[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to say thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think- Motion to table is undebatable. to be withdrawn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before the roll is called, may I ask just a question? Refresh my memory on the salary range, please. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh yeah, 100%.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I appreciate that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you. Through the chair too, I know that Todd Blake, our traffic director and Sergeant Rogers have been in discussions in the last few days and are looking at this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I was just updating the committee as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, they're in discussions. I know the area is too, I have got an update today. There's no room for a crosswalk, but they're looking into the area and potential plans with you on drop off for your child. So we'll definitely stay on top of this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Five in the affirmative. No, five, two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, everybody. Thank you, Member Graham, for starting the meeting. I was on Zoom. We have Medford School Committee will convene in public session following the executive session, which we just had. Sorry, we're a few minutes late. So we'll start, we'll get right to it. We have good of the order. Does anybody have any items that are good of the order? Hearing and seeing none, I'm just going to move to the consent agenda we have approval of bills and payrolls approval of capital purchases approval grants. We have a Cummings Foundation grant of 35,000 for Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility. Steve McCarthy, 20,000 in memory of Ray O'Brien. We also have approval of field trips, approval of meeting minutes, which are two meetings, one from June 18th, 2025, which is a regular meeting, and August 13th, 2025, which is a special meeting. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever CCSR, and is there approval for everything else?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Is there a second? Seconded by Member Branley. All those in favor? All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved, except for the Cummings Foundation. I'll turn it over to you, Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What? Okay, so is there a motion to table? Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table by Member Reinfeld, seconded by? Member Intoppa, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is tabled until we find out some answers on the letter from the Cummings Foundation. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Member Graham. We do not have any reports of subcommittee, but we do have two reports of our superintendent. First up is Mustang Moments. We have student presentations. Arts update. Suzanne Fee, Director of Fine Arts, accompanied by our student body.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think the band show is the 20th. That date wasn't thrown out. It's the 20th at four. And then you can also see the band and the color guard at all the home games, I believe, right? Football games? Yes. So that's a good way to see everybody in action. So hopefully our community gets out and checks out the band, the football team, the color guard, and our cheerleaders. OK, next up, we have our superintendent's update. I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Suzanne Galusi, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Guzzi for the presentation. Very informative. Any questions from the body? Hearing and seeing none. We do not have any public participation. We do have continued business. First is 2023-25 offered by Member Hays, Member McLaughlin, and Member Mustone. Policy second reading, whereas the Medford School Committee reaffirmed its support for the rights of LGBTQ+, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham to waive the second reading. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The reading has been waived.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Intoppa. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Reading is been approved. Thank you, Member Ruseau. We do have new business. The first is the recommendation to approve new voting and non-voting members to the Medford Comprehensive High School Building Committee, M-H-C-S-B-C, offered by Member Graham. Voting member, Kenneth Lord, M-P-S, Chief Operating Officer. And non-voting member, Dr. Kimberly Talbot, M-P-S, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Instruction. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you, Member Graham. Member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Branley. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Welcome to the team over there. Yes. 2025-24 offered by Member Ruseau, resolution in support of the I.A.M. Bill H.534-S.2491, whereas half the world menstruates and like all other basic bodily functions, menstruation is not a choice. Motion to waive the reading by Member Reinfeld. Seconded by Member Graham. Do you want me to at least read the resolved part?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was in favor of waiving that portion of the resolution. Resolution, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Okay, so I'll just move right to page seven, which is be it resolved that the Metro School Committee recognizes menstrual products are essential and a long-term cost savings measure, recognizes menstrual products are essential and should be considered public goods, supports the passage of the IAM bill, this legislative session, directs the superintendent to transmit official copies of this resolution to the following, Governor Maura Healey, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Edward Markey, Congresswoman Kathleen Clark, State Senator Patricia Jalen, State Representative Paul Donato, State Representative Sean Garbally, and State Representative Christine Barber. Number five, directs the superintendent to transmit an official copy of this resolution to the Medford City Council in accordance with Medford School Committee Rule 77. And six, directs the superintendent to transmit an official copy of this resolution to myself, Mayor Medford. This is passed by, hopefully, an official vote. Is there a motion on the floor to approve by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Olapade? All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. 2025-25 offered by Member Ruseau to enhance the policy hygiene, BGI. To enhance clarity and promoting compliance, the committee aims to make its policies easier to read. While detailed language can help explain complex ideas, it often makes policies longer and harder to follow. Brevity improves readability, and when policies are easier to understand, people are more likely to follow them. To support this goal, committee policies will utilize standardized language shortcuts throughout our policies to maintain conciseness without compromising meaning. Exceptions to the shortcuts below should apply when, number one, required by law, number two, policy does not warrant Oh, want to allow for the students meeting? Warrant, right? To allow for the shortcuts meeting. Meaning, clarity is required and for the shortcut has more than one meaning in the particular policy. Shortcut superintendent, full meaning, superintendent or designee. Caregiver, parent, guardian, responsible adult, or caregiver. shortcut committee, Medford School Committee, MPS, Medford Public Schools, principal, means principal, or designee. All policies, when adopted, should reference this policy as a related policy. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Rousseau, seconded by
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, retract. So no, no amendment. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Some motion for approval as amended. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. Next up offered by member Graham 2025-26, the method school committee resolution requesting city council adoption of chapter 399 school bus stop arm camera enforcement. Whereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted chapter 399 of the acts 2024 title and act concerning the safety of school children embarking and disembarking school buses, which authorizes municipalities to install and operate school bus violation detection monitoring systems. And whereas this law also allows cities and towns that formally accepted provisions to use bus mounted cameras to detect and record motor vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights and deploy a deployed stop arm pursuant to Mass General Laws chapter 90 section 14 and 14 c. and whereas pilot programs in Peabody and Salem have demonstrated the effectiveness of these systems with thousands of violations recorded in a single school year highlighting the urgent need for enhanced enforcement tools to protect students and whereas the law includes strict privacy protections requiring that non-violation recordings be destroyed within 30 days and violation-related recordings within one year of final disposition, whereas the safety of Medford's children is a top priority and the implementation of stop-arm cameras has been shown to deter illegal passing and improve compliance with school bus safety laws. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Medford School Committee respectfully requests that Medford City Council formally accept the provisions of Chapter 399 of the Acts of 2024, thereby enabling the City of Medford to install and operate school bus violation detection monitoring systems. If further resolved, the Medford School Committee recommends the establishment of a joint committee, including one representative from the School Committee, one representative from the City Council, the Chief of Police, the Superintendent of Schools, and the Mayor or designee, to evaluate and recommend policies regarding the use of revenue-generated citations, We'd further resolve that the school committee respectfully request that the mayor agree to earmark citation revenue for exclusive use as directed by the recommendations of this committee with priority given to student safety initiatives, transportation infrastructure improvements, and public awareness campaigns. If I may from the chair, I know a school committee member or two might have met with the company, maybe just elaborate on how long it takes to implement and the cost of implementation and who pays what, because I do know the companies do pick up certain fees. So if somebody could just maybe elaborate a little before there's a motion on the floor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. I remember talking to the vendor at a conference I went to, and that was my recollection. They do get paid somehow, but there is no cost to the contract. So that's correct. And yes, hopefully help with people passing buses.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you so much. Member Intoppa?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Not that I'm aware.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, she beat you. Oh, you seconded. Sorry. Member Branley seconds. Yep, I heard Branley first. Member Branley. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Exciting. Thank you. We have one condolence. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincere condolences to the family of Anna C. Fioretti. Anna gave her spirit and energy to her classroom for 40 plus years as a fourth grade teacher in the Medford public school system, where she educated generations of children. Quail may rise for a moment of silence, please. Thank you. Our next regularly scheduled meeting is September 22nd, 2025. That's 6 p.m. here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn. Second. By Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Intoppa. All those in favor? Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: via remote participation only. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel, through Medford Community Media, on your local cable channel, Comcast Channel 9, 8, or 22, and Verizon Channel 43, 45, or 47. Participants can log or call in by using the following Zoom link. The meeting ID is 944-068-13258. questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Five present, two, oh, please note Member Reinfeld, present. So six present, one absent for now. We are going to rise and salute the flag, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have executive session upon a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to MGL 30A, section 21A, executive session of the Medford School Committee to conduct a strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing contracts with the Medford Power Professional Association, Massachusetts Nurses Association, the MNA, and the SEIU Local 888 Cafeteria Workers. The Medford School Committee will reconvene in public session after the executive session. Motion for executive session by... So moved. Member Tapa seconded by... Oh, second. I can't unmute. I think that was Member Reinfeld. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. We're going to join the breakout room, go into executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then the bottom part- Sorry, Matt, through the chair, we just can't see anything in the yellow, if that matters. Oh. If you want to make it larger, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If not... Oh, sorry. When will we have to do our... When will we receive the applicants information and how long will we have to rank them?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So through the chair, those will be taken out so we don't even have to review them. Leftfield is going to do that for us. So 20- No, we have to do that. We have to do that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I don't know if anybody could weed out the ones that just don't qualify at all.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Chair Graham, no, I do wanna thank you, Matt and the left field team for doing that. I think that's important, just like member Graham said, to be able to point that out to people on why we didn't choose X, Y or Z sites and why we're gonna be pursuing the several options with the site we have, which is the largest site of them all. And we wanna be able to maximize. the very best for our students and athletes and those in the arts. So I would make move the motion if there are no questions from the committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So moved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And he says yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you hear me? Yes. Thank you, chair and board. I appreciate you allowing me to speak. I like so many others are away this week. Just like I said, I really was hoping that you all and the city didn't have to go through this type of meeting during the 4th of July week. I don't go away much, but I am away with my family. And I appreciate Commissioner McGiven being there. And he is explaining, I think all the needs of the city. So just on the DPW realm. So we have over 50 million worth of lead lines to fix. We have 200 million more just to do streets and sidewalks on public ways. Then we have our water and sewer infrastructure to work, which is a couple of hundred million dollars we need to do. So that is just DPW on a higher level, never mind the CIP list of vehicles that we need.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So when you talk about our schools, we just commissioned a study to try to find more capacity because our elementary schools are, except the Mississippi, are busting at the seams. There is no room, absolutely no room. And I'm not sure if the superintendent will comment, but we finally did send an email today thanks to my request to ask department heads for a comment and I know there's a couple other people including candidates running for office that are asking for these things too but our schools especially our elementary schools are busting at the seams. We Lease and fire, we're trying to hire, we are working through it, but budgets are tight. We are not Somerville. We have about $120 million less to spend per year than Somerville. difference grows each year. So believe me, I want to rezone the city. I want to create more affordable housing, but the rate that we are doing it with multiple amendments at the same time Where we have when I respond to residents on email I have to refer to a color-coded map on When public comments do when the CD boards meeting when the City Council's meeting which amendment I am so confused My comms team is so confused We cannot keep up. I cannot keep up this pace. Believe me, and I'm really focused on zoning as the majority of my job right now, but we're doing our residents a disservice to continue at this pace. We're doing your board a disservice. We're doing my staff a disservice. continue like this so I am like up the letter I sent last week I'm begging you please slow this down we just alone we have created Mr. Gav 14 stories we are in Salem Street and I did ask that the CD boards recommend recommendations be included in the council's vote and I know most were maybe one wasn't But that is, that is rezoned. Medford Square, West Medford Square, you have all the squares, all the corridors. Can we please do that first? The division that the, and I'm going to be honest, and I'll take part of the blame, the ultimate failure of city departments working together including PDS and communications in my office on trying to communicate this out to residents, I'll take the blame. It's an ultimate failure. And I am every day getting five to 10 emails of people that are either for and now mostly against because people are realizing, wait a second, you are zoning my neighborhood as 10 units per lot. That is not gonna create affordable housing. What, let's take our time. Let's do this right. We can do this. We are a strong city. We have a strong council. They're hard workers. We have a PDS department that knows their stuff, but for the rapid speed this is going at is not right. It's just not right. It's not fair. The division, I just really feel bad for our community right now. And I feel bad for this board that has to deal with it. You all seem, Like, it's just too much. So why don't we take the quarters? Let's take the squares. Let's do those first. And let's be honest with the people. What? I don't have control of how this is going to play out, how this is going to be rezoned, how the parking changes are going to happen, nor does my PDS staff. take the quarters, the squares first, and then let's figure out the residential neighborhoods. Let's figure out what parking minimums will be, and let's, we can do this. If Somerville took seven years, why are we trying to do it in a year? And I understand master plan, housing production plan, we have it all, but that's not included in just this rapid speed. So I just, I beg of you, like, please slow this down.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Recording. Thank you. We have our 11th regular meeting on the Medford School Committee, June 18th, 2025 at 6 p.m. This is remote only, and this meeting is being recorded. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel, through Medford Community Media on your local cable channel, Comcast Channel 9, 8, or 22, and Verizon Channel 43, 45, or 47. Participants can log or call in by using the following link. And the meeting ID is 951-4852-7687. Member Ruseau, will you please call the roll? Member Bradley. I think she said here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven, present, zero, absent. Do we have any student representatives on the call? Don't believe so. If all may rise to salute the flag, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, we have our consent agenda. It's approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants and donations, recommendation to approve a $500 donation to Best Buddies Program by First Baptist Church of Medford. And we also have a recommendation to approve an annual $1,500 Crystal Campbell Medford Strong Scholarship Award to the graduating senior at Medford High School. approval of field trips, and approval of meeting minutes from our regular meeting of June 9th, 2025, and our Family Engagement and Communications Subcommittee on June 11th, 2025. Is there a motion on the floor for approval? So moved. Moved by a member in Tapa, seconded by? Second. Member Branley, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative zero in the negative consent agenda is approved. We have no reports of subcommittees and we have a number of reports from our superintendent. So we'll start off with number one introduction of new administrative staff. Dr. Kimberly Talbot assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and Ms. Chelsea McNiff, director of English learners. I'm gonna turn it over to you, intern superintendent, Dr. Suzanne Galusi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Chelsea. Thank you, Kimberly. We look forward to working with you moving forward. Very exciting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If there's no further questions, I'll just go on to number two. It's our CCSR annual report. I'm going to turn it over to Rich Trotta and our student representatives.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, if there's background music maybe we need to press the the allow volume that's maybe the problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, I think there's supposed to be audio, but otherwise we can just look at the pictures, that's fine too. I just saw Dr. Galusi put in the chat that there's supposed to be audio music, but either way is fine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Trotter. We appreciate the presentation and the slideshow. Member Graham, I see your hand up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, member Dunbar. And no questions, I'll just, if I may speak from the chair, I too really hope that we get an advisor if we have to shift around funding in any way to be able to pay a teacher that may be interested. I think it's vitally important. I know that we had over 200 students in CCSR only a couple years ago, and I think the program is just so amazing and our high school students in a way need it the most. So I just advocate for really trying to get that position filled, providing a support system for the officers that we just saw on the video or those to come next year that may be replacing those officers. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Trotta. We appreciate the presentation and the slideshow.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We're going to go to number three, yellow bus transportation and electrification timeline recommendation to approve five-year contract comprised of three years and to one year. I'm going to turn it over to Noelle Velez, director of finance and Brenda Pike, planning development sustainability planner from the city. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, members. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve the contract as described by Member Graham. Is there a second? I think that you might have moved your lips, Member Ruseau, but you're muted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for noticing. I did second that, yes. OK, motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call, please. Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes 70 affirmative zero in the negative paper passes. Um are.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative zero negative. Paper has been moved to subcommittee. I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Lucy interim superintendent to go over the rate card early pickup track for after school programming.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld and Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, you were first on my screen, so I was just trying to remember. Remember Rousseau, then remember Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Anybody want to respond, or I'm going to go to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would be very comfortable with that, but I'll let my colleagues chime in. And when we say $15, Dr. Guzzi, you mean $15 an hour?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Got it, okay. Let's see if, okay, so member Ryan fell, member Intoppa, then member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you remember I felt member and tapa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau and Member Graham. just send yourself members so thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Remember Graham members.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. There's a motion on the floor by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. And I just want to thank everybody for your work on this. It's very creative and the survey helped us get there as well. So great job. Great job for something we've been asking for and hoping for for a that we've been doing for a few years now, especially so member Ruseau. If you could please call the role.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you, and you Member Ruseau, right?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, the paper passes. And then we are gonna go to number five, water filling stations. Retta Smith, our Director of Food Services, I'll turn it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, she was. She hopped on a couple of times, so I'm not sure if she's having connection issues. She is, and I'm not seeing her now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, you could leave the screen up, maybe, because it just showed the total cost of $10,500, I think I just saw. Total five-year investment. So maybe, Noel, for me, if you could just outline that, and then I'll go to anybody that has questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just the total cost for the five years, is that correct? It's 10,500?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'll turn it over to member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before motions for approval, I see Member Olapade, you have your hand up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Roll call, please. Sorry, we're on Zoom.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Retta and Peter. Oh, wait, you're not on. We should send them a video. A thank you video. Oh, golly. OK, let me just switch back to the agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do not have any public presentations, but we do have one item under continued business from June 3, 2025 special meeting. The following recommendations to approve Contracts for Teamsters Local 25 Administrators, contract for MPS Budget Analyst, increases for non-unit personnel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can I just ask a question? The two extra days, is that being compensated through the COLAs and the adjustments? Or is there also a per day increase to each position?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No offense to any administrators, I just, this is far more rich than we've been working through on the city side, so I'm just not gonna be able to support it, because I know the budget would not be able to sustain these type of increases across the board, which I think is somewhat of a fair way to do it. So I'll ask you to call the roll, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, 16 affirmative, one in the negative motion passes. Next up we have new business first reading of the allergy policy offered by member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, that might've been just the administrators. So yeah, there's, let me go back up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So contract for MPS budget analyst is next, sorry. And I believe that's our, That is Jerry's contract. So if anybody wants to just give us an overview and then we can take a vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'm assuming you mean $75 an hour.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you just tell me, that's similar to the rate that was given through this past budget for fiscal year 26, is that correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Reinfeld, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. And last but not least in that agenda item, increases for non-unit personnel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Graham for the roles called. Can you just tell us what the actual increases were?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or that's just a, $19,000 increase too.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I'm going to ask member Ruseau to call the roll. I just want to make one point. I'm going to trust that you're putting the team in place that you need with the job duties that are needed under each person. I just want to suggest that in the future when you're talking raises, like this out of fairness and transparency that they be posted. I know, even if it's somebody that, you know, has special skills, it's just always good and we do it on the city side it's just, I think it's the best practice to post for positions, even if you know that somebody is very strong, a strong candidate, just so it's as transparent as possible. I never, never have been a fan of just these large raises without jobs, especially being posted. So that's just wanted to give my take on it and I hope that maybe that can be thought through in the future for next budget cycle when we're thinking about raises for people or large increases. So I'm gonna ask that the role be called. I just want to give my two cents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Tapa, roll call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes. Now on to first reading of the allergy policy offered by Member Ruseau. Motion to waive the reading. motion to waive the reading by member Graham, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. All those in motion passes. So Member Ruseau, would you like me to summarize or do you want to give a summary?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd like to just move on to the members who want to speak on it. Okay, does anybody want to speak on it specifically? Member Intoppa?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, Member Graham, then Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, Member Russell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Reinfeld, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Reinfeld. I'm going to pass it off to Member Topper and then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Your hand's in front of Member Ruseau's on the participant list.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion on the floor by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call, please. We have a public comment. Does that? Oh, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Roselle.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Silva? Member Ntaba, did you want to speak again?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Silva.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. So I think the motion on the floor stands, and it was seconded to move this into subcommittee. May I read the motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for all who contributed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So paper passes with those thoughts in mind and we're going to go to page 25 of our agenda for our next item, which is the first reading of the field trip policy JJH offered by member Rousseau. Is there a motion to waive the reading? Would you like me to read it? Motion to waive the reading. I remember Graham. I remember Branley. Nobody wants to hear my voice? You will have one by the time you finish that. Thank you. I meant thank you. Okay, roll call, please. To waive the reading.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham and Member Branley jumped right on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion to waive the reading has been approved. Member Ruseau, I know this is your motion. Do you want to start? Do you want the same thing? You want people to ask questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you member Ruseau. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's a motion on the floor to send this to the rules and policy subcommittee. Is there a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I remember Reinfeld roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven the affirmative, zero the negative. Paper goes into the rules and policy subcommittee. We're gonna go to the next item on page 35, which is policy IKFC-MCAS offered by member Intoppa. Motion to waive the reading. Motion to waive the reading by member Graham, seconded by. Second. Member Reinfelds. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion to waive the reading has been approved. Member and top of did you have any comments or you want to just start discussion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I think we have member, Grand Member Reinfeld, and I also see Dr. Galussi has her hands up. So I don't know who you want to go first. Member Reinfeld's actually shown up on participants.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, then Dr. Galussi?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, Member Intoppa, are you good with that? Motion to rescind. Motion to rescind. Yeah, okay. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative motion. The papers, the policies rescinded. The next step we have required quarterly update of the shore collaborative, educational collaborative offered by Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes I can motion by member or so that we've received it seconded by member Reinfeld broke all,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Building accessibility needs and concerns offered by member and topper be it resolved that the members school public schools will assess and evaluate building entry points over the summer specifically for accessibility concerns. The administration will report back with found issues and proposed solutions by the beginning of the start of the next academic school year first day of classes. Member Tapper, do you want to move approval? Do you want to comment? And I do know that from the chair, Director Waje from our DEI office did submit an application to do a transition report, which will, I think, do just this. But I'll turn it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Tupper. Member Reinfeld, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Reinfeld. I think the grant we applied for will assess all of our buildings, and then once we get the transition plan in place, which was also part of the grant application, then we can start applying for additional, I believe it's MOD grants, to do some of this work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, great. Sounds like we're doing it. So member Ruseau, then member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham? And then I think Dr. Galussi also, and then Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member, I'm sorry, Dr. Galusi, then Member Ntaba, then Member Reinfeld, if I have it correctly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, then Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reintel?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Galusi. Member Ntabar, will you amend to have this proposed solutions by the end of the fall?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval by Member Ntabar as amended, seconded by? Member Brandly. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven the affirmative, zero the negative, motion passes as amended to read end of fall as a due date. Next up we have, oh, okay, and next up we have designer selection panel appointment offered by member Rousseau, member Lopate, and member Reinfeld. The Medford School Committee appoints School Committee Vice Chair Jenny Graham Chair of the Medford Comprehensive High School Building Committee to the Designer Selection Panel for the Massachusetts School Building Committee's Designer Selection Process. Motion for approval by Member Ruseau? Yes. Seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Lopate, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative zero in the negative. Um thank you for your willingness to serve and all you do What'd you say?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds like it's gonna be a wild process, so. Yes, it is. Next up is disciplinary practice of suspension offered by Member Graham and Member Ruseau. Whereas the resolution on the disciplinary practice of suspension was unanimously adopted by the Mevitt School Committee on October 14th, 2020, whereas the language of the resolution on the disciplinary practice of suspension provides that the following actions will be taken by Mevitt Public Schools, end the use of out-of-school suspensions affected the first day of the school year, 21, except as provided by law, provides for the continuation of learning environment for every in-school suspension, ensures that in-school suspensions will not occur in isolation without instruction or rehabilitative counseling, Selects alternative tools for use in disciplines such as restorative justice whenever possible. Establishes an annual reporting process that includes, but is not limited to, system-wide disciplinary measures reporting to the school committee, as well as establishing staff feedback process. be resolved that the superintendent will provide a detailed report of disciplinary actions taken for the 24-25 school year, as well as data from two prior school years. The report shall include a count of suspensions, suspended days by reason for suspension, and count of other means of student discipline for those same reasons. The report will show data disaggregated by school, by grade level, and by school and grade level. be it also resolved that the superintendent will make recommendations to the school committee based on the data presented. The report will be presented no later than October 31st, 2025. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Dr. Galussi, is that a good time frame for you? It is. I think that that's fair. Okay, motion for approval, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven the affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. We do not have any reports requested and we do have one condolence. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Sharon B. Brady-Keith, former McGlynn School librarian from 2001 to 2010. If we all may take a moment of silence, please. Thank you. Our next meeting, regular meeting, is September 8th, 2025 in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. I believe there's a Mass School Building Resource Authority meeting, committee meeting on Monday, Member Graham? I don't think so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it's July. Okay, maybe it was, I saw it come through as a invite. So I'm glad I brought that up. So I'll knock that off my calendar for Monday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, good. I'm glad I asked. I would have been at the high school. All right, sounds good. Is there a motion to adjourn by member Reinfeld, seconded by? Second. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Everybody have a great evening. The pie did not burn. Good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Chair Graham. First of all, I just sorry I'm not there in person again I just came from CHS grand opening over at Cabot, and by the time I get there I might just go home while I'm in the car. Anyway, I wanted to. I think I lean towards the one side although I like. I understand Libby's comments, just comparison for long run discussion. My question, I guess, to left field is if we do only choose the one site, does that allow us more opportunity to explore different options on the Medford High School complex, such as building on maybe the field of dreams and trying to fit in as many fields as we can for our students and athletes, as well as doing it by piecemeal.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. The 10th regular meeting of the Medford School Committee. Recording in progress. The 10th regular meeting of the Medford School Committee will come to order June 9th, 6 p.m. There'll be a meeting of the school committee held at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and via remote participation. This meeting is being recorded. You can view the meeting live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel, through Medford Community Media, or on your local cable channel Comcast channel nine, eight or 22 and Verizon channel 4345 or 47 participants can log or call in by using the following link. It's a zoom link and the meeting ID is 997-1554-5073. Member Ruseau, if you could please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. 7 present, 0 absent. Is there any student representatives on the call? Not yet. Not yet. OK, thank you. And we are all present, so we're going to all rise to salute the flag, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have our consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, approval of field trips. We've got the Medford Crew Team, U.S. Rowing Youth Nationals, June 12th, 2025 in Sarasota, Florida. Approval of meeting minutes, regular meeting, May 19th, 2025. Strategic and Capital Planning Subcommittee, May 20th, 2025. Special meeting of the Committee of the Whole, June 3rd, 2025. Is there a motion on the floor? And if I could ask from the chair, if you could just sever the special meeting of the Committee of the Whole, June 3rd, 2025, to take that separately. Thank you, Member Tapa. Is there a motion to approve everything but? Her mic is not on. Member Reinfeld, did you?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Branley. All those in favor to approve the consent agenda except for the special meeting committee of the whole minutes, June 3rd, 2025. All those opposed? Motion passes and motion to approve the special meeting committee of the whole, June 3rd, 2025. I remember Opade seconded by member Intoppa. I'm just gonna mark myself as opposed. I have not read the meeting minutes yet. So all those in favor? One opposed, motion passes. Reports of subcommittees, there are none. Then we have multiple reports from our superintendent. First up, recognition of and performance by the Middle School Orchestra MICCA Gold Medal Rating. I'll turn it over to you, Dr. Galusi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Should we go over there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for being here. A lot of athletes in the room. Next up, we have the recognition of e-sports. I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Suzanne B. Galusi, our intern superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Stand up. You want to stand up? Stand up when your name's called so we know that you're up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Congratulations again. Next up we have the recognition of winter spring GBL champions and individual athletic achievements, Dr. Lucy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we're going to stand when our name is called, right?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Stand when your name is called.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you all for joining us tonight. Congratulations. Keep up the hard work, and we can't wait to see you here again next year. Unless you're going to college, then kill it there too. I have some citations. Thank you, everybody. Great first hour for us. Next up we have recognition of our retiring staff members with over 20 years of service to the Medford public schools. I'm going to turn it over again to Dr. Lucy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I believe we have two people here that have put in, Ms. Gomez, you've put in 32 years for public schools, and Ms. Breen, 25 years. And I know you're joined by your family because that's pretty extraordinary. And like Dr. Galusi said, and I speak for the committee, thank you for everything you've done for our school system and for our students. We appreciate it. We wish you the best of luck in your next chapter. in your future, I'm sure you'll still go out and do great things and have some time with your family. So thank you for everything on behalf of myself and the school committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're just going to get the microphone on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Got it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you again. We also have two additional people moving on, Dr. Cushing and Paul Texera. So I'm going to turn it again over to Dr. Galusi to start us off.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we want to share. Yeah. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I also want to just say thank you so, so much for your years of service here in Medford. Peter you were so many hats, so many times and you juggled so much and got the job done and Paul, same you over the years, especially through COVID just that calm presence and just great to have you as part of the team. We are gonna, we are losing two very, very strong admin in the Medford Public Schools. I know Dr. Gullose will do her best with trying to fill your shoes, but it's gonna be very difficult. So thank you for all you've done. Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up, we have the update to policy IKF, increased flexibility for students, health and physical education requirements. Again, I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Glucy. Thank you. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Russell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion on the floor? Member Branley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. Is there a motion on the floor for approval? By Member Ntukpa, seconded by Member Olapade. All those in favor? All those opposed? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we asked for adjustments, so this might be the first. We asked for, yeah, adjustments. This is the first reading.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was Member Intoppa and then seconded by Member Olapade. Thank you. And all those are in favor? Any opposed? Motion passes. First reading has been approved. Motion by Member Graham to waive the second reading. Member Reinfeld seconds. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Readings are waived.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Moving on to our number eight, our budget amendment and vote. I'm going to invite up Mr. Gerry McCue, our budget analyst. And Noel Ales. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you both. And I know the free cash papers are on the city council agenda for tomorrow. I think we just need to get one more paper before the council there last meeting, which is in two weeks. But otherwise, everything is under control for my office on the many papers we're trying to get to the council before the end of the fiscal year. If there's no questions, is there a motion for approval? Member Graham? No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're very pushy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We did it. We did it. We're good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Rheingold.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by member Reinfeld. Do you want to roll call? We'll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it's your conflict, so you have to decide. And do you wanna announce what your conflict is? That's what I do usually.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And same before the roll is called, my sister works in the Metro Public Schools, so I'll also be abstaining. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Abstaining, yes. Five in favor, two abstaining. Paper passes. Thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do not have any presentations of the public, but we do have continued business 2025-12 offered by member Reinfeld, whereas uneven distribution of students across the city's elementary schools has constrained Medford Public Schools ability to most effectively. We've read it a couple times now. Yes, this is space needs in the Medford Public Schools elementary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Someone second my wave reading. Second. Motion to waive the reading by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Reading has been waived. I'm going to turn it over to who? Me. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Somebody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's understandable. Thank you. Member Graham and Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion passes. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: that we do a space needs study with the architects? Is that what you said?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks. I couldn't hear Member Ruseau, so that's why I wanted clarification. Okay, so there's a motion on the floor. It's to create a task force. To create a task force, seconded by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Okay, thank you. No new business, no reports requested. We do have a condolence. Members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Joseph Lacousse, the father of retired vocational graphic arts teacher, Angelo, am I pronouncing that correctly? Lacousse. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Our last and next regular meeting of the Medford School Committee before the summer is June 18th, 2025. This meeting, that's a Wednesday, next week, next Wednesday, that's at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and it will be held remotely only. So the agenda and link will be on both the city and the school calendar for anybody that wants to tune in or participate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The 11th. Okay, great. Is there a motion to adjourn? I'll motion to adjourn. My microphone's on. Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Branley. All those in favor? All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Bears and city council. Before I begin, I just want to let you know Councilor Leming and got an email today about how wonderful your remarks were yesterday so I figured I'd let you know that publicly. And thank you for all the team. Good evening and thank you President Bears and Councilors for allowing me some time to speak to you about the fiscal year 26 budget. Also, thank you for meeting with each department over the last several weeks to review each budget individually. Before I begin, I must take this opportunity to thank everybody who contributed to completing this budget and delivering it to your honorable body by the newly established deadline per the budget ordinance that you established. Compiling this comprehensive breakdown of the city's financial outlook took countless hours of preparation, debate, and insight from our department heads and our budget team, led by finance director Bob Dickinson, our former assistant finance director and budget director Courtney Cordello, and my team in the mayor's office, led by Chief of Staff Nina Nazarian, who is here with me tonight. I also want to give credit to our Communications Director Steve Smearty and Communications Specialist Emma Tombley for putting in so many hours of work on the nitty gritty aspects of the budget book that tend to get overlooked. Their work is invaluable, and will hopefully lead us to a third Distinguished Budget Award from the Government Finance Officers Association, after having received the award again last year for our fiscal year 25 budget. It's a recognition we all, including this Council, I'm sure are extremely proud of. Though sadly, this is the last budget that Courtney works on with us. She is moving on to another position, but was gracious enough to stay on on a limited basis to assist with completing the compilation of this budget and allow time for our new assistance finance director to get acclimated to the role. Thank you, Courtney, for all your hard work. You will be missed. We enter fiscal year 26 in a somewhat familiar yet also much more secure position than previous budget cycles. Due to years of sound fiscal management coupled with newly injected revenue from the successful override votes last November, we're able to maintain our levels of service across our departments and also make targeted investments in key areas. That's not to say compiling and navigating this budget has been easy or without its hard decisions. It only means that for the first time in a while, we are not in need of right-sizing the budget with federal dollars or cash reserves. This is partially due to the support the community has shown for the two ballot questions voted on this past fall. Despite our community approving two proposed Proposition 2.5 ballot questions last fall, I want to make clear that we are not managing our finances as though we suddenly have a windfall and can spend as freely as some of our more affluent neighboring cities. Instead, we are still bound by our tax revenue and are making targeted investments that will have the most long-term impact without over leveraging our operating budget. One key investment is in our engineering department, which is carrying an extremely high workload, with infrastructure maintenance increasing by roughly 400%. To help alleviate this burden, we had to have to hire a new position to the team that will assist with managing capital improvement projects on and under our streets and sidewalks. This is just the beginning of a multi-year plan to decrease the backlog of much needed upgrades throughout the city. The upgrades will consist of water main upgrades in low pressure areas, street and sidewalk work, lead line removals in our environmental justice designated areas, removal of sewer inflow and infiltration and localized drainage improvement in flood prone areas. There's hundreds of millions of dollars worth of work needed, so it is imperative we have a staff to manage it all next year in the years to come. Our streets are highly traveled both by cars and pedestrians, which is why improving safety measures for all modes of transportation is also extremely important. In collaboration with MassDOT, we've advanced plans to reconstruct high crash intersections along Main Street, specifically where it intersects with South Street, Mystic Valley Parkway, Route 16 ramps, and Mystic Avenue. This project will reduce vehicle speeds while also improving ADA-compliant sidewalks and curb ramps, and add separate and buffered bike lanes, all in an effort to enhance accessibility and deliver a safer travel experience. In addition to the work done on the city side, the fiscal year 26 budget reflects a strategic investment in education is funding focuses on maintaining staffing levels and evaluating needs across the backdrop of an extension to the instructional day. Additionally, we're addressing critical infrastructure needs. With the city council support the school committee has advanced repairs for the Andrews and McGlynn schools, targeting malfunctioning HVAC systems, as well as security and it upgrades throughout our entire district. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to ensure safe and conducive learning environments for our students. The school budget is almost always the most difficult one to develop, as there are several critical needs throughout our educational system, like the ones I just mentioned. But there are also significant challenges like the rise in costs that require not only hard decisions but comprehensive financial planning by both the school administration, city council, school committee and city hall. The Medford public school fiscal year 26 budget reflects a significant increase over of over $9.5 million supported by state aid, equating to an over 12.6% rise compared to fiscal year 25. This increase is primarily driven by heightened expenses and special education, particularly in transportation and tuition, which have substantial rate hikes. The district anticipates a $557,000 increase to transportation costs due to a new special education transportation contract. Both the schools in the city are also facing a significant rise in operational expenses. Healthcare costs for city employees are projected to increase by 10% again this year, potentially consuming revenue from new growth of approximately $2.5 million and forcing us to reevaluate investments in programming and services. This is not unique to Medford. Healthcare costs are rising across the country, but it certainly is a challenge that we must overcome in the upcoming fiscal year. Despite budget constraints, we are still making incredible progress across so many areas that are driving our growth. We are making significant investment in several core city systems, maintaining as much service as possible and providing a sustainable roadmap for future big ticket expenditures like a new Medford High School. We're continuing to make more substantial investments in our library and increasing its budget by nearly 5% with the support of state aid. Our continued commitment to prioritizing the needs of our library has allowed everyone in our community to gain more access to the resources and programs that our fabulous library offers. As I said, the workload at the fleet, the feet of our team in the engineering department is immense. And that undoubtedly overlaps with the work being done by our staff in the Department of Public Works. We're increasing the DPW's budget by nearly $1.2 million, which will help keep up with increased costs and services, as well as give us more flexibility as we continue to address stump removal, tree pruning and repair, as well as updates to our aging water infrastructure and improvements in accessibility and pedestrian mobility in our squares and green spaces. In addition to investing in our public infrastructure, we're also been working to enhance and upgrade many of our public spaces for the community to utilize and enjoy. Gillis Park is one of many that opened last year. Carr Park phase two renovation is being worked on with the dog park already open for the public to enjoy. We're wrapping up a project at Morrison Park to upgrade the fencing and dugouts. Logan Park is getting a facelift with a new pathway, natural play area and a tree sculpture. I thank the team in our Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability, along with the staff at Medford Recreation for working so diligently on all these projects and many more. With so many wonderful upgrades to our public spaces, it's important that we ensure our team and recreation are properly equipped and staffed appropriately. To ensure this, we are adding a part-time office manager to offset some of the duties from our full-time staff to allow them to focus on expanding our programming including our inclusive programming and developing more accessible youth and young adult activities. This past year, we also unveiled our newly universal accessible schoolyard at the McGlynn School. The playground goes above Federal American with Disabilities Act accessibility standards and was designed and built with input from stakeholders well-versed in accessibility play structures. We're continuing to work towards goals laid out in our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and are committed to making sustainable practices more accessible for our residents. To add to this endeavor, we have partnered with Garbage to Garden to launch a free municipal curbside composting program for eligible residents. Now, nearly a year into the launch, the program is widely accessible and convenient, making it easy for residents to participate in creating a greener, more sustainable future. To date we have nearly 6700 active participants enrolled and are well positioned to hit our goal of 10,000 signups by the end of fiscal year 26. I'm grateful to our team in the Office of Prevention and Outreach and the Board of Health for once again receiving a municipal vulnerability preparedness grant. of $750,000 to fund our exemplary Medford Connects program. This program was designed to help connect our most vulnerable residents to essential city resources and funds a wide variety of programs and events throughout the city, including our amazing multilingual and multicultural community engagement team. Our MVP project has been such a success that is the model that the state uses for other cities to repeat. Building off the work and guidance of our MedFedConnects team, our nearly $1 million grant from the federal government to transform the Hagener Center into a municipal vulnerability preparedness site, as well as a facility for after school programming, is moving forward full steam ahead. Our team is compiling the materials needed to submit to HUD and working with Congresswoman Clark's office to ensure this project is completed. While emergency preparedness is an essential sector of our work and prevention and outreach. There are many in our community who need resources and mental health supports right now. That's where a social worker and recovery team comes in and works in tandem with our connectors and liaisons to direct those in need with resources and programs that can get them the assistance they need to thrive. Our electrify Medford program is up and running making gains throughout the community strengthening support specifically for underrepresented and underserved residents interested in decarbonizing their homes and vehicles through energy efficiency, solar and electrification of heating, water heating appliances and electric vehicles. The team has been out walking the streets to raise awareness for the program is in set in setting up coaching sessions to help people navigate their heating and cooling needs. As part of our commitment to residents we are always looking for ways to expand diversity equity inclusion throughout our city and create an environment of belonging for the entire community. DEI has been working with human resources to update best practices for recruiting, interviewing, and hiring. Due to this work, the city has been able to recruit, hire, and retain highly qualified, diverse candidates for a variety of city positions. This team also hosts trainings and other professional development opportunities to ensure employees have the tools they need to uphold our values and mission, something that will be enhanced and continued through fiscal year 26. Our DEI office has also made a concerted effort to equip many events with ASL interpreters, enabling those in our community who use sign language to better engage with city services and programming. On the development side, our plan to revitalize and activate Medford Square near Clippership Drive has taken a major step forward. We have selected development company transcom real estate as a partner in the city's project to transform three underdeveloped undeveloped city on lots behind city hall into a combination of mixed use retail and residential with ample parking for our seniors and Chevalier theater. The project as proposed will combine the creation of market rate and affordable housing anchored with a 13,500 square foot grocery store, all in the context of a village square environment that prioritizes the pedestrian experience with beautiful public art and landscaping. This proposal dynamically addresses the city's multifaceted objectives outlined in the RFP. creating a vibrant new community hub in Medford Square that is consistent with the objectives in the city's comprehensive plan. We will make further adjustments and improvements to this proposal, as well as negotiate a final land lease agreement over the next several months. And the final agreement will be presented to the city council for consideration and approval. With the activation of the square underway, the next logical step is to expand our pedestrian paths along the Mystic River waterfront. The Clipper Ship Connector is opening this summer, according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and will create a path that connects over 10 miles of continuous greenways along the waterfront. In 2025, we continue to embrace public art as a means to enrich our community spaces, foster local identity, and engage residents across generations. A series of mural projects and public art initiatives have been launched throughout the city, reflecting Medford's commitment to creativity, inclusivity, and civic pride. In the past year, we've also seen our art scene flourish with over 2,500 cultural events, more than double the amount six years ago. In fiscal year 25 we saw the opening of one of the most anticipated restaurants and event spaces, with the unveiling of the great American beer hall, the 17,000 square foot space is already a destination for our region, and is has contributed heavily to expanding our commercial tax base. While focusing on our commercial development is critically important to both our growth and expanding our tax base. We are also deeply, deeply focusing on working to help solve the housing crisis that is afflicting, not just Medford but the greater Boston region, the Commonwealth in the country. We are actively addressing housing affordability, along with the council's help through a multifaceted strategy that combines funding mechanisms, the city council zoning reforms and development initiatives to expand access to affordable housing. Through successful negotiation, we gain leverage with our 40 B developers to bring more community benefits to the planning process, like better pedestrian accessibility, reduction of potential traffic congestion, more open space, more access to public transportation, and more affordable housing units with a priority for Medford residents. We're making a concerted effort to care for and support our sizable veteran population through a number of comprehensive programs and projects. As we all know, housing is at a premium and especially challenging to afford for our veterans, many of whom rely on financial assistance from a host of government agencies. That's why I'm proud of the work being done by the City Council, the Veterans Service Office, and for the successful passage of the Landlord Incentive Program. This initiative offers landlords up to $750 annually for renting to qualified Medford veterans. Administered in collaboration with the nonprofit housing families, the program seeks to reduce barriers veterans face in securing housing, such as credit challenges or income discrimination. By encouraging landlords to provide stable housing options, it's our hope that we're able to facilitate successful reintegration of veterans into civilian life in our community. And as I'm sure you all know, this was a brief overview, I will stop soon, of all the work we all have done over the past year and the investments we've made that will help build on the vision we share and the work that we'll continue to do into fiscal year 26. Everything we do, of course, is not linked to one department or a handful of staff, but felt across our entire workforce and undoubtedly linked to all the work you do here in the chamber. Our city is at its best when we collaborate and lean on one another for insight advice and constructive criticism. I'm proud of everything we've accomplished together and I look forward to our continued partnership and teamwork. Thank you for allowing me the time. I know I'm always lengthy but thank you for allowing me the time and I'm here to Nina Nazarian chief of staff and I are here to answer any questions you may have of myself.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, sure. Thank you for the question console let me thank you all for advocating for additional staffing and recreation I know the city school committee is also working on enhancements in the school department. And I think we're definitely glad the parents did come speak to the council. I was lucky to be joined by Councilor Scarpelli and Chief of Staff Nina Nazarian with a few parents last week to for me to better understand the needs, because I saw it as more need for more teen program. inclusive programming. And then I also see it as the age range that is aging out of high school so you know that 2122 to 25 year olds that also need support and inclusive programming so what we are doing is adding the office, we're doing a few things. First, I think Somerville Malden and Medford for working together you see these collaborations throughout the state and they do work. So Medford I know Kevin is big with aquatics Danny has his specialties. And so being able to work with Medford Somerville and Malden, we should be able to have a full range of offerings for our young adults 13 through 25 plus. We also are implementing that part time office managers to free up the three full time staff we do have that actually create and administer the programming. And I think that will alleviate a lot of the nitty gritty work that is done on the computer, hours and hours a day, so that they can offer and create ways to create more programming. I'm also hearing from the parents like yourselves that they do hope that, and I didn't really hear it till last week, I thought it was more REC, but I think they're looking for somebody in the city to kind of oversee all inclusive programming, like find out what's going on in the library, what's going on in REC, what's going on at our senior center. So there's one central person that's kind of overseeing it and make sure we're offering needs from zero to our seniors. So what we have, what I'm going to do is I sent an email to a whole list of staff members, our DEI office, our connectors program, we do have a connector, her name's June. She's a connector for our seniors and persons with disabilities. So I'm going to kind of bring that team together and try to make sure that somebody takes the lead and whether it's June or somebody in DEI, just to make sure we have some oversight over every department and make sure we're offering as much as we possibly can along with the partnership with Malden and Somerville. So I think we do have some staffing that we can tap into, some monthly coordinated meetings that aren't happening now between departments, and we can make sure we're accomplishing those goals for the parents that have reached out to all of us. So yes, I mean, you see the budget. We're taking in a few, remaining positions in different ways, like 10% here or there for different positions. in planning, but our budget we were able to increase by 1.5 plus the new library position that we're using, you know, work conveniently with Barbara and do a new children's librarian, but there really isn't room in the budget to add five, 10, 15 positions. So we're do our best to listen to all department heads, figure out what the needs are. And I think we're gonna make great progress with that additional 0.5 and the current city staff and the partnership. for all of our residents that need more inclusive programming. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for creating the budget ordinance I think it's given us a tie like almost a timeline so it's helped us collaborate but it's also been helpful on our side to really come a long way.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, sure. Yeah, we actually have a big whiteboard on the probably 25 to 30 papers we have to get before you in June between your two meetings, sorry. But some of those papers are capital expenses. I think there's a project or two for the schools. I know there's the nexus study that the councils in the Affordable Housing Trust has been asking for. So we're going to put that paper before you. We're also going to replenish the stabilization accounts. And I think what we'll end up seeing left on this, I'd like to call it a reserve fund, a rainy day emergency fund. We'll probably have about 10 to 12 left. So we will have a full updated pre-cash plan. My office did one right around the October timeframe, 2024. We'll have an updated chart for you along with all these papers before you in June. Great. Thank you. You're welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, thank you. Thank you for advocating and thank you for trying to help us help me and the chief, you know, build that relationship back we've made really good gains. We've had some great promotions recently so I'm chief Evans is off and running and doing, doing a really good job and I can tell the changes that are happening so appreciate you helping in any way you can as a Councilor. I think what we have what we're doing in June with the 25 papers or so. is my next step. And then I think I mentioned to a few of you that there is probably, you know, every other department is coming coming at us for to work on this capital improvement. We have 2 million in requests to be spent from the DPW. So what we're going to do, starting probably end of June into July is figuring out all those requests, including that one because we're taking it seriously. And not update fully our capital improvement plan. We have the call-in center come and do that, usually biannually, but we have to see where we're at, see what we have in the stabilization accounts, and make sure we're providing our departments with what they need. And that's included in my list. It's on my desk. I get free cash requests, I have papers for June, and then my July and August work. So I kind of take things in stages because we between my office and what all the work City Council's doing, I think we all have very, very full plate. So we're trying to take it one step at a time, but I'm glad we had that conversation and that's on my radar. So.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think one of the biggest things is the assistant traffic engineer and I may not have that title 100% perfectly, but I could be corrected corrected. It was held by somebody over a year ago and we have posted it twice. We just recently took that down and we're going to adjust it again. to try to fill that role that would be somebody under Todd and Owen and the engineering department for traffic related matters which are important to all of us I know I've seen you on the walks. And I know we have, you know, some. trouble spots that DCR, MassDOT are helping us with, but we need the in-house staff for the rest of our roads and the safety improvements that need to be made. We're progressively doing work on our streets and streets, but we could always use that second person. So Director Blake actually emailed me today to discuss the new job description. So we'll be meeting with him very soon. And I really hope to fill that position sometime over the summer. So that's, I think, I hope that answered part of your question I know the water sewer sidewalk, all the major projects like I said in my message 400% we are up on the work we are doing and the amount of engineers that we have. cannot handle that that amount of work so that is the one position that it wasn't even a, should we put this position and we, we had to to be able to maintain the projects that we have this construction season and that we have planned for next construction season and the construction seasons. After that, there's just between water and sewer work lead line replacement. streets sidewalks it's I think there's another something I'm missing but it's overwhelming it's hundreds of millions of dollars and it's it's overwhelming and we we are starting to message that we have an eight million dollar it's it's a loan but hopefully part of that will be a grant through the MWRA That 8 million will only touch 20% of our lead lines. So you're talking 50 million alone that needs to be spent on our lead lines to change them out throughout our entire community. And that takes personnel and we need that engineer. So, so we are making those investments we read your we read all of your requests, and we knew that was that was one of them streets and sidewalks we hear a lot, and on the management side, we're, we're working every day and I'm got a meeting scheduled you know just to make sure we're keeping up with see click fix and we're keeping up with managing our staff and things are getting done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I did meet with Councilor Callahan, it's been a little bit over a month and I loved her idea so I think, I think that too is on my list for capital. I think whatever additional money we want to meet our tree goals and now without being able to. invest ARPA funds into those additional trees that we need to plant. We've been doing consistently over 200 a year the last several years. I want to keep to that. So I would hope to have something before you over the summer to meet our tree goals.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think, unfortunately, that was part of our free cash planning when we released that in October, and unfortunately the I think the money is the least of our worries, especially if the council wants to invest in it through a stabilization account or free cash. I think it's the staffing to implement something that takes two plus years. I'm not sure we have the capability to do everything that our finance team is doing and have somebody oversee that project currently. So next step would probably be to explore, and we've talked about it, be to explore whether it's a consultant or somebody to come on part-time to just fully manage implementing and changing over immunists. It's an endeavor that I know one or two cities that have done it and they'll just say how difficult it is, but I do know we need to get there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, yes. I mean, that's top priority, especially what we've been seeing on the federal level. And we've been doing it. It's always screaming at the rooftops about it. No, but that's the connectors and liaisons. We have 12 people that speak a second language that are out in our community weekly meeting with residents from all over every neighborhood, our housing authorities, our senior center. They're out hosting events, and we are trying to build the trust. So if people have questions or concerns, we are giving them the right answers. We are passing out Know Your Rights cards. We also are having events. We had an immigration attorney speak last week. We also had an event for business owners so they know how to protect their staffs and themselves. So this stuff is happening. I also have a meeting with the Attorney General General's office, we meet bi weekly with the mayors and the Attorney General staff but I also have a meeting just set up just with myself and their two attorneys they actually booked it with me because I brought up, you know, how do I educate myself in knowing what we can and cannot do as a city what we should and shouldn't say and it would be really great to be able to provide the council in myself. information on what can and can't be done, because we want to do everything we can. I know we're bound by certain federal laws, but we still want to do, you know, we have a welcoming ordinance. I think everybody knows that we want to protect our innocent immigrant residents and that's, we have to do it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. Yes, I can actually, myself or I could have Dr. Galussi, superintendent of schools, send the presentation that we were given by Dr. Galussi, not yesterday, a week ago Monday. So she did a full presentation on all the work that her team including Megan Fidelicari, and I know one or two school committee members have been highly involved in, and they have a plan in place to increase afterschool programming within our schools. So it was very exciting to hear. There was a whole host of residents that were here to advocate, and they really just came up to the podium and said, thank you. So Dr. Galusi is taking that issue along with the school committee, especially several members that are I talk to a number of parents all the time. She's taking that issue as one of the biggest issues to solve, which I'm super excited about because I've been asking, can we just increase each school by 10 students a year? Can we set goals? And she has a plan to increase it quite a bit. I'm very excited about it. So we can send you that presentation because there's so much going on and everybody's trying to solve every problem here in the city between the school committee, school department. city and the council so we can get that to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, that's what I mentioned, I think when Councilor Tseng ask the question that is I'm also on my list of free crap free cash requests, which we will be going through probably end of June into July so between the 25 papers we have to put before you in June that are kind of All we can handle right now, we're gonna continue to work through all the capital requests, all the requests in for funding, because there's something coming in from almost every department. We obviously need to make sure we're budgeting correctly and doing things in the proper years, but trees has been a huge goal of mine as well. So I thank you for taking this on. And I do plan on putting a paper before you, whether that's in June or July, to make sure we are reaching our tree planting goals.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Councilor Scarpelli.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do our best. Yeah, I guess I can address a few things I mean I have to, I have to stick up for the school override money. Member Graham and Member Ruseau negotiate the teacher contract. I believe, I think that's 2.5 million to extend the school day per year and they've done their job, and being part of the school committee I know very well that every dollar that we've spent on this override money has gone to exactly what we said it will go to. I know it's, I know there's people that are not happy with the override I know there's people that can't afford it. I, I understand that and I know who you're speaking for and you're who you're hearing from. But from a standpoint of where it's being spent, I can assure you it's being spent where we said it was going to be spent and it is positively affecting our students and our faculty. With regards to the DPW monies, we went through a process of That was 500,000. We needed more staffing we had to do the through the CBA we had to do internal postings first. I believe just recently, we have those three new crew members, and that's just recently. I never said that was going to fully fix our streets and sidewalks, it's not going to but to have another crew and have two crews out at the same time, especially around the time frame of Now until July until we get all the potholes fix until the next winter when they all get torn up, torn up again it's just a constant, constant issue but our dpw is is working hard and if they're not we are doing our best to manage. That's that. Okay, that's my. Okay. Pre cash we're at 23 million we just spent 5 million to offset 5 million of the $30 million bond we may use more, depending on where we are next year to offset that bond because the debt is going to be now 1.4 million we're going to have to pay back in the fiscal year 27 budget alone so we do between the financial task force and our outside audit we are making sure that we are doing right by the by the residents and Yes, that free cash will go down based on all the projects we have before us, Freedom Way alone just to repave it and do sidewalks soup to nuts is probably going to be $15 million, we have to do the new roofs at the Roberts Brooks and miss a tuck. That's going to be I think a few million each. I mean, and these are just projects that are continually coming up, we have to fix the heat in this building. We're going to have to use that. stabilization account next over the summer, it needs to be fixed because people need to work. So there's just project after project in a city that's built when it was built and facilities that were built when they were built. And now it's finally paying attention over the last several years of for facility maintenance. There's a lot of work to do a lot of spending we need to do, just like, just like I said if we're down to 23 and dpw has requested almost 2 million on machinery and equipment. That is just one department of the many that need equipment and capital expenses that we need to fund over the next several months. Our fire department, we're hiring 12. I know that you're aware, Chief Evans and the team must have told you. So we are gonna be much better staffed. Thankfully, we're going through that process. I guess that's it for comments on those, but I hear you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I thank you, Council Collins I am in a way flattered if it's about free cash because as mayor you can't when you have too much free cash, then you're mismanaging funds if we go low, we don't have enough so I, we are doing our best we have a lot in the pipeline, we're going to probably get that down, you're right to about 12 million replenish our stabilization accounts and throughout the months ahead, do the capital needs that we need to do while trying to stay in balance and while not trying to overspend. So we are doing our best on the city side with the council support on or requests as well on the projects that are needed throughout our community. So I do like the feedback either way. I appreciate it. No, and I thank you for your time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Our assessment, we need over 200 million to fix our roads and sidewalks, and we've been saying that for five years. So we use it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, just thank you for your time President Bears and vice president Collins and the city council we appreciate we appreciate you allowing us to present and answer questions. And I think maybe June 10 but you'll let us know we have a few things to get you before then and hope that you vote in favor of this budget?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, hey, thank you. Great, thank you. Good evening, everybody. We have our ninth regular meeting of the Medford School Committee on May 19th, 2025, 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and via remote participation. This meeting is being recorded. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel, through Medford Community Media, on your local cable channel Comcast channel nine, eight or 22 and Verizon channel 43, 45 or 47. Participants can log a call in by using the following Zoom link. The meeting ID is 959-5023-0990. Agenda, member Rousseau, if you could call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: She's absent tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent. Do we have any student representatives on the call tonight? Not yet. Not yet. OK, great. If we can all rise to please salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have our consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, approval of field trips. We have our Medford Vocational Technical High School day trip with automotive technology, New England Dragway in New Hampshire. We have our Andrews Middle School day trip to Canobie Lake Park and our McGlynn Middle School day trip to Canobie Lake Park. We also have approval of meeting minutes from our regular meeting on May 5th, 2025. Is there a motion for approval? I remember in Tapa seconded by member old party. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. We do not have any reports of subcommittees. We have a number of reports of our superintendent. The first is enhancing the Medford Public Schools after school programming. So I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Suzanne Galusi, our interim superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Rousseau. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member Olapade, did you have your hand up?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I just want to say from the chair, I just want to thank you, Dr. Lucy and the team that's working on this. This has been a long time coming. We've asked for this for several years. I know on the city side, we are working to rehab the Hegner Center through a federal grant, but obviously that takes a couple years to even go through design and architect work. So we are at, I'm just very happy we're at this point, and I appreciate the hard work that's gone behind this for something that's so greatly needed. So on the motion by Member Graham, seconded by... I don't know if there's anyone online.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Seconded by Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think we're good from the body. So please name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all for being here to listen to Dr Lucy's presentation. And thanks again to the team working on this. So there's a motion on the floor by member Graham, seconded by member and Tapa. Yeah. Remember Ruseau. Remember Ruseau. Okay. Um, all those in favor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Reinfeld. Does anybody want to call for the roll? Or is this just a motion for approval? All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. We have number two, increased flexibility. Yes. We have a long agenda, so I'm glad we took that first, y'all. Okay, increased flexibility for students, health and physical education requirements. Again, turn it over to Dr. Suzanne Galusi, interim superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member Rousseau and then member Tapa and member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, I know Member Ntuk is next. So why don't you go ahead and we'll make the motion after.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If there's no further comment, do you wanna make an amendment, Member Graham? or did you talk to policy? Do you want to talk about that amendment?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member. So so this
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. Okay so motion to to amend but to not fully vote for approval tonight um we'll postpone till next to the next meeting which is in about two weeks with a time to digest and any further way you want to clarify it for us. Okay on that motion to amend by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor on the amendment? Aye. All those opposed? Okay that amendment passes and then motion to continue this for till our next regularly scheduled meeting to review and digest. Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, motion to continue the discussion. hopefully move approval on the plan at the next regular meeting by Member Graham, seconded by Member Intoppa. All those in favor? All those opposed? The paper passes to be continued. Next up, we have operations planning and posting. Again, Dr. Suzanne Galusi, our interim superintendent. I'll turn it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr Galussi. We all have the job description, um, in our packets. Okay. And I'm sure most of us have read it. If there are no questions, is there a motion for approval? Member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Division makes sense to me. Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember, let's see who's next member so then member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good question. Thank you, member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may make a suggestion from the chair, I don't know if I can make an amendment, but maybe one of you could propose it, that you do have something in here, whether it's in the position overview or second section. because we see where your main focus will be for the COO, but something that just says, and any other job duties, tasks, projects requested of the COO. Motion by, okay, so that would be an amendment by member Tapa included with the amendments by member Reinfeld and member Graham, if all are in favor. just somewhere in there that so everybody gets overwhelmed everybody needs to take another project or another task that the CEO isn't going to refer back to the job description say sorry, not in my job description.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: there's there's some basic language that's used on the city and school side. So you don't have to use mine or word by word, but you get, yeah, I think we're trying to get suggest and I think that's the basic language statewide.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right. So there's a, is there a motion on the floor for approval as amended by three members so far?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Is there a second by Member Olapade? All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The COO job description has been approved as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Now let's get the personnel on board. Recommendation to approve RICO five-year contract, Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From the chair, if I may, with paper cut, I'm assuming you need to make sure that we have good Wi-Fi and networking. So is that come up at all?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we're saving with paper cuts. So if the network goes down in one school and you can't use paper cut for a while, it's not a loss or it would be, because I don't see a breakdown for how much paper cut is versus the fact that I guess, which is really good that we'd be saving 36,000 a year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, there's motion for approval, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. Roll call has been requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you. Recommendation to approve budget transfers. Mr. Noel Velez, Director of Finance, is coming on up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion to approve all the transfers? Sorry, I missed that. Okay, one second, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. There's a motion on the floor for approval by member Rousseau, seconded by member Reinfeld. All those in favor? All those opposed? Transfers are approved. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number six, rate card for MPS summer programming. I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Suzanne Galusi, our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Galussi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And motion to approve. There's a motion for approval on the floor, seconded by Member Opade. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. We do not have any presentations of the public or continued business, but we do have new business. We have the first reading of policy JJIF, concussion policy 2025-18. The purpose of the policy, member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: of those opposed. Motion to waive the reading, because it is about 10 pages, has been approved. And this is a concussion policy pre-participation. It outlines pre-participation requirements and training, caregiver requirements, exclusion from play. It outlines when one can return to play, athletic director responsibilities, athletic trainer responsibilities, coach responsibilities, school nurse responsibilities, record maintenance. And I'm sure it's posted on both the city and the school calendars in the attached agenda link if anybody wants to review it. I recently got to go through this with my daughter, so it's good that we have a protocol. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great questions. Dr. Cushing, did you want to answer? Oh, Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by, oh gosh, that was a member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, Member Ruseau. We're going to flip to page nine. We do not have any reports requested nor condolences, but we do want to notify the public of a meeting tomorrow, May 20th. That's the strategic and capital planning subcommittee. It's gonna be by Zoom at 6 p.m. The next regular scheduled meeting also falls on the same night as the Junior Honor Society at the McGlynn, which I believe some of us have a conflict with. So we can poll the members and see if we have a quorum or if we're gonna move that. So the next meeting is tentative June 2nd.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, Mr. Tucci is going to change the date. Okay, so keep us posted. We'll let the public know. Okay, is there a motion to adjourn? Member Ntaba, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: through the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I couldn't hear Luke. I couldn't hear Luke. So what is the motion to not exceed $400 million?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To left field, just so I can, I mean, I've been paying attention, but when you said Brockton was more along the lines of 600 million, how many students is that comparable to the number we have certified?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right, we'll get started. The eighth regular meeting of the, thank you, the eighth regular meeting of the Medford School Committee, May 5th, 2025, 6 p.m. will come to order. be held at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and via remote participation. This meeting is being recorded. It can also be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel, through Medford Community Media, on your local cable channel, Comcast 9, 8, or 22, and Verizon channel 43, 45, or 47. Participants can log or call in by using the following Zoom link, and the meeting ID is 930-1206. 2758. Member Ruseau, if you could please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent for now. I'm running a little late. Any student representatives on the meeting? Not that we're aware of just yet. Okay. And if we all could please rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have number three. Does anybody have anything for good of the order? Hearing and seeing none, I'll move on to number four, our consent agenda. It's approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, approval of field trips, and approval of meeting minutes. The meeting minutes included here are regular meeting minutes for April 14th, 2025. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion for approval by member Olapade, seconded by member Intoppa. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We have reports of subcommittees. We do not have reports of subcommittees. We have three reports from our superintendent. First up, recommendation to approve no school choice district, school year 2025 to 2026. Dr. Suzanne B. Galussi, interim superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Galussi. In our packet, we do have the explanation in writing. Is there a motion on the floor? By Member Intoppa to be a no school choice district. Seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. We have number two recommendation to approve budget transfers. Mr. Noel Velez, our director of finances present. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you, Mr. Velez. Looks like a lot of office supplies, instructional supplies, transfers, and then contractual services to maintenance of equipment, totaling 25,971.41. Is there a motion on the floor to approve the budget transfers? Sure. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Do we have to roll call this because it's budget transfers? I don't believe so, but we can do it just in case. Okay. Roll call has been requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Budget transfers have been approved. Thank you. We have number three approval of the school year 2025 2026 school committee calendar.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Galussi, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve as amended. Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member Bramley. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The school committee meeting date calendar has been approved. Great, thank you. Thank you. We do not have any presentations of the public or continued business. We do have new business, an MSBA update. I'll turn it over to Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: questions. Wonderful. Thank you so much. Member Graham. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Awesome. Great work. Thank you to the selection team. No further questions, we'll go on to resolutions. First is 2025-13 offered by member Rousseau. Benefit school committee may send a delegate, an alternate delegate to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, MASC, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, MASS, an annual joint conference for the purpose of voting during the delegate assembly on the resolutions of the MASC. The conference is Wednesday, November 12th through Saturday, November 15th, with the delegate assembly being held on Friday, November 14th. Voting is only allowed in person and thus is recommended that only members who are able and planning to attend the conference be nominated. Are there any nominations for delegate?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we have member Rousseau nominated. If there are no other nominations, do I hear a second? Seconded by member Olapade. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Thank you, member Rousseau for representing Medford School Committee. Are there nominations for an alternate delegate?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Who would like to be an alternate delegate if we have no nominations? Is anybody else planning on going to the conference? Not a definite. Okay. Okay, Member Topper could plan on going.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so we have Member Topper and Member Olapade planning on going. So one of you two maybe could, would one of you like to be an alternate? Okay, Member Intoppa has been nominated by Member Olapade, seconded by Member Branley. All those in favor? Motion passes. Member Intoppa, thank you for being the alternate delegate for the Medford School Committee. Easy peasy. Okay, 2025-14 offered by members so resolution in support of Massachusetts Association of School Committees resolutions reaffirmation, whereas the Massachusetts Association of School Committees ma sc bylaws article nine section one requires adopted resolutions of the association to expire three years after adoption, whereas the MASC bylaws article nine section one requires members member school committees to vote for the readoption of expiring resolutions for consideration of the annual car conference, and whereas the following resolutions are matters The school committee has previously supported. Now therefore be it resolved that the metric school committee reaffirmed support for the following resolutions regarding sanctuary laws for transgender students to increase the maximum balance allowed by the special education reserve fund membership of the board of elementary and secondary education. to request the secretary of the member school committee convey to the MSC resolutions committee chair our support for the above resolutions being reaffirmed and request the secretary of the school committee engage with the MSC resolutions committee and other Massachusetts school committees as necessary to reaffirm the above resolutions pursuant to the bylaws of the MSC. Yes, member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes 2025-15 offered by member Reinfeld be resolved that the family engagement and communication subcommittee will meet to discuss protocols for family facing communications around after school enrollment and academic transitions. This meeting will include the director of communications as well as relevant program directors and school leaders member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you, Member Reinfeld. So motion approval by Member Reinfeld, seconded by... Member Graham, all those in favor. All those opposed motion passes 2025-16 offered by member Reinfeld, whereas the federal government's current approach to taxation and tariffs has the potential to affect supply chains for school supplies, whereas shipping ports are currently experiencing fluctuations in their regular traffic from international goods and shipping. be resolved that the superintendent shall direct school and department leaders to identify the essential supplies for classroom use in 2025-2026 school year and make student supply lists available to families by June 2nd. Be it further resolved that the district make every effort to anticipate internal needs for such materials so that a reserve of necessary supplies will be available throughout the year in the event of product scarcity and or rising costs, including for students and staff experiencing economic hardship. Good resolution. Thank you, Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then maybe if, I don't know if you wanna adjust and just be resolved that the superintendent requests district school and department leaders to identify the essential supplies for next year and make them available as soon as possible versus by June 2nd, as we just heard that it, that might not, June 2nd might not be possible from all. But I think the resolution goes a long way that you want them out as soon as they can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think Member Ruseau had. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So, okay so there's a motion on the floor by member Ryan feld as amended member and tapa. Oh, as amended, so we're changing the shall to requests and the June 2nd to as soon as possible. A motion by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Intoppa. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion is approved. Offered by Member Intoppa. Food Allergy Awareness Week Proclamation, whereas more than 33 million Americans have food allergies, nearly 6 million are children under the age of 18. Whereas research shows that the prevalence of food allergy is increasing among children and adults, whereas nine foods cause the majority of all food allergy reactions in the US, which is shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, wheat, and sesame, food allergy reactions can range from mild symptoms to severe reactions such as anaphylaxis, whereas anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death, whereas every 10 seconds food allergy sends a patient to the emergency room. Reactions typically occur when an individual unknowingly eats a food containing an ingredient to which they are allergic. whereas emergency medical treatment for severe allergic reactions to food has increased by 377% in only a decade, whereas childhood food allergies cost U.S. families 34 billion each year, whereas now, therefore, be it resolved that the Medford Public Schools and the Medford School Committee proclaim May 11th through the 17th, 2025, Food Allergy Awareness Week in the Medford Public Schools and encourage the residents of the city of Medford and its associates to increase their understanding and awareness of food allergies and anaphylaxis. The source can be found at the Food Allergy Research Education, which is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies and to providing them hope throughout the promise of new treatments. I'll pass it on to you, my fellow colleague with allergies, Amber and Tapa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Member Intoppa. Thank you for putting this on. Shanine Pelequin emailed us all, her child, you know, children with food allergies, one thing for us adults to have them, but children with food allergies is scary and it's so hard. bringing awareness through the school committee and obviously I'm sure we'll all do it next week through our social media accounts is so important. I'm going to pass it off to Dr. Lucy. I think we have somebody on Zoom that would like to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much Ms. Silva. Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Is there a motion on the floor by Member Intapas for this proclamation? Seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is approved. Next week will be declared Food Allergy Awareness Month. A week, sorry, week. We do not have reports requested or condolences, which is nice. We have our next regular meeting on May 19th, 2025, here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. And again, next week, six to eight, on Monday the 12th is our MSBA, is the MSBA committee meeting. Is there a motion to adjourn? Yes before we adjourn before I call the roll I just know there's some great happenings for our schools and the city this week. Tomorrow is the PTO fundraiser it's the Harlem Wizards you can buy tickets I believe at the door 6pm at doors open show starts at seven all proceeds go to our PTOs which is elementary I believe PTOs which is great. And then on the 10th of May, we have our disability fair. That's at the McGlynn school from 11 to two, that's gonna be a great session. You can just pop in or you can stay the whole time. So please join us at our disability fair, which again is May 10th, Saturday, 11 to 2 p.m. And to all those moms out there, happy Mother's Day. Motion to adjourn by. Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Intoppa. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion's approved. Good night, everybody. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I actually ended up lowering my hand when I realized that the votes weren't there. I was gonna try to speak beforehand to encourage the committee to reconsider and support the motion put forward by member Lazzaro. I think it's important to know these negotiations have gone on for a long time. part of, I know Councilor Tseng gave a timeline and part of the reason why I asked for some delay in the council starting to meet on the charter was not for personal reasons, but more for, to allow the study committee to do their due diligence. And they worked extremely, extremely hard on the entire document. And then when it came to me, I did, you know, I took a few weeks of course, and made the amendments that I felt They were, I thought they were minor and most of them were guided by the Collins Center. So, and then I feel like the council did their due diligence, but I'd be remiss to just say that from the Collins Center's review of many, many charters throughout the Commonwealth, The balance of power in Medford is normal for our form of government. And I'm not showing any disrespect, but what we have is 10 members out of 14 that are from one organization. And that's fine. That's what the electorate wants. And you're all great people and hard workers. I would argue that, especially on the school committee, because it's not personal for me, I'd actually rather not be on the school committee. I tend to be viewing this from the future and what should be in the future. And I know that serving on the committee for almost six years has opened my eyes to the needs in the schools. I don't buy the argument of the conflict of interest because I've only had one. That was at the most recent teacher negotiations. member Bramley and I had a conflict. I don't see that I've had any other conflicts. I see that there's a balance of power struggle as is. And at least I'm a voice to say, you know, this is what we do on the city side. This is, I love to, you know, this is how I think what we can afford. I mean, there is, I said it online and I'll say it again, 99% of the time, I'm trying to caution the spending on the school side because there needs to be somebody that has factual information on where we are, not even just come budget time, but knowing like, Hey, we can't go give X, Y, and Z because it's so out of balance with what we're doing on the city side. And it's something we really can't afford. So I feel like having the mayor on is important. believe the mayor should be chair but I wanted to negotiate in good faith and and that's fine if the council doesn't want the mayor's chair moving forward but I think the mayor should be on the school committee and I said it in my press release I'd rather have the night night off to either be with my kids or to work on other city issues because yeah, there is a lot of my plate, but the amount that I've learned, the amount that I've seen get right size and I've helped get right size, the amount of conversation that is brought between, especially the vice chair and I over the years and what we've been able to accomplish, um, the two of us and as a committee of the whole, as a whole, along with our superintendents that would not have all been able to get done. without the mayor on the school committee. So I, this is something that will be reviewed. Like I know it's not two years from now, but it's 10 years. Why don't we change that to five and see how it goes with just the mayor on as a, as a, just about one voting member and not as the chair. Why don't we amend that tonight and compromise even more? Relook at it in five years after this passes. This is our last opportunity to get a charter passed. And believe me, the frustration comes more for the fact that there was a politically diverse committee put together, and nobody can say that I interfered whatsoever. It's quite the opposite. Anthony Andreatola from that committee interviewed me, and I felt his frustration because every question he asked, I believe except one, you know what I said? What do the people want? What does the survey say? What does the call-in center say? What does the charter study committee say? And that's what I moved forward, because it's not about me. I know it's not about the current politicians. It's about what we're going to see for potentially decades. So the compromise, change it to a five year and you wanted a study committee, which I think is normally made up of council and mayor appointments, but you want school committee appointments. Fine. We'll compromise on that too. but let's get something done tonight so we can move this forward for the people. They deserve it. We've been fighting for this for 10 years. The first vote I took, I believe it was in 2000, either 15 or 16, Councilor Marks put it forward. And then as mayor, I put it forward at least two more times, I believe. So three times we got that four, three vote. Our only other option was to put a study committee together, mostly left-leaning people, but it was politically diverse. So to say like, we should have been all left-leaning because 70% of the population population is Democrat. It's just, it's argument. So I would, I would respectfully ask that we take a little bit of time to get this done. We know that we're at the final hour. I mean, it was, it was calling center. We said we should have got this by the end of March, the latest by mid April. Well, here, here we are. We're in the 15th, you know, of April. and center. I know there's some votes that are going to be no, but I just asked you to take a hard look to reconsider. And if we can make further amendments to when we review the charter again, um, that's just something that came to, came to my head. Um, thank you for the time. And I know a couple of the committee members from the study committee want to speak, but I appreciate the time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: misspeak, that was never. I didn't mean to upset you either. That wasn't never said on the floor that I'm aware of. It was said to me personally, but I would never vouch who made what argument. And then I just wanted to point out that somebody else has their hand up. I don't know if you're letting the public speak. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. President.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't know if it was, Oh, no, I'm so sorry. It must've been left up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry, I had to log off. I was leaving my daughter's lacrosse game, but I, so I missed, I thought you were just talking about the press release. I just missed the discussion on what I emailed today like it was potential on it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, can you hear me now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay sorry I'm heading home from my daughter's lacrosse game with. She wanted me to be at, while I was listening on the meeting. Um, and I just logged off cause I thought the discussion was over when you were talking about the press release, but it just wanted to check about the email I sent today. It seemed like the red line version for the first time I saw. Um, I don't know if it was just a comment or if you were voting to have, um, appointment power, rejection power of all department heads or the city council was should have appointment and rejection power of all department heads and if that was the case?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know, Councilor Tseng digestible for me that I just wanted to make sure it wasn't mayors in the future would have to run all department head appointments by the council. So that's why I sent a compromise today, because I just wasn't sure if that it was red lines that way. But I think I understand what you're saying. That's not part of it. But you did add the words or ordinance to both to both sections, which I have seen in the past.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just wanted to be sure, because I don't have an issue with if there's a department head interview that somebody wants to sit in on. I don't, you know, I think the mayor can allow that in the future. I just having every single department head, and because we know what the turnover's like throughout all municipalities, having every single department head come before you and you, the city council having to set up a whole subcommittee to do additional interviews, it could really stall the process. dissuade people from applying to be part of city government. So I just wanted to make sure that was not what I saw in the red line version last night.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I just can take one more moment before I hop off, I just want to thank the council. It looks like it's moving in the right direction. And I, I just really appreciate the collaboration. This was probably the toughest thing we've, we've worked on. It took several months and years in the making, and I just think it's monumental and it's going to be just. So thank you very much, everybody, whether we disagreed on many issues or not at all, I, it was, So thank you so much. And thank you to the committee, the study committee and the residents who got involved in the public meetings. This was a team effort.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or you just want that from the council?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, through the chair, before the roll is called, I too think triangle option is best. I just wanna make sure that our superintendent just plans accordingly in case we have a great number of teachers who take off on Good Friday. I know that's happened in local community near ours. And so I just want to make sure we can still have class for the students that are able to come to school.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's COVID, so that's how it would be. Oh, hold on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are we?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's work. It's working now. It looks like it just hasn't worked until now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Medford City Hall and via remote participation immediately following the public budget hearing. This meeting is being recorded. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel through Medford Community Media on your local cable channel, Comcast Channel 9, 8 or 22 and Verizon Channel 43, 45 or 47. Participants can log or call in by using the following Zoom link. Please enter meeting ID 958 8801-2206 when prompted. I will call the roll. Member Intoppa? Here. Member Graham? Here. Member Branley is absent. Member Olapade? Here. Member Ruseau is running late. Member Reinfeld is running late. And myself, I am here. That's four present, one absent, and two running late. I don't believe we have any, right? Four? No student reps yet. So if we all please rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have executive session upon motion to enter into executive session for two and pursuant to general laws, chapter 30, a 21 a two to conduct a strategy session in preparation for negotiations with non union personnel, specifically the contracts of principals Martha Cabral Medford High School Chad found a method vocational technical high school. Curtis Tufts, Nicholas Tucci of McGlynn Middle School, Jennifer Skane of Andrews Middle School, Michelle Crowell of Roberts Elementary School, Shannon Demos of Brooks Elementary School, Nancy Sherman-Hudson of Missittuck, and Andrew O'Brien of McGlynn Elementary. Is there a motion to enter executive session? So moved. By member Intoppa, seconded by member Olapade. I will call the roll. Member Intoppa? Yes. Member Graham? Member Branley is absent. Member Olapade. Yes. Member Ruseau is late. Member Reinfeld. Yes. And myself, yes. That is five in the affirmative, one absent, one running late. And we will come back to regular session when we are finished. Okay, thanks, everybody. We are gonna record again or keep recording and get to our regular business. We have number four good of the order. Is there any items under good of the order? If not, I'm going to move to the consent agenda. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. We have our consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, approval of field trips, approval of meeting minutes, public budget hearing March 24th, 2025, and our regular meeting March 24th, 2025. Is there a motion for approval of our consent agenda? by member and tapa seconded by member of a party. Although, those in favor, do we have money in there. No, sorry. All those opposed, motion passes. And we do not have any reports of subcommittee, we do have a number of reports from our superintendent presentation of the governor's citation to miss Jennifer skein, our principal of the Andrews Middle School, I'm going to turn over to Dr. Suzanne Lucy, our interim superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yes, thank you, Ms. Skane. I was on the phone with Dr. Galussi after the incident happened and what she explained that you did for our school and our students and our staff going in there like a firefighter yourself is very impressive. It just shows the You have that part of your brain, they say, that it's just response, response, response. So thank you for all you did. And this is a citation from the governor's office. So I'll just read it. Commonwealth of Massachusetts to Principal Jennifer Skane, on behalf of the residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I am pleased to confer upon you this governor's citation in recognition of your heroic efforts to protect the students and staff of the Andrews Middle School. We commend your quick thinking and resolve to immediately extinguish a growing fire and prevent a larger catastrophe. Your bravery and fast action are a testament to your true leadership and strength of character as principal of the Andrews Middle School. The Commonwealth thanks you." And this was signed the 24th day of March, 2025 by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Governor Healey. So congratulations and thank you. It seems Will might want a picture. Next up, we have the overview of search processes for Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Director of EL Openings. I'm going to again turn it over to Dr. Galusi, our Interim Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's no questions right now keep going.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: make a motion to approve it now and then put it on the agenda for a second reading next meeting yes okay so we'll make a motion to approve this as um as suggested and if i just may ask a question from the chair and then i'll pass it to member and tapa the 60 total hours of community service is that spread out 15 hours and i'm sorry if i'm ideally 15 hours per year ideally I didn't know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member Tapa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member, so if you just could repeat that, I was just reading something else.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Tapa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So there's a motion for approval as amended before I call the roll or move the motion. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by member Rousseau as amended. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number four recommendation to approve bond request of the Met of Medford City Council of $25,775,000 for the McGlynn and Andrews HVAC project Dr. Peter J Cushing assistant superintendent. We also have Brenda Pike from planning development sustainability and our director Planning Development sustainability Alicia hunts with us as well. Thanks for being here everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From the chair, if I may. The potential solar option, can you explain those options down the line, whether it be purchasing or is there an option to lease like homeowners have?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, and I asked that and hopefully there'll be a team decision down the line, even if we don't come in under because of the tariffs and the second, potentially the potential second shift. Because just to point out, this is a massive, massive job. This is over 30 million that we're gonna be going out to bond with, although there are some discussions behind the scene about potential use of some free cash to bring this down. Because when we hit fiscal year 27 this is a $1.8 million hit on our budget for return principal and interest. So that's a 1.8 million we're going to have to find on the city and city slash school budget that is already pretty constrained. Just want to point that point that out. So hopefully it could be a group decision. Thank you. Reinfeld? Member Graham, then Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So, opening expensive project.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um is there a motion for approval for this project? Remember all party. All those in favor, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes 76 in the affirmative one absent motions approved. Thank you for the hard work. We do not have any presentations of the public or continued business, but we do have an item under new business 2025-11 offered by member Graham and member Reinfeld. Whereas Medford's graduation requirements regarding health and physical education exceeds state requirements. And whereas some high school students have substantial physical activity outside of the school day. And whereas some high school students are unable to access all aspects of educational programming offered by MPS. example is arts and language and core subjects and vocational education and PE health. Be resolved that the administration will provide a recommendation to policy IKF dash requirements for graduation that increases flexibilities for students by changing the health and physical education requirements. Be it further resolved that the administration will bring this recommendation to the committee no later than June 1st, 2025. be it also resolved the administration will be prepared to implement approved changes for the fiscal for the school years 2025-2026. Member Reinfeld, Member Graham, or is there a motion for approval? Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, so that's a motion for approval. Member Reinfeld? Yes. And seconded by Member Graham? Yes. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We do not have any reports requested, but we do have several condolences. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincere condolences to the family of Louise C. Jordan. For 39 years, she taught second and third grade at the Hervey Elementary School, the Lauren L. Dame School, and the Brooks Hobbs School. Notably, she arranged a first ever visit of then General Colin Powell, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Brooks Hobbs School in the early 1900s. Also the members of the medical school committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Anthony Tony DeLuca, Tony was a carpenter with the Met for public schools, and the members of the medical school committee express their sincere condolences to the family of William Shane Horty husband of Mary Horty, former physical education teacher at McGlynn Middle School, who may rise for a moment of silence please. Thank you. Our next regular meeting is actually next Monday, April 14 2025 here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, as well as on zoom. Is there a motion to adjourn. I remember Reinfeld seconded by member and topper all those in favor. All those opposed to the affirmative one absent meeting is adjourned. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. The fifth regular meeting of the Medford School Committee will come to order. Tonight's Monday, March 24, 2025. We have a meeting at 6.30 PM. please be advised there'll be a regular meeting of the Medford School Committee held at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and via remote participation immediately following the budget hearing or 6.30, which is what we chose to do since the agenda says 6.30. This meeting is being recorded. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel, through Medford Community Media, on your local cable channel, Comcast 981. or 22, and or Verizon channel 43, 45, and 47. Participants can log or call in by using the following Zoom link. Meeting ID is 989-1291-8617. Member Ruseau, if you will please call the roll. Member Branley. member Graham present member and Papa present member Ola Pate present member Reinfeld present members so present Mayor Longo present seven present zero absent do we have any student representatives on zoom not tonight okay thank you and if we all may rise to salute the flag I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, this is our regular meeting, 6.30. This was posted on the city and school website. We also just finished a meeting that was at five o'clock this evening. It was a special meeting of the Medford School Committee and our public budget hearing. So that is complete. that will be probably available on Medford Community Media as soon as possibly tomorrow. And I'm sure the slides will be put on the website. So if you have any questions on the budget meeting, this is our regular meeting. So next step is the consent agenda. And we have approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, Tufts University $1,000 donation to the Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility. Vecna Robotic of Waltham Massachusetts is donating $180,000 worth of new and used equipment. to the Engineering and Metal Fabrication Program at Medford Vocational Technical High School. We have a donation of $2,250 by Arthur C. Mabbitt of Mabbitt, I believe he's a business owner, maybe that was just left off, Mabbitt, Inc., for 2025 Medford High School Science and Technology Engineering Exposition. We have a donation of $4,000 by J.S. Lim Foundation for J.S. Lim Science and Mathematics prizes. A donation of $2,594, 94 euros by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has approved the Consulate General's request for donation. This is for the Italy trip. And the Friends of the Medford Public Library is making an initial donation of 102 books valued at $1,620 to the English Learners Department at Medford Public Schools. Approval of field trips, approval of meeting minutes. Our meeting minutes under this consent agenda are regular meeting minutes from February 26th, 2025. Special budget meeting number one, March 5th, 2025. Joint session meeting of the Medford School Committee and the Medford City Council, March 19th, 2025. Committee of the whole meeting, fiscal year 26 budget overview, March 20th, 2025. Is there a motion for approval of the consent agenda?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By Member Olapade, seconded by Member Intoppa. All those in favor? Is it roll call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. And I just want to, I'm sure, on behalf of the committee, thank all those who have donated to our schools in wonderful ways that I just read. Our next regular member was out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. and a lot of good donations. So yes, great. We do have our next regular meeting in two weeks. That's on April 7th, 2025 here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. And next up for tonight, we have an executive session upon motion to enter into executive session pursuant to general laws 30 a section 21 a to conduct a strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the medford school committee specifically the medford school committee will be discussing ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with teamsters local 25 custodians Massachusetts Nurses Association, Medford Paraprofessional Association, and Teamsters Local 25 Administrators. Executive session pursuant to Chapter 30A, Section 21.2, to conduct strategy in preparation with non-union personnel, specifically contract negotiations with the Director of Food Services. The Medford School Committee will not reconvene in public session. by member motion to enter executive session by member Reinfeld, seconded by member Olaparte. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion to go into executive session and not reconvene has been approved. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you have another copy, or? No, I didn't get that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I just, I can't see the screen, so I'm sorry. Sorry to interrupt. I was looking. Let's see if there's another copy. It's not in the email that we got, so I didn't see this one to print. I don't get a packet delivered on Fridays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry about that, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. The grounds maintenance, is that landscaping?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. I am glad that's in here, because it seems that we always have an issue come July, August, where complaints are coming in on the, especially at the Missituk, and just the overgrowth. So it'll be really great. be proactive and do that before the kids enter school. And then number two, my other question is just how much of this 457 is, you know, recurring that you'd see year after year and how much of it is just one time funding spending?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: from the chair, this is big for me with the override questions, just making sure we built in a good amount of money similar to this for yearly maintenance. So I just wanna make sure that I understand what's recurring and what is one-time funding in hopes that we can always keep it at or about this number and it can be routine maintenance throughout each fiscal year moving forward. But in order to do that, we just have to make sure we budget accordingly and other line items as far as like adding additional personnel because you only want to add so much that you can maintain and not have to eventually pull from something like this, which is what they've done in the past. So just, I'm going to point that out every time I think routine maintenance is is just so important because we see what is going on with the HVAC and now the MSBA submittals we did on Friday for roofs at our other elementary schools. It catches up to you when you don't do routine maintenance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Does the council want to ask questions first? I'm going to handle the public hearing first. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If there's no questions right now, I can open up the public hearing. So the public hearing is now open. Anybody in favor that wants to speak on Zoom or in person? Anybody in favor of the fiscal year 26 budget? Member Ruseau, are you on Zoom like usual? Okay, so will you let me know if anybody raises their hand? Thank you, thank you. Hearing and seeing none, I'll call that portion of the public hearing as closed. And now we'll open it up on the floor via Zoom or in person for anybody who is opposed to the fiscal year 26 budget as proposed. I'll open it up to anybody that's opposed. We good, Member Ruseau? Hearing and seeing none, I will close the public hearing and open it up for any further questions from the committee. Hearing and seeing none. Oh, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That sounds amazing. And before I call the roll, since I'm sitting here and you're making the request to me, I just want to say that I think we are in a decent okay spot and we're usually in a much more difficult spot than we are today. We just do have to keep in mind and I will on the city side as I'm reviewing each department's budget on the city side, especially There's 20, 25 of them that there is this funding gap of 2.8% that we have to work together to close. And I know that will take several weeks if not a couple months to do so and we can work towards doing that but just want to want to point that out because it is, it is a gap and. we'll see what we can do on the city side to provide more than the initial proposal, which is always conservative, especially given the state of the federal government, but also that the governor is the only one that has released her budget to date, that we do still have that gap. So I just wanna point that out as you take your vote tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. I'm just going to abstain, I guess. Do we need to take a roll call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call has been requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just going to abstain while I work through that funding gap. So six in the affirmative, one abstaining. Motion passes. Is there a motion to adjourn if there's no further questions or comments? A motion to adjourn the hearing and enter a regular meeting. Motion to adjourn by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Opade. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Meeting is adjourned. You have
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll get started. We have the Medford School Committee meeting dated Thursday, March 20th, 2025 at 5.30 p.m. It will be a Committee of the Whole meeting and held remotely via Zoom only. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast and Verizon. Participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number. The meeting ID is 9521257. 8486. Questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information, your first and last name, your metro street address, your question or comments. The committee of the whole meeting is being called to focus on the overview of the fiscal year 26 budget proposal and will be presented by Mr. Gerald McHugh, our budget analyst. and I'll ask member Ruseau to call the roll before we turn it over to you, Mr. McHugh. Thank you. Member Branley. Yeah, hello, present. Yes, hello, present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: He just unmuted, so say one more time, Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven, present, zero absent. Next up, we'll just turn it right over to Mr. McHugh, our budget analyst. Thanks, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, from the chair, ask a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Because 5.5% increase over fiscal year 25 And then you mentioned the $4 million carryover, because yes, we need to spend that the way the voters expect us to spend it. But we also can use some of that money for things we outlined in the questions, which I think would cover a lot of what you had in that $500,000 range for maintenance. So is that being included to be paid for out of the 4 million, or is that included in the 5.5% increase? Because we obviously don't want to use the 4 million to extenuate a situation where we're keeping personnel that we can't afford down the line and just getting in another hole. So can you maybe explain that? Will that bring this down to 5%?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I know the three million is accounted for, it's the four million, so are we reserving a certain portion for the contracts which aren't up until June 30th? I guess, what one-time costs can we use so there's not a 5.5% increase? because we've been adding things.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, and hopefully there's more progress before just next week, because with a $7.5 million override, you wouldn't we were, I think we were all hoping maybe not to be in a position where we had to cut anything if we planned correctly. So hopefully there's more work that will be done. So we're not in seeing this picture is as a 5.5% increase and it's a little bit more manageable.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'll keep the faith, I guess. If there's no other questions, thank you for your presentation, Jerry. I look forward to your continued work and maybe some adjustments on Monday. And because of course you all know this body and the city council and myself really have prioritized our public schools. And I agree with member Graham, we have deferred maintenance for far too long. So there's great progress that has been made. great to balance this a little better. So the ask is something that, you know, maybe the city can really get to, you know, reasonable ask. And I know member Reinfeld asked last night, you know, some of the city services that have been put on hold because of us trying to really fund the schools as best we can the last several years. So, you know, there's work to do on the city and the schools and hopefully we'll get there within the next month or so. Is there a motion to adjourn if there's no further questions? Motion to adjourn. Member Branley seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa? I'm going by voices. I hope I'm doing OK. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One more time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I got you there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Meeting is adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: CFO Dickinson is logged in. Good evening. First joint session, March 19, 2025, will come to order. This meeting will take place 6 p.m. in the Alden Memorial Chamber, second floor, Medford City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford Mass, and via Zoom. You can also watch live, channel 22, channel 43, or YouTube in medfordtv.org. To submit written comments, I have the, oh, I actually printed the, I printed the city council agenda, I think. So to submit written comments, please email ahertobees at medford-ma.gov. I think that should suffice. And, uh, Yep. If we can call the role of the school committee, please. Member herself. No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 7 present, 0 absent, the entire school committee is here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the reading.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any from the school committee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion has also taken place in seconded for the school committee member so call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative Sierra the negative motion passes. So, rules are adopted for tonight's meeting and moving forward. Thank you. We have a resolution by President Bears to discuss the schedule of annual budget process for fiscal year 2026.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 25039 on the school committee agenda. And tonight we, I don't know if you want to talk about tonight. We have chief of staff, Nina Nazarian and CFO, Bob Dickinson from the city of Medford. And when we're ready, CFO Dickinson has a slideshow presentation and can present an overview of the city's finances.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No other comments or questions, we'll start the presentation. See you all.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can just comment, too. I think most cities and towns use the governor's proposal, because that's all we really have in the House and then the Senate and then joint conference. If anything changes, we're going to have to adjust. Hopefully, we just stop and knock down and spend some time in the state house yesterday. So they are watching what's going on federally and are going to adjust accordingly, depending on if and when. So we're going to keep track of it as much as we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, you have some more slides too, right? Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I can add to that it's been a project we've been working on since January to try to pull the numbers from every department. We just recently gave everything to finance to kind of tidy up so we can get you a copy of what's currently we're receiving in federal funding a lot of that is recurring but of course there's some that are that are grants that are one time or over several year period but I think it would be a huge endeavor to go back years, but I think we can definitely get you a snapshot of what we're looking at now within the next several weeks. I know the finance department's been working on trying to get that together in a readable format for us to just keep an eye on as these are such uncertain times.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I can just add, we did look into that last year. I think we looked back about 20 years and there's only been three years where it's been over 2 million and that's been in the last four or five. Okay, great. That's helpful. Thank you. I appreciate that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can answer that a member member Reinfeld is best I can now Nina, and I, after Courtney has kind of gathered the budgets together Courtney's our budget director, are starting to meet with each department head and understand Those types of scenarios, because it wasn't just last year that we pulled from the city to help better fund the schools I think it's a priority of the Council myself in the schools to fund our in the school committee to make sure our schools are funded properly to make sure our libraries funded properly. But having said that, I thank you for asking the question because, yes, we have had tough budget side on the city side with people that were upset because they couldn't do or the things they wanted to do. So we're going to take a hard look and see what can be added while at the same time still trying to prioritize our schools. We're very lucky to have that override pass. But I still, even though schools have a number, If there's additional funding which I always try, we always try to do, we want to make sure we meet the needs of the schools that's just important piece of puzzle. So yes, it's a balance, and we have 25 departments, and we are going to try to first add back some of the things we had to cut. and then see what room there is to maybe grow in a few spots. And we always know we can usually add a position or two, and there's a long list of 20 plus positions that are needed within the departments. But I think Nina and I have, and our CFO, have a good pulse on how the departments are operating and which ones need to see a little more growth in that 1%, 2%, 3%, and which ones can sustain. So it's a work in progress. We hope to finish those meetings by the end of April so that we can prepare and get the council their budget beginning in May, which is I think in the budget ordinance first week in May. So it's still a work in progress.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct. And if the state is going to budget conservatively from what I understood from my meetings yesterday, in case they need to plug gaps like Medicaid, which will be in the billions, then it's a guessing game of what the state's gonna cover and what the cities and towns are gonna have to cover. So it could be substantial and we're just praying and hoping that it is not.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thanks so much. Today is March 5th, 2025. We have a Medford School Committee meeting for fiscal year 26 budget at 4 p.m. via Zoom. This meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast and Verizon. Participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number. The meeting ID is 963. three, four, five, nine, four, seven, six, one. Questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Member Ruseau, if you could please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member Intoppa, can you hear? Are you able to unmute?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, we're gonna make him a host?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, six, seven present, zero absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Agenda item number three is the MSBA Accelerated Repair Statements of Interest, SOI. Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent, and this is concerning the district's intention to submit a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority MSBA accelerated program on behalf of the Roberts, the Misituck, and the Brooks Elementary Schools. Medford School Committee is hereby asked to approve three separate motions hereby authorizing the administration to formally submit the statement of interest For the schools listed below under priority five, replacement, renovation and modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in school facilities. Number one is the Roberts Elementary School roof and heat pump. Two is Mississippi Tech Elementary School roof and heat pump. And number three is Brooks Elementary School roof and heat pump. Dr. Cushing, I don't know if you have anything to add before we take votes and discuss.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And then, so the general public's aware, this is the same process we took, just a different category under MSBA as it relates to the work we're doing for the new high school, which we're now excited to share last week that we're in the feasibility study. So this is just the first phase of trying to get that portion of these projects paid for through the MSBA. So I want to thank all that are working on these applications from the chair. Needed projects, of course, is one that has to worry about city and school budgets. It's a lot of work that we are doing on our HVAC and our high school and now these roofs. nevermind city-side projects, but definitely getting at least 50% reimbursement is something that you just can't pass up trying to do when you have buildings that are 25 years old at this point and their roofs are at the life expectancy or gonna be there shortly. So thank you. Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's a motion on the floor. by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think it's fine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I also have a student at the Roberts, but I'm going to vote in favor of all three. So yes. 7 the affirmative, 0 the negative. Motion passes. Is Misituck next?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Misituck Elementary, roof and heat pump is next. I'm assuming same sort of resolution.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Grams, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes on the affirmative, zero on the negative, a motion passes. And onto number three, which is Brooks Elementary School roof and heat pump. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Reinfeld. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up, we have the fiscal year 26 budget areas of chapter 90 revolving funds, enrollment projections, and class size. So I'll turn it over to our budget analyst, Mr. Gerald McHugh.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I didn't know if that was, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, because you said it will be going up, so I thought FY25 were finalized.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just have a question from the chair if I don't see any hands raised. In the CFO world and maybe the superintendent too, where are we at with the federal uncertainty and how our schools you know, taking that into account and budgeting. I know us mayors are talking about it on the city side mainly, but I have recently learned that there's a city or two that are nervous enough to be, is gonna be, you know, affecting their budgets. So I just didn't know where we are, because you did have a slide with all the federal monies and grant monies that come in. And I just, is there any of them that are of concern? Are we hearing any word on any of them that they might be cut or reduced or anything like that? Just so we can keep an eye on it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Guzzi. And Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Excuse me. Jerry, I may ask a question. I know every year the city adds like a position or two and then the schools is moving things around and maybe does the same, adds several positions. This year we're adding quite a few more than that, obviously, because of the overrides. Are you budgeting at all? on the school side for the 20,000 plus per person it costs for insurance, or is that something that would be doing on the city side? Just pointing it out, because I know the school side alone is 11, maybe 11 and a half million for insurance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, on this page. I just, this page and I know there's been a few others with new proposed positions. So that's why I think it's going to be more than usual with the override. So I just wanted to point that out because it's just a large expense for a city and school that we, yeah, I think we do take on the city side. So I didn't know if you were budgeting that 20,000 or so or more per person per new hire.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, thank you so much for the presentation, Mr. McHugh. Very detailed. Any questions from the committee? And if not, we can move on to our last agenda item. I have a six affordable housing trust meeting as well. So just throwing it out there that I have to leave around six. So if there's no questions, thank you for the presentation. And I think you said you were going to send it to us by email as well so that we have it and can further review.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. Hearing and seeing no further questions, thank you, Mr. McHugh. We're going to move on to number five, which is our executive session portion. Upon motion to enter into executive sessions pursuant to Mass General Laws 30A, Section 21A, executive session of the Medford School Committee to conduct a strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with administrators and the Medford Teachers Association.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we will not, the Medford School Committee will not convene in public session after the executive session. Motion by member Reinfeld, seconded by Second. Member Intoppa, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion to go into executive session has been approved. Have a good night, everybody that's watching from home.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hi. I don't see the agenda on the city website. I don't see that I don't see this posted on the city website. But can you tell me where it is on the school website. Hi, Dr. Galusi. It's not posted on the city website, this meeting, either of these meetings, which is usually where I find the agendas. Can you just direct me on the school web?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, but we don't post the agendas on the school website?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You do? I don't.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right. It's not pulling up either for me on my computer here, the link or the agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, good. As long as you all can see it somewhere. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We should be good. I think maybe just Member Reinfeld we're waiting for. So I'll just read, it is 5.32, so I'll read the agenda. The fourth regular meeting of the Medford School Committee, Wednesday, February 26th, 2025. We'll come to order. This is a remote-only meeting. Executive sessions at 530 and our regular meeting is at 6pm. Please be advised that there will be a meeting of the Medford School Committee held via remote participation only. This meeting is being recorded. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel through Medford Community Media on your local cable channel Comcast 9, 8 or 22. and Verizon 43, 45, 47. Participants can call or log in by using the following link, which is on the agenda on the school website. The meeting ID is 951-6462-1937. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll, please. Oh, there you are.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. I don't believe there's any student reps on just yet. And if we all may rise to salute the flag, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And we have executive session in a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to General Laws 30A. Section 21A3, the Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, with respect to CODIS versus Medford Public Schools. The Medford School Committee will convene public session immediately following the conclusion of the executive session at approximately 6 p.m. Is there a motion to go into executive session? Motion to go into executive session. By Member Branley, seconded by? Second. member Graham roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Great. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We are going to go into executive session and we're going to bring attorney Austin with us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, any student reps? And then we're going to just start recording.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. And it looks like we are recording, so I'll just continue. Thank you. We have our consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, approval of field trips, approval of meeting minutes. And those are the regular meeting minutes from February 10th, 2025. Is there a motion on the floor for approval? Motion to approve. By member Bramley, seconded by member Olapade. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. consent agenda is approved. We do not have any reports of subcommittees. We do have three reports of our superintendent. The first is the International Travel and Exchange. I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent, and Ms. Vilma Baudot. Oh, I pronounced that wrong, Baudot. Director of World Language, sorry about that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you both very much for the good presentation. Sounds like a great opportunity. Are there any questions from the chair? Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll second. Motion for approval by member Olapade. Second by Member Bramley. Before I call the roll, Member Cabra, do you have any questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you for the questions. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, I had a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No further questions? Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is approved. Thank you, Ms. Bebeau and Dr. Cushing for the presentation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have job description for facilities, director and assistant director, Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent of schools.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you. Member Graham, I was just putting in the chat, is there any chance, Dr. Cushing, you could increase the font size just so especially the recording grabs it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Are there any questions or comments or amendments or adjustments or motions? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So would you like to sever that amendment?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Amber Graham, thoughts? Somewhere in the middle maybe might work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, motion for approval of my memogram as amended and then adjusted with another amendment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld, sorry. It does blend in with your background.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good thoughts, thank you. Member Reinfeld, so is that a motion to amend
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Definitely in the new one, I would believe.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I agree. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion for approval as amended by, is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, as amended, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes as amended. If there's no other amendments to either job description, I'll go on to number three. vocational presentation to adjust for MSBA, Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent, and Mr. Chad Fallon, director, principal of Medford Vocational Technical High School. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so is there a motion for approval or any questions or amendments to the assistant facilities director position?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just if I... Dr. Cushing, did you just... Yes. Oh, are you all set? Okay, you're working on it. And then we're gonna go to member Rousseau, then member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Rizzo. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Graham as amended, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade? Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes. We do not have any presentations of the public. Under continued business, we have second meeting member Graham. We have to do number three. Oh, we missed a question. Vocational presentation to adjust for MSBA. Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent of schools. And Mr. Chad Fallon, that's right. Sorry about that. It's been a long week. Director of Medford Vocational Technical High School. I already read that. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: While you're on mute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you member Graham. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you, Member Graham. I'm personally bummed about the veterinary program. I think it would have been great for our students. I know there's always a wait list for Essex Tech, but completely understand that it's unfeasible. I'm glad we learned that now before we got anybody's hopes up. Motion by Member Graham, seconded by... I'll second that. Member Ruseau, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do not have any presentations of the public, but we do have continued business. We have our second reading of the Medford High School graduation and competency determination requirements. I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Galusi, our intern superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can we waive the second reading on motion? Motion to waive the second reading by member Branley. Is there a second? Otherwise, I can read it. Second. Member Graham doesn't want to hear my voice for that long.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion to waive the reading has been approved. Is there a motion for approval of the second reading, which is on page three and four of the agenda, for anybody that is watching from home?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Member Ruseau, seconded by? Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Second reading has been approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Glucy. We have 2024-44. It's a second reading. First reading was on 12-2, 2024. ADFW water wellness policy. Medford Public Schools is committed to the health and safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and community partners. In doing so, the Medford Public Schools commits to providing safe drinkable water for consumption district-wide.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. Motion to waive the full reading by member Reinfeld, seconded by? Yeah. I'll second. Member Graham, I think Scott got you. Roll call, please. She did? She did.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The reading was waived. We all want drinkable water. We've recently learned, if I may, from the chair that changing out the faucets, and Dr. Cushing can further elaborate, but the good news is that changing out the faucets did alleviate a lot of our problems. So that is very good news and we will continue working through that. I know we got that update from Paul Riggie, our city side facilities director that's helping the schools. So is there a motion for approval, if Dr. Cushing doesn't want anything, for the second reading of this policy?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: motion for approval by Member Olapade but amended by Member Intoppa. Is there a second? I can second. Member Branley. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Second reading is passed. Under new business, we have 2025-07 offered by Member Olapade and Member Reinfeld. Resolution in support of MPS's LGBTQIA plus community. Medford School Committee affirms the Medford Public Schools commitment to protecting the safety, dignity, and educational rights of our queer and gender non-conforming community members. We recognize and celebrate the unique qualities and potential that each of these individuals brings to our community and reject any efforts to erase, denigrate, or weaponize their identities as a direct affront to the values and practices of member public schools. We remain committed to upholding the non-discrimination principles and protocols outlined in Mass General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5, and Chapter 662, Medford Public Schools policies AC, ACA1, ACE, ACA-E, and JB, and all federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We also affirm students' and employees' right to privacy in accordance with the above in other relevant state and federal laws. Be it further resolved, the Metropolitan Public Schools shall continue all activities and initiatives to ensure a healthy and welcoming school environment for our queer, questioning, and gender nonconforming community members in and beyond the classroom, included but not limited to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual students, teachers, and staff, including but not limited to transgender, nonbinary, genderfluid, and intersex students, teachers, and staff.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you Member Reinfeld. Member Olapade?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the motion for approval by Member Reinfeld as amended in the two locations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There were two. It was to add the policy, additional policies under school policy, and then on the first paragraph, you wanted to add... I have the first paragraph.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And then roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes as amended. Offered by Member Olapade and Member Reinfeld 2025-08, whereas federal and state level actions outside of Massachusetts have recently sought to limit educational practices, restrict local control, and suppress diverse perspectives in public schools across the nation. The Medford School Committee believes that education should empower students with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and cultural awareness necessary to thrive in a diverse society and to contribute meaningfully to their communities. whereas the Medford School Committee recognizes that a high quality education must respect and celebrate the abilities, needs, and potential of all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, religion, or language background. Therefore, be it resolved, the Medford School Committee reaffirms its unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as foundational principles that inform all aspects of district policy, curriculum development, and educational practice. We have further resolved the Medford School Committee fully supports the district's use of robust and inclusive educational resources that accurately reflect and affirm the diverse lived experiences of our students and families, provide historically and culturally responsive curricula that honor the contributions and histories of all people, including historically marginalized communities. equip students with the knowledge, skills, and global awareness necessary to engage in respectful dialogue, civic engagement, and lifelong learning. Be it further resolved, the Medford School Committee strongly opposes any efforts to restrict or eliminate essential academic content, including history, art, science, literature, and health education on the basis of political ideology, that seek to erase diverse voices and lived experiences. Be it further resolved, the Medford School Committee unequivocally opposes the removal of resources, support systems, or accommodations for neurodiverse learners and students with disabilities, recognizing that access to an equitable and inclusive education is a fundamental right for all students. Be it further resolved, the Medford School Committee extends this commitment beyond the classroom, ensuring that extracurricular activities, afterschool programming, and school-sponsored initiatives remain inclusive and accessible to all students fostering leadership, creativity, and personal growth. Be it further resolved, the Medford School Committee will not tolerate bullying, harassment, or intimidation. whether from within or outside the district, particularly when such actions seek to undermine students' rights to a fair, comprehensive, and affirming education in a safe and welcoming environment. Be it finally resolved that the Medford School Committee remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate a school system that is inclusive, equitable, and empowering for all students, staff, and families, and will continue to advocate for policies and practices that advance these values. Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I remember in Tapa seconded by second member Bramley. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Olapade. Member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, both. There's been a motion and a second, so I'm going to ask Member Ruseau to call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. I'm in the affirmative. Zero in the negative. Motion passes. We do not have any everyone. Thank you. Any reports requested, we have two condolences the members of the members school committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Bruno DeVito father of Gina DeVito Moran. evaluation team leader at the McGlynn Middle School, and the members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Robert E. Skerry, former Medford School Committee member and cousin to Medford High School teacher and unified basketball coach John Skerry. If we may take a moment of silence, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do we have something added? I don't see it. Anything, doesn't it have to be in front of them, could read?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you for that addition.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have our next regularly scheduled meeting on March 24th at 2025. It's a public budget hearing in the Alder Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. Is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a budget meeting that we scheduled for, it's actually March 5th, which is next Wednesday at four to 5 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: and then we have a school budget, and then I'm not sure, and I have it noted as a school budget meeting on the 24th, and then a regular school committee after that. So I'm assuming we'll do an hour and a half and an hour and a half or something. Thank you. Yes. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. By member Ruseau, seconded by? Second. Member Reinfeld, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Meetings adjourned. Have a wonderful rest of the week, everybody. Thanks, guys.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Dr. Galussi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hearing and seeing none, we'll nominate Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll second that, and also maybe, Dr. Galusi, if you want to have a conversation with Luke in the meantime, and maybe we could always switch it if it would relieve you from hours of work that you already have a ton of. So I second it, and I'm open to changing that vote if you get a positive from Luke.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Adjourned, sorry. Thank you for all the work, Chair Graham. A motion to adjourn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I appreciate the ruling on free speech.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You don't post your vote on the website?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't understand this semi-inconsistency. There's no rationale for it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We certainly... No, in terms of a recall election, they don't vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right, but I guess I'm saying it's it is in there. It's line 39 of page 30 line. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, this is once again where some of them end up. can't leave 40 other charters, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, the only point I can make is that the initiative is something that no one's ever seen before.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And so, therefore,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: which is not elected.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are we ready? Recording. Sounds great. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Our third regular meeting of the Medford School Committee, February 10th, 2025. At 6 p.m. we'll come to order. Please be advised there will be a meeting of the Medford School Committee and the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and via remote participation. This meeting is being recorded. It can be viewed on Medford Public Schools' YouTube channel or through Medford Community Media on your local cable channel, Comcast 9, 8, or 22, and Verizon 43, 45, or 47. can log or call in by using the following Zoom link. Meeting ID is 960-8065-7355. Member Ruseau, if you could please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 7 present, 0 absent. Do we have any student representatives on the call if we know? Not yet. If we may all please rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have number three, good of the order. Hearing and seeing none, we do have a consent agenda. It's approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, approval of donations. Medford High School Orchestra Musical Instruments, $1,000 donation by Medford residents. And National Speakers Association Conference, $177 donation by Elizabeth Gomez for three speech and language pathologists. Approval of field trips, winter guard trip to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for national competition, and then the approval of meeting minutes, which is a regular meeting, January 27th, 2025. Is there a motion for approval of the consent agenda? Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Field trips has been severed. Is there a motion for approval for the rest? Motion to approve. Member Lopate, seconded by? Second. Member Intoppa, all those in favor? Aye. All those, do you want a roll call? Roll call, Member Ruseau. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That seems correct from what's on the agenda. OK. That's all I needed to know. Motion to approve. OK, motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by, OK, so this is just for the actual field trip allowance by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We do not have any reports of subcommittees. We have report of our superintendent, proposal to update MHS graduation and competency determination requirements. So I'll turn it over to you, Dr. Galussi, our interim superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Itapa? Member Itapa? Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Brinley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Pelosi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Galusi. Are you looking for a vote?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion for approval to update the graduation competency policy. I have a question about
