City Council Meeting 10-14-25

I need you to just...

Good evening. I'd like to call this regular meeting of the Everett City Council to order. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilor, I'll see you when.

Present.

Councilor DePierro. Present. Councilor Garcia.

Present.

Councilor Hanlon. Present. Councilor Marchese. Present. Councilor Matewsky. Here. Councilor Pietrantonio. Present. Councilor Rogers.

Here.

Councilor Van Campen. Present. Councilor President Martins.

Present.

Ten members present.

Madam President. We do have a quorum. Please join us in saluting the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our council members and staff are wearing pink tonight as a symbol of solidarity and hope. I invite everybody to join us in a moment of silence in honor of survivors, remembering the loved ones that we lost, and in support of the families whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. So please rise and join us in a moment of silence if you can.

Thank you.

Madam Chair, I would like to make a motion. I understand you're going to make a presentation, so I'd like to suspend the public hearing at this point.

Second. The motion has been made and seconded to suspend the public hearing at this point. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Councillor DiPierro.

Thank you. Before we get going, I just want to congratulate our colleague, Ward 4 Counselor. No? All right, that's premature. I'll hold that back.

Next meeting. Thank you. So all in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it. We have table de publica. public hearing on, so as we close out Hispanic Heritage Month and transition to Italian Heritage Month, it's an honor to recognize two special individuals from our community on behalf of the entire city council. The first one is Philippa Celaya, the owner of La Oaxaca on 362 Ferry Street. Philippa came to the United States in 1998 with little education and just a dream. Her and her husband opened their first business in Revere in 2018, and then in 2021, her husband sacrificed his retirement to open his business in Everett. They have been through the pandemic with no assistance. They were heavily affected by the Ferry Street construction, and they now continue to fight as businesses in the city struggle due to the immigration situation. Philippa and Lauja Kinga represent the story of so many of our businesses. with their determination and dedication to our community. So please put your hands together and I'd like to invite up Ms. Philippa Celaya. She's gonna say a few words. She's gonna say a few words and then we're gonna do, and then I'll invite the second person and then we'll do a group picture with the entire council and the citations.

It fills me with pride and gratitude to be here tonight, receiving this recognition during such a meaningful month for our community. When I was told about it in the first thing I thought, was this recognized? It's not just for me. It's for all those who, like me, come to this country with a suitcase full of dreams and empty hands. I arrived in the United States in 1998. At that time, I had very little education, second grade. but an enormous determination to have for it. I had two surges, and I was very carried that, but I brought something very powerful with me, many dreams, determination, and great will to build a future. The road was not easy, like many of you. I had to learn a new language, adapt to a new culture, And I find my way is a world that doesn't always welcome. You with open arm, but it was very here that is called, this quoted something that's deeply defined as a Spanish and I neither strange that doesn't not get up. The stress that made me us get up very morning every when we're exhausted. That allows us to smile every in the means of uncertainty and the bullshit of the keep moving for it, even when the road is hard and full changes. 20 years later in 2018, together with my husband, we took a very important step or risk. We opened our first small business in Revere. It was an easy decision. There were risks and sacrifice involved, but we knew we wanted to build something of our own, leave our mark and pave the way for those who come after us. Over time, thanks so much effort that small business begin to grow in 2021, we made another brave decision to invest my husband's retirement to open second location, this time in Everett. For us, it wasn't just expansion, it was proof that with world discipline and fight dreams can make true. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Hereby known to all that the Everett City Council has honored the mayor offer their sincerest congratulations to The person citation Philippa salaya and from La Jolla, Kenya in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month for your journey and dedication to your business and to the community of Everett. So the entire city government extends its best wishes on this memorable occasion, expresses the hope for continued good fortune going forward given this 14th day of October of 2025. Congratulations. And then if you can stay here with us, we're gonna have our second citation and then the families can come up and then we can take a picture with them. And then the second person. All right, our second recognition goes to Lucy Pinera from Latinos Unidos of Massachusetts, also on Ferry Street. Lucy was born in El Salvador. She immigrated to Boston in 1986, fleeing the Civil War in El Salvador. Since 1992, she has volunteered with pro-immigrant organizations. In 2002, she founded Latinos Unidos in Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to defending immigrants' rights. Luma offers educational programs, English classes, civics and history workshops, among other community services. She's also the founder of the Multicultural Festival in Everett, which celebrates the cultural diversity of the Latino community in the city. In 2020, she made history by becoming the first Latina to serve in the Elections Commission of the City of Everett for a three-year term. And during the COVID pandemic, her organization, LUMA, assisted more than 45,000 families providing help with rent, utility bills, food, and other essential needs. She has been a key advocate for the approval of the Work and Family Mobility Act, which allows all Massachusetts residents, regardless of immigration status, to obtain a driver's license. And recently, she's been a vocal advocate for due process and against the separation of hardworking families in Everett. So ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Lucy Pinera.

Do you want to say a few words? Okay, so as Stephanie, she already saying, I came 1986. I was 13 years old, so I came alone without mother, without father, and I started working as a cleaner. And then I became a mother when I was 16 years old. I have four beautiful children since then. I have been part of different nonprofit organizations fighting for justice and equality for our community. And I want to thank you, Stephanie, City Council of Everett, and everybody who is here today. And thank you so much.

So we recognize Lucy Pinera from Latinos Unidos of Massachusetts for your personal journey of dedication to the Latino community and your leadership in assisting families at a difficult time and for being a voice for the voiceless. Congratulations. Thank you. And then I'd like to invite now the family members and counselors to join for a group picture, and then we're going to move on with the meeting. Thank you.

And I would like to call one person that has been supporting us a lot in our organization and also my family. Mateo from Ayanna Pressley office, can you please come join us? And our state representative, Senator Sal DiDomenico, can you please come and join us?

Thank you.

La familia de Felipa. All right, counselors.

Felipa.

And also, I want to say something that is very important. This is not for me. This is for my family. This is for each one of those people who's been detained. And for each one of you that are you part of this long process, thank you so much.

Council Rogers. Madam President, I would like to rise on a point of personal privilege. Sure, go ahead. The city of Everett is one of the most diverse and culturally vibrant communities in Massachusetts. Our police department reflects that diversity. They are not outsiders, they are our neighbors. We are united in one shared goal, protecting the safety and well-being of our city. The best way to support public safety is to ensure neighbors trust each other and trust the police enough to report crimes. ICE's actions do the exact opposite. They foster division and exploit the immigrant population. On Thursday, that trust was violated, not by Everett police, but by the federal government. A 13-year-old child in Everett was detained and taken out of the state by ICE following an arrest made by our local police. Let me be very clear. Everett police are not the problem. The problem is grotesque federal overreach, an unprecedented intrusion designed to create fear and fracture our community. To the Trump administration, return the child to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our state is well equipped to handle crime. Remove ICE from our city, issue a formal correction to the misinformation spread online, and fire Tricia McLaughlin, your public affairs secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, for publicly releasing false information about a minor without notifying local officials and compromising an active investigation. Everett's immigrant community is the backbone of the city, and we will not stand by while the federal government creates a false narrative about our city and the people who live here. Thank you.

So before we proceed, I just want to announce that we do have translation available. So whoever needs interpretation in Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole, that we do have interpretation available. And you can see our interpreters in the back to obtain the devices so you can have translation during the meeting.

Madam President, I move to open public comment.

Second. Motion has been made and second to open public comment. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it. I just want to share the rules. If it's the first time that you're visiting our chambers, we offer two minutes per speaker. We start with agenda items first, and then we're going to move on to non-agenda items. We do have a total of only 30 minutes max. So if it's over 30 minutes, the body can choose to take a vote to extend public participation. And we, well, I think we can get started. So the first name we have on agenda items.

We have four speakers on agenda items. The first speaker is Peggy Serino.

Peggy Serino, Everett, Mass. The guy in the corner office wants almost $2 million to fund improvements for Everett Square. Haven't bike and bus lane improvements pretty much destroyed parking for small businesses? Does the guy in the corner office have a new way to help destroy small businesses in Everett Square? The guy in the corner office wants almost $2 million to buy three pickup trucks. Are you wondering who the guy in the corner office might have promised a truck to that they can take home? Is this an attempt to buy votes? The guy in the corner office wants to borrow an additional $2 million plus interest for streets and sidewalks. What happened to the $3 million he already had for this? Plus, did the guy in the corner office add streets and sidewalks that weren't on the original list? Is the guy in the corner office trying to buy votes while not mentioning there doesn't seem to be a plan to replace ancient sewer and water pipes before the repaving? So if these ancient pipes burst, the streets will have to be repaved a second time? Is this a way for the guy in the corner office can give extra work to friendly donors? Would this be a good guess? I have a letter I got, and unfortunately, they sent it to me, not a council member. Dear Mr. Serino, I think the public should know that the mayor is trying to hijack homecoming for his political benefit, trying to influence the election on November 4th. Homecoming is October 25th, ten days before the election on November 4th. In an attempt for an election, all homecoming expenses will be paid by the mayor's office, not the school department. Everett's homecoming is going to be larger than it has been these last few years, with many events for our residents at both Everett High School and Everett Stadium. In continuing with this re-election barbecues around the city, the mayor is hosting a food festival at Everett Stadium. This sounds like another barbecue, only larger and more costly. How much of our tax dollars is going to spend for his own personal gain? Where do you get the money to do this? Why would Malton Trans donate $5,000 to the guy in the corner office for Everett's homecoming celebration? Does this sound legit? Is it possible the guy in the corner office gave them some kind of deal? If you're wondering if APA money is being handled properly, ask this question. The city got the APA money in May 2021, and it isn't being distributed until an election year in 2025.

Our next speaker is Steve Iannocco.

Good evening, President and Councilors. Hope you all had a wonderful Columbus Day. My issue tonight is about the old Everett High School. We paid $150,000 for a study, correct? I think you all believe you have those figures. The first study was $11 million by a visual inspection. Then the city sent out an RFP and that came back at 7.9 million. There's over $3 million difference. Why is there such a discrepancy? Was something left out or forgotten? Could a list of details be released to the public? to know comparisons of $3 million. It's not a small figure. What we need is we need transparency, but I would like to see if the mayor or somebody can put out into the papers a list of everything that was listed for the 11 million compared to the 7.9 million. Thank you.

Here is Paula Stariti.

Good evening. First, regarding the mass gaming grants, before you vote, can you confirm there are no matching funds required for these grants, and that the area by the library with the water fountain and the 9-11 memorial will not be touched? If you talk to anyone in Everett, this is considered the nicest area in the square. And with all the issues in the square, why disrupt the nicest area? Next, regarding the good landlord tax exemption, I think this is a great idea long overdue. It would be great to fund this with the linkage fees. Is it true that $3.5 million was given to the TND group for 25 Garvey Street? Which raises a question, when did Everett become a financier of a private development? Shouldn't the funding of $3.5 million being given to TND have been voted on by the city council? Next, the ARPA, American Rescue Plan, passed in 2021, which provide fast, direct economic assistance to Americans' workers, families, small businesses, and industries. The city received $47.1 million in May of 2021. Yes, May 2021. What year are we in? 2025? An election year? Look around at where the $47.1 million went. Was it fast? Was it direct? Did it do anything to address economic assistance for American workers, families, small businesses and industries? I say not. In 2022, ANSA went to the Connelly Center and presented their bucket list. A gentleman said, none of those things will help us. He said, did any elderly people participate in this discussion? And was told Mystic Elderly Services was. He invited ANSA to come back and have the discussions with the seniors, but that never happened. Thank you.

