City Council

• Date: August 27, 2026\n* Governing Body: Somerville City Council\n* Meeting Type: Regular Meeting\n* Presiding Officer: Councilor Lance Davis, President\n* Councilors Present: Ben Ewen-Campen, Jon Link, J.T. Scott, Jesse Clingan, Kristen Strezo, Naima Sait, Ben Wheeler, Emily Hardt, Matt McLaughlin, Will Mbah, Lance Davis.

The Council observed a moment of silence for several community members and global events:\n* Joanne Fontano: A long-time resident and sister of Zoning Board Chair Sue Fontano, remembered for her optimism and community spirit.\n* Immigration-Related Deaths: Councilor Hardt recognized individuals who died in federal immigration custody, including Edwin Giovanni Lopez Cornejo and Presiliano Trejo-Ricano.\n* Larry Aronson: A beloved Ward 2 resident and long-time Cambridge Rindge and Latin teacher.\n* Michael Chipperini, William Fitzpatrick, and Jesse Gregory: Former Somerville residents remembered for their contributions to the community.\n* Nepal Flood Victims: The Council offered prayers for those affected by extreme weather in Nepal.

• Dan Amlin: Commended for eight years of service in the Engineering Division, specifically for his leadership on the Somerville Ave sewer and Spring Hill reconstruction projects.\n* Ramon Bueno and Eliza Johnston: Recognized for their long-term commitment to climate action and service on the Commission on Energy Use and Climate Change.\n* South Asian Heritage Month: The Mayor proclaimed July 2026 as South Asian Heritage Month, highlighting the contributions of the Nepali and Indian communities.\n* Women's Equality Day: The Mayor proclaimed August 26, 2026, as Women's Equality Day, with Alex Barbat of the Somerville Commission for Women emphasizing the need for gender-specific data in policy making.

The Council held public hearings and approved the following utility requests:\n1. Item 3.1 (Light Path): Install 41 feet of conduit in Grand Union Boulevard to support 188 Assembly Park Drive.\n2. Item 3.2 (Eversource): Install 208 feet of conduit in Taylor Street and Sidney Street for 9 Taylor Street.\n3. Item 3.3 (Eversource): Install 201 feet of conduit in Charlestown Street and Allen Street for a new 24-unit Passive House project at 37 Allen Street.\n4. Item 3.4 (Eversource): Install 51 feet of conduit in Prescott Street for 53 Prescott Street.

• Item 4.2 (Rodenticide Ban): An ordinance to amend Chapter 6 to ban rodenticides on municipal property. Councilor Hardt noted, "Rodenticides do not work to control rats on a population level." Referred to Legislative Matters.\n* Item 7.1 (Home Rule Petition): The Mayor requested a Home Rule Petition to regulate anticoagulant rodenticides citywide on private property. Referred to Legislative Matters.\n* Item 4.1 (Civilian Oversight): Councilor Davis initiated a process to schedule a public hearing regarding the establishment of an entity for civilian oversight of the police department. Referred to Legislative Matters.

• Item 4.3 (SNAP Access): Resolution urging the state to end the SNAP access crisis. It was noted that 91.5% of callers could not reach the DTA, and Somerville participation dropped 15%. Approved.\n* Item 4.4 (Tufts International Student): Resolution calling for a fair resolution for a graduate student facing academic retaliation. Approved.\n* Item 4.5 & 4.6 (Labor Support): Resolutions supporting SEIU 32BJ security officers and Tufts facility workers in their contract negotiations. Approved.\n* Item 4.12 (Route 80 Bus): Resolution opposing the MBTA's plan to cut Route 80 service, citing its necessity for Gilman Square and East Somerville residents. Approved.

• Item 7.4 (Firefighters Contract): The Council approved the appropriation of $937,409 from the salary contingency account to fund the collective bargaining agreement with the Firefighters Association of Somerville Local 76. \n* Vote Outcome: Approved 10-0 via roll call (Ewen-Campen, Link, Scott, Clingan, Strezo, Sait, Wheeler, Hardt, McLaughlin, Mbah, Davis all voting Yes).\n* Sewer Enterprise Transfers: Items 7.9, 7.10, and 7.11 were approved, transferring $1,000 each for infrastructure projects at Somerville Ave, Spring Hill, and Poplar Street.

• Morgan Pinney (Save Somerville Wildlife): Advocated for the rodenticide ban, citing the deaths of local raptors like the eagle 'MK'.\n* Rae Santana (Mystic Tenant Association): Described the "horrible system" at the DTA where families lose benefits due to unanswered calls and unreviewed paperwork.\n* Ann Ryan: Expressed concern that the 90 Washington Street development would destroy the green space and quality of life for elderly residents at Cobble Hill.\n* Christopher Molinari (Tufts Graduate Workers Union): Detailed allegations of retaliation and unpaid work involving an international graduate student at Tufts.\n* James Goode (SEIU 32BJ): Requested support for facilities workers at Tufts, noting that proposed wage increases are below the cost of living.

• Item 7.26 (Michael Avery): Confirmed as a member of the Elections Commission to ensure a quorum for the upcoming election. Approved.\n* Police Promotions: Items 7.21 through 7.25 were approved, confirming several new police promotions.\n* Item 7.28 (Mark Antonelli): Approved an ethics exemption for Mark Antonelli under MGL Chapter 268A.