Malden City Council 04-21-2026

The meeting was called to order by Council President Amanda Linehan. The Council performed the Pledge of Allegiance and observed a moment of silence for veterans and service members.

Councilor Chris Simonelli led a special tribute to Wayne Martineau, a dedicated city employee who passed away recently.

• Discussion: Councilor Simonelli highlighted Martineau's long career, his role as Clerk of the Works for the New School Project, and his commitment to the community despite personal hardships.
• Quote: "Wayne has always went the extra mile and be always one of those people that would be like, why can't we? Cut through the red tape and make changes to help people throughout the community."

The following 11 members were present:

• Councilor Karen Colón Hayes
• Councilor Paul Condon
• Councilor Peg Crowe
• Councilor Michelle Luong (transcribed as Wong/LeJuan)
• Councilor Carey McDonald (via Teams)
• Councilor Ryan O'Malley
• Councilor Jadeane Sica
• Councilor Chris Simonelli
• Councilor Ari Taylor
• Councilor Stephen Winslow
• Council President Amanda Linehan

Representatives from Malden Safe Streets, MassDOT Safe Routes to School, and local crossing guards presented a new safety initiative.

• Key Presenters: Gina Hayes (Crossing Guard of the Year), Ali (Malden Safe Streets), and Tina (MassDOT).
• Initiative Details: The project focused on mapping the city's 48 crossing guard locations to ensure DPW prioritizes snow removal at curb cuts and crosswalk buttons.
• Achievements:
  • Linden STEAM Academy won a MassDOT Bike Rack Grant.
  • Salemwood School developed three new walking school bus maps.
  • Four Malden crossing guards were nominated for the statewide Crossing Guard of the Year award.
• Council Inquiry: Councilor O'Malley inquired about the interface between Safe Routes and the Mass Trails Grant. Tina (MassDOT) explained that MassDOT often redirects infrastructure applications to the most appropriate funding source.

There were no speakers for public comment, and no emails were submitted for the record.

The consent agenda included meeting minutes, one appointment, and six petitions referred to the License Committee.

• Action: The consent agenda was approved.
• Vote: 10-0 (Councilor Simonelli was briefly absent from the floor).

The Council voted on two mayoral reappointments:

1. Paper 224-26: Reappointment of John P. King, 67 Upham Street, to the Board of Appeal for a term expiring May 1, 2029.
   • Action: Confirmed.
   • Vote: 11-0 (Unanimous roll call).
2. Paper 225-26: Reappointment of William Hurley, 67 Kimball Street, as the Labor Member of the Malden Housing Authority Board for a term expiring May 2, 2031.
   • Action: Confirmed.
   • Vote: 11-0 (Unanimous roll call).

Paper 226-26: Communication regarding Community Preservation Committee (CPC) appropriation orders for seven projects.

• Action: The communication was placed on file by a vote of 11-0. The orders were sent directly to the Finance Committee for review before returning to the full Council for a final vote.

Paper 227-26: The committee recommended favorable action on a series of license renewals (Papers 165-169 and 186-195).

• Renewals Granted:
  • Extended Hours: Dunkin' (200 Commercial St, 57 Eastern Ave, 424 Main St).
  • Exterior Vending: Rocky Mountain Spring Water Company.
  • Taxi Drivers: Ronald C. McRae and James Flan.
  • Amusement Machines: Kittleton Inc. (423 Main St).
  • Class 2 Auto: McMillan Automotive (388 Eastern Ave).
  • Lodging House: Sir Carlton LLC (33 Maple St).
  • Outdoor Parking: Robert McNulty (28 Cedar St).
  • Pool Tables: Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1910.
  • Pawnbroker/Secondhand Dealer: Golden Diamonds, Inc. (27-29 Pleasant St).
  • Self-Service Gas: Gibbs Oil (728 Main St) and Snap Mart (245 Main St).
• Action: All petitions were granted.
• Vote: 11-0 (Unanimous roll call).

Councilors shared several community updates:

• Environmental Events: Earth Day cleanups are scheduled for Ward 3 (Felsmere Pond and Middlesex Fells) and Ward 8. A Hazardous Waste drop-off at the DPW is scheduled for Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Community Events: The Ward 5 Citywide Yard Sale (32 locations) and the Green Malden Fair at Pine Banks Park are both scheduled for the upcoming Saturday. A Plant Swap will be held May 2nd at Quarter Millie Park.
• Budget Process: Councilor McDonald announced that the FY2027 budget process begins next week, with the Mayor's order expected to be introduced followed by nightly Finance Committee meetings in June.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.

• Action: Motion to adjourn approved.
• Vote: 11-0 (Unanimous roll call).