May 14, 2026

Votes & Decisions

Affordable Housing Overlay Zoning Amendment – Approved (Ordained 9-0)

The Council ordained an amendment to Section 8.1 of the Zoning Ordinance providing more flexibility for 100% affordable housing projects. Among other changes, it raises the maximum height for fully affordable buildings from seven to eight stories (to accommodate mass timber construction) and removes upper-story step-back requirements except where buildings directly abut smaller neighborhood residences. Councilor Ewen-Campen called this "our first zoning amendment of this city council" and noted it will lead to more affordable housing being built. The amendment was unanimously recommended out of the Land Use Committee.

Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) – Sent for discussion (referred to Land Use)

The Council referred to Land Use Committee a proposal to designate parts of East Somerville and Assembly Square as zones where future affordable housing projects could be eligible for tax-incentive agreements. Economic development planner Katie Weiss clarified the item only defines a geographic area; no financial commitments are being made now. Director Galigani emphasized the program is intended to use vacant lots and vacant commercial spaces, does not override the existing 20% inclusionary zoning requirement, and that the administration wants to use this tool to "reach deeper levels of affordability beyond what our existing inclusionary housing ordinance requires." Councilor Strezo asked that the Office of Housing Stability be included in negotiations. Any future project-specific agreements would still need Council approval and would go through Finance Committee.

Homeless Shelter Zoning Amendment – Sent for discussion (referred to Land Use)

A proposed amendment to Section 2.1.1 sponsored by Councilors Davis, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Link, and Mbah would revise where homeless shelters are allowed in the city. Councilor Ewen-Campen explained the amendment was prompted by recent attention to a potential homeless shelter in Davis Square but does not directly address that specific situation (which falls under the state Dover Amendment because it's in a church). Referred to Land Use with a copy to the Planning Board.

Support for Single-Stair Multifamily Building Executive Order – Approved

The Council approved a resolution supporting Governor Healey's executive order creating a technical advisory group to study allowing single-stair multifamily buildings up to several stories. Councilor Ewen-Campen cited a Boston Indicators study suggesting that allowing single-stair construction could "unlock 110,000 new units in Greater Boston alone." He acknowledged firefighter concerns about fire safety and noted the resolution doesn't endorse single-stair construction, only supports the research process. Councilor Wheeler noted Somerville firefighters Local 76 oppose single-stair design but said the working group includes fire chiefs, professional firefighters, and fire safety engineers. Copies sent to the state delegation.

Dormer Zoning Amendment – Laid on table

The Land Use Committee unanimously recommended an amendment to the dormer regulations originally proposed by 26 residents who worked with planning staff for over a year. The Committee made three changes to the residents' proposal: required a two-foot setback from the front of the house (so dormers "look like dormers"); removed a provision allowing three-story flat-roof buildings in NR (Neighborhood Residence) zones; and removed the new dormer allowances from backyard cottages/ADUs (deferring that to a future ADU conversation). The item was laid on the table because the Planning Board recommendation has not yet been received.

Eversource Grant of Location, Hudson Street – Sent for discussion

A resident at 135 Hudson Street, Katja Henderson, raised concerns about EV charging parking spaces shifting closer to driveways. The Eversource representative initially had the wrong plan. Councilor Sait referred the item to the Licenses and Permits Committee to get engineering staff to address the design concerns before a vote.

Demolition Review Cutoff Date Revision – Approved

The Council approved Councilor Wheeler's resolution asking the Director of Planning to consider revising the demolition review cutoff to 1945 rather than a rolling 75-year window. The current rolling window increasingly captures buildings that aren't historically significant. Councilor Scott encouraged Planning to "think bigger" given how much friction the demo delay ordinance provides in housing production.

Verizon Conduit Installations (Pearl Street and Medford Street) – Approved

Both granted after brief public hearings. The Medford Street installation is to connect an existing five-G cell site to Verizon's fiber network.

