Malden City Council 10/20/2026

Representatives from the Climate Action and Sustainability Commission (CASC) and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) presented the commission's first annual progress report evaluating the implementation of the city's Climate Action Plan:

• Good Governance Highlights: The City of Malden has reduced municipal energy consumption by 30% since 2016, added seven municipal electric vehicles, installed four municipal EV charging stations, and secured $15.8 million in total climate and energy grant funding since the plan's adoption in 2024. Public Facilities also secured a $1.95 million Green School Works grant to install heat pumps at the Ferryway School.
• Net Zero Building Energy: In 2025, residents completed over 1,000 home energy assessments, 425 weatherization projects, and 243 heat pump installations. Malden achieved a national SolSmart Bronze designation, and the Malden Community Electricity program has collectively reduced 21 million pounds of CO2 and saved residents over $4 million compared to National Grid basic service over two years.
• Transportation and Resilience: Malden expanded Bluebikes stations, installed seven shaded bus shelters, advanced the Northern Strand Master Plan, and received a $50,000 Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund grant to support youth-led climate projects for ages 15–24.
• Heat and Flooding Mitigation: Key initiatives include planting over 1,000 trees, creating an arboretum and permeable pavement installations at Forestdale Cemetery, establishing the city's first pocket forest, expanding the Adopt-a-Storm-Drain program, and celebrating the grand opening of the Malden River Works project.
• Council Feedback: Councillors commended the commission's outreach, highlighted ongoing work to launch a "clean energy coaches" peer-navigation program for renters and non-English speakers, and directed residents to sign up for the sustainability newsletter at cityofmalden.org/greenmalden.

The Council received public comments in person and via written submission:

• Inclusionary Zoning Updates: An in-person speaker and two written commenters urged the Council to adopt the proposed inclusionary zoning amendments, arguing that current affordability mandates have stalled housing production and that "lowering the affordable percentage will allow us to actually build affordable and market rate housing which we sorely need in this community." Another commenter urged the adoption of parking minimum reductions to lower housing costs.
• Roosevelt Park Funding Transfers: Multiple written commenters opposed transferring funds from Roosevelt Park to the Malden River Works project. A commenter emphasized that lead contamination was discovered at the park in 2019 and stated that "Malden should not settle for anything less than full soil replacement three feet down across the entirety of Roosevelt Park." A representative from the Malden River Works Steering Committee expressed concern that municipal processes had not facilitated a collaborative roundtable between neighborhood stakeholders, stating that the project never intended to compete against another community initiative. A representative from the Friends of Roosevelt Park stated that transferring funds was premature while soil removal was ongoing and requested dedicated funding to restore the park's former outdoor classroom.
• Commercial Use Regulations: A written commenter urged the Council to streamline zoning use regulations in neighborhood business districts by allowing restaurants and medical offices by right.

The Council considered the consent agenda consisting of approval of prior meeting minutes and referral of two routine papers to the Standing Committee on Finance.

• Approved on a voice vote.

A public hearing was held on the petition of Massachusetts Electric Company (dba National Grid), Plan No. 31120327, to install one sole-owned pole (Pole 355-1) on Pearl Street beginning approximately 115 feet south of Medford Street, and to install two 5-inch underground conduits extending approximately 175 feet from existing manhole MH605-1 south to the new riser pole.

• National Grid representatives explained that the work is necessary to reconductor existing cabling, as current conduits are too small and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) would not permit excavation in their adjacent right-of-way.
• The Mayor's office noted that the Malden Islamic Center had raised concerns regarding construction impacts during Friday prayer services, and National Grid agreed to avoid work on Fridays.
• The petition was granted subject to three conditions:
  1. The City Engineer must be contacted when DigSafe is notified.
  2. Streets and sidewalks must be restored to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works.
  3. No construction work shall take place on Fridays.
• Granted on a voice vote.

