May 28, 2026

Votes & Decisions

Welcoming Communities Ordinance Amendment – Approved, Enrolled, and Ordained 11-0

The Council unanimously passed expanded amendments to Somerville's 2019 sanctuary city ordinance (Section 2-6 of the Code of Ordinances). Councilor Ewen-Campen, who sponsored the changes with collaboration from Councilors Link and Hardt, the administration, and the ACLU of Massachusetts, said the goal was to make clear that "the City Of Somerville is never going to collaborate or participate in any of that federal overreach," extending beyond immigration to surveillance and constitutionally protected activity. The Legislative Matters Committee had earlier heard from ACLU's Gideon Epstein and Office of Immigrant Affairs Director Theresa Nagel.

Resolution Supporting Somerville Workers United – Approved (Unanimous Sign-On)

The Council unanimously signed on to a resolution supporting voluntary recognition of Somerville Workers United, a union effort representing approximately 200 non-unionized city workers. Three workers spoke:

• Luis Quijij, former Strategic Planning and Equity Manager (laid off weeks before his four-year anniversary), said his position was "meant to interrupt the status quo" and criticized how layoffs were structured.

• Benjamin Weiner, Inclusionary Housing Program Manager, said the housing division lost two positions (about a 12% capacity reduction) and described working over 50 hours weekly without full lunch breaks for six months.

• Kate Bossingham, Environmental Policy Manager and former EPA employee, said Mayor Wilson did not respond to two May inquiries from the union requesting a meeting. She noted the mayor gave a pro-union speech at a Greater Boston Labor Council meeting the same day he conducted layoff meetings with staff, most of whom were within the proposed bargaining unit.

Orders on FY27 Layoffs and Restructuring – Approved

Two orders from Councilor Mbah were approved requesting the administration: (1) share all positions cut from the FY27 budget and their departments, explaining alignment with the mayor's equity agenda, and (2) appear before the Council to present its organizational restructuring. Mbah said he was "taken aback" by the cuts and emphasized the previous administration's focus on equity. He noted 13 full-time staff and 16 open positions were eliminated.

Finance Committee Report – Approved, Multiple Major Appropriations

The Council approved a significant slate of finance items:

• ~$8 million from stabilization funds to pay down existing bond obligations for past street reconstruction, Union Square Plaza improvements, and school building improvements (reduces interest costs).

• ~$1.1 million for two new fire pumper vehicles.

• $182,469 from the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Stabilization Fund for the Healthcare for the Homeless program.

• 60-month renewal of the city's solid waste disposal contract with Waste Management. Councilor Scott noted that none of the three regional dumping sites (Wheelabrator Saugus, Melrose Transfer Station, Peabody Landfill) are union shops.

• Amendment to the Assembly Square District Improvement Financing District to include the new Assembly Square Fire Station at 45 Middlesex Avenue.

• $4,000 CPA transfer for historic preservation, $2,000 for Arts Council furniture, $6,660 for police fingerprinting software (prior year invoice), ~$15,000 in state fire safety grants.

Snow Removal & Other Transfers – Referred to Finance Committee

Councilor Wheeler moved to refer all snow removal transfers (items 7.2-7.20) to the Finance Committee. These include approximately $1.84 million in transfers from various DPW accounts to the Snow Removal Account, plus a $1,624,494 appropriation from Free Cash to address an FY26 winter season deficit, and a $250,000 Free Cash appropriation to the Unemployment Compensation Account.

Traffic Safety Around Schools – Approved with Amendment, Sent to Traffic and Parking

Councilor Mbah's order requesting Mobility, Engineering, Parking, and Police directors review traffic flows and enforcement around schools was approved. Councilor Hardt added an amendment to include "construction impacts" (clarified as city-related construction). Mbah cited an incident on North Street where a car nearly hit a crossing guard.

ADA Pedestrian Crossing at Route 16 and Woods Avenue – Approved

Councilors Hardt and Link's order requesting accessible pedestrian crossing infrastructure at this intersection outside Dilboy Stadium was approved. Hardt noted Route 16 is "notorious for being dangerous and speeding." Mbah noted this is ultimately a state-level issue requiring state delegation engagement.