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the final is a motion to hold subcommittee meeting to make.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, so this motion for approval then by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Olapade. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you. Good presentation, Dr. Galusi. We have another report under superintendent reports. Number two would be summer fund sliding scale report by Dr. Cushing, assistant superintendent, and Noelle Velez, our director of finance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So yeah, are you done with your presentation?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, OK. I just read this earlier, so I knew what the final request was based on all of your research and pulling the data together. So I didn't know what it was. Oh, member Rousseau? Member Branley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Okay. Motion for approval seconded by Member Reinfeld. Let me just go to Noel who wants to comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And so we haven't opened registration yet. So once this is finalized, it seems like it's going to be supported tonight. Then we're going to advertise an open registration for when?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This will be early, I think. Earlier. Usually start thinking about it in May.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we'd update all the forms. And then once everything's ready to go, release it to the public for registration.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Memogram.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yes. Once we advertise the right way, more people are bound to do it online and take that stress away. So there's a motion on the floor by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld, as amended by Member Graham to make it the April 1st reports for eligibility date $250 for those with financial need, $200 for those with financial need, $250 for everybody else, and if you're out of town, $300. All those in favor, would you like a roll call? No, we don't need a roll call. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Petralas. Thank you, Director Velez. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. We have no presentations of the public or continued business. We do have new business, however. Offered by Member Ruseau, 2025-03. Motion to withdraw. Second by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is withdrawn. offered by Member Graham, 2025-04. Be it resolved that the Rules and Policy Subcommittee will develop a policy regarding district financial support for field trips. Be it further resolved that the subcommittee will consider various types of field trips, including local and out-of-state, and outline criteria and perimeters clearly in the policy. Be it also resolved that the subcommittee will confer with the district finance team to understand the potential cost impact of the policy. The subcommittee will provide recommendations to the school committee no later than June 1st, 2025. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion is for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Opade. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Paper will go into subcommittee. for review and report out June 1st or before. Next up, 2025-05, offered by Member Graham, be it resolved that the school committee makes the following changes to the membership of the Smetford Comprehensive High School Building Committee. Replace Dr. Edouard-Vincent, superintendent, with Dr. Suzanne Galusi, interim superintendent, as a voting member. Replace Dr. Galusi's position as assistant superintendent as a voting member with Joan Bowen as a voting member. and replace Tom Dalton as a non-voting member with Will Pippicelli as a non-voting member. Remove, at the request of the committee member, Lawrence Brown, non-voting member. Add an MTA member and Medford resident at the recommendation of Monica Raul to replace Lawrence Brown. Be it further resolved that the committee is renewed through September 2026 or through the conclusion of the feasibility phase, whichever comes first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful. Thank you for all that work. Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Intoppa. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. 2025-06, offered by Member Graham, be it resolved the Medford School Committee enters into the feasibility study agreement with the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the Medford High School Project. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Opade. All those in favor? Can you do a roll call just so that we can record it? Yes, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Submitted the affirmative. Zero the negative. Paper passes. Thank you. Thank you. Do not have any reports requested. We do have a few condolences. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincere condolences to the family of Anne Louise Riley Ellis. Miss Riley Ellis was a special education teacher for the Medford Public School Elementary Schools. Members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Phyllis Connerney. Miss Connerney was a first grade teacher in Medford Public Schools. Members of the Medford School Committee express their sincere condolences to the family of Robert G. Chevrier, former principal of both St. Clements and St. Joseph's, and teacher at St. Raphael's and Matanon. and members of the member school committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Josephine Jody Petner, mother of Allison Watts, special education teacher at the Brooks Elementary School. We all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next regular meeting is Wednesday, February 26. This meeting will be held via remote participation. Is there a motion to adjourn? I'm member Graham, seconded by member Intoppa. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Meeting's adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are we recording, Cat? Thank you. We have our consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of donations. B.S. Anafi, Pharmaceuticals of Framingham, Biological Safety Cabinet to the CTE Biotechnology Program, approval of grants, Massachusetts Cultural Council, $5,000, state grant for proficiency-based outcomes in languages other than English, 10,000, approval of field trips, approval of meeting minutes, regular meeting January 13th, 2025. Is there a motion for approval of the consent agenda? I remember all party seconded by member and top up. Roll call, please. Sorry. Forgive me. Oh, you're right. Yeah. Remember Graham's online. So do a roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative zero negative. The consent agenda is approved. We do not have any reports of subcommittees. We have two reports under the reports of the superintendent. Interim superintendent's transition plan. I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Suzanne B. Galussi, our interim superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much, Dr. Galussi, for the well thought out transition plan. I know we did receive this a few days ago, so I'm sure everybody got a chance to review it. If there's any questions from the floor, if not, I'm going to move on to Number two, which is summer fun program. Invite Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay great. Those are my questions. Thank you. Thanks for doing this. Thank you, Member Granley. Just to, if I may, from the Chair, and then I'm going to turn it to Member Graham. I just don't want, I want to point out something Mr. Petrellis mentioned, that this is an affordable camp that people of all different economic backgrounds use, including many that can't afford six acres and being one that started the program myself and former school committee member in recoup know that was the whole premise and that's the whole reason why we wanted to bring camp into Medford to blow six acres out of, you know, away as far as how much it costs. kids who can't afford six acres have that opportunity. So I would just make a suggestion if, I know we can't make amendments on the floor, but just to people to think about maybe spreading that $75 increase out over two years, just to make it a little bit more digestible for families, like Mr. Petrella said, that are struggling to get by. I know my son loves this program, and if it was a sliding scale, then I should be paying more than a lot of people that I know attend this program that really can't afford it. So I just want to point that out. I'm going to turn it to Member Graham, then I'll turn it to Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And point of information, I think we do have a little time. I mean, as one who registers, Mr. Petrella, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think application process usually opens till beginning of June, if I have that correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, so motions on the floor before we call a motion. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa has the floor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I didn't see that side. Who has it first? Member Ruseau, then Member Olapade, then Member Intoppa? No, then Member Bramley. Then Member Bramley. I'm last.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Lopate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley, then Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So maybe we can combine the two motions that we take another look at the pricing if it's a one rate for all and then explore a potential. I know that it will be probably very tough administratively for sliding scale, but we can explore that while we're trying to create a budget because we obviously need to bring in more money than we did last year if we want to give the appropriate raises to staff as should be if it's been since 2014-15. So if that motion is clear the way I said it, and you can come back with a new proposal with a couple options or reasons why maybe one option or the other doesn't work for the next meeting. So per member Graham amended by member Intoppa, is there a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: He's requesting the administration go back and take a look at reducing the 275 to maybe 225 or 250, seeing how that works with the budget. And then you're suggesting reviewing a sliding scale option. So maybe the administration takes both those things back, talks amongst themselves and what's feasible. and also looks at a budget as it relates to what is needed with Mr. Petralz's help, because we want whatever option we do pick, we know we need to make more than we did the last year in order to give the appropriate raises that our staff deserve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Braley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, if I may, that's why I shaped the resolution to be let the administration review the sliding scale, review a little bit lower of a rate than 275 per pupil, and come back to us and tell us what they feel should be what they have time for, especially this year, to get this out in the next month or two for people to apply. That's why I shaped the resolution the way I did, so that you could vote on both, giving the administration the ability to come back to us with feedback and guidance and a recommendation. So that depends on what this committee wants. That's what I would like to see.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we're on the same page with that. So motion for approval by member, as amended by member Graham, which took into account everybody's thoughts, seconded by member Intoppa. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Thank you. No presentations of the public, but we do have new business. 2025-1 offered by member Rousseau. Medford School Committee appoints member Rousseau as the representative to the Shore Educational Collaborative Board of Directors. Motion on the floor by Motion to approve. And member Graham seconded by second, but can I just speak real quick?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you for serving. Member Graham moved approval, seconded by Member Intoppa. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes. Thank you. offered by member Rousseau, member Olapade, and member Reinfeld, 2025-02. And please bear with me, it's a couple pages, but I think it's important to read out loud. The Medford Public Schools does not request immigration status as part of its registration process. MPS is committed to serving all children whose principal domicile is in Medford. The district is committed to maintaining a safe and productive learning environment for its students. To provide a public education regardless of a child or family immigration status absent any applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, ordinance, or court decision, and in the absence of proof of criminal proceedings as described by law enforcement agency, the district shall abide by the following practices and procedures. discrimination, harassment, and bullying. In accordance with the district's non-discrimination and bullying prevention policies, number one, any allegations of bullying or harassment of students based on their race, ethnicity, color, national origin, or immigration status shall be promptly investigated and handled in accordance with the district policy. Two, student residency determinations will not be based in whole or in part on the student's immigration status. Three, District personnel will not inquire about a student's immigration status or require documentation of a student's legal status, such as asking for a green card or citizenship papers at initial registration or at any other time. Four, district personnel will not make unreasonable inquiries on a student or his or her parents, guardians, or to expose a child or his or her family's immigration status. Five, district personnel shall be attentive to school curricula to ensure that it is inclusive and non-discriminatory. All district curricula shall encourage respect for the civil rights of individuals regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. Six, district personnel will not require students to apply for social security numbers. Seven, district personnel shall promptly report any potential alleged hate crime to the local law enforcement agency. access to records in accordance with Metro Public Schools student record policy and state laws and regulations. 603 CMR 23.00. One, unless distracted by the superintendent and under a signed judicial court order, district personnel shall not share student record information, including immigration status, with any immigration law enforcement official or agent. Two, all requests for student records or student record information, documents by ICE or INS, should be forwarded to the superintendent, who may consult with the district's legal counsel to determine if the documents can be released. Three principles may remind families of their right to opt out of disclosure of student directory information, which includes the student's name, address, and date of birth, place of birth. access to school premises. Because an ICE or INS visit may severely disrupt the educational setting, requests by ICE slash INS to visit a school site will be denied unless the superintendent is prepared with a signed judicial court order. The superintendent's office will review the order with legal counsel before a decision is made to allow access to the site. If immigration law enforcement agents arrive at your school building, principals shall take the following steps. students may be called in case of an emergency. One do not allow the agents into the school building and still until instructed to do so to request identification from the agents and a copy of any judicial warrant. Three immediately contact the superintendent's office for further instruction. Dismissal of students. Students may only be dismissed persons specified by parents, guardians in writing principles may remind families to update student emergency contact to parents, guardians may be provided with a caregiver affidavit to designate someone to make educational and or medical decisions for a child temporarily living with someone other than the parents, guardians. Handling of students whose parents, guardians have been detained or taken into custody. If the district receives notification that parents, guardians of a student have been detained or taken into custody by immigration law enforcement officials or agents, the district shall take the following steps. One, contact the persons listed on the student's emergency card to inform the persons of the situation. Ask if they can retrieve the student. Two, make arrangements for school Councilors to be available to support the student. Three, contact the Department of Children and Families. if parents, guardians have not authorized a responsible adult to receive the student. Four, consult with the district's McKinney-Vento liaison if the student becomes unhoused due to their parent, guardian's detention. I will turn it over to member Rousseau, member LaPadia, member Reinfeld, if you'd like to speak on this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Ruseau. Just repeat which one you're eliminating.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so is there a motion on the floor? Member Olapade. You can raise your hand up, I'll be listening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But thanks for your honesty in telling me who's first. I really appreciate that at all. Honest board.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Olapade, member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so motion for approval, I take it. Member Runfeld. As amended, seconded by Member Olapade. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So if anybody would like to say a few words, or if you're happy, and you know where the votes go in either way, so please podium is yours.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, I think nobody's online with their hand up. So if there's no further comment, because everybody just want to be here for the discussion, I'll move the question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay Yes, seven. The affirmative zero in the negative. The immigration enforcement policy has been approved. Mayor member first reading member herself. get motion to waive the second reading by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Branley. Sorry, Member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Second reading has been waived. Thank you, thank you for being here. We have no reports requested, and we do have a few condolences. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of John R. Granara Jr., who served as a member of the Medford School Committee and a member of the Superintendent Search Committee. Additionally, he chaired, established the Conner Scholarship for students in Medford, pursuing higher education and vocational training, Also, the members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of James E. Morell, father of Andrea Bell, a reading specialist at the McGlynn Elementary School, as well as the husband of Mary Morell, who worked for former Mayor McGlynn. Members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Marie L. Cabanero Ward, grandmother of Dr. Suzanne B. Galussi, interim superintendent of schools, Did I pronounce it right? Sorry. Yes, you did.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: She passed away peacefully just days before her 100th birthday. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next regular meeting is February 10th, 2025, here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. We have our Lunar New Year celebration, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Senior Center on Saturday. Please join us, city, school, families, everybody's welcome. We're gonna do the Lion Dance, and it'll be a great event. Otherwise, have a wonderful rest of the week. Motion to adjourn? Aye. Member Intoppa, seconded by Member Reinfeld. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Brianna is fine, thank you. Thank you, Terry. Good morning, everyone. I'm honored to be here today to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.' 's life and legacy with you all. Thank you to everyone who makes this wonderful event possible, the West Medford Community Center for organizing and running this event, led by Executive Director Lisa Crossman and Terry Carter, Medford Community Media for being with us today, St. Rayfield's Parish for hosting, and Wegmans, the Mystic Valley branch of the NAACP, and Needham Bank for your support and sponsorship. We also have an amazing keynote speaker with us today, Celia Johnston, Blue of the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition. Thank you for being here and offering your words and insights. This year's theme, your piece of the dream, is an important idea and deserves our thought and reflection. We all have dreams of a brighter, more peaceful, and united future. We all strive to be more caring, more forgiving, and more empathetic of one another's situations. But making these dreams a reality is harder than it looks. That's why we must look to the past before making our plans for the future. Dr. King's words and actions provide us with a roadmap to equality and equity. And it's up to us to emulate those ideals and put them into action in our lives. So let's strive to do better each day together as a community continuing to reach our goal of equality for all. I look forward to the wonderful program. Thank you for having me and can't wait.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Bears. Can you hear me? Yes. Thank you, President Bears and the City Council for allowing us to be here tonight. With me is Chief of Staff Nina Nazarian, Human Resource Director Lisa Crowley, DPW Commissioner Tim McGivern, and you just heard from Scott Brink, who is our deputy commissioner. We also have, um, Chief Evans is on the call. I know OT is on the agenda. Unfortunately, Scott van der Waal, our building commissioner, is away on vacation today. I believe he comes back tomorrow, but I can talk to the issue. First, I just want to thank Councilor Scarpelli for reading the email that we sent today with regards to overtime and what we've been doing, especially over the last year in all departments that have overtime budgets. And I wanna thank you for allowing us to read the email that Scott Brink sent about the drug testing. We just want to be able to tell our story and tell the facts as we see it. I'll start with what Councilor Scarpelli said with regards to dinner breaks, because I just need to get the facts out there, and I think it's important, because there is another side to that story. There is a lawsuit that the building inspectors have filed against the city. They are demanding over a million dollars. And one of those pieces of that lawsuit is that they're stating they didn't take a lunch for three years, and they're looking for triple damages. almost $400,000 demand. So since that lawsuit was filed, we in the city have been actively, over the last six to nine months, actively working to implement timesheets. Timesheets are now implemented. It's a way to track when an employee comes to work, when they leave for lunch, when they come back from lunch, and then when they check out for the day. It happens in private sector and a lot of cities and towns do do it, and it's a way to ensure that our employees are taking lunch and when they're taking that lunch. Now, Councilor Scarpelli is incorrect. There was no threats made to any building inspector. I would not do that. What I did do is I did have a meeting with the commissioner that night. I went down. and witnessed everybody having dinner, so we did just say, I did say to the commissioner, please make sure that all breaks, lunch, dinner, are recorded on those timesheets. That didn't happen, so our staff, HR director, chief of staff, we just notified Commissioner van der Waal that either the hour needs to be split if they're gonna take a dinner break, or they need to stop. We didn't say stop dinner. We said, if you want to take a dinner break, that's absolutely fine. You're just going to have to put in your time for dinner as 5 to 6 or 5.30, 6.30, whichever it may be, and obviously work through lunch like the rest of the staff does. So it wasn't a don't take a dinner. It's you have one hour a day, like everybody else, and that hour just needs to be recorded on the timesheets that we now fill out pretty much because of the lawsuit. And I did let them know. I mean, I feel like we have a really good staff down there. I respect our inspectors. They are suing the city, and I believe they were pushed to sue the city, not even realizing what the outcomes would be. I think the gentleman's in the audience that tries to get people within City Hall to file different suits against the city because people love to come to the, or this gentleman loves to come up to the podium and either say, there's too many lawsuits, there's too much spent on attorney's fees, or there's too many settlements. Making the situation pretty difficult for the administration because if you have somebody actively asking employees or telling employees or pushing employees to file suits against the city, of course the city needs to defend those suits and pay attorneys. What Mr. Scarpelli is inaccurate about is that we're losing lawsuits. We're not losing lawsuits. We're defending grievances and charges. And this is probably one of the biggest lawsuits we unfortunately have. And it's stressful for the administration who has to also balance a budget on the resources that we have. And I think George Scarpelli said it best. When you were talking about the welcoming ordinance, it's a question of if we can survive. And that's where we're at in Medford. That's why we did overrides. And so to know that you have a unit being pushed to file suit against the city and we're spending money to defend one way or another, that's taking money away from other city services, or it's taking money away from our school department. And that's a tough pill to swallow. So I did let them know that they're good people, and I was gonna have to sometime, such as tonight, gonna have to tell the city's story, our story, and what we're going through. So I just wanted to lay that out. Anybody can take a dinner break, anybody can go home for dinner or lunch, it's just that Every single employee that is filling out timesheets that's not a department head has an hour. They have an hour. You can use it whatever way you want, but make sure it's recorded on your timesheets. Now, as it relates to overtime, there are calls that are placed by the dispatch to our building commissioner, and he and he alone decides whether or not to send an inspector out. There are times when inspectors go out building, electrical, and there are times where he may say, it's not needed, it can wait till tomorrow morning at 8.30. That's not up to me, I don't get the calls. And I don't wanna get the calls. That's why we have a backup. And our prior commissioner, Bill 40, has graciously been willing to stay on in a very, very limited capacity. He's taken four phone calls in the last year. at $60 a call when building commissioner van der Waals not available. So he's not on staff. He's not part time. He is the backup for when dispatch calls to give the explanation of why a building inspector may be needed. I'm completely left out of that process. It's our building commissioner, and then it's our prior building commissioner, and one of them will take that call. I think this is stemming from a call from last week or the week before where our building commissioner did say to dispatch, I don't think we need an inspector at this call. That was one time. I can't speak for him because he is on vacation, but that was one time. And this is stemming from one phone call. There's no protocol in place that says they will no longer respond. It was just that one phone call, and I don't fully remember the circumstances. But the building commissioner is the expert in this field, and he knows when we need to send an inspector and when it can wait till the next morning at 8.30. So I just wanted to set that record straight. My email to you all has been read into the record. OT is something I do take seriously. and I've been really working with all of our department heads to figure out ways to make sure that we are providing OT to our staff, but making sure it's not misused, making sure it's not overused. And I think it's something that the public would want us to do. They want us to be able to budget. They wanna make sure there's no waste. So to spin up a story that we are denying our employees overtime is completely false. millions and millions on overtime. I'm just trying to get a handle with Chief Evans and Chief Buckley and Building Commissioner Van De Wall and Commissioner McGivern and Deputy Commissioner Brink. We're asking the questions that need to be asked. It's something that was on my agenda from the beginning, and I really dug into it the last year, especially after February, to make sure we got a handle on. It's something my the whole administration is really working towards. So that's our story. That is the city's side. Those are the facts. And I really thank you for your time. I know we can't all always be on the call on Tuesday nights, but I needed to set the record straight on a few of these things. Our staff needed to set the record straight because there is always another side to the story. And I'm sorry, can't get in the weeds and tell it every Tuesday night. We're doing extremely, a lot of work and it's just very appreciated for the time. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we're all here to answer questions. I'll leave it up to city staff to raise hands if they have anything to add. but we are here to answer some questions before we head off, and obviously a little bit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Bears. Anytime somebody from within DPW has come to me with concerns about drug use. It's always been about the past. Like two weeks ago, there was an this happened or that happened. As of recent, I was told that there was needle caps found in the vehicles and that people were driving under the influence, alleged people driving under the influence, and they were very concerned. but it was about things that have happened within the past month. So it wasn't something that I was told the day of. We were told the day of, I let the building commissioner, DPW commissioner and the DPW deputy commissioner know, hey, I got this allegation. Can you please bring so-and-so in? This is being alleged. That was not the case. It wasn't until we found, and I'll let Scott take over, it wasn't until we found a hypodermic needle in a trash barrel. It wasn't there the day before that we knew that something took place or could have taken place that day. And we took action that day. I'll turn it over to the building commissioner, but that I just want to explain why past allegations didn't lead to immediate drug testing. It's because things were being reported of having been happened within the last week or two or three.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I can answer that. I think I answered it when I spoke the first time. Deputy, Commissioner Forty was the prior building commissioner. And when he took another opportunity in another city or town and we did not have a commissioner, he did take the phone calls from dispatch. When we hired Commissioner Van Der Waal, he then became the primary to take phone calls to be able to send out inspectors to calls, and we wanted a backup in case Commissioner van der Waal is away on vacation or doesn't answer the phone. For example, he does not answer the phone when he's driving, and sometimes he goes away and cannot get to the phone calls. So like I said before, there have been I think four times when Commissioner van de Walt has not been available to pick up a call from dispatch. So we need a backup listed in dispatch and prior Commissioner Forty is our backup to pick up those calls so that we have somebody other than a building inspector dispatching themselves like we had over a year ago. And that was a change we made over a year ago. We now have a commissioner and then the prior commissioner as a backup to dispatch calls if they think that an inspector is needed at a scene. And if I can, just while I have you before I hop off, I wanna just point out, I know, I believe it was in the email from Deputy Commissioner Brink, but one other issue we've had being reported was accidents within our Department of Public Works, damage to vehicles and motor vehicle accidents. And the one several weeks ago that took place was actually reported by a resident. So not only are there needle calves being found in vehicles, reported driving under the influence of employees, and there's been multiple There was also the hypodermic needle found and several accidents and being reported, including the representative who was in with HR stating there's accidents that we're not aware of. So all that circumstances led us to what do we do? We don't wanna have to do this, but God forbid, and this is what I think of, God forbid we had an accident with a DPW vehicle, our employee, hit somebody walking on the sidewalk. That type of lawsuit is what we need to prevent. We needed to find a way to make sure we protected our employees, got them help if they need it, and to make sure we got to the bottom of what was in that trash barrel to make sure anybody operating heavy machinery, that day especially, that we took the proper steps, and that's what we had to do. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It is it's $60 when he's called so $60 times times four over the year. He is not paid Any we do not pay the prior building commissioner a weekly paycheck We pay him her backup call, which I believe it could be five, but I'm almost positive It's for or since he took the backup role. I
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I clear up just one more thing. Immediately when I was told of needle caps being found in trucks and employees worried about other employees, I immediately, I immediately and I have the emails to prove it, reached out to our human resource director and our building commissioner to let them know this is what's being reported. It wasn't today, it wasn't yesterday, but within the last month, staff are finding hypodermic needle caps in vehicles, and they're worried about their fellow employees, and they obviously want us to do something, but we can't do anything today. So that is in writing. Those are emails sent to city staff. that. And I know that Councilor Newton took that very seriously. Um, so I just want to make that that clear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was not said. I never would ask somebody to drop a lawsuit. I said, they said, sit down and have some dinner. I said, I don't take breaks. I said, while I have you, because I was supposed to meet with Scott, while I have you, I just want to let you know that I'm dealing with your lawsuit and I'm struggling with it, especially since the council, meaning you and the gentleman in the audience, are going to be before the podium claiming there's too much legal fees, there's too many lawsuits. And I know in my, I do know, I said to the inspectors, I said, I do know who pushed you to file suit. I said, but while I'm struggling to fund a school budget. This is difficult, and I'm gonna have to go public with the facts, and I'm just, out of courtesy, letting you know, our building commission was present. I never once asked them to drop a lawsuit, quite the contrary. They said, well, we don't, we're not, you know, and I said, listen, I know who asked you to file that lawsuit. I know they probably told you it was gonna be a quick payout, but I have to defend it here. It's over a million dollars. It was an $850,000 demand that I got in writing and then additional claims were added on after for things like you didn't take a lunch or you'll want to be paid double time for Wednesdays while they're having dinner. I'm having people tell me it's not a working dinner, whether it is or isn't, we'll figure that out in court. But I just feel bad, I feel bad that we even have to bring their names up when, in my opinion, they're used by the gentleman in the audience so that the gentleman in the audience can say that the city has too many lawsuits against them, the mayor's paying too much for legal fees, or there's too many settlements. And you say settlements, and I can only think of one settlement we negotiated. So I really, you're inflating the number of lawsuits that we're settling out. And if you wanna talk about contracts, we've settled them all. The two union representatives from the Teamsters have been amazing to work with, with contracts. We've settled almost every single one except the building. That's a difficult one to swallow. Even though it was ratified during my time, it was negotiated in 2019, right before an election. It is the most generous contract. Our building inspectors are paid more than most of our department heads. And that's lucky for them, paid more than our department heads. But it comes to a point where there needs to be equity within the organization. And so building inspectors making upwards of $26,000 a year in stipends, there's a point where I have to say, I can't give you as much as I gave public safety. I just can't. They're making more than our public safety officers. They're making far more than our teachers. I'm doing my best to negotiate contracts and to bring some equity to the organization on so many levels. And for people to be making more than our department heads, I'm trying to level it off a bit. So yes, we are still in negotiations, and we will try to work through that. But I'm managing as best I can, and we're doing the best we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Testing, testing. Thank you. The first regular meeting of the Medford School Committee will come to order. It is January 13th, 2025. We have executive session at 5 p.m. and our regular meeting at or about 6 p.m. This meeting is being recorded. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel, or through Medford Community Media on your local cable channel, Comcast channel nine, eight, or 22, and Verizon channel 43, 45, 47. Participants can log or call in by using the following Zoom link. The meeting ID is 971-0396-1191. Member Ruseau, if you could please call the roll. Bless you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have executive session. Upon a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to Mass General Laws 30A, Section 21A.3, executive session of the Medford School Committee to conduct a strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, executive session pursuant to 30A, section 21.2, to conduct strategy in preparation with non-union personnel or contract negotiations with non-union personnel, our interim superintendent of schools. The Medford School Committee will convene in public session immediately following the conclusion of the executive session at approximately 6 p.m. Is there a motion to enter executive session? by Member Olapade, seconded by? Second. Member Intoppa, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We will enter executive session room 207. member in Tapa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Intoppa. So noted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, do we have any student reps? Oh, that's right. Sierra Isbell, thank you for joining us. That's our student rep for the evening. Thank you for your patience as we finished up an executive session. Is there a motion on the floor to approve the contract for our interim superintendent? By member Olapare, seconded by? I'll second. Member Branley, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade and Member Branley seconded it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero the negative. Paper passes. We have good of the order. which is our fourth item on the agenda. Hearing and seeing none, we have our consent agenda, which is approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, approval of field trips. One field trip is Dartmouth Model UN Conference, which is April 4th through the 6th, 2025, and approval of the regular meeting minutes from December 16th, 2024. Motion on the floor. by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The consent agenda is approved. We do not have any reports of subcommittees this week. We do have reports of our superintendent. First up is Dr. Edouard-Vincent's updates and comments. Turn it to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward Benson, and hopefully anybody that is going to be around will stick around at the end. We're going to present you with a gift, and we have a cake to thank you for all you've done over the last seven years. We have our report on the implementation of the budget reductions included in the 2024-2025 annual school budget. This will be presented by our budget analyst, Mr. Gerald McHugh. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. McHugh. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. McHugh. We're going to go on to number three, which is also a presentation by you, our supplemental appropriation presentation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Bramley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And from the chair, if I may, I believe you had mentioned you'll be working on some sort of draft, even if it's just for staff that outlines which sections of this were prorated and which sections were one time funding so that we can make sure we're budgeting accordingly and don't land ourself. in the same spot a few years down the road. So just reminding you of that, hopefully I'd love to be able to check it out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It seems when I reviewed it a few days ago, it seems that the prorated is even dealt by the one time funding spent within the next six months. I just want to make sure we're going to need one time funding for different things down the line. So I just want to make sure we're not overspending.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Was that the end? Yes, question eight. Oh, question eight. Continue, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hearing and seeing none, I'll see if member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau? Thank you, Mr. McHugh. I'll open it up to the floor. If you could just state your name and address for the record and have about three minutes. So please come on up. Do you need more?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that was a motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld? Oh, I'm sorry, Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there a motion for approval on the floor? Motion to approve and before we call the roll, member McLaughlin. I'm former member of McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion for approval, I believe, was by Member Graham, seconded by Member Olapare. Hi, everybody. Okay, motion to amend.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We lost three.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. OK. So we'll take that motion to amend off. Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Olapade. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes. Yep, thank you for coming and being advocates for your kids and many others. And hopefully you stick around. We don't have a long meeting and we want you to enjoy some cake with us. We do not have any presentations of the public or continued business or new business or reports requested. We do have one condolence. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincere condolences to the family of Ralph A. Evangelista, father of Lisa Evangelista, former public informations officer for the Medford Public Schools. We all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. And before we let you know when the next regular meeting is, or maybe after we let you know when the next regular meeting is, which is January 27 2025 here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. So before we adjourn, I'd like to ask everybody to stay and have some cake with us to celebrate seven amazing years put into the Medford Public School, our district by our superintendent, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent. Thank you so much for all you've done for our students, our faculty, staff, everything we went through alongside you. Some of us, some of us, some of you brand new with the COVID crisis. You are a worker and we appreciate everything you've done for us and the district. Yes, come on up. Member Ruseau, and then please. You wanna yield?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Rousseau. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do have a gift to present you. I don't want to fully unwrap it because we want to get it home safe, but we'll at least unwrap it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's more flowers here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With that, we'll cut a cake. Motion to adjourn by member Reinfeld, seconded by member Graham. All those in favor? Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Testing one, two. Testing one, two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. The 20th regular meeting of the Medford School Committee will come to order. We have executive session at 5 p.m. leaving practice time and regular meeting at 6 p.m. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel through Medford Community Media on your local cable channel Comcast channel nine, eight or 22 and Verizon channel 43, 45 or 47. Participants can log or call in by using the following Zoom link. Meeting ID is 980-6541-2176. A special holiday performance by the Medford High School String Orchestra and Middle School String Ensemble will be held outside the chambers prior to the meeting. Roll call, please, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have executive session. Upon a motion to enter executive session pursuant to General Laws 30A, Section 21A. to conduct a strategy session on the basis that an opening meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with the Massachusetts Teacher Association, the MTA. Medford School Committee will reconvene in public session immediately following the conclusion of the executive session, approximately 6 p.m. Is there a motion to go into executive session? I remember Reinfeld seconded by member Branley. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is passed. We'll go into executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll just ask for everybody to be quiet, while we have Miss Chang and the orchestra. Play us some beautiful tunes, and then we'll get right to it. Here we go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Beautiful. Thank you so much. Great way to start off our meeting. We have our consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, Brookline Bird Club in the amount of $750 to the McGlynn Elementary School Library, approval of field trips, approval of meeting minutes from December 22nd, no, December 2nd, 2024, and special meeting December 11th, 2024. Is there a motion on the floor for approval? If I remember, Lopate seconded by? Member Branley, all those in favor? All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We do not have any reports of subcommittee. We have our report of our superintendent, updates and comments. I'll turn it over to Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We know the kids are very important, but there's a little fur baby right there we're going to announce first. So come on up, Ms. Stacey Shulman, Director of School Counseling and Bay Behavioral Health.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. That's wonderful. Thank you for taking that on. We know it was extensive training and it's gonna make so many of our students happy and calm throughout the years. Thank you. Absolutely. Thank you for having us. Get her a T-R-E-A-T. Next up, we have the Medford Mustang marching band football and golf team achievement recognition. So I'll turn it over to you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent, Michael Dampierre, marching band director, and Ms. Rachel Perry, our director of health and PE and assistant director of athletics. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, you're gonna talk about that, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can't believe they didn't stay. Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now? Okay. We have recommendation to approve HVAC project by Dr. Peter J. Cushing, assistant superintendent of schools. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, thank you, Dr. Cushing. And thank you, Director Hunt, Member Ruseau, and then Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think we've been, no, I think we've been suffering with some heat waves, especially at the Andrews, now the McGlynn for several years. So all we can attest to is that, to people that we're taking this very seriously, I think, let oh less than a year ago I said to director hunt we need to make this a priority and it's been a stressful couple months for the whole team trying to get this done so that it's um the construction work is done by the end of the summer and it will at least save us so we can definitely just attest to our residents and our parents that this has been a priority of the entire school committee as well as the city administration and the school administration and it's it's The good news is it's going to get done hopefully without any hot days in June.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can we just all confirm that there's no more questions for our OPM, Director Hunt, or Brenda? And not for me. Go on home.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you to the whole team that's helped with this. It's been a lot of hours and we really appreciate it. We're excited to get some air conditioning back up and running at our one elementary and two middle schools. Thank you. So motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by, oh, you want a motion to table? Okay, there's a motion to table by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Branley. All those in favor? All those opposed? Okay, the motion is tabled. Thank you for being here. There's no presentations of the public. We have continued business review and approval of the revised budget calendar. We'll invite Ms. Motion to take new business out of order. No, nevermind, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I withdraw the motion, okay. Review and approval of the revised budget calendar, Mr. Gerry McCue, budget analyst.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you, Mr. McHugh. Is there a motion for approval of the new proposed timeline? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval of this timeline by member, by member Gramps, thank you, seconded by member Lopate. All those in favor? All those opposed? Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have new business recommendation from the strategic and capital planning subcommittee, review and approval of the capital plan developed by the subcommittee through a series of meetings held on October 15th and November 19th, 2024. Member Graham. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, you're doing great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, this is great. Thank you so much to the subcommittee for doing this work. I know it took several meetings. I think it's fabulous that we have a good capital plan. And I know capital plans are ever changing, but hopefully grants become available. We have the CPC and additional funding sources. So I know this will be ever changing, but it's a great start. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I didn't forget. So a motion for approval to send this over to the central administration, including Mr. McHugh with regards to the supplemental budget by member Graham, seconded by member Rousseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. And then we're going to revert to Motion to take recommendation to approve HVAC project off the table by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Motion for approval by member. Can you say it again?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Approving the bond question before the initial bond funding. And try to get that vote to them maybe by email tomorrow. Okay, motion for approval by member Graham. It was your motion, right? Seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Opade. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call vote. And I know member Rousseau and Ms. Malone, you're recording these votes all as six zero because member and topper's absent. Sorry if I haven't been clarifying each time. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one absent, paper passes. I just want to thank you, Jayden, for being here, our student rep. You were beautiful. Your music was beautiful in the orchestra, and then you stayed the rest of the night. We love having you here. There's no reports requested. We do have one condolence. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincere condolences to the family of Deborah Donahue-Falco, who was a Missittuc meet our professional. Deborah worked most of her 30-year career in Medford at the Brooks Elementary School. If we all may rise for a moment of silence, please. Our next regular meeting is January 13th, 2024, here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. No matter what holidays you celebrate, please have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year, because we won't see you until after that. Motion to adjourn by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just from the chair, add to all the work that needs to be done, the maintenance of our schools, the continuation of the MSBA project. I know that we are actively working on 20 plus million HVAC project, which we hope to include solar on one of the roofs of one of our middle schools. And I'm sure we can all add a whole, keep going on the list of things that need to get done. So we need somebody, yes, that's gonna continue the hard work of Dr. Edouard-Vincent and move us along. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, and then I'll turn it over to you, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Reinfeld. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. There's a motion on the floor by Member Ruseau and seconded by Member Graham to appoint Assistant Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Galusi as our interim. If there's no questions or comments. Member Intoppa?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, so and member Graham will hold the roll call. Do you have additional comments member and topic that you like to just or additional nominations that you like to discuss before I call the roll?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Attorney Greenspan?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: just put, say a name.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. Yep. That's where I was getting going to go. I think, um, cause if there's only, I'll just say hearing and seeing two, um, names for nomination, uh, we'll call the role. And if there's no further debate, please state either Dr. Suzanne Galusi or, um, Mr. Paul Teixeira for your nomination as, as interim. Member Ruseau, will you call the roll?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Galusi. So that's five for Dr. Galusi and two for Mr. Teixeira. Thank you for your votes. A decision has been made. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley or Member Intoppa, would you like us to take a roll call vote for Dr. Galusi or leave it as is?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I knew it wouldn't change, I just didn't know if you wanted to make it unanimous.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, is there a motion to go into executive session?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By Member Branley, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We can move to executive session and we will not reconvene in public session following this executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, we'll get started. The 19th regular meeting of the Medford School Committee will come to order. Tonight is December 2nd, 2024. Executive session will be at 515. Regular meeting, 6 p.m. Please be advised that there will be a meeting of the Medford School Committee held in the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and via remote participation. This meeting is being recorded. You can view through Medford Community Media on your local cable channel, Comcast Channel 9, 8, or 22. and Verizon 43, 45, or 47. Participants can log or call in by using the following Zoom link. Meeting ID is 955-4118-4223. I will call the roll. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau. On his way. On his way. Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Six present, one on the way. If we all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have executive session, motion to enter into executive session pursuant to General Laws 30A, Section 21A3. The Medford School Committee will convene to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, executive session pursuant to Chapter 30A, Section 21-2, to conduct strategy in preparation with non-union personnel or contract negotiations with non-union personnel, our superintendent of schools. And the Medford School Committee will convene in public session immediately following the conclusion of his executive session at approximately 6 p.m. Is there a motion to enter executive session? Member Branley seconded by Member Olapade. I'll call the roll. Member Reinfeld? Yes. Member Olapade? Yes. Member Ruseau? On his way. Member Ruseau, a motion to enter executive session. Yes, yes. Member Tapa? Yes. Member Graham? Yes. Member Branley? Yes. Myself, yes. 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. We're going to move to executive session in room 207. And there's no heat, I apologize. No heat in 207? There should not. Is there a motion to suspend the rules? Motion to suspend the rules to take our rowing team motion by member Paper 6-2, out of order. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Good evening and thanks for everybody's patience. Sorry we're a bit late. Number two is recognition of the Medford High School varsity rowing team. We have Ms. Rachel Perry, our director of health and PE, Mr. Frank O'Leary, and Ms. Suzanne Campbell, co-presidents of Medford Rowing and the students. Thank you. Ms. Perry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, I'll turn it over to Dr. Edouard-Vincent to give you citations. Congratulations again.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Not here, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Could coaches come as well, please? Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: make sure you stay in shape this winter, even through the holidays, we have the mayor's cup regatta in the, in the spring and you're going to bring it. I know it. So congratulations again. Great job coach. Is there a motion to revert back to the regular order? by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed? We have number four, consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, approval of field trips, and approval of regular meeting minutes from November 18th, 2024. By Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Olapade. All those in favor? All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. Report of subcommittees, we have approval of the diversity, equity, and inclusion DEI subcommittee meeting minutes from November 19th, 2024. Member Opare.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Strategic and Capital Planning Subcommittee meeting 11-26-2024 update. Approve the minutes first. Motion for approval of the minutes. These are reports of subcommittees. through the chair, one at a time. What do we got? Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I, through the chair, ask a question on that? Is that something that we can approve as part of the meeting minutes, but talk further on during budget talks or supplemental budget talks? Because I know there's going to be a lot of competing interests. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, we have the over, after the override pass, we have the supplemental budget as well. I just think it makes sense to talk about this as in a big picture. We have somebody who's doing the job now. It's not a full-time, it's not a full-time job. And I just want to make sure we're spending that additional money in all the right ways. I'm not saying this is the wrong way. I just think we need to take a full picture of what that $3 million looks like. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that could be a different vote then. We vote to approve drafting a job description and then it come before the committee for review and additional approvals would be my suggestion. Member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's how you read it. I think it was said that draft the job description and post. So as long as we get, it will come back to us for review and final decision. I would think the supplemental budget will be discussed very soon. I'd like to see the big picture of the needs and if the needs costs 10 million, we still need to stay within budget. So, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval. Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm member Graham seconded by. Second. Member Olpade. All those in favor. Aye. All those opposed. Motion passes. strategic and capital planning subcommittee meeting 11, 26, 24 update member Graham chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval of the minutes by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. report of our superintendents. We have number one, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent's updates and comments. Pass it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Next, we have number three, drive-in control safety course, Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent, and Mr. Dan Strollo, executive director. And I also believe we have our student rep on the call via Zoom. So thank you for joining us, Sierra. We appreciate having you here. Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember, Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I like that, that's good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you very much for presenting and for all you do for our students. Appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a report of Medford Educational Foundation and recommendation to approve a donation. Ms. Paulette Van der Kloot is present. She's the president of Medford Educational Foundation and former Medford School Committee member, of course. Hi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Take care. Thank you, Paulette. Thank you, David. Thank you for all you do. Member Ryanfilm? Yes. To officially. To officially, yes. I motion to officially accept the check. And seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? I was opposed. Money has been accepted. Thank you. Okay. Number five, Medford High School bathroom update. This is from resolution 2024-39. And we have Ms. Marta Cabral, our Medford High School principal. Thank you for joining us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. A question from the chair on the smoke and vape detectors. Obviously, you'd like to order more, so they must be useful. I thought I did either receive an email or got word that teens were taking them off the ceiling. So have we prevented that in any way, or is that something you just run in and catch who's done it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what does a diversion program look like, if I may, from the chair? Is it just like an hour? Is it videos? Is it
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have somebody online. So we're going to go to. Metro member Ruseau, the member Reinfeld, then we'll take resident online. Oh, and member Bramley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Reinfeld and Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Brindley. Cheryl, name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Olapade. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And before the roll is called, I'm assuming, too, that we're not dependent on these only four vape sensors. And even if the bathrooms aren't fully monitored or full time, that there's a schedule of who goes and checks what bathroom when. I mean, are there sporadic checks on the bathrooms to make sure there's not three, four, five kids in a stall.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion, oh, it was on the floor. Yeah, no, I appreciate that. Seconded by member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you very much for the presentation. We don't have any presentations of the public or continued business, but we do have new business offered by member and topper. Policy ADF-W-Water Wellness Policy. The Medford Public Schools is committed to the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students, faculty, staff, and community partners. In doing so, the Medford Public Schools commits to providing safe drinking water for consumption district-wide. To ensure safe water, the following testing frequency will occur. Water testing for all non-drinking Intended fixtures, bathroom sinks, slop sinks, outdoor fixtures will occur every four calendar years to ensure that action level demands are met for lead proper levels, water testing for all drinking intended fixtures, kitchen sinks, classroom sinks, water fountains, water filtration, filter systems, stations. will take place every two calendar years to ensure the action level demands are met for lead copper levels. Action levels. The action levels per 310CMR22, the Massachusetts drinking water regulations are defined as follows for each metal. And the presence of lead results in the range of 1 to 15 ppb and or equal to or greater than 15 ppb. The Medford Public Schools will conduct water testing of all fixtures in said building at least twice a singular calendar year until all results yield 1 ppb. Testing will continue at this frequency for an additional year to ensure safety needs are met. In the presence of copper results equal to greater than 1300 ppb, the Medford Public Schools will conduct water testing of all fixtures in said building at least twice a singular calendar year until all results yielded. Testing will continue at this frequency for an additional year to ensure safety needs are met. Action plan. If the action levels are met. per 310 CMR 22. The following procedures must be met by the administration and building staff in the presence of lead results in the range of one to 15 ppb. Hand washing only signs must be posted at each impacted fixture in the presence of lead results equal to or greater than 15 ppb. The fixture must be disabled and signage must be posted at each impacted fixture. The presence of copper results equal to or greater than 1300 PVV, the fixture must be disabled and signage must be posted at each impacted fixture. All action plan items must be communicated and executed in the impacted communities of the impacted building no later than 36 hours after this discovery of said results. Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, through the chair, Where did you get these standards? Because I do know a lot of this is relevant to the hand washing only signs, but removal of fixtures, did you get this somewhere specific? Just because if it's safe to wash your hands after you run the water for 30 seconds, why would we remove the fixtures and test twice a year?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The fixture must be disabled, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you got this language from the MWRA?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval. Motion for approval. And Dr. Cushing, do you feel that this policy is doable? And do we know if this is how it's handled in most school districts?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mabruso?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember in Tapa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, and I just don't want to set somebody up for failure, whoever has to take this project on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Because we don't know what the problem is yet. We're looking into it. Right. We've ordered new fixtures to see if it is fixtures.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, it was? Okay. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion passes. Condolences, members of the Medford School Committee express their sincere condolences to the family of Rita A. Muzuru, former administrative assistant for the Medford Public Schools. Members of the Medford School Committee express their sincere condolences to the family of Mary Margaret Marge McKinton, who was the administrative assistant to the principal of Medford High School for 31 years, and also known as the school mom. If we all may rise for a moment of silence, please. Thank you. Our next regular meeting will be December 16, 2024 here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. Is there a motion on the floor to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, Member Olapade, and myself, present. No student reps, I'm assuming, because it's our 515. We'll let you know if they come on at 6. If we may rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have our executive session upon motion to enter into executive session pursuant to general laws, chapter 30A, section 21A. The Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to update on negotiations with Medford Educational Secretaries, AFSCME Council 93, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association, because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee, and the chair so declares an executive session pursuant to 30A, section 21-2, to conduct strategy in preparation with non-union personnel or contract negotiations with non-union personnel, our superintendent of schools. The Medford School Committee will convene in public session immediately following the conclusion of executive session approximately at 6 p.m. Is there a motion to go into executive session? So moved. Made by member Intoppa, seconded by? Second. Member Branley, roll call, member Intoppa? Yes. Member Graham? Yes. Member Branley? Yes. Member Reinfeld? Member Ruseau? Yes. Member Lopate? Yes. Myself, yes. That's seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We're gonna move to executive session and we'll be back on or around 6 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Thank you. Next up. We have our after school report. Megan Miss Megan Fidler-Carey, director of family and community engagement.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That sounds good. Thank you, Ms. Fidelicari. OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't see any, so you can continue. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you, Ms. Fidlukari. Yes, the Hegner Center is, we're working through rehabbing that location to create an afterschool program through Medford Rec. I don't, I'm not sure it'll be until 2020, late 2025, 26 is our hope. Okay. If there's no further questions there are member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Miss Fidelicari. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Thank you, Ms. Fidelicari. We appreciate the questions being answered. Number three, we have the CTE Enrollment Report. Mr. Chad Fallon's patiently waiting. Director of, Principal of the Medford Vocational Technical High School. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Principal Phelan. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Brindley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You don't want to talk about the vocal? No, no, we totally do. We totally do.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know a few more people have questions, but thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's it. Thank you, Member Reinfeld. Member Intapa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Fallon, we appreciate being here. Before we go on to number four I want to just recognize our student representative Jaden Bill, thank you for joining us you've been here a while, I'm sorry I didn't recognize you sooner. Next up we have our draft fiscal year 26 budget calendar, Mr. Gerald McHugh budget analyst.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. McHugh. You have it outlined in the six page document you gave us. So, okay. And nobody has any questions if everybody could review this. Member Ruseau, and then Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. McHugh. Member Graham? Oh, I'm sorry. Member Reinfeld, you had a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You could send your recommendations for adjustments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, we have, Jerry, we did schedule February 26, April 30, and then June 9. So you're asking to move the 2-26 to sometime in late March?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds good. Thank you. Member Reinfeld, if you're all set, I'm going to pass the floor to Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Got it. Thank you, Member Graham. Thank you, Mr. McHugh. So we'll await those date changes and coordinate accordingly. The sooner the better, obviously, to get it in our calendars. No further questions? Thank you. We'll go on to the rest of the agenda. We do not have any presentations of the public. I have a number of items on a new business. I have a number of items on a new business, but we have a number of items on a new business 2024-4041 offered by myself mayor brand along the current. The school public schools in accordance with master law 149 a section for a one authorizes using construction management at risk services. The McGlynn school complex and Andrews middle school H back upgrade project and authorizes all of its obligations in connection with the project. If I may, through the chair, we are moving along with our HVAC projects and this will just allow contracts to be signed, so I would ask for a motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table by Member Ruseau, seconded by... Can I explain why?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion to table has been taken off the floor. Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. 2024-42 offered by member Reinfeld whereas a resolution was offered and approved at the June 24 2024 special meeting of the member school committee that the committee receive a report by December 15, describing the implementation impact of position reductions between the previous and current budget year to inform the budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. And whereas the voters of Medford authorized on November 5, 2024 the assessment of additional tax funds to support the district staffing needs and expand access to programming, be it therefore resolved the report shall focus on concerns identified during the spring budget hearings and prioritizes expressed during the fall campaign season including but not limited to the district's ability to provide students with ongoing and acute mental health support are some vocational programming and administrative support as well as the effect of staffing changes on class and caseload sizes. He further resolved that the presentation of the report be limited to roles and responsibilities independent of individual employees' performances and other confidential matters. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion to consolidate by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. I'll read the next agenda item that it will be consolidated with. 2024-43 offered by myself, Mayor Lungo-Koehn and Member Graham, be it resolved that the administration will present a proposed supplemental budget to account for funds made available through the passage of ballot questions 7 and 8 at our January 13th school committee meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I may, through the chair, Member Reinfeld, when you wanted them consolidated, are you looking for your information also on January 7th? Are we consolidating that date? Yes. Okay, so all the information on the two resolutions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's what I was just making sure of. So we're looking to see that on January 13th. Okay, is there a motion on the floor for approval? Motion to approve a member. Graham seconded by second member Reinfeld, all those in favor, may I, there are those.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion passes. 2024-44, be it resolved the Medford School Committee formally appoints Will Papaselli as a non-voting member of the Medford Comprehensive High School Building Committee and remove Mr. Thomas Dalton as a non-voting member. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much, Will, for all you've done, and we look forward to having you on the committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry, I had one quick question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thanks. Well, so Next up, we have condolences. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Maureen L. Kidney, mother of Kim Flaherty, who worked at Medford High School in support of transportation and is a member of our administrative assistant unit. And members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Laurel Schumann, mother of Johanna Granada, speech therapist at the Roberts Elementary School. We all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next regular meeting is back in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom on Monday, December 2nd. Is there a motion? Motion to adjourn. By Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Branley. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Forgot the meeting was on zoom just head home. Everyone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mary, do you want me to continue? Either way, I was just pulling up the, I have the agenda up, but totally, yeah, if you could take the next one, that'd be great. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I remember.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative or negative motion passes. We have instructional vision for Metro Public Schools. I'll turn it over to Dr Marice Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent and Dr Suzanne B. Galusi, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, Dr. Edouard-Vincent and Dr. Galusi. Next up, we have number four. My agenda back. We have MCAS results. Again, Dr. Galussi, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Chiesa. No questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We can continue the presentation or is that it? No, two more to go. That's what I thought. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you to all the presenters.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Galusi, just remind us what funding was used for the Saturday tutoring. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have, thank you for the presentation, everybody. Thank you. Next up, we have continued business. Because there's no presentations of the public, we have policy ACGB, title nine, sexual discrimination grievance procedure. The Department of Public Schools is committed to maintaining school environments free of sexual discrimination. Sexual discrimination in any form or for any reason is prohibited. This includes sexual discrimination by administrators, personnel, students, vendors, and other individuals in school or at school-related events. Member Graham. Motion to waive the reading. Second. Motion to waive the reading by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion is passed to waive the reading.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: by member Ruseau, seconded by member Bramley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, so in the affirmative, zero negative, the policy has been approved. offered by member Graham 2024-39, be it resolved that the administration will present a report on the state and condition of the bathrooms in Medford High School. Be it further resolved that report will include recommendations to improve conditions in the bathrooms and increase the number of available bathrooms during all parts of the school day. Be it also resolved that the report will be delivered to the school committee at our December 2nd, 2024 meeting. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Graham. And before I turn it over to member Branley, if I just could ask for a friendly amendment. I know in 2019, the city council approved 250,000 for improvements to the bathrooms and I'm not sure any of that money, how it was spent or if it was spent at all. I thought it was gonna be complete reno of multiple bathrooms and I'm not sure that was done. So maybe we could add that to the report for December 2nd. Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you remember Bramley? Okay, I think that's it. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I remember so seconded by member Graham. Although roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative zero in the negative motion passes. to be a resource to the school department, including but not Attendance at parent meetings during challenging transitions. An example is a principal changeovers. Interview panel and question design. Professional development days. Consultation with external trainers for program design, presentation and support. And or direct training by DEI director, ADA coordinator. Assist with professional employment discipline cases involving civil rights allegations. Civil rights complaints and mediation. example, employee-to-employee, parent-to-NPS, in consultation to the administrative team on all civil rights-related matters, support required, training, and need after successful conversations with respective collective bargaining unit presidents, support HR as needed, consultation regarding ADA, FMLA crossover, review and guidance of external correspondence when addressing hate-related Imaging found on school property and resource sharing, new laws, amendments to laws, case settlements from EEOC, and navigational support with HR, recruitment and talent acquisition, sharing of viable candidates from city side, and training support webinars, formal sessions, et cetera. Other related items as identified by the administrative team. Thank you for allowing me to read that. I just to further point out, I meet with our city DEI director quite frequently and over the last, especially several months, if not close to a year, the conversation is about obviously city departments, but it's a lot about the school department and all the support she's providing to the school, Frances Wajai. And I put this resolution together to highlight that for the committee, because especially the last, like I said, several months, it's more and more about the support that our DEI director is giving to the schools. And I felt that the school committee should not only be aware, but vote for this to continue and obviously compensate accordingly. So I'd ask for support of the motion and so that the continued relationship and collaboration and work that Ms. Wojcicki is doing for our schools, as well as of course our city continues, as I'm very happy that she's able to support our superintendent, HR and other departments. So I'd ask for your support.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Reinfeld. Member Olapade?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If she's willing to add to this list, I'm sure she is willing, and I know she's lent her expertise and is trying to help, especially HR, as much as she can. But if she completely ceases doing this work, other than the ADA work, there's going to be a huge, huge gap. in our school department. I don't know if the superintendent or any of the administration wants to speak on this. One suggestion is if anybody wants to add anything, that's fine. If you want to make it temporary or review it within six months. But there's support that Frances has given on a daily basis that, frankly, the schools need. She has decades of experience and I don't think we I don't think the city's ever had that. I'm not sure if the school has ever had somebody with 30 years experience like this, who's moving the district along and helping however she can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks. Let Dr. Edouard-Vincent speak and then Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr Edouard-Vincent member of the party.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think a subcommittee meeting's great. I would just ask for support on the resolution to continue this work tomorrow because, like the superintendent said, this list is extensive and the work she's doing in the schools cannot be ignored. And it will, I'll say it again, it's a huge gap. We're in meetings talking about school raises constantly and what we do on the city side is 2% for non-union. I'm kind of a little, I struggle with city side employees, non-union taking on extra workloads in general, but especially when I ask for a list and it's this extensive after hearing repeated day after day, week after week on all that this one department head is doing for the schools, I think it's necessary to compensate her for such. And I think it's completely fine to have a subcommittee meeting and discuss it at our next December 16th regular meeting, but that's a month away. And I think that's gonna create a huge gap for the city. I just, this is an individual working very hard to help the schools and the message it would send to not move this forward tonight, even if it's just on a temporary basis or with a month, two, three, six month review, respectfully ask my colleagues to try to do both at the same time. Member Ruseau, then member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember and top up before I call the role.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to send this to subcommittee as by member Olapade, amended by member and Tapa to allow the work through January one, which I'm assuming will figure out by December 16th at our committee meeting anyway. So thank you. Is there a second on that motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would you like to sever the paper?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a second on the amendment?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: that was not necessarily authorized by me too. It's just how it's happened. I think when somebody has a knowledge base and is lending support, it's just.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edward-Vincent, this is work all currently taking place as far as I'm aware.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With the building and grounds consolidation, there is a small $7,500 stipend that HR you know, did through evaluations, and the school district is paying for that. So we're not talking a large amount of money, but just a stipend to compensate for all the work and hours that are put into this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was building and grounds, that's annual, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I, to be honest, would have asked HR from this past, I'd asked both HR departments to evaluate that and see if it's the same as facilities maintenance or if it should be more or less. I don't have that answer. I would assume it would be similar, but I don't have that answer. I'm not in HR to do the proper evaluations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I completely agree with you. I think because Francis knows, and it's called upon to help. She's going to help, however. You can see it, all that she's done is in that list, and I'm sure it's even lengthier than that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We as a city. I don't want to lose her either, so. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Say that one more time, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But whatever. Oh, all right. And just so I'm clear, is that retro then?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and then the subcommittee will meet to discuss and meet with Director Wajeh, and we can take it up at our December 16th meeting with potentially amended language, timeframes, things like that, whatever the committee decides. The entire committee decides. Okay, sounds great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: number and time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you for reading that back. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Thank you, everybody, for talking through that. We have condolences. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincere condolences to the family of Gloria M. Carew, former Medford Public Schools kindergarten teacher and mother of Lois Carew Damari, who teaches in our gymnastics. program from Medford Community Schools. And the members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincere condolences to the family of Joseph S. Tarantino, former crossing guard from Medford Public Schools. If we may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next regular meeting is November 18th, 2024 in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by member Intoppa. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 from zero negative meetings adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you Mayor Graham and Councilor Kelly gave a great explanation. I don't know how much more you want to hear from me, but I'm sure there will be a number of questions. I'm here to support loud questions. I think question six and question seven are the most important to me to raise. We've been working on a new environment for us for years, and I think it's essential that we now is the time to be able to go to the final design, go to bid, and construct that new building for our staff and our city. And question seven especially, I've done a video, I've done four videos, they're all on social media, and then I'll be more lengthy than I'll speak tonight, but question seven, 500,000, and that is to hire a completely separate DPW crew who can just work on our streets and our sidewalks, fill potholes, patchwork, and Perhaps seal our roads, which Councilor Calderon mentioned. Let's do the preventive maintenance. And we are actively trying to do. We have an amazing DPW director, an amazing city engineer. They are working so hard with the funding and manpower. It's just not fully there. So to have a center through, to tackle one of the largest issues that I hear about all the time, my street, my sidewalk, it's unsafe. I just busted a tire. To be able to do that and to put $500,004 just to get back down to the city is essential. Schools, whether it's two, three, four, $500,004 just to put towards preventive maintenance and maintenance that we should already be doing. We just don't have the funding And we finally now have somebody on the city side for the first time ever. It's our first facilities maintenance director. He's actually. involved in the school department, banks, and so has our director of planning and development and sustainability. They're helping the schools make sure that we are getting work done. Biggest for me is we made sure this year that our security cameras are all functioning. We made sure that all of the door locks have been changed, so now we know who has We had lights that were running out, there was no lighting. These are the projects that we are working on to maintain. And we've never had, it's like we do now on the city side, but on the school side, we still don't have those routine maintenance yearly checks, write-in checks of our systems. We've let our HR get so bad in the last 20 years on our political school loan that it's costing us over a million dollars for an OPM and architect. And it's almost $20 million to get AC and HVAC just to those two schools. They were built at the same time as our other non-federal schools. That's just the HVAC, VRM, et cetera. So to be able to put in several hundred thousand dollars to do routine maintenance and annual maintenance of our schools is essential. We need to do it to prevent the bad. We can't let that, we can't go on like this. We just can't, especially when we have residents who are saying, please help fund our school, fund our city. and putting it to a vote. You know, there are people that I know can't afford it, and I've said in my videos, and I'll say tonight, there are exceptions out there. Our assessors have an online paper copies in our assessor's office. We have a calculator on our city website that will tell you how this will affect you and what options there are for you if there are exemptions and exclusions. So there are ways, and the biggest part of that question seven is current personnel in our State Department. Now we did, we'll say do the hard work, you're not managing right. Remember Graham and I, and the school committee, and the superintendent, and our finance staff, we did the hard, we did some very hard work. We got two to three million dollars from our school department. We want the taxpayers to let us know, do you want us to do it again? Because we're going to have to cut at least $2 million in staff on the school side, but it's also going to take things up on the city side, because I prioritize our schools. And there are going to be some tough budget meetings moving forward if question seven doesn't pass, because I'll be I mean, we're talking meetings going over budget. It's like, please level the bottom as much as you can. We're already talking about that. It's not mismanagement, it's the fact that school costs, which is the largest piece of this puzzle, is up at least 8% across the state. We can't cut homeless transportation. That's about $500,000. Jenny probably knows the numbers better than I do. We cannot cut certain things that are essential in our school. Homeless transportation, transportation, special ed costs, they can't be cut. So our cuts are coming from people. Our cuts are going straight to the classroom, straight to the mental health supports, the guidance Councilors, people that are needed for our students. Since COVID it's been extremely tough. Our children are struggling and knowing that we did the hard work and we made the adjustments and we changed what I felt needed to be changed. I worked with the school committee. I worked with the city council. We passed a budget and we came up with this plan. We worked together. It's been very, very transparent. Everything we've done, we've laid out in press releases. I think there's about four up there. We're doing videos. We're speaking publicly. It is all transparent. We want you to have the right to vote. Yes or no? And I had one of those questions split, because I do know there's some people that can't afford it. So question six is in required headquarters. That's a debt exclusion. Once that debt's paid off, that will fall off your due taxes. So yes, it passes. Question seven, you spoke about. And then question eight, I too would love to be able to work towards our goals, which was better high school and vocational schedule and get our children in the classroom a little longer. Now that needs to be negotiated, so we won't go into depth about that. That will happen at the negotiation table. Without that funding, that won't be possible. That will not be possible. So now's the time for Some cities and towns do overrides quite often. We've never done it. In support of these override questions, I'll be voting yes. I just ask that you do your homework. I ask that you keep an open mind and really just think about it, especially how it will affect you and your family. I understand that this is both of the people of my burden. I hope they're successful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Now, to therefore, what does that mean? Yes, thank you. Like I said, I've done a pre-cash video, and then on the city side, we just put out a diagram of city needs, what would that be? 100% open spend of free cash on. It just outlines the needs in Medford. We have over 100 million in backlog on our streets and sidewalks. We're putting out a press release this week with regards to 10,000 homes that will get a letter in November letting them know they either have landlines into their home or that they're an unknown. That's going to be upwards of a hundred plus million dollars for the city to fix those lead mines. So there you have over $200,000 million, $200 million. Then you also have a large issue with water and sewer infrastructure, put in over 420 years ago, that is probably several hundred million dollars to do our water and sewer infrastructure. So between the lead that needs to be, the new federal guidelines say we need to take care of this lead line issue over the next eight to ten years, we have to fix our streets and sidewalks, and we have to fix our water and sewer infrastructure. That alone is $400 million. Then we have in the pocket, right here. several million in different buckets. One, like Councilor Callahan said, is five million into a stabilization account. That is our emergency fund, and that is important to have in case some large project, like a new roof, needs to get done anyway. Then we put, that included, we put six million into that. Five million went into a capital improvement stabilization account. So that was five million, it was our first, First stabilization comes ever, and as of July 1st, we either had projects go over in cost, or we've had emergencies of about $1.2 million, just from July 1st. That includes the Brooks School hot water heater, the blue, that was a couple hundred thousand. We had, So that was a water feeder. We had road safety, traffic safety improvements at Central and Spring Street. That project was over $250,000 that we needed to spend money on. Today, there was another request for a grant match, for an MVP grant match of $35,000, and the list goes on. So in just a matter of a few months, we needed to spend $1.1 million. That account is down to $3.9. And that just goes to show the emergencies and the overages and the cost of things that we need to get done. We have a capital improvement plan that you can also access on our website. That has us spending millions of dollars a year just on equipment. DBW, police cruisers, fire trucks, and the list goes on. So please take a look at our capital improvement plan. It's a six-year plan. We've, Collin Center helped us with that plan. the most professional planning efforts ever had. So we had one that was done in 2021, and we just re-updated it two years later. So that's on our website.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. We averaged over the last couple decades, we've averaged anywhere from one to one and a half million in new growth. This past fiscal year, we brought that up, that number up to 2.5 million. So we are growing in new growth. We've doubled the size of our planning department, thankfully, which is planning, development, and sustainability, and we have our first ever economic development director who's trying to bring in new business. And we've been working extremely hard on a number of projects that are in the works, and a number of projects that are coming in the future. So, we are doing well with regrowth, but we're always looking to expand. I think we've, you should correct me if I'm wrong, but we had five or six life science facilities that were ready to move forward, and that market kind of fell apart. I started asking developers to bring life science to Medford right when I became mayor in 2020, and at that time it was too late. So we are, We're trying to get the tech industry, we're trying to get multi, we just put an RFP out for our three lots in Medford Square, that's gonna be mixed use, affordable housing, commercial, so we are doing everything we can, we're gonna have the space above the well into the air rights, and we're moving, but it just takes time, so you see a lot of development now, but you see more and more as the years go by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: it was likely to be a 30-year loan for $30 million to build a new high school, and that wouldn't hit, fire station, I'm sorry, fire station, and that wouldn't hit our tax rolls this year. That would be next year. In debt exclusion, yes, we're asking for 30 million for a new headquarters, and the question was the process.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Back when I was on the city council, there was a proposal that was put before us. It was actually no community involvement, no involvement from anybody that I'm aware of except the chief of police at the time. And it was just put before us. It was a design of a new police headquarters. And at the time, as a city councilor, I just asked that we take a couple months to explore a combined station, a fire and a police station. Combined station would save us money in the long run. That didn't happen, so once I became mayor, obviously as I was campaigning, I made it a central issue to make sure that we also take a look at our fire headquarters and all of our fire buildings, there's six of them, and we put the work in that needs to be put in to make the living environment and the work environment a better place. So since that time, I commissioned a task force. We have put millions of dollars into the five substations, windows, roofs, new kitchens, and the list goes on. I also tasked my chief of staff, who is my trade and engineer, to lead that project. So she's been working on the EnviroHeadquarters for about over two years. I've kind of taken a step back. I have other things to do. There's a long list, so we divide and conquer, but she led that chapter with the prior fire chief and the current fire chief, and we've created a plan. Right now, it's still in concept design. It's hopefully going into final design, especially if this vote passes, and we're working towards it. for a building that's 70 years old that needs a lot of work. It's the same problems that we have in the police station from ventilation to rodents to windows that need to be replaced and living quarters that need to be better maintained and updated. And the list goes on, and it's an old building, and our department and our city deserves better. So it's debt exclusion. We chose to go debt exclusion because you can bond multiple ways. One is through debt exclusion, and that is the extra tax. Or you can put it on the budget. You can put the debt on the budget. But in my mind, if you're paying hundreds of thousands of dollars on your bond each year for our headquarters that we could have a debt exclusion on, in my mind, you're taking money away from our schools. And we just can't afford that right now. We haven't been able to. And I think this is the much better route. So what will happen if this doesn't pass? They don't know how long we would build.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'll just get into the last piece a bit because although I'm one member of the school committee, and Member Graham's one member, it's seven members have to vote on something, and the superintendent and the finance director create the budget, obviously with our help and advice and discussion. We're pretty clear, this is two million, question seven is two million in personnel, it's Chromebooks for our students, it's maintenance for our buildings, and it's a DPW crew. Now, will the superintendent want to take $50,000 from the maintenance to help with busing or special ed? That's going to be, obviously, the prerogative of the superintendent and finance director, but we are not going to go cut positions to fund something else. We're being as clear as possible, knowing that, obviously, things will live. And with question eight, it's going to cost at least that or more. to extend the school day. We're not spending it another way. And the debt exclusion is the debt exclusion. So I don't buy the argument that we're just going to go into the general fund and we're going to spend it on X, Y, and Z. We work very hard, member Graham and I, and Councilor Callahan as well, to balance the budget, to know the needs, You know, that's what the taxpayers want us to do, and we do it every day. Now, we don't have full control of the schools, but we spend a lot of time, we spend a lot of time on that area, and I'm doing it on the city side, and it's the first time the city's had human resources in Medford. There was no human resources in the city of Medford until four years ago when I became mayor. So, holding people accountable, making sure your tax dollars are spent the right way, we're doing it. It's not perfect. believe me, I'm starting to look at the parking revenue, I'm looking at overtime, I'm looking at sick time, I'm doing it every day, and so is in Denver right now, both of us on the school side. So this money is going to our children, one way or another, it's our priority.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have an application in for the EAP for lead pipe repair, but we don't have, we don't know if we'll get that for another month.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not guaranteed. Yeah, the EAP grant is, we don't know yet. It will be another month, and if we do get the grant, it will be, well, one-sixth of the need, or just above lead issue. Okay, so just so fan-day. Yes. It's a substantial amount of money, but when you're talking 100 plus million dollars in replacement that we need to do, the 20 million grant that we applied for through the EPA, we'll just touch a fraction of that. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What is set is a piece of land that we have to build the fire station on, which is a very difficult piece of property. It's configured in a way, especially the curb cuts and the structure of it. I think what is set is a 22,000 or so square foot building. We're trying to do 20 to 25,000 construction costs, and then obviously we need contingencies and additional funding for it to get finalized. What is also set is that we heard from the department and we heard from the current fire chief the position of the building, and that is not how other department heads of the city felt. It was a position where I was left, and I told you I stayed out of the process, but it was a position where I said, okay, traffic and transportation wants this, planning, things that should go with this, engineering, DPW, they were all involved. And our fire chief said, actually for our department and our members, and the safety of exiting that parcel, this is the way the building needs to be positioned. And that's when I took a stand and said, we're gonna do what the fire department wants. I'm sorry to those department heads that weren't happy with that. But those are the things that are definite. Now it's a concept design, so things can definitely be be tweaked and changed just like we've done over the last several months. We've added more storage space. We've changed bunk space. I did put a training tower in the design because I've heard loud and clear that the training tower was a request of our department. That was put in writing that the union would like to take that out in return for more bunk space, so we took the tower out, there's more bunk space. It is not perfect, I'm not 100% happy, our planning director is not 100% happy, fire chief's not 100% happy, the list goes on, but it's gonna be a brand new building for our department, and final design will come after this building.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do have a lot of supports for those who are struggling to pay rent. Most of that is funded through our community development block grant funding, our CPA funding. We did a round of funding to non-profits with our federal funds, APA money. So I think that is the avenue, more so than free cash. I don't know if I was able to discuss it, but a number of different funding sources.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We actually, the law says what we can and cannot spend public funds on. So we do have a webpage that outlines this quite a bit, but anything public safety related especially, we can use public funds on private and public ways. So we do fill potholes, for instance, or tree branches that are in the middle of any public or private way, we'll get taken care of. Since Tim came on board and Owen came on board, we do follow the laws as it relates to private and public ways, and it is very frustrating.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: reports of subcommittee. Chair Graham, would you like to report out yet or do you want to also table that? Okay. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have our reports of superintendent. First up is Dr. Edouard-Vincent's updates and comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. We have a report on water testing Dr. Edouard-Vincent superintendent Dr. Peter Cushing assistant superintendent of enrichment, innovation and operations and Department of Environmental Protection representatives, Alex Smith Lynn project manager UMass Amherst Hannah parson project manager UMass Amherst, Yvette the Pisa Program Director, and Jessica Saborowski, Environmental Analyst, Marion Borowski, Technical Assistant Provider, UMass Amherst, and Kate Gallagher, Technical Assistance Provider, UMass Amherst. Welcome. I'm going to just turn on your microphone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, not weekly testing. I think the city does one or two locations in each school per year. So nothing extensive like what Water Smart has done for us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So yes, anything our water department Mr. Sousa, I believe. Received results. And he forwarded them to the schools over the summer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, from the chair, I think the slide was, I think it was a third or fourth slide. It showed that You can have lead pipes outside the building you can have lead in the pipes throughout the building, it could be in the fixtures there's, I think there was four different ways that lead could be coming into these schools, and we don't know what the reason is. facilities and grounds director from the city was notified of this probably beginning of last week, the week before, and immediately took action to start testing the fixtures. So we've got replacement fixtures, and we're going to be retesting those locations that we're going to test out. So we don't know the cause of yet of why we have lead in our new schools that were built far after 1988, but we are working to get to the bottom of it. Thank you. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We're gonna go to a member in Tapa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We were receiving results from June on, depending on the building.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'll just point out, even though it's concerning, I think we all know that every faucet or any place that tested over the 15 kilobytes per billion has a sign on the faucet now as of October 3rd. Brooks was sooner saying hand wash only. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Thank you, Dr. Rutherford. And thank you to everybody from DEP for being on the call to answer our questions. We appreciate it. We have a report on the district-wide busing, Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment and Innovation and Operations, Ms. Megan Fidler-Carey, Director of Family and Community Engagement, and Mr. Chuck Winitzer, owner of Eastern Bus Company, and Ms. Jessica Guadalupe, Eastern Bus Medford Manager. Welcome, everybody. Thank you for being here. Turn it over to you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have just a few questions. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. One more member has questions and then I think we're gonna wrap up. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, my gosh.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you so much for coming tonight and answering some of our questions and trying to train as many bus drivers as you can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Fidelicari as well, Dr. Cushing. We do not have any public presentations of the public. We have continued business 2024-34 offered by member Rousseau. Second reading of policy ADC tobacco products on school premises prohibited. Use of member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the reading, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Is there a motion for approval of the second reading? Seconded by Member Opade. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Second reading has been approved. The 2024-36 offered by Member Ruseau, second reading of policy GBED, tobacco use on school property by staff members is prohibited.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the reading of the paper by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Olapade. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? And is there a motion to approve the second reading by Member Reinfeld, seconded by? Member and topper of those in favor, I was opposed. Second reading has been approved. We do not have any new business or reports requested. We have one condolences, condolence, the members of the Medford school committee express their sincere condolences to the family of Edward see a good now ski father of Mr. Tuck educator Stephanie, again, I'll ski and retired Medford firefighter will may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. We have a meeting next Monday, the 28th. It is via Zoom, 5 p.m. That's a policy review meeting. And we also have a regular scheduled meeting. Our next one will be on November 4th, 2024, held remotely, only to accommodate the election process. So those are the two upcoming meetings. Is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Leno. Present. Councilor Skidmore.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I mean the. We'll move forward to the consent agenda. We have approval of bills and payroll, approval of capital purchases, approval of grants, approval of field trips, approval of meeting minutes, regular meeting September 23rd, 2024, special meeting September 25th, 2024. Is there a motion on the floor for approval of the consent agenda?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade, seconded by? I'll second. Member Branley, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We don't have any reports of subcommittees, and we have five reports of our superintendent. First up, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, superintendent's updates and comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. We have number two, Communities That Care Youth Survey. Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment Innovation and Operations, Ms. Stacey Shulman, Director of School Counseling and Behavioral Health, Ms. Rachel Perry, Director of Physical Education and Health, Ms. Catherine Dhingra, Manager of our Office of Prevention and Outreach for the City of Medford. Welcome, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What? All right. Member Reinfeld and Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Reinfeld. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Appreciate the presentation. Yes, next we have report on elementary literacy update Dr. Suzanne Galusi, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Instruction and Dr. Nicole Chiesa, Director of Humanities. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Thank you. 8.48 p.m., report number four on Metro Public Schools rate card, Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent of enrichment, innovation, and operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to approve. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Rate card's approved. Recommendation to approve construction of Brooks Hot Water Heater at $267,000. Again, Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I am Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Thank you for the work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you to the Council and thank you to Dr. Cushing and Chief of Staff Nazarian who worked to get this on the agenda as soon as possible. Thank you. There is no presentations of the public or continued business. We do have new business offered by member Rousseau, first reading of policy, GBED, tobacco use on school property by staff members prohibited. Use of any tobacco products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and snuff, and electric cigarettes, electronics cigars, electronic pipes, or other similar projects that rely on vaporization or aerosolization within school buildings, school facilities, on school grounds, or school buses, or at school-sponsored events by any individual, including school personnel, is prohibited at all times. Staff members who violate this policy will be referred to their immediate supervisor. Motion for approval by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To add nicotine pouches and to exclude patches. Motion for approval by Member Reinfeld as amended, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the second reading by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Second reading is waived. Number 2024-37 offered by Member Graham be it resolved that the administration will provide an in-depth before and after school update that includes answers to the question posed in our 3-7-2024 meeting. The request should include Number one, current wait lists for this school year by building in comparison of the prior three years at a comparable point in time. Two, enrollment information at outside programs and a summary of the offerings MPS is supporting via transportation or other activities. Three, for each wait list, the percent of students on our wait list that are enrolled elsewhere versus entirely unenrolled. Four, description of efforts pursued create programming at Andrews Middle School and or with Medford Recreation. Five, summary of other initiatives to expand programming citywide and or within MPS.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion for approval by my member Ruseau. Russo, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. With no reports requested, and we have a few condolences. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincere condolences to the family of Jean Bando, mother-in-law of former Medford High School boys hockey coach Mark Bates. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Linda Small, beloved wife of former Medford Vocational Technical High School HVAC teacher, Robert Small. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Pasquale Patrick Melchioda, former Director of Fine Arts for Medford Public Schools. And the members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Rory Douglas-Klein, who was a Medford Public Schools employee for 28 years, cafeteria manager at the Mississippi Elementary School, and sister of Charlene Douglas, former teacher at the Andrews Middle School and MTA president. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next regular meeting is October 21st, 2024, here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. Is there a motion to adjourn? by Member Bramley, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed? Meeting is
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. The Medford School Committee has a special meeting on September 25th, 2024 at 4 p.m. to be held via Zoom. The purpose of this meeting is provided in the agenda section below. The meeting is being recorded. The meeting can be viewed live on Medford Public Schools' YouTube channel through Medford Community Media or on your local cable channel, Comcast 9. 8 or 22 in Verizon Channel 43, 45, 47. Again, the meeting will be recorded. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following information. The Zoom link is provided on the city and school website, and the meeting ID is 975-6605-8577. Questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information, your first and last name, your Merfitt Street address, your question or comment. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll. Certainly. Member Branley. Present. Member Graham. Here. Member Intoppa. Here. Here. Member Reinfeld. Present. Member so present, Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Present, seven present, zero absent. If we could all rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag, United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have executive session pursuant to chapter 30 a section 21 to to conduct strategy in preparation with nonunion personnel or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, superintendent of schools. Is there a motion to go into executive session? Motion. By member Rousseau, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, roll call vote please. Member Branley? Yes. Member Graham. Yes. Member Atapa. Yes. Member Olapade. Member Olapade. Yes. Member Rangel. Yes. Members say yes. Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is approved to go into executive session. And will we be coming back to regular session? I assume now. The room will open now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Okay, we have the fourth regular meeting of the Medford School Committee, September 23rd, 2024. First up is executive session at 5 p.m., regular meeting at 6.30 p.m. This meeting is being recorded and it's being held in the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall via remote participation and in-person. Meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel through Medford Community Media, on your local cable channels, Comcast 9, 8, or 22, and Verizon channel 43, 45, or 47. Participants can log in or call by using the following Zoom link with meeting ID 965-5999-6881. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll. I don't believe any student reps are on just yet. It's 5 o'clock. If we all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we have executive session pursuant to chapter 30A, section 21.2, to conduct strategy and preparation with non-union personnel or contract negotiations with non-union personnel, specifically assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, assistant superintendent of enrichment, innovation, and operations, director of student services, director of human resources, elementary, middle, and high school principals, executive assistant. McGlynn Middle School Principal Stipend, Director of Arts Stipend and Data Manager. Refer to Appendix A and Appendix B for the full list. Motion to enter Executive Session by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed? roll call please yes yes yes yes yes yes seven the affirmative zero the negative we are going to go into um executive sessions oh thank you yeah mine didn't print right
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: just just that just that one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, we'll continue. We're up and running. I'll turn it back over to the superintendent of schools, Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Next, we have a recommendation to approve budget transfer for city year work. Mr. Gerald McHugh, come on up. Mr. McHugh is a former finance director and now a budget specialist, right?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. And then member Ruseau. I was just going to make a motion to approve. Approval by member Graham, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero the negative. Paper passes. We have recommendation to approve $10,000 donation from the Cummings Foundation Make a Difference Dollars Program. Welcome Ms. Suzanne Fee, our Director of Arts.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. V. No questions. Thank you so much for the presentation. Thank you. Appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, so we recommend you to motion to approve. Is there a motion to approve on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By Member Ruseau, seconded by? Second. Member Intaba. All those in favor? Aye. We will accept $10,000. Roll call, actually. Thank you. Roll call. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Always. Thank you. Thank you very much. Please thank the anonymous donor for us. City Year Partnership Update. Ms. Monica Roberts, Executive Director of City Year. Ms. Erica Alvarez-Werner, City Year Chief of Staff. And Mr. Nick Tucci, Principal of the McGlynn Middle School. Welcome. I'll turn it to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Jess, name and address of the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you so much for presenting. We appreciate it. Best of luck to the year. We have a recommendation to approve new senior parking fee of $150. Dr. Peter J. Cushing, Assistant Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: so dr just so thank you so much for listening to the school committee um two weeks ago and taking some of our ideas um back and and working this out so just so we have it straight 75 for any parking spot but any senior could also pay an additional 75 to paint their spot so we'll have ground art yes yes okay students would you like to come up
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm going to name and address for the record, and welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Sounds great. Thank you. I think you could even maybe have some donations from community members that want to paint too. Member Olapade?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Weinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. Member Ruseau, then Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion to sever the 150 into two by Member Branley. Is there a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, all those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion on the floor for the $75?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And maybe this will encourage more carpooling too. Okay. Anything else?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Is there a motion on the floor for approval of the 75,000 to park? $75 per car, yes. Per car. Motion. Motion by Member Reinfeld, seconded by... Motion for $75 to park. Is there a second? Okay, is there a motion to charge the seniors $75 for a parking space to put artwork on their spots?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member Graham, seconded by? I can second that. Member Branley. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you members. So thank you for being here. have fun painting. We have no presentations of the public. We have continued business. We have resolution 2024-31 offered by Member Ruseau. Second reading of policy AC-non-discrimination including harassment and retaliation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the second reading by Member Ruseau. Seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intapa? All those in favor? Are those a pass? Anybody want to give a quick summary of what the vote were taken before we take our second reading? I'm so tired. I don't remember. It's a non-discrimination, including harassment. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Motion for approval by members Graham, seconded by? Second. Ooh, three-way tie. About purposes, shoot. Member Reinfeld, all those in favor? All those opposed? Second reading is passed. New Business 2024-33 offered by Member Reinfeld. Resolution in support of November 2024 ballot questions. Be resolved that the Medford School Committee support the following ballot initiatives. Question two concerning the use of MCAS as a high school graduation requirement. The Medford School Committee supports the use of robust assessment and rigorous education standards in public education, but rejects the use of high stakes testing as a gate keeping tool to define student competencies. This ballot question does not eliminate the MCAS as a standardized assessment tool, but rather constrains its influence over classroom teaching practices and empowers our educators to consistently employ equitable practices for facilitating student learning. Question seven, concerning the stabilization of the Medford Public Schools budget and investment in the Medford Department of Public Works. The Medford School Committee recognizes the need to permanently fund essential activities and jobs previously and currently supported by temporary pandemic relief funds. The assessment of tax dollars for this purpose avoids in perpetuity this suite of devastating cuts for staff and services proposed in the last budget cycle and establishes these roles and responsibilities as essential fixtures in the fiscal year 2025 budget and beyond. In addition, the Medford School Committee believes that timely and effective maintenance of the city's roads and sidewalks is essential for students' and staff's safety. Increased staff capacity within the Department of Public Works improves accessibility and expands transportation options for all members of the school community. Question eight, concerning the expansion of educational offerings and services for the Medford Public Schools. This Medford School Committee is keenly aware of existing and emerging operational and instructional challenges in our schools, as well as increasing competition in neighboring districts to attract and retain staff. The funds assessed by this initiative will allow the district to expand educational offerings for students, make long deferred improvements to infrastructure and increase compensation for educators and paraprofessionals. In supporting the above measures, the Medford School Committee recognizes the multifaceted impact of these actions on Medford taxpayers and affirms Medford Public Schools' commitment to open and transparent budgeting as dictated by law and our professional and personal responsibility to the citizens of Medford, continued collaboration with our state delegation as well as public and private partners to increase revenue to the district in support of diverse and impactful learning opportunities, data-driven pediologically sound decision-making centered on the educational needs of the students, access to high quality professional development for educator and staff professional development, and providing financial assistance for economically disadvantaged members of the school community as we work towards free enrichment and extracurricular activities while maintaining affordability of services and educational opportunities. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Reinfeld. Member Branley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau, Member Intapa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there a motion to sever so we can- So I will motion to sever each question. Yeah. Second. Seconded by member Graham and Brimley. All those in favor to sever? Aye. All those opposed, motion to sever has been approved. So we have the first piece, which is question two, concerning the use of MCAS as a high school graduation requirement. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion. Motion for approval by member Intapa, seconded by member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Roll call. Roll call vote is being requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. First section passes. Question seven concerning stabilizing the Medford Public Schools and investing in the Medford Department of Public Works, $3.5 million ballot question on the November ballot. Is there a motion on the floor for approval? Motion to approve. by Member Graham, seconded by- Second. Member Reinfeld. Roll call. Roll call by Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one in the negative. Motion to support. Question seven on the ballot for $3.5 million override passed. Question eight concerning the expansion of educational offerings and services for the Medford Public Schools. Now, if I may, from the chair, this is directly related somewhat to salaries and in full disclosure, my sister's a teacher, so I'll be abstaining from this vote. But is there a motion on the floor for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By Member Lopate, seconded by? Second. Member Graham? Roll call. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So five in the affirmative, one in the negative, one abstention. Motion passes. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, well, thank you for being here. Yes, thanks for showing your support. 2024-34 offered by Member Ruseau. First reading of policy A, D, C, tobacco products on school premises prohibited. Tobacco use on school property by staff members prohibited. Use of any tobacco products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and snuff and electric cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, electronic pipes, I didn't realize there's so many things, or other similar products that rely on vaporization or aerosolization within the school buildings, school facilities, on school grounds or school buses or at school sponsored events by any individual, including school personnel is prohibited at all times. Staff members who violate this policy will be referred to their immediate supervisor. Is there a motion on the floor for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, members.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edward-Vincent just mentioned that. What about people that are prescribed? And that's gum or patches. Patches, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So are we excluding that from the policy if people are prescribed and they're trying to quit?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The pouches are included in the policy. That is a recreational activity. But we're excluding anything that is prescribed by a doctor for those trying to quit, like patches and gum. Yes. Okay, motion on the floor for approval as amended by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Branley. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes as amended. 2024-35 offered by myself. Consolidation language for facilities maintenance. The city facilities director would support school facility needs by being a resource to the assistant superintendent for enrichment and innovation and the director of building and grounds. The support that the city facilities director would provide to the school department would include creation of policies and procedures to ensure preventative maintenance tasks are completed promptly, establishing regular maintenance contracts that comply with procurement law for school facilities beginning January 1 or sooner, depending on funding and need, Review the RFP for the new cleaning contracts at the McGlynn and Andrews and serve on the review and selection committee. Create a list of annual maintenance tasks to feed the deployment of operations hero. Assess skill gaps and professional development needs and provide training as identified. Set up a hiring committee for the planned MSBA operations facilities professionals. Other related items as identified by the team. The assistant superintendent for Richmond Innovation will continue to supervise the director of building grounds and the building grounds Director will continue to oversee all school building staff with the support of the Assistant Superintendent for Richmond Innovation and Operations. Thank you. From the chair, this is the vote that was taken in June for consolidation. And at that time, the school committee wanted to make sure before we made any changes or consolidation, we came to you with language. And this is something... Member Graham helped me with as well, but drafted this up with her edits to try to move this forward, especially where if we do have an override that passes, some of that funding will be going to much-needed preventative maintenance, and it's going to take months to obtain those contracts and do it the right way. And the MSBA project is also extremely important. We get the right professionals on staff. Member Ruseau. if i could make a friendly amendment to the title of the assistant superintendent in the opening paragraph to include um and operations and operations thank you and then i'd motion to approve that and operations so motion for approval as amended by member rousseau seconded by second member graham all those in favor aye aye all those opposed motion passes thank you everybody thank you We do not have any requested reports. We have two condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Francis Alf, husband of the former administrative assistant to assistant superintendent Stephen Maskell, Rosemary Alf, and uncle to the former school public information officer, Lisa Evangelista. Also, the members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Kevin Brine, brother of John Brine, who is a member of the Medford High School Buildings and Grounds Department. if we all may rise for a moment of silence, please. Our next regular meeting will be October 7th, 2024, at the end here in the Alderman Memorial Chambers Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom, and we will have a committee executive session meeting beforehand to finish our work from this evening. Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member Brandt. Before the roll is called, just keep an eye out for all the amazing city and I'm sure Superintendent mentioned the school events that are coming up over the next several weeks. And the first one up is Run Medford. Friday night is for the students, the kids. They will be at Hormel Stadium for two or three hours. I hope you all stop by. And Saturday is a two-mile walk, a 5K, and a five-mile. So if you haven't registered, please do so. Get in shape. Hopefully be a beautiful weekend. Motion to adjourn by Member Branley, seconded by Member Ross.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Chair Graham, could you just tell me the timeframe that we would be putting out an RFP? Or would we want to put out an RFP?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and I'm sorry if I missed it. Can we set up, can we let you know who on this committee is interested in being on that procurement team and form that procurement team prior to the board meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's the 13th regular meeting of the Medford School Committee. This is the 13th regular meeting of the Medford School Committee, September 9th, 2024. This meeting is being recorded. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel through Medford Community Media on your local cable channels, Comcast channel 98422 and Verizon channel 434547. Participants can log We'll call in by using the following link. The meeting ID is 924-7699-1263. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. Dr. Cushing, do we have any student reps on the call? We have not selected them yet, but we will have them next week. Thank you. Two weeks, actually. I think we have a meeting in two weeks. Thank you. If we all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number three, good of the order, before we take up the consent agenda. Hearing and seeing no hands, I'll move on to number four, the consent agenda. We have approval of bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, approval of meeting minutes, regular meeting minutes, June 10th, 2024, special meeting minutes, June 24th, 2024, Special meeting minutes, July 3rd, 2024. Special meeting minutes, July 24th, 2024. Special meeting minutes, July 31st, 2024. Special meeting minutes, August 21st, 2024. Is there a motion on that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever June 24th. My member Reinfeld, seconded by? There's an error. They don't need a second or a vote. No need for a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever the capital purchases by Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So making that correction on the June 24th, 2024 meeting minutes. So do you wanna vote on them separately since you severed them or did you just wanna amend them? I'll just amend them. Just amend them, okay. So we're amending the June 24th, 2024 minutes. And motion to approve everything, including the amendments from June 24th, 2024, other than the capital purchases. Motion on the floor, by? Motion. By Member Ruseau, seconded by? Second. Member Intapa? All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? I love that. Bill's consent agenda is approved. We have reports of subcommittees. First up is our superintendent's updates in- Capital One.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Capital Purchases, sorry. That's okay. Number four, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, sir. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion to table?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? capital purchases is tabled. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. We have superintendents updates and comments. I'm gonna turn it over to Dr. Maurice Edwards and our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Midson. Number two, we have recommendation to approve $35,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation to the Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility, which is our CCSR group for the 2024-2025 school year. I'm going to turn it over to you again, Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Is there a motion for approval? Mayor? Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Recommendation is approved. Number three, we have a recommendation to approve a $50,000 grant from Ernie Block Jr. Music Drives Us organization to the Roberts Elementary School. Ms. Michelle Crowell, Principal of the Elementary School of the Roberts is here to present. Thank you. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful, Ms. Crowell. Thank you. Please thank the parent who helped apply for this grant. I'm going to turn it over to Member Reinfeld and Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's great. Thank you. Member Ruseau, do you still have a question? That was it. Okay. So obviously there must be a motion for approval of $50,000 by Member Intapa. Do I have a second? A second. By Member Branley. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is passed. Thank you. Excellent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds great. Number four, we have a recommendation to approve $200,000 grant from the Bar Foundation to Medford High School. Ms. Marta Cabral, principal of Medford High School is here to give us some information. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Short but sweet. Nice. Thank you, Ms. Cabral. Motion to approve by Member Ruseau. Seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? We will accept 200,000. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you to the Bar Foundation. They also provide funding to the city in our Office of Prevention, Outreach, and Municipal Vulnerability Work. So they're wonderful, thank you. We have a recommendation to approve a field trip for the culinary arts program to visit Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island. Here to present is Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's going to pass.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, perfect. Motion for approval. Did I hear? Somebody did. By Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Branley. Before we call the roll, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number six, report on summer programming. Dr. Suzanne B. Gallussi, Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Joan Bowen, Director of Pupil Services, Ms. Suzanne Fee, Director of Fine Arts, Mr. Paul Tuxera, Director of EL, and Ms. Marta Cabral, Principal of Mecklenburg High School. I'll turn it over to you all.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you very much. Oh, Member Lopate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Reinfeld? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, thank you for doing a great job with Ms. Fee's presentation. And thank you to Ms. Fee for all the hard work. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, yes, thank you. Thank you. You don't have to go far. I think next step you're getting to report on personnel and enrollment. Thank you, Dr. Guzzi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. name and address for the record, Ms. McKay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. McKay. Heard loud and clear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think whether it's redistricting or other options, there are things being explored behind the scenes, I know by admin. So I'm sure you're creating a plan and we're gonna bring that to us, whether it be redistricting or X, Y, and Z, because something obviously needs to be done. This has been an issue for several years, the Roberts that I'm aware of. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And hopefully some ideas will be brought to the entire committee within the next month or two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. going to invite dr cushing assistant superintendent schools up for our last report which is a report on operations good evening once again madam mayor members of the school committee uh it is just the written report tonight i don't have a presentation
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it sounds like cost and time because of the equipment. So, Member Reinfeld, then Member Ruseau again.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motions on the floor by Member Reinfeld, seconded by- Me. Member Graham to have a capital meeting with the subcommittee to discuss a plan. Motion for approval. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then before I call for a second, if we could just make sure that the purchase and either a short description and the price tag is on the agenda, just so we aren't referring back and forth, because I'm going with an electronic copy. That would be very helpful for the future. So motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by- Second. Member Olapade, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed, motion passes. Thank you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I don't feel comfortable moving forward with it until we're transparently putting it on an agenda. Because report on operations, I don't think covers it. That's just my opinion from the chair. Member Ruseau, and then, oh, I'm sorry, I don't. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion to table. I don't even, it's not even on the agenda. So there's, I can withdraw it and maybe withdraw it and then just make sure it's very transparent on the, on the agenda for our next meeting. That would be very appreciated. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hold on. Moving on. And while you're looking for your next item, maybe a thought process before the next meeting on the parking spot issue is teens, high school students paying for a spot so they can decorate and have their own. Something like that. Just to think a little bit more creatively.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On to the next.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: through the chair did they say how long it's going to take to train that they're in bus drivers are in training do they say how long it's going to take for medford to get two more
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then just thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, just to follow up the training that the current personnel are in now, is that a two week training? Is that a four week training?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: if somebody wants to make a motion, I think since we're not paying for the two buses that we budgeted for, as we hear of overcrowding issues, because like Dr. Cushing said, we're not gonna make kids walk home in a dangerous situation. Can we make sure that there's a monitor on those buses with that funding until these two additional ones come online so that we don't have any, so nobody gets hurt and there's no liability on the city and schools?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member Ruseau, and then we may have a parent that wants to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Mayor? Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just come on up and give your name and address for the record. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, I think there's been a lot of activity on social media, so we're trying to calm people down because that messaging.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, I don't know if the admin has an answer, but 1.9 miles, I... think we're going to be excluding anybody from the bus but i'm not going to speak for yeah that's what i got out
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we hear you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No bus stops have changed and nobody's there checking your address. So I think there probably needs to be some follow-up messaging.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: maybe the first set of messaging should have been, you know, we're experiencing overcrowding. And if you're a capable of taking your child, especially if you live more than two, two miles away, please do so while we, uh, bus drivers are getting trained and we're trying to get two more buses online. So hopefully the admins all here, they heard, heard you loud and clear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was good to hear a real life experience. So I think from this, you put your child on the bus tomorrow and hopefully some more messaging will go out, especially to the area where you live. Okay, all right, thank you. Do we have another comment? Dr. Cushing, one more.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. We're going to move on. We have no presentations of the public. We have no continued business, and we have one new... Oh, we're not done? Oh. We have Eileen Lerner. Name and address for the record, Eileen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. Roll call member Rousseau please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. and we have executive session pursuant to chapter 30A, section 21.2, to conduct strategy and preparation with non-union personnel or contract negotiations with non-union personnel, which is our superintendent of schools. Is there a motion to go into executive session? Motion to go into executive session. Second. Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I'm in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion to go into executive session has been approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct, we are going into executive session and we'll adjourn in executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sabotage, they say, sabotage.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll just also thank you, Member Graham, for leading the charge and to the whole team, as you said, it's a team effort, but for getting this in and in so timely, it's exciting to see everything moving forward so quickly. So thank you, and with that being said, I'll move to adjourn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Bye, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: public schools YouTube channel through method community media, or on your local cable Comcast channel nine eight or 22 and Verizon channel 4345 or 47. The meeting will be recorded, since the meeting will be held remotely participants can log or call in by using the following information. on the city website, there's a Zoom link, as well as the school website, and the meeting ID is 967-2729-4638. Questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information, your first and last name, your Redford Street address, your question or comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Reinfeld present members of President Maryland occur present by present to absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have one item under new business. It's a recommendation to approve the appointment of Mr. Noel L. Velez as the director of finance for the Medford Public Schools. I'll turn it over to you, Dr. Edouard Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Thanks for being here, Mr. Velez. Anything you want to add or
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thanks. Could you give us a minute update of just your background and how long you were in Chelsea, just so the full committee- Yeah, of course. Yeah, your history, work history?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Branley. we can just mark member Olapade present, please, if you haven't already, Member Ruseau. And if any of the members have any other questions, please ask them now. If not, is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Villes. Thank you, Member Reinfeld. Is there a motion to approve this appointment? Motion to approve the appointment by Member Reinfeld, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. The appointment is approved. Congratulations and thank you in advance. Thank you. Thank you. CFO Velez of the Medford Public Schools. Call me Nawala, I'm perfectly fine with that. It was great to meet you in person. Thank you for taking this on and leading the charge. It's a tough job, but we know you do a good job. Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you very much. Okay, is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn. By Member Intoppa, seconded by Member Branley. All call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative. One absent. Meeting is adjourned. Have a wonderful Fourth of July everyone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Please be advised that on June 24th, 2024 at 5 p.m. there'll be a session meeting in the med school community to be held remotely via Zoom. The purpose of this meeting will be to attend continued business. This meeting is being recorded. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel through Medford Community Media on your local cable channel, Comcast 98 or 22 and Verizon 43, 45, 47. The meeting will be recorded Again, since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following links. And the meeting ID is 915-1478-9149. Comments or questions can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. Roll call member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. We all may rise and salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have executive session pursuant to General Laws 30A. A three, the Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss the negotiation status with Medford Educational Secretaries, AFSCME Council 93, and Teamsters Local 25 Custodians because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee and the chair so declares. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a member of Reinfeld, seconded by? Second. Member Topper, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative. Motion is approved to go into executive session. Okay, we have everybody back. We're gonna go to continued business, which is A, possible ratification of the Medford Educational Secretary's AFSCME Council 93 contract. And is there a motion on the floor for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by member Branley. A roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. So the affirmative zero and the negative motion passes. Great, great work to the team. Next up is the possible revocation of the Teamsters Local 25 custodial contract, which is a six year deal. Is there a motion on the floor for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, seconded by? I'll second. Member Branley, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Again, great work, thank you. We also have a report on the 2023-2024 school year superintendent evaluation goals. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. If there's no questions, are there any questions from the committee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the outline, Member Graham. I'm gonna, if there's no further questions, we'll get that meeting scheduled and keep us posted on that. We're gonna go to recommendation to approve potential partnership with City Year, Dr. Edouard-Vincent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Member Ruseau, then Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Great. Thank you. you. Is if you're else finished member, so invite Monica Roberts to say a few words.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you very much, Monica.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Roberts. Just to piggyback from the chair, if I may, on Member Graham's point, I think we did have discussion on the afterschool programming piece in the past, and I think we all agreed that we were going to try to, this would be a great addition, obviously, for afterschool programming, but also make sure that we don't create more spots for one year and then can't fulfill them the year after is one thing we just want to think through. And then the second is, are we going to be working throughout the summer to increase hiring, especially at three schools where we have the 60 students in the after school program? Because we did make a recommendation that we try to increase the other three schools. I know the Brooks is at over 120. So I just want to make sure that's still in the works. 2020, 2021, 2022, we're hiring. to hire, I know that, but I'm hoping we make some strides this summer to increase, get some of those children off the wait list. Member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's great, yes, thank you. And then just the funding source for this. If we had one team, it's $100,000. If we have two teams, it's $200,000.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, yeah, that makes sense, because we'll be able to hopefully accept more children off the wait list, bringing in more funding to hopefully support at least a portion of this funding need. Okay. Is there a motion on the floor? Member Ruseau, then Member Intoppa?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, then Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Intoppa. I don't know if anybody has any response to that, but I'll go to Member Ruseau until
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe you can elaborate then, Dr. Edward-Vincent, on what would the plan be if we had 12 students going into college or in college, and then that allowed us to bring in 100 more children to the afterschool program, what will we do the next year? how would we explain it to families? Or are we gonna be trying to hire starting June of 2025 to make sure we can maintain that level?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Roberts. Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. I'm just finished my thought from the chair, and then I'm going to go to Member Bramley and then Member Reinfeld. I think, for me, I'd be a yes, because I think we have an after-school crisis, and I think it seems like a wonderful program, and of course, our teachers can be you support, and I think that we could bring in more revenue to be able to support this fee that is gonna be 100,000 for six people. I just know that as a committee, we've been asking for you know, several years to increase numbers at our, of the three afterschool programs. And I don't think we've increased it at all. So that makes me concerned what it's either, we don't want to increase it at all, or we really can't, can still not hire to increase at that, those three schools. And that would in turn, if it's the hiring piece, that is the issue, whether city is here for one, two or three years. And I like that as a continued partnership, I just would have concerns for families just, not having that support and creating their lives around an after-school program and then only having it for a year or maybe two. So that's just a concern I have. But member Branley and member Reichelt.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Redfeld. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, you had the motion. You were gonna put the motion, I think, forward to table, so I'll go to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And yeah, and create a plan for how to maintain those, the levels that will be implemented next year. Motion to open program, seconded by, hopefully my amendment can get in there. Yeah, as amended. Remember, thank you. Seconded by member Reinfeld. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, it's in the affirmative. I'm gonna abstain. Motion passes. Thank you, Ms. Roberts. We appreciate you being here. Thank you, Ms. Roberts. Thank you. Next, we have the recommendation to approve a five-year contract for a new telephone system. I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Let me just. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by member Graham. Seconded by member Oloparde. All those in favor? Has to be a roll call. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion's approved. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. We have recommendation to approve five-year contract for a new time reporting system. Again, Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you mind elaborating a little bit more on this? I'm sorry, I missed the first sentence or two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, this is all been budgeted. Yes. Remember, Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion of approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative zero negative motion is approved. If I could get a motion to take a paper out of order 2024-30.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham seconded by second member. I thought that was real call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: section 37 M a notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 41 or chapter 71 or any other special general law to the contrary any city or town which accepts this provision of the section may consolidate administrative functions including but not limited to financial personnel and maintenance functions of the school committee with those of the city or town provided however that such consolidation may occur only upon a majority vote of both the school committee and in the city, the city council with approval of the mayor required by law or in a town, the annual town meeting or in a town with no town meeting, the town council. B, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, decision to consolidate functions pursuant to paragraph A of this section may be revoked by a majority vote of either the school committee of the city or town or the city of town or both as such vote is described in said paragraph A. I put this before you, is it was something that's been talked about from when I was a city councilor. I believe the conversation started in the 2018 timeframe and it never fully moved forward. So this is the way you have to accept it. Although, you know, I am happy to come before you with any, or I'm sure the school administration is as well with any specific requests. First and foremost, I think this will help a great deal with facilities. We want a big goal of mine, and I know it's part of the committee's goals, is to get routine maintenance in our schools. We hope to have more funding soon to be able to do that. And I think this, along with all the work that the negotiation team did, would go a very long way and make that happen. So we have contracts set up and running to maintain our not-so-new schools anymore. So just ask for your approval on this paper. We will keep you up to date on anything moving forward and happy to request a vote if need be, but definitely we'll keep you updated. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I understood it that once you accept this, it can be done, but it would have to come before the school committee for any type of budgetary vote. So if this money is coming out of school monies, then yes, you'd have to vote for it. I'm not sure the city council would as well, unless it was coming out of city funding, then yes, it would have to be part of a budget or a supplemental budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would expect tomorrow night that I would hope that they would approve this. And I would expect to be paper that it would just be for facilities for now. And then we'd have to go before and this body can do the same. And then if we wanna expand that, we can always take another vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That may be how some cities and towns handle it. I do not see that it would operate that way. So for example, if you were gonna put IT under one director fully, and then if you're going to say, yeah, do it with IT, I could see that being the case. But where we have a facilities maintenance director in the schools, we would just be putting somebody in charge to oversee, to help guide, to put the appropriate contracts into place, to help create a system and help train and get that job done, especially if we're going to have an influx of potential monies that we want to be spent towards maintaining our schools. It's a lot for one person to handle. And that person also oversees all the custodial work, from what I understand. So I feel like this would be an extra support and another level. So I see it a little bit differently.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, in this one case, I would, see that this director of facilities would still be a direct report to the superintendent. If there's somebody overseeing that work, that could also be a second direct report. Okay, thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that's absolutely fine. It just has to be a B paper. From what I understand, this language has to be adopted as is, but you can absolutely do a B paper to make those restrictions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: and that would allow us to know this, in general, this is supported, especially with, say, facilities, and allow us to build that plan to bring to the school committee for approval or denial.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. That's my motion motion for approval of the main paper and B paper by member Graham. I'll do the main paper first. Is there a second? I'll second. Seconded by member
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Five in the affirmative, two in the negative. The paper passes. And second is the B paper to bring a plan of action to the committee before anything is implemented by Member Graham, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Thank you. Motion to revert to the regular board of business.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to revert to the regular board of business, seconded by Member Graham, seconded by Member Intoppa. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. I'm gonna ask member Graham, do you have a copy of the agenda? I do. I'm gonna abstain and not take part in this discussion. Thank you. Okay. Sorry, full disclosure, yeah, my sister's a teacher in the Metropolitan Schools. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. Thank you, President Bears and Councilors for allowing me some time to speak to you about the fiscal year 25 budget. Before I begin, I must take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the completing this budget and delivering it to your honorable body by the newly established deadline per the budget ordinance, compiling this comprehensive breakdown of the city's financial outlook took countless hours of preparation, debate, and insight from our department heads and our budget team. led by our Finance Director, Bob Dickinson, Assistant Finance Director and Budget Director, Courtney Caraviello, and my team in the Mayor's Office, led by Chief of Staff Nina Nazarian. I also need to credit both Courtney and our Communications Team, Director Steve Smerdy, and Emma Tombley, our communications specialist for putting in so many hours of work on the nitty gritty aspects of the budget book that tend to get overlooked. This work is invaluable and will hopefully lead us to a second Distinguished Budget Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. Last year, I stood before you and laid out the challenges that lay ahead for fiscal year 25. Our looming fiscal cliff due to the expiration of ARPA and ESSER funding, the continued rise in consumer prices, as well as the decades of neglect of critical infrastructure upkeep as it relates to our roads, sidewalks, water and sewer infrastructure system that are catching up to us now, including our buildings. Most of these are not new or surprising obstacles. They have always been at the forefront of financial planning, guiding our strategy and shaping the decisions we make. Now, as we approach the end date, it's important to understand that measures we must take to ensure that our city and school services, programs and projects are properly funded and staffed. As I wrote in my budget message last week, the school's budget was by far the toughest one to develop. Due to the timeline of the budget ordinance, we needed to supply the school department with an estimated operating budget figure in March. At that time, we did not have concrete figures for the city's previous year's actuals or next year's projections, thus making the school's number more of a guide than a strict dollar amount. But it's no secret that the schools used the remaining ESSER funds last year and are operating at a deficit, committing one-time funding sources to plug this gap continually is not a long-term solution. The school budget was facing a cliff, and cuts had to be made to right-size our spending and balance the fiscal year 25 budget. Our city team then thoroughly reviewed each line item on the city side, dove deeply into expenditures, compared numbers with previous year's actuals, and worked to bring those figures down to a more reasonable and sustainable level in order to provide as much funding to the schools as possible. Additionally, we reviewed our new growth numbers, workers' compensation numbers, assessed IT vendor contracts, and really dove headfirst into the fine details of the city budget. The hard work over the last two months adjusting the city budget revenue projections and other city line items allowed us to increase the school budget from our fiscal year 24 numbers of 71,200,000 to 76 million for fiscal year 25. That's nearly a 7% increase of general fund allocated monies. I'm immensely proud that we're able to come to this number and supply the schools with a significant increase from last year. but it's still not enough to avoid cuts and creates additional obstacles to learning. I think it's important to understand just how we've gotten to this point at both the school district and city hall, with each budget season being such a challenging and in many ways, a discouraging process for all involved. Each year, the budget I propose and the budget that this honorable body votes on is balanced. And while that allows us to pay for all our obligations, it creates a situation where most of our costs, which generally significantly increase year over year, exceed the amount we're able to raise in taxes. Per Massachusetts general law, Medford and all other municipalities in the Commonwealth cannot increase our tax levy, which is one of the major components of the city's revenue sources. We raise from real and property taxes by more than 2.5%. meeting the operating budget can't keep up the cost of living. This in some cases creates the need for scaled back programming, staff reductions and other resource losses to properly balance the budget. I know there has been some discussion on rating our reserve funds to plug our structural deficit gap. That is not sound financial practice. Dipping into our savings to fund something for one year is just simply a bad idea. It's why our team worked so hard to reduce our reliance on one-time funding to offset revenue loss in my previous four budgets. The funding we received from the federal government with the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, also known as ARPA, allowed us to inject capital to plug various gaps during the early years of the pandemic when revenues were down. By making strategic one-time investments, we were able to save on annual operating budget space, which created more flexibility when crafting the budget. The pandemic also caused us to reevaluate much of our thinking on the use of one-time funding. It also changed the way the public interacts with government, so much so that we now must allocate funding to new items that have become essential as post-pandemic life continues. For example, prior to 2020, City Hall did not regularly host meetings. Now that is common and expected practice, which requires more resources, technology, infrastructure, and staff training, which all carry an expense. That brings us to an override measure, which I'm proposing to appear on the ballot in November. This has been a topic of debate in the council chambers, my email box, in homes, coffee shops, ball fields, and around our squares for several years. I think two things are simultaneously true as it relates to an override. It would undoubtedly help us maintain and hopefully enhance our services, and it would create hardships for many people in our city struggling to stay afloat financially. Our financial task force established earlier this year has been meeting regularly to work through, negotiate, and discuss the best path forward for the city, schools, and community. Considering the financial pressures many of our residents are facing, as well as the need to increase our revenues to account for costs outpacing our 2.5% levy threshold, we have concluded that in November, the voters should decide on if they want to adequately fund our programs, positions, and projects. one on a debt exclusion for a new fire headquarters, and two Proposition 2 1⁄2 overrides. The first override question would ask voters to approve raising $3.5 million to stabilize Medford Public Schools funding, including but not limited to funding costs such as teachers, literacy coaches, behavioral specialists, administrative assistants, nurses, and for regular facilities maintenance. And for our Department of Public Works, 500,000 for additional staff for road and sidewalk infrastructure repairs. The second override question would ask voters to approve raising 4 million to invest in Medford Public Schools to create a high school schedule that increases access to arts and vocational programming, expands classroom instructional opportunities, and for classroom teacher and paraprofessional compensation. The debt exclusion question would ask voters to approve funding of a bond of up to 30 million to be issued for the design and construction of a new Medford Fire Department headquarters at 120 Main Street. The expected cost of these three combined questions would increase property taxes for the average single family home, which is assessed at about $770,000 by approximately $446 per year. That would be about $37 per month. But since our schools need to be right-sized now, I've asked your body to approve an amendment to the budget to increase the school's budget allocation from 76 million to 77.75 million through the use of 1.75 million in one-time funding advance, 500,000 of which will fund the purchase of Chromebooks and laptops and begins an annual refresh cycle to maintain our district-wide technology. Now this is one-time funding, so if the first override question does not pass, then we will be right back here in the same position next year with cuts on the table. But passing these overrides is by no means an easy decision, and I recognize that. In fact, coming to these numbers was a painstaking process, and I'm still wary of the financial burden increased taxes may have in our community, especially in those struggling to get by, and that weighs heavily on me. Ultimately, I believe the question of pass would fulfill our greatest needs, mainly in our schools and for our children, but also help make progress on the number one complaint we get, which is the conditions of our roads and sidewalks. I know this is the right decision because the alternative will mean more cuts and more challenges for our residents. And in my opinion, we cannot afford to continue on that path. Our residents deserve the right to take a vote on this. This is a big decision that requires considerable thought. I truly believe, however, that approving these ballot questions is the right thing, and I hope the majority of the community agrees. There are, of course, other aspects to this budget than just the Proposition 2 1⁄2 override questions. many of which are quite encouraging. We are making significant investment in several core city systems, maintaining as much service as possible and providing a sustainable roadmap for future big ticket expenditures, like a new fire headquarters and a new Medford High School. We're making another significant investment in our library, increasing its budget by nearly 12%. This coupled with last year's increase of about 18% has resulted in a more than doubling effect on the city's library budget in the last decade. This has allowed everyone in our community to get better access to the resources and programs that our fabulous library offers. We're increasing the budget for our department of public works to keep up with increased costs in services, as well as give us some flexibility as we continue to address the backlog of stumps, tree pruning, repairs, et cetera, to update our aging water infrastructure and improve accessibility and pedestrian mobility in our squares and green spaces and throughout our entire community. The city continues to work towards goals laid out in our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which was finalized in fiscal year 23. My administration is committed to removing barriers that would preclude residents from sustainable practices, including financial barriers. The city has partnered with Garbage to Garden to launch a free municipal curbside composting program for eligible residents. This program launches in fiscal year 25, which is July 1st, 2024, and aims to be widely accessible and convenient, making it easy for residents to participate in creating a greener, more sustainable future. The city has also received 300,000 in grant funding to expand public outreach and strengthen support specifically for underrepresented and underserved communities interested in decarbonizing their homes and vehicles through energy efficiency, solar, and electricification of heating, water heating appliances, and electric vehicles. This program, Electrify Medford, will seek to educate residents on available resources and help them make these changes in their own homes. As part of our commitment to residents, we are always looking for ways to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the city and create an environment of belonging for our entire community. Our DEI director has been working with our human resource director to update best practices for recruiting, interviewing, and hiring. Due to this work, the city has been able to recruit, hire, and retain diverse candidates for a variety of city positions. This team also hosts trainings and other professional development opportunities to ensure employees have all the tools they need to uphold our values and mission, something that will be enhanced and continued through fiscal year 25. We have secured $850,000 to help transform the Dorothy T. Hegner Center into a municipal vulnerability preparedness site. The Hegner Center will be renovated into a community space that will be used to coordinate emergency responses and will serve as a resiliency hub for residents during climate emergencies. The site will also host an afterschool program through the city's rec department and other community oriented events when not being used for emergencies. Last year, our engineering team got to work on repairing approximately 90 roads that have been identified as prime candidates for crack sailing in the pavement report from 2021 and the updated report from 2024. The city will deploy over 180,000 in ARPA funding to crack sail the additional streets on the list for the next several years. Crack sailing is a preventative measure that prolongs the life of roads and avoids having to make major structural repairs in the near future. The engineering division has also identified six roads that are among the most in need and are working through planning process with our administration with the hope of repaving the season. Our infrastructure needs reach beyond our streets, thoroughways and pedestrian paths. A major component of the work being done by our DPW team is the ongoing water meter system replacement project. Initiated in fiscal year 24, the team in the water and sewer division is continuing to install new state-of-the-art systems in homes across the city. These meters are a crucial step in addressing the aging water infrastructure, delivering accurate readings for customers. It's also evident that our water and sewer infrastructure is aging. The system dates back decades and after years of neglect to properly repair or place pipes, we are now in the process of devising a comprehensive strategy that will begin to assess the future needs of our system. This will take years and will be very expensive, but it must be done. In addition to improving our public infrastructure, we're also been working to enhance and upgrade many of our public spaces for the community to utilize and enjoy. Current projects that are nearing completion include Gillis Park and Carr Park. Gillis is a 1.4 million renovation project that will upgrade accessibility features, improve the baseball field and add new park amenities. Carr Park phase two is additionally expected to kick off soon. The City of Medford Public Schools have also begun construction on a new universally accessible schoolyard at the McGlynn School, which is expected to be completed by the next school year. The playground will go beyond federal Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Standards upon completion, making this space one for all to enjoy. As I toured the project a couple of weeks ago, I was in awe of how wonderful the space will be for everyone in our city. It's no secret that one of the key measures of our financial health is the revenue we generate from commercial development. While it's important that we expand our tax base in this sector, we must also consider the enormous barriers, both structurally and financially, for families, workers, and individuals attempting to find meaningful and sustainable housing in our city. We are bringing over 500 new residential units to the community through eight new developments. To further support the housing crisis that is affecting nearly every municipality, we have allocated nearly 400,000 in funds from ARPA to offset permitting costs of renovations and upgrades to current and new affordable housing units at the housing authority as well. Through successful negotiations, we've gained leverage with our 40B developers to bring more community benefits to the planning process, like better pedestrian accessibility, reduction of potential traffic congestion, more open space, more access to public transportation, and more affordable housing units were the priority for Medford residents. A lot of this hard work on the housing development side is thanks to the work of this Medford City Council and your push for zoning rethought codification, as well as establishing affordable housing trust, which will use various funding streams to help facilitate more affordable units coming to market. Your honorable body in collaboration with our planning development and sustainability office are now working on the next phase of the zoning process. Thank you. Before I conclude, I want to highlight a few other projects and programs that our staff has worked so hard to bring to life. We secured a Massachusetts School Building Association loan to build a new state-of-the-art high school for our students and began the planning process, which will continue in fiscal year 25. S&P Global affirmed the city's double A plus credit rating, the second highest possible rating for a municipality. We continue to onboard several senior tax workers to assist with tasks across our departments. The city reached its goal of planting 200 trees in 2023, which built upon the 2022 goal of 180 trees. We continue to install art murals. Our most recent was by artist Jamie Chan at Wright's Pond. We unveiled the new art exhibit space and new home of arts collaborative Medford on Mystic Ave. We installed five new electric vehicle charging stations and four new bike stations at high priority locations around the city. In the fall, we broke ground on Clippership Connector, a path located along the Mystic River that will connect more than 10 miles of continuous greenway and aims to provide a safer route between Medford Square, the Andrews, McGlynn, and Riverbend Park. Our tree warden secured $100,000 grant to help strengthen the resiliency of our urban forest network. We are continuing to partner and support amazing community events like the Farmer's Market, Run Medford, Oktoberfest, Circle the Square, PorchFest, and so much more. We continue to expand city communications offerings across our four environmental justice languages, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Brazilian Portuguese, and Arabic. In addition to the new city website having the capability to translate, the communications department is working with the Office of Prevention and Outreach to build a user base in the reverse 911 system to translate messages. The city's digital permitting system is additionally now capable of translations into two languages. We replaced parking meters throughout the city with new parking kiosks, offering more ways to pay and increase accessibility. By establishing a new zoning district in partnership with the city council, we continue to prioritize mixed use development. As I'm sure you know, this is just a brief overview of all the work that everyone has done over the last year and the investments we've made that will help build on the vision we share for our city's future. We have worked in tandem on a variety of critical issues, be it zoning reform, the housing production plan, or the capital improvement plan. I wanna thank the city council for being a thoughtful partner in government. You all have worked extremely hard over the last year to move forward many key priorities and improve efficiency on a number of fronts. Before you debate the budget, please know I'm here to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Nice to see you too.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Deep breaths.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well first, I wish I was at the Red Sox game. Through the chair. Yep. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If the override, if the first override question, I mentioned it in my presentation. If the first override question fails, we will be right back in the same position in March, April, May, June next year facing. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, just a few points from Councilor Scarpelli. First off is I just want to point out that we do probably twice a year, press releases on development strategy and what our team and PDS has been doing throughout the community. The last one was, late fall, it's on our city website and it outlines all the work that we've done. So I just wanna point that out. We have six housing developments, including 240Bs that are moving forward. We have five life science developments that are moving forward, Riverside Ave, Boston Ave, Sycamore, et cetera. We also have the Great American Beer Hall, commercial, retail, mixed-use developments. There's another whole list that has been moved forward. So I think it's a shame to say that we've done nothing in the last few years. So that's always open to the public, and we do send that to every councilor. I just don't know if everybody reads it. Second, I had our planning department outline, because it's said quite often that we've lost opportunities on these 40 Bs. First, there's one that keeps submitting and withdrawing, so that is what it is. We did do our GLAM analysis and we did in-state Safe Harbor there was two developments. One was Mystic Valley Parkway. That's the one that's moving forward. And then there's a Fellsway that's in the middle of, between the Fellsway commercial and then a fully residential neighborhood. So by instituting Safe Harbor, we've been able to get these developers to come to the table and negotiate with us. If we didn't install our safe harbor status, we would have had no seat at the table. We would have been able to get no community benefits. And if you wouldn't indulge me, I'll just maybe I have multiple pages on the first two and I can just. I'll actually read the first one that's moving forward. It's 4,000 Mystic Valley Parkway. We've reduced density from the original proposal. We split it into two buildings for more manageable scale. We asked them to put in a shared use path around the entire property, not accessible vehicles on two sides, improve amenity space for residents with intentional play areas, significantly improved architectural design, Up to 70% of the affordable units will have Medford priority. Significantly increased bike storage for residents including provisions for electric bike charging in parking areas. Pocket Park on the corner of Mystic Valley Parkway and Commercial Street with public amenities including a commitment for public art to be improved by the Medford Arts Council, Medford Historic Society and the Medford Department of DEI. We building an all electric, the building will be all electric with the exception of emergency generator. We've improved the layout for loading and passenger drop-off zones on site on the commercial outside to improve area vehicle flow, significant pedestrian improvements to the intersection of Commercial Ave and Mystic Valley Parkway, including ADA ramps, pedestrian countdown indicators, pedestrian push buttons, improved crosswalk pave markings, new streetlights on commercial street, improved curb cuts, sidewalks, and crosswalks on commercial street, a new blue bike station on site or in the vicinity, over 50,000 alone. Applicant will comply with the solar ordinance, 264,000 in linkage paid to our fire, police, and parks. That's just one 40B project, and we would have gotten none of this if we didn't instate our, it didn't calculate our glam analysis and didn't instate safe harbors. So I'm so proud of the work that our planning development sustainability office has done on not only this, but also on the Fellsway and whatever the last developer chooses to do. And then I just want to speak to the task force. I wanna say that this is probably, in my 23 years, it's been the most collaborative that school committee, city council, and the mayor's office has been. And I think I said that to you after the election in November, that I just feel like these three bodies are gonna be able to work better and more collaboratively than they ever have, because you all do the work. Whether people like it or not, whether they think you're moving too fast, you're doing the work. And I'm proud of that. The school committee is doing the work. I'm a witness to it every night that I'm at the meetings and I know what some of the, some or all of the school committee members put together behind the scenes. And this has been transparent since day one. It was 2022 when Councilor Bears and Councilor Collins discussed it at the council meeting and wrote a public memo that you thought an override should be on the ballot. I wrote a public memo back that I agreed, 12 million, 3 million, but that's that. And since then, we, yes, we talk on the phone, we talk behind closed doors, but it's all transparent. When we went through the budget last year, we did, we sat down, we discussed it, just, Councilor Tseng, you were also in the room, we discussed it, we said, what's the path forward, how are we gonna manage, how are we gonna build a better budget and a better budget process? And we did a press release, that was, Correct me if I'm wrong on specific dates, but in June of 2023, we put out a press release on exactly what we agreed on. Nothing more, nothing less. Transparency, that's transparency. We started a meeting in the fall. I believe our first meeting might've been the end of September, beginning of October. Again, put out another press release. We then worked through the struggles that we are facing financially over the last several months. Yes, the five of us were in that room for the task force meeting, but member Graham and myself were meeting with the CFO of the schools and our superintendent, quite regularly, as well as the school committee meeting on the floor to talk about the budget. myself and my chief of staff, as well as the councilors, I'm sure, we're talking to our CFO, who I also think has an amazing mind, regularly, my chief of staff every day, myself at least weekly, or sometimes multiple times a week. So yes, we had two CFOs working on this process, not in the room every step of the way when we met as a group of five, but we talked through what we thought was the best path forward and how we could get this budget approved and still provide for our city and mainly our students. So I'm proud of the work we've done. Gone are the days where we're negotiating jobs for friends. That doesn't happen anymore. We're negotiating. We truly care about this city and we care about the future of the city. And that's why you have the three ballot questions before you. People can vote yes, people can vote no. They're split into three. We could have done two, but I think three was the best way to do it. People have a choice, and they have a choice in November. It is months and months away. There's gonna be campaigns on both sides. There's gonna be things we're restricted from doing after potentially the vote tonight if it passes. but it's up to the people now. So, I mean, there's more I could go into. I am listening to residents. This money will not go into a black hole. It's gonna go towards literacy coaches. It's gonna go towards a nurse so that he or she is not let go. It's gonna go to teachers because we wanna keep the levels as much as we can in our school system. It's gonna be the best way forward for our students. I just wanted to address the councilor, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll comment. I'll only comment on a few things. I just take sincere offense to say that, for one, to say that things have been mismanaged financially for five years. We've had two CFOs in the last five years and they've both done a great job. So I just want to comment on that. Second, and I know it's been said by my chief of staff a number of times, I have to address the legal costs of the city of Medford, because there is a number of us that sat and we reviewed budgets in 16 different communities, and we were the first or second lowest in legal, paying legal costs, and that includes- If I may.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Excuse me, I have the floor. That that includes outside legal counsel as well as Coleman and Page who we use as the 40 municipal attorneys that specialize in different things. In comparison, I'll give you one city, Malden, very similar to us, spends about a million point two in legal costs. Medford spends a bit over 400,000. I think it was 450,000. So I just want to put that into perspective. And then the councilor also mentions cleaning things up. Maybe he's offended by what I've done the last four years, but I've brought accountability to this community and I am so proud of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, absolutely. Continue to have discussions with anybody that is willing to call me back and communicate with me. Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: or on your, which is your local cable channel, Comcast 9, 8 or 22 and Verizon 43, 45 or 47. Participants could log or call in by using the following link. Meeting ID is 974-9787-9335. Roll call, please, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: President, seven present, zero absent. I don't believe any student reps are on at this time, so we'll go right to saluting the flag, if everybody may stand, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have executive session pursuant to General Laws 30A, Section A3. The Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to update us on negotiations with the Medford Teachers Association for Kids Corner, Medford's Teacher Association for Power Professionals, and SEIU Local 888 Medford School Cafeteria employees because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee and the chair so declares. Is there a motion on the floor to go into executive session? Motion to enter executive session by member Graham, seconded by member Reinfeld, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We're going to go into executive session and convene back here at approximately 6 p.m. our regular meeting. Is there a motion on the floor to accept the tentative agreement for the cafeteria workers?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Seconded by? Second. Member Olaparte. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six me affirmative one stepped out motion passes. Thank you for all the hard work of the negotiation team. We have our consent agenda, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes, June 3rd, 2024, and recommendation to approve $10,000 donation from the Fidelity Bank Charitable Trust to the Medford High School Robotics Team.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Reinfeld, seconded by? Second. Member Olarpade, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is adopted. We do not have reports of subcommittees. We have reports of our superintendent. First up, Dr. Maryse Edward-Vincent for her updates and comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We have a recommendation to approve the appointment of the Interim Director of Health Services, Ms. Jennifer Silva. Dr. Edward-Vincent. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Congratulations, Ms. Silva. Thank you. Second. Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you just wanted your button, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you. We have special acknowledgements. First up is former school committee member Melanie Perkins McLaughlin. Let's go. Dr. Edmundson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Melanie, we have a few little things for you, right? We know you miss us terribly every Monday. So we have a special gift for you here. Oh, I have my citation, of course. Be it known to all who read that myself and the city of Medford hereby sends our most heartfelt gratitude to you, member McLaughlin, in honor of your years spent on the Medford School Committee, we thank you. On behalf of the entire city, thank you for your service, your kindness, and dedication to all of the students, faculty, and families in Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm going to turn it over to Doctor Edouard-Vincent, Doctor Kathleen Cape, former now almost former principal of the Mississauga Elementary School.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we have some flowers for you too. Dr. Kaye, in honor of your well-deserved retirement and in celebration of a long time and valued Medford public school employee, as principal of the Missittuc, on behalf of the entire city, I wish you all the best in your retirement and thank you for your years of service and dedication to the city of Medford and our students.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And last but not least, we have Mrs. Linda selling jerk director of Kids Corner is also retiring.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Also in honor of your well-deserved retirement and in celebration of a long time and valued Medford public school employee, on behalf of the entire city, I wish you a very happy retirement. And thank you also for years of service, kindness, and dedication to the city of Medford and our students.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, we'll just do one quick one with the committee. Come on up, quick.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Melanie? On special education tiered focus monitoring results, Ms. Joan Bowen, Director of Student Services.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the presentation, Ms. Bowen. That was great. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. Thank you. Member Topper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Awesome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr Edwin Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you. Thank you very much, Miss Bowen. Next up, we have a report on tobacco free generation. Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Member Graham, and then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have summer literacy offerings for grade 1 through 5, and 6 through 9 report is going to be given to us by Dr. Suzanne Galussi, assistant superintendent. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Question from the chair, if you don't mind. Yeah. Who would be invited to partake in this? as far as who will be invited, I guess.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if they haven't gone out already, when will parents or guardians get the invitation?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much, Dr. Glucy. Yeah, no problem. Thank you very much. Thank you. We have a recommendation to approve. Mayor? Yes, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to suspend the rules by Member Graham, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? We have the second reading for the budget presentation and schedule. Motion to waive the reading. Motion to waive the reading by Member Graham, seconded by Member Intoppa. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Reading is waived. Motion to approve the second reading. Motion to approve the second reading by Member Graham, seconded by Member Intoppa. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Second reading is approved. Is there a motion to revert? I have a motion to revert back to the regular order of business. I remember Graham seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? We have our seventh and final report of the superintendent recommendation to approve the school year 24-25 school committee meeting calendar. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's Lisa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Or I accept the amendment, whatever it is. Motion for approval as amended by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Could you put it as either or regular slash budget? Yeah, we could do that. Member Intoppa? Perfect. Motion for approval as amended. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Calendar has been approved as amended. There are no presentations of the public. No new business, no reports are requested. We have condolences. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Livio the dice father of Alyssa pillion paraprofessional at the Brooks Elementary School. And the members of the medical school committee expressed their sincere condolences the family of Julie O'Neill Julie served as an elementary school teacher for over 40 years at the Medford public schools feel may rise for a moment of silence please. Thank you. I think we are, as Member Graham mentioned, working on a final budget approval date to be determined. And is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member Reinfeld, seconded by...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great job, Darren. Thank you. Good evening, superintendent, faculty, parents, and of course, our graduates. I will not be long, as I know you can't wait to celebrate with your friends and family after you throw your caps high in the air at the end of this ceremony. First, let me congratulate the class of 2024 on this momentous milestone. I'm so proud to be here to celebrate you and all the hard work you've put into the last four years. Graduating from high school is a huge accomplishment, and you all should be very proud of yourselves. I know there were obstacles, challenges, as well as learning transitions that you've had to overcome during these last four years. You entered high school during a pandemic, for goodness sake. and had to navigate a shift in the way the world was operating, in addition to getting acclimated to a new school. Your resiliency and strength are inspiring, and those are gained skills that you will all apply as you move forward beyond Medford High School and into the next chapter of your life. Be ready for anything, continue to be curious, and remember that positive thinking is the first step towards future success. There is nothing you can't do, and I know this because I've watched you all as you graciously have risen to meet your challenges. I have all the faith in the world that you will continue to do amazing things and leave your positive mark on the world. And I know your teachers, families, and friends are excited to see what you do next, as am I. If I give you any advice, it's to never be afraid to try. Try it. Try something. Try anything that scares you. The best things out there are the things that are the hardest to try. Be kind, compassionate, and accepting to everyone in everything you do. Or as Mr. Kane said, don't be a jerk. I hope I wasn't a jerk in too long. I'll leave you with congratulations again to the class of 2024. Go Mustangs.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next one down.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: due to the structure and the age of the building limits.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just quickly, if you thought maybe to add after-school programming needs of the community, it doesn't have to be a full paragraph, but somewhere, state, Alina, how desperately we are in need of space.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Devils in space and things like that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What else? We have a motion to lay this on the table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I think we're on it until Wednesday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: and 516704. We have roll call of the Medford School Committee, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: present, six present, one absent so far. If we can rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have executive session pursuant to General Laws 30A, section A3. The Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to update to get an update on negotiations with the Medford Educational Secretaries, AFSCME, Council 93, Medford Teachers Association for Kids Corner, Medford Teachers Association for Power Professionals, because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee, and the chair so declares. Executive session pursuant to General Laws 30A, Section 8.3, the Medford School Committee will convene in an executive session to discuss collective bargaining with MTA regarding a grievance dated March 2024. Motion for to go into executive session by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. We're going to go into executive session and return at or close to 6 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: members so there any student reps on student reps on do you know oh you're not on yet okay no problem oh that's right okay okay so no student reps We'll go to the consent agenda, bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, regular school committee meeting minutes from May 20th, 2024, strategic and capital planning subcommittee minutes, May 21st, 2024, and curriculum instruction assessment and accountability subcommittee, May 28th, 2024.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld, seconded by? Second. Member LaPardee, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We have reports of subcommittees, strategic and capital planning subcommittee meeting held on May 21st, 2024. Thank you, Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Curriculum instruction assessment and accountability subcommittee meeting held on May 28, 2024.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Reinfeld. We have our report of superintendent updates and comments. Dr. Maurice Edouard Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Next, we'll invite Ms. Suzanne Fee, Coordinator of Fine Arts, to give us Fine Arts student recognition update. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, make sure we show the photo to both sides.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you very much, Ms. B. We have number three announcement of new positions new principal of the Mississauga elementary school Miss Nancy Sherman Hudson, and the direct new director of kids corner Miss Christina lungo deadly. Dr. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you both, congratulations. We have number four, Bloomsack Leadership Awards. Ms. Stacey Shulman, Director of School Counseling and Behavioral Health, and I see Ms. Bloomsack in the audience. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great job, thank you so much for presenting. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for joining us, Ms. Bloomsack. And thank you for the donation, yeah. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Shulman.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number five, our McGlynn playground update presented by Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And just from the chair, I want to thank you, Dr. Cushing, as well as the committee that worked on this for quite some time. I know member Graham's one of those people, former member McLaughlin and Ms. Pellequin and a number of other people that just put their time and soul into this. So happy to see it come to fruition. It was pretty exciting to tour it. Like member Graham said, to see a park that's this inclusive and it's gonna be utilized by the entire community, not just those three schools is something to be proud of. Thank you. Member Ruseau, then we have Ms. Pelquin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you member Rousseau. I think we used a number of funding sources, ARPA, CDBG, CPA, and one or two other as well. It takes a village, including when you have to finance something. I'm miss Pelican.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. We have an update also by Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent, Student Opportunity Act.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve the plan. Motion to approve the plan by Member Graham, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade, all those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have no presentations of the public, but we do have continued business. We have MSBA slash MCH SBA update table from May 20th, 2024 presented by Member Graham, School Building Committee meeting, May 13th, 2024. Member Graham. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, thank you, Member Graham. We have new business offered by Member Ruseau, 2024-28, budget preparation schedule.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Will this be going into committee or? No. I want to vote tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I would ask to withdraw that motion to waive the reading. If you don't mind.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've just it's a lot of text.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Okay. budget purpose, I do believe me, I'd rather not have to read it all, but I feel like it would have to, and it's up to you, I don't care, I don't mind, I just think it should be read.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the definitions by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Definition section is waived. Budget requests, capital improvement plan, capital improvement projects, capital budget, final budget, municipal allocation, med school spending, projected municipal allocation, and proposed reconciled budget were the definitions. Thank you, Member Ruseau. HAB-Masyn Moyer): From the chair, if I may, I just want to see if the superintendent can comment on whether or not the central administration yourself and CFO especially have reviewed this and have been able to HAB-Masyn Moyer): Implement comment on it, as I know it's pretty lengthy and I want to make sure that this is feasible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Rizzo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you members. So Dr. Edward-Vincenino, if you don't have comment, just do you think there is time needed to discuss it with Central and our CFO?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by member Graham as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau and then Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Dr. Edward-Vinson, was next and then I'll go to member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended twice by member Graham, seconded by member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Our next meeting is June 10th, 2024, here at the Alden Memorial Chambers. That's next Monday, in addition to Zoom. This will be the last regular meeting of the Medford School Committee for school year 23-24. Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn? Is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion to adjourn