A public hearing was held on the petition of Massachusetts Electric Company (dba National Grid) and Verizon New England Inc., Plan No. 31348669, to relocate two jointly owned poles on Lynn Street southwest of Oliver Street: Pole 2043 relocated approximately 9 feet southeast, and Pole 2044 relocated approximately 5 feet southwest.

• The relocation is necessitated by ongoing MWRA underground water infrastructure work.
• An abutting property owner raised concerns regarding boundary line encroachments on their triangular lot at 551 Lynn Street, tree protection, and potential service disruptions.
• National Grid confirmed no power outages were anticipated and agreed to adjust placement to prevent interference with nearby trees.
• The petition was granted subject to conditions:
  1. The City Engineer must be called when DigSafe is notified.
  2. Streets and sidewalks must be restored to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works.
  3. Written confirmation must be established verifying the property lines between 551 Lynn Street and the MBTA rail right-of-way.
  4. Sidewalk clearance around Pole 2044 must maintain ADA compliance of at least 36 inches.
• Granted on a voice vote, with Councillor O'Malley voting in opposition.

The Council considered an ordinance amending Section 2.24.010 of the Code of the City of Malden entitled "Salary schedules union employees."

• The proposed amendment seeks to remove detailed union salary schedules from the municipal code to streamline the process following collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), leaving council oversight focused on the direct appropriation of funding for the contracts.
• Referred to the Standing Committee on Rules and Ordinance on a voice vote.

The Council considered an ordinance amending Title 12 of the Malden City Code (MCC) by adding a new section, 12.28.150, entitled "Snow storage."

• Proposed at the suggestion of the Building Inspector to prohibit private landowners from importing snow from other municipalities to operate commercial "snow farms" within city limits.
• Referred to the Standing Committee on Rules and Ordinance on a voice vote.

The Council took up an enrolled ordinance amending Title III (Revenue and Finance) of the Code of the City of Malden by adding Chapter 3.05, establishing a "Solid Waste Enterprise Fund."

• Ordained on a voice vote.

The Council considered an enrolled ordinance amending Title III (Revenue and Finance) of the Code of the City of Malden by adding Chapter 3.10, establishing a "Reserve and stabilization fund framework."

• The ordinance establishes formal stabilization accounts to receive certified municipal free cash once authorized by the state.
• Ordained on a voice vote.

The Council considered an appropriation order recommended favorably by the Standing Committee on Finance (Committee Report Paper 418-26) appropriating $266,174.60 from the Transportation Network Company (TNC) Surcharge Municipal Distribution Account.

• The funding represents two years of collected rideshare surcharge revenue and is bundled with Chapter 90 and Community Development Block Grant funds to construct ADA accessibility improvements—including wheelchair curb ramps, accessible pedestrian signals, and crosswalks—at nine intersections across Malden:
  • Cross, Bryant, and Willow Streets
  • Ferry and Belmont Streets
  • Pleasant and Highland Streets
  • Maplewood and Eastern Avenues
  • Medford and Commercial Streets
  • Salem and Branch Streets
  • Medford and Canal Streets
  • Maple and Highland Streets
  • Eastern Avenue and Broadway
• Adopted 10-0 on a roll call vote.

The Council considered an appropriation order transferring $400,000 from Human Resources Group Insurance Miscellaneous to the Malden Public School Department.

• The proactive transfer addresses end-of-year accounting adjustments necessary to ensure the City meets its mandated net school spending requirements following healthcare plan savings in the previous fiscal year.
• Adopted 11-0 on a roll call vote.