Various Resolutions – Approved and sent to committees

• Speed bump on Vernon Street → Traffic and Parking

• Portable restroom at Hoyt-Sullivan Playground → Sustainability and Infrastructure (Councilor Sait asking why this playground wasn't selected for a permanent installation)

• Speed bumps and possible rush-hour closure on Elmwood Street to reduce cut-through traffic from Cameron Avenue → Traffic and Parking

• Partnership with St. James Church to activate underutilized space → HCDE

• ADA WCAG 2.1 compliance reports and ADA Coordinator staffing plan (three related items from Councilors Strezo and Link) → Public Health and Safety

• Water and sewer metering/billing overview → Sustainability and Infrastructure (Councilor Sait noted many constituents have struggled with bills and accumulating interest, particularly homes with old "W" meters)

• List of community-available spaces in private developments → HCDE

• Raised intersection feasibility at Columbus Ave/Prospect Hill Parkway/Stone Ave → Traffic and Parking

• Custodial staffing update at East Somerville Community School → School Buildings, Facilities and Maintenance

• Edgerly Education Center AC temperature update → School Buildings, Facilities and Maintenance

• Snow-clearing-compatible turf for new Kennedy School inclusive playground → School Buildings, Facilities and Maintenance

• Urban Neighborways art on Perkins Street → Traffic and Parking

Resolutions Approved Without Referral

• Street light at Tufts and Washington Streets near East Somerville Station crosswalk

• MassDOT advocacy to prevent extremely loud overnight construction (in response to multi-night McGrath test boring work that residents said made it impossible for children to sleep)

Fire Department Promotions Confirmed

• Dennis Sullivan to Fire District Chief

• Michael J. Marino to Fire Captain

• Sean Marquis to Fire Lieutenant

Other Confirmations Approved

• Christopher Camara to Police Officer

• Kaleigh Kosta to Police Officer (note: appointment processed at meeting)

• Eric Weisman as Commissioner of Public Works

• Courtney Henderson as City Clerk

• Logan Brill and Valerie Locker to the Conservation Commission

(Taylor Perkins appointment to Fair Housing Commission referred to Confirmation of Appointments committee.)

Rule 4 Amendment on Agenda Submission Deadlines – Approved 9-0

Updates the city council agenda submission deadline (to Tuesday 12:30 PM) and limits when items from the administration will be accepted, to prevent agendas being "heavily loaded with late/supplemental items" from past administrations.

Conflict-of-Interest Exemptions – Approved

Exemptions for Linzy Buffington, John Haverty, Peter George, and Jasper Coles under MGL Chapter 268A Section 20(b) were approved with immediate consideration. These are SPS staff who also work coaching jobs with Parks and Recreation.

Taiwanese American Heritage Week (May 10–17, 2026) – Approved

Resident Sonia Huang of 435 Washington Street spoke briefly to express gratitude for the recognition.

Items Referred to Finance Committee

Numerous mayoral financial requests (items 7.4–7.16) were referred without debate to Finance, including:

• $182,469 from the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Stabilization fund for Healthcare for the Homeless

• $999,000 from Facility Construction and Renovation Stabilization Fund to pay down building renovation bonds

• $2,381,625 to the Somerville Avenue Streetscape Bond Fund

• $320,000 to the Union Square Streetscape and Plaza Bond Fund

• $3,940,905 to the Street Resurfacing Bond Fund

• Two appropriations totaling $1,078,434 for new fire pumpers

• 60-month contract renewal with Waste Management for solid waste disposal

• Home Rule Petition to authorize Somerville to regulate leases and tenancy-at-will agreements (referred to Legislative Matters)

• Assembly Square DIF District amendment (Assembly Square Fire Station and Middlesex/Mystic Ave intersection)

• HUD One Year Action Plan for CDBG, HOME, and ESG programs (referred to HCDE)

• Surveillance Technology Impact Report for CrimeTracer (referred to Legislative Matters)

Key Discussions

Surveillance Technology Reports

Councilor Scott reported on the Legislative Matters Committee's review of the 2025 Surveillance Technology Annual Report and impact reports for CrimeTracer and body-worn cameras. The committee requested amendments to the annual report. CrimeTracer (a police database formerly known as CopLink) has been used in the city longer than the surveillance ordinance has existed, and Scott called it "a stunningly large piece of surveillance software." Scott noted the body-worn camera impact report had "no appetite from the committee to move forward" and that the administration has not communicated an intention to submit an amended report. Councilor Wheeler separately filed the existing 2021 body-worn camera policy as a communication so the public can review it, since it had not been posted on the city website.

Snow Removal, ADA Compliance, and Sidewalks

Councilor Clingan reported on the Sustainability and Infrastructure Committee's discussion of snow clearing—particularly the inadequate clearing of curb cuts and handicapped parking spaces. Holly Simione provided photos showing snow piled into handicapped spaces around the city. The administration is reportedly working on a "shovel brigade" for business district curb cuts and city-responsible areas, but Clingan noted enforcement on private property owners remains a challenge. The committee will revisit this before winter. The committee also confirmed contractors are not allowed to place dumpsters in handicapped spots and must coordinate with traffic and parking to temporarily relocate spaces.

