Malden City Council 11-18-25

Good evening, we'll be starting in just a moment. Thank you for your patience.

Just trying to get our teams broadcast to work. We'll be starting in just a moment.

Simonelli, can you please put your camera on? Simonelli, are you able to hear us? I see him writing in the chat, but we can't hear him.

What does he talk? Sorry.

Simonelli, can you try speaking again?

These mics are fine.

O'Reilly.

All right, we ready? The council will come to order. All rise and salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, One Nation, Under God, Invisible, Liberty, and Justice for All. Please remain standing for a moment of silence in honor of our veterans, service members, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Let me turn Councilor Condon's mic on for an additional moment of silence.

Thank you, Amanda. I'd be remiss if I didn't bring up the unfortunate death of one of our great Ward 2 people, Billy Satimio, who passed away last week. and he had a tremendous salute to him and the number of people that showed up to his funeral along with his wife, three children, One had passed, Michael. But if you needed a furnace fixed, it was Billy. I think he fixed half the furnaces in one, too. But he was... A guy that just didn't know how to say no, and he's going to be missed in our community. So please give him a moment of silence.

Thank you. Thank you. The clerk will now call the roll.

Colón Hayes, Condon, Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Councilor Simonelli is with us remotely. Councilor Spadafora is with us remotely. Our Councilor Taylor. Winslow. Here. Councilor, President. No, we can't hear you. We can't hear you Spadafora. We can't hear you Simonelli. Councilor, Council President Linehan.

here. And just for the public's awareness, we are still working out some of our team's tech issues behind the scenes. But given the hour, we are choosing to proceed with the agenda We do have a quite a few members of the public in attendance, so we don't want to keep folks waiting. Our director is working behind the scenes to try to get our remote participants on board with us. So the next order of business or our first order of business is guest citizens achievement and announcements. Clerk, will you please read the first order of business?

Jo LeBlanc, founder of the Run Club of Malden, will appear before the city council to present the city with the plaque from the Road Runners Club of America hereby naming Malden an official runner friendly community.

Welcome.

Thank you. Yeah, so I have a plaque here. It's from. Roadrunner Clubs of America. Several of you counselors assisted the club in getting this achievement. It has to do with, you know, Malden being considered a safe and welcoming place for runners. A lot of it has to do with the infrastructure we have. be it the Northern Shireen Community Trail and just things they look for crosswalks and just to make it a safe and welcoming place and so We were really proud to get this achievement and Malden is really there. It's a great spot for our club and for our runners. So we thank you for that. So I have this plaque. I would love to give it to you guys however you want to have it.

Do we want to do a photo? Okay, yeah, let me put Councilor Taylor's light on as the sponsor of our guest tonight.

Thank you. Thank you so much for coming and for all the work that you have done. We also have a citation from the city for you for just your amazing contributions to the community and for building the community and keeping it going. We really just appreciate that. So I guess we'll also be presenting you with that. I appreciate it.

Yeah, maybe before we do that, I have one light. Councillor Colón Hayes, did you want to speak? I did, thank you.

Hi, Joe. Thank you so much again for all you do here. I remember years ago when I was with actually a few of you when you first started this and I can't believe how you all grew this and it is just such a great thing to see you know people getting healthy and running and I know I haven't been there in quite some time. I'd like to get back. But it is really exciting to see what you all have done and to give just another activity for folks in Malden. Thank you so much for continuing all the work that you do. You're welcome.

Yeah, you're all are welcome to Sunday. We have our road race again. Many of you guys have helped us with this, and we're so appreciative of all the work that the city does with the police. and you guys, it's Sunday morning, 10 a.m. It's called the Wobble Before You Gobble. It's a Thanksgiving themed race. It's a really great race. It's grown, I think, Councilor, Hayes was there when it was eight people. And now we're gonna have over 400 people. And if you 400 participants, we have a kids dash that's free and open to all ages like zero up to 30. about 10 years old, do a short little run. And then there's a 5K afterwards. Our beneficiaries are Bread of Life Malden and the Mystic Valley YMCA. We've raised over $10,000 for those two organizations in the last couple of years. We'd love to see some more people there. It's going to be a great day. So thank you guys. Thank you guys all again.

I appreciate all you've done for us. Thank you. Thank you.

Yeah, I want to come out in front and we'll take a quick photo.

Looking good. I don't know if there's an official photographer.

Thank you.

Okay, our next order of business is public comment. Public comments allowed under our council rules. Each speaker is limited to subject matter relevant to the evening's agenda and must keep their comments to two minutes or less. Clerk, do we have anybody signed up for public comment this evening?

Yes, we have 11 people signed up for public comment.

Okay, so let's take our first in-person public comment.

Williams, Spadafora, 37 Prospect Street.

Good evening. William Spadafora, 37 Prospect Street, Malden. I'm here tonight because it has become painfully clear that there is a lack of consideration for the residents of Malden who are expected to pay for every single wish list item that comes across the table. Before you ask us to reach deeper into our pockets, I'd like to know how many meetings have actually been held to review potential budget cuts. Where is the evidence that the cost-saving measures have been discussed? The REITs on land posts look great. What did those cost? The mums planted across the city are nice. Were they necessary? These are small examples, but they point to a larger question. Does anyone analyze departmental spending and say, we can save money here if we cut there? or does it simply not matter because the default solution is always to have the taxpayers foot the bill. This mindset will continue until the residents feel they have no option left but to sell their homes and leave. And that is not what we want. We love the city. We want to stay in Malden.

But we cannot and will not continue to pay for the inability to make hard decisions. That's exactly what we elected you to do. So do it. Residents deserve real leadership. Vote these debt exclusions down and prove the residents you actually care about us. Thank you.

Next we have Neil Kennan at 11 Spruce Street.

Neil Kennan, 11 Spruce Street. I just want to quickly cite the 2024 annual comprehensive financial report done by Chuck Rannigan. The 25 is not done yet. What we have here is a spending problem, not a revenue problem. More than enough revenue, more than you're going to get in the next five years has come in over the last five years. But what's happened in the last 10 years is the following. In 2015, this city had 1,290 employees. Five years later, it had 1,361. And four years later, it had 1,552. That's 262 more employees. it's not just the schools. This is full-time employees. The schools went up 210. You may say you can't control them. I'll give you that in the short term. In the long term, though, you went up 52 employees outside of the school department. Where are they?

Who's talking about it? The population hasn't grown here. So that needs to be addressed. What also needs to be addressed is, even if you get, and I think the movement is to do these overrides, even if you get them done, you haven't done what Mr. Spadafora said, and gotten at the structural problem. Here's the structural problem. Inflation, 4.5%. City council over the last five years, 4.8% on average. Legal department, 18.1%. City Clerk's Office, 9.5%. Inspectional Service, 13.1% up. Police Department, 11.4%. Fire Department, Police Department, 5.1%. Inspectional Service, 11.4. Education, and this is the big one, and you can't do anything about it, but you should refuse to do net school spending, 6.2. That's why you cannot keep going. because that's 6.2.

You pass the 5.4 tomorrow, five years from now, we'll be right back here if education spending keeps going up because your revenue over here in the city, even if it goes up 4.5% is not-

Thank you.

Next, we have Denise Cowey at 81 Newland Street.

Hi, Denise Cowey, 81 Newland Street. Tonight, I'm speaking in opposition to the five proposed debt exclusion overrides. Collectively, these measures would authorize the city of Malden to take on an additional $91 million in temporary tax increases Some lasted more than 25 years. While each project has merit and so on, the core issue is affordability and responsibility. And we have to ask, can Malden taxpayers sustain this level of added burden on top of already rising costs for housing, utilities, and everyday living. The largest of these overrides, 36 million for the Northeast folk, were raised taxes until 2052, a 26-year commitment Many of us today will be paying for this long into retirement. And at the same time, we're being asked for $10 million for lead pipes, $10 million for an arts center, $10 million for Roosevelt Park remediation, and $25 million for a new fire station.

We all care about safe water, quality schools, public safety, recreation, and the arts. But caring about these goals is not the same as agreeing to fund them through long-term tax heists without a clear, comprehensive financial plan. Before taxpayers are asked to shoulder nearly $100 million in added assessments, we should see alternative funding strategies, grants, phased approaches, a prioritization of existing capital funds. A debt exclusion should be a last resort, not the first answer to every capital project the city faces. We expect reasonable budgeting, long-term planning, and solutions that do not place additional financial strain on residents who are already stretched thin. and to the counselors who signed on to this, how dare you wait until after the election to come after us with your own personal agenda. We should have been known of this before we went to the polls. That's it.

Maria de Esposito, 81 Floral Ave. Hi.

Hello. I'm just here to speak in favor of Jeff Donahue to represent Malden for the Northeast Vocational School Board seat. He's a former Ward 4 counselor that worked hard for the city. I believe that with his background as a lifelong union tradesman, he would be a great addition to the board. So that's all I have.

Bryn Garrity, 47 Perkins Ave. Hi.

A lot of familiar faces. I'm going to kick us off by thanking all of the people who just talked about the budgetary issues because Jeff Donahue is going to add to our budgetary issues after we all have to pay his pension. He lost his city council race in 2021, recently lost the preliminary school committee race, and his ward has resoundingly rejected him multiple times recently. He is now using his friends on the council and in the local government to secure his pension without winning an election. That means that we the taxpayers will be paying his pension if they waive the next election. So I think if we're paying pensions with our budget issues, we should be paying pensions to government employees that actually earn it. This vote to appoint him is rushed due to upcoming shift in council members, we know.

and this corrupt behavior that's happening is exactly what Maldonians voted against in the recent elections. Not only Malden, multiple towns surrounding us voted against corrupt local politicians for this reason and this behavior. Jeff Donahue does not deserve to be appointed to the Northeast School Committee. Certainly doesn't deserve to have the next election waived so he can float into retirement on our taxpaying dime. He needs to earn it.

Scott Fitzpatrick, 68 Olivav.

Good evening. Scott Fitzpatrick, 68 Olivav. Just want to voice my support for Jeff Donahue, be appointed to our vacant seat at Northeast Metro Tech. I'm speaking as a resident and a proud graduate. The school really needs its leadership from Malden, and I can't think of a better person than Jeff Donahue. Jeff has a long history of public service. He served on the council here. And he wasn't afraid to ask the tough questions when he was on the council here of departments and agencies with their spending. He's a well-respected member of the Carpenters Local Union 218 of their executive board. And I can't think of any better person than Jeff Donahue to represent Malden on the Northeast Metro Tax School Committee during the transition. from the old school into the new school.

Thank you. We've got Siobhan Callahan, 68 Olive Ave. Hi, Siobhan Callahan, 68 Olive Ave.

I'm here to express my support for Jeff Donahue to fill the vacant seat at the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School Committee. It's important that Malden is represented by an individual with appropriate background and experience who understands the issues associated with vocational education. Mr. Donahue is a lifelong Malden resident and a former Ward 4 City Councilor. His professional career in the trades combined with his leadership in the union provides him with knowledge of the essential roles of vocational education players in preparing students for blue collar careers. His extensive experience offers a practical perspective that directly aligns with the missions of the vocational school.

His background in public service and his job in the union and his leadership experience will make him a great appointment for this role.

Jennifer Spadafora, 37 Prospect Street.

Good evening. I usually do not dress the council because I have my own platform being on the school committee, but I thought it was really important that I speak to the debt exclusion topic tonight. I'm here tonight because I'm concerned that we're discussing debt exclusions before we have any clarity on what will happen with Proposition two and a half. It's putting the cart before the horse. And frankly, it feels like we're throwing spaghetti at a wall to see what sticks. The last time I came before this council was to advocate for the demolition of 15 Ferry Street because on the school side, we recognize the potential tax revenue new development could bring. I stood here then in support of decisions that strengthen our long term financial outlook. So, yes, it's frustrating to now see us rushing ahead on debt exclusions without fully understanding our broader financial situation.

The energy going into stirring up the community around these debt exclusions could have been far better spent standing with your fellow committee members and council members at the recent Chapter 70 study forums or at the State House pushing for legislature to move quickly and fix the funding issues at the root of this problem. That advocacy is where our focus should have been and still needs to be. So tonight, I'm asking this council to pause, refocus prioritize one major issue at a time. Stand with the school committee, with our educators, and with our families as we push for real structural change. Hold off on the debt exclusions until we have a better look at How everything's going to land is logical. Thank you.

Kimberly Gillette, 7 Tough Street.

Hello, Malden City Council. I came all the way in person to say that I look forward to applying to the position of the school committee representative for the vacant Malden position of the Northeast School Committee that needs to be filled ASAP. I have faith that you all will agree that transparency and procedure are paramount in positions such as school committee representatives. This position should cover the interim only and a valid and fair election be held for the seat that will represent so many Malden families. Vocational schools are worthy of proper representation as public schools. As a recent candidate for Malden School Committee in Ward 1, I received over 260 votes on my first time out as a one woman campaign against a long time incumbent I was 13 votes shy of the seat and I have knocked on the doors of almost every ward over the last decade and can say with my whole chest that I am someone that people would vote for.

The mayor's suggestion will have trouble saying the same. I'm an active participant in public school communities and events. I volunteer my time in schools and with grassroot organizations throughout our beautiful city. I am a tradeswoman that is also represented at the vocational school. I'm a level one stylist, master of my craft, and small business owner here in Malden. I'm also back in school at our local community college to transition careers because I can. I am aware, up to date, and involved in discussions around learning, not just for me, but because my own children attend high school and preschool. I am outspoken and I am not new around here. If the mayor missed such an obvious opportunity like me, and asking me to step up for the interim, imagine how many excited and really, really qualified candidates that we're missing out on in a democratic process. I look forward to putting my resume up against the suggested candidate, and so many others that will likely apply.

And if I lose, at least it will be to someone in the community once representing them.

Sean Salazar, 59 Bainbridge Street.

Good evening, Sean Salazar, and I live at 59 Bainbridge Street. I came tonight planning to speak in support of the agenda items from Councilor O'Malley, Colón Hayes, and Winslow that would earmark revenue for the proposed override for specific projects. As Malden considers the path forward on an override, it's important that all options be discussed so we can fund both essential services and long-neglected projects, including a revitalized Roosevelt Park without turf. While reviewing the agenda, I was struck by item 432-25, the appointment of Jeffrey Donahue to complete the Malden representative's term on the Northeast Metro Tech School Committee after the passing of James Holland. In his letter, Mayor Christensen acknowledged that the City Council and the Malden School Committee are meant to jointly select the replacement and that typically this would involve community outreach to identify interested, qualified candidates. Instead, the mayor chose to bypass that process to, quote unquote, move expeditiously, putting forward his own candidate without allowing an open and transparent search.

