Executive Summary
The Malden City Council met on May 19, 2026, to address several key legislative and administrative matters. Highlights included a comprehensive presentation by the Malden High School Youth Action Collaborative on environmental issues such as PFAS and lead pipe replacement, the confirmation of Paul Myers as the Director of Public Works, and the referral of the FY 2027 Water Sewer, Community Preservation, and Cable Access budgets to the Finance Committee. The Council also advanced zoning amendments regarding data centers and updated the city's marijuana retail licensing ordinance to ensure a minimum of five licenses remain available.
Call to Order and Roll Call
- Meeting Date: May 19, 2026
- Governing Body: Malden City Council
- Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
- Attendees: Councilor McDonald, Councilor O'Malley, Councilor Sica, Councilor Simonelli, Councilor Taylor, Councilor Winslow, Council President Linehan, Councilor Crowe, Councilor Luong, Councilor Condon.
- Quorum: Nine members were present at the start of the meeting.
Presentation: Youth Action Collaborative (YAC) and Clean Water Action
- Presenters: Student representatives from Malden High School, including Caduce Degue, Adrian Aguilar, Talia Latour, Angela, Mike, Wadley, Emma, Aldona Abraham, and Adam Abraham.
- PFAS Research: The Toxics Team presented research on 'forever chemicals' (PFAS), noting their presence in household products and toys. They advocated for the 'Toxic Free Kids' petition to ban PFAS in children's products.
- Lead Pipe Replacement: The Lead Team discussed efforts to reach vulnerable renters regarding lead service line replacements. They requested access to the city's construction schedule to better coordinate door-knocking and filter distribution for pregnant women and daycares.
- Waste and Recycling: The Waste Team presented a project focused on improving recycling habits at Malden High School through informational posters and data collection.
- Climate Literacy: The Climate Team advocated for the 'Interdisciplinary Climate Literacy Bill' in Massachusetts and announced a planting workshop and storytelling event in June.
- Council Response: Councilor McDonald noted that the Council's recent rental registry ordinance was influenced by previous YAC advocacy. Councilor O'Malley emphasized the importance of aligning lead pipe replacement with the road repaving schedule to save costs.
Consent Agenda
- Items Included: Meeting minutes, three appointments placed on file, and two petitions referred to the License Committee.
- Amendment: Councilor Winslow moved to amend the minutes of May 12, 2026 (Items 269-26), to include his statement regarding the transition of the Traffic Commission to a Transportation Commission per the January charter update.
- Action: The consent agenda was approved as amended. (Motion: Luong, Second: Winslow).
Paper 275-26: FY 2027 Annual Appropriation Orders
- Description: The Mayor submitted the FY 2027 annual appropriation orders for the Water Sewer Enterprise Fund, Community Preservation Fund, and Cable Access Fund.
- Action: Referred to the Finance Committee. (Motion: McDonald, Second: Taylor).
Paper 276-26: Zoning Amendment Regarding Data Centers
- Description: An ordinance to amend Sections 12 and 32 of Title 12 of the Code of the City of Malden to define and regulate data centers.
- Discussion: Councilor Taylor noted this is a necessary step to implement a moratorium and allow the city to study the impact of data centers.
- Action: Referred to a joint meeting of the Rules and Ordinance Committee and the Planning Board. (Motion: Taylor, Second: O'Malley).
Paper 277-26: Open Meeting Law Complaint
- Description: Address an Open Meeting Law complaint submitted May 13, 2026, by Bruce Friedman regarding an executive session held on May 12, 2026.
- Action: Referred to the Legal Department for investigation and response by the June 3 deadline. (Motion: Simonelli, Second: Luong). Councilor O'Malley recorded as 'Present'.
Paper 197-26: Licensing of Marijuana Establishments
- Description: Amendment to Malden City Code 6.08.070C2 regarding the licensing of marijuana establishments.
- Key Language: '...provided that no fewer than five marijuana retail licenses shall be made available after Mass General Laws Chapter 138, Subsection 15.'
- Discussion: Councilor Winslow explained the amendment clarifies the cap to ensure at least five licenses are available regardless of fluctuations in liquor license numbers.
- Action: Enrolled. (Motion: Winslow, Second: O'Malley).
License Committee Report
- Petitions Approved:
- Paper 218-26: Open Air Parking Lot, TJ Automotive Corp (315 Pleasant St, 20 spaces).
- Paper 221-26 & 222-26: Pawnbroker and Secondhand Dealer, Ock Cow Jewelers (56 Pleasant St).
- Paper 223-26: Self-Service Gas Station, Speedway (214 Broadway).
- Paper 242-26 & 249-26: Bowling Alley and Pool Tables, Town Line Ten Pin Corp (665 Broadway).
- Paper 84-26: Class 2 License, Malden Auto Center LLC (189 Eastern Ave), extended until December 31, 2026.
- Action: All licenses in the report were granted. (Motion: Condon, Second: Simonelli).
Paper 214-26: Appointment of Director of Public Works
- Appointee: Paul Myers, 433 Fulton Street, Medford.
- Term: To fulfill the unexpired term of Robert Knox, followed by a three-year term expiring April 22, 2030.
- Discussion: Councilor Crowe highlighted Myers' work on technology upgrades and operationalizing overtime assignments during his time as interim director.
- Action: Confirmed via Roll Call Vote (9-0).
- Roll Call: Condon (Y), Crowe (Y), Luong (Y), McDonald (Y), O'Malley (Y), Simonelli (Y), Taylor (Y), Winslow (Y), Linehan (Y).
Paper 153-26: National Grid Petition
- Description: Petition for electrical equipment installation.
- Conditions for Approval:
- Engineer must be called when DigSafe is notified.
- Streets and sidewalks must be restored to the satisfaction of the DPW Director.
- Installation must follow the landscaping, fencing buffer, and electrical plans.
- Installation of wooden cedar fencing on the north and west sides of the property.
- Subject to minor modifications and final review by the Ward Councilor.
- Action: Granted with conditions. (Motion: O'Malley, Second: Winslow).
Personal Privilege and Announcements
- Maplewood Fest: Councilor Winslow thanked volunteers for the successful 5th annual event.
- Memorial Day: Services scheduled for 10:00 AM at Forest Dale Cemetery on Monday.
- Porchfest: Scheduled for Saturday, May 30, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM across various city locations.
- Pride Flag Raising: Scheduled for Monday, June 1, at 6:00 PM at City Hall Plaza.
- Rabies Clinic: Saturday, May 23, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Malden Central Fire Station.
- Historical Society Event: 'Malden's Town Instructions' reading on Monday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Rising Eagle Public House.