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. That was a great presentation. To you and Brenda, can you talk about the price points for the induction and how the MassSave program works? So if you want to just purchase it outright or if you want to go through MassSave.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Vice President Collins. Councilor Lazzaro. Present. Councilor Leming.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Tseng. Present. President Bears. Present. I also see Councilor Scarpelli here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, you can start the three minutes again. My apologies.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This meeting is being recorded. The meeting can be viewed live on Medford Public Schools' YouTube channel through Medford Community Media, on your local cable channel, Comcast Channel 9, 8, or 22, and Verizon Channel 43, 45, or 47. Participants can log in or call in by using the following Zoom link. A meeting ID is 953-1198-7344. If you would please call the roll, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. 7 present, 0 absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a student rep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you for being here. If you all may rise to salute the flag, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have our consent agenda, bills and payrolls, approval of capital purchases, public budget hearing meeting minutes from May 6, 2024, regular school committee meeting minutes from May 6, 2024, ad hoc subcommittee on handbook process minutes from May 8, 2024, behavioral health and special education subcommittee minutes May 15, 2024, and a recommendation to approve a $3,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to fund summer arts workshops. Is there a motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Motion to sever has been approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to include a link on those meeting minutes by Member Reinfeld, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ntukpa, all those in favor? All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Strike the home address from the meeting minutes from May 6th, 2024 public budget hearing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to amend the public hearing meeting minutes from May 6, 2024 regarding the budget by member Reinfeld, is there a second? Second. By member Intoppa, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Meetings are passed as amended. And motion to approve the rest of the consent agenda. Motion to approve the rest of the consent agenda by member Reinfeld, seconded by? Second. Member Intoppa, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We have reports of subcommittees, ad hoc, subcommittee on handbook process, May 8th, 2024. CHCB AB, handbook review and schedule, the school committee's report. Member Ruseau? Motion to waive the reading. Motion to waive the reading with an explanation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: what is the committee, would they like me to read it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to waive the reading. Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. Okay, meeting is waived. If you could give a synopsis.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion to approve? Or do you want to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve first reading by member Rousseau, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? First reading is passed. We have behavioral health and special education subcommittee then meeting with member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Of the handbook review and schedule, motion to waive the second reading by member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Behavioral health and special education subcommittee meeting was held on May 15, 2024. Recommendation to co-localize Curtis Tufts and the main high school campus. Would anybody like to give an update on this? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you for the work. Motion for approval by members so seconded by member of the party. All those in favor. I was opposed. Thank you. We'll send that to the MSP a subcommittee report of superintendent, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent updates and comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edwardson. Like I said, next up is CCSR update and student recognition. Mr. Richard Trotter, director of CCSR, accompanied by Brooks Elementary School students Savannah McLaughlin and Adam Costello. Welcome to our meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to thank everybody that is part of the CCSR it is.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Membrane topper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number three humanities student recognition, Dr. Nicole Chiesa, Director of Humanities. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great presentation. Congratulations. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I noticed a few people stood up more than once too, so we'll get some. Great students, well-rounded. We have our Medford High School update and survey results. Our principal, Ms. Manta Cabral, welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member Bramley. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Bramley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, our student rep, come on up. We have somebody online.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. You two are involved in everything, just like some of our students that stood up. So we appreciate all your involvement. And we do have somebody, one person on. Chris, if you could just name your name and address for the record, please. I'm gonna unmute you right now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you to both of our principals for being here tonight for the presentation. If there's no further questions, we'll move on. I'm going to read number six and seven we have the budget update by Mr. Gerry McCue director of finance. Number five. career technical education CTE update Mr. Chad Fallon principal director of medical vocational technical high school and Dr. Peter Cushing assistant superintendent, my apologies.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: the MSBA explore all the expansion requests in this proposal. Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: MSK school school building committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven affirmative zero negative motion passes. Were you finished with your presentation? Thank you. Great job. Thank you. We have budget update Mr. Gerry McCue finance director estimated start time right on schedule 50 seconds, I don't know if we should wait. And then right after that we'll have our budget vote of the Medford school committee. And for disclosure my sister is back to Medford be she is a teacher at the McGlynn, so I'm going to abstain from the vote, and I'm going to ask member Graham to come up and share the meeting, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think motion to recess for five minutes by member Ryan tells by member Bramley all those in favor. I was opposed. We are in recess until 635.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mandy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Simon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Anthony.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If that makes sense.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Quick question, thank you. chair did did you discuss giving everybody three minutes and then limited it to one first one time per topic yes um and the limit to one time per topic did not
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: approval as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Nattleboro is around the same population. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just feel free to tap into the city side as well, because of course it's important for families to want to be involved, but I think we need to build excitement amongst the entire community. And I'm not going to help robocalls, newsletters, start building that excitement. So I need everybody's support. Okay, we can do that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On the rules, 15.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the presentation. I don't have anything further to add. I think you were pretty thorough, but I appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That is correct, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, we have a school committee. Good evening, Medford School Committee meeting special meeting of the school committee public budget hearing. Please be advised that on Monday, May 6 2024 at 5pm there'll be a public budget hearing of the Medford School Committee held at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers. The meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel, through Medford Community Media on your local cable channel, Comcast Channel 9, 8, or 22, and Verizon Channel 43, 44, 45, or 47. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following information. There's a Zoom link, as well as a dial by location. Meeting ID is 940-3096-6735. Questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must must include the following information, if you're doing it by email, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Pursuant to today's agenda, pursuant to Mass General Lodge, section 7138N, the Medford School Committee will convene a public hearing to members of the community interested in either for or against, or in part or in whole, the superintendent's recommendation of the fiscal year 25 operating budget. Member Rossell, if you could call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. 7 present, 0 absent. All may rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. McHugh, anytime you're ready to get started, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: for chair, if I may, thank you for the presentation. Does the 2.7 take into account potentially moving the 20%? No, no, it doesn't. That'd be a $500,000 reduction.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you down. Member right felt yes, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley. Yes. Ms. Hines was the director. She just took another job, so I'm sure it's posted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Jerry. I think, oh sorry, member Olapoday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember all about it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to piggyback on that from the chair, there's a group of us that have been meeting since the early fall, maybe September. Member Graham, myself, and two members of the city council, chair and vice chair. And in, I believe it was late March, we did put out a press release where we just let the voters know, let the residents know that we are exploring two debt exclusions, one for the fire headquarters and one, of course, flagship new high school. In that, we also mentioned that this fall, there'll be two elections, one in September, one in November, and we do plan on putting potentially two override questions before the voters, one to help fund our schools and one for a potential sidewalk street maintenance crew that could help and provide support to our DPW and focus mainly on the lack of maintenance that we've been able to put in based on Chapter 90 funding to our streets. So that it has been discussed. It's not been discussed as a full committee, obviously, because we have open meeting law rules that we have to follow, but it is something that we are putting forward. I don't know if that will be September or November. Our next task force meeting is Friday, I believe, but obviously that is The position we are in, we used one-time funding for the budget for the last four years because of the pandemic, because of the lost revenues. We have been able to dwindle that down, of course, because those large buckets, we're in this position because all expenses are up, as well as all of our salaries and expenses cannot be met by the 2.5% that we're able to tax the voters. It's just too much. compiling that with these one-time funds that we've used, whether it be on the school side, I think about 1.5 million to 2 million, and then on the city side, luckily, we've been able to find a few grants. The Barr Foundation's one that's gonna be able to absorb some of the positions we have, but we're also doing some hard work. I think tonight is where I really realized where the gap was, because obviously you haven't called each of us explained fully other than when we've been in executive session or meetings or school committee meetings. So my next several days will be trying to talk to my finance director and working through the city side budget to make the necessary cuts to be able to provide more to the schools. At first I thought that was about a half million and come this weekend and tonight I'm realizing it's much more and that's including with some significant cuts that we all feel pretty upset about. I mean, I don't think there's a person behind this rail that either doesn't have a headache or a stomachache because this is real lives. This is our students. This is, this is real and it's, it's not a fun position to be in whatsoever. And as I talked to mayors across the state and I've talked to many, it seems like everybody is in this position because of these large buckets of one-time funding and people are doing overrides or having major cuts. I think we're trying to, We're trying to figure it out before we put a question for the residents, and I do think that will pass. I think that's a balancing act, because we need to make sure we get a debt exclusion for potentially several hundred million dollars approved for a new high school, but it's the hard work that we have to do, and it's a tough week that I have ahead on the city side to try to figure this out. So that's where I am. Obviously, the first time this presentation was before us, so there's a lot of things that I didn't even know until tonight, and I appreciate the presentation. I know there's a number of people that would like to speak. We have a number of people online. We have a number of people here. There's a lot more work we have to do. This is very early. We gave the schools the numbers before the local receipts were in, before we had estimates. Hopefully, we can budge there. City councils do a budget May 31st if they get all their budget meetings in. So so there is it's early in the process. It's not a fun place to be in. I think we all have said that. So just hoping we can get to public comment after the school committee rests.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. McHugh. We have a lot of people on, so I think our rules say three minutes, one time each. Please make a line, and we want to hear from you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member Branley, and then you'll be next, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I gave them six minutes, Member Ruseau, there was two of them.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley and then we'll yield to the residents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right. Thank you. Thank you. Just name and address for the record. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're next, but before you go, if anybody in the audience is having conversations, could you please just take it outside and then come back in? Cause I just want to make sure we can all focus on the speaker. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Names and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Chris Bennett, three minutes. Name and address of the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then we have two more people online.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Ruseau. Sophie Ricks, name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ricks. Christina Marie, may I have an address for the record, please? Angela, Angela, name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Sasso. I'm not sure about the data. Christina Marie. We're asking her to unmute, I'm assuming Dr. Cushing. Okay, so probably not paying attention. So Ashley Daugherty, name and address of the record, Ashley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we can hear you, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ashley. One last time, Christina Marie. Okay, I'm gonna open it up to the floor. I know we probably need some time to digest this. Oh, come on up. Yep, our student reps, sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, great. Thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Russell?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, member Graham. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, go ahead, sorry. Explain it in 112. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you everybody who came and spoke. some more work to do and digesting to do. I'm going to move forward to the regular scheduled meeting agenda. A motion to adjourn this meeting by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Okay, that meeting's adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: meeting minutes April 29 2024 motion to approve the consent agenda by member Graham seconded by a second member Bramley all those in favor aye all those opposed motion passes for the consent agenda which was the first item of the May 6 2024 regular meeting 6 p.m. There are no reports of subcommittees. We have reports of superintendent, updates and comments. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We have our report on English Learner Targeted and Focused Monitoring by Desi, Mr. Paul Taksara, Director of EL. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. Or we should just say evening. Just evening tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was the best presentation I think I've ever seen. Thank you. Recommendation to approve basketball trip to Florida, December 2024. How exciting. Dr. Peter Cushing, who will be brief. He's our assistant superintendent of schools.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Also, I played basketball from Everett High School my whole career and we never went to Disney. Motion for approval by Member, I'm a little upset about this, but Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed? Hearing none, motion's approved. Have a blast. Awesome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You know what? Okay, okay. All right, I do love a good game. Okay, thank you. Recommendation to approve McGlynn Skylight Repair Project. Again, Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can double check with Facilities and Grounds for the city and Director Hunt, who's doing the roof solar project. Motion for approval by member Rousseau, Graham, who was it? Graham. Graham, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed, motion is approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Read them real quick. Yeah, can we hear them? Be it resolved that the Building and Grounds Subcommittee will meet with the Universal Safety Committee to review the recommendations surrounding ADA noncompliance and near-range solutions at Medford High. Be it further resolved that the committee will explore possible grant funding through the Mass Office of Disability or other organizations to engage a licensed ADA contractor and or support remediation efforts. Be it also resolved that the subcommittee will provide a report back to the school committee on progress and plans by October 1st 2024 2024 26 offered by member motion for approval by There's a comment online. I think so. Before we move approval member, um Miss McLaughlin. Name and address for the record, please. And welcome back.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, yes, we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. McLaughlin. Thank you. Thank you, Member Graham, for putting this forward. And maybe we can also make sure that city staff and school admin calendar when that grant is open so that we can apply for it accordingly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended by member Graham, seconded by member Intoppa. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. 2024-26 offered by member Rousseau, update policy BEDB, agenda creation and format for regular meetings of the school committee by inserting this meeting is being recorded in bold immediately after existing policy language in person at the name of location only. Motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade, all those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion seconded by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Offered by Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve the policy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's our third vote by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. 2024-27 offered by member Rousseau. Policy BEDB agenda creation and format for regular meetings of the school committee will be updated by inserting approvals of capital purchases immediately after existing policy language, approval of bills, and the consent agenda section of the policy. Motion to approve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: if you could explain, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, as long as we make sure that the administration talks to the city staff, especially where ARPA is, it is accounted for, especially with the air conditioning, reconditioning study, turnout gear, it's accounted for.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to suspend the second reading by Member Ruseau, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, all those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve the 2024-27 policy by Member Bruce So, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. We have one condolence. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincere condolences to the family of Robert D. Kane, English teacher and guidance Councilor at the former Roberts Junior High. Additionally, he served as director of the Medford Summer School Program. I'll rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next regular meeting is May 20th, 2024 here at the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall in addition to Zoom.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Mayor of Medford. I want to thank everybody for being here and thank Jenny for taking the lead in all the work that she's done. I have three children, two in the public schools, one who may get a year or two or three, but either way, I'm just so very excited to start this process.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For the other two. specify how many?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Thank you again for being here. I'm very interested in the comms piece too, although it was nice to work, but I'm happy to always take some calls. And they will come back here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The eighth regular meeting of the Medford School Committee will come to order April 29th, 2024. We have executive session at 5 p.m. and our regular meeting at 6 p.m. It will be here at Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and via remote participation. Meeting can be viewed live. It's a TV?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Meeting can be viewed live on Medford Public Schools YouTube channel through Medford Community Media on your local cable channel, Comcast channel nine, eight or 22 and Verizon channel 43, 45 or 47. Participants can log or call in by using the following information. The Zoom link is on our city calendar and school calendar and the meeting ID is 926-0673-0127. Roll call, please. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. I believe our student reps might be at our 6 p.m. meeting. Okay, great. And we could rise to salute the flag, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have executive session pursuant to General Laws 30A, Section A3. The Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss strategy in preparation for negotiations with Medford Educational Secretaries, AFSCME, Council 93, Teamsters Local 25 Custodians, Medford Teachers Association for Kids Corner, Medford's Teachers Association for Paraprofessionals, Carpenters SEIU Local 888 because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee, and the chair so declares. Is there a motion to go into executive session?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Graham. Please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We will convene as close to six as possible for regular meeting. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: agenda bills and payrolls regular school committee meeting minutes from April 8th 2024 special meeting minutes April 24 2024 recommendation to approve a $1,000 donation to the string ensemble from the Schmidt family and a recommendation to approve travel to Puerto Rico February 2025 motion to sever the donation and the field trip oh she's severed by member Graham seconded by member Ruseau all those in favor I'm here. Oh, sorry. Gotta do the roll. All right. Sorry. Fine. Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, motion to sever is approved. Now motion to approve. Motion to approve the consent agenda. Approve the consent agenda by member Graham, seconded by? Second. Member Olapade, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. Consent agenda is approved. Is there a motion to approve the acceptance of $1,000 donation to the String Ensemble? Motion to approve the $1,000 donation to the String Ensemble. By Member Graham, seconded by? Second. Member Reinfeld, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you for the donation. Motion to approve the field trip to Puerto Rico. By Member Graham, seconded by Member Branley. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Trip to Puerto Rico has been approved. Enjoy. We do not have any reports of subcommittees. five reports under our reports of superintendent. First up is Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent, with her updates and comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. We have Arts Programs Update and Recognition of Orchestra Gold Medal, Ms. Suzanne Fee, Coordinator of Fine Arts, and Ms. Haley Rello, Coordinator of Performing Arts. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'm going to leave these with you. Thank you, Ms. Faye. Great, great presentation. If there's no questions, I'll invite Ms. Rell up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know member Intoppa has a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From Zoom.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Member Intoppa. Awesome. Thank you very much for the presentation. You're welcome. And love the t-shirts. Yes, very much. T-shirts.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right. All right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're going to introduce the student reps and then I'm going to go to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, welcome and thanks for being here. Motion to suspend the rules by member so seconded by second member Graham. All those roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. On the affirmative, zero on the negative. Motion is approved. Offered by Member Ruseau, Member Reinfeld, and Member Olapade. Resolution on the end of fossil fuel building equipment purchases, whereas the buildings of the Medford Public Schools are exclusively the responsibility of the Medford School Committee pursuant to Mass General Law, Chapter 71, Section 68, whereas the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law both provided significant opportunities for schools to end our dependence on fossil fuel infrastructure, whereas the climate crisis is an existential threat to the survival of our species and countless other species we share our planet with, whereas the climate crisis is primarily caused by human activity through the release of greenhouse gases, whereas today's leaders must take action now to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Medford School Committee One, bans the purchase of new or replacement fossil fuels powered equipment used to operate our school facilities, such as HVAC equipment and kitchen equipment, may authorize the purchase of banned equipment in emergency situations at a regular or special meeting of the committee, and must authorize equipment purchases covered by this resolution, regardless of the revenue source, such as municipal funding or grants from governmental or non-governmental organizations. I know we have our team, our city team, and they brought some guests with us to discuss the HVAC system. I think I was talking to Brenda this weekend about the process to fixing our HVAC at the two middle schools, somewhat related here. So I don't know if you want to hear from them or a member that has this resolution.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld, do you want to say anything?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Director Hunt.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion to table?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, just from the chair, and then I'm gonna acknowledge Director Hunt and her team have taken on quite a bit to help, plus Paul Riggi, who's our facilities and maintenance director over in the city side and through requests coming from me, which obviously are coming through the school committee, they've spent a lot of time working on the light posts on Freedom Way, keys, new cameras, and now HVAC, so I understand you want to move this forward tonight, but Director Hunt respectfully asked that we table this basically until they at least give their presentation and we can always go back to it. So I think out of respect for city staff working tirelessly for school needs because they want to help, I would ask that the committee respect that request. member Rousseau and then.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: approved funding. I have not signed a contract. That's why they're presenting tonight on work that I asked them to do, but it was the committee that has discussed it over and over again. It's the teachers union who brought a grievance because our air conditioning doesn't work. And we said we were going to commit to fixing the air conditioning. So this is the base work and they're here before I've ever even signed a contract because obviously they're going to present to you first. So I don't know why fixing air conditioning is so upsetting. Miss Member Branley and then Miss Smith, sorry. Your mic's not on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, I've had my member on top of work on the vote. It's motion to table is undebatable. So we'll just hold on for your name to be called.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: motion to table by member Branley seconded by member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion to table is approved. Is there a motion to revert back to regular order of business? You want to talk on the next paper? Smith, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By Member Ruseau, seconded by... Second. Second. Member Reinfeld, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, yes 70 affirmative zero and the negative motion to revert has been approved we're going to go to number three HVAC update. Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent of schools, Miss Brenda Pike and director Alicia Hunt.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Ms. Smith, do you wanna come up and speak on this? Sorry, we tabled it, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's, thank you, Ms. Smith, that's relevant too. If you had to come before us each time, you maybe couldn't do electric because of our panels or the work needs to be done on that aspect. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, no, I think that what you could do for the project is support this plan and let our teams move forward and get it done. OPM is going to be a whole cost in itself. So that will come out of ARPA funding, and then we will move forward with most likely a bond. Okay. That's helpful, thank you. But we can discuss it more in our financial task force meetings as we map out all the needs of the city and schools.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This will not come out of the school budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Motion by Member Graham to approve the scope of this work, seconded by... He said it first. Second. Member Ruseau. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We approve the project. And again, thank you for all your hard work. We appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr Cushing. We have number four suspension and discipline report. Um, Dr Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any questions member Bramley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Brindley. We're going to move on to number five, rate card by Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent. Break card. You're up, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Rossell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you. I can second. Motion for approval by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member Branley. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, I lost my mic. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Thank you for the hard work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do not have any presentations. Still continue business. New business offered by member Rousseau 2024-20. The member school committee may send a delegate, an alternate delegate, to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, MASC, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, MASS, an annual joint conference for the purpose of voting during the delegate assembly on the resolutions of the MASC. The conference is Wednesday, November 6th through Friday, November 8th, with the delegate assembly being held on Friday, November 8th. Voting is presently only allowed in person, and thus it is recommended that only members who are able to and are planning to attend the conference be nominated. Are there nominations for delegate? Are there nominations for an alternate delegate?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Ruseau to... Second. to nominate member Olapade as an alternate by member Rousseau, seconded by member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Congratulations. the big alternate spot. Okay. Are there any nominations for a delegate?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau has been nominated as the delegate. Do I have a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And by Member Olapade. Member Redfield? No, I'm just ready to vote. Anybody else have anything? Okay, so we're going to move forward with Member Ruseau as an alternate. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Thank you, and congratulations, Member Rossell. 24-21, offered by Member Graham, be it resolved that the strategic and capital planning subcommittee will meet to review and update the district's capital needs assessment and planning document. Be it further resolved that the subcommittee will devise a process to ensure regular and annual maintenance of plan. It also resolved that the subcommittee will provide a report to the Folk School Committee no later than June 10th, 2024. Is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by? Second. Member Reinfeld, roll call, please. Yes. Yep. I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. 2024-22, offered by Member Graham, be resolved that the Special Education and Behavioral Health Subcommittee will meet to discuss whether the Curtis test should be co-located with the Medford High School campus to approve educational outcomes for Curtis Tufts students. We had further resolved that the subcommittee will invite current and former students and staff to provide comment. It also resolved that the committee will report back to the school committee on whether the Curtis Tufts program should be co-located no later than June 3rd, 2024, because this information is critical to the progress of the Metro Comprehensive High School Building Committee as it completes the district's educational profile. Member Graham and then Member Bramley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you Member Graham, Member Branley, then Member Intoppa and then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Joppa, and then if you'd like to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member and topper. It's a little difficult to hear you, but I think you mentioned inviting parents and yes, this will be an open public meeting where anybody can come and give feedback. So it will be open to parents, of course.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe we have a resident that'd like to say a few words.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We appreciate it and maybe a list of pros even, whether that's emailed to the committee, if you can't make it another night or having that ready to speak on the record for next time, a good list of pros and cons would be helpful for us. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you for being here. Thank you for waiting this long.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That'd be great, yeah. Thank you so much. Thank you. And do you find the students are partaking in theater and sports as well, where we don't really see that because it's so separated?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you for being here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld said it first. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion's approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Perfect for the role. Yeah, that's great. Thank you for introducing him to us. 2024-23 offered by member Reinfeld be resolved that the subcommittee on curriculum instruction assessment and accountability meet with the assistant superintendent of academics and instruction and other relevant staff to discuss the development of a process to review and assess recently adopted curricula and assessment tools across the district and to identify the key stakeholders, timelines, and protocols to be involved in this review, consistent with the policies described in section one of the Medford School Committee online policy manual. Motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful. Thank you. Member Reinfeld, is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by? Second. Member Branley, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Is there a motion to take the paper off the table?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By Member Ruseau, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, roll call, please. That's paper to 2024-24.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmatives are in the negative motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I, before we move approval, motion for approval by Member Graham, before we move approval, is there, I know John McLaughlin isn't here tonight, but somebody from the administration, just say if this is feasible, how many things would be coming before us, or even maybe if any of the three that have the resolution before us, is this gonna be, I'm just trying to conceptualize how many, I'm not sure how that's going to be managed. I'm sure that purchases or updates or upgrades would be coming before us each meeting and how that's going to be manageable. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Chair then could it be somewhere where things are located under the consent agenda, for example, and any explanations, like say there's 10 things that week, the explanation could come to us by email so that we would only be, we could approve it all, but obviously ask the questions or disapprove certain pieces that we think we're not comfortable with?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Perfect. Yeah, that sounds great. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative, zero negative. Motion passes. Okay, next up we have no reports requested and Thankfully no condolences next meeting. Tomorrow, tomorrow night we have an MSBA meeting that's at six o'clock, and our next regularly scheduled meeting is May 6 at 6pm here in all the chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as on zoom. And there's also a special meeting, public budget public hearing here at 5pm same day May, May 6. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Okay, good evening. We have the seventh regular meeting of the Medford School Committee. Taking it back, John, I didn't know. Member Dapper, I'm like, what is that background? Where are you? Looks like a movie set. Seventh regular meeting of the Medford School Committee, April 8th, 2024, executive session at 6 p.m. and our regular meeting at or about 7 p.m. This meeting is being held remotely via Zoom and it's remote only and can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel through Medford Community Media or your local cable channel, Comcast channel 98 or 22 and Verizon channel 43, 45 or 47. participants can log in or call in by using the following information. The meeting ID is 960-8498-5140. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham is on. Can she unmute herself?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, are you here?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: President, seven in the affirmative, seven are here with us out of seven, thank you. I don't think we had, I didn't see any student representatives, so I can wait and see if they come on at seven. No one has yet. Okay, if we could rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have executive session as number three, pursuant to general laws 30A section A3, the Medford school committee will convene an executive session to discuss strategy and preparation for negotiations with Medford educational secretaries, AFSCME council 93, Teamsters local 25 custodians, Medford teachers association for kids corner and Medford teachers association for paraprofessionals. as well as Carpenters SEIU Local 88, because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee, and the chair so declares. Is there a motion to go into executive session? Motion to go into executive session. I'm Member Reinfeld, seconded by... I'll second. Member Branley, if you could call the roll. Member Olapade, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero in the negative. We are going to move to executive session and we'll be back as close to seven as possible. Can I confirm it's a different link or is it the same link? Just so the public knows. I thought I saw two links. That's why I'm asking somebody from the admin. It should be the same link.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, you have been re-invited to the breakout room. Good evening, everybody. It is 7 o'clock. We're going on to our regular meeting. Does anybody have any business under good of the order? Hearing and seeing none, I'm going to move on to the consent agenda. We have bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes from March 18, 2024. student advisory council minutes, March 20th, 2024, strategic and capital planning subcommittee minutes from March 26th, 2024, and committee of the whole meeting minutes from April 3rd, 2024. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to approve. Motion to approve by member Rousseau, seconded by, actually, sorry, before I call second, member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Then you can just motion to amend the minutes and maybe shoot an email over to, is it Lisa who drafted Ms. Malone? All right. Okay, so for motion for approval by member Ruseau, as amended by member Reinfeld, is there a second as amended? Second. Second as amended. Roll call, please, member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, you're muted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative. Zero in the negative. Motion to approve the consent agenda as amended. There are no reports of subcommittee, so I'll pass it off to Dr. Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent of schools, for updates and comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We have, like you said, three recommendations to approve donations. The first up is $3,180.11 from the Medford Educational Foundation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve with thanks. Well said. Member Reinfeld, seconded by? Second. Member Graham. Yes, thank you very much to the bank and to Medford Educational Foundation for donating to our teachers. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion passes. We also have a recommendation to approve $500 being donated by the Medford Rotary Club to the media technology program.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, thank you to the Rotary. Motion for approval by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, seconded by. Second. Member Reinfeld, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes 70 affirmative zero in the negative donation accepted. And third up another request for approval of a donation from the
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you to the Kiwanis. Is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve. Member Graham, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I can say yes? I would think so, but I'm not state ethics. Can you hear me? Yes, you're not. That's not a problem. So I'll abstain just to be... Okay, yes, yes, yes. No, no, you can abstain. That's fine. You can abstain. I think we'll accept money. I think we got the votes. So member Branley abstains. Who's up next?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, um, one abstention. Motion is approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes, yes, that's a yes. Thank you. Do you need a roll call? Are we good? You got that? Yes. I don't think we need a roll call. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Next up is substitute pay report, Dr. Susan Glusi. Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Instruction. I'll turn it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Galusi. Any questions from the committee? Member Branley, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um, I think that was all my questions. Thank you. Thank you. Member Graham and then member old party.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, member of the party, the member. Ryan felt.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Reinfeld. Thank you, Dr. Galusi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any further questions? Do you need a vote to go to Malden's rates or are you gonna come back to us at the next meeting once we have more of the budget figured out?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up, we have new business. We have offered by member and Tapa recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, whereas Autism Acceptance Month is recognized in the month of April. And whereas Autism Acceptance Day is recognized on the 2nd of April, now therefore be it resolved that the Medford Public Schools and Medford School Committee recognize Autism Acceptance Month within the Medford Public School System, recognize for future usage Autism Acceptance Day as April 2nd on all official Medford Public School calendars distributed to the public and report to the Medford School Committee on steps being taken with the Medford Public Schools to support students impacted by autism spectrum disorder, ASD, and how we go about identifying students who may need these services that have yet to receive them. Explanation, those within the advocates of the autism spectrum, Community are looking to distance themselves from groups that treat autism as a disease and something that needs to be healed. The focus is not on awareness of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, but more of a focus on acceptance of the members of our community that fall under the autism spectrum and making sure there are equitable systemic pathways for their success, being conscious of decisions that may impact members of the ASD community, both systematically and socially. This is the first step in this process to better understand and see how we as a city can better serve our community members impacted by ASD. I'll turn it over to you Member Intoppa for a motion or anything else you'd like to add.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Intoppa. So I'm going to assume you're moving approval. Is there a second? I can second. I second by member Branley. Dr. Edward-Vincent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Understood, Dr. Vincent. So maybe some clarification for member and topper, or would you like to amend section three of your resolution?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so you're looking for information rather than us providing services to people that need them, even if they haven't been identified. Right, I'm looking, yeah. So you're looking to change that report to the school committee on steps being taken to provide supports for those impacted by autism spectrum disorder? Correct, yeah. Good, as an amendment?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so then just strike the second half of that, number three. Perfect. Correct, yep. And for approval by member Intoppa, as amended by member Intoppa, seconded by member Branley, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Topper, is that okay?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion to move to committee as amended. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe we lost Paul for a minute, so he should be back. We'll just mark him absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one absent, motion's approved. Member, Vice Chair Graham is going to read the resolution. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Perfect.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I know there's some questions from the committee and the public. And all I can add, thank you for doing the slideshow, is that the amount of expertise and interest in this process is pretty exciting. And we hope to, one way or another, use or utilize the skills of all hundred and four people that want to be involved in this process because we have not only this committee that we need to move forward, but we also have a campaign throughout our community and education that needs to take place to get, you know, our hope is to get everybody on board to want to build a new flagship school for our students and staff that very much deserve it. Sure. Also spent several hours reviewing this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Member Branley and then Anthony.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, great. Thank you. Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Reinfeld. Anthony Guillen, just to address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Thank you, Mr. Guillen. If I may, from the chair, and then I'll go to Member Intoppa. I just want to point out that this was a long week of not only reading 208 pages of applications, but also working as a group of three trying to discuss the pros and cons of different makeups of this committee and For me, I just want to let everybody know, I just feel like it's a little bit overloaded with politicians, especially where Jenny and I are already members. So for me to agree to a non-voting member, which I know is going to be a separate vote, I mean, I'd have to... suggest that we put two to four others on as non-voting alternates so that we can just balance this committee out a little bit more. That was my concern over the week. There are 94 resident applicants, all highly qualified, and I had a struggle with that balance. and there was some give and take, and it was agree to disagree type situations. But I just wanted to make that clear from my perspective. I want to make sure that this committee can move forward without any issues. And the only way I could see voting for one non-voting member is if we have a committee of, you know, a group of two, a group of three or five, which would serve as non-voting alternates. Member Intoppa?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you, member Intoppa. Member Bramley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The first vote. Motion for approval of the committee members by Member Reinfeld, seconded by... I'll second. Member Branley. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The community members is one through seven are approved and thank them in advance for their many hours of service ahead.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Member Graham, motion for approval of our voting members for school committee and city council, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Member Olapade and Member Lazzaro have been approved to be on the committee. Thank you for your service.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just like to make an amendment, or if one of my colleagues can, that we add at least two more non-voting alternates in case we need them, and we can hopefully tap into two other community members that are willing and able to serve on this committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval by Member Graham as amended. Question about that. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not who I want, Member Ruseau. It's people that applied. We had 92 community members, and including teachers, additional, I don't know how we wanna create the makeup, but I think we should add two more people that applied from the community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, you said, I don't know what I think they are and what the motion was, that it would be alternates. So two additional non-voting alternates.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can change the amendment and just add two alternates from the community, non-politicians, or we could.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification, member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it should probably be from that pool. A non-politician.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Non-politicians from that pool, yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so the amendment to have them as non-voting members. Find a personal privilege. Find a personal privilege.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, your tone's offensive, member Ruseau. That's fine, thank you. You're talking, you're condescending. So I'm not gonna tolerate it either. I think, any, if you look at the list is member Graham, myself, two voting members from current, I mean, past politician, another one, I mean, there's, we had nine. Mayor, that's what the MSBA requires. And I'm asking to make the board larger so that we can have more community members, because I don't think this is great optics. Can we move the question? Motion for approval as amended by Member Graham, seconded by? Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven to the affirmative, zero to the negative. Motion as amended is approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you, everybody. We have reports requested revised school handbooks as requested. Handbooks for all schools are respectfully submitted for review review by the ad hoc committee. Brooks Elementary School, Miss Attack Elementary. McGlynn Elementary, Roberts Elementary, Andrews Middle School, Working Draft, McGlynn Middle School, Medford High School, Vocational Technical, Curtis Tufts. Final draft to be submitted on May 6, 2024. Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, because it says the final draft to be submitted on May 6th, 2024. So I just, you were approving that the final draft will be submitted on May 6th, 2024. Got it, thank you. Motion for approval by Member Intoppa, seconded by? Second. Member Reinfeld, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative motion passes, or revised school handbook submission by May 6th passes. Suspension and discipline report, a draft of the district-wide suspension and discipline report has been provided to the members for review and feedback. The final report will be presented at the April 29th, 2024 meeting. Motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Member Intoppa. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative is set in the affirmative. Zero in the negative. Paper passes. We have two condolences. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Gladys Gomez, grandmother of Brianna Martinetti, nurse at the Roberts Elementary School. Also, the members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Prudence Penny Lolo, an elementary teacher in Medford for over 30 years. We all may take a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next meeting is on April 24th, 2024. It's a committee of the whole budget meeting. Fiscal 25 budget meeting update number three, and that will be via Zoom. And April 29th is our regularly scheduled meeting in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. Motion to adjourn. To adjourn. So seconded by member Reinfeld. Last roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, CFO McHugh. I'm going to open it up to the committee for questions. Let me just... Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may just- Right. Member Graham, may I ask a question? Sure. Just on the Chromebooks and the Apple Refresh, which I think are actual pieces of equipment. Jerry, what are we estimating for that? Because that I would think would be something that would fall on the capital improvement plan if it isn't there already.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember, on top of with a point of information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Is there any questions? Other questions? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions from the committee before I open up to the floor? I know we have 115 people on, so we'll give anybody who wants to talk two minutes. Anthony Guillen, who already has his name and address for the record, if we could unmute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just repeat that question, Mr. Hugh.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think he's still asking for the amount we bring in for rentals, just for their knowledge.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. McHugh. Any further questions from the committee or public? I know we have another meeting, two meetings on Monday the 8th, a regular meeting and a committee of the whole meeting. and our next budget, we have Mr. McHugh did put up a slide up for our next two or three budget hearing meeting. So those will be on the website as well. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to adjourn. I remember Graham seconded by. I can second. Thank you. Member Branley, roll call, please. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. I'm in the affirmative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you wanna go to this one?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We wanna... We wanna thank Noah Urasco, who is our student representative and is currently on Zoom. Thank you for joining us. We have the consent agenda, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes from March 4th, 2024, special meeting in the school committee minutes from February 28th, 2024, and committee of the whole meeting minutes from March 13th, 2024. Is there a motion for approval? If I remember.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Friendly, thank you for coming through. And seconded by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapade. All those in favor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed. Consent agenda is approved. We do not have any reports of subcommittees and we have six reports from our superintendent. First up is our superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Maurice Edwards.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We have a recommendation to approve donations from the J.S. Lim Foundation and Mabbitt & Associates. Dr. Eduard-Vincent, I'm gonna turn it back to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Director Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll second. Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? All those opposed? I don't think a donation, but we could, just in case. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative zero negative donations accepted. Thank you to the foundation and to them, Maven and associates. Number three recommendation to approve Medford as a no school choice district for school year 2425. Again, Dr. Reese Edward Benson. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was opposed motion passes. Thank you, Dr. Benson. Next up, number four report on resolution of the fiscal year 2425. potential budget shortfall, Dr. Mercedo-Vargas.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that Jerry and Bob Dickinson, who's a CFO from the schools, and Bob's the CFO from the city, were doing a lot of number crunching, and then they found that error. So it sounds like this is correct, but as things progress, I think they're looking at things daily, weekly, together to make sure we cover that balance, and then budget for fiscal year 25.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think Jerry's showing us he's probably going to update us on a bi-weekly basis, if not sooner, if anything comes to a surprise. And we have our first budget meeting, I believe, April 3rd. And then our next meeting is April 8th, regular meeting. So I'm sure we'll be getting regular updates now that it's budget season.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It depends what he's projecting for that figure. If he's talking thousands, if he's talking tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, yes, hundreds of thousands would be a problem, but I'm hoping that it's minimal, something that could be paid, and if we fall a little bit short, but I hope that we're not pushing much forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we just request an update at our budget meeting on what you mean by what our school CFO means by carrying forward certain amounts to fiscal year 25. Perfect, thank you. Motion by Member Bramley, seconded by Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I have an explanation on those two lines. Thank you. Member Branley, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Thank you for this update. And thank you to our CFO as well. We have, yes. Just if you press the button.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There you go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All of our meetings will be posted as public.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: He's an interim that will be around through this fiscal year, at least at least. Yes. unless he commits to another year, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up, we have our social and emotional learning.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we can do it again, but motion by Member Branley, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, Member Reinfeld. Number five, social and emotional learning, SEL update. Ms. Stacey Schulman, Director of School Counseling and Behavioral Health. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Schulman. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Next up, we have English learner EL update and enrollment report. Mr. Paul Teixeira, director of ELL and title three. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry to interrupt. I saw that chart. What year is that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Taksara.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Intoppa, then member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yes, thank you to you and our EL teachers. We do not have any presentations to the public or continued business, but we have a number of items and a new business. First up, 2024-11 offered by member Rousseau, member Grimm, member Olapade. Resolution in support of Massachusetts Association of School Committees resolutions reaffirmation. Whereas the Massachusetts Association of School Committees bylaws article nine, section one requires adopted resolutions of the association to expire three years after adoption, Whereas the MCAS, MASC bylaws article nine, section one requires Medford School Committee to vote for the readoption of expiring resolutions for consideration at the annual conference. And whereas the following resolutions of matters that Medford School Committee has previously supported, now therefore be it resolved that the Medford School Committee reaffirms support for the following resolutions. Access to menstrual supplies 2019, mandatory recess in public schools, 2021, prohibiting the use of Native American mascots, 2021, climate change, 2019, poverty and children, 2019, charter school reform, 2019. Two, request the secretary of the Medford School Committee convene, oh, sorry, convey to the MASC resolutions committee chair our support for the above resolutions being reaffirmed, and request the secretary of the Medford School Committee engage with the MASC resolutions committee and other mass school committees as necessary to reaffirm the above resolutions presented to the bylaws of the MASC.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Motion approved by Member Graham, seconded by Member Olapade. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. 2024-12. submitted by member Rousseau, policy BBBA slash BBBB, school committee member qualifications, oath of office will be updated with the following language. To serve in the school committee, an individual must be registered voter in the city or town from which they elected or appointed and must take an oath of office as required by law. Each new member will present to the committee secretary official certification of having sworn the oath before the city clerk before entering on their official duties as a member of the committee. From the superintendent, newly qualified committee members by law will receive and sign a receipt of a copy of Massachusetts Open Meeting Law governing the conduct of committee meetings in general and in executive sessions in particular. Newly qualified committee members shall, by law, receive and sign a receipt for, within 30 days of taking office, a copy of the Massachusetts Ethics Commission Summary of the Conflict of Interest Laws. As Massachusetts employees, all school committee members shall receive a copy of said summary annually. All school committee members shall, within 30 days of taking office, and every two years thereafter, complete the Massachusetts Ethics Commission's online training program. Upon completing the online training program, members shall provide notice of such completion to be retained for six years by the superintendent. Member Ruseau and then Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Bern Topper had his hand up first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So on that point, if I may, just from the chair, and then I'm going to member Graham, if it's not law, Maybe we could change it, shall present to the city clerk to get sworn in by oath before entering their official duties. Maybe it makes more sense.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's no motions to amend. Motion to waive the first reading by member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve policy as outlined by Member Graham, seconded by Member Olapade. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Looks like we all need to get our certifications to Member Ruseau. 2024-13 submitted by Member Reinfeld. Whereas the public has a right to view meetings during and after their occurrence, and whereas both Medford Public Schools and Medford Community Media currently provide online access to meetings, if you result, the school committee meetings page on the Medford Public Schools website will include a link to archived recordings of Medford Public School Committee meetings, and that individual recording links, when available, will be posted along with past meeting minutes whose posted is described by policy BEDG. Be further resolved that meeting notifications described by policy BEDA will include information about non-participatory real-time viewing options via local access television, Comcast Channel 8, Verizon Channel 45, and streaming services, e.g., Medford Community Media, Video On Demand, Medford Public Schools, YouTube, along with individual Zoom access links. This resolution is offered with the goal of making Medford School Committee meetings more accessible to members of the Medford community. Remember, Reinfeld, I'm going to give it to you to maybe explain the lower level.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, do you have a question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry. You have your light on, sorry. It was just, that's how I've been trying to see. Motion to approve? Motion to approve. If I could ask a question, or Tom, if you don't mind coming up because I want to better understand each meeting, Director of Communications Dalton will have to go and get the link for Medford Community Media and then put it on the minutes. Is that what you're asking for?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But I was gonna say, so it's, would that, how time consuming is that compared to just making sure that people have full access to Medford Community Media where they know they can just type in the date and then the meeting recording comes up?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, and I only ask because it would be your time. And if you if we do approve this policy, you're going to you might have people like really check in daily to make sure you are getting those links up and you're going to you will get emails, you'll get emails and say the March 18 meeting isn't up yet. Where is it? And it might just be a lot of time where we definitely want you doing our press releases and helping with calm. So I don't know how the committee feels, but I would be fine with just the links so then people know where to access.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham, did you have your hand up?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so do we need an amendment just to make sure, so the first, First paragraph, is that okay to change it to making sure that YouTube link is up as well as MCM?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edward Minson has a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I don't want to be a pain, but if I may from the chair again, if there are multiple meetings in a night and we have a subcommittee meeting, if the council's here, we have a subcommittee meeting, the channels do all change. So that's just gonna be extra work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can put the YouTube link on the agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um we're
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think Member Reinfeld put the amendment on to change the first paragraph to YouTube and MCM links and to strike and that individual recording links. So then we'll just need a motion to amend if that's how Member Reinfeld wants to proceed with the YouTube link on the agenda versus the channel numbers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Dapa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so we're back to a different amendment. So YouTube and ACM, paragraph one, YouTube link, paragraph two. If everybody feels that is, let's take a vote for that. So motion for approval by Member Intoppa as amended, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. 2024-14 submitted by Member Ruseau, Member Graham, and Member Olapade. resolution in support of a stabilization fund for the city of Medford, whereas the use of free cash only possible for a few months each year from one fee free cash is certified by the state through June 30 when the fiscal year ends, whereas the public schools may experience unexpected expenses, not planned for in the budget cycle such as a major equipment failure, floods, fires, roofs, et cetera, whereas Medford Public Schools cannot borrow money to cover such expenses, whereas at present, the only mechanism for Medford Public Schools to receive additional funding to cover unexpected expenses is by a supplemental appropriation submitted by the mayor to the city council for approval, whereas the inability to use free cash for much of the year places the Medford Public Schools and the city of Medford in a precarious position should a supplemental appropriation be required to ensure educational continuity for our students. Whereas a stabilization fund provides a mechanism for the allocation and spending of money throughout the year, and whereas the use of a stabilization fund for resources requires a mayoral request to the city council for approval, now therefore be it resolved that the Medford School Committee thanks the Medford City Council for approving the creation of a stabilization fund. urges the Medford City Council, when a request to add funds to the stabilization fund is received, to approve the request before the expiration of free cash, and requests the superintendent of schools sends this resolution in a record of the vote of the school committee to the Medford City Council. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you all for putting the resolution on. If I may, from the chair, I proposed a $5 million stabilization account the spring of 2023. That did fail at the time. And I wanna thank the current city council for approving, opening up the account so that we can hopefully next month add at least 5 million into that account. Because as you wrote in the resolution, come July 1 until free cash is certified again, which has been mid to late March of the last year, and it will be this year, there is no money available except what's in our budgets to pay for emergencies. or any any type of outside funding outside of the budget that we happen to need that free cash gets closed down and you cannot spend it so we have a situation where we need money for, like you mentioned a roof, or an emergency or even, we need a million dollars to get an OPM to do a new high school. This is the account we would have to take it from because there will be no other account so that this is extremely important. We've been able to get by because we have that nine more months of ARPA. this is important passing because once December 30th comes until free cash certifies in 2025, there will be no funding. And then the year after that, July 1, 2025 until March 2026, there will be no outside funding. So it's kind of unheard of that city, our size does not have one. Some cities and towns have multiple. This is long overdue. It's going to be a huge accomplishment for the school committee, city council, and our office to get this set up and we're going to be able to get us prepared for emergencies to come. So thank you for the support, and I see this move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's a stabilization account, but it would need to come from the mayor's office. And that would be a recommendation by the school committee if it was school spending. And then it would have to be every dollar that's spent out of the stabilization account. I'm a 99.9% sure would have to be approved by the city council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think there was a maybe a lot of emotions in that room. I think once you're clear on what a stabilization account which is a spending, putting, taking money from free cash and putting it into an account. Some cities and towns have multiple stabilization accounts. So, capital improvement, stabilization account, stabilization account for emergencies. This is just our first of at least have something on the books to be able to spend in case we do have an emergency or some sort of spending we need without that free cash being available. And this is citywide, not designated for schools. This is not designated for schools. This is just a city stabilization account, but of course could be spent on a roof that collapses, you know, that needs major repair that we don't have 300-400,000 to fix. Second? Motion approval by Member Ruseau, I believe it was. Seconded by Member Graham. Roll call. Roll call. Member Olapade. Oh, Member Olapade, I'm sorry to see your light. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll just get used to his hand because he's just so tall. So yeah, if you need me, just throw your hand up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Five in the affirmative, one no, one abstained. Motion is approved. 2024-15, submitted by Member Ruseau, Member Graham, and Member Olaparte. Whereas the resolution on the disciplinary practice of suspension was unanimously adopted by the Medford School Committee on October 14th, 2020, whereas the language of the resolution on the disciplinary practice of suspension provides that the following actions will be taken by the Medford public schools, ends the use of out of school suspensions effective the first day of the school year 2021 except as provided by law, provides for the continuation of a learning environment for every in-school suspension, ensures that in-school suspensions will not occur in isolation without instruction or rehabilitative counseling, Selects alternative tools for use in discipline, such as restorative justice wherever possible. We'll complete a comprehensive program review of disciplinary practices across the district, including but not limited to system-wide disciplinary measures, reporting to the school committee, social and emotional supports for victims, as well as establishing a staff feedback process to be presented to the school committee in May 2021. seeks to incorporate any funding requirements to ensure the implementation of the selected alternatives with fidelity in the next budget cycle and establishes an annual reporting process that includes, but is not limited to system-wide disciplinary measures, reporting to the school committee, as well as establishing staff feedback process. Whereas it appears that there are occurrences of noncompliance with the policy happening in the district and the occurrences have been observed since the effective date of the policy, and whereas the annual reporting requirements of the resolutions have not occurred, now therefore be it resolved that the superintendent will, number one, provide a description of the onboarding process that ensures district staff, including teachers, vice principals, principals, and our prides of the policy, two, provide a report of training available to all staff, including staff participation and training offered disaggregated by building, Three, provide a detailed report of disciplinary actions taken from the start of the 2023-2024 school year through March 1st, 2024. The report provided should be a model to comply with the annual reporting requirement going forward and will contain the following minimum data. Types of incidents, determinations, and discipline. The above data elements summarized for the district. The above data elements disaggregated by school, by grade level, and by school and grade level. Four, provide a description of how central administration determines compliance with the policy. Five, provide a report of the number of times the above policy has not been followed by building leadership and what actions are being taken to remedy these instances of noncompliance. Six, conduct a review of all suspensions from the start of the 2023-2024 school year through March 1st, 2024, and provide an assessment of how many suspensions were inappropriate and provide information requested above at the April 8th school committee meeting. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Name and address for the record. Yes, so my name is Mary Davis. We're just going to press the button, sorry. There we go. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for presenting. Member Intoppa and then Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we have a motion on the floor. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval as amended by Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't see anybody, OK?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval by Member Ruseau and seconded by Member Graham, as amended by Member Ruseau and then Member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham. Thank you. Motion passes. 2024-16, submitted by Member Graham, be resolved that the administration will present proposed fiscal year 25 rate cards for all tuition and fee-based programs and rentals for review and approval by the Medford School Committee, which may include but is not limited to pool usage, facilities, rentals, athletic user fees, preschool, MEEP, and Kids' Corner. It was further resolved that the reviews will occur as available, but no later than June 30th, 2024 for the upcoming fiscal year. Motion for approval by member Rams.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended by Member Graham, seconded by Member... Second. Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We do not have any reports requested. We have a few condolences. The members of the Member's School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Joseph Rossetti, assistant coach of the Mustang football team. Members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of James Burns, former Medford High School teacher and junior varsity boys basketball coach. Members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Margaret Kinslow, mother of Jane King, administrative assistant at the Medford High School. And the members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Mary Jo Dice, wife of the late Paul Joe Dice, former teacher at Medford High School. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Our next regular meeting will be on April 8th, 2024 in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom and YouTube.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we have a budget meeting on April 3 I believe 5pm will confirm and send that agenda out so budget meeting on the third regular meeting on the eighth motion to adjourn by member so seconded by
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can. I'm not sure if this question's without any sort of presentation on that 500 number, Darisa. Do you have anything in your presentation on that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, thank you for your hard work as well. Member Bradley, then Member Bradley, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Why aren't we all screaming and dancing? I'm sweating. Yay! Still half a million, but yeah, we made great progress.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We all make mistakes all the time. Thank you. Yeah. Great news. We'll turn it over to you, Jerry. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You can continue Jerry, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is great, Jerry. Thank you. Member Reinfeld, then Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Next up is Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then I think the other thing... Member Grim, I was just gonna ask, do you want small presentations on each category so we could vote on them individually as they're as they come ready or do you want a full overview and when it when everything's complete just because maybe that would take longer than if yeah the pool could give us recommendations you know, next month along with X, Y, and Z where others take some time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know, I did see member, member Reinfeld, you put your hand down. I thought you had a question. It's up to the committee. I don't know who has time restrictions and I'm.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I'm gonna just.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, this is helpful. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, sorry. Sorry, I didn't see you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oops, member Intoppa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you so much, Jerry. If there's no, any other further questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by Member Graham, seconded by... Second. I think that was Member Branley or Member Reinfeld. Reinfeld, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, thank you, Vice Chair Graham. I just want to thank all involved that put so much time and effort into the job descriptions. Appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion to revert back to the regular order of business? Motion to revert back to the regular order of business.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, roll call, sorry, go ahead.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Londo Kern. Yes, thank you, Vice Chair Graham. If you look at slide eight, it does show that our numbers are increasing at a school or two, so I guess my question is, we are doing better with staffing, and how much have we increased over the last two years with regards to staff levels?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, no, I only ask because I know that we have made requests to try to increase, especially at the three schools that are not at anywhere near the capacity as our fourth school, which is the Brooks, and just out of fairness to families from the three other schools, I think it's just important to try to continue to increase staffing so we can increase those levels to make it more fair across the district. You know, I think there's 90 people on the wait list for the Roberts alone, but we only have 66 spots where at the Brooks, it's about 125. So that's just my only plea to do whatever we can. And I know you're doing a great deal, Mr. McCarry. I just hope that we'd be able to increase, continue to increase as it seems like we have at the Misita. which I'm assuming means you must have found one or two more staff members there. So any push I can give to, we're working on things on the city side, our rec department's ready, willing and able to help set up a program. It's just a space issue. The YMCA was, when they were gonna go into St. Francis, rec was gonna open a program on Forest Street, and then that fell through for the YMCA. So I know how difficult it is to, continue to increase capacity, but there's definitely over 200 people on the wait list, 200 families, and we want to try to do whatever we can, even if that's just a staff member or two more at each of the other three schools. So that's just my only plea for the families that are struggling in our community. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, if I may. Sure. Can we put in a motion to get an update in May in hopes to expand capacity at our three other schools?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's putting the city at risk. It's causing $100,000 in overtime. This is a joke, and this is disgusting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe it was an orchestrated event.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We are way outside of our budget. We have almost $100,000 for just that weekend alone, and we have needs in this community that need to be met.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Bears and City Council On the call with me, you just heard from Chief of Staff Nina Nazarian. We also have Lisa Crowley, our Human Resource Director, as well as Attorney Brian Mazur for any legal questions you may have tonight. I think the paper speaks for itself. Thank you for reading it fully, President Bears. The position of Fire Chief became vacant as of a week ago when the chief freedman put in his retirement papers. So I want to thank him for his service to the city. But it became an opportunity for the city, like many others that have come before us, to request to remove the position from civil service. As you heard, out of 300 plus 51 cities and towns, there's only 100 um In civil service and there's only 50 that haven't removed the position. So out of 351 cities and towns Only 50 are restricted by civil service guidelines and what civil service does is creates a very stringent process not allowing the city to have a broad candidate pool, which includes members of our own department if they choose to have interest in the position and I think modernizing the position making it more open, competitive, with the goal of hiring the best candidate from a broad pool of applicants, is in the best interest of the city of Medford. And I ask that council support this paper this evening so we can move forward and modernize the way that it's done, the process, so we can get the best candidate for the city of Medford to lead our fire department.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're not part of this conversation here, we're not.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Bears. Yes, Councilor Collins and the committee, the application pool would of course allow internal candidates to apply.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, that is the current salary, actually. So if you took it out of civil service, there would not, it would not be an at will, fire chief, it would be a contracted fire chief from somebody either in the department in the state or even broader. And I think That is the way that it has to be versus last time where four deputies signed up to take the test, only one took it. So it seemed like the chief was handpicked by the union. And that too, that did a disservice to our captains who could have signed up for and Taken the test to be a potential candidate But once four signed up it blocked everybody else and you did hear from other people within the department upset with that process, too I'm gonna I think you want the best candidate in this situation. You had a situation at the beginning of the month Where it cost the city almost a hundred thousand dollars to pay for overtime I think it was not the entire fire department's fault. I think it was just a misguided situation that got out of hand. And it's unfortunate because there are good members of the fire department that should be able to rise up. We just want to make sure that the best person for this job is the proper candidate. And we need to gain some control Of the membership we need to make sure that we're helping people rise rise up with integrity And that we have a respected department versus what we're seeing
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Scarpelli, we promote pretty quickly. Sometimes it does take HR a week or two or myself to review. We had a retirement several weeks back. It came before myself and HR. I started to review it. Hoping that I could just promote and push that and get that checked off the list But when I went to look to see who who was on the list because it's not an assessment center Like I I wish it was it's whoever's at the top is how we promote within our fire department and that that's all well and good That's how it's it's taken place and how the process has has landed the last several, you know I think since I've been around. But what we have now is not only a review of what happened the first weekend in February, not because I want to review it, it's because we had people 21 people call out out of 23. I, as mayor, have an obligation to look into why that happened. And it wasn't just Saturday. We had 12, 13 people call out on Friday. 12 or 13 people call out on Saturday. Monday got a little better. Again, 12 or 13 people until we're scrambling to get a legal letter to the union president saying please stop this behavior. It's putting the city at risk. It's causing $100,000 in overtime. Overtime has already been skyrocketing. I've been trying to get control of it and get a review on overtime. because I did suspect what the data is showing, we're going to continue to review it. So if I have people on that list that should be promoted, that were misguided and happened to take time off during that, what I say is an orchestrated event, I have to take a time out and make sure we're promoting Through this review, investigation, whatever this comes about, I need to make sure that the leaders in the department are going to lead the department with integrity and show their younger members how a department should be led. and the behavior that should be in our proud Medford Fire Department who are risking their lives to protect us. It happened to me. Pat Ripley, he's retired, came in when we had an electrical fire. I will be ever, ever grateful. I'm not taking away from what they do every day. I respect that. I respect the job they do every day. What I don't respect is the fact that we have a contract. It is settled. And there was an orchestrated event. And I don't know what lesson they were trying to teach me. I don't know what that was. They just had met with our HR director and our diversity equity inclusion director the day before. I said, how did those meetings go? Everybody said they went fine. They have questions. We have concerns. They have concerns. But it went well. And then the next day, there was an orchestrated event. And I don't know why. And the people in the residents don't deserve it. So yes, we have a school deficit we have over time, it's out of control in the fire department. And we have an orchestrated event that's making it worse. And I, I as mayor have to look into that I have to figure out why that was, and I have to make sure it doesn't happen again. And I have to
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, yep. I think Councilor scarpelli referenced 42 38 which is trumped by the city charter The city charter says the mayor has appointing authority to all department heads So yes, I did offer the interim position to a candidate that I thought could really work with the membership as well as how to explain why Something like the beginning of what happened in the beginning of february was just not helpful um But he was somewhat scared away. And then I believe a statement was put out telling everybody in, I don't know if it was in the state, not to apply for the interim role here in Medford. So, yes, I did offer it. And he no longer will accept the position because he knows he's going to get major pushback if he does accept. I can um, I can turn it over to attorney maser if you want to understand better how the charter trumps 42 38 With regards to just the dividing. Um I'm not dividing the community whatsoever. I Am trying to get to the bottom of what happened at the beginning of the month. I'm trying to hold those accountable that need accountability The only one that divided is the person that put out the call allegedly to not come to work that weekend. That started the division. I'm trying to fix it. And I believe I'm going to turn it over to HR director Lisa Crowley. There is some overtime costs to not promoting, but I don't see how I can promote people until I have finished our review on what happened, who was involved, and continued the data research that I'm doing that is bringing up some other issues with regards to sick time. People do have sick time for when they're sick.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, President, Chair, and members of the City Council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. We are back from executive session. And next up, we have the consent agenda. We have bills and payrolls, regular school committee minutes from February 5th, 2024. Is there a motion for approval? Motion for approval. Seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Getting the hang of it, and it's only meeting three. Good job, good job. Oh, four, okay, sorry. No reports of subcommittees, and we have three reports from our superintendent. First up is updates and comments. I'll turn it over to you, Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, and nice to meet you, Ms. Lewis. We have recommendation to approve a donation from Tufts University. Dr. Edouard-Vincent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Next up, we have number three, mid-year fiscal year 24 budget update, Mr. Gerry McCue, Director of Finance. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the update, Jerry. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On top of that, if I may, just because I understand we have events, but to have a discrepancy of 183 fiscal year 23, and then a $120,000 jump, how many more events in 2024? or this fiscal year, I should say, more than the last fiscal year, is a huge question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if somebody wouldn't mind adding, considering that the contract has not changed to see that it's 140,000 more this fiscal year projected versus last, if the committee could get a breakdown of exactly what the reasoning is for that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So, we first have the motion for a staffing plan and an explanation on the additional 130 and overtime for operation and maintenance by Member Graham, seconded by? Second. Member Reinfeld, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. And motion by Member Graham to not run out of paper, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Thank you. Motion passes. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information. The 18th, on or about the 18th meeting. point of information member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed for a budget update, March 18th, no hearing and seeing none, motion passes. And I'm assuming Mr. McHugh, you're gonna keep digging, have more information for us on the 18th. Okay. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Presentations of the public, there are There aren't any nor continued or new business, we do have a resolution offered by member Ruseau member all a party, 2024-nine the result the name of the school building committee be named the Medford comprehensive high school building committee. Further, the superintendent will secure the domain, mhs project.org and set up a website dedicated to this project, and further, the chairperson of said committee will be vice chair of the Medford School Committee, member Jenny Graham. Member Ruseau or member Olapade?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Thank you both for your resolution. Is there a motion on the floor then? Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Olapade. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion passes. We do not have any reports requested. Our next regular scheduled meeting is March 4th, 2024, here at the Alden Memorial Chambers, Metro City Hall, in addition to Zoom.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: by Member Branley, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion to adjourn is approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No school tomorrow. Yes. Shovel your neighbor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Member Ruseau. Motion to approve. Motion to approve the job description. Before we take a roll call, or call the roll. Could you please just give us an update, Dr. Cushing? Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. So it's a new position and the form says it's through a donation. Is that a mistake, a typo? we recommend the school committee approve this generous and appreciated donation to the Medford Public Schools. That must be a typo. Can you just confirm the funding will come out of the Yes, so that we were discussing earlier.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Dr. Cushing. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So yeah, remember I felt you could ask questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Director Smith, you're coming in pretty loud, so do you wanna give us any information on member Reinfeld's question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. So do you want to amend and make it culturally inclusive? Yes, I motion to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Laughlin, as amended by Member McIntyre. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions on the job description? Do we have a range, a salary range in mind? because the city posts salary ranges.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Okay. If there's no further questions, we're going to move approval as amended. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes as amended. Thank you, Dr. Christian.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Director Smith.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have the McGlynn Playground fundraiser website update. We have Mr. Thomas Dalton, our communications director. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Thomas. Much appreciated. I know the press release went out, if I may, from the chair. Will we be doing something weekly just to remind people? Because people sometimes see a press release, realize they have two months to donate, and then they'll forget. So I just want to make sure we have a strategy for the timeline.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: let us in the city know what we can help with too. We have a monthly newsletter. Planning Development Sustainability has a newsletter they put out every so often as well. So we're happy to help.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, thanks. Wonderful. So everybody, make sure we donate. This is going to be a great playground. We've had so many of our members working hard to make this a reality. So yes, thank you. Thanks for the update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number four, the MSBA timeline overview. Again, I'll turn it over to Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I hope you would, I'll turn to member Rousseau, but hopefully during a regular election, member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you for the update, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Last for reports, we have the report on the status of the school committee goals. So again, turn it over to you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin, and thank you for presenting the goals of the school committee. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Dalton.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. We do not have any presentations of the public or continued business or new business, but we do have several motions. First up, 2024-4 offered by member Graham, be resolved that the Medford School Committee discuss the formation of the Medford High School Building Committee and identify key priorities and attributes for the committee on February 5th, 2024. The goal of the discussion will be to inform the creation of a resolution and application process that will be drafted for review at an upcoming committee of the whole member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it's just a little hard to understand why the February 5th date's in there, but so I'm with you. Do you have any other comments, Member McLaughlin, before? move the motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to open discussion by Member Graham, seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is approved. Who would like to start discussion? Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member Reinfeld, Member McLaughlin, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member McLaughlin. Will you yield to member Graham? Member Graham, just to answer that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd like to acknowledge our student rep who's on the call. I think he's been on for quite some time. Noah, you're Osco. Thanks for being here. joining us. And we also have a resident who would like to speak. Eunice, if you name and address the record, please. And Dr. Cushing, if you could unmute. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Brown. Your address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Greenleaf Ave. Thank you. And thank you for your service on the Charter Commission. We hear you. Thank you. If I may, from the chair, I know that it's going to be a fast process. And sometimes you really do need time to gain as many applicants and diverse applicants. So I just want to make sure whoever is going to be publicize, once we get to that point, make sure that we map out a plan now, maybe that's you, the communications team potentially, map out a plan to make sure that we get this press release or request for applicants out far and wide so that everybody can see it, like you said, get it translated so that we can pull in as diverse committee as possible. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: just need a second. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion is approved. And I don't know how we want to wrap this up, but I know Member Graham listed all the requirements that are as far as people with expertise and officials within the city and school department. So I don't know if we want to just...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it is, but I think tonight is about what we want within a committee, right? Okay. We're going to get there, but tell me when within a committee, what are we going to be? The superintendent, the chief procurement officer, the mayor or designee school committee member, principal, CFO, maintenance architect. What are we missing? How large do we want this committee to be? And if we want to take ideas from other surrounding communities, we'd have to do that research and whether you want to table this for tonight and everybody look at a community and we come back and brainstorm ideas, but every community has done it differently. So, we want to do what's right for Medford, what's right for us, and I don't know what the right answer is that's kind of what we're discussing tonight. Remember Graham and you go offline member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Also, so is there a motion to send this committee the whole unless we want to keep talking and try to hash this out tonight?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, motion to schedule committee of the whole, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. 2024-5, offered by Member Ruseau. I'm not sure if these are numbered right. 24-5. You do it every meeting is new? Oh, we've only done three? Okay, thanks. Medford School Committee Policy Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan will be updated by removing the text three or more incidents. Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. Are those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the second reading of this policy by member Ruseau, seconded by member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Second reading is waived. 2024-6 offered by myself, Mayor Lungo-Koehn, whereas, oh, whereas all security cameras were recently fixed thanks to the collaboration of the school and city teams, be it resolved that the school IT director provide a monthly status report to the school and city administration and replace anything that breaks down within 45 days. And I put this on just as an update. We've worked over the last several months get the 30 to 35% of cameras that were broken fixed. That was a collaboration, a lot of pushing from Paul Riggi, who's our facilities maintenance director, Rich Lane, the city's IT director, along with the school team. And we were able to get those fixed. So as of Friday, all of our cameras are working. It's been a huge, it's a huge accomplishment. I know the school committee has been pushing to get that done. So I'm very happy to say that it is done. want to make sure that it stays that way. So I think it's incumbent upon the IT director to evaluate the system monthly and give a report to the superintendent and hopefully myself so that we can make sure anything that's broken down is getting fixed so we don't land ourself in the same position five years from now. So I do like a motion with a roll call if that's... Question, Mayor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I ask a question for member Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On security. That's why I didn't say the school committee, to be honest with you. We have the building and grounds team, maybe twice a year they can bring up security in part of their meeting in executive session and get an update. Who's the chair? Oh, the chair of the Building and Grounds is... We're not there yet. Yes. Member Brindley, maybe we can make sure that's on the agenda. Shall I add that to my list of things to do? Yes, please. So maybe note it for June or September to just put it on the... If you have a subcommittee meeting, just get an update, and you can add the 10-minute executive session to that meeting. Thank you. Okay, so motion for approval of the resolution, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Monthly updates will be provided to the admin. Thank you. offered by myself and member Graham be resolved. The school committee will operate as subcommittees for this term through 12, 31, 25 as follows behavioral health, special education. The chair is member McLaughlin, member Olapade, member Branley. Building grounds chair is member Branley with member Rousseau, member Olapade. Curriculum instruction assessment and accountability chair is member Reinfeld along with member Branley and Rousseau. Diversity, equity and inclusion chair is Aaron Olapade. along with member McLaughlin, member Reinfeld. Family engagement and communication, chair is member Graham, along with member Branley and member Reinfeld. Rules and policy, chair is member Rousseau, along with member Graham, member McLaughlin. Strategic and capital planning, chair is member Graham, along with member Rousseau and Reinfeld. And superintendent evaluation, the chair is member McLaughlin, along with member Branley and member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Either way, we can approve this or amend it. What was that? Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion is approved. 224-2024-8 offered by Member Graham, be it resolved that the Medford School Committee establish an ad hoc subcommittee to establish a process and norms around annual handbook review per the resolution passed unanimously on 11-20-2024. It also resolved that the subcommittee will be established at the February 5 school committee meeting and will work to complete the process as close to the original deadline of April 1 2024 is reasonably possible member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's all. Thank you, member Graham. Member Ruseau, member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great motion for approval by member Rousseau, seconded by member Reinfeld. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, that's right. Who would like to serve on this ad hoc committee? Member Olapade.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, member Olapade, member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And member Rousseau. Looks like I'm on the building committee, so thank you for taking that one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, it depends. Monday night is school committee. Tuesday night, city council. I got to pay attention. Wednesday night, the hall's open late, so that will just be mine. OK, so member El-Padre, member Reinfeld, member Rousseau will be on the committee. Thank you so much for volunteering. Motion for approval of that committee? Motion to approve. By Member Graham, seconded by Member Olopone. Seconded. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We do not have reports requested and we have one condolence. Members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Paula A. Gianelli-Coughlin, early childhood educator of the Medford Public Schools. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next meeting, we're lucky, we have three in a row, is Monday, the 12th, 6 p.m. here in the Alden Memorial Chambers. Can't wait to see you all again.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by Member Reinfeld, seconded by? Seconded. Member Lopate, all those in favor? All those opposed? Have a good night, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good. You're good. Sorry. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, I'll make that motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I got it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Meeting of the Medford School Committee. Today is January 29th, 2024. It is 6 p.m. And please be advised that there will be a meeting of the Medford School Committee held at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and via remote participation. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast and Verizon. Participants can participate in person or remotely by using the following information. The Zoom link and the meeting ID is 936. 8, 9, 2, 6, 8, 0, 2, 2. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. 7 present, 0 absent. And I do believe we have Darren Truong, thank you for joining us, our student representative. Nobody else, no other students online, I'm assuming? Oh, Noah, welcome. Come on in. If we can all rise and salute the flag, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have our consent agenda, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes from January 8th, 2024, and our student advisory council minutes from November 15th, 2023. Is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by? I'll second. Member Reinfeld? Member Bradley? All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Those opposed? Minutes carry. I'll get used to everybody's voice. Take me a few weeks. We do not have any reports of subcommittees and we have a number of five reports under superintendents reports. First up is our superintendent giving updates and comments, Dr. Reese Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Superintendent Edward-Vincent. We have recommendation to approve travel to Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, with model United Nations. Matthew Brophy, MHS history teacher, and Dr. Nicole Chiesa, director of humanities. Come on down. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Ruseau, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you so much for the presentation. Have fun. Thank you. We have a number three math placement presentation presented by Ms. Faiza Khan, Director of Mathematics. Welcome. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think member. So I saw you late next and then member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have number four school update, the Curtis-Tufts High School, presented by Laurie Hodgdon, principal, and Brooks Elementary School, presented by Ms. Shannon Demos, also principal. So we'll start with the Curtis-Tufts, please. Welcome. Good evening. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds good. Member Ruseau? Yes, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Olapare, then Member Branley, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you for coming. Miss Deimos, welcome. Come on up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Simos. Thank you, Ms. Burke. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, we have our student rep that would like to speak, Darren.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you so much for the presentation. We have- Oh, sorry. And also, I have another one. Member Olapare, then Member McLaughlin. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. Thanks so much. And our last presentation by Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment Innovation Operations, and Ms. Avery Hines, Director of Health Services on the excessive heat protocol. Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, that is?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, at the end, is that helpful? Sure, at the end would be great. If you don't mind. Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Member Ruseau, then Member Graham, then Member Branley. Thank you. And then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Branley and then Member McLaughlin. Okay, hello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We want me to speak to it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we're working on this I've grabbed hold of, like, I think the new council school committee has answers on some of the things I'm working on with the administration and the school department security cameras door locks and heat and air conditionings next so we had a senior work off tax work off. air conditioning professional come in and evaluate all of our air conditioners. We need a great deal of work at the middle schools as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Middle schools and high school for the most part, but I'm talking millions and millions. So this is important that we do have the excessive heat protocol because it's not going to be something we're going to be able to fix by the spring. It's going to take a group effort. It might even take regional collaboration with the MAPC based on the federal dollars that are coming down. So we are definitely working on it. Dr. Cushing, superintendents, as well as John McLaughlin have been in meetings with the city team, because it's going to take a big group effort. And I've asked for I have asked for like do can we support it can the electrical support air conditioners, their standalone air conditioners at the window units can be that you know the windows don't accommodate window units. So I know Dr. Cushing and Mr. McLaughlin are trying to assess that. because I would hope that we would be able to spend some money to get something, especially in the upper classrooms of our middle schools and high school, especially.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. Thank you. Member McLaughlin, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr Cushing. Thank you, Mayor. Yes. Member Reinfeld.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for having it early. That was fantastic. Thank you, thank you. We do not have any presentations or continued business, but we do have new business under number 82024-2 offered by member Graham, member Rousseau, and Mayor Lungo-Koehn, myself. Whereas Medford High School has been accepted into the eligibility phase of the Massachusetts School Building Authority Capital Project Pipeline, and whereas the Medford School Committee seeks to accelerate the time spent in the eligibility phase wherever possible, and whereas the building committee will require a substantial amount of information that only the superintendent's team can provide once it is established, we resolved the school committee requests the superintendent to begin working to collect the data necessary to complete key deliverables and the MSBA's eligibility process, including educational profile questionnaire, chapter 74 viability, and maintenance and capital planning questionnaire. We had further resolved that an initial draft of the information required to complete these documents is created no later than March 31st, 2024. Submitted on January 24th, 2024 for tonight's agenda. Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member McLaughlin, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just on that before I turn the mic to Member Ruseau, I know that we, we were offered the ability to meet with the MSBA while they were given these updates. And there are great documents that maybe the superintendent could provide us, send to this entire committee so that everybody can take a look first. And if, in my opinion, if a meeting is needed after that, then so be it. But if it suffices my colleagues, then maybe just the two or three pages, two or three page document that kind of outlines Um, all the, all the phases that we'll have to go through and details the first phase, which is what member Graham kind of gave a brief description on, but it's very, the documentation is very helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can make sure that's on our website too. Thank you. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by member McLaughlin, member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor. Aye. Aye. All those opposed. Motion passes. We have 2024-3 offered by Member McLaughlin. Just looking at the air conditioning. The temperature keeps going down. Motion for annual school committee agenda, whereas the Mass Association for School Committees recommends best practice for scheduling and agenda setting for school committee efficiency, whereas communication, planning, and transparency is in the best interest of the community whereas Medford Public Schools has an identified strategic plan and clear goals, whereas there has historically been an identified pre-schedule to the meetings primarily only known to the chair and superintendent. The result of the Medford School Committee working together through the chair and superintendent create an annual school committee agenda annually in August with agenda items identified and correlated to relevant goals to be published by September 5th of the same school year. We further resolved an ad hoc ad hoc items to the school committee agenda be added the Wednesday prior to the upcoming school committee meeting as required by public notice and email to school committee members. Submitted by Member McLaughlin, January 24th, 2024. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Thank you. Member Graham, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I? Is that a motion? It's just a suggestion. Member Ruseau and then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What was the question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, we would we would find find out the same way you'd find out for the school committee agenda when you get it in your packet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: just open meeting log violations if you're talking about agenda items amongst the group.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may from the chair, I can definitely support something like we're doing Wednesday be created in August so that we can discuss it in September for the entire year as far as presentations and reports that we feel might be something we're interested in in the year. But I think getting every all seven of us getting different resolutions may create a huge headache not necessarily for me but for our superintendent because if One person doesn't like a resolution and they're going to try to get it removed. I can't imagine what the superintendent would have to go through from Wednesday to Thursday deciding on what will go on the agenda. But that's just I just want to throw my two cents in on those two as I try to comprehend them. Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, and I think it has to do, too, with the fact that the administration is going to have a whole lot on their plate, especially with this first phase. So what can we put on our website and just read on our own? What do we want to see on a Monday night? What isn't on there that we want to see, and what do we want to take off? Point of information, Member McLaughlin, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think there's a motion to table, withdraw. Motion to withdraw.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion to adjourn. Motion to withdraw. By member Laughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? 2024-3 has been withdrawn. Okay, I think I get one more comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the reading by Member Graham. This is offered by Member Graham and Russo on substitute K. Motion to waive the report by Member Graham. Seconded. Member Reinfeld, all those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? So we'll, does anybody want to give a brief synopsis of the two present that are proposing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you Member Graham. Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Say, do you need me to write that up or do you?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One at a time. Member Ruseau has the floor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so motion on the floor by Member Graham as amended by Member Reinfeld and seconded by... Second. Member McLaughlin, roll call vote please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative. Motion passes as amended. That will be due on or around April 8th, 2024. Condolences. We have the members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of James Jack McDevitt, who taught business education, government, and law over the course of his 37 years of teaching at Medford High School. In 1986, Mr. McDevitt was instrumental in working with the Medford Cooperative Bank to establish a branch of the bank at the high school. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincere condolences to the family of Mary Ellen Parks, sister of Larry Parks, custodian at Medford High School. Members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Yvonne J. Richard, father-in-law of Maureen Richard, administrative assistant at the McGlynn School and grandfather of Megan and David Richard, physical education teachers at the Medford Public Schools. Members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of George Crook, father of Chef Matthew Crook of the Bistro, and loving husband of 54 years to Elaine Crook. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Elizabeth Betsy Schroer, a colleague and librarian with Medford Public Schools, wife of Gary Klein, and mother of Rachel, Lydia, and Josh Klein, all Medford Public School graduates or students. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Our next regular meeting is next Monday, February 5th, 2024, here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, as well as by Zoom. Motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just a quick question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In committee? Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dearborn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Lisa. Thank you, Terry. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to this celebration of Dr. King's life and legacy. I'm honored to be here today to honor his life with all of you. Thank you to everyone who's made this wonderful event possible, the West Medford Community Center for organizing and running the event, especially Executive Director Lisa Crossman and Terry Carter, St. Raphael's Parish for hosting, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director Francis Wojcicki, the Haywood Family Foundation, Medford Community Media, and Wegmans. And thanks to retired Special Officer Daryl Owens from the Boston Police Department for being here and to share some words with us. Having the opportunity to talk openly about the challenges we face as a community, as well as the successes we've had crafting more meaningful relationships between one another, is a humbling experience. And I'm grateful that we've been able to take this journey of equity and understanding together. Of course, there's much more work we have to do as a government to not only solidify trust with our community, but better serve people who historically have not had agency with those making the decisions. I'm thankful that we're changing that in Medford, and with the help of all of you, we've made such significant progress, but we're not done. I'm looking forward to a wonderful event. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Bailey was a little under the weather, so this is my daughter Callaway.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I, Breanna Lungo-Koehn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: agreeable to the rules and regulations of the Constitution.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The laws of the Commonwealth.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the ordinances of the city of Medford. Thank you. Thank you. You want to sit? Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Rep. Barber, for that introduction and your kind words. Good evening, and thank you all for coming to the 2024 Medford Inauguration. Thank you to everyone who is taking part in today's ceremony. Thank you to Director of Community Affairs, Lisa Coliani, who did all the planning for this wonderful event, and Director of Communications, Steve Smearty, for helping me work on this very long speech. I took out all the dad jokes, though, that you put in. I also want to take the opportunity to recognize the tireless work of our department heads, city staff, my fellow elected officials, and volunteers who have continued to do amazing things while navigating all of the challenges we have faced over the last four years. As I've always said, the successes of this administration are not due to a single policy or person. They're a contribution of ideas from some of the brightest and most dedicated people I've had the pleasure of working with. So to everyone who works in this building and for the city as a whole, thank you for your hard work to make Medford such a special place. I'd also like to thank my family for supporting me while I continue this work. Dave, Bailey, Calloway, Cody, Mom and Dad, I appreciate your patience, sacrifice, strength and love, no matter how hard it gets for us sometimes. With each new term brings a renewed sense of service and commitment to our city. All of us here standing before you, about to accept the immense responsibility you have bestowed, are filled with gratitude and humility. I can safely say that taking this oath is one of the greatest privileges of my life. And though I've been extraordinarily fortunate to be trusted with this honor several times, I never take it for granted. That's a message I hope my fellow colleagues experiencing this again, or for the first time, take to heart. Enjoy this day, cherish the road that brought you to this point, and never lose sight of the ultimate goal, serving the people of this city with pride, purpose, and professionalism. Congratulations to you all. We are at the forefront of the future of Medford, and I'm excited to work with you all and continue the relationships with those re-elected, Jenny, Paul, Melanie, Zach, Kit, Justin, and George. and forge new partnerships with those serving for the first time, Erica, Aaron, Nicole, Anna, Emily, and Matt. Over the past two terms, we have taken so many steps forward in creating a vibrant, equitable, accountable, and forward-thinking city from our hiring practices to everyday decisions we make. We have done the hard work, faced many obstacles, and now look to keep moving forward and continue to build on the foundation we have created. For years, it has been said that Medford has lagged behind other surrounding cities in terms of maximizing its development potential, increasing our commercial tax base, leveraging city-owned assets, and investing in its infrastructure. I shared in those concerns and criticisms while on the Council and made it a priority as Mayor to redirect our development strategy to focus on growth that contributes both to the bottom line as well as addresses key needs in our community. None perhaps more critical to our future than creating more affordable housing options. To help make that possible, my office, along with the Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability, led by Director Hunt, Alicia Hunt, worked closely with the City Council to establish an affordable housing trust. The trust will use various funding streams to help facilitate more affordable units coming to market. I thank the Council for being a strong partner in that process and look forward to working with the new members to expand on its potential. Much of this progress is also thanks to the advocacy and work of the former council that passed a much-needed recodification of the city's zoning ordinances in 2022. Through this recodification process, My administration worked with the City Council to establish a new zoning district, called the Planned Development District, which encourages proposals that specify a mixture of commercial, industrial, residential, open space, or other uses, as well as a DIF district for Medford Square. To help manage our lofty and complex development and zoning goals, it's critical that we have a top-tier team in place. That's why I'm grateful for the work that Bill 40 has done during his tenure as building commissioner, and thank him for staying on in an interim role as we searched for our successor. Our new commissioner starts in a few weeks, which is exciting. But Bill, please know, you have been instrumental in furthering our work here. And by doing this work together, we are seizing on the opportunity to bring real, transformative change to the city. We are in the process of bringing over 500 new residential units to the community through eight residential developments. To further support the housing crisis that is affecting nearly every municipality, we have also allocated $400,000 in ARPA funds to help offset permitting costs of renovations and upgrades to the current and new affordable housing units at the Medford Housing Authority. The guiding force behind our housing development strategy is the Housing Production Plan. This document serves as our roadmap to more meaningful community experience for our residents, and has been crafted with insight from housing advocates, local leaders, and the City Council. I thank everyone involved who has lent their time, resources, and knowledge to help address this evolving and complex crisis. In addition to increasing the housing stock, we are also working to bring new innovative industries to Medford that can tap into the talent pool and transform neighborhoods into technology hubs for the region. There are currently four life science development projects underway. And this is just the beginning. To truly activate the economic engine of Medford, we must continue to support and invest in our squares and green spaces. The next two years will bring about significant change to Medford Square, the central hub of our downtown commercial district. With three undeveloped lots located in the heart of the square, we are continuing that work that is stretched back to 2010. Armed with significant input from our residents, our past economic development director, Victor Schrader, and moving forward with the help of our newly hired economic development director, Sal DiStefano, we are finalizing an RFP to be released soon. With that portion of the square poised for transformation, it's wonderful to see Salem, Forest, and High Street becoming a nighttime destination for families and the public at large. Seeing the square bustling during the evening thanks to Chevalier Theatre and our amazing restaurants, with more to open in 2024, brings such a great smile to my face. That type of draw and that level of interest does not happen overnight. It takes commitment, dedication, and strong partnership between city staff, private partners, the council, and our Chamber of Commerce, now led by the new President Rocco DiRico. Together, we've been able to help strengthen our local businesses in many ways and support their journey through the pandemic. Last year, we awarded many of our local businesses a total of over $100,000 through the Small Business Facade Improvement Grant Program. Also, with so many people eager to frequent our commercial corridors, it only makes sense to fully activate our waterfront property. which we have plans for, and make green spaces in our squares more accessible and pedestrian-friendly. We have officially broken ground on the Clippership Connector, uniting a pedestrian pathway between Riverbend Park and Clippership Park. The path will allow people to walk, run, bike, and push strolls along a section of the river that to date has been blocked from public access. I thank Mayor Burke, City staff, and our partners at DCR especially new Commissioner Brian Arrigo for helping get that process off the ground and now in construction. We are also sitting on a truly transformative and generational opportunity with 28 acres of air rights above the Wellington MBTA station. For decades, this city-owned area went undeveloped and we are now in a position to activate that area and transform it into a mixed-use, transit-oriented residential and commercial destination. We received proposals on what could be feasible for the space and are now in the process of releasing an RFP to hire a consultant to help us move forward in the next stage of the development process. There are significant development projects that will have a substantial impact on not only the landscape of our community, but our projected revenues as well. And while that is a profound positive for our city, it is not the highlight of our future project prospects. That distinction squarely falls on the amazing news of our Mass School Building Authority application. It was recently announced that we have secured a spot in this year's process and we're on the path to reimagining a new state-of-the-art high school. I'm thrilled that through the work of Superintendent Maurice-Edouard-Vincent, our school committee, school district staff, community partners, and our team at City Hall, we now have the opportunity to collaborate with the state to make this project a reality for our community. This would not be possible without the advocacy and support from so many advocates, as well as the City Council who approved moving forward with the application. The only project that may rival the high school in terms of size and scope is that we're also doing our fire headquarters over. Our firefighters need a facility that meets the needs of a 21st century department. Last year, we hired the Gallant Architecture Studio, Inc. to design and envision a new fire department headquarters, and we are about to begin the design phase of a $25 to $30 million facility. In addition, there has been nearly $4 million put towards our fire department projects that are complete or near completion at our substations, and $2 million going towards two fire pump trucks that have recently been ordered to upgrade the fleet we currently have. We have also solicited a reviewing proposal for architects to assist with designing much-needed additional upgrades and renovations to our stations. These needs were on the top of my list when I ran in 2019. And I thank Chief of Staff Nina Nazarian and Chief John Friedman for helping us make it all a reality for the department. In addition to all the work being done to our fire stations and high school, we're also now, through the hard work of Paul Riggi, the city's first ever facilities maintenance director, reviewing, planning, and investing in our facilities by taking important steps to ensure their longevity and usefulness. We're also making significant progress in all things IT related, thanks initially to Jim Silva and our IT director, Rich Lane. Our IT infrastructure, IT's not fancy, but it's pretty important. Our City IT infrastructure is getting an overhaul with the buildings getting connected with fiber optics and important changes to the network inside City Hall to make our system more reliable and support the needs of our departments. In addition to the work being done in city facilities, we are also forging ahead with millions invested towards incredible upgrades and renovations to our parks and open spaces. Thanks to the hard work of staff planner Amanda Centrella, along with our entire parks team, which includes rec director Kevin Bailey, tree warden Aggie Tooden, our chief procurement officer Fiona Maxwell, and our DPW crew, this past year alone, a number of additional projects have either been completed or celebrated with a groundbreaking. Including just this week, we upgraded, we did a groundbreaking for the accessible McGlynn Playground. Many parks and recreation spaces have also been upgraded with new art murals, including our latest reveal by artist Jamie Chan at Wrights Pond. Our most ambitious park project, a major renovation undertaking at Carr Park Broke Ground this past fall. The car park renovation project is split into two phases, and the second phase, which is going to have all seasons basketball court, thanks to Congresswoman Kathleen Clark, who secured us a $1.5 million federal earmark for that phase. Investing in our parks and open spaces is a critical part of our effort to combat and reduce the effects of climate change. Making our parks more sustainable, accessible and resilient is just one facet of our strategy to reduce emissions. We are also taking the same approach to the City's infrastructure and operations. Medford's work with the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness continues as the City was granted over $400,000 from the State in December to expand climate resiliency efforts and $500,000 more recently in grant money from the Barr Foundation. With this funding, the City is enhancing its climate resiliency and emergency preparedness efforts through Medford Connects. Medford Connects, headed by our Board of Health Director, Marian O'Connor, and the Office of Prevention and Outreach Director, Penny Fanioli, will seek to expand and strengthen resources for community members who are most marginalized to build the community's ability to withstand and recover from climate crises in the future. The Green Communities Division awarded Medford $100,000 to make Gulcani Ice Rink and the Department of Public Works more energy efficient and further reduce the city's carbon emissions. As a designated green community, we have committed to reducing municipal energy use by 20 percent from our baseline year, a goal we have in our sights. The City is also committed to expanding its tree canopy. We set a goal to plant over 200 trees throughout the community during the 2023 season as part of this continual strategy. That number builds upon the 180 trees that were planted the year before. Using Community Preservation Act funds and ARPA funding, the goal is to plant trees in greater numbers of species and varieties in locations where they can grow and thrive into maturity so they can have an impact and provide benefits to the greater community. We're also heavily invested in removing tree stumps and repairing sidewalks damaged by the backlog of untreated stumps. As a start, this past year, we removed almost half on the list by investing almost a half million dollars to the tree stump removal process alone, through CDBG, ARPA, and state earmarks advocated for by our state delegation and in partnership with the city council. Thank you, Rep. Barber, Representative Donato, Representative Garbally, and Senator Jalen, for all the earmarks you got us, including on the stumps. And thank you to our CPA coordinator, Theresa DuPont, CPA committee led by Roberta Cameron and our CDBG coordinator Laurel Siegel for making this and so many more projects a reality for Medford. To aid in our climate goals, the city is in the process of transitioning its parking fleet and police department cruiser fleet to fuel-efficient, climate-friendly hybrid options. Just a few weeks ago, the Police Department took delivery of six hybrid vehicles that will be utilized by officers in the field, and the Parking Department took delivery, before that, of three hybrid vehicles. I thank the Police Chief Jack Buckley and Parking Director Faye Morrison for their support and patience in making sure we all transition to a more fuel-efficient way of doing business. The City also secured a $230,000 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant from the State to assist with the purchasing of an all-electric commercial-grade street sweeper that we just took delivery on. While we've made those strides on the City side, thanks to Traffic and Transportation Director Todd Blake, we've also benefited from a public-private partnership with Lyft and Blue Bikes. About three weeks ago, we completed installation on two new stations, one in West Medford and another at Logan Park, bringing the network to 10, with more coming in the spring. Our EV charging station count has also gone up from 2 to 10 over the last four years. Over the last term, we also cut the ribbon on the Tufts-Medford branch of the Green Line Extension. Reducing our reliance on gas-powered vehicles and investing in green transportation options will only make our community more sustainable, equitable and accessible. But, of course, we cannot forgo our responsibility in fixing our roads and sidewalks. That's why this year alone we've made significant progress in extending the life of our streets through preventative maintenance and leveraging private partnerships to repair portions of major arteries like Winthrop Street, Pinkert, Haines Square and Riverside Ave. In the fall, we began an extensive patchwork program on 34 streets identified in the pavement assessment. Also, over the last year, we crack-sealed 94 streets, which extends their use and improves navigability and drainage on those streets. To coincide with our patchwork strategy, we also invested nearly $3 million in repairs to our sidewalks. About one-third of the total sidewalk funding, roughly $800,000, was used to address sidewalk issues logged by constituents in our C-Click Fix platform that also coincide with sidewalk locations identified in the 2021 sidewalk assessment. Thanks to the incredible work of our DPW Commissioner Tim McGivern, City Engineer Owen Wartella and their staffs, we have repaired nearly two miles worth of sidewalks this past season. We're continuing this work into the next year thanks to the $1.5 million bond that the City Council approved at the beginning of last year. We'll deploy the rest of the funding to address sidewalks and curb cuts on Salem Street and beyond. Leadership within the City Council, School Committee, and City have also been and will continue to meet to figure out our projected assessment, budgeting, and borrowing needs for sidewalks, our major building improvements, and more. Thanks to the support of our Finance Director and Auditor Bob Dickinson, our Treasurer-Collector Judy Johnson, Assessor Ted Costigan, and our budget director, Courtney Cadello. We have come a long way in our new growth projections, how the city borrows and budgets, and we'll continue to work together with the council to enhance that process. And everything we do in Medford is informed through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. With the help of our director, Frances Wojcicki, we are working towards ensuring that services, programs, and events are not only accessible, but share in the values and meet the needs of our diverse community. For the past two years, Frances and her work with stakeholders has strengthened relationships with community members and created lasting partnerships that have yielded meaningful experience for everyone. Whether it be reaffirming the City's commitment to human rights, championing accessible language options for visitors to City Hall, or building on the success of our first-ever Pride Month series events in 2022 with the help of our Pride Planning Committee, the City's desire to be an inclusive and welcoming place for all would not be possible without the work of our DEI office and department heads who support these goals. Our DEI endeavors, however, are not siloed to one office. they reach across departments, programs, and communications. The interdepartmental cohesion is best exemplified by the work being done through our human resource department, led by our director, Lisa Crowley, who, along with Francis, works diligently to ensure our hiring practices are based on best practices and that our workforce is more representative of our community. That's why we've been focused on training our staff and diversifying our staffing. We have made progress, but my commitment is to keep pushing to do better. We need our staffing to represent the community we live in, and I promise to continue this work no matter what it takes. An important part of this project... was the hiring of our Medford Connectors and liaisons who serve communities across the city and are fluent in four environmental justice languages. They have been working to listen and support Medford's diverse communities and help us improve communication policies and programs. We are committed to making Medford safe, welcoming, and are always looking to improve communication efforts and policies to continue to make that a reality. Through this initiative, we have been able to offer expanded translation services through a variety of communication methods. Of course, our multilingual resource line is always available. We are also working to ensure that important information on our website and sent through the City Alert System and other avenues is translated into our five major languages, main languages. This is a first for the City and will allow us to message important City-related information to populations that were previously underserved in this area. The Office of Prevention and Outreach, with the help of these teams, is also working to strengthen resources available to community members who have been affected by the opioid crisis with an over 830,000 settlement from the Opioid Settlement Fund, with the potential for more funding in the future. Using interview surveys and other community outreach, the team is currently working through recommendations and strategies for investing these funds. I'm also happy to announce, as of last week, we hired our new Veterans Director, Veronica Shaw, who will continue the hard work of Jeremy Johns servicing our veterans and their needs. Thank you for joining our team, Veronica. You're a great addition to the staff we have here at City Hall and beyond, such as Pam Kelly, who runs our Senior Center and our Tax Workoff Program, Director Barbara Kerr, who operates our new Medford Public Library, Kevin Harrington, who helped video this tonight, who runs our Medford Community Media, and so many others. For those of you worried that the speech will be wrapping up soon, I'm almost halfway through. It's very hard to try to get every department in there. I can't not do it. I'm sorry. Just kidding. A few brief highlights and we're done. Just today, thanks to Clerk Adam Hurtubise, we were able to swear in and promote two firefighters in the department. And just last week, we welcomed six new police officers. The highlight of our police hires last week is that, once again, we were able to hire a diverse group that represents our community, which was not only a goal of Chief Buckley and I's, but something we are proud of to actually see become a reality. Run Medford, hopefully we'll be back for our third year in 2024, thanks to Dave McGilvery and Dempsey Sports. Our Charter Study Committee is deep into their work, gathering input, researching and holding community meetings on how to best shape our charter and how to move this city forward into the future. Thanks to our election manager, Melissa Ripley, and crew. Thank you to them. They're getting ready for the smooth presidential primary and election season this year. Thank you to our parking team for working on two phases of meter installs to make sure our squares have upgraded equipment, the remainder of which are going live, I believe, this month. Thank you to our police department, who are now equipped with body cameras for their safety, the safety of others, and for accountability purposes. There's so much more, but I've had enough, and I know you all have. We want to listen to Stacey in the Corral, I know. To conclude, I'm often asked what some of my most notable achievements during my time as mayor are, and I always say that no achievement is earned by one person, or in many cases, by one department. Every positive piece of progress that happens here is the result of the team we have here in the city. So thank you again for all your hard work, and in advance for your hard work coming in the next two years. I would also be remiss if I did not give a special thanks to my assistant, Daria Tajera. Her patience and kindness is felt by all. And she has dealt with me for eight years. Bless you. I am so excited for what the next two years will bring and thank you for entrusting me to lead our city for another term. I am dedicated to keeping the promises I've made to you and delivering on this vision for a better future for Medford. And I know City Hall staff and my fellow elected officials are ready to do the work necessary to make that happen. No matter what challenges we face, we have proven that we are able to unite as a community and as a result are ready to take the next step into the future. We're at the forefront of a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous time for Medford, and I can't wait to share that experience with you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, the first regular meeting of the Medford School Committee, January 8th, 2024 at 6 p.m. will come to order. please be advised that there will be a meeting of the Medford School Committee held in the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and via remote participation. Meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast and Verizon. Participants can participate in person or remotely by using the following information. The Zoom link with the meeting ID, 927-1438-5504. I'll call the roll, I guess. elect a secretary. Okay, thank you. We'll call the roll. Member McLaughlin. Member Ruseau. Member Olaparde.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And myself present, seven present, zero absent. If we could all please rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have our school committee reorganization and we will proceed with election of the vice chair. Is there any member Branley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Branley, seconded by member Reinfeld is nominated. Member Graham, There are no additional appointments. I will call the roll. Member McLaughlin? Just state her name. State the name, yes. Please, Member McLaughlin, if you could state Member Graham. Just her name, thank you. Member Russell? Member Olapade?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham? Member Graham. Member Bradley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: and myself, member Graham. Seven in the affirmative for member Jenny Graham to be our vice chair. Congratulations. Thank you. Next up, we have election of secretary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau nominated by member Olaparte. Second. Seconded by member Graham. Are there any of the nominations? Hearing and seeing none, I'll call the roll. Member McLaughlin. Member Ruseau. Member Olaparde.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld. Member Ruseau. Member Graham. Member Ruseau. Member Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And myself, Member Ruseau. 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. Congratulations to our secretary, Member Ruseau. We have number five, consent agenda, bills and payrolls, and regular school committee. Oh, good of the order, yes, number four. Does anybody have anything for good of the order? Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. Thank you for taking the lead on developing that survey. Appreciate it. And then I just also, if you want to either send it to me separately or within that survey, you want to outline what your first, second, third, fourth choices are, because even if you want it to be on all of them, you probably won't be because I can only pick three per committee. So I do try to do it as fairly as possible, where you'll chair one or two and then be on one or two others. So please feel free to list your priorities as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. Member Reinfeld?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that was the school committee goals, so we can discuss it amongst the committee, or decide tonight, maybe the second meeting, or first meeting in February. And everybody can have about a month to think through what the goals are. In the meantime, maybe somebody from the admin can just send us the two goals we chose last year, so the new members have them. Thank you. Great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You told us. You explained it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We've been out of it suit too for a while. So please let us know if you need us to Help out on that front as well. My first few weeks in office, I went home and just with my head spinning on all the acronyms, then COVID had snapped me into reality. Figured it out. I figured it out. Okay. So we do have the consent agenda, bills and payrolls, regular school committee minutes, December 18th, 2023.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever the consent agenda. So second. Seconded by member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The consent agenda has been severed. I'll start with bills and payrolls. Is there a motion for approval on bills and payrolls? by Member McLaughlin, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Reinfeld. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Bills and payrolls have been approved. Now we have the regular school committee meeting minutes from December 18th, 2023.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve as amended the regular school committee meeting minutes from December 18th, 2023 by Member Reinfeld, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes as amended. We do not have any reports of subcommittees. We have seven reports under the superintendent's updates. First is the superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Reese-Edward Benson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Mayor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have number two leadership for social change pre college program accessibility to Performing Arts, Ms. Tegan The Stone, MHS graduate from 2023. Welcome, Tegan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, thank you. Thank you, Ms. Bonsack. We have our school update. Roberts Elementary School Principal, Michelle Crow.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is it too early to tell you that I'm doing a boys on the right track team for the spring?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hopefully my son's behaving. Recommendation to approve a donation from the Consulate General of Italy for $4,851.77 for the Italian language program. Motion to approve. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by... Second. Member Graham, all those in favor? Do we have to roll call this money?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we got a microphone issue. Oh, you can you can use a member of office, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One less email I have to send.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We accept the money. Number two, recommendation to approve a donation of classroom supplies to all Medford public schools, estimated value of $1,200 by Elizabeth Cronin, a member of her mother, Eleanor Cronin, a former teacher at Medford High School. Motion to approve. Thank you to the Cronin family. Motion to approve by member Reintel, seconded by- Second. Member Graham, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. It's the affirmative. One absent. Motion to approve the donation acceptance has been approved. Number six, revised superintendent's evaluation goals, school year 2023-2024, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion on the floor for approval as amended, proposing to strike number 12. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I... Member McLaughlin, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think we have the plan of a new high school which will bring about much community engagement from the committee to the open the public meetings will be having for input throughout the course of the next two years. Remember, Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval as amended by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion for approval passes as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And last under updates is a recommendation to approve the school year 24-25 school calendar presented by Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment, Innovation, and Operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just from the chair, if I could ask that they be separate. I think I agree with which calendar you want to choose and why, and I think that's been fully vetted. I second calendar A. Motion. You'll second calendar A motion. So motion by Member Ruseau to approve calendar A, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? calendar A has been accepted. Now members, so you wanna give a motion to potentially send this to committee to discuss?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so if I could ask for a roll call on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of inquiry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No. So six in the affirmative one of the negative motion to send B and C to committee has been approved. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. We have no presentations of the public. We have no continued business and we do have one item under new business 2024-01 offered by member Graham, whereas the Metropolitan Public Schools recognizes the vital role of play in the development and wellbeing of students, whereas the current playground facilities at McGlynn Elementary are in need of replacement to create a safe and fun environment that meets the growing and diverse needs of our student body. And whereas the creation of new inclusive and engaging playground is a priority of the enhancement of our educational environment, now therefore be it resolved that the Medford School Committee, number one, establishes the McGlynn Playground Replacement Initiative and a donation campaign pursuant to policy FF, policy for dedication and naming of school buildings, facilities, and grounds. Number two, requests the administration establish a mechanism to account for and report on the donations, and three, request the administration set up a public relations campaign to solicit donations to the playground fund to offset the cost of replacing the playground. The promotion of the initiative will occur through school newsletters, local media, social media, and community events. The campaign will have the following objectives and donation tier structure. Objective, to raise funds for the construction of a new playground at McGlynn Elementary. that fosters a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment for all students. Donation tier structure. Hopscotch Hero tier, donations 50 to 250, sorry, 249. Swing Set Superstar tier, donations 250 to 499. Slide Savant tier, donations of $500 to $999. Climbing Frame Champion tier, donations of 1,000 to $4,999. and the merry ground mastermind here donations of 5000 and above donor benefits will be the recognition in a district wide press release personalized thank you note signed by the school committee superintendent and school principal name on a plaque is a good one name on a plaque at the playground entrance and invitation to the playground ribbon cutting offered by member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe some sort of picture of Emily. Thank you for sharing. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just from the chair, I don't know if we wanna leave it a little bit open-ended. If we have hundreds and hundreds of people donating five, 10, 50 to $100, just leave it open-ended for either a subcommittee or the superintendent to decide whose name would go on a plaque. A lot of times, Or do we just put it on the website? I just think if you have hundreds and hundreds of names, I don't know how you're gonna, it will take up a whole fence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If that's what we wanna do, that's fine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe I'm going to let Dr. Edwardson but maybe a maintenance account for the playground.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Date to be determined based on the plaque. Yeah, whoever's. Right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And also just, Dr. Watt-Vincent pointed out, maybe it should just say plaque or sign. If we have 5,000 people who might want to sign. So motion for approval by Member Graham, I believe, amended by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, Member McLaughlin. We do not have any reports requested, and we do have a number of condolences, if you'll bear with me. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Judith Granara, retired elementary school teacher for the Medford Public Schools. Mrs. Granara was the wife of former school committee member and state representative, Attorney John Granara. and was a cousin of former Mayor Michael J. McGlynn. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Ernest Ernie A. Artelino Sr., former head coach of the Medford High School girls basketball team, former assistant coach of the high school football team, and longtime Babe Ruth baseball coach. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Michael Jay Hamilton, father of Medford High School assistant principal Patrick Hamilton. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Patricia M. Walsh-Devor, mother of Michelle Kingdon, former comptroller for Medford Public Schools. Members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Anthony Milley, father of Debbie Donna Aroma, a former kindergarten aid at the Brooks School and currently works at the Brooks morning program. We all may rise for a moment of silence. And Ernie Artelino was my basketball coach and he was very memorable. I remember he benched me for dying my hair pink. And he didn't let me play again until a bunch of parents started wearing pink wigs to say, okay, let her play, let her play. So if we could take a moment of silence. We have our next meeting on January 29th, 2024, 6 p.m. Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall. In addition to Zoom, this Wednesday night is our ceremony, our inauguration ceremony. That will be live. People are also welcome to join us in person. That's at 6 p.m. this Wednesday. Hope to see you there. Have a great week, everybody. Thank you. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Graham, all those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Meeting is adjourned. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Chen and the string orchestra from Medford High School. Beautiful, beautiful job. I think this is one of our favorite meetings of the year when we get to listen to the beautiful music. So thank you for being here. We appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One of our favorite, okay, this is our favorite meeting of the year. Happy holidays to y'all, thank you for coming. Thank you so much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're gonna have member Rousseau, if you can call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd also like to again welcome our elected school committee members, Erica Reinfelds, Erin Olapade, and Nicole Branley are here with us. Thank you for being here. Hopefully we won't keep you too long. And we'll have ceremony, a little bit of kind words to say for our three outgoing, wonderful members in a bit. We have good of the order. Is there any items on good of the order? hearing and seeing none, we have consent agenda, bills and payrolls, and regular school committee meeting minutes from December 4th, 2023. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to accept. Motion to accept by member Kreatz, seconded by member Rousseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We have reports of, we do not have any reports of subcommittees. We have, um, reports of the superintendent. Oh, and we have our student. You want to introduce our student? Dr. Edward Benson. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks for being here, Darren. If you have anything you want to say, just let us know. We have four reports of our superintendent. The first is the superintendent's updates and comments with special recognition of school committee members, Kathy Kreatz for her eight years of service to the Medford Public Schools on the Medford School Committee, to member Mia Mastone, another eight years of service to the Medford Public Schools while serving on the Medford School Committee, and member Sharon Hayes with two years of wonderful service to the Medford Public Schools on our school committee. Dr. Edward-Gunson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know you have a beautiful gift over there, Member Hays, and I have a citation and a little gift for myself. I just want to say thank you so much for your service. Two years of hard work and what you've done for the city, the school department, and for the children in the district. Like Marie said so eloquently, you've done so much for equity and making sure that the students have a voice at the table, and I think The few of us that are remaining on the committee, you're always gonna have our phone numbers and push us to do certain things, but we're gonna keep up that strong fight for what's right, and through you, we'll be able to do that. So thank you. Thank you, Member Hays, for serving for two great years.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I also want to echo just how amazing you have been the last eight years, and I've been lucky to be able to serve with you on the school committee for four of those. Two of which were hard, the last two, post-pandemic, and the two prior were the hardest I've ever experienced. But through the hard work of the committee and yourself, we got through it, and we got our kids back to school. We got them back safely with faculty and staff. We worked very hard. You worked very hard. And I just want to commend you for how thoughtful and prepared and calm you are. When there was a storm, your presence helped get us through that. So thank you for everything you've done for the city, the school, and the students the last eight years. We appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Bestone, thank you so much for your service the last eight years. Again, like you said to Member Kreatz and Member Hays, tough two years and then extremely tough two years. They're all tough. They're all tough, but it's a grind and you do it because, not because of the emails we get every day or the phone calls, but you do it because you're trying to make a difference. You fought, since I've seen you every, other Monday night fought for equality and fairness and making sure that our students got what they need and make sure there was better pay for after school workers and paraprofessionals. And you've really led the charge. I admire your hard work and dedication to the city, the school and the students. And you all know you have our numbers and we're going to keep fighting. So thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham. We have, oh, our second, yes. Student Noah Urasco. Did I say that right?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Welcome. If you have any questions or you'd like to speak, just let us know. We have our second update from former school committee woman, Paulette van de Kloot on the Medford Educational Foundation presentation. Paulette is the president of the MEF and of course, former school committee member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there a motion for approval for acceptance?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can't give it. Motion for approval. Member Mustone with approval, seconded by member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion carries. Great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, prior member Vanja Klute and the committee for all your hard work. We appreciate it. We have school updates, number three, Medford High School. Principal Ms. Marta Cabral and Medford Vocational Technical High School Principal Mr. Chad Fallon. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, thank you so much for the presentation. We appreciate it. We have an exciting update from our superintendent of schools regarding Medford High School's invitation to the MSBA eligibility phase. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That would be nice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Graham. And just from the chair, if I may, I just want to thank everybody that had anything to do with this process. I think it started for us two years ago with our last application and making sure we had a strong application. all the way through to now. I know a number of us on the committee were on those calls this last week, and we're going to be following the process and helping them how we can with our Dr. Edouard-Vincent leading the charge. And we're going to get this done and get it hopefully done sooner than five to seven years. We're so excited. It is beyond time for our students and faculty and staff to have a building that they deserve, that is conducive to learning in a better environment than they have now. So we're excited. And finally, some good news. So wonderful. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Next up, we do not have any presentations of the public, continued business or new business. And we do have a reports requested by member Hays and member McLaughlin. And I'm reminded if I read it, whereas the Medford School Committee passed resolutions on 12-6-21 and 11-7-22 to provide funding for an assessment of Medford High School and Medford Vocational Technical High School to include recommendations to address moving forward in a manner that prioritizes a healthy school community and outline organizational, structural, professional development and curriculum-based changes needed to address the findings and achieve our district-wide mission. Whereas an assessment was completed by Mr. Welch in the spring of 2023, the findings and recommendations discussed at school committee on 5-1-23 and 6-12-23 be resolved that the Metropolitan Public Schools Administration will provide a presentation by the end of February 2024 to update progress on the following recommendations provided by Mr. Welch's report and during subsequent school committee meetings with Mr. Welch. Number one, creation of MHS committees recommended in report That motion was passed on 6-12-23. Committee of the whole meeting. A, safety and security team. B, diversity, equity and inclusion committee. C, committee on norms for student behavior. D, unified MHS, MVTHS schedule committee. Two, invitation to Mr. Welch to attend an executive session to advise in the next set of teacher contract negotiations. Three, updated memorandum of understanding with the chief of police regarding school resource officers. for development of consensus about a vision for MPS with community, caregiver, teacher, and student involvement. Five, provide more opportunities for teacher input in decision-making and build relationships between teachers and administration. Six, parent-caregiver surveys about culture and climate at MHS and Medford Vocational Technical High School during 2023-2024 school year. Seven, MHS and MVTHS associate assistant principal Person position focused primarily on logistical and management pieces to allow the principal to focus on a role as the academic and instructional leader. Eight, mentoring for new administrators. A, at MHS, individual mentoring with mentors exterior to the district for the new principal and new APs along with group mentoring for all. B, mentoring for new principals at the Roberts and Andrews. And nine, MHS security personnel and building monitors review titles and job descriptions to consolidate into fewer titles, clarify the scope of responsibilities and training provided for each position. Thank you. Member Hays, would you like to speak on it or do you want a motion for approval? Just a motion for approval. Thank you. I know you spent hours on that and with the admin and we look forward to the presentation February, there's a motion on the floor by Member Hays, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? Before we do that, before rolls, ask some questions. Called Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever by member Graham, seconded by member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Please mark member Hays as opposed. And then there's a motion on the floor to approve everything that wasn't taken out or severed by member, Ms. Stone, seconded by member Hays. So roll call vote on everything except two, three, four, nine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. The motion passes. as severed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a number of condolences. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Marie Christine Perdillo, an elementary teacher for 30 years for the Medford Public Schools. Also, the members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Janet Valentin, mother of Donna Lasky, an elementary teacher at the McGlynn School. The members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Elmer L. Counts, husband of Shirley Counts, retired principal of the Brooks Hobbs School. And the members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Daniel Jendrew of Lakeville, cousin of Medford High School assistant principal, Shayla Freitas-Haley. And last, the members of the Medford School Committee express its sincerest condolences to the family of Marjorie A. Sanford, who was in the Medford High School class of 1953 and was a secretary in both the Swan Elementary and Roberts Junior High School for many years. If we all may rise for a moment of silence, please. Thank you. We wish everybody a wonderful holiday season. Our next scheduled meeting will be January 8th, 2024 in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and via Zoom. The inauguration is January 7th, which is the Sunday at 10 a.m. Please join us here at the Alden Chambers for that, and if there's no other business, a motion to adjourn? I move for press, seconded by member Hays. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Superintendent, for your updates, and congratulations again to the Mustang Marching Band and our Color Guard. I'd like to welcome school committee elect, Erica Reinfeld and Aaron Olapade. Thanks for joining us. I know you'll probably be here tonight and on the 18th, so two meetings to get right in in January, right? Welcome. I'm not sure if we have any student representatives. Dr. Cushing? Not yet. We don't know. Okay. But I just wanted to say hello if we did. So thank you. Next up, we have number three, Misatoch Elementary School and Andrews Middle School updates. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, jeez. My apologies. Revert back to the regular order of business to consent agenda. We have bills and payrolls and regular school committee meeting minutes from November 20th, 2023. Is there a motion for approval of the consent agenda? Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. Now to number three under report of superintendent. It's number, the Missittuck Elementary School and Andrews Middle School updates. We have Ms. Kathy Kay, Missittuck principal, and Ms. Jennifer Skane, Andrews Middle School principal. Welcome. Come on up one at a time or both together depending on how you have it planned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Thank you. We appreciate the presentation. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, all four of you, for being here. Happy holidays. All five of you, sorry. Next up, we have the NWEA MAP presentation by Ms. Suzanne Galussi, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Mr. Paul DeLeva, Executive Director of Data and Reporting, and Dr. Bernadette Riccadeli, Director of Professional Learning and Assessment. Welcome, thank you. Thank you. I'm just going to wait one minute. Is it okay if I just wait one minute for. Okay, good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. It's a nice way of putting it. So, exactly. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, may I? Yeah, Member LaFleur and then Dr. Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think we're gonna be wrapping up. So member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If there's no further questions, I don't know if you want to wrap it up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. We do not have any presentations of the public nor continued business, new business, or reports requested. We do have a number of condolences, unfortunately. Thank you for bearing with me. The Medford Public Schools lost two giants this Thanksgiving week. Former Medford Heights Assistant Principal Stephen Maskell and physical education teacher Paul McEwen. Assistant Principal Maskell was one of the first African American administrators appointed in the district. He was also a history teacher, track coach, and mentor to many during his service at Medford High School. Mr. McEwen was not only a physical education teacher at Medford High School, but also served as a trainer to the Mustang football team and was the advisor to the Mustang M-Club. Your guidance will be greatly missed. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to both families. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Carrieann Kelly Cronin, devoted mother of Medford Vocational Technical High School sophomore David Crohn. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Irene Devaney, former elementary teacher at the Columbus School. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Rita Lennox, aunt of former mayor Michael J. McGlynn. The members of the Medford School Committee expressed their sincerest condolences to the family of Richard J. McHugh, senior, father of the Medford Family Network's Heather Fuller. And last, the members of the Medford School Committee express their sincerest condolences to the family of Lawrence Marcus, brother-in-law of Cynthia Pearson, who is a paraprofessional in Medford's MEET program at the Brooks Elementary School. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next meeting is in two weeks here at the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and in addition to Zoom, 6 p.m. Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn. Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you said David?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Jaden. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Dr. McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, would you like to start us off, Dr. McLaughlin? I was gonna actually suggest you do. Oh, you want me to? Sure, no. why we are having these meetings. Or yeah, your why for running.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, I'm initially my why. One of my biggest reasons for why I ran for mayor was safety at the schools back in 2018, 19, before I think any of our time here on the school committee and administration. There was a loaded gun magazine that was found in one of our schools and thrown away by the principal and covered up by the prior superintendent and I was not too happy about that with having children and in the schools myself so that's my why for running four years ago and now why it's important to have these joint meetings and I think member Hays for really pushing this and making this happen. It's because we are here for the students and the faculty, and we want to hear from you, and we want to help bring resolution to your concerns and hear you out. Even if there's things we can't help with, we want to have an honest conversation and do our best. So that's a little bit of mine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful. Member Hays and Member Ruseau, do you want a minute? Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Member Rossell, do you want to say a few words?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Dr. Cushing, feel free to lead the way I know you're there in person and can see who's in their hands and things like that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham and then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yep. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Member McLaughlin. Yeah, and it looks like the current policy doesn't have time frames for what each teacher would give. So I like that idea of exploring with the teachers, with the admin and the students, if that is the way to solve it. So that's a good first option for us. Yeah, it's quite vague. Yeah, even if the teachers start understanding that this is an issue, potentially start to make change. You know, teachers don't wanna, I'm sure, overwhelm you. So if we could get teachers, even just seeing your proposed policy, maybe it'll get them to really think about the work they're giving and what other teachers on their grade level are giving too, so they can kind of coordinate a bit. So maybe some change could start even before a full policy is drafted. And I just wanted to say that I hear you. I went to Arlington Catholic my first year, and was an athlete, and I switched to Medford High School, and the biggest reason was because I could not keep up with the homework. And in Medford High School, I was able to take the classes, non-AP classes, and I'm sure you're all in APs, but non-AP classes, and be able to manage much better. So I think it's important for our current student body to be able to manage homework and extracurriculars. So thank you. And I know we have about 20 minutes to go, so do you mind Dr. Cushing and student team, if we move on to, I think we're all aware of this backpack policy or school spirit. So whichever one you'd want to take up first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As one member, could we briefly hear from the admin of, I know that's in the policy and why that might be important that they're not on. And then can we hear from students, the counter argument.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Got it. Thank you. Students, does anybody want to speak on this? Let us know why you think, you know, why it would be helpful to have a backpack, Emily.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Anybody else? And then I'm going to member Graham, then member Hays. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds great. Thank you. Thank you so much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're good member Hays. And then we'll talk about community spirit for the next five minutes before we close out. Member Hays. Yes, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, sorry. Oh, and then it's, if students are done, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, then I'll turn it to you, Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful, I'll say ditto to Dr. Edouard-Vincent and member Hays. Thank you for being here today and we'll definitely continue the conversation. I think we'd be happy to support any ideas you have when you have another meeting without us on how to let the student body know what you're doing and that you want their input and more involvement. So we're happy to brainstorm ideas with you as well. With that, I have a 3.30. I'm sure you all have other things to do, but we really appreciate your time. Great agenda, and we look forward to the next conversation, which I believe the schedule's been set. The next one's in January, correct? Yep, correct. So thank you, everybody. Have a wonderful rest of the week, and please enjoy Thanksgiving with your families and friends. Thank you. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Member Graham, seconded by? Second. Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We are
