Everett City Council 10-26-2026

The Committee on Government Operations, Public Safety and Public Service met at 5:30 p.m. Three members were present and a quorum was met. Chief Development Officer Monica Lamboy delivered a presentation on the status and closeout of the City's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds: - Background and timelines: Everett received approximately $33.3 million in direct state ARPA funding, plus an additional $13.9 million in revenue replacement funds. Federal statutory deadlines required all funds to be encumbered by December 31, 2024, across 25 approved projects, with all funds required to be fully expended by December 31, 2026. - Program expenditures: Substantial allocations were made to major facilities, including over $5 million for the Ferry Street Water and Streetscape Project, $880,000 for Woodland Park, $9.9 million for the Devon School acquisition, over $6 million for roof replacement and remediation at 548 Broadway (former Everett High School), and assessment/remediation work at 888 Broadway (former Pope John). In addition, over $1.44 million was deployed for rental and mortgage assistance, over $4 million for senior meals, and over $2 million for housing provider subrecipients. - Economic recovery assistance: In the small business assistance round, 48 applications were received and 42 awards of roughly $17,800 were granted to businesses demonstrating qualifying COVID-related economic losses or expenses. All subrecipient contracts ended September 30, 2026. - Constraint on additional rounds: CDO Lamboy confirmed that unexpended grant balances cannot be redirected to a new small business grant application cycle due to strict federal timeline requirements and the impossibility of completing application reviews before the December 31, 2026, disbursement deadline; remaining unspent balances are being reallocated into existing eligible capital contracts, primarily HVAC installation at 548 Broadway. - Action: A motion to refer the resolution back to the sponsors was approved, the ayes have it.

The Committee on Ways and Means convened at 6:00 p.m. Three members were present and a quorum was met. The committee reviewed a loan order requested by Council President Stephanie Smith: - Project overview: The order requests authorization to borrow $2,057,100 from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) through its Local Water System Assistance Program. The borrowing is a 0% interest loan repayable over 10 years at approximately $205,000 annually. - Funding source: Repayment will be funded entirely through the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund retained earnings rather than the City's general fund budget. - Scope of work: The borrowing covers construction, materials, and $62,300 for police details to replace aging water mains and install new one-inch connections and hydrants on Chute Street, Maplewood, Russell Place, and Duncan Road to resolve severe flow and pressure deficiencies. Work is scheduled to commence in spring 2027. - Action: A motion to forward a favorable recommendation to the full City Council was approved, the ayes have it.

The Committee on Legislative Affairs and Elections convened at 6:30 p.m. Four members were present. The committee reviewed an order requested by Council President Stephanie Smith regarding appointments to the Everett Redevelopment Authority: - Kristen Barrows, appointed for a two-year term. - Rebecca Edmondson-Carrone, appointed for a three-year term. - Barry Erickson, appointed for a four-year term. - John Lopes, appointed for a one-year term. - Councilors DiPierro and Rogers spoke in favor of the candidates, highlighting their professional backgrounds and qualifications for guiding redevelopment initiatives. - Action: A motion for a favorable recommendation to the full Council was approved, the ayes have it.

A petition was presented by Council President Stephanie Smith on behalf of National Grid requesting permission to provide permanent overhead to underground electrical service at 11 Langdon Street. - National Grid representative Jose Luis explained that the project involves installing conduit from an existing utility pole on Jacobs Place extending 15 feet across the public way to private property at 11 Langdon Street to power four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for a multi-unit dwelling. - Councilor Hanlon questioned electrical inspection oversight for the private property connection; the petitioner clarified that private electrical work must meet NEC code, receive sign-off from the Everett city wire inspector, and pass municipal inspection prior to energization. - Action: The petition passed 9-1.

