11th Regular Meeting City Council Tuesday March 16, 2021

 

Medford City Council

Medford, Massachusetts

The Eleventh Regular Meeting, March 16, 2021

City Council

Isaac B. “Zac” Bears

Richard F. Caraviello

John C. Falco, Jr.

Adam Knight

Michael J. Marks

Nicole Morell

George A. Scarpelli

Broadcast Live: Channel 22 (Comcast) and Channel 43 (Verizon).

“Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Medford City Council will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford website, at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford or Media Community Media website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting.”

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President Richard F. Caraviello called the Regular meeting of March 16, 2021 of the Medford City Council to order at 7:00 P.M. via Zoom.

ROLL CALL

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

RECORDS

The Records of the Meeting of March 9, 2021 were passed to Councillor Falco.

MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS

21-183 – Offered by President Caraviello

Be it Resolved that the Medford City Council ask the Administration what its plans are for outdoor dining for the restaurants this upcoming spring, summer, and fall season.

21-184 – Offered by Vice President Knight

Be it so Resolved that the Medford City Council wish Mary Paradiso a very happy 93rd Birthday.

21-185 – Offered by Vice President Knight

Be it so Resolved that the Medford DPW perform pothole maintenance along Freedom Way in preparation for the state mandated deadline for in-person learning at our public schools. 

21-186 – Offered by Councillor Marks

Be it Resolved that a moment of silence be held for life long Medford resident Helen Alpers on her recent passing.

Be it further Resolved that the Council meeting be dedicated in her memory.

21-187 – Offered by Vice President Knight

Whereas, Governor Baker has declared March 21st through April 30th, 2021 MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS PERIOD, and

Whereas, the City of Medford has over 900 Motorcycles registered in the City, and

 

Whereas, Motorcycle crash fatalities in the Commonwealth have increased in each of the past three years, and

 

Whereas, the City of Medford was the site of a Motorcycle crash fatality in 2020,

 

Be it so Resolved, at the request of the Medford City Council and on behalf of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association and the Medford motorcycling community, the Mayor of the City of Medford, issue the following proclamation:

 

A Proclamation naming March 21 through April 30, 2021 Motorcycle Awareness Period in the City of Medford

 

Whereas, the motorcycle is a popular means of transportation for communting, as well as for touring and recreation; and

 

Whereas, there is a growing need for cooperation among drivers of automobiles

and trucks, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians who use our streets and highways to reduce injuries and fatalities; and 

 

Whereas, it is critical for all Massachuetts citizens to increase their knowledge of the  rules of the road and the rights and responsibilities of all roadway users; and

 

Whereas, numberous organizations are committed to making our streets and highways

safe for all motor vehicle-related transportation, including the Highway Safety Division, the Massachusetts Rider Education Program, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the American Motorcyclists Association, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the 

Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, the Medford/Malden Elks Riders, and many other motorcycle businesses and clubs in the Commonwealth,

 

Now, therefore, I, Honorable Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Mayor of the City of Medford, Masschuestts do hereby proclaim March 21st to April 30th, 2021, to be, 

 

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS PERIOD

21-188 – Offered by Vice President Knight

Be it so Resolved that the City Administration provide the City Council with the requirements and criteria for establishing a "Ghost Kitchen" in the City of Medford. 

PETITIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND SIMILAR PAPERS

21-189 – Petition for Common Victualler License by Mark Cafua, 280 Merrimack Street, Methuen, MA 01844 for Greater Boston Donuts, LLC, 7 Commercial Street, Medford, MA 02155.

ON FILE

Business Certificate #039 Letter of Compliance

Building Dept. State Tax ID

Fire Dept. Workmen’s Compensation

Police- Traffic Impact Petition

Health Dept. Treasurer

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR

21-190 –

March 12, 2021

Via Electronic Delivery

Medford City Council

85 George P. Hassett Drive

Medford, MA 02155

Re: Communication

Dear Mr. President:

I hereby propose the following amendment to the Revised Ordinances of the City of Medford:

“Section 94-35(a) of the Revised Ordinances, City of Medford, Massachusetts is hereby amended to read as follows:

1. A board of appeals, provided for under M.G.L.A. c. 40A, § 12, is hereby established consisting of five members who shall be appointed by the mayor. The members shall serve for a term of three years. The members shall be residents of the city. The board shall annually elect a chairman from among its own members and a clerk. The mayor shall also annually appoint two associate members of such board of appeals who shall each be appointed for a one-year term and who shall sit on the board upon the designation of the chairman to act in the event of a vacancy or the absence, inability to act, or interest on the part of a member thereof. Members and the associate members shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed.”