The Council held extensive debate on two companion appropriation orders repurposing funds previously authorized in 2023 for the cancelled Roosevelt Park turf project to the Malden River Works project:

• Paper 393-26: An order repurposing $1,292,045 in remaining available cash funds from Paper 139 (Series of 2023) for the Malden River Works project.
• Paper 394-26: An order transferring $938,174.50 in borrowed bond proceeds from Paper 140 (Series of 2023) pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 20, to pay costs of the Malden River Works boathouse and DPW salt shed.
• Council Debate:
  • The Chair of Finance and the Ward 5 Councillor clarified that Roosevelt Park's active lead remediation and outdoor classroom restoration are already fully funded by an active Section 108 loan, and no formal engineering or construction plan currently exists for subsequent phases.
  • OSPCD and the City Treasurer advised that because the borrowed bonding authorization had expired upon project cancellation, leaving bond proceeds unspent risks federal IRS arbitrage violations and could harm the city's municipal credit rating. Under municipal finance law, funds cannot be carved out or set aside for hypothetical planning without a defined project and spending schedule.
  • Councillor Colón Hayes voiced strong concern for park abutters and explored setting aside $200,000 for a future Roosevelt Park master plan before withdrawing the request after receiving financial and procedural guidance.
• Votes:
  • Paper 393-26: Adopted 10-1 on a roll call vote, with Councillor Colón Hayes voting in the negative.
  • Paper 394-26: Adopted 10-1 on a roll call vote, with Councillor Colón Hayes voting in the negative.

The Council considered a report from the Standing Committee on Rules and Ordinance (Paper 433-26) regarding proposed amendments to Section 12.12.030 of the Malden City Code (Use Regulations):

• The committee recommended splitting Paper 327-26 to advance 15 uncontroversial amendments converting uses from special permit to by-right in various commercial and industrial zones.
• Three proposed categories—motels/hotels, fast food restaurants, and supermarkets—were split into Paper 327A-26 and retained in committee pending the drafting of comprehensive site plan review regulations.
• Enrolled as split on a voice vote.

The Council took up an ordinance amending Title II, Chapter 24 of the Code of the City of Malden to update the salary schedules for assistant department heads and other non-union administrative positions, as recommended favorably by the Committee on Rules and Ordinance.

• Enrolled on a voice vote.

Council President Linehan announced that Papers 434-26, 335-26, and 335A-26—which were scheduled as placeholders concerning inclusionary zoning amendments—did not emerge from committee and were not taken up for consideration.

The Council considered a report from the Standing Committee on License recommending favorable action on several license petitions:

• Paper 380-26: Livery Company license for Ana Santos Transport LLC, 64 Linwood Street (one vehicle, new).
• Paper 381-26: Livery Driver license for Díaz Dos Santos, 64 Linwood Street, Apt. 2 (new).
• Paper 412-26: Lodging House license renewal for Metro North Housing Corp., 115 Washington Street (14 rooms).
• Paper 413-26: Lodging House license renewal for Metro North Housing Corp., 22 Charles Street (11 rooms).
• Paper 414-26: Lodging House license renewal for Cedar House LLC, 116-118 Cedar Street (14 rooms).
• Granted on a voice vote.

The Council considered committee recommendations from the Standing Committee on Personnel and Appointments (Paper 436-26) regarding five mayoral appointments:

• Paper 363-26: Mayoral appointment of Karen Buck to the Public Works Commission for a term expiring March 1, 2027. Confirmed 10-0 on a roll call vote.
• Paper 364-26: Mayoral appointment of Heather Barry to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2028. Confirmed on a roll call vote, with Councillor Sica absent for the vote.
• Paper 365-26: Mayoral appointment of Ben Gately to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2029. Confirmed 10-0 on a roll call vote, with Councillor Simonelli absent for the vote.
• Paper 367-26: Mayoral appointment of Julie Turner to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2028. Confirmed on a roll call vote.
• Paper 368-26: Mayoral appointment of Jane Ventrone to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2029. Confirmed on a roll call vote.

The Council considered an order under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(1) (Exemption 1) to convene in executive session with city legal counsel to discuss charges brought against a public employee in the matter of Jeannette v. Officer Patrick Kennan, to consider legal representation and indemnification, and to admit Special Assistant to the Mayor Marie Louise.

• Approved on a roll call vote, after which the Council entered executive session with no intention of reconvening in open session.