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.
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.