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November 25, 2025

Somerville City Council Meeting

TL;DR: Divestment resolution passes 9-2, FY26 tax rate set, winter warming center opens Dec 8

Votes & Decisions

Ballot Question 3 Divestment Resolution – Approved 9-2

The council voted to support implementing the voter-approved ballot question calling for the city to divest from companies doing business with Israel. The resolution commits the city to work on divestment "in a manner that is practicable and legally feasible."

The meeting drew an overflow crowd, with some residents unable to enter the building initially. Councilor Burnley, the sponsor, emphasized that over 11,500 voters supported the measure, which passed in every ward and all but one precinct. He sponsored two speakers: Mo Katz-Christy, who spoke about their Jewish background and work with families experiencing trauma, and Sarah Halawa, a Palestinian American resident who described her family's experiences.

Councilor Strezo sponsored Sam Gechter, who argued that BDS movements are aligned with destroying Israel and that the question diverts attention from local issues. Councilor Mbah sponsored Kate Opitz, who called divestment "political theater" that would bring division rather than peace.

Councilor Ewen-Campen emphasized the resolution's language about legal feasibility: "There is no universe in which I will support an ordinance that violates constitutional rights, that is discriminatory based on national origin or ethnicity or religion."

Councilor Strezo voted no, arguing the measure is "outside what is legal" and "divisive." Councilor Hardt also voted no, saying she was "brand new to the council and cannot make a fully informed decision at this time."

Councilor McLaughlin noted he would support it as "the will of the people" but acknowledged he personally wouldn't want his pension money going toward weapons anywhere.

FY 2026 Tax Classification – Approved

The council set tax rates for the coming fiscal year. Chief Assessor Frank Golden presented two motions:

  • A minimum residential factor of 82.816 (the legal minimum)

  • A 35% residential exemption for owner-occupied properties

The residential exemption of $4,582.40 continues the city's twelve-year policy of providing relief to homeowners. The commercial tax rate will be $18.95 per thousand, while residential comes in at $10.99.

Golden noted concerning trends: the city is experiencing "loss of new growth because of the lack of interest in life science buildings" with a general reduction in both commercial and residential property values. Five major life science buildings remain vacant at roughly 60% completion. However, 188 Assembly Park Drive is expected to begin tenant fit-up in January.

Winter Warming Center Grant – Approved

The council accepted a $304,954 grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to fund the winter warming center from January through April 2026. Director Carroll announced the center will open December 8 at the Cummings School with 35 beds plus overflow capacity.

Renovations to the bathrooms for accessibility and adult-sized fixtures are nearly complete. Residents can contact warmingcenter@somervillema.gov with questions.

Climate Forward 2024 Resolution – Approved

Councilors Mbah and Sait's resolution supporting the city's updated climate action plan passed unanimously. Director Christine Blais presented the plan, which addresses flooding, extreme heat, and emissions. The city has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly one-third since 2014.

Councilor Sait noted this comes at a critical time: "Our national government is overrun by the deadly corruption of the fossil fuel industry... even our own state government just passed rollbacks to basic measures like Mass Save."

CPA Budget Appropriation – Approved

The council appropriated $7,260,181 in Community Preservation Act revenue for FY26 projects, reflecting the final 3% surcharge now in effect.

90 Washington Street Development Items – Approved

Several items advancing the 90 Washington Street redevelopment passed, including the amended demonstration project plan, development objectives, and memorandum of agreement with the Redevelopment Authority. Economic Development Planner Ben Demers noted the Redevelopment Authority approved these items the previous evening.

Next steps include finalizing the RFP over the next month with a goal of releasing it early next year. The plan prohibits surface parking lots but would still allow short-term parking for deliveries along street frontage.

Cobble Hill Property Resale Resolution – Approved

Councilor McLaughlin's resolution supports selling city-owned land near Cobble Hill back to Corcoran Jennison. At a recent community meeting, the developer proposed taking some city-owned green space for parking—the same green space seniors had opposed developing.

McLaughlin offered an alternative: "I would like to just sell all of that back to Corcoran Jennison and just be done with this once and for all." This would preserve green space, maintain existing parking, recover some city funds, and allow development to focus on 90 Washington Street proper. "The seniors loved it," McLaughlin said.

Taxpayer Self-Promotion Ordinance – Referred to Legislative Matters

Councilors Davis and Wilson introduced an ordinance prohibiting the use of taxpayer funds for elected officials' self-promotion. Councilor Wilson noted, "Plastering the mayor's name on everything has always bothered me, and that hasn't changed at all knowing that it could be my name plastered all over everything."

The ordinance would end practices that Davis said seem to increase "certain times of year every two years or so"—around elections. Councilors Burnley, Mbah, and Ewen-Campen signed on.

