OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Somerville City Council Regular Meeting - June 25, 2026

Meeting Portal — Thursday, June 25, 2026
BodySomerville, Massachusetts
SessionMeeting Portal
DateThursday, June 25, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:00:47

Transcript — Verbatim
0:10

All right.

0:10

I hereby call this meeting.

0:12

Recording in progress.

0:14

Today is uh what is today?

0:15

Thursday, June 25th.

0:17

Uh, this is a meeting of the city council.

0:19

Um, I am Lance Davis presiding.

0:21

I use he him pronouns.

0:23

Uh please note that video and audio of this meeting is being recorded and may be shown live on local access government channels in the city of Somerville website and will be available for future review.

0:33

Would the clerk please call the roll?

0:35

This is roll call.

0:36

Counselor Ewen Campen.

0:37

Here.

0:38

Counselor Link.

0:39

Here.

0:39

Counselor Scott.

0:40

Present.

0:41

Counselor Klingon.

0:42

Present.

0:42

Counselor Streso.

0:43

Present.

0:43

Counselor Said.

0:45

Counselor Miller.

0:47

Here.

0:47

Counselor Hart.

0:48

Here.

0:49

Councilor McLaughlin.

0:50

Yeah.

0:50

Counselor Umba?

0:52

President.

0:52

And Councillor Davis.

0:53

Here.

0:54

With eleven members present, we have quorum.

0:56

All right.

0:56

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

0:57

Uh, pursuant to our rule 32.

0:59

Let it be known that the city council salutes the flag of the United States of America, and let us recall our oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth to the best of our abilities and understanding.

1:08

We begin our meetings with a moment of silence.

1:10

Are there counselors wishing to uh say a few words about members of our community tonight?

1:13

Counselor Said.

1:16

Um I would like us to remember Eleanor Bluth, known as Ellie.

1:21

She's a lifelong resident of Somerville.

1:23

She passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

1:29

She was 92 years old.

1:32

She was born and raised and educated in Somerville.

1:35

Ellie was the beloved daughter of the late Michael and Josephine Wove, a woman of deep faith.

1:43

Ellie believed that her um Ellie was uh dedicated an active member of St.

1:50

Anne Parish in Somerville, where she uh generously volunteered countless hours of her time.

1:56

She also taught Sunday school.

2:00

As the Title I coordinator for the city of Somerville, Ellie played a significant role in the development and growth of the department, helping to create opportunities and resources that benefited countless students and families throughout the city.

2:15

Even after her retirement, Ellie's passion for education and helping children never faded.

2:20

She became affectionately known throughout Somerville as the story lady, traveling to local schools and sharing her love of reading with young students.

2:30

Her impact on the community was so profound that a parent resource room at the Michael Capuano School was named in her honor.

2:38

A lasting tribute to the difference she made in the lives of so many families.

2:45

Ellie was a dedicated member of her community, given generously of her time to support local schools throughout many years of involvement with the PTA.

2:53

She served on the committee that created the beloved dinner dance fundraiser, which continues to benefit students and families.

3:02

Ellie was also a committed civic participant, serving serving as a voting member of the World Five Democratic Committee, where she helped elect officers and take part in selecting the chair of the Summerville Democratic City Committee.

3:26

Thank you, Councillor Said.

3:27

Counselor Clinton.

3:29

Thank you, Ms.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████47%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%
Community Engagement████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Disability Rights████4%
Animal Welfare███3%
Homelessness██2%
Affordable Housing██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Somerville City Council Regular Meeting - June 25, 2026