Our last speaker on agenda items is Tina Oliveri.

Good evening, council. Tina Marie Oliveri, Samarav. I am wondering why the city's website was updated on October 1st with the name of the person the mayor is asking for confirmation of by the city council in tonight's meeting. The order is dated October 8th. Isn't the job of the council to put qualified individuals into positions? This seems unfair to the council to do their job. Also, the copy of the individual's resume was not attached to the order. So how can the council make an informed decision? As a taxpayer, I would like to see more transparency with city positions. I hope the council will receive answers about the speed bumps. I specifically would like to address the one on Lynn Street between Chute and Fuller. I have witnessed a more dangerous situation as the Chute Street traffic hardly comes to a complete stop to begin with. Now, cars are trying to beat the speed bump traffic as they take the left. This is my neighborhood, and I use Lynn Street daily. Why not change the blinking lights back to timed red and green rotations? That whole intersection is very dangerous. Lastly, we need to do something about establishing rules and regulations for the bike lanes. Motorized scooters, mopeds, e-bikes, and any other vehicles that do not have a registration slash plate are the biggest nuisance, not just in Everett, but everywhere. They don't obey traffic rules, lights, impose a serious threat to pedestrians. As someone who walks around my city for pleasure, I have found myself feeling unsafe while walking on the sidewalk. Pedestrians should not have to now watch for motorized vehicles on the sidewalks, especially the elderly, as they do walk. A lot of them don't drive. Start holding these individuals accountable for breaking the law. They should be in the bike lane. Thank you.

That's it for agenda items. We're on to non-agenda items.

Sal DiDomenico will be our first speaker.

Good evening, counselors. Sal DiDomenico, state senator and a resident of the city of Everett. It will be no surprise to anyone tonight that I am speaking out against ICE and everything they stand for. They should return this child to our state. They should get out of our business. We can take care of our own business in this state, in this community. I have been a vocal... adversary, local adversary against ICE to my district, and a longtime co-sponsor of the Safe Communities Act, which is a bill that we should all get behind in this chamber, which codifies into law that federal law is not enforced in our local communities. That is a very important bill, which I have spoken on the floor of the Senate in support of. Luckily, that's not happening in my communities in my district. I know it's not happening in my communities, in my district. But what is happening in my district and across the state is the fear and the trauma being caused in my communities. And this instance was one of the many that are happening around us that largely go unseen and unheard. The same thing happened in Chelsea just two months ago. A juvenile was detained by ICE leaving a police station with their family at the front door. I've been in contact with our delegation to try to get this individual to shout back to our state. I know they're working on that as well. And I'm just here in support of the community at large because this is too important to stay silent on. This is too important not to bring up and speak about publicly in a public forum, anywhere we can, anywhere we raise our voice. This is a rogue agency. Rogue agency that is breaking the law in our community. Bring back this child and stay out of our community. That is what I say to ICE going forward. And for me as your state senator, I will always stand behind you and speak up against the aggression of the folks that are breaking the law in this community and across our state. Thank you very much, everyone.

Our next speaker is Peggy Serino.

Community meetings are supposed to be held in community buildings before decisions are made about a soccer stadium by the guy in the corner office in San Domenico, but not in Everett. A community meeting is being held tonight at the 810 bar at 6 PM. A nice place for dinner, not a community meeting. The next community meeting on the stadium is being held at the Village Bar and Grill on October 28th. A nice place for dinner, but not a community meeting. The people of Everett are supposed to make the decisions, not the guy in the corner office and Sal Domenico or anyone else. Why wouldn't they put it on the ballot? Is it because it didn't fit their plans? 2025 is an election year, and I have heard that there are people who are afraid to vote because the guy in the corner office will know who you vote for. If you go to the polls, no one has the right to look at your ballot. You can put it face down and put it in the machine so no one can see who you voted for. If you need to vote by absentee ballot, have someone you can trust help you. And remember, you have to put a stamp on your ballot and mail it in. Remember, the people at City Hall have no right to see or tell anyone who you voted for. If you don't like how the guy in the corner office is running the city or how a council member always votes with the guy in the corner office, you have the right to vote them out. How you vote is your business and no one else's. The only way you can change anything is if you vote. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Lucy Pineda.

They are members of Everett City Council. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today. We come today to express our fear, our frustration about the daily insecurity in our street, and homes. Families cannot live in peace. Parents fear taking their children to school, medical appointments, or the parks that we help build with our taxes. We see kidnappers and mask individuals without identification or warrant. Taking families in our community. This happens on street, in parks, cemeteries, and Everett New York Youth Program buildings every day. Families are separated. People are deported and good citizens live in our city and country out of fear. People are arrested. and mistreated regardless of their legal immigration status. Sometimes suffering serious injuries all because of who they are or how they look like. Those who keep this running are hardworking members of our communities. Business and home owners, street cleaners and landscapers, garbage collectors, restaurant workers, convenience store owners, construction and casino workers, caregiving for children and elderly. We face arrest and fear every day. We demand due process. For every family, no family's rights should be violated. The case of this child, 13-year-old child, is just one of many that we have seen in our city of Everett. We love this city and our country. And one, our community is protected. Sorry, the time is up.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Madam Chair, could I just make a motion that if anyone has a written statement, if they'd like to submit it so that our record is complete because they are getting cut off at the two-minute mark, that we accept those written statements as part of our record for this evening.

Do we have a second? Which has been made and seconded that we can accept the speeches for the record. All in favor? submit your full speech. For the record, you can. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Phileba.

Lucy, sorry. No, you're going to submit the writing. We're going to take the paper and writing, and we're going to share with the members. Thank you. Okay, and our next speaker.

Phileba.

Phileba.

Hi, good evening, everyone. I had a business on 362 Ferry Street in Everett. And with this situation for immigration, I lose a lot of customers. Customers that came to my store, they spent $200, $300, $400 with grocery, food. And I can hear a lot of story for the good people. I know them for many years. And how they come into my store, they feel a lot of fear. They say when the kids coming from the school, they shake and they think the mother or the father, the eyes come and shake them. And they crying. And I see a lot of people, they sell the houses. They move already the country and this is very sad situation. I can hear every day how this is affecting the community. And I don't know if we can say something, we can do something to stop this. This is very bad situation for this community. And we are not all, we are criminal, no. I've been here for 27 years and I never had arrested. I don't have no record. We have good people too. Thank you.

Next speaker is Juanita Benitez.

Good evening.

My name is Juanita Benitez and I thank everyone for letting me speak this evening. As the other people already contributed, saying we are not criminals, we are hardworking people. and we would like to the city see that more often. We don't want to be afraid when we see the police officers around us. I can see when the little kid they are afraid sometimes because they see the ambulance or they see the police cars. So we like to keep this confidence with our community and keep supporting for the people they are afraid. I have worked hard. and I pay taxes in this community. I live here since 1984, and I like to keep this confident with all the officers, and we don't want to be afraid. Thank you, everyone.

Our next speaker is Guerline Alcy.

Good evening, everyone. Tonight, I am here to speak as a resident and as a parent. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Luce Organization and La Comunidad for putting this thing out together. And also I wanna take this opportunity to thank Senator Sal for your courage to stand against injustice with us. With all that is going on, we all wish that our mayor would do the same, but we all know where he stands on this. I want everyone to ask themselves this. How long will the US government take to take away our rights? That's what I would like for everybody to think about. If you think taking a child, a 13 year old child, away from their parents, away from their home, and sending them to another state to sleep on the floor. If you think this is okay, then we have a bigger problem in our community. Also, I would like to demand that ICE return the 13-year-old child and for them to stop from terrorizing our community.

Thank you. Shane McNally is our next speaker.

Can you hear me now? Evening, I'm Shane McNally. I'm a teacher, and I'm a parent of three here in Everett, and a resident. So just to the young people of Everett, just would like to say that, you know, school should be a place where you're safe, and the community, the neighbourhood should be equally safe. So also to the families who are out there struggling, because I started really terrorizing the community, know that there are other educators like me, there's people like me, community members who want you to stay. We don't want you to be deported. We don't want you to self-deport. We value you here, honestly, including places like this. We want you to have a say. But one thing that's a bit murky to me, honestly, is just the... with the mayor and the chief of police was still murky. What's the nature of this cooperation that you have with ICE? Just explain that, really. I don't understand it. Because the administration of this country is doing very unjust and unethical things. And do we really want to be complicit with that? And I would say our residents, but with the diversity that we say we love, let's put our money where our mouth is, really. So, because ICE just, and we don't need platitudes, I would say it's very simple. ICE should not be detaining minors. We shouldn't be collaborating with ICE at all, really. And just finally, for everybody else, I would say, I don't really think we're doing enough. That includes everybody. The terrible story of this young man, it's just the tip of the iceberg, really. Because this is about human rights. It's nothing to do with who you vote for. These people are not a threat to you at all. They're not taking anything away from you. But if you're the kind of person who's unsure about this, just speak up anyway. It's okay. Because I think, are you all talk? Or do you mean what you say, honestly? Thank you.

Joanna Garan is our next speaker.

Good evening, Joanna Guerin, School Committee, Ward 2. I don't have a prepared speech. I decided I would just speak as honestly as possible. I'm Jewish. I was raised Jewish. I was taught about my Jewish identity. I was taught very heavily about the Holocaust and the lessons of the Holocaust. The first thing that happened with the Holocaust, it didn't start with concentration camps. It started with finding a group of people to scapegoat and to blame for, oh, this is the reason that Germany's in trouble. It's because of the Jews. So then it was the Jews. And now it's this other group. It's the immigrants, or specifically the quote-unquote illegals. And it never stops there. You know, the history... of fascist governments, it always starts this way. And I'm not saying that we're destined for that, but there are too many similarities, far too many similarities. Councillor did a wonderful job of pointing out, if one person is not safe, we are all unsafe. That has been shown time and time and again. So regardless of your opinion of any of the people who have been taken by ICE, You know, even people who have committed crimes in this country have a right to due process under the Constitution. Even the worst people who have done the worst things. And that is to protect not, it's not just to protect them, it's to protect all of us. Because then who's to stop the federal government from saying, no, you're wrong, you're a criminal, you're bad. We don't have to prove it, we're in charge. It doesn't stop. It never, ever stops. I am so grateful that of all the people who are here tonight, who are speaking up and being loud, let's keep speaking up.

Let's hold the line. Thank you. Next speaker is Paul Estaridi.

Good evening. Peggy mentioned that the mayor is having two sessions to chat about the proposed stadium to find out what people think about the stadium. And what I'd like to know is that if he really cared about what people thought about the stadium, why didn't he put it on the ballot? If you go around and ask people, they wanna know why it's not on the ballot. They wanna know why they don't have a say. They were fooled once with the casino saying that their taxes would go down, they'd have jobs, but neither. In 2013, the mayor failed the city by signing an awful hosting agreement that limited the Wynn from not having paying real estate taxes, which would have given us about $50 million a year, as opposed to $25 million a year. He had an opportunity two years ago to renegotiate the hosting agreement, and again, sided with Wynn and against the city of Everett. So once again, Encore is making a billion dollars since it's opening. The state is making $900 million. Everett is probably making $130 million since it's open. There's something seriously wrong. In 2023, some of you were here at the state house where the mayor talked about a shortfall of $28 million. Now he's talking about the stadium paying more taxes than currently collected. I don't think anything's being collected. So collecting more of nothing is nothing. Next, is the election being monitored? Because there's a lot of confusion about the mail-in ballots. People are getting them who didn't request them. People who thought they requested them aren't getting them. There's no early voting signage anywhere in the city. It's like a great secret. In the 2026 budget, our retirement liability was $21 million. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Steve Iannucco.

