Executive Summary
At the September 22, 2026 meeting of the Malden City Council, the council adopted orders establishing a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund beginning in FY2028, a General Purpose Stabilization Fund, and a Short-Term Capital Needs Special Purpose Stabilization Fund, referring their accompanying ordinances to committee. Councilors also ratified a 2008 Public Works Commission adoption regarding water and sewer billing and liens, enrolled an ordinance formalizing monthly billing, and ordained an ordinance to allow the Chief of Police to appoint a designee to the Transportation Commission. Additionally, the council ordained an amendment requiring Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission approval for marijuana license transfers and ordained a residential kitchen zoning amendment to take effect January 1, 2027. Councilors also approved a batch of business and livery licenses, confirmed mayoral appointments to the Council on Aging and the Commission on Climate Action and Sustainability, and unanimously passed resolutions advocating for state MassSave funding protections and establishing a municipal working group on micromobility safety.
Call to Order, Moment of Silence, and Roll Call
- Meeting called to order at 7:05 PM by Council President Linehan.
- Council President Linehan yielded the floor to Councillor Condon for a moment of silence in honor of Dr. John Tremendozzi, a lifelong resident of the Edgeworth neighborhood, longtime Malden Public Library trustee and president, chemistry professor at Curry College, and community historian who recently passed away.
- Roll call was conducted by the Clerk.
- Members noted as absent: Councillor Sica and Councillor Spadafora.
Guest Citizens, Achievements, and Announcements: Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
- Representatives and students from Malden Catholic High School and Malden High School (Isabelle Sosa, Olivia Pereira, Amanda Citadin, Mariel Nicholas, Kelsing Choden, Wilson Chen, Anna Boyd, Xichao Chen, Francis Chung, Yifeng Chen, and Ziva Price) read a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 in the City of Malden.
- Councillor Simonelli commended the youth and acknowledged community advocate Gladys Rodgers and Councillor Colón Hayes for organizing the presentation.
- The council stood in a brief recess for photographs before reconvening.
Public Comment
- No members of the public registered or appeared for public comment.
Consent Agenda
- The consent agenda included meeting minutes for approval and two petitions referred to the License Committee.
- Motion to approve made by Councillor Luong, seconded by Councillor Winslow.
- Passed unanimously.
Mayoral Appointment of Michelle Ferguson to the Planning Board (Paper 382-26)
- Mayoral appointment of Michelle Ferguson of 43 Boston Street as a full member of the Planning Board for a term expiring March 1, 2031.
- Councillor Crowe noted that because this constitutes a new appointment to a full member seat (following an associate appointment in May 2025), it should be reviewed by committee.
- Motion to refer to the Personnel and Appointments Committee by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor Taylor.
- Passed unanimously.
Mayoral Reappointment of Lisa Picardi to the Disability Commission (Paper 383-26)
- Mayoral reappointment of Lisa Picardi of 18 Phillips Street as a member of the Disability Commission.
- Councillor Crowe moved to confirm the reappointment directly on the floor based on past practice for reappointments.
- Motion to confirm by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor Simonelli.
- Passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.
Establishment of Solid Waste Enterprise Fund and Accompanying Ordinance (Papers 384-26 and 385-26)
- Councillor McDonald raised a point of order to introduce and consider related enterprise and stabilization fund papers together in pairs.
- Paper 384-26: Order that the Malden City Council, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53F½, adopts the local option to establish a solid waste enterprise fund beginning in fiscal year 2028.
- Paper 385-26: Ordinance amending Title III (Revenue and Finance) of the Code of the City of Malden by adding Section 3.05 (Solid Waste Enterprise Fund).
- Councillor Winslow noted that creating the fund will bring transparent accounting to city trash operations.
- Councillor McDonald stated that projected city trash revenue this fiscal year is approximately $1.2 million against projected costs of $3.9 million, resulting in a substantial deficit that an enterprise fund will help track and report publicly.
- Councillors O'Malley and McDonald requested to be added as co-sponsors.
- Motion to adopt the order (Paper 384-26) by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Simonelli. Passed unanimously.
- Motion to refer the ordinance (Paper 385-26) to a joint meeting of the Finance Committee and the Rules and Ordinance Committee by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor O'Malley. Passed unanimously.
Stabilization Funds Framework and Establishment Orders (Papers 386-26, 387-26, and 388-26)
- Paper 386-26: Order adopting the local option under M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 5B to establish a General Purpose Stabilization Fund.
- Paper 387-26: Order adopting the local option under M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 5B to establish a Short-Term Capital Needs Special Purpose Stabilization Fund.
- Paper 388-26: Ordinance amending Title III of the Code of the City of Malden by adding Section 3.10 (Reserve and Stabilization Fund Framework).
- Councillor McDonald explained that the framework separates unallocated free cash reserves into dedicated categories (operating reserves, capital needs, and emergency stabilization) to provide clear budgeting rules and financial transparency.
- City financial staff clarified that spending from a general stabilization fund requires a two-thirds majority vote of the council, while spending from a specific-purpose stabilization fund requires a simple majority.
