Licenses and Permits Committee

June 25, 2025
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Meeting Minutes: Licenses and Permits Committee

Governing Body: Licenses and Permits Committee of the Somerville City Council Meeting Type: Committee Meeting (Remote Participation) Meeting Date: June 25, 2025 Attendees:

  • Councilor Lance Davis
  • Councilor Pineda-Newfeld
  • Councilor Willie Burnley (Chair)
  • Michael Pottier, Licensing Operations Manager
  • Jackie Duffy, Eversource
  • Jason Wright, Eversource (Community Relations)
  • Angela Holm-Barson, Comcast (Government Affairs)
  • Ellen Cummings, Verizon (Regional Director of State Government Affairs)
  • John Springfield, POA Preservation of Affordable Housing
  • Tim Sinan, Icon Architecture
  • Nathan Dahlke, Tierney Development Services
  • Lee Thomas, OPM for Rafi Properties
  • John Bailey, Rafi Properties

Executive Summary

The Licenses and Permits Committee convened to address several key items, including the approval of previous meeting minutes, two public hearings for new licenses, and a follow-up discussion on the reduction of double poles throughout the city. The committee recommended approval for a flammables license at 20 Steppes and Amman Street and a new garage license for 599 Somerville Ventures, LLC. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a collaborative discussion with utility providers (Eversource, Comcast, Verizon) regarding the process and progress of removing double poles, with a commitment to regular reporting. The committee also received an update from the Director of Economic Development on outreach efforts for the closed captioning ordinance, highlighting challenges related to business community anxieties and the need for a balanced approach to implementation.

1. Approval of Minutes of the License and Permits Committee Meeting of February 26, 2025

  • Discussion: The Clerk read the agenda item for the approval of the minutes from the February 26, 2025, meeting.
  • Motion: A motion was made to approve the minutes.
  • Vote:
    • Councilor Davis: Yes
    • Councilor Pineda-Newfeld: Yes
    • Chair Burnley: Aye
    • Outcome: The motion passed with 3 votes in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions. The minutes were approved.

2.1. Flammables License Application: 20 Steppes and Amman Street (ID 25-0500)

  • Public Hearing Opened: Chair Burnley declared the public hearing open.
  • Applicants Present:
    • John Springfield, POA Preservation of Affordable Housing (Owner of Clarendon Hill redevelopment)
    • Tim Sinan, Icon Architecture (Architect for the project)
    • Nathan Dahlke, Tierney Development Services (OPM for POA)
  • Purpose of License: The 1,000-gallon flammables license is required for gasoline anticipated to be in cars parked in the structured parking garage on the first level of the new Clarendon Hill redevelopment building, which will accommodate approximately 50 vehicles.
  • Councilor Questions:
    • Councilor Davis sought clarification on the nature of the flammables (gasoline in parked cars) and confirmed no changes to the garage plans since previous CPA-approved site plans.
  • Public Comment: No members of the public raised their hand to comment.
  • Public Hearing Closed: Chair Burnley declared the public hearing closed.
  • Motion: A motion was made to recommend approval of the flammables license.
  • Vote:
    • Councilor Davis: Yes
    • Councilor Pineda-Newfeld: Yes
    • Chair Burnley: Aye
    • Outcome: The motion passed with 3 votes in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions. The agenda item was recommended for approval.
  • Note: Applicants were reminded that the license is not active until approved by the full Council and physically in hand.

2.2. New Garage License Application: 599 Somerville Ventures, LLC, 599 Somerville Avenue (ID 25-1006)

  • Public Hearing Opened: Chair Burnley declared the public hearing open.
  • Applicants Present:
    • Lee Thomas, OPM for Rafi Properties (Building owner)
    • John Bailey, Rafi Properties (Operations)
  • Purpose of License: To operate a new 33-vehicle garage located below the new lab building at 599 Somerville Avenue (across from Forge Bakery).
  • Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
  • Councilor Questions:
    • Councilor Davis clarified that this garage is for a separate building, not part of the proposed overlay zoning change.
    • Councilor Davis inquired about alternative transportation facilities. Applicants confirmed the inclusion of bicycle parking (approximately 30 spots in the basement), EV charging spots, a new bus stop, and a new bike lane and outdoor parklet in front of the building.
    • Councilor Davis asked if traffic studies for the larger proposed project down the street factored in this building's traffic. The applicant stated this building had its own separate mobility management plan.
  • Public Comment: No members of the public raised their hand to comment.
  • Public Hearing Closed: Chair Burnley declared the public hearing closed.
  • Motion: A motion was made to recommend approval of the new garage license.
  • Vote:
    • Councilor Davis: Yes
    • Councilor Pineda-Newfeld: Yes
    • Chair Burnley: Aye
    • Outcome: The motion passed with 3 votes in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions. The agenda item was recommended for approval.
  • Note: Applicants were reminded that the license is not active until approved by the full Council and physically in hand.