Good evening again. I just have five quick things to talk about, just to mention it. Okay, number one, I have a few concerns about the sidewalk and road work on Ferry Street and Elm Street. As you all know, or might not know, why are the sections of the sidewalk in 12 to 14 inches of the gray brick patent being ripped out only one month after the completion of the job? A lot of people have been asking questions. To me, it looks like it's pitting like salt was on it for two years. I do concrete work, and I know what it's like. Some of the job has been done very sloppy, okay? We need to know who was in charge, who was overlooking the job being performed. I hope all the taxpayers have ever, and I'm paying for it again, okay? We're already paying enough. A worker told me that the mix was wrong. I asked two people, and that's what they said. And that he needed to rip up a lot more because a lot of it's being pitted up. Only certain sections are being done, and it's really a poor, quick job. Number two, talking about the stadium flooding, what was the issue? Why should the taxpayers, again, pay for this? wrong work that's being done by these contractors. We need answers. We need transparency about that as well. Number three, we have some white diagonal lines at 208, 210 Ferry Street. For what reason? We don't know. I called City Hall three times. No one has gotten back to me. No one knows anything. It takes up three to four parking spots. Some of you can go by and you see the white diagonal lines. No one in City Hall called me back. No one knows what it's about. And it takes up parking spots and you got businesses there and no one can park there overnight. Some people have gotten ticketed and towed. Number four, one big question. How does the mayor of Everett, little, little Everett, Again, little Everett, make more money than the mayor of Boston.

Thank you.

And one more quick one. I'm sorry. We all haven't forgotten about $180,000 plus with interest should be paid back. Thank you. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Bishop Tixiera.

Good evening, my fellow brothers and sisters. I'm here as a clergy of the city of Brockton, but serving all Massachusetts, all the Portuguese-speaking brothers and sisters. Very sad what's happened in Everett. If you wanted the community to trust you, the police department, show us the paper. Tell the mayor to come and talk to us. I've been working law enforcement for many years. I've been working immigration over 30 years. I know the games. It takes one bad guy to make you guys look bad here in Everett. So if you wanted to be honest to the residents and to the Brazilian community in Everett, people who work hard, show the papers. Show us the report. Show us that phone call from that officer. Look into his telephone and so forth. And look at the school department. Because we have a lot of bad apples, teachers. People who are teaching our children don't like them because they speak other language or they look different than us. Or like you guys, except. So let us be honest. America is changing. It's hurting people. I know that. We all hate changes, the faces and so forth. But we must be honest ourselves. Who else is going to do the job? You had a good start of this evening with two people, the work they're doing. A lady testified her husband has to put all his money, retirement money, to create a business. Look about that. What a young man is going to be tomorrow. Is being in jail? Is this the America picture we wanted to? And if you are Christian, Catholic, let's see what Pope Leon XIV is telling us. We are not what we say we are. Please, I'm speaking with you with a lot of respect, but with a lot of anger. Do your job. Show the proof about this.

Thank you. Thank you.

Madam President and members, before we move on, I'd ask that we hit the 30-minute mark if we can extend the time frame so the rest of the speakers may speak. I'll put that in the form of a motion.

The motion has been made and seconded to extend the public speaking period beyond the 30 minutes. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. We have extended public participation.

Our next speaker is Katie Steinberg.

Good evening, everyone. Katie Steinberg, lifelong resident of Fremont Ave in Everett. I chose to speak tonight because there has been a lot of hateful words on social media shared over the last couple days, including that no one would be speaking English during tonight's comment. So here I am speaking English and condemning the actions taken by ICE in detaining and transporting a 13-year-old child out of state and away from his family with no due process. Thank you. I am calling upon our elected officials to work with our federal partners and bring this child because he is a child home. And now that this community and its police department knows what happens when they hand a child over to ICE, will those in charge commit to changing those policies? Will you refuse to turn over any other children to ICE? I could say more. It wouldn't be nice. I promise I'd be good. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Jeff Parenti. Jeff.

Good evening, everyone.

I am a third-generation veteran, resident of Everett. My grandparents helped defeat the Nazis in World War II. And when I enlisted in the Marines, I never thought that 80 years later, I would have to face down fascists in my own streets in America. But here we are. The things that ICE is doing are unquestionably fascist. I grew up believing that we're a nation of immigrants, that people have a right to come here. My best friend growing up was the son of Vietnamese immigrants. Immigrants are not the problem in our country. Immigrants are not keeping our wages low. They're not the ones that are keeping us from having affordable health care. Corporations and corrupt politicians are doing that. Immigrants are not the ones polluting our planets. Corporations and the military industrial complex are doing that. ICE needs to bring back everyone that they have kidnapped. They're thugs. They think they're big, strong men, but they gang up on women and children who are here legally. And they need to bring everybody back.

Our next speaker is Gilberto. Our next speaker is Alexandra DeMaria.

Okay. Ross Bowdridge. Jen Garay. Oh, sorry.

Good evening, thank you for having me. I hope everyone had a good indigenous people's day yesterday. Thank you for giving us- Thank you for giving us all the opportunity to be here this evening and speak before you. I stand here tonight as both an educator and a concerned citizen. What was allowed to happen in this city last week was not only wrong, it was shameful. Due process is a right afforded to all by the US Constitution. It is not for the few, it is not for the many, but it is for us all, Arthur included. If the detention of Arthur was in fact justified, why has he been sent to Virginia? If his detention was in fact justified, why was he not afforded due process? The only conclusion that I can come to is that you did not in fact seek justice and instead you have sought division. Do better.

Jen, Jen, Jen Green.

Hi, my name is Jennifer Garay. I've been a resident and homeowner in Everett for 10 years. I have two sons that go to Everett public schools. So I think it's safe to say that I'm pretty vested in making Everett a safe place to live for both myself and my family. A city that is scared of its police force cannot be safe. A population that cannot trust its police force cannot be safe. Public safety cannot exist when our communities are being hunted. Currently, Everett police officers are given individual discretion regarding when they wanna share information with ICE. And this is based off of a report released by Everett Police Department back in March of 2025. EPD officers are allowed to do citizenship checks on residents even when not completely necessary. EPD officers also fingerprint individuals far beyond the requirements of state law. Once an individual has their fingerprints taken, that's automatically sent to the FBI, which ICE and DHS can also access. So last week, a 13-year-old boy was taken out of EPD custody and taken across state lines illegally. And this travesty happened because he was fingerprinted. The information and fingerprinting policies of EPD have very real and dire consequences for the residents of Everett. These policies must change to protect the residents of Everett. EPD needs to stop sharing any information with ICE beyond what they are legally obligated to do. Stop collecting immigration information beyond what is legally required. Stop fingerprinting beyond what is legally required. These practices erode trust between the community, EPD, and City Hall. And these are actions that we can take now. These are actions within your control. DHS and ICE cannot be trusted to respect the rights of residents or follow due process. DHS and ICE are off the rails and out of control. Why is EPD sharing information with these organizations? Why is EPD sharing information more than legally required? Thank you. Everyone urgently needs to make changes to protect the residents. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Kit Bridge.

Good evening, everyone. My name is Kit Bridge. I live on Chestnut Street in Everett. Last week, a 13-year-old boy named Arthur was kidnapped after just being in the custody of Everett PD. His mom, who had come to the police station to get him, never got to see her son before he was taken away and across state lines. Whether through malice or negligence, it was the result of Everett PD's actions that this child was ripped from his family and his support system and sent to another state. It is the responsibility of our public servants to protect and serve all people in the community, all of us. Especially those who are most vulnerable, like our community's children, like Arthur. And he and all kids in Everett deserve to feel safe when they're walking to and from school, to and from church, to and from after school programs. ICE isn't interested in making our community safer. They're sending untrained agents into our communities to be training fields. They're taking away parents and children. They're allowed to wear masks, plain clothes, drive civilian vehicles, and they don't need to identify themselves. Does that sound like public safety or national security to anyone here? No. Earlier this year, our mayor said he welcomed collaboration with ICE. Does he still welcome collaboration with them? If he does, I think that's a big fucking problem. The city of Everett- The city of Everett must not allow this to happen again. Our community demands that the city council, the mayor, and Everett Police Department utilize every avenue available to them to ensure that Arthur is freed from ICE custody in Virginia and returned home to Massachusetts, that Everett PD immediately stop the practice of fingerprinting minors, and Everett PD stop any collaboration with ICE that is not mandated by a court of law.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Kelly. Sorry, I can't read the last name.

Good evening.

My name is Kelly Heft. I am a homeowner and licensed mental health counselor here in Everett. Had some stuff written, but my heart breaks for the families whose stories we've heard tonight. The children in our community that are afraid, they don't deserve that, regardless of what status their families have. We're a commonwealth. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Very few commonwealths, most of them are states. That means that we come together to take care of one another. And The collaboration between the city and the public safety and ICE undermines that. It undermines our trust in the people who are supposed to help keep us safe. This erosion of trust makes all of us less safe because it makes people less likely to go to their public safety officers when they need help. Because of this cooperation, now a child has been transported across state lines. How are community members supposed to trust local law enforcement with their concerns after we've seen this collaboration with ICE resulting in the abduction of a child? We need to stop this collaboration and focus on the needs of the community that our public safety is supposed to serve. Thank you for your time.

Our next speaker is Jessica Boots.

Good evening. My name is Jessica Goldboots, and I live on 3 Amos Terrace, Everett. I'm here tonight as a mother, as a public school educator, and a former member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association Board of Directors. A 13-year-old boy, a child, has been detained by ICE and crossed state lines. Arthur should be in school, laughing with friends, learning, and being loved. As a mother... I cannot imagine the terror that Arthur's family is going through right now. Jocely, I don't know if anyone has addressed you directly in this forum. From the bottom of my heart, My spirit goes out to you. I feel like a wounded animal and it's not even my child. I cannot imagine the depth of your sorrow. There is nothing I can say. The pain of not knowing if Arthur is safe, if he's warm, if we know if he will come home, this 13 year old boy. The reports of the calls that Arthur has had to make to his family wound my heart and it should wound all of yours. None of us should be comfortable knowing the level of pain and heartbreak of a child among our community. As a public school educator, I see every single day how children thrive when they are protected and supported. As counselor Katie Rogers alludes to, I also see the fear that ICE has driven in our students and our families. Fear that drives them into the shadows and keeps them from trusting the very institutions meant to serve them. Arthur must be returned home now. Not next week, not after another meeting or report. It must happen now and all of you must do everything within your power to make that happen. To the decision makers of the city of Everett, many who are not here in this room right now because they don't want to show the face, end your collaboration with ICE. And finally, end the practice of fingerprinting minors, which provides material gain to the fascist organization known as ICE and their un-American activities. Thank you.

Hi, my name is Matt.