Construction Parking Enforcement on Bolton and Prospect Streets

Councilor Sait reported the Traffic and Parking Committee heard from a constituent representing 64 neighbors who submitted a letter outlining ongoing parking and safety issues from construction projects, citing insufficient enforcement. The committee will revisit with ISD and SPD present. Councilor Wheeler raised the idea of tying outstanding parking tickets to contractor parking permits, not just individual vehicles, so developers with repeated violations face consequences when seeking new permits.

Coming School / Edgerly School Building Issues

Councilor Link reported the School Building Facilities and Maintenance Committee learned that bringing the Coming School (two buildings stuck together) up to code to serve as a teen center could cost as much as $30 million. A five-ton AC unit is being added to the Edgerly School kitchen to address dangerous temperature swings. DPW will investigate mold and humidity in a Kennedy Building closet and is developing a systematic process for handling such concerns. On 115 Sycamore Street (new school MSBA process), the director's department anticipated MSBA's request for additional information and had it ready, avoiding potential months of delay. One MSBA inquiry asked what would happen if the proposed school size were placed at the Brown School site—the answer was roughly a 17-story school.

Tuesday vs. Thursday Council Meetings

Councilor Scott noted Councilor Davis has proposed moving city council meetings to Tuesdays. Acting president Scott (Councilor JT Scott) shared his opinion: "if it's not broke, don't fix it. I'm satisfied with Thursdays. I think the whole city... their schedule operates around this Thursday, late Thursday, early Friday schedule." The item remains in committee.

Notable Moments

City Clerk Kim Wells's Farewell

Wells is moving to the role of Chief Administrative Officer effective May 17. She gave an emotional, lengthy farewell listing accomplishments including: implementing new legislative management software with records back to 2010, designing the citywide outdoor dining program, passing a comprehensive charter, hiring the first-ever city council staff (legislative/policy analyst, finance analyst, land use analyst, project assistants), beginning braille agendas and closed captioning, and creating the first municipal civics academy. Multiple councilors offered tributes. Councilor Ewen-Campen described her as a "true civil servant" in contrast to attacks on civil servants nationally. Councilor Sait, who is partially deaf, recalled how Wells implemented closed captioning within a week of her request. Wells closed by saying, "if the legacy that I leave is to be remembered for not suffering nonsense, I'm good with that."

Remembrances

Councilor Strezo led a remembrance for Vera Ventura, an advocate and community builder who passed after multiple battles with cancer. Councilor Clingan asked the council to remember Doris Pawinski Landry, and also asked for thoughts and prayers for the Felix family—Mr. Felix is an MBTA Ride driver and Local 25 member who was shot while working but drove himself to the hospital and has been released. Councilor Ewen-Campen led a moment of silence for Steve McCluskey, 40, who died in March after becoming stuck in an escalator at the Davis Square MBTA station. Ewen-Campen noted that footage showed people walking by for 18 minutes before anyone called 911—"this is what psychologists refer to as the bystander effect"—and urged the community to step up for one another.

Salvation Army Recognition

Office of Emergency Management Deputy Director Lauren Mahoney recognized the Salvation Army for partnership during the warming center's extended hours after snowfall and for assisting residents displaced by fires. Andrew Duffy accepted on behalf of the Salvation Army.

Acting Council Presidency

With Council President Davis and Vice President Mbah absent, Councilor McLaughlin was elected President Pro Tempore. JT Scott opened the meeting as the longest-serving councilor and joked, "you'll never get rid of me now."

What's Next

• Dormer zoning amendment laid on the table awaiting Planning Board recommendation

• Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation laid on the table for next meeting

• Eversource Hudson Street grant of location pending Licenses and Permits Committee review

• UCH-TIF zone heading to Land Use Committee for public hearing

• Homeless shelter zoning amendment in Land Use Committee with Planning Board copy

• Public hearing on proposed FY27 water and sewer rates scheduled for May 28, 2026 (hybrid format)

• Traffic and Parking Committee to revisit construction parking enforcement on Bolton/Prospect Streets with ISD and SPD next week

• Secondhand dealer license ordinance and prohibition on taxpayer funds for self-promotion remain in Legislative Matters

• Body-worn camera surveillance impact report remains in committee with no amended version expected from administration