Malden City Council 05-05-2026

• Date: May 5, 2026
• Governing Body: Malden City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
• Attendees:
  • Council President Amanda Linehan
  • Councilor Karen Colón Hayes
  • Councilor Paul Condon
  • Councilor Peg Crowe
  • Councilor Luong
  • Councilor Carey McDonald
  • Councilor Ryan O'Malley (Remote)
  • Councilor Jadeane Sica
  • Councilor Ari Taylor
  • Councilor Stephen Winslow
• Absent: Councilor Chris Simonelli, Councilor Craig Spadafora

Representatives Laura McNulty and Kathleen O'Brien from the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) Department of Community Health presented the 2025 Regional Wellbeing Report.

• Key Findings:
  • Mental health distress is a critical issue, with nearly half of youth reporting high levels of distress.
  • Access to care has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic due to provider shortages and complex patient needs.
  • Malden's uninsurance rate is 5.9%, significantly higher than the state average of 2.7%.
  • Environmental health and climate anxiety were noted as emerging concerns among youth.
• Resources: CHA highlighted the Community Behavioral Health Center on Canal Street, which offers 24-hour urgent care and mobile crisis teams regardless of insurance status.

• No members of the public signed up or spoke during the public comment period.

The Council approved the consent agenda, which included meeting minutes, one personnel appointment, and 10 license petitions.

• Outcome: Approved 10-0 via roll call vote (Colón Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Luong, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Taylor, Winslow, Linehan).

The Council discussed and adopted a one-year moratorium on data center developments to allow for infrastructure and environmental impact studies.

• Paper 252-26: "Order that the City of Malden commence a one year moratorium on permitting any proposals including but not limited to the creation, construction, or use of a property for the purpose of a data center."
• Paper 253-26: Tasks the Economic Development Committee to study infrastructure, environmental, and economic considerations of data centers.
• Outcome: Paper 252-26 adopted 10-0; Paper 253-26 referred to Economic Development Committee 10-0.

The Council adjusted the June meeting calendar to accommodate the FY2027 budget public hearing process.

• Changes: June 2nd will be a Committee of the Whole meeting; June 9th will be a full Council meeting.
• Outcome: Adopted 10-0.

Alex Pratt (Director of OSPCD) presented a proposal for the city to enter a new regional contract for the Blue Bikes program.

• Financial Impact: The program is funded through grants (MassDOT, ARPA, Federal Highway Administration) and sponsorships; there is no impact on the city's general fund.
• Contract Terms: A nine-year regional contract (structured as 3-year terms with options) with an exit clause for the city's convenience.
• Outcome: Adopted 9-0 (Council President Linehan recused due to a conflict with her employer).

Two communications from Mayor Christenson regarding an economic development package and a Commercial Street zoning analysis were introduced.

• Outcome: Both papers referred to the Economic Development Committee 10-0.

City Solicitor Elish McNeil provided an update on an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Bruce Friedman regarding executive session minutes from April 14, 2026.

• Solicitor's Findings: The Solicitor argued the complaint was untimely and that the minutes were properly withheld under litigation exemptions (Exemption 3).
• Outcome: Response authorized 10-0.

The Council voted on several appropriations from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Fund:

1. Paper 208-26: $60,000 for the Malden Rental Assistance Program (ABCD). (Adopted 10-0)
2. Paper 209-26: $100,000 for the Olive Street Restoration Project (Public Facilities masonry). (Adopted 10-0)
3. Paper 210-26: $114,000 for Digitalization and Preservation of Historic Records (City Clerk). (Adopted 10-0)
4. Paper 211-26: $122,500 for St. Paul’s Parish Church buttress restoration. (Adopted 10-0)
5. Paper 212-26: $250,000 for First Parish Church Restoration Project. (Adopted 9-0; Councilor McDonald recused)
6. Paper 213-26: $500,000 for the Malden Affordable Housing Trust Fund. (Adopted 10-0)
7. Paper 214-26: $500,000 for the Linden Park Restoration Project. (Adopted 10-0)

The Council reviewed the FY2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget totaling approximately $1.79 million.

• Key Allocations: Funding for Linden Park playground, Malden Skate Park, and the Malden River Works Section 108 loan repayment.
• Outcome: Adopted 8-0 (Councilor Crowe recused; Councilor Sica absent for vote).

• Maplewood Square Event: Saturday, May 16th, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
• Malden Porchfest: Saturday, May 30th, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
• Lions Club Eye Van: Eye and blood pressure screenings at City Hall Plaza during Porchfest.
• Safe Routes to School: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School morning on May 6th.
• Mother's Day Breakfast: Annual breakfast at Anthony's on Sunday, May 10th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.