I live on Winthrop Street in Everett. We must protect the rights of our fellow human beings. No matter anyone's immigration status, each of us has a right to due process and to be treated as a human being. I have witnessed several abductions by unmarked officers in my neighborhood. They have refused to answer me about who they are, but we know who they are. Continuing to snatch our community members off the streets without due process, without officers saying who they are and what they're doing is a violation of our humanity and makes our neighborhoods unsafe for everyone, regardless of your citizenship status. I know Everett to be a beautiful place filled with wonderful people. I love speaking with the people who work at the library, the laundromat, and the 100 different barber shops. Some of us are immigrants, but all of us are friends of immigrants and neighbors of immigrants. Counselors, we have elected you to protect and serve your neighbors. I beg of you to please stand up for what you know is right, even in the face of federal pressure. Doing what's right starts with all of us coming here to talk to you and you listening and doing something about the intrusion of ICE in our neighborhood. Please return Arthur to Everett and remove ICE from our neighborhoods. Bring Arthur home.

Our next speaker is Antu Pham.

Hi, my name is Antu. I'm a resident and homeowner on Winthrop Street in Everett. I'm here to speak on the issue of ICE. I don't think I want to say any more about how horrendous this is, but I do want to call your attention to your own hearts and whether you are doing everything in your powers to stop what's happening. I understand that you cannot change federal laws, but there are things that you can do as people that we elect to serve us and to protect us. Simple things such as just minimizing our collaboration with ICE via Everett PD. And I'm not sure why you're hesitating on doing this. What do you gain from collaborating with ICE? All of your constituents are very concerned. There is nothing that we gain from dividing neighbors against neighbors. Please immediately minimize effort collaboration with ICE, minimize fingerprinting minors, and keep the people that you swore to serve safe. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Christine Mitchell.

Hi, my name is Dr. Christine Mitchell. I'm a resident of Everett and a public health researcher who focuses on the health impacts of policing, incarceration, and immigration enforcement. It should be obvious, but these systems all cause immense harm to physical and mental health. They tear apart our families and communities and threaten our freedom. And studies show that when our local governments collaborate with ICE, immigrants report increased mental distress and poorer self-rated health. We are here tonight because of an instance of such collaboration in Everett. We're here tonight because our trust in our city has been broken. It is a fact that the process of detaining this 13-year-old child started with an arrest by Everett police. It is a fact. What are we to believe, but this is evidence of collaboration between Everett and ICE. By enabling this process and cooperating with ICE, Everett PD and Mayor DiMaria have undermined our trust in our city and our ability to feel safe and welcome here. Arresting a 13 year old child, a child, and sending him 500 miles away from his family does nothing to keep our community safe. This is an example of the federal use of immigration enforcement to further its authoritarian agenda, surely. For all of us, it should be abolish ICE always. But it is also local. It is election season. Every elected official should understand that your seats too are at risk if this is not immediately reversed. We demand that Arthur is returned to his family, that Everett stops collaboration with ICE and does everything in your power to keep them out of our city, end the detention of our community members, and instead invest in the resources and services we need to thrive.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Aiden Gilchrist.

I'm sorry, a microphone.

Good evening, everybody. My name is Aiden Gilchrist. So far, we've heard from a wide variety of people. We've heard from veterans, teachers, members of the clergy, parents. schoolmates, et cetera, et cetera. Stumbling over my words a little bit, I do apologize. But I ask, having heard their grief, their anger, their fear, do something about that. Take that home with you and know that as you are mulling it over, thinking about it, there is a 13-year-old boy going to sleep in a cell.

There are 60 seats in this room. Each one of them was filled. And more people stood along each wall.

This is not something that can be ignored. It has to be addressed. And it does not end with bringing him home. It ends with the ceasing of collaboration with ICE. Thank you for your time.

Our next speaker is Isadora. Isadora.

Next speaker is Norma Romana.

Norma Romana Good evening. I want to ask what they're doing for the family support, the detention of any members in the family. For example, the second week in May, I detained my cousin. He was a criminal. He was going to work when they detained him. I come and I ask to Carlos de Maria, what is the support for the families? He said, we have funds for support, but he's lying. It's not true. So on September 4th, I detained my husband. My husband, he came 1888. So now my son is very sad. He's in the last year in high school. He thinking, oh, my father don't be in my graduation. It's not easy. I asked you, what is happening to your husband, your daughter, or your brother? It's not easy. When you're back at home, they know it's in your home, how are you feeling? What are you doing to help the community? They have to stop to ask what they're doing. Please, you are supposed to give support to the families, but don't do nothing. Every time they want to come, they are in a different place. But what did the mayor say? Only the criminal. Only the criminal. But it's not true. The mayor lying. Always. I ask you, if for many more, the people doing is a criminal, why the mayor now is a criminal too? Because he had a different... How would you say, Lucia? Different case and he knows a criminal. So what now the Hispanic or the other people that different countries is a criminal?

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Yvonne Samadar. Yvonne. Yvonne.

Yvonne. Yvonne? If she wants to speak Spanish, do you want to translate in English for her? We can give you double time. But I think they translate in Spanish for the people, not back to English. But we can give, well, we have translation if they want to hear it in Spanish, but not back in English. Hola, buenas noches.

Good evening. My name is Yvonne Sandoval. My name is Yvonne Sandoval. Soy la madre de Andres Jesse Arteaga Afanador. Soy la madre. I am the mother of. De Andres Jesse Arteaga Afanador. Andres. Andres Arteaga Amador. Afanador. Afanador. I am here because on September 16 I took my son. Andres came from the hospital to his house. Went to the hospital at 9.30 and he came home at 1.30 p.m. Never came back home. Next day. Empecé a buscarlo como loca. I went to the police. I told them that I couldn't find my son. Pasaron 72 horas y nada. After 72 hours and I don't know anything. Y el GPS de mi hija me decía, mami, él está en Chelsea. And the GPS saying that he was in Chelsea. Fui a buscarlo, gritaba, Andres. Chelsea Street or Chelsea? Chelsea Street. In Chelsea Street. Chelsea Street. Fui a buscarlo y nadie me daba razón. Yo gritaba, Andres, Andres, nadie. I went to the, you know, but it's, she called, I called Andres, Andres said, I don't see anything. Coloqué el denuncio, pero los policías en la garita no pueden hacer nada en el momento. Cuando yo les dije que el GPS en la última donde me marcaba era Chelsea. I told the police that the GPS showing that he was on Chelsea Street. I called the police, my family police officers in Canada, and then I went to the police. Again, and then? Los 16 llegaron a la ubicación. The police went to the location when the place that the GPS showing? Decía 2-15, 2-19. Me dijeron que era muy grande para buscarlo. 2-15, 2-19. Entonces me fui, me fui del lugar. I left from the place. Me fui del lugar. Y cuando volví al otro día a la policía, le dije que yo quería ver las cámaras de seguridad desde la clínica hasta Chelsea, donde... I went next day to the police station and I told them that I want to see the cameras from the Everett Hospital until Chelsea Street. Fueron cuatro días horribles. Four days was terrible. Hasta que la policía me llamó y me dijo que lo había encontrado. After the police tell her that they find him. Pero que desafortunadamente lo había cogido el ICE. But the police was arrested. Nosotros tenemos nuestro permiso de trabajo, nuestro social. No tiene récord criminal. We have a work authorization card. So this means that they legally and they don't have no record.

Sorry, we exceeded the time. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you.

Thank you. James is our last speaker. Is James still here?

James?

No, I don't see him.

That was our last speaker. Motion to close public participation. Second. Motion to close public participation. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. We have closed public participation. We have tabled our public hearing.

Motion to open our public hearing.

Second. Motion to open back our public hearing. I'm sorry?

Aye.

All in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it. We have open our public hearing. Mr. Clerk is going to read.

I actually just got to read the, we didn't read the items yet. I got to read the item. I didn't read the items yet.

Yeah, no, I'm saying you got to read the item.

That's what I said. Madam President, could we take items one and two collectively?

Okay, so on the public hearing, motion has been made and seconded to take items number one and two collectively. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Mr. Clerk, please read items number one and two collectively.

Okay. Items one and two are taken

Yeah, I would suggest taking a little recess to let the chamber clear out for a moment. Second. That is up to my colleagues and yourself.

Second. The motion has been made and seconded to take a small recess to allow the public to exit the chambers. All in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it. We're going to take a five-minute recess.

to get used to it.

Okay, if our councillors could please return to their seats. We will return to session, Mr. Clerk. I just want to double check, is there anyone in the audience that needs interpretation services in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole? Seeing nobody, we can dismiss our interpreters. Thank you so much for your service. And we are now back to reading items number one and two collectively, and that is the public hearing.

Items one and two are public hearings offered by Councilor Stephanie Martins as president. Item number one. A petition from National Grid requesting permission to install approximately 10 feet of 2 to 4 inch conduit from pole number 3365-1 to a private property at 376 3rd Street to accommodate and provide a permanent underground service. Two, petition from National Grid requesting permission to install one joint-owned pole number 3365-1 to accommodate and provide a permanent underground service at 376 3rd Street.

Okay, we do have the representative from National Grid waiting patiently in the audience.

Move to invite him before us.

Second. Which has been made and seconded to invite the representative from National Grid. All in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it. Good evening. If you could please just introduce yourself for the record and if you have any additional information on items number one and two.

Thank you, Madam President and council members. Jose Luis Azaria, 170 Medford Street in Malden. So we're requesting to install a new pole on 3rd Street. It's going to be directly across the existing pole so we can provide a permanent underground service for the new residential building at 376 3rd Street. Thank you.

Any members of the council have any questions for Representative? Seeing none, would you like to excuse? Okay, motion has been made and seconded to excuse our guests. Thank you. And items number one and two, we're going to open.

Move to open for a public hearing.

Second. So motion has been made and seconded to open public hearing. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. So we have open public hearing items number one and two. Do we have anyone in the audience that wishes to speak in favor of items number one and two?

I'll oppose.

Anyone that would like to speak in favor of items number one and two? Anyone that wishes to speak in favor? Seeing none, we're considering that portion closed. And do we have anyone that wishes to speak against items number one and two? Sir, anyone that wishes to speak against items number one and two? Anyone that wishes to speak against? Seeing none, that portion is now closed.

Move to close the public hearing in favorable action on items one and two.

Madam President. Motion has been made and seconded to close public hearing on these items in favorable action. And on the motion, Council Rogers.

On a point of personal privilege, I just want to take a moment to thank National Grid for once. We accomplished a very intensive cleanup recently behind Home Depot. And I think there was 50 employees, and we collected 75 bags of trash and debris. However, due to the nature of the path still being incomplete, which I hope that this is maybe the first step in finding a way to find a solution for that, I can still not vote in favor of National Grid pieces until we have a solution on the table for the pathway that is unfinished. Thank you.

Thank you.

Madam President.

Council Matewsky, yes.

Thank you. I spoke to the gentleman from National Grid. You know, we've been approving their petitions regularly, and they have to be done for development to go forward. But, you know, they're responsible. Next to the post office, you know, the electrical transmission boxes? I spoke to him tonight, and you do have responsibility for those boxes, am I right? And, you know, they were painted with graffiti right next to the post office. There's a big section of these transmission boxes. And I did speak to the gentleman who's been very good to me. He called me tonight, actually, at home about the Third Street project, but... Can we get those painted, please? That's our square. It looks terrible. It was some graffiti, Madam President, and it was primed in certain spots. And it's just a mess. And if you could take care of that, we'd appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you. Sorry, thank you. Councillor Alcindor Wood.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to say thank you to the representative of National Grid, Jose Luis. He's been wonderful working with us in the community on getting the poll at McKinley Street. It's not done yet, but I want to say thank you that he is on top of it And finally the people on McKinley Street will be able to see a straight pole because they've been extremely concerned about this pole leaning So I want to say thank you time for that Okay, so we have a motion that has been made in sign of a box on this items the work Please call the roll on items one and two favorable action councillor. I'll see you blend Yes

Councilor Garcia?

Yes.

Councilor Hanlon? Yes. Councilor Matewsky? Yes. Councilor Petrantoni? Yes. Councilor Rogers?

No.

Councilor Smith?

Yes.

Councilor Van Campen? Yes. Councilor President Martins? Yes. Yes. It is one name, Madam President.

It is one name. One and two have passed. Item number three.

Item number three is a public hearing offered by Councilor Stephanie Mountains as president, a petition from National Grid requesting permission to install one joint on poll number 2056-1 to alleviate the leaning poll conditions on McKinley Street.

Councilor Councilor DiPierro.

Thank you. I would like to invite the petitioner back before us, please.

Second. Which has been made and second to invite the petitioner back. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it.

Good evening and welcome back. And thank you for finally putting this on our agenda. I know a few of my colleagues and myself have had several discussions with you over the last few months regarding this. I'm just a little concerned about, you know, you want to put another poll across the street to alleviate the tension and why can't we just replace the actual poll itself?

So I don't think that replacing the pole would fix the current loading on the pole. There's a lot of weight on the pole that's going in one direction. So we need to oppose that force the opposite way. And the only way to do that that I think is the easiest is to put a pole directly across that pole to the other side of the sidewalk. We're going to anchor that pole and we're just going to pull that force to straighten out the poll That was my next question.

Will we eventually see this poll become straighter or is it just gonna stop it from tilting any further?

Yes, I do anticipate the poll to go straight up Like I said, it's a lot of weight that we want to pull it back. I think that all that weight comes from the overhead that's going to a building next to the Dunkin' Donuts. Honestly, I would have preferred to keep that underground, but that's not... an option anymore. I would have designed it that way if whenever that building was done, when they had a service request. But we just have to work with what we have now. So I think this is the solution, putting a pole on the other side. It's going to fix that landing pole, and it'll prevent any safety concerns. We're eating the cost for this because we don't want it to become an outage where the pole snaps or falls and could create an outage. So we're just trying to prevent that.

I can appreciate that because an outage down there could be detrimental. There is life-reliant equipment in a lot of those units as well, so I will yield at this point. Thank you.

So this poll you're putting in, it's just an anchor poll? You're not switching all the Ys on it?

Yeah, so it's just going to be basically another poll that looks the same as the one across it. And that poll is just going to have an anchor on it. And they will have, I want to say, a guy wire going across. So it's just going to pull that force back. We're not attaching anything to that pole other than that anchor.

I just hope this doesn't set a precedence that every time there's a crooked pole, you're going to put a pole across just add another pole just to anchor that pole. I hope we don't start seeing that all over the city.

Yeah.

That concerns me that you're going to just put another poll to anchor that poll. Right. So I mean, I feel that I don't think we should set a precedence where we should add another poll just to anchor the poll. I mean, we have to do something with the poll, but to do that, I mean, to me, that doesn't solve the problem to me personally. And I just think that you guys are going to get in the habit of putting a second poll to straighten out the first poll. So we're gonna have polls all over the street, but I mean, if you guys have to do it, you gotta do it. And if that's the only way to do it, I guess that's the only way to do it.

It is the only way to do it right now. Like I said, if we had the chance to reconfigure what's going on out there, I would have made that cable underground instead of overhead. The overhead cable is causing all that weight. To lean so I don't think it's a good design whoever designed it in the past They that's not the way that we would have done it now. So I think this is a one-time scenario I don't like to put holes everywhere. So I try to avoid that but I'm just trying to find the best solution for The existing conditions. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you Any further questions for the petition? Move to excuse the guest second made a second to excuse our guest all in favor opposed the ayes have it we have excused Mr. Now move to open the public hearing on item three second and she's been made in second to open public hearing item number three all in favor aye opposed the ayes have it we have now open public hearing on item number three if there's anyone in the audience that would like to speak in favor of item number three Welcome to come forward. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak in favor of item number three? Anyone in favor? Is anyone in the audience looking to speak against item number three? Anyone oppose item number three? Is there anyone looking to speak? Against item number three, seeing none.

I move to close the public hearing.

Motion has been made and seconded to close public hearing. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it.

I move for favorable action.

Motion has been made and seconded for favorable action. On the motion, Councilor Pietrantonio.

Yeah, I just want to give you my concern about this, that I just hope we don't get a precedence where if the poll's crooked, we're going to have to pull across the street from it to hold that poll. I just hope we don't set a precedence. That's all.

Mr. Clerk, please call the roll on favorable action number three.

Councilor DiPierro? Yes. Councilor Garcia?

Yes.

Councilor Hanlon? Yes. Councilor Matewsky? Yes. Councilor Pietrantonio? Yes. Councilor Rogers? No. Councilor Smith?

Yes.

Councilor Van Campen? No, sorry. Councilor President Martins?

Yes. Yes.

Seven yeas, one nay.

Seven yeas, one nay. The petition has been approved. Item number four.

I move to suspend the rules and take items four, five, six collectively as they are donations.

Second. Second to take items number four through six collectively. All in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it. Ms. Quirk, please read items number four through six.

Ends four through six are all orders offered by Councillor Stephanie Martins as president. Four, an order requesting approval to accept and expend donations totaling $250 from the City of Everett employees during the months of August and September for the Fire Victims Funds. Five, an order requesting approval to accept and expend donations in the amount of... Excuse me, in support of the City of Everett's homecoming celebration for Maldon trends in the amount of $5,000 and teamwork cleaning concepts in the amount of $100. Six, an order requesting approval to accept and expend the donation in the amount of $7,000 from local 143 International Association of Firefighters, Everett Fire Department for the Fire Victims Fund.

Move for favorable action on all three items. Second. And that letter of thanks be sent.

Made in second for food auction. All three items in the letter of thanks. This clerk, please call the roll.

Councillor DiPierro. Yes. Councillor Garcia.

Yes.

Councillor Hanlon. Yes. Councillor Marchese. Yep. Councillor Matewsky. Yes. Councillor Pietrantonio. Yes. Councillor Rogers.

Yes.

Councillor Smith.

Yes.

Councillor Van Campen. Yes. Councillor President Martins.

Yes.

Ten yeas, zero nays, Madam President.

Ten yeas, the orders have been approved. Item number seven.

Item number seven. is an order offered by Councillor Stephanie Martins as president in order confirming the appointment of Erica Corbelli to the position of Commissioner of Veterans Services for a one-year term ending November 1st, 2026.

Refer to the Committee on Legislative Affairs and Elections.

Second. Which has been made and seconded to refer the Committee on Legislative Affairs and Elections. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it. The item has been referred.

Madam Chair, move to suspend the rules. Take items 28 and 29 from the calendar collectively. Second.

Which has been made and seconded to take items 28 and 29 from the calendar collectively. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Mr. Quirk, please read item number 28 and 29.

Items 28 and 29 are orders offered by Councillor Stephanie Martins as president. An order calling for all polling places to be fitted and open for the City of Everett 2025 municipal election. 29, an order to call for the 2025 City of Everett municipal election. Move for favorable action. Second.

Which is made and seconded for favorable action. Is this a roll call?

It is.

I'll roll.

May I, one second on the order, just so I can briefly say a few things. One, I heard some information that I believe is a little disinformation or misinformation that people are receiving ballots that they did not request. The only way to receive a mail ballot is, I'm only saying it because it's election related, is through an application that is sent to the Elections Department. The four members of the Elections Department, Director, deputy director, and their two staff handle all the vote-by-mail applications and process all the ballots through the state system and then mail them out. We have had issues. Mr. Pero knew that the two ballots did go wrong in his election two years ago. But we got a call from him, and we corrected it. Mistakes do happen. So if somebody is telling you that they got a wrong ballot, please let the elections department know, because we can't correct that otherwise. It shouldn't happen. But For me, unless we know, it's misinformation or disinformation. So please let us know if there is an issue. But the elections director and the department will handle it appropriately and send out the correct one. Currently, we only have a few hundred mail ballots. It's actually been very minimal, and it will represent less than 1.5% of the total ballots that will be cast this year. So I do want to make sure that's stated and corrected. And I'll share the dates for the early voting in person, which are Saturday, October 25th from 8 to 5. Friday, October 31st, 8 to 5, and then Monday, the 27th through Thursday, the 30th, will be the regular normal operating hours of City Hall, 8 to 7, 30 on Monday and Thursday, and 8 to 5, Tuesday and Wednesday. All six days will be held here on the third floor in the George Kavarian room, just two doors down from the... Council Chambers. So the elevators are working, everything's ready, and we'll be here to aid anybody that needs it. Any other questions, please feel free to call the Elections Department at 617-394-2297. Any issues, any questions, we have great staff down there that can assist you. Thank you very much for indulging me for the moment, and I will do the roll call vote now. Councilor Alcy Jabotin, to call for the election.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. is an order offered by Councillor Stephanie Martins as president. An order requesting approval to accept and expend funds from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in the amount of $1,164,300 to fund improvements to Everett Square.

Just for information for the members, this order was edited to remove the amount requested for the Everett Square improvements. So there's an itemized version that should be on your packet with just the police and fire items and the specific things.

Move for favorable action. Madam President, move to amend the amount in the order to $475,000.

Wait a second, we're getting some feedback from the back.

I believe that's the proper motion.

That is correct.

Okay, so we have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. So motion has been made and seconded to amend the amount of the order to $475,000, not $1,164,000. Correct.

Can we confirm that from the back or have it in writing just so we're all sure?

I believe this is because it... We say new copies on the desk. Okay, so we have it here. high-rise fire training, water, police, fire boat, design.

It's stated in the letter from the administration dated today, October 9th.

Which one?

So that was that Everett Square piece that you asked to hold over. You were questioning some of the money for the Everett Square improvements.

Did they add it back?

They believe they separated it. There's two different orders now. Item 17 would be the other one. Correct.

Correct. So on item number 8, the motion would be to amend the order to reduce the number to $475,000. And once amended to postpone the order until the new plan is received by the city council.

Is that what it is? Because it looks like we have the same item twice. So I was thinking refer to back to sponsor and then accept the other one.

So move to move to amend the amount to $475,000. That's the motion on the floor.

Yeah, so I'm trying to figure out, do we have, so we have a motion that has been seconded to amend this existing item number 8 by 475. Amend it to 475. Okay, and then we're going to have a motion to table. Okay, awesome. Wait, what do you think? Okay, all those in favor of amending this order to 475,000.

Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it.

Move to postpone item number eight until a new plan is received from the administration.

Second. Motion has been made and seconded to postpone the item that now only has the Edward Square piece until we have more information. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it. Okay, so now we're moving on to petitions and licenses.

Do we have seven? Okay.