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Very busy lately.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we're running the city, the campaign on top of that, and then I have three very, very happy and healthy but busy children, and I kick it over nine traveling sports teams this fall, so. My husband and I, it's like we're strangers in the wind, but we make it work and get it together. It's keeping us all out of trouble. So yeah, trying to make sure that our city's operating, and then I'm also the chair of the school committee. So yeah, it's been busy, but good. And we only have four days left for the campaign, and hopefully be able to put that behind us. And you'll see every candidate is tired. It's just a lot to be able to do the work. be out there, although I always love going to the events and things like that, but adding, you know, the canvassing and the sign holding and filling out surveys and it's just, it's a lot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I try to get out for a run once a week. OK. Try to watch maybe one TV show a week just to clear the mind. OK. Yeah. OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, good question. My friend, who's still my good friend, she was over for Halloween. We've been friends since kindergarten, and she was dating somebody from Long Island to New York, and said, I think my boyfriend's friend, you'd really get along with him. You should come meet him. And that happened for about three, four, five, six months. Finally, I said, OK, I'll go and meet him. And then we went up to, at the time they were living in Connecticut, and we hit it off the first night, and we've been together ever since.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A little bit. Every anniversary for my husband and I, she sends me a, you're welcome, text. You're welcome. Not happy anniversary, but you're welcome. Like, thanks for the 20th time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We've been together 20 plus years and we've been married 15 and a half years. Congratulations. Thank you. Very good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: He's always very supportive. I tell the story that he is a physical therapist, and he's local now. He's Medford, Arlington, and Winchester. But before he opened his own practice, he was down in the Walpole-Sharon area. So from 6 in the morning until 8 at night, 9 at night and then also on Saturdays he was working and I was practicing law, taking care of the babies and that was 10-12 years so finally when we were deciding if I should run for mayor, was it the right decision for the family? And we decided that, yes, we want to do it because we have kids in the schools and we do want the best for our community. He said, it's your turn. Okay, so he's extremely supportive, you know, he does a lot of the athletics especially on nights that I have meetings And yeah, yeah, I think it's a little overwhelming. It's tough for him the social media a part of it and the negativity Yeah gets to him a bit especially just like around now and it really heats up. We've been lucky. It's been a very good campaign season, you know, I think Councilor Caraviello and I really trying to run a a as much as we can. I know it's going to get tough today, but otherwise it's been a pretty calm, not too much negativity, which is great. But when it turns up, yeah, that gets to my husband a bit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, and I do too, you know, one weekend I'll have a couple, an hour and I'll do the food shopping, the next weekend he'll do it. And my kids, we taught them how to turn on and put in soap to the laundry machine, you know, they have to do their own dishes. We have chores in the house, so we really try to That's all they've known me in politics, whether it was Councilor or mayor. So I try to teach them the good of the job and the good that you can do in the community. And I think they understand it and want to pitch in some. So we make it work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My son is affected by the goods. So if we do a community-wide cleanup, he'll clean up an area and then he'll never forget it. And he has to tell me every time. Or we put flags on the graves for Memorial Day. And every time we drive by Oak Grove, he's like, that's where we go in May, and we put flags on the graves. but I think they're all impacted. My other two are older teenage daughters, so they watch the debate and they're learning and understanding. Do they want to talk about politics much? No, no, but there'll be times that I just make sure I tell them a story about something that I think will affect them in the future, whether that has to do with working hard or holding somebody accountable or recently, that we'd got the verdict for the bribery case in Medford. So I like you try to explain that to them so they know what integrity is and what that scheme was about and do my best to not not infiltrate them with it. But once in a once in a while, tell them a story that I know will impact them in the future.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. Three and three and a half years. I think the first term we about eight weeks in, we got hit with covid. So a lot of that a lot of the first term was getting through covid, making sure everybody was healthy and safe and then getting the city back up and running while we were doing the planning. You know, we're doing the housing production plan and the climate action and adaptation plan. and our comprehensive master plan and our street and sidewalk assessment. And so we were really people didn't see us out much, but we were in City Hall. The whole City Hall was always open unless the governor shut it down. We were grinding and doing the work and trying to have the community meetings, even if they were on Zoom. and getting that planning done. So now it's exciting to see more and more projects breaking ground and ribbon cuttings, because that's the work we did the first two years. We have the largest park project where just broke ground on, which is Carr Park, and then Gillis is halfway through. because that needed some accessibility improvements, and it's going to be a great park for people of all ages and abilities. But then you see the Great American Bear Hall. I went to go visit the site yesterday. That's broken ground, and that's going to be done in June. That's going to have 90 bears on tap and all kinds of food and games. That went wild on social media yesterday, so people are seeing all the projects. We're finally able to see the work getting done. We did two miles of, I know we have a lot more miles due, but two miles of sidewalk repairs just this year. We've removed half of our tree stumps, which was just, it took two years to, we've been removing them every year, but we finally got to a point where we found the funding, we're applying for grants, we're receiving the grants, moving forward on a municipal vulnerability preparedness work through our liaisons and connectors, and you're seeing the different events pop up that, you know, it takes time to plan. Understood. So we have a lot going on, which is just the positive. The positive is so positive, and that's why I love the job. You know, it outweighs the negatives.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have I merged early on in the term, merged the Office of Community Development with Energy and Environment. So we have our Planning, Development and Sustainability Department, which is run by Director Hunt. And then we have our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion director who's been at it for quite some time now with us, Francis Wojtyla. We have a good strong Department of Public Works and engineering team with Director Blake, Director Wartell and McGivern. We finally had a place with our parking department with Faye Morrison where And our special projects manager, Jim Silva, that's helping with any parking issues we see that pop up. And people finally are getting, follow the rules of the road, and we're making progress there. And then the list goes on. We have a really strong finance team. We have procurement, treasure collector, CFO, budget director, that are all, we had a budget, we won a budget award two years ago, applied again. Yeah, I mean, I feel like we have a strong team, good chiefs in place, and yeah. I'm sure I'm missing people, so I could keep going, but.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Plan it our Board of Health with our Office of Prevention and Outreach, you know Nobody's ever perfect. We have a lot more we have to do but we You know, we're able to really work together doing a new we're almost done with our emergency management plan For the city, so we'll be prepared if there's a flood or if there's an environmental disaster We'll get in the Andrews ready I know this location is also a good one, too, in the Hegner Center. So we're trying to map out where people can go to get what they need, water, food, services, and hopefully never need for housing, but emergency housing. But yeah, we're doing a lot of work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My day is filled with the, or half of my day, I guess, is filled with some of the HR pieces, which can be, whew, in themselves. But I always say that I drive home and then I think of all the good that people are doing. So not even just in City Hall, just throughout the community. All the boards and commission volunteers and people that are just working together, all the organizations we have in Medford, so really, blows my mind at how hard so many, not everybody, but so many people worked and and how many people just really work for the city that care about its future and care about the people of Medford and making sure that we do. Everybody does have what they need and everybody feels welcome and included in that process. So it's it's a large task, but we're working hard at it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think the one of the biggest things COVID did for me personally in my governance is helped not help stay prepared and ready and have the for anything that comes our way so every day there's you know every week at least there's a crisis or two and just for me to stay calm cool and collected and you know even my communications director says how do you stay so calm like well I have to and I have to, so then my team does, and my team can stretch very far. But also because we have to be thoughtful, even if we have to act quickly, we still need to be thoughtful and think things through and work together. So staying calm is something that COVID taught me, because my first eight weeks I would go to bed at night going, I don't know if I can do this. Oh, the ABC is going to help the MBTA with the MAPC and the funding will come from the MT. It was just words that, you know, letter salad. But then Covid hit and just kind of had to slap myself across the face and say, it's time to lead. Yeah. You know, you can do this. And Yeah, knowing that I could make the right decisions, not that everybody would be happy one way or another, but that I really thought things through and I took my time and when I had to, to do what I thought was the best and listen to both sides so I could figure out what was needed to be done to keep people healthy and safe is definitely helped me know how to manage stress, how to stay mentally ready. So that's probably my best answer I have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have so we have so many things on our plate that are that are unfinished and so much more good to do. And I cannot could never leave the team that I have in place now. And we have from hopefully getting an MSBA loan to redo our flagship school, which is our high school, to carrying out continuing to carry out all these plans. and keep the team in place that we have. I go to bed at night knowing the work was hard, but that I am doing the right thing. So I just wanna continue to lead this great community. Okay, okay, fair enough, fair enough.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's a long list. I know, I know. Well, I think I touched on it a little bit. I think we need to continue making progress to make sure that everybody feels connected and included and welcome in this community. I think we want to make sure we're transparent in the process and that we get input and ideas from everybody. And that goes with the liaisons and the connectors we have. They all speak multiple languages, or at least a second language, and they're out in our community building trust. So, I mean, that's like my overall vision, but you want to make sure people have what they need as far as we need to create more affordable housing. We have 500 units or so in production now, and we need to do our part. in the future, and then just basic needs. Transportation, you'll always see me out front leading and advocating for the residents of Medford to make sure that we have safe and reliable transportation, to food insecurity. Yeah, the list goes on, but development's big. It's money that runs the city, so we're trying to boost economic growth and new growth numbers. We want those to be high so that we have money to spend on our schools and our library, on our parks and playgrounds and streets, and give our employees the raises they need. It's a lot of components, but I just want to continue to make progress in a positive way.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, sure, yeah. We are helping them right now. We just signed the... what they needed with MassDOT, because they're doing some improvements on our roads. just months away from opening, so that'll be Theory Wellness and a beautiful new art center. I did, too, take a tour, and it's gonna be a great space for local artists to be able to display art and do their work inside a building that everybody can enjoy. So we're so lucky to be able to hopefully open that in the next several months, and that's right on Mystic Ave. It's gonna be amazing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we can always enhance the arts. You were our first Poet Laureate. We've done, and that was just amazing. Now we're our second one in. Vijaya is amazing as well. So she has a two-year term. We already know who the next... next will be because we have so many wonderful poets in Medford. And I'm always working on a project, an arts mural. I like to take that on myself. So we've done one at Tufts Pool. We've done it one at Wrights Pond. And I want to, you know, I love the art that's popping up. Like Colleen's has Amelia Earhart on the wall. We have our I know West Medford Community Center has arts fairs, so we want to keep seeing those popping up. We have our holiday extravaganza where we'll have 40 art vendors. So bringing the arts into everything we do is probably our goal. And we love new ideas and we'll continue to push, support Arts Medford and the grants they give out and work with them on different things. We love that part of the job.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was a baller. I played basketball in high school and went into college playing basketball. So I would usually pick the Celtics, and that's kind of probably the most games I went to when I was young. But with two kids that play hockey, I may have to go Bruins. And maybe because I went to the game last night, my son's Medford Peewees, they skated a whole game at 4 o'clock. And they got to do it at TD Garden. And then my son's age, which is about nine, there was about 25 of them on the ice for the three minutes of fame. It was the fastest three minutes that I've ever seen. seen on the ice. They got on the ice, they got off the ice, but it was after the first period and the crowd was going crazy and then the game was tied, went into overtime, went into shootout. It was pretty exciting. So that's on my brain right now. So just going with the Bruins. How about you?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hardworking, caring, stubborn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, I'm pretty set in my ways.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: nonstop go-getter. And he's also a very, very hard worker.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: New things. A lot of new things. I think furthering the work with our diversity equity inclusion director at our Office of Prevention and Outreach with our liaisons and connectors and expanding how we communicate with all of our residents. So I see that being, you know, we're we're doing we're applying for another municipal vulnerability preparedness grant and a bar foundation grant. So getting more funds to be able to continue that work and get more things translated. And we're working with hopefully going to sign a contract with an ASL interpreter. Yeah, just furthering that welcoming, inclusive feeling for everybody, because I think that is a missing piece, especially for those that don't speak English. We need to make sure that we're reaching every part of our community. OK, so that's that's one thing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Thought through that. I don't know what my next step is. People always ask, what are you going to do next? Where are you going to go? I don't know. I try to live in the moment and take one thing at a time. But I would always potentially have teaching on that list. OK. OK. Take six months off and be with my kids, maybe. Relax a minute, probably be on my list. And what was the second part of the question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would miss the people. OK. And that includes everybody. That includes people I work with, residents that I talk to. I don't know how I would not be able to be as busy as I am now. So I would miss the everyday trying to solve problems, trying to help people, because that's why I do the job. OK. OK. Very good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, that's a secret. No. OK. I don't know. I I'm pretty I'm a pretty open book. I people are always surprised that I am the mayor when I walk. You know, they don't recognize me, especially if I have a hat on or I'm yet. Yeah. Just have my my hair up. And they they're surprised at my age, you know, leading a city of 60000 people. and trying to do it as best I can. Let me think that through.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Amid for folks are then they have been. They've been more engaged than I've ever seen it before, which is great. You have a lot of young families moving in. You have a lot of people getting involved and wanting to be active in the community. I am trying to diversify boards, but also bring in people that have never served on boards and commissions before you see so many people applying to just be part of the community. So seeing how engaged people are. and how willing people are to help make the change that needs to be made.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, like I mentioned earlier, we have been working. It's been about a year now working with the MAPC Metropolitan Action Planning Council on an emergency management plan. So just two weeks ago, we had almost every director, including representatives from Armstrong Ambulance and Tufts University in a room, and we were going through a scenario, a what-if scenario. And we went through it. It was two hours long, and we had to answer questions and be ready to, each table had to roundtable what their department would be doing if X or Y were to happen. So that plan is huge. We also are working on the security within the school system. Okay, that's good to ask, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They have drills that they do, but me, I'm trying to oversee, from my seat in the mayor's office, making sure if we need security upgrades, right now we're working on, don't get into the details, but we're working on making sure everything is working and we have protocols in place. for who can and cannot enter the buildings, things like that. Yeah, it's what happened in Maine is, I just was watching the news before I got here. It's devastating.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to ask. Yeah, it's been going on around the country in all different places. It's just Maine has hit real close to home.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've heard that one, yeah, great, love it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, thank you for having me. Thank you to everybody who came to listen. I'm sure the music's going to be beautiful after, which is part of the reason why you came. But yeah, no, thank you for having me. I appreciate it. I love coming.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: just for this just for the center, I know we Now have the money in hand and it's in design all the work that needs to be done to make it safe out back So holla, yeah, it's in design. Whoo. Yes, that is a big deal That's credit to our engineering team and planning team.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There are links that can be found on the City of Medford website and the school committee website as well. Questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. The meeting is being offered for our first reading, discussion, comments, and public comment per the rules of the school committee for item 2023-25 on the October 16th, 2023 agenda, which is policy ACA-1 non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity. So thank you for all joining us. I'm going to have member Ruseaul call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, six present, one absent. We have a quorum. I know we all, I can just get us started. We have a policy that was at our, submitted for our last school committee meeting. It was page four through seven of our agenda. It can be found obviously in the meeting link through the calendar. And I think we all probably have reviewed it in depth by now. So we just wanted to have that extra time to reread it and digest it, understand it. So I thank the members, Hayes and McLaughlin, Emma Stone for putting this forward and I'll open it up to the floor for any questions that anybody may have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe you want to speak to it, give the superintendent a couple of minutes to find that location.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So Member Hays, I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Tucci, then Member Graham. But just so I'm clear, Member Hays, you wanted to put that guideline on page six in the paragraph pertaining to Cathy's, or Memocrats' first question. So it outlines those, because I think you said you have some changes you want to propose. So are you going to do those all at once? Do we want to screen share that so we're all on the same page?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, member, Principal Tucci, thank you, Member Hays. Principal Tucci, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Very helpful, Principal Tucci, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Because I was going to ask the same question where it was 14 or under and then 14 plus, where's that 14 sit? So that definitely cleared that up for me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, eighth grade or below, or ninth grade and above. OK, thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Member Hays, do you have- Yeah, you're on mute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. A red line version. So then we can take it one vote at a time to vote on the amendments, potential amendments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're on mute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so the first section, it looks like questions are starting on page six, if you don't mind. We'll go right to... It's actually transitions. the transition section, but I don't see that it's outlined at the same as our agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, there's the beginning member Graham. So why don't you start there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um, okay. It's motion has been seconded, so there's no objections. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll on that First Amendment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. The motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative. Can I vote yes? Oh, did I skip you? I'm sorry. That's okay. Six in the affirmative, one absent. Motion is approved. Dr. Edouard-Vincent to just maybe note that the, instead of we'll be deleting the definitions and we'll just put in language that the definitions can be found on our website. And then in the rest of the document is where we would change that language to just caregivers throughout the rest of the document. Just notes for, notes to self.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Perfect. Thank you. Member Graham, did you have more questions and suggestions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays, I think in transitions you mentioned also adding that note. Did you want to take that motion now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I think because member cards had questions about the second to last sentence in on page six, where it says school personnel should speak with the student first before discussing a student's gender, nonconformity or transgender status with the student's parents or guardian. So I didn't know if we wanted to make that the age requirements clear in that section, too.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's the second big paragraph, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, where it says school personnel, the second to last sentence, school, right there, school personnel should speak with the students first before it. Maybe the principal, Tucci, do you have opinions on this one where, I mean, you're in the middle school, so is it, should it be different between elementary and middle or? to just apply that sense of just being broad.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll go in order. I think member Graham, member Hays, principal Tucci, unless people want to comment on each other's.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Hays, principal Tucci, then member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Principal Tucci.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, member Ruseau has the floor, but member McLaughlin, do you have a point of clarification?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think it all depends on how many people have edits on what order we do it in. So remember, does anybody else have more than one or two edits by Member McLaughlin. So if it's only Member McLaughlin and Member Ruseau, I think we just lack some edits.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So member Ruseau, you wanna continue and go in order and as people have edits in the same space.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I just said we'll go paragraph by paragraph. You start us out and then as members have also have comments in that section, please raise your hand and I'll call on you so we can go section by section.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we have a resident that would like to speak as well. So member Hays, you have your hand up, I'll let you go first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Began. Mr. Began, would you, Attorney Began, would you give me a hand up? Okay, until he responds, let's keep moving on. Or maybe, oh, let's see. Okay, no, it's a muting issue, hold on. Name and address for the record?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Attorney Begum. Member Hays?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I got nothing on second to last sentence, or the nurse's office, main, nurse's or main office restroom. So I just wanna make sure every school has a restroom in their main office or nurse's suite. Otherwise we can move on. Yes. Okay, great. Gender mark, if nobody else has questions, so gender markers on student records.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one absent, motion passes. Okay, so we're on to physical education classes and intramural and interscholastic athletic activities.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to strike by Member Graham, seconded by
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I think Member McLaughlin might've had her hand up first, I didn't catch.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion to strike the last two sections, physical education classes, intramural and interscholastic athletic activities. So can I just ask a question before the roll is called? Does this include middle school and high school sports as well? No, correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we have a dress code policy and I just, okay, I'm just trying to think through it in my head and there's arguments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call vote, I guess, to strike at the last two sections.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry, two good arguments. I'm wondering if I could have a minute just to read it one more time. The fourth time. I would love a little bit more time to think about it and review what is being discussed in the health and the curriculum member Graham mentioned. So I don't know if since this is not
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember, I'm sorry, Dr Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, I think that's our only option. Yeah, I think the full committee should decide on it. So I mean, I think that could be just one question we leave for the vote when it takes place on the floor, because we're going to obviously push this to
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Then, yes. So it's three in the affirmative, two in the negative. The motion passes. I don't think there's any reason why we couldn't put this back in on the floor. If the committee so chooses.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We didn't take a first reading yet, there's going to take a first reading at the next school committee meeting, which it then this document will come forward and you can still make changes on the floor. It's pretty, we won't be spending two hours like we did tonight, but we can just add the dress code back in or after we all think about it in this full body of seven. Otherwise we have a, we've went through the whole policy over the last two hours. We have a good base. We just have that option of the last two. Um. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative five in the affirmative to absent. Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Five in the affirmative, two absent. This will be reported out on the floor for November 20th. Thank you, Principal Tucci and Dr. Edwin-Vincent for being on the call with us to help us through this. Motion to adjourn by Member... Russo seconded by second. Member Hays roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Five in the affirmative, two absent. Meeting is adjourned. Have a wonderful night and rest of the week, everybody. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: believe we have any student reps on yet because it's early but we'll check in when we come back from executive session so number three upon a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to mass general law 30 a section 21 a executive session the medford school Committee will convene to discuss collective bargaining with the MTA regarding a grievance dated August 28th, 2023. And the Chair so declares, the Medford School Committee will convene in public session immediately following the conclusion of the executive session expected to be on or about 6 p.m. Is there a motion to enter executive session? By Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. I'll take a roll call vote to head into executive session. Member Hays? Yes. Member Kreatz? Yes. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And myself? Yes. Motion to enter executive session? Yes. Yes, by Member Ruseau. That's seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We will enter executive session. Please mark Member Ruseau present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We are currently on page two after executive session, which is the first item is our consent agenda, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes from October 2nd, 2023. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A motion to approve by member Ruseau, seconded by member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We do not have any reports of subcommittee so go right into number six report of reports of superintendent. The first report is our superintendents updates and comments so I'm going to turn it over to you, Dr. reset what Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Welcome, do you wanna come up and say your name? Yeah, give us your name, say hello. If you'd like to say your name, great. Yeah, that'd be great. Any activities you're in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you for joining us. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Rizzo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham and then Member McLaughlin. I had my hand raised too. I don't know if you can see.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, no problem. Member Graham, Member McLaughlin, and then Member Hays. I mean, Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds good. Member McLaughlin, then Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The administration will look into an MASC training for our student advisory students. Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. We have number three report on superintendents goals for school year 2023 2024 and update on the status of the metric school committee goals. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent superintendent, this was previously tabled from 10 to 2023.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. By Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. So taking this off the table, there any comments? Member McLaughlin, do you have any comments? What was that? Member Hays. Member Hays and Member Graham. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If it's just one more, you can go member Hays, then member Graham, then member McLaughlin. And then member Rizzo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One more of your questions and then we'll. Okay. Move on to
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member Graham. Oh, anybody else?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Member Hays and then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We have a number four report on MHS culture and climate survey from school year 2022-2023. Dr. Maurice Edward-Vincent, superintendent. This also was previously tabled from 10 to 2023. Motion to take it off the table. Motion to take it off the table by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Woodson. Are there any questions from the committee? Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If you could take a roll call vote, please. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just going to abstain from this one. So six in the affirmative, one abstains, motion passes. We have a recommendation to approve $10,000 donation by the Cummings Foundation to the Center for citizenship citizenship and social responsibility CCSR Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Thank you to the Cummings Foundation. Motion is approved. Donation is accepted. We have number six, MCAS and MCAS alternate report. Dr. Suzanne E. Galussi, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Ms. Joan Bowen, who's the Director of Student Services.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Nope, we'll just start to see what the questions are. And then I know we have a resident that has a question. So I'll start with member Hays and then member McLaughlin. Thank you. I guess it's more of a
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edmund-Vincent. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you all for the presentation. Thank you very much. Much appreciated. Oh, Member Ruseau. Sorry, I did look to see if your mic was read and it was not at the top.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Member Ruseau. Thank you very much again for the presentation. Any other questions, we can always shoot an email or give a call. We do not have any presentations of the public. I know it's nine o'clock and we've been at it since five, but let's just see which resolutions we need to get through tonight due to the next meeting being canceled because it's day before election day and there'll be voting activity in the chambers. So we have continued business offered by member Graham and member Rousseau. 2023-21, be it resolved that the strategic planning committee, subcommittee meet to develop a transportation survey to understand the needs of the Medford public school community. Be it further resolved that the subcommittee will issue the survey and compile the results and a recommendation to the Medford school committee by June 1st, 2024. Is there a motion for approval? Motion to take this off the table. Second. A motion to take this off the table by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is taken off the table. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Also from continued business offered by Member Ruseau, the wellness policy will be sent to the Rules and Policy Subcommittee for revision, and it be revised as necessary to update sections related to allergies. The current policy and recommended revised policy will be returned to the committee no later than our first meeting in December Motion to take this off the table by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is taken off the table. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Do you want to keep the date of December since we're closer?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay amended to the first meeting in February 2024 motion for approval by Member Ruseau as amended and seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We have new business offered by Member Ruseau. The Medford School Committee may send a delegate, an alternate delegate, to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, MCAS. Mass, sorry, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents at Mass. Annual Joint Committee for the Purpose of Voting during the Delegate Assembly on the Resolutions of MASC. The conference is Wednesday, November 8th through Friday, November 10th, with the Delegate Assembly being held on Friday, November 10th. Voting is presently only allowed in person and thus is recommended that only members that are able to and are planning to attend the conference be nominated. Are there nominations for the delegate? Call Russo for second. Motion to nominate Member Ruseau by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Congratulations, Member Ruseau. Other nominations for an alternate delegate? I'm happy to be an alternate if folks need, I'll be there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to nominate Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? All those opposed, congratulations, Member McLaughlin, you are the alternate. Wow, that was, yeah, that was great, quick. Are you sure you three wanna leave? We just got this, we got a groove there. Offered by Member Ruseau, the school committee must vote on each of the eight resolutions from the report of the resolutions committee of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Members receive the report as part of their MASC. Joint Conference 2023 materials they received via U.S. Postal Service in September of this year. The votes we take will guide the delegate on how to vote during the assembly, which will be held on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023. The full language of the resolution can be found www.masc.org and will be included in the meeting materials on October 16th, 2023. Resolution one full motion away the rest of the reading away the rest of the reading seconded by bed member Graham seconded by member McLaughlin, all those in favor, I, all those opposed, sir motion for motion to approve. Motion to approve our support of all of these resolutions, as outlined by mask motion to support the resolutions as outlined by ma SS and ma FC by member Graham seconded by. Member Ruseau, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We have a resolution offered by Member Hays, Member McLaughlin, and Member Mustone, policy first reading. So please bear with me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Does
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there, I guess we could send it to Committee of the Whole to make it a little faster.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we do a doodle poll and try to get it done before November 7th or right after, would people be amenable to having an hour, hour and a half the whole meeting, even if it's by Zoom, just to focus on this policy alone. And then we can vote it out in the meeting in November and get it approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, I have November 1st available. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One seconded by, I missed that, Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We will get to the Doodle poll tomorrow.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great idea. Okay, thank you. We do not have any condolences. Our next meeting is November 6th is canceled due to the election. And the chambers being used. So our next meeting is November 20 November 20 which is Monday here in the chambers as well as on zoom motion to adjourn by member McLaughlin seconded by
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, Melanie, can you hear us now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, sorry. Yes. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. So Carolyn, why don't you start? Hi, I'm Karen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. Thank you. Hi, I'm Tanza Ndesel. I'm a senior and I'm also in computer programming in the website team. I'm Rachel. I'm also a senior and also on the website team.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, please do. OK. Let me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Rachel. Thank you, Rachel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham? Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I think that captures it in terms of health education K to 12.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can someone hear me? I'm reading my... One second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, you can't hear me? That's better.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I understand if the intent is around opportunity and access, but I just, I have a concern with the use of the word waiver.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hola, soy Briana Elacalde de la Ciudad de Medford, and I'm here with the good news of the week, which is to highlight a great event that's coming up this Sunday at the Andrews Middle School from 3pm to 6pm. It's our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15th to October 15th. So please come down on Sunday to celebrate with us. And today, I'm with Jennifer, our liaison, and Lizette, our community connector. Both work for Medford, helping with all of our needs. So Jennifer, I'll turn it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful. So bottom line, if you need help or you know somebody that needs help, we have connectors here. Not only Spanish connectors, but these are two of our over 10 connectors and liaisons that are making sure everybody feels welcome and supported. And don't forget to join us this Sunday. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is the 13th regular meeting of the Medford School Committee, September 18, 2023, executive session at 5.15pm and regular meeting, close to 6, if we can get it, held at the Howard Alderman Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as on Zoom. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, we're gonna call her if we need her. Okay, so absent for now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent for now. Please all rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have negotiations and legal matters. Executive session, 5.15 p.m. Pursuant to General Law 30A, Section A.3, the Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss the strategy and preparation for negotiations with Teamsters Local 25 security monitors and Local 25 administrators because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee and the chair so declares. and Executive Session pursuant to General 30A, Section 21A3. The Medford School Committee will convene in Executive Session to discuss pending litigation before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, MCAD, and United States District Court, since an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the committee, and the Chair so declares. The Medford School Committee will convene in public session after the Executive Session as close to 6 p.m. as possible. Is there a motion to enter and to accept? By Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. We're going to go to executive session in room 207. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, everybody. We're on page two. We have the consent agenda. Number four, bills and payroll. Committee of the whole minutes 6-12-2023. Special school committee meeting minutes 6-14-2023. Special school committee meeting minutes 6-28-2023. Special school committee meeting minutes 7-19-2023. Special school committee meeting minutes 8-14-2023. regular school committee meeting minutes 9-11-2023.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those in favor? All those opposed? Consent agenda has been approved. We do not have any reports of committees. We have report of our superintendent superintendent updates and comments. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: HAB-Masyn Moyer): Get the track dedications at 430 the kids fun runs start at 515 followed by the power mile and the mayor's celebrity mile and then everybody's gone to the board after to celebrate with Dave and gilbrey who were naming the track after.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Next up, we have report on the start of school operations at Medford High School. I'll invite Ms. Marta Cabral, our new principal, up to give us that update. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. We can move on to the next.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I ask a question from the chair? Yes. Can you explain a bit about the grant and how much it was for?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the 25,000 is for the cell phone policy initiative. Just for that, yes. And when you say out of sight, it can come into the classroom, but it needs to either be in a pocket or a coat pocket or in a purse, something like that. And then what is the data showing in the last 12 days for reports of cell phone use in the classroom?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham, and then we're going to move on to the student voice opportunities at MHS. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Now, Dr. Edouard-Vincent and then member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That sounds great. Thank you. I just want to thank you from the chair for not only your initiatives and trying to get some order at the high school. Our kids appreciate it. Our parents and teachers, I'm sure, appreciate it too. We wish you the best of luck. And these policies are amazing. And please lean on us for any support.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have our third report. on the 2022-2023 DESE Comprehensive Review of Medford Public Schools, Ms. Suzanne Galussi, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, and Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Enrichment, and Innovation. And we have Ms. Joan Bowen, Director of Student Services, and Mr. Paul Texera, Director of EL. Thank you all.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There you go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just diversity, equity, inclusion director. Okay, okay. For the city of Medford. Yes. But she supports the schools on a few levels. A lot, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hello, this is Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. I have some good news for the week, and I'm going to focus on all the great things going on in September. So first up, we are not going to have our ribbon-cutting for Hickey Park's new tennis courts and basketball courts today due to the rain. We are going to move that to next Wednesday, September 20th at 3 p.m. So please come on down and join us. We're going to have a fun knockout tournament. I'm going to be playing as well. shoot some hoops, come on down and participate with me. 3 p.m. on 920. Also, I have office hours scheduled for tomorrow, which is Thursday the 14th. That's 3 to 4 p.m. at CB Scoops. Love to hear your concerns and questions. Next up is Run Medford. We have a whole weekend planned on Friday, September 22nd at Hormel Stadium. We'll be dedicating the track right at 4.30 and then rolling after that are the Kids Fun Runs, the Power Mile, the Mayor's Celebrity Mile, and then we'll land at the Fort afterwards to celebrate Dave McGillivray, who the track is being named after. And then on Saturday, September 23rd, is our five-mile race and our two-mile walk here at City Hall. Please sign up if you haven't already. Many opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate. The same day, Saturday, September 23rd, after you get your run in, go home and take a shower and meet us at the Mystic River Celebration. That's down at Condon Shell. That's on September 23rd from 12 to 4 p.m. There'll be amazing artists, vendors, food, and all kinds of live entertainment. So please join us. It's going to be a great day. And last up for September is Oktoberfest. Sounds a little off, but on September 30th, which is a Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. in Medford Square, the Chamber of Commerce is hosting Oktoberfest. It's a great event that everybody always has a blast at, so please join us. Otherwise, have a great rest of the week, and thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Got it. Sounds good. Mark, member Ruseau present. Member Ruseau, we're just on the good of the order. We're talking about the MASC conference, November 8th, 9th, and 10th. And I think at a future meeting, we'll vote on who our delegate will be. But until then, just let the superintendent know if you plan on going to the conference, I think. Any other good of the orders? Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Hearing and seeing no other good of the orders, I'll go on to the number three, the consent agenda, bills and payrolls, and our regular school committee meeting from June 12th, 2023. Is there a motion on the floor for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We have reports of subcommittees, rules, policy, subcommittee meeting, minutes, from July 19th, 2023. And then we also have, if I'll give you another second, we have rules and policy subcommittee meeting minutes from August 14th, 2023.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table by member Rousseau, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Reports of subcommittees has been tabled to our next meeting. Number five, we have our report of our superintendent. Superintendent's update and comments. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward Benson for great updates. I think you said six to eight for some of the for the open houses but some might be 530 so I just make sure you look on the school website.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then if I just may, we have Brazilian flag day and the two ladies that you referenced our connectors and liaisons for the city they they speak resilient and they're out building trust in the community and helping families with any needs they may have, such as mass health or, you know, finding any type of services that the city offers or that outside agencies offer. And I mentioned it specifically for not only the people watching, but the principals and assistant principals that are in the audience, because if you have families that need support, the city of Medford has think we're up to 10 community connectors and liaisons, Brazilian, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, there are a number of different connectors that we have so please lean on the city for some support if you need it. Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I don't know this, the school obviously has their own supports to but through the city, we have our office of prevention outreach under the Board of Health, so you would call you call either number and reach out to them that way, or we have our multilingual resource lines where you can speak any language, leave a message. and somebody will return the call that speaks that language to provide you assistance. So there's many ways to, but not many people know about it. And obviously we want the people in need to know about it. So we're trying to push it out as much as we can. So any help, and I know the superintendent's great with doing that through her Friday updates, which she was a leader in making sure those are translated. And that's one way we've been able to partner to make sure the word's out on not only the school offers, but also with the city's offering as supports. for families, children, seniors, all of the above.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Multiple are and a few more. I think the rest are getting trained currently.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next up we have a welcome of all new administrators to the Metro Public Schools again by presented by Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, could you turn on the mic if you could. John.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Crowell, if you see a nine-year-old blonde ugly mullet, please make sure he's in line. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you for joining us tonight, and we have high hopes. I know we're going on to number three. I see our president of the union here, who I know has a long commute, so I don't know if we want to move anything out of order. I'm not sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: operations update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We could do it under a number four. Take number four out of order out of order. Second motion by Dr. Christian. Oh, Dr. Christian, we're gonna take out of order number four out of order. operations update by Dr. Peter Cushing assistant superintendent operations and enrichment and innovation We know this has a large part to do with the air conditioning, but we have the union president here to speak on that. So thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I asked direct time member. So just for a couple sentences exactly to understand what the assessment at the Andrews will do. And that was commissioned. I don't think you have a date in this flyer, but this has been months in the making. So they're doing an assessment obviously to see where the Andrews is that which we then can implement in the rest of our schools that were built about a little bit over two decades ago. and an assessment comparing the cost benefits for replacing the HVAC system with code compliant equipment versus energy efficient versus all electric, including all utility rebates, professional cost estimator will provide a solid estimate for each option and two options in kind replacements. And or number two, heat pump partial electrification replacement is option number two. And then I just wanted to add that for several months, myself and Director Hunt And now we're taking the city's building facilities maintenance director. It's a new position the city hired. Dr. Cushion's been in the loop. We've been meeting with the Greater Boston Labor Council monthly, along with two to three neighboring communities. And we're trying to partner with the Greater Boston Labor Council. And Alicia and I have been pushing at those meetings that the project we apply for the infrastructure money on is systems at the schools. So fingers crossed that we can get this assessment, we can apply it to the Medford Public Schools, join forces with a few other communities, plus the workforce development aspect of what will make the grant very strong with the Greater Boston Labor Council. And we do have high hopes that we'll be able to get this done. Unfortunately, and from the chair, I sat in my office last week and just felt completely terrible about what was going on in our schools, getting texts from my daughter and emails from parents. I know we all felt the same way. So this is something that is a priority, along with security, along with Medford High School. There's a number of them, along with the McGlynn Playground. But this is something we are committed to getting done and working towards. So I just wanted to throw those two cents in, because I asked the same question from Director Hunt earlier today.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we need new systems. Yeah. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Graham's right after this question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hello, this is Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. Happy Monday. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Just wanted to start the week off with some great news. I'm going to talk a lot about a number of grants that we received this week, and then next week I'll do a good news video on all the amazing events that are coming up this fall. So first up, everybody's excited that we have groundbreaking for the Clippership Connector. That will be in September, where the City's working with DCR to do a groundbreaking ceremony. but that is going to connect our bike path and be an amazing addition to the city of Medford. Also, please keep an eye out or look above, click the link. Please take our charter study committee survey. That is now open and will be open for several months, but we want anybody and everybody's input so we can update our very, very outdated charter. Next up, I want to thank the senior center and our director, Pam Kelly, for applying for and receiving a $45,000 digital literacy grant that will help our seniors throughout the fall and winter and into 2024 to help them with tech access. So thank you, Pam, for applying. We're so excited you got that grant. Next up, we had our tree warden, Aggie Tudin, and our DPW commissioner, Tim McGivern, apply for an urban forestry grant to strengthen the resiliency of our urban forest network. And we did receive that. That's an over $100,000 grant. So congratulations. Very exciting. And it definitely goes towards all the work we're doing on municipal vulnerability preparedness. Next up, Todd Blake, our director of traffic and transportation, has applied for a number of grants and received two community connection grants, one for over $30,000 for bike parking and one for close to $150,000 for blue bike stations. As you know, the city, with director Blake and planning, has expanded our blue bike network and we are not stopping. So we're trying to get them at our schools and some of our parks. City Hall, Police Station. We have a lot in the works and we're excited about that. So congratulations and thank you to Todd Blake. Last but not least, I want to wish every student, faculty, families the best of luck. We start school on the 30th of September, which is Wednesday, and we hope everybody has a great day and a great week and a great school year. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: on August 14 to 5.30 p.m. will be held via remote participation on Zoom. The purpose of the special committee meeting will be to attend to continued business and to meet in an executive session to conduct strategy and discuss legal matters. The meeting can be viewed through Method Community Media on Comcast channel 15 and Verizon channel 45 at 3.30 p.m. Participants can log or call in by using the following link or call in numbers. You can dial 1-929-205-6099 and enter meeting ID when prompted, 923-0978-0150. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information, your first and last name, your Redford Street address, your question or comment. Roll call members out, please. Thank you, uh, member Graham. Here. Member Hays. Here. Member Kreatz, absent. Member McLaughlin. Absent. Member Mustone. Here. Member Rossell, present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. We have five present, two absent. If we all can rise to salute the flag. pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have a new business recommendation to approve the appointment of Mr. Gerald McHugh as the interim director of finance for the Metro Public Schools. And I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Maurice-Edward Benson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. I know that member Graham and I also met Mr. McHugh when we had an informal interview meet and greet last week. So I just want to turn it over. Jerry, if you want to say a few words and we'll take a vote. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Jerry. Member Graham? Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're on mute, Mayor. Motion to approve by Member Graham. I'm going to address Member Ruseau, who has his hands up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. So there's a motion on the floor by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. If you could call the roll, please. Member Graham? Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Katz, absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, that's five in the affirmative, two absent. Motion is approved. Thank you for your willingness, Mr. McHugh, and we will see you soon, I'm sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, we have negotiations and legal matters. An executive session continued from July 19th, 2023. The Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss strategy and preparation for negotiations with Teamsters Local 25 security monitors. and local 25 administrators and custodians because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee and the chair so declares. That's pursuant to Mass General Law, Chapter 30A, Section A3. Also, we're gonna go into executive session pursuant to Mass General Law, Chapter 30A, Section A2. The Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss and review open administrative contracts of all non-unit personnel A, Charles Fallon, B, Nicholas Tucci, C, Joan Bowen, D, Peter Cushing, E, Suzanne Galusi. And last but not least, we'll go into executive session pursuant to Chapter 30A, Section A4, to convene to discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices, strategies with respect thereto. The Medford School Committee will not convene in public session subsequent to the executive session. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mark member McLaughlin present as a 340 PM motion to go into executive session by member McLaughlin second by member Graham roll call vote please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It would somebody have a question, just your name and address to the record. Hello, my dear friends. I fuck it. You're more emotion. Roll call vote. Yes. Thank you. Remember Graham? Yes. Member Hays? Yes. That's absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one absent, motion. Mayor. Member Hays, did you call her?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, the school committee will not reconvene in public session subsequent to the executive session, so no.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll adjourn right from executive session when we're finished on or before 5.30 p.m. So motion's been approved. We're going to head into executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Boa tarde everyone. In Portuguese that means good afternoon. This is Mayor Briana Lungo-Koehn and I'm here with the good news video and we're doing something a little different today. I wanted to introduce you to Marilea and Soumya who are our connectors and liaisons. They're two of the nine people that are hired in the community under the Board of Health that help connect our residents that need support. They also are a multilingual team, so they're out in our community building trust and making sure that everybody has what they need throughout our entire community. And especially in the case of an emergency, we want to make sure that all residents feel welcome and supported and know where they can come to if they have any questions or concerns or need any support. So I'm going to turn it over to Maralea and take it away.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hello, everybody. Hope you're having a great week. Have some good news. First up is that we had a groundbreaking at Gillis Park. That's a $1.4 million project that our team was hard at work over the last year and a half getting ready for. That's going to be a 12 to 18 month process. So thank you for your patience as we work through that. But it's going to be wonderful. Next up, we have a ribbon cutting at Morrison Park. That is done. The work has been done, and that will open officially on August 7th at 10 a.m. so please come on down and visit us while we cut a ribbon and let the little ones play on the new tot lot. We also have Carr Park, Cape Inn, Hickey and a few others to follow so a ton of work being done by our amazing staff here at City Hall and beyond so I want to just throw a shout out to them and thank them so much for all their hard work. Next up, I don't know if it's good news, but the good news is we are preparing for a heat wave. We have a heat wave coming tomorrow, the 26th, the 27th, and 28th, and we just want to let people know that there are places in Medford you can stay cool. First up is the Medford Police Department, who graciously opened their doors 24-7 to anybody that needs to catch an hour or two of cool air. Then we have the Senior Center that will be open Wednesday through Friday of this week from 8.30 to 6 p.m. That's extended hours for the Senior Center, so please grab a book and go down and get cool. And we also have our library on the 26th and 27th from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday the 28th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Next up, don't forget, hopefully cool off next week a bit. We have National Night Out put on by our police department. That is Tuesday, August 1st from 5 to 8 p.m. And yours truly, myself, will be in the dunk tank with another few people at different times, obviously. I'll be in about 6.45 to 7.15, so come on in and show me what you got. And last up, we have named our next Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate is Vinjaya Sundarum. We are going to install her officially on the 8th of August at 4 p.m. here in City Council Chambers. Please join us. That term is 7-1-1. 23 to 630, 25. We're so excited and it's going to be a great ceremony. We're going to have Vinjaya who will read a poem and also do some music and then we have our outgoing Poet Laureate Terry E. Carter who will also be here sharing his poetry. So please join us and otherwise have a wonderful week. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: business and to meet in an executive session to conduct strategy and discuss legal matters. Meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 15 and Verizon channel 45 at 4pm. You can log on or call in by using the following link or call in number. I don't think you can call call in. Okay, so you can watch by zoom or community media, Comcast 15, Verizon 45. There is no call-in number. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information. Your first and last name, your residence street address, your question or comment. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll, please. Yes, thank you. Member Graham? Here. Member Hays? Here. Member Gretz. Yes. Member McLaughlin. Yes, present. Member Mustone. Absent. Member Mustone, present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent. If we could all rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have continued business, which is number three. Everybody received the policy. There's a recommendation to approve the Medford Public Schools Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan Policy, JICFB, with its first reading. Any question or a motion on the floor? Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Ruseau to move Rule 46 and seconded by Member Graham. We have Member Hays and then Member McLaughlin who would like to ask a question before the rule is called. Yes, thank you. I am warning them. That's Member Hays. Sorry, had her hand up first. And then Member McLaughlin. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions? Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Okay, now this is just a recommendation, right? So, because we would need potentially a vote to amend. And I know there's a few hands up, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: While Dr. Edward-Vincent marks this up, Member Hays, do you have any other questions before I turn it over to Member McLaughlin, then Member Graham, then Ms. Branley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. OK. wait on the motion to amend as see many hands are up. So let's go to member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Information on students who are particularly at risk for bullying in the school environment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, this is, such training may include- Regarding training, right. Being limited to informational students who are particularly at risk for bullying in the school. So probably our most vulnerable students, which was outlined in section, in numbers 72 through 76 as well. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So maybe in parentheses as referenced, but not as referenced, but not limited to what is in 72 to 76, but not limited to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then 118. Post the approved bullying prevention and intervention policy on the Medford Public Schools website.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The school's website was just revamped. from the same development company as the city and the city has a dropdown section where it can be translated and I believe five languages. So I would assume the schools is the same, but I don't know if somebody from the school department can confirm, but I assume that it's the same.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can do it right now. I'm going to email. We have community liaisons, five of them. Yeah, I know. I'm going to just see if they'll take a look over the next 30 days.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: yeah, under incident reporting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, hold on right there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you just tell me, you said line number 120?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Keep going. Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. And then I will pass and defer to my colleagues for the next ones. Thank you. Member Graham and then Ms. Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's all I had, Mayor. Ms. Branley? And then Member Hays. Ms. Branley, are you there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, there she goes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. I'm sorry, you can't start. OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Hays and Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin. Thank you. 125, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Does that capture it just having it in front?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, thank you. 178, please. I'm sorry, what was the number you said? Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you and then 188.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, two more is fine and then we'll go to member and then hopefully we can. Yeah, yeah. Five or so. Yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So thank you guys for your patience. Yeah, so PRS.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or would we? That's what I'm saying.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the note I would put in there is include information on Office of Civil Rights, please. Thank you. That's me. Member Graham. Thank you. I wanted to make a motion to amend the policy at line 259.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right. Second. Thank you. Roll call, please. Member Ruseau. Mayor, we can't vote on this. We have another motion on the floor. Can you remind me what the other motion was?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion to suspend rule 46. Roll call vote, please. Member Graham? Yes. Member Hays? No. Member Kreatz? Yes. Member McLaughlin? Yes. Member Mustone is absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, motion is approved, five in the favor, one opposed, one absent. Now motion to amend line 259 with what is written in the chat by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one in the negative, the motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, no, Member Mustone's absent, so six in one. Thank you. If you can just give me one more second. And then Member McLaughlin's motion to amend, lines 95 to 96 to read as reference, but not limited to the language. I'll withdraw.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No official motion right now on that yet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, did you want to speak on that? or something else?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: While you were typing, Member Hays made the motion to remove the imbalance of power language. I don't know if there was a second. Is there a second out there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I'll let member Hays have the floor to answer those so we can move forward on this motion and then go to member Graham's language for the next roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry. Okay, I'm gonna see if there's a second on the floor to remove that language. And can you just identify the number, line number that you wanna remove from? It's 55 to 61.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: point of order. 24 point of water member result.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Rossell. So, Member Hays, I'm understanding that your motion is to remove the power and balance language from section line item, section under policy line numbers 55.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that's a great question, because I'm I'm trying to dissect to see if there's a middle ground somewhere in this line item. So yes, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you member McLaughlin member Graham if you don't have if yours is on another motion and not on this, I'm going to move for roll call on. question, and it is a tough decision for me. I see both sides. I do see the victim as eventually being the weaker, or the, yeah, I don't know, this is a tough one, but member Hays' question, seconded by member McLaughlin, if we could call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No. Member Hays. Yes. Member Kreatz. No. Member McLaughlin. Member McLaughlin. Sorry, you're muted. Sorry, I was muted. Yes, thank you. Member Mustone, absent. Member Ruseau, no. Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Yes, four in the affirmative, two in the negative motion. I'm sorry, the motion fails. That was 3-3, wasn't it? Yeah. 3-3, okay. Yes, 3-3. So the motion fails. Motion fails.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, I just, if I may, if I may from the chair, I think it's a very important policy and I know we have a long agenda and we're all just thinking about how most of the time is gonna be taken up with this policy and we don't usually meet in the summer, but I think it's very important. I know that colleagues had questions 16 pages long, so I understand what you're saying, Member Ruseau, but I do wanna respect our colleagues asking good questions and struggling with some of the language. So with that being said, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So member Graham, I think you were going to work on the, you were working on the last amendment and then hopefully we can take a vote on the full policy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, do we want to hear from Attorney Greenspan? Attorney Greenspan, are you need to talk to us about this policy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So do you want to type that in the chat?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, if we could type in the motion, just take your time, type it in on the chat, please. Sure. then it's in writing. Yeah, thanks. Mayor, I have two motions I'd be happy to make.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion from member Graham, seconded by member Rousseau. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll hold on this one until you've finished.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham? Yes. Member Hays? Sorry, yes. Member Kreatz? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Succeeding affirmative one absent motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Who seconded it? I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Melanie.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Democrats. Yes. Yes. Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 16 affirmative one absent motion passes. Thank you. If that's the final motion, I will see if there's a motion on the floor to approve the policy as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you. That's cleared.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm gonna need all that language. You want me to type it in the chat. That would be great, thank you sure so mps so line. I'm just going to take this call and then I'll be back. I'm just going to receive incident reports regarding their student redacted prior to investigation. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Have you got a friendly amendment? Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may. Okay. Member Ruseau. Thank you. I just wonder, I mean, the incident report,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Grant? Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Grant? Yes. Member McLaughlin? Yes. Member Mustone? Absent. Member Ruseau, yes. MaryLynn Gooker. She's on the phone, so I'll put her as absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry, I was here, I just could not mute so you can just. You're in and out mayor. Sounded like a yes. And think that was a yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification, please. Point of so. Sorry, one second, too many. It's really just line 190, correct? Yes, just at the end.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and member Hays. Member Grant. Yes. Member Hays. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The vice chair, may we continue going through the end of the document? Yep. Did we make a motion on this? We did. Oh, yeah. OK, that was passed. Thank you. Thank you to the superintendent as well for making the notes. That one's clear. That one's good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we're 13. We're almost there. Yeah, that one was. Yeah, that's the civil rights. Yay. The chair awaits a motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Don't even worry about it, it's okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is the big one, as long as you can hear me now. Yeah, we can hear you now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 16 affirmative one absent motion passes. We did it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Because we have other agenda items for tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to assist in accessibility.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just going to go to the shared drive and pull it from there. I don't know how it got so lost. Where did you send it member Rousseau? Your email. Oh, see. Probably still in the ether.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to enter executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham. Yes. Member Haynes. Yes. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. Motion is approved to go into executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hello, happy Monday, and this is Brianna Lungu-Kern, Mayor of Medford, just here with some good news. First up, if you've been up to Wright's Pond, you will notice that the art mural is pretty much complete. Our artist, Jamie Chan, has been working on that over the last several weeks. It looks amazing. So please go check it out. And if you haven't got your pass to the to the pond, please do so. And then Tufts pool is also open for use. Also, there's a free summer park program put on by recreation from 7-11 to August 15th at Hormel. It's 9 to 12. That's in the morning, so go check it out. And from July 12th to August 16th, it's at Tufts Park from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Also, Medford Recreation is putting on its movie nights. There'll be a series of three movies on was one Friday and our second one is on July 21st. That's at Tufts Park and the third is on August 18th which is at Wright's Pond. So you get there around 7 30 you set up and the movie starts right at 8 30. So please join us. Also we are doing a lot of work on our streets. We have almost 50 streets that we're patchworking. You'll see that work was done recently on Lawrence Road and we have another 30, 40 to go. We also got bids back for the remaining crack seal projects that we're working on. That's 94 streets. So we're doing about 150 streets just with patchwork and crack sealing over the next several months, which is very exciting and well needed. Also good news on some of our park projects. We have Gillis Park. We are breaking ground on that mid to end of July. We have Carr Park that's going to be late July, early August, that will break ground on phase one. Morrison Park will be done at the end of August. And then Hickey Park, because we needed time to let the pavement settle, those basketball courts and tennis courts will be done end of August, beginning of September. And then also great news, a lot of people ask all the time, Riverside Ave is in bad shape. So we were repaving, milling and paving and doing a lot of the additional work that's needed on that road. That will be done, hopefully start next week and take several weeks to complete. And things are a little bit delayed because of the rain. So just keep an eye out that any projects that we have going on are a bit delayed due to the rain. But as you can see, a lot in the works, a lot is going on in this city. And we're super excited and thankful for all the hardworking employees that are making it happen. Otherwise, have a wonderful, great week and talk soon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Good evening, everybody. School committee meeting on Monday, June 12th, 2023, which is when it was posted. Today's the meeting date. Oh, geez, I pulled up the wrong agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh yeah, thank you. Thank you. Vincent I knew I read the agenda was fine but okay. Special meeting in the Medford school committee, please be advised and on Thursday the 28th of June, 2023 from four to 6pm there will be a special school committee meeting held via remote participation on zoom the purpose of the special committee meeting will be to attend to continue business and meet an executive session to conduct strategy and discuss legal matters meeting can be viewed through Medford community media Comcast channel 15 Verizon channel 45 at 4pm participants can log or call in by using the following link or calling number. there is actually no call and it's just Zoom tonight. So additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information. Your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. First up is roll call, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. If we could all please rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have continued business. First up is 3A, recommendation to approve the Medford Public Schools bullying report. I'm gonna pass it over to Member Ruseau. Thank you, Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to amend by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call, please. Actually, before the roll is called, member Kreatz, you have your hand up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I'll call the roll on this one amendment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Amendment passes. Member Kreatz, then Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Cressy, is that your last question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, ma'am.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know member Graham has her hand up too. I don't know if that's to answer that question or member Rousseau. It was. It's just to answer member Hays' question. member Graham than member Ruseau, two answers to embrace.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I remember McLaughlin and then member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, yeah, which will be a question, and then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, I don't know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You'd have to table it if you needed more time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table is debatable by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Kreatz. We have two hands up. Member McLaughlin, I just want to know if you want to withdraw until Member Graham and Ms. Branley give a comment on that. I do. Hold on, Ms. Branley. Go ahead. All right. Member McLaughlin? Member McLaughlin? Yes. Yes, I will. Thank you. Thank you. OK. I'm sorry, I'm getting some feedback.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Branley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just, before the roll's called, you know, I feel that you should be able to read it as well. And I also would be willing to try to find a date sometime in July where we could do a quick four o'clock meeting. So we wouldn't have to wait till September. So motion on the floor by Member McLaughlin. Is there a second by Member Hays? Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Five in the affirmative, two in the negative. The motion's tabled, and we'll see if we can schedule some meeting around vacations in July. Thank you. Mayor? Member Ruseau. Motion to schedule a special meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not available that day.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to, if everybody is agreeable to that, motion to schedule a meeting for the 19th at, you said 4 or 3? 4 p.m. 4 p.m. I'm ever so never by. Second member McLaughlin roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We'll have a meeting to take this first reading on July 19th, 4 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we'll make sure that Member McLaughlin and the whole committee gets the materials accordingly. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, be recommendation to approve the 2022 2023 school year superintendent evaluation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry, Dr Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays? I saw your hand up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. Seat approval of the fiscal year 24 operating budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Five in the affirmative, two in the negative. Paper passes. Now we'll go on to number C, approval of the fiscal year 24 MPS operating budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know I have a question maybe before a motion for approval, just with regards to hiring a new chief financial officer for the school department just maybe a status update on where we're at, because I just know this is a delicate budget and it's going to need.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, thank you for the update, Member Graham. And just on the update, just think we need somebody as soon as possible, even if it's just finance background that can be doing the accounting. I know we want a school finance person. I just want to make sure that this budget is managed accordingly. Fingers crossed we find somebody. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. How much do we have set aside?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do we know how much is in that account?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Gramey, hands still up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I just want to second what your your comments to so if it's looking like CFO is, even if we adjust the job description and give it give it a few weeks if we're still not getting the applicants that we look at bringing out I know Michelle's going to be deep in the budget and managing as best she can but she's going to need help. A second set of eyes and somebody that's you know, has that ability to manage and do the job that needs to be done here. And I just feel like we're going to need to find, you know, some sort of an accountant or somebody. And I know on the city side, we went through this where we didn't have a CFO for many months and it just can be extremely difficult to manage. So I'm hoping that we can get updated on it throughout the summer. So we know if we've been able to bring somebody on and what their capacity is. So motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by- Seconded. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative. Zero in the negative. Paper passes. We have number four, negotiations and legal matters. Executive session continued from June 12, 2023. Executive session pursuant to general law 30 a section, a three, the Metro school committee will convene an executive session discuss strategy and preparation for negotiations with teams to local 25 security monitors custodians and administrators because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee in the chair so declares. Executive Session pursuant to General Law 30A, Section A2, the Medford School Committee will convene an Executive Session to discuss the review, open administrative contracts of all non-unit personnel. And the Medford School Committee will convene an Executive Session to discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices or strategies with respect thereto. Medford School Committee will not reconvene in public session subsequent to the Executive Session. Is there a motion to revert to Executive Session?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Kreatz, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Collins. I'm happy to make that motion motion to approve with CDB recommendations and if there's any other conditions we'd like to apply the permit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I clarify?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Please continue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table number three fiscal year 24 budget allocation approval pending city council vote of budget. Motion by member Graham, seconded by member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The council hasn't approved the budget yet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, about anything related to the fiscal year 24 budget allocation approval, which is pending City Council vote of the final budget. Okay. Potentially on the 20th. Potentially. Okay, then may I? Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Unless it's withdrawn. Let's take a vote. Unless it's withdrawn. Can I just ask a question also? Point of information, Democrats?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Go ahead and put information member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table, I'll just, yeah, I'll call the roll. I think you would discuss anything either with the superintendent privately or at our next meeting after the council approves or denies the budget. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll. Member Graham? Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Kreatz? Yes. Member McLaughlin? No. Member Mustone? No. Member Rossell, yes. Mayor Lungo-Koehn? No. Four in the affirmative, three in the negative. Motion to table passes. Negotiations and legal matters, executive session pursuant to general law 30A section A3, Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss strategy in preparation for negotiations with Teamsters Local 25 security monitors and Local 25 administrators and custodians because an open meeting law will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee. And so the chair declares, and also the executive session pursuant to General Law 30A, Section A2, the Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss review open administrative contracts of Nicholas Tucci, Chad Fallon, Shannon Demos, Laurie Hodgson, Kathy Kay, Andrew O'Brien, Suzanne Galussi, Peter Cushing, Joan Bowen, Michelle Kingdon. Executive session pursuant to General Law 30A, A4, the Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss the deployment of security personnel and devices and strategies with respect thereto. The Medford School Committee will not reconvene in public session subsequent to the executive session. Is there a motion to move into executive session? Motion to enter executive session. Seconded by? Seconded. Okay, Member Kreatz, roll call, please. Member Graham? Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Kreatz? Member Kreatz, did we just lose you? I think she's gone to the breakout room. Oh, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would you vote on the motion to enter executive session? Yes. Member McLaughlin? Yes. Member McDone? Yeah. Mayor Longo? Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We'll move to executive session. Motion's approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. He needs to give us the breakout again. Yeah. Hey, Peter, we need the breakout again. Yep. Let me help you out. Thanks. Um, okay. Just give me one second here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was good. What I was going to do is I was going to try to move you and that trigger is another welcome. So Kathy can go. All right. Ladies and gentlemen, we are in executive session and thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 3, 3, 2, 5. Please enter meeting ID when prompted, 943-0862-2729. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here. Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. 7 present, 0 absent. Dr. Cushing, do we have any student reps on the call? Yep, they graduated, so congratulations to them. If we all may rise to salute the flag, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have the consent agenda, bills and payrolls, minutes from committee of the whole evaluation meeting on June 5th, 2023, minutes from the special meeting and public public budget hearing on June 5th, 2023, and minutes from the 10th regular school committee meeting, June 5th, 2023. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We have reports of subcommittee minutes from evaluation subcommittee meeting on June 1st, 2023. Motion to approve. Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We have reports of the superintendent. First up is the updates and comments by Dr. Maurice Edouard Vincent, our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, Superintendent, 3.30 to 4.30. 3.30 to 4.30, thank you. We'll put that in their calendar, yeah, 3.30 to 4.30.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to 4.30, so come out to City Hall during that time, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vinson. Second report, we have communities that care survey presentation by Director Marian O'Connor. director of Medford board of health, and then also penny finally, city of Medford prevention and outreach manager, Dr. Peter J. Cushing assistant superintendent Stacey Shulman director of behavioral health and counseling. Welcome everybody. Are you able to, Stacey and Mayor, Director O'Connor, are you able to hear Dr. Cushing with that microphone? I think she shook her head, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's better.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Mr. McLaughlin, just once, so take a pause. Technical issue. Maybe you could direct us, Penny, we have, I know you gave us a folder, so is there a copy of the slideshow in our packets as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it's fine. It's fine. I just didn't know if we could follow along.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, yes, absolutely. Dr. Edouard-Vincent and member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. That's super. Just to answer that as well. We do do the full application process so everything gets posted on the city website and on better teams, so that everybody has access to apply for these positions and we do try to take obviously Medford residents it's working out well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um from the chair, if I may, I just want to thank you, Penny and Doctor Cushing for working with Penny as well as Stacey Shulman who I know is on the call. Um collaboration is is going to only benefit not only our youth but the entire city. So, I hope that we do get another presentation right when the 2023 survey is completed and the data is analyzed so that we can have a better understanding of where we're at. But the work that you and the team and under our health director, Marianne O'Connor, who's also on the call, have done, we're making progress and we need to make more, obviously more progress, because we all know what our children are going through. So thank you. I know that the schools have a seat at the table at the behavioral health meetings. That was set up about a year ago and it's it's moving along so anything I can do as mayor and I know the school committee probably feels the same way. We want to continue this work and make sure that everybody collaborates and works together, just for the benefit of our students.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, so I'm happy to answer your question which part specifically.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have report on NWEA MAP end of year testing in literacy and math for school year 2022-2023. Ms. Suzanne Galusi, assistant superintendent. evening. Miss Miss Lucy and team. Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll just go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much for the presentation. Appreciate you all being here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. We're going to move on to announcement of newly selected elementary literacy program for school year 2324 miss Suzanne Lucy assistant superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to receive and place on file by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you very much for the presentation. We have a report on Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Six in the affirmative, one absent. I'm sure she just maybe went to the ladies room. We have report on the HECAT Health Curriculum Review, Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent, and Rachel Perry, Director of Health and Physical Education. Welcome. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think you have a committee member in the audience and there's a couple others on Zoom as well. So thank everybody for their hard work on this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any questions, Member Hays? And then Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you. You're welcome. Member McLaughlin, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have a report on the high school survey conducted through Panorama for fiscal year 23, Dr. Peter J. Cushing, assistant superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Member Hays? Hi, thank you for this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do not have any presentations of the public or continued business calendar. I'm so sorry, that's the most important. Meetings. I'll turn this over to Dr. Edouard-Vincent. We have the draft calendar for the school year of 2022, 2020, this should actually be 2023, 2024 school committee regular meetings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Grim, did you check all the Monday holidays?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just name the February dates you're proposing again, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you haven't already. I can hear from our superintendent, if you have any issues.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It will be the first Monday in January that the new members will be sworn in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we usually have the inauguration on the 6th or 7th in this calendar. I think it's, so I don't know, maybe it'll be the eighth. I don't know for sure though.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, maybe we can compromise and do the January 8th and January 29th, but as the superintendent said, staff and central would rather not do the 26th, so we could do the February 5th and February 12th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just trying to create a compromise, I know. Kathy, Mia, what do you, a member of Crest, what do you think? No, I'm just kidding.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Member McLaughlin, then maybe we can call the roll for the change.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion to accept the amendment to the resolution, to the resolve to change the January 22nd meeting to January 29th. Is that what we've kind of settled on?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, are you acceptable? Okay, motion to change the January 2nd meeting to January 29th by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed? That meeting has been officially changed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, good compromise. Thank you for the points. presentations there's no presentations of the public or continued business we do have an item under new business 2023-14 offered by member Hays and member McLaughlin, whereas, Massachusetts General Law 71 section 38 point of information, sorry, when some point of information that's a question there point of, I can't think right now, but it's actually a member Hays and member of my stone. Oh my gosh, I'm sorry, remember my stone. Sorry. School committees of cities, towns, and regional school districts shall meet at least once every other month. During the month, school is in session with a student advisory committee to consist of five members to be composed of students selected by the student body of the high school or high schools in each city, town, or regional school district. And whereas Medford policy JIB student involvement in decision-making states that Medford will adhere to this law, be resolved, Medford Public Schools Administration will create a process to implement Policy JIB and present this process to the school committee in October 2023 and begin implementation in November 2023. Motion for approval by Member Hays, seconded by Member Mustone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. If I may, from the chair, we can always amend maybe the language to say and begin to try to implement, but I think we can also get creative with making sure that there's at least a quorum. We do have the ability to operate on Zoom, so we could do a lunchtime Zoom or a you know, period within the school day where at least four of us can, or those that will be here after November can hop on and try to get creative with it. And it's worth a try. Member Hays?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. There are no reports requested. We do have two condolences.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Yes, it's not on the agenda. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we'll look into maybe amending Wednesdays if possible. And we do have two condolences, the Medford School Committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll have to figure that out. So condolences, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Paul Jacks, a former soccer coach from Medford. And the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Gus A. Sasso. junior brother-in-law of former administrative assistant Angela Sasso. May I just point out information or point of clarification. It's called Jake's. Jake's. Thank you. Thank you. We may rise for a moment of silence. And we have our next regular school committee meeting on September 11, 2023 in the Holden Memorial Chambers and on Zoom. We also have a committee of the whole meeting on this Wednesday, the 14th at 5 p.m. by Zoom.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, everybody. We have a Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss the MHS report review. On June 12, 2023, from 5 to 6 p.m., Committee of the Whole will be held at the Howard Alder Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as by remote participation on Zoom. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 15 and Verizon 45 at 5 p.m. Participants can log in or call in by using the following link or call-in number. You can call in by dialing 1-929-205-6099, enter a meeting ID when prompted, 935-1511-5662. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. and on the agenda is to discuss and review the MHSMVTHS Safety, Security and School Climate report as provided by Mr. Michael Welch, Administrative Consultant to Medford Public Schools. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If I may, from the chair, Mr. Welch, you recommend a number of committees. in your, I think it's 12 points main recommendation. So could you go into a little bit more detail about the safety and security leadership team committee that you think should be established? And then I guess to the superintendent, maybe even to answer by the end of the summer, which ones do we plan on implementing and where are we at with each of them? Because I think there's about at least four committees that are being suggested. on top of the mentoring for principals and vice principals.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then I don't know how the committee feels, if anybody wants to make a motion, or just if we could get an update on the suggested committees that should be set up by mid-August. I think it would be helpful to know that some or all of these are getting implemented. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, with a further update by the second week and a second meeting in September. So, the initial update by August 15th knowing that the principles working on it and then a full blown explanation on the second by the second meeting. Yep. Motion by member Graham. For those two separate updates. Second, seconded by member Hays, all those in favor. I was opposed, motion passes. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Graham to, especially if the contract's not done, hopefully it is, but invite Mr. Welch to a meeting in the fall executive session to discuss negotiations. Seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member Mustone, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Welch, again for coming.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 3208 58099 member herself you call the roll please. Remember, here. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: present, seven present, zero absent. If you could all, any student representatives on the call, Dr. Cushing? Not that we know of. Okay, so if we could all rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Which one would you like to take first, number two?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. Motion by Member Graham for suspension of the rules, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? We have number 272, photography contest winners recognition and a short slideshow of photos by Ms. Suzanne Fee, Coordinator of Fine Arts, followed by a presentation of certificates to the winners. and a prize, a film camera for the top three winners of the photography competition. Ms. Fee, welcome. Yeah, it's just a little person with a voice. You can just press that button. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can the students all come back up for one group photo? Great job, Ms. V and students. We have 7-3 presentation on EGAL, feminine hygiene products on a roll by Ms. North and CCSR students at the Andrews Middle School. Welcome. Ms. North, good to see you again. You're so involved, we love it. The little person.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great job. Ms. North and team, that was a wonderful presentation. Thank you so much and great work. And I think you have a photography winner behind you. She was photographing the whole time, so she'll be the next winner. Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second from the right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. And also that you had an assembly to teach the students how to, you know, how to treat the machines with respect and not overuse and misuse. I think that's wonderful. And I'm sure that went a long way. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Russo. To wrap us up, Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: just that we place them all, I think, which would be free placement in all our middle schools and high schools and I think member McLaughlin wants to explore something, the fifth grade, although I think that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was, it was came in Cambridge, it was 5000 so eventually have to do procurement if you do multiple year purchasing but okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We took a vote. If you want to take a vote that we follow procurement, then I think that's self-explanatory. Yeah, I think we're good. Thank you so much. I did motion for approval seconded by all in favor, all opposed motion passes. Yep. Oh, okay. Announcement of new principals to Medford public schools by Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Miss Kane. We look forward to having you. I'm going to turn over to Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. Ms. Crowell, you'll have multiple of our students. No, yours is... Okay, miss member Hays students there, my fresh sons there so best of luck. I talked to Mr. G Clement day he's wonderful this week and yeah, yeah. We're happy to have you and we're excited for the start of school and for you to be there and welcome our kids. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe, Miss Martha Cabral from high school is at graduation which got postponed till today so yes, yes, if she, the modern high school graduation was postponed due to the weather.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Probably motion to regular business is executive session. If we want to save that till the end, we'll stay under suspension and go to five and six.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, you want, you want to come back? Okay, that's fine. That's fine. I didn't I thought we were doing at the end, but that's completely fine. No, completely fine. So motion to revert back to the right regular order of business by member Graham seconded by Member McLaughlin, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Number three, negotiations and legal matters executive session pursuant to general law 30A, section A3 to conduct strategy session in preparation for negotiations with Teamsters Local 25 custodians, Local 25 security monitors, and Local 25 administrators as an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee and the chair so declares. Executive session pursuant to general laws, chapter 30A, section 21A, three to discuss potential litigation, Deion versus Medford School Committee. Since an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the committee and the chair so declares. Motion to move into executive session by member McLaughlin, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, all those in favor? Roll call, does it have to roll call? Do we?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Under bills and payrolls, minutes from regular school committee meeting, May 15th, 2023. Minutes from the committee of the whole budget, fiscal year 24, April 10th, 2023. Minutes of the committee of the whole meeting, superintendent self-evaluation, May 8th, 2023. And minutes of the committee of the whole budget 2024 meeting, May 15th, 2023.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Mustone, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? consent agenda is approved report of subcommittees. And then we're going to go right to miss Marder-Cabral, Medford High School principal. So if we could be somewhat brief reports of subcommittees minutes of special education subcommittee meeting May 3 2023. Can I motion to waive all the readings? Motion to waive all the readings minutes minutes of DEI subcommittee meeting. Second. Seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? We'll do it just like a consent agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, motion for approval of reports of subcommittees by member Graham, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think member Graham motion to waive the readings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the updates.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would you like to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we all voted in favor motion to reconsider by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you for the brief updates. Thank you. Motion for approval of A, B, C, D, depending on what it was.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I remember Graham seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Has it? reports of the superintendent announcement of new principal to the Medford public schools. Dr. Edwardson, if you'd like to introduce our new high school principal.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Ms. Cabral, there's just a little face with the microphone. You just have to touch that. Mr. McLaughlin, put it on. Yep, just press it again. Perfect. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for being here and stopping by after graduation. We're excited to have you. We can't wait to help support you through culture and climate change at the high school We're excited. Thank you. Wonderful. Thank you all.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What did I miss?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The good of the order. We have number for good of the order, man, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's a great idea. Maybe member Kreatz and member Mustone could.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion on the floor to create a subcommittee in the fall for onboarding new members in January by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Great, great idea. Thank you, member McLaughlin. We have our report of the superintendent updates and comments Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Alright.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For next year's. Yeah. There you go. We'll make sure. That sounds great. Thank you. Thank you, Member McLaughlin. We do not have any presentations of the public or continued business. We do have one resolution under new business offered by Member Hays and Ms. Stone. Resolution in support of LGBTQ plus youth in Medford, where as June is LGBTQ plus pride month, whereas the human rights campaign has already identified in 2023 over 540 anti-LGBTQ plus bills introduced in state legislatures across the US, over 220 bills specifically targeting transgender and non-binary people, and 45 anti-LGBTQ laws that have been enacted so far this year. Whereas the 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health by the Trevor Project found that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the previous year, and nearly 20% of transgender and non-binary youth attempted suicide. Whereas data from GLSEN and the Movement Advancement Project found that Massachusetts students' reports indicated a 686% increase in homophobic remarks and 256% increase in transphobic remarks from educators between 2019 and 2021. And whereas the Trevor, the 2022 survey by the Trevor Project found that nine in 10 LGBTQ plus teens in Massachusetts said political rhetoric weighs on them. Whereas rates of self-harm are much lower among LGBTQ plus students who feel affirmed in school. And whereas Medford Public Schools stands for the education of physical and mental health of every child, be it resolved, the Medford School Committee reaffirm our support for the rights and dignities of LGBTQ plus youth. Be it further resolved, the Medford Public Schools will continue to develop and improve its supports for LGBTQ plus youth. be resolved, the administration will work with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee of the Medford School Committee to address any policies, procedures, and practices that may need to be created or changed to improve our supports for our LGBTQ plus students. That was submitted on the 31st of May and requested to be on June 5th's agenda. Is there a motion for approval? I remember McLaughlin seconded by- Second. Member Graham, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. No reports requested. Condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses sincere condolences to the family of Rosaline M. Dello Russo, mother of Ms. Mary Jo Patron, Administrative Assistant to Building and Grounds, Kathy Hunt, Afterschool Coordinator at the McGlynn Elementary School, Amy Klein, EL Teacher at the McGlynn Elementary School, Christopher Dello Russo, Custodian at the Andrews Middle School, son-in-law Brian Guillen, custodian at the Missittuck, grandmother to Anthony Guillen and Christopher De La Rosa, both teachers at Medford High School, and Christine Hunt, a teacher at McGlynn Elementary School. The former, the Medford School Committee expresses sincere condolences to the family of Richard D. Fusco, former Medford High School teacher and assistant principal, and the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of James Rabbitt, father of former Missittuck Elementary School's fifth grade teacher, Kristen Rabbitt Cardone. We all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next meeting is our 11th regularly scheduled school committee meeting held next Monday, June 12, 2023 in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as June I mean, as well as Zoom. Is there a motion on the floor to adjourn by Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: will be as follows. Pursuant to Mass General Law 71, Section 38N, the Medford School Committee will convene a public hearing for members of the community interested in speaking either for or against, in whole or in part, the superintendent's recommended fiscal year 24 operating budget. The school administration will present an overview of the recommendations brought forth to the Medford School Committee through meetings of the regular school committee held on March 6th, 2023, March 20th, 2023, as well as the Committee of the Whole meetings that took place on April 3rd, 2023, April 10th, 2023, and May 15th, 2023, in the formulation of the district's proposal of a budget request. That's submitted by Dr. Maurice-Edouard Vincent, our superintendent of schools. Welcome everybody. I'll turn it over to you and two questions after that. Roll call, please. present, seven present, zero absent. I'll turn it over to Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vinson. Is there other questions from the committee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And thank you, members. So if I may, from the chair, just because this first presentation for myself too, it's 71 plus the 525,000, or 515,000. Is that correct? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Rousseau. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. If I may, from the chair. I just want to point out a few things from your comments, because I do think we are planning as best we can on the city side, especially because the school's ESSER funding runs out at least six months prior to ARPA funding. We are plugging the entire gap with the ESSER funds because they need to be spent. They can only have the summer of 2024. and then they will run out. So we do know that we're using about 3 million of outside funding through ESSER for the entire budget, schools, city side. I'm talking about it as a collective whole. That's why on the city side, we've made very tough choices and we are not using any ARPA funding for revenue loss. There are, like you said, positions that are being funded through ARPA. We're making sure we don't use, we're not doing more spending other than that on the ARPA side, because this year we did have new growth of 500,000. I expect that to hopefully double next year, but you're right. We wanna keep these positions. We're forecasting, we're looking at the numbers, we are trying to collectively take a look at potentially funding a brand new high school with a $200 million debt exclusion ask of our residents There's a call for street improvement, and there's a call for, obviously, more general fund revenue. I knew we were in this position. That's why when the council proposed an override in August, I agreed that I would approve, I would campaign for, and I would support a $3 million override, which is what you're seeing now. It is going to be needed into the future, potentially, maybe a little less, obviously, hopefully with new growth. So I think we're all on the same boat and understanding that there is additional monies that are going to need to be raised one way or another to support 33 people and about five to 10 to 10 people on the city side, but we do have plans for that we are forecasting I do see potentially an override in, in the future, whether that's November or March. the ARPA funding does not run out until December 31st, 2024, so it's a little bit different, but we all, including on the city side, wanna do the best we can with contracts, but with that comes the need for more money, and we have been planning accordingly, and I think it can seem dire, but considering that we're doing the forecasting, you have a school committee, a city council, and a mayor that are ready, willing, and able find the funding one way or another or ask our residents for it. It's just something we cannot depend on. That's why I think a lot of survey work needs to be done in the fall. What will our residents support so that we can move that forward on a ballot? So we're doing the hard work and the schools are using the ESSER funding because it runs out and the city side has some for fiscal year 25, but for the second part of fiscal year 25 and fiscal year 26, we will need additional funding if we want to maintain increasing City services and school services. So that's just a little tidbit but I member Hays I know you wanted to comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we get the MSBA loan, we'll find out in the fall, we would have to ask for $200 million debt exclusion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll go to $350 million, but I'm going to go with $400 million, just to be safe. All right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Name and address for the record. two minutes or so, because I know we have enough, we have two more meetings. Would anybody like to speak or?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can we do that after public hearing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: General comments can be stated after we do the for and against. So you can just let the process follow through. If you're not for or against it, just let me run through that, and then we'll take full comments. The superintendent's budget proposal with 71 million as a number, plus using the 512 15,000 additional for ESSER.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Anybody who would like to speak can speak under the for section, the against section, or after. It would just be opened up to any comments. So I'll ask anybody that is for this budget proposal, please step forward, name and address for the record. Anybody that is for. So consider that portion of the public hearing closed Now I'll ask anybody who would like to speak against that budget proposal please step forward, name and address for the record. The little face. Yes, there you go. Oh, it's all right. I'm able to get your voice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for all that spoke. That's, well, we've got to close the, there's no more. Close the hearing and then we can communicate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. If there's no more comments specifically against online, okay. Ms.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Lou, name and address of the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Lou.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you, Lou. If there are no more. In opposition, just call it last call for opposition to this budget. Hearing and seeing none, we'll close that portion of the public hearing and open up to the body for any comments or motions. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information. Point of information, Member Rossell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, question member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mayor. So motions with john motion on the floor by member Graham member Ruseau second that but I also just asked for the number for one more time 71,995,165. Million is the request of the school committee motion by member Graham, seconded by member Ruseau. Before the roll is called, I'd just like to state that I'm different position for me as I'm the chair of the school committee, as well as the mayor. I already have been crunching numbers with our CFO because we obviously want to do all we can for the schools. The initial number of 71 million came very early on because I did want to give the schools a starting place. I know that there's certain funds that come from the state and some were higher this year, some were lower. So that's all is implemented into that 71 million. So I just wanted to be clear on that. So I just wanted to let you know why I'm going to abstain, but I appreciate the committee. I appreciate everybody being here to voice their concerns. We all want to fund a strong school district, a safe school district, and I have a little bit of work I need to do. behind the scenes over the next week or two, but we're always here to listen and we understand the needs of not just the schools, but of the city. So that's why it's good we work well together, the school committee and I've been, I just appeared at the city council meeting also. So we have some discussions that need to be had between members of each body and myself on potential ways to obtain more funding for the community as we know we need it. So with that being said, I just asked that you call the role.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, remember if you don't mind just just on that, like I said, some, some, Income is higher some is lower and then we take the totality of the last four years with far more increase on the school side than the city side so there had to be at some point of balancing out of the 9% one year where we increase the schools 9% and I cut from the city side, it's just balancing out now we're going to see major layoffs and on the city side so we're we're doing our best, but member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm going to abstain six in the affirmative, and I'll do my best. Six in the affirmative, one abstain, motion passes. Thank you everybody for being here. We appreciate it. We went a little bit over time, but it was worth it. We'll just ask everybody if you have conversations, please have them in the hall we have some students here to with a couple presentations so thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn, seconded by member McLaughlin all those in favor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're recording. We have a committee of the whole meeting on Monday, June 5th, 2023, 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. here in the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as via Zoom participation, Zoom participation. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media, Comcast Channel 15, and Verizon 45 at 430. Participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number. One of the phone numbers is 1305-224-1968. You can enter meeting ID 939-7847-1882 when prompted. Questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing MedfordSC at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. At memorandum, as approved by the committee of February 1st, 2023, the evaluation subcommittee will meet to review and develop the process for the 2023-2022 superintendent evaluation. And on this agenda is approved by the Evaluation Subcommittee on Thursday, February 16th, 2023. The Committee of the Whole will meet to review and discuss composite evaluations. Who wants to start us off? Member Graham, Member Hays, attendance from Member Ruseau first while you decide amongst the two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I am, here. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have seven in the affirmative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven the affirmative. Seven are present, none absent. We have Member McLaughlin on Zoom for now. Is that working? Is that working? Member, I'll turn it over to Member Graham and then Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Rossell?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to amend by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Ayes have it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you member Hays. Thank you for doing this and to the committee as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We've all reviewed the full report. Now it's time for either discussion or a motion for approval of acceptance. We already motioned to amend per member Rousseau. So we'll take a motion on the floor unless there's questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yeah, I want to reiterate member, member Kreatz, um, you had six or seven meetings just to get to the place we're at today and tonight proved that it was well worth it. So thanks for all your efforts. They're emotional.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. I know that we all received an envelope, so we need a few minutes to read before our next meeting. So if there's a motion to adjourn to allow us to recess. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? We have about 20 minutes to do some review and before our next meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Kreatz, member Ruseau, he will be along shortly and mayor Lungo-Koehn. President, can you hear me?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, perfect. So I will turn it over to you. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So this is our fourth budget update. Next slide.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're going to transition to ESSER. Next slide, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Are there any other questions for Ms. Galussi while she's at the podium about this topic? Okay, thank you. Are there other questions from the committee? Member Ruseau? I'm pushing the wrong button.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, thank you for chairing. I'll be right in a bit. I just wanted to state that's correct. The city council will get the budget. We're targeting May 26th, then their first initial meeting will be, I believe the 30th, continued by the 31st, and they'll meet a couple of times each week until it's complete. Dr. Edouard-Vincent, you probably want to get on that calendar for mid June on a night that works for you to present your budget and just giving you the heads up on that. But the timeline sounds reasonable to me. And I can comment just to, I know member Ruseau, I did hear some of the comments. So I just wanna point out that the 71.8 is obviously a much better position than the number, the roundabout number we were given about a month ago. So I know that there's needs in the school, obviously in the city, but we're getting there and hopefully we can work through this over the next month or so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as on Zoom. You can watch on Comcast 15, Verizon 45. You can also call in. Oh, no problem. Okay. Regular meeting, May 15th, 6 p.m. here in the Alden Memorial Chambers and also via Zoom. You can also call in by dialing 1-305-224-1968. Enter meeting ID 912-7874-1852 when prompted. Member Ruseau, if you can call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. Please rise and salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have the consent agenda. Bills and payrolls, minutes from regular school committee meeting, May 1st, 2023. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Is there a motion? By member McLaughlin, seconded by- Second. Member Kreatz, all those in favor? Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Minutes are approved. Is there a motion to suspend the rules? by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. All those opposed? I believe we're taking number four out of order under reports of the superintendent. Is he presenting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, Principal Fallon's in route, so we can revert back to the regular business, member by member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, number two, special recognition of Kenneth Thompson Rodriguez, 11th grade, MHS student, Mustang Hero Award, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Kenneth, amazing. We're all very proud of you. Thank you for stepping up. This is the Mustang hero award award we're presenting you with and speck special recognition for outstanding civic response and that's signed by Dr. Edouard-Vincent and myself and school committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're still under suspension, so we'll take number four because I saw Principal Fallon pop in. We have a report to recognize and honor the Medford vocational technical high school robotics team. The team will head to the world championship mate ROV competition being hosted by St. Rain Valley School District in Longmont, Colorado on June 19th, 2023. Mr. Fallon, if you'd like to come on up, tell us more about it. I was able to hear a bit this weekend, seems pretty fabulous. Just a little face with the speaker.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, everybody, introduce yourself, too. Yeah, why don't we start by introducing ourselves? What a great job.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you know next year's category yet?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Have a great show. And yes, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We paid for it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to revert to the regular business. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Reports of subcommittees. We have the minutes from the Special Education Subcommittee meeting May 3rd, minutes from Special School Committee meeting May 8th, and minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 8th. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Aye. We have five in support of the superintendent. Dr. Edward Blumson's updates and comments, number one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. I think there's also one more school-related event on the 20th, which is this Saturday. Mr. Kremen from the McGlynn Schools volunteers will be at Oak Grove Cemetery putting flags on our veterans graves for Memorial Day.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you for your comments. Number three, we have report on the CCSR outreach plan for 2023-2024. by Mr. Richard Trotta, director of SCCSR, in collaboration with Dr. Edouard-Vincent, our assistant superintendent, Dr. Peter Cushing, director Joan Bowen, and director, Dr. Bernadette Riccadeli. Welcome. I'm just gonna get your mic turned on. Yep, little person with the... Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And to answer your question, Member Mustone, if you read, if page three, it says post advisor positions for two weeks for initial hiring that's supposed to happen on this week on May 16 tomorrow.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, that could be.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you're thinking of maybe two people, hopefully teachers that are interested and willing to do the outreach and be the Michael Squawker that we used to have. Because I think we were over 200 students at one point and now I think the numbers are in the below a hundred.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, at the high school alone. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Thank you. If there are no other questions, thank you very much for the presentation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Appreciate the work and the outreach. Thank you. Yeah, superintendent has an update on the Special Olympics.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We have number five, report on implementation of capital skills grant for metal fabrication. Mr. Chad Fallon, principal of the Medford Vocational Technical High School. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Mr. Jackson, is this your, I remember you at orientation. Is this your first year or second year? First year. Yeah. So you're just completing your first year. Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A couple of weeks, come on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin. I think this might be a couple of questions. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes. Yes. Totally. Great job. Thank you for the presentation. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we have no presentations of the public or continued business, but we have a few items under new business, which is number eight. First one is 2023-09 offered by member Hays and member McLaughlin, whereas up-to-date policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation are fundamental to ensuring a safe and equitable learning environment for Redford Public Schools students and working environment for Redford Public Schools staff Whereas the Massachusetts Association of School Committees has recently updated their sample policies regarding discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation in order to reflect the most current laws and regulations, clarify language, and add protected classes. Be it resolved, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee will meet to review Medford policies AC non-discrimination, Title IX, Chapter 622, ACAB harassment, and ACABR policy prohibiting sexual harassment and violence. The subcommittee will consider the following MASC policy updates, AC non-discrimination policy, including harassment and retaliation, ACR non-discrimination policy, including harassment and retaliation, ACA non-discrimination of the basis of sex, ACAB sexual harassment, and JICK harassment of students. Note policy ACE Non-discrimination of the basis of disability is not included in this resolution as a separate resolution addressing the policy is being written by another school committee member. Is there a motion for approval or would member Hays or member McLaughlin like to speak at all? Motion for approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. 2023-10 offered by Member Hays and Member McLaughlin, whereas the Medford Public School is committed to ensuring that all students are afforded a safe and healthy learning environment, whereas Title IX legislation is a federal civil rights law enforced by the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights that provides protections for students and staff by prohibiting sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, in programs or activities that receive federal finance financial assistance from the Department of Education, whereas Title IX requires public schools to take steps to prevent and remedy two forms of sex-based harassment, sexual harassment and gender-based harassment, whereas the Office of Civil Rights requires public schools to disseminate their non-discrimination policy in the Title IX coordinator's contact information to ensure accessible channels of reporting sex-based and gender-based discrimination and harassment and to notify students, employees, parents, and others of how the school respond to the reports. Whereas the Office of Civil Rights requires public schools to prominently display on their websites the required contact information for the Title IX coordinator, whereas all Title IX training materials must be publicly available, be it resolved that the Medford Public Schools website will be updated to include a page section that provides a full description of the Medford Public Schools Title IX policies regarding sex-based and gender-based discrimination and harassment, and includes the Title IX coordinator's name, title, email, and phone number, procedures for reporting allegations of harassment and filing a formal complaint, description of the grievance process, and materials from Medford Public Schools Title IX trainings or information about how to access those materials. For reference, please see the Bedford Public Schools Policy or the Cambridge Public Schools Policy. We had further resolved the 2023-2024 online parent and student handbooks for each school. We'll provide a summary description of these policies, including the Title IX coordinator's name, title, email, and phone number, and a link to the page with the full policy, printed versions of the handbooks if provided. We'll also include a summary description of these policies, including the Title IX coordinator's name, title, email, and phone, with instructions about how to obtain a copy of the full policy. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Offered by Member Hays and Member Bestone, 2023-11. Whereas the mission of the Medford Public Schools is of a caring educational partnership of school, family, and community designed to ensure that all students are afforded a safe and healthy learning environment in which they develop the knowledgeable skills, the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to reach their full academic and personal potential, whereas the Medford Public Schools hired Michael J. Welch of leadership advisors consulting LLC to provide an evaluation of the culture and climate at Medford High School complex with recommendations for areas of improvement, whereas Mr. Welch's report and presentation to the school committee on 5-1-23 detailed the number of areas of significant concern that warrant additional discussion. Be it resolved, the Medford School Committee will convene a committee of the whole meeting with consultant Michael J. Welch for further in-depth discussion of his safety, security, and school climate review of Medford High School and Medford Vocational High School. This meeting will be held as soon as possible, but no later than June 20th. Mr. Welch will be compensated at his hourly rate. Motion to approve, and I think we threw around the second meeting in June, prior to the second school committee meeting in June, we do have open, so potentially that could be the date. So motion for approval by member McLaughlin, Seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call has been requested. If you could call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one in the negative. The motion passes. offered by Member McLaughlin, Member Mustone, and Member Hays, 2023-12. Whereas Medford Public Schools have the responsibility to create a non-discrimination agreement to be shared publicly on the basis of multiple state and federal laws, and whereas Medford Public Schools has established the following non-discrimination policy, which is attached, the Medford Public Schools is a community that celebrates and respects its diversity. The Medford Public Schools does not discriminate in educational programs or employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. A motion to waive the reading by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz, all those in favor? All those opposed? Motion passes. I'm gonna go right to the be it resolved. Be it resolved as of September 1st, 2023, Medford Public Schools will include the following accommodation statement in all non-discrimination policies and procedures, as well as any school-based activities that occur as part of the life of the school. Be it further resolved, this accommodation statement will be included in all forms for participation in school-based activities and events. We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide accommodations for this activity event. Please contact your school's 504 coordinator or assistant principal to make an accommodation request. Requests must be submitted at least five days prior to this event. This event is wheelchair accessible. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It sounds like the Curtis Tufts and there may be others that we probably can't think of now that may have an issue with this. So maybe that last line can be optional depending on if it is wheelchair accessible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval by member McLaughlin as amended. Is there a second? Member Hays, second. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do not have any reports requested or condolences. Our next meeting is the 10th regular school committee meeting. It will be held on June 5th, Monday, June 5th, 2023 here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as on Zoom. Motion to adjourn? by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed? Meeting is adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Are there any questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. And if you could remind us where the template sits for us to access before the 21st. So, everybody, we're going to get the template by the sometime tonight or tomorrow and then we have until the 21st to submit to member Hays our e-mail. And then the 22nd, do we have a committee of the whole meeting? It's a committee of the whole. Oh, a subcommittee. Subcommittee. Okay. Because I didn't have that in my calendar. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So June 1st will be a subcommittee. Correct. Yes. And just so you, cause I know, I remember, I remember Hays, at least you were at the flag, pride flag raising ceremony. So just keep in mind, that's at 4pm.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You will you will get an invite. Yes. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We are working on the pride committee di director who is liaison to the pride committee is working on a whole list of events for the month of June, as they'll start appearing on the city calendar and we'll start doing invites probably sometime next week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's a June 1, if you want to put in your calendars 4pm is the pride flag raising at City Hall, I believe 7pm interfaith communities doing a pride blessing. And then there's also an event at 7pm believe at the board for those who so you'd be able to pick between multiple events at some at some of these dates. Yeah. Awesome. Okay, is there any other if there's no other questions or emotion? Motion to adjourn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So seconded by second member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Oh, here, never so present may long occurrence present seven present zero absent please rise. Negotiation is in legal matters executive session pursuant to general law 30 a section eight, a three. School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss strategy and preparation for negotiations with Teamsters Local 25 security monitors and Local 25 administrators because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the committee and the chair so declares. Also, Chapter 30A, Section 21A3, School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss pending litigation before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. and United States District Court, since an open meeting will have a detrimental effect on litigation position of the committee and the chair so declares. Member School Committee will reconvene in public session after that. Is there a motion on the floor to go into executive session? Motion to go to executive session by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Not back yet show just my absent for this vote. Six the affirmative one absent, we're going to move to executive session and hope to be back right about five o'clock for our next meeting. Have a nice weekend.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. May 1st, 2023, our regular meeting at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall via Zoom, and in person at six o'clock. You can watch by Zoom or on Medford Community Media, or you can call in by dialing 1305-224-9000. You can enter meeting ID 945-8662-7148 when prompted. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Six present, one absent. For now, please all rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't believe we have any student representatives on tonight yet. Okay, Mr. Bruno will be here shortly. Wonderful. We have number three good of the order. Anybody have any comments? Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Member McLaughlin, if Member Hays is done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm point point information because member mobile phone is next. Unless Dr. Edward was going to answer so I don't know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, the member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you very much. We have consent agenda bills and payrolls and minutes from the regular school committee meeting on April 10th, 2023. motion for approval. Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. Member Mustone is present. You can mark her, Member Mustone, present, please. Six in favor, one silent. I know she's driving, so. Reports of subcommittees, minutes from the Rules and Policy Subcommittee meeting on April 12, 2023 and rules and policy. Members for self. Thank you, Mayor. One moment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 25th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So I think the motion is still in committee and the motion just to approve the minutes by member motion to approve the minutes McLaughlin seconded by second member Graham, all those in favor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, I did say I. Okay, great. So we're gonna okay. Roll call has been requested by member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven the affirmative zero the negatives, the minutes have passed. We have minutes from evaluation subcommittee meeting on April 27 2023 pass that over to member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For motion for approval. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval of the minutes by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Before you move a motion to approve the process, I know we all talked about it in the last committee of the whole meeting, but can somebody explain just the difference? Is there any major differences on what we'll be doing on the 8th?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I know we all agreed on the sections that we'll be evaluating on, which are the last like four pages of this document, but is there anything that was discussed in your meeting specifically that we should be aware of? before we take a motion tonight to approve the process?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, it is on the amended agenda. Motion to approve superintendent evaluation template instructions and process for consideration. So is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor, we will take another roll call. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. On the affirmative, zero on the negative, the process has been approved. Next up, we have reports of superintendent. First up is updates and comments by Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edwards. We have recommendation to approve no school choice district school year 2024, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, listen to approve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So member Rousseau approval seconded by member Hays, I believe. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Hays? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Number three, recommendation to approve Recommendation to approve travel to Italy, Dr. Vilma Bobo, Coordinator of World Language, and Ms. Nicole Shalafo, Metro Public School teacher. Thank you both for being here. Welcome. It's on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is how many students are going. How many students are going?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative one absent paper is approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you enjoy the planning and say share but stay tuned. Yes. Thank you for being here. Thank you. We have report on high school and medford vocational technical high school safety security and school climate review, Mr. Michael Welch is here with us this evening administrative consultant to medical public schools, welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Welch. Member Ruseau. Thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: second motion for approval by member russo seconded by member mclaughlin roll call either way either way it was both tied so i went
