Executive Summary
On September 28, 2026, the Everett City Council and its subcommittees convened for multiple sessions. The Committee on Government Operations, Public Safety and Public Service discussed Section 18-104 regarding e-scooters and mopeds, reviewing police and parking enforcement efforts and proposed fine increases ahead of anticipated state legislation. The Committee on Legislative Affairs and Elections voted to grant further time on an ordinance establishing a tax title payment agreement. During the regular meeting, the City Council presented citations to members of the Everett High School Crimson Tide basketball team for community service, referred a $237,000 capital appropriation for a Department of Public Works front-end loader to the Ways and Means Committee, voted 6-5 to enroll an ordinance restricting default single-use plastic serviceware and condiments, and adopted a resolution designating October as Italian Heritage Month.
Resolution requesting that the public be provided with an update on e-scooter rules and regulations, Everett City Council Committee on Government Operations, Public Safety and Public Service
- The Committee convened at 6:01 p.m. with four members present: Councilor Michele Capone, Councilor Peter Pietrantonio, Councilor Holly Garcia, and Councilor Stephanie Smith, establishing a quorum.
- An administrative amendment was accepted recognizing Adriana Indresano as the Director of Parking rather than Parking Clerk.
- Discussion centered on City Ordinance Section 18-104, originally enacted on September 21, 2004, governing motorized scooters and mopeds.
- Sergeant Joseph Gaff (Everett Police Traffic Division and Traffic Commissioner) and Director Indresano detailed current enforcement challenges:
- Police policy prohibits pursuing electric scooters or mopeds due to safety concerns.
- Enforcement primarily targets parked, unattended vehicles. Approximately 225 total motorized bikes/scooters have been addressed since January, with 86 reported accidents involving these vehicles.
- Everett Police and tow contractors have impounded over 100 unregistered scooters from Everett Square, Glendale Square, and Route 99.
- Current state law relies on combustible engine cubic centimeters (CCs), leaving electric bikes and electric scooters largely unregulated in terms of registration requirements.
- Pending state legislation is expected by January to categorize vehicles into grades based on speed capabilities rather than CCs.
- Local safety and equipment issues were raised regarding individuals driving against traffic, operating on sidewalks and bike paths, and concealing their identities.
- Discussion took place regarding proposed local regulatory actions:
- Councilor Capone suggested raising the municipal ordinance fine from $100 to $500 as a deterrent.
- The Deputy City Solicitor was invited into the discussion and noted that local surrounding municipalities typically have lower fines, with Boston issuing fines of $25 to $50 after a third offense.
- Sergeant Gaff advocated for requiring sales dealer licensing and mandating $1,000 in liability insurance for scooters and mini-bikes, which typically costs about $110 per year.
- The Committee discussed forwarding an amendment to raise fines to $500 to the full council.
- A motion was made and seconded to place the matter on file until the next regular council meeting to revisit following updates on state law. Motion passed.
An ordinance establishing a tax title payment agreement in the city of Everett, Everett City Council Committee on Legislative Affairs and Elections
- The Committee convened at 6:35 p.m. with three members present: Councilor Anthony DiPierro, Councilor Michael Marchese, and Councilor Stephanie Smith, establishing a quorum.
- Councilor Smith reported that the City Solicitor requested further time on the proposed ordinance establishing a tax title payment agreement.
- A motion was made and seconded to grant further time.
- Passed unanimously; the chair declared "the ayes have it."
Everett City Council Regular Meeting: Roll Call and Ceremonial Presentations
- The regular meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. with 11 members present: Councilor Guerline Alcy Jabouin, Councilor Michele Capone, Councilor Anthony DiPierro, Councilor Holly Garcia, Councilor John Hanlon, Councilor Michael Marchese, Councilor Stephanie Martins, Councilor Vivian Nguyen, Councilor Peter Pietrantonio, Councilor Katy Rogers, and Council President Stephanie Smith, establishing a quorum.
- Council President Smith announced that meeting broadcasts have transitioned from Facebook to YouTube.
- Council President Smith and Councilor Pietrantonio presented official City Council citations to members of the Everett High School Crimson Tide basketball team, their coach, and their families in recognition of their actions pushing a disabled vehicle out of active traffic on the parkway to safety.
- Citations were issued to players including Kevin Ordonez Sabonage, Jaden Alistandor, Emmanuel Nelson, Nate Nelsen, Emanuel LeBeault, Raul Bumarares, and Geraldo Cubillas Sabonj.
- The Council took a brief five-minute recess for photographs.
Public Participation
- Motion made and seconded to open public participation. Passed unanimously; the chair declared "the ayes have it."
- Sam Lambert, Deputy Director of the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter (50 Federal Street, Boston), spoke in support of item C020526 (an act to reduce plastic waste):
- Emphasized that 40 billion pieces of single-use plastic utensils enter landfills annually and are rarely processed by recycling facilities.
- Noted that "Skip to Stuff ordinances have been shown to reduce plastic takeout waste by approximately 75%," providing cost savings for local businesses and reducing municipal litter.
- Clarified that the proposed measure is not a ban, but shifts utensils to an opt-in or by-request model.
- Motion made and seconded to close public participation. Passed unanimously; the chair declared "the ayes have it."
Order requesting consideration of an appropriation of $110,197.59 from the Capital Stabilization Fund and repurposing of $126,802.41 in unspent capital funds totaling $237,000 for a front-end loader for the Department of Public Works (Item 1)
- An order offered by Council President Stephanie Smith requesting an appropriation of $110,197.59 from the Capital Stabilization Fund combined with the repurposing of $126,802.41 in previously appropriated, unspent capital funds (totaling $237,000) for the purchase of a front-end loader for the Department of Public Works.
- A motion was made and seconded to refer the order to the Ways and Means Committee.
- Passed unanimously; the chair declared "the ayes have it."
An ordinance promoting environmental sustainability by reducing single-use plastic service wear and single-use packaged condiments (Item 2)
- Proposed ordinance sponsored by Councilor Katy Rogers to establish an opt-in model for disposable single-use plastic service ware and condiment packets at food establishments.
- Councilor Rogers noted the proposal received a favorable recommendation from the Committee on Legislative Affairs and Elections, reiterating that it does not ban plastic but stops default distribution to reduce business expenses and community waste.
- Council President Smith stated opposition from the chair, expressing concern that the ordinance would be unenforceable by municipal staff.
- A motion was made and seconded for favorable action on enrollment.
- Passed 6-5. Enrolled to appear for ordainment at the next regular council meeting.
- Voting in favor: Councilor Guerline Alcy Jabouin, Councilor Anthony DiPierro, Councilor John Hanlon, Councilor Stephanie Martins, Councilor Vivian Nguyen, Councilor Katy Rogers.
- Voting against: Councilor Michele Capone, Councilor Holly Garcia, Councilor Michael Marchese, Councilor Peter Pietrantonio, Council President Stephanie Smith.
Resolution declaring the month of October as Italian Heritage Month in the City of Everett (Item 3)
- Resolution offered by Councilor Michael Marchese declaring the month of October as Italian Heritage Month in the City of Everett.
- Councilor Marchese spoke in favor, emphasizing the cultural history, civic contributions, and legacy of Italian-Americans in the City of Everett.
- A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution.
- Passed unanimously; the chair declared "the ayes have it."