Submitted by Her Honor the Mayor,

Breanna Lungo-Koehn

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

20-300, 21-053 & 21-070 – March 8, 2021 Subcommittee on Elderly & Housing Affairs Report to follow.

20-573 – March 8, 2021 Public Works Subcommittee Report to follow.

20-568 – March 9, 2021 Committee of the Whole Report to follow.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Former Councillor Robert M. Penta

Zero Summit Road

Medford, MA 02155

Former Councillor Robert M. Penta is requesting that the issue of Medford’s Pay to Park Program be discussed.

To participate remotely outside of Zoom, please e-mail AHurtubise@medford-ma.gov.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

20-425 Condolences for John Avenell

IN CITY COUNCIL JUNE 23, 2020 TABLED

20-452 Chapter 382 of the Acts of 2002

IN CITY COUNCIL JUNE 23, 2020 TABLED

20-635 Amend Fiscal 2021 Budget to Appropriate $740,000

IN CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 17, 2020 TABLED

20-600 National Grid Grant of Location Riverside Ave.

IN CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 2020 TABLED

21-023 Deadline Discount Program Be Discussed

IN CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 2, 2021 TABLED

21-044 Common Victualler License Medford VFW Post 1012, Inc.

IN CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 2, 2021 TABLED

Reports Due/ Deadlines

16-574 – University Accountability Spring 2017-Report (Next Report Due in March, 2021)

17-606 – Evangelical Haitian Church 400 High St. 90 Day Review on Illumination- January 9, 2018 (Tabled)

19-037–90-Day Review Report on 7 – Eleven at Sunoco for a petition for a Common Victualler License (granted by the Council, as amended to require a 90-day report on February 26, 2019) (Report due May 28, 2019) ; 90 Day Review Report on 7 – Eleven at Sunoco for a petition for a Special Permit – Hours (granted by the Council, as amended to require 30-and-90-day report on June 25, 2019 and August 20, 2019)

20-050 –90-Day and 180-Day Review Report on Redefine Strength and Fitness, LLC for a petition for a Special Permit – Hours (granted by the Council, as amended to require 90-and-180-day report on May 18, 2020 and August 16, 2020)

20-066 –90-Day Review Report on Alewife Autowork for a petition for a Special Permit – Zoning (granted by the Council, as amended to require 90-day report on June 29, 2020)

20-085 –90-Day Review Report on 360 Health and Fitness, LLC for a petition for a Special Permit – Hours (granted by the Council, as amended to require 90-day report on June 29, 2020)

20-086 –90-Day Review Report on El Tacuba Cocina and Tequila Bar for a petition for a Special Permit – Hours (granted by the Council, as amended to require 90-day report period to begin on opening of restaurant)

20-562 – 30-and-60 Day Reviews on XSS Hotels (Fairfield/Marriott) for Reversal of Sign Denials for north facing signs abutting residential property (granted by Council, as amended to require a 30-day review on October 8, 2020 and a 60-day review on November 7, 2020)

20-563 – 30-and-60 Day Reviews on XSS Hotels (Fairfield/Marriott) for Reversal of Sign Denials for north facing signs abutting residential property (granted by Council, as amended to require a 30-day review on October 8, 2020 and a 60-day review on November 7, 2020)

20-586 – 30-and-60 Day Reviews on Greater Boston Donuts, LLC for a petition for a Common Victualler License (granted by Council, as amended to require a 30-day review on November 12, 2020 and a 60-day review on December 12, 2020)

20-639 – 90 Day Review on Last Light Tattoo Studio for a Special Permit to conduct a Body Art Establishment (granted by Council, as amended to require a 90-day review on February 8, 2021)

Records:

The Records of the Meeting of March 9, 2021 were passed to Councillor Falco.

Adjournment: