City Council 01-12-26

• Governing Body: Everett City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular City Council Meeting
• Date: January 12, 2026
• Attendees:
  • Councilor Stephanie Smith (President)
  • Councilor Michael Marchese
  • Councilor Katy Rogers
  • Councilor Stephanie Martins
  • Councilor Guerline Alcy Jabouin
  • Councilor Wayne Matewsky
  • Councilor Peter Pietrantonio
  • Councilor Holly Garcia
  • Councilor Vivian Nguyen
  • Councilor Michele Capone
  • Councilor Anthony DiPierro
  • Mayor Robert Van Campen (Present in chambers)
  • Town Clerk

The Council conducted swearing-in ceremonies for the following promotions within the Everett Police Department:

• Neil Burke: Promoted to the rank of Captain.
• Heather DuPont: Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
• Eric Williamson: Promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

The following residents provided testimony during the public participation segment:

• Peggy Serino: Criticized the Kraft Group agreement, comparing Boston's $48 million deal to Everett's perceived lack of benefits. She opposed renaming the Pope John building and questioned the transparency of ARPA funds and tax assessments. "Bring in the feds. The federal government has the tools to do this type of investigation."
• J.P. Becta: Supported a moratorium on data centers due to electricity and water usage. He highlighted discrepancies in neighborhood tax assessments, noting one property increased by 2.2% while neighbors increased by over 6%.
• Diego Maldonado (Malden Resident): Spoke against data centers, citing a lack of job creation and the potential for rising utility rates for residents.
• Stephanie McCullough: Provided research on the risks of data centers, noting they can consume as much electricity as 80,000 to 800,000 homes and may cause utility rates to spike by 25%.
• Larissa Nix: Addressed city cleanliness and littering, specifically citing issues with overflowing trash bins at multi-family residences and a lack of representation for neighborhood concerns.
• David Sinitalaka: Congratulated the promoted police officers and thanked the Council for their service.
• Unidentified Resident: Questioned the lack of a live stream for the inaugural ball and raised concerns about "secret" hotel deals on lower Broadway.

The Council voted to accept the minutes from the following previous meetings:

• November 24, 2025
• December 8, 2025 (Two sessions)
• December 11, 2025 (Two sessions)
• Outcome: Motion passed via roll call vote (11-0).

The Council considered the following renewals collectively:

1. Item 5: A petition for the renewal of a Class 2 motor vehicle dealer license for Classic Cars of Boston, Inc. at 5-7 Beecham Street.
2. Item 6: A petition for the renewal of a lodging house license for Fenno's at 336 Broadway.

• Outcome: Both items passed (11-0).
• Roll Call: Alcy Jabouin (Yes), Capone (Yes), DiPierro (Yes), Garcia (Yes), Marchese (Yes), Martins (Yes), Matewsky (Yes), Nguyen (Yes), Pietrantonio (Yes), Rogers (Yes), Smith (Yes).

An order requesting approval to accept and expend a donation from Everett Bank in the amount of $300 to support the tree lighting celebration.

• Outcome: Passed (11-0). The Council directed that a letter of thanks be sent to Everett Bank.

Councilor Rogers introduced an ordinance to amend Section 37, Everett Darklands Innovation District (EDID), of the City's zoning ordinances to add data centers to the prohibited uses category.

• Discussion: Councilor Rogers noted that data centers use "astronomical amounts of water, electricity, and create noise." Councilor Martins criticized the Davis Companies for "deceiving tactics" regarding the master plan.
• Action: The item was amended to change "recommending the amendment" to "amending" and added Councilors Martins and Nguyen as co-sponsors.
• Outcome: Referred to the Planning Board.

A resolution offered by Councilor Alcy Jabouin requesting that the City Assessor appear at the next meeting to explain new property assessments to the public.

• Action: The Council requested that specific questions be submitted to the Assessor by the Wednesday prior to the meeting.
• Outcome: Referred to the Assessor's Office.

• Item 9 (Motorized Vehicles): A resolution requesting an update from the Traffic Commission regarding the usage of bike lanes and sidewalks by motorized vehicles. Councilor Garcia noted that state legislation is currently being drafted on this matter.
  • Outcome: Referred back to the sponsor.
• Item 10 (Veteran Square): A resolution to dedicate a veteran square at the corner of Woodville and Main Streets in the name of Corporal Salvatore F. Sachetta.
  • Action: The entire Council was added as co-sponsors.
  • Outcome: Referred to the Veterans Office.

• Item 11 (Pope John Renaming): A resolution requesting the Kraft Group partner with the city to fund renovations for Pope John High School in exchange for naming rights.
  • Outcome: Referred to the Administration and the Kraft Group.
• Item 12 (MOUs): A resolution requesting copies of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with Wynn and the agreement with the Kraft Group signed at the end of the previous administration.
  • Outcome: Referred to the Administration.
• Item 13 (ARPA MOUs): A resolution requesting copies of MOUs signed by organizations that received ARPA funds to ensure compliance.
  • Outcome: Referred to the Administration.
• Item 14 (ARPA Disbursement): A resolution requesting the administration revise the process for ARPA fund disbursements to businesses to include those previously disqualified.
  • Outcome: Referred to the Administration.