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative. Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Mayor Langaudere. Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Questions. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may piggyback on that member Graham, because I think you answered the question for the most part, but is that the staffing levels for other high schools or Is it an issue with the fact that we need to mentor we need to train we need to hold people accountable, we need to professionalize the organization, which one is it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays and member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a resident S Diaz, if you could state your name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Diaz. Lou, name and address for the record, please. Spagnolia.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Spagnuolo. Mr. Giglio, name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Guglielmo. Any other questions from the committee, I think we just received it so i'm sure some some of you read it sorry Sunday Monday, so I think we need a little more time to digest digested to so sure we can reserve some more questions if we have them, but thank you for the presentation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do not have any presentations of the public. We have continued business 2023-01 offered by member Graham. On April 26, 2021, the school committee voted unanimously to amend policy GAD, permanent staff positions. The amended policy included this language. All job descriptions were reviewed every three years and presented to the school committee for approval. Job descriptions will contain a last reviewed date. Superintendent will establish a review cycle for all positions descriptions within 60 days of the adoption of the policy. The initial review cycle lasts no longer than three years and conclude on September 1st, 2024. Back to October 21 2021, the comprehensive list of current job descriptions professional staff positions are available for view by the public on the Medford public school website. Each time a new position is established by the committee, the superintendent will present the committee's approval job description for the position which specifies the job holders qualifications and the jobs performance responsibilities, although such positions may remain temporarily unfilled, only the committee may abolish position it has created. All positions unfilled for the entire prior school year will be reported to the committee annually no later than June 1st with an explanation for the vacancy. All positions that remain unfilled for more than two consecutive school years will be presented to the committee to be abolished no later than June 1st. In the event the superintendent wishes to maintain any positions that have been unfilled for more than two consecutive school years, the superintendent must explain the rationale and plan to fill the position and get approved from the committee to continue the unfilled position for an additional year. Be resolved that the superintendent provide an update and timeline to comply with the September, 2024 completion of the initial view cycle here in member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry. Member Graham? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Offered by Member Graham, 2023-02, whereas the Medford School Committee heard a presentation from the Andrews Middle School Global Scholars Program. on June 6, 2022, regarding the results of their composting pilot, including an annual cost to the Andrews School of $720, whereas the school committee unanimously voted to ask the administration to investigate the cost of composting district-wide for possible implementation in school year 2022-2023 via resolve that the administration provide an update on composting efforts in Medford Public Schools this year and plans for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Member Grant.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I may, through the chair, I met with the chair of the Energy and Environment Committee. I believe it was maybe Thursday or Friday, and they have five goals. And one is to learn more from students and get more active in the school system. So maybe your daughter can go to the committee, one of their meetings. I think they're on Monday nights. But they are looking to interact more with students and try to get more involved. And they could be a huge asset to trying to get composting in our schools. And I will also talk to Director Hunt. And on the city side, we're working on, we have a task force in place, because we're doing a new RFP for recycling, composting, and trash pickup in the city, as we want to encourage more composting and recycling versus trash. So we'll see if they have anything in mind for the schools as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Update from the school system. Yep. And motion for approval by Member Graham seconded by Member Hays. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 in the affirmative, zero in the negative. New business, we have member Graham and member McLaughlin, 2023-08, whereas the Medford School Committee seeks to increase transparency and community engagement, and whereas Medford Public Schools has recently relaunched its website on a modernized platform that enables regular maintenance, be resolved if the Communications and Family Engagement Subcommittee meet to discuss updates to the website that would promote family engagement improve accessibility and ensure transparency for all medical public school families and residents of Medford, be it further resolved that the communications and family engagement subcommittee will invite miss Lisa Miller and her students who work to launch the site, and are currently working on plans for phase two, two of development.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. We do not have any reports requested and we have a few consult condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Charles E. Douglas, father of Charlene Douglas, Medford Teachers Association president, and Rory Klein, cafeteria manager at the Missittuck Elementary School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mary V. Bowler, mother-in-law to Lisa Bowler, former Medford High School administrative assistant The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Teresa A. McManus, mother of Monica Caluso, McGlynn Elementary School teacher, and mother-in-law of former girls softball coach Charlie Peglia-Rullo. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Beverly A. Oliveri, mother of Kathleen Keenan, site coordinator at the Roberts Afterschool Program, and the school pretty expresses sincere condolences to the family of Alan Hodgkin, father of Dr. Lori Hodgkin, principal of the Curtis Tufts High School. We all may rise for a moment of silence. Our next meeting is the ninth regular school committee meeting will be held on the 15th of May in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. Everybody have a wonderful week. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by- Second. Member Graham, all those in favor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member, so yes, Mayor Landau-Kerr. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: meeting will be held in person at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as by remote participation on Zoom. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 15 and Verizon 45 at 4.30 p.m. Participants can log in or call in by using the following link or call-in number. You can call in by dialing 1309-205-3325, and when prompted, please enter meeting ID 928-4391-6441. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. The agenda is as follows, presentation regarding the fiscal year 2024 Medford Public Schools operating budget to the Medford School Committee for fiscal year 24 funding requests, reviewing the past expenditures and remaining fiscal year 24 ESSER funds and analyzing the district's strategic priorities concerning equitable supports. I'll turn it over to our superintendent of schools, Dr. Maurice Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call vote, please. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm present, and Member Hays? Is present. Present. Seven present, zero absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Russell?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays has the floor. Do you have anything further, Member Hays?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I could ask you a question, then it seems like you know what would be needed. And I'm sure Ms. Kalusi and Dr. Everton would as well. If you were implementing this, how long would teachers need coaching? Are we talking like the full year, are we talking multiple years?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you state that one more time?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information. Point of information, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct. And just from the floor, we're pushing into May, and there is has been an allocation so we do have to start making the tough choices or at least the planning has to be done by central administration is sooner than may one. point of order member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm from the chair I'm not I'm not saying it does it all but in the past you haven't had a number this soon to at least be able to somewhat plan, even if they ask as far more than what is allocated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information that member has been waiting. Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The ESSER expenses are different than the priorities.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: by Member Graham, seconded by Member Hays. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, five in the affirmative, two in the negative. Motion passes. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Generally though, this is just deferral of some priorities that we wish we could afford, but we don't have the funding because right now it looks like the $74 million doesn't even include the $2 to $3.2 million you're going to use of ESSER funding. So you're going to have a $5, $6 million budget gap just in the schools alone. You're going to have a devastating cliff next year and the year after. Devastating, if that was ever how we want to operate. So I agree. If you want to do just what you think you need on May 1, but at the same time, I respectfully ask that central administration do the hard work, and even if you don't present it till the 15th, that it be done, because you cannot use free cash to sustain a $6 million budget gap. It will be devastating.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct. And we can discuss overrides. I know that's discussed in the city council, But just to give you an example, Newton did a 90 or $100 million override for two new schools that passed. But their $10 million override for the budget school and general fund budget failed. So it's just something that we cannot depend on for the priorities that we would like to see on the city and school side. And I have the same issues on the city side. We have not even including public safety, 10 new positions being requested. plus another 10 covered by ARPA that is also gonna reach a cliff, but we are planning accordingly. We are gonna start not filling positions as they become vacated. And we're also making sure that anybody hired, it specifically says in their offer letter, this is a one year position paid for by ARPA that will not be covered after such and such date. So it has to be done on the school side, just like we're doing it on the city side. we're going to have some serious issues. Member Graham, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion on the floor by Member Graham, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Member Ruseau, and then I know we have the Chief of Police here, who's here for 6 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion on the floor to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: mission to turn by member Graham seconded by member laugh line all those in favor aye all those
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Is there a motion to go into executive session? Seconded by member Graham. All those in favor? Roll call. We'll go to 207.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative, 0 in the negative. Move to executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. It's a busy, busy April.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, good, thanks. And then June, yep. Number two, we have Andrews Middle School and McGlynn Middle School presentations by Mr. Michael Downs, principal of the Andrews, and Mr. Nicholas Tucci, principal of McGlynn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've been through that. Open house, Mr. Tucci, it's wonderful. So keep up the good work. Mr. Downs, welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're welcome. Tree of warmth. That's wonderful. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Take care. Number three, we have recommendation to approve overnight travel to Marlborough for SkillsUSA students. Mr. Chad Fallon, principal, will be presenting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can take maybe a motion to table or does anybody else?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Recommendation to, what'd you say?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Recommendation to approve travel to Spain, Dr. Vilma Bo, coordinator of world language and Dr. Peter Cushing. Welcome. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Yes, Member McLaughlin, then Member Ruseau is your light on. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's OK. Motion to approve. for approval by member graham seconded by member mclaughlin all those in favor aye all those opposed motion passes and our fifth presentation is on the process and timeline of tiered focused monitoring and out of district enrollment update miss joan bowen director of student services good evening we saved the best for last i think i'm just kidding
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So for example, yeah, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, there's yes, there is 15.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Question. Sorry, I'm saying your point of information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much for the presentation. Thank you. Sorry. Nope, it was perfect. Presentations of the public, we do not have any presentations of the public or continued business. We do have two items under new business. First, 2023-06 offered by member Hays and member McLaughlin. Whereas the Met for Public Schools is committed to understanding the needs of our diverse population and supporting the academic, social, emotional, physical needs of our students. Whereas the Trevor's Project 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ plus youth mental health found that 45% of LGBTQ plus youth ages 13 to 24 seriously considered attempted suicide in the previous year, and 14% of LGBTQ youth and nearly 20% of transgender and non-binary youth actually attempted suicide. Whereas the 2019 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that compared with heterosexual side gender youth, LGBTQ plus youth were twice as likely to be bullied at school four times more likely to attempt suicide and significantly more likely to skip school because they felt unsafe. Whereas the Trevor Project found that LGBTQ plus youth who found their school to be LGBTQ plus affirming reported lower rates of attempting suicide. And the 2019 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that social support from adults is associated with lower risk among LGBTQ plus youth for adverse experiences such as skipping school, being bullied at school, being bullied electronically, considering suicide and attempting suicide, be it resolved that the Subcommittee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion meet to review guidance on policies and supports for LGBTQ plus students from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, the Trevor Project, the NGLSEN, as well as policies and supports implemented in surrounding school districts to consider policies to recommend to the entire committee. Dates submitted March 30th, 2023 for this week's agenda. Pass it off to Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Thank you for putting this on. Member Hays, Member McLaughlin, motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Also under new business offered by Member Hays and Member McLaughlin, 2023-07, whereas the Medford Public School recognizes, respects, and celebrates the diversity among our students and staff, including diversity of gender identity and gender expression, Whereas the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education states that schools should be sure that your handbooks and other school documents are updated to reflect the amended laws. Note that the gender identity law explicitly states that gender identity should appear directly after sex in enumerated categories. Therefore be it resolved the 2023-2024 parent and student handbooks of the metropolitan public schools will be updated with the following. Whereas pronouns are used, gender neutral they there, or gender inclusive, she, he, they, her, his, their pronouns will be used. Alternatively, the specific group name may be used in place of the pronouns, student, teacher, staff member, parent, principal, et cetera. Number two, whereas enumerated categories are used, gender identity will appear directly after sex and gender expression will be added to the protected categories. Submitted on the 30th of March for today's meeting. Member Hays, Member McLaughlin, or a motion for approval? Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Our next regularly scheduled meeting is on the 8th, oh, the 1st of May. It's our 8th regularly scheduled meeting. They'll be here at the Alden Memorial Chambers, City Hall, as well as on Zoom. Dr. Edouard-Vincent let you know of all the great events coming up in the next couple weeks. So I'm sure we'll see each other around quite a bit. Is there a motion to adjourn? I'm seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'll just add, on the state level, I've been getting pretty involved in the transportation arena, but there is a capital improvement proposal, billion dollar capital improvement proposal, so we will, as a city, publicize that, because they're gonna take public comment. And they're going to vote on that, they say in May. I don't know if that will lead to June, but I believe May. I don't know if anybody wants to correct me. So that is obviously we're focusing on continuing to extend transportation, but also the state is hoping to improve through that capital improvement plan. And myself as mayor, I know the better bus network. We've lost a number of stops. We lost the 94, the 80, the 710. So I know our director of transportation, myself, the city council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Senator, do you want to speak?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: not only just all of us, but the employees we have at City Hall, our directors and our boards and commissions. I see some, you know, Reggie from the Park Board and Roberta from CPC, Laurel from Charter Review. We are doing some amazing work in the city and on all levels. And it's because of the team that we put together and it's all the people that volunteer. You know, when we hit, when COVID hit, we put together a team and we handled Tackled the food insecurity that was going on at the time and we continue to do so rep barber who couldn't make it today Was able to get us a large grant for our mystic market. We are looking for a new home for them There is just constant ever-changing things going on We have three 40 B projects that we are negotiating one is going to be 350 units on mystic Valley Parkway right behind Wegman's that's going to be count as those 350 will count as within our 10% affordable housing stock, 25% will be affordable housing. We are working tirelessly to, in the planning department alone, we've doubled the staff in our planning department. We now have a new CPC, CPA manager that will start soon. We have a staff planner that's new, a housing planner that is posted, and an economic development director position that we are currently interviewing for. And through Victor's work, who was our prior economic development director, we have 40 plus projects in the pipeline that, Matt, to your question, one source of revenue is a new growth. And our new growth is only moving up, thankfully, because we need it for budgetary purposes. But the city's continuing to tackle every issue we have on our plate, and that's not just because of me, that's because of the team here. as well as the team at City Hall and our wonderful volunteers. So I just wanted to let you know we do press releases weekly on all the good things we have going on, grants that we're providing to businesses, and the list goes on. So thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not going to give my opinion. I think I mentioned in 19 campaign that there should be term limits. So what is important is that four out of seven Councilors voted for charter review. Unfortunately, that's not enough to get through the statehouse. So thankfully, we have a number of residents, including our co-chair, who's here today. They're doing diligent work along with the Collins Center. We gave them a good budget to have the Collins Center come to at least 10 meetings to provide support. And I think everything is on the table. There'll be surveys coming out. There'll be community meetings that we hope many, many attend so that we can bring our charter that's decades and decades old. It is a page and a half. It only references he and him. It's time to bring that up to date and I thank our committee for doing that hard work. It's Many meetings every month that they're they're working through and I'm just very thankful that we have such a great committee and the council would love to like to vote over maybe we can Pursue both avenues 7-0 vote would be great. But Laura, I don't know if you want to add anything. I
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The committee worked very hard on basic question and answer document that will be publicized very soon, along with the series of dates and times for public meetings and the survey that will come out. So, charter review is very difficult to understand, so we brought it down to grade level terms, so everybody would be able, and that's actually how I understand it best anyway, so everybody will be able to understand what that means, what changes we could possibly make, how to make those changes, although it takes Some great deal of time, but we are we're doing all we can to get resident involvement and make sure everybody understands the process Thank you very much Okay So
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll just speak briefly on this, on the city side, um, because fire police, um, city hall was mentioned as well. Um, and I think it just piggyback on Dr. Edouard-Vincent, you have to be intentional about wanting to diversify your workforce. And that's what we are doing on the city side. Um, I think over six months span, 25% of our, um, new employees were of diverse backgrounds and we're, we've made great progress on the police side. We have far more females than ever. We have far more, employees that speak a second language. It's really important to us to the point where the chief of police, myself, and our diversity equity inclusion director. two years ago, petitioned civil service to ask that bilingual candidates be moved up on the list after veterans. That became a big hoopla, if you remember, but I wasn't afraid to do it. We need to diversify our workforce. We have some work to do on the fire side, but we've only hired once since I've been mayor, and I made sure that there was diverse candidates that moved forward. And I'd like to give the example, and I gave it last week in front of the students at Medford High School, when you talk intentional, The best candidates obviously have to get the job but we had a situation in the city for City Hall employee and it was a Medford resident who I happen to know versus a candidate from another city who was bilingual and who did we pick? Person from another community that was bilingual because we want City Hall and our entire workforce in the city and schools to represent the people that we serve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 1-309-205-3325, meeting ID 962512749821, prompted. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent. All please rise to salute the flag. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have the consent agenda, bills and payrolls, minutes from the fifth regular school committee meeting held on March 20th, 2023. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I remember McLaughlin, seconded by member Rousseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We have reports of subcommittees, minutes from evaluation subcommittee meeting held on March 27th, 2023. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Is there a motion on the floor for approval? Moved by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Minutes are approved. B, minutes from rules and policy subcommittee meeting held on March 28th, 2023. Member Rizzo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Minutes are tabled. Number five, report of our superintendent, updates and comments. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry to interrupt. Not only did they come volunteer, the softball girls with the bunny, but they were the bunny.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edwardson. We have presentation on the Medford Public Schools website and mobile app. Ms. Diane Caldwell, associate superintendent, Lisa Miller, programming and web development teacher in recognition of the following students for outstanding efforts on our Medford Public Schools website. Ms. Caldwell, welcome. The little person with the voice, if you touch, oh, there it goes. Mic's on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, thank you for your hard work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With the gentleman that helps with the website, I think there'll be a great picture. Oh, Mia's not here. Oh, Mia's not here. Yeah, we'll do that anyway. Yes. Gotcha. Okay. just going to do it now. So thank you gentlemen for all your hard work. I'm going to turn it over to the superintendent. We have citations for you. There's a way to say thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up we have recommendation to approve submission of Massachusetts School Building Authority, MSBA core program statement of interest, SOI application. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vinson. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Cresson-Hayes. Roll call, please. Before the roll call, I just want to let everyone know I've been to the State House four times over the last 30 or so days to meet with each president, one of the Senate, one of the House, and both speakers to have in my job, each mayor had a little job. Mine was for MSBA funding and Chapter 70, so local aid. So I'm trying on my end, so let's just, yeah, pray on this one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks, and I hope that, I'm sure that will go very smoothly MSBA likes to see that the whole city government is supportive of this and excited to move forward and ready and willing to ask our residents to support this endeavor. So I'm sure that will go wonderfully. Roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 16 affirmative, one absent. Motion is approved. Next up, we have the report on the three Medford Public School principal searches and timetables. Dr. Edouard-Vincent again, our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent and you don't have to tell us names or anything but do we have a candidate resumes coming in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful, thank you. And thank you to all that are serving on those committees to help us bring in three great principals. We do not have any presentations of the public or continued business. We do have a reports requested, which is presentation of data for the before and after school program. Ms. Megan Fidler-Carey, Director of Family and Community Engagement requested by myself to be presented tonight from the March 20th, 2023 meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed, motion passes six in the affirmative, one absent. Thank you, Ms. Fidelicari.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number 10, we have two, three condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Sally C. Tardif, mother of Medford High School, Medford Vocational Technical High School, Special Education, ETL, Amy Delano, and former assistant director of the Medford Voc Tech High School, Jill Sawyer. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Selena Trafford, mother of Kim Clinton, coordinator of special education, Andrews Middle School, and Medford High School. And the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Gail Paulson Back Miller, mother of Ivy Nelson, special education teacher at Medford High School. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Our next regularly scheduled meeting is here at the Alden Memorial Chambers, Bedford City Hall, and via Zoom next Monday, April 10th at 6 p.m. We also have a budget meeting that same night, April 10th at 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Otherwise, have a wonderful weekend, rest of the week, and motion to adjourn by member
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: by using the following link or call in number, 13092053325. Please enter meeting ID when prompted, 942-4923-3647. Thank you. Good evening, Committee of the Whole meeting, fiscal year 24 budget. Today, April 3rd, 2023, from 4.30 to 6 p.m., there'll be a Committee of the Whole meeting to be held in person at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as by remote participation on Zoom. Medford Community Media can be viewed on Comcast channel 15 and Verizon channel 45. Participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number. You can call 1-309-205-3325 and enter meeting ID 942-4923-3647 when prompted. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: President, six present, one absent, if we all may rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Everybody's received a packet this evening, along with our packet we received on Friday. Budget update, I'm gonna turn it over to Madam Superintendent, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, to begin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you can, just to be clear on that point, member Graham, and I think Dr. Edouard-Vincent, you mentioned that this is the last year we can use it, but I think it bleeds into the first quarter of fiscal year 25. So, so I don't know how much the district plans on holding ESSER because we will need it for portion of it, especially when you have so many positions and you're going to have a fiscal cliff, there's going to be some sort of portion that is going to be held for fiscal year twenty-five. That's where how we're negotiating it on the city side too. You'll be able to use some revenue replacement, fiscal year twenty-four, the full year, and part of fiscal year twenty-five. So, that might be different on the ESSER side but we should definitely take that into account. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Got it. I do have some more questions, but I'm happy to let somebody else. Member McLaughlin, I think you had your hand up. Then Member Ruseau. Yes, then member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And I see Ms. Bowen shaking her head, affirming that it was behavioral specialists.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm gonna let member Graham speak again, and then I have a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's at least 3 million, which it says on the page prior to. It says 3 million and then 3.3, and that's because we haven't adjusted our last two budgets based on what we agreed in the contract.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so that'd be 2.9, 0.5, 0.5 plus steps and lanes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So maybe we can just double check these numbers, make sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Appreciate that. My question revolves around the cleaning contract. And I just want to be clear. It seems like we have the custodians doing the work in all of our schools. and there's only one or two schools that use this cleaning contract?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The same amount of custodians in each school?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's so just I guess, a thought or maybe an update we could get next week or the week after is will we be increasing based on the percentage increase, will we be increasing any user fees for outside agencies that use our schools to account for some of this increase in cleaning costs? Maybe break down of what user fees we're bringing in now, so we know that that's being covered. On this topic, Member Graham and Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, then member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The governor. Yes, that's Governor Baker signed that before he left.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Gretz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the presentation, Dr. Edwin-Vincent. I think we have, I don't know if we want to put it in a form of a motion. The questions are, I think you've written everything down.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think Dr. Edwin-Vincent wrote everything down as we set it, but okay. Is there any more questions from the floor? Motion adjourned by Member Graham, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed, we have a 10 minute break.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Medford families.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good afternoon, so I'm, whoops.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you, you can lower your hand.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Welcome, welcome. Welcome, welcome. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you are representing the Brooks Elementary School, please raise your hand. Welcome, welcome. Seeing a lot of families, hands going up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Welcome, welcome. I see you, I see you. Fabulous.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the next slide was the Andrew School.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And so this is what the data looks like this year. And the data for the Andrews is the following.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So here is an example of a sample school.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 12 students have an IEP that will need to have their own separate lottery, their own draw.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oops, the table's coming.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So this is the breakdown in a table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So here is a timeline of events. We are on the Zoom call right now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't see any more questions. Anyone else? Anyone else? Any questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sarah, we'll take your question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the answer to that question is no. Any other questions? So I want to say thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: here in the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall. You can also access by Zoom, or you can call in by dialing 1309-205-3325. Please enter meeting ID 98303737210 when prompted. Member Ruseau, if you could call the roll. Member Graham. Here. Member Hays. Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. If we could rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have negotiations and legal matters. Executive session, 5 p.m. Upon motion, we will enter pursuant to general laws 30A, section 21A, to conduct collective bargaining in preparation for negotiations with local 25 administrators, custodians, and security monitors, as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Medford School Committee will convene in public session immediately following the conclusion of the executive session at 6 p.m. So motion to move to executive session by member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ms. Stone, all those in favor, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We're gonna go to executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Next we have report on science. Mr. Rocco Sieri, director of science K through 12. First up, recommendation We have two recommendations for approval of donations to the Science Department. First, to support the Medford High School Vocational School Science Engineering Fair. And the second, to the Science and Mathematics Department, to the J.S. Lim Prizes in Mathematics and Science. Mr. Seary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Thank you for the donation, Mr. Mabbitt.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Donation is accepted. Great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you. We're onto number C. We have report and acknowledgement of achievement of Medford high school students at the region for science and engineering fair held at Tufts university.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: if there's any public speakers in the room.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can we get one of you to tell us about your project? Any takers, any takers?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful, congratulations to all. We're very proud of you. And I think everybody wants to take a picture with you. Amazing students. So come on up. We're just gonna go right here. Next up, we have a presentation about Medford Public Schools Unified Arts. Ms. Haley Rello, Coordinator of Performing Arts, and Ms. Suzanne Fee, Coordinator of Fine Arts. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And before you, Ms. Rallo, before you start, I know we have a student spotlight, I see it in your presentation. Yes. He's here tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, our student rep. So I had to point that out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's helpful. Thanks. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the wonderful presentation and all the hard work. We appreciate it. Next, we have an update on the before and after school program, Miss Megan Fiddler-Carrie, Director of Family and Community Engagement. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Ms. Fidlikary, is the lottery new?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Third year that you've run the lottery, but there's still a wait list proponent to it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, that's, that sounds good. So let that jumble and come up with your questions. I want to let that digest in my head because people at the bottom of the list would love that plan. People that have been waiting for years that are at the top of the list would hate that plan. Right. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let us process. We'll do all motions at the end if you can. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Russell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I may, from the chair, Your slide for budgeted estimates for 2023-2024, does that take into account us approving? Yes, I was being very optimistic.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the revenue would be, okay, the 1.5. If we approve the increases in the rates and the estimates for the budget, that's as if we approved the pay increases. Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you miss look area think you have one more slide. But member Graham. I'll remember it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think we have a few motions and questions. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: How would it affect your bottom line if you kept this the sliding scale the same as the last two years for the low for the low income?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion on the floor by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we all understand, and that's gonna, we're not gonna be able to vote specifically on any of the substance tonight, but we can put it on our next agenda once we get these answers. So, got it. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you for the presentation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct. If there's an opening spot midway through the year, it would be a lottery. Correct. Motion is already seconded. Motion on the floor by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think that'll be in two weeks. You have two weeks to get the data formulated. That'll be April 3rd.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll take that under advisement and look into it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Fidelicari. We'll see you on the third one way or another.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much for your time and consideration and support. Absolutely. Thank you for your hard work. No, we do not have any presentations of the public or continued business. We do have number nine reports requested follow up presentation on Medford high school action plan. Dr. Edouard-Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays, then Member Graham. Member Hays, you first. It's who I see first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Ms. Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Branley? I'm here. Can you hear me?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, we can't hear you. Any other questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Brindley?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely, well, are we gonna put it on the website? Oh, actually member Ruseau just sent it to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Miss Friendly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm assuming bullying reports are all funneled through to the top, and that's how we got the data, but whether or not some, yeah, at the principal level? It goes to the, yeah, of each school.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Did you want to say, member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Thank you for the report. We have one condolence of the Medford School Committee expressions its sincere condolences to the family of Anthony A. Teixeira Jr., United States Navy veteran and father of ESL Director Paul Teixeira. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next regular meeting, which is the sixth regular meeting of the school committee, will be held on April 3rd in the chambers, also on Zoom. Is there a motion for... Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Member Graham, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Little person to touch the little person just not working. There you go. Thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Schulman. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Thank you, Ms. Shulman. If I could ask a question. Oh, from the chair, and then I'll go to Ms. Member Graham. Can you tell us how it's been working last 3 months and we able to keep up with the reporting that is coming into school psychologist.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Shillman. I think you want to revert back to the motion to revert back to the regular order of business. I have a motion to revert back to the regular order of business. Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion to revert has been approved. We have our first item under report of the superintendent. Superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Maurice Edwards.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Woodson. We have a presentation on travel forms to be presented for approval per travel policy for the ethics team to travel to and compete at the Ethics Bowl National Competition at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Nicole Chiesa, Director of Humanities, brought this before us last meeting and to the forum today. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: across the third button. No, it looks like a face, little face with the tap that face.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you for providing it to us. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to approve by member Rousseau, seconded by member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed? Thank you. Motion was approved. Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I learned something too. I learned tonight. Okay, that makes me feel better. Update on Literacy Corps program review process, Dr. Nicole Chiesa, Director of Humanities, Dr. Bernadette Riccidelli, Director of Professional Learning Assessment, and Ms. Suzanne Galusi, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Instruction. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Member Graham? Thank you. What programs are we looking at?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: my view literacy by the service learning company. Thank you for the presentation. I'm sorry just one more question members so last question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it will kind of come down to the analysis of that data. Great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Appreciate it. We are on number five report on track and field athletic needs and equipment. Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent of enrichment and innovation. Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. One question from the chair and then member Ruseau, and then I believe we might have a resident who wants to speak on Zoom. Question for you on point number one, which is the coaching. So it sounds like there's always been three. We may go to four.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we don't know if that's going to become a reality just yet? Correct. Thank you. Thank you for the update. Thank you for looking into this. On behalf of myself, I'm sure, and the entire committee. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're gonna move on to number six. Seems like there's no more hands raised. Number six is report on Medford Public Schools budget process for fiscal year 24. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent. So good evening. I'm going to be presenting the FY 24 budget update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. And I know this came with a tentative timeline, so I suggest that all my colleagues let Dr. Edward-Vincent and the team know when you're available, when you aren't based on that timeline so we can create a final document. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you member Ruseau, I can answer that. Last year was a tough time because we didn't have CFO for many months, 11 months to be exact. Currently we have a full-time CFO and a new budget director working diligently on the city budget and forecasting. So we should have a number of schools within the next several weeks. Yes. It's very good news. Good news for now. The last two years, three years, we've cut from the stabilized, tried to go even on the city side so that we could give it the most we could to the schools. Obviously there comes a breaking point. So I think we're somewhat at that, but we'll do our best to give as much of an increase as we can. And we have this year and next year that we are able to use funding to plug any gaps. Last year we used about $7 million. It needs to be decreased. And then eventually after there's no more opera money, that's when we have to, we're already doing forecasting to project what, if any, of an override we would need.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I recall how we handled it last time. Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. So anybody will note any dates, just like, um, school vacation week. I noted that as well. So a few of us picked up on that. Um, and then we'll get those to the superintendent. Thank you for the presentation and, um, love the pictures. Um, we have presentations. We do not have any presentations of the public. So we'll go on to continue business number, um, 12 based on the February 6th, 2023 committee of the whole meeting. The Medford School Committee shall develop their goals for the remainder of this year. Moving forward, the Medford School Committee will develop their goals and objectives for an 11 month cycle, starting in January and ending in November of calendar year. Motion was tabled on March 6th, 2023 by member of a stone. We are taking it up again tonight because we are at a reasonable hour. So who would like to start? Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edward-Vincent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I ask a further clarification? Can we just maybe edit it to say increase translating materials. I just know on the city side, we are making great strides and translating more, but it is, something that is just taking some time. But as you do different types of materials, I think it's costly, but also time consuming. So I just don't wanna put that on us to push onto the administration to translate everything all at once. I think it just needs to be gradual. So we don't set ourselves up for failure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we'll scratch the wording town hall, because town hall maybe is more of a question and answer type open public meeting for everybody to come and ask any question on anything. That's what I think of a town hall. I don't know what else my colleagues think. So you're thinking maybe like one of our final budget meeting would be? No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Got it. So could, can I make a suggestion from the chair, if my colleagues don't have anything to say, could we set the goal that we have one town hall in the fall that will give us a chance to get through the budget, let them, let the administration plan the town hall in the summer. And we do it as a, just like we did I think we did a couple meetings all through Zoom and then there was breakout rooms where there'll be the Haitian Creole breakout room, the Spanish, the Portuguese, and then anybody who's attending to ask any question from the district will have admin in each one and they can ask any question they have about the new school year. So sometime in September, October, and we talk about the school year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we have three here in Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Portuguese, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm almost positive.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. And it would actually be the superintendent that knows best because I think the city has learned from the Friday updates that come in multiple languages that has been a great asset to our families. So goal number one, equity and access to all to increase translation of materials and to have one to two town halls, first one being in the fall with that is translated in the three most commonly used languages here in Medford. Interpreted. Interpreted in the three languages. Member Ms. Stone, you had to be late on first. Is this on a second goal or on this?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From the chair, I think this is a great goal, but the work of the goal is gonna fall on our superintendent and the admin shoulders on this goal. So I do think we have to just take it in stride. We do have so much going on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for goal number one and goal number two to be our goals for the year by member McLaughlin. That's your motion. Seconded by member Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed? goals have been set through November for school committee. That's not the only goal, right? Two goals we just approved. That's one goal. Oh, did we?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We already took the motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you want to move motion for reconsideration? The motion was taken. Yes, I want to make a motion for reconsideration by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Rousseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No. I have it all. You can read it because I don't have any of it. Markie, do you have it? No, she gets it from me. Oh, she gets it from you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And two, that we host
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In the middle school and high school and explore additional music and theater opportunities. Perfect. Explore additional theater and music opportunities.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For both of those.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yup.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To include goal number one, goal number two by member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, maybe Member McLaughlin, if you could hold your motion, because I think it was suggested we do two to three goals. So let's talk it all through. Yeah, if we want a third, or if we want to change any of these. Member Mustone, you had your light on first, and then Member Graham. No, I'm good. You're good. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: action plan for 2023-2024 as it relates to Medford High School that we request and eventually approve such plan. Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's exactly what I was gonna say. Yeah, this is the first part of a goal that we'll continue on in our next yearly goals.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Anybody's welcome to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I feel like we've accomplished that and you've taken the lead.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Agreed. So wanna add that four goals.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: earlier budget process, which we already started tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can make that goal number five. We need to make sure that's in. How about that? So number one, equity. Number two, expanding fine arts. Number three, action plan for 2023-2024 Medford High School. Goal number four, superintendent's evaluation, which is underway. needs to be completed, and goal number five, submitting the application to the MSBA for Medford High School.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member McLaughlin. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Ruseau. Motion on the floor by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Second. Kreatz, roll call, please. Member Graham. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one in the negative. Motion passes for the five goals. Number two, second reading. Recommendation from the strategic planning subcommittee meeting held Thursday, February 9th, 2023. Member Graham, Chair, Member Hays, Member Ruseau. Proposed policy for dedication and naming of school committee buildings, facilities, and grounds. The school committee has sole authority over the naming or renaming of buildings, interior facilities, and grounds in the public schools. The school committee recognizes that the names of school facilities must be undertaken with care and scrutiny. This policy is intended to ensure that names and or other wording associated with school facilities will promote and or be consistent with the goals of the Met for Public Schools. The naming process should include student, family, community, and staff voices. Bless you. When naming a school facility, preference is given to those persons, organizations, and events which had a substantial impact on the education of Medford students, persons or events that reflect the increasing diversity of Medford students' population, This guidance shall not preclude consideration of names or persons of local, state, national, or international significance. Names of persons employed by the school or city at the time of dedication shall not be considered. The school committee reserves the right to remove a name at any time if it is in the best interest of the district or donor to do so, or to protect the reputation of the district and or the donor. In order for a building facility grounds to be named that is accompanied by a financial contribution, the following procedure shall be followed. A written request is placed on the regular school committee agenda. The item should specifically specify the intent of the requester and the details of the intended financial contribution. It should offer appropriate background information and the person or organization in the request. The school committee will consider the request and invite public input at least two consecutive meetings before a vote to approve or deny the request is taken. A gift agreement between the donor and the school committee must be approved simultaneously as the name is voted. The standard agreement must specify the building interior facility or grounds to be named, the duration of the naming period, as well as payment terms. These agreements will be considered for the public record, kept on file by the school committee for access by the public. In order for a building facility grounds to be named that is not accompanied by a financial contribution, the following procedure shall be followed. The school committee shall pass a resolution identifying building facility or school grounds to be named. The school committee shall establish a naming advisory committee pursuant to policy BDF advisory committee to the school committee. The naming advisory committee shall adhere to the charge established in forming the committee, including public participation, timelines, and other criteria. The school committee shall receive recommendations from the naming advisory committee at a regular school committee meeting. The school committee shall by majority vote adopt a name While the school committee is not required to accept the recommendations of the naming advisory committee, it looks forward to supporting those recommendations whenever possible. In order for a classroom or space within a school building to be named, the following procedure shall be followed. A written request is placed in the school committee agenda. The item should specify the intent of the requester and the reasons why this particular name would fit with the space. It should offer appropriate background information on the person or organization in the request. School committee will consider the request and invite public input at two consecutive meetings before a vote to approve or deny the request is taken. School committee may choose to send the request to a naming advisory committee. In order for a community giving program where donors will be invited to give to a project in exchange for physical dedication, the following procedures shall be followed. The program rules and required donation levels will be placed in a regular school committee agenda. The item should describe the program placement of the physical dedications, donor levels, and other rules. The school committee will consider the request and invite public input. The school committee may make a decision at any time, provided that public input was received before the vote of approval or denial. Motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval of second reading, as amended, this will go into effect July 1, 2023, by Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I may, from the chair, I've got some people speaking out. I think member Kreatz had mentioned this last meeting, just very concerned about the process that we went through before and just creating more division in the community. But I know member Graham, one of the big things about this is all the work that's being done by you, the committee, Dr. Cushing, a whole host of people on the McGlynn playground, rehabilitation. So we are gonna be looking for donors and I believe that would be prior to July 1st, 2023. So I too think that we should be getting the donors in many different ways for that project. It's gonna be wonderful, but expensive and we'd like to be able to implement this policy to see that happen. I don't know if member Ruseau has this. We'll withdraw his motion, thank you. So motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. New business offered by member Hays, McLaughlin, and Ms. Stone, whereas the Medford School Committee values the thoughts, concerns, ideas, and experiences of the students who attend our schools, be resolved the school committee will seek to encourage student participation in regular school committee meetings through the addition of an agenda item to every regular meeting agenda titled presentations of students with the following description. Presentation of students. Regular meetings of the Medford school committee include this presentation of students agenda item to give any Medford public school student the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. Student may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for students to make a presentation to the committee, but are not opportunities for dialogue with the committee. one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic, a member may request that the item be added to the regular school committee meeting, the next regular school committee meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy, pursuant to policy BEDH, public comment and presentations to the public. Any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any agenda item for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and full Medford Street address where they reside. A welcoming, inclusive community is both a value of the Medford School Committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. Motion for approval by Member Hays. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Mayor. Member Graham. I was,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, then Member Hays, then we have a resident.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing works to gain as many student rights as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member, by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is approved. Selection of school committee, three representatives for the Desi district review focus group during the first week of April, 2023 offered by Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: During the work week day?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm happy to do it if you don't, unless a committee member wants, would be too. Yeah, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And on that point, I think it's good to make sure just that the students know which ones, and I know we have our ones near the cafeterias back online. So that's important to me, making sure the students know which are open when. So I'd be happy just to get that information by email that it went out to students rather than a presentation, but I don't know what the student wants. Yeah. I think that would be an email to students with the schedule and which bathrooms would be great. Yeah. Okay. We could, if I could just see it, I'd be good without a presentation. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. Thank you. That sounds great. Thank you. Um, no reports requested. We have number 10 condolences. The Medford school committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of former city Councilor, Robert L Maloney, senior father of athletic director, Bob Maloney, Councilor Maloney served the city for over 25 years, as well as being an active member of the Medford Kiwanis Club, the Irish American Club, and the Medford Elks Club. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Rosetta DeVita, aunt of city councilor and former school committee member, George Scarpelli, and Lisa Charay, a teacher at the Roberts Elementary School. And the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Paul Howard, owner of Jim's Market in North Medford and a former Providence College D1 basketball player, United States Army veteran and longtime supporter of the Medford community. Often, Mr. Howard could be found playing basketball with the kids at Carr Park well into his 50s. During the blizzard of 78, Mr. Howard made sure the elderly residents around Jim's Market had food items until they could get to the supermarket. If we all may rise for a moment of silence, please. Thank you. Our next regularly scheduled meeting is March 20, 2023, here at the Alden Chambers, as well as on Zoom. Have a wonderful rest of the week, everybody. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if you could shut your microphones off when you're not speaking, so there's no echo. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: go over it and vote on it. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended by member Gramps. Sure. Motion for approval as amended by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Kreatz, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The superintendent will be provided the write up of the evaluation composite.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure I understand. From the committee, I'm assuming. It would be a draft, right? A draft that the committee, one of you I'm sure, will finalize and it will be sent along with all the paperwork we get in our Friday packet on June 1st.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, Monday, May 22nd.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, and then they'll... No, May 21st, the responses are due.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If it comes back to me, I'll ask again, sorry. Do you have different, okay, you're all set, okay. Motion for approval as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion for approval as amended. All those in favor? All those opposed, minutes are approved. Number five, reporter of the superintendent. First up, we have our superintendent's updates and comments, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Can I ask a question? Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have recommendation to approve travel to University of North Carolina UNC for the ethics team to compete at the Ethics Bowl National Competition. Eric Eisner, English language arts teacher. Welcome. Good evening, everyone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Congratulations. That's great stuff.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Congratulations, go to UNC and make us proud, okay? Congratulations and good luck. Thank you. Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin and Graham. Do we need a roll call? We'll do a roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is approved as amended. Good luck. Can we have a motion for suspension of the rules to take, Mr. Fallon? Suspend the rules to take Mr. Fallon by member McLaughlin seconded by second member Graham all those in favor aye all those opposed motion passes. We have report on desi grant awarded to MVTHS principal Chad Fallon. Good evening
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful. Do you want to speak? Yes. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Fallon, is this a one year grant?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, wonderful. Motion for approval? Motion for approval. by everybody, no, by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Thank you. Thank you, have a good night, thank you. Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to revert back to the regular order of business by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion to revert is approved. Number three, we have report on the Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility, CCSR, Mr. Richard Trotta, CCSR director, Marine Island, CCSR advisor and world language teacher, and CCSR students. Welcome. We're gonna have Dr. Edouard-Vincent announce all the students that are here. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And hopefully, they'll take that learning and pass it on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Chaudhary. From the chair, if I may, I know I think some of the emails that you received from myself and a few others just asking about enrollment in the program. And I know there's been some changes in management. So if you could talk a little bit about where you were the last couple of years, even through COVID and how we're doing now. And I know Ms. Nyland does a few different things at the high school. So do we have enough staffing for the program?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Trotter. So you have an outreach plan. I know it's dropped from like 200 to 70. So will the outreach plan be put in writing so that we can make sure we're moving along for enrollment next year?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Did any of the students want to speak?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Yes, great work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful, wonderful, good job.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, thank you for joining us. Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any timeline to that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I go first? Yeah. Sometime in May. Yeah. May 15th?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Perfect. Perfect. Thank you. Motion for member McLaughlin seconded by... I need the language.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: especially at the high school level. At the high school level. To keep the numbers up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Perfect. May I read it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that right? Thank you. Second. Seconded by Dr. Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Item six. Six. Motion to suspend the rules to take item six by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? We have presentations of the public not to begin before seven. Regular meetings of the school committee include this presentation of the public agenda item to give opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but are not opportunities for dialogue. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that the item be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy BEDH, public comment and presentations to the public. Pursuant to that policy, public comment and presentation to the public, any resident in the audience may give be given permission to speak for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and Medford Street address where they reside. A welcoming, inclusive committee is both the value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. Employees in Medford Public Schools are exempt from this residency requirement of this policy. The voice of our employees is welcome on all matters before the body. when a non-Metro resident employee is participating in public comment or submitting a presentation to the public, they will include their home address and identify themselves as an employee of the Metro Public Schools. With that being said, Ms. Kelly and track parents, I know track athletes, you're here to talk about the state of equipment and the coaching position. So welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hello?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just your name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, hello, my name is Will Kelly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I know, oh, we have one. Welcome. We're just gonna put, I'll press the little face on the, so we can turn that on, unless Mr. McLaughlin can. Perfect, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Geez, sorry. It's okay. I know, I was just gonna say it's channel five as I was following the weather, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hi, my name is Jacob Stegerl, and I'm here to talk about what it's like at the track meet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: enough supervision. We're really proud of our team.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Miss Sue, yes. When were you told there'll be, I'm assuming you're talking for the next season, which will be outdoor, one boys coach, one girls coach, and then assistants.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For indoor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there any difference between outdoor track? Do we have coaching in line? Correct. Outdoor. So spring track.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right? Right. We do not have a coach yet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, and then Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second member Graham, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, he's here. He's here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I'm going to put that's amazing. I said we're going to try to roll back in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can I invite one more parent to speak? Yes. My name is Michael Kelly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can definitely work in collaboration with the athletic department, but we should
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe there's always been two or three from my recollection as a track runner and one who follows it a bit, but we did have one coach, I believe on leave this past winter, right? So all the data points, motion is on the floor. Mr. Donlon, I'm not going to put you on the spot to come up to the podium, but I do know how wonderful of a person you are and a coach, and it goes to show with 89 students that you've mentored for years. So I hope that you tune in on next Monday is our next meeting and that we can do right by the program and hopefully get you back to support these kids and coach the way you've coached for 10 years. So motion on the floor by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is passed 7-0 to have this on the agenda for next Monday and hopefully solve the problem and move forward. Thank you. Thank you for joining us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to revert by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion to revert is approved. Recommendation to approve proposed school year 2023-2024 calendar, Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Is there a motion for approval of the 2023-2024 school year? Motion to approve the 2023-2024 school year calendar. by Member Graham, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? That's five in favor, two absent. Motion is approved. Next up we have update- Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. We have update on the 10-point action plan at Medford High School, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you need me to reshare it? Okay, thank you. So the first area on the 10-point action plan
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Our school resource officer, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Noah? Member Graham wants to share.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Speak in. Let us hear it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Dr. Edwards, do you want to respond to that, or do you want Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe in the meantime, if we can't get a professional photographer, we could just get somebody with a, you know, camera, cell phones take great pictures. Yeah, Media Tech, we could maybe do that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think it's important if it's 97 students, we get them IDs as soon as possible. So I'm not sure. I'm sorry if I took your comment, Member McLaughlin, but all you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And maybe we can send our questions by say the 13th, which is two weeks from now to be addressed on the 20th. So that would be a full three weeks for the, and a full week for the superintendent to get us another type of. Yeah. No, that works. Cause I, yeah, I want to digest myself. Um, okay. Thank you. Thank you very much for the update. Thank you. Um, we're going to move on to, I believe we're going to table continued business, which is number eight. Well, it's going to be a number seven. Yes, please. Continued business based on February six committee, the whole meeting, the Medford school committee shall develop their goals. The remainder of the year moving forward, the Medford school committee will develop their goals and objectives for an 11 month cycle. starting in January and ending in November of a calendar year. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Till next Monday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Continued business is tabled. Now onto new business. First reading recommendation, which we spoke about earlier in the meeting minutes of the strategic planning subcommittee held on February 9th, 2023. Member Graham chaired. Member Hays is a member. Member Ruseau is a member. Proposed policy for dedication and naming of school buildings, facilities, and grounds. The school committee has sole authority over the naming or renaming of buildings, interior facilities, and grounds of the Medford Public Schools. The school committee recognizes that the names of school facilities must be undertaken with care and scrutiny. This policy is intended to ensure that names and or other wording associated with school facilities will promote and or be consistent with the goals of the Medford Public Schools. The naming process should include family, student, family, community, and staff voices when naming a school facility, preferences to be given to those persons, organizations, and events which had a substantial impact on the education of Medford students, persons or events that reflect the increasing diversity of Medford student population. This guidance shall not preclude consideration of names, persons of local, state, national, or international significance. Names of persons employed by the school or city at the time of the dedication shall not be considered. The school committee reserves the right to remove a name at any time if it is in the best interest of the district or donor to do so, or to protect the reputation of the district and or donor. In order for the building facility grounds to be named that is accompanied by a financial contribution, the following procedure shall be followed. A written request is placed on a regular school committee meeting agenda. The item should specify the intent of the requester and the details of the intended financial contribution. It should offer appropriate background information on the person or organization in the request. The school committee will consider the request and invite public input at least two consecutive meetings before a vote to approve or deny the request is taken. A gift agreement between the donor and the school committee must be approved simultaneously as the name is voted. The standard agreement must specify the building interior facility or grounds to be named, the duration of the naming period, as well as payment terms. These agreements will be considered for the public record and keep on file by the school committee for access by the public. In order for a building facility grounds to be named, by a financial contribution, the following procedure shall be followed. The school committee shall pass a resolution identifying the building facility or school grounds to be named. The school committee shall establish a naming advisory committee pursuant to policy BDF advisory committee to the school committee. The naming advisory committee shall adhere to this charge established in forming the committee including public participation timeline and other criteria. The school committee shall receive recommendations from the naming advisory committee at a regular school committee meeting. The school committee shall by majority vote, adopt a name by the school committee is not required to accept the recommendations of the naming advisory committee. It looks forward to supporting those recommendations whenever possible. In order for a classroom or space within a school, Sorry. School committee by, where did I lose my train of thought? School committee shall, by a majority vote, adopt a name. While the school committee is not required to adopt the recognition of the name of some committee, it looks forward to supporting those recommendations whenever possible. In order for a classroom or space within a school building to be named, the following procedure shall be followed. A written request is placed on a regular school committee meeting agenda. The item should specify the intent of the requester and the reasons why this particular name would fit with the space. It should offer appropriate background information to the person or organization in the request. The school committee will consider the request and invite public input at two executive meetings before a vote to approve or deny the requests taken. The school committee may choose to send the request to a naming advisory committee. In order for a community giving program where donors will be invited to give to a project in exchange for a physical dedication brick with donor names, the following procedures shall be followed. The program rules and required donation levels will be placed in a school committee agenda. The item shall, should describe the program placement of physical dedications, donor levels, and other rules. The school committee will consider the request and invite public input. The school committee may make a decision at any time provided the public input was received before the vote of approval or denial. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to approve the first reading by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: approved as amended. Sorry, as amended. Okay, all those in favor as amended. Aye. Any opposed? First reading has passed. We have condolences. We have an announcement to make about school.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, and I'll just add, I mean, the morning commute from three to nine is when we're expecting the most snow. We're only gonna see two to four, but it is gonna be during the commute. City Hall will be closed till 10 a.m., and as Dr. Edouard-Vincent said, the schools will be closed. We don't have a delayed start option due to the MBTA, so I'm making that decision. We'll try to run the school committee meeting and make those decisions as we work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was a reward. Keep everybody in suspense, because we want to be thoughtful and we want to make sure we're following the weather, because weather does tend to change. If it changes from now until 7 in the morning, we make our best decisions, but we get held accountable either way. So it's a tough decision to sometimes make. Last, we have three condolences that I'd like to read. Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Leonard Mortel, father-in-law of Joanne Mortel of our Human Resource Office. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Richard A. Eliberty Jr., son of former school committee member, Mary Eliberty. And the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Thomas Birmingham, former Senate President and co-author of the Education Reform Act of 1993. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next regular meeting is Monday, next Monday, March 6, 2023, here in all the memorial chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. Meeting is, all those in favor? Aye. Meeting is adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I see superintendent evaluation rubric regarding standard one to make instruction indicator and data informed decision making indicator. The standard one measures motion to from the mass dusty superintendent evaluation rubric regarding standard to management and operations to make the environment indicator and the standard to measure motion three from the mass dusty superintendent evaluation rubric regarding standard three family and community engagement to make the engagement indicator, 3A, sharing responsibility indicator, 3B, and communication indicator, 3C, the standard three measures. Motion four from the DESE superintendent evaluation rubric regarding professional culture, to make commitment to high school standards indicator, 4A, cultural proficiency indicator, 4B, managing conflict indicator, 4F, the standard four measures. Motion five, the committee will use the words exemplary, proficient, needs improvement and unsatisfactory in the superintendent's evaluation for each measure being evaluated. Motion six, the superintendent's evaluation will include the raw data from all members in addition to the summary evaluation of the subcommittee. Motion seven, the school committee will create a new standing subcommittee, the evaluation subcommittee with three members for compilation of the notes and evaluations of individual members and provide a recommendation to the full committee at evaluation time. Motion eight, members Graham, Hayes, and McLaughlin will be assigned to the evaluation subcommittee with member Hays as the chairperson. Motion for approval of the consent agenda. Motion approved. Seconded by member Rousseau, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We have number four report of subcommittee rules and policy subcommittee minutes, December 6, 2022 table from previous meeting. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes? Motion to approve. McLaughlin, seconded by member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Minutes are approved. We have reports of superintendent, number five. First up is superintendent updates and comments, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful, thank you, Dr. Edwin-Vincent. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Three to four?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Next up, we have presentation of draft parent caregiver incident notice form. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Russo, then member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can speak to, K through eight has a similar form So a little bit more of just an explanation section and the date. I received one recently on misbehaving at gym class and parent has to sign and send it back.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Elementary school, Robert, does something very similar to this, but it's written and sent home with the parent, parent has to sign and send back. That was Roberts.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau, would you like to comment? Yes. Then we'll move on to number three.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, that's correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Branley. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. We have number three, report on continued integrated mathematics pathways pilot, Ms. Faiza Khan, Director of Mathematics.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Appreciate it. No problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I think we're good. Thank you. Thanks. Very informative. Number four, we have dyslexia screening and intervention update. Ms. Suzanne Galusi, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Instructions. Ms. Galusi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, Ms. Colucci. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. I don't believe we don't have any presentations to the public. do not have any continued business. We have new business number 8-20-23-02 offered by member Hays, resolution for new safety and discipline procedures at Medford High School, whereas the Medford Public Schools is committed to understanding and supporting the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of our diverse student population. Be it resolved that the subcommittee on diversity, equity, and inclusion will meet to review the new safety and discipline procedures at the high school, Data relevant to the implementation of the new procedures will also be reviewed. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Hays, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. We have 2023-03 offered by Member Graham, Hayes, and McLaughlin. Resolution for the Superintendent Evaluation Committee be it resolved that the Superintendent Evaluation Subcommittee will meet to develop the process to be used for this year's evaluation, including the timeline, templates, and member instructions. Be it further resolved that the timeline will include due dates for all parties and the tentative schedule of subcommittee meetings required to ensure a timely and efficient process. Motion for approval, or if anybody would like to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful, motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. 2023-04 offered by member Graham, resolution for proposed fiscal year 24 budget timeline be resolved that the superintendent will provide a proposed process and timeline to create the fiscal year 24 budget for Medford Public Schools no later than March 6th school committee meeting. Motion for approval by- Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. There are no reports requested. I believe we just heard from Ms. Galucci on a report. Number 10, we do have a few condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Catherine T. Lopez Natale, former French and Spanish language teacher at Medford High School. and later Director of World Language Department for the Medford Public Schools. The Medford School Department and School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Anna Lynch, former teacher of the former Waite Elementary School and Brooks Elementary School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Joseph Danka, cousin of Maria Dorsey, Medford High School librarian. and the Medford School Committee expresses sincere condolences to the family of Thomas Cotter, father-in-law of Sean McGillicuddy, McGlynn Middle School teacher. We only rise for a moment of silence. Our next meeting, regular meeting will be on February 27th, 2023 here at the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as on Zoom. And as- Motion to adjourn. Have a wonderful, next week is Kindness Week, Valentine's Day, and then the city and schools have a number of events for Black History Month, so we hope you join us. Motion to adjourn by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: well last week, so I'm glad we took that hour to, and I thank the committee members that stepped up and are gonna serve on that committee. It should hopefully be a smooth process this spring, early summer. So that was definitely a goal we accomplished last week. But moving forward, does anybody else have any ideas of specific goals?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Member McLaughlin and member Hays. And member Kreatz. Member Mr. Stone, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I, if you don't, if nobody has any comments right this second, if I can speak from the floor, I think that's a, um, great goal member of stone. I know that, um, one parent and I think dr. Cushing might've, I've looped him in or he was on the email, um, had mentioned, you know, what we're doing, make, making changes at the high school and that it really should be art focused and in mental health support, which we know we're know we're also providing. And I wrote back, I said, right now it's about safety and keeping our kids safe and do what we can to make sure they feel safe. But I, so I agree, but I also agree, you know, now that I didn't, I said, I agree that we need the arts in our schools and to expand and to help our students grow in that field. But yes, we need to do both at the same time. So I think that's a really important piece to this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we, from the chair, I think we should do the full year, especially if we have multiple meetings on goals, in my opinion, but member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. So 11 months with the goals. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right, Mayor. Dr. Edouard-Vincent has her hand up, and then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. And so the calendar year, then you can have a meeting in December and say, this is what we've accomplished, this is what we need to keep on the goals, and maybe even make suggestions for the new committee that will start in January. I like that idea. Who did I say was next? Member McLaughlin, then Member Graham, then Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it makes sense to set our goals after the superintendent sets hers, who's in the schools probably 80 hours a week and knows the ins and outs versus us that are part-time, but try to stay involved as much as we can. Member, Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vinson. So it looks like we have a motion on the floor to have goals be set from approximately now until November, with a meeting in December to tidy things up and go over the goals. On the floor by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. And Mayor? Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin that we try to set three goals. Seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? So three goals from now until November. with a meeting to tidy up things in December. And then we're gonna go through what was listed today from communications to budget to replacing our assistant superintendent of finance and operations, MSBA, resubmitting that application in April, MBTA, afterschool programming, MCAS training, equity, family engagement, climate at Medford High School and the rest of the schools, expanding fine arts. We're gonna digest that all and come back the next in a few weeks to um hopefully in between we will have things written out and we can try to finalize our goals in a good 30-40 minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That would be two to three weeks, I think that's reasonable. Okay. Would you want it on the agenda so we don't have to, okay, we'll put it on the agenda, hopefully it can come prepared and ready so that we can move approval on three goals at our next regularly scheduled meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we will have on the agenda to identify goals and establish a process for evaluation. Okay. And I think the superintendent and myself took notes at this meeting, so one of us can and Marky I'm sure did too, so we can write them up. Yes, is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 10 minute break before our six o'clock meeting by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. We'll be back at you in 20 minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: meeting was called on January 30th. Today's February 1st. There'll be committee of the whole meeting from 6.30 to 7.30 p.m. via Zoom. The purpose of the meeting is to identify the key indicators on the mass desi superintendent evaluation rubric that will be the basis for the superintendent's evaluation at the end of the school year. The school committee and superintendent will also discuss guidelines for the types of artifacts the superintendent will present to the committee at the formative assessment and summative summative evaluation meetings and how those artifacts will be presented to the committee. Also appoint a designated school community member to calculate the ratings and the key indicators of the DESE approved evaluation tool and compile all the school committee feedback and notes to complete the final evaluation for submission to Mass DESE. Meeting will be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 15 and Verizon 45 at 6.30 p.m. You could also call in by dialing 13126266799, enter meeting ID 99207780433 when prompted. Additionally, question or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. So we can go right into it. I know We wanted to talk about indicators, how to compile the ratings and guidelines. So I'll open it up to the floor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You could make it larger if you wanted to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that's the first part of this. We also need to decide if we're going to use numbers or the Dorothy's suggested unsatisfactory needs improvement for fish and exemplatory and then figure out if we want a committee or one person to do the ratings and take the notes. So I agree, let's start with the indicators.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So does somebody have the document accessible where we can zoom in and kind of go category by category, get Dr. Edouard-Vincent's input and committee's input so that we can pick these indicators?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, so it's a little hard to see.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, that's great. That's great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, that's perfect. Thank you, Jenny. So first up, we have instructional leadership. A is curriculum, B is instruction, C is assessment, D is evaluation, E, data-driven decision-making, and F, student learning. So if anybody has any thought on which of these indicators you'd like to choose for this coming evaluation, speak now, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so B and E.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there a motion on the floor for instructional leadership that we take categories instruction and data-informed decision-making?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by... Second. Member Hays, all those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: choose or... Yes, we'll take any input from Dr. Edward-Vincent anytime she wants to chime in. Just wanted to make sure she had a chance. I'm just seeing three people each on the side.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. OK, Member Ruseau, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Mastone? Yes. Oh, thank you. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Indicators for instructional leadership have been chosen. Next up is management and operations. We have environment, HR management and development, scheduling and management information systems, law ethics policies, fiscal systems. A and B, yep, A and B seemed to stick out at me. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so two votes for A, one vote for B. Would anybody like to add anything further?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I like the way E is described too.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay So it sounds like there's a motion on the floor for emotional people for eight. Okay There's a motion on the floor for a and if we need an eighth, then be. How does that
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to include A, seconded by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Hays. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, A is included. Now we're on to family and community engagement. We have engagement, sharing responsibility, communication, and family concerns. I'll open up to the floor or to Dr. Edward-Woodson. Can I run down? Yes, member cracks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Equity is in all of the superintendent's goals. It's like the primary focus.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by member Glaflin, seconded by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. And Member Mustone? Yes. Seven, zero. Professional culture, commitment to high standards, cultural proficiency, communications, continuous learning, shared vision, management conflict. And then thank you for scrolling down. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I would also just highlight A, commitment to high standards as well. So I think we have A, B, and F that have been being thrown around. membercrats member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So any comments on those?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think the recommendation is somewhere around six to eight. So if we have nine, I think it's fine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree. It was hard to even, you know, Mark all of these, there was so many. I think we have the most votes for A and F. Is there a motion or any other? I would make a motion for A, B, and F. A motion for A, B, and F. Is there a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. I'm in the affirmative, zero in the negative. It looks like we have our indicators. Thank you, everybody. That was great teamwork. We have artifacts, superintendent will present to the committee at the formative assessment. And then we also have, you know, who's gonna, are we gonna create a committee to gather the ratings and the notes? Or are we gonna have one person do it? So with those two topics left.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it's good, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so there's one vote for a committee of I'm assuming three people to help calculate the ratings and notes by member McLaughlin. Anybody else have a comment on that? If you think it should be one single person or committee member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Member McLaughlin and Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays and Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have the notes from the session. So is there a motion on the floor to use the wording, unsatisfactory, needs improvement, proficient and exemplary versus numbers?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member Laughlin. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I'm just waiting for a roll call, and then we'll move on to, I think it sounds like we need to have another motion after this to form a committee. So members of the college.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call vote on evaluation including recommendations and raw data.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. I believe there's a motion on the floor to form a three member subcommittee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, do we think- So is anybody interested in being on this subcommittee? Member McLaughlin, Member Hays. I'm happy to do it. McLaughlin, Hayes, and Graham. If there's no objections and no further ayes, we have a committee member. So there'll be a three person committee, I think, In my opinion, a committee should just be established until the school committee, whoever they may be at the time, decides to do it in a different format. Mayor? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. And then you can always make it permanent if it works out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would second. You're seconding, member McLaughlin, you're seconding the creation of a subcommittee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin to form a new subcommittee made up of three members to compile the ratings and notes for the superintendent's evaluation. Roll call, please. I need one minute. No problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You want it, Paul? Yes, seven affirmative, zero negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Graham, Hayes, and McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I nominate Sharon Hayes as the chair. Yeah, I was gonna say that. She's the one that called this meeting. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays, if y'all are happy with Member Hays being chair, thank you for stepping up, Member Hays. We appreciate you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We have a committee. Mayor. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful. Thank you, Doctor. Thank you to the committee. Great job, everybody. Is there a motion to adjourn? Second. Member Kreatz, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative zero negative meeting is adjourned. Have a great night, everybody. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My check one, two, my check one, two, one, two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, everybody. Feel free to have a seat. We're going to get started somewhat on time because we want everybody to get home safe with the weather. And we're trying to keep the program to less than an hour. So thanks for everybody for being here. First up, I want to announce that we have a very special guest to start us off tonight. We have our first ever Poet Laureate, Terry Carter, who's going to read us a poem. Terry is a published author of five books. Currently writing his sixth, which will go to print very soon. He's a huge asset to every part of our community, the schools, the West Medford Community Center, and the community as a whole with his poetry and so much more. So without further ado, Terry Carter.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. First, I wanna start by thanking Steve. I wanna start by thanking Steve Smerity, the director of communications and Emma Tombley for helping me write this speech you're gonna hear tonight. I think Steve and I had a tougher job the last week cutting it down from 25 pages to nine. So you can thank me for that later, but there's so much that has been accomplished in this city that I wanna speak about. So I'm gonna do that tonight. And I'm not gonna rush, usually I rush, I feel so bad, I'm long-winded, but I'm not gonna rush because this work that everybody's doing on a daily basis is worth taking my time for. And just before I start, please know that just because something's written on a sign doesn't mean it's true. And I'm sorry that the horns are beeping. And I'm sorry to Terry, but the horns were beeping. Thank you for those joining us here tonight. Thank you, if you're watching from home or on Zoom, I do know that we have many elected officials here, Representative Donato, School Committee woman, Kathy Kreatz, Member Ruseau, and City Councilor Rick Caravielloa, and Member Hays. Thank you. And former member, Paulette Van der Kloots. Thank you for joining us. Thank you to Terry Carter, our poet laureate, member Jenny Graham, and President Nicole Morell for kicking off the event. Before I begin, I must thank the tireless work of our department heads, city staff, and volunteers who have committed to doing amazing things under the difficult and ongoing conditions caused by the pandemic. You're all integral to the success that I will be highlighting here tonight. You're the reason why we're here tonight. I stood before you last January and outlined my vision for Medford, listing many long-term goals, including numerous projects that are currently underway, and laid out our roadmap for the next two years and beyond. Now, as we begin this fourth year of growth and progress, I want to give an update on how things are going, what challenges lie ahead, and how we continue to deliver on the promises we made, the vision we shared, and the future we've imagined. Walking through the city, visiting places I frequented as a child, young adult, and city councilor, what struck me in many instances was how infrequently some places change. A community that does not grow does not thrive. And here in Medford, because we have done the planning the last three years, we now are about to see growth mode. We've been able to make this transition and kickstart our economic engine because of a key goal, tapping into the unrealized potential of our squares, our green spaces, and our city-owned properties. The most obvious opportunity to begin our next generation of development is at Wellington Station. The untapped 28 acres of land has been in city control for over half a century. Since 1969, and in our community was completely missing out. not only on the potential revenue streams, but also the exciting opportunities that could be realized with diverse transit oriented mixed use development designed to attract new families, workers, and students. Since we issued the request for information in September, we have spent the past few months reviewing proposals from eight highly qualified developers and released those to the public earlier this month. Each plan had a unique vision for the area's potential and suggested bringing much needed housing options and other mixed use features, such as retail, office, hospitality, and green space. We will take you through these proposals and use them to help inform a future RFP in 2023 that fits the needs of our community and brings about generational change to the Wellington area. In addition to Wellington, we're also attempting to reimagine a few underused city-owned lots in Medford Square. with the help of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council working to develop priorities and criteria for future redevelopment through a community-driven analysis and visioning process that will incorporate the needs of residents and stakeholders. We will finally see progress on this project in the coming year and get out an RFP for Medford Square in 2023. We have an opportunity with these lots to implement smart resident-focused development that aligns with our community's priorities and vision. If we do this the right way, it will benefit our downtown square by creating a more sustainable and accessible future for the area. But as I said, we can't do this in a silo. We must engage and work with our seniors in the neighborhood, our local small businesses, Chevalier Theater, and residents to access their needs, assess their needs, and implement a strategy that recognizes their importance to building a more vibrant and thriving downtown area. One of the three 40B projects we are negotiating on Mystic Ave has been a topic that has garnered much debate, controversy, and discussion over the years. There's an opportunity for meaningful, lasting development on this strip that we can't afford to miss. Director Alicia Hunt, Economic Development Director Victor Schrader, now part-time, and I would not settle for thousands of luxury apartments at this site. and have been working with the developer on a different vision, one that can bring innovation and lasting possibilities to Mystic Avenue, a $1 billion life science development equipped with open space and first floor retail. As we look to strengthen our commercial corridors, we must not lose sight of ensuring that people who will use these new developments also have the ability to continue to live in our city. It's no secret that there's a housing crunch in the region, Cities across the Commonwealth are feeling the pressure to create lasting solutions to this problem and Medford is no different. Our city, however, is finding solutions that will bring more housing, especially affordable housing to Medford. We'll have a comprehensive master plan, which is being released very soon, will help guide our housing policy in the future. We currently have two other 40B projects that my administration is negotiating and working on. We worked with the developers on the project on Mystic Valley Parkway to resubmit plans to the Zoning Board of Appeals that includes 350 units, 25% of which are affordable housing units. We're committed to using ARPA funds to support and assist with affordable housing projects, like the ones at our Housing Authority complexes at 121 Riverside Ave and Walkland Court. We've allocated 400,000 to help offset permitting costs of renovations, thanks to the help of Bill 40, for upgrades and renovations to new affordable units at 121 Riverside Ave just this past week. Using existing funding sources like ARPA are helpful and allow us to make immediate expenditures to ease the burden on partners, but we're doing so knowing that we need a long-term plan for additional revenue sources. ARPA will end in 2025 and we don't want our partners left holding the bag. That's why establishing affordable housing trust is so important and will help allow us to fund new projects in the absence of ARPA. We've done the work, communicated with stakeholders, and are ready to move forward. The next step in the process is working with the council, who I know is supportive and understands the value of the trust. Those are just a few of the over 30 development investments we are working on. A special thanks again to our planning team led by Director Hunt and our now part-time economic development administrator. Thank you. Thanks to the work of our police chief, Jack Buckley, Medford PD is setting an example for how to operate as a diverse professional police force that continually engages with the community, builds new lasting partnerships and promotes inclusion and empathy with the way each of our officers conduct themselves. Aiding in that mission is the remarkable facility that the MPD calls home. And I have made it a priority to see that the fire department has a headquarters that is just as dynamic and meets the current needs of our firefighters and emergency personnel. Also, one of the ongoing initiatives that has been moving forward over the past year is upgrades to all six of our stations. We have already spent over $1.3 million on over 20 projects to upgrade each of our stations, including lighting projects in each substation, roof repairs or replacements, kitchen upgrades, and one final one to go. And we will continue to ensure these are the best working environments to keep Medford safe. Since day one, bringing our fire stations up to the standards of the 21st century department have been a priority of mine and my chief of staff, Nina Nazarian and chief John Friedman have been working tirelessly to get an owner's project manager hired and an architect contract signed. We are happy to announce that we do have an owner's project manager that we have hired and are very close to signing a contract with an architect firm for the design of the fire head quarter building. A special thank you to Medford residents, Luke McNeely and Paul Holian Jr. who have also done a lot of work, a lot of reading as it relates to this project. Please know that these things take time, but there is a committed group pushing these projects as fast as they can with me nagging them every step of the way. In addition to the efforts underway for the fire headquarters, our fire substation, engine three on Salem Street, is going to have the garage floors replaced this year. Thanks to the work of this team, as well as the dedicated help of our chief officer, Fiona Maxwell, and her team, and available community block grant funding, we can move forward on this project exponentially. Finally, this year, we'll begin IT work of over 500,000 and are designing window repairs or replacements at all the substations too. That's an additional over $2.2 million investment in new projects at the fire stations with a potential over $20 million bond after that for the headquarters. And in order to help fund these infrastructure improvements, I spent months negotiating to have cannabis dispensaries in Medford that would benefit our community. Our terms were eventually met and in addition to receiving the maximum 3% gross revenue coming back to the city, which will be used towards roads and sidewalks. We were also able to secure funding for our library, fire stations, DPW vehicles, cruisers for the police department, local nonprofit aid, veteran aid, and so much more. With all of these new projects coming online and countless more already completed, it's critical that we have sufficient transportation infrastructure in place to handle the demand and allow people to get to move about the city safely. That's why we commissioned a street and sidewalk infrastructure assessment early in my first term and showed the city, and the city has 200 million in backlog of road and sidewalk work that needs to be fixed due to the decades of neglect. This is a huge task, and although the city does not have the funding or capacity to complete this work in a year or two, we are not shying away from planning and implementation. We have been diligently working to complete our most critical roadways. In the past few months, With the help of our city engineer, Owen Hortella, we outlined a pavement strategy for Freedom Way. The road was in dire need of repair and was used regularly to access schools and city facilities. I'm happy to report that we have done the initial repaving with plans in place. Owen, there's more work to do. For a complete road rebuild in about two years. We've made a significant investment in upgrades to our sidewalks as well. This past year, we bonded a million dollars and we'll be going to the city council for an additional bond of 1.5 million that will include equipment. So even more work can be done in-house by our DPW team. Thank you to treasurer Judy Johnson for always helping us whenever we need her, when it relates to bonds. We've also identified more cost-friendly options for some road repair. Recently, 94 streets were identified in our assessment as prime candidates for a process called crack sailing. Over 30 streets have been completed with roughly 60 more to finish this spring. We are also working on a comprehensive patchwork plan that will be finalized and released to further repair our roads. Engineering and our Department of Public Works Commissioner Tim McGivern have been instrumental in this planning. With an eye on maintaining and improving the structural integrity of our streets and sidewalks, we've made tree stump removal and tree planting a priority. Working with our tree warden, Aggie Tudin, over the past year, we've secured over a half million dollars in funding for this work. And we'll continue to invest our resources towards this over the course of the year. I want to thank our state delegation, Rep Donato, Rep Garbally, Rep Barber, for providing some of that funding for this project and many, many others. Thank you. As we upgrade infrastructure, we additionally want to continue investing in our local businesses that are so important to the fabric of community. A few weeks ago, the city awarded $75,000 to 23 local businesses for storefront improvements. With this second round of funding completed, we have awarded over 100,000 through small business facade improvement grants. I spoke about revitalizing Medford Square in my inauguration speech last year, and I'm proud to say we are working towards that goal with programs like this that inject funding and create opportunity for local businesses to thrive. I can't mention local services without mentioning directors, Pam Kelly, Kevin Bailey, and Barbara Kerr, who have done an excellent job running our senior center, recreation department, and library through the last few years of the pandemic. And of course, without the leadership and expertise of our board of health director, Marianne O'Connor, and the staff in the health department, we would not have been able to navigate our way through the early days of the pandemic. Marianne and the team, including Board of Health Nurse Sarah Harris, provided clarity and calm during a truly chaotic and scary situation. So thank you to all, including our volunteers who helped administer over 2,800 COVID vaccines and 600 flu vaccines just in 2022, including close to 190 homebound vaccinations. Vaccines were administered throughout the city with the help of our community liaisons. who connect the community to city resources and expand communications and accessibility to our non-native English speakers in Medford. Expanding opportunities to showcase Medford's growing diversity and culture offerings has been a key part of our development strategy. Our parks and recreation spaces have also been upgraded with new murals. And just today I was at Wright's Pond working on the next with a local artist and Kevin Bailey. Chevalier Theater additionally renewed a five-year contract with the city back in September, bringing world-class entertainment to our hidden gem for years to come. We have signed a contract with a cannabis dispensary company, Theory Wellness, to construct our first-ever art center on Mystic Ave. They have broken ground, and we cannot wait to see this become a reality. Medford's waterfront will also become a new place for residents to enjoy, with plans in the works to create more recreation areas and beautify the area with murals and other art from the community. We hope to release the initial design for community feedback late this winter. Our city services and facilities are not the only community driven spaces that deserve our investments. We've also been able to prioritize our local nonprofits that have been instrumental to providing critical services and resources to our community. In addition to CDBG funding, we awarded over 230,000 to 25 nonprofits through the Community Fund Committee earlier this month. Included in this round of funding was the American Legion, Temple Shalom, the Medford Chamber of Commerce, and all four of our elementary PTOs, just to name a few. We expect to open up the second round of funding of grants later this year. We've talked a lot now about our progress and excitement for future projects, but we have also been met with some challenges this year, especially in our high school. Our schools, especially the high school, have needed to make change to better address the growing issues stemming from the pandemic. And I've spent, thankfully spent a lot of time over the last month with our superintendent, Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent, as well as other district leaders, pushing for plans that are sustainable, adaptable, and work in the best interest of students. We have two newly trained student resource offices, a revised bathroom plan, and are engaging with students on a much more personal level. But most importantly, we have heard the students' concerns and listened to their lived experiences. We must strengthen our relationships and trust with both the students and caregivers and ensure that our school system is safe and an inviting place for all. As Jenny stated, we're still looking to obtain an MSBA loan to build a new high school. The building we have now is not amenable to quality education, and we believe we have a strong case for the next round of loans due in April to rebuild a state-of-the-art flagship school that our students and faculty deserve. I thank the school committee, the superintendent of schools, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent and Mr. Dave Murphy for all their work on that application and we will be resubmitting. As our community continues to grow as a destination for families and professionals, there is a significant opportunity to expand accessible and efficient public transportation options. As I'm sure you've all seen and hopefully written, the Green Line Extension finally opened in December after many challenges, delays and questions. That was probably the happiest I've seen people at 5 a.m. on a Monday morning cramming in line to get a spot on the T. That just proves that the extension is a turning point for Medford. And I want to thank the community group that advocated and worked on this project for years. I will never stop pushing for better public transportation in and around our community as I did with the MBTA new better bus redesign and the closure of the orange line over the summer. I thank director Todd director of traffic and transportation, Todd Blake, for being the expert this city needs, advocating with us, working with us, and advising us along the way. Thank you. With his help and many others, we've also increased the scope of blue bikes around the city this year with three new docking stations at Tufts Square, Brooks Park, and Medford Square. We are working to expand this network further as alternative green transportation options support our climate action and adaptation plan, including efforts to provide residents with clean, sustainable, and affordable alternatives. I'm happy to announce that we have secured funding for seven additional Blue Bike locations, with the next three coming online later this year at Hormel Stadium, Harris Park, and Spring Street. For the four remaining, we're tentatively exploring Riverbend Park, Haines Square, West Medford, and the Hillside. As outlined in our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, we have lofty goals of reducing our emissions by 50% by the end of this decade and have been working to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. To do this, we've taken a series of steps aimed at making our city operations, facilities, and policies more conducive and adaptable to climate resiliency. The last time I spoke at this podium to you all, I mentioned that we were in the process of securing funding for two additional electric charging stations with the hope of installation this year. Thanks to the work of the Planning, Development and Sustainability Office, especially the work of Planner Yvette Niwa, we've delivered on the promise and have two new stations, one at Hormel and one at Carr Park. And I'm happy to announce that we're expanding on that growth with two more, one at the Missittuck School and one at Tufts Park, coming online this summer with an additional seven being planned over the next year or so. But to implement real changes in the way we conduct our operations, we must commit to reversing our reliance on fossil fuels internally as well. This is also a priority of our city council and school committee. I'm happy to announce that we have secured $230,000 grant Diesel Emissions Reduction Act from the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act from the state with the help of Mike Wentzel from DPW to assist with the purchasing of an all electric commercial grade sweeper, which will replace our diesel engine vehicle. We also made concerted efforts to transition our other vehicles in our fleet to more green friendly options. The police department has purchased new hybrid vehicles and is patiently waiting for their arrival, hopefully in June, which will make their daily operations much more efficient, cleaner, and adaptable to challenges. We also thank director Faye Morrison, who will also be transitioning her fleet in the near future. The city is additionally enhancing its climate resiliency and emergency preparedness efforts through our MedFit Connects program led by our office of prevention and outreach manager, Penny Fanioli. This program seeks to expand and strengthen resources for our underserved community members. And we recently secured a grant, another grant for over 400,000 from the state to accomplish this work. An important part, I'm almost done, I'm sorry. An important part of our commitment to expanding resources and programming for residents is our investment in our green spaces. Medford's many parks are a source of pride for the city. and we have plans for upgrading the construction in many of them, close to 50, actually. I engaged an internal team who have been meeting close to monthly for three years to plan, gain community input and secure funding. In projects scheduled to start this spring and summer alone, we have secured over $5 million for renovations. One of our largest upcoming projects is Carr Park. Carr Park's vision plan was released the end of 21, and we are proud to say that phase one is fully funded and in design and expected to start this spring. Carr Park recently secured additional funding for phase two, which is on the horizon as well. In phase two, we can get excited for new basketball courts, one which will be covered by solar panels, a new playground and much more. Car's solar infrastructure will be funded by $1.5 million earmark in the federal 2023 budget. I wanna thank our federal delegation, including Congresswoman Clark, Senator Markey, Senator Warren, for their work in passing this budget and helping fund community projects here in Medford. Our planning office has been instrumental in this work. Thanks to their work, especially again, Director Hunt and Planner Amanda Centrella, we have not only secured opera funding, but a match of $1 million from another grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for phase one. Awesome job. Upper funds have made a huge impact on our community in the work we are able to do throughout the city. Unlike other communities that set specific funding amounts for various sectors, Medford has taken a needs-based approach, allowing us to invest funding where it is needed most. The data we collected from the community focus survey released this past summer helped inform many of the projects I've mentioned already tonight, with many others that I don't have time for. With the help of our amazing federal funds manager, Lorena Escalero, We will be continuing to invest in areas like affordable housing, public health and infrastructure, as well as plan for the future while being transparent with the work we're doing. Throughout our opera planning process, we have been open and transparent about our financial outlook and the need to allocate a percentage of funding to revenue replacement. Like many other cities and towns in the Commonwealth, the economic effects of the pandemic left a sizable gap in several revenue streams that we traditionally have counted on. For the past two years, the years we have reduced our reliance on ARPA dollars and expect the trend to continue in fiscal year 24 and 25. It's no secret that the city has incurred a structural deficit. And though we have several dynamic development opportunities on the horizon that will inject revenue into our bottom line, thanks to our assessing team, especially, I see Jim O'Brien and Ellen as well have been great. We are analyzing the potential need to come to a solution as to how to fill and address the gap. especially when ARPA is gone. We are closely monitoring and reviewing the need for an override in the future to ensure we keep performing work at this level. These decisions are not easy and we must balance the need and the ability to pay while taking into account that we will need a debt exclusion to build a new high school in the not too distant future. Since hiring CFO Bob Dickinson and budget manager Courtney Cordello, We are back to our baseline staffing levels in the finance department, and my office and the finance team have been hard at work with department heads, collecting information early in the process for the formulation of the fiscal year 2024 budget, especially given the global economic issues that persist, such as inflation and supply chain, in addition to recovering from the structural deficit of the pandemic. Fiscal year 24 is expected to be another difficult year. However, we continue to work hard to get the city's revenue stream to the needed levels to sustain the city's needs. Again, I want to thank everyone at City Hall that made all this work possible. While we're still working to optimize our staffing levels, the strength of the team that I have put together over the last three years in office has completely changed the culture of City Hall. and other places and helped usher in much needed modernization and efficiency updates in city hall operations and policies. Together, we are building the groundwork to professionalize Medford like never before and create a more meaningful and welcome experience for our residents. We have so many new hires that have been instrumental to that change. Those that I've already mentioned, as well as Jeremy Johns, our director of veteran services, Melissa Ripley, our elections manager, Jim Silver, our special projects coordinator, Bill Forty, our building commissioner, Paul Riggi, the city's first ever facilities director, a position the council and I advocated in favor for for the last 10 years. And thank you to HR and our director, Neil Osborne, and the efforts of so many others for keeping this process moving forward and helping fill roles. Accountability has been key to transforming the way our city works and serves our residents. Without accountability, it's impossible to get a professionalized government that the city needs and the people deserve. Part of accountability is ensuring every city employee and resident is aware of the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and has the means and support to actively promote equity and accessibility. It's part of our social justice roadmap. And with the help, amazing help of our director of diversity and equity inclusion, Francis Waje, The city has and will continue to expand DEI training for all staff, city, fire, and police, including implicit bias and cultural competency training. I've said it before, there are things I will not tolerate and no one will discourage me from doing this hard work. We can do hard things. We can transform this city and rid ourselves of the antiquated, outdated, and inefficient policies. But it takes time, it takes focus, and it takes trust. So I'm asking you to trust me. Trust me to do this work. Trust me to make decisions that are in your best interests. And trust me to lead this city to where we all know that it should be. Because there is much more to do. It is often not comfortable or fun having to make these hard choices and do the necessary work. But I've seen and heard about governments run without accountability and they quickly become chaotic and corrupt. And I will not let that happen here. I am committed to a transparent ethical administration for the city and thus will not tolerate city employees who do not share that same work ethic. That said, to be clear, the vast majority of our city employees come to work every day and try their best to move the city forward. many of whom I've mentioned tonight and all of whom I just don't don't don't have all the time. I do and I will continue to do all I can to support them in every way I can. To conclude, please know that so much work has been put work has been put in over the last year to find creative solutions to any roadblocks the city faces. When searching for funding, we find grants and secure them. When presented with differing When we say we are going to do something, we do it. I am dedicated to keeping my promises to Medford and delivering on projects, no matter the challenges we face along the way. And finally, and thankfully, we have the personnel to make it happen. Thank you. I'm the emcee, too. So I want to just thank you all so very much for coming tonight. Those who are watching from home or on Zoom, past and present employees of Medford, we just, again, appreciate all your hard work. Thank you so much. We have a reception outside, so please stay, have a bite to eat, and get home safely. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you to the chamber, to the panelists, to Jim for the opportunity tonight to talk about the issues facing our city. My name is Breanna Lungo-Koehn and I am proud to have served as your mayor since 2020. I'm proud to call Medford home, raise my family here, and serve my neighbors first as city councilor and now as your mayor. I have led the city with the same values that this community instilled in me. that integrity, hard work, and helping the people of Medford come first. Over the past three and a half years, we have worked together to deliver key wins for Medford, recovering from the pandemic by delivering the supports to our businesses, schools, neighbors in the city. We did a street and sidewalk audit assessment to start working on the backloads backlog of decades of neglect. We've developed Medford's first comprehensive multi-year capital improvement plan, including millions of dollars for improvements to our streets, sidewalks, fire stations, schools, parks, tree canopy, and so much more. We drafted the first ever master plan to create a 30-year vision for our future. We finalized the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and have been hard at work implementing so we can meet our climate goals. We reworked the city's website and budget process. We received the city's first ever Distinguished Budget Award. We have completed a housing production plan to help guide us in our work to make Medford more affordable for all. We hired the first Economic Development Director and the city's first facilities maintenance director, and I have built a team that gets things done. There is still important work that remains as our city faces great opportunities and tough challenges, which is why I'm running for another term as your mayor of Medford. I'm looking forward to answering your questions tonight, and I hope to earn your vote on November 7th. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. That's a great question. First of all, I think all the work we've been doing is so important, so it's a hard question to answer, but I'll start with answering it with regards to housing. I think we see a crisis in the Commonwealth, and we also see the crisis here in Medford. So what we've been able to do is create a master plan as well as a housing production plan that we are enacting currently and want to continue to enact. We work with the council, we got that approved, and we also built in an affordable housing trust, which was also approved. That trust is gonna, we're gonna create a board of members of our city, experts to help create more affordable housing. We're also going to continue to work with our 40B developments. The first one we just finalized was Mill Creek. That is going to add 350 new units to Medford, 88 of which will be affordable. We are going to continue to work with the Medford Housing Authority. They are rehabbing all the units on Riverside Ave, and they are adding 22 additional units. We've supported them through the city with helping offset some of their permit costs. We also have the development at Walkland Court. We have a hundred additional affordable housing units that will be added and then a rehab for all of our seniors and disabled population to have a quality living situation and to add 122 units. So we're going to continue to support the Housing Authority. We're going to continue to bring in development like we have over the last several years. We did a lot of planning to get here and right now we have about 10 additional projects bringing in over 185 additional units to create housing in this city. We have commissioned a team with MAPC and our planning and development team to redo Medford Square to also bring in new housing. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, you have a minute? Yes, thank you. When I came into office January 2020, I had three 40B developments dropped on our table. So we commissioned the team led by Director Hunt and myself, as well as help from engineering and other departments, and we created, we assessed our landmass area. and we met that threshold. That gave us the leverage to push these 40 bees and have a seat at the table so they just didn't come in and do whatever they wanted in our community. We made sure that the buildings are sustainable. We want updates to walkability around the facility. We want to make sure the residents in those complexes have green space. By doing the tough work, we were able to turn what was promised 12-story high-rise luxury apartment complex on Mystic Ave into a $1 billion life science proposal that is before us today. We did it right, and I'm proud of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Penny. That's a great question. And we have a lot of needs, as I saw when we came into office, a lot of infrastructure needs. So I think the top priority for me as your mayor is what we've been doing. The school committee and I commissioned a consultant to review Medford High School and to submit a high-quality application to the MSBA. We were 14th in line last year. because of inflation, they only took 10. We resubmitted in April, and we have our fingers crossed in such high hopes that we will get the MSBA loan to fund potentially half of a new construction of a new high school. That would be almost $200 million. So for me, We need to obviously see where our taxpayers are at, but we will need a debt exclusion for a new high school. Our children deserve it, and our faculty deserve it, and it is in deplorable condition. We're working on updates, but it's just not enough. So I do feel that the top priority is a debt exclusion. I also plan, we have a meeting scheduled with the president and vice president of the council, because priority number one for me when I came in was a new fire station. We need a new fire station. I always planned to go out to Bond and we'd put the debt service on our general fund budget, but the Councilors want to explore debt exclusion for that as well. My stance has always been we need to to know where our taxpayers are. We need to give them the facts on what it will cost to do those two things and decide if we have the ability to additionally, I know there's a push on the council for additional override for the general fund budget. That's something we need to explore. I have people that you know, hate us that we won't do, we won't do it immediately. And then we have people calling saying they can't afford food for their table or these high rents. So we need to take a approach where the council and the school in the school committee and myself, as well as the residents make those tough, tough decisions. Councilor, you have two minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll have to unload there. Thank you. With regards to the MSBA loan, I think it's important to point out that if we desperately need that funding and we need to match that funding 50%, and the MSBA doesn't allow us to choose where to put the high school or how to rebuild, they're gonna tell us what belongs in a high school built for 1,200, 1,300 students. And that is a $350 million price tag. So we have to be serious about committing to our students, committing to our educators, and get a new high school built the right way, and let the MSBA lead that process. I'm very hopeful. We're not certain, but I'm very hopeful that we'll be able to be successful in that. And we need leadership that can get the job done. And I think I've proven that over the years. You know, we talk about infrastructure, our roads, our sidewalks, our trees, we're getting it done. This construction season alone, we've done two miles of sidewalk, two miles. That doesn't come easy. It comes with hard work, it comes with leadership, and it comes with a team that can get it done. And they have been doing a lot of work, our engineers and our Department of Public Works, and we're getting it done. Councilwoman?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think the ratings show what students have gone through with the pandemic. And a lot of that has to do with mental health. And to be in a building that's 60 years old that doesn't have the proper AC and ventilation and heating at times can do wonders for students' mental health and create an atmosphere that is more conducive to learning. Yes, I do. Councilor, you have any thought on that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'll start by saying that. About a year ago, most of the contracts in the city, in the school side, became due. And it was, other than fire, it was the first time we had 20 contracts that we were trying to negotiate. We have since settled with our teachers, we've settled with clerical, we've settled with our Department of Public Works, we've settled with our security monitors, we've settled with a whole host of unions, and there are still a few that we're working on. We've been going through good-faith negotiations with all of our unions. A few were held up due to, once the leadership changed with the Teamsters, we were doing flying with settling contracts, especially over the last couple months. But I think the question, Mark, comes down to the very way you approach the question. It's how do you fund what our employees deserve? You know, if you're in the private sector, There's sometimes more money out there. When you're in the city side, you tax to 2.5%, and you have the responsibility of people tugging and pulling from 25 directions, in my case, 25 different departments wanting more, wanting different things in the contract, and I have to be the one to make tough decisions. I have to be the one to do a number of things. First, to be fiscally responsible to the people we serve, to treat our employees well, and to be fair to our employees. So I had unions at one time asking for, and it wasn't too far away, 9.1 percent a year, where we only taxed at 2.5 percent. So it's important that we take that collective picture And I know, it's an election season. I respect the push that is on me to get additional contracts settled, and all I can say is we're doing it in good faith while trying to be fiscally responsible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think I'll respond with a compliment. Councilor Caraviello is a very nice guy and I don't think it's in him to say no. So negotiation strategies, whether it's sitting at the table every time or sitting in a side room, or sitting in a side room.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You have about 40 seconds. I'm always present. I sit usually in a room with my chief of staff, we have our human resource director, and we have an attorney. In my case, we choose to have Copeland and Page who have 40 attorneys on staff that are experts in their field. It's the reason why you see Medford moving forward at the rapid pace you do. They're helping planning, they're helping engineering, they're helping the police department, they're helping a number of, all of our departments to get things done. So I'm doing my best on a strategy to negotiate in good faith. It shows because we've been able to settle contracts. That's time. Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've already spoken about housing, so I think our next greatest challenge is infrastructure, from buildings to streets to equipment. It's why we've commissioned a capital improvement plan back in 2021. It was complete in 2022, end of 2021. We just recently updated that plan. It took a year's time. 200 million in needs and hundreds of projects in queue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, 30 seconds, proudest accomplishment. Oh, it's hard to pick one. I think back when I was younger, starting a girls hockey team to getting through a global pandemic, creating the plans that need to be put in place to move the city forward. We also have our pride events that we've celebrated the last two years. We have our run Medford events, community aggregation, saving Medford residents a boatload on their bill. We've built a team that gets things done. We have work being done on municipal vulnerability preparedness work that I'm very, very proud of.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: transportation. Representative Barber is working to do an environmental study, pushing to do an environmental study to expand the Green Line. We also want to make sure that the current Green Line that just opened is moving at a speed that our residents deserve. And if we do need to do upgrades, we need to make sure that we have leadership in place to push the T to not only communicate but to make sure our residents and all commuters are safe.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you mind repeating the question, please? Oh, sure. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think I agree with the Councilor with regards to trying to get cars off the road. Not only is it going to make things safer, but it's going to help with our climate change issues. What we have in place, and I cannot take credit, is Director Todd Blake. He's Director of Traffic and Transportation. And the work he does on a day-to-day basis for the last five years is something you can't even write about. There are 730 streets in the city. There are 16 intersections. Since he's been here, we've updated, with safety improvements, 200 of those intersections. So as you can see, there's a lot done, but there's a lot more to do. We also have been working very hard to create alternate means of transportation. Not only do we have the Green Line that opened, but we have implemented 10 blue bike stations throughout our community and more to come. I know Tufts University, I'll give them a shout out, is dedicating, they're gonna donate two to the city of Medford. We also are exploring any and every location for EV charging stations to try to push people to drive hybrid. We're trying to electrify our vehicles as well as a way to help with the climate change issue. But transportation, we have drivers, we have walkers, we have people in wheelchairs, people trying to get to school. So there's a balance. And I think our traffic commission is doing the best they can to, through Director Blake's advisement, to make sure we accommodate, you know, some parking, but then also make sure we have travel lanes for all means of transportation so that people can get safely to and from work. and we've been doing that work for a long time and we need to continue that work. So you'll see Winthrop Street, South Street, Main Street, Mystic Ave, we have Haines Square, two complete street projects that we're doing, Haines Square and Riverside Ave, and the work's not done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, I think that goes for you. It's me? Yes. Medford Square has been talked about for many, many years. We've had a number of studies done, and I feel like the last study, which took into account what was done in 2017, was that that was done by our planning department. We've partnered with the MAPC, Mass Development, to reimagine our downtown. We have three parcels. in Medford Square that we are gonna go out to bid with an RFP on. Now that's after months and months long of communication, surveying, community meetings, listening sessions with all of our residents, especially our seniors at the senior center who have needs, as well as the Chevalier Theater, because it just needs to be done right. So my vision is multi-use on two of those properties, I would like to see affordability on housing at all different levels on at least one of the properties, commercial on the bottom floor. Then you have the parcel, which is in between the Hyatt and City Hall, where we could create some parking. We could create potentially a rec center. I'd love to see a nice restaurant up top. Then we also have an unactivated riverfront that is going unused. So we've partnered with a consultant and we have created a vision for the waterfront from the senior center all the way down to Sleepy Hollow. And it's important to me that we get that done. I envision, you know, a bear garden and an art mural and a safe place for our children to play and then a dock out to the water with some art floating in the water. Then you have Sleepy Hollow that definitely needs some updating. So there is so much to do, but we're getting ready to release an RFP for the three parcels, and I hope to see a lot of action on the waterfront by next spring, summer. And we're able to get that done. We've doubled our planning staff since I've taken office. We have the planners. We have the people in place, which Director Hunt leads, to get the job done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll just respond with things do take time. I've been in office a little bit over three years, and I've explained during my opening statement all the plans we put in place, all the work that we've been doing over the last three years. I don't think it goes unnoticed. by me saying we are at the point where we're gonna put an RFP out for Medford Square, we are at the point. We've done the hard work, the finalized work, and we will be putting out an RFP, we will be activating our waterfront, and thankfully, we do have the people that can get that done, and that's something I'm very proud of. So, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I don't think so. There's so many people that don't have the means or the ability to ride a bike, so I think it's about creating that balance. We had a project on Winthrop that spans the whole stretch of the street, and our director came up with a plan. People were for the plan, they were against the plan, we were able to, the Traffic Commission was able to tweak it and really think about the different properties that were along the route so that we could create the parking where needed for the American Legion and for our residents that live in the high-rise development. So it's about creating balance and it's about creating a space for all of Medford residents, whether you're walking, whether you're pushing a stroller, riding a bike, driving a car, We want to be able to share our roads and share it safely. And that's the work we've been doing. And we try to listen to everybody and create that balance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, two minutes. Thank you. I think I spent two minutes talking a lot about affordable housing. It was my, I think when the question was asked about the top priority. So I don't want to repeat myself, but maybe go into a little bit about the trust and bringing in revenue for the city. And just to set the record straight on a few things, new growth is how we do a lot of things. It's how we increase our budget and how we fund infrastructure needs as well as funds different things that will help with affordable housing. So just some facts. In 2011, we brought in $688,000 in new growth. In 2015, we're at $999,000. New growth was just projected. It's on the DLS website. For fiscal year 24, which is the year we're in, we're projecting $2.75 million in new growth. And we have gone over $2 million for the first time in 2021, and we've gone over three years so far. So it's just something I'm proud of, and it's something that our assessing department and our building department have all worked to make a reality, coupled with our planning department. And what's best about the planning that we're doing and 20, 40 shovels in the ground because you took two years to get to that point. The great thing about it, it is bringing in the new growth and it's not going to stop here. So I had to point that out as something that's important for budgetary purposes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is actually one of the top three reasons I ran in 2020. It was the fact that our commercial tax base was declining, steadily declining. And since I took office, it is now increasing. We also had an issue with public trust. We had a zoning board of appeals that violated open meeting law. They ended up resigning. And over the first year in my term, while going through a pandemic, we were building that trust back. As I met with developers, with our planning team and our economic development team, we sat with them and we said, please, just have a community meeting. We need to build trust back among our residents, and that's what we do every time. So the 20 or 30 properties, including the eight-story life science complex that's going above the Bertucci site, It's finally out of a court with a neighbor, and that is moving forward. That's just one of tens and 20, 30 different projects that we are moving forward. It takes time. It's not something I could fix overnight with the snap of a finger. But we're doing it right, and we're going to continue to do it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Penny. Charter review is extremely important. We have a 40-plus-year-old charter. It's about a page and a half. It only references the male gender and to name another whole host of other issues with the charter. So early on, I committed to doing charter review as a Councilor. It was proposed by Councilor Marks in 2016, and I was one of four. that approved charter review. I then put it forward to the city council twice during my first year and a half. I thank the four that voted to move forward with the charter. It just wasn't enough in the state house to get it moved through that way, so I chose another way and we commissioned a task force of 11 capable individuals, Medford residents, led by our chair, Milva, to create, it's gonna take 12 to 18 months, but we're already deep in, at least halfway through, and we've done, we have a community survey out now that's due in December, it's open for many months, so that we can get as much input from our business owners, our residents, in the city, and it's exploring everything that has to do with our charter, including term limits, ward representation, how many members should be on the council, should there be at-large members, and a number of those things I do support. I was interviewed for the Charter Commission, and it was very basic for me. What do the people want? What do the people want to see in our government? And if we can figure that out, I will support it. And I do. I want to see term limits. I've said that for years. I want to see term limits. You can see what happens when somebody's been in office for 30 years, and that needs to change. So, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think it's clear with my vote in 2016, the fact that I put it before the council twice, and the fact that I put a committee together to do it another way, that I am for charter change. I don't believe my council colleague to my left, has supported charter change on the council those three times, so I just want that to be clear. Secondly, we have hundreds of people serving on our boards and commissions, and my number one priority is diversity. I have to also take in what was before me as far as who applied. And you also have to remember that diversity is not just about the color of somebody's skin. It's about LGBTQ, disabled. It has a whole host of things that we need to think about and review when putting a committee together. So I'm proud of the committee we put together. I know two of, one is running for city council, one got a job in Medford, thankfully, and we have replaced those members, and those replacements are also diverse. Councilwoman.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Two minutes. Yes. The safety of our students is our number one priority. So when that incident happened at the high school, I think the first thing that we had to do was listen to our students. And I was lucky to have a number walk on over to City Hall, and I welcomed them in. And for three hours, we discussed everything from A to Z as it relates to Medford High School. We then had the superintendent and the leadership created, not only did a survey go out in the spring to learn more, but we had listening sessions at the high school that I also went to. It was important to assess leadership. It was important to assess the handbook and the rules and how they were being administrated and followed. And I'm very happy and have very high hopes for the new principal of the high school, Ms. Cabral. She seems to be creating, making sure that handbook is fulfilled, and I think it's creating a great atmosphere. And that's not to say that we didn't necessarily have good leadership. It's that we had a global pandemic where our students' lives were turned upside down. Our students were the ones that suffered the most, from mental health to being isolated in their homes. And that's something that we need to deal with. We've been able to hire staff and social workers and guidance Councilors. We put a 10-point plan in place, led by our superintendent of schools. to create a safe environment the best way we could right after that incident. And it's, it's been, we've been successful and we're gonna keep making sure we make security upgrades. I've commissioned a team, city and school staff, to make sure that gets done. Now the team at City Hall is, wheels are turning pretty fast. So there's a lot that still needs to be done and that just has to be our top priority, safety of our students.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To respond to that, I don't think anybody does a perfect job at anything, but I take just offense to treating our superintendent that way. Our superintendent has great skills, and she cares about our students. What we dealt with before her was on a whole other level. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent cares about our students, and you said I don't think we can blame the principal either. He was, which I think is what you did, but the current principal was leading a student body of 1,100 that just went through a global pandemic. Our students are suffering. They still are. That's why we have the extra supports in our schools. And not one person was to blame. We need to take responsibility as parents, as educators, as principals and administrators, and as a superintendent. Nobody was to blame. That incident was an unfortunate, awful incident. They were in the bathroom, they were kicked out of the bathroom, and then when the monitors walked away, they were back in the bathroom. It was an awful, awful situation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the question. I think it's a great question. I think it goes along the lines of what we've been doing for economic development and new growth. Two years ago, we commissioned a consultant along with our economic development director to review the air rights. We own 28 acres above the Wellington T stop. It was, we've had these air rights since the 60s and nothing was ever done. So we commissioned an RFI, request for information, and we were able to solicit, it was months long, but we were able to solicit eight developers that came forward with their plans and ideas. All can be reviewed in our city website. And what we're doing now is we went out to bid with an RFP to hire a consultant so we can do an RFP for the air rights. I envision multi-use, all levels of affordability, retail, restaurants, potential hotel on that site, working with the T building on that property. Yeah, thank you. I can't remember the second part of the question now that I... Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We also have the MBTA Communities Act that we need to comply with, and we are complying, and that's extremely important. We've done the work. We have the planners in place. I know Danielle Evans and Director Hunt have been working on this diligently. through the MBTA Communities Act, we have to create thousands of units next to transit. So the Wellington location is the perfect spot to do that. So between going out to bid with an RFP for those air rights, and complying with this MBTA Communities Act, we'll be able to really revitalize and redevelop that area. And of course, community input and community meetings will be powder that as it always was. And I'll just add, this is work we've been doing over the three years. Malden and Everett, and Somerville started 30 years ago, and you're seeing it. Everett, Malden started 10 years ago, and now you're seeing it. I've started three years ago, and you're seeing it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 30 seconds mayor. Thank you. For quite some time I did meet with the president and vice president monthly and I do try to present the budget and present different things, go once in a while to the council. It's a tough political environment. I wish I had the answers, but what we're going to do with regards to budgeting and council relationships, we're going to start meeting again. We have a meeting next week, and it's important that we try to collaborate. And we have been collaborating, even if I don't attend every single meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you have to, again, balance the need of local landscapers with the noise element and pollution element, so I think maybe either doing time frames or staggering it out where they would have to go electric in hopes that there would be less noise would be the answer. Let landscapers get new equipment over a three or five year time frame while limiting potential hours or seasons would probably be the best answer the council will decide on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? I think there's a number of qualities you need as mayor, but I think having integrity is probably one of the top, and integrity leads to being fair to all, being fair to all of our employees. being fair and making sure every developer has a seat at the table, not just a select few, being fair to our residents, listening to all, making sure like streets and sidewalks, we don't just do a sidewalk because we know somebody, we do a sidewalk because we did an assessment and that outlined how we get the work done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, two minutes. Yes, we have a climate crisis on our hands. We all see it in the news every day. It happens close to home now, too, with what we saw over the last month, especially in Lemonster and Andover. But what we've done is we did a climate action and adaptation plan back in 2022. It outlines 32 strategies and four focus areas. And we have been actively, while it was being prepared and continuing to this day, and we need to continue it into the future, we've been actively initiating that from transportation to our municipal vulnerability preparedness work, composting contract that we signed, our recycling contract. We also have a textile contract with help see But I think the most important part of this this work as well as electrifying and making sure we start buying hybrid vehicles Which we we've done Is the work that we're putting in? To make sure that all residents know what's going on that we're able to communicate with all residents we were able to secure $400,000 for municipal vulnerability preparedness. It was a grant that has come in and through some ARPA funding we've been able to hire over 10 community liaisons and connectors and those liaisons and connectors speak other languages. It's something the city's never had before and it's something that we so desperately needed. We are able to reach all communities We are able to translate things, we're able to find out what the needs are, and we're able to prepare to be resilient in the future. If there is an emergency, we've built trust, so now our residents have people they can lean on, they know they can trust the city, they know where they can find help, where our shelters will be, where our food sources will be, and water. It's a crisis, but we're working on it, and we're gonna continue to work on it. Councilor, two minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, one minute. Thank you. I just want to point out some good work from not only the Board of Health, but our communications director, who's a jack-of-all-trades. We applied for a $2 million grant from the federal government that's hopefully in queue to create a municipal vulnerability preparedness site, and that is the Hegner Center. It's a building that the city owns that needs to be rehabbed. And we're hoping to get that 2 million so that we can create a site to create a safe space in case of a climate emergency. And that will be important, too, because we have the additional time where there isn't an emergency, we'll be able to use that as rec space or senior space, and our rec director has been hard at work. He's always there when we need a helping hand, and what we need now is some help with our after-school crisis. We have hundreds on the wait list, and that site would be able to allow Medford Recreation to house and create a program, which we already have the plans for. We just need the space to create an after-school program.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to point out, because I know there was a council meeting last night, and it's been talked about the last week. I'm not sure who did the homework, but there was talks about how the budget was wrong. Now, the budget was done by my chief of staff, budget director, and CFO, and it was given to the council the earliest I ever recall. So we gave the budget in May. What's being talked about over the last week is that the actuals were wrong. The actuals were as of the May timeframe. We still had another month and a half to bring that up to what we actually budgeted. So we did budget correctly. So I just want to point that out. Can you repeat the question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With the federal pandemic relief money. Yes. Thank you. Thank you so much. So we have ESSER funding that has been spent. You can only use it through September of 2024. We have ARPA funding that can be spent through December 31st, 2024. So we are strategically budgeting in preparation for that. Is it going to be difficult? Yes, it is. But we have gone from a $12 million revenue loss in fiscal year 21 down to $4 million this year. And what we've done is we've saved $2 million to continue to go down for fiscal year 25. That doesn't mean we don't have a problem. We've put on positions in our schools and in our city that are funded through this revenue, but we've already started thinking about it. With our social worker, we're going to transition her to the opioid settlement, $830,000 that we've been able to receive over 18 years. With our economic development planner, we are going to be able to use some of our CDBG money because we've been able to be strategic with that funding. We're going to do everything we can to keep positions in place, but it will be a struggle, which is why it's another pull of the budget. Councilor, one minute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor, if I could just clear the record. The whole list of what we have done with our upper funding is on the website, and I have come to the council with any expenditure over about $200,000. So I'll just leave it with, I know I only have a minute, but fire alone, we've spent over $500,000 on engine three bay floor. We've spent over $500,000 to enhance communication systems between stations. six hybrid police cruisers. We've bought multiple pieces of equipment for DPW. We have money saved aside for fire turnout gear. The whole list, there are hundreds of projects that we've been able to do. We've been putting money towards mitigation in our Board of Health, a whole host of things. We've had community meetings. We've had presentations to the council. So, I'm not sure where you've been, but I just hope you take a look at the website.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My question? Could you repeat one more time? Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have hired, it's been about a year and a half, where we've hired a fabulous DEI director. We had a great person in place that was working HR and diversity during the pandemic. And over the last almost two years, we've hired Francis Wajai to be our DEI director, who is doing amazing work from working with our pride committee to plan 20 plus events during the month of June to working closely with our Board of Health and Office of Prevention and Outreach on that municipal vulnerability preparedness work. We have trying to make everybody feel inclusive with different, I know Councilor and I were at the Hispanic Heritage Month event this past weekend, and then I've also attended the Black History Month event. We've had Arabic Heritage Month that had 200 people there, and I think that work is so important. I brought my daughter to Arabic Heritage Month, and just to tell her, you know, it wasn't because it was me. I think it was just because it's the mayor, but people want to take pictures and want to meet you. There's a feeling of acceptance when leaders show up at these events and not only show up at these events, communicate these events out, help plan them, help push for them, help make everybody in our community feel welcome and valued. accepted, and not only that, but making sure people have what they need to live in Medford. Municipal work is making sure that people have what they need, have the support they need. It's important work, and we've done a lot, and we need to do more, of course. The translation piece, we've made great strides, but I think that's one place where we definitely can improve. Councilor, two minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, one minute. I'm just going to touch upon the staffing, not only on a diversity lens, but also just in general, because it's been brought up many times tonight. First of all, we've done everything we can to professionalize how we hire. For the first time since I took office, we have a human resource department, where the hiring goes through, and Francis Wojcicki has helped us. create an even better process. We have interview panels. We take notes. We make sure that the best candidate gets the position. There was also a time where Vivian Wright was working for us, and I asked her to just take a look at the last six months, nine months, what is the percentage of diversity that we've hired, and we were over 25% for the first time in what I think is Medford's history, and that's something that takes thought, it takes making sure that the right person gets the job, and it takes work, and we're doing it. And as far as staffing, I am in charge of 400 people. There is always going to be 12 job postings on our human resource board. You know, we've been able to hire such a great crew, and we're continuing to do that. There are a couple vacancies, but we're working through them. We have a great economic development director we've been interviewing, and we're taking one step at a time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, two minutes. Thank you. I think the question was about our residents and not only in Medford, but the Commonwealth and the country, and how people are feeling. And I just want to bring it back and bring a little bit of hope. What I see in Medford, because that's where I lead, I do, I see two sides fighting on social media to the point where sometimes you just got to put it down. But if you put that aside, I see a community of which I know is 90 to 95% of the people that have values where we care about others, where we are kind, where we have the same concerns like building a new high school and fixing, making sure we go net zero by 2050, and making sure we have transportation for our residents. And I see people stepping up every day, whether that's serving on a board or commission. I see people putting food in the food pantry, and now we have nine of them. I see our Department of Public Works who built those food pantries. I see us coming together as a community, being more accepting and welcoming and inclusive than we have ever been. So yes, there's turmoil in the world, there's turmoil in Medford, but I like to, and I get it in my office, you know, my poor secretary gets abused, and especially during election time, it's just extra. So we did we do we deal with those we do deal with the bad But I try to leave the office and I try to drive home give her give her it's gonna be okay But and think about the good think about the people that we do have in place the residents that are doing Helping us move this city forward every day Thank you, so I'm one I