Items 9, 10, and 11.

I'm sorry. Motion to take 9, 10. Madam President, can we suspend the rules and take 9, 10, and 11 collectively? Second.

The motion has been made and seconded to take items 9 through 11 collectively. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Mr. Clerk, please read items number 9, 10, and 11.

Items 9, 10, and 11. Items 9, 10, and 11 are petitions offered by Councillor Stephanie Martins as President. 9, a petition requesting a new tire repair license for Mel's Tire and Auto Service at 1865 Revere Beach Parkway. 10, a petition requesting a new mechanical repair license for Mel's Auto. Excuse me, tire and auto service at 1865 Revere Beach Parkway, 11, a petition requesting the renewal of a Class II motor vehicle dealer license for Ferry Street Auto, excuse me, Ferry Street Service and Auto Sales at 464 Ferry Street.

Move to refer items 9 and 10 to the Committee on Community and Business Development.

Second. Which has been made and seconded to refer items 9 and 10 that are new licenses to the Committee on Business Development. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it. And for item 11?

Move favorable action.

which has been made and seconded for favorable action. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.

Councillor Alcy Jabouin.

Yes.

Councillor DeBiro. Yes. Councillor Garcia.

Yes.

Councillor Hanlon. Yes. Councillor Marchese. Yes. Councillor Matewsky. Yes. Councillor Pedrantonio. Yes. Councillor Smith.

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Van Campen? Yes. Councillor Martins?

Yes.

Ten yays, zero nays.

Ten yays, zero nays.

The petitions have been approved.

Item number 12, correct. These are now on the committee reports. Item number 12. is an order offered by Councilors Stephanie Martin, Stephanie Smith, Holly Garcia, Robert Van Campen, and Michael Marchese. An order recommending the acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, Section 50, Good Landlord. A tax exemption.

Freudian slip on your part. Council President Martins.

People work was included in the package. Do you have it?

No.

So this item is coming out of committee with a favorable recommendation. In 2023, a tax incentive was approved at the state level where we're able to offer landlords renting below market an incentive. But in order to do that, there are two steps. The first one is first we need to accept the statute, which is on the ordinance in front of you. And once that statute has been accepted by the city, that's when we can work on these items that you will see on the last pages. On the last page of this information that we get to work together on the amount of the exemption, on the annual household income limit, the affordable housing rent rate. The requirements that we have for the owner and any other restrictions that we want to work on in the city of Boston That's how they did it as well They first approved up first accepted this statute and then they're currently working on these other aspects that we can work together on So I move for favorable action to accept the statute just so we can start having this conversation to create this much-needed Incentive for our landlords to be able to continue to rent below market second.

I

The motion is made and seconded. Favorable action on item number 12, Councillor Councilor DiPierro.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a quick question for the sponsor through the chair. Is participation in the program totally voluntary or is it a sort of form of rent control? But is it totally voluntary to participate in the affordable unit rental to get the tax deduction?

So it's not, through you, Mr. Chair, it's not intended to be any type of rent control. It's the city being able to offer an incentive to landlords that request, just like the senior program, the residential abatement. So people will be able to see if they qualify for the program, if they meet the criteria that we're gonna work on. But today's motion is just to accept the statute, just so we have it in place. It doesn't do anything yet, but it just allows us to be able to create this program that is voluntary to your, to Councilor DiPierro's question. And anyone that qualifies and wishes to follow these requirements that we're going to set can qualify to receive the incentive.

I'm satisfied with that answer. Thank you. A motion is made and seconded for favorable action on item number 12. Is there any other discussion? Hearing none, Councilor Alcy Jabouin.

A motion to amend the item to also add Councillor Alcy to one. Okay, motion. Second.

Motion is made and seconded to amend the order to add Councillor Alcy to one as a co-sponsor. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Aye. On favorable action, clerk, call the roll, please.

On favorable action, Councillor Alcy to one?

Yes.

Councillor... Yes. Counselor Garcia.

Yes.

Counselor Hanlon. Yes. Counselor Marchese. Yes. Counselor Matewsky. Yes. Counselor Pietrantonio. Yes. Counselor Rogers.

Yes.

Counselor Smith.

Yes.

Counselor Van Campen. Yes. President Martins.

Yes.

Leveniers, Zerones, Mr. Chairman.

Leveniers, Zerones, the order has passed. You have accepted General Chapter 59, Section 5-0. Mr. Clerk, please read the next order, item 13.

Item number 13, Madam President, is an order requesting approval to accept and expend a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Department of Mental Health, in the amount of $90,000 to support an outreach clinician position to help deliver services to the community in conjunction with police personnel. And there was a communication, as you know, that was... I believe that was, yes, earlier today explaining the, what you would say, I believe, Councilor Smith, if you have.

It was in committee early today, right, Councilor Smith? The order for the Elliott.

The 90,000? Yes. Yes, so that one, the Elliott cannot find a person, so it's going to be submitted through the city's HR office. department to find a social worker to help support Officer O'Donnell at the police department. So it's going to go through the... It has been sitting with Elliot to find. They don't have anyone that's applying, so they're going to open it up on the city website to open it up to everyone.

Favorable action. And accept the committee report. Second.

Motion has been made and seconded for favorable action to accept the committee report on the motion. Councilor Alcy Jabouin. I'm sorry, your microphone's off.

I wanted to make a comment, but I don't think I could make a comment now. Is it on this item? On this item. You can. Okay. This is just a comment. When we have opportunities like that in the community, I would suggest that they share that information with community leaders, organizations, churches. We do have qualified people in the city. They just need to know what's available online. So I think that it would be great to share that kind of information with the people that interacts with the community. And that way we always talking to each other and letting people know what's available in the city. Thank you.

You're welcome. So I believe this position will be advertised through the HR department. So hopefully they can reach out to the community at large. So motion has been made and seconded for favorable action on this item. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.

On favorable action, Madam President, Councilor Alcy Juin.

Yes.

Councilor DiPierro. Yes. Councilor Garcia. Yes. Councilor Hanlon. Yes. Councilor Marquez. Yes. Councilor Matewsky. Yes. Councilor Pietrantonio. Yes. Councilor Rogers.

Yes.

Councilor Smith.

Yes.

Councilor Van Campen. Yes. President Martins.

Yes.

Yes.

11 yeas, zero nays. Matter is passed, Madam President.

Thank you. Item number 14.

Item number 14, Madam President, is an order, as you, President, requesting approval to appropriate $185,000 from the Capital Stabilization Account for three DPW one-ton pickup trucks.

Councilor DiPierro?

I just want to state factually correct info for the record. It was stated earlier that it was $2 million for three trucks. It is not $2 million. Thank you.

Okay. Any further questions on this item, Councilor Pietrantonio?

Did we get any communication? I requested a maintenance report on the trucks that... we're replacing. Did we get any communication from the DPW?

We have something, I can, I believe we got something, but it was sent. Really? So I will get you some company. It came in to my office right around the time we were doing the meeting. At the time, it actually goes into a little bit of depth about pretty much what you were asking for. So we did get a response. But at the time, I didn't have a chance to get it out to everybody in terms of all the particulars and so forth. But I'll certainly get it to you if you want to hold off on it. So when did this response come in your office? Yes, I don't know the exact time, but it came in late. It came in late.

Yeah, I can get the email for you. It just shows that these departments have no respect for our request when we request something. But they want us to appropriate $185,000. I mean, it's just, it's absurd that we can't get that information sooner. It was, I think we requested it two weeks ago. Just boggles my mind, but all good things will come to an end. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. I was just going to suggest that we postpone so that everyone has a chance to see the correspondence.

Is this item on committee today? In committee? Were you tabled waiting there holdover? So this is this item was sent out a committee with no recommendation because we had not received any information at the time You want to postpone this we have time to move to postpone the item to our next regular meeting so everyone can have a chance to Digest the information second has been made a second to postpone the items of next meeting all in favor. I pose the ayes have it I

I will get everybody. I will send it out. It will get attached to the packet, but I'll send it out to you first thing in the morning.

Item number 15.

Item number 15, Madam President, is an order offered by you as president. An order requesting the amount of $2 million be appropriated by borrowing for streets and sidewalks construction throughout the city.

I believe we just got the information in the back now too, right? Is that the one that just came with the names of the streets?

That was Mr. Is it a separate one or is this this one?

Okay, well we have a motion for feeble action, but do we know which sidewalks are being done?

I can actually just, it was in committee also. Mr. Swanson informed the committee that the funding would cover the work on the following streets, Francis Street, Paris Street, Lewis Street, Chatham Street, Edith Street, and Chute Street from Ferry to Edith Street. Mr. Swanson informed the committee that the work would be commenced as soon as possible upon the passage of the funding.

Okay, Councilman Matewsky.

Thank you, Madam President. If you'll notice on the agenda here, I have a piece regarding Lewis and Paris Street. Two and a half, three months ago, I received communication from the engineering department saying that in two weeks, work would commence. That neighborhood, the project started two years ago, but due to some legal issues with the water people, the piping and so forth, it was halted. The neighborhood is put up with these pipes that are on the end of Paris Street. for almost two years now, you know, and everything was going smoothly. However, you'll notice on the agenda I wanted to report. I didn't know about this. This money here is applied to my neighborhood in Ward 1. There's some other streets involved. We've got to get this project completed as soon as possible. The taxpayers in my neighborhood have put up with enough at this point. I don't like to see anything delayed or postponed on this piece. My street and Paris Street in my neighborhood deserves to be done. It hasn't been done in 32 years. And if this is going to make it quicker, let's pass this tonight. I don't know the other streets involved. Could the clerk just mention them again? The streets are, I'm sorry.

The streets, you said Paris, Louis. Yeah, Francis, Paris, Louis, Chatham, Edith, and Chute, from Ferry to Edith. And it did, just so you know, Counselor, the committee reported it back with a favorable recommendation.

Well, that's good. I'm glad it wasn't no decision, because this is important work. Chatham Street's a mess. No, 90% of the time, you're there to make a... A decision in the committee. I've never heard, well, we don't have a decision, you know. We need more time. Well, sometimes you do need more time. We need to pass this money tonight, get these projects under control, and moving forward. So I ask my colleagues to support this ordinance tonight. Thank you.

I second that. Okay, so a motion has been made and seconded for feeble action. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilor Alcy Juin. No. Councilor Councilor DiPierro. Yes. Councilor Garcia.

Yes.

Councilor Hanlon. Yes. Councilor Marchese. Yes. Councilor Matewsky. Yes. Councilor Pietrantonio. Councilor Rogers.

Yes.

Councilor Smith.

Yes.

Councilor Van Campen. Yes. President Martins.

Yes.

The matter passes, Madam President, nine to one.

Item number 16.

Item number 16, Madam President. There's a petition offered as you as president for requesting the new auto repair license for Romero Auto Repair at 2081 Revere Beach Parkway. This was also in committee tonight. The gentleman was here earlier, and the committee did vote to recommend favorable action. All paperwork is in the law.

Accept the committee report on favorable action.

Second. Second to accept the committee report on favorable action. On the motion, Councilman Matewsky.

Thank you.

The gentleman...