This raises real concerns about political patronage, especially when one of the justifications offered is that the nominee, quote unquote, recently ran for school committee despite losing in a preliminary election. The mayor also cited the nominee's background as a tradesman and advocate for vocational education. Those are important qualities, but they are not exclusive to one person. Many Malden residents, including people working directly in vocational education, and active in the community are equally qualified and would welcome the opportunity to apply. By pre-selecting a candidate, the mayor overlooked the possibility of other capable applicants and sidestepped the joint responsibility of the council and the school committee. This is political favoritism, and it undermines the transparent process our community expects. I urge this council to reject this overreach and begin an open application process so all qualified Malden residents have a fair chance to be considered for this important educational role. Thank you.

Does that conclude our in-person public comment?

Yes.

OK. Thank you, Clerk. Did we receive any additional comments via email?

Yes.

Can you summarize the content or the topics that we received emails regarding?

We received nine emails. that support the appointment of Jeff Donahue. We received 11 emails opposing the appointment of Jeff Donahue. and we received two emails opposing the debt exclusion ballot questions.

Okay. Do counselors want to hear the debt exclusion emails? We probably have time for just one or two. Emails. I think we can. OK, let's hear the two debt exclusion, and then I think we're good with the summary of the for and against for the appointment.

Dear Clerk and City Council. I am writing to voice my strong opposition to 434-25, 435-25, 436-25, and 438-25. The Mayor's Office, Finance Committee and Council as a whole has done nothing to cut back on expenses nor shown any good faith attempt to do so. However, they expect property owners to assume a tax increase to supplement their shortcomings and unreasonable wish list. Additionally, trying to push these items through last minute and holding a special election in February is irresponsible and reckless with no regard for the constituents of Malden. especially for those who will have to assume the burden.

Therefore, I urge the council to strongly vote no for a special election for an override and all other items attached to it until other alternatives and solutions are explored. Many of us have had to make our own personal cutbacks to make ends meet. The city has an obligation to do the same. I would also like to know what the cost would be to hold a special election in February. Thank you. Sincerely, Janice Rice, 103 Henry Street. and sorry I couldn't be here tonight to talk to you all in person, work issues. I think of all of you in the highest regard. I feel that I am in a unique situation. My hubby works for a town that is also going through an override vote as well. We are in override fatigue over here, LOL.

Joking aside. It's been the topic of dinner conversations at my house for months. I am seeing both sides of this. I am still a hard no on this. I don't think asking for money for a firehouse or an arts center is the right thing right now. Where would the firehouse go? That would be Engine 2, by the way. I also think a hiring freeze and cuts are in order. We have to do we have to do it in our own households, correct? I feel in my humble opinion, those that own houses are going to get screwed especially if there are going to be multiple overrides in the coming years. If the city offered one big financial number with no additional overrides in the future, it may be easier to swallow.

Again, my opinion here. Not sure if that is something you can do. Thank you for listening. Marlene Galla, 40 Webster Street.

Thank you to our Clerk. There's even more colorful language to be viewed on the agenda. If you want to see the rest of the letters, we'll be attaching those. They will be attached. They will be attached tomorrow. Yes. OK. Thank you so much. Our next order of business is public is the consent agenda. Apologize. This evening's consent agenda consists of one appointment to be referred to personnel and appointments committee. and 23 petitions to be referred to the License Committee. Does any counselor have a desire to remove any of these items from the consent agenda for the purposes of further discussion? OK, seeing. Seeing no lights, on a motion by Councilor Sica, seconded by Councilor Taylor, we have to do a roll call vote because we have two Councilors remote whenever the Clerk is ready.

And I don't actually know if we've had any success getting our remote counselors to be able to vote.

We'll go by a thumbs up, thumbs down situation.

Simonelli, if you're able to put your video back on. I see you, okay, great, thank you. So we can do the thumbs up. Okay, perfect. Okay, Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes.

Councillor Colón Hayes? Yes. Councillor Condon? Yes. Councillor Crowe? Yes. Councillor McDonald? Yes. Councillor O'Malley? Yes. Councilor Sica? Yes. Councilor Simonelli? Thumbs up. Thumbs up. Councilor Spadafora? Thumbs up. Councilor Taylor? Yes. Councilor Winslow? Council President Linehan.

Yes. Okay, the consent agenda is approved. Next order of business.

Appointments and elections. Paper 432-25, joint appointment of the City Council and School Committee, Jeffrey Allen Donahue, 56 Tremont Street, Malden, as the Malden representative of the Northeast Metro Tech School Committee to fulfill the term left vacant by the passing of James Holland per the regional school districts community agreement. said term to commence upon confirmation by both bodies of the Malden City Council and school committee.

Okay, do we have a communication to read?

We do.

Thank you.

This is a letter of appointment by the mayor. Dear members of the council, I am writing to you regarding filling the open position on the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School Committee with the passing of James Holland. As City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio indicated, the regional community agreement under which the school committee operates calls for any vacancy to be filled by the local school committee and the city council acting jointly. The appointment is temporary and that they shall serve until the next regular biennial election. I considered gouging interest from members of our community, but after giving this additional thought, I believe it would result in a lengthy, unwieldy, and undefined process.

This is a unique situation and there is simply no criteria that would guide the type of process that we may conduct for an open position on a board or commission. When combined with the temporary nature of the appointment and the importance of having Malden represented as soon as possible, Malden is better served with a more immediate appointment. Therefore, I am recommending to the City Council and the School Committee the appointment of Jeffrey Donahue to fill the open position until the next election. He is a lifelong Malden resident and former Ward 4 City Councilor. but more importantly, Jeff has spent his career in the trades as a carpenter and union leader where he has been passionate about the role vocational education should play in our education system.

He recently ran for the Malden School Committee, where he also spoke about the importance of vocational education. Malden would be uniquely situated by having a representative who has hands-on experience in the Trades, a true passion for vocational education and local political experience. I think this background will serve as well as the VOC opens a new facility and expands enrollment. I would recommend that we follow the same process that Chelsea recently did in having the City Council first vote on the appointment and subsequently the School Committee. I would also ask that we move expeditiously with filling this vacancy. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Gary Christensen, Mayor, City of Malden.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Okay, so we are having a variety of technical issues both in the room and on teams. Councilor Sica's microphone is not working and we have Councilor Simonelli whose virtual microphone is not working. So what I am going to do is I'm going to take Councilor Sica first. I just am just stating that because I need to put her light on and you're going to see that she's not blinking, but she's let me know that she's waiting in the queue. via her hand being raised. I'm then going to take folks who are lit up on my screen here, and then I'm going to take Councilor Simonelli via cell phone through my microphone. So please bear with me while I Sica, you have the floor.

Oh, my light is working. I'm glad to hear it. The button is just not working. Thank you, Council President. I appreciate you allowing me to go first because I think what I have to say might stifle some debate up on the council floor. I have prepared something that I was going to read, but as I was listening to several members of the public discuss in public comment,

Oh, sorry. Oh, I'm so sorry. You're live again.

Thank you. Sorry. I heard the word transparency. over and over and over again. And I also heard a resident say that we did not vote for corrupt behavior, but that is exactly what the residents of the city of Malden voted for. a few Tuesdays ago was corrupt behavior. And I'm going to explain why I believe that, OK? Because I would like to request that Councilor Colón Hayes, along with Councilor O'Malley, recuse themselves from deliberating on this specific topic and voting on this matter because there's two serious violations of state laws. Mass General Law Chapter 268A Section 23B3 requires that a public employee to consider whether his or her relationships and affiliations could prevent him or her

from acting fairly and objectively when he or she performs her duties for a city or a town. If he or she cannot be fair and objective because of a relationship or an affiliation, He or she should not perform their duties. Councilor Colón Hayes and Councilor O'Malley have well known personal relationships with Mr. Donahue that prevents them from being objective. on this particular vote. Over the last 36 hours, my head has been spinning. I've had a migraine for the past two days over what I've heard is happening in this city. I've spoken to people last night, today, and there is little gray area on this topic. I would also like to let everybody know that

and to this body's attention that there is a violation of open meeting law by Councilor Colón Hayes. Serial deliberation is prohibited by open meeting law. Councilor Colón Hayes has communicated privately with at least Five other members of this body representing a quorum of this exact topic we are deliberating in front of the council this evening. for the purpose of impacting the deliberations on this matter.

Point of order.

Point of order. I have a point of order.

I'm sorry.

What's your point of order? I'm trying to get to your microphone.

Counselor O'Malley. Point of order to the President. you have made it a point to talk about decorum. And I would like for you to actually enforce what you state. Let me finish my point of order. The decorum of this body, Councilor Linehan, you have said that you care about decorum. but you only seem to care about decorum when it has to do with certain people.

It's funny. Please, enforce the rules of decorum. Please don't talk over each other. Let Councilor O'Malley finish his point. Enforce the rules of decorum, please. O'Malley. I'm going to let Councilor Sica finish her point and I'm going to let Councilor Colón Hayes respond. She's next in turn and she has the right to respond. Thank you. Thank you.

Serial private discussions via emails, text messages, or phone calls violate the law's requirement that deliberations must happen in a duly noticed public meeting. that is not what has taken place over the last 36 hours, okay? You should not be calling and giving your opinion of a topic that is in front of us for deliberation. While preaching transparency, Councilor Colón Hayes has violated the public trust with her private deliberations. I have heard from several City Council is up here. I was not blessed to have received a phone call or a text. Thank you, Jesus. But there are others that have. And therefore, I believe that because of Councilor O'Malley's relationship, previous relationship he's had with Jeff Donahue,

Brown, and Councilor Colón Hayes, I think they should be recusing themselves from all discussions tonight on this matter to maintain what we have left to salvage the integrity of this discussion. there's some serious problems here if we continue to move forward with this. And it has nothing to do with Jeff. This is any business that is before us as a city council. We should not be having deliberation. I got in trouble years ago for an open meeting law violation for sending an email and putting my saying how I was voting on it. I didn't try to sway anyone's vote. I didn't try to change anyone's mind. That Council of Colón Hayes has tried to do that over the last 36 hours, and it's unacceptable. That's corrupt behavior. That's what the people of Malden voted for.

Thank you, Councillor Sica. Councillor Colón Hayes, you have the floor.

Thank you very much. So what I was going to address is now I'll have to do two things. So I first would like to read what I was going to say about this appointment and what we're talking about. What I'm going to do now is read what we received from our city clerk. And this was back in September. And it says all. With the passing of James Holland, Malden now has a vacant seat on the Metro Northeast Metro Tech School Committee. The school's regional community agreement states that a vacancy must be filled by the local school committee and the City Council acting jointly to appoint a member to serve the remainder of said term. I spoke with the mayor's office yesterday and it was suggested that a posting could go out to gauge interest in the Malden resident who

may wish to fill this position after identifying a short list of potential candidates. I would recommend that the personnel committees of both bodies meet to review the candidates. This may be done separately or together. The most recent city who had to appoint a member to a vacant seat was Chelsea about six months ago. In Chelsea's case, their council voted first on an appointment, then sent their name to the local school committee for their vote of approval. How you choose to put forth a candidate is a decision I will leave up to you. In the attached document, you will see the appointment is meant to fill a vacant seat until the next biannual state election. However, after speaking yesterday to Superintendent DeBerry, I learned he is utilizing his authority to waive the next state election until 2026.

the appointed successor will serve until the next regularly scheduled school committee meeting, Nemet, the Northeast Metro Tech, I guess it is, school committee election in March of 2028. With that being said, this is not a personal thing, although I might have some personal feelings, which we all do about certain people. And I'll suggest that. I mean, I'll talk about that later. Right now, this is to do with a process, the democratic process. and what we need to do is exactly what our clerk has suggested. Donahue, and that would be to put this out publicly so that we can hear from the folks who got up and spoke today. Not saying that Councilor Donahue may have what it needs to fill this position. Jeff Donahue, but so do many, and many of them are actually in this room today.

So in order to have a clear election, we need to just do exactly what this says. It's very clear from Carol Ann, our clerk, what it is that we have to do. It's not hard. I think that he could apply with everyone else that has applied that could apply to this and then we meet and we discuss it because that's how a democracy works and that's what we should do. So to me, it's pretty clear. We have to follow this along with our school committee members. Now, second part to to address, I'd like to we could address this by speaking to a city solicitor. I'd like to see notes on who you think I spoke to about this and also bring up something that happened a few months ago and that was when Lissette Alvarado we had met and we approved a meeting in one of the, I think it was a personnel meeting, sorry.

We unanimously put her forth here as a candidate for the CPC. And then a lot of public and personal things came up here. And so we can be able to have personal feelings and personal disagreements they were stated by a lot of people on this council and you were one of them and you didn't like what Lisette had to say on social media and therefore and how she might have treated some people on here and therefore You wanted people here to not vote her out, basically, even though she was voted out through the personnel committee. So basically, yes, I can have very strong opinions about people and still make a professional choice on what goes on in our city.

Funny thing is that just maybe 10 minutes ago in the back room, we were talking about jury selection. I was chosen for a jury. And we were talking about what it was. Could I make a decision on a murder suspect? even though I work with youth. It had long sessions. My father worked in the criminal justice system. I had a lot of personal opinions about this, but could I make a valid decision not on personal opinions? 100%. So that is the same thing here. And I am suggesting that we put this out for a vote because as I just read here, This would not just be filling a short term, like just putting someone's name down to fill it without any public vote. This would be like a two year appointment.

I'm asking that we put a hold on this, whether we table it and we put this out so that everyone in our community has an opportunity to apply for this, as we all should have an opportunity to apply for this. It's just fair. And so that's what I'm asking folks to do tonight. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Colón Hayes. Councillor O'Malley, would you like an opportunity to speak next? OK, you have the floor.