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One minute. I too think Councilor Caraviello has stepped up, and I thank him for that. You were out delivering groceries with my husband when people were afraid to leave their homes. So I give you tremendous credit, and I thank you for that. I wasn't insinuating otherwise. I too do what is best for the community. You know, I lead a city. I am really digging into school issues. Three children, they don't even do Girls on the Run, but I coach 27 little cuties every week because I want to make an impact. So I think that's one thing we have in common, Councilor. You're always stepping up, and I always try to be the best person I can, no matter how tired I am. My poor family is the one that probably suffers the most if I'm, you know, exhausted on the couch by Friday night, but that is something we do have in common, and I'm proud of that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Jim, moderators, the chamber, and Kevin at Medford Community Media, and the audience for tuning in. When I came into office, the city was not only facing incredible challenges like a global pandemic, but we were contending with lack of plans and long overdue investments to our infrastructure. Since 2020, I have focused on leading in a way that was fair to all and accountable to Medford residents. While navigating us through the pandemic, my team and I also focused on doing the planning and the work needed to secure state and federal funding to address our infrastructure needs and address decades of neglect. And most importantly, I focused on delivering for Medford by hiring highly qualified professionals. We focus on smart budgeting. We are professionalizing city services and embed accountability and transparency in all we do. It's because of my record of getting things done that I've been endorsed by Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Congresswoman Clark, Representative Barber, organized labor, school committee members, Ms. Stone, McLaughlin, and Hayes. to name a few. With all that we have accomplished in just two terms, we all know there is still so much work to do and so many challenges ahead of us, from the impacts of climate change and increasing mobility through our streets and public transportation to addressing our housing crisis and improving our public schools. We need experienced leadership, trusted leadership that can continue this work and continue moving Medford forward. In the past, there was a culture within the city where connections were valued over community, which led to an unfair system and missed opportunities for the growth we need. We cannot go backwards. We just can't. Remember, you have two important decisions. You have ahead of you the decision to get out and vote and the decision to vote for which candidates you think will make a positive difference in the lives of all Medford residents. It would be an honor to earn your vote on November 7th so I can continue leading this city and our strong team in the right direction. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Good afternoon, everybody. It's an honor to be here with you today, celebrating women and sharing stories about our lives and careers. I thank the superintendent and the team at Medford High School for putting this wonderful event together. It's not a secret that there are barriers and challenges that attempt to prevent women from achieving our deserved place as equals in society. I wish I could tell you that by the time you students are ready to face the world outside these walls, you'll be met with recognition and support in all your endeavors. Unfortunately, that's not the case. You will be faced with adversity, with roadblocks, and with situations that are just frankly unfair. But as you'll hear from women here today, there is no reason for that to be accepted as an outcome. You have to be your own advocate, and above all, you must believe that your worth is not measured by anybody other than yourself. These are hard lessons, and it takes a lot of tough situations to learn them. But what you hear today from strong women who have repeatedly crashed through the glass ceilings, toughness is not attributed to just one gender.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Anna. As a female leader, I think you have to lead by example and you also have to break through the status quo and how things maybe were run in the past. So when I became mayor three years ago, I promised myself that I would always do what was right no matter what, no matter if it cost me votes or led to somebody being unhappy. So I'll just give you an example. Systematic change, changing the system, part of that is the hiring process and making sure we have a diverse staff, especially within City Hall and our school department. So I had to interview for a position in the city, and I was stuck with, I had two candidates left that got moved to my office for the final interview. One was a Medford resident who, I knew her children, and one was a resident, it was not a resident, and it was a woman that was more qualified and spoke a second language. I knew I would get a little pushback, potentially, for not picking the candidate that was a Medford resident that I knew personally, and I did. I chose the candidate that had more experience and that spoke a second language, because that's what Medford needs. We need to embrace diversity. We need to have a culture where City Hall represents the entire city. So, breaking through the status quo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Lisa. Good morning, everybody. People of all ages, it's wonderful to be here today. Thank you to Lisa for planning this amazing event. It was community senator Terry and the board to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I also just want to recognize a few people. Dr. Edouard-Vincent, superintendent of schools. We have State Rep. Sean Garvalli, State Rep. Christine Barber, and then Redford City Council President, Nicole Morell, and City Councilor, Brittany Yellow. I think I've... hosting today, and we know our diversity, equity, and inclusion director, Frances Wojcik, who's watching at home due to car trouble. We were happy to help support this, and we thank you for your partnership. Thank you to the Royal House who also partnered with us to make today happen. Thank you for all who are attending, and thank you for inviting me to say a few words as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. So happy to be here to share thoughts on his impact, reflect with you all, and enjoy the music, poetry, and conversations. The past few years have definitely tested us, but Dr. King's message of equality, love, and hope are still as relevant today as when he originally spread them some 60 years ago. One of the prevailing messages that Dr. King referenced on multiple occasions is the quest for a better future for the youth of America. That's something I constantly grapple with. Will I leave this city and the world a better place for my children and your children? It's a tall task, but it's one we must achieve in order to build on the legacy that Dr. King forged. In Medford and in all communities, we need to continually address the systematic issues that can erode the people's trust. We're trying to do that through our advocacy on many different issues, including the MUP grant, including transit, development, and the environment. We need to lift up the voices of those who often go unheard and champion causes that lead to a more sustainable and powerful future. Embracing Dr. King's leadership and ideals will help us take accountability and honor his legacy and reach those lofty goals of unity. I look forward to the conversation today, to hear everyone talk about their experiences with Dr. King and his message. It has had a profound impact on so many and has helped shape so much of what we are trying to do here in Medford. It's truly special to be able to come together, reflect on the life of Dr. King, and speak on the shared experiences we have dealing with diversity, social equity, and building a foundation of trust in our community. Thank you again to everybody who made this happen, who's here today, who's watching from home.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right, let's do it. We can do this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Members of the same present. I'm sorry, I was had a question for me. never was released yet. Dr. Walton, myself, and Karen Bass and Dr. Russo. Present. Okay. Everybody should be here. Still a member or so online. I'm here. We just checked the echo while we're waiting for the superintendent, just because I was echoing. Good. Thank you. I'm just going to wait for the superintendent. She's one of the first agenda items. I want to welcome our student representatives, Dominic Bruno and Lauren Serra. Thanks for coming. If you want to speak, just like member Graham or member Krets know, they'll lend you their microphone. We have our consent agenda number five, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes from December 19, 2022. Is there a motion on the floor to approve the minutes? Seconded by member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We have reports of subcommittees.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just wanted to make sure we were following. Member Ruseau, if you want to roll call the consent agenda, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven, the affirmative zero and the negative consent agenda is officially approved. We have reports of subcommittees rules and policy subcommittee meeting minutes from December 6, 2022, which were previously tabled. Mayor. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: table by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Kreatz? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Some of the affirmative, some of the negative. The report of subcommittee rules and policy subcommittee minutes have been tabled. Number seven, we have reports of the superintendent. The first up is superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Brice Edward-Vinson. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Next up, we have number two report on world language update, Dr. Vilma Bebo. Bebo. Bebo, sorry. World language coordinator. Welcome. Thank you. Good evening. Next slide, please. Next.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much, Ms. Cabot. Any questions from the committee? Thank you. Thank you very much. Oh, you have a question member miss stone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number three, report on updated Medford High School's safety plan. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Questions from the committee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sandy hook line.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think if I may just point out, this is just one avenue. If you went to the meetings, they were by grade level on the first day back last week. Each grade level was able to see a picture and the name associated with anybody in the building that could be a trusted adult. And it came to news for me that there is plenty of people that our children, teens can report to, whether that be anonymously or not. And so 12 total mental health professionals in the building six guidance Councilors, principal, three assistants, and the list goes on. And the students were shown every name and picture so that they have an idea of where they are in the building, who they are. And I think one important thing that has changed in the last two weeks is it was going to be a form survey. And between Peter and Joan, I know you're working on it a great deal, the survey. I'm pushing very hard behind the scenes that it not be a form survey, that we have a survey that we develop, take our time, an extra couple of weeks to develop that is gonna fit the needs of our students and our teachers and our families. Then some of the questions are gonna be based off of what we've learned in the listening sessions, in the class meetings. And for an example, it's, do you have a trusted adult in the building that you can go to voice a concern to? And if not, do you want one so that you can connect students directly? And that's just one example. The administration is trying to do this right and be thoughtful, and I appreciate that. I'm pushing for it, and I'm getting good response. So I just wanted to point that out. There are trusted people in the building, plenty of them that our students can go to. This is another means of, I want to be completely anonymous. I'm going to report to this line.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good suggestion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And on that note, Member Hays, I did suggest that a bulletin board be put up somewhere in the high school with every picture of a trusted somebody, all the adults within the school with the names and phone numbers to the hotline and to care solace, things like that. I think that's important to put on the website and post in the school so the students have it too. And then with regards to the listening sessions, I was able to make two out of the four, and I took notes and sent mine over to Ms. Glusi, but I know that the Councilors were taking notes. And I do think it's important that we do form a list of questions that came from those sessions that we weren't able to answer so that we can follow up with our students, whether that's by one formal email in the next week or two, just to let them know they have been heard I know that Dr. Cushing reached out to the first listening session, which was four amazing students who had so much to say. And a big theme of theirs was how to get communication. They don't really love checking email. They're getting too many of them. So Dr. Cushing is going to meet with them and hopefully create a social media platform because that seems to be where they want to get their information. And I said, well, you could be leaders and do it yourself. So a lot of good did come out of the sessions, but I do ask that any questions that weren't able to answer in those four sessions are kind of outlined to the students with some answers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Do you want to student rep Dominic. Oh, Bruno.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think that concludes our questions. I don't know if somebody from, oh, member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If there's no further questions, I don't know if I can make a motion if you want to take the chair. Member Graham, or if somebody would make a motion that we just get an update on this 10-point action plan at the February 27th or the March 6th meeting. I'm happy to make a motion that we get an update on this at our February 27th meeting. Motion to get an update on the 10-point action plan on February 27th by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call. Member Graham. Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Kreatz? Yes. Member McLaughlin? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is passed. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Four trained officers, two will be in the building. at most times until unless there's an issue in the police department where they someone needs to get pulled. Okay, for trained fully, fully. Yeah. And if one gets promoted, our plans are to try to keep it at four. So that can always be two in the building. So two in our building, but for at the department per se, for a fully trained, hopefully, like one had to go out on leave. There's four fully trained officers. And then zero bro is still to the middle schools. He is still at the middle schools in the high schools. Okay, awesome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, perfect. On that note, if I may. Yes, really, if you're done with that question. During the class meetings, it was not clear on what the discipline would be, other than the first would be reported to your parent and potentially the assistant principal. And the students in the listening sessions actually said, because it's going to be based per student. But in the listening sessions, the students actually that came to the listening sessions wanted stricter discipline to be known by the student body. And of course, if there is a special situation of a child in an IEP, then you would treat them on a case by case basis. So I do ask that the administration does work on a plan that's tight, that the student body would understand. They weren't happy their parents were going to be called to be notified, which is fine. But they didn't want to even said, I feel like I might be discriminated against because it's a case by case basis. So I do it. ask the administration to have a team meeting on this to identify what the levels of discipline will be to then follow up with the student body. And of course, if there's a special situation, then that will be handled accordingly. But I think that's important. I think you're on the right track. It should be report home every single time, but then discipline comes into play depending on how many times a class is cut. I'm glad it's working. But I think we need to just tighten it up and firm that up and let parents, caregivers, teachers, students know, because it will happen less and less if they know what the consequences are. Absolutely. It has to be a team effort between home and school.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Braley. Name and address for the record, please. The third button. There we go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Gilead. We have a number four recommendation to approve district consultant contract, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, do you have more questions. I just think the first paragraph is, is somewhat lacking. And maybe some of the additions that Member Graham suggested will cut it, but I just feel like review of policies and procedures and also review of past practice of how we heard a lot over the last several weeks, just bullying complaints that were not followed up on, racism in a classroom that was not followed up on. So I think it's great that to have somebody to speak to all administrative staff, especially our central administration, who seems to know, along with our superintendent, the day-to-day and what's gone on over the last several years. I think it's important that the school committee is part of those discussions or at least gets an interview as well. But accountability, follow-up, how are we handling progressive discipline and review of policies and procedures are also very important. And then I guess my question is, how did we come to, I think along the same lines, how did we come to the February 28th date and that amount of money? Was there any discussions of additional funding? Just because I think we're going to go through the RFP process and do a culture and climate study. We just hired somebody for communications. So we have a lot. And my follow up question would be, how are we going to pay? you know, we're gonna be using ESSER money or how we're gonna pay for all this. So is this what the terms have been, the $25,500 for two full months? Has that always been on the table?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's not my question. I'd rather not extend the time in the contract if it was up to just me. I'm just asking, how did we come up with the two months? Is that two months, the 25,000, what we've always been discussed, which has always been discussed, or how did we get to that figure? in that time frame.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Member Hays, Member McLaughlin, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham and then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can check with our legal team, Member Ruseau. I don't have the correct answer myself.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I could, from the chair, otherwise I could take the floor, just that we also include review of policies and procedures, past practices of things like the bullying and the racism, that accountability be looked into follow-up progressive discipline.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve as amended. Motion to approve as amended by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Well, motion passes some MSBA status and fiscal year 23 budget Mr. David Murphy assistant superintendent of finance and operations. Mr. Murphy. Thank you, Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you need a city council vote. So that can be done prior to April so we can. And thankfully, you're going to be hopefully helping us do the, this again for a second time, the right way. So we would assume that we're going to follow the process and be ahead of the game to be ready to say in April.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. With a specific timeline. A motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero the negative. The motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham. Oh my god, what's my question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 7 the affirmative, 0 the negative, motion passes. Member Mustone, yes, 7-0. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. I don't think there are any questions. I'm going to go to presentations of the public.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No continued business. We do have one item for new business offered by Member Hays, Member McLaughlin, and Member Mustone. resolution for district-wide appropriate notification of student incident reports, whereas behavior, accident, and discipline incident reports related to students and student contact are created and retained at each of the district schools, whereas incident reports including individual student names are placed on file for referral by administration and may be used in future meetings and or litigation, be it resolved families and caregivers receive copies of any incident report regarding their student within 24 hours of incidents, The further resolved information about access to incident reports is included in our student handbook, district policy, and our public facing website. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, Dr. Edwardson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Two weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I'm fine with that amendment for the motion on the floor I remember a lot when I believe member Ruseau has his hand up and I'm going to take our residents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the- Thank you very much. Initial incident report, yes. Motion for approval as amended. Do you wanna go first?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One second, just press the button.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we'll go to the principal.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Peter, can you address the chair? Yeah. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. name and address for the record on the motion 2023-01.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We haven't been told of any incidents from the school committee. I don't know if I can speak for all of us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you're moving the question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Move the question. Is there a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As amended. Second as amended by Member Graham. We could take a roll on this, unless anybody wants to suspend the rules to talk off subject. Can we finish the motion first, and then we can hear from Mr. Orlando? Do you want to suspend the rules to hear? I would like to get the motion finished first, and then we can decide what we want. Motion for approval as amended. Roll call. Would you like the motion? Come on up. This is about the motion. Yes. This is about the resolution. The resolution, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion motion as amended. Thanks. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call, please. Member Graham. Yes. Member Hays. Yes. Member Krantz. Yes. Member McLaughlin. Yes. Member Mesto. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 7 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative. The motion passes. Now is there suspension of the rules to let a resident speak?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Your name and address, you have three minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, that's right. Sorry. Sorry about that. Motion for approval by member McLaughlin seconded by second member Graham roll call please. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, some of the affirmative zero and the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for sharing. Mayor. Member Ruseau. Yes, somebody has a hand up. Jessica, name and address of the record. Hi, Jessica Haley, 4 Lock Road.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Jessica. Reports requested. I don't believe there are. Motion to revert back to the regular order of business. Motion to revert. Seconded by Matt McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. Reports requested. We have condolences. A number 12. The Medford. We have condolences. Yep. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Carolyn M. So geez, who was a teaching assistant and administrator for shore collaborative. The Medford school committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Cornelius L. Neil O'Brien, who served over 30 years as a custodian for the public schools. The Medford school committee expresses its sincere condolences. The family of Gail hunt mother-in-law or bros in hunt, the administrative assistants, the athletics department. The benefit school committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Richard M. Mangan, uncle of Christopher Mangan, the security monitor at the Roberts Elementary School. We all may rise for a moment of silence. Our next meeting will be on January 23, 2023 at the Alden Memorial Chambers at 6pm, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. The motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We want to let everybody know that the teachers union has ratified their contract and the school committee has voted in approval of that contract. So I wanted to start with that. We're gonna give people the chance to speak right after the superintendent's comments, which is very close with regards to the incident today. First up quickly is the consent agenda. bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes, December 5th, 2022.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve is seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Minutes are approved. We have number five. I'm not sure if anybody wants to table this. Report of subcommittees, rules and policy, subcommittee minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? reports of subcommittees have been tabled until our first meeting in January. Next up we have number six report of the superintendent superintendent superintendents updates and comments, I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Reese Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you from the chair if I may, I want to thank the superintendent for comments. First and foremost, our teachers who navigated the almost two hours in the shelter in place while the police were able to do their work at the high school. We thank the teachers, staff, the nurses, thank the police department for being there and obviously going to be a presence throughout the week. We do have chief of police here. also Captain Covino, who will be able to answer questions if we do have any questions, and maybe give us an update right off the bat. But please know we are taking this extremely seriously. Safety of our students is our utmost priority. I think you've heard from this committee that we recognize there's a systemic issue, and there's a culture and climate study that needs to be done, and that's just one thing that needs to be done. I know many of you have said it on the floor, I say what I need to say quite often behind the scenes, especially out of respect and pushing for that change. Everybody knows I'm making the changes on the city side, and we do want to see positive changes for our students on the school side too. We do recognize that. We have asked for a culture and climate study a year ago, and I know that's out in procurement now. Dr. Cushing told us today. Just also please know, as soon as I heard about this, I was at the high school with our communications team, also our board of health director, who is our emergency management coordinator for the city. We went to the high school just to make sure we could lend a hand any way possible, work with central administration to get communications out, to make sure we were crossing all our T's and dotting all our I's, and the students are our utmost priority in their safety. There is no imminent threat. I'll ask Captain Covino to maybe come up and give a little more detail. There's no imminent threat. We have a plan for tomorrow between the bathroom plan, extra staffing in the hallways and the cafeterias. We're asking our teachers for support. We do have a plan. We're gonna implement that tomorrow and any other details you can give Captain Covino. I know you're actively working the situation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You could tell us a little bit. I know everybody's been watching the news and Schools have sent out a number of communications to parents and faculty and staff, but is there anything else you can share about the incident that we don't know about in the last hour that we've been in executive session?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we'll have additional professionals and Councilors in the high school to deal, along with the police presence. We'll have additional supports in place for our faculty and staff tomorrow. We've called in outside agencies as well as additional Councilors from the other schools to come help. Any?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know that people may be here to talk, Um, ask questions, voice your concerns. Please feel free. We're going to open it up to the floor. We ask people for their name and address for the record. And if we could limit it, we have a number of people online as well. So two minutes or so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I may, just about the tools, Councilor Scarpelli, about the tools. I know it's out there that we got rid of suspensions and detentions, that is absolutely not true.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Every child has rights, we have to make sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Councilor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Mayor. Member McLaughlin, then you're next.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Kelly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Very helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for speaking out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for speaking out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do have two school resource officers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau and then miss miss Puccio from online. So members
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, no.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hi, my name is Ashley. Point of order, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Mr. Murphy, Captain Covino, I don't know if you want to address anything before I call on our next speaker.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the chief of police can maybe just reassure everybody in the audience, every listen from home, the school committee, that there is a safety plan that was updated and some actions that you've been taking with our administration, what you can share. I know it's not all public, but.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Name and address the record. Then we're going to go to Tony tanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Anthony. Ms. Douglas, and then we're going to Tony Tanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Tanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Buccio. Ms. Branley.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Brandly, we are devastated by what is going on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But look, this is my child's 16th birthday. And it was my child's months ago. It was. You're right. It was your child months ago. So we need to step up. I feel your pain. I feel you. The chief of police gave us a safety plan, gave us a checklist. I have a safety plan for my daughter. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not true, we care deeply.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're only, we're not privy to that. We're not privy to that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, two more people online would like to speak. Melanie North and June Falco. Oh, then we have... Okay, June Falco.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's the chief of police and the press captain, who wanted to be here to help answer questions for the community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We are disciplining, but we obviously- No, you're not. Yes, we are suspending students for fights. We have work to do, but we are suspending students for fights. Yes, we are. Gail?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Gail.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, if you can call the roll, and then we'll let Council Member speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you everybody for being here. We have a lot of work to do. We're committed to doing it. And again, thank you to the teachers and the nurses and the police department for supporting central administration, my team to get through today. And our prayers are with the family. Mr. Murphy, do you wanna go on to the labor update? I know we kind of already, the cat's out of the bag, so maybe something brief, labor relations update number two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Galussi, report on reading instruction curriculum. Ms. Suzanne Galussi, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Instructions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, member Ms. Stone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, miss. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Number four, we have report on desi comprehensive district review. Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent of enrichment and innovation. Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We do not have any other presentations in the public or continued business. We do have one item. Under new business, 2022-54 offered by members Rousseau, Graham, and Mastone. Whereas on February 3, 2020, the Medford School Committee voted unanimously in favor of a proclamation to make Medford hunger free. Whereas in the ensuing 35 months, our world has been devastated by a pandemic that has taken more than 1 million lives in our nation alone, and at least 6.6 million lives worldwide. Whereas the pandemic can be measured in many ways, nearly all of which involve significant loss. One of those bright spots, childhood hunger in the United States is reduced through pandemic food relief programs through federal and state governments. Whereas the Medford School Committee has no funding authority, cannot raise taxes or have any effect on the revenues we are allocated from city, state, and federal access to execute on the authority we do have. Whereas our mission is to provide a caring educational partnership of school, family, and community in pursuit of providing the very best education our children deserve for them and for the future of our world. Whereas the Medford School Committee, democratically elected body with exclusive local control. Public schools must press on the city, state, and federal governments to supply us with the revenues we need to meet our obligations. Now, therefore, be it resolved, the Medford School Committee join the Feed Kids Coalition as a sponsor in urging the Massachusetts State Legislature to make free school meals permanent, directs the superintendent to transmit official copies of this resolution to the following governor-elect, Mara Healy, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Edward Markey, Congresswoman Catherine Clark, Senator Patricia Jalen, State Representative Paul Donato, Sean Garbley, and Christine Barber, directs the superintendent to transmit an official copy of this resolution to the Medford City Council in accordance with Medford School Committee Rule 77, directs the superintendent to transmit an official copy of the resolution to the Mayor of Medford. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We do not have any reports requested tonight. We have condolences. Number 12, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Joseph P. Lennox Jr., a World War II veteran and uncle, to former Mayor Michael J. McGlynn and former school committee member and state representative John R. Granara. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Anne T. Quill, a lifelong Medford resident and mother of Julianne Morrow, a cosmetology teacher at the Medford Vocational Technical High School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Eric Lundberg and Brian Arch, both Medford High School graduates, and the nephew and brother, respectfully, to Janet Connors of the Medford High School Security Office. committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Margaret Eisenhower, mother of Joan Bowen, director of student services, and also the Metro School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Lisa Olsen Caggiano, a former early childhood teacher at the Metro Public Schools. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Our next meeting is January 9th, 2023. That's a regular school committee meeting here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. Everybody have a wonderful holiday season. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Meeting is adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And so, I think it was very hard to see that there's actual paperwork that should have been done all along.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the plan is great, but it has to be done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Member Graham. Assistant Superintendent Galussi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. So I just wanted to just say just a couple of things.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'd like to welcome Marky here tonight. So happy to have you, the superintendent's assistant, new assistant. Thank you for being here. We're going to start the seventh regular meeting of the Medford School Committee, Monday, December 5th, 2022. Regular meeting, 6 p.m. held at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as on Zoom. You can also call in by dialing 1-309-205-3325 and join by Zoom. Roll call, member Ruseau, please. Member Graham. Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number three, good of the order. I believe we have that last meeting too. I don't know if anybody has anything they'd like to add. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, but I think we decided at 5 p.m. for a January meeting, so you just pick one and let us know, and we'll hold the date and time. Okay, Superintendent will get us a date and time, 5 p.m., one of the meetings in January.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, that could be next, at the December meeting, or was that the second one in January? Okay, sounds great. Then we also have the consent agenda, number four, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes, 22, November 21st. Is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve. Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Seconded. Member Kreatz, all those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes. Number five, we have report of the superintendent, superintendent's updates and comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We have number two, before and after school presentation by Ms. Megan Fidler-Carey, Director of Family and Community Engagement, who I'm assuming is on Zoom? Yes. Ms.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Fiblikary. Appreciate the update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Certainly, yes. Just a question from the chair, Ms. Igbukeri, do we, I know we did some outreach to try to gain new employees to apply for jobs. How is our staffing looking and are we continuing to do that so that we could hopefully, even if it's after the new year or even gearing up for the next academic year, we can try to fulfill our goal of raising capacity at those three other elementary schools?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And, and I know just if I may, from the chair on the city side, I know you, Megan, you, Ms. Fidelicari, you and I met with the West Medford Community Center leadership and Lisa was great. I know that they were able to add a few spots. And I also just want to point out that our economic development director has been meeting with me and communicating with me and trying to reach out to companies. I know there's two or three, including the YMCA, that are interested in expanding to Medford or the YMCA, expanding in general. So we are working with them. The issue we need to conquer is space, and then they'll have to deal with their staffing as well. And I know our rec department is brainstorming ideas, so we are trying to cover every avenue to try to increase capacity here. We know it's an issue in every city and town, we want something we do want to try to solve here in Medford. So thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Emily, if you could state your name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, and then we're gonna go to Teresa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Name and address of the record. Member, John, can you just make sure the microphone's on, please? It's just the person with the voice, if you wanna just touch the button. Oh, it's on, it's on, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So anyway, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Teresa, name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Michelle?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Next up is Vanessa. Oh, sorry, Member Ruseau and then Vanessa, you're next.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Vanessa, name and address for the record, please. We are muting Vanessa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Vanessa. I think that's member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Graham. We have Melanie. North name and address for the record, please. Then we're gonna move on to McGlynn playground update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Fibbocari, and for all that participated. We have number three, McGlynn Playground Update, Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment and Innovation, and Shanine Peliquin, the Playful Pelican LLC. Thank you for being here. I'll turn it over to you both.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: from the chair I've played at one of the middle schools, great game.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just something to point out, if I may, from the chair, I met with Shanine and Dr. Cushing last week, and first of all, thank you for everybody. Thank you for the committee. I know Shani and Melanie have been part of it, as well as the committee, but I want to point out that the funding sources are not going to come from the general budget. I know you're going to put in, like you said, a CPA application. The two of you will also be before the city council. Thank you. I'm assuming you'll do some similar presentation or the same one. That's because we're going to be asking the city council to give comment on $750,000 going to this from our opera funding that was top of our survey. Probably top three was outdoor space, outdoor play area, open space. So that's a large chunk of this. We also have, we're going to be creative CDBG funding linkage. And if we have to do it in two stages, like I said, in the meeting, then we'll have to do that. But we, this is definitely something we want, we want to see happen for our students, for our families and for the entire city. Like you said, everybody uses playground siblings when they're a brother or sister, is that a soccer game or a softball game or a baseball game? People who are frequenting Hormel stadium or the La Conte rink. I mean, people are always in this area, so we'll benefit the entire community. So for that, I thank you. And I just wanted to point out the funding sources, which I guess you had next anyway.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And by staff that you met with, was that Director Hunt from PDS, who knows of all the grants that we could apply for for this and any other playground?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Dr. Edward-Vincent, then Member McLaughlin, Member Ruseau, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The ayes have it. I don't know if y'all also wanna potentially have a roll call vote to support our funding, just as a way to show the city council, the school committees on board and wants the project to move forward, as I know, the week before the city council in the next few meetings. to support 750,000 coming from APA towards the McGlynn Playground project by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe we're scheduled for the 20th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you. Member Ruseau, and then we're going to get to the labor relations report.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Next up, we have number four, Labor Relations Report, Mr. David Murphy, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know if there's any questions from the committee. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion on the floor by Member Ruseau that one school committee member be present at any negotiating sessions, seconded by Second, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is real call or all those in favor aye. I was opposed motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, from the chair, I don't wanna be repetitive in any way, maybe just speak a couple minutes because I know Mr. Murphy, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, we were working all through the weekend on this. And I know the committee has been inundated with emails. I know they're hard to read, and I myself, I felt as mayor, I did need to respond. So the number that came from Pennsylvania or California or Arizona, obviously I did not respond to, but I did take the time one morning, 5 to 7, 7.30, and this morning at 4 to respond to several hundred emails, and it was very simple. I stated that, of course, this committee, as well as the city and school staff, I said, we aimed to do what's right, because I think that was part of the email. Do what's right. We always aim to do what's right. And that's how we did get to a signed tentative agreement. The union leadership, our administration, with the vote of the council, got to a signed tentative agreement. That wasn't easy because, as you can see on the documentation, the average is 6.5 potentially on a three-year contract over the 10, 12 prior years, and we're at something and we saw what happened budget time. It was tough budget with the numbers of the average of 2% for most unions per year, sometimes a little bit more. We wanted to get this done so badly. We know our teachers, we all know our teachers deserve a fair salary. We wanted to bring them up over 90,000 average. This contract would bring our teachers up to an average of $93,000 a year plus bonus checks that we want to give our teachers. So I took the time to respond, and I did say that even though we have the tentative agreement, it was signed in October, that I was asked to have a meeting within 24 hours, like Mr. Murphy said. I gave my times and dates that I'm available this week. We have a meeting scheduled on the 7th, which is this Wednesday. When I did speak to Ms. Douglas this morning, I was a little heated. She mentioned, she called to let me know that there'll be no confidence vote against the school committee and myself. And I just don't think that's fair to the committee. If it's against me, that's one thing because in the email, it also mentioned be a leader. They want us to be leaders. And I just have to tell you as my colleagues that I do feel you are leaders. We are leaders together because we've stuck together to understand And you have the responsibility of the school committee. I feel like I have been a leader as mayor because I have a lot to juggle as the schools, but also the city. We have almost 20 CBAs, 20 unions that we have negotiated with, are currently negotiating with, and need to continue to negotiate with. We have an annual budget that is maxed out, and we can get into that argument. Potentially, we will need an override, potentially, even just with 2% raises. But we went above and beyond. We want to get this done. And it's really hard. you know, as to get those emails and to know you're doing the right thing. And we've, we, we listened to, you know, the park, the needs of the parks at the schools. So, so as a leader of the community, not only worried about the 20 CBAs and keeping our personnel, um, getting cooler percentages each year, We have streets and sidewalks that are falling apart. We have parks that we are finally getting ahead of, not ahead, we finally have 50, 70 projects in the works, some complete, some we're working on. Four, including the McGlynn, or five large-scale park projects that we're working on. We have funding sources that we're being creative with. We have personnel issues that we're dealing with on a daily basis. Maurice, Dave, and I know that, and they're not fun. So a leader to me is what we have done. A leader to me is to say, Charlene, if you have to take a no-confidence vote, I can't lead this city into receivership. I have mayors who are colleagues that, you know, a lot of cities and towns are going through this, and they're dealing with the pressure And to a couple of them, I've said, how are you going to afford that? And in person, I've seen a couple of them and they say to me, I don't know. I don't know. I said, where are you going to cut? How are you going to fund something like that? And I've said to even one, I said, you have a responsibility. to the entire community, to the taxpayers, not just one union, you have responsibility to the entire community. So it is a struggle, there is pressure, we're all feeling it, but we are sticking together and I feel like we are being leaders. And it's unfortunate, from the very beginning, it was the narrative that was being portrayed as we're disrespectful, we're disrespectful. At one point, it was a few months in, and I said, I called Dave, Mr. Murphy right away, and I said, what was our first offer? Because all I keep hearing is we're disrespectful. What did you offer? And the answer was, well, the teachers are asking for 6% a year. So we offered, I forget exactly what it was, 1.5 to- To 1.75 and 1.5.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And my point, thank you, Mr. Murphy. And my point is when I initially heard the offer and 6%, I said, you know, I went back and I said that it's not disrespect. To me, that's negotiations. That's how it works, back and forth. And you get to that number just like we did. Higher than I think we should be, but we're at 7.25 with 1% at the end of the year, plus three $1,500 bonuses.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think we never would ever, ever want to disrespect any of our teachers. And I don't feel that we have. But the narrative got everybody so anxious and angry that we had to do something to calm it down. And we did. And we reached this tentative agreement. We had the union leadership sign. We did sign. could, for some reason it wasn't ratified. I think that was Ms. Douglas's job to get it ratified and it didn't, it didn't happen. So here we are. So we go and agree to a meeting on Wednesday, hoping to get it done. We also have mediation on the 20th, but instead what I told Ms. Douglas this morning, and I'll say it publicly is it was disingenuous to ask me for a meeting, which I agreed to. We have it scheduled and then to go back another rally, declare no confidence to rile the membership up again. I mean, are we going to lead this to the spring? I sure hope not. But what I would ask is, could we, or would somebody propose that we take a vote to ask Ms. Douglas the same thing? Please do what's right. Please be a leader. Please bring this back to the membership in a meeting to do one thing, not to hear whatever he has to say, and then some people don't show up because they don't want to hear it, because there's many teachers not showing up. They don't want to be there. They don't want to deal with it. Have a meeting this week to just take a vote. Take a vote. Everybody can take a little time and look at these slides. Take a vote. We want to get our teachers this average of 93,000 as soon as possible. We want to get them to two checks would be issued in the next several weeks. I know you'd start the process right away for $1,500 a piece. We agreed to move up the third payment to July one, I believe. We have made movements since the tentative agreement, because we are really trying to do this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if no confidence vote came after the meeting, that's one thing. But now it's the narrative that we're disrespecting them again. And again, I think it kills us all because you all have children in the schools or had children in the schools. These teachers have been and are my children's teachers. They're my children's, have been tutored by our wonderful teachers, have been coached by our teachers. They're my friends. My sister left the district recently, but they're family, some of whom won't even look at us, won't write recommendations for our kids. I mean, I can't talk personally about that,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Hudson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. We have no presentations of the public, no continued business or new business, and number 11, reports requested dyslexia screening and intervention update requested by member Hays, member Graham, member Rousseau, questions to be answered. Number one, NWEA map does not include assessments of non-sense word decoding or rapid automatic naming of letters, both recommended and DSEE guidelines. How are we addressing those areas? How are we screening prior to map? Number two, what number of students have been identified as at risk for dyslexia, lacking specific foundational skills each year and grades? K-1-2. Number three, how many K-1-2 students are receiving target intervention? Motion to read the reading by Member Hays, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? I'll turn it over to, would like to, would anybody like, Member Hays?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Hays, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We have no condolences, and our next meeting is December 19th, 2022. That will be a regular school committee meeting in Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall. Have a wonderful rest of the week, everybody. Motion to adjourn by Member Graham, seconded by
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: if we could rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Motion to enter executive, oh. If there's a number three, go to the order, if there's just a motion to table until 6 p.m. Motion table by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Good, the order is tabled. We have number four, Negotiations and Legal Matters, Executive Session, 5.15 p.m. Executive Session of the Medford School Committee pursuant to General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21A, to conduct a strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with multiple bargaining units. The Medford School Committee will convene in public session immediately following the conclusion of the executive session, expected to be approximately 6 p.m. Motion to revert to executive session? Motion to revert to executive session. Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, all those in roll call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 6 in the affirmative, 1 absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number five, consent agenda, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes from November 7th, 2022. So motion on the floor. by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to take number three off the table, good of the order. Second. By Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, we have a meeting on the 5th and the 19th. So I'm superintendent, if we could schedule a goals meeting before a regular committee meeting on one of those two days at five o'clock, that'd be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, there is some upgrades. Big part of our water sewer infrastructure, as well as IT broadband. So we have some capacity there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a wireless mic in the, TV room so we can make sure it's placed on the desk. I think that's an easy solution.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I signed for that IT paper, I believe, last week. So yes, things take some... I like those.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think Clerk Hurtubise orders those. Do you order these ones? The school side?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I would just suggest we put student rep, just one that says student rep. Yeah, that's a good idea.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. No other comment for good of the order. We'll go on to number six, report of subcommittees. We have rules, policy, subcommittee minutes, November 16th, 2022. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Motion to accept the minutes by Member McLaughlin. Seconded by second member Hays, all those in favor, I minutes pass. We have number seven report of the superintendent superintendents updates and comments, Dr. Reset what Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mass General Law, Chapter 71, Section 37H and 37H and a half, 37H and three fourths, school discipline and student privacy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Felicia if I may from the chair, with regards to the amount of days for suspensions is their standards out there I don't know if they're written in the law or is that fully the discretion of the principal and then appeal rights to the superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for being here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a report on 2023 Special Education Determination under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education, IDEA, Ms. Joan Bowen, Director of Student Services.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have our last report report on labor update, Mr. David Murphy, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do not have any presentations of the public or continued business, so I'm going to go to new business number 10 offered by member Rousseau, 2022-52, policy harassment ACAB. We'll have the text Columbus Elementary School change to Mississippi Elementary School in the Medford Public Schools Policy Manual, date requested November 21st, 2022, date submitted the 12th. Motion to approve, motion to approve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. So you want to take both readings tonight?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to amend by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin, Motion to take both readings tonight. Is there approval? Did I make a motion to approve? Yes. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. Did you want to roll call? Oh, no, we don't need a roll call. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye Next, new business 2022-53 offered by member McLaughlin, whereas students with disabilities who are unable to pass the 10th grade MCAS exam requirement for graduation do not receive a high school diploma, whereas our state legislator representative Sean Garbally worked for years to ensure access to higher education for students with disabilities who have not received a high school diploma, and whereas a new bill called MAI-CEI has been enacted in Massachusetts so that students with disabilities are provided access to post-secondary education and a college life. Be it resolved this body recognizes our Mass State representative, Sean Garvalli, for his commitment to persons with disabilities and to his passion to eradicate ableism through a formal letter from this body recognizing Rep. Garvalli's work. Be it further resolved that the MAI-CEI initiative is recognized in our public school district as part of our high school transition program offered by a member of McLaughlin on the 17th, which is today. It was requested to be on the agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you for putting that on, Member McLaughlin. We have reports requested. Number 11, reading instruction curriculum requested by Member Ruseau, Member Hays, Member Graham. One or more questions the report is attempting to answer. One, does the Medford Public Schools have curricula from Fontas and Pinnell? in use by our teachers? Two, does the Metro Public Schools have curricula from Lucy Culkins? Three, are we purchasing any reading curriculum that uses the three queuing system? Four, how many minutes per day are our K through three elementary teachers spending on phonics with the entire classroom? What percentage of our K through three teachers are receiving training in phonics instruction? Six, have our teachers been taught that using alternatives such as three queuing is harmful to students? And seven, what is the plan for ensuring every single elementary school teacher current and newly hired is aware of the science of reading and that use of the three queuing system is harmful and should not be used with our students. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve? Motion for approval by Member Graham. Seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We have another reports requested. Suspension and discipline report requested by Member McLaughlin. One or more questions the report is attempting to answer. How many suspensions are there at each grade level? Does the DESE profile student discipline data indicate improvement? Is there any disproportionality in suspension and discipline for our more vulnerable subgroups? Has staff been trained on OSEP federal 2022 disciplinary guidance? How are incident reports collected and how are families notified of disciplinary actions? Member McLaughlin. I'm sorry, I didn't, background. I think that's the same one. Data elements you are expecting. Information from DESI profile data on student discipline, information on training for disproportionality in discipline, information on training with respect to social, emotional, and behavioral needs for students with disabilities, for administrators and principals, information on training for culturally competent responsive programs. What is family engagement on these matters? Member McLaughlin, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval as amended by member Rousseau and member Graham. Seconded by member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. We have condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of William Matarazzo, father of former cosmetology teacher Janice DePace, and the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Albert Panarisi, a former science teacher at the Roberts Junior High School. We all may rise for a moment of silence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next meeting is Monday, December 5th, regular school committee meeting here in the chambers, as well as on Zoom. Good luck to the Medford Mustangs tomorrow night and happy Thanksgiving. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Meeting is adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. We're back from executive session. Next up, we have a consent agenda, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes, October 17th, 2022. Is there a motion on the floor? by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member McLaughlin? Member McLaughlin, are you on? Yes, now I am. They've unmuted me. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven of the affirmatives are in the negative. Consent agenda passes. Number six, report of subcommittees. There are none. Number seven, report of superintendent. Superintendent update and comments. Dr. Maurice Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. I'd like to acknowledge our student representative. Sorry, I missed you, Dominico Bruno. Thank you for being here. Next up, we have number two, report on labor relations. Mr. David Murphy, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Number three we have a report on EL scholarship centering relationships equity and access for teachers of English learners project. Create, Mr. Politics era, director of English learners.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a limit to the pre-half master's degree?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Moving right along, number four, report on enrollment, Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment and Innovation. I know a report was left in our desks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Nope, I can share it right now. And is the new EL enrollment numbers, the 134, is that in addition to, or is that's finalized, correct? That's the current numbers, that fluctuated this year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: New enrollments this year, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, we will.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. We're back from executive session. Next up, we have a consent agenda, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes, October 17th, 2022. Is there a motion on the floor? By member Kreatz, seconded by member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, yes, yes. Roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, are you on?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmatives are in the negative consent agenda passes. Number six, report of subcommittees. There are none. Number seven, report of superintendent. Superintendent update and comments. Dr. Maurice Edwards.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. I'd like to acknowledge our student representative. Sorry, I missed you, Dominico Bruno. Thank you for being here. Next up, we have number two report on labor relations. Mr. David Murphy, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Number three we have a report on EL scholarship centering relationships equity and access for teachers of English learners project. Create, Mr. Politics era, director of English learners.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a limit to the pre-half master's degree?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Moving right along. Number four, report on enrollment. Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent of enrichment and innovation. I know a report was left in our desks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And is the new EL enrollment numbers, the 134, is that in addition to, or is that's finalized, correct? That's the current numbers that fluctuated this year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Great. Maybe you could just leave it up for a little while, Dr. Boshini, if there's no more questions. And then we'll go on to number five, because I know we have public participation. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Report on NWEA map fall results 2022. Ms. Suzanne Galusi, assistant superintendent Academics and Instruction, Dr. Bernadette Riccadeli, Director of Professional Learning and Student Assessment, Dr. Nicole Chiesa, Director of Humanities, Dr. Nisbiz Khan, Director of Mathematics, and Mr. Rocco Sieri, Director of Science.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Galussi, do you mind if you use the microphone so everybody can hear?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just the microphone, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin can't hear you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think we have another 40-something slides, so we're gonna give you a break. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for suspension of the rules by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. We're gonna move on to number eight, and then we'll get back to the presentation. Presentations of the public not to begin before 7 p.m., regular meetings of the school committee include this presentations of the public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at a meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but are not opportunities for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that the item be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting the presentation can be found within the policy BEDH, public comment and presentations of the public. So to the policy, any resident in the audience may give permission, be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments To the item on the agenda speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and full met for the street dress where they reside. welcoming inclusive communities, both the value school committee and aspirational goal, we ask your help in achieving this goal and value perspective, please admit schools are exempt from this policy, the voice of our police welcome on all matters. When a non-Metro resident employee is participating in public comment or submitting a presentation publicly with their home address and identify themselves as an employee of the Metropolitan Schools. We have Ms. Nicole Friendly, parent, presentation on student discipline. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Miss Branley. I know we have an associated motion that I'll read under new business, which we move suspension of the rules for 2022-51 offered by Member Graham and Member Ruseau. Whereas the Medford School Committee unanimously approved the following resolution on 12-6-2021, whereas the school committee is committed to achieving the mission statement of the Medford Public Schools. The Medford Public Schools is a caring educational partnership of school, family, and community designed to ensure that all students are afforded a safe and healthy learning environment in which they develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to reach their full academic and personal potential. And whereas the effects of the pandemic have exasperated challenges in school climate and culture nationwide and here in Medford, therefore be it resolved that the Medford Public Schools will issue an RFP to perform a climate and culture assessment of Medford High School to be completed before the end of the academic year. The RFP will seek a qualified and independent vendor to conduct a survey of staff, students, and families who are part of the high school community. And be it resolved that the project scope will include recommendations to address moving forward in a manner that prioritizes a healthy school community and contends with the district's past handling of incidences that are race, gender, and bullying based. We had also resolved the recommendations will outline organizational, structural, professional development, and curriculum-based changes needed to address the findings and achieve our district-wide mission. We had further resolved that the school committee authorizes an expenditure of up to 50,000 to complete this important initiative, and that the superintendent will return to the school committee to seek authorization for additional funds should the qualified bids received at the bid opening be in excess of this authorization. and whereas the resolution was amended to include the middle schools in the scope of the assessment, now be it resolved, the administration provide a report of all actions to date to fill this resolution, including the reasons for any delay. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, one second. Thank you, Member Graham. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Noted, thank you, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: name and address for the record and I know we have a lot of people here and a couple hundred I think on zoom so if you could limit it to one or two minutes that'd be great Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It is on can you not hear it is on okay i'll we never.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure if there was a deadline, but to draft an RFP release it, have we released an RFP yet? I know it takes several months, but Dr. Cushing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member McLaughlin. I know there's a motion on the floor as amended by member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Graham, and then you, I thought you seconded it as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Thank you for being here. We're going to revert back to the MAP. Motion to revert back to the regular order of business.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They are. They raised their hands.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They were. We can see them raise their hands. We always look at them.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yes, yes. Thank you very much. OK, Ms. Galussi, do you want to come back up? Sorry. We're going to go back to number five. At the pace we're going, it's another hour, so maybe we can... Motion to revert back to the regular order of business.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. I just don't want to take... Okay. We have the report on the NWAE map fall request 2022. Ms. Galussi, Dr. Bernadette Riccadeli, Dr. Nicole Chiesa, Ms. Faiza Khan, who's on Zoom, and Mr. Rocco Sieri. I know we're on slide number, if we could get back to slide number 17, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. McLaughlin. Take a minute. We can wait till the door is shut. Mayor. Okay, so we're on slide seven. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Member Russell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yes, Mr. Russo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're finished. Any other questions from the committee? Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're welcome. Thank you. Great presentation. We appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have no reports requested or condolences, and our next meeting will be Monday, November 21st, 2022, regular school committee meeting here at the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Meeting's adjourned. Thank you, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have negotiations and legal matters. Executive Session 515, a motion to enter executive session pursuant to General Law 30A, Section 21A, to conduct a strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with multiple bargaining units. The Medford School Committee will convene in public session immediately following the conclusion of the executive session, expected to be on or about 6 p.m. Is there a motion to go into executive session? Second. Member Mastone, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? I'm gonna head into room 207.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have member McLaughlin, who can be marked present, should be on Zoom by now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have the consent agenda, bills and payrolls and regular school committee meeting minutes from October 3rd, 2022.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion to sever has been approved. So is there a motion to approve the bills and payrolls? Motion to approve the bills and payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I remember, All those in favor, I suppose. Sorry. And then we have the regular school committee meeting minutes October 3. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Motion for approval. Minutes have been approved. We have reports of subcommittees. I'm sorry, one second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think we're missing a page of the agenda. I have an additional one, I think, too. Oh, no, that's not it. Does anyone have a substitute for this?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, there are no reports of subcommittee. We have report of the superintendent. Superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Reese Edward-Vinson, I'll turn it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edwards. Thank you. We have second report recommendation to approve $1,000 orchestra donation from the Schmidt family, Haley relo coordinator of performing arts and Sophia Chang orchestra teacher here to present. Welcome. We're just gonna wait for your mic microphone to either. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Motion to accept by member Stone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll second. Seconded by member McLaughlin. Roll call vote. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The donation has been accepted. Mayor. Thank you for being here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we can do that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, say up. Recommendation to approve the band trip to Disney in April 2023. Miss Rello, coordinator of performing arts. I'll get your microphone turned back on. Press the little button with the person. Perfect, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, that's great. Is this during April vacation?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. That'll be fun. Thank you so much. Is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve by Member Mustone, seconded by Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you. We have number four report on labor relations. Mr. David Murphy, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edwards-Vincent. Number five, we have report on MCAS and MCAS alternative results 2022. Ms. Suzanne Galusi, assistant superintendent of academics and instruction. Ms. Joan Bowen, Director of Student Services, Dr. Bernadette Riccadeli, Director of Professional Learning and Student Assessment, and Dr. Nicole Chiesa, Director of Humanities, and Ms. Faiza Khan, Director of Mathematics, and Mr. Rocco Sieri, Director of Science. Welcome, everybody. I'll turn it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin has a question and then member Ruseau. Oh, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, you're welcome. Thank you, Ms. Bowen. Somebody else taking over page nine great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct, correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Siri. I know we have member McLaughlin online who has question right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember Graham and then come on up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Noah Brewer, our student rep, has a question. And Mayor, I'm back on. The question went.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, and then Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you very much. I know member McLaughlin has a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Hays, then member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, no. Let's check that math. I think that's a little off.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Melanie, yes. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Move on to English Language Arts.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Chiesa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the first. with an explanation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion for approval for all three papers and motion to table 2022-46. So we can work that out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll withdraw the motion to table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it's 44, 45, 47. There's no 47.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Approve all except, approve the three except 45, budget transfer authority.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the reading.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, move approval. Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I then may, through the chair, Member McLaughlin, do you have specifics you want to outline right now? Or do you want to pull this back?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member, Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Yeah, through the chair, maybe we can give our suggestions to Member McLaughlin on what data we would like to see over the next week or so and just compile a new resolution and place that on to be more specific so we can vote for approval and get the report, you know, sometime in the early winter.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have negotiations and legal matters, executive session at 5.15 PM. I call on a motion to enter into executive session pursuant to General Law 30A, Section 21A. to conduct a strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining and litigating positions of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with multiple bargaining units in a pending litigation matter. The Medford School Committee will convene in public session immediately following the conclusion of the executive session, expected to be at 6 p.m. Motion to go into executive session. Motion to go into executive session. Seconded by second member Graham. All those in favor. Aye. All those opposed. In an executive session, I'm happy to announce that by unanimous vote, we took a major step to pay equity for our kids' corner and paraprofessionals. So that was a 7-0 vote, and those contracts have been ratified, which is great news. We also want to welcome back Domenico Bruno and Melanie Chavez. Yes, thank you for being here, our student reps. We're going to move on to the consent agenda, bills and payrolls, as well as regular school committee meeting minutes, September 19, 2022. Motion to approve? Motion to approve. Seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. There are no reports of subcommittees. We have number six, report of the superintendent. Superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Maurice Edwardson. Turn it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Everybody could rise for a moment of silence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Number two, we have report on chapter 74. Vocational Programming at Medford High School in the 2022-2023 school year. Dr. Peter J. Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment and Innovation. And Mr. Chad Fallon, Principal Director of Medford Vocational Technical High School Programs.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: an executive session. I'm happy to announce that by unanimous vote, we took a major step to pay equity for our Kids Corner and paraprofessionals. So that was a 7-0 vote, and those contracts have been ratified, which is great news. We also want to welcome back Domenico Bruno and Melanie Chavez. Yes, thank you for being here, our student reps. We're gonna move on to the consent agenda, bills and payrolls, as well as regular school committee meeting minutes, September 19, 2022. Motion to approve? Motion to approve. Seconded by member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Consent agenda is approved. There are no reports of subcommittees. We have a number six report of the superintendent. Superintendent's updates and comments, Dr. Maurice Edwards.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: but you could rise for a moment of silence. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Number two, we have report on chapter 74. Vocational Programming at Medford High School in the 2022-2023 school year, Dr. Peter J. Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment and Innovation, and Mr. Chad Fallon, Principal Director of Medford Vocational Technical High School Programs. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Really appreciate it. Member McLaughlin and Member Mustone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Principal Fallon and Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have Our third report, Health Education Curriculum Review. Dr. Peter J. Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment and Innovation, and Ms. Rachel Perry, Director of Physical and Health Education. Welcome. Just give me one second to pull up the presentation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, Member Graham, Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Awesome. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that might fall under community health care providers. I just wanted to make sure that I got the terminology. Yeah. OK, great. Thank you. We have our student rep, Domenico, who has a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And to piggyback on that, it was that I think member Graham announced it as well. If you have banned in the middle school, you can't take health. So is there any option for parents to use a curriculum at home or for students in high school or at the Boak to take any sort of health education or learn anything about what would be taught in health during the day?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But nothing is offered can be off right now. Thank you. Resident.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And yeah, if you have any questions, Jenny knows how to get ahold of me, so share. Do you have four hours a month you could give us for a committee we're forming? Potentially. Thank you so much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Next, we have number four review of summer 2022 professional development and leadership training programs attended by the superintendent, Dr. Maurice Edward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. I know it was a few busy weeks for you during that time. Thanks for the update. Number five, we have update on Medford public schools, personnel and labor issues. Mr. Dave Murphy, assistant superintendent of finance and operations. Welcome. Thank you, mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. We appreciate the update. Thank you. We do not have any continued business or new business or reports requested. So moving on to number 10, our condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of former city councilor, William A. Carr Sr., a former English teacher at the former Lincoln Junior High School and former guidance director at Medford High School. Also, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Teresa, Piso Caraviello, age 90, a lifetime resident of Medford and mother of Joanne Mortel, benefits coordinator in the business center. If we take a moment of silence. Our next meeting will be on Monday, October 17th. Regular school committee meeting here in the Allman Memorial Chambers as well as on Zoom. Hope everybody has a great rest of the week. Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Meeting is adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll be brief. Good afternoon. I know member Hays from the school committee and former school committee, Paulette Van der Kloot is also here. Thank you for being here. I want to send my condolences to the family and staff members, friends of those that we've lost. Mr. Skorka called me about a year ago about this project, and I wanted to make sure we did whatever we could to help support and find the funding for it. And I'm so glad we did. I want to thank everybody who was a part of it. It is amazing. I expected it to be half the size. It's absolutely gorgeous. So thank you, everybody. Congratulations. And I hope that this will bring peace to students and staff, whether you knew the seven amazing people that we lost or not. And I hope the families come back and visit. And it also brings you peace. So thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On a motion to enter into executive session, to enter into mass general laws, chapter 30A, section 121A, executive session of the Medford School Committee, to conduct a strategy session on the basis of that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating positions of the Medford School Committee, specifically the Medford School Committee will be discussing ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with nine separate labor units, as well as discussing a grievance filed by the MTA. Motion by Member McLaughlin to go into executive session, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, roll call, vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. So in the affirmative, zero in the negative, we're gonna head into executive session and we will come back on the floor, hopefully right around six o'clock.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, we're a few minutes late. We're in executive session to discuss a few things, but one thing we need to announce is that we have voted unanimously to approve the contracts, new contracts for our nurses in the Medford Public Schools, the Carpenters Union, as well as the administrative assistance. Next up, we have the consent agenda, which is bills and payrolls, committee of the whole meeting minutes from June 29th, 2022. regular school committee meeting minutes September 12 2022 motion to sever the committee of the whole minutes meeting minutes from June 29 December by member Ruseau second amendment goff and all those in favor. Hi, all those opposed motion is severed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, that's what I have to. Oh, no, that's what I have. Other additional bills and payrolls. This is what we have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, it's okay. Do you want a motion to table until next?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve the remaining consent agenda agenda by member Graham seconded by Second, Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Is there a motion to table the Committee of the Whole minutes or?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No internet access. Yeah, no internet access.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one in the negative. Motion passes. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by... Second, Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Minutes are approved. We have no reports of subcommittee. And then there's a motion for suspension of the rules by Member Kreatz to take out of number six, which are reports of the superintendent. Number four, request for approval for trip to France. Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Enrichment and Innovation. and world language teacher, Marie Nyland.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's wonderful. Exciting. If there's no questions, is there a motion for approval? Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. And each family will get the insurance policy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Perfect. Thank you. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 2A, yep. Your, your family members, traveling companions or business partners that was sickness or injury.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember, so thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Have fun.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Happy signups. Motion to revert back to the regular order of business by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed? We have our Superintendents updates and comments Dr Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Number two we have superintendents goals for 2022 2023. I'm going to turn it over to you again. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Any questions of member Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin. Seconded by- Seconded. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Last up for reports of the superintendent, number three, report on induction and mentoring. Ms. Suzanne Galusi, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Instructions, and Dr. Bernadette Riccidelli, Director of Professional Learning and Student Assessment. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number seven, presentations of the public, not to begin before seven. Regular meetings of the school committee include this presentation of the public agenda item. To give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee, a resident may only present once at a meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but not an opportunity for dialogue of the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request the item be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found in our policy, public comment and presentations to the public and pursuant to policy BEDH, public comment and presentations to the public, any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and full Medford Street address where they reside. A welcoming, inclusive community is both a value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. Employees in Medford Public Schools are exempt from the residency requirement of this policy. The voice of our employees is welcomed on all matters before the body. When a non-Medford resident employee is participating in public comment or submitting a presentation of the public, they will include their home address and identify themselves and as employee of the Metro Public Schools. We do have a resident on the call who would like to make a presentation. It's a parent speaking regarding before and after school program, Ms. Chiara Vannucci.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would you like somebody to suspend the rules to allow Mr. Murphy to speak. Suspend the rules to speak, yes, member credits, seconded by member McLaughlin, all those in favor of those posts, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. We look forward to an update. We have continued business 2022-40 offered by member Rousseau. This is a second reading. The following policies are rescinded. They are no longer necessary because state law covers these matters. We have no specialized language expanding upon the laws and the MCAS policy manual no longer offers these policies in their template system. ACH, affirmative action policy, ADB drug free environment CFAA duties of a principal CHB and see in BGD school committee review of regulations CHC regulations dissemination CL administrative reports and CLA administrative reports to the school committee CLB incident reports member so motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I'd like to motion for approval by members. So second, I'm going to remember Graham before we call before we call the roll. Member McLaughlin does have a question. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Incident reports.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those in favor. Hi, all those opposed, paper passes 2022-41 offered by member Ruseau, this was tabled last week on 912 2022 for chance to read the resolutions, the school committee must vote on each of the resolutions from the report of the resolutions committee of MCAS to provide the delegate to the MASC delegate assembly guidance on how to vote during the assembly to be held on November 4th, 2022. The full language of the resolutions can be found on the web, on the MASC website, including the materials on September 12th, 2022. The first is regarding sanctuary laws for transgender students. Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member Rousseau, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed. The resolution number one passes. Resolution number two, to increase the maximum balance allowed by the special education reserve fund.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll second for approved by member Rousseau, seconded by member Graham. All those in favor. Aye. All those opposed. Resolution passes. Resolution three, membership of the board of elementary and secondary education.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if it, yeah, and we can always, read to the be it resolved part if anybody has questions to get in our packet. Motion for approval by member Graham seconded by second member so all those in favor, I buy all those opposed. Paper passes resolution passes resolution before preserving local governance of Massachusetts schools. Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Resolution passes. Number five. Personal financial literacy education.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Resolution passes. And last but not least, resolution six, establishment of a regional school assessment reserve fund.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, approval. Seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Resolution passes. The votes of the member school committee are considered binding on the delegate unless the language as presented that 9-12-22 meeting is different from the language up for final adoption at the delegate assembly on November 4th, 2022. The reason votes are otherwise considered guidance is that the exact language voted on during the assembly can be modified by amendments during the assembly and returning to the school committee for a vote on the final language is not possible. We do not have any new business or reports requested. We do have two condolences, if you mind if I read them. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of John Fagone, a senior custodian who worked at the McGlynn and Roberts School. member school committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mary Barrett, a former second grade teacher at the Fulton Elementary School, and the first female ever appointed to the board of directors of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, and the first female to be appointed to chair the Hockey East College Tournament Committee. If we all may take a moment of silence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Our next regular meeting will be Monday, October 3 at 6pm here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, as well as on Zoom. Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have number three, good of the order. Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number three, good of the order. Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number three, good of the order. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do have a good of the order, yeah. Okay. No. Yeah, just start.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. Motion on the floor by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? All those opposed? Committee of the Whole will be scheduled in the next several weeks to discuss the good of the order and goals for the upcoming year. We have the consent agenda, bills and payrolls, special school committee meeting minutes June 13, 2022, and Committee of the Whole meeting minutes June 22, 2022. Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. There are no reports of subcommittees. And number six, report of the superintendent. Number one is superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you have anything else to say, Mr. Gopnik? Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And this year in Medford, we are opening with several new faces.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Doctor Edouard-Vincent. We have number two opening report on transportation operations. Mr. David Murphy, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and then Member Hays. Thanks for that update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May from the chair just one question of course I know it talked about changing routes. I saw one request come in for an additional route to how many requests do we have for additional routes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So, um, with that, uh, yeah, number three report on personnel, Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 7 positions open full-time now 15 to 17 last last year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the question I do. I did again thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: it will.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to clarify. Name and address for the record, and then please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We appreciate you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have next up, number four, Labor Update, Mr. David Murphy, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. May I have a point of privilege?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any questions from the committee? No. Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Douglas. I just wanted to point out, I've been at the June session and the September bargaining session, and I know member Graham was present with me, vice chair, in June when we were representing the committee. So I just wanted to point that out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On June 21st, member Graham and I were present at the bargaining session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think there's members in the audience and we have member Rousseau, member McLaughlin. would you like to speak? Yes. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Point of clarification that member McLaughlin, so you yield.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I just think if you want to, if you want to come to the microphone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Name and address of the record? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: if I could just address that. I've attended in June with member Graham, the meeting and the bargaining session, which was a couple of weeks ago, I believe. August 25th, thank you. I attended those because we were at a point where we really couldn't financially move any further. And I think the union pointed out in June the capacity for the city based on the budget analyzation was 2.25%. So Anthony, I hear you, but we have no more room to move. We have a bargaining with almost 20 other unions that all deserve increases. We are at an impasse. If we knew that when I was there on the 25th, if I knew we had already voted for that, we would have told you. We didn't, we didn't know that. There's no more room to move. We've moved higher than we can afford, is the truth.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you, everybody, for being here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Item number five. Oh, I was gonna move on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for suspension of the rules by member Rousseau, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed? 22-43? Yes. offered by member McLaughlin, member Stone, member Rousseau. One of the Medford public school district's highest priorities is school safety. While we focus on all areas of safety, this particular resolution has a focus on gun violence prevention through the leadership of the district and forming, sharing empowerment and education of our school community. Whereas the safety and wellbeing of our students, teachers, and staff is a top priority of Medford public schools. Whereas in the United States, gun violence is the leading cause of death in children and teens. Whereas evidence strongly suggests that secure firearm storage is an essential component to any effective strategy to keep schools and students safe. Whereas an estimated 4.6 million American children live in households with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm. Whereas every year, roughly 350 children under the age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. about one unintentional shooting per day, and 70% of those incidences take place inside a home, whereas 1,200 children and teens die by gun suicide each year, and over 80% of children under age 18 who died by firearm suicide used a gun belonging to a family member. This is hard to even read. No, no, it's just, whereas research shows that secure firearm storage practices are associated with up to up to a 78% reduction in risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries and up to an 85% reduction in the risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens, whereas the incidence of gun violence on school grounds, up to 80% of shooters under the age of 18 obtain their guns from their own home or that of relatives or friends, whereas the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center recommends the importance of appropriate storage of weapons because many school attackers used firearms acquired from their homes, whereas keeping students, teachers, and staff safe from the threat of gun violence should be the responsibility of all adult stakeholders at each of our school sites, whereas across the country, lawmakers, community members, and local leaders are working together to implement public awareness campaigns, such as the Be Smart program, which is endorsed by the National PTA and encourages secure gun storage practices and highlights the public safety risks of unsecured guns, where secure storage of firearms is a legal requirement in Massachusetts pursuant to general law chapter 140, section 133L and 131C. Failure to comply with the secure storage laws can lead to criminal prosecution, jail time, fines, or revocation of FID card or license, depending on the offense. Whereas the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends storing firearms unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition, Whereas, in order to continue with preventative measures to increase student and school safety, we must act now. Therefore, be it resolved that the Medford School Committee directs the superintendent and staff to update the student handbook to include information about parents' legal obligations regarding the secure storage of firearms. Resolved that the school committee directs the superintendent and staff to create an appropriate direct communication in the form of a letter or email to parents and guardians that explains the importance of secure firearm storage to protect minors from accessing unsecured firearms and their legal obligation consistent with the Massachusetts Safe Storage Law. Notification will be done as soon as possible and included on the district website and in annual registration materials at each school site. We resolve that the Medford School Committee and superintendent will continue to work with local law enforcement agencies, health agencies, and nonprofit organizations to collaborate and increase efforts to inform district parents, guardians, and caregivers their obligations regarding secure storage of firearms in their homes and vehicles. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. And I don't know if any other committee member wants to speak, but I too met with Moms Demand Action. Great cause, I believe in it. I know the chief of police does. I know our board of health director then emailed the chief of police and myself and said, do you know about this group? And then we said, we're on board. Yes, we want safe gun storage. It just is a no brainer. So thank you for being here and all that you do for our community and it will save lives. So I'll let you name and address.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays and all of us, Member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We support the resolution.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, member Rousseau. I'll discuss that with the chief of police and see what is already given out annually to license holders, see if we can add to it. Motion to revert back to the regular order of business by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is approved. We have report on enrollment. Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Richmond and Innovation. Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Absolutely. We have our report on summer programs. Ms. Suzanne Galusi, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Instruction, Ms. Joan Bowen, Director of Student Services, and Mr. Paul Teixeira, Director of ELO.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, do you want us to wait to the end or to do segment by segment questions? Dr. Edward-Vincent said wait until the end if we could. Okay. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Any questions? Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, everybody. We have presentations of the public, not to begin before 7th. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. You read my mind. Motion to waive the reading. All in favor. I will waive the reading. I don't believe we have any presentations of the public, so I will continue on to number eight, which is continued business. And actually number nine, which is new business 2022. Dash 39 offered by member Rousseau. The Medford School Committee may send a delegate, an alternate delegate, to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Annual joint conference for the purpose of voting during the delegate assembly on the resolutions of the MASC. The conference is Wednesday, November 2nd through Saturday, November 5th, with the delegate assembly being held on Friday, November 4th. Voting is presently only allowed in person and thus is recommended that only members that are able to and are planning to attend the conference be nominated. Are there nominations for a delegate? Member... Nominate me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin would like to nominate Mr. Russo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so Member McLaughlin is named Member Ruseau as a delegate. Is there a second? Second by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Congratulations, Member Ruseau, you are a delegate. Are there nominations for an alternate delegate?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Member McLaughlin has been nominated by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? That is approved. Good luck. Represent us well. Thank you. Motion by Member Ruseau, 2022-40. The following policies are rescinded as they are no longer necessary because state law covers these matters. We have no specialized language expanding upon the laws and the MASC policy manual no longer offers these policies. their template system. ACH affirmative action policy, ADB drug free environment, CFAA duties of principal, CHB and BGD school committee review of regulations, CHC regulations dissemination, CL administrative reports, CLA administrative reports to the school committee, CMA annual reports and presentation presentation schedule, CLB incident reports. Motion for approval by member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by member Gramps and seconded by member McLaughlin to approve the first reading. Great catch, thank you. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? First reading has been approved. This will have to go on the agenda for our next school committee meeting. Next up 2022-41 offered by member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This school committee must vote on each of the resolutions from the report of the resolutions committee of the MASC to provide the delegate to the MASC delegate assembly guidance on how to vote during the assembly to be held on November 4th, 2022. The full language of the resolution can be found at this webpage, including the meeting materials on September 12th, 2022. Resolution one regarding sanctuary laws for transgender students. Resolution two, to increase the maximum balance allowed by the special education reserve fund. Resolution three, membership of the board of elementary and secondary education. Resolution four, preserving local governance of Massachusetts schools. Resolution five, personal financial literacy education. Resolution six, establishment of a regional school assessment reserve fund. The votes of the Medford School Committee are considered binding on the delegate unless the language as presented at the September 12th, 2022 meeting is different from the language up for final adoption at the delegate assembly on November 4th, 2022. The reason votes are otherwise considered guidance is that the exact language voted on during the assembly can be modified by amendments during the assembly and returning to the school committee for a vote on the final language is not possible. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I ask a question from the chair? I was wondering if we, this is November 2nd, so is it possible to have, a week or even into the first meeting in October, just to really read and digest all of these in more detail. So is that possible?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Which is Monday. So is that enough time?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They're pretty small, okay. Yeah, they're... As long as they're able to be read in a week's time, that's fine. Okay, so motion to... Sorry. Thanks for the extra time. Motion to table by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? These will be tabled till the next meeting. And then last resolution, 2022-42, offered by Member Hays, Member Graham, and Member Ruseau. Whereas the Medford Public Schools is committed to supporting the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of our students. Whereas the Medford Public Schools is committed to ensuring a safe and secure teaching and learning environment for all students and staff. Whereas women, girls, and LGBTQI plus students and adults across the United States continue to face discrimination, harassment, and barriers to equal educational opportunities. Now therefore be it resolved that the Medford School Committee calls on the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to offer their support to the U.S. Department of Education's 2022 proposed amendments to its Title IX regulations that will, as described in the government's fact sheet, restore vital protections for students in our nation's schools, providing clear rules to help meet their Title IX obligation and strengthen protections for LGBTQI plus students. Number two, directs the superintendent to transmit official copies of this resolution to the following Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Edward Markey, and Congresswoman Catherine Clark. Motion to approve. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Hays, raise your hand. So Member Hays, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Mayor? Member McLaughlin? Point of privilege, if I may? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks for dealing with us and best of luck in your next endeavor. We'll miss you. I don't believe there's any reports requested, so I'm gonna move on to number 11, condolences. Then we'll take a moment of silence. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Angelina M. Dionofrio, mother of former director of math and science, Mrs. Caroline Joy, Carolyn, I'm sorry. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Joyce M. Akari, mother of Administrative Assistant Maria Arcieri. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Irene M. Sherritt, who worked as a nurse for the Medford Public Schools. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Albert M. Benedict, Jr., husband of former Medford Public School teacher Lorna Benedict, The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Kyle Roust, a graduate of the MHS class of 2019, who passed away in a tragic accident. Kyle attended the, at the time, Columbus, now Missittuck Elementary School, the Andrews Middle School, and Medford High School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Suzanne Mary Gilpatrick, who was an elementary school teacher for the Medford Public Schools. Also, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Gertrude Bordeaux, wife of the late former Medford High School history teacher and Mustang hockey coach, George Bordeaux, sister of the former Dame Elementary School principal, Anne Connelly, and aunt of Brooks fifth grade teacher, Eleanor O'Leary. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Joyce Abramson, stepmother of former Medford High School English teacher, Diane Abramson. The Medford School Committee expresses sincere condolences to the family of Mary T. O'Connell Brady, former teacher at the Tufts Elementary School and later a librarian, media specialist at Medford High School, mother of former city councilor Patricia Brady-Doherty, and Brooks Elementary School fifth grade teacher Ellie Brady O'Leary. She was also the sister of former Dame Elementary, oh, I'm sorry, this was repeated. Oh, Mrs. Anne Keneally and sister-in-law of former school committee member the late William J. Brady. The Medford School Committee expresses sincere condolences to the family of Maria Tiberi, who for 35 years served the Medford Public Schools as a lunch mother. And lastly, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Adalind Crouse, a former social studies teacher at Medford High School. If we all may rise to take a moment of silence. Our next meeting is on Monday, September 19th at 6 p.m. here in the Alden F. Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as on Zoom. Motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Meeting is adjourned. Have a wonderful night.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: can it's by Zoom. You can call in by dialing 1-929-205-6099, enter meeting ID. You can enter meeting ID 947-377-77381. I got it. Roll call, please. Member Graham. Here. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays. Oh, there you are. Hi here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: present, six present, one absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Motion to move into executive session? Yep, I'm just gonna read the, Number two negotiations and legal matters executive session of the Medford school committee pursuant to general laws 30 a section 21 a to conduct collective bargaining strategy session. On the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect in the bargaining positions of the school committee. Specifically, the medford school committee will discuss ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with this medford teachers association. This will be conducted by Zoom, will not reconvene in public session following the collusion of the executive session. Motion by Member McLaughlin to move into executive session, seconded by? Second. Member Hays, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one absent. We will revert to executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. We have committee of the whole meeting on Wednesday, June 29th, 4 p.m. to be held remotely on Zoom. You can also call in by dialing 1-929-205-6099. Meeting ID 979-6586-0364. The meeting can be viewed through YouTube as well as Medford Community Media, Comcast Channel 15 and Verizon Channel 45 at 4 p.m. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows. Number one, the school committee will vote on whether or not to accept changes made by a member to the 2021-2022 evaluation of our superintendent, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, due to an error. If we could, I guess if member Oso's not here, I could call the roll first. In no particular order. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays? Here. Member Graham? Here. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And myself here, and Member Ruseau is absent. We have six present, one absent. I will turn it over to number one, which I think Member McLaughlin, per your request.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone, I'm just gonna mute you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there a motion on the floor to accept member McLaughlin's corrections?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to rescind the evaluation. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. I will call the roll. Member Graham? Yes. Member Kreatz? Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Mustone? Yes. Member McLaughlin? Yes. Mayor Brianna, yes. Member Ruseau, absent. That's 16 affirmative, one absent to rescind the initial approval of the evaluation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to accept by member Kreatz, seconded by- Second. Member McLaughlin, I can do the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We could take a vote tonight to accept the changes by Member McLaughlin and approve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It would just be her additions and then you do the calculations. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member, I think it's a member of stone for us and members.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I didn't make any corrections or changes myself. I didn't make any mistakes. So I expected this meeting to just be accept her changes and approval as changed. There are new comments in there and just the recalculation. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member Graham and member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry, I did have it. The school committee will vote on whether or not to accept changes made by a member to the 2021-2022 evaluation of Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent due to an error. So I think we can motion. I think there's a motion on the floor to accept member McLaughlin's changes and approve it as newly calculated, but I think member Hays would like to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So there's a motion on the floor. I think member Kreatz, did you put that motion forward? Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion to accept member McLaughlin's changes and approve it as it will be newly calculated. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call. Member McLaughlin. Yes. Member Kreatz. Yes. Member Hays. Yes. Member Mustone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham. No. Mayor Brianna, yes. Member Ruseau, absent. So we have a five, one, and one. Motion passes. Number two, we have it be resolved, the initial meeting to discuss the superintendent's goals be moved to the fall of 2022, offered by myself. I just ask for a motion for approval on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member Kreatz, seconded by member McLaughlin. Would anybody like to speak?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, from the chair, I just also think it's time to show a little respect to our superintendent. And she did ask that she take the summer to review data and to really be able to help us outline those goals. And I want to give her that opportunity. So I put this motion forward. I think we can do it in the early fall, but I think she deserves that. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think what we're doing tonight today is pushing that timeline. So I can amend my resolution to read, be it resolved the initial meeting to discuss the superintendent's goals, be moved to the fall of 2022 with the finalization early winter.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm pushing the timeline. So if it was broken up in two parts in the last resolution, I thought that's what you had asked. You wanted to outline of how we should, because the first resolution says initial meeting. So I think we should outline when the final, you know, we can outline when the final meeting will be, or I just don't want it to be, we need to make sure it's changed from that September 30 date, because that doesn't meet, the nature of the resolution number two, which we're gonna be voting on. So it can be late fall or it can be early winter. I think we just need to change that September 30th date, because based on how the committee votes, I don't think we're gonna meet that September 30th date. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I second the motion. Motion on the floor as amended, seconded by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call. Member McLaughlin? Yes. Member Mustone? Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Graham? No. Member Kreatz? Yes. May Brianna? Yes. Member Ruseau, absent as 5-1-1, the motion passes. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Member Graham, seconded by? Second. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Madam Mayor, thank you, President Morell and city councilors for giving me the opportunity tonight to speak on the fiscal year 23 budget. I want to thank everybody who contributed to completing this budget, especially our department heads and our budget team, led by our finance director Bob Dickinson, assistant finance director and budget director Tyler Lovell, and my team in the mayor's office. I'm joined by many of our department heads as well as our senior level staff tonight, and we're available to answer any remaining questions you may have. This budget season has been tough, and I'm not going to sugarcoat it for you or for those watching or here at home. The process of assembling the budget, the decisions, a way to invest, way to scale back, and way to hold are always among the most gut-wrenching and grueling for myself, the finance team, obviously for the council. We have in front of you as a result of hours and hours of intense deliberation, debate and due diligence. It's a budget that reflects the economic realities that Medford as well as other cities and towns across the Commonwealth and the country are confronting. It may not be the budget we all want or we all prefer, but it's the budget that puts the city on the best possible financial trajectory moving forward and allows us to efficiently navigate the continued hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. The major factor impacting this budget is the loss of revenues due to the pandemic, cost escalations as a result of inflation, navigating the federal guidance and the associated availability of using one-time funding to plug revenue gaps, the implications associated, as well as the prolonged period we endured without a finance director. Those hurdles coupled with the continuing revenue barriers of the pandemic and the looming recession have made this one of the most difficult that I've experienced since 2008. Please know that it was not without trying when it came to hiring a CFO. We posted for the job back in July 2021. And again, in December of last year, and ultimately came before your honorable body to request an increase in salary as a way to draw in qualified candidates. Thank you for approving this on its first reading. It's my hope that the council will approve the third reading of the increase in the near future, so we can retain the great candidate we did hire. I take responsibility for what might feel and what was a rushed process. It is and always is my intention to get the full budget to you sooner as I did the last two years. We did meet the legal deadline, but the last two budgets and when presented did set the tone on how it should be done and we will strive to do that next year and into the future. Over the past few months, city departments and school departments developed need-based budgets with requests to add to services that department heads recommend, and I too had hoped we could ultimately include. Based on the school committee requesting approximately 4.5 million above the fiscal year 22 budget and city departments asking for a combined 1.7 million over last year's budget, plus increases in fixed costs totaling nearly 3.2 million, We began with the proposed increase of 9 million above the fiscal year 22 budget. I know that it's not new information, because I, along with the chief of staff, Nina Nazarian, have been in frequent communication with you over the last month regarding the fiscal challenges Medford is facing. I was before you in early June and laid out these issues and was available for questions. As we did for the fiscal year 22 budget, we are committing federal ARPA funds for revenue replacement. However, because the allowable percentage to be used for revenue replacement is based on a strict formula that is designed to diminish year over year and is subject to strict federal guidelines, 7.2 million of OPERA will be used to support revenue replacement in this proposed budget. This represents an approximate 4.5 million decrease over fiscal year 22. This amount or close to it was expected, however, because we knew we would have to wean off the use of one-time funds over the four-year period. Thankfully, this $1 million budget isn't the only funding source that is helping move our city forward. Instead, many critical and significant programs such as park renovations, open space projects, accessibility projects, funding for food insecurity, school projects like the McGlynn Playground Design Study, fire station renovations, historic preservation projects, funding to beautify our squares, housing support monies, tree stump removal, tree planting, and increasing Our storm resiliency rely on alternative revenue streams, such as grant funding, CPA funding, opera funding, CDBG funding, and on-call casino revenue sharing. Some of these funding sources were vastly underutilized prior to my time as mayor, leaving millions of dollars on the sidelines instead of being actively injected into our community. It's important to remember, however, that spending money is not as easy as you think. People behind me can tell you so. We need to be hypercognizant of what is allowed by law. We need smart, thoughtful input and guidance from our hardworking internal staff and external partners. And we need the public to be on board. We're making such amazing progress and are actively applying for more grants every day. The budget presented to you today is a comprehensive and fiscally solid proposal that is firmly setting our goals and priorities for fiscal year 23 and beyond on a sound financial footing. To give you brief highlights on some of the areas we're prioritizing in this budget proposal, in our parks and playgrounds, we are continuing to leverage a variety of funding sources to make upgrades to or fully renovate most of our open spaces. We've already made substantial upgrades to the basketball courts at Barry Park, placed at park, as well as expanding accessibility and inclusivity at places like Tufts Pool. And I'm happy to say that we are renovating the basketball and tennis courts at Hickey Park, completely redoing Gillis in Carr Park, making improvements at McDonald Park, Riverside Plaza, and so much more. We are committed to investing in our stump removal and tree planting operations. We are a recently designated Tree City USA and will continue to strive for that distinction in fiscal year 23. We're allocating CDBG funding to stump removal and tree planting, primarily in low to moderate income areas in the city, with additional tree planting and stump removal citywide. We recently completed 90,000 in CPA funding for trees in our nine parks, including Morrison, and have signed to go to bond with an approval of 250,000 for stump removal. Thanks to your approval. And I thank you for that approval of the loan order, as well as the loan order to repair a million dollars worth of sidewalks. We're making substantial progress, expanding environmental justice and creating a more sustainable and green future for the city. We're adding the blue bike network into Medford on both public and private property. And we're expanding our bike network by adding more bike lanes, sharrows and other necessary infrastructure to support safe options for biking in and through Medford. With analysis and guidance from the pavement and sidewalk assessment, we completed and released last fall. And by working with own work Tela and our new engineer and Tim McGivern, our DPW, we're planning and beginning to address the $175 million backlog of roads and sidewalks, repaving projects and upgrades that have been repeatedly ignored for decades. And by using the right mix of preventative maintenance and addressing critical repairs first, we can and will begin to tackle this critical issue. We are tackling climate change head on by working across departments through a municipal preparedness grant to improve Medford's capacity to prepare for and respond to climate-related natural disasters. Through the MVP grant, we're devising plans for community hubs, and we are here to listen and to understand our community's experiences, needs, and ideas as we create better services together. We are committed to expanding affordable housing options and limiting the financial burden on families and individuals who want to live in Medford. We have finalized and submitted our housing production plan to your body for review. Additionally, in conjunction with our economic development team, we are continuing to fight for more oversight when it comes to 40B developments, but we've been negotiating with all three developers to re-examine plans that better fit the community's needs, and the ZBA recently announced that it remanded the decision on the Mill Creek development project, and we'll hear proposed updates at a meeting in the near future. I'm happy to report that despite the self-imposed guidelines, the school committee overwhelmingly supported a 2.5% increase to the school's budget from fiscal year 22. This expansion in funds ensures that our teachers, students, and staff have access to resources and tools that best equip them for success. And thanks to the dedicated work of the school committee members, as well as the superintendent, assistant superintendent, and assistant superintendent, we're able to continue to invest in our schools students and prepare them for the future. Since I took office, we've taken a pragmatic and thoughtful approach to the city's finances, which has enabled our free cash reserves to be built up to the highest amount I can recall. This is welcome news. The next two years, however, will still be challenging in terms of our financial outlook and we will need to access the safety net when compiling the fiscal year 24 and 25 budget. Though by then we hope to see some impressive commercial and mixed use development ready to open for the public. I'm happy to announce tonight one of those developments will be a second retail marijuana establishment as the second contract was signed yesterday. Medford's development potential is huge and developers in large sectors such as life science, manufacturing, biotech, and retail marijuana establishments are taking notice thanks to our efforts of the Economic Development Director and the Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability. While continuing to protect and enhance residential neighborhoods, Medford's primarily commercial areas such as Mystic Ave, Wellington Circle, and portions of Mystic Valley Parkway and Medford Square are poised for new growth and strategic development that will put Medford on the map, increase our commercial tax base, and bring in new jobs and revenue to the city. We are weeks away from putting out an RFI to developers to utilize the air rights we own above the Wellington parking lot. We also have big plans in the coming years for a new future of our fire headquarters, more street and sidewalk maintenance work, and a new Medford High School. Sustaining a high rating from our bond agencies is critical to supporting the debt we will bring on as a result of undertaking some of these key projects. Although we may be going the route of funding a new high school using a request to our taxpayers by different means other than bonding, this is an effective and financially viable tool In certain cases, building a future landmark educational facility that would be a gold standard in the state is certainly cause enough to explore this option. I've talked about this vision with our community, our parents, our students, our teachers. We have to be cognizant not to jeopardize our children's future in Medford by overextending the public now. Going to the public today or last month for an override to increase the budget is not something ever requested of me by more than a few people, nor was it something I would decide on over the last few weeks without much thought, discussion, and deliberation. It's not a decision I would make in a vacuum. As I've said, there are many positives to glean from this budget, and despite the relatively modest increases, we're still able to provide the necessary services to our community, as well as continue to build upon several significant projects and initiatives from last year. Almost done, sorry. I appreciate the thoroughness and work you all put into these hearings, and I hope that you support this budget so we can get to work for the people. I have many other projects to work on over the summer, and I know you have been hard at work on many things, including deliberation of over 10 new ordinances yourself. Let's work together to create a plan for our future needs starting tomorrow. Lastly, I want you to know that I've heard you, I've heard our residents, I'm thankful for your advocacy, and I can now announce that this week we worked hard to adjust and formally recommend an additional $60,000 to part-time salaries for the library from negotiated salaries. for Director Kerr to use at her discretion to keep the children's section open, work to hopefully, at least in August, keep our Saturdays open throughout the summer and throughout the fall, winter, and spring. Contingent upon the passage of old legal fees and of the city's law budget as proposed by me, I hereby formally recommend a combined total of $40,000 from negotiated salaries and the city's legal budget a legislative budget to be used by the council to hire a consultant or attorney to help you finalize the comp plan and housing production plan. We have also been working with our team at the schools over the last week and we have heard them. We are allocating an additional 300,000 in ARPA monies for essential positions that need to be restored tomorrow. I called you all today to recap your priorities. Thank you to those who text me back or call me back I've heard you over the last three weeks and today, which is why we've made these adjustments. It does not cover all of your or my priorities, but I feel I've met the needs that matter to us most to be able to get a better budget approved tonight. Thank you for your consideration and for allowing me to present my seven page proposed, my seven page speech this evening, I'm able to take questions now before I hand it over to our full financial team, our department heads, I know we have CLA on the call as well for any questions you may have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You too.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: specific answers. But yes, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, I think you had mentioned it earlier tonight. The fact that we thought we had to use some free cash to get up to that, six seven $8 million range in revenue replacement, we don't have to use that this, this year. Thankfully, and based on the upper revenue replacement number next year, with some free cash, we're going to need to use, obviously some free cash, but still ween off of one time funds, plus some of the economic development growth that we will see. Director Dickinson is going to start tomorrow, I believe I outlined it in my memo to today, start reconciling cash and doing all the things he needs to do so that we can start meeting with department heads as early as early fall to get a better idea of where we are and where we need to be.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, you're right. Requested and proposed 201.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Plus new growth, we have to retail marijuana companies, potentially three, and a cultivation site I'm working to negotiate that possibly come online next year to to at least, then we have life science developments we have a number of 40 bees, I know, Director. our economic development directors here to maybe speak on in depth about more projects, but new growth goes up, revenues are being replaced, and we're gonna be able to use some ARPA revenue replacement. I'm hoping that we, although we may still need to use some free cash, we've built that up, we've budgeted right the last two to three years, thanks to this council who ultimately approved budgets. We're hoping with even some use of free cash and one-time funds, lower than 7.2, we're going to be able to recover, still have a tough year next year, but recover. And then in fiscal year 25, you're going to see new growth skyrocket and hopefully revenues be back to normal.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, yeah and I'm always open to any discussions you know you and I've had conversations. And so I, so I haven't, so I have with residents and administrators I will not do anything. We've talked about going to our taxpayers for help to fund a new high school, and we've even talked about streets, but how many times we're gonna go and do that has to be a broader conversation, not only between us, but the community. That's ultimately a council vote, but I still wanna be involved in that discussion, and I wanna make sure we take care of our residents that cannot afford it. people that are can't afford food rent and the mortgage we just went through a global pandemic and we're heading into a recession with people that can't afford gas in the winter, we need to prepare it's not something I could have done because I was being called out on it a couple weeks ago by, you know, member of the school committee, I wasn't going to make that decision by myself in a vacuum. We budgeted, it was hard. I know it's been tough three weeks you've done your due diligence and I've taken the hits I haven't even dodged them. I, that is, that is, I understand that's what has to be done, and you want to spend more than we have. And I'm the one person that has to say, it has to, there has to be a limit, because we need to be able to prepare for next year and prepare for the year after that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Contingent upon the passage of old legal fees of the cities in getting the budget that I proposed. A few weeks ago, I'm going to recommend a combined total of 40,000 for the city council to hire either whatever type of consultant or attorney you want to do that, but the good work of for housing production plan a comprehensive plan, just as you, you know, I know, I don't know exactly the exact figure that you would like, but I, I want to do that for the council we we gave the housing production plan to you I want you to have the support you need. take to finalize that so we can move more initiatives forward. We have the comprehensive plan which I thank you for serving on that plan and I know you want additional help to work through that 40,000 is a substantial amount of money I think it took a year and a half, maybe two to spend that on a zoning consultant, and we appreciate that work that you did. We want to be able to provide the city council with that I spoke to a few of you three who made that your top priority and I want to, I want to get a budget passed I want to work together and But I mean, I need our legal bills paid. I mean, we have to pay our bills. I just like you need legal counsel. We use legal counsel for negotiating our 40 bees, negotiating retail marijuana license, negotiating the cultivation center. And I'm getting hammered if I'm not doing it fast enough. But you have to give me the legal means to do it. I know I'm an attorney, but I can't do it, do it all myself. We have 5g when our residents were in an uproar, we have somebody from KP that was an expert going to meetings talking to our Tim given who was running those meetings to make sure we were on the best footing as possible, and I could go on and on and on. And I know the main sticking point is labor council. We're a $200 million organization that never had HR. We've never had a labor council. We've never had anybody hold anybody accountable. I can give you examples that will shake you off your chairs. I don't investigate based on one person telling me something. I investigate matters based on multiple people from the inside, tell me what's wrong and how bad the morale is in certain departments, because I'm not holding people accountable. I need to hold people accountable. These teachers, I understand that, you know, whatever they're gonna say about me after, but they work every day. They have to be there. They cannot clock in for an hour, two hours, head up to New Hampshire. I'm giving you a random example. Head up to New Hampshire and then come back at two o'clock and close out the day. And if they did, the superintendent and the assistant superintendent would be calling in the office and holding them accountable. I have people that are doing unimaginable things from, between racism, not coming to work, I'm gonna hold people accountable, I have to. 55,000 was approved in January. I know you caught it, I watched, but I need you to know that. Somebody said to me in one department, we are behind you, we can't say anything, we are behind you 98%. And I would wear a cheerleading uniform for you if I could. I have people saying, why hasn't X been in the department? Why hasn't X been done? I'm working on it, but I'm not gonna use you as my witnesses because you'll be retaliated against.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not a good place. There was no HR. Files were empty. Please allow me to do my job, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, it's gonna if you want to take a vote on it, I'm going to take it from negotiated salaries. There's a $500,000 for negotiated salaries in your budget. And I it's a tough decision to make. But I feel that We wanna do what's right, what this council has been asking, what is needed in this community. Nobody wants the library struggling. Nobody wants you not to be able to move our housing production plan forward. So I'm gonna shift it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It would just be an amendment to your budget. You can vote the budget as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have to ask the finance team to, we have two expired contracts for negotiating, so that's, I believe that's the main portion of the negotiated salaries, because then the rest of our contracts, Maybe it's three, because we did settle one recently. The rest of our contracts end in two days. So it's for moving forward, but I'm going to have to come, hopefully we settle a bunch, but we're going to have to come before you to get them approved. And then if the 400 isn't enough down the line, be a free cash paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I don't know if it was a 2%. Sorry, it might have just been retro.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're going to negotiate contracts in good faith and we are going to have to come to you for an appropriation if and when they settle at the same time that you approve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Caraviello. Microphone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Two points. First, I'll start with the marijuana. I was on the council in 2016-17 when we started talking about marijuana, and I know it took four years to work out an ordinance. Then we set up a CAC committee, and they took, I think, a year to rank nine committees. I received all the applications, piles of applications in the fall. Right around election time, I put it off, I didn't, I would never rush it, just because I was getting hammered that I didn't sign a contract yet. Right after the holidays, I started negotiating, we signed our first contract in March we signed our second contract. Yesterday, I'm already negotiating with a cultivation site. and we're gonna start negotiating on third retail spot immediately. So I have been thorough. You all know what came out last week. It's not that it stalled me too much, but it did set me back a few weeks here and there. And then to new growth. In 2019, our commercial tax base was declining at a rapid rate. It's one of the probably three or four reasons maybe five. One of the five reasons I ran, it's why this council supported adding an economic development director to our staff. It's why we're doing a comp plan. Yes, it's not gonna happen overnight. And I don't know if Victor's still here, but we can list 20 to 30 projects that are in the works that are gonna start coming online in fiscal year 23.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was a 60,000 console cover cover yellow I hear you. The first time I learned about the no Saturdays was second week in June, and then last week I did reach out to direct occur who's here saying how much. How much do you need to keep the library open on Saturdays, I know there's also not only funding but some staffing concerns, but it's, it's why the 60,000 is in there for Barbara to either work her magic or figure out how we work together to make sure this doesn't happen next summer, and make sure we can keep the library open. on the weekends throughout the whole entire year. So is this $60,000 gonna be enough to open it for the- It costs about $1,000 to $1,250 each Saturday to open the library.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If Director Kerr can get the staffing, and I don't think that's gonna be beginning of July, but if Director Kerr can get the staffing, I would hope that we'll be able to work out with current employees and part-time employees. I know we're interviewing for additional employees that we'll be able to work something out as soon as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Caraviello, when you're trying to hold people accountable, that's the result. It's hard work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They're ULPs, so you'll read them, but you'll understand, hopefully they're not redacted enough. You'll get a full picture once you read those.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We just hired our veterans director that you thankfully helped us interview, we hired our CFO, we hired a CFO, we had a recent very quick retirement in our billing department. We have an acting assessor, Ellen, she's on the call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: IT will be posted in the next,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, sure. Oh, I do actually do have a pen, sorry. I just want to go back to fiscal year 22 budget, when it was a priority of this council and to have legal counsel and I made a promise that KP law would be at meetings that are requested of them to be to talk and speak to issues that are important to you. And I feel like I've kept that commitment. I know that 10 to 12, 13 ordinances have been written for this body, and that we have, between city solicitor Scanlon and myself, we've made sure that you've had access to KPLR at any meeting you so requested. I don't know when the gas station meeting was, but if that was within the last fiscal year, we would have had counsel there for you, because I appreciate that. I know what it's like, and I know you need counsel when you may ultimately be sued. And we want to continue to provide that to you, but you just want to make that clear I feel like we've kept the promise I've heard today that some of the follow up after those meetings needs to be better and I will communicate that and make sure it happens. But we've given you access and in 21 years that's the most access to counsel that I could ever ever ever recall as a city council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just as it relates to the budget. I hear you as it relates to the 15-20 contracts that we need to negotiate. That's contract negotiations. Like it's not It's not about the budget, that's gonna be- I know, I know, but it's something that I know that- When I come to you and ask for you to codify them and ask you for some funds to be able to finish these contracts out, then I hope you support it, but I can't imagine why you wouldn't vote for a budget, it's contract negotiation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Nicole, President Morell, you have a question for me? Do you have a question for me? I do not, no.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Morell. I'm here as a, you know, last effort to try to, I've listened to a few of you explain where your no vote may come from, and I'm just asking you to reconsider. Nina and I can both try to speak to mechanics, but if it's an assistant city solicitor, $50,000 in your legal budget, a total of $90,000 for the library, and $15,000 more for elections, we can propose to get that done so that we could have a budget for our city so that the finance team and all of our directors can move forward. I've apologized once for the short notice of the budget. I take full responsibility. It's not how I presented the last two when we did have a CFO, you all know that. We can explore all options moving forward. Our plan is to start the next fiscal year budget as soon as we can, including having meetings with department heads in the fall to start the process and do what we have to do for this community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, so I mentioned earlier, 40,000 for your legal budget, bought that to, you've requested 50. I requested 60,000 for the library. You asked for 90, we will make that happen. You asked for an assistant city solicitor for 85,000. I asked to keep my staff employed, so I respectfully asked for $202,087 back, as well as the legal budget, because I know President Morell and Vice President Bears, we have talked many times about the council meeting legal counsel for the comprehensive plan, housing production plan, and also the city. You heard from many department heads meeting, not only Kim, probably his assistant, but KP Law. And there was another- 15,000 for elections. 15,000 to the elections budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The schools, 300,000 to restore positions tomorrow, and we will, in good faith, work with- Can I ask a quick, where was all this money coming from? You can take this from, if you don't wanna take it from negotiated salaries, you can take it from facilities maintenance and we will have a paper before you when free cash is certified in November or December to supplement the facilities maintenance budget. You could also, we could draft up a free cash paper tonight and have you vote on it tonight. I know that's cleaner, but if that's not something you're willing to do because of mechanics, we will commit to putting a free cash paper before you You can even set the date tonight. I'd ask for probably December just to give Bob, our director, some time to catch up over the summer, to get what he needs to get done. Free cash was not certified until weeks ago. We will get it done on time this time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I take full responsibility for the lateness of this budget. We didn't have free cash certified until, like I said, a couple of weeks ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council and I that's not true. I did not have numbers of what my budget even was until the first or second week in June, that's scary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm here to try.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's why I'm here instead of my chief of staff or our CFO. I can make the recommendation, the request, and you can vote to amend the budget. And I would ask that you amend to take this out of facilities maintenance, which is over a million dollars, and we will get a free cash paper to replenish that before you as soon as we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know. I think I can just ask you to, I'm recommending that you take 90,000 out of facilities maintenance to give it to the library. Let's let Director Kerr do as she may. We want the library open as much as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct, and then the 202 plus the 816.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is July 1 too late? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We worked so hard tonight, I asked for.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, we're gonna restore the facilities maintenance budget through free cash when free cash is certified in the fall.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: you want more money for the budget, I can't win, Council Member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Which is why I made modest increases to try to get some of your requests in earlier. At this point, we want a budget passed. People wanna go, we have all of our staff watching. We really wanna work, with you to get this budget passed. And we ask that you move the question and take a vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's our retainer amount. They do everything under our retainer. It increased to 6200 a month. I guess that is everything that the eight gold chiefs Tim that every department head uses because Kim's doing other things.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This would make the school department help the school department. This will help the library tonight. We have the ability to go to bed this morning, doing the right thing for the- That's 300,000 too, sorry. Yes, 300,000.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 240, I was gonna use ARPA for the 300,000, because they're positions that can be restored through ARPA that we can give, we can send them notices, these five positions tomorrow. We don't wanna lose these people.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We will do better.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Teacher negotiations, I believe, I don't know, Dave, it's irrelevant to the budget as it relates to negotiations. We have about 20 contracts that we're working on to settle.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I left the paper at the office, the five full-time positions it will restore tomorrow.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think that's along the lines of what I brought up at the last budget that KP Law and Kim would coordinate to always have an attorney before you. So I think we can make sure that an assistant spends some dedicated time with the council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: dedicated 35 hour work week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I think I think we have to we have to post building in it. So this will come after that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Two to three months.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll try to do both, but I don't know for certain, because we want to see what candidates we bring in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, two months max.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: September 1.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I can definitely think through that I know console Caraviello said on our in our veteran interviews, we have councils helping us the solid waste task force. So let me think through that, but I don't see a problem of having a Councilor involved in one or one of the two or three interviews.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval then?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we'll work on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll work with the technical language, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, that'd be great. Thank you, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. I think just to piggyback on that a bit too, from what we experienced as parents, as elected officials, prior to Dr. Edouard-Vincent coming on, I think was, and I'm gonna actually spin to the positive. I think the last four, especially the last two and a half years, the communication and the transparency have just been pretty great. Having a superintendent that emails all parents every week with updates in multiple languages is just really such an amazing thing to have as a parent and something I just want to acknowledge as a school committee member. Because I don't ever remember that that happening before and I think it trickles down I think that some of our principals have learned and grown from that and I know like specifically I will, you know, throw some of the administrators, some of my daughter goes to the glen some of Mr. two G's updates and messaging on certain things and. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent is always not only doing the same but she's very responsive when I'll say hey this is great messaging I wish all the principal would would deliver a message like this, what happens like hours later, it just gets done. It speaks to the transparency and the communication, which I believe is great. And I also think, you know, whenever I have emails or questions for the superintendent, very responsive, always willing to give a phone call to, I'm sure, every member. And I just think that's also a great quality. So just on the higher level, I wanted to piggyback on what you said, Member McLaughlin, to give a brief statement of some great things that are being done. and Democrats.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do we want to go through the four categories and instructional leadership? Member Hays has her hand up, ma'am. Oh, I'm sorry. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That'd be great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we can either ask questions as you have them or stop after each larger section. Member Rizzo?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, why don't you keep keep reading and definitely have superintendent speak anytime she feels necessary or anytime a question is addressed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. So we'll just, member McLaughlin, maybe you can take the second section for us and then whoever else wants to volunteer. members.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Maurice, Dr. Edward-Vincent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, then we'll have in the member credits is offered to read management and operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have standard three engagement. A little small on my computer, but I guess I could try. 2.66, family and community engagement needs improvement across NPS. While we made gains early in the pandemic, those efforts of collecting feedback, hosting Q&As and roundtables, and providing substantive updates have not Continued in general, our public relations efforts are low. For example, the website redesign is being undertaken with no stakeholder involvement, which is likely to mean that it will miss the mark of expectations for students and families. Going forward, I'd like to see Superintendent focus on creating a district-wide culture of communication and engagement at every level of the organization. engagement 2.54. We have a lot of work to do.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, I have the update version up now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 3.1 engagement, we have a lot of work to do in effective family and community engagement. The district has an FCE audit done through a state run process in 2020, 2021. The outcome of the audit was that there was not commitment to the time it takes to build FCE throughout the district. When I've offered the opportunity to continue with the outside FCE consultant at no cost, the district somewhat ironically declined due to lack of time and resources. Sharing responsibility, 2.56. Communication, 2.79. Good to see the weekly communication, but this is a one-way communication. You need two-way communication culturally proficient that goes beyond a curriculum night or weekly newsletter. Family concerns, 2.76. We have work to do in responding effectively, equitably, and efficiently to families and community. As the audit indicated, we do not appear to have any provide feedback care system in place. This results in email being the sole method, which is both highly time consuming, but also a method that allows for any analysis of what is received. Surveys repeated over time can yield valuable information about trends and highlight changes in how well we are doing and in the needs of families over time. Does somebody want to take over as standard for professional culture?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So we have professional culture. OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't make sure I'm on the right before we go to professional culture. These these were merged, so they're not specific comments for every now. These are emerged, correct? Yes, because I did put some positive things in there and I I just don't see much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just feel like we should be pointing out the good things, too. Agreed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Member McLaughlin. If I could, from the chair, my comments, I guess, didn't go through or So I just want to point out disagreement and dissent where, you know, I'm talking about managing conflict. I gave the example in my review on something that I thought brought, you know, a lot of disruption and conflict to the city, but how the superintendent and her team handled it with such grace and did a fabulous job. And, you know, it is a touchy subject. We didn't renew. a contract, but, and people were very upset. They had questions, they had concerns, yet it was a matter that really couldn't be discussed. Um, so what the superintendent did was make sure she brought in, um, families at a meeting and she, you know, with, along with her team brought in families to really listen to, um, get their concerns and ideas and questions out on the table. And then at the same evening or the night after, you know, brought in faculty and staff to really talk through it and to work together, put a, I know a good hiring team together to make sure everybody had a seat at the table. And I just think the plan that was put in place and how it was executed was pretty amazing. And I just want to point that out because that's how, you know, we got through such a tough situation. It could have been a lot more on our backs and our shoulders, but it was handled the best way it could, in my opinion. And I just think that should be added to the comments. That's where I, when I saw managing conflict, that's the first thing that came to my mind, because I feel like 2.64 is just extremely low. You know, there is conflict in our community. There's conflict in the, United States conflict in the world, but that's not the superintendent's, you know, complete responsibility to solve. I think when you talk about managing conflict within the school atmosphere, that was something that probably was the biggest thing I can remember in the last two years, other than, you know, dealing with the pandemic. And I just feel like Tempers were calmed down and everybody had a seat at the table and was heard and involved however much or little they wanted to be. And I just want to commend the superintendent for that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, a motion for rules.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by members so seconded by member McLaughlin that I will send you the language either tonight when I get home at 830 or tomorrow morning and that will be this document will be amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, there was, I think I had one on communication and engagement. So I can try to find my document if I saved it. If not, I will put some thoughts together and send those to member Ruseau by midday tomorrow. So there's a motion on the floor to amend because for some reason my comments were left out. Roll call, please. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is approved. Is there a motion to finalize this so we can move on to? Mayor, the superintendent has her hand up. Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe we can all think through that and provide some feedback through phone calls to Dr. Edouard-Vincent or email if nobody has any comments right this minute. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve as amended. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative, zero in the negative, motion passes. We have, I think it's labeled, I'm sorry, I had to switch to my phone. because I only have till 5.30. Number three was listed as motion to motion to calendar, which we already approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Some of the affirmatives there in the negative motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second by member Rousseau, seconded by member McLaughlin. Roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, everybody. Thanks for joining us recording in progress. This meeting is being recorded so you just have to hit the got it. So, again, good evening everybody. Mayor Brianna here. I wanted to first start just by introducing some city staff. We have Steve our communications director labeled Jackie right now but we also have chief jack Buckley. We have Todd Blake our director of Traffic and Transportation. And we have Tim McGivern, our Department of Public Works Commissioner. And we thank you for being here. We are recording so that we can put it on our website and put it on Medford Community Media, considering that Medford is so largely made up of private ways, less than half, but we have a good close to 40% that are private ways. And we wanna just give a little explanation of private ways. And this is mainly for the enforcement on private ways. We get a lot of calls asking questions, especially since we have the fells and we have the Mystic Lakes. We have a lot of parking concerns that are always brought to our attention. And then we wanted to have this meeting several months before the Green Line actually opens, which we are excited about. It's going to open in August, September timeframe. And we want to make sure that you have the proper information so that you're able to enforce on your private ways, which we know is gonna be important. And this was also a recommendation of the parking task force. I know I see Fred Roach, who was on that committee, as well as Jim Silva, who helped guide the city in bringing parking enforcement in-house and obviously gave us a number of recommendations for private ways and enforcement. So with that, I'm going to, turn it over to Todd Blake our director of traffic and transportation to start us off. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So thanks, Madam Mayor, for having this meeting. One second. Lisa, if you don't mind, we just want to present first and then we're going to take questions. Todd, will you screen share the enforcement piece and what would need to be, can you present on that first? So that people will watch the recording and then questions will come after. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to take a two to five-minute recess until we figure this out, please. by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Let's get this together. Sorry, sorry, false alarm. You have another minute. Dr. Edouard-Vincent, let's finish up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Number two, CPAC end of year report presented by Ms. Alex Lorick and Ms. Tanya Sullivan, co-chairs of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council. Welcome. Press the button, the second button in, or we can have Mr. McLaughlin turn that on for you. Thank you. Oh, there we go. There's the red light.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I think Dr. Cushing is working on getting the presentation up. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Perfect. Go to the next one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? Can I speak on that, actually? Before the roll is called, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information. Point of information. Your question, Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before the roll call, Member Ruseau, are you all set? No, but I can wait. You'll yield to Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I respond? Member Ruseau will yield to you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Should I read the motion? Sure. Oh, yes. Just want to make sure your microphone's on, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before you split the motion, I think Dr. Edouard-Vincent wants to comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Member Mustone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. And Carol, can you give chapters a plug? I know that's a long time coming. You've worked with the city, you've worked with CPAC, a number of us. You had a vision a long time ago and you even had to go through the procurement process with the city and you did it. And now you have our children up at the second floor in the library. So if you want to give it a plug, let us know where your hours are and make sure everybody stops by and grabs a cup of coffee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great job. If the committee wants to come up and CPAC and Carol, your husband. Yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Great presentation. We have approval of the 2022-2023 district calendar, Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent. Motion for approval by Member Mustone, seconded by- Second. Member McLaughlin, I'm sure it'll be up on our website right after approval. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's yet to be determined. That's why it's not specified. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, okay. Thank you. Member Ruseau, unless you want to yield.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Russell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Murphy?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. So is that a motion? We've already passed it, so is that a motion to adjust the language on the front cover for now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. update on Medford Public Schools security protocol, Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent, and Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and then Member Hays can have a floor back. So thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays, do you have another question? And then Member Ruseau? We had somebody online. Okay, Member Hays, and then we'll go to
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, we have somebody on Zoom, an Adam that would like to speak. Name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Motion to receive and place on file. by member Stone, seconded by member Hays. All those in favor. Thank you so much, Dr. Cushing. We have an update on implementation of the NWEA map by Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Madam Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Cieri.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you members. Thank you. On to page 17.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Middle schools,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Are there any further questions? Member Ruseau, Member Hays, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Dr. Chiesa? Oh, here we go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Chiesa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think some some assessments from the teachers, which I'm sure we can collect over the summer with a second follow up update sometime in the fall maybe would help be helpful. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you very much. Just one more question. Member Ruseau, and then we'll move on to number six.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Chiesa and then we have Ms. Brito who would like to speak. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Chiesa. Dr. Chiesa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Don't embarrass us. Member Graham, thank you for coming forward, and we appreciate your feedback. I don't know if, Member Graham, I have a question for you, Ms. Brito.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Frito is my teacher. Oh my goodness. And then my sons. So she's been amazing for many years.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right. Good night.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: St. Joseph's. Yep. Yep. She was young. Yes, still is. Thank you. Thank you for the update. I think we'll look for more updates in the fall and hopefully get more feedback from our teachers. Thank you. Number six, fiscal year 23, Metro Public School operating budget update, assistant superintendent of finance and operations, Mr. David Murphy. Hello again.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll go through quickly as efficiently as we can. Well, that's going up on the screen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by members, so seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion. Those opposed? Motion passes. As early as this Thursday, if... Member Graham. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may from the chair, just the language cuts Medford schools budget. I just don't think that's accurate. It's almost a two and a half percent increase from last year. Yes, it's different than the requested amount the school committee sent to the administration, but in no way is that a cut. So I just can't, I can't approve that. I can't ask that respectfully ask that that language be taken out. You also mentioned a budget shortfall that that budget shortfalls based on over, you know, approximately $5 million over last year, whether or not I'm not going to get back into the override, but we have a limit on the tax levy of 2.5%. So for any department, whether it be school or fire or DPW to be asking for more than that is something that the city cannot afford and can't sustain. So I just ask that we reshape that a little bit. I'm okay with the rest of the language, but to say where it's a cut is inaccurate completely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We are not cutting the budget. I've worked very hard over the last two weeks. I wish it was sooner. I wish it was a month ago that we had the news, but we worked very hard on the city side to level fund as much as possible so that we could add to the school budget. We're not where we want to be. Nobody's happy. I don't think anybody in the whole community is happy, but we are budgeting. We are doing what we have to do. And there is a 2.5% increase approximately to the MedFed's public school budget. So I respectfully ask that somebody propose that that motion be amended to remove the word cut.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Grimf.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll second that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, reductions, uh-huh.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We could just read the full resolution one more time, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ready to vote? I would just ask that we stay consistent with the word request and change the word planned to requested. And that it's consistent on those two spots.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Like the language in front of me, I, it names me multiple times and I Would you say? I don't have a copy. Jenny just wrote it. I'm deciding if I should abstain from voting because I think it's great that we do have a budget based on need, but to ask for the administration, which I like serving on the school committee. I like knowing what's going on in my, you know, the student school, but to have a budget based on need and, you know, somewhat hopes and, things we'd love to see and be the only one that has to worry about the full fiscal picture of the city. It's a little difficult for me on my end.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure when you wrote that you respected that at all to say cuts and, you know, last week was torturous. but I stayed quiet because I respect the committee and I don't want to go back and forth and argue all night long. I want to show the community that we have. We've done a lot of hard work over the last year, two years. You're one of the hardest, you know, you're some of the hardest working people I do know, but the level of respect, I just, with that resolution, I don't know. I don't, I just don't see it, but I'd like it before me before I could officially vote on it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you want me to abstain, I'll abstain. What's to say next year you won't ask for $95 million and then say I'm cutting the budget by $20 million. I have no control what the committee will do, but I do have to control keeping the city and the schools within the means of the revenue that comes in based on taxes. And it's a difficult job. It's not easy for any of us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's a motion to table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Not 10 minutes. Yeah, 15 minutes by Member Kress, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Meeting's gonna go till 10.10. So there's a motion on the floor that you'd like to be heard. Roll call, please. Yes. Member Hays. Yes. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, this is whether or not you want the motion to be part of the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The motion is that it fails. Member Mustone's going to put a motion to approve the budget after. She voted no. Oh, thank you. Member McLaughlin. No. Member Mustone. No. Member Ruseau, yes. Mayor Lungo-Koehn. No. Four on the negative. Three in the affirmative. Motion fails. Is there a motion to approve the budget by Member Mustone? Seconded by Member McLaughlin. One second, I gotta write people. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As presented. As presented. Second. Roll call, please. Member Graham. Yes. Member Hays. Yes. Member Kreatz. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone. Yes. Member Ruseau. No. Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Yes. Six in the affirmative, one in the negative. The motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. We have presentations of the public, not to begin before 7 p.m., and I don't believe there's any listed. Number eight, continued business, dress code policy. I believe this was approved on a first reading last week. Motion to waive the reading. Motion to waive the reading. Second. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The reading is waived. This is the dress code policy. Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Second. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Can we slow down a second, please? I can't write that fast. Member McLaughlin seconded. I don't know who motioned it. Member Graham. Thank you. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? New business 2022-38 offered by Member Mustone be it resolved the Member School Committee supports an act relative to healthy school lunch HG3159 slash SD 1308. And that was submitted 68 2022.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by Member Mustone, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. We do not have any reports requested, condolences. Our next meeting will be scheduled in the next couple of days on eval and goals. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Otherwise, you know, when we're supposed to come back. Thank you. Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: budget hearings, which were five of them. It took place on May 9th, 10th, 16th, 25th, and June 6th in the formulation of the district's proposal of a budget request. Signed, Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent. If we could please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here. Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. If we all could rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll turn it over to Superintendent Edouard-Vincent and Mr. Dave Murphy, Superintendent of Finance. Assistant Superintendent of Finance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But often sorry we missed the good of the order again with good of the order will be on 6 PM agenda. I see it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I can just add from the chair, Dave and I have worked, especially over the last six to nine months, to make sure that if something is ARPA qualified, that the city helps out on that end. I know we've helped with some ADA signage, McGlynn playground design, 300,000 in testing. We also put in water filtration systems handless into each of our schools for hundreds of thousand. And we covered that all in the city ARPA side so that we could make sure that ESSER remains as stable as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Mayor? Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we will be.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Was the number from the chair was the number of asset funds used 1.2 million.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then our temporary positions, I know, will end in two and a half years, December 31st, 2024. Is that the same with SRD now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Expended by six months after that, but you have to... can only have people in positions till December 31st, 2024.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: we'll stand for it again. Member Ruseau? We do have a name, a name, a hand up. Dave McKenna? Okay, sorry, just took a minute to unmute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dave. One issue we would face if we didn't override, of course, I would never have even thought to do it during the global pandemic, especially 2020-2021 when we were facing budget issues at that point. And now we have people struggling, we have inflation, we have a recession coming. To do that now would also be, if we ever did that, it would be included in our revenue number. And if we did in the past, same thing would almost be included as if it was the large donation that we took in. So revenues would be affected and allow us to use less of our opera funding to help supplement the budget. I think it's the school committee's goal to hopefully fund a new high school. And that's going to take something as far as a debt exclusion or a proposition two and a half override, even if we get half the funding from the MSBA. So for a community to fund at such difficult times, something like that in a couple of years and an override is probably just to take care of the budget. is probably not something I think the community would support, and it would be hard-pressed to put it forward during a global pandemic or in a recession. Mayor. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, I'm not letting the voters decide. The first I've heard was last week that I should have done an override to supplement the budget. All other talks or requests for me over the last two years have been, we need a new high school. We need to prepare for that. We need to create a campaign to get community support, to hopefully be able to fund a new high school. And I've also heard, you know, our roads, that is definitely something that will be explored, but to fund a budget, I think we need to live within our means. I think we need to wean off of one-time funds, which we always knew we had to do. Last fiscal year, we could use 12.3 million. This year, we're sticking to our number, but for that donation, which will be about $7.6 million from free cash, which we thankfully budgeted well, and we're able to build that up to cover us this year and hopefully next year. And at the same time, we have an economic development director who is actively working with my office to bring in new development from life science to mixed use to housing we are negotiating 340 bees. I'm negotiating three community host agreements with marijuana companies, we are doing everything we can to be able to sustain this city budget. When it comes time, those buildings yes they won't be built for two three years, but we're doing the work to build that commercial tax base, because it was going down two years ago and all we want to do is build that up. I can go on, but that's where I stand, and anybody can take the initiative to ask the public for multiple overrides for multiple things, but we have to be realistic at the same time. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, just to piggyback on that I mean to give you all credit of the school committee works hard. for for the children of this community and all the staff and you know you asked the city administration for five and a half million dollars over last year's budget for this current year's budget and that's something that I have to obviously weigh and work with CFO on but but I appreciate that and I think the residents should know that city side is as close to level funded this year as possible because of the situation we're in. But we were able because I wanted to make sure that we gave as much as we could to the schools, which is close to a two and a half percent increase. And when we did have the money last year, the city side stayed within the means that we could so we could give the schools a 9% increase when the money's there. We want to do it. So anybody that says the city doesn't care about our kids or that I don't care about the kids is 100% that is 100% false. I too have three kids in schools. I think the schools are fabulous. I think the school committee works really hard to push me for as much as you can. You can get, I appreciate that. And if you do it respectfully, I really appreciate it. But we're in this situation. We know where we're at. We know we have to wean off of one-time funding. We have plans to do that. We're gonna start budgeting and taking the necessary steps starting July 1 especially on the city side. I know Dave and superintendent will be doing it on the school side, figuring out how, how we can get through the next couple of years that are going to be tough, but I think, I think we can do it and we can work together and do it in the best way for our students and staff. Mr. Murphy, is there anything else to add?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions from the committee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion to close this open meeting, budget meeting by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, some of the affirmatives are in the negative. Public hearing is closed. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That meeting is adjourned. Welcome to our six o'clock meeting, everybody, in the Howard F. Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall. You can join us by Zoom or you can call in by dialing 929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 916-9774-5538 when prompted. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one who must have went Snuck out for a minute. Is there any student representatives on the call? Not tonight. If we may all rise to salute the flag one more time, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Number three, we have good of the order. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, student representatives, will they, can we confirm, make sure we confirm them for next school year?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. If I may, we had a six o'clock Zoom, which was our budget hearing, that was a link its own and if you want to log go back into the calendar or check the chat Dr. Cushing put the new link in for our six o'clock meeting so I just want to make that announcement to anybody on our zoom call if you want to switch over there are two separate links. So Dr. Cushing