3. Discussion on Double Poles and Overhead Service Providers (ID 24-1777)

  • Origin: This item was introduced by Councilor J.T. Scott to address long-standing concerns about double poles in the city.
  • Attendees from Service Providers:
    • Jackie Duffy, Eversource
    • Jason Wright, Community Relations at Eversource
    • Angela Holm-Barson, Government Affairs for Comcast
    • Ellen Cummings, Regional Director of State Government Affairs for Verizon
  • Discussion Points:
    • Definition of "Engines": Jason Wright (Eversource) explained "Engines" (National Joint Utility Notification System) as an online tool where utilities submit "tickets" for double pole surveys. The system tracks transfers of primary and secondary attachments, indicating which utility is "next to go" (NTG) to move their equipment. Once all attachments are moved, Eversource removes the old pole.
    • List of Double Poles: Ellen Cummings (Verizon) confirmed that the provided four-page list, which she pulled from Engines that morning, accurately indicates all 110 double poles currently in the city and their "next to go" status. She clarified that "NST" (NSTAR) refers to Eversource. "NPSL" (Non-Participating) indicates entities not registered in Engines, which require further investigation to identify.
    • Progress on Removals: Jason Wright (Eversource) estimated that approximately a dozen poles have been removed from a prior list. Currently, there are about 6 pending transfers (Eversource is next to move) and 7-10 pole removals pending. The timeframe for removal can vary from months to years.
    • Collaboration: All utility representatives emphasized their collaborative efforts with the city and each other to address double poles, especially for priority poles (e.g., at busy intersections or safety hazards).
    • Request for Reporting: Councilor Davis requested a periodic report (e.g., semi-annually) detailing progress on double pole removals, including a list of completed tickets and a glossary of acronyms used in the Engines system. This would enhance transparency and demonstrate progress to the public.
    • Verizon's Role: Ellen Cummings (Verizon) stated that Verizon is typically the last to move and remove the pole. Currently, there are no double poles where Verizon is "next to go." She offered to provide the list and a glossary of acronyms to the Clerk.
  • Committee Action: The committee decided to keep this item in committee for future follow-up discussions, likely at the end of the year or beginning of next year, to monitor progress on double pole removals.

4. Update on Closed Captioning Ordinance Outreach (ID 24-0107)

  • Origin: This item was introduced by Councilor Willie Burnley, Jr.
  • Presenter: Director of Economic Development
  • Update Summary:
    • Limited Outreach: The Economic Development Department has conducted minimal outreach beyond licensing staff sending information to licensed restaurants about the ordinance change.
    • "Carrot vs. Stick" Dilemma: The Director explained that the Economic Development Department's role is to provide resources and support ("carrots"), not enforcement ("sticks"). Since the ordinance lacks an explicit enforcement mechanism and the department is not the enforcement agent, broad outreach is challenging.
    • Business Community Anxiety: The current political climate, particularly federal immigration enforcement, has heightened anxiety among small business owners. City staff approaching businesses are sometimes perceived with fear, potentially eroding trust. This makes it difficult to introduce new regulations like the closed captioning ordinance without appearing as an additional burden or scrutiny.
    • Case-by-Case Approach: The department's current strategy is to assist on a case-by-case basis if a complaint is filed or a request is made, helping businesses understand how to implement closed captioning.
    • Commission for Persons with Disabilities: The department has not had recent conversations with the Commission for Persons with Disabilities regarding this ordinance since its drafting.
    • Licensing Department's Role: Michael Pottier (Licensing Operations Manager) confirmed that an email was sent to all licensees on December 28, 2023, before the ordinance went into effect. New licensees are expected to familiarize themselves with local laws. A mechanism for complaints exists on the Licensing Commission website, but no complaints have been filed since 2023.
  • Councilor Comments:
    • Councilor Davis reiterated that the ordinance is a "soft touch," simply requiring businesses with televisions capable of closed captioning to turn it on. He emphasized its importance for accessibility.
    • Chair Burnley acknowledged the challenges but stressed the importance of the law. He suggested exploring other city departments or stakeholders for outreach and noted that many people are unaware of complaint mechanisms like 311. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach that ensures laws are meaningful without being overly burdensome.
  • Committee Action: The Clerk was instructed to mark this item as "work complete" for now, acknowledging the update provided.

Adjournment

  • Motion: Councilor Pineda-Newfeld moved to adjourn the meeting.
  • Vote:
    • Councilor Davis: Yes
    • Councilor Pineda-Newfeld: Yes
    • Chair Burnley: Aye
    • Outcome: The motion passed with 3 votes in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions. The meeting was adjourned.

Last updated: Oct 6, 2025

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