- Councillors O'Malley, Colón Hayes, and Winslow asked to be added as co-sponsors.
- Motion to adopt the order for the General Purpose Stabilization Fund (Paper 386-26) by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Simonelli. Passed unanimously.
- Motion to adopt the order for the Short-Term Capital Needs Special Purpose Stabilization Fund (Paper 387-26) by Councillor Simonelli, seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes. Passed unanimously.
- Motion to refer the framework ordinance (Paper 388-26) to a joint meeting of the Finance Committee and the Rules and Ordinance Committee by Councillor O'Malley, seconded by Councillor Winslow. Passed unanimously.
Water and Sewer Liens Ratification and Monthly Billing Ordinance Amendment (Papers 389-26 and 390-26)
- Paper 389-26: Order pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40 ratifying the Public Works Commission's 2008 adoption of M.G.L. Chapter 40, Sections 42A through 42F regarding water and sewer collection, abatement appeals, and liens, and directing that a certificate of acceptance be filed at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds.
- Paper 390-26: Ordinance amending Code of the City of Malden Section 11.20.030(A) by striking "at least once each year" and replacing it with "monthly" regarding billing frequency.
- Staff explained that this action corrects a missing administrative record at the Registry of Deeds from 2008 to ensure water lien and collection processes are fully enforceable and match actual billing operations.
- Councillor O'Malley and Councillor McDonald sought clarification regarding the scope of ratifying prior administrative acts versus officially accepting the statutory option.
- Motion to adopt the order (Paper 389-26) by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes. Passed unanimously.
- Motion to enroll the ordinance (Paper 390-26) by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Taylor. Passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.
Transportation Network Company (TNC) Surcharge Appropriation (Paper 391-26)
- Paper 391-26: Order appropriating $266,174.60 from the TNC Surcharge Municipal Distribution Account for municipal transportation and infrastructure expenses.
- Councillor McDonald reported that this represents annual rideshare distribution funding.
- Motion to refer to the Finance Committee by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Winslow. Passed unanimously.
Transfers for Net School Spending Shortfall and Malden River Works Capital Projects (Papers 392-26, 393-26, and 394-26)
- The Council reviewed three financial orders accompanied by a memorandum from Mayor Gary Christenson:
- Paper 392-26: Order transferring $400,000 from Human Resources Group Insurance Miscellaneous to the Malden Public Schools Department to satisfy an FY2026 Net School Spending calculation shortfall.
- Paper 393-26: Order repurposing $1,292,045 in available cash funds from Paper 139 (Series of 2023) originally authorized for the Roosevelt Park Revitalization Project to the Malden River Works project.
- Paper 394-26: Order transferring $938,174.50 in unexpended bonded funds from Paper 140 (Series of 2023) from the Roosevelt Park project to the Malden River Works project pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 20.
- Mayor Christenson's memo noted that net school spending variances required an adjustment from budgeted health insurance, and that vertical construction cost increases at Malden River Works required reallocating funds not needed for currently planned work at Roosevelt Park.
- Councillor McDonald noted bonded funds must be allocated to comparable active capital projects to avoid harming future borrowing.
- Motion to refer Papers 392-26, 393-26, and 394-26 as a batch to the Finance Committee by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Crowe. Passed unanimously.
Police Chief Designee on the Transportation Commission (Paper 395-26)
- Paper 395-26: Ordinance amending Section 2.16.150(A) of the Code of the City of Malden by adding "or their designee" following "Chief of Police" regarding membership on the Transportation Commission.
- Council President Linehan and Councillor Winslow stated this would allow the Traffic Division lieutenant to serve on the commission in place of the Police Chief.
- Motion to enroll the ordinance by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Taylor. Passed unanimously.
- Motion to suspend council rules to allow enrollment and ordainment at the same meeting by Councillor Taylor. Passed 8-1 on a roll call vote (Councillor Condon dissenting; Councillor Simonelli absent for the vote).
- Motion to ordain by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes. Passed 8-0 on a roll call vote (Councillor Simonelli absent for the vote).
Marijuana License Transfer Approval Requirement (Paper 396-26)
- Paper 396-26: Ordinance amending Section 6.08.070(F) of the Code of the City of Malden by adding "without first obtaining approval from the Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission" to the end of the section, thereby establishing a formal administrative process for the transfer of cannabis establishment licenses.
- Motion to enroll the ordinance by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes. Passed unanimously.
- Motion to suspend the rules to ordain at the same meeting by Councillor Colón Hayes, seconded by Councillor Winslow. Passed 8-0 on a roll call vote (Councillor Simonelli absent for the vote).
- Motion to ordain by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes. Passed 8-0 on a roll call vote (Councillor Simonelli absent for the vote).
Resolution in Support of MassSave and State Clean Energy Grants (Paper 397-26)
- Paper 397-26: Resolution expressing the sense of the Malden City Council that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts protect and strengthen the MassSave program and clean energy grants.
- The resolution notes Malden residents received $5.7 million through MassSave in 2024 (yielding at least 600 MWh in savings), that Malden has received approximately $1.4 million in Green Communities Grants since 2017, and urges the legislative conference committee to reject a proposed $1 billion reduction to MassSave funding.