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Need to be in the microphone. Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you so much. Great job, Mayor, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to look into the budget and that cost by member Kreatz, seconded by member McLaughlin. Member Mustone, would you like to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Democrats. Oh, is this now? It's seven twenties for one school. Yeah, this is for one school. Okay. Um, we can explore it throughout the district. Explore throughout. Yes. If we could explore throughout the district. That's great. Second member McLaughlin. Second. Um, all those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? We will revert. Number five, consent agenda, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes from 5-16-2022, committee of the whole meeting minutes 5-24-2022, and special school committee meeting minutes 5-25-2022. Is there a motion on the floor for a motion to approve? Motion to approve. By Member Kreatz, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed? Consent agenda is passed. Number six, report of subcommittees, rules and policy subcommittee meeting minutes 525, 2022. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any questions or motion on the floor? Motion to approve the minutes as amended. By member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed, minutes are approved. Number seven, report of superintendent, superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Thank you, Dr. Is there a motion? It's not on the agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to suspend the rules by member McLaughlin, seconded by Stone, seconded by member McLaughlin. Seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Number two, we have report.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Report on results of the equity audit for human resources phase one conducted by the equity process. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Young lady.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vinson, any questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Petrella, you did request to be on the agenda. Name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 17, 18,000. In the $17,000 range. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We had the CEO before us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is more about diversity within education.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This was an HR audit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Pichella. We're discussing it now, that's what we're doing. No, we have a safety plan. Number three, we have fiscal year 23, Medford Public School operating budget update, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions? Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions? Dr. Cushing, was that for the, was that, has that been up for a while or I haven't seen it? Okay, oh. Ms. Tringali.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're talking about budget right now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We've moved from that topic. Our apologies.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you wanna make a comment, you can, the committee's.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can make sure the slides are up on the website. Make sure the slides are up on the website so you can take a look. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just just for my end. This is the first time we've ever went through a pandemic ever had a revenue dump of $48 million into city coffers. The first time we're dealing with revenue replacement so and to explain like I did to the committee a bit earlier. Last year we were very lucky we were a revenue replacement figure came out to about $12 million. It gave us the ability to do we did with the school budget which is Obviously, my priority, it's how we were able to get through the tough times of the economy. This year, our revenue replacement number would be $7.669 million, which would be much better than what we are experiencing, running numbers and continuing to do the work. But for a large donation that came in for the library of $3.4 million, which cannot be which is being calculated as revenue and there's no way around it. Our revenue replacement number is down to $4 million, giving us a budget gap of 8 million, which we learned of very recently. And I've been spending my days cutting and level funding and or cutting some of the most of the, or all of the city departments. It hasn't been a fun week, but I committed to giving the schools as much as we can. We just are, appropriations and are outweighing our revenue that we take in year by year. So we have to plan for the next year where we maybe can use anywhere from zero to 4 million in revenue replacement, and we're in the same position having to cut, but there is, that's hard decisions to make and a hard thing to do. So I just wanted to let you know that our CFO, we do have a CFO came on, a month and a half ago and has been working tirelessly to get us this number, along with consultants that we've had for months and months, but we we just learned of this recently, so I'm just wanted to point that out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, we can't send it back.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Why can't we defer the payment till July is use free cash up to that to that number is the plan, the 7.669, we're going to use free cash but then we're going to plan for next year when we have to continue to decrease the revenue replacement number, so that we are not using one time funds, we only have three more years to not have to use one-time funds.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. We have presentations of the public, not to begin before 7 p.m. Ms. Charlene Douglas, MTA president.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin was waiting to speak. Do you have an answer? No, I don't have an answer to that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions from the committee? If there's no other comments from anybody in the audience, any teacher, any school committee member, no questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're going to go on to continue business. We have dress code policy approved by rules policy subcommittee on 525 2022 motion to accept. Yep. Remember, so you want to want to page three and we can, you can always switch off with me if you thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to accept the first reading by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Would you like a roll call? All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? First reading is approved. Offered by Member Graham, 2022-36 under new business be it resolved that the administration provide a report of NWEA map results to the school committee by school grade and subgroup each time MAP map is administered. Currently three times a year, the report will show the progression of results across the school year and include a summary of actions being taken to act on the results. The report will be provided no later than 30 days after the conclusion of the round of map testing. Member Graham. Approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. All those opposed? Motion is approved. Offered by Member Ruseau, Member Graham, 2022-37, whereas the best way to help working families and build a stronger economy for us all is to make sure that we have quality public schools for our children, affordable public higher education, and a reliable transportation system, whereas students need a well-rounded education founded on a rich and varied curriculum that includes science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM, music, art, and athletics, whereas major investments in public education are needed to help students recover academically, socially, and emotionally from the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas tuitions and fees at our public colleges are among the highest in the country, and students are forced to take an enormous debt to receive a degree. Whereas for Massachusetts to compete against other regions around the nation and the globe, we need modern, reliable transportation, safer roads and bridges, public transportation that works, and safe ways to walk and bike around town. Whereas we have a large backlog of neglected and structurally compromised bridges, tunnels, roads, and public transportation infrastructure in need of repair. Whereas new state revenue is necessary to rebuild crumbling roads and bridges, improve our public schools from pre-K through college, invest in fast and reliable public transportation, make public higher education affordable then and expand opportunities for healthy walking and bicycling. Whereas Massachusetts needs new investments in our transportation and public education systems, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. And now those investments are needed more than ever to lift our economy into an equitable and long lasting recovery. And whereas our Commonwealth's highest income residents who have seen their collective net worth skyrocket in recent years pay a lower percentage of their income in state and local taxes than do the rest of us and clearly have the ability to pay a little more for the investment we all need now, therefore be it resolved that the Medford School Committee supports the proposed fair share amendment that would create an additional tax of 4% points on annual income above $1 million and dedicate the funds raised by this tax to qualify, to quality public education, affordable public colleges and universities and for the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges and public transportation. Member Ruseau, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. Reports requested is number nine, number, sorry, 11. 2022-27 update on implementation of NWEA map offered by members Sharon Hayes, member Melanie McLaughlin, and member Mima Stone from our March 21st, 2022 meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then number 12 as condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Angela Modica, a Medford Food Service worker at Medford High School and McGlynn School Cafeteria. We all may rise for a moment of silence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Our next meeting will be next Monday, June 13 6pm regular school committee here and all the F. All the memorial chambers Medford City Hall and also by zoom motion to adjourn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There we go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Wasn't letting me unmute or show my video. People must, they don't want to see me so tired. Okay. Good evening, everybody. Good evening. Good evening. We have Medford School Committee meeting date May 24, 2022. There will be a Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, the 24th, 2022 at 5 p.m. to be held remotely on Zoom. You can also call in by dialing 1-929-205-6099. The meeting will be viewed through YouTube as well as on Metro Community Media on Comcast Channel 15 and Verizon Channel 45 at 5 p.m. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted During the meeting, by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us, those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows. First up is the purpose of the meeting for the school committee to receive the self-evaluation of the superintendent, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent. And before we start, I just ask member Ruseau to call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So here present seven present zero absent. We can move on to the first part of our agenda, and I will turn it over to Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number two we have negotiations and legal matters executive session on motion to enter into executive session pursuant to mass general laws, chapter three oh a section 21 a executive session of the Medford school committee pursuant to general law chapter 30 a section 21 a conduct a strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigation positions of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with nine separate labor unions. Motion to move into executive session. Motion to go into executive session by Member McLaughlin. Seconded. Seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. We're going to move into executive session. Thank you. Motion approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Our executive session is concluded before before we take a motion to adjourn I just. like to ask if we could take a moment of silence for what's going on in Texas.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Our hearts go to the families and all dealing with what's going on in Texas. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. By Member McLaughlin, seconded by... Seconded.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, so the affirmative zero and the negative meeting is adjourned. Thank you everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: on the basis that they have a detrimental effect on the poverty and for litigating the issues of medical school pay, specifically the medical school pay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can hear you, yes, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays. For approval of the consent agenda. Oh, sorry. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The consent agenda is approved. Report of subcommittees. First up, we have the superintendent's updates and comments, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Please rise for a moment of silence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. I want to just echo the sentiments of member McLaughlin and our superintendent. Mr. trotter is just a huge advocate for the program and Mr. squawker is inspirational and such a role model for our students and he was there today, along with two representatives from the cummings foundation which could make makes this possible $100,000 was given. to CCSR from the Cummings Foundation, so we wanna thank them. I loved seeing the projects and all great things for our community, and we just hope this continues to eternity. Yes, member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thanks. Thank you, thank you. Next up, we have presentation on professional development for administrators, Dr. Carmen Williams, HGSE superintendent resident. And a congratulations, I believe, is in order. Yes. And maybe you can explain what the congratulations is about.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Williams. We've loved having you. You've been a great addition to the team. I know Dr. Musa, Edouard-Vincent, and all the admin, really, we're so thankful for all the work you did for us over the last year and great job on defending. Thank you, Harvard.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Impressive.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you. Number three, we have report on the Credit for Life event held on May 6, 2022 at Medford High School. Dr. Bernadette Riccidelli, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much for organizing the event and for the presentation. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Welcome. Great job. We have number four fiscal year 23 Medford public schools, operating budget update assistant superintendent of finance and operations, Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, can you press it yourself, Mr. Murphy. It's a little person's face, or Mr. McLaughlin Can you turn on Mr. Murphy's microphone please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, we'll give you a couple seconds. I think we're good for questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just to be honest with everybody on the city side, we're working through, our CFO came on a few weeks ago, we're working very actively to figure out our revenue replacement number, which will be much less than fiscal year 22. But once we have a better picture, hopefully in the next week or so, we will update the school finance team and the school committee. So just being upfront about that. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin and then Member Hays. Member Hays. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, you had to put the slides up for member Hays, which slide? You looking for a member Hays? Please. So the category D and E. Category D.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. I don't believe we have any presentations by the public. So I'm going to go on to continued business. We have 2022-11 policy BDG school attorney be referred. to the Rules and Policy Subcommittee for recommended updates. The policy below was thereby approved by the Rules and Policy Subcommittee on 4-25-22. Committee attorney.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. All those in favor? Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Policy. reading is waived. Would you like to speak on it, Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by member Ruseau, seconded by member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Under new business, we have 2022-29 offered by member Rousseau. The policy on public comment and presentations of the public will be the following section appended. Number four, employees of the Medford Public Schools are exempt from the residency requirement of this policy. The voice of our employees is welcomed on all matters before this body. When non-Medford resident employees participating in public comment or submitting a presentation of the public, they will include their home address and identify themselves as an employee of the Medford Public Schools. Submitted 5-3-2022, meeting date requested is tonight. Is there a motion for approval? Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Hays, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. And I did let somebody know there's no AC in here, so they will make sure the rest of the meetings are covered. 2022-30 offered by member Rousseau, the following changes do not change the policy of the member school committee, but merely bring the language and clients with our recently approved updates as part of our rules adoption on March 21st, 2022. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Aye. Reading is approved. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin seconded by Second. Member Haynes, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, so it's in the affirmative, zero in the negative, the mover passes. Offered by member Graham 2022-31, be it resolved the school committee will hold a committee of the whole no later than 5-27-2022 to receive the superintendent's self-evaluation. Be it further resolved that committee members will individually complete their rankings no later than 6-3-2022 using the Google form created for this purpose and sent to the secretary for compilation. Be it also resolved that a second committee of the whole will be convened no later than 6-10-2022 where the school committee will discuss and deliver its evaluation of our superintendent. Is there a motion for approval? I have a question there. Or is there questions? Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There was an outline.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended by Member McLaughlin. Motion to approve. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Kreatz, roll call, please, as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes as amended. Number 2022-32 offered by member Rousseau. The Medford School Committee will add a regular meeting on June 13th, 2022. And are we eliminating the holiday June 20th, 2022 is my question. I know that's a holiday. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Motion for approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Everybody, member Kreatz, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On the affirmative, zero on the negative, motion passes. Offered by Member Graham, 2022-33, be it resolved that the school committee will meet in a committee of the whole to discuss the superintendent's goals for 2022-2023 school year no later than 6-17-2022. We had further resolved that the school committee finalize and approve the superintendent's goal on a regular school committee meeting or special school committee meeting no later than 9-30-2022. Motion to approve. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 6-17-2022, not to 9-30-2022.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, how's the superintendent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then I think Dr. Maurice Edwards.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can I second? Motion for approval and seconded by Member Hays. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in favor, zero against, motion passes. Offered by member Graham, 2022-34, be it resolved that the communication and family engagement subcommittee will review and recommend updates to the school committee related to Medford Public School attendance and truancy policies, which include high school class attendance policy, middle school attendance and tardiness policy, uniform registration and attendance policy, duties of the supervisor of attendance, truancy. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The wellness policy for K-8 students is referred to the rules and policy subcommittee for revision and that it be revised as necessary to ensure unrestricted free play recess is available to all K-8 children daily as part of their social and emotional wellbeing. The curtailing of unrestricted free play recess shall be tracked. This information shall be returned to the school committee twice each year and be disambiguated by school grade gender, race, disability, and socioeconomic status. The subcommittee shall invite at least one teacher and administrator from grades K through five and six through eight, as well as the director of student services or her designee to ensure their views are considered. The current policy and recommended revised policy will be returned to this committee no later than our first meeting in November, 2022. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Motion to approve by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Hays. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 11, reports requested 2022-27 update implementation of NWEA map offered by member Hays, member McLaughlin, and members Stone from March 21st, 2022 meeting. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And next we have condolence The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Virginia F. O'Neill, who served as a lunch mother at the former Franklin Elementary School and the Roberts Elementary School. If we could rise for a moment of silence, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Our next meeting is, Regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, June 6, 2022 at 6 p.m. It will be in the chambers and also by Zoom. Everybody have a great night.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Meeting is adjourned. Thank you, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That'd be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. That'd be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a school committee meeting posting date was May 6 2022 meeting date is May 10 2022 special school committee meeting for the fiscal 23 budget 7pm and by zoom. You can also call in by dialing 1-669-900-6833. Please enter meeting ID when prompted 918-0556-0779. The meeting can be viewed through YouTube as well as Method Community Media on Comcast channel 15 and Verizon channel Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows, presentation regarding the fiscal year 23 Medford school committee, schools operating budget focusing on strategic priorities concerning equitable sports for high needs, most vulnerable students, instructional technology, COVID-19 recovery and organizational structure. Member Mastone, will you please call the roll?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just Sharon. Okay. Six present, one absent. Thank you. We have a quorum. We can proceed. I'll turn it over to the administration, whoever's going to start us off.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're welcome. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Thank you, Principal Fallon. Roman seems, if I'm hearing, yeah, heard it correctly, seems like it's skyrocketing. testament to how good of a job you're doing. And I'm thankful that Make Way for Kids has the opportunity to survive and continue on. Mayor, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the correction.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. You can keep going and I'm keeping track of when people do the raise hand function. Okay, great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I can ask a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So I don't remember starting this low at the beginning of the year. Is this due to people moving out of district?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No other questions right now. Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No questions right now. Great. I'll let you know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All set. We can keep going, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Very thorough. Thank you, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by member McLaughlin. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative one who stepped away meeting is adjourned have a great night everybody our next school committee regular meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Could somebody send me the agenda? I didn't see it on the school webpage calendar, please. If anybody has it handy. I'll send it. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Got it. Thank you. We can start, because it is 6.04. And we're recording. Yep. Medford School Committee meeting for May 9. Please be advised that on Monday, May 9, 2022, at 6 PM, there will be a special school committee meeting held through remote participation. Zoom and the links there. You can also call in by dialing 929-205-6099. Enter meeting ID 975-5064-4749 when prompted. The meeting can be viewed on Community Media, Comcast Channel 15, and Verizon Channel 45. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows, presentation regarding the fiscal year 23 Medford public school operating budget focusing on strategic priorities concerning equitable supports for high needs, most vulnerable students, instructional technology, COVID-19 recovery, and organizational structure. Assistant superintendent of finance and operations, Mr. David Murphy, and we also have Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent of schools. Mr. Murphy, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent. Mayor. Member Rizzo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven, present, zero, absent. Dr. Marissa Edwards-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you, Mr. Murphy. I think that was very well said. And I know we've heard some of that multiple times, but it's good for everybody watching from home. to hear it again. If nobody has any questions, we can move on. I'm sure we're not opposed to continuing on and seeing how we get done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, if I just could ask a question, I don't know. Can you pull up that slide one more time? And I just wanted to know, I think you said those are all additional positions that it will be our hope to fund, correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: but you including all of these numbers in that $71 million figure you gave a bit ago?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The career Councilor- Is there supposed to be a slide? Yeah, we're not looking at, we're not seeing a slide.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hayes with her hand up. I'm sorry, just member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, didn't see it. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes, Member Mugla. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, of course.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Sorry, I'm not able to see you, but go ahead, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy Thank you, Mr. Russo, and if I just may speak on on that issue I too want everybody to have free lunch and I pray that the. state comes through for us, cause it's a, could be upwards of a million and a half dollars. So I just want to make sure that that's clear. And if it's between children that can afford it paying and teachers or professionals not having a job, we just, we have to weigh those options as we move forward. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There are no further questions. I know we have a meeting tomorrow night at 7 p.m. after the McGlynn open house, right?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds great, thank you. Is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do we have any student representatives on the call? Student reps were invited. We don't see them on yet. Okay. If we could all rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would anybody like to speak under good of the order? We have number four, consent agenda, bills and payroll. Regular school committee meeting minutes from 4-11-2022. Special school committee meeting minutes 4-25-2022. Approval of two donations to McGlynn Middle School, $1,500 and 500. Is there a motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever approval of the donations, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is severed, so is there a motion for bills, payrolls, and the two meeting minutes? Second. Motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of 4-11-2022 and the school committee meeting minutes from 4-25-2022, bills and payrolls by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Now we have approval of two donations. Are there any questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve those two donations by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. Roll call, money, paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven the affirmative, zero in the negative. Donations are accepted. We have a report of subcommittees, communication, and family engagement subcommittee meeting minutes 4-27-2022. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, just your microphone, sorry. Welcome everybody. There's some more seats up front if you want to come on in with the little ones.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Minutes have passed. Next up we have rules and policy subcommittee meeting minutes from 4-27-2022. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve? Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Number six, report of the superintendent. We have superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Reese, Edouard-Vincent, our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. One more time. I know there's people out in the, You wanna come in and there's seats in the front row. I know there's, I see some. You good?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. I know you can't hear out there, so I feel, I wanna make sure everybody can hear. Number two, we have report on unified sports and adaptive physical education. Ms. Joan Bowen, director of pupil services, Ms. Rachel Perry, director of physical education and health education, and Carla Andre, adaptive physical education teacher. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the presentation member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You know, the high school volunteers. Yes, student had a yeah, that's right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Awesome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and Dr. Benson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Question. One question. Miss Andre. Miss Andre. Miss Andre. Okay. Just Ms. Andre, when should we expect the final, like the big race for track and field, or do you already have it? Oh, okay. Okay, good luck. Number three, we have recommendation to approve Medford as a no school choice district. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I? Member McLaughlin and Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by member Ruseau, motion for approval, seconded by member McLaughlin, roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. Number four, report on McGlynn playground inspections. Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent of secondary education.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I apologize for taking- No, I'm just kidding. That's fine. Thank you, Dr. Hsing, and thank you for all the hard work. I know you're putting together a team. So thank you in advance to the 14 member board that will help with this project. Great. Okay, we have number five, Labor Relations Update, Mr. David Murphy, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, it's fine. Signs are fine. If you could just let Mr. Murphy, so that we can hear him, that would be great. And then I know we have the union rep who's next on the agenda, so we can all be civil. I'm sure that will be the case. Thank you, Member Ruseau. Mr. Murphy? Thank you, Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What information, member Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information there. Point of information, Member McLaughlin, just a brief explanation of Chapter 70.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Duff. Thank you, Mr. Murphy, Attorney Murphy. Are there any questions from the committee? Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for your patience, everyone. We have presentations of the public not to begin before 7 p.m. And we have a presentation by Medford Teachers Association regarding ongoing contract negotiations with Charlene Douglas, president.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I shared this earlier with everyone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Douglas. I'm not sure if the committee has any questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Douglas.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mia, did you have a question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we all feel how Ms. Graham just put it. We appreciate our teachers more than you know, and we could go on and on, but happy Teacher Appreciation Week. Teacher Appreciation Week, we do appreciate you. We hope we can work towards a resolution to this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we're gonna have speakers, that's fine. We're just gonna give you two minutes each and I'll keep time, but name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. South. We have a number of speakers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. South.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have also- Thank you, Mr. South, that's over three minutes. Would anybody else like to speak? Ms. O'Brien.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Rossell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Ms. O'Brien.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. O'Brien.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Milne.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Name and address for the record, please. Um, just hold on one second. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin? Thank you. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you. Thank you everybody for being here. Okay. We have continued business, which I don't believe we have any, and new business offered by member Rousseau. 2022-28 policy BEDH, policy on public comment and presentations of the public, has a numbering error in section three, presentations of the public. Therefore, the lettering will be corrected as follows. Section three, number one, purpose will be renumbered A. Section three, number two, submitting a presentation will be renumbered B. Section 3D, authority determination will be renumbered C. Section 3E, appealing and authority determination will be numbered D. Meeting date requested, 5-2-2022. Submitted date, 4-14-2022. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to suspend the rules to not require a second reading to take both readings tonight by member Rousseau, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. And motion for approval by member Rousseau, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Reports requested 2022-27 update on implementation of NWEA map offered by members, member Hays, member McLaughlin and member Stone from March 21st, 2022 meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. Well, that was an approval also, but oh, yeah, sorry. We're on number 10. Okay. Number 11, we do have condolences. Bear with me. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Doris Lupe, a fifth grade teacher at the former Forest Park School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Anthony Pasquale, a member of the Mustang Hall of Fame and a captain of the 1978 Mustang football team. the only MHS football team who won a Super Bowl title. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Michael Francis Falco, husband of Debra Falco, a paraprofessional at the McGlynn Elementary School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Kevin Hickey Sr., a longtime vocational teacher and class advisor. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Stephen J. Day, who taught history at Medford High School for 35 years. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. We are preparing budget hearings for next week. So we will put out those dates in the next day or two, hoping for two to three budget hearings. Oh, great. And our next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, May 16th, 2022 at 6 p.m. here in the chambers and also on Zoom. Thank you everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right, we have our special meeting of the Medford School Committee, April 25th, 2022, 5 p.m. via Zoom. You could also call in by dialing 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 964-4864-8565. The agenda is, first up, we have roll call for attendance of members and the student representatives.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent for now. Please rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have number three, MSBA and continuation of the previous discussions on March 21st, 2022 and April 11th, 2022. Concerning the district's intention to submit a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, MSBA core program on behalf of Medford High School, the school committee will be asked to approve the following motion, thereby authorizing the administration to formally submit the MHS statement of interest. MSBA required form of vote to submit statement of interest. Please bear with me, it's a little lengthy. Be resolved having convened in an open meeting on April 25th, 2022 prior to the SOI submission. closing date the school committee of the city of Medford in accordance with its charter bylaws ordinances has voted to authorize superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent to submit to the Massachusetts mid school building authority and statement of interest form dated April 2022 for Medford High School located at 489 with street which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority categories for which an application application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future. The Medford School Committee hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this statement of interest form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority or commits the city of Medford to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. High School MSBA core program statement of interest summary statutory priority number five replacement renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs windows boilers heating and ventilation systems, increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility. Having been originally constructed in 1970. substantial portions of the buildings infrastructure dating from that time Medford High School operating systems, including but not limited to its H fast systems roofs windows plumbing and electrical systems have long lived their useful life expectancy indoor and poor poor working conditions. In addition to major energy efficiency challenges posed by these antiquated systems, which were identified recently in a facilities condition assessment, the MHS facility features suboptimal ADA accessibility, fire safety, security, and technical logical aspects that would potentially be addressed through an MSBA partnership. at the public school seeks to submit the statement of interest to explore possible remedies to environmental challenges plaguing MHS attributable to highly integrated systems like single pane windows and plumbing and heating systems that have too frequently proved inadequate to withstand the fluctuations in weather patterns that are inevitable in the greater Medford area. In addition to escalating wasteful utility expenses, extreme temperatures, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion to waive the reading by member Rousseau, seconded by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The remainder of the reading is waived. It has been listed on the agenda for several days now. We all have had the opportunity to read it and we can definitely have it posted on our website. And now I'm gonna turn it over to the administration to say a few words.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we might've lost you, ma'am.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm back. Member Kreatz made a motion, seconded by Member McLaughlin. If we could all take a roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven of the affirmative zero the negative the paper passes unanimously. Thank you again to the administration and Mr. Murphy for working with us to make it as best as it can be. And so we can submit the request to be part of the core program. Is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member McLaughlin, seconded by member Kreatz. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. If we all may rise. Are there any student representatives on? No student representatives. If we all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have the consent agenda, bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes from April 4th, 2022. Motion to approve. Motion for approval. Member Hays, do you have a question before the roll is called?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we need to just make that amendment to the minutes from 4.4.22, add Member Hays as present at that meeting. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The minutes are approved. Number four, reports of subcommittees. We do not have any. Welcome, everybody. I'll just let everybody sit down before you go to your... Come on in, take a seat. Oh, I love you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Number two, we have report on Massachusetts School Building Authority MSBA application. Mr. David Murphy, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call, please. Mayor. Member Ruseau. Just want to turn on your microphone, please. Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you want questions before? Questions before we call the roll? That'd be great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Before the roll is called, I just want to thank you, Mr. Murphy and the superintendent and the team for all your work on this and making sure our kids get the best at MHS, hopefully sooner than later. If you may call the roll, please. Certainly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes. Thank you. Number three, we have report on budget survey for fiscal year 23. Mr. David Murphy, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds good. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just to follow up on that, I'll look into it from the delegation, but has the state, have you heard of any discussions in the state?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you. Mr. Murphy, could you explain the professional development cost of between $195,000 and $410,000, and why the large range?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number six.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Did you put it on the agenda? No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's put on the agenda the Wednesday before our meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Anybody can voice their opinion on an email.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Presentations of the public not to begin before 7 p.m. Is there a motion to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to suspend the rules by member Rousseau, seconded by second member and the motion is to suspend the the not before 7 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct. Okay. Motion by member Rousseau, second by member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Regular meetings of the school committee include this presentation of the public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but are not opportunities for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that an item be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy BEDH, public comment, and presentations of the public. Pursuant to policy BEDH, public comment, and presentations of the public, any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and full street address. A welcoming, inclusive community is both a value of the Medford School Committee and an aspirational goal. for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. We do not have any public participation before us tonight, but anybody can submit an item the Wednesday before an upcoming school committee meeting, as long as it's not personnel related. So number seven, we have continued business and there is none. Number eight, new business and there is none. Number nine, reports requested. And number 10, we have condolences. Member Russell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Barbara Salvatella, wife of the late Arthur Salvatella. former media teacher and advisor to the Mustang News, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Linda Granara Scali, cousin of former school committee member and former state representative John R. Granara Jr. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Our next meeting is Monday, May 2nd, 2022 at 6 p.m. Regular school committee meeting, Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and it will also be viewable on Zoom. Motion to adjourn by member Hays. Yes, I believe you can put things on the agenda in person. Should we go to Susie or?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The Wednesday before.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by Member Hays, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Meeting is adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have our regular meeting, sixth regular meeting of the Medford School Committee tonight at 6.30 p.m. at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall. You can also watch by Zoom or call in by using phone number 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 939-6258 5795 when prompted. Member Ruseau is on Zoom. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would you like to call the roll, Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. Are there any student representatives on the call, Dr. Cushing? No, but we have a student from Northeastern, Julia. Well, welcome, okay. Can all rise to salute the flag, please? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic We have the consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes from March 7th, 2022, and Committee of the Whole meeting minutes from March 9th, 2022.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seven the affirmative, zero the negative. Consent agenda has been approved. Number four, we have reports of subcommittees, which there are none today. Number five, report of superintendent. First up is superintendent's updates and comments, Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We have a budget update, Mr. David Murphy, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are you looking for the dates? Maybe they could be emailed to us tomorrow from the admin. Yeah, that'd be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So everybody will get those dates from the website or by email and then let the administration know which ones you're available for and hopefully coordinate accordingly. Okay, number three, we have report on mental health supports, Ms. Stacey Shulman, Director of Counseling and Behavioral Health and Ms. Joan Bowen, Director of Pupil Services.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For Nexus, are you asking the kids how they enjoy it or like going to it every week?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good. And then just one other, the average caseload, is that based on a week or is that yearly?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. All right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. We have number four report on athletic user fees, Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent of secondary education. Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Thank you. Have a great night. Oh, I'm sorry, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Thank you. Number five, we have an update on MSBA application process. Mr. David Murphy, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I just wanna thank you, Mr. Murphy, for, I know you've worked with a number of different companies to try to get them in to evaluate the high school to make this closer to a reality. So we appreciate all your hard work along with superintendent schools. We'll all be working on this. We'll be asking the city council for support and we have a number of community members that are excited and helping however they can. So, yep, we're gonna make it happen, hopefully.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. First up of many. Thank you. At number six, we have presentations of the public not to begin before 7 p.m. Regular meetings of the Medford School Committee include this presentations of the public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations and an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but are not an opportunity for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that The item be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy BEDH, public comment and presentations of the public. Pursuant to policy BEDH, public comment and presentations of the public, any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments providing their full name and full Medford Street address where they reside. A welcoming, inclusive committee is both a value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. Number seven, continued business. 2022-9 offered by member Ruseau at the January 24th, 2022 school committee meeting. The rules of the Medford School Committee have traditionally been passed down through the experience of members. While this has served us in the past, not best practice to have rules that are not written down for many reasons, such as the ability to bring new members into the committee efficiently, to ensure compliance and enforcement with our rules, agreement on what the rules are, provide transparency to the public on how we operate, to allow us to evolve our rules to improve over time and provide a clear mechanism to respond to changes in the law that have an effect on our rules. It's been a multi-year effort to discover best practices from other communities throughout Massachusetts. Document the rules we have been operating under, even when not written down, and bring these together to create a set of rules for the Medford School Committee. With this rules document, we will have a place to begin. These rules should not be thought of as immutable, but rather offer us a common ground to improve the functioning of the Medford School Committee. for favorably after four hours from March 9th, 2022 committee of the whole, the rules of the school committee are recommended for adoption.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Was that by member Graham? Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Yes, we have member Hays, then member Rousseau, then member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you provide us all a copy, or do you want to read it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right, let's pass them around, and then we'll have you read it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can we just? So if you look at the man there, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: was trying to evaluate in my head how much staff time it would take to do the rest of this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The red light goes on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you also have the, always have the minute, the agenda and the minutes as well. to track what is taking place at meetings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, there's a motion on the floor at the end of the second. And I think, Member Ruseau, did you want to speak on this as well?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion on the floor. I think it was seconded, and that is to approve with this amendment. So roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever the amendment from the full rules document by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Hays. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So let's make a motion to sever. It seems like there's a motion to sever on the floor, seconded roll call on the motion to sever, and then we'll take the amendment first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven the affirmative, zero the negative. The papers are severed. First up is the amendment offered by Member Hays. There's a motion for approval by Member Hays, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call on the amendment to 88.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one in the negative. The amendment has been approved. Next up we have a motion to approve. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, members.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Second. Motion. OK, so there's a motion to approve the amendments made by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven affirmative, zero negative. The amendments have been approved. Now on the final document in its entirety, is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Approved by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, the affirmative zero and the negative the rules have been passed. Congratulations, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And from member Rousseau who initiated that. Thank you very much. Number eight, we have new business 2022-26 offered by member Rousseau. The rules and policy subcommittee will review policy JLCC communicable diseases and will return recommended updates to this body prior to the end of 2021-2022 school year. Meeting date requested 3-8-2022, submitted date 3-21-22. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin. Second. Seconded by Member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmatives, zero in the negative. Paper passes. 2022-27 offered by Member Hays, Member McLaughlin, and Member Mustone. Whereas the school committee appropriated funds to purchase the NWEA map assessment, and MPS is now completing the first year of system-wide implementation, be it resolved that the Medford Public Schools Administration provide an update on the implementation as outlined in the ad hoc report request below. Title, update on implementation of NWEA map. Questions. Number one, how are teachers using map data from the program to inform their instruction? Please provide examples from our teachers K through two, three through five, six through eight, nine through 12. What does the report the teachers received look like? Are teachers receiving ongoing professional development and or provided time to meet and grade level teams to collaborate on how to analyze the use and use the data? Are the NWEA map results matching teachers' perceptions of their students' current performance level? Are map results being analyzed and used for other purposes and to inform classroom instruction? Parents are expressing confusion about how to interpret the map report for families. Is Metro Public Schools planning to provide additional information, videos, Zoom information sessions, et cetera? Our special education teachers able to use map results to inform their IEP goals and objectives, specific examples. Our teachers of English language learners finding they can use map results to inform their instruction. How long is it taking students to complete the assessment at each grade level and how are our students responding emotionally as they take the test? Data expected presented at or before the June 6th school committee meeting and it was requested on March 21st, 2022. Their motion for approval. Member Hays. Motion for approval by Member Hays, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call, please. Can I ask a question? Member Graham, before the roll is called.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Did you want to offer anything as a specific amendment, Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, seeing Member Hays, you thought maybe the video recording for parents was a good idea?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe we could have a presentation on this and whatever we have in writing, the superintendent can add to a Friday update, even if it's just a link to our website with a report.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval by Member Hays, seconded by... Second. Member McLaughlin, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. We have no reports requested. We have four condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mary A. Smallwood, who was a third grade teacher for the Medford Public Schools. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mary N. Murphy, an elementary teacher at the former Gleason School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of John J. Albanese, cousin of Lisa Evangelista, public information officer for the Medford Public Schools. And the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of George Lawrence Bordeaux, Jr., son of the late Medford High School social studies teacher, George Bordeaux, Sr. We all may rise for a moment of silence. Our next meeting will be Monday, April 4th, 2022, 6.30 p.m. We have regular school committee meeting here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as on Zoom.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 6 p.m. on the 4th of April.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: second adjourn seconded by member Graham. All those in favor. Meeting is adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much, thank you. Okay, it is 4-5, the Medford School Committee, Committee of the Whole meeting. Meeting date is 3-9-2022. There'll be a Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, the 9th, 2022 from four to 6 p.m., held remotely on Zoom. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss, edit, and approve the draft of the school committee rules packet proposed by member Rousseau. You can zoom in or you can call in using number 929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 930-1644-8588 when prompted. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss, edit and approve the draft of the school committee rules document proposed by member Rousseau. If my memory is correct, we left off on page 1112 that we were reviewing and asking questions about. Yes, member Cress has her hand up and then member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have a hard copy, so I'm not sure if school admin could screen share. And member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks. And member Kreatz, why don't you start off by going to. Point of order.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call. Roll call has been requested by member Ruseau. Please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I am here. Yes, there's six in the affirmative, one absent. So for now, we can move on to number 51, member Cressy, you had a question on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The 11 be moved to 930.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Limbu Graham, did you have a hand up?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edward, Vincent, did you have a comment or not? I think you unmuted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks. Can I ask Ms. Wise, if you could mark member Ms. Stone as present, and then just also maybe a compromise, maybe we could go to 10 p.m. and always can extend it after 10. That's a good compromise. Maybe we can have a motion on the floor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just wanted to mention that would be up to member credits if she wants to withdraw and present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just if I may, that wasn't Member Graham's suggestion. She said six to 1030. So I just want to make that clear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'll just, it's four 30 now member Hays and member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Oh, and then member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and you can always motion to sever, start and end time if you want, Member Hays, Member Graham, and then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, Member, thank you, Member Graham. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, there's a motion on the floor for a start time of six and an end time of 10 with the ability to extend, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call. Mayor, did you say that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member Hays, did you want to speak one more time?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever. Second. seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, first motion to sever is then seconded, and we'll take a roll call on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. Motions are severed and there's a motion on the floor by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member McLaughlin to start the meeting at 6 p.m. We can take a roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No. Five in the affirmative, two in the negative. The meeting will start at 6 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, five in the affirmative, two in the negative. Meeting shall end at 9.30 unless extended. Okay, moving on to pages 10, 11, and 12, where we left off last time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member Graham, I just heard.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to take number 67 off the table by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. 67 has been taken off the table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Other than anything, I believe member Graham has her hand up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, motion by Member Laughlin, seconded by Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes. As amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can second separate roll call on that if you'd like. Yep, seconded by member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. Are there any questions on page 10, 11, or 12?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz. I tend to agree, if I may, from the chair. I think it definitely restricts the superintendent's ability to do her job. So I won't be voting to approve this either. If anybody else has a comment, or Dr. Edwardson, Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member. Oh, Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Member Graham, Member Kreatz, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Graham, member Cress, member Rousseau, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau, then Member McLaughlin, then Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member McLaughlin. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz. And the way it works is the city council will vote on it and the clerk will send it to my office and then I send it off to the superintendent and my office did CC the school committee, especially if the language says, you know, the school committee specifically and not the superintendent, just to make you all aware. But I would, you know, compromise with something like that, that if we feel then It's a serious issue than it goes before the school committee for a vote. Otherwise, I think you got to let the superintendent to respond to requests and questions that the city council has without having to bring every single item for a vote on the school committee nights. Just my opinion. Member Graham, then member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Based on the chair and the superintendent's review, they decide whether it should be placed in the agenda. This can get really out of hand. The school city council says, I want a copy of the report that was given on Monday night, February 2nd. okay, it's public record, it's probably on the website, but we'll give you, we'll shoot it to you by email. Should that have to go on the next school committee agenda to be discussed on whether or not the superintendent should be allowed to provide them an email, the clerk an email to say, here's the report that was discussed on February 2nd. It will get so cumbersome, our six to 10 p.m. meetings could turn into far lengthier, and I just think the superintendent should have the authority to, she knows very well when to loop the school committee in. I mean, it's just constant emails and updates. And I think it's been working pretty well, but we can always put something in that says the chair and the superintendent believe that it's questionable. Let's put it on a school committee meeting and let the committee vote on how they'd like us to respond to the council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member Ruseau, then member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, that was Member McLaughlin's motion, seconded by Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: for that change in that sentence? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there a motion on the floor to strike the sentence?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a second? Okay, no second. Member Graham, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I was just using that as an example. But if it's an easy information or answer, then I don't think it needs to go on the agenda. But maybe we can just spell that out. time, energy, and man hours.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. Are there any questions on 79 through 90? Secretary, duties of the superintendent seem pretty clear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: just to- It's actually Dr. Cushing or the superintendent that usually do it for me. I don't bring a computer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The secretary and superintendent or administrator will actively monitor participants to identify when there is a raised hand to speak on any item on the agenda pursuant to the policy. Motion for approval by member Kreatz, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No problem. Seven, the affirmative. Zero, the negative. Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that would just be the last sentence of 82. A motion by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, on the affirmative, zero on the negative. 82 and 83 emerged. any questions on duties of the superintendent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a second? Second. Question for approval by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information needs to be a question. So can member McLaughlin have the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so on member Ruseau's resolution to put the links in, Is there a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven affirmative, zero negative. Motion passes. Member Krutz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by member Kreatz and McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Some of the affirmative zero negative. Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Should we add that to this rule or because Ms. Wise works for the superintendent, leave it in as under the superintendent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call, please. This will be on our March 21st meeting Agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Motion to report this out to the next regular meeting has been approved. And motion to adjourn by member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Everybody. Friends.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Monday, March 7th, 2022, regular meeting, 6.30 p.m. in the Howard F. Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall. You can also call in by using 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID. When prompted, 949-9095-6841. Member Ruseau, will you please call the roll?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm the same, I can hear member McLaughlin, but nobody else.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, the roll is called. It seems like I couldn't hear everybody, but I'm assuming everybody's present. Are there any student representatives on the call, Dr. Cushing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If we all may rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag, the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We have the consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls. regular school committee meeting minutes from two 2822.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval seconded by member Rousseau. All those in favor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative. The consent agenda is approved. There is no report of subcommittees. And number five, we have report of the superintendent. Number one is superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you member Graham. I don't feel comfortable voting to have somebody go on behalf of the school committee, I would feel comfortable with taking a vote that we asked the city council to allow us to, or even if we just send the ordinance which I have a copy of to attorney Greenspan to look it over and give us guidance. I'm fine with somebody going and taking notes and then reporting back to us, but I'm not okay with approving any one of us just going on behalf of the school committee. This is a pretty tough ordinance to read. It has a lot of substance in it. There's even questions from our legal team in the city. There's definitely questions and insight that Chief Buckley has that he'll go and ask about and give detail about on the 16th. So I just wanted to give my two cents. I can't vote to have any of us go as one person to represent the school committee, but if you adjust the motion, I can see how we could approve something that would at least get us notes or have our attorney on the school side review and give us insight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Yes, I just wanna say that I just have to disagree with that one point. Of course, any of us could go to any meeting and speak as a member of the public. A little different for mayor, because there's only one of me, but with regards to needing four or five votes from a school committee, one person can go from the school committee to give their own opinion on any ordinance that the city council is drafting, but for one to go and give an opinion like it's, a consensus of the entire school committee, it's just, you can't, you just can't do it. Especially, I mean, unless all seven of us have read it and had meetings on it and are on the same page, that's one thing, but where it's kind of just being released and the meeting's not until the 16th, I just don't feel comfortable with it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it makes total sense to have one of us go and take notes and report back on the notes. I can't imagine that it's something that will pass that evening and it would still, it's a, I believe it's a Wednesday night. So it wouldn't be able to go onto the floor until the following Tuesday, even if it was reported out of committee. And I can also have our legal team on the city side to look at this from a school standpoint, because. The attorney that will be going on the 16th has worked on these types of ordinances for different cities and towns and I can have her look at it from that perspective as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you again. Next up, we have COVID update Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Mr. David Murphy and Ms. Avery Hines, Director of Health Services, who both will report on operational updates and pending COVID shifts in the Medford Public Schools. We also have Director of the Medford Board of Health, Ms. Mary Ann O'Connor, who will report on the latest COVID data in Medford. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Positive test.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, the superintendent gave you the reasoning for the nine additional days. And that's where she stands.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau? Mayor, there are four other hands up on Zoom. Yeah, we're gonna, I think there's multiple people, so we'll have to limit three minutes for, okay, so you're just gonna blow me off and not let me in here to find this stuff? We don't have, I don't think that specific data, I don't know if Avery wants to comment, but that data, I don't believe we have, every data point that we have calculated is on one of the two websites. Website, all right, thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, if we can unmute. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Name and address for the record and you have three minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Andrea. We have M. Trinh.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. We have three more people that would like to speak. JF, name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can name it. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But the Board of Health Director has the floor. If we could mute. So, the Board of Health Director could.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Director O'Connor. June, you have one more minute if you'd like to finish.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, your name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know, Ms. Murphy, if you want to comment on the bus, but I know as far as April vacation is concerned, we're hopeful and confident that the case count will be on the decline and we will, by no means, hopefully, have to wear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Kim. Allison Lied, name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, next up is Christina McGordy. Name and address for the record, please, Christina.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Christina. Kerry Laidlaw.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct, Ms. Laidlaw. I know the superintendent did reply to you in email format saying the children will not be discriminated against.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It will not be discriminated against and discrimination and bullying is not tolerated. So I'm sure the administration will act accordingly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Next up we have Melanie Raylan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you for all who spoke out one way or another. for the administration. And thank you, Director O'Connor and Ms. Hines for being on Zoom to answer questions. We are on to number three, which is a request for approval of District Mural Principal DeLeva and Medford Family Network Director Marie Cassidy. report on a community based mural project outside the West quarter of the Medford High School.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Principal Delaver and Ms. Marie Cassidy. Is there a motion on the floor for approval? Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, the paper passes. We can't wait to see it. Thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number four, we have math after school tutoring enrichment program, assistant superintendent of elementary education, Ms. Suzanne Galussi, will report on an upcoming skill building math intervention program. Ms. Galussi. Did the little person with the amplified voice or Mr. McLaughlin can turn you on? Thank you. Okay, there we go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could just move to the last slide and keep that one up while we ask questions, if we have any. Right. That'd be great. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And will it be, but we're going to try to like limit it to the, the 12 to 16 children per grade level that need it. Or if there's 30, you'll have two teachers, two groupings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau and then member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was going to let the committee ask questions and then we'll go right to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it was in the budget last year so we've already proved it is the answer to that. Thank you for the grant. Oh met member haze.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. So on that, can we get an update when you review the data? Cause it's two weeks away. So I mean, yeah. I'd love to know how many groupings in each school we have, so we can make sure everybody's getting serviced if they need it. We have two people, three people, okay. Oh yes, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have a few questions on this topic. Adam, name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Nicole DeMonica, name and address of the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hello? Yes, we can hear you. You have three minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, miss. Thank you very much. Next up. We have number five grant updates from assistant superintendent of secondary education. Dr. Peter J. Cushing, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, thank you. Yes, thank you, Doctor. Number six, we have consideration of school year 22-23 before and after school care fee schedules. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Mr. David Murphy, and Director of Student Family Engagement, Ms. Megan Fidler-Carey, will report on proposed fees for fiscal year 22-23. Ms. Fidler-Carey, how are you?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mister don't think you can get lots of questions member so it was first. I didn't hear anybody else. Is there any? Member Ruseau, then Member McLaughlin, then Member Kress.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Hays and then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you just repeat that, please?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed, paper passes. You opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to get rid of the, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, it's in the affirmative. One in the negative. The paper passes. Can you just clarify? I think you did mention they would be grandfathered in. So was that included, the grandfathering in?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by member Graham second I would like to separate the motion actually.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One, two, one, three, four, five, and six is approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you. Presentations of the public, which is number seven, not to begin before 7 p.m. Regular meetings of the school committee include this presentation of the public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but they're not an opportunity for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that the item be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy BEDH public comment and presentations of the public. Pursuant to policy BEDH public comment and presentation to the public, any resident in the audience may give be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments providing their full name and full Medford street address where they reside. A welcoming inclusive community is both a value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. We do not have any continued business. Number nine is new business. We have a motion 2022-15 offered by member Rousseau. The superintendent and her designee will provide a detailed description of bathroom closures, openings at Medford High School. The number of bathrooms at Medford High School will be presented, as well as the number of bathrooms open throughout the day, the timing of bathroom closures, openings, and who is responsible for this task will also be included in the details. The rationale for closing bathrooms will also be discussed. Meeting date requested, 2-28-2022. Submitted date, 2-2-2022.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we just have a, do you want me to read this?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we're also balancing, if I may, through the chair and then member Graham, I mean, security issues as well as the lack of monitors because of staffing issues, vaping issues, so I think The administration has a lot on their hands when it comes to the bathrooms. It's the only space for a student to maybe, yes. So I just wanted to point that out that it's a balancing act and we understand that, but member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So if we could do that, that would be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Murphy. We do not have any reports requested. So next up is number 11, which is our condolences. The Medford School Committee extends its sincere condolences to the family of Lorraine Miller, aunt to Medford High School resource officer, Richard Ziobro. The Medford School Committee extends its sincere condolences to the family of Louis F. Van Dice Jr., father to former DARE officer, Robin Daugherty. The Medford School Committee extends its sincere condolences to the family of Lisa Bouchard-Leighton, who is an active volunteer at the former Dame and Missittuck Elementary Schools. The Medford School Committee extends its sincere condolences to the family of Michael F. Antonelli, a former social studies teacher at Medford High School. And the Medford School Committee extends its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Richard A. McDonald, father-in-law of assistant superintendent of Secondary Education, Dr. Peter J. Cushing. If we all may rise to take a moment of silence. Our next meeting will be Monday, March 7th, which is next week at 6.30 p.m. here at the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, and also on Zoom. Have a wonderful night, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Morell and Bears. I just want to speak in favor. I apologize. I missed the beginning of the meeting because I was on the CPC commission meeting speaking in favor of a few projects. And I just wanted to speak in favor of this. Charter review is something that was initially offered in 2016, again in 2020. And this is the third time. And I know that Milva, Jim Silva, and a number of residents who are in support of this and who have kind of come together to make sure this moves forward has met with different Councilors that are willing to meet with them. And one issue was the ward representation, which is something we will review in the charter specifically, but when it comes to the advisory commission of nine people, I agree. I think it's a great idea, and it's something that we made sure KP Law worked with us on. We were given a few options, and this is the one we picked in hopes to get at least a 6-7, 7-0 vote is our hope, but at least a 6-1 vote because this is being stalled in the statehouse because it's only been a 4-3 vote the last two times. We need, my hope would be to move this forward tonight so we can get moving on it, and I think something we can start advocating for tomorrow, but it can be the whole is fine if that's the way you have to go. But I also have to say that KP Law has always, as well as a solicitor, Scanlon has always been willing to meet with this council. President Caraviello and I in the past have worked on an agreement and I know that's not the way the council wanted to, you know, move forward over the last several months, but we will always make sure that you get the legal advice you need on all issues, especially the I think 12 ordinances that they're working on now for you. So I just wanted to voice my opinions and let you know I'm fully in favor of this, and I really hope it moves forward. It's something that the city needs that has been it's been over 30 years. We desperately need this and I will do anything to make sure it gets approved and we follow this path. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Hayes? Member Hays?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present. Zero absent. Do we have any student representatives on the call? Not tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We all may rise to salute the flag. We have the consent agenda, which is approval of bills, payrolls, committee of the whole meeting minutes from January 24th, 2022, regular school committee meeting minutes, January 24th, 2022, committee of the whole meeting minutes, February 3rd, 2022.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended by, approval by Member McLaughlin as amended by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think she should stay unmuted and respond.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If it's real time. Member Hays, are you in favor of approving the consent agenda? Yes. 7-0. We have number four, good of the order. Good of the order is a time set aside for members to offer comments or observations without formal motions about society and its work. Process for motions not abided. For example, 11-15 budget schedule and 12-6 school committee tour of locker rooms. Presented by member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, maybe start by emailing the superintendent and whatever department head would be responsible for the report just to get an update. And then I think this is a good way to send a reminder. I don't know if anybody else has ideas. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe we should just ask the administration if that is a good idea. I know it's a lot of reports, but.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, sounds great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number five, reports of subcommittee, which I don't believe there are any. Number six is reports of superintendent. First up is superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Number two, we have a COVID update by Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Mr. David Murphy. and Miss Avery Hines, who's the director of health services. They will report on operational updates and pending COVID shifts in the Medford public school. Miss Hines is on Zoom. Mr. Murphy is present. Just got to get your microphone turned on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number three, we have suspension discipline report, assistant superintendent of secondary education, Dr. Peter J. Cushing will report on the status of discipline and detail a demographic breakdown of the district. Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Graham seconded by member of our fun. All those in favor. Thank you member case.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then just from the chair if you don't mind Dr. Cushing The professional development was in the training was back in March. Will there be another kind of update where you bring principals and vice principals together, maybe come this March to just see how things are going, review the data, make sure everything's being consistent and fair across the district?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next, we have number four, Hate Crimes Prevention Grant. Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, Dr. Peter J. Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education, Ms. Suzanne Galusi, and Director of School Counseling and Behavioral Health, Ms. Stacey Schulman, will report on the district's application for DESE Hate Crimes Prevention Grant.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful. Congratulations. Congratulations. Great job.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number seven, presentations of the public, not to begin before 7 p.m., we're good? Regular meetings of the school committee include this presentation of the public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but are not opportunities for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request the item be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within The policy BEDH, public comment and presentations of the public. Pursuant to policy BEDH, public comment and presentations of the public, any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and full Medford street address where they reside. A welcoming inclusive community is both the value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. Number eight, nine, we have eight continued business, which there is none. Number nine, we have new business 2022-14 offered by member Rousseau, member Hays, member Graham. The Medford School Committee signs on to the letter authorized by the National Organization of Women in Support of an Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools. I am Bill S1445 slash H.2354. Further, the Secretary of the School Committee is authorized to complete the submission form indicating support. Meeting date 2-7-2022. Submitted date 2-2-2022. Motion for approval or would somebody like to speak? Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Seconded by member Ruseau. Can I just ask a question before we call the roll? Is it any more explanation on what would be provided if this bill passes the state funded or be a funded mandate how.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just curious.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Mayor, can I ask a question? Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. Thank you. All those opposed? Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. 2022-16 offered by member Rousseau. Policy DBEDB agenda creation format for regular meetings of the school committee will be amended by the insertion immediately following the regular meeting of the Medford School Committee with the text on a new line. We'll reset to one at the beginning of each calendar year. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Paper passes. 2022-17, offered by Member McLaughlin and Member Mustone, out-of-district communication. Whereas several Medford public school students are in out-of-district placements, and whereas students in our district placements are Medford public school students first and foremost, be it resolved, Medford out-of-district students and families receive the same communication as in-district students, including notification of school cancellation, robocalls, access to school brains, or other equal opportunity platforms, information on afterschool program, in-school events, dances, flyers, clubs, et cetera. We had further resolved that a one-page FAQ, Frequently Asked Questions, be created and published on school and district websites for our Out-of-School District students and families, and that school principals receive active lists in September and during the year as required with Out-of-District student contact information for their respective schools.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: by member Stone, seconded by member McLaughlin, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval, seconded by Member McLaughlin as amended. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. 2022-18, offered by Member McLaughlin, School Committee Policies. Whereas the role of the Medford School Committee is to hire and evaluate the superintendent, approve and monitor the annual budget, write and maintain policies that guide the district, and the community should be aware of policies and procedures set forth by the school committee, be it resolved that the school committee policies, procedures, and rules will be posted publicly on the school district website and sent in electronic form to each school committee member beginning January of each year. Any policy changes will be updated in the website within one month of the change and provided in writing form, in written form to school committee members upon approval by the school committee as a whole. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Mayor, I just had a quick question. Yep, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. 2022-19 offered by member McLaughlin and member Hays, school committee orientation. Whereas school committee members are elected every two years and whereas newly elected school committee members require training and orientation and reelected school committee members may require refresher orientation. And whereas there's currently no locally identified orientation process, pamphlet or training for municipal school committee members, be it resolved the member school committee members receive orientation annually in January of each year to include parliamentary procedure, school committee policy handbook, ethics training, executive committee training and requirements, legal consultation, et cetera.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The motion? Will you yield, Member Graham? Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Hays and member McLaughlin, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so motion, and then I had a question about the annual part of it, where although if it's an email with links to the ethics training and Robert's Rules of Order, things like that, I think that would be fine to get every year. know if it's annually needed but a motion is to move this to rules policy subcommittee to review on the 16th to our committee of the whole 16th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion to send this to our rules and policy meeting on the 16th, 4 to 6 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Paper passes. 2022-20 submitted by Member McLaughlin and Member Kreatz. Budget schedule. Whereas the school committee unanimously voted to move the budget schedule up from April commencing in January 2022 via a motion on 11-15-2022. put forth by Member McLaughlin, Member Ruseau, be it resolved the budget process and schedule be created and posted publicly for the community and school committee members by 2-10-2022. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to approve with a double second. All those in favor. Aye. Aye. All those opposed. Motion is passed. There are no reports requested under number 10. Number 11, we do have a few condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Carol A. Dello Russo Kelly, daughter of the late former mayor, Arthur Dello Russo. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Veronica Ronnie Lennox Quattaro. aunt of the former mayor, Michael J. McGlynn and great great aunt of Eleanor Brady O'Leary, fifth grade teacher at the Brooks Elementary School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of John Pancho Webb, a standout athlete at Medford High School who earned nine varsity letters and is a member of the Mustang Hall of Fame. And the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Brian Branson. who fought a long, hard battle with cancer. A 1984 graduate of Medford High School, Brian served as a longtime Mustang football team manager and is a member of the Mustang Hall of Fame. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Our next meeting, we have a rules committee meeting four to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16th, and our next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, February 28th, 2022 at 6.30 in the Alden Memorial Chambers. You can also listen or tune in by Zoom. Motion to adjourn. Next week is Valentine's Day and Kindness Day. So please show an act of kindness. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I think we have everybody except me. We'll be a few minutes late, so great. It's 4.03. We have a school committee meeting. Today, February 3rd, 2022, there'll be a Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, February 3rd, 2022, from four to 6 p.m. or earlier, if we get things done, held remotely on Zoom. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss, edit, and approve the draft of the school committee rules packet proposed by member Rousseau. Metro Public Schools is inviting you to schedule Zoom. You can also call in by dialing in 1-929-205-6099 please enter meeting ID 99484267944 when prompted. The agenda is, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss, edit and approve the draft of the school committee rules document proposed by member Rousseau. Thank you all for being here. I know we have a full set of rules. Yep, member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent. Um, we could decide how we want to go through this. Do we want to go through, um, the first 10 rules on page two? See if there's any questions or concerns. And I mean, I can start, I can start.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. A question from the chair then on rule rule number two. where we wouldn't need a caucus like this past January, that would be just my question on number two. So maybe we can just make it so a caucus is optional, obviously, if you have to hammer things out. But where we had a pretty in agreement and went right to the floor, I just wanted to point that out. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: but it would be after the biennial election, which was this year, and we didn't caucus.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we caucused during the, okay, I'm used to the city council where we would caucus at like 6.40, 6.30, and then go on the floor and make it public. Madam Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Attorney Greenspan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you want, we can vote on them one at a time, I guess, to make it clear in the record. motion for approval by members.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and there's a motion on the floor to change Number nine from 6 to 6 30 by member Ruseau, seconded by member Kreatz. If we could have a roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Kreatz? Yes. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, five in the affirmative, one abstain, one absent. And then member Glock, motion passes for the change to number nine. And then member McLaughlin, did you wanna speak? Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, we're on to number 11. Actually, I...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Go ahead. Yeah, we're starting with one through 10, so you can ask.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: motion by member Rousseau, seconded by second member Graham roll call. Member Graham? Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Kreatz? Yes, did you hear me? Oh, sorry. Yeah, I had it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, five in the affirmative, one abstain, one absent. Motion passes. If there's no further questions on one through 10, we're gonna move to 11 through 20. Attorney Greenspan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can add that language in at the end, consistent with the requirements of open meeting law. Member Ruseau, Kreatz, and then Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry, I thought that's how the hands went up, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Excuse me. And is it optional in August? Did we meet in August the last two years? Should we make this optional? Sorry, member Kreatz and then member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or reject. Let me just collect myself, because we have one motion on the floor to amend the language. And now it's to... I'm gonna let member Graham speak, and then member McLaughlin, then member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, Member Ruseau, then Attorney Greenspan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Zoom might not be an option because it's only allowed through April. It may get extended through July. Otherwise, it'll be a violation of open meeting law if the legislature doesn't extend our ability to do so. member Ruseau, then Attorney Greenspan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Attorney Greenspan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Could we just put it as optional? And then any one of us can say we think we need it. And obviously communications come all through the summer from the administration. Where during COVID, summer with COVID, we met multiple times on different things, but.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Attorney Greenspan, I mean, can you maybe comment on the chicken and the egg, the egg of the chicken, like how we fix this problem?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: These are our school committee rules and they would overrule anything in it. And if it's a policy we've written, then maybe the rules subcommittee can go through those to amend them accordingly to coincide with the rules. Hopefully we'll get through tonight. Okay. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so we have conflicting motions on the floor. Is there an optional member of Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm trying to get focused back to the rules.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have two conflicting motions on the floor. I'm trying to create a middle ground as an optional meeting with notices from the superintendent and her team throughout the summer as a way to compromise rather than a definite meeting in August. What if we need a meeting in July? An optional meeting in the summer with notices on anything pertinent that the school committee knows from the superintendent and her team throughout the summer. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What information, member Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's a policy that we're gonna change once we go through these rules anyway, because the rules will supersede. So before we vote on them on the floor on a school committee evening at six, 6.30, we'll have a team to go through and make sure they coincide. So maybe we should put that in the chat and then we can move on to, do we want to have it say an optional meeting in the summer with notices from the superintendent or team? Is everybody comfortable with that? Because the two motions are in conflict. Either we don't have a meeting or we have one. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we can discuss a middle ground. I just need to hear if that's amenable to member Cress who made her motion and member,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So that was amended by Member Kreatz and seconded by Member McLaughlin at the time to have him just strike that line. So roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham? No. Member Hays? No. Member Kreatz? Yes. Member McLaughlin? Yes. Member Mustone? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes for in the affirmative three in the negative. Um that number 11 is amended. Man. Member of
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It contradicts it, so I would rule that it died.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. Number 12. is different than what we do now. Usually if we have a Monday holiday, we would have a meeting on the following Monday. So this reads that it would be on the Wednesday, which I guess I just want to point out because it's much different than we operate now. But other than that, any other questions on 1 through 20?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, Dr. Edward-Vincent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Somebody remember Ruseau and then it's actually I remember pets. That was your comment. And then it's actually McLaughlin and Russo. I have the order and I found a way to find the order. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, you would strike the whole second line into the third line. So it would read meeting dates that coincide with non-school days according to the approved academic calendar will be moved to the following Monday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion on the floor by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Hays. Yes. Member Kreatz. I'm correct. Oh, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion for number 12 has been approved. Number 13, it seems that we already follow that practice. Number 14, I just have a question on what if the admin, somebody was sick or unavailable for important reasons and had to cancel a meeting? I don't see it happening often, but I don't wanna, I just wanna point that out. Member Kreatz and then member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau? Thank you, member Gratz. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion on the floor by Member Kreatz. Seconded by... Second. Member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No. Member Hays. Yes. Member Kreatz. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Five in the
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Subcommittee, that's number 15. That's the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On to number 15 through 20. Are there any other questions, Member McLaughlin and Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, that's not how I read it. There'll be one joint budget meeting between school committee and city council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just had a question on this. Yeah, I have a question on the same one, just if for some reason, city council is not interested in meeting. That just leaves a lot of pressure on me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A motion to amend to a joint budget meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to amend number 20 by member McLaughlin to read, the chair will schedule two annual joint meetings with the city council. A joint budget meeting will be held in the spring of each year. Seconded by? Member Graham, roll call, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if it can even be scheduled, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe a middle ground would be one meeting to just have a conversation with the city council. Start there. Yes, I think.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion to strike rule 20, seconded by? Second. Member Kreatz, roll call. Member Graham? No. Member Hays? No. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, that is three in the affirmative, four in the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to add the word joint before budget in the second sentence. That's by member McLaughlin. Seconded, I believe we need a second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would the committee be amenable to scheduling one meeting per year to discuss, you know, everything from goals to budget with the city council and start there. We can always change this rule to add more. I just know in the past, it's been pretty difficult for myself. It's gonna be me, you know, I'm the chair. So it's been difficult to try to do this, although I have asked in the past. So I don't wanna feel like a failure if I get, you know, hopefully not now, member crest and member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Yeah. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. I'll second that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion by member Kreatz, seconded by member Rousseau. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member McLaughlin? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Are there any questions through number 30, member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham has a motion by Member Kreatz and then seconded by second Member Graham. And on that, would you like to speak?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I remember the same. before that motion's called, Attorney Greenspan?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's a great one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds great. Motion changed by member Kreatz, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. On to page four. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mayor. Motion by member Kreatz. Um, of course, okay. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I second. So Oh, okay. Thank you, Melanie.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Superintendent, do you want to go first? I see both sides.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We could even write it that way, as a middle ground, the chair, or if not available, who designates it to the vice chair, will, when needed, have a standing meeting. Member Ruseau, and then Memocrats, if your hand's still up. I'm kind of speechless, I'll take my hand down.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To the vice chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion on the floor. I can. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll just call the roll. Member Graham? No. Member Hays? No. Member Kreatz? Yes. Member McLaughlin? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Longo Kirk? Yes. I think that was a 4-3.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Are there any more questions? We're moving on to page four. Are there any questions on page four?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, yep. 20, I think we're moving on to 20. Page 425 through 34. That's one page I didn't have any questions on either. So if we don't have any, please feel free to move on to page five, which would be rules 35 through 41.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we're in 38. Yes, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So how do you want that exactly worded?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry. If you finish, we'll go off and please, and then Member Kreatz has a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz? Member Kretsch, you're muted. Member Kretsch, you're muted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number 38, where it mentions the good of the order. Member McLaughlin has made a motion to include the addition of- I have it right here, Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Objectives and evaluations. Yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we're sending that motion. And then if there's no other questions on page five, page six is rule 42 to 48. And I just had a question on number 43, where it says the agenda should be posted with the city clerk on Wednesday. That's 72 hours. And I just feel like the agenda is always created on Thursday and gives the superintendent and our team an extra day. So I don't know how the superintendent feels about that, but we follow the 48 hour rule, at least allow additional resolutions to come in. collect them from when they came in on Tuesday and get it approved by the chair. And so I think that might make things flow a little easier than they actually are even now. Member Kreatz and member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct. We always post in the city clerk's office. It will be posted on his wall, but we also include it in our city calendar. We try to include at least the link and the date and the time as advanced as we can. And then we also try to post it on the school website calendar. I'm not sure if you post it on any wall in the school department. I'm not aware of that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: and City Hall closes at 4.30 too. So he is here late sometimes, but on Thursdays, we probably should change it to 4.30 just to be safe.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that it would be great to, it's just another probably step for the school administration to do. We could always request that the library post, maybe even our scheduled meetings, because we create that far before September. So maybe they can post when our regularly scheduled meetings are, the twice a month calendar, and then it just remain up there. I can ask Director Kerr to do that, no problem. but where we're having multiple meetings a week, it might, to put it in a rule and then by accident not get one over there, you'd be posting one almost every other day. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the motion is- Maybe you could draft the language in the chat. We can digest it for a few minutes. Any new rules we can vote on at the end, assuming we get to the end by six. Sounds good, thank you. Dr. Edward-Vincent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we're good with 42 and we're just gonna make an amendment to 43 to change Wednesday to Thursday and 530 to 430. Is there a motion on the, motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and I will see if the director of the library on the side will put up schedule of regularly scheduled meetings. Motion on the floor, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. One, two, skip a few. 51. I think just six needs to be changed to 630. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to change by Member Kreatz, seconded by... Second. Member Ruseau, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. One, two, skip a few more. Mayor, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This means the motions, the resolutions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so the number 40, the second line, it would be the agenda will include a listing of all resolutions, reports, and other communications. A motion on the floor by Member Kreatz, seconded by... Second. Do I remember Graham roll call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I'm the affirmative, zero in the negative, the motion passes. I don't myself have any questions up until page 12 or so, so if we can continue moving through. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member, yep, we have two more hands coming up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is anybody else having before 67? Yes, I do. Okay, member Kreatzmann, member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then I think you're gonna wanna remove the end of that sentence after that. Yes. Okay, so motion on the floor. I think member McLaughlin and member Hays have other questions on other items, if that's correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's 52. And member, you want me to read it aloud? Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I'll just read the change. So right now it reads public comment will be limited to three minutes per individual and will be limited to those matters in the agenda. Member Kreatz's recommending motioning that we strike the next sentence, which says members of the public wishing to speak must register their intent prior to the meeting on a form provided for said purpose by the superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Would anybody like to speak before the roll is called? Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, it's just an educated decision where if you're on a Zoom and there's 400 people and you see 100 people with their hand raised, then at the beginning of the meeting, I would probably say, okay, two minutes here, where if there's 10 people as participants, you can get your full three per resolution.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we have a resident who would like to speak, member, Attorney Began. Oh, let me just, unmute you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. That was under three minutes. Okay, so we have a motion on the floor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct. A motion to strike the sentence by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so on the motion, thank you, Member McLaughlin. On the motion to strike that sentence, does anybody else wanna speak before the roll is called? Hearing and seeing none, please call the roll. Oh, Member Hays. Member Hays, actually.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We need four policies. We'd need four policies on how to handle that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So anybody else with three people hands raised, if there's no other questions on that, can we call the roll on that motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Kreatz. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The second sentence is struck in its entirety. Member Ruseau, Member McLaughlin, then Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're on page eight. We just went through number 52. So if you have any questions on 53 to 66 to get us through page nine. I don't know if anybody else has six o'clock meetings, but we're coming up. Yeah. coming up on six o'clock.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so we're on to page 10, which is number 67, 68, page 11, up to rule 75. We seem to have two questions. So member Creston, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And correct me if I'm wrong, but I could have sworn the Robbins Rules order said you have to rescind by the next day at noon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, do you want to comment further? So, member Krantz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that accurate? Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe so, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, then member Ruseau. Actually, motion to table is undebatable. Is there a second on the motion to table? Second. Motion to second by member Kreatz. Roll call. Member Graham. No. Member Hays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, yes, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think there should be a time limit of some sort. So yes, four in the affirmative, three in the negative to table number 67. Member McLaughlin, you have your hand up, then Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, we have two more minutes. Two more minutes if we're meeting at six, so just tabled to the next rules meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, the meeting's four to six, so depending on how the committee feels and who's available, So it's 558 member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Remember McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Kreatz had her hand up and then member Graham, the member herself.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I would like to make a motion to adjourn to adjourn, seconded by second member McLaughlin roll call. Member Graham? Yes. Member Hays? Yes. Member Kreatz? Yes. Member McLaughlin? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one in the negative. The meeting is adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 6.30 p.m. on January 24, 2022 will come to order to be held in the Howard F. Alden Memorial Chambers. This is also presented on Zoom, and you can also call in by dialing 1-929-205-6099. Enter meeting ID 990-4806-8111 when prompted. We have a number one roll call of attendance of the members and the student representatives. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is it Ms.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number three, we have the consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes from January 10th, 2022. Is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve by member Rousseau, seconded by member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? consent agenda is approved. We have reports of subcommittees, and I don't believe there are any just yet. And number five, report of superintendents. Superintendents, updates and comments, Dr. Maurice-Edouard Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Number two, we have an introduction to the equity process. The equity process, a firm hired to conduct the equity audit of Medford Public Schools will present the scope of work for Medford Public Schools. Cindy Weeks Bradley, CEO of the Equity Process, and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, I couldn't remember. It's okay. Thank you. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next, we have number three COVID update. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, David Murphy and Avery Hines, Director of Health Services will report on operational updates and pending COVID shifts in the Metro Public School. Mr. Murphy, Ms. Hines.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have the same question. So PCR pool testing for everybody, but the contact tracing for high needs. That was a good question. Yes, continue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then on that, Mr. Murphy, just in general, it probably should lead to a website because things are ever changing. So even if you send out a communication next week, it will probably change the week after. I agree. The paper usage. Yeah. Uh, member Graham, Graham. Oh, wait, what was it? What'd you say? Okay. Member Graham, then member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Thank you. Number four, we have mid-year update on execution of the strategic plan Superintendent Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent will provide a mid-year update on the status of key initiatives. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Number Yes, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Number five, we have enrichment program overview camp Mustang to be offered February and April vacation. In addition to enrichment afterschool programs, K through 12 report presented by assistant superintendent of elementary education, Ms. Suzanne Belusi, assistant superintendent of secondary education, Dr. Peter Cushing, and director of pupil services, Ms. Joan Bowen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then just one question from the chair. Is it like a rush to sign up or will there be unlimited entries?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. And signups will start Friday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thursday, but then you'll be in your message as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Sorry, Memocrats, I can't see your light, just like I can't see Ms. McLaughlin, Member McLaughlin. Number six, we have a budget update by Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Mr. David Murphy, will provide an update on the Medford Public Schools budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We don't even have the number yet. So maybe we could get the most. efficient and accurate process emailed to us so we wouldn't have to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are we all?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It seems that is the consensus, but I know there was a motion put on the floor, so I just wanna... Thank you, Mr. Murphy. But please stay, you're up next. Number seven, summer school fees. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations David Murphy will respond to committee inquiry regarding summer school fee waivers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Which page is it on the agenda?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there a motion to merge this with number seven or do you want to wait until we get there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're not on continued business yet. We are on number seven reports. So I just want to, yeah. No further questions on number seven, we'll go right to number eight, which is MSBA application, assistant superintendent of finance and operations, David Murphy. We will report on Medford High School and MSBA application deadline update. The central administration will present on the recently announced application windows. for the Massachusetts School Building Authority Repair Project windows opening January 28, 2022, and the administration's plans to consider possible statements of interest through either or both of the core program or accelerated repair program.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. We have a resolution on this as well. Yes, Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's his birthday? Happy birthday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Should we sing? Should we sing? No. Okay. Yes, so you can go home, yep, okay. Number six, presentations of the public. Regular meetings of the school committee, including this presentation of the public agenda item, to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but not opportunities for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request the item be added subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy BEDH public comment and presentations of the public. Pursuant to policy BEDH public comment and presentations of the public, any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and full Medford Street address where they reside. Residents may also submit their comments by writing to the superintendent of schools prior to the meeting or by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us prior to or during the item on the agenda. Written comments must be kept to a length that allows for them to be read into the record in less than three minutes, or the comments will be summarized by the secretary of the school committee. A welcoming, inclusive community is both the value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. When writing or emailing, please provide this required information. The name and number of the item on the agenda, your first and last name, your full Medford Street address where you reside, your question or comment. I don't believe there's any emails. Great. Number seven, continued business. Whereas students, this is offered by member McLaughlin and member Mustone, which was tabled from January 10th, 2022. Whereas students and families have been charged more than $200 per class for summer remediation and credit recovery. And whereas students enrolled in summer remediation and credit recovery are disproportionately more vulnerable subgroups, including economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities and English learners, Be it resolved, Medford Public Schools will no longer charge students identified as belonging in the subgroups economically disadvantaged English learners and students with disabilities for remediation programming and credit recovery during summer programming in the academic year commencing June 1st, 2022. Be it further resolved that all students requiring credit remediation to prevent retention be notified in writing through the United States Postal System I believe you want to change this part, Member McLaughlin, and a policy will be created.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion on the floor for Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It states be it resolved that all students requiring credit remediation to prevent retention be notified in writing through the United States Postal System and 45 days before the last day of school, and I'll have Member McLaughlin clarify.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, you don't have to do it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh no, I'm sorry. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Number eight, new business, the bullying prevention and intervention plan will be reviewed by the rules, policy and equity subcommittee for recommended updates offered by member Rousseau. Motion by member Rousseau, seconded by member Stone. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Number two, policy BEDB, agenda creation and format for regular meetings of the school committee will be amended by the insertion of the member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Seconded for wavering of the reading. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Yes, if you could speak on it, that'd be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Stone, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Number three, policy BEDEB. agenda creation for format for regular meetings of the school committee. May I? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the reading by member Rousseau, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Reading is waived. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure who, I think member McLaughlin just said my name and then member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Will you yield to, do you want member Graham, then member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there a motion on the floor? We have two over here, actually. Member Kreatz, Member McLaughlin, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right. Member Cressy, maybe just something at the bottom. This email address is still active and it will be, each member will receive it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: what about just a line at the end, please note the policy change that the email address will not go to the committee members at any time they're given and will not be read in the council, in the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can even put it on for three months time, the last sentence, and then hopefully people will pardon me for three months. How's that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval as amended. Yeah, by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes as amended. Okay. Member, so I don't know if you want table number five.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number, I'm sorry, number three on page five.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good news is that we probably, most of us at least have read them. I've read them today.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can I make a point of information? It's getting us moving on, you know, really solidifying them, but I have about 20 comments on my own, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is that a motion, Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to move to the Rules Subcommittee by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just finish yours and then we'll go right to Member Ruseau's point of information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for Committee of the Whole meeting by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? I'll oppose. Mayor. Member Ruseau, motion's been called.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What if we just open up the links because you can grab them right from the actual rules and we put them into a Google Doc for everybody to see?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I'm having a hard time hearing people tonight too.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, we can't.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's the masks, I think.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, no motion because we already voted on the motion. We're going to move on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can do that tomorrow and reach out, see when everybody's available.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's okay. We only have the option of Thursday, Friday, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not available Thursday, but I was thinking sometime next week. I'll try to coordinate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, she can't.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here we go. Number three, the rules. Okay, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would assume it's better.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what's the earliest we could start? Kathy, you would. 4, 430. That's all good. 4 o'clock on the 3rd by Zoom. All right, 4 o'clock on the 3rd by Zoom. Page 6, number 5, policy BEDC quorum. Four members of the committee shall constitute quorum, but a smaller number may meet and adjourn from day to day. Offered by Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to repeal by Member Ruseau, seconded. I have a question. I just have a question. Member Kreatz, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't, but I will. Thank you. And seconded by member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Paper passes. Number six, policy BDT. School attorney be referred to the rules and policy subcommittee for recommended updates. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed, paper passes. Number seven, whereas the Medford Public Schools is committed to understanding the needs of our diverse student population and supporting the social emotional needs of our students. Whereas the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children's Hospital Association have declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. Whereas the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory outlining the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had and continues to have on the youth mental health crisis that existed prior to the pandemic. Whereas the effects of the pandemic have disproportionately affected students from racial and ethnic minorities, students with disabilities, LGBTQ plus students, and students from low income families. therefore be resolved that the administration will present at a regular school committee meeting no later than 3-7-2022 a detailed overview of the counseling mental health supports currently available to students at all levels in the Metropolitan Public Schools, including titles and related job descriptions for positions that provide direct one-to-one or small group counseling of students. The number of staff currently in each position in their full FTE at each school, current approximate hours spent in direct student contact for counseling, IEP services and non-IEP services, number of students at each school who have been referred for school-based individual or group small group counseling, IEP and non-IEP, approximate number of non-IEP referrals that are on a wait list for school-based counseling, number of students at each level who are referred for contracted mental health services outside of Medford Public Schools, and the number of posted positions that remain unfilled. Be it further resolved that the report will also outline recommended resources and staff required to meet the needs of the Medford Public School student population beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. Offered by member Sharon Hayes, member Mia Mustone, and member Jenny Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, so motion for approval by Member Hays. I have a question. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Hays, seconded by Member Mustone, as amended by Member Graham to mid-March. Yes. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. whereas the Medford School Committee has contemplated the creation and deployment of a vision committee to ascertain and articulate the Medford community's priorities and vision for Medford High School since 2019, and whereas Medford High School is a comprehensive high school serving approximately 1,300 young adults of the Medford community charged with providing them with an engaging, well-rounded, and culminating educational experience, of their pre-K to 12 plus academic careers, and therefore serves as a flagship educational institution in which all members of the Medford community have a vested interest in its continuous improvement as a school. And whereas the establishment of the Medford High School Vision Committee has been delayed due to ongoing challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, and whereas the Medford School Committee recognizes that the deterioration infrastructure of the current Medford High School demands urgent and bold action to ensure that current and future MHS students attend school in a building that is reflective of the Medford community's deep and abiding commitment to education. And whereas the students of Medford High School are entitled to a 21st century education that is empowered through the utilization of best in class instructional technology and innovative practices, Whereas the Medford public schools are wholly committed to ensuring an equitable and inclusive process by which community representatives can deliberate over how to develop a vision that will ensure a flagship school that leaves Medford High School graduates poised for post-secondary life defined by happiness, success, and fulfillment. And whereas effective January 28th, 2022, the Massachusetts School Building Authority will open both the core program and accelerated repair program statement of interest application windows Therefore, be it resolved that the superintendent of schools utilizing an inclusive and equitable process by which to formulate a recommendation will present to the Medford School Committee on March 21, 2022, a recommended course of action with respect to the MSBA sanctioned repair, rehabilitation, and rebuild process. Be it further resolved that As part of the superintendent's presentation, the central administration will report on the deliberative process by which the recommendation to pursue either both or neither of the MSBA programs was established, including the stakeholders who were consulted, the school construction experts who were consulted in the consensus, if any, about the strategic implications for the recommended course of action that developed through the process. It further resolved that upon the superintendent's recommendation, the Medford School Committee would convene pursuant to school committee policy, BDF, a flagship committee, formerly called the Medford High School Vision Committee, comprised of representative stakeholders to deliberate deliberate over and make formal recommendations to the Medford School Committee about the organizing principles and core values that should be reflected in the district's flagship school, regardless of whether the ultimate resolution to the MSBA application process is a new refurbished or extensively repaired Medford High School and be resolved that the flagship committee will convene to begin this work no later than April 4th, 2022, and shall make progress. Reports to the Medford School Committee on a monthly basis for the duration of the term established when the flagship committee is formed. Offered by myself, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Member Paul Rousseau, and Member Jenny Graham. If I may, I'll speak briefly from the chair. I think this resolution speaks for itself. We're putting a large task on the administration. We are here to help and discuss. We are putting a committee together that we are just renaming a bit and hopefully get that work started on April 4th, 2022. This is something that we, you know, we want everybody to support. We're going to ask eventually when we submit We're going to ask the City Council to also support this action and we hope we have a unanimous collaborative front to stop the process and be able to obtain an MSBA loan for our future for the many reasons as stated in the resolution that I just outlined. And I'm not sure if Member Graham or Member Ruseau have anything else to add besides a motion for approval. I have a question if I may. I had a question also. McLaughlin, then member Kreatz. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. Thank you. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to approve by member Graham, seconded by member Mustone. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion is approved. We do not have reports requested and no condolences. Next meeting is Monday, February 2nd, 2022, regular school committee meeting in the Alden Memorial Chambers and by Zoom. February 7th, 2022. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I may, from the chair, just number three, it looks like we're missing a word or two within the last sentence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. I'm not sure if Mr. McLaughlin is in there. It looks like this meeting is not on public access yet. I know we're on Zoom. Live on YouTube. Okay. Okay, so we're live on YouTube and on Zoom and... Member McLaughlin and then Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hold on, I have to ask. Before you do that, Ms. Wise, you've got that amendment. Okay. Can you just read that amendment to me one more time so I can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So potentially removing the sentence, subcommittees will be provided with a list of its functions and duties.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member McLaughlin. There's member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Yeah, and if I may, and I'll give you the floor back, just so I would understand it then, if we approved this change to the policy, I know member McLaughlin in her behavioral health committee, special education, they discussed like a buddy program and round table that. So would this deter that committee to be able to discuss, you know, great ideas, but not necessarily set policy?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: be resolved that we explore a new sign at the McGlynn Elementary School, and then this committee would vote, yes, let's send it to the subcommittee on building and grounds, and that's where it would be discussed, you'd get quotes. So it would work, because it doesn't specifically say policy. So I think that that helps a little bit. And I think you had it exactly right. When you started to speak, you would just put it on the, as a resolution, you'd get four members to support it. It would go to your committee and then come back for a final vote. Member Graham, then member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there an amendment to try to reach a middle ground so we could set the policy?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So like one or two meetings per year, up to one or two meetings per year to do like listening and listening sessions, discussion, idea building. And then it would just be an extra step because then you'd have to take your ideas to the floor to then go back to committee and set policy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I know that- So if you have like an hour where you're discussing how can your committees discussing like some sort of a, like a buddy system and to be more inclusive, you brainstorm ideas, come up with the idea, bring it back to the committee on a Monday night and say, this is our idea. How does the committee feel about it? We love it. Go back to committee, set policy on that one idea, and then come back for a final vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Yep. We have seven minutes to discuss the actual agenda. So member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Once by Member McLaughlin to strike the last sentence in paragraph three. Once by Member Graham to add an additional sentence about a listening session at the beginning of the year on up to each subcommittee. For approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Motion for approval, if we could call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, take your time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But the beginning, I think, leaves it open-ended, so the beginning of the year could be January, February, March, April. I mean, because there are a number of committees, and I'm sure not all of them would have listening sessions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It may do it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It would be a way to brainstorm ideas, to get proposals that you want to bring to the committee, to hopefully get a majority vote, to then discuss policy, go back to the committee and discuss either the business or the policy. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one in the negative. The policy passes. Is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't see that on our agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The school committee maintains a set of standing subcommittees during each term. It may establish special subcommittees for a specific purpose to make recommendations for committee action or policy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If that's a motion on the floor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There we go. Second. Motion to remove people services as subcommittee by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Rousseau. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Okay, people services is struck from Medford School Committee proposed assignments. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are you sitting in a dark mirror?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was Cody. Oh, it did. Oh, no, it did. And I'm home. but it's supposed to go back on in a half hour. So we're gonna make this work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll shut my camera off, but okay. So it is 6.30. We have a Medford School Committee meeting, January 10th, 2021, regular meeting. It is by Zoom. You can call in by dialing 1-929-205-6099. Meeting ID when prompted is 958-3358-9191. If you may call, I can call the roll. Member Graham? Here. Member Kreatz? Here. Member McLaughlin? Here. Member Mustone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And myself, that's seven present, zero absent, if we may all rise.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm here. Oh, Member Ruseau, I'm so sorry. So if we all may rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. First up, we have the organization of the school committee, election of school committee officers. Is there a motion, member Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's a motion by member Rousseau for Ms. Jenny Graham for vice chair. Is there a second? Second. Motion by member Rousseau, seconded by member McLaughlin. If there's nobody else who would like to speak, I will call the roll. Member Hays? Yes. Would you just maybe state Jenny Graham? Sorry. Yes, Jenny Graham. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin? Jenny Graham. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone. Jenny Graham. Thank you. And myself, Jenny Graham. That's seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative for member Jenny Graham to be elected as vice chair. Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And next up we have, is there a nomination for secretary?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Paul Rousseau is nominated as secretary. Is there a second? Second. Second by Member Kreatz. If there's nobody else who would like to speak, I'm gonna call the roll for Member Ruseau as secretary. Member Hays. Yes, Paul Russo. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin. Paul Russo. Member Graham. Paul Russo. Member Mustone. Paul Russo. And Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And myself, Paul Russo. So that's seven in the affirmative. zero in the negative for Paul Rousseau to be our next 2022 secretary. And you can take over the roll call from now on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number four, we have good of the order. Yes, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From the chair, I would just state, I think what we had two years ago was a great start. And I know Superintendent Edouard-Vincent is especially once the surge is over, is gonna try to get us all together to have a session where we can kind of collaborate and get to know each other some and ask questions. But would anybody else like to add to that? Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mayor. Member McLaughlin. Oh, it was me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Did we lose the mayor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. I see we have the mayor back. Are you there? Yeah, I'm here. Thanks, I'm sorry. That's okay. If there's no other business under good of the order, we can move on to number five, which is the consent agenda, approval of bills, payrolls, and approval of the regular school committee meeting minutes from 12-20-2021. Motion to approve. Second. Motion to approve by member Laughlin, seconded by member Graham. Member Ruseau, if you'll call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes 70 affirmative zero and the negative, the consent agenda has been approved. We have no reports of subcommittee, but we do have a number of reports of the superintendent. First up is superintendents updates and comments, Dr Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edwin Vincent, how would you like to, would you like to finish and then member McLaughlin can ask a question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. There are no other questions. We're going to move on to number two, which is a COVID update, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, David Murphy, and Avery Hines, Director of Health Services, who will both report on operational updates and pending COVID shifts in the Medford Public Schools. The topics will include COVID protocols, COVID testing, vaccination clinics, quarantining, sports, transportation, and staffing attendance. I'm gonna turn it over to Mr. Murphy and Ms. Hines.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So with that, we're happy to answer your questions as best as we are able to. Thank you, Mr. Murphy and Ms. Hines. If there's no question, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Hays is next, but point of information, Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. Thank you both. Oh, member Graham? Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you for the presentation. We're going to move on to our member credits member credits.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: MedfordMA.org.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. I know member McLaughlin just put the link in the chat so you can go on that school link or you can go to medfordma.org to register. Next, we have number three.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. We have report number three, which is an assessment update. Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, Dr. Peter Cushing, will present on the status of upcoming assessments at the secondary level, grades six through 12. Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Does anybody have any questions? hearing and seeing none, I will. I know member Graham has her hand up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not able to see who, and if there's hands up, would anybody else like to ask a question before I move on?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Wood, and thank you for the presentation, Dr. Cushing. We have report number four, which is English Learners EL Updates. Director of English Learners, Paul Texera, will report on 2021 WIDA access scores and English Learners Department updates. Mr. Texera.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Tixera. Mayor? Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The vulnerability preparedness grant that we're working off of is the goal is to create resiliency hubs.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Tichara.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number eight, presentations of the public, not to begin before 7 p.m. Regular meetings of the Medford School Committee include this presentation of the public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. The presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee but are not an opportunity for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that the item be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy BEDH public comment and presentations of the public. Pursuant to policy BEDH public comment and presentations of the public, any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and full Medford street and address where they reside. Residents also submit their comments by writing to the superintendent of schools prior to the meeting or by emailing medfordc at medford.k12.ma.us prior to or during the item on the agenda. written comments must be kept to a link that allows for them to be read in less than three minutes, or the comments will be summarized by the secretary of the school committee, a welcoming inclusive community is both a value of the school committee in an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. When writing or emailing, please provide this required information, the number and name of the item on the agenda, your first and last name, your full Medford Street address, where you reside, your question or comment. Member Ruseau, do you have access to the email address yet?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Then I'll continue on. I'm not sure if there's any emails in that email box. We do not have any continued business, but we do have new business. Number one, we have a resolution offered by member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the reading by Member Ruseau, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, all those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmatives are in the negative, we can waive the portion of the resolution and I'll just summarize that this is just asking our administration for a plan on implementation of the out-of-school suspension policy that we passed about a year ago. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member Graham, seconded by member Rousseau. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion is approved. Thank you. Resolution number two, be it resolved that the administration will present the proposed rate for the before and after school program to the Medford School Committee for approval no later than March 1st. Be it further resolved the rate recommendation will take into account the cost of the current program and the market rates and area programs offered by member Graham and member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member Ruseau, would you like to add anything? Oh, thank you. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to approve. Motion to approve by member Ruseau, seconded by? Second. Member Graham. And just from the chair, this is just to get a rate that the administration proposes for the afterschool and before school program by March 1st, is that correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you, Mr. Murphy. Thank you, member Graham. Okay, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper is approved. Next we have, be it resolved that the Medford School Committee will amend policy BDE subcommittees of the school committee. The school committee maintains a set of standing subcommittees during each term. It may establish special committees for a specific purpose and to make recommendations for committee action per policy BDF. Number one, the committee chairperson subject to approval by the committee will establish standing committees in the first month of each term. The subcommittee will be established through action of the committee. The committee chairperson subject to approve the committee will point the subcommittee chairperson and its members. The subcommittee may only meet to carry out business referred to it by a majority vote of the committee. Subcommittees will not meet to conduct business brought to the subcommittee by any other means or process. will be provided with a list of its functions and duties. The subcommittee may make recommendations for committee action, but it may not act for the school committee. Number five, the committee chairperson and superintendent will be ex-official members of all special subcommittees. Six, the subcommittee will be dissolved by the committee upon completion of its assignment, or it may be dissolved by a vote of the committee at any time. Cross-reference BEC executive session. offered by member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Yes. Sorry. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion to move this to the rules subcommittee by member McLaughlin. Member Kreatz, you're up to speak next.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Crezza, are you all finished?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to move this to Committee of the Whole by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one in the negative. This paper goes to Committee of the Whole. Mayor. Mayor. Member Ruseau, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, either January, maybe before our January 24th meeting, I can discuss this with administration this week and get it scheduled. The 24th works for me. 24th is great. 24th works for me. Wonderful. Next up we have number four, whereas students and families have been charged more than 200 per class for summer remediation and credit recovery. And whereas students enrolled in summer mediation and credit recovery are disproportionately more vulnerable subgroups, including economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities and English learners, be resolved, Medford Public Schools will no longer charge student identified as belonging in the subgroups economically disadvantaged English learners and students with disabilities for mediation programming and credit recovery during summer programming and the academic year commencing June 1st, 2022. Be it further resolved that all students requiring credit remediation to prevent retention be notified in writing through the United States Postal System and email 45 days before the last day of school. Submitted by Member McLaughlin and Member Mustone. Member Mustone or Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Mustone. Member Mustone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Mr. Murphy has his hand up. Yes, or if you jump in anytime.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table by member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, on the affirmative, zero on the negative. Motion is tabled till next meeting. Number five offered by Member Russell, Member Graham, policy BEDH section two will have the sentence written comments must be kept to a length that allows for them to be read into the bracket in less than three minutes, or the comments will be summarized by the secretary of the school committee replaced with the sentence written comments be forwarded to all members of the school committee by the secretary of the school committee in a timely fashion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Mayor. Thank you. Member Ruseau motion to approve by member Graham member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if they're forwarded to the rest of us, sounds good. Thank you. Second. Motion for approval seconded by member McLaughlin. Roll call vote. Thanks. Five. Member Ruseau. Oh, sorry, thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. Thank you. We have number 12, condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mel Vernia, Chicky Miles, great honor of Kim Miles, the data director for the Medford Public Schools, Also, the Medford School Committee expresses a sincere condolences to the family of Lena J. Muccini, mother of former mayor Stephanie Muccini-Burke. Ms. Muccini also served as a lunch mother at the former Osgoode Elementary School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Philip M. Antonio, former nurse at Medford High School and aunt to former Andrews Middle School assistant principal, David DeMattea. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Robert A. Sestito, grandfather of former Missitech Elementary School teacher, Kristen Rabbit Cardone. And lastly, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Frances Chicky Morton, mother of Brooks Elementary School assistant and administrative assistant, Michelle Morton Hardy. and sister of the late Anna Glenn Cross, longtime administrative assistant at the Medford Vocational Technical High School. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you very much. Our next meeting will be, regularly scheduled school committee meeting will be in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, in addition to Zoom. on Monday, January 24 2022 at 6 30pm. And before we adjourn, I just want to point out that our city colleagues city councilor Nicole Morell had her baby right after the holidays and we just want to congratulate her publicly and wish her well. Is there a motion to adjourn motion to adjourn by member McLaughlin seconded by. Member Graham and Kreatz, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely, thank you for dealing with me through my power outage in North Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One prompted. Roll call. Roll call, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here. Seven present, zero absent. Do we have any student representatives on our meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 6.30, okay. And if we may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Negotiations and legal matters. Executive session, 6 p.m. Upon motion to enter into executive session pursuant to Mass General Law, Chapter 30A, Section 21A, the Medford School Committee will convene in executive session. To hear a grievance being brought by the Medford Teachers Association, the Medford School Committee will reconvene in public session following the conclusion of the executive session. Is there a motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. We are gonna go to room 207 for executive session. Good evening, thank you for your patience. We were in executive session until 644. We have our student representative, Gabrielle Puccio. Thank you for joining us. Next up we have- Point of order. Point of order. Point of order, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We ask that everybody do wear masks. I think every, I thought everybody had one on. I think I have some in my office if anybody needs a mask.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we have two. Would you mind putting, do you have a mask? If everybody could put on a mask, that'd be great. Just where there are a lot of people, we have the new variants.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're just asking everybody in the audience, if you could put a mask, thank you. Exemption. I can't mandate medical exemption. We have number four, consent agenda, approval of bills, payrolls, regular school committee meeting minutes, 11-15-2021. Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? We just wanna make a statement and let everybody know, I know there's a number of people that wanna speak tonight, so just make a statement to let you understand when that will be appropriate, which is very soon after the superintendent's update. So we know we have a number of guests with us this evening, potentially both students and staff, which is true. As the superintendent commented in multiple communications last week at Medford High School in particular, we have seen an important dialogue that has been occurring in recent days regarding student discipline, school culture, and the overall climate of our school communities. For that reason, we have an agenda item for tonight's meeting that aims to address some of these concerns and to continue a conversation we've been having for some time around how we best ensure a climate that is conducive to student growth and learning. When we come to that agenda item in a few minutes, I'm gonna ask for a motion to suspend the rules so we can open up the floor to our guests and allow community participation on this subject matter in particular. We have rules in place to limit the amount of time for each speaker and for purposes of being respectful, I'm going to ask that time that the speakers adhere to our three minute limitation on comments. More importantly, however, because of the sensitivity of the topic, I wanna make clear that the reference of specific students or specific incidents of misconduct are not appropriate for this forum. The school committee is a policy making body and we do not address matters concerning specific children. It would be unfair to any child to be specifically named in a meeting of a public body like this one. So again, we are eager to hear from everyone tonight and we wanna give you the floor. I know there are a lot of meetings and conversations taking place among administrators, Councilors and students in recent days. And I think it is really important that those conversations continue. But as the Medford School Committee is a public body, we have a heightened responsibility to both make sure we are engaged in a substantive policy-driven conversation about how do we address these very concerns that our students, staff, parents, and caregivers are bringing to our attention, while also respecting the rights of everyone involved. So short version, please no names, and let's try to stay away from specifically describing specific incidences So we can instead focus on the bigger picture issues that we need to address to both keep our kids safe and instill confidence in them to stay safe. And I know the superintendent will be commenting on this in her remarks as well in just a few minutes. So thank you for your patience. On number five, we have report of subcommittees, special education, subcommittee meeting minutes, 11-18-2021. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion to approve the minutes?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My member Ruseau, seconded by... Second. Member McLaughlin, roll. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Meeting minutes are passed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are you here to observe the meeting or did you, are you here, they're here to observe.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for being here. Welcome. Um, next up we have report of superintendent superintendents updates and comments. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Our school dashboard.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number two briefing on student disciplinary policies and efforts related to school climate and culture, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Peter Cushing, and Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Galusi, and Ms. Stacey Shulman.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As well as Zoom, audio, everything's working. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the presentation. Is there a motion on the floor to suspend the rules to allow parents and residents and students?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Moved by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Ms. Puccio, would you like to go first? Our student representative?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I want to let the student representatives speak, so it's up to the body if they'd like to speak first, or I would like to hear from the residents, and three minutes each, one turn each. My preference certainly is the public first, but... Motion to let the public speak first by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would anybody else like to speak on this matter, or have a question on the presentation? Just your name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Anybody else like to Speak before we open it up to the floor. We appreciate everybody being here. We're as concerned as you all are, and we
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so- Can I ask a question and we can have, we can go- Yeah, member to member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Rousseau. Does member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To to miss Kreatz we have one who's working from the station and one that is I don't know at the high school, but I know he's been at the Andrews lately, yes. Okay, thank you. Member Ruseau. Oh, sorry, Member Mustone and Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think with that was communicate more communication and continued focus groups to brainstorm ideas on how to fix the school culture, which it seems that administration is committed to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. McLaughlin, the microphone, please. Thank you. I was about to use my teacher voice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Member Graham. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Rousseau. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot. And just if I could from the chair, I'm very thankful for the two students that spoke up. And I also am thankful for everybody that's working hard, especially the last week or two to help change the culture. And I have heard that teachers are stepping up as well, you know, after class exits, they're more visible in the hallway. And I think that does help a lot. So thank you to all our staff and teachers and students who are working together to try to change the culture. And just as a school committee, if we could get, whether that's a monthly or at least maybe for the first few months, just a monthly update, even if it's by confidential email on, and I think Katie said it best, how we're gonna work to improve, plan, take action and build trust and obviously communicate better. I know the superintendent's Friday emails go a very long way with families. So maybe some of those ideas that come about are communications through the principal to students, to let people, let the students know what type of activities they can take part in, conversations they can be involved in to help bring this change that we do need and that we, I know we will get there. And I thank everybody for being involved and for listening to the students. They have the lived experiences to tell. And I think that's extremely important that you came forward. So monthly emails to us is, something that I would just request so we could stay involved and understand what's being done and help how we can. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Thank you all for being here. Next up, we have Early Literacy Report. Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Galusi, Dr. Nicole Chiesa, Ms. Suzanne Campbell, and Ms. Kathleen Champoli will provide an early literacy update on the alignment of the science of reading. Good. Awesome. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that last slide?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much for the presentation. Member McLaughlin and Member Ruseau, the member of Vanderbilt
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau, then Member Van der Kloot? I'm done. I got my credit. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much for the presentation. Thank you so much. Number four, we have updated presentation on superintendent's goals, which we received in our packet tonight for school year 21, 22. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, if you'd like to say a few words and then I'll entertain a motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Goals have been approved for fiscal year, school year 21-22. Sorry, my mic was off. Number seven presentations of public not to begin before seven regular meetings of the school committee, including included this presentations of the public agenda item to give any resident, the opportunity to place a presentation for the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but not opportunities for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that item to be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation will be found within the policy BEDH, public comment, and presentations of the public. Pursuant to policy BEDH, public comment, and presentation of the public, any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and full Medford Street address where they reside. Residents may also submit their comments by writing to the superintendent of schools prior to the meeting, or by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us prior to or during the item on the agenda. Written comments must be kept to a length that allows for them to be read into the record in less than three minutes, or the comments will be summarized by the secretary of the school committee. A welcoming, inclusive community is both a value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. When writing or emailing, please provide this required information. Number one, the number and name of the item on the agenda, your first and last name, your full Medford Street address where you reside, your question or comment. Number eight, continued business. I don't believe we have any. Number nine, new business. offered by member Ms. Stone and member Ruseau. Whereas the health and safety of the children of Medford is of the utmost importance to the Medford school committee and is the well, as is the wellbeing of children throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Whereas many Massachusetts schools and childcare centers permit the use of toxic pesticides on outdoor grounds, including glyphosate and to 4D potentially endangering children's health, whereas children absorb more pesticides relative to their body weight than adults and children's organ systems are still developing and are less able to detoxify harmful chemicals. And in 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics called for governments to reduce children's exposure to pesticides, writing that scientific evidence demonstrates associations between early life exposure to pesticides and pediatric cancers decreased cognitive function and behavioral problems, whereas a bill currently proposed at the Massachusetts State Legislature H.926, an act relative to improving pesticide protections for Massachusetts school children, would allow only pesticides considered minimum risk by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and those permitted for organic use to be used near schools and childcare centers in Massachusetts except in the case of the health emergency when school officials could apply for a waiver similar to laws passed by the state of New York in 2010, by the state of Connecticut in 2015. Whereas this bill filed by representative Carmen Gentile is co-sponsored by the entire Medford delegation, representatives Paul Donato, Sean Garbally and Christine Barber, together with many other legislatures. And whereas the bill is endorsed by a growing coalition of environmental, health and community advocacy organizations, including the Center for Biological Diversity, Climate Action, now Western Massachusetts, the Conservation Law Foundation, Massachusetts Forest Watch, the Massachusetts Sierra Club, Mass PIRG, Mothers Out Front Massachusetts, the Northeast Organic Farming Association, and the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts. Now, therefore be it resolved that the School Committee of Medford, number one, support House Bill 926, an act relative to improving pesticide protections for Massachusetts school children, two, urges the Massachusetts House of Representatives to bring this bill to a vote, and three, sends a letter of support to the Honorable Speaker, Mr. Mariano, The Honorable Mr. Donato, the Honorable Mr. Garbally, the Honorable Ms. Barber. Offered by Member Ms. Stone and Member Ruseau. Is there a motion on the floor or would either of you like to speak? Motion for approval by Member Ms. Stone, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The paper passes. Number two. Mayor? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Table or send to committee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Send it to the next meeting. Motion to table by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 7 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative. This motion is tabled. Just tabled. Do you want a specific meeting? Because the 20th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would you like it in a January meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: January 3rd.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds great. Thank you. Thank you. Number three, the rules policy and equity subcommittee will review the implementation of the October 2020 policy on the use of out-of-school suspensions in light of recent out-of-school suspensions that appear to fail to meet the spirit or 10 of the policy passed unanimously by the Medford School Committee and will make recommendations if necessary to clarify the language of the policy offered by member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to send this to subcommittee, seconded by? Second. Second by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is sent to subcommittee. Number four, the superintendent will schedule a tour for the Medford School Committee of all boys and girls locker rooms at Medford High School in the month of January. Furthermore, a complete listing of spending on boys and girls sports from all sources will be provided at the first meeting of the school committee in February. Member Mustone and Member Ruseau, is there a motion on the floor? Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion is approved. Number five. Whereas the school committee is committed to achieving the mission statements of Metro Public Schools. The Metro Public Schools is a caring educational partnership of school, family, and community designed to ensure that all students are afforded a safe and healthy learning environment in which they develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to reach their full academic and personal potential And whereas the effects of the pandemic have exacerbated challenges in school climate and current culture nationwide and here in Medford, therefore be it resolved that the Medford Public Schools will issue an RFP to perform a climate and culture assessment of Medford High School to be completed before the end of this academic year. The RFP will seek a qualified and independent vendor to conduct a survey of staff, students, and families who are part of the high school community. Be it also resolved that the project scope will include recommendations to address moving forward in a manner that prioritizes a healthy school community and contends with the district's past handling of incidences that are race, gender and bullying based. It also resolved that recommendations will outline organizational, structural, professional development and curriculum based changes needed to address the findings and achieve our district wide mission be it further resolved that the school committee authorizes an expenditure of up to $50,000 to complete this important initiative and that the superintendent will return to the school committee to seek authorization for additional funds should the qualified bids received at the bid opening be in excess of this authorization. Submitted by Member Graham and Member Ruseau. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to approve. I have a question actually. Member McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Oh, sorry. Let member McLaughlin finish and then member Rousseau, member Van de Kloop. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Member McLaughlin, if you wanna finish, then Member Van der Kloot, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You can finish. Member McLaughlin, do you have another question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Okay, thank you. Member Van der Kloot, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And second member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Graham. Member Rossell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And then I would just ask if there are free quotes, if we could just request a quote for our middle school that hasn't been done so we can plan ahead and prepare. Is there a motion on the floor and maybe somebody could offer that amendment? Second, member Stone motioned to approve and I seconded. Motion by member Stone, seconded by member McLaughlin. But what was the amendment?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's a free process to get a quote that we get a quote for our other middle school that hasn't been done so that we can plan ahead.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by members, Ms. Stone, as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval as amended. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. All those opposed? It should be for the money allocation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Yes. Remember Ms. Stone made the motion, seconded by Member McLaughlin as amended by Member Graham. But do we do- Roll call, please. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Long-O'Karn, yes. The motion passes. Number 10 reports requested. I don't believe we have any. Number 11, we do have a condolence. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Beverly Ann Convery. wife of late Thomas E. Convery, a history and civics teacher and head of job placement at Medford High School. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Motion to adjourn. Yep, our next meeting is Monday, December 20th, 2021, 6.30 p.m. It will be here in Alden Memorial Chambers. There also is a Zoom link. Motion for adjournment by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed? Everybody have a great week. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so good evening, everybody. We have our method school committee meeting November 18 2021 remote meeting by zoom executive session for 3pm methods schools invited you a scheduled zoom meeting. You can call in by using phone number 929-205-6099 enter meeting ID 985-2458-9661 when prompted. Um, if you could call the role member McLaughlin, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. If we could just all please rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: negotiations and legal matters executive session of the Medford School Committee pursuant to General Laws 30A, Section 21A to conduct a collective bargaining strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will discuss impending negotiations with several bargaining units, including at least teachers, power professionals, administrative assistants, and administrators on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Medford School Committee. Medford School Committee anticipates conducting this via Zoom and does not anticipate reconvening in public session following the conclusion of the executive session. There's a motion on the floor by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot to go into executive session. All those in favor? Aye. Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry, it has to be a roll call vote to go into executive session. Roll call vote, Member McLaughlin, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We are going to go into executive session as approved by 7-0 vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Six in favor. Board of subcommittees, we do not have any. Next up we have report of superintendent. Superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Maurice Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. If I may, just from the chair, the vaccine clinic on Saturday, because of the girls on the run race, we have moved that to the high school, which you pointed out. We just want to make sure people got a response that it would be at the Andrews. That's not the case. The vaccine clinic is at the high school. Change of location. Next up, we have The MCAS Alternative Report, Director of Pupil Services, Ms. Joan Bowen, will report on the district's result for the MCAS. The MCAS is administered to our students with significant disabilities who are unable to participate in the standard MCAS. alternative assessment monitors student progress over time. Ms. Bowen. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Bowen. Thank you. Next up, we have a report on professional development for administrators. Superintendent resident, Karen Williams will report on principal professional development programming that is occurring throughout the school year 21-22. Ms. Williams.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was great. Thank you. May I just ask, so what do we do now? If you could just kind of explain where we go from here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So with your data collection, you're still in the process of your review, but have steps been made to, I know, sorry. barriers to success. So have steps been made to make positive changes? For example, I know we had issues this past couple of weeks with our bullying policy and how we all just need, especially the administrators, principals, vice principals need to be on the same page, need to set policy, need to set guidelines together, review the policy together so that everybody's consistent. So are there any positive changes that have come out of this or is that something you expect to give results for say mid to the end of the year and then move forward from there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: At the end of the year, I'd love to see your suggestions too, like once a month meetings between vice principals, even if it's on Zoom or just different examples of how our superintendent can make positive change for our students and staff.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number four, we have Engagement Hub Report. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations David Murphy and Director of Family and Community Engagement Ms. Megan Fidler-Carey will report on the creation and ongoing development of the Medford Public Schools engagement hub providing for the coordination of services meant to foster and deepen the relationships between students and their respective school committees. Mr. Murphy, Miss.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think that's it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone's hand went up first, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. Thank you. Member Ruseau, and then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just as a point of information. Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, thank you, Ms. Feather Perry for all your hard work. Thank you very much for the presentation. Oh, I had a question. Oh, member Van der Kloot. Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have number five hot water heater at Medford High School, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Mr. David Murphy, will provide an update on the awarding of a bid contract for the repairs and or replacement of a hot water heater at Medford High School. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, and then Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes. We have presentations of the public now to begin before 7 p.m. Regular meeting minutes of the Medford School Committee include this presentation of the public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but are not opportunities for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request the item be added to the subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy, public comment, and presentations of the public. Pursuant to the policy BEDH public comment and presentations of the public, any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and full Medford street address where they reside. Residents may also submit their comments by writing to the superintendent of schools prior to the meeting or by emailing medfordsc at medfordkp.edu. .k12.ma.us prior to or during the item on the agenda. Written comments must be kept to a length that allows for them to be read into the rec in less than three minutes or the comments will be summarized by the secretary of the school committee. A welcoming inclusive community is both the value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. When writing or emailing, please provide this required information, the number and name of the item on the agenda, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, where you reside, your question or comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we'll check on that, but thank you for the update. Number six, continued business update on maintenance of McGlynn Elementary Kindergarten Classrooms requested on November 8th, 2021. Mr. David Murphy, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, when you say water testing, you're going to figure out where the leak is coming from, even though some patchwork probably has been done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot and then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information. Point of information, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: could be pushed to the body for a vote but I think the administration's heard us loud and clear, you know resident has an issue that is, we have an answer to. put it on as an agenda item or in the superintendent's updates so that we can discuss.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or have it as a report that we can discuss. That's just my thought.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. We have new business motion for updated budget schedule to ensure competitive hiring practices, whereas Medford public schools has historically conducted the annual budgeting process commencing in April and concluding in June, whereas there's a substantive substantive increase in code related funding and fiscal year 22. Whereas hiring practices in many districts are finalized by March, April, you resolve the Medford Public Schools budgeting process commence in January and conclude in March with budget recommendations presented to the City Council in March. Submitted by Member McLaughlin and Member Ruseau. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: has, if I may, from the chair, has the budget discussion started internally? Is this, like, January date feasible, or? I just want to make sure we're not setting anybody up for failure. Like, would February- Mr. Murphy, would you- February, or? I just want to be realistic, because I know the city's gonna, side's gonna have to give a number, and that's gonna, we usually do that in January, so I just need to get on this myself.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Okay, motion on the floor, Mayor? Member Grim.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If, if we want to schedule that amended, as we approve this in concept but have a committee of the whole meeting in January to discuss the, how the process will lay out, I think I, I think I appreciate that I think it's a, it's a, it's a
