Executive Summary
The Somerville Licenses and Permits Committee met on February 11, 2026, to review a grant of location and a business license application. The committee recommended approval for an Eversource grant of location on Warwick Street with specific conditions to utilize existing infrastructure and replace a utility pole. A public hearing for a new used car dealer license at 611 Prospect Street was initiated but ultimately postponed to February 21, 2026, to satisfy statutory public notice requirements. The committee also approved the minutes from its January 21, 2026, meeting.
Meeting Information
- Governing Body: Licenses and Permits Committee
- Meeting Date: February 11, 2026
- Meeting Type: Remote Participation
- Committee Members Present:
- Chair Emily Hardt
- Councilor Lance Davis
- Councilor Ben Wheeler
- Other Officials Present:
- Councilor Naima Sait
- Michael Pottier, Assistant City Clerk
Approval of Minutes
- Action: The committee reviewed the minutes from the Licenses and Permits Committee meeting held on January 21, 2026.
- Vote Outcome: Approved 3-0.
- Councilor Davis: Yes
- Councilor Wheeler: Yes
- Chair Hardt: Yes
Grant of Location - Eversource (Warwick Street)
- Item Description: Eversource application to install approximately 38 feet of conduit in Warwick Street from Utility Pole 357/3 to a point of pickup at 16 Warwick Street.
- Discussion:
- Jacqueline Duffy (Eversource) confirmed coordination with the property owner regarding pole straightening and conduit placement.
- Councilor Naima Sait requested coordination between Eversource and potential cable/internet providers to avoid multiple street excavations.
- Councilor Sait and the applicant agreed to use existing infrastructure to minimize visual clutter on the pole.
- Conditions of Approval: The approval is contingent upon the installation of a new pole and the utilization of the two existing empty risers rather than adding new ones.
- Vote on Conditions: Approved 3-0 (Davis-Yes, Wheeler-Yes, Hardt-Yes).
- Vote on Main Item (as amended): Recommended for Approval 3-0.
- Councilor Davis: Yes
- Councilor Wheeler: Yes
- Chair Hardt: Yes
License Application - 611 Prospect Street
- Item Description: Application for a Used Car Dealer License for 15 vehicles at 611 Prospect Street.
- Applicant Testimony: Gilvan Costa, the applicant, stated he is a Somerville resident of 10 years and currently operates an auto body shop in Weymouth. He noted, "I'm just trying to open my own used car dealer in Somerville... I'm just changing the name for marketing purpose" from the previous owner, Jerome Batista.
- Procedural Issue: Assistant City Clerk Michael Pottier advised that while the applicant was present, the item requires a formal public hearing with 10-day notice in the newspaper and notification of abutters per city ordinance and state law.
- Action: The item was laid on the table and stayed in committee until the next meeting on February 21, 2026, to allow for proper public notice.
Adjournment
- Motion: Councilor Davis moved to adjourn.
- Vote Outcome: Approved 3-0.
- Councilor Davis: Yes
- Councilor Wheeler: Yes
- Chair Hardt: Yes