Routine Approvals

The Council approved licenses 9.1-9.16 in bulk, including a new 24/7 operating hours license for Ever Fitness at 14 McGrath Highway (CAO Kimberly Wells clarified a public hearing was discretionary, not required). The Jewish American Heritage Month proclamation was placed on file after Mayor Wilson noted rising antisemitic incidents nationally and locally. Older Americans Month proclamation was also placed on file.

Key Discussions

Police Body-Worn Camera Funding – Tabled

A late item appropriation request for $15,015 to fund a collective bargaining agreement with the Somerville Police Superior Officers Association was laid on the table without deliberation per Council rules. Labor Counsel Matt Siragusa explained the contract includes amendments to the body-worn camera policy. The funding has three parts: (1) the immediate appropriation for the 3% COLA for the last four weeks of FY26, (2) a separate grant acceptance from the state to fund body-worn camera technology, and (3) future appropriations for personal services costs if the program is implemented. Councilor Scott attempted to raise a point of law regarding a technology impact report requirement but was not recognized.

Backyard Cottages – Land Use Committee Discussion

The Land Use Committee discussed four amendments proposed by former Councilor Bill White: reducing allowable cottage size to match state regulations, making cottages legally accessory to other units (preventing condo sale), requiring zoning board approval for lot splits, and applying 20% inclusionary requirements to lot splits creating more than five units. Councilor Scott emphasized that site plan approval for lot splits is supposed to require a neighborhood meeting but has been administratively delegated. A submission from the mayor's office on backyard cottages is anticipated.

Construction Parking on Oak, Bolton, and Prospect Streets

Following comments from 64 residents, Councilor Sait reported the Traffic and Parking Committee secured commitments from ISD, SPD, and the Parking Department to meet regularly. Lieutenant Holland committed to flagging the area so SPD responds immediately to calls and to having one-on-one conversations with contractors repeatedly parking in front of driveways and fire hydrants.

Kennedy School Air Quality

The School Building Facilities Committee learned a new process for handling air quality concerns is in place. An examination of Kennedy School found no mold present, though some staining from past leaky pipes was identified.

Rental Registry – Kept in Committee

The Legislative Matters Committee discussed an ordinance from the prior administration to establish a rental registry. Councilor Scott reported the current administration "delivered the message that they are not prepared to move forward on this ordinance and are not prepared to discuss it." The item was kept in committee with Scott noting "our job as a legislative body is to pass laws and it is the job of the executive to faithfully execute those laws."

Notable Moments

• Layoff testimony from terminated staff – Luis Quijij described being notified of his elimination "during our attempt to collaboratively engage with the administration in good faith towards a formal recognition" of the union. Workers identified mayoral conduct as contradicting his stated pro-labor positions.

• Late item on cyclist enforcement – Councilor Scott introduced a late order requesting written documentation from the Chief of Police about an SPD officer issuing warnings/citations to cyclists at Washington and Webster on the morning of May 28, "causing a degree of public concern." Laid on table for deliberation at the next meeting.

• First-ever Fleet Manager Side Guard Report – Councilor Scott celebrated the first annual fleet report on the side guard ordinance, which he attributed to Councilor Davis's leadership years ago.

• Farewell to Legislative Liaison Yasmine Raddassi – Councilors Wheeler, Scott, and Mbah expressed gratitude for her service. Wheeler noted she "has been a tremendous asset to the Finance Committee and will be sorely missed."

• Council President Matt McLaughlin graduated from Harvard's Kennedy School, with Councilor Mbah briefly conferring his VP hat in tribute.

FY27 Budget Public Hearing Announced

Councilor Wheeler, as Finance Chair, announced a public hearing on the proposed FY27 budget for Wednesday, June 10 at 6 p.m. online. Residents can submit comments by emailing publiccomments@somervillema.gov or attending virtually.

What's Next

• Police body-worn camera/SPSOA funding: returns in two weeks

• Snow removal transfers and 17 other finance items: referred to Finance Committee

• Late order on cyclist enforcement at Washington/Webster: deliberation next meeting

• Anticipated administration submission on backyard cottages

• Restructuring presentation from administration to Council (Mbah's order)

• Detailed accounting of FY27 position cuts (Mbah's order)

• Continued follow-up on construction parking issues in Oak/Bolton/Prospect area