You know, I will say that The counselor from Ward 8 fundamentally misunderstands the law. And as someone who has strived to be as transparent and accountable as I can. I'm not perfect. None of us are perfect. When it comes to the open meeting law, when it comes to the public records laws, I have tried my best. I did not violate any open meeting laws. All I will say is when we talk about how we treat each other, if you expect me to treat you with respect, I would just ask that you treat me with respect. The conversation that you just had could have happened with me outside of this context. It could have happened with legal. There are so many different ways that we could have handled it.

And I hope that we can take a step forward to not treat each other the way you treat me. On the process, I really don't want to talk about the person who's been put forward here. I want to talk about process. I think that respect starts with all of us. I'm not a perfect person, but I think we can move forward. There is a defined process for the vacancy. I'm going to read what it is. According to the agreement that we have. If a vacancy occurs among the members elected by a city under subsection IC, the local school committee members and the members of the city council from a city involved acting jointly shall appoint a member to serve until the regular next regular biennial city election at which election of a successor to be elected to serve the balance of the unexpired term, if any. That election could have happened a couple weeks ago, but that was not put forward.

This process was, I don't know if it was sped up or slowed down, but we have a chance to do this the right way where there will be public confidence. And we have so many quality tradespeople in our community. They deserve a chance. to represent our community. So I'm focused on the process. I am very prepared to talk about the candidate's qualifications. I'd prefer not to. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor O'Malley. Councillor Taylor.

Thank you. I would just like to add that I think the process is extremely important and I think that the school committee has been somewhat left out of this and we should be including them more because this is more their wheelhouse than it is ours. but I'd also like to address that when we hold our citizens accountable, we hold each other accountable, we have to hold ourselves accountable and one thing that I think that we're lacking is some sort of expectations for ourselves that can be put across fairly and evenly for what's expected. As the counsel that just came on and at the end of my first term, not knowing and constantly arguing about what is an open meeting law and what isn't, I mean, serial deliberation was actually brought up just two years ago when I started. It was the first open meeting law violation that I was part of.

I think we all know that it is not OK. and we have to be okay regardless how we feel about somebody holding them to the same standards as everybody else. I'd like to see us do that going forward. I'd like to see us have some expectations We've talked a lot about having norms and how we're gonna hold ourselves accountable so that our community can hold us accountable and know, be able to trust us. I'd like to see that happen going forward. And I would like to put this to the personnel committee and make that motion to send this to personnel so that we can start having, create a process that'll be more transparent in the future.

OK, so we do have a motion and a second on the floor. I am going to try to take Councilor Simonelli on this phone here. So bear with me while I. Lisa's coming back. OK, so did he? OK, Councilor Simonelli, let's give this a shot.

Okay, Madam President, I'm glad to see that you're doing well and that you're in attendance tonight.

Thank you. I appreciate it. That's why we've got the sexy mood lighting tonight is from my head.

I appreciate that. Works for me. Works for me as well. So I wanted to try and be quick because I don't want you holding the phone up there. I know you're having technical difficulties. Is everybody all right? Can you hear me all right?

It sounds great, actually.

Okay. All right. So I'm just going to give a quick history lesson here. Some years ago when Richard Howard was a mayor, he actually appointed in the same process our current mayor to the school committee and along with Francis Baker from my neighborhood to the school committee as well. So I'm not saying that the process is not flawed, but I think that if you want to change the process, then what the councilors need to do or the councilors that are representing This agenda tonight here should put in a paper to the ordinance committee to do such to that. Do that thing. Other than that, then, you know, we've got to go by precedent, and that has been the precedent, whether you like it or you don't like it. That's what we go by.

So, I mean, I'm looking at some members here, and this year alone we're spending $900,000 a year for the vocational schools. Then moving forward, we're going to be spending $1.4 million. Then $2.3 million is what we're paying for right now for our kids to go to the vocational schools. So do we really want to keep this seat vacant and not have a seat at the table during this process? I would say no. And as far as the character of Former Councilor Jeff Donahue. I grew up with Jeff Donahue. And we both grew up pretty hard. And Jeff is a... is in the trade union, I believe the confidence union, and has gotten a lot of people jobs in the city of Malden, including a lot of people from my neighborhood that wouldn't have got these type of jobs if it wasn't for Jeff Donahue.

So I think he'd fill that position very well because he has the political background already. And he's a lifelong resident of the city of Malden. That kind of works for me, even though Jeff and I haven't always agreed on everything, even as kids. But personalities aside, I think he would do a fantastic job. He's a wonderful father. I know his kids very well. He's brought them up very, very well. And I support this appointment. and I think that we need to stop moving forward. instead of backwards. And, you know, I'm not going to mention, I'm not going to talk about right now about the Firehouse, the Arts Center, the Roosevelt Park. I will say this. I do not support a two and a half over ride. I never did.

that we're not talking about that agenda item, so you really shouldn't talk about those, Chris.

Thank you for the correction. But as far as the, you're right, but as far as the appointment goes, I think Jeff will do a fantastic job there. I'm just gonna keep personalities out of it. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilor Simonelli. Okay, so we do have a motion and a second on the floor, but I do have a couple other lights. I'm going to go to Councilor Winslow and then Councilor Crowe. Councilor Sica, you want to speak in another time? Okay, all right, Councilor Winslow, I'll take you next.

Yeah, I mean, since I was elected in 2017 to the council, started serving in 2018, There's been a commitment from the council to try to open up opportunities for people to serve on board commissions, to advertise things more broadly, even for elected, you know, for city positions. to be out there. So that's been a commitment I've seen since 2018. So I don't know about these precedents under Mayor Howard. That's quite a while ago. And I don't see anything in that legislation that prevents us from having A process as a council and I know having served on the personnel committee and knowing Councilor Linehan and Councilor Crowe have been very serious about those commitments. We've actually tried to work with the mayor's office to sort of reduce some of that burden to when there's certain positions that we think that really should be go quickly we do.

But an elected position that's going to be filled for a couple of years at least and may make someone incumbent. That's a pretty serious responsibility that's put on us under the law. And I think it's perfectly legitimate to say we need to have a transparent process. We've already heard some people beyond, I appreciate Mr. Donahue putting his interest forward, but there's other people. We should consider this a serious business and to make this about personalities I just think is wrong. I think we have a serious, Role that's been called on us by the legislature, we should undertake at that. Put personalities aside and figure out who can best serve from Malden. And just having one person to consider is, I don't think it's the way to go. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Winslow. Councilor Crowe.

Thank you, Madam President. And actually, it is really a unique situation. As Councilor O'Malley had outlined, sort of the vacancies, it's about four lines, really, that really doesn't Set us a clear process of how or who puts the names forward. And, you know, as Councilor Winslow has said, you know, we as the body have been trying to get out there and get a broad perspective of people that would be interested in things. But we cannot set the mayor's process. We have no authority to tell him how he has to go forward with this process. And we have no authority to tell the school committee how they go about their process. We do have precedent as we look into that the mayor has been the one that puts the name forward. So he did do that. We've had other things. Again, if the mayor decides to put it out, he can put it out. But if he doesn't want to, he's a body of one.

Us, we have to put things out like that, really, because we are a body of 11. So we can't have all different processes. So we do have a name before us. And although I think if we are going to be sending this to committee, is that to interview Mr. Donahue? I think just take it up a down vote now. and if it's about the process, it is a little more sort of because there's not really a clear one. And I know that Councilor Colón Hayes had mentioned about the superintendent but he is now speaking to his attorney before confirming any election related details moving forward. So he is trying to look at those things. We are following what Chelsea did six months ago because they're the first ones that have done this. we have not, unfortunately it's right now, but had this issue to deal with.

So I do think we have a qualified name and I would make a motion that we either approve, we'll approve Jeffrey Don who is the next Vocational School Committee Member.

Okay. Thank you, Councilor Crowe. Councilor Sica.

Thank you, Council President. I'll be brief really quickly. Councilor O'Malley, I was just stating that you had a a personal relationship. That was it. I did not mean to bunch you in with the open meeting law complaint. which is going to be filed tomorrow morning. Zaheer, is there any way that you can come up and speak at the podium for me, please? Could I get a legal opinion on what's going on up here? Councilor Colón Hayes can sit here and deny, deny, deny all she wants. But I've talked to several councilors up here that received text messages, voicemails, and phone calls from her stating some not so nice things that Mr. Donnie, who could potentially, you know, get her for defamation on. And I just. I'm not quite sure whether we vote it, we don't vote it. I'm not sure where to go from here, but this isn't even about, again, Jeff Donahue, this is about

this particular process, we're hearing process, process, process all night, but this is about this particular process. We are not supposed to serial deliberate. We got in trouble two years ago for, who was running for council president, which had nothing to do with any sort of a vote other than us electing a person to lead us into that upcoming year. and we got open meeting law violation pulled against us because somebody called and asked for somebody's support. This I feel like is completely different. We had a member of this body calling to sway how somebody voted on a topic that is before us in deliberation.

So can I just say, I'm gonna just say, can we maybe ask for a definition of Serial Deliberation, and then take the rest of the conversation offline so that we can vote the motion on the floor.

Sure. And maybe I should just say, you know, I'm not going to you know, my office doesn't just give legal determinations on the fly without doing some kind of investigation. Understood. Okay.

So, you know, if there was, if there was, I'm not saying there was, but if there was, Is this something that we should be having a discussion on and voting on tonight? Or should we not?

I'm not even sure what that means, but if there's a complaint, if there's a complaint about an open meeting law violation.

So we should we should take a vote and then tomorrow I'll file an open meeting law violation and then we'll deal with that after the complaint goes in the first instance to the public body. Yep.

The public body In this case, the city council will often refer it to the legal department to investigate and to respond on behalf of the public body, as I've done I don't know how many times for you guys. So including the couple of years ago that you might have been referring to. So I'm not gonna sit here and say there is serial deliberation or not.

I mean, it's just- Can you tell the public what serial deliberation is?

Serial deliberation can be found where somebody tries to communicate, one member of a public body communicates with a quorum of a public body, but not all at one time. but sort of circumvents the rule against deliberation with a quorum by going one by one to different members and communicating with them in that way, however, It doesn't necessarily mean that just because you happen to speak with you know, individually with five or six people, it's automatically serial deliberation. It depends on what the substance of the communications are and to some extent what the intent was as well. So it's not just you spoke with six people, therefore it's automatically serial deliberation. but the process is what we've done before. The open meeting law says if there's a complaint, the complaint goes to the public body

it's brought to the floor at an open meeting and it's either investigated by the public body or frequently referred to the legal department and we will do our investigation and do our best to make a determination.

Awesome, thank you. I have one more thing before I no longer have the floor, if that's okay. Okay. I just want to, I feel like I said this not too long ago when we were up here for poor Chuck talking about his commission. on the Board of Appeal, I think it was. And I'm going to state this, and I'm going to leave it at that. The city of Malden elects the mayor to lead them. Gary appointed Jeff Donahue. for this position. This is not something that happens often. We don't have people that are passing away in seats where an appointment is necessary. You know, God rest James' soul, back in September, we did nothing over the past two months. So maybe Gary thought he needed to send down an appointment because this position needed to be filled. And he did just that. I don't think

I don't think we're going against any particular process this is just happens to be how this is going to be done at this particular moment there's no process we've never had to do this before and as far as all of a sudden all these other people that are interested in this position I mean, correct me if I'm wrong. I don't remember, but I feel like there was a long term woman on this city council in this particular seat before Mr. Holland took it over and this never, I've never seen any interest in this school committee seat for the Volk. I mean, I think it's great all of a sudden if there is. But if the mayor was thinking like I'm thinking on this, then there really has never been any sort of interest in the voc School Committee seat, as far back as I can remember. I mean, it was Bob McCarthy's sister for years. I can't think of her name. Does anybody know it? Jean Feeney, right? and then Jim took over from her.

This has not been a sought out seat. So if it is all of a sudden, I think it's fabulous, but we need to make sure we have somebody in place immediately. Thank you.

OK, I've got three lights and then we need to call. We have two motions on the floor and we need to call a question. Councilor McDonald for the first time. Oh, sorry. You have the floor.

Thank you. You know, briefly, I want to echo Councilor Winslow and just saying I really appreciate Mr. Donahue being here. I think the mayor has sought to lead this process in good faith. But I think that the appointment of someone to an elected position is is the highest burden of appointment that we would make. to a vacant electing position. And I think that it's incumbent upon us to set forth the process by which we're going to do that because it is not super well defined. And so I would support a referral to committee. And I hope that in that, you We can have a discussion about how we might create the possibility to consider other candidates who may not have known this vacancy was open or had the chance to apply. I don't have a specific recommendation about how to do that. I have ideas. but I do think that we should do that in coordination with the school committee so that we all feel ready to vote on whatever comes out of that committee process. That would be my recommendation and I'd be happy to support the Councilor Taylor's motion.

Okay, thank you, Councilor McDonald. Councilor O'Malley.

Yeah, I'll just, I'll echo what Councilor McDonald stated. You know, I appreciate the Mayor's proactivity here, but I think for the public confidence and fairness. I do think that we need to be able to ensure that everyone has a chance, including the individual put forward. I think that the document, you know, doesn't say take a left, take a right, jump through a hoop. But it does pretty much say the city council and the school committee jointly will decide who will replace this individual. And I think it's only fair to do that. there are people in our community who are also very qualified and deserve to have a chance. And I think whoever ends up having that in the end, whether it's the person who's been put forward or someone else, I think they will be more successful knowing that they had a fair chance to get that.

I appreciate Councilor Crowe's position. But I mean, fundamentally, it's clear. It's the city council and the school committee. And of course, the mayor is the chair of the school committee. And I appreciate him taking the lead here. I think we can help. Thanks.

Thank you, Councillor O'Malley. Councillor Colón Hayes. Thank you very much.

Just to address the concern that people may not want to have this position or apply for it. I mean, we are living in a way different Malden than Many years ago, we have tons of people applying for all our positions. I think actually, Councilor Condon always mentions that in the personnel committee that Wow, look at the people we have now applying. It's just a different caliber. And our city, they rely on us to give them a chance and to let people apply to this position. And if it was posted, I guarantee you we would have had a lot of people applying for that, just like we have for any other position. And there is something that I read it already from the clerk.

We do have a basis for a process, and that is the city council and the school committee, it says, put forth names. This is not a mayoral appointment at all. That's I don't know why that's even being said. It's good that if he wants to put down a name, that's fine. Put that name out there with everybody else. But I just want to support Councilor Taylor's her motion to send it to personnel because this may not be the only time that this is going to happen. I mean, people could leave other positions. This could happen again. We should have a process. So I do support that. And I'd like to take a vote on that motion now. Thank you.