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the Somerville City Council convened for a regular meeting that lasted approximately three hours. The council addressed a wide range of items including multiple grants of location for utility conduits, a new ordinance prohibiting the sale of animals in pet stores, a resolution calling for equitable access to recreational programs, a citizen-proposed zoning text amendment on dormers, and the approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund Operating Budget of $376,778,493 after extensive discussion. Several finance-related items were approved, including transfers, appropriations, and grant acceptances. The meeting also included an executive session on a legal matter, and new business items such as license renewals and public event permits were handled.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of minutes from the regular meeting of May 28, 2026 and the special meeting of June 4, 2026.
  • Multiple grants of location (items 3.1 through 3.4) were approved unanimously: Eversource to install 107 feet of conduit on Mt. Vernon Street; Verizon New England to install 159 feet on Main Street, 88 feet on Bow Street and Warren Avenue, and 164 feet on Somerville Avenue and Craigie Street.
  • Item 6.I (Traffic and Parking Committee report) was accepted, noting that several traffic calming requests (including speed bumps, raised crosswalks, and enforcement) were marked as work completed or under evaluation.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Bethany Desolt, on behalf of the MSPCA, spoke in support of the ordinance prohibiting animal sales in pet stores (Item 4.1), stating that 17 Massachusetts municipalities have enacted similar measures and that the ordinance would impose no cost on the city.
  • Annette McKee, a Somerville resident, testified on Item 4.4 regarding cost barriers at Veterans Memorial Rink. She noted that public skate sessions cost $5 admission plus $10 skate rental ($15 per child), and that on half-day Wednesdays, participation averaged only five additional skaters, suggesting cost and lack of awareness as barriers.
  • Councillor Strezo read a letter from constituent Sam Steiner, a parent and disability advocate, opposing the FY2027 budget due to insufficient funding for special education and intervention positions recommended by the school committee.

Discussion Items

  • Pet Store Animal Sales Prohibition (Item 4.1) – Councillor Link and Hardt introduced an ordinance to ban the sale of animals in pet stores (except from shelters/rescues). The ordinance would apply even to box stores that might open in the future. After discussion, the item was referred to the Committee on Legislative Matters.
  • Equity in Recreational Programs (Item 4.4) – Councillor Strezo called for a discussion with the Director of Parks and Recreation on cost barriers preventing low-income youth from accessing programs, citing the example of public skate at Veterans Memorial Rink. The council voted to send the order to the Housing, Equity and Community Development (HCDE) committee.
  • Traffic Calming in Prospect Hill (Item 4.2) – Councillor Link and Ewen-Campen introduced a resolution following a recent car crash on Boston Street. Neighbors collected signatures for traffic studies on multiple streets. The resolution was approved with a copy sent to Traffic and Parking.
  • Heat Island Reduction at Schools (Item 4.3) – Councillor Link and Wheeler filed a resolution to address heat island effects at East Somerville Community School and Edgerly School, inspired by fourth-grade student activism. The resolution was approved.
  • Volunteer Policy Consistency (Item 4.5) – Councillor Strezo asked the administration to discuss the city's volunteer policy, noting that some departments (e.g., Recreation) require volunteers to be paid employees, even when individuals wish to volunteer. The order was sent to HCDE.
  • Body-Worn Cameras (Item 7.31) – Mayor Wilson conveyed a request regarding body-worn cameras, offering to support a special meeting if needed. The council placed the item on file after noting that the technology and use policy would be discussed in Legislative Matters on June 30.
  • Dormers Zoning Text Amendment (Item 5.1) – The council approved a citizen-proposed zoning text amendment regarding dormers, as recommended by the Land Use Committee. The amendment eases restrictions on dormers but adds a two-foot front setback, removes a provision allowing three-story buildings without a slanted roof, and exempts backyard cottages. The item passed three roll call votes (approve, enroll, ordain) each with 11-0.

