City Council

• Meeting Date: April 09, 2026
• Governing Body: Somerville City Council
• Chair: Council President Lance Davis
• Roll Call Attendance:
  • Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen: Present
  • Councilor Jon Link: Present
  • Councilor J.T. Scott: Present
  • Councilor Jesse Clingan: Present
  • Councilor Kristen Strezo: Present
  • Councilor Naima Sait: Present
  • Councilor Ben Wheeler: Present
  • Councilor Emily Hardt: Present
  • Councilor Matt McLaughlin: Present
  • Councilor Will Mbah: Present
  • Councilor Lance Davis: Present
• Quorum: Established with 11 members present.

Item 2.1: Citation for Teresa M. Pirro

• Action: Councilor Clingan presented a citation commending Teresa M. Pirro on her 100th birthday.
• Details: Mrs. Pirro, a resident of Medford Street for over 75 years and mother of former Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pirro Jr., was recognized for her lifetime of dedication to the community. The citation was accepted by her granddaughter, Emily Perrone.

Item 3.1: Eversource - Kent Street and Somerville Avenue

• Proposal: Install 318 feet of conduit to provide service to 22 Kent Street.
• Discussion: Councilor Scott raised concerns regarding a utility pole at the intersection of Kent and Somerville Avenue leaning at a 15-degree angle (Item 260633). He moved to refer the item to committee to leverage the grant for repairs.
• Action: Referred to the Committee on Licenses and Permits.

Item 3.2: Eversource - 382 Broadway

• Proposal: Install 184 feet of conduit from manhole 1969 to 382 Broadway.
• Action: Approved.

Item 3.3: Eversource - 24 Webster Avenue

• Proposal: Install 25 feet of conduit in Everett Street from utility pole 118/0.
• Action: Approved.

Item 6A.1: Report of the Committee Meeting on March 30, 2026

• Police Promotions: The Council confirmed the promotions of Ashley Catato and Courtney Ruiz to the rank of Sergeant. Both were sworn in during the meeting.
• Other Appointments:
  • James Plotkin: Municipal Hearing Officer (Approved).
  • Jessica Smith: Public Financing of Campaigns Committee (Approved).
  • James Leo Bedard and Christa Hough: Ranked Choice Voting Committee (Approved).
• Action: Committee report accepted and appointments confirmed.

Item 4.2: Resolution 260508 - Plant-Based Treaty

• Sponsors: Councilors Sait, Mbah, Link, Clingan, and Hardt.
• Summary: Calls for the Mayor to incorporate plant-based solutions into the 'Climate Forward' plan, implement plant-based purchasing for city events, and promote a Somerville Plant-Based Restaurant Week.
• Public Comment:
  • Veronica Potter (Resident): Emphasized that the treaty focuses on three goals: "Redirect animal agriculture food systems to plant-based ones; Relinquish use of additional land for animal agriculture; Restore ecosystems."
  • Brennan Luo (Resident): Noted that meat and dairy are the largest sources of consumption-based emissions in Somerville.
  • Rosa Diaz (Cambridge Resident): Shared a statement from Zahar Ahmed (Koshari Mama) stating, "Plant-based cooking isn't new, it's ancestral."
• Action: Approved.

Item 4.3: Welcoming Communities Ordinance Amendment (Section 2.6)

• Sponsors: Councilors Ewen-Campen, Link, and Hardt.
• Summary: Proposes enhancing civil rights protections by prohibiting city assistance to federal agencies conducting civil immigration enforcement or targeting First Amendment-protected activities.
• Legal Testimony: Gideon Epstein (ACLU Massachusetts) stated the amendments "close critical gaps" and ensure "Somerville taxpayer dollars should not be used as tools of federal immigration enforcement."
• Action: Referred to the Committee on Legislative Matters.

Items 7.4 and 7.7: Acquisition of 122 Assembly Park Drive, Unit 45

• Action: The Council authorized the execution of a Purchase and Sale agreement and a $7,000,000 bond for the purchase of the Assembly Square Fire Station condominium.
• Financial Justification: Executive Director Tom Gallaghani and CFO Edward Bean explained that purchasing the unit for $7,000,000 would save the city approximately $1,000,000 over 28 years compared to the current lease agreement. The city previously invested $4.2 million in community benefits funds to fit out the station.
• Vote Outcome (Roll Call): Approved 11-0.
  • In Favor: Ewen-Campen, Link, Scott, Clingan, Strezo, Sait, Wheeler, Hardt, McLaughlin, Mbah, Davis.
  • Against/Abstain: None.

Item 6B.1: Report of the Committee Meeting on April 7, 2026

• Key Approvals:
  • Street Resurfacing Grant: $104,000 from Eversource for West Broadway and Holyoke Street.
  • Vehicle Gift: A lighting and pump support unit for the Auxiliary Fire Department from the Town of Medway.
  • Website Redesign Grant: $100,000 from the Mass Department of Revenue for Phase 1 of a city website overhaul.
  • Crisis Intervention Grant: $48,000 from the Mass Department of Mental Health for police training.
  • CPA Grant Amendment: Modified the Somerville Community Land Trust grant for 12 Pleasant Ave to implement time-limited preservation restrictions.
• Action: Committee report accepted.

Item 7.3: Special Police Officer Appointments

• Summary: A Home Rule Petition to authorize the appointment of special police officers, primarily to grant police powers to Somerville Housing Authority officers under the supervision of the Chief of Police.
• Discussion: Councilor Scott raised concerns regarding civil service exemptions and collective bargaining exclusions.
• Action: Laid on the table until the April 23 meeting to allow for further review.

Items 9.1 - 9.63: Business Licenses

• Action: 63 licenses were approved en masse.

Notable Public Events Approved:

• Item 9.67: Salute to Service Parade (May 16).
• Item 9.70: Big Gay Dance Party (June 27).
• Item 9.71: Fireworks Celebration (June 30).