City Council

• Governing Body: Somerville City Council
• Meeting Date: January 22, 2026
• Meeting Type: Regular Meeting (Remote/Hybrid)
• Presiding Officer: Councilor Lance Davis
• Roll Call:
  • Present: Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, Councilor Jon Link, Councilor J.T. Scott, Councilor Jesse Clingan, Councilor Kristen Strezo, Councilor Naima Sait, Councilor Ben Wheeler, Councilor Matt McLaughlin, Councilor Lance Davis.
  • Absent: Councilor Emily Hardt, Councilor Will Mbah.

• The minutes of the regular meeting held on December 11, 2025, were approved without objection.

Menstrual Product Access

• Item 4.3: Resolution by Councilor Strezo that the Director of Health and Human Services immediately install menstrual product dispensers providing free products in all city-owned bathrooms.
• Item 4.4: Resolution by Councilor Strezo for free menstrual product dispensers on each floor of City Hall.
• Item 4.7: Resolution calling for an end to period poverty in Somerville.
• Public Comment: Alexandra Barbat and Caitlin Firth (Co-Chairs, Somerville Commission for Women) and volunteer Molly Lomenzo spoke in support. Barbat stated, "Every single person who menstruates should have access to period products... this will have a positive, tangible impact on their lives."
• Action: Items approved and referred to the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety.

Warming Center and Homelessness

• Items 4.17, 4.18, 4.19: Resolutions by Councilor Ewen-Campen regarding the Overnight Warming Center on Prescott Street. Requests include installing waste receptacles, performing regular litter cleanups, and investigating the redirection of traffic/deliveries to the Cummings School parking lot.
• Item 4.13: Resolution by Councilor McLaughlin for monthly updates on progress toward addressing homelessness.
• Action: Referred to Sustainability and Infrastructure (4.17-4.19) and Public Health and Public Safety (4.13).

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

• Item 4.2: Order by Councilor Strezo to discuss a pilot program incentivizing backyard cottages and ADUs in owner-occupied properties.
• Discussion: Councilor Wheeler noted Salem's property tax exemption for ADUs renting below 70% of fair market value. Councilor Strezo highlighted New York State's "ADU Plus One" program as a model.
• Action: Referred to the Committee on Housing, Community Development, and Equity (HCDE).

Davis Square Planning

• Item 4.10: Resolution by Councilor Davis that the administration prioritize the finalization of the Davis Square neighborhood plan.
• Action: Approved.

School Maintenance Issues

• Item 4.8: Order by Councilor Davis for a written update on restoring hot water to the Capuano Early Education Centre.
• Item 4.9: Resolution by Councilor Davis for a custodial staffing analysis at each Somerville Public School.
• Item 4.11: Order by Councilor McLaughlin for updates on maintenance issues (rodents, hot water) at East Somerville, Capuano, and Edgerly schools.
• Action: Referred to the Committee on School Building Facilities and Maintenance.

City Hall Improvements

• Item 4.5: Resolution for outdoor patio furniture at City Hall. Action: Approved.
• Item 4.6: Resolution to install privacy film and replace shades in the second-floor women's bathroom at City Hall. Action: Referred to Public Health and Public Safety.

Charter Responsibilities Presentation

• Item 5.1: Legislative and Policy Analyst Brennan Salisbury presented on new Council responsibilities under the 2025 City Charter:
  • Resolutions vs. Orders: Orders are now reserved for information requests where the Council has legal authority to compel a response; general requests for action should be Resolutions.
  • Access to Information: Requires 14 days' advance notice for compelled appearances/information.
  • Appointments: New 30-day (department heads) and 60-day (multiple-member bodies) timelines for confirmation. Rejections of department heads require a two-thirds vote and written reasons.
  • Administrative Code: The Council now reviews and approves/rejects reorganization plans but cannot amend them.

Ranked Choice Voting

• Item 4.12: Resolution by Councilor McLaughlin to form a commission to investigate ranked choice voting as required by the new charter.
• Action: Approved.

Law Enforcement Identification

• Item 4.14: Resolution in support of a state act (filed by Senator Pat Jehlen) prohibiting ICE agents from wearing masks to ensure public identification.
• Action: Approved; copy sent to the state delegation.

Infrastructure and Safety

• Item 4.1: Conversion of Ivaloo Street and Harrison Street intersection to pedestrian-only space. Action: Approved.
• Items 4.15 & 4.16: Intersection improvements and colored lane markings (bus/bike) at Webster Avenue and Prospect Street. Action: Referred to Traffic and Parking.
• Item 4.20: Resolution for a pilot of dedicated bicycle yield signals ("Idaho Stop" style) at Washington St/Somerville Ave and Prospect St/Somerville Ave. Action: Referred to Traffic and Parking.
• Item 4.21: Installation of speed humps on Lowell Street between Summer Street and Highland Avenue. Action: Approved.

Councilor Wheeler reported on the January 20, 2026, meeting:

• Housing Bridge Programs: Recommended approval of two pilot programs totaling $220,000 for the Office of Housing Stability.
• SMEU Unit B Transfer: Recommended approval of a $103,421 transfer for vacation accrual per a memorandum of agreement.
• Road Safety Grant: Discussed a $65,000 Municipal Road Safety Program grant for the Police Department. Discussion focused on the "education and engagement" component for cyclists and pedestrians versus enforcement.
• Action: Report accepted.

Councilor Wheeler reported on the January 21, 2026, meeting:

• Union Square Auto Sales LLC: Recommended approval for a Class II used car dealer license at 39 Webster Avenue.
• Eversource Grant of Location: Request for 38 feet of conduit on Warwick Street. Councilor Sait moved to send this back to committee to address constituent concerns regarding utility pole crowding and street-cutting coordination.
• Action: Report accepted; Item 6B3 (Eversource) referred back to committee.

• Item 9.4: Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) submitted comments regarding Bus Routes 88 and 90. Councilor Wheeler advocated for holistic planning involving the MBTA and community members regarding frequency and the McGrath project redesign.

• Item 10.7: Public event license for "Culture House Polar Putt" on February 2, 2026, was approved due to time urgency.
• Next Hearing: A community public hearing on FY2027 budget priorities is scheduled for February 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following a motion by Councilor McLaughlin.