Malden City Council 04-07-2026

• Date: April 07, 2026
• Governing Body: Malden City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
• Attendees:
  • Mayor Gary Christenson
  • Councilor Amanda Linehan (President)
  • Councilor Karen Colón Hayes
  • Councilor Paul Condon
  • Councilor Peg Crowe
  • Councilor Carey McDonald
  • Councilor Ryan O'Malley
  • Councilor Jadeane Sica
  • Councilor Chris Simonelli
  • Councilor Ari Taylor
  • Councilor Stephen Winslow
  • Councilor Luong

Mayor Gary Christenson provided an update on the city's financial outlook following the defeat of the property tax override (Question 1A) by 124 votes.

• Financial Challenges: The Mayor noted a reduction of more than $5 million in state education aid from FY2026 to FY2027 and increased Northeast Vocational School enrollment costs.
• Reporting Error: The Mayor disclosed a $1.6 million error in the FY2025 end-of-year report where school employee healthcare costs were understated. He described it as a "regrettable but honest human error" involving manual data entry.
• Key Quote: "The overall structural deficit remains the same. ... Eliminating the structural deficit was the purpose of the proposed override and it remains the challenge before us now."
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilor Winslow questioned how such a significant mistake occurred and emphasized the need for double-checking numbers.
  • Councilor O'Malley inquired about the timing of the discovery and how insurance rates impacted the calculation.
  • Councilor McDonald noted that even with the error corrected, the city still faces a gap of approximately $9 million.
  • Councilor Luong expressed concern over the breakdown of checks and balances and noted the city has applied for a DLS financial review scheduled for the fall.

• Mohamed Abutaha (190 Mountain Ave): Stated he voted no on the override due to the burden on struggling families. He called for transparency and accountability. Quote: "This is not about blame. This is about trust, responsibility, and leadership."
• Brian DeLacy (Malden News Network): Submitted 16 written questions via the Clerk regarding the $1.6 million error timeline, the $9 million projected gap, and whether the second ballot question would have existed if the error had been found earlier.

The Consent Agenda included meeting minutes and 10 petitions for referral to the License Committee.

• Action: Approved.
• Motion: Councilor Sica; Second: Councilor Winslow.
• Vote: Unanimous (Voice Vote).

An order for the Finance Committee to discuss the city's self-insured status and explore comprehensive insurance options.

• Amendment: Councilor Colón Hayes moved to broaden the language to include discussions with the finance and legal teams and insurance representatives regarding all current policies (excluding health insurance).
• Discussion: Councilor Winslow noted that larger cities often do not qualify for standard municipal insurance programs like MIIA and emphasized the role of risk management.
• Action: Referred to Finance Committee.
• Motion: Councilor Colón Hayes; Second: Councilor Sica.
• Vote: Approved (Voice Vote).

A proposal to amend Malden City Code 6.08.070C2 to ensure a minimum of five marijuana retail licenses are available, regardless of fluctuations in liquor license numbers.

• Context: Councilor Colón Hayes noted that the number of available cannabis licenses recently dropped from five to four because it is formulaically tied to the number of package store liquor licenses.
• Action: Referred to Ordinance Committee.
• Motion: Councilor Colón Hayes; Second: Councilor Sica.
• Vote: Approved (Voice Vote).

A proposal to amend Code 12.12.030 to restore the Special Permit (SP) designation for self-storage facilities in Industrial 1 and 2 districts, reversing a 2023 prohibition.

• Discussion:
  • Councilor Sica argued that existing businesses (U-Haul on Easton Ave and a facility on Linehurst Rd) are unable to expand under current zoning.
  • Building Commissioner Nelson Miller clarified that the current prohibition prevents any expansion of existing non-conforming uses.
  • Councilors Winslow, O'Malley, and Condon opposed the expansion, citing the "predatory" nature of the business model and the lack of job creation.
  • Councilor Simonelli expressed strong opposition to expansion in the Route 60 corridor.
• Action: Referred to Ordinance Committee.
• Motion: Councilor Sica; Second: Councilor Simonelli.
• Vote: 8-3 (Nays: Winslow, Condon, Linehan).

An order to appropriate $398,674.25 from the Water Sewer Enterprise Fund retained earnings for principal-only debt payments due to the MWRA in May 2026.

• Action: Adopted.
• Motion: Councilor McDonald; Second: Councilor Simonelli.
• Vote: 11-0 (Roll Call: Colón Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow, Luong - All Yes).

A motion to enter executive session under Exemption 3 to discuss strategy regarding possible future litigation related to budgetary constraints.

• Discussion: Councilors Sica, Winslow, and O'Malley expressed concerns regarding transparency and the lack of specific information about the potential litigation.
• Legal Advice: City Solicitor Alicia McNeil stated the item was properly docketed and the city was being "proactive, not reactive."
• Action: Entered Executive Session.
• Motion: Councilor Taylor; Second: Councilor Luong.
• Vote: 7-4 (Nays: Colón Hayes, O'Malley, Sica, Winslow).