- Motion to adopt the resolution by Councillor Luong, seconded by Councillor Crowe. Passed unanimously.
Resolution Regarding Micromobility Device Safety and Working Group (Paper 398-26)
- Paper 398-26: Resolution directing the City Council to work in conjunction with the Transportation Commission, the School Committee, the Public Facilities Department, the Police and Fire Departments, and community partners to review rules, educational campaigns, and safety measures for powered micromobility devices (such as e-bikes and scooters).
- The resolution explicitly stipulates that any regulations shall exempt wheelchairs and personal mobility devices used by individuals with disabilities.
- Councillors debated whether to coordinate this initiative via an ad hoc council committee, a mayoral advisory group, or the Transportation Commission.
- Motion to adopt the resolution by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Colón Hayes. Passed unanimously.
Residential Kitchens Zoning Ordinance Amendment (Paper 263-26)
- Paper 263-26: Ordinance amending Title 12 of the Code of the City of Malden relative to residential (cottage food) kitchens.
- Councillor Winslow stated he would abstain because the Board of Health had not yet acted on local health regulations for cottage food operations.
- Councillor O'Malley raised a procedural question regarding vote thresholds and the consequences of a failed zoning amendment.
- Council President Linehan and Councillor Luong noted the amendment carries an effective date of January 1, 2027, allowing the Board of Health adequate time to adopt complementary local rules.
- Motion to ordain by Councillor Luong, seconded by Councillor Taylor.
- Passed 7-0-1 on a roll call vote (Councillor Winslow abstaining; Councillor Simonelli absent for the vote).
License Committee Report and Petitions (Papers 399-26, 354-26 through 360-26)
- Paper 399-26: Report of the Standing Committee on License recommending approval of papers 354-26 through 360-26. Motion to receive the report by Councillor Condon, seconded by Councillor Taylor. Passed unanimously.
- The council voted on the following batch of license applications:
- Paper 354-26: Extended Hours (24/7) renewal for Lagarde LLC d/b/a Big Daddy Doggy Daycare at 10 Maplewood Street.
- Paper 355-26: Livery Company license for Kudas Premium Limo at 244 Kennedy Drive, Apt 103 (1 vehicle).
- Paper 356-26: Livery Driver license for Kutukwaj Chair, 244 Kennedy Drive, Apt 103.
- Paper 357-26: Livery Company license for AK Luxury Transport LLC at 252 Kennedy Drive, Apt 612 (1 vehicle).
- Paper 358-26: Livery Driver license for Aboukar Kobali, 252 Kennedy Drive, Apt 612.
- Paper 359-26: Outdoor Parking license (72 spaces) for Melrose Storage Facility LLC at 235 Washington Street.
- Paper 360-26: Outdoor Parking license renewal (22 spaces) for 3C Realty Trust at 54 Winter Street (Paper 360-26).
- Motion to grant the licenses by Councillor Colón Hayes, seconded by Councillor Condon. Passed unanimously.
Personnel and Appointments Committee Report and Confirmations (Papers 400-26, 361-26, and 362-26)
- Paper 400-26: Report of the Standing Committee on Personnel and Appointments recommending confirmation of Papers 361-26 and 362-26. Motion to receive the report by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor Luong. Passed unanimously.
- Paper 361-26: Mayoral appointment of Julianne King of 29 Sterling Street to the Council on Aging for a term expiring June 12, 2029. Motion to confirm by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor Condon. Passed 8-0 on a roll call vote (Councillor Simonelli absent for the vote).
- Paper 362-26: Mayoral appointment of Arvin Timelsina of 8 Ingleside Avenue to the Commission on Climate Action and Sustainability for a term expiring July 20, 2029. Motion to confirm by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor Winslow. Passed 8-0 on a roll call vote (Councillor Simonelli absent for the vote).
Personal Privilege and Announcements
- Councillor Luong and Councillor Taylor announced the Zonta Club Scavenger Hunt on October 17.
- Councillor Winslow noted the K-4 Bingo fundraiser at Salemwood School on Friday and an informational presentation by Chris Carter on micromobility guidelines hosted by Malden Safe Streets at Bay State Commons on Monday.
- Councillor Taylor announced a Dolly Parton film night ("9 to 5") collecting period products at the Malden Public Library, and Haunted Woods volunteer meetings on Sunday at St. Paul's ahead of an October 24 event.
- Councillors McDonald and Colón Hayes highlighted the ribbon cutting for the Malden River Works project on October 4, and Councillor McDonald noted Public Safety Day at Linden Park.
- Councillor Crowe announced the YWCA bowling fundraiser on October 16 and the annual Canal Street Trunk-or-Treat on October 25.
- Councillor Colón Hayes promoted the Welcoming Week event "Global to Local: Girls and Education in Afghanistan" at the Malden Public Library.
- Council President Linehan announced the Malden Cosplay Celebration and downtown public art walking tours on October 3.
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn by Councillor O'Malley, seconded by Councillor Taylor.
- Passed unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.