain other new license applications require formal public hearings under city ordinance or state law, with newspaper advertisement and abutter notification—a higher bar than simply posting the meeting agenda.

What's Next

• Eversource Warwick Street conduit: Heads to full council for final approval with the stated conditions.

• USA Auto Hub license: Public hearing scheduled for the February 21 Licenses and Permits Committee meeting.