That was opening this new business on the Revere Beach Parkway across from Ritchie Slush. For the members who don't know, it's a tire and mechanical shop, and he was here. He seems professional, and he's going to do a good job. But you'll notice earlier, we said to committee, Another tire in auto business, Mel's Tire, wherever that, somewhere on Revere Beach Parkway. This is probably the eighth tire company. And, you know, I wish them all the success in the world. But competition, this is the eighth tire company. You've got Woody's and TWA. I mean... I'm going to look into where this location, I think it was where the motorcycle company was, but the gentleman was here tonight on this piece. He seems professional, and I'd ask for favorable action.

Okay, Councilor Marchese on the motion. Councilor Marchese, did you have a question still?

No, I just got a little confused because we had the bells earlier in this one, but I'm fine. All right. Thank you.

The motion has been made and seconded for favorable action. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.

Favorable action. Councilor Alcy Jermaine.

Yes.

Councilor DePero. Yes. Councilor Garcia.

Yes.

Councilor Hanlon. Yes. Councilor Marchese. Yes. Councilor Matewsky. Yes. Councilor Pietrantonio. Yes. Councilor Rogers. Yes. Councilor Smith.

Yes.

Councilor Van Campen. President Martins.

Yes.

Levenier, Zeronese, Madam Pass, Madam President.

The petition has been approved. Item number 17.

Item number 17, Madam President, is an order... Offered by you as president, in order requesting approval to accept and expend funds on the Mass Gaming Commission in the amount of $2,453,500 to fund programs and services provided by fire, police, planning and transportation. Although we did receive a communication from the administration. Looking to, and I'll just read it. It says, I hereby submit for your consideration a revised order to accept and expend funds from the Mass Gaming Commission in the amount of $1,970,500 to fund program services provided by police, fire, planning, and transportation. That was on your desk, I believe. I did pop it on your desk earlier this evening and so forth. And that's basically is taking the, is amending this to that amount. Move to amend item 7.

Move to amend item 17 to reduce the amount to $1,978,500. Second.

Motion has been made and seconded to amend the item to reduce it to $1,978,500. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Aye. The ayes have it.

Move to favorable action.

Second. Motion has been made and seconded to a favorable action as amended. Please call the roll.

Councilor Alcy Juin.

Yes.

Councilor DePiro. Yes. Councilor Garcia.

Yes.

Councilor Hanlon. No. Councilor Marchese. Yes. Councilor Matewsky. Yes. Councilor Pietrantonio. Yes. Councilor Rogers. Yes. Councilor Smith. Yes. Councilor Van Campen. Yes. President Martins.

Yes.

The matter passed, Madam President, 10 to 1.

The order has been approved.

As amended.

Item number 18.

Item number 18, Madam President, is a resolution offered by you that the administration provide a status on the business of OPPA grant applications, decisions, and information on the committee. And we did receive, again, very late notice. Again, it was pretty lengthy, the information and so forth. So I haven't had time to personally not attach it to the packet, but also to get it out and get it on everybody's desk. It's lengthy and so forth. So certainly if you want to... Again, it's up to you if you want to postpone it. I can get you the information ASAP tomorrow morning first.

Thank you, Madam President. I would motion to postpone just so that we can see the information.

The motion has been made and seconded to postpone. And I would like to, again, ask the administration that they please submit their documents timely so they can be part of our packet. And... We can be prepared to discuss the items. So motion has been made and seconded to postpone the item to our next meeting. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it.

And Madam President, item number 19 is a resolution offered by your administration providing information on the process to ensure ARPA funds distributed to local organizations are being properly advertised and distributed in accordance with each application and intent. And again... same situation as before. So I would recommend, again, so I could get you all the proper things so you can review it before making a decision.

Sure. Councilman Camper.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Again, I wanted to just reiterate, I think one of my colleagues had mentioned this. When we don't get the information in time, these aren't new items either. These are unfinished matters. So they've been on an earlier agenda. I don't understand how we get to a point where information that we request at an earlier meeting still can't make it into the packet before the next meeting. And what that does is it actually... It almost shields the information from the public so they can't see it in our agenda. And now it won't show up in the agenda until the next meeting at the end of October. We got to start doing things right around here. The administration wanted to hold our feet to the fire when asking department heads for questions in advance, citing the provisions of the city charter. And here we are. The administration simply is... either incapable or unable to give us, this is basic information that we've been requesting. It's just frustrating as a member of this council that this keeps happening to us.

Councilor Pete Antonium.

Again, another situation, they just don't show us respect. This is not theater. We're not acting out because it's election year, which will probably be in the paper Friday, but We just want the information and enough time. We give you two weeks to come up with it. I mean, come on. I mean, just give us the information we want on time. Simple thing. Thank you.

Okay. What's the pleasure on this item?

Move to postpone request that the administration or that the information provided be included in the packet so that the community can actually see what the response was.

Second. Move to postpone. All in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it.

Item number 20, Madam President, is a resolution offered by Councilor Wayne Matewsky that the Traffic Commission consider restoring the blinking stoplight and add an additional stop sign at the intersection of Bow Street and Beecham Street.

Councilor Matewsky.

Thank you, Madam President. You know, about two weeks ago, in this particular neighborhood, this is down the line area for those who are not familiar. I was on Beecham Street, and a truck was coming the other way on Beecham, and he swerved into my lane. I thought he was going to hit me. I'm maybe 20 feet away. The car coming down Bow Street... smashes into him, the airbags went off. There was a slight injury to the driver, and both cars were pretty much totaled. But I was only beat away from being part of this accident. And fortunately, the light has been put back up. It was knocked down by a truck, I understand, from the residents that came out for the accident scene and the business people and so forth. But this street here, Bow Street, as you all probably remember, I know that we have an issue with speed bumps. They're a temporary situation. You know, over the last four or five years, in all particular neighborhoods of the city, councilmen have requested speed bumps. And we're told, well, it's kind of illegal. But it's a temporary measure to slow some of these... Maniacs down. Now, three residents of Bow Street have asked me, three longtime residents. These people live down on Bow Street in the residential section after Beecham Street. There's about 60 or 70 homes there. Three residents from one end of Bow to the other end want speed bumps. They say it's a nightmare. So if I could amend this, Madam President, to eliminate, they've restored the blinking light, which is going to be a big help. And they also, Sergeant Gaff, I want to thank him, they put additional stop signs up. So if you can't see three stop signs at that intersection, you're having a problem. And the red light is put back. So I'm happy about that. But as you know, some of the members might remember, Two months ago, I put on that we want speed bumps on Bow Street. It hasn't been done yet. I know other people have issues with it, but these people that live there want them, at least one anyway, in the right area on that street. So if I could just eliminate the blinking stoplight that has been repaired and put back and ask the Traffic Commission to put At least one speed bump somewhere on Bow Street. I'd appreciate it.

So motion, do we have a second? Second. The motion's been made and seconded to amend the item by replacing the blinking stoplight to adding a speed bump.

Yeah in an area of the residential area both Street Thank You madam president favor of the amendment I Oppose the ayes have it.

So as amended councillor, would you like to refer this to the traffic mission?

Yes.

Thank you very much The motion has been made we have a second second seconded to refer the item to the traffic commission all in favor Oppose the ayes have it the item has been referred item number 21

Item number 21, Madam President, is a resolution offered by Councilor Stephanie Smith that the administration and the Traffic Commission provide the following in regards to the newly installed speed bumps.

Councilor Smith.

Did you want me to read them, Councilor?

Yeah, if you want to read them.

Thank you. That the administration and the Traffic Commission provide the following. How many temporary speed bumps were installed on what streets and how many per street? the cost of installing the speed bumps, unit cost or total cost, the cost of removing the speed bumps in November before the winter, the purpose of installing the speed bumps, how the city is determining they are working to curtail the speed on each respective street departments, Who determined locations and what was the criteria to install speed bumps? Was the engineering department contacted? And then finally, why was it determined to install two speed bumps on Foster Street and then immediately pull them up to redo the street? Councilor Smith.

Thank you. I appreciate you reading all my questions and I will request that we send this to the... both the Traffic Commission and the, I guess the Traffic Commission runs the entire thing outside of parking. When will they be reinstalled? We would like to add another question from Council Hanlon. If we could add, when will they be reinstalled? I think we have what is the cost of when they'll be reinstalled, but a date for it, like when are they going to be installed in the spring?

If they take them out when they come back?

They have to take them out in the winter. Will they be reinstalled? Yes. Will they be put back in the spring? Thank you, Councilor Hanlon. And refer to the Traffic Commission with a... I think we'll have to be a response by our second meeting in November because they don't meet until the first week, I believe. Do they meet on the 17th? Maybe our first meeting in November. I don't think they've met yet this month. I think they meet this week.

The motion has been made. Do we have a second? Second. We're made and seconded to refer the item to the Traffic Commission for a response at our first meeting in November. All in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it.

Item number 22, Madam President, is a resolution offered by Councilor Gerlene Alcee-Jabwin. A resolution requesting that the Director of Elections come to our next council meeting to explain to the community how someone can get up-to-date information regarding the November 4th election without having to come into City Hall. What other plans are there in the works as far as visibility throughout the city for the upcoming election?

Councilor Alcee-Jabwin. Thank you, Madam President. As I walk around the city, you can't really tell that we have an election coming up. I know some might say people should know, but banners would be nice. Loan signs will be nice. And throughout the city, I would love to see them throughout the city. It's not like we can't afford them. We can't afford them. So I would love for the director to come and talk to us and let people know how they can get information. Let's say someone's sick at home. They can't come into City Hall. How would they get that information? I know when Ms. Danielle was here, she used to post everything on Facebook. And now you can't get anything about this election that's supposed to be here soon, very soon. So I would love to get that information so we could help. the community. We want to spread the love. We want people to know. So please, thank you.

So is your motion to invite, I'm sorry, to postpone it and invite the director of elections to discuss those questions on the motion, Council Member D'Antonio?

We do have, I think there's three spots where we do have water. Where we hang banners, that we could make banners up. And I think there's three spots that we can hang banners. I think there's one near the square. I think one near the rec. And I think one down near Pope John, if I'm correct. Three different locations for banners that we could put up, saying the election is November 4th and all that stuff. I mean, it's a great idea. And can I add one more question for her?

Point of order, Madam President. Counselor Petrotonio is out of order.

It was my mistake because I allowed you to speak on new business. I'm sorry.

Can I? I can't add a question?

Well, the sponsor would- Yes, we can amend it. So we have a motion to amend the item to add, Councilor Pitantonio. Do we have a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed?

No.

The ayes have it. Councilor Pitantonio, do you want to amend it to add?

Just one more question for her. I mean, is the state coming in to assist us with the election?

Okay.

Because I know a letter went out to the state. I'm just curious, are they going to come in and assist us with our election? That's what I wanted to know.

So the item has been postponed to our next meeting to invite the director of elections to answer the questions regarding signage and the state potentially helping. So all in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Item number 23.

Item number 23, Madam President, is an order offered by Councilor Gurleen Alcy Jabouin, an order requesting that the City Council rules be amended to adopt a limit of 20 items max to be listed on any future City Council agendas.

Councilor Alcy Jabouin. Thank you, Madam President. I think our colleagues would appreciate this and also the people at home. I think it's important that we put a limit on items that are counselor. Sorry, can't have cross debate. Sorry, no, go ahead. Some counselors might appreciate that. And I think it's important that we put a limit on how many items we put on the agenda. Nobody wants to be here till midnight. I mean, tonight was a challenge, but we have 31 items.