Parking Meter Receipts to Reduce Tax Rate – Approved

The council appropriated $2,400,000 from parking meter receipts to reduce the FY26 tax rate, the same amount budgeted earlier in the year.

Open Meeting Law Response Authorization – Approved

The council authorized the City Attorney's Office to respond to an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Osnat Hoffman.

Committee Reports Approved

  • Finance Committee: Recommended various financial items including $100,000 for Armory tenant preparation, $407,090 for water enterprise fund debt service, and multiple prior-year invoice payments

  • Land Use Committee: Advanced 90 Washington Street items

  • Housing and Community Development Committee: Reported dire housing news—Section 8 vouchers are no longer being issued statewide, and 637 households are seeking assistance with 49% at imminent risk of displacement

  • Traffic and Parking Committee: Reported on community path safety improvements with design options for School Street and Lowell Street crossings

Eversource Conduit Installations – Most Approved, Two Referred

Six routine Eversource conduit installation requests were approved. However, two items were referred to the Licenses and Permits Committee after residents who couldn't access the packed meeting hall raised concerns:

  • 70 Vernon Street: Elena Vicente and her son Tyler Barbosa opposed the installation, concerned about property impacts and the pole's placement near their mother's home

  • 16 Warwick Street: Matthew Penny questioned why Eversource was seeking permits before the property had been permitted for development

The committee meeting is scheduled for December 10 at 6PM via Zoom.

Other Approvals

  • Drainlayer's license for Elite Construction Management Inc.

  • Sign licenses for Bakery and Cafe Komugi (68 Prospect Street) and 59-61 Bow Street LLC

  • $729 transfer for PK-8 School Building Planning Focus Group staff participation

  • Pedestrian access easement for 495 Columbia Street

  • Canceled December 25 meeting

Key Discussions

Happiness Survey 2025 Results

SomerStat Director Anna Gartsman presented findings from the city's biennial resident wellbeing survey, which received nearly 1,400 responses. Key findings:

  • Residents remain happy with Somerville as a place to live (4.0 out of 5), though personal happiness has declined slightly to 3.7

  • Residents feel safe (nearly 4.0)

  • High satisfaction with city services, emergency response, and water/sewer reliability

  • Lower satisfaction with street/sidewalk maintenance (declining since pre-pandemic)

  • Very high concern about being priced out—90% of housing comments suggest improvements are needed

  • Split opinions on repurposing parking (46% agree, 38% disagree, with higher support near T stations)

  • Disagreement on rat control efforts, with East Somerville less satisfied

Notable quote from the survey: "I cannot fully appreciate and engage in all the opportunities to socialize or volunteer with my neighbors because my entire human existence is devoted to paying rent and not becoming homeless again."

All data is available at data.somervillema.gov.

Housing Crisis Update

Councilor Strezo's committee report contained sobering news about federal funding cuts:

  • Only 30% of housing funding may now be used for permanent housing

  • Rapid rehousing funding cut by nearly two-thirds

  • Section 8 vouchers are no longer being issued statewide

  • State policy has shifted toward clearing encampments and moving people to shelters

Winter Hill School Building

Discussion of acquiring the former Archdiocese-owned school building on Thurston Street was placed on file. Councilor Clingan noted this is "more for the next administration to take the lead on." Councilor Wilson confirmed the incoming administration intends to reengage with the Archdiocese about the property.

Notable Moments

  • Capacity issues: The divestment item drew such a large crowd that some residents couldn't enter, leading President Davis to reopen public hearings on Eversource items. One resident complained about receiving a notice with the wrong meeting date.

  • Audience warning: After repeated interruptions during divestment testimony, President Davis warned: "If I hear one more interruption of any of these speakers, the room will be cleared."

  • Mayor's summer jobs program: During discussion of the self-promotion ordinance, Councilor Wilson mentioned wanting to move the "Mayor's Summer Jobs Program" out of the mayor's office: "It's the city's jobs program."

  • Flatiron Building celebration: Councilor Scott celebrated that a new business (Bakery and Cafe Komugi) will finally fill the vacant ground floor of the landmark Flatiron Building at Webster and Prospect streets.

  • 299 Broadway demolition event: Councilor Wilson announced that Councilor Clingan is hosting a "lovely celebration" for the demolition of the old Star Market at 299 Broadway—December 6 at 10AM at Winter Hill Brewery.

What's Next

  • December 2: Virtual community meeting on Kennedy School playground design

  • December 6: 299 Broadway demolition celebration (10AM, Winter Hill Brewery)

  • December 8: Winter Warming Center opens at Cummings School

  • December 10: Licenses and Permits Committee meeting (6PM, Zoom) to discuss Eversource conduit concerns

  • December 11: Final City Council meeting of 2025

  • December 25: Meeting canceled

  • Early 2026: 90 Washington Street RFP release expected