Key Outcomes

  • FY2027 General Fund Operating Budget (Item 10.2) – The council approved the $376,778,493 budget by a roll call vote of 9-2. Councillor Scott and Councillor Strezo voted no, citing insufficient funding for special education and cuts to general government employees. Two minor adjustments (moving summer jobs funding and creating new objects for core division overtime) were noted.
  • Finance Committee Items (6.D and 6.F) – The council approved numerous finance items after accepting committee reports. Notable approvals included:
    • $1,000,000 transfer from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to the Housing Assistance Stabilization Fund for rental assistance (6.F.16).
    • $222,502 grant for Blue Bikes State of Good Repair (6.D.2).
    • $500,000 grant for Western Pearl Street construction (6.D.12).
    • $45,000 from COVID-19 Stabilization Fund to continue Playworks Program at Winter Hill Community School (6.D.31).
    • Appropriations from Free Cash for snow removal deficits totaling several million dollars.
    • $196,086 for a collective bargaining agreement with Somerville Municipal Employees Union Unit D (6.D.32).
    • A motion to reconsider finance items failed 0-11.
  • Grants and Transfers (Items 7.2-7.15) – Approved multiple appropriations and transfers, including $405,000 for boiler controls, $350,000 for immigrant legal services, $201,495 for the Assembly Square fire station purchase, $120,000 for an employment settlement, and $78,900 for a jail diversion clinician.
  • Appointments – Several appointments to boards/commissions were referred to the Committee on Confirmation of Appointments, except for one appointment to the Affordable Housing Trust (7.16) and one to the Fair Housing Commission (7.17) which were also referred. Climate Action Commission appointments (7.18-7.30) were referred.
  • Executive Session – The council voted 11-0 to enter executive session to discuss a request for appropriation to the Law Department Judgments & Settlements Account (Item 7.1). No votes were taken in executive session.
  • Other Approvals:
    • Elimination of Assistant City Clerk (Vital Records & Licensing) position (Item 8.1) approved.
    • Drainlayer's license renewals (Items 9.1-9.6) approved en bloc.
    • Extended hours license for Wings Over Somerville (Item 9.7) referred to Licenses and Permits committee for a public hearing.
    • Public events: Disability Pride Flag Celebration (July 9), Somerville World Cup Viewing Party (July 19), OpenAir Circus (July 31-Aug 2), Somerville Garden Club Plant Sale (Sept 20), and a Chamber of Commerce Watch Party on July 7th were all approved.
    • The school department budget (Item 8.2) was placed on file.
    • Block party licenses (Item 8.6) placed on file.
  • Next Steps – The council adjourned at approximately 10:05 PM.

Meeting Transcript

All right. I hereby call this meeting. Recording in progress. Today is uh what is today? Thursday, June 25th. Uh, this is a meeting of the city council. Um, I am Lance Davis presiding. I use he him pronouns. Uh please note that video and audio of this meeting is being recorded and may be shown live on local access government channels in the city of Somerville website and will be available for future review. Would the clerk please call the roll? This is roll call. Counselor Ewen Campen. Here. Counselor Link. Here. Counselor Scott. Present. Counselor Klingon. Present. Counselor Streso. Present. Counselor Said. Counselor Miller. Here. Counselor Hart. Here. Councilor McLaughlin. Yeah. Counselor Umba? President. And Councillor Davis. Here. With eleven members present, we have quorum. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, pursuant to our rule 32. Let it be known that the city council salutes the flag of the United States of America, and let us recall our oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth to the best of our abilities and understanding. We begin our meetings with a moment of silence. Are there counselors wishing to uh say a few words about members of our community tonight? Counselor Said. Um I would like us to remember Eleanor Bluth, known as Ellie. She's a lifelong resident of Somerville. She passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. She was 92 years old. She was born and raised and educated in Somerville. Ellie was the beloved daughter of the late Michael and Josephine Wove, a woman of deep faith. Ellie believed that her um Ellie was uh dedicated an active member of St. Anne Parish in Somerville, where she uh generously volunteered countless hours of her time. She also taught Sunday school. As the Title I coordinator for the city of Somerville, Ellie played a significant role in the development and growth of the department, helping to create opportunities and resources that benefited countless students and families throughout the city.

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