It's new business. So on this item, I don't see an actual order with the amendment to the council rules. Did you include that with the, because you can submit that and send it to legislative affairs. But if you look at the packet, you see that just from the administration committee, we already have like 19 items. So what are you suggesting? No, that we need an actual order making the amendment. We need the actual ordinance to go with it. Is that, you know?

Yeah.

Because we don't have... So you're trying to amend a council rule, so you just need to write the text... Of what that amendment would look like, and either have it presented here on committee.

If I could, if I could, Madam President, thank you. So it's recommended that if the council is in support of this, is to send it to the Committee on Legislative Affairs, because it needs a preamble before we, and all the, so there's some work that needs to be done. If not, if you don't want it, then you refer it back to sponsors. So those are basically the two things, and it all depends on how you vote. But if it does, it needs some work, but it should go into legislative affairs if you're going to support it.

It just needs to be formatted. Are you making a motion, council?

Yes, I would like to make a motion to refer it back to sponsor, and I'd like to tell you why. Thank you. I think to even discuss the idea is ludicrous and asinine. I think it's a deeper problem that this body does not utilize the committee structure in the way it's intended to be. Monday nights really should be up and down votes. Lest things come up, I understand that. But the work should be hammered out in committee, and that's also a leadership issue. Items should be directed to committee. You know, and if you don't serve on any committees, then you can ask committee members your questions. You could watch the committee meetings, or you can read the reports. Who's to say which councillor's items take precedence over the next? Is it up to one person, the president? I don't think that's fair. I think this item should be referred back to sponsor. Thank you.

Okay, so we have a motion to refer back to sponsor. We have a second on that motion. Motion's been made and seconded on the motion. Back to you, Councillor Alcy, and then I'll take the other one.

Madam President. We all adults here, and we have a time frame when we have to submit our items. So if we're spending time to send 50 items to the city to be put on the agenda, someone can say we've already maxed the limit. Your item will be on the next agenda. It's that simple. So if someone is not in favor of this, they could simply vote no. And I don't see why this debate, this is like a debate. You either vote for it or you don't vote for it. It's that simple.

Okay, so currently we have a motion to refer back to sponsor. And then we're speaking on the motion. Do we have another motion to refer to? So, Councilor Patantonio, did you want to say something? Did you have your hand up?

I mean, I appreciate, Councilors, for us older people trying to get the agenda, you know, Reduce, but like my counselor said, who's going to pick? Y'all is going to go on it. Mine is going to go on it. I mean, I appreciate for us old guys that, you know, we need our sleep. But I just think that's going to cause, you know, too much havoc of who's going to approve and, you know, like I say, yours go on, no, mine goes on. So, I mean, we have to think about that, honestly. We have to think about it.

Before we keep going around, so this could be a discussion for committee, right? So do we want to make a motion to refer the item to committee, or do we want to support Councilor DiPierro's, sorry, Councilor DiPierro?

I'd like to call for the question to refer the item back to sponsor.

Second. All right, so motion has been made and seconded to call for the question.

This is to... So the vote is to refer this back to sponsor.

No, we have three things going on. We have a vote to call for the question and then refer back to sponsor.

The call for the question is a voice vote.

Okay, so we don't have to do a roll call? Okay, so do we want to call for the question? All in favor of calling for the question? Opposed? Okay. All right, so we're calling for the question, which the question right now is just to refer back to sponsor. So... Are we, is this a voice vote?

You can do a voice vote. All right, so all in favor of referring the item back to sponsor. Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it. The item has been referred back to sponsor.

On, let's see. Item number 24, Madam President, is a resolution offered by Council Peter Pietrantonio that the Directors of Inspectional Services, Engineering, and DPW appear at the next meeting to discuss 23 Rich Street curb cut and apron.

Council Pietrantonio.

Yeah, I'd like to invite all three up. I'd like to add a couple more questions, if I could. Madam President, for these gentlemen to come up, can I add a couple more questions for our next meeting?

So you're trying to amend the item?

I want to amend the item and add a couple of questions.

So what's the amendment?

What do I want to add? I want to know who installed Who cut the curb and installed, who took the curb out and made it a driveway, first of all? And how much did it cost the city workers to do it? And then who paid the contractor to come back and put the curb back in and put the sidewalk back in? And were there permits pulled for this?

Do we have a second on the amendment? Second. Motion has been made and second to amend the item by asking the questions that Council President Toney just added. All in favor of the amendment? Opposed? The ayes have it. Council Patantonio, what's your pleasure? Would you like to refer this to ISD?

Yeah, ISD, Engineering, and DPW. I want all three because I don't want one saying, I don't know, let me check. So I want all three.

Would you like them to submit a written response or to appear?

No, I want them to pair.

Okay, so motion has been made and seconded to postpone the item to invite the directors of ISD, Engineering, and DPW to answer the questions on 23 Ridge Street. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it.

So item number 25. Item number 25, Madam President, is a resolution offered by Councilor Katie Rogers requesting an update from Senator Dee Domenico on the status of using Rodenticides in Massachusetts.

Council Rogers. Thank you, Madam President. I know we had a recent discussion about pests in Everett, and I have been following a lot of work that's going on at a state level regarding the use of rodenticides. There's a lot of concerns about certain rodenticides that are used in certain poisons for rats getting into our environment by means of natural predators. ingesting these rats that have been poisoned and thus it creates a trickling effect throughout our whole community. So I just would like to make a motion to request that Senator Sal DiDomenico appear at the upcoming council meeting to give us a status update on what is going on with the bill regarding rodenticides in Massachusetts. And I'd also like to make an amendment to include Representative Joe McGonigal and Garcia, if they would like to contribute to that discussion as well.

Motion has been made and seconded to amend the item by also adding State Representative Joe McGonigal and Representative Garcia. All in favor of the amendment? Opposed? And Dan Ryan. And Dan Ryan. All in favor of the amendment? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. And your motion is to postpone the item and invite them to the next meeting.

Right.

Yes, the motion is to send them an invitation to the upcoming meeting.

Okay, motion has been made. Do we have a second? Made and seconded to postpone the item and invite our state delegation to appear to answer the questions. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Item number 26.

Item number 26, Madam President, is a resolution offered by you that the Administration and Procurement Office provide the winning bids and expenses incurred by the old high school roof renovation project to date.

President move to postpone and 26 to our next meeting and request that the procurement officer here at that second with the requested information He was just been made in seconds to postpone the item all in favor.

All right, those the ayes have it I don't number 27

Item number 27, Madam President, is a resolution offered by Council Wayne Matewsky that the city engineer provide an update for the construction project at Paris Street and Lewis Street. And are there any delays with the project?

Council Matewsky.

Thank you, Madam President. I've got the information tonight that we passed $2 million to complete this project. I'm very happy with that. And... I'll have to notify my neighbors once again. Three months ago, I said it would be two weeks that work would resume. But anyway, I'd like to refer this back to sponsor. I want to thank my colleagues for passing that money to get this job done. Thank you.

Second. Which has been made and second to refer the item back to sponsor. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. The item has been referred back to sponsor. Now we're down to item number 38.

Item number 30, Madam President, is a resolution offered by Council Mike Marchese that the city establish rules and regulations for using the bike lanes.

Council Marchese.

I'd like the amendments to have Council Garcia and Council Rogers also as co-sponsors.

Motion has been made and seconded to amend the item by adding Council Rogers and Garcia. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. It's been amended.

I never was a big favor of bike lanes in the middle of already too small of roads, which we have in Everett, and also the recent construction limited even more. But what appalls me is that Bike lane is a bike lane. It's nothing. It's not a scooter. It's not a bike with an engine on it. It's getting out of hand in the city of Everett. And now when there's no bike lanes, they're going onto the sidewalks. I believe some girl got run over on Norwood Street the other day, actually. So it's getting to the point where it's a danger to the people in the city of Everett. And I think something has to be established in this city. I don't know if we have to go statewide with it, but why can't we do something in the city? Why can't we find these people? Why can't we make them wear helmets? Why can't we get registered? Let them start putting a little skin in the game if you're going to use the highways. And it's getting frustrating. You drive down the street, you open your door, there's some motorcycle three inches away from your car on these ridiculous bike lanes. The bike lanes are nice down in the... Berkshires, yeah. They're not made for the city of Everett. They're not made for Cambridge and Somerville. It's ridiculous. They put a false hope of security. Anybody who's on that bike, you need your head examined. The door's not going to open up. And the way they drive in the city, you take your life in your hand anyhow, even if you're driving a car. I wouldn't know where to refer this to. I don't know if we send it to traffic. Until Jay Monty is the one who caused the problem.

I would say transportation and maybe the city solicitor to see if this is something that we can, because we write the rules for the city.

I think maybe the city solicitor, they need to find out if we can do something in the city of Everett. And then if we get something from her, maybe we can send it to traffic. Maybe they can work on it. So motion has been made. They're responsible for these, aren't they?

Sorry, Council Rogers.

I just hope they're concerned about the safety and security of people who are worried about bike lanes.

So we're making a motion then to refer the item to the city solicitor to see if this is something that we can do by ordinance or something at the state level and also asking the active transportation committee for information.

And we want to eliminate anything with an engine from using our bike lanes. That's more or less what it comes down to. And anything... Not with an engine, with an engine, off our sidewalks.

Okay, so motion has been made in second to check with the city solicitor if we have the authority to do that. So motion has been made in second to refer to the city solicitor for an opinion.

And to give us a definition of what a bike lane is.

Okay, and to give us a definition of a bike lane, which has been made in second. For that, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? The ayes have it. Okay, item number 31.

Item number 31, Madam President, is a resolution offered by Councilman Mike Marchese that the City of Everett declare the month of October Italian Heritage Month.

Marquesi. As being an Italian-American, I'm sure there's plenty of us here that are half Italian-American, whatever. It's kind of a big day for us. Where the indigenous people part came in, I don't know. And I find it disrespectful to Italians all over the world. If they want a holiday, give them a holiday, Thanksgiving or whatever it is. But it's not Italian-American Day. This is our month. Everybody gets a month. This is our month. We'll take a day without being insulted. To me to stand here and have a teacher to insult. Us here and the people that are watching about Indigenous People Day. Well, let me tell you something, kid. Yup, you enjoyed a day off on Columbus Day. And that was paid by a lot more Italian Americans that don't pay property tax. They give you the damn right to go take a day off yesterday and write your article. So before you insult people, find out who you're insulting. There's plenty of things. Look it. What is America? Mariko Vespucci, that's what we're named after. This country has a lot of Italian. There's not a lot of indigenous people's names on this country. Sidney's himself, but I feel insulted by what he said tonight. And he should find out his superintendent's half Italian. So I'm a little insulted by what he said. But I wish the month people, everybody can be Italian this month. It's just when March comes, everybody's Irish. So enjoy what you are. And I just like to mention that. That's all.

Second. So motion has been made and seconded to declare the month of October Italian Heritage Month. All in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it.

Move to adjourn. Second.

Second has been made and seconded to adjourn on the motion. Councilor Rogers. I just have a quick announcement, Madam President. On Sunday, October 19th at 10 a.m., Clean Up Everett is hosting an event at Home Depot, sponsored by Home Depot, because we are now officially a non-profit.

Thank you. Congratulations. On the motion to adjourn, all in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it.

We have adjourned.