Let's call the question. So we have a motion on the floor by Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor O'Malley, right? Clerk, will you call the roll, please? Yes. The motion is to refer the appointment to the Personnel and Appointment Committee.

Correct? Yes, that's what I have. Okay. Councilor Colón Hayes? Yes. Councilor Condon? No. Councilor Crowe? McDonald, Yes, Councilor O'Malley, Yes, Councilor Sica, No, Councilor Simonelli, That's a no, thumbs down, Councilor Spadafora, Also a thumbs down, Taylor, Councilor Winslow.

Yes.

Council President Linehan. Yes. That is a six to five. and the affirmative.

I'm going to call a five minute recess, if that's OK with everyone.

Thank you.

Winslow

Winslow.

O'Hare.

I'm gonna get started.

O'Hare,

and so on.

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You keep it going, yeah?

O'Malley.

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and so on.

O'Hare,

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Thank you.

Winslow.

and so on.

I don't think so

Thank you.

I think this is it.

and so on.

and so on.

is the ransomware.

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O'Malley.

Thank you.

and so on.

I don't know.

Is there any questions?

Thank you.

Smith,

... ...

O'Connor,

Council will come to order. The Clerk has reminded me that I did not properly state that that paper was referred to personnel when we concluded before we took a recess, so I do just want to make sure that we do that. Next order of business.

Paper 433-25, be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the code of the City of Malden MCC 9.20.50, provisions applicable to all waste, is hereby amended by striking subsections A, B, and C and in their entirety, subsections A, B, and C in their entirety and inserting the following in their place.

Okay, Councilor Winslow for the paper.

So it's been pretty quiet out there. I'm surprised. This is actually a paper to talk about our trash fees. So something's going on here when that is not the most controversial thing on the city council agenda. But just be transparent with everybody. That's what this paper is about. And just to kind of give you an overview, I submitted this paper as one part of an alternative proposal I plan to put forth related to the proposed 5.4 million profit of two and a half override now under consideration. And I'm putting forth the proposal that will have three elements. First will be what I would call a modest belt tightening proposals, maybe 1% or so to be included in the fiscal 2027 budget. that my preliminary estimate could reduce citywide spending by about $1.2 million.

That is pretty much preserving staff as is and not touching other things that we can't really deal with. I mean, we're already reducing $3 million in health care, hopefully, but really just looking at budgets, I do have to say in Maplewood Square, Billy. I raised the money for the flowers there with the community. So we're trying to do what we already try to do. Yeah. So but it is the type of thing. So we actually formed the Maplewood Association of that. Part two is really looking at there's a municipal empowerment act out there. I did reach out to Chuck Rannigan to get an estimate that that is potentially could raise another $660,000 a year if somehow the legislature moves forward with that. That would include a slight raise in the meals tax as well as the raise in the hotel tax and other things.

and I also think that in the discussions we've had about spending and I think we have some overly conservative assumptions. I think we could rely on a small amount of reserves so maybe about between some municipal power revenue and some minor use of reserves, that's maybe another million dollars. So that gets us down to the 3.4 million. And then the fourth part is this focus on trash fees. One key part, I did look at a lot of the other communities and I actually reached out to a former employee, Ron Cochran, who works in this program at MassDEP and tried to understand what's going on statewide. There's 101 cities and towns or actually towns out there where people have to take their trash down to the transfer station and they have a little tag that they have to get. So 101 cities and towns like that.

I looked at cities and towns that were having trash and recycling fees. Melrose, theirs is up to $432 a month. But I was intrigued to hear that Salem imposes a fee just on absentee landlords. And so and I understand Chelsea has something similar. So one of the things is to propose it for 2026 to have a surcharge at $50 per unit for non absentee landlords to help shift the burden. And I think one of the things we saw in the trash strike was that a lot of the places where people weren't complying with the bag requirements or overstuffing stuff was where people were for absentee landlords. So I think there's a legitimate connection there that We have to do more enforcement and education in places where the landlords or residents are not there. So that's one thing.

And then just the proposal does look at raising our trash and recycling fees, either the bags or the tags. in 2027 by 50%. Those have not been increased at all since they were enacted back in 2008, I think Paul wrote. So that basically, my estimate for that would be somewhere in fiscal, 2026, we would be actually, I guess it would be starting fiscal 27. That would be $400,000 in additional trash fees with 600,000 in the future. And if all these proposals come into place, my alternative proposal would be for a $3.4 million override instead of a $5.4 million override. And that would help the immediate financial crunch on the city faces. And these actions would also build fiscal stability in the future.

A modest override will ensure that we as a city and as a School Committee members, Spadafora mentioned that we need to continue to focus to work to change that Chapter 70 funding. So a modest override can make sure we are We're focused as a body and our legislative people focus on that. And then also, I'm very committed to creating financial stability. We have a big another financial we're going to take when our trash contract comes up in a few years. And you hear, you know, we're paying $75 a unit. Melrose, $432 a unit. We're going to be getting having to really put in a lot more revenue somehow. So we have to start having this conversation. I've been having this conversation at city council for the past four or five years. I think it's

I put this forth this paper so we can have a real conversation about those fees. So so I say that's what I'm proposing. And I could say there would be for 2026 that $50 per unit for non owner occupied residential units of six units or less. And that covers some disposal fees that right now we are just using general funds for. And so that would be really folks outside the city, probably their absentee landlords. and then for 2027, looking at raising fees, that would be somewhere maybe $13 to $50 per household. So, you know, a buck a month for some households, and so forth. And then also one part of this, I know, you know,

having, there's a lot of, when the trash things were passed in 2008, there was a lot of consternation about making sure we have involvement of the community. One of the other things this proposal has is basically a floor to say right now in this fiscal year, we committed a certain amount of general funds to trash collection and disposal. We as a city council would be committed to make sure we continue going forward to commit that level of general funds. So this revenue would be above and beyond to NSA to put us on course, to take care of that leap. I think one of the things I remember so much in Ward 6, and there's a lot of Ward 6 people who work very hard to try to overturn the bags that the biggest upset was that literally it was like June 30th of whatever year that was that Mayor Howard had to come up with something to balance the budget.

and literally without any really public discussion or involvement, the pay as you throw got adopted because it was some way to get some more revenue for the city. I'm putting this out here because I want to have that be the discussion of the override I'm even open to putting this you know voting as a council to put this on the same ballot as override so that the people could have that so that's that's just what this paper is about and my recommendation is we refer this to finance and Rules and Ordinance. I mean, I've got some rough numbers. I'd like to have a little bit more analysis from the mayor's office and to see whether kind of my rough estimates are good. this is my idea that I'm really trying to put something out there. I mean, you saw Melrose, they offered sort of three tiers of override. I mean, ultimately they all passed, but what I'm hearing, as I was doing my final weeks of campaigning.

We have a point of order on the floor from Councilor McDonald.

Yeah, respectfully, I look forward to talking about these things in committee, but we're pretty far from this paper. and I think we need to bring this back to the paper because we have more papers in this state.

So in conclusion, I'm just hearing from constituents that are very civic minded, but they have tight budgets. We as a council need to really work hard to get our financial things in order and that we have to respect the Residence budgets as well as our own. So that's really the intent. So that's just want to say that's why I'm putting forth this. And I just wanted to let people know I'll be reaching out and finance them on the Finance Committee. McDonald, and also advocating at the state level for the Municipal Empowerment Act. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Winslow. Councilor McDonald, would you like to speak to the paper? Thank you. You have the floor.

Yeah, thank you. I do want to acknowledge that, you know, Councilor Winslow, this was absolutely the kind of that this follows all the conversations that we had in the Finance Committee about the trash deficit. And I do think that we can raise unrestricted revenue by raising trash fees. I also think we've got a lot of different things on our plate as possibilities right now. This is certainly the time if we have ideas, we should raise them. But part of what we're going to need to Air Traffic Control here in the next couple of weeks in our finance committee is like, what are we really asking the voters about? And we cannot ask them about five different things at the same time and expect that message to be understood. And so I look forward to talking about the possibilities here and the numbers and also the prioritization and sequencing of all of this. and I want to just say really clearly in terms of revenue estimates for this will matter as it will for all of all of the pieces that we're talking about. When the five point four million dollar

that is the anchor point for this, I do not believe is a figure at which we can guarantee no further cuts or layoffs to city services. So we need to really spell out Well, how do these pieces add up together based on what we know? We're going to know a lot. We will know more, you know, the closer we get to that. But I just want to remind people that like we are already we start in the hole. the further we get from closing the hole, if we take pieces away from that, the hole continues to grow. And we have to make sure that we have dependable revenue in place for the employment commitments we have on July 1, 2026. that's the thing we need to focus on is a bridge to some things that will take more time. And so the trash conversation can be a part of that. But I think we've got to figure out what we're talking to the voters about first, what our first priority is based on What we think is the soundest decision, and I'm happy to do that in a joint rules ordinance and finance committee. So thank you.

Thank you, Councilor McDonald. Councilor Condon.

Yes. Originally, when we took up the ARPA funds and people were hired, that was for one year. But all of a sudden, we ended up with these people still on the payroll on jobs that we had never filled in the past. So what we need to do is look at those jobs and do what the upper money was intended to do. That was to subsidize city government for that year and people that were hired. were hired for that year under the APA program with the agreement that that would end with the APA money. Now,

There's still jobs that we never had before that we have it now. And I don't know how that can be. And I think we should Think about putting a high end freeze.

Councillor Condon, are you going to bring this back to solid waste eventually? No.

I think we have to think about putting a freeze on new jobs because they're right. We haven't done anything.

Would you like to at least second to send it to finance and to ordinance so that we can continue the discussion? That's a great point. We do have a community forum where we can dig deep into these issues tomorrow night. Winslow, did you make a motion when you were speaking on the paper? I think you did. I just want to get clarity on that. Sorry. Hang on, hang on, hang on. OK.

So ultimately, my motion after discussion is to move this to a joint finance and rules committee so we can have those discussions and analysis of the proposal.

Great. So on a motion by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Condon, we do need to call the roll. And we have our remote councillors on video for a thumbs up or down.

Councillor Colón Hayes? Yes. Councillor Condon? Yes. Councillor Crowe? Yes. Councillor McDonald? Yes. Councillor O'Malley? Councilor Sica? Yes. Councilor Simonelli? Gave a thumbs up. Councilor Spadafora? Also a thumbs up. Councilor Taylor?

It's hard not to thumbs up. Can you do both?

Councilor Winslow.

Yes.

Council President Linehan.

Yes. So that is referred to a joint finance and ordinance committee meeting. Next order of business.

Paper 434-25, order that during the City of Malden special municipal election to be held on February 10th, 2026, the following debt exclusion ballot question be included. shall the city of Malden be allowed to temporarily assess an additional $36 million in real estate and personal property taxes through a debt slash expenditure exclusion for the specific purpose of paying for the construction of the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School for which the monies will be used for the fiscal years beginning July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2052. A yes vote would support a temporary increase in real estate and personal property taxes beginning with fiscal year 2027, which is July 1st, 2026 through

June 30th, 2027 until fiscal year 2052 July 1st, 2051 to June 30th, 2052. a no vote would make no change to the current tax structure.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Councilor O'Malley for the paper.

Thank you. So I want to start by saying that I agree with some of the public comment that we heard tonight. I do believe it is irresponsible and reckless to hold such a significant election of a ballot question related to prop two and a half in the middle of winter. I think that it is setting it up to fail. I think it's setting it up to divide our community. I think that people see through the smoke and mirrors that it's being done in the middle of winter in order to suppress turnout and to really not get an accurate I will give you an example of another time

the low turnout in our municipal election that we just had. But this particular paper has to do with $36 million that we are required to spend in order to build our new vote. we are already required to spend that. It's coming out of our operating budget. And 2.2% of our community decided that actually less than 2.2% of our community. 2.2% of our community was the total turnout. 666 people, that's a strange number, voted yes to make the city of Malden have to contribute $36 million to the vote. that is what we are talking about tonight. That money is currently coming out of our operating budget. The whole point of all of the papers here is to try to correct mismanagement that is happening in our community.

Right now, we are using our general operating funds to build capital projects. That is why we don't have any money. That has been happening for far too long. If you Google Massachusetts Debt Exclusions, DLS, Division of Local Services, you can find a very informative page about what are the legal requirements for Prop 2 1⁄2, what a debt exclusion is, and you can also get a really great chart that tells you which municipalities in what year and what projects they funded through debt exclusions. You can do schools. You can do general government. You can do roads. You can do sidewalks. You can do ACs. You can build a senior center. You can rehab the senior. All of these things that we have been doing have primarily been coming out of our savings account.

that's not the right way to do things, particularly in a high interest environment that we've been facing and the fact that our costs are going up. So I agree it's irresponsible. I think it's being set up to fail. It's probably not going to pass. And what I'm looking to do is come up with a plan B. How can we try to save as much money from our operating funds so that we don't have to cut rank and file? but I will say that cutting rank and file is a decision. It's a decision of the mayor. The mayor comes up with the budget. The mayor has to put forward his proactive budget But if the mayor decides that he wants to cut, rank, and file police, fire, and teachers, we can't add that back in. We can only cut further.

The benefit of being here for a long time, and Councilor Condon and some others can probably state this, is that in the past when mayors have tried to do something foolish like this, the council flexes its muscle by cutting all the mayor's staff. and Cutting Management in order to bring the mayor back to the table to say restore the rank and file employees and let's really talk about rightsizing our city by putting a temporary bandage of a Prop 2 1⁄2 that's gonna divide our community, you're just kicking the can down the road. I agree, we need to get the state delegation to change its tune and actually start walking the walk but that's not going to happen before we need to do something. And as you know, the school committee representative from Ward 3, we have been meeting with the state delegation. It's been an all hands on deck thing. So I appreciate the work that you've done. and I've been right there by you.

Not at every meeting, but I do appreciate that you have been working and I have been beside you. But I will say that when speaking with the public, people do not trust just generally giving more money to the city of Malden, not knowing where it's gonna go. If you do a Prop 2 1⁄2 override, it's unrestricted. It's gonna go to the special interests, maybe even my special interests. and I don't think that that's necessarily the right thing to do. I think that if people want to see something done in our community, they should know where their money's gonna go and that's the whole point of a debt exclusion. It's a temporary, increase in taxes for a specific project. The Vogue debt is a no-brainer. I think this should pass unanimously. It's something we already have to pay, and it's taking over a million dollars out of our budget every year. That's a lot of bad news. I want to give you good news and lift people up a little bit.

