Malden City Council 02- 24- 2026

• Meeting Date: February 24, 2026
• Governing Body: Malden City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
• Attendees:
  • Councilor Karen Colón Hayes
  • Councilor Paul Condon
  • Councilor Peg Crowe
  • Councilor LeWong (Luong)
  • Councilor Carey McDonald
  • Councilor Ryan O'Malley
  • Councilor Jadeane Sica
  • Councilor Chris Simonelli
  • Councilor Ari Taylor
  • Councilor Stephen Winslow
  • Council President Amanda Linehan

• Bruce Friedman (Marvin Street): Supported Paper 129-26 regarding budget cuts. He criticized the reappointment of City Engineer Yim Lip, citing a "$1.3 million settlement with Peter Tufts" and alleging the city lacks proper commercial insurance coverage.
• Brian DeLacy (1 Earl Street): Submitted an email requesting a review of Superior Court Case 2181-CV-01248 (Tufts v. City of Malden) and OSHA violations before confirming the City Engineer's reappointment.
• Kate Allen (26 Rockingham Avenue): Opposed the elimination of Fourth of July funds, suggesting a reduction to $7,000 and seeking business donations instead.
• Elizabeth Santa (submitted on behalf of local clergy): Urged the Council to prohibit city resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement, stating: "The actions of ICE are evil... It is your moral obligation to... refuse to comply with ICE."
• Kimberly A. Goodman (66 Cliff Street): Opposed cutting Fourth of July and beautification funds, noting that residents often maintain city gardens at their own expense.
• Amanda Smith (Ferry Street): Opposed reducing City Councilor pay, arguing it would reduce diversity and lead to "volunteer level service."

• The consent agenda, including meeting minutes, one appointment, three license petitions, and two communications, was approved on a motion by Councilor Sica, seconded by Councilor Taylor.

The Council acted on several reappointments proposed by Mayor Gary Christenson:

• Referred to Personnel and Appointments Committee:
  • Paper 123-26: Yim Lip as City Engineer.
  • Paper 125-26: Anthony Rodriguez as Director of Information Technology.
• Confirmed via Roll Call Vote (11-0):
  • Paper 120-26: Diego Baricelli, Public Works Commission (Term expires March 1, 2029).
  • Paper 121-26: Diane Tuner, Planning Board (Term expires March 1, 2023).
  • Paper 122-26: Maria D'Esposito, Board of Appeal (Term expires March 1, 2029).
  • Paper 124-26: Barbara Murphy, Police Commissioner (Term expires March 1, 2029).
  • Paper 126-26: Stephanie Stone, Planning Board (Term expires March 1, 2031).

• Subject: Petition to install underground conduits at Broadway Plaza for six public Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers.
• Discussion: Catherine Campion (WS Development) explained the chargers would be operated by Electrify America. Councilors questioned the impact on green space and the level of the chargers (Level 2 vs. Level 3).
• Action: The public hearing was opened and closed. The paper was tabled on a motion by Councilor Simonelli to allow for direct consultation with National Grid.

• Subject: Complaint filed by Councilor Ryan O'Malley against the Council regarding the executive session held on February 10, 2026.
• Action: Referred to the legal department on a motion by Councilor McDonald.

• Summary: A resolve proposing $180,500 in savings through the elimination of Ward improvement funds, Fourth of July funds, the Council President stipend, and a $7,500 reduction in Councilor base pay.
• Council Action: The paper was split.
  • Items 1 & 2 (Ward and 4th of July Funds): Referred to the Finance Committee. Councilor Sica noted these cuts ($95,000) could save "a clerk and a half salary."
  • Items 3 & 4 (Council Compensation): Placed on file. Councilor Taylor and others argued that reducing pay would prevent non-wealthy residents from serving. Councilor O'Malley recused himself from the vote, citing a financial conflict of interest.

• Summary: A resolve stating that "no resources of the City of Malden should be used to assist with the federal government's responsibility for civil, non-criminal immigration enforcement in any manner not required by law."
• Action: Passed unanimously via voice vote. The resolution was supported by the Mayor's office and the Police Chief as a non-binding statement of policy.

• Subject: Complaint by Bruce Friedman regarding redacted executive session minutes from January 20, 2026.
• Legal Opinion: Assistant City Solicitor Prasanna Radhasekaran stated there was no violation as the minutes pertain to the ongoing Tufts litigation, and release would be "premature."
• Action: Council authorized legal counsel to submit the response to the Attorney General.

• Action: The Council voted to adopt an order authorizing the Treasurer to sell the property at 33 Tuff Street (Parcel ID 078358819) following tax title foreclosure in Land Court (Case 22 TL000313).

• Paper 84-26: Malden Auto Center, LLC (189 Eastern Ave) was granted a conditional 90-day Class 2 license to resolve property compliance issues.
• Other Licenses: Various renewals for Livery and Taxi drivers/companies (Papers 45, 47-51, 85-96) were granted.

• Purpose: To discuss litigation strategy regarding Benevolent Botanicals and 926 Eastern Avenue v. City of Malden.
• Vote: The Council voted 8 to 2 to enter executive session (Councilors Sica and Simonelli opposed/absent). The meeting adjourned directly from the executive session.