May 20, 2026

Votes & Decisions

Executive Session on Collective Bargaining – Approved (roll call, McLaughlin absent)

This special meeting was called by the Mayor for a single purpose: to brief the Council behind closed doors on the status of collective bargaining negotiations with city employee unions, as permitted under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(3). The Assistant City Solicitor confirmed the topic was appropriate for executive session before the vote. The Council entered executive session at 7:38 PM and returned at 11:11 PM — a roughly three-and-a-half-hour closed session, suggesting a substantial discussion. Upon returning, Councilor Davis stated that no votes were taken in executive session other than procedural votes to recess and adjourn. Because these negotiations happen confidentially by law, no details of the discussion are available to the public at this time.

Adjournment – Approved 10-0 (McLaughlin absent)

The meeting adjourned at 11:12 PM with no other business conducted in open session.

Key Discussions

No public policy discussions took place — all substantive discussion occurred in the closed executive session, and its contents are confidential under state law.

Notable Moments

• New City Clerk's first meeting: Councilor Davis welcomed Courtney Henderson, the city's new City Clerk, who was clerking a live meeting for the first time. Councilors gave her a round of applause.

• Councilor Davis presided in place of Council President Matt McLaughlin, who was absent for the entire meeting.

• Davis joked to viewers that the broadcast wouldn't be "super exciting for you unless you really like the color of the curtains behind me," noting the city is working on replacing them.

What's Next

The substance of the collective bargaining negotiations remains confidential. Residents should watch for future council action if any negotiated union contracts come forward for funding approval, which would occur in open session.