I did talk to our financial team and our free cash certification did come in. It came in over what we were expecting. So our bank account has $21.8 million in it. that's a significant chunk of change. It's our rainy day fund. We are not in the type of dire financial straits, in my opinion, that is being put out there. I think that's part of a narrative to get the community to think that they have to support a general Prop 2.5 override. I want to talk about the amounts. I expect the Finance Committee under the leadership of Councilor McDonald to determine the exact amounts and the exact term of the loans potentially for these debt exclusions. In talking with our financial staff, the term of the loan is based on the useful life of the asset. So for instance, a house or a building can be as long as 30 years, but you can go shorter.

So here you see 25 years for the VOC. That's also based on the fact that that is how long our commitment to contribute over a million dollars a year to the vote lasts for. So again, the point of these papers is try to get us away from the mismanagement of using the general fund to fund capital improvements. That needs to change. otherwise the structural deficit is not going to be fixed and a Prop 2.5 override is not going to fix the problem either. I will talk to each paper but that was just the general one and why I hope that it's a unanimous vote on the no brainer, which is the vote debt that we're required to do. It's over a million dollars a year. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor O'Malley. I'm going to go next to Councilor McDonald.

Thank you, Council President. and I have to just start by expressing my surprise as finance chair to read the docket on Thursday to see five override votes papers on overrides scheduled for the agenda, only one of which addresses the actual budget deficit that we have. The others relate to projects that don't exist or potential new spending or one that is paid for in another venue. So to just speak to this one, and then I hope maybe we can take the, because this first paper 432.25 does actually address something that is currently on our budget. and when we say our budget, I mean the general fund, the general operating budget, which is what we pay the bulk of city staff with. So maybe we can take the others together. But on this one, I will say this actually does address this problem.

As the sponsor said, this is a $1.4 million dent if this were to go to the ballot and pass. in a $8.4 million hole, of which we hope GIC, changing our health care, will save $3 million, but we don't know. and so I think that's a perfectly legitimate thing to talk about. And I would be happy to have us talk about that in the Finance Committee once we make a decision about what we want to do about the override. Part of the reason I'm so surprised is that we've been having an extremely public process talking to a lot of people on city staff, putting out information in public, about what the real dynamics that influence our city budget gap are. And we have a public forum scheduled tomorrow for people to ask questions.

and these papers are frankly a bit out of left field. And I don't think that it honors the work that not only we have done at the council table, but our city staff and the city employees who are watching this process and wondering, my God, what is going to happen to my job? Or parents watching, I don't know what's going to happen to my schools. So I think it's really important that we sequence these conversations. and not simply start to talk about a bunch of different things at the same time because this stuff is complicated as it is and we need to get our act together ultimately to say, this is the pitch we wanna put in front of the voters. And I really do not believe it is fair or appropriate or will ever work to come up with six different things that we wanna put in front of them at the same time. We gotta pick what we wanna do and we have to do that by figuring out what's really going to address the long-term structural budget deficit.

I couldn't disagree more with you, Councilor O'Malley, that the problem with the budget gap is that we've been paying for capital things out of operating funds. we have decreased the amount of bonding that we do significantly. We paid for a lot of our capital projects most recently with CPC money, which is not on the city budget, with federal community development block grants, not on the city budget, and with ARPA funds, one-time money, not in the city budget. What we... Don't what we have not been doing is increasing our debt very much year over year. I mean, it's come down from 15 million a year on debt service to now between six and seven, I think. So that has actually come down and contributed to a better budget picture. We have talked many times about what contributes to the budget gap, rising health care costs, rising net school spending.

These are things that we've demonstrated over and over again that nothing in these proposals addresses. And so I think it's really important that we finish what we started, which is a conversation about whether we want to put an override on the ballot. And I want to say really clearly, because this is important for anybody who comes to the forum tomorrow, The date of that vote is not yet fixed. We have a proposal from the mayor and we can change that date. I think it's a good thing to talk about because I agree that I've heard a lot of those concerns. I think those are valid about the timing of the vote. So that's the thing we can talk about and we can decide. Time. Another thing is the amount or the structure of what goes on that override and what we say it covers or doesn't cover. And so, you know, we were starting to get into this earlier, but there are other structures, other communities have used different levels, different those are all things that we actually do have the authority to do. And another thing we have the authority to do is to cut city staff and budgets, as we've noted.

I certainly am going to make sure that by the time I vote on this, I've made my recommendations for where I think we should trim. but I think we gotta look at the whole picture. And so this is a time to get ideas out on the table. I appreciate you doing this for this particular one. and I'll speak to the others later. But I really just wanna say it makes me very sad to hear you introduce this paper on what is a really good project for our community by denigrating the financial acumen of our city staff, by taking what I think are pretty nasty accusations and repeating them like they are truth about mismanagement of city funds and calling our overall numbers into question, really just doubting the whole process. I don't think that's in good faith. I think if you have suggestions for places you think you should cut, and I would say this to all of my council colleagues, I encourage you to put those forward and or send them to the mayor's team.

I actually think we should all do that to show what we think is most likely to happen. But I, for one, have been working my butt off for A month and a half at this point to try to give our community every opportunity to weigh in and ask questions and really feel like they understand the dynamics of this. And I would just appreciate if my colleagues here could show some respect for one another as we go about that process. Because I think that respects the community that we're trying to serve. So as I said, I'm happy to talk about this paper in finance when we have the time to do so after we finish the conversation about McDonald, and then we'll talk about the debt, or excuse me, about the override that we started, and then we'll talk about the remaining four papers, which I again would encourage us to address as a group. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor McDonald.

Thank you very much. So I want to just talk a little bit about how and why we put these on the agenda. And thank you to Councilor O'Malley. You went through a lot of the details there. So we are having a community meeting. We wanted to put out additional thoughts. We can all have reasons of why or ideas of how we think we can close the gap here. That's OK. I was also surprised. I mean, when I got that letter from the mayor, the prop override, I was shocked, too. I mean, I knew that we were in a financial bind, but I also know that as vice chair of the finance committee, I had no idea that was coming down. So I also I do appreciate that. I would have loved a little heads up on that too because maybe I would have put these ideas on there way before.

The debt overrides are things that are just ideas. So I just want to address also. So I appreciate all your feedback. I really, really do. And I think that maybe we went back and forth on Facebook. I'm thinking, but it's it's to get feedback. So the fact that this did go out on the agenda and it did bring people out here and we are hearing for you. I mean, that's the exact reason why it's on here. And Some of this is the debt. So a debt override, the dates can be discussed. These, I was assuming, we're going to refer. I did not assume that we're going to vote here on the floor, right? We're going to refer these to finance. we can take them after. If we're feeling like we're a little backed up here, we can talk about them after the community meeting, but I think it's gonna come up probably in the community meeting. I think it's the right time to bring these up.

I don't think that we're not able to have other thoughts about ways we think that we can help fix this problem. That's why that was put on there. It was knocking doors. It was hearing from the people. These are all the projects I heard a lot about. Do I think all of them are going to pass? No. If they do, Yeah, I would be surprised. But we put down what we heard and I put down, my big one was the Roosevelt Park and the Volk, right? We have to pay that. We do also have to, in my opinion, de-lead Roosevelt Park. These were all ideas. I don't think anyone should be jumping the gun thinking that we're going to vote to do this. Did we think that? No. We're all hands on deck right now. We should be talking about everything and leaving nothing off the table.

You know, I'm hoping it gets further to finance and we can discuss things about how we want to go, because I also believe no way. I don't think February is a great time to be doing this, so we do have a little bit more time, in my opinion. to discuss these, whether we put a prop override on there with maybe a debt exclusion. Let's just talk about it and figure it out. That's all this is. That's all I have to say about that, and hopefully they'll get referred for a further discussion. And if people want to discuss it tomorrow at the community meeting, please bring it up. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Colón Hayes. Councillor Winslow, you have the floor.

Yeah, I'm just going to. Say, I mean, I in general, I mean, one of the things I kind of get a perspective on and try to normal parlance of, you know, kind of looking at your kind of own budgets. I mean, you have a checkbook, which is sort of you pay your immediate bills out of. And then if you're in a good enough situation, you have savings, which is sort of the reserves, the free cash. And then when you're making major purchases like a car or a house, you have to look at getting a loan. and so I think it's, gosh, if you can buy a house or get a car without having to go and get a loan, you don't have to pay interest. So why pay someone else interest? So there's actually the fact that we can do a lot of capital stuff by fire trucks and other type of things that are capital things without getting a loan or a debt exclusion.

saves the city money in the long run just like if you were buying a car for cash versus getting a loan and especially now I mean I know you know just I don't know was maybe 10 years ago the council voted I think 50 million dollars to do Paving, Work, and that type of thing. Interest rates were so low it's almost getting free money. Interest rates are high right now. So we have to be extra careful about what we might put out in terms of debt exclusions. and so that's one of the things. Now, there's five of them here. I put my name on only one of the five. I appreciate Councilor O'Malley reaching out. I had my own opinions as we go through that. you know one of the things this is an expenditure the voters committed, it's funny, 660. That's how many votes I got in Ward 6 this time. So imagine that's how, you know, just one ward voting for that much money that we spend.

But I think, you know, generally, I think we know we want to support our schools and that type of thing. So that was why I thought this is one that's worthy of at least discussing because it can, if you make that decision, are we going to make sure we put aside money every year for that or are we just going to take that loan out and do that? That's that's some decision. Are we in that bad of crunch? I think that for the vote it's worthy of having that discussion as we put together the overall package. So I think that's worthy. I'll discuss the other ones. I think I did not put my name on those because I thought we do have to set priorities. and, you know, there's not only priorities about maybe spending money, but it's also as a council spending time to really if we're going to really dig in and take this seriously. Sometimes we have to quickly make decisions. I'm what I call a once through decision maker.

Why waste our time in a committee if we can't just decide things today? So so this one I would be willing to send to committee. So right. Thank you.

Okay, thank you, Councilor Winslow. I'm going to try to get Councilor Simonelli on speakerphone again. Councilor Simonelli, are you ready to speak? Can you give me a thumbs up? You good? Okay, all right, let's give it a shot. Oh geez, that's really loud. Can you, yeah, can you mute? Oh yeah. Simonelli, can you turn off your speaker so that you can talk on the phone, please? Are you doing good? Yep, that's better. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. So listen, I got to tell you, What I'm hearing is quite ridiculous at this point. I mean, you're asking for a two and a half over, right? And at the same time, you're asking to put more debt, from what I understand, on a firehouse, an art center, and Roosevelt Park again. Listen, folks. We're heading into some rough waters. I've been through this before. And we were lucky enough to close that deficit when I was on the council. I think I was actually council president at that time by selling properties that we had. A lot of land that we had that we were able to get rid of at the time. I'm sure we don't have as much as we did back then, but we should be looking at some of those things. We have the building on Pearl Street that nobody seems to be mentioning about that we could probably sell off in this market right now for some decent amount of money.

So those are some of the things that I'm going to be proposing in the near future. But I'm telling you, I cannot support any of this except for the $36 million for the vocational school that we're already on the hook for. but as far as like you're asking the homeowners to take a two and a half override, to vote for a two and a half override, then you're adding more debt on top of it by paying for a new firehouse. Art Center, Roosevelt. Everybody talked up there about their own home spending, their checkbooks and their savings account. Well, you know, when you get bad times in your house, right, you got to pull your belt together. You got to like kind of hold back a little bit here. You've got to stop maybe doing some cutting, like Councilor Condon had mentioned about the offer funding money. So, you know, you've got this offer funding money that was supposed to be temporary, and yet we're still holding on to...

employees that were hired by that offer money and we're putting it on the general fund. In reality, we're putting it to the Malden residents, the homeowners of Malden. and then we're gonna ask them to take another, what's the firehouse cost? $10 million, $10 million for the art center, $10 million for Rosendahl. $30 million when you're behind the eight ball. I have never heard such ridiculous talk in my life. So I'm not voting for any of this except for the $36 million for the vocational school that we're on the hook for. And if nobody liked it, they'd come see me. That's all I got.

He kind of brought it back around to the agenda item that we're talking about. So thank you, Councilor Simonelli. Okay, Councilor Taylor, thank you for being so patient.

That's okay, thank you. So I'm just a little bit confused because the way that I'm understanding things is that we have a deficit in our general operating that we're going to have to make cuts. So basically, like if my house budget, if I don't have enough to pay my overall bills, I'm not gonna take out a credit card to go on vacation. And that's what the capital, expenditures are. That's a whole separate thing to say, I can't feed my family or pay my rent but I'm gonna do these other things and I'm gonna ask people to pay for that and take out more money. So I understand that we wanna have discussion and I'm glad that we are now bringing things up when we have known about this for quite some time, but I'm glad that things are coming up for discussion.

I just don't understand why this when it doesn't seem to make basic financial sense. You just wouldn't do that. You wouldn't say, I'll let my rent go for three months and go to Disney.

Just my opinion. Thank you, Councillor Taylor. Councillor O'Malley for the second time.

Yeah, I think these are great. I appreciate that everyone's willing to have these conversations. Councillor McDonald, I'm going to have to push back. I'm not besmirching our staff. our financial team has been telling us this for decades. The reason why I'm proposing a debt exclusion is because you as well as the financial staff and the mayor's office have for like a decade not you a decade, but collectively a decade, have been saying that a Prop 2 1⁄2 override is a bad idea. There's a very slim chance it's gonna pass. It's gonna divide our community. The way to go is a debt exclusion because people can see the fruits of the Labor. They can see this money goes there. It's not going to disappear into the God knows where. And so that is not me. That's just me honoring and respecting the things I've been told by professionals for years. Y'all turned me into a convert.