Taken out of order, the Council considered an order offered by Council President Stephanie Smith requesting approval of appointments to the Everett Redevelopment Authority: - Kristen Barrows, two-year term. - Rebecca Edmondson-Carrone, three-year term. - Barry Erickson, four-year term. - John Lopes, one-year term. - Action: The appointments were approved following the favorable committee report. Passed 9-0.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an order requesting approval of the appointment of Wendy Post as a member of the Board of Library Trustees for a three-year term. - Council Rule 20 was suspended to allow immediate consideration of the resume provided. - Action: Passed 10-0.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an order that the city accept and authorize the expenditure of a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant in the amount of $345,752 from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. - Scope: The grant funds 'DePaving, underutilized sites and street segments in environmental justice communities and converting them into biodiverse green spaces composed of native plants to support at-risk pollinators and improve climate resiliency using nature-based solutions.' - Councilors requested that the administration provide specific site locations where the depaving and plantings will occur. - Action: Passed 10-0.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an order authorizing the acceptance and expenditure of a Seaport Economic Council grant from the Executive Office of Economic Development for stormwater planning. - Scope: The grant funds the initial phase of research and study of unmapped or private stormwater outfalls along the Mystic River waterfront and preliminary design intended to establish a modern, compliant stormwater collection and discharge system for the area below Beacham Street to support redevelopment. - Action: Passed 11-0.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an order authorizing the acceptance and expenditure of a MassWorks grant in the amount of $1,000,000 from the Executive Office of Economic Development. - Scope: Funds will support preconstruction services, including design, permitting, and engineering, for the Lower Broadway Phase II Robin Street project. - Action: Passed 10-0.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an order authorizing the acceptance and expenditure of a MassWorks grant in the amount of $450,000 from the Executive Office of Economic Development. - Scope: Funding covers preconstruction activities including design, permitting, and engineering. - Action: Passed 11-0.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an order authorizing the acceptance and expenditure of an FY27 community block grant in the amount of $755,000. - Scope: The grant covers police overtime, land- and marine-based overtime, seasonal staffing for the marine fireboat, and Silver Line right-of-way procurement. - Action: Passed 11-0.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an order requesting an appropriation of $50,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to the Office of the City Solicitor for litigation and professional services. - Action: A motion to refer the order to the Committee on Ways and Means was approved, the ayes have it.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an order approving the transfer of $14,000 from the Office of Purchasing and Procurement's personal expenses line item to operating expenses to fund essential equipment, furniture, contracts, and contract management. - Action: A motion to refer the order to the Committee on Ways and Means was approved, the ayes have it.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an order authorizing the borrowing of $2,057,100 from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) through the Local Water System Assistance Program for the 2026 Water Main Replacement Project. - Discussion: Councilor Martins commended the administration for providing a detailed engineering cost breakdown. Councilor Pietrantonio reiterated that the borrowing is interest-free and will be repaid out of the Water Enterprise Fund. Councilor Alcy Jabouin inquired about the City's collections process for overdue water bills to reduce the need for borrowing. - Action: Passed 8-3, with Councilors Alcy Jabouin, Capone, and Marchese voting in the negative.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an order to establish a tax title payment agreement ordinance in the City of Everett. City Solicitor Munson appeared to explain the legal framework: - Purpose: Enables property owners facing tax title foreclosure to enter into binding payment agreements to catch up on delinquent taxes over terms up to five years, requiring a statutory minimum 10% down payment upon execution. - Financial impact: The City Treasurer estimates that between $2 million and $3 million in municipal taxes is currently outstanding. - Agreement conditions: Missed payments after a brief grace period constitute breach of contract, voiding the plan and reinstating standard tax foreclosure proceedings. Participants must also remain current on other municipal liabilities, including water bills. - Action: The ordinance was approved for enrollment. Passed 11-0.

Council President Stephanie Smith offered an ordinance proposing to remove the Youth Commission from Chapter 2 of the revised ordinances by rescinding Article 3, Division 11. - Discussion: Council President Smith clarified that repealing Section 2-31A5 removes the commission from the codified city ordinances so that its structure and membership appointments can be governed under the municipal administrative code, aligning it with other city boards. - Action: The removal was approved for enrollment. Passed 10-0.

Councilor Michael Marchese offered a resolution requesting location markers along the Northern Strand Community Trail to support public safety. - Discussion: Councilor Marchese emphasized that recent emergency responses on the trail were hindered by a lack of identifiable landmarks, and recommended numbered stakes or markers so that callers can give exact locations to first responders. - Action: Referred to the Department of Public Works and the Transportation Department, the ayes have it.

Councilor Peter Pietrantonio offered a resolution requesting that the City Human Resources Director appear at the next regular meeting to answer questions regarding sick banks available to City of Everett employees. - Action: A motion to have the legislative aide issue an invitation to the Human Resources Director with Councilor Pietrantonio's list of questions for the next regular meeting was approved, the ayes have it.

Councilor Holly Garcia offered a resolution requesting that Mayor Robert Van Campen, Board of Commissioners Chairman David Ela, and newly appointed Housing Authority Director James Holt appear at the next regular City Council meeting to provide an operational update on the Everett Housing Authority. - Action: An amendment to add the entire City Council as co-sponsors was approved, the ayes have it. A motion to postpone the resolution and invite the officials to the next regular meeting was approved, the ayes have it.

Councilors Stephanie Martins, Michael Marchese, and Guerline Alcy Jabouin offered an order petitioning the General Court for a special act relative to the linkage fee revolving fund in the City of Everett. - Discussion: Councilor Martins stated that the home rule petition amends the linkage fee rules to require City Council approval for all expenditures from the linkage fee fund, closing an administrative loophole where expenditures occurred under the sole discretion of the Mayor without Council oversight or required annual reporting. - Action: An amendment to add the entire City Council as co-sponsors was approved. The order was favorably adopted as amended. Passed 11-0.