To Councilor Taylors, from the Councilor from Ward 5, when it comes to a debt exclusion, We are excluding the debt from the city's coffers. There's no additional cost to the city of Malden. There's a defined new revenue source, which is this debt exclusion. And we will be raising, for instance, with the VOC, $6 million over the 25 years to pay for that money. That's coming out of an increased property taxes, personal taxes, personal property taxes, etc. So it doesn't have a negative impact to the city's budget. It might have an impact to every property owner's budget, for sure. That's what taxes are. But I put this out here. Councilor Colón Hayes put this out here. to get the creative juices flowing. No one should be surprised. Every time this has been up here on the council, we've talked about this.

Every time it's been talked in finance, we've mentioned this. I was surprised that y'all didn't put something forward. So before we get too far down this road, because I have to agree, there's been a lot of hem and hon in finance, not a lot of actual walk in the walk, just kind of talk in the talk. This is me trying to walk the walk. I'm sticking my neck out politically. I think that having nice things is worth spending money. Maybe some people in the community think that there are different things that are nice. I happen to think that having a de-leaded Roosevelt Park would be great so that the students at the Salemwood School and the surrounding community can play in a lead-free environment and not have special education challenges because they've been inhaling lead dust as a former Stalenwood student. I think it would be great to make sure we have enough money to remove our lead pipes so kids don't have more special education as they're drinking lead.

I think it would be great to actually maintain our sewer system. So we don't have sewage going into the Malden River. And not to mention groundwater going into our sewer system, which then we have to pay the MWRA to treat that groundwater. Maintaining our assets is the fiscally responsible thing to do. It's not cheap. We have no revenue source for storm drains. Councilor MacDonald, you say you care about climate action. Is it climate action in 50 years or climate action today? Because it really needed to be climate action 50 years ago. So let's actually take the action. Don't vilify me. I won't vilify you. I hope we support at least one of these. It sounds like we do have support for at least the VOC. If that's all we get through, I think that's a success. Thank you.

Councillor Winslow.

Yeah, I'd just like to make a motion for paper 3425 to refer to Finance Committee for further consideration.

Okay. Okay, we have a motion by Councillor Winslow. Do I have a second? Okay? Are you, okay. Second by Councilor Colón Hayes. Councilor McDonald, did you want to speak to the motion? No. You're all set, okay.

I'll go on, I'll wait for the next one.

Okay, point of information by Councilor Condon. You have the floor.

Is that referring to the trash fees? What's the paper?

This is for the voc. This is for the voc. The vocational. Just the one paper. Okay, will the Clerk please call the roll? Or Councilor Spadafora, are you all set? I saw you had your hand up before. I don't know if we can get him. No, we can't hear you, I'm sorry. Do you want me to try to call you? Okay, he's waving us off. I'm so sorry about the tech issues. Okay, we'll call the roll now.

Councilor Colón Hayes? Yes. Councilor Condon? Yes. Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Spadafora, that's a no. That's a no. Councilor Taylor? Yes. Councilor Winslow? Yes. Council President Linehan? Yes.

that's eight to three. Okay, so the motion to refer that to finance carries. I would like to take up the next, is it four papers together. I'm sorry, that is a lot of reading.

I'll read them all, that's fine. Paper 435-25, order that the city of Malden's special municipal election to be held on February 10th, 2026 include the following debt. Excuse me.

Is there a title?

When I read the other paper, it sounded OK. Oh, OK. Excuse me. Order that during the city of Malden special municipal election to be held on February 10, the following debt exclusion ballot question be included. Shall the city of Malden be allowed to temporarily assess an additional $10 million in real estate and personal property taxes through a debt slash expenditure exclusion for the specific purpose of paying for the construction associated with lead pipe removal, water, sewer, and storm drain system capital improvements for which the monies will be used for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2037. A yes vote would support a temporary increase in the real estate and personal property taxes

beginning with the fiscal year 2027, which is July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 until fiscal year 2036, which is July 1st, 2036 to June 30th, 2037. A no vote would make no change to the current tax structure. Paper 436-25 order that during the City of Malden special municipal election to be held on February 10th, 2026, the following debt exclusion ballot question be included. shall the city of Malden be allowed to temporarily assess an additional $10 million in real estate and personal property taxes through a debt slash expenditure exclusion

for the specific purpose of paying for the construction associated with de-letting Roosevelt Park to a full three foot depth and for the restoration of natural grass a natural grass field and drainage system for which the monies will be used for the fiscal years beginning July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2037. A yes vote would support support temporary in. Yes, I'm sorry. A yes vote would support a temporary increase in real estate and property tax taxes beginning with fiscal year 2027. July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2027 until fiscal year 2036. July 1st, 2036 to June 30th, 2037.

a no vote would make no change to the current tax structure. Paper 437-25 order that the city of Malden special municipal election to be held on February 10th, 2026 the following debt exclusion ballot be included? Shall the city of Malden be allowed to temporarily assess an additional $10 million in real estate and personal property taxes through a debt slash expenditure exclusion for the specific purpose of paying for the construction associated with the outfit of an art center at the old Malden District Courthouse on Summer Street for which the monies will be used for the fiscal years beginning July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2037. A yes vote would support a temporary increase in the real estate and personal property taxes beginning with fiscal year 2027

which is July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 until fiscal year 2036, July 1st, 2036 to June 30th, 2037. a no vote would make no change to the current tax structure. And paper 438-25 order that during the city of Malden special municipal election to be held on February 10th, 2026, the following debt exclusion ballot question be included. Shall the city of Malden be allowed to temporarily assess an additional $25 million in real estate and personal property taxes through a debt slash expenditure exclusion for the specific purpose of paying for the construction associated with an east side fire station for which the monies will be used for the fiscal years beginning July 1st .

A yes vote would temporarily increase the real estate and personal property taxes beginning with fiscal year 2027 which is July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 until fiscal year 2052, which is July 1st, 2051 through June 30th, 2052.

McDonald, you had had your light on on the previous paper and indicated you wanted to speak to the other ones and I accidentally shut you off. Do you still want to speak to these? Okay, I'm going to take you first then.

I'm happy to let Councilor O'Malley as the lead sponsor speak first on these if he would like to.

Okay, Councilor O'Malley.

You know, I definitely read the room. and I don't want to belabor this. So I think just a very simple up and down vote to dispose of these papers. It doesn't make sense to table them. It sounds like it doesn't make sense to refer them to finance to sit on that docket. I think that we should take up the votes separately, but I would move that we adopt all of the orders so that we can dispose of them quickly. And I would need a second so we can take up that motion to adopt.

Okay, we have a motion on the floor and a second by Councilor Colón Hayes. Discussion? Councilor Winslow? Oh, sorry, Councilor McDonald. I'm so sorry, Councilor McDonald. You have the floor.

Okay. No, I appreciate that. I support taking vote right now on these papers. The thing I just wanted to clarify for folks who might be watching and reading, you know, watching at home or reading these different things. is that I think it's very possible for counselors to put papers forward that say, I have an idea and I'd like to discuss around this issue. We do that all the time. These are very specific proposals that as far as I understand are not attached to specific priced out projects. Usually, if you're going to do a debt exclusion, there's a specific price tag attached to a study. if it's a building, you've got the architectural plans, you're at 100% design or close thereof, you know where the bids are gonna need to come in at. So we have that for the vote. For the remaining ones,

Let me just clarify that for lead pipe removal, this council already approved a couple months ago a $17.5 million loan from Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to cover the full cost of replacing all residential led service lines remaining in the city on the private and public side. And that's a great term loan. It can be it's at a favorable interest rate. 25% can be forgiven. And we've already gotten the first installment of those funds. and those that loan is going to be paid for by the Water Sewer Enterprise Fund, which is to say that we have already appropriated money outside of the general fund to pay for this purpose. So I don't know what this one would be used for, but I want folks to know that we are already paying for this and have committed to this because it's such a key issue in the city.

For Roosevelt Park, I want to clarify that we had applied for a Section 108 loan from the federal government to pay for the previous plan for a construction project at Roosevelt Park. when that plan was ended due to community opposition, we retained the loan and the loan is what is being used now for the de-letting process which the last I had heard from city staff should be bid out this winter to be done in the spring, summer, I think. So that is, we already have that loan. We have already taken it out at a better interest rate. That already exists. There's not an additional project that is ready for funding, although there could be in the future. on the Arts Center. I think we've just heard that we're already taking a look at different approaches to that site from the original plan from Councilor Linehan, not to speak for her, who's been leading this process.

But again, we don't have a project attached to this figure. And on the question about the fire station, there again, could be a good idea in the future, but we don't have anything more than a very preliminary estimate, which I think was actually a little higher than this, We don't have a property identified. And so I think that these are not right for consideration, even if we weren't in the middle of a conversation of an override. And I think it's really important when we put these kinds of papers with this level of detail, it implies that things have happened that I don't think have. I know they haven't. And I just want to make sure that we're clear on the record where the process is on each of these areas, because I agree. I hear about them from residents. I think they're important. But I think it's really important that when we put information out there as counselors that we are as forthright. I'm not going to use the word transparent. I feel like that just gets us in trouble.

forthright about what our sources are and what these things mean and what they're intended to mean and not provide a level of false specificity. So I will be voting against these papers. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor McDonald. Councillor Condon.

Thank you very much. I appreciate it. I think you should rip up every one of the papers. All right. In fact, give the courthouse back to the state. We do not need a broken down courthouse.

Don't beat up on my courthouse tonight.

I think it's my courthouse. The fact is, $10 million doesn't even come close to straighten out that courthouse. It's falling apart. Take a good look at it. Rip up the paper. It doesn't mean anything. Anybody can say, give me $10 million to do this. or that, we tried giving money to Roosevelt. They didn't want it. Took us to court. I care about just a few things in life, all right? I care about our police department and the safety of the people. I care about our fire department. But we have something in, Revere, that's working. It isn't that it isn't working at all. What?

No, I know it's in Malm, but it's on the Revere line. Right? everybody's taking $10 million, it's not even close. We have a program to de-lead and it's working great and we're staying up with it. If anything, you want to take out a loan, then take it out from the MWIRA. No interest loan. We do it every year. But we have to get some realization on what this stuff costs because we're not even close. The papers mean nothing. That's all.

Thank you, Councilor Condon. Councilor Colón Hayes.

Thank you very much. First of all, I'd like to let the councilor to the left of me know that you actually voted yes on one of the papers, so we'll rip up the other ones, the Vogue. Yeah, you voted yes on that. So now, I just also want to say that to the people listening out in the city, we did, and I did, what I said I was going to do. We had great conversation. I said I was going to put stuff on the agenda so that we can talk about this where everybody could hear and all the counselors could chime in. I'm really glad that the VOC went through, because I think that was probably the simplest one. based on feedback and what's going on. I have no problem even voting down my own paper that I sponsor. I have no issue with that. A different one based on that's why we have these conversations.

So I'm glad that that one went through. and I agree about maybe The discussions could still happen now publicly, but the job here that we wanted to do is done. And I'm really happy about the vote, but also just to say these papers aren't about taking out a loan, no loans. These papers were about a debt override, so it would go to the taxes. So just to clarify that. So anyway, we can go vote up down right now. I have no problems with it.

Thank you. Okay, thank you, Councilor Colón Hayes. I'm going to try to take Councilor Simonelli again on my phone. We've tried everybody's phone tonight, so give me one second. Simonelli. Don't forget to shut off. Okay. Do you want to try again? Yep. Make sure you're thanking your friend who's been helping you all night.

Thank God for my tech guy.

OK, you have the floor.

All right. Thank you, Madam President. That paper is the most fiscally irresponsible paper I've ever heard in my life. I mean, if you put that paper through, you'll have people moving out of this city in droves. You'll have nobody drinking the water. You won't have to worry about it. You won't have anybody playing in the pot because everybody will move out of here. You're looking for a two-day Apple ride, and now you're up for about $80 million. What's wrong with you? I'd like to come back home soon, and I want you guys to show me your checkbooks and your savings accounts. I'd like to really see how you guys handle that. because you guys should be pissed for broke by now the way you're talking out there. I've never heard so much ridiculous talk in my whole career for 16 years. Hold it down. See you later.

I think we need to call him in every time. It's okay. You know, it's like a lot shorter actually. He was, that was quick. That was great. Okay, Councilor Winslow.

Yeah, no, I, you know, I appreciate, you know, Councilor O'Malley did reach out to me just as a sounding board on these. I mean, you can see from where I went, I did not. you know these last four I was not supportive of them and and and really very much for the reasons Councilor McDonald set forward you know on all of them so that I don't want to repeat those but I note like on that 44, 35, 25 related to lead pipes and storm drains. One of the things people wonder about the ARPA money, the mayor put $10 million into both lead pipe removal and storm drains. and we work with kind of a list of about 20 problem areas. We fixed about I think like 19 of the 20 with $6 million worth of ARPA money and I give big credit to city engineer Yim Lip It was difficult, but we addressed a lot of the chronic problems, which is great.

The only problem we didn't address was really something that MassDOT has to fix up on Broadway. couldn't come up with the scheme with the money we had. So, you know, we hadn't done anything on storm drains for 20 years. So we have a little bit of time to wait. But I also point out that McDonald, you know, we're going to be talking about the climate action plan. One of the priorities that committee says we need to work on storm drainage and stuff like that. So so we should there are grants out there for that we can start pursuing. if we're smart about those. So we just have to come up with a plan. We've basically stabilized the system we have, and we need to figure out what to do as rainstorms get more intense and sea levels rise. So that's something we can work at. with the Climate Action Committee, and then come up with some grant proposals there. Related to Roosevelt, I think

You know, it's it's good to know we are working to lead what we have to to come into compliance. I think, you know, we do have more community process. I mean, just like I said, the Northern Strand Trail, which we heard glowingly about tonight, that was 20 years before we did anything in Malden before. So sometimes it takes, and that was through some couple of economic cycles. So sometimes you just have to keep at it just like the art center as well. when you don't have the money to do the construction, you put the time and effort to build up the community support for that. So I think those projects, that's kind of where I feel they're at. It's really premature. And then on the fire station, We had our firefighters here tonight. We have to make sure we can keep the stations we have open first before we think about building another one. So that's kind of, I think that's, and Aspiration we'd like to have, but we don't really have a place to put it.

And what we're talking about in terms of the Prop 2 1⁄2 override is making sure we have the resources to keep open what we have. So I really can't support in good faith these things. I think they're ideas we have to continue to work and chew on as a city. I appreciate Councilor O'Malley bringing those and we'll look forward to trying to figure out all those in the future.

O'Malley for the final time before we call a paper.

Oh, yes. Agreed. So I am surprised that my ideas made you all so mad. You know, it's just like when I put it out there, I wasn't trying to make anyone mad. And you know, if this is, If this is what I get in trouble for, putting out my ideas there, I think in the spirit of the late Representative John Lewis, get into good trouble, necessary trouble. I think if putting out ideas of how we fund our community. If this is what trouble is in Malden, I'm glad I'm in trouble. And I think that there's another little cliche that I'll say and I'll leave you all with. is that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. I think that we took a step tonight and I appreciate that. Thank you.

I have lost track of who made the motion. Did you make a motion to to adopt the order. OK. So I also heard you say that you were willing to withdraw the papers, though. You did not say that. up and down vote. Okay.

You're right.

Right, that's what I was just going to say. So can you reiterate what we're actually voting before we take the roll?

So we're voting to adopt the papers. A yes vote would adopt them and put them on a ballot. and a no vote would kill the papers.

Okay, so you'd like to take them one by one and a yes vote would Do exactly what it says on the docket. No, a yes vote would not refer to finance. It would adopt the paper and put it on the ballot, and a no vote would not. Okay, understood. Right, okay, so we'll take them individually and we do have to do a roll call. And we'll do a thumbs up and down, is that good for everyone on teams? Okay, we're good.

Paper 435-25. Colón Hayes. I'm sorry.

We're voting to adopt. Okay, I have to put this light on to read the paper. Just for a second, it's the lead water.

This is the lead and water pipes. Yes, thank you. Voting yes. Condon, Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Spadafora. That's a no. Councilor Taylor. No. Councilor Winslow. No. Council President Linehan. No. So that is not adopted. Yep, that fails two to nine. And now we're moving on to paper 436-25, which is for Roosevelt Park. This is to adopt the paper. Councilor Colón Hayes? No. Councilor Condon? No. Councilor Crowe? No. Councilor McDonald? No. Councilor O'Malley?

Yes. Sica? No. Councilor Simonelli? That's a no. Councilor Spadafora? No. Councilor Taylor? No. Councilor Winslow? Council President Linehan. No. That fails one to ten.

Okay.

And now we're moving on to paper 437-25, which deals with the Courthouse Arts Center. And this is to adopt the paper. Colón Hayes, Condon, Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, no, Councilor Spadafora, also no, Councilor Taylor, no, Councilor Winslow, no, Council President Linehan, excuse me, no. That is defeated one to 10. The next one is 438-25, dealing with the East Side Fire Station, excuse me.

And this is to adopt the paper. Colón Hayes, Condon, Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Councilor Spadafora. They both indicated no. Councilor Taylor? No. Councilor Winslow? No. Council President Linehan? No. that is defeated one to 10.

Okay. So that concludes that. Section of the agenda. Next order of business.

Paper 439-25, communication, the Climate Action and Sustainability Commission. respectfully submits their report on FY 2026 strategic priorities.

Okay. Councilor McDonald to receive the communication.

Would you like me to make the motion to receive it first and then read it, or do you want to read it and then receive it?

I need a motion to receive it, and then I'll have the Clerk read the communication.

So moved.

Okay. Clerk, will you please read the communication?

I got to call the roll.

Oh, I'm so sorry, I forgot we had to call the roll.

No worries. 439. and this is to receive and file the communication. Councilor Colón Hayes? Yes. Councilor Condon? We're receiving a communication. Yes. Councillor Crowe? Yes. Councillor McDonald? Yes. Councillor O'Malley? Yes. Councillor Sica? Yes. Councillor Simonelli? Yes. Spadafora? Yes. Councilor Taylor? Yes. Councilor Winslow?

No.

Yes. Council President Linehan? Yes.

All right.

Okay, will the Clerk now read the communication? Yes, I will now read the communication. To Mayor Gary Christensen and the Malden City Council members from the Malden Climate Action and Sustainability Commission, which is comprised of Amanda Treat, Carrie McDonald, Diego Maldonado, Lipin G, Rachel Surrett, Rebecca McPheeters, Ricky Ma, Robert Fitzpatrick, Ron Cochran, and Ryan O'Malley. And this is dated for October 23, 2025, regarding fiscal year 2026. I am so sorry. It's 10 PM. That's right, it's bedtime. CASC priorities. The Malden Climate Action and Sustainability Commission, CASC, is excited to present our strategic priorities for fiscal year 2026.

Though we were officially formed in June of this year, we have quickly moved to implement key components of the City's 2024 Climate Action Plan . Our focus this fiscal year is on renewable energy, community engagement, flood mitigation, and data reporting. These are are foundational areas critical to building a more sustainable and resilient Malden. We are thrilled to launch these initiatives and are confident they will deliver tangible, positive change for our community. Fiscal year 26 near-term goals. Our top priorities for this fiscal year are centered on the following goals. Renewable energy. We'll work to achieve SolSmart Silver or better designation by the end of fiscal year.

This designation will help streamline the city's permitting process for solar panel installations, one of the foundational elements for achieving net zero carbon emissions across the city. This is an exciting opportunity to make it easier for residents and businesses to go solar. Community engagement. We'll establish a clean energy coaches program We aim to develop and train a cohort of volunteer energy coaches to provide residents with free peer to peer guidance on transitioning to clean energy. To support this effort, we are looking to partner with local universities and business leaders. This program pairs well with the Soul Smart designation effort and is a fantastic way to empower our community

providing equitable access to affordable renewable energy options for all residents, including funding programs like tax rebates and mass save incentives. Flood mitigation. Our focus this year is to identify opportunities for flood mitigation. Malden has experienced multiple, excuse me, multiple natural disasters throughout the years with a majority Geez, I'm so sorry, with majority of them involving flooding. The eastern parts of our city, particularly prone to severe flooding, Our goal is to work with the city departments and local advocacy groups to identify potential solutions in high risk areas. We are eager to lay the groundwork for this effort. Data reporting and strategy.

We'll update the city's greenhouse gas, GHG, emissions inventory. This effort is crucial for monitoring progress against the CAPs targets and identifying key emissions hotspots. By the end of the fiscal year, we'll use this data to inform our near-term and long-term strategic planning for the next three to five years. We also plan to use this information to provide a transparent and data-driven summary of our progress to the city. We believe transparent data will be a foundation tool in our execution of the CAP. supporting all of our focus areas. Key collaborations. To implement these priorities, we'll collaborate closely with several key stakeholders. Metropolitan Area

Planning Council, the MAPC. The MAPC is a crucial regional partner that will support us with technical expertise, data, and regional collaboration efforts for our ongoing initiatives. Malden Inspectional Services Department. Their partnership is essential for the SolSmart designation process, requiring streamlining, permitting, and inspection procedures. the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, the OSBCD. The OSBCD will be a key partner for both Clean Energy Coaches Program and other community engagement efforts. local community partners. These partners will be key in our public outreach efforts such as clean energy coaches program and provide on the ground knowledge for flood mitigation. SolSmart.

SolSmart provides free technical assistance in helping us achieve our designation. Identifying opportunities for improvement in our permitting, zoning, and inspection process for solar installations. MassSave, collaborative of Massachusetts Electric and Natural Gas Utilities and Energy Efficiency Service Providers working to deliver energy saving programs and incentives to residents and businesses. MassCEC. Quasi-Public State Economic Development Agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of clean energy sector across the Commonwealth.

That's it, that's it. Okay, so the memo is placed on file. Yes. Okay, next order of business. I'm sorry, I didn't see your light, Councillor O'Malley.

I just want to congratulate the CASC, is that what we're calling it? The CASC, the Climate Act, there's an extra S. The Climate Action Sustainability Commission for their first annual report. They are doing a yeoman's work I also want to congratulate Councilor McDonald. I know this has been a long-term goal of the Councillor and I think everyone deserves applause all around. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor O'Malley. Councillor Winslow.

Yeah, no, I just wanted to say I was very pleased to see the discussion about flooding and storm drainage, especially for Eastside, and I'd be happy to share with the committee about some of the work that I'm been trying to keep on top of with groups, the Saugus River Watershed, cities of Everett and Revere and Lynn, so thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Winslow and Councilor McDonald. I guess you just put your own light on. I think it was maybe like on from way before.

Maybe it was. It's late. Yes, I'll keep it very brief. I really encourage the Climate Action Sustainability Commission to send this letter so that you all know what they're working on. And that's an invitation to collaboration and to say, you know, on the stormwater pieces specifically, they've already met with with the Conservation Commission and talked about bylaws there. They've talked with Yim Lip as the engineer. They've seen the presentation that the Mystic River Watershed Association did at the Waterfront Committee. So they're trying to figure out what's the next thing they can do and look for grant opportunities around that. they're really focused on grants with the assistance of Becca McPheeters who is the sustainability and grants manager and we're very well positioned for that. MAPC has given us a technical assistant grant so that they're giving us additional staffing this year to help get everything in place. So that's really helpful. And I'm I'm personally really excited about the Clean Energy Coaches program, which I'm trying to focus on.

because the goal is to help specifically renters and landlords get to, and folks for whom English is a second language to get through these complicated processes and get access to these incentives. And that really speaks to our environmental justice goals as well. And I do want to just share that we've, I think we've already achieved a soul smart Bronze designation. So we're on our way to silver. We're getting close. And I think we'll do an announcement once that's ready. But they are doing really great work. I appreciate that. And encourage folks to engage if you would like to talk with them about that.

Thank you, Councilor McDonald.

Okay, next order of business. Paper 440-25, Committee Report. The Standing Committee on Personnel and Appointments to whom was referred, Paper 383, Series of 2025, having considered the same, make the following report.

Okay. On a motion by Councilor Crowe, seconded by Councilor Taylor, Clerk will call the roll.

Colón Hayes, Condon, Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli. Spadafora, also a thumbs up. Taylor? Yes. Councilor Winslow? Yes. Council President Linehan? Yes. Thank you.

Okay, Councilor Crowe for the paper, for the committee.

Thank you, Madam President. And so earlier this evening, the Personnel Appointment Committee, well, with some of the other counselors, met with former police chief Kevin Mollis. and his name is put forward to fulfill the unexpired position on the Liquor Board by Paul Lee who was moved out of the city. and as we all know, the former chief, but he's had dedicated 42 years of service to the Malden Police Department. In his time of that service, he actually was the liaison to the liquor board on behalf of the police department and really did a lot of work with them on all different areas of enforcement and investigations and everything else. So he really has a unique, you know, View before it gets on the board. We know what the board does. So we unanimously voted to approve this appointment. And so we'll make that motion.

Okay, on a motion by Councilor Crowe, seconded by Councilor Colón Hayes to confirm, the Clerk will call the roll.

You want me to read the paper first? That would be great, thank you. No problem. Paper 383-25, Mayoral Appointment, Kevin Mullis, 135 Russell Street, Malden, as a member of the License Board. Said term to commence upon confirmation by the City Council. and to expire June 1st, 2028. And this is to confirm the appointment.

Thank you. Sorry, Councilor O'Malley, did you have a question?

Yep, go ahead. So I do want to say I'm in favor of this appointment. I'm glad that it was discussed in personnel and had a chance to speak with the appointee. I like how you said liaison. Okay, so the only question I did have is I do know that Councilor Spadafora was very adamant that all positions be publicly posted and I did hear the Councilor from Ward 8 ask if there was a process for this particular Spadafora's appointment. And I guess I'll just ask, did we do a public posting? It's something that has obviously been discussed a lot tonight and generally with Councilor Spadafora's order or ordinance. I can't remember. Was this publicly posted? The counselor from Ward 1 said that she didn't know if it was publicly posted in personnel, so I just wasn't sure. Thank you. And Mayor Lucy, if you're watching, I'm trying my best.

That was not posted. We've had other boards and commissions that people have applied for that we have lists of different people. This is kind of a unique position. also Councilor Spadafora can speak to this. His ordinance is specific to jobs, not boards and commissions. Boards and commissions is a little different because sometimes you have to identify residents that have specific skills and knowledge. So that's why Chief Mollis was brought in on this one. We also have to make sure that they represent different parties. In this particular one, we were replacing the Democrat position. And we're in the process of filling in the Republican position as well, because Mr. Lee Kennan will be resigning as well.

Yeah, sorry, I didn't realize your light had gone off. Go ahead.

Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you.

For the license board, we need partisan seats? Yes. For the license board, we need partisan seats? I never realized that. Yeah, it's by statute. Okay, interesting. Yeah, Councilor Colón Hayes, did you have a question?

Actually, Maria, I'm sorry. I was going to ask you a question, too. I didn't realize that they were partisan either, so that's great. But just a quick question also that we had asked, and I was very happy to vote for Chief Mullis, but is it a paid position? And if it's a paid position, does that make them an employee? I guess that was the question.

I believe there is a stipend, but I'm not 100% sure. I believe the liquor board does receive a stipend.

And then something's ringing here. And then the second question would be? if it is... They all become city employees. Okay, once they're paid? Okay, thank you.

In terms of like having to take the ethics test and everything. and the paper I think that you're referring to, because I actually met with the H.R. director about this. It came up in relation to an open position recently, and we sat down and actually watched the meeting, if you can believe it, because it was during covid to make sure we had it right, that it was just positions and not boards and commissions. And it was to publicly advertise and not just appoint people for internal postings for jobs in City Hall. I think we could if we wanted to take this up, we could. for boards and commissions, but it's something with the new HR director we wanted to make sure there was clarity on. So I had just in the last two months sat down and read those minutes, watched that meeting to make sure that Councilor Spadafora's paper was clear. Okay, I do see Councilor Crowe has her light back on because I turned you off accidentally. That's okay.

I think you turned me on accidentally. So I just wanted to say in committee that I did actually set the record straight sort about that it was really about positions and boards and commissions were different. Again, I'm going to reiterate, when it's a mayoral appointment, we cannot dictate the process that he goes with. So it's the process of one. But that was asked and answered. And it spoke to the ordinance that it was employees, again, not necessarily the boards and commissions, and about the stipend positions. I believe, and I might be wrong, but I have to find out, I believe the stipended boards and commissions are only those that are statutory required. I believe that's what is the triggering factor of having a stipend or not.

And I just want to add to that, Councilor, that It's very rare that we don't post for boards and commissions. And Kathleen Manning-Hall could attest to that, because she does all the interviewing and screenings and makes the recommendations to the mayor, whoever's on the panel with her. but almost 99% of all the boards and commissions are posted positions.

Thank you, Maria. Okay, so we need to take the roll? Yes. Okay. So we need to vote to confirm Kevin Mollis for the appointment to the License Board. And we are working to get Councilor Simonelli back. Does he want to speak?

No, he doesn't want to speak. He's going to vote.

Oh, just to vote. Got it. Got it.

OK. OK. Councilor Colón Hayes? Yes. Councilor Condon? Yes. Councilor Crowe? Yes. McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Spadafora.

Yes.

The appointment is confirmed. I'll turn the podium off so we don't echo. Okay, next order of business.

Paper 441-25, Committee Report. The Standing Committee on Rules and Ordinance to Humor's Referred Papers 276 and 277, Series of 2025, having considered the same, make the following report. Committee recommends that the papers be recommended favorably as amended to the full City Council pending review by Engineering Inspectional Services Legal and OSPCD.

Okay. Is this your paper? This is, okay. Yeah, okay, so on a motion by Councilor McDonald, seconded by Councilor Winslow to accept the committee report, Clerk will call the roll. We still don't have council.

Councilor Colón Hayes. Yes. Councilor Condon. Yes. Councilor Crowe. Yes. Councilor McDonald. Yes. Councilor O'Malley. It's not, I think we have to.

Okay, well, I'm passing out something from Councillor McDonald. That's from legal. I'll pass those down, if you don't mind. We're waiting for Councillor O'Malley.

There's this one and the lead pipes. Whose is that? Is that Steve's? Oh, right, you added that, sorry.

Where did he go?

Just when John's like, how much longer are you going to be? And I say it, I'm like, yeah, no, not another, I'll be another hour.

Right.

O'Malley.

Oh, that's true.

were voting to receive the committee report from Rules and Ordinance. Councilor Sica? Yes. Councilor Simonelli?

Say it again.

Yes.

Spadafora, Councilor Taylor, Councilor Winslow, Council President Linehan. Yes. That's all yes.

Okay, do we want to? Read the paper? Yes. Actually, yeah, Councilor McDonald makes a good point. I think we do need to take this paper and paper 277-25 together. Okay, I'll read both. Thank you for that.

277-25. Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the code of the City of Malden MCC 9.16 rental units inspection required is hereby amended as is outlined in the body of the paper. a body of attached paper. And paper 277-25 be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the code of the City of Malden MCC 9.24.10 is Excuse me. Regulation of lead pipes in residential housing is hereby amended by. Okay, thank you.

Councilor McDonald for the papers.

Thank you all. I will try to keep this brief because we've had a lot of process around these two things. But to remind folks who may not recall when we first introduced this back in like June, Malden already requires every rental unit to be inspected at the point the tenant turns over. We also require that rental units not have lead pipes serving them. but we didn't have a consistent mechanism to enforce this. So this proposal takes an approach that many other cities and towns like Boston and I think Lemonster and Fitchburg do this, and a range of cities across the Commonwealth, which is to just create an annual registry of landlords and the units that they have. and then they will let us know the term of tenancy and when that is up, then we will require the inspection to happen.

It changes from a price per inspection to a lower annual price per year for each unit. and it requires that if you do not have a, if you don't live nearby, you need to designate someone as a resident agent who does live within 25 miles to be able to deal with landlords who are in fact absentee. This is a way to require to have someone who will take our phone calls, frankly, from the problem properties unit or anywhere else. And we made this applicable to all rental units unless they are Malden Housing Authority units because they have a separate process. And so we then also tie this to the lead pipe removal Ordinance, that's the second paper you have, 277.

Had some back and forth about this in committee and landed where a property owner has to get a certificate one time, certificate from engineering that just says, We don't have you don't have lead service lines to this property. And I was just talking to our inspector of inspection services earlier today because they've been consolidating the health inspectors that do these inspections anyways with inspection. they can kind of roll some things together and it can all be a part of their inspectional permit system online. So it'll be very much easier to track this. This is a good time to do it. Just to note, we just, if you are if there is a property that has a residential that has a rental unit and is otherwise ready to pass inspection but does have a lead line the director of inspectional services has the ability to approve that permit if or excuse me, that rental unit for use if there's a plan to replace that lead line within the year. And we have resources now for all of those units.

So it should be possible. So then they'll be able to remind the you know, the the hand them off to engineering or to Ospcd for resources and be able to check in on them within the year to see how they're doing on that. So I think we've had a lot of back and forth about this in committee. What I handed out was just some clarifications that are not intended to change meaning but are based on Alicia McNeil's review and are just for clarification. It took, it replaces the current language that's in ordinance all owners, lessors or persons in charge or in control of a rental unit with the phrase owners and agents and then defines agents. So it just cleans that up to make it a little more obvious move descendants or two around and clarify that while individual units that are owner occupied are not covered under this. Any unit that might be in a building that is not owner occupied is considered. So to put it another way, if you own a triple decker, you live in one unit, your unit is not covered

the other two are if they're rentals, to be clear. And then had to clean up another section to clarify that that's not in conflict. So those are the only final edits. They were just typographical from legal. and I think we're ready to enroll. I don't have any desire for us to ordain on the same night, but would love to get this going so that OSP, excuse me, inspectional services can get the ball rolling with scheduling the input of these permits into the system.

Okay. Thank you, Councilor McDonald. Do you have a question, Councilor Crowe?

I understand, you know, and enrolling. So, but should we, as amended?

We have to amend first and then enroll. Yep. Yep. Thank you for that clarification. That's right.

Okay. Councilor, oh, you're putting on your light for Councilor Simonelli, understood. Okay, so I'm putting on, I was very confused there.

I'm sorry.

Okay, so I'm going to put on the end light so that our clerk can put on Councilor Simonelli by phone.

No, he's not speaking, just for the vote.

I see. Okay, so I'll go to Councilor Winslow.

Yeah, no, I mean, we had some very good discussions. I mean, as you can see, most of us, I think, did everyone sponsor this, co-sponsor this paper, so I think as a council, we were very supportive of this. Appreciate Councilor McDonald's efforts to advance this as well as making sure we got the thorough legal review to make sure this is a tight ordinance. I mean, I know a few things we did do and committee was, you know, one of the things was to make, you know, if a unit turns over every six months or something like that, then there's some flexibility into whether you have to get an inspection, that type of thing. So we tried to work in things that were were practical. And I think that was also related to the lead line ordinance as well. So I think that it was a good process in terms of ironing out things that integrated to what we were doing and take into account that McDonnell. Now that the inspectional services is leading this effort and has systems, I think it's just a really good result.

So thank you for Councilman McDonnell for spearheading this. The committee did vote favorably to recommend this as a council was subject to legal review, so thank you.

Okay, so do we have a motion related to the amendments? Okay, so motion by Councilor Crowe to amend, seconded by Councilor Taylor, the Clerk will call the roll.

Councilor Colón Hayes? Condon, Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli.

Oh, that helps if I put on the mic.

That's a yes. Councilor Spadafora? Yes. Councilor Taylor? Yes. Councilor Winslow? Yes. Council President Linehan?

Yes. Okay, and did somebody, Councilor McDonald, did you make a motion to enroll?

I would like to make that motion, yes.

Okay, do I have a second? Second. Oh, I'm going to have Councilor Taylor do the second, and the Clerk will call the roll on the motion to enroll. Yes.

Councilor Colón Hayes? Yes. Councilor Condon? Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Spadafora. Spadafora? Thumbs up. That's a thumbs up. Councilor Taylor? Yes. Councilor Winslow? Yes. Council President Linehan? Yes. Those papers are, that paper is enrolled. Okay. And we're amending.

Okay, so for the lead pipe paper. For 277-25. Right, 277-25. There's no amendments on that. Okay, so do we have a motion to enroll? So moved. So moved by Councilor McDonald, seconded by Councilor Winslow. The Clerk will call the roll.

Councilor Colón Hayes? Yes. Councilor Condon? Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Spadafora, Taylor, Winslow, Linehan, Next Order of Business Paper 442-25, Committee Report. The Standing Committee on License to Whom is Referred, Papers 387 through 397, Series of 2025, having considered the same, make the following report.

Okay, on a motion by Councilor Sica, seconded by, who was in the license? Councilor Crowe. Okay, Councilor Colón Hayes. Clerk will call the roll.

Spadafora, Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Thank you. The License Committee met on all these licenses that Morgan is about to read in two seconds. between tonight and a couple of weeks ago. They were all voted out unanimously from the committee so I make a motion to grant all these petitions.

Okay, so let's have our Clerk read the petitions. before we take the vote, okay?

Paper 387-25, Petition, Amusement Machines, GLS Associates, Inc., 50 Holden Street, Malden, 5 Machines, Renewal, Paper 388-25, Petition, Class 2, Joe Ciampa Auto Body Inc., 322 Eastern Avenue, Malden, for Vehicles, Renewal. Paper 389-25, Petition Class 2, Jordan Motors, Inc., DBA, Malden Auto Sales, 147, excuse me, 147 Ferry Street, Malden, 24 Vehicles, Renewal. Paper 390-25 Petition Extended Hours Votaborg, Boston, LLC, 90 Pleasant Street, Malden Hours Occasional Saturday and Sunday Events 12 a.m. to 9 a.m. Renewal

Paper 391-25, Petition Extended Hours, Ellen K. Billiards, Inc., 77 Exchange Street, Malden, Hours 7 Days, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., Renewal. Paper 392-25, Petition Extended Hours, MRM, Donuts Corp, DBA, Dunkin' Donuts, 617 Broadway, Malden, Hours, 7 days, 4 a.m. to 9 p.m., Renewal. 393-25 Petition Extended Hours Walgreens Store Number 03130 185 Center Street, Malden Hours 7 Days 24 Hours Renewal Paper 394-25, Petition, Livery Company, HPL Group, LLC, 500 Broadway, Apartment 4139, Malden, One Vehicle, New.

Paper 395-25, Petition, Livery Driver, Homme Pierre Louis, 500 Broadway, Apartment 4139, Malden, New. Paper 396-25, Petition Livery Company, YHS Transportation, LLC, 137 Highland Avenue, Malden, one vehicle, new. Paper 397-25, Petition, Livery Driver, Yves Henry Said, 137 Highland Avenue, Malden, New.

Okay, thank you, Madam Clerk. Motion to grant? Motion to grant, please. Okay. Do I have a second? Thank you, Councilor Crowe. Okay, Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilor Colón Hayes? Yes. Condon, Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli. Spadafora? Yes. Councilor Taylor? Yes. Councilor Winslow? Yes. Council President Linehan? Yes. Okay, that's 10-0. Granted.

Okay. Next order of business.

The docket is clear.

Okay. Does anybody have personal privilege? Okay. Councilor O'Malley.

I think we should take 15 fairies. No, I'm joking.

Oh my God.

Tonight's a good night for that. So I just wanted to let the community know that Malden Arts will be hosting a public Art of Malden Trolley Tour this Sunday, November 23rd at 1 p.m. You can go to give, G-I-V-E, butter, B-U-T-T-E-R.com slash trolley, T-R-O-L-L-E-Y, tour, T-O-U-R. So givebutter.com slash trolley tour. to get your tickets. We'll be showing switch boxes to murals and sculptures. And we'll tell you the stories behind them. And maybe you'll find out about some art that you maybe didn't even know existed. And that will be leaving from 158 Canal Street at the Canal Street Art Hub. Hope to see you there. Thanks.

Thank you, Councilor O'Malley. Councilor Winslow.

Yeah, I just want to thank my neighbor, Melissa LaPlante, who's working and volunteering with Friends of Malden Public Library for passing these things along. So come. Coming up on December 7th, 2 to 4, Winter Holiday Concert at the Malden Public Library. That's always a great time in there. And they're going to have the most exciting opera, do some singing, as well as all this in the historic Converse Art Gallery at the library. So it's a really nice time and it's, you know, what a wonderful place to hear wonderful music. It's a really special thing about Malden to go there. Saturday the 13th of December, 10 to 2 at the library, holiday book sale at Malden Public Library. that books $2 for hardcovers, $1 for softcovers, children's books 3 to 1. I bought some used books.

It was $2.50 over in Somerville, so this is a good sale. Come out and get some books to read over the holidays. McDonald, and they're also looking for volunteers to help out as well. So come out for those events and wishing everybody a happy Thanksgiving. So thank you. Great.

Great. Thank you, Councilor Winslow.

Hello, yes, I do want to remind us all that tomorrow at 6 p.m. on live stream through UMA as well as in person at our senior center, we are having our public forum on the proposed override paper. And I'm just gonna tell you a little bit about how that's gonna go to save me from emailing you all. we will start at six o'clock. We're gonna have a presentation from the mayor that will give a very brief highlights of what this is, what it means, what the proposal is, what we're asking for. and the reasons for that, then we are going to have the opportunity for a question and answer from people who attend and there will be staff from the city there for folks who, if their question is answerable or if it's something about the override vote itself or any of those questions, we'll answer the questions we can.

the ones that we can't, we will write down and come back to. There will be a way to ask questions virtually live. It'll be like through a third party platform. We'll explain that during the live streaming of the meeting. and if you want to submit your questions or suggestions or whatever in advance, you're welcome to do that by emailing citycouncil at cityofmalden.org and Lisa is compiling those. So if you can't come but you want to submit a comment, you can do it there. I just want to say clearly this is not a public hearing where there's like a pro and then a con, nor is it a back and forth session between questioners and members of the city council. the goal is to let people really have some public dialogue about it, get their questions answered, pose questions that they think should be answered, So we have a real full hearing. I'm going to avoid the word hearing, but a full public discussion about these things because our discussion has been largely in the Finance Committee. I really hope folks will come and attend or send their comments or watch later.

I hope some of you will want to come and encourage people to participate. And we will be meeting the following week in finance to review where we're at in the process. but wanted to encourage everyone to attend and encourage others to attend and participate if you can. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Councilor McDonald. Councilor Sica. I don't have my light on. You keep going into this other box that's different from everyone else. I don't know what you did with your mic this evening.

Thank you though.

I don't have any personal privilege. Okay. Okay, motion by Councilor O'Malley. Do I have a second? Everybody? All right, I guess we have to call the roll on that.

Condon, Crowe, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, has a thumbs up. Councilor Taylor, Councilor Winslow. Yes. Council President Linehan. Yes. Good evening everyone.