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, so motion for approval as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Grimm. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes. Number eight, reports requested. Report on superintendent's goals tabled, which was tabled on November 8th, 2021.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Main table, okay, thank you, Madam Superintendent. We have condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Anthony Tony Martin, Brother-in-law of school committee member Kathy Kreatz, if we all may rise for a moment of silence. Our next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, December 6th, 2021. I'm here in Alden Memorial Chambers at 6.30 PM. Everybody have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Go Mustangs. Have a nice Thanksgiving. Motion to adjourn by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: call by using phone number 13126266799. Please enter meeting ID 96317884451 when prompted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is also here, an absent. I'm not sure if we have any student representatives on the call. Have they been appointed yet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. McLaughlin, thank you. There you go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. So I'll just let Dr. Cushing know our thoughts throughout the week by email potentially. Okay. And if we could all rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion on the floor to approve the consent agenda? Motion to approve the consent agenda. Seconded by second member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion passes. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, thank you. Thank you. We have report of superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Number two, we have public health update, director of health services and assistant superintendent finance operations will report on the Medford public school student and staff COVID testing program, Medford public school personnel, vaccination rate and COVID-19 prevention protocols.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Democrats.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number three, common assessment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We've partnered, the city's partnered with the schools and have done, I think, at least three vaccination clinics that we've advertised through the schools at the Medford Farmers Market. And that's outside City Hall. So we are trying to give our information to schools so they can press it out every Friday. We're doing all we can. And I know that the Board of Health is working to try to set up another vaccination clinic at the high school and the middle school.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number three, we have common assessment tool for school year 21-22, assistant superintendent for elementary and secondary education. We'll highlight the district's investment in the NWEA map assessment tool that will provide baseline data in light of the disruption to the accumulation of reliable data via the systems used by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, i.e. MCAS, et cetera. Dr. Cushing,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So while this is showing, could I ask a question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So there's three parts to it. So the students will go on the computer and take this three different times, one for math, one for reading and one for science. How was it determined what grade level the students would take?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know in the second grade at the Roberts, like students were crying, kids came home, like really upset, including my own. And it just, I was told that was don't worry. It was after I, you know, you know, contacted the teacher and the reading specialist, don't worry. They were given second through fifth grade assessment and he, you know, he should have been given K through two. because obviously these kids are behind because of the pandemic too. So I just want you to know that kids are out there struggling and coming home upset. And for me, I had to figure out what math test did he take and then come to find out it was the math test. So now I know the kids have to go through all three. It's a little bit, little bit concerning and I think it's just something you should.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Then maybe just a suggestion to take a survey of some of the teachers and find out, you know, before you go, we go giving, if one class only got math before we give reading and science that just, you know, conversation even if it's a zoom after school with some, some teachers just to get feedback because I'm hearing that I am hearing that a lot and it will we went through the pandemic and it's the first year doing this to know that, you know, kids are going home saying they're struggling or they were crying in school or to hear their multiple kids in one class crying, it's just, we want to make sure we're not doing that to our kids who have been through enough, you know, so I would just you know, respectfully ask that you talk to some of these teachers that I've talked to and get some feedback on it. Sure. Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up, we have the school year 21-22 professional learning and development priorities. District administrators will discuss the priorities and key investments the district is making in the areas of professional learning and development. Specifically, the report will provide a briefing to the Medford School Committee on the use of the time contemplated by the school year calendar, the period half days and in-service days across all grade levels and within special education. Ms. Bowman.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you all. Number five, fiscal year 22 quarterly budget update, assistant superintendent of finance operations or report on the operating budgets progression through fiscal year 2022 with respect to both the Medford Public Schools operating budget and the fiscal year 22 ESSER investments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Mr. Murphy, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have presentations of the public, regular meetings of the school committee include this presentation of the public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but not an opportunity for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that the item be added to a regularly scheduled meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy BEDH, public comment and presentations of the public. Tonight we have none. Public comment pursuant to policy BEDH, public comment and presentations of the public, any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any agenda item for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments providing their first names, last name and full Medford Street address where they reside. Residents may also submit their comments by writing to the superintendent of schools prior to the meeting, or by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Prior to or during the item on the agenda, written comments must be kept to a length that allows for them to be read into the record in less than three minutes, or the secretary of the school committee will summarize. A welcoming, inclusive community is both a value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. When writing or emailing, please provide this required information. Number and name of the item on the agenda, your first and last name, your full Medford Street address, where you reside, your question or comment. I believe we had three emails that we already read into the record during section two. I don't believe there's any more. Great. And number six, we have continued business and number seven, new business. We do have a resolution by member Rousseau, member Mustone and member Graham. The rules policy and equity subcommittee will draft a student dress code policy for the Medford public schools. The policy recommendation will be returned to the school committee no later than February 28th, 2022. The subcommittee will hold at least two meetings on this topic before sending a recommendation policy to the school committee. Outreach to stakeholders will be made by the superintendent or her designee to ensure the subcommittee hears from students, teachers, and principals. The Mystic Valley NAACP, Safe Medford, Interfaith Clergy Association of Medford, and any other agency advocacy groups in Medford that may have any interest in this work will be notified directly of these meetings as we embark on our efforts to create a just, equitable, and inclusive student dress code policy. Is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If anybody would like to speak, otherwise... Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ravindakar.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If there's a handbook policy and we're going to create a new policy they somehow should merge is that what you're saying? So maybe we can look at that. We'll look at our own policy and hopefully it will be adopted into the handbook. Okay. Second. Motion by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Reports requested is number eight. I don't believe we have any. And number nine, condolences. The Medford school committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Adeline Scarpelli, mother of former school committee member city councilor and city council and currently George Scarpelli. And I'm sorry, Lisa Shirae a reading specialist teacher at the Roberts Elementary School. Also the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mary M. O'Sullivan, mother of former Swan and later Brooks Elementary School teacher, Maureen Felch, if we all may rise for a moment of silence. Thank you. Our next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, November 8th, 2021. it here in the Alden Memorial Chambers Medford City Hall, there will also be a zoom link and that will be at 630pm motion to adjourn motion to adjourn by member McLaughlin seconded by member Graham all those in favor. I was opposed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. We'll call the third regular meeting of the Medford School Committee to order Monday, October 4th, 2021, 6.30 p.m. to be held at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall. You can also watch on Zoom or you can call in by calling 1-953-038. It's too many numbers there, let's see. Okay, I'll give you a 1-301-715-8592. When calling in, please enter meeting ID 95308492476. Roll call for attendance of the members of the school committee. Member Gramps. Here. Member Kreatz. Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent. If we all can rise to salute the flag, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number three, the consent agenda, approval of bills and payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Second. Seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor. Aye. All those opposed. Bills and payroll is approved. We have regular school committee meeting minutes from September 20th, 2021. Motion to approve. approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Minutes are approved. Report of subcommittees, none. Number four, report of the superintendent. Report of the superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We next up have the public health update, Director of Health Services and Assistant Superintendent of Finance Operations will report on the Medford Public Schools student and staff COVID testing program, state and district mask mandates, Medford Public Schools personnel vaccination status, contact tracing and quarantine communication protocols, and revisions to COVID-19 prevention protocols for all kindergarten classrooms.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, I am also. Okay, Member McLaughlin, after that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number two, Medford Public Schools 2021-2022 Student Enrollment Report. District administrators will report on the status of the Medford Public Schools student enrollment by school and grade level, as well as current projects with respect to parochial school enrollment, charter school enrollment, and out-of-district placements.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number three we have professional development update Dr. William robust will be presenting to the Medford school committee on the professional development programming focusing on the Massachusetts educated performance evaluation systems that all Metro public school administrators are participating in during the 2021 2022 school year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have presentations of the public not to begin before seven. Regular meetings of the school committee include this presentations of the public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. Resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but are not opportunities for dialogue with the committee. If one or more committee members wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, member may request the item be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy BEDH public comment and presentations of the public. Tonight we have none. Public comment. Pursuant to policy and procedure, Any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once in any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their name and full Medford street address where they reside. Residents may also submit their comments by writing to the superintendent schools prior to the meeting. or by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us prior to or during the item on the agenda. Written comments must be kept to a length that allows for them to be read into the school record, school committee record in less than three minutes or the comments will be summarized by the secretary of the school committee. A welcoming inclusive community is both a value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for you to help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. When writing or emailing, please provide this information. The number and name of the item on the agenda, your first and last name, your full Medford Street address, where you reside, your question or comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's considered public participation, not a presentation. So, I remember was so is done. We can have a member band includes read the email, so it's not.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I was under just from the chair, I was under the impression that anybody can bring anything up during public participation and just, if it's not on the agenda can't be discussed, a member would have to bring it before the school committee under resolution for the next regular meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion to read the letter?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Memocrats. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's a violation of open meeting- It's just written to the record, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, that is accurate, but then we still have tomorrow or the next day to be able to answer it in writing from the administration to the resident. But if you wanna have a full length discussion, what member Ruseau was saying, open meeting law requires you to give notice, 48 hours notice when the agenda is posted. So we should put it on the agenda if we want it answered publicly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor. Aye. All those opposed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just want to press the button with to turn in a microphone on or Mr. McLaughlin if we could get the. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have new business first resolution by member Rousseau, whereas the McGlynn playground continues to be in substandard conditions. The project for replacement is taking longer than initially anticipated and the mosquito-borne illness West Nile virus has been detected in Medford. An update on this project will be provided and a request will be made by the mayor to the Department of Public Works to clear the standing water at the playground whenever standing water is present to limit the opportunity for mosquito breeding, which could threaten our students and staff that use this playground. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, you can always just email my mayor or be long ago, Mayor Medford box and would get Department of Public Works right out there they have equipment to be able to handle this and they worked very hard during the last couple months when flooding was, we saw flooding places we've never seen it before. It was a really bad few storms, but we have our city engineer who's also assessing everywhere that doesn't have an assessment for flooding and coming up with some sort of plan to try to alleviate this so it doesn't happen again. But with climate change, we're where we are. We have a resident that would like to speak. Yep, I'm supposed to speak. You just name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm going to talk to the city engineer who probably this is not on his radar to see if he can look into the drainage issues and then I'm going to read if you don't mind member Graham's next resolution, we can kind of combine them a bit because this will help us a lot. Whereas the design study to replace the McGlynn playground was delayed by COVID-19 pandemic and whereas unstructured outdoor play promotes the development of important social emotional skills, be it resolved that the school committee authorizes up to 2000 to conduct a playground safety inspection by a certified playground safety inspector at the McGlynn elementary school playground as quickly as possible be it further resolved that the results of the inspection are presented to the committee, so that identified safety concerns can be remedied expeditiously. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's going to be reported to the school committee at a later meeting. Jenny, that's part of the resolution, that it be presented to us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to merge the resolutions, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. Those approved. Motions are merged. And there's a motion on the floor for approval by Member- Motion to approve. Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. The papers pass.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you. Number three offered by member Rousseau in light of rapidly increasing COVID-19 positive cases in Medford. low vaccination rate of our eligible students, the nearly 2000 students that are not yet eligible for vaccination, the importance of contact tracing. And here it's to put protocols designed to limit exposure of our students and staff when positive cases arise. The protocols for contact tracing and communication for close contacts will be presented. Is there a motion to present or
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Mayor. Member McLaughlin, then Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I will work with COVID's communication director as well to make any updates.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's hard when you want to condense it to just a certain, you know, certain amount of texts that it's readable and understandable, but yes, it can get, it's just a hard topic to understand with so many variables.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, that was as amended to just put it on the website.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have two condolences.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Leslie George Budd Hollenbeck, father of Jan Hollenbeck, a coordinator of related services, secondary transition, section 504, and assistive technology. Also, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Louise Marie Duffy Riley, a longtime school crossing guard for the MDC. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mary Canaley Mulgrew, sister-in-law of former Medford High School teacher and coach, Frank Jewett. We all may rise for a moment of silence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Our next regular meeting will be Monday, October 18 here at 630. And there's a motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Meeting is adjourned. Have a great night and great rest of the week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you, Mr. Taksera. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number five, Adaptive Physical Education Programming, Director of Pupil Services, Supervisor of Health and Physical Education, and a certified Adaptive Physical Education Programming teacher will report on the initiation of Adaptive PE Programming in the 21-22 school year and the district's plans for additional Adaptive PE Programming in the years ahead.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can may I ask a question. Oh, I didn't see any hands member McLaughlin. You can, I defer to you America first, and I'll go after the mayor from the chair I just had the question of, you're starting the program so how do you handle, do you go to every school during the day, or schedule like yeah logistically students do you service.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you for this presentation. Mr. McLaughlin if you could turn number.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe an update in a couple of months after you've done your evaluations, that'd be great. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. If we could move to take paper number, item number one off the table now that superintendent Edouard-Vincent has audio. By member McLaughlin, seconded by member Rousseau. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Number one, opening of school. The superintendent will report on the achievements and challenges of the opening of the 2021-2022 school year. Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Glad you're back with us. Thank you. Eight, we have virtual virtual network infrastructure repair and replacement request assistant superintendent of finance and operations will report on an urgent technology infrastructure repair project, specifically the replacement of the network unified storage devices that are critical for the continued viability of storage archiving and disaster recovery capabilities for the metro public schools virtual network. The administration will be requesting authorization for the expenditure not to exceed 190,000 of the previously appropriated capital improvement funding. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Is there a motion on the floor or any questions? Member Ruseau. Mr. McLaughlin, if you could turn member Rousseau's microphone on, please. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member van de Kloot. All those in favor, or do we need a roll call vote?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes, seven the affirmative zero and the negative the paper is approved. Thank you. Thank you, human number nine human capital report, assistant superintendent of finance and operations will present on appointments and staffing changes in staffing in response to request for regular updates on personnel changes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Thank you. Looks great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was a great presentation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Presentations of the public not to begin for 7pm so we're good regular meetings of the school committee includes this presentations of public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but are not opportunities for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that the item be added to a subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy BEDH public comment and presentations of the public. None. public comment pursuant do we have any more emails member van de gloot we do have an email shall i read okay that comes in a minute public comment pursuant to policy b-e-d-h public comment and presentations the public any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes the speaker is expected to keep their comments to the agenda item on the agenda the speaker must begin Their comments providing their full name and full Medford Street address where they reside. Residents may also submit their comments by writing to the superintendent of schools prior to the meeting or by emailing medfordsc.medford.k12.ma.us prior to or during the item on the agenda. Written comments must be kept to a length that allows for them to be read into the record in less than three minutes or the comments will be summarized by the secretary of the school committee. A welcoming inclusion community is both a value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. When writing or emailing, please provide this required information, the number and name of the item on the agenda, your first and last name, your Medford street address, where you reside, your question or comment. Member Van de Kloop.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Van der Kloot. I do know I signed for two temporary crossing guards to become permanent, but that still puts us at a few that we need to hire for. So we're working actively and I thank our police department for helping out whenever they can. And I'll make sure I ask that they cover any spots that are not filled right now. Continue to do that, yes. That it? That's it. Okay. We have continued business approval of the revised 2021-2022 school year calendar.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Extra day we have in our calendar. an extra day because we needed the 180? Can people hear you on the Zoom? Because I don't think people watching can, sorry, I'm not going to remember all that. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Get your steps in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed? Calendar is approved. Number seven, new business. Number eight, reports requested. Number nine condolences and number 10 our next meeting our next meeting will be Monday, October 4 2021, which will be a regular school committee meeting here in the Alden Memorial Chambers and also be on zoom motion to adjourn motion to adjourn by member Rousseau seconded by everybody. All those in favor. All those opposed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 2021 at 630 to be held at the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall. This is also presented on Zoom. You can call in using the number 958-751-46257. And the meeting ID you would enter is 958-751-46257. we could please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. In no particular order.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone. Here. Member Graham. Here. Member Kreatz. Here. Member Van der Kloot. Here. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, currently absent, and myself present, six present, one absent. All please rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number three, consent agenda. Does any member wish to hold any item? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The regular school committee minutes from June 14 will be held. We have first up approval of the bills and payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion for approval. Seconded by member credits. All those in favor. Hi, all those opposed. consent agenda is approved. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we want to approve the consent agenda. So do you want to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we held the Okay, so this is the modification to the June 14 2021 minutes. Gotcha. So is there a motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Kreatz as amended. Member Kreatz, I mean, by Member Van der Kloot. Member Kreatz, did you have a question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Van der Kloot to approve the minutes from June 14, 2021 as amended. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Minutes are approved. There are no reports of subcommittee. Number five, we have the report of the superintendent. First up is summer programming in school opening update assistant superintendents for elementary and secondary education and the director of pupil services report on the conclusion of extended school year acceleration academics. and Camp Mustang during the summer of 2021 and the experiences of students and families in the return of fall in-person learning for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Current enrollment data will also be shared at this time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Miss Bowen. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, do you have a question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All set, thank you, can continue. All set?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have number two, yes, member Van der Kloot. We are, number four, okay. So number two, public health update, director of health services and assistant superintendent of finance operations report on student and staff testing program, vaccination clinics, state and district mask mandates and physical distancing protocols, including during meal periods. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, man. Yes, if we could do this member McLaughlin if we could mark member McLaughlin present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The question was, because of the Delta variant, medically fragile students, how are we addressing that virtually? How are we addressing it virtually? Miss Bowen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So, yeah, I think the message is sort of a mix, frankly, and it's a little more complicated there but thank you to the chair the Andrews technicians were in the Andrews on Friday, and it was serviced and working correctly after after that message I'm not sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just so you know, Miss Hines and Mr. Murphy, the city is doing two vaccination clinics This Thursday the 16th and Thursday the 23rd at the farmers market three to seven so you may want to push that out to all staff can talk to the Board of Health and Steve our communications. COVID communications professional. Thank you. Yes, cover that term of the contract. Number three, labor relations. Yes. Oh, sorry. I can't you have to call Yeah, I can't see. Oh, okay. Member Graham, the Democrats.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can the last I heard it was like 47% of middle schoolers and a little bit higher for high schoolers, but we can get them more recent update from hopefully the next meeting. In the 50 percentile for high school if if that's my that's my recollection, yes. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are you all set, member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ms. Stone, then Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by? Second. Member McLaughlin, all those in favor? I opposed. Motion to take paper number item number 200 new business pursuant to 603 CMR 50.07 10 two thirds of Medford member school committees must approve collaborative capital improvement plans. The short educational collaborative is seeking the approval of this plan from the members which includes the Medford Public Schools. Member school districts are not being asked to fund this plan. The regulation requires us to approve this so that the Shore Educational Collaborative may implement this plan. See additional documentation titled Shore Educational Collaborative Capital Improvement Plan Fiscal Years 2021-2031 provided for the details of this request. Offered by member Ruseau. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member van de gloop.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: in favor by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call has been requested by member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper has been passed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Jackie. Sure. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second by second member of Scotland. All those in favor. Motion to revert has been approved. Number three, labor relations update. Assistant superintendent of finance operations report on tentative agreements reached with various collective bargaining partners regarding mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing and proof of vaccination requirements. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that's a fair question for approval a member of and include seconded by member so all those in favor. Paper passes. If there's no further questions, we can go to number four, operations and transportation update. Assistant superintendent for finance operations reports on adjustment to transportation protocols and challenges experienced by families with respect to transportation during the start of school, as well as a pilot program instituted at Medford High School in response to the mandate by the Medford School Committee to increase access and improve equity of transportation options available to Medford high school students, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Ruseau. Member Ruseau, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member van de Kloot. PB, Lupita D Montoya?s iPhone2?s iPhone2?s iPhone2?s
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number six, presentations of the public. Regular meetings of the school committee include this presentations of the public agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the school committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting. These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the committee, but are not opportunities for dialogue with the committee. If one or more members of the committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that the item be added to the subsequent regular meeting. The details for submitting a presentation to be found within the policy be DH public comment and presentation of the public. Tonight we do not have any public participation, public comment, pursuant to policy. public comment and presentations, the public, any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item of the agenda up to three minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing a full name and full Medford street address where they reside. Residents may also submit their comments by writing to the superintendent of schools prior to the meeting or by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. prior to or during the item on the agenda written comments must be kept to a length that allows for them to be read into the record in less than three minutes, or the comments will be summarized with the Secretary of the school committee, a welcoming inclusive community is both a value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. When writing or emailing please provide this required information. Number one, the name and number of the item on the agenda. Number two, your first and last name. Number three, your full Medford Street address, where you reside. And number four, your question or comment. I believe we addressed the one email we had. Number seven is continued business. We have two more items, nothing under continued business, two items under number eight, new business. First up, the Medford school committee may send one delegate and one alternate delegate to the MASC slash mass annual joint conference for the purpose of voting during the delegate assembly on the resolutions of the MASC. The conference is Wednesday, November 3 through Saturday, November six with the delegate assembly being held on Saturday, November six voting is presently only allowed in person and this is recommended that only members that are able to and are planning to attend the conference be nominated, offered by member Ruseau member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, Member Graham, and Member McLaughlin will be attending as delegates.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so member Van der Kloot is out. She will be attending. Is there anybody else that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it seems like member Rousseau is nominated for the position and member Graham as the
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed, paper passes. Thank you. Number three, given that 10% of the human population is left-handed and in some classrooms, Medford Public Schools utilizes half desks, which are designed for the handedness of the individuals using the desk. By January 1st, 2022, every classroom will have sufficient left-handed desks in place for the number of students that are left-handed in that space. If information cannot be ascertained to the number of students that are left-handed, then 10% of the desk count in classrooms that have These types of desk will be for the left handed students, offered by member so member Graham and member McLaughlin, who would like to speak first, as the South as a South by myself.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Member Kreatz and then Member Van der Kloot. I saw what you like going first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Murphy member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I made just from from the chair as well. One of you could amend this to potentially have a plan presented to us so that we are efficient with our finances and we try to accommodate all children, whether you're left handed or right handed. I think there should be a plan sometime in the summer where you would know where the left handed students. will be placed in each classroom and we make accommodations depending on what desk works for them rather than just requiring 10% in each classroom. Just a thought I wanted to throw out there. Mr. Murphy. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So there's a motion to approve. Motion to approve by Member Graham. Seconded by Member Ruseau and Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion is passed. Number nine, reports requested. We don't have any. Number 10, condolences. The Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Paul T. Kavanaugh Jr. His wife, Diane, was a Brooks Elementary School kindergarten teacher, and their daughter, Carrie, serves as an anchor for Fox 25 News. The Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Raymond J. Buckland, a former Medford High School coach and a member of the Medford Mustang Hall of Fame. The Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Ralph D. Sunfrey, father of MHS swim coach, Mary Judge. The Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of attorney Robert J. Jordan, husband of former Brooks Elementary school teacher, Louise Jordan. The Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Tina Palladino, mother-in-law of City Council President Richard Caraviello, Also, the Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Warren Joseph Bud Yeager, husband of former Columbus Elementary School principal, Joan Yeager, and father of Mrs. Katie Shampoley, coordinator of the MEET program. The Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of attorney Robert Gilligan, who served as a member of the Building and Future Committee, as well as served as an advisor to the Mustang Mock Trial Court. The Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Daniel J. Bates, Jr., a former school department custodian and father of Mustang Boys hockey coach, Sean Bates. The Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Peter Corbett, father-in-law of McGlynn Elementary School teacher and Summer Fund camp director, Anthony Petrellis. The Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Stella Santoro McParland, former secretary and lunch mother for both the Medford Public Schools and Shore Collaborative. And last, the Medford School Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Margaret G. McGrath, a former teacher at the Brooks Elementary School. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. The next meeting of the Medford School Committee will be Monday, September 20th, regular school committee meeting here in the Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall, as well as by Zoom, and that can be found in the school calendar. Is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member, Ms. Stone, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello and members of the city council. I'm here to support the paper, all except the title change part for the payroll director.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm here for the entire paper. I think it's important to fulfill the promise I made to get as many positions as I could. CAF changed accordingly so we can move forward. and that's why I am here tonight. I think with regards to that one issue with the facilities coordinator recreation, this will be a fourth position in the recreation department, one that will alleviate some of the job duties of you know, one person having a full-time job, coordinating the field of dreams, and who also is trying to handle Hormel and the rink. There is nothing whatsoever against that person. That's a whole lot of duties that have been thrown on one person over the last several years, especially during tough economic times. What we're trying to do here is create programming year round for La Conte Rink. which we feel is definitely, people are excited about, people want to see happen. So that is important for us. We wanna create more recreational programming in all the free hours that are available at the rink, as well as somebody to handle Hormel. So this would be a program coordinator type position anyway, labeled recreation facilities coordinator.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No conversations about no, no conversations at all about the privatization of La Conte about having the Imperials, I'm not aware of the Imperials. I did have conversations probably right before COVID with Tufts University, maybe doing some work and taking some hours weekly, but I myself am not aware of anything with regards to the Imperials.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Other than maybe two to five minute conversation between the rec director and myself because of one person reaching out, no.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't know. No, this is a recreation facilities coordinator. I would say that that is the majority of the job because there is a ton of programming already for Hamel that needs to be organized as well as La Conte Rink. But we're hoping to open the rink year round and create some recreational programming, whether that would be through Kevin and Danny and Kate on the side, but it would still be the recreation facilities coordinator that would obviously be a bit of a part of that. So I think this is extremely important. This has been in consult with the rec department. This is exactly what they're hoping. The position was labeled, and it's a fourth person in that department that could help move Bakanchi Rink, you know, do more improvements and also open it year round, which we're extremely excited about. And so isn't the community. So I would just ask for your support on this paper, you know, it was explained like this in the budget and we are here to just get your support and changing the calf.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before the roll is called, if I can just add one thing. I don't know if I'm incorrect, but I think you might be talking about step five on the salary that you're mentioning, Councilor Knight. So step one would be about, if I'm correct, 53, seven? Cap seven.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, that's I just wanted to make sure everybody is clear on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's Kevin Bailey.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, before we call the roll. Yes, Madam Mayor. I just want to speak in favor of this change. Chief people officer is the name that is commonly used for HR director and in a number of other cities and towns, and it's a standard language, and it was this specific title was you know, request of the city council that we split HR and diversity into two separate departments, which we took under advisement. We talked through it and we ended up doing it. We have two separate budgets. We are hopefully after tonight going to be able to hire the diversity director and have a chief people officer approved so that we can really start to move these two departments forward, as this has been an issue since January when I initially tried to get this CAF changed. So I respectfully request that we don't stall any longer and we move forward. In the future, too, with CAFs, I'm open to suggestions on specific names because I just wanna be able to do the work and get things off the ground and get things moving forward versus just another meeting on it since it's been going on since January. This was something that the council requested. This is the name we chose for this singular department. And I just ask that you move forward. And I know, I think Mr. Osborne is present in the audience. And if he has anything more to add, I would just respectfully ask that you consider moving this forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Chief people officer is human resource director. It's, it's another name for a human resource director.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have somebody that's titled the chief of staff, but human resource director is handles most of the human resources.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's the same thing. It's another name for human resource director. It's the up and coming way to actually Tyler Lovell, who's our assistant, who is our new hire and assistant CFO, is the one who said this, told us that this is the best way. I won't put words in his mouth, but this is, it's another name for human resource director. And this is the one we just happened to go with. If the council was very clear on that, it would be the human resource director. We're not opposed to that either. It's just, this is what we chose. This is something that's been ongoing since January, and we hope you approve it. It's another name for a human resource director.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That is correct. Yeah, we're trying to clean up all the line items, remove duplicates. So we tried to do as much as we could for this meeting, and there'll be more before you over the next several meetings. So we'll probably be doing this all through the fall because as you dig in, this is definitely a historic problem that we've been uncovering more issues that it's gonna take quite a while to fix this completely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: First of all, that's a personnel matter. It's not on the table right now. You don't want to violate open meeting law.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, we plan on posting for this as soon as possible. That was the plan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is a new title though.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I thought the grant was until December. I could be wrong. The grant is until December?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll have to look into that starting tomorrow. I wasn't aware there was funding dried up. I thought there was a grant and we would post for this position.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's Adam Herbies' city clerk's budget. So I'm not sure you'd have to ask how he's- Mr. Clerk, maybe you can answer that question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I have to look into that. I'm not sure. I thought there was a grant till the end of the year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: that hasn't been brought to my attention. I don't know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we'd have to go through with our city solicitor. Yeah. Any jobs that have been added to the union. So I don't usually object.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we'd have to check with the clerical union. I mean, you would think potentially the clerical union. So is this a higher salary than, you know, you would have to, it would be a few things we'd have to check.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, next one, President Caraviello, if I could just withdraw the amendment G, title change for now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They have not all been advertised. We're working on job descriptions currently, and we realized your meeting was the 13th and not the 20th, so we knew we could get them done, hopefully within the next couple of weeks, we will be able to advertise all these new ones that you've approved tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Which ones specifically?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They have not.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was waiting for the yes to be approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Parking director, we are working on a job description. Facilities director, same thing. Rec facilities coordinator, same thing. Parking enforcement officer probably will come down the line once we have a director hired. Chief people officer, we have somebody in that role. And then elections coordinator, we will advertise as soon as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're talking about the chief people officer? Correct. We have somebody in the role. So unless there's advice from council or requests from council for me to advertise, I wouldn't.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Chief people officer is taking the role of HR diversity director. In this budget, which was in the way, which by the way, never existed. It was approved in the last two in the, in the budget, which the city solicitor stated it requires a calf.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We are on the same page. Like I said, at the budget hearing, it was my impression that when it was approved by the city council and the budget for fiscal year 21, it was with the page, I think it was on page 58 of the fiscal 21 budget. It had the job description, had the goals. That was approved when I decided to take the acting title away in January, 2021. We came before you for a CAF change, which I thought would be easier than it was. Kim made her ruling, and now we are here getting the CAF change. So until you have your meeting, because since you tabled that anyway, we have time to figure this all out. I wouldn't advertise for it now. You haven't approved the title of chief people officer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Then please at your committee meeting when you decide on what title you would like to end and what if you'd like it to be posted, then we will take that under advisement.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Payroll director, I'm asking for you to withdraw it. So we will come back to you for the August meeting with additional, hopefully many additional CAF changes as we're trying to clean things up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm asking you to withdraw the payroll director while we work on a number of other different CAF changes. So we'll have another proposal before you in August. No, nobody's in that role, Councilor Caput.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We want to take a look at all the treasurer collectors salaries and make sure they are coordinated correctly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You approved the fiscal year 22 budget, which included one step for each non-union employee, correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, like I said before, this has been a historical 40-year problem. So between the duplicates trying to clean things up, I think we're going to have CAF changes and recommendations for you over the next several months.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. These were the most important. I mean, these were the ones that are new type positions in the budget. So that's what we wanted to take before you first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you can schedule a Committee of the Whole meeting on these anytime in the next couple of weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, there's no- hold up on my end for these positions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, you can schedule your committee of the whole anytime.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, Mr. President, members of the city council. I don't know if that was a vote to reduce it or was that a recommendation?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's not something we're gonna take into account unless you reduce the line item. We sent over as many possible answers that we could. I know you've got some late today with regards to diversity and human resources, as well as the election coordinated position, which I know is two big sticking points. So those two, we do wanna collaborate and we have split the two offices. chief people officer with its own budget, as well as diversity office with their own budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My response is, you obviously can take that vote. I'm asking you not to take that vote. We have a city solicitor that has been, was acting for a very long time. She is now the city solicitor for the city. We have Kopelman and Page, who we are working with a contract on. And they also are taking over all our negotiations with us. It's a great price per month. They have 45 experienced attorneys that are there for myself, the city and the council at any time, whether that be 5G, zoning, ordinances, they are amazing at what they do. And they've been able to move the city forward faster than I've ever seen before. And they're here to help the council as well, anytime.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With that being said- If I may, every answer from City Solicitor Kim Scanlon comes to my office, and she does respond to every request from the Council. If there's more detail that you need, she's available, and if she wants to pass it on to Copeland and Page, or you would like her to, I'm sure she'd be amenable.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If there's a specific request, if you need to work on something specifically like we did suing the Board of Appeals, you will be provided the money, just like with your zoning consultant, you're provided 40,000 for that work, but just a blanket 50,000 for legal consultant for the council, I think that could create a conflict of interest because Solicitor Scanlon is our city solicitor. She works with the council, she works with the mayor's office, she works with the city and all department heads. So that being- Her opinion stands, so it could create a conflict, but if you needed money, just like you did for the zoning consultant, which we were happy to give you, and you've been working diligently on that, then we'll take it by case by case basis.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They're working as consultants with Kim,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Kim's the city solicitor. So she, her decision rules, she gets backup from KP law.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And outside attorneys to handle workman's comp and engineering contracts and anything in energy and environment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But Councilor Knight, You do get direction from Solicitor Scanlon, and if she needs backup, and when she needs backup, she'll, from a specialist, she'll go to KP Law.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You had a solicitor here Friday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, Mark Rumley served as the solicitor, the advisor, the resolution writer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You took his advice. You took his advice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The city solicitor was traveling on a vacation. She was not present. I don't know if it was 48 hours in advance notice is sometimes not enough time for our department heads.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I may just point out there is case law. I know that the Boston City Council tried to get their own attorney and I believe Supreme Judicial Court stated they weren't able to, so proving the conflict of interest that would arise. So I just, I have faith in our city solicitor, Kimberly Scanlon, to be able to advise the council and the city at the same time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can bring that back to them and see if that's possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or work something out with the solicitor that they come and represent the council on, depending on what issue it is.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can discuss that with KP law and Senator Scanlon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let me work on that because I didn't see the meeting. I watched some, but I didn't see that meeting when John Silverstein said he represented the city. And I'm just the possibility that he's the zoning attorney. So he's representing the city as it relates to defending, say, the 40 Bs and any zoning issues we have. Otherwise, I know Janelle's been before you. Attorney Robin is working on the 5G. So they all have their niches, and I think they'd be willing to come to a council meeting, especially if you don't advance. Oh, we need a zoning attorney. We need a workman's comp attorney. They would be willing to come. And I think Kim, I think attorney Scanlon would agree to that. No problem. So I'll talk to her. Absolutely. Okay. Council member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we can definitely work on that. I'm glad I came tonight to hear from you directly. I think, yeah, there's at least 45 attorneys in that firm and like from Alicia, Director Hunt to Chief Buckley, they each talk to their, depending on what their niches are, they taught and they are getting a lot of work done within these individual offices. Tim McGivern is another department head that definitely works with a totally separate attorney than Chief Buckley would or Alicia Hunt would. So yeah, they've been, they've been great. And definitely, I think Solicitor Scanlon would agree to work on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's what happens now, out of respect for Solicitor Scanlon, a department head will say, I need somebody for protection of wetlands. Attorney Scanlon will talk to somebody at KP Law and get the proper referral for whatever department head needs that attorney. So we can try to work out sort of the same scenario with the council. out of respect for solicitor Scanlon, she'll know everything that comes into the office and she's managing everything that's going on city council wise mayor's office and every other department within the city. But I'll throw up both ideas and we'll see what we can come up with.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the way the process goes now is the city clerk sends it up to my office. I sign off and it referred to attorney Scanlon and then attorney Scanlon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, I refer anything legal to the solicitors offers. I don't think there's anything.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You just contact Attorney Scanlon and say we have a resolution on the agenda for such and such an issue. Yeah, I will try to get it direct, but if it's a resolution, it comes to my office for sign off. If it's a resolution. But if you want to contact Attorney Scanlon like you would call her anyway, and ask for a certain attorney at your meeting for July 19th, then we'll try to get you that attorney.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I want you to get your ordinances written. I've seen Attorney Scanlon send a number to my office that she's trying to work on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Like I said, I think I said, we'll talk it through. I'll talk it through with Solicitor Scanlon. If you want to put the recommendation on the floor, I will try to work on it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let me get to work on that without cutting the budget and us having to do a supplemental
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Our new fiscal year starts in two days and we need to continue with legal, legal work that both solicitor and KPLR doing throughout the whole, you know, every department in our community. So, um, I've never once stopped anybody from KP Law coming before you if Kim's requested them to be here. Sometimes I didn't even know specifically. So I'm more than happy to give you the legal counsel you need depending on the issue through Kim. It can be separate through Kim. It's a resolution that comes to me. So I will talk to Kim about that tomorrow.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I wouldn't have the funds to pay the monthly rate of 5000 a month. And then we have it was 3200 100 for Labor Council plus whatever Copeland and page and solicitor Scanlon have working in every other department because there's other line items that so point of information where patient got scrapped.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That job will be posted in fall. regular procedure. So that will go through human resources.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a number of positions we would like to advertise in July, including this one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know. We're gonna have to review all the cast. This is a historic problem that's far far precedes me and a number of positions are not in the calf, such as, um, even Mr. Gordon's position that I and I didn't obviously hire him. So there's many that we have to skim through and propose and try to fix up, clean up and present to you over your July and August meeting, including this position. This is a new position, there would not be a CAF.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's an amount that we've chosen which fits a CAF but it's a new position. So we're asking you to approve the budget and we will do whatever we have to do to make sure the CAFs are approved before.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's no opinion from the chief of staff, he's not legal counsel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So ultimately what we're doing- You asked for us to create and we responded that in July and August, we will get you, we're gonna try to clean all this up from many years of not having been done right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Now that there's issues with the cap process, yes. And we've cleared up the historic mistakes that have been taking place. The budget is something that you hopefully will pass tonight. and has new positions in it. We understand that, and it's our plan to have those CAFs before you in July, so that we can then go higher. But unless you said tonight, I'm voting for this budget, except I don't want parking enforcement to come in-house, I would assume, or example like that, I would assume that these new positions are okay, and that you would hopefully support it in July. past the budget last year and we have the human resources and diversity director position in there. It was approved at that pay scale. That position was always acting. When we wanted to take away the acting title, we came before you, we put it before you in January, it was still acting. And for some reason, it did take months. So that position has, he has Mr. Osborne has stayed in that position because he's doing a great, great job. I just assumed it would, it was in the budget. Nobody said a word about the salary or the placement of the cap. He was acting, nobody said anything. And then come January, when we want to take the acting title away, I assumed it would be approved. And it wasn't, it took, it had months of debate and meetings and eventually was voted down. So now we're changing that completely. We hear you, we're collaborating. It's gonna be chief people officer, which is a new position that will need to be capped. He's here, he's working for us now. So that's a little different than a parking officer or the head of facilities maintenance, which we will not hire until you approve the cap. Hopefully you'll do so in July when we present it, especially if you prove the budget tonight without having a problem with facilities maintenance director, a chief people officer, a parking enforcement director, officers, obviously, to enforce that parking. If I don't hear those questions and concerns now, I really would hope that we can work together to move those initiatives forward by approving the CAFs when they come before you in July. Because I wasn't gonna put it, we were gonna put 10 CAFs before you a couple of weeks ago for you to just not want them in the budget and us find out tonight. So it's like, yeah, what do you, what do you do first? I don't, I don't know. Um, it has to be, but now I hear you. We will get the crafts approved. Hopefully if the budget passes in July and we will post for those jobs. I hope that makes sense.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, we will not hire without coming before you in July with the caps. I served in this honorable body for 18 years and there was never discussions of caps. We approved a budget and those positions were filled. Nobody ever said a word. This is an issue with the director, the prior director, hopefully now chief people officer. It became an issue. I hear you. I tried to explain, we can collaborate during the budget process before you go to that position down. I hear you. I asked that you approve the budget tonight. You've done many years on this council, and we will get you the CAFs. I know you want to vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we put that in writing to you, I think, in a response. We would be before you in July with the CAFs, especially the ones that we want to hire as soon as possible. Elections is important as our, parking because that six month process and we need all six months with the director on board to get to get that parking to bring parking in house. So we we hear you now we understand what the solicitors opinion is and we will we will do it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I don't know how long it takes to prep a CAF, but we will not hire before our CAF is approved by this city council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And so no position will be hired. No contract will be signed for job until it is the cap is approved by this council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: probably after July, but we're gonna try to get it done, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's a little bit more sensitive. Those roles are filled with people. So, yes, but we will try to clean it up. Sometime throughout the summer and fall, we'll try to clean them all up. There are a number of them.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Most of them that I did not even hire or create. Almost all of them.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That makes sense. For next year, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I'm here, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To that, you've spent a lot of hours, probably 30 hours on the budget. You have the ability to line item veto, which you're taking advantage of. I don't wanna have city staff prepping 10, 11 different caps if you're gonna line item veto a position. These are easier to solve because they're new positions and we can present you with the cap in a couple of weeks and then hire those positions. The problem came with last year and Mr. Osborne's position of human resources and diversity. And I understand that. And that's where we kind of realized the historic mistake that's been made. So I think council bears hit the nail on the head. If that's what the council chooses for the next budget, position proposed, there'd be a cap associated even before the budget's approved, even though they could be line item vetoed and it will be a waste of work, then we'll do it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. President, I just feel like Councilor Knight, if I brought the cast before you, three weeks ago, you would be arguing the opposite. Why bring the caps when we haven't even finished reviewing the budget and we haven't approved the budget? I mean, I think it's a level of respect probably here, but that's, I mean, it's just easy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, no, no, just with you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that also has to do with your question on salaries of different employees and doing a whole salary study. So the community compact, you're allowed to get up to two grants every two years. We can apply for a new one in the late fall.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No bid. We applied for two. We received two January 2020. January 2020, we didn't qualify for them this January, because it's every other year. So we will qualify for up to two more as far as I believe in January 2022. And this would be the one we would ask for first to do a comprehensive, because it was on the list of what we wanted to do anyway, comprehensive study of organizational charts and salaries, comprehensive salary study.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct, we're hoping to do the structural analysis with salaries, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so can you read back the motion please, Mr. President?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I have discussed this in great detail and I do see all the emails coming in from concerned residents and I know that your committee's worked hard on this. Parking and snow and ice removal are my two summer projects. And I think the figures that you were given in the committee meetings of how much that would cost to plow or use a sidewalk machine on 26 miles every storm might be a bit off, but it is my hope that we can work out something to make sure our sidewalks are cleaned off. And that includes the hiring that we're trying to go through. The latest update with the hiring is we offered the job for the ME01 and it was accepted and now it's not. So we're having a bit of a hard time, but we are actively pursuing hiring. additional staff and DPW to help with this. And then I'd like to purchase an additional sidewalk machine. We only have one and it did break down over the last winter. So that would be a huge help to this initiative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll be brief. I agree with you. It's the beginning of a program. I think it's probably gonna triple in expense come fiscal year 2023, 22, 23. But we have to start somewhere. We're starting it at a good time as well because through COVID, Park Medford has dwindled in staff and they've ramped up a little bit after the surges, but we still are coming off it at a good point where revenue is low. And we know we can build from that and create a program that will work. And we know we're gonna have to hire additional staff. February, March, April, money will be coming in and will come before you to hire additional staff to make sure we're enforcing and making our neighborhoods, our business districts the right way for the best interest of our neighborhoods.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just on that, no, I agree with you. The million or so dollars we get for Chapter 90 does not go nearly as far as we need it to. The good news is is that ARPA funding is gonna be we can use it for water and sewer infrastructure, so we have to create a plan. And the question, Director Benley-Benjamin has been on calls too, where we've asked if we do the water and sewer infrastructure, can we also repave the road with that money and do the sidewalks? And we're still, I think, waiting on guidance unless a director knows something that has been updated. So we're really hoping we can work together on the worst pipes underground, water and sewer, and our worst streets. and get more repaved and create a plan to do so. So I hear you loud and clear. We've not maintained them for the last 40 years and there's 716 streets we need to get done. But we do have the assessment that is being finalized. So we will get everybody a copy. Our streets and sidewalks were assessed. That was about a year project that took about a year. And that will be forwarded to you as soon as we have a final product, hopefully sometime in July.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I could ask Director Nunley-Benjamin, she's, yeah, the expert.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And while you're looking at the- The Chief People Officer is at the top. Chief People Officer. Is that the only person in the department? Candace Carter is the benefits coordinator. Okay. Yes. So that'll be a two person department. Human resources. Yes. Okay. And the diversity inclusion will be. We have part-time Ms. Viv is part-time in that office and diversity, but she does more on the HR side. And then yes, the director of diversity will be a singular office like it always was in the past. So that'll be a two person office as well. Well, there'll be one and human resources now is two and a half. Two and a half human resources, one person in diversity. Correct. Thank you. And with regard to the baiting, because of the ordinance that I proposed to you all, you all worked hard on that, the rat ordinance, there is a revolving account Council will continually have money in it. So there'll be more we'll be able to spend on that issue than 13,000. So I just want to make that point. And if I may, actually I know there's a motion coming. I just want to thank everybody who's worked on this $191 million budget from the school committee and the school administration to the city council. Obviously our director, Aleesha Nunley Benjamin and Tyler Lovell and the finance team It was a group effort and we value all your opinions and that's why we tried to get as many answers as we could and collaborate and make the changes. So really appreciate a yes vote. That's why I'm here and obviously to work with you. So thank you for your time and all the hard work you put into this. Appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hello. Okay, we're recording and live. We have a meeting that was posted on June 22nd, 2021, meeting date, June 24th, 2021. Special school committee meeting. Please be advised that on Thursday, June 24th, 2021 at 6 p.m. there will be a special school committee meeting held through remote participation. Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order, suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, chapter 30A, section 18, and the Governor's March 15th, 2020 order imposing strict limitations and the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public in our parties with a right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford and Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 15 and Verizon channel 45 at 6 p.m. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number. One of the numbers, 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 917-8155-7347 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address with your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows. 2020-2021 evaluation of Superintendent Maurice-Edouard Benson. That is our first agenda item. If we may take the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. Dr. Edward-Vinson, I'll turn it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Member van de Kloot, Member Ruseau, and then Member Krath.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you members. So memocrats.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone, you echo the sentiments, I'm sure, of everybody else.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just from the chair, I want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues. I think you've done a really great job. I think the communication from three years ago to today is just really out of this world. To be able to hear from your superintendent, even as a mom, once a week, and then to see it trickle down to your assistant superintendent, who we're hearing from, it means a lot as a parent. I know it goes a long way with the staff, the teachers and all that, you know, work in the schools. So that's been a real highlight for me. Your strategic plan was extremely thorough and I can't wait to see you fulfill it, which I know you will do. I know you're working on curriculum and a number of other things and just great job, just great, great job. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau to accept the evaluation. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The evaluation is approved. Thank you. Congratulations. Next up, proposed fiscal year 2022, Medford Public Schools operating budget. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations David Murphy, and this is the district administration will ask the Medford School Committee to approve the proposed operating budget consistent with the mayor's recommendation to the Medford School Committee conveyed on June 1st, 2021. And the superintendent's recommendations posted publicly on June 18th, 2021 for a fiscal year 22 operating budget for the Medford Public Schools of $67,461,003 contingent upon the eventual appropriation by the Medford City Council. The district administration will ask the Medford School Committee to endorse a series of strategic investments made possible through the use of ESSER II and ESSER III funding aimed at mitigating the impacts of school year 2021-2022 of the instructional disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during school year 2019-2020 and school year 2020-2021. Mr. David Murphy. Thank you, Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you can continue unless anybody has questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloop?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If there's no further questions, we have one more item on our agenda, executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, is there a motion on the floor? I take a motion to adopt the budget proposal. Second. Motion to adopt by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Cranston van de Kloet. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, is that your- I've been splitting it. Sorry, Chair. Oh, you would like to split it? Okay, so we will take the recommendation on the budget first as approved, motioned by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call on the budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The budget is adopted. Is there a motion on the floor to approve the spending of the ESSER funds as recommended by the administration? Member Kreatz. Second. Motion to approve. Seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The spending of the ESSER funds as recommended by the administration has been approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. McLoop. Thank you for all the hard work. Appreciate it. We have last agenda item, executive session of the Medford School Committee pursuant to General Laws 30A, Section 21. The Medford School Committee will convene an executive session to discuss strategy and preparation for pending litigation before Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, MCAD, and United States District Court. as well as to conduct a collective bargaining strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating and bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Motion to move to, oh, sorry, Mayor. Oh, no, that's okay. One second, the Medford School Committee will not convene in public session subsequent to the executive session. That was signed by Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent of School, and there's a motion to go into executive session by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We will go into executive session and not reconvene after.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, everybody. Medford School Committee, June 14th, 2021, Howard Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall. Regular meeting, 6.30 p.m. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. We will post in the City of Medford or Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible. after the meeting. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. You can call in by using number 1929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID when prompted 939-6008 9, 8, 3, 7. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. 7 present, 0 absent. If we all may please rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: COVID-19 public health update and Medford Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update. Director of Health Services, Ms. Toni Wray. Mr. Gordon is going to turn that on for you right now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz? Maybe you could speak into the microphone, Member Van der Kloot, please?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Ray, you are so awesome that Congresswoman Clark even did a citation for you. So I was just gonna read that if you don't mind. On the occasion of your retirement as Director of Health Services for Medford Public Schools and in recognition of your outstanding contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, congratulations on your retirement. And this is from my office. If I just may say a few words as well, I echo all the sentiments that everybody has said. You've been there for me, you've been there for the superintendent, the administrative team, your staff, and Ms. O'Connor. At Board of Health, we don't know what we would have done without you. When we wanted to get the kids back to school, you all made it happen, and you made it happen safely for us parents, and we will be forever grateful because students had the best year they could ever have because of your department and your staff. Thank you. Please don't give Ms. O'Connor any ideas about retirement.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Be it known to all who read that I, Breanna Lungo-Koehn, hereby sends her most heartfelt congratulations to Toni Wray in honor of your retirement. I offer this citation with deepest gratitude and thanks for the difference you have made for almost eight years with the district, and especially the leadership and guidance you provided the district throughout the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year and a half in Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Five-minute recess. We will come back at 7.04. We'll follow you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for suspension of the rules by Member Mustone, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero the negative. Motion is approved. Dr. Cushing is here to present. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Of number nine, old business, absolutely. Is that a motion? Is that a motion on the floor, seconded by? Second. Second. Member McLaughlin, roll call, please. If you'd like to speak. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval, seconded by member McLaughlin, roll call. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No problem. roll call please. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have an update from Ms. Hunt, but please speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, that will be under Hormel Commission, but that's the next location they're looking for. They're looking to do Hormel Stadium. We are, we do have charging stations at the VOC. And Ms. Hunt, who is the new Development Planning and Sustainability Director, is interested in looking into putting it into the schools. She'd like to know what percentage of teachers and parents would use them. and wants to assess the parking situations at some of the schools, but she's happy to, she wants to put them all over the city. So she's happy to look into this. I let her know the seventh graders would be, scholar program would be presenting to us tonight. And she is excited to learn more and look into seeing where else we can have them, including our schools. So maybe we can send a motion to member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for... Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One has two charging courts. Oh, so it charged two cars. I just started parking is limited in some of the schools. So we'll have them assess the legal motion. Seconded by member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Thank you so much to our seventh graders. That was an amazing presentation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before I call the next item, I just wanna let any speaker that would like to speak know just to make your name and address for the record. If you would like to participate through Zoom, we ask that you use the raised hand function. Dr. Edouard-Vincent will be on the laptop to see who wants to participate in Zoom. If you're present, you can just form a line like you would do at any city council meeting. We also have 27 emails that have come through that are going to be summarized and read into the record as best as possible through summary. We're going to take probably three people present, and then we'll go to Zoom, and then I'll turn it over to you, Ms. Finch-Klute, and we'll just take it in order. And that's obviously after the presentation. Each member can speak on this one time for for up to three minutes. We have miss evangelista who's here keeping time. We're going to keep to that because 27 plus online plus here we we have several hours ahead of us. I'm sure I'm asking everybody to just please be respectful. No name calling no swearing. If that happens, I'm going to have to just shut the microphone off where I'm going to really try to be respectful. We have three amazing options to rename the Columbus school and we hope to get that job done tonight. Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There may be students watching. Yes. So yeah, please. Thank you. Member McLaughlin. I'm all set. Thank you. Okay, this is number nine under old business presentation by the advisory committee to rename the Columbus Elementary School followed by a vote by school committee members to select the new name. I'm gonna turn it over to our chair, Mr. Jim Lister. Here we go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think before you start, a thank you needs to go out to you, Mr. Lister, as well as the 20 plus advisory committee members that have spent countless hours crammed over the last month, month and a half and all your hard work. So we really appreciate that. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Givino, thank you. Just name and address for the record. We'll start off right now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, Mr. Giovino. and all the presented. Are there any questions or should we open up to public comment? Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot, would you like to start us off with three emails? Oh, yeah. Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you so much. I know we have one person joining us virtually, Lisa, that has her hand up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If somebody would like to come up from the audience, I'm just waiting for the line to anybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a line. Okay. Take a breath. Just reminding everybody, there are children on the call. So I'm going to say again, name and address of the record, three minutes, please be respectful. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we have one more person with their hand up virtually. We'll go to Chris next. But before we have anybody speak, I just want to say, and I know the committee will agree, there's three well-deserving names. So I ask that if you're going to speak tonight, that you speak positively about the name you choose, if that's what you choose to do. And we try to not say anything negative about the other two. Thank you. Chris.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Chris. Anybody would like Ms. Cugno?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe the great things about Jean. Did you know her?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're going to let Mr. Hollings speak, and then we have a hand raised on virtual, and then we'll go to Paulette. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we can keep the clapping to 30 seconds, miss Joan Yeager. Ms. Joan Yeager.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up, we have Reverend Wendy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It will pop on in one second. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Orlando. We're gonna take Ms. Harris, and then we're gonna read a few more emails, please. And then we have one more hand raised on Zoom.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you have a point of order? Member Van der Kloot, if you could read a few more emails, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Mr. Sam Collins?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Collins.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, I'll give you a break. Is that OK? We're going virtual to Jessica.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Jessica.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Your address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's been some negativity on both sides.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Greta? Name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Gordon, if you could just put the microphone on for them. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Jessica.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Shelly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Name and address of the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Van der Kloot? Do you have more emails, if you're not ready? Yeah, could you give me a second? Yes. Would anybody else like to speak that is present tonight before we wrap up the emails and start our debate? We have Mrs. O, and then take your time. Microphone, Mr. Gordon, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, Mr. Thomas Lynch.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Lynch.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Vindiclude, if you... I have no more letters. No more letters. We can't get audio for three. Oh, well, let me check again. If there's any last words from anybody who has not spoken, now's your time before we begin deliberation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot would just let somebody speak at the railing and then I'll go over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe we have somebody with 30 seconds left, Mr. Hill. Please, no names.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 30 seconds, he has 30 seconds. He has 30 seconds. I cut him off.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If there's any last comment before the committee deliberates, now's the chance, just no more emails. Okay, virtually we've got everybody. You can only speak once, so if anybody. No, you sister. I have to stick to it or else we will be here all night, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay there's been no motion to stop public comment. We have one more virtually and some gentlemen standing so let's give them the chance to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would anybody else like to say any? Name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Rebecca, name and address of the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Rebecca.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a second? Seconded by Member Mustone. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 7 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative. Closed at 9.40 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member van de Kloet. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I could go from the chair. Does anybody like to speak before me? Okay, I'll go. I figured it's probably timely to go after member Van der Kloot and member Kreatz spoke because I too was one of the lucky ones that got to know Ms. Jean Barry Sutherland. My mother worked in the school department at the same time Jean did. and I knew her personally, and she was a fantastic, hardworking, inclusive educator and principal. I remember her fondly, and even when we just saw her picture on the screen, it just brought back kind of memories, and I'm sure it did for her sisters who's standing here today speaking before us. With that being said, I agree with My colleagues that I've already spoke, these are three fantastic, fantastic choices. And I do believe all three need to be honored within this community at some point in the near future. I learned a lot about Ms. Belinda Sutton and Ms. Atuk that I knew some, but I learned a lot more thanks to the amazing work that 20 plus person committee did over the last six weeks. I don't think we could necessarily go wrong. I think they're great choices. Misutuk is also a great choice, and I know that the students chose it, so that's hard to vote against. And then Miss Sutton's story is pretty amazing, to say the least, and it's hard to vote against that as well. I wish that we could incorporate them all somehow in this one name change, but I know there's more things to come. Like you said, member Vanden Heuvel, the library, there's gonna be opportunities and I would love to see where we can take that. So that's where I stand. I think they're all fantastic choices, but to have known Ms. Barry Sutherland is, I'm glad her name was there and that would be my choice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would anybody else like to speak? Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that how the committee wants to proceed, a 4-3 vote, or...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you want a 4-3 vote or do we want to know...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we know what the last member is deciding, we could maybe, it's up to the committee... try to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Participation's closed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You call the roll?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, if you could call the roll, we could state the name.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Order. Order. Order.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Jean Barry Sutherland. So is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Four for Missituk and three for Jean Barry Sutherland.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Order, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Please. Please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, four in the negative, three, four in the positive, three in the negative. Motion is approved. Order, please. Please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Public comment is closed on this topic. There's public participation later in... I'm sorry. meeting which was tabled for May 24th and June 7th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approve as amended, seconded by member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And there's a motion for approval by member Ruseau as amended. Seconded by member Van der Kloot. Roll call, please. I think member Graham already seconded that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Minutes are approved. Minutes from June 7th, 2021 school committee meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by members seconded by member McLaughlin roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are up. Approval of bills, transfer of funds have been approved. Is there a report of secretary?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Reports of committees. keep this just to a brief summary, yep. Rules, policy, equity subcommittee meeting on June 9th, 2021. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Could you just please describe just the three points? Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And member Cressy you could always add that they be reviewed in 3 to 4 years before that 5th year where maybe an issue that makes you more comfortable.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, okay. Okay. So do you wanna approve the minutes? Is there a motion on the floor to approve the minutes? And then we'll- Motion to approve the minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes 70 from 0 negative minutes are approved and now on number one policy for the school year calendar. That's if you're finished on that topic but remember and include.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. So seconded by Member Graham. Anybody want this looked at in a few years, or? We set it to one year, Mayor. Oh, we reviewed every one year, perfect. Okay, motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one who abstained. Motion is approved. Number two policy, BEDH public participation update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's my question as well, because if I may, through the chair, we have community participation. We've always let them talk about anything during.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We always let anybody talk about.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But we do. But we do. All the emails, they're not all relevant to what's on the agenda. Most are, but not all.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So this is to have a presentation section. If there is one that the superintendent approves, it would just be named presentations. And then to add the language under making edits on the committee meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm on the minutes. They're not numbered. One, two, three. four, it's motion approved, but there's no motion on this, on these minutes, so I'm assuming it's to include a welcoming community as both a value of the school committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective, and then it's motion to approve, seconded.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, actually. Oh, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Motion to approve by member of Graham, seconded by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the last one, sorry. Member Ruseau. Thank you. Policy BEDB, agenda creation and format for regular meetings of the school committee update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any questions? Motion for approval? Questions? Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Gordon, please. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think people are going to not be happy with this, but just from the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you could pass the policy because, I mean, the superintendent and I discussed what time to start the meeting and this is just changing the order, which is fine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded. Second. Member Graham, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, five in the affirmative, one no, one abstain. Motion passes. Final report of the Special Education and Behavioral Health Subcommittee. If you could be brief, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Kreatz, seconded by member Van de Kloop. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion approves. Yes. Great job. We did number two, report on global scholars. I believe that was seventh graders. Yep. And number three, which is going to be, oh, the retirees report on to recognize Medford Public Schools Retirees 2021. Motion to accept the report by Member Ms. Stone, seconded by Member Ruseau. Dr. Edward-Vincent's gonna read the names.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number four, fiscal year 22 budget update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not late at all. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We have accepted the retiree report. Mr. Murphy, fiscal year 22 brief budget update. Mr. Gordon, sorry. He might be asleep in there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Meaning we're going to do the doodle poll for...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes, 7, the affirmative, 0, the negative. Meeting will be on the 24th, which is a Thursday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The earlier, the better for me. Thursday. Thank you. New business. Number one, new plaque to commensurate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to withdraw. Second. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm to be resolved that the regular school committee meetings be posted for its start time at 6.30 PM with the understanding that the actual meeting may begin any time thereafter if an executive session or committee of the whole meeting held prior to the meeting is elongated. Subcommittee meetings will be scheduled by the chairperson of the school committee at a time which is convenient for the subcommittee members and the administrative team. All meetings will be recorded and made accessible to the public. Offered by member Kreatz and member van de Kloot. Is there a motion on the floor to approve?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, four in the affirmative, three in the negative, motion passes. Number three, on February 3rd, 2020, this body unanimously voted to make Medford a hunger-free community, and in light of the pending federal legislation, the Universal Schools Meal Program Act of 2021, it is requested the administration plan for all school meals to be provided at no charge to students at the commencement of the fiscal, of the 2021 school year. Achieving our unanimously approved goal to make Medford hunger free requires action, regardless of whether the above pending legislation fails to become law. The request is that the administration offers all school meals at no cost to students and that all funding sources be considered, including ESSER grants. If ESSER grant funding cannot be utilized and there are no other sources of revenue, the administration will provide an update to the Medford School Committee. at our first meeting in September on the projected financial impact to our budget, but the policy of free meals will be implemented nonetheless. Offered by Member Ruseau, Member Mustone, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: $2 a day, 4,000 kids a day, $1.5 million?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Russell?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't think that's a fair question to Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I may, from the chair, I think that's the point that maybe this needs to be amended with, We make sure we have a broad communication plan so we capture anybody that may need free and reduced lunch. But for me, I have three children. If they ate school lunch every day, it'd be over $1,500. And those that can afford it, we should be paying it, because $1.5 million or whatever it might be to provide free lunch to those that can't afford it as well. We have to think about that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The city has been, if I may, the city has been dedicating resources through a number, especially CDBG monies to partner organizations like the Greater Boston Food Bank that does the Mystic Market. So we are taking steps that are realistic and we're able to afford and maintain for years to come.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there an amendment to just get the funding to find out how much this would cost first?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We would need to put it in our budget. It needs to be somewhere in our budget to pay for everything. Yes. We need to know how much it will cost and how we're going to pay for it, correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mister Mister Gordon, please the microphone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval was seconded. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion's approved. This was offered by myself. We'll just move approval looking for a update them sometime in the fall on the result of the air conditioning in the high school be assessed in a report cost analysis to fix it right to the school committee just from motion for approval there. Member mclaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, just to break down on, where has it and how much it will cost to fix that that's broken and put it in where we need it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I think it would be a good report for the new vision committee we established in the fall as well. I can motion for approval as amended by Member Ruseau. Second. Seconded by Member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes as amended. Number 12, condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences for the family of Rosemarie P. Amato, who served as a secretary in the health office at Medford High School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of George William Saulnier, brother of Mitzi Galante, assistant principal of the Brooks Elementary School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family Mr. Francis H. Buddy Kelly. Mr. Kelly served as a teacher, football coach, boys' basketball coach, and as the athletic director at Medford High School. Coach Kelly is also a member of the Mustang Hall of Fame and the brother of Patricia Downing, former administrative assistant for the Medford Public School, and uncle to the Mustang boys' basketball coach, John Skerry. Coach Kelly truly exemplified Mustang pride. Also, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Jude McNeil, father of Shannon Demos, principal of the Brooks Elementary School. If we all may take a moment of silence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by members
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member van de Kloot. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. So we could maybe have everybody's evaluation by the beginning of next week and have the final special meeting the last week in June, if that is amenable to my colleagues.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. before the roll is called, Member Mustone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Her motion is to create a plan for next year so that we don't run into going over the last meeting in June. Correct, thank you. Okay, motion. Do you have a question on that motion, Member Kreatz? I sent in my tally today. We haven't done that yet. Right now, it's just a motion on the floor to get a calendar together for next year so that we don't run into this timeline. But we ran into this timeline because it seems like yesterday, we just did your last year's evaluation. So motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call, please. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't see it in the guidance, but why don't we do it just to be safe? Okay. Yeah, I didn't read that part of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The city council has meetings. They're trying to schedule meetings for this Saturday. and then they'll still have the schools and multiple departments left to go, which will bring them to having a meeting or two the week of the 21st. So I would assume they would vote on the budget on the 29th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They can reduce line items either in the operations itself in a certain department or in the operating so they could reduce line items. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll defer to the senior members. Do you usually have your final approval meeting after the city council approves?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And let's get a date that the evaluations will be delivered to member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A doodle poll. Monday the 21st, which gives us one full week. Does that sound like a good day to get your evaluations to Member Ruseau? Absolutely. Do we need a motion? Member Kreatz? It won't be earlier than three. It won't be earlier than three. Maybe four o'clock start? Would four o'clock work? on that Thursday, the 24th, potentially?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so please have your evaluations to Member Ruseau by Monday, June 21st, and you will get to the poll tomorrow on a new date. Any other questions or comments before we adjourn this meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 7, the affirmative, 0, and the negative. Motion is approved. We have 21 minutes, and we'll start our regular meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I did it in my classroom. I'm a special ed teacher. They did have fun reading the information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Present. Seven present, zero absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Negotiations and legal matters, executive session. Executive session of the Medford School Committee pursuant to General Laws 30A, Section 21A. The Medford School Committee will convene in executive session to discuss strategy and preparation for pending litigation on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the Medford School Committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing pending litigation before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, MCAD. The Medford School Committee will reconvene in public session following the executive session at approximately 6.30 p.m. Member McLaughlin has motion to go into executive sessions, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We are going to move to executive session in room 207. accordingly. We have approval of the minutes from the May 10th, 2021 school committee meeting, which were tabled from May 24th. Motion to table by member Rousseau, seconded by? Second. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Only four, we'll turn it in time. So if you want to speak, I'll look for the red lights and I'll try to keep order.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Approval of the minutes, May 24th, 2021 school committee meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Graham. All those in favor. All those opposed. Minutes are approved. Number four, approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval. Second. Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Paper passes. Number five, is there a report of secretary?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No report. Number six, report of committees. From May 25th, 2021, communications, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement subcommittee meeting chaired by member Graham. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Kreatz. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion's approved. 5-26-2021 Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee meeting offered by member and chaired by member Kathy Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval of those five requests.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion is approved. Next, we have 6-1-2021 Committee of the Whole meeting budget hearing offered by myself. Is there a motion for approval of those minutes? Will we approve the fiscal year 22 budget? Motion to approve by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Minutes are approved. Community participation. Any citizen in the audience may be given permission to speak once at a school committee meeting regarding any item on the agenda for up to three minutes on any one item. A community participation portion of the agenda will be established, which will give any citizen the privilege of placing any item before the school committee to be heard on any item. Any item to be presented must be submitted in writing to the superintendent of schools by the Wednesday noon prior to the scheduled meeting with a maximum of five minutes allowed for any one presentation. Public participation emails, questions, or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Do you have any emails? Yes. OK. Member van de Groot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know we were doing six, so we changed tonight to 630. So it's dependent on what the committee approves.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You can put a resolution on to talk about it on Monday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next, we have number eight, report of our superintendent. Number one, superintendent's updates and comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vinson. Number two, the COVID-19, I'm not sure public health update, Medford Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update director of health services, Ms. Toni Ray and assistant superintendent, Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Frey. Number three, recommendation to approve an anonymous donation of $2,500 to support the Haitian Flag Day celebration at Mefford High School in May, 2021. Dr. Maurice Edwardson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Yes, a letter thanking the family. Yep, that'd be great. Motion is approved. Number four, we have report on $350,000 grant award for the Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility, known as CCSR, from the Cummings Foundation. Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent and Mr. Richard Trotter, and I know we have Mr. Michael Skoker in the audience as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You just press the button with the little person's face and there you go, there you go. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you and everybody all the students and from the chair. I think it's the most amazing. I almost lost my words, organization. I mean, it's one of the best we have here in Medford. Hundreds and hundreds of kids have used the program to do great things. And I love getting the emails multiple times a week of all the projects they want to do and help they need. And we're always happy to help school committee in my office. Thank you. Thank you for all you do.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? As amended, the motion is passed. Do we have any old business? I don't believe so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A motion by member Graham, seconded by member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. All those in favor? Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15, 2020 order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. specific information in the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with a right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post in the City of Medford and Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 22 or Verizon 43 at 7 p.m. You can call in by using phone number 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 968-8468-0306 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, Your Medford Street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows. Pursuant to Mass General Law, Chapter 71, Section 38N of the Medford School Committee will convene a public hearing for members of the community interested in speaking either for or against in whole or in part, the superintendent's recommended fiscal year 2022 operating budget. The school administration will present an overview of the recommendations brought forth to the Medford School Committee through the previous five Committee of the Whole meetings that took place on May 3rd, May 6th, May 13th, May 18th, May 19th, in the formulation of the district's proposal of a budget request. Signed Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent of schools. Member McLaughlin, if you could please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here. You see a member of the group, just unmute yourself, please. Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. We all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'm not sure who's going to get us started, but I'll turn it over to Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Mr. Murphy, to get us started.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. I know we were all hand delivered our budget book over 145 pages on Friday. And we did spend several meetings, like Mr. Murphy said, discussing the budget. But are there any further comments or questions or any questions from the community we can answer? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, then Member Kreatz, and then I think I saw Member Van der Kloot's hand up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Member Graham. Member Kreatz, and then I believe Member Van der Kloot, Member McLaughlin, and then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just meeting with consultants today for the first time, CLA, they're gonna be helping the city, and we still have interim guidance on ARPA. So that guidance isn't final, therefore there's no final numbers, but we're still working through it. So you're right, membercrats, usually the city would give a number, we'd have that number already outlined. trying to do is do everything I can to make this a reality for our students and faculty.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz, Member Van der Kloot, Member McLaughlin, Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot, Member McLaughlin, and then Member Rossell, and we have a resident that would like to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, did you have a point of something?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, Member Van de Kloop?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot. Member Mustone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion on the floor, seconded by... Second. I'll pull it. Member Kreatz and member Van der Kloot, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Is there a motion to adjourn? I make a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. Member McLaughlin, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven the affirmative, zero in the negative. This meeting's adjourned. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: point of clarification, are we doing this with a poll, or are we doing this by roll call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And those are based on the people that we believe, however we support it, are our top three people. Correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Final clarification, could you just repeat the ones that we eliminated?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hi, everybody. I think Mia was going to be late. So anybody here for Melanie or Paulette? I'm pretty sure they're both coming. Thanks, Susie. We'll give them one more minute. Oh, here's Paulette. We'll just give Melanie one moment, and then we're gonna get started.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Soon, maybe. Okay. Executive session 545 regular meeting 6 p.m. pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 order, suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15, 2020 orders, imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. So specific information, the general guidelines for remote participation, members of the public and our parties with a right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the city of Medford and Medford community media websites and audio or video recording transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. You can call in by using number 1-929-205-6099 please enter meeting ID 950-4590-1152 when prompted. Member McLaughlin, if you could call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Six present, one absent. If we could just rise and salute the flag, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. We have negotiations and legal matters and executive session of the Medford School Committee pursuant to general law 30A, section 21A to conduct a collective bargaining strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Medford School Committee will reconvene in public session following the executive session. Is there a motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Seconded by member Van der Kloot. If you could please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. We're going to move into executive session. While I check what's burning. Thank you. We're actually on time. Just like to note that we have approval of the minutes. The May 10th 2021 school committee meeting motion to table. Motion to table by member Rousseau, seconded by Second and member Graham. I think I heard first roll call. Member McLaughlin, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You should go. Six in the affirmative, one absent. The minutes have been tabled. We have number four, approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payrolls. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ms. Stone, you're not muted, but we can't really hear you. I don't think we can hear you. Will you say a few things? Oh, there we go. I just heard you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do we have a report of secretary?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Approval of bills transfer funds have been approved. Report of secretary if there is one?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then we have number six report of committees. First one is the 5-3-2021 curriculum subcommittee meeting chaired by member van de Kloet, which was tabled from May 10th, 2021. Member van de Kloet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn, seconded by- I can. Motion to approve. Motion to approve, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Next up, we have May 5th, 2021 rules and equity subcommittee meeting member Ruseau table from May 10th, 2021 policy on harassment table from May 10th, 2021. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative. Negative. Minutes are approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Please do.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended. Member Graham, is there a second? Second. Member Van der Kloot, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Policy has been approved. Next we have the 5-13-2021 and 5-18-2021 committee of the whole meetings, academic program, budget hearings. If we could get a motion for approval of those minutes from those two meetings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I remember Rousseau seconded that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative. Minutes are approved for 513 and 518-2021. We also had a budget hearing on 519-2021, which was a committee of the whole meeting. Is there a motion for approval of those minutes?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Glock, one seconded by member Kreatz, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number seven, we have community participation. Any citizen in the audience may be given permission to speak once school committee meetings regarding any item on the agenda for up to three minutes on any one item. A community participation portion of the agenda will be established, which will give any citizen the privilege of placing any item before the school committee or be heard on any item. Any item to be presented must be submitted in writing to the superintendent of schools by the Wednesday at noon prior to the scheduled meeting with a maximum of five minutes allowed for any one presentation. public participation, emails, questions, or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think under the Columbus School, we have a resolution under the Columbus School, so we can take it then. That's fine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds good. Mayor? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you want to write that up as a resolution for our June 7th meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I can do that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have number eight, reporter superintendent. Number one, superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Maurice Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Next, we have a COVID-19 public health update and Medford Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update. nurse supervisor, Toni Wray and Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ray. Next, we have introduction of Carmen Williams, Harvard Graduate School of Education Superintendent Candidate in Residence. I see Ms. Williams on the call, so I'll let you take it over, Dr. Edward-Vincent Markham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Williams. Wonderful. Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Welcome, Ms. Williams. If you want to start earlier, we're open to that as well. But I'd like to pass it over to you to see if you have just one, would like to say a few words.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you so much. Hopefully we'll get to settle in for July and August before you have to deal with us a real lot in September.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Next, we have recommendation to accept a donation of $10,000 to the McGlynn School from Pastor Zenzo Impact Church, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful, is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any more questions or a motion for approval? Motion to approve. Seconded by There's a tie, but. Member Ruseau said it way before that earlier. Okay, so roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Thank you very much, Impact Church. Motion has been approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number five, we have highlights of Brooks Elementary School presentation by Principal Shannon Demos.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let me just make sure. Ms. Deimos, can you unmute?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was great. No, that was perfect. Thank you, Ms. DeMos. Great to hear all the wonderful things happening at the Brooks. And now I think we're going to hear about highlights from the Columbus Elementary School from Principal Kathy Kaye. Ms. Kaye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great presentation. Mayor? Member Vendaclu?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Next, we have Mr. David Murphy, David Murphy, update on fiscal year 22 budget. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Next, we have I don't think we have any old business. Is there any communications? Number 11, new business request for possible extension from the advisory committee to rename the Columbus Elementary School. And this was offered by myself as I've been trying to watch parts of the meetings when available. They do need an extension. It's up to us based on the policy to extend
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member van de Kloot. It looks like we have our two meetings, regular meetings in June on the 7th and the 14th. So are you proposing that we have Is there a date you're proposing, or I'll actually let you think about it and call on member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz and then member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it will just be back June 7th asking for another extension, but it's at least giving them more time past when it was due in a couple days.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you, Member Van der Kloot. We have Member Graham, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau. I'm all set. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion on the floor. Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. The extension is approved till June 7th. Thank you. Number two, beginning in the fall of 2021, an extract of the email addresses on file and school brains or whatever system is used for tracking parent caregiver emails will be created twice each school year. This extract will be used to create a white list within our email provider to allow emails in and out of for any email on that white list for grades K through eight. Presently K through eight emails are blocked from any incoming or outgoing email now within the Medford public schools. And this creates a problem for parents, caregivers, and students. Work arounds are challenging, expensive, and disruptive. And students and families should not have to purposefully circumvent our systems to perform perfectly valid activities such as communication with our students. Offered by member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before we vote on it, if you could just explain it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. Dr. Edouard-Vincent, then member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Kreatz, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz. We have Member Ruseau and then also Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. We have member Ms. Stone, then member Rousseau again, and we also have a resident, Ms. Kugno, so member Ms. Stone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Mustone. Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you. Would you like to comment, Mr. Murphy?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member Graham, then member Van der Kloot, then we have a couple of residents that would like to comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: make a motion to refer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Came motion by member McLaughlin before them. That motion is called member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm gonna, you should see the button to unmute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Miss Kugno.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe that can also be addressed in the in the subcommittee meeting and figure out ways to explore how to resolve that. Member van de Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Member Mustone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so motion for approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Van der Kloot as amended by member Stone. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is approved. Next, we have be it resolved that the Medford School Committee return to having our regularly scheduled meetings at Medford City Hall along with Zoom capability. Further, that the committee discuss a protocol for determining in the future what meetings are held fully on Zoom and which will be held in person. Submitted by member Kathy Kreatz and member Paulette van de Kloot. I'm gonna turn the floor over to the two of you. I just wanna let you know that the governor did allow Zoom meetings by special order, so he will be coming. That's... will not be in effect as of June 15th. So he should be coming up with new guidelines that will help guide us. But I think it's a great idea. I'm in favor of going back for the regular meetings. We have one in June 7th and one on June 14th. So I'm in support of this. Member Kretser, Member Vindiclude, if you want to take the floor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edward-Vinson?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Director Cushing, if you want to have anything to add.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Now we have member Kreatz, Van der Kloot and Rousseau. And if I could just point out again, the governor will be revising his orders. So at some point before June 15th, he may order that we have to go back to in-person meetings or that we need a quorum. Hopefully he will keep the Zoom capabilities, which you're assuming he will, but just need to figure out the next couple of weeks, that's all. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As of June 1st, if you are vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. No, I don't know the answer to that question, but everything is kind of going back to normal June 1st. Okay, thank you. Yeah, I mean, and the guidance from a while back, I don't know if Ms. Ray is on the call, it's been a while that if you're in a meeting indoors and all parties are vaccinated, you do not have to wear a mask.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz, if you're finished, I'll go to Member Van der Kloot, then Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, when they didn't wear them at city council meetings, although I remember whoever was presiding as president asked them to wear them. That was over the last several weeks. So that was before June 1st when now they're not required. So if we're in a meeting in the conference room and it's all adults and we're vaccinated, we would be able to take off our masks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: June 1st on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I'm not sure if Madam Superintendent has even decided whether or not we're gonna have mass at meetings, but we also have to make sure that the conference rooms are televised, have capability to be televised before we move to a small conference room.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham, then Member McLaughlin, then we have a resident that would like to say.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. We have Nadine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, geez, I'm sorry. I was called by the hands on the right. Member McLaughlin then named Dean.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And again, it's almost like when you watch TV and you see people touching and you're like, why are you touching? Anyway, okay, Nadine and then Ms. Kugno.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a motion on the floor. Member Graham, did you want that as a motion? Yeah, that sounds good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so motion as amended by Member Graham. Ms. Kugno, did you want to speak? Please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, we'll be back in the chambers for our regular meeting on June 7th. Beautiful. Thank you. Yep. And our two meetings that month are June 7th, June 14th, we'll be in chambers. Thank you. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, no, you won't have to, but we can always put a book out, and there's always several admin at our meetings, so I'm sure we can check people in if we so choose.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. The motion on the floor is amended by member Graham. Is there a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven of the affirmative, zero on the negative. We will see everybody in chambers on the 7th of June. Last up, we have one condolence. The Medford School Committee extends its condolences to the family of Kathleen Ellen Mortel, mother-in-law of Joanne Mortel of the Medford Public Schools Business Office. We'll take a moment of silence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Adjourned by Member McLaughlin, seconded by... Second. Member... Graham. Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. I wish the best to the prom, to those going to prom on Thursday, and have a great rest of the week, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. All right. Please be advised that on Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 at 7 p.m. there will be a committee of the whole meeting held through remote participation pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order suspended certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15th, 2020 order imposing strict limitations of the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted through remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and our parties with a right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford and Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon Channel 43 at 7 p.m. You can call in by using 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 913-5189-6187 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows. Discussion of the development of the operating budget and budgetary priorities of the Medford Public Schools for fiscal year 2022. as it pertains specifically to Central Office of the Medford Public Schools, including a variety of departments under the auspices of the Office of Superintendent and the Office of Finance and Operations. Summary of the Medford Public School budget presentations made throughout the course of all five Committee of the Whole budget meetings on May 3rd, May 6th, May 13th, May 18th, and May 19th. Signed, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent of Schools. I will turn it over to Dr. Edouard-Vincent and Mr. Murphy to get us started. After we call the roll. Sorry. After Member McLaughlin calls the roll. Sorry, Dr. Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, none absent. And now I will turn it over. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know. I'm able to hear him okay. Me too. I can hear him fine. I wonder what's up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. We have member Van der Kloot, then member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have member Rousseau, the member Kreatz, Graham, and McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, and then member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member crest and member Graham member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just wanna, you want that to, I just don't know what the admin will put in the budget if they don't need to give us that plan until August 1st. So I just wanna make sure it's clear to the administration and the finance team.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So how do you want the resolution to be worded? Member Graham and Mr. Murphy, so we can have an idea of what we're looking at by June 1st rather than August 1st. I thought it was clear. Well, you mentioned the August 1st date, which I just wanna be able to know what I'm supporting and what will be provided when.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, on this motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To review on June 1st. Yep. No child needs to pay for their own busing. If you could call the roll, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Clear information, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham, and then it's member McLaughlin. Then member Ruseau, then member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to that point, if I could point out the 800 plus thousand and the 100,000 from the boiler and the science labs has to go to capital projects. So I just think that- I think there are plenty. And the high school needs a lot of attention and a vision committee and work that we would do through that will be years away. So, I mean, I just respectfully disagree. I wanted to point that out. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, members. So member Kreatz and then member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just kind of... Thank you, members. Thank you. Member Kreatz and then member Van der Kloot. Member Kreatz, if you could just unmute yourself, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: assume the same thing, start it right up in the fall, where we have a number of other things, budget, Columbus School, getting the kids back.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think Member McLaughlin mentioned the next meeting, or I'm assuming one of the June meetings. Member, anything else, Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, and then we'll,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Madam superintendent, the member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Member Graham and then member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz. And then I know on June 1st, which is a Tuesday. We will have our budget hearings at the same time, 7 p.m., June 1st. If there's no other questions, is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Seconded by member Kreatz, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hi, Teagan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. So we have tonight and tomorrow night, budget meeting seven to nine. We will get started. We have all seven present and we are live. Meeting date, May 18th, 2021, committee of the whole meeting. Please be advised that on Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 at 7pm, there will be a Committee of the Whole meeting held through remote participation. Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order, suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15th, 2020 order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting in the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. specific information, the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public in parties with a right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford and Medford Community Media websites and audio or video recording, transcript, other comprehensive record and proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon Channel 43 at 7 p.m. You can call in by using phone number 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 9267229 6484 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows. Discussion of the development of the operating budget and budgetary priorities of the Medford Public Schools fiscal year 2022. which is July 1, 2021 to June 30th, 2022, as it pertains specifically to academic content areas, including math, English, learners, athletics, and technology libraries. Signed, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent of Schools. If we could take the roll, please. Member McLaughlin, do you want me to take the roll?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. I will leave it off, set it off to Mr. Murphy and Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent to start us off.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What's that? It's just low.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I can do it too. There you go, Mr. Arena.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Free. Thank you to all the department heads. I think we're going to go one or two questions each and go around like we had before. That's working well. Um, Mia, if you want to remember Mr. Stone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz, then Member Ruseau, then Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Kreatz. Member Rousseff? And then member Verindikloop.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Either way, we've kind of jumped over all around already. So I think sticking to the one to two questions, but yeah, if you want to start with math and English learners, I have a technology question, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have member Randa Kloot and then member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. Thank you. Member McLaughlin, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, you're muted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, and take one or two each. let's go to Paul and then maybe back to you, just put your hand up again. If I may ask one or two questions myself, just for clarity, Ms. Kahn, can you explain which grade levels are piloting and which ones are staying with the envisions 2020, just so I can get a better idea and understanding?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, that's helpful. So how many classrooms total in the elementary schools?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Very helpful. Thank you. And then just my second question for Mr. Arena and Ms. Layden. with the ARPA funding, one of the biggest pieces of guidance we've got so far is water and sewer and broadband infrastructure. Can you tell us a little bit, when I think of broadband, I think of the problems at the high school as it relates to internet access and cell access. So can you, do you have any idea what it would take to fix that and fix it, you know, for good?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the parents that reach out to us about keeping their kids remote because they're afraid, Zooms won't work, from teachers that are teaching remote, it's all related to technology and there's nothing we can do with the broadband to fix any of these problems.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. people put their hands down. So just let me know if you want to speak or if you have any more questions. Member Ruseau and then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I can answer as best I can, I think I understand your question. Just with regards to this, I know Mr. Murphy and our superintendent are taking any type of guidance they can on their calls regarding ESSER money, regarding ARPA money, we're doing the same on the city side. I had a meeting with DLS this morning and other mayors and financial people from different cities and towns, and almost half, at least half of the questions we ask, they still cannot answer. So right now, water, sewer, broadband infrastructure, we can use our money for plugging revenue gaps, but it's just seeming extremely restrictive. So we are waiting for more guidance on what we can even try to propose to pay for so that we can free up some general fund money to supplement on the school side. As of right now, it's just, it's so restrictive, it's kind of crazy the amount we'd be able to spend based on the guidance we have. And we know there's ways we're hiring a consultant that's hopefully starting signing a contract on Monday that's gonna help guide us through this. And it's really late in the process, but guidance, the 152 page guidance wasn't released until last Wednesday or Thursday, so we're still navigating. I am trying to get more money for the schools. I just, we need to be strategic and wait for the answers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yes, I agree. I know tomorrow night we have another budget hearing at seven o'clock, and then to recap the entirety of the budget will be June 1st, and I believe the same thing, seven o'clock. Motion to adjourn? Yep, motion to adjourn, but before we adjourn, I know, I just also want to point out something, Member McLaughlin, you pointed out just about equity highlight, you know, the fact that I'm excited athletics will be back up and running full steam ahead. Come the fall, our kids obviously need it. And it's been nice to see some of their games over the past several weeks and to have these shortened seasons. And I know Mr. Maloney has fought to get athletics back on the GBL league. But I'm excited about the unified needs champion sports. I wanna learn more, so I'm just gonna do that on my own because it's already 9.15, but I'm excited to see what that's all about and try to include that in our budget. So motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just unmute member van de Kloot, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: in 2021 at 7 p.m. There'll be a committee of the whole meeting held for remote participation. Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 order, suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15, 2020 order, imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information in the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public, the inner parties, With a right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the city of Medford or Medford Community Media websites and audio or video recording, transcript to other comprehensive record proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 43 at 7 p.m. You can call in by using 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 995 84910130 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows, discussion of the development of the operating budget and budgetary priorities of the Medford Public Schools for fiscal year 2022, which is July 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2022, as it pertains specifically to academic content areas, including humanities, science, health, physical education, fine arts, and world languages. Signed, Dr. Maurice-Edouard Vinson, Superintendent of Schools. I will turn it over to you, Dr. Edouard Vinson and Mr. Murphy. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could just, right before you screen share, if we could just call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks, Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot. For present, three absent as of right now. We have a quorum. We can continue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That sounds great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: share twice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before Rocco walks us through science, member Van der Kloot has a question. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, everybody. Right before Ms. Perry speaks, I just want to note that Member Kreatz is now present. Go ahead, Ms. Perry. Thank you. You're welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If I could ask a quick question. Ms. Casey, you had mentioned there'll be assessment tools for grades three through 11 Is that in addition to obviously the K-2? Is that why you didn't mention the K-2?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And will all the students be screened at the end of the year to see where they're at and to potentially this summer help that we might be providing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Okay. So K through two is getting assessed through the end of the year. Now we'll add three to 11 with this program to place in the fall.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I was going to move on to questions on science, and then I'll move on to questions on health and phys ed. So on science, member van der Kloop?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Anybody else with questions in science? Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have health and physical education. Any questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's member Ruseau and then member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have another question I'll ask after Member Kreatz. Thank you. Member Kreatz and then back to Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have Dr. Edouard-Vincent and then member Rousseau. Oh, just unmute yourself, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. If there's no further questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. For a final review, if we could just have that language for a final review. Seconded by member Van der Kloot. Member Van der Kloot, do you mind taking the role?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Five in the affirmative, two absent. The motion passes as amended. Is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dave, you have about 30 seconds because it's 8.59 and this meeting ends at nine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Kreatz and Graham. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, everybody. Good evening. Just waiting for member Rousseau. Give him one more minute and then we'll begin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, you did? OK, I didn't see it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, there you go. We'll get started. We're recording. Medford school committee meeting date may 6 2021 committee the whole meeting, please be advised that on Thursday may 6 2021 at 7pm, there'll be a committee the whole meeting held for remote participation. Soon to Governor Baker's March 12 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law chapter 30 a section 18 and the governor's March 15 2020 order imposing strict limitations and number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties of the right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post in the City of Medford or Medford Community Media websites and audio or video recording transcript to other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 43 at 7 p.m. can call in by using 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 996-3853-9309 when prompted. Since the meeting will be, oh, sorry. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your medicine street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows, discussion of the development of the operating budget of the Medford Public Schools for fiscal year 2022, as it pertains specifically to the Office of Pupil Services, including the Special Education, Counseling, and Behavioral Health Services and Health Services Departments, as well as Curtis Tufts High School. Signed, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent of Schools. Roll call, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I know we have a number of our administrators on. I'll turn it over to Mr. Murphy and Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We just heard you better.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. To follow up on that, do we have any students in that program? And if so, how many and how much does it cost?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe two to three questions, then we'll give the rest.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz, are you good for now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have Member Van der Kloot, Member Mustone, and then, I'm sure, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And while you're asking the clarifying question, member Graham, could we pull up the superintendent's recommendations to make it clear to all of us in the public what those are?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, member McLaughlin, then Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, why don't you ask those questions while we have it up?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member Murphy. Thank you. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Last week, just on Monday, we made the motions to include them to see what they look like in the budget for a final review at the end of either the 19th or if we have another meeting. So I just ask that that language be added. If I may, just one more minute, just because I know these positions are needed. My question would be for the 19th, how many what's the overall add position wise? Is that, how much more is that from year over year? And can we maintain that once this COVID money's gone? I know some of these positions won't be needed, but many of them may still very well be needed or we don't wanna get rid of them. So I just wanna make sure we're not creating a structural deficit and have to do layoffs in 2025.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, I think you had the floor, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One of that is curriculum. So yeah, if you could address it, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know how you can say, you know, questioning the motives when you, you know, for a mayor to be concerned that we have this amazing opportunity of, a very large amount of money and to have three years to spend it. And then to know you may not have the ability to maintain that come 2025, which would greatly affect our children with the changes we'd have to make. I have to be fiscally responsible and at least ask the questions. So I am worried about creating a structural deficit for whoever may be handling all the needs of the city, including our children, which I care about very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just asking about, you know, if we hire 20 new positions, how does that differ from hiring 30 or 40 or 50? Where will we be in a few years? And how will we maintain that? Because we want to be realistic as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's not how we're doing it. You still have to live in reality, Member Ruseau, and we have a good deal of money, which is wonderful, but to create a budget that we cannot maintain and to spend it all in one year, like you probably would like, is not gonna be beneficial for the city next year or the year after. So let's just try to build the best budget we can. I can ask my questions the way I'd like. You can ask your questions the way you'd like. We'll leave it at that. Member McLaughlin, do you have any other further questions or should we move the motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member McLaughlin and member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ms. Stone. All right. Seconded by member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to review. Um, see if the four levels will be included first to review in the budget. First review for final discussion on the end at the end of the month. That's the 19th or another date. Yes. Thank you. Miss that was seconded by member Kreatz. Is there Mayor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we have a motion on the floor with a second. Is there a roll call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion passes. have a great night, everybody. Motion to adjourn. I'm member McLaughlin, seconded by member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So did somebody second that? Patrick second that? I can second it if you need it seconded.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: in the governor's March 15, 2020 order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information in the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website, www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, Members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we aren't able to do so, despite best efforts, we will post in the city of Medford and Medford community media websites and audio or video recording, transcript or other comprehensive record proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon Channel 43 at 7pm. You can call in by using 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 926-4083-5663 when prompted. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number, which I just gave. Sorry, that's at the bottom for some reason. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows. Discussion of the development of the operating budget of the Medford Public Schools for fiscal year 22, July 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2022, as it pertains specifically to the elementary schools of the Medford Public Schools and discussion of the development of operating budget of the Medford Public Schools for fiscal year 2022, as it pertains specifically to secondary schools of the Medford Public Schools, signed Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent of Schools. When should we begin? We've got a nice packet. that I think everybody got printed out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. We could all rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Dr. Edouard-Vincent or Mr. Murphy, if you want to lead us off.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham, then Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. We have member Kreatz, member Stone, member Rousseau, member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: you just have to request information on a point of information. Just pointing that out, because I know I've got it confused in the past. The city council used to do it wrong.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's my request. Thank you. There we go. OK. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ms. Stone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, Member Van der Kloot, and then Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. member van de Kloot and then member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Principal Kaye, is it on this or do you want to talk after member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions? I have a question about the, not necessarily budget related, but in a way, you mentioned the district and DESE's recommended fully back to school for all students, unless a medical exemption, but that wouldn't be, how would we, do we know how many we're expecting to potentially have a medical exemption? And what does that look like per grade level and the cost too? Or how will we manage that? Will that be streaming from home while the teachers are in school?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so are we ready to make that decision with regards to no remote, put the definition out and then kind of take a survey of our families for next year so that we can kind of get an idea before June 30th when we have to make the budget official?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edouard-Vincent, did you want to say something?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. No other questions from the committee. We have Andre. You have two minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Name and address, Andre, please. Andre, if you could just give us your name and address.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. I know our next meeting is Thursday night, same time, 7 p.m., Thursday, May 6th. which has been posted, I believe already, if not.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So your motion just states again is that it should be placed in the correct budget for then a final review at the end of the month? That's correct. Thank you. Motion for approval by member McLaughlin. Seconded by member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. the paper is approved. Yeah, with regards to, I don't know how much guidance you've got on ESSER 3, although I know you've got it on ESSER 2. Can you give us a breakdown of what would be covered for all four boxes through ESSER 2 and 3, such as the first thing I can think of is just the water filtration systems. to refill water bottles where you don't want kids touching this, you know, putting their mouth close. So if you could give us a list of that for one of our upcoming budget meetings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, and I hear you loud and clearly about the ESSER money, and I think it's important that we don't overspend it, but that we do spend it before, 2025, so it would be beneficial to this committee over the next couple of weeks to have a list of what qualifies through ESSER.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We cannot create a structural deficit, so I hear you loud and clear. We can't put in 50 new positions and then come 2025, cannot be able to afford them.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion for- Mayor? Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you could repeat that, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't understand what you mean. Can you just, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Murphy, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member. I think I couldn't remember Chris and member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so the motion is to have the last COVID section in each department added into the budget for the final review at the end of the month.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I'll vote for that if it's just has that language, no problem. Motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by member Ruseau, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, so in the affirmative, zero in the negative, the motion passes. Motion to adjourn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, it is 5.07, we are recording. April 26, 2021, Committee of the Whole meeting. Please be advised that on Monday, April 26, 2021 at 5 p.m. there will be a Committee of the Whole meeting held through remote participation. Purpose of the meeting is to identify the members of an advisory committee to rename the Columbus Elementary School. Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 order, suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15, 2020 order, imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Methodist School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford or Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording transcript to other comprehensive record proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Method Community Media on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 43 at 5 p.m. You can call in by using 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 98188625305 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows, creation of an advisory committee to rename the Columbus Elementary School. Do you all want me to read the policy as outlined on page two, three and four? All right. Dr. Edwin-Vincent, should I read the, I can read, it will take me a few minutes, but advisory committee selection on April 26, 2021, a committee of the whole be held to select and confirm the 23 voting members advisory committee and one ex-officio members follows. Up to three selected from the Columbus School staff, Principal Kathy Kaye, and the one MHS student will be announced. Each school committee member will select two members for the advisory committee from the valid applications received and will state the names publicly. In the event that an applicant is selected by more than one school committee member, the members will continue to name applicants until a total of 14 advisory committee members have been named by the school committee. Three additional names will be selected by lottery from the remaining applicants. One of the mayor's appointments will serve as chair of the advisory committee. The chair will be responsible for scheduling meetings, posting meetings, chairing meetings, and organizing a presentation the school committee once the final names are determined. The chair will be a voting member of the advisory committee. The mayor will announce the chair of the committee prior to the selection of other members. Current school committee members will not be considered for this position. In the event the committee membership reaches an even number, the mayor will make an additional selection from the pool of applicants. The mayor will reach out to the historical society, historical commission, and our district commission to enlist the help of a member who will serve as a resource to the advisory committee. The historian will be an ex officio non-voting member. Participation by the Columbus school staff and students in recognition that the staff and students in the Columbus school are dedicated to their school. The school committee requests the principal to create a representative group of staff and solicit input from their colleagues. Additionally, student input is highly desirable and if it is feasible, student participation will be encouraged in any way the principal deems to be workable in this very short period of time. By April 16th, 2021, the principal of the Columbus School or Desnee as well as up to three staff members selected by peers will be appointed as voting members to the advisory committee. Families of Columbus Elementary School community are urged to apply for membership on the advisory committee through the public application process or to submit their suggestions via the suggestion form. By April 16th, 2021, a Medford High School student who attended the Columbus School is a member of the CCSR and who is able to make the time commitment will be selected by his or her peers to be a member of the advisory committee. In the event there is no applicant interested in the role, the principal of Medford High School may select another member of the high school community. Work of the advisory committee. At the April 26th Committee of the Whole meeting, a list of the names submitted for consideration will be made public and forwarded to the advisory committee. File containing the emails from community members on the topic of the renaming will be made available to the advisory committee members so that all advisory committee members are aware of the opinions and concerns expressed by our community. The advisory committee will develop criteria for evaluating the names. The advisory committee will determine the process for vetting the names, narrowing the field and submitting no more than three finalists to the school committee. Press relations will be directed through the advisory committee chair and members of the advisory committee are urged to send press contacts to the chair. Advisory committee meetings are public meetings and must follow all requirements of the open meeting law. Superintendent will provide a note taker and create minutes. It is expected that the advisory committee will need to meet three to five times and a majority of voting members will be required to reach a quorum for the meeting. The advisory committee will hold at least one public hearing or issue one public input survey to solicit feedback on the opinions they are considering per the charge of this resolution at at least one of their meetings. Advisory committee members may withdraw from participation by notifying the chair and will not be counted in subsequent quorum and voting requirements. Removal of a member is permitted by a majority vote of the advisory committee. The chair will notify the remaining members of the advisory committee of the reduction in membership. No new members will be added to the advisory committee due to vacancies. While consensus is always preferred, a simple majority of the total number of advisory committee members will be required to select up to three names that will be forwarded to the school committee. A majority vote of the total number of committee members and not a vote of the quorum present is required for this vote. The advisory committee will present the recommendations for the new names of the Columbus Elementary School no later than May 24th, 2021. A presentation will be given explaining the way that the recommendation was arrived at and why the selected names were chosen. If a majority of the advisory committee votes to recommend a timeline change to the school committee, they may do so. At that time, the school committee will vote to approve or decline this recommendation. Timeline changes shall not exceed a date of July 31st, 2021. Final selection of the new name. Once the Methodist School Committee has received the names and presentation, the committee will vote either that evening or at a subsequent meeting not later than June 7th, 2021 to approve the recommendation, given the authority for naming of public school buildings, the school committee's authority alone, per mass general law. Signed very truly yours, Dr. Maurice Edwin-Vinson, superintendent of schools. Member McLaughlin, if you could take the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: She's, okay, let me, there you go. There we go, here, sorry, I was muted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: present seven, present zero, absent. We can get right to it. I don't know if Dr. Edwin-Vincent, if you want to just announce how the process will go or if you want me to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, so we're going to start with the chair, and then we're going to pick three out of the 68 applicants randomly by lottery. And then each one will pick one person. and then we'll go for a second round. And then after that we can announce Principal Kathy Kay, what her decision was on her portion. I'm choosing the chair from the applicants, Mr. Jim Lister, who believes on and has accepted verbally and is ready to take this role of chairing a committee of 23.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Melissa Miguel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dan Puccio.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Let's say something about one. Let me just reread. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Vindiclude?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member van de Kloet. I feel the same way. We had 68 people interested in a matter of a couple of weeks, and that's pretty remarkable. So you'll be a good committee of 23, and I wish you all the best of luck. I know you'll do a great job. Thank you to Mr. Lister, who will chair the committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And each committee member will be provided, how are we gonna get all the entries for new names to the committee? Will that just go to the chair? Is that gonna go to all the committee members by email, that list?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Is there a motion to adjourn? I know we have a six o'clock regularly scheduled meeting. Motion to adjourn. By member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative. Oh, I'm sorry, member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: HAB-Juliette Boone, COB.: : Yes, yes. HAB-Juliette Boone, COB.: : 70 affirmative zero negative meeting is adjourned, we'll see.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's 6.05, and we are recording. Medford School Committee, April 26, 2021, regular meeting, 6 p.m., pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, chapter 30A, section 18, and the governor's March 15th, 2020 orders imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and or requirement to attend this meeting can be found in the city of Medford's website, at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, We will post on the city of Medford or Medford community media websites and audio or video recording transcript or other comprehensive record of proceeding as soon as possible after the meeting. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. You can call in by using 1-929-205-6099 please enter meeting ID 91506415713 when prompted. Member McLaughlin, if you could call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. Please all rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. April 12, 2021 school committee minutes. Motion of approval. Member Van der Kloot seconded by... Second. Member Kreatz, roll call please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven of the affirmative, zero of the negative. Minutes are approved. Number three, approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I remember Van der Kloot, second by- Second. Member Kreatz, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Approval of payrolls has been approved. We have report of secretary number one, good of the order offered by member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I agree with you member Van der Kloot. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I know we have our student rep Mr. Colin Bailey on the call. If you have anything to add, please jump in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: you. Thank you. Thank you, member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, number five. Sounds great. Thanks. Sorry, I lost internet connection.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. So the affirmative zero and the negative minutes are approved. Number six, community participation. Any citizen in the audience may be given permission to speak once at a school committee meeting regarding any item on the agenda for up to three minutes on any one item. A community participation portion of the agenda is established, which will give any citizen the privilege of placing an item before the school committee or be heard on any item. Any item to be present presented must be submitted in writing to the superintendent of schools by the Wednesday prior to the scheduled meeting at noon with a maximum of five minutes allowed for any one presentation. Public participation emails, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Redford Street address, your question or comment. We have parent Maureen Ronane topic to speak for up to five minutes on dyslexia. Does anybody see Ms. Ronayna? And I do not. Do we have any other emails and public participation? We do.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Van der Kloot. We're going to move on because I don't see Ms. Ronain on the call. Number seven, report of superintendent. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Number two, we have COVID-19 Public Health Update and Medford Public Schools COVID-19 Testing Summary and Update by Nurse Supervisor Ms. Toni Rae, Ms. Marian O'Connor, Board of Health Director, and Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ray. Number three, we have an update on the fiscal year 22 budget presentation. Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, please. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Number four, we have report on summer funding. I had my hand raised. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Number four, report on summer fun and community schools. Dr. Peter Cushing, Mr. Robert Maloney.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So keep going.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Number five, we have recommendation to approve 2021-2022 school year calendar.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member Ruseau, seconded by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Van der Kloot just unmute yourself, please. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. New calendar for 2021-2022 has been approved. And that will be up on our website, I would assume in the next couple of days. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number six, we have update on discounted MBTA bus passes for disadvantaged students, Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Graham and Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know. I just need to catch my bearings. Where are we? I apologize.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds great. Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Number eight, we have any old business? I don't believe so. Number nine, communications. Number 10, new business. We have number one, resolutions. Mayor? Yes, member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Best news I've heard all night. Thank you. Skipping page three then, we're on to number two, whereas the current school committee policy, GCA professional staff position states, all professional staff positions in the school system will be created initially by the school committee. Is this committee's intent to activate a sufficient number of positions to accomplish the school system's goals and objectives? to provide for the equitable staffing of each school building. Although such positions may remain temporarily unfilled, only the school committee may abolish a position it has created. Each time a new position is established by the committee, the superintendent will present for the committee's approval a job description for the position, which specifies the job holder's qualifications and the job's performance responsibilities. The superintendent will maintain a comprehensive set of job descriptions for all positions. Note job descriptions for professional staff positions that are available for review in the office of the superintendent. Be it resolved that the school committee amends policy GCA, professional staff positions, to ensure transparency, relevancy, and accountability across all professional staff functions. All professional staff positions in the school system will be created initially by the school committee. Is the committee's intent to activate a sufficient number of positions to accomplish the school system's goals and objectives, and to provide for the equitable staffing of each school building. Professional staff is defined as the department head, central office staff, nursing, or nursing. Superintendent will maintain a comprehensive list of positions and a set of job descriptions for all positions. All job descriptions will be reviewed every three years and presented to the school committee for approval. Job descriptions will contain a last review date. Superintendent will establish a review cycle for all positions descriptions within 60 days of the adoption of this policy. The initial review cycle will last for no longer than three years and conclude by September 1st, 2024. Effective September 1st, 2021, the comprehensive list and current job descriptions for professional staff positions are available for review by the public on the Metro Public Schools website. Each time a new position is established by the committee, the superintendent will present for the committee's approval a job description for the position, which specifies the job holder's qualifications and the job's performance responsibilities. Although such positions may remain temporarily unfilled, only the committee may abolish the position it has created. All positions unfilled for the entire school year will be reported to the committee annually no later than June 1st with an explanation for the vacancy. All positions that remain unfilled for more than two consecutive years will be presented to the committee to be abolished no later than June 1st. In the event the superintendent wishes to maintain any positions that have been unfilled for more than two consecutive school years, the superintendent must explain the rationale and plan to fill the position and get approval from the committee to continue the unfilled position for an additional year. offered by member Graham and member Ruseau. I will turn it over to you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Anything to add member Rousseau? and then move it to approve?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, from the chair, I don't disagree with you about it being a bit confusing, although I agree with the premise of making sure. Yeah, I agree with the premise of that. They're updated. But I also agree that we should probably ask the administration a reasonable timeframe, because we're doing this on the city side, trying to update all job descriptions, and it does take some time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, then Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member Vandekloot, did you?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And to that point, I mean, I don't, I don't know if I'm missing a part on my sheet, but it just says defined as department head, central staff, nursing, and the sentence is incomplete. So I wouldn't even know what the rest entails. That should just probably be a period. Oh, with an and. Okay, so motion for approval by Member Ruseau as amended to October 1st, 2021 for a comprehensive list and a list of the current job descriptions. Seconded by Member Van der Kloot, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. of out-of-school suspensions policy, C, the focus on hiring and recruitment of BIPOC candidates to teaching and administrative positions, as well as maintaining our current BIPOC staff members. I request that the letter be entered into the record and would like to read the letter in its entirety. Offered by member Paul Russo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Number four, as required by Mass General Law, Chapter 71, Section 38M, that the school committee must designate a student outreach coordinator. The school committee hereby designates Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education for Metro Public Schools to the role of Student Outreach Coordinator, offered by Member Ruseau. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. Congratulations, Dr. Cushing. We'll work. Number three, we have a number of condolences, if you don't mind if I read. Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Edward Michael Hunt, father-in-law of Rosen Hunt, Administrative Assistant for Athletics. Also, the Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Therese Sweeney, wife of the late James Sweeney, who was a longtime teacher at Medford High School. Also, the Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Joan Lee Mullally, a teacher in the Medford Public Schools for over 30 years. If we all may take a moment of silence. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by- Second. Member Graham, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. Just give it a minute for member McLaughlin. I guess I'll start reading the agenda. Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15, 2020 order, posing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with a right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public could can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post in the City of Medford or Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceeding as soon as possible after the meeting. This is the Medford School Committee meeting, April 12th, 2021. remote meeting by Zoom. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Medford Public Schools is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. One of the phone numbers to call in is 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 996. 1-930-3508 when prompted. Start with a roll call. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I can do it. President. Yes, here. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau? Here, yes, present. Member Ruseau? Present. Member Van der Kloot? Present. And I'm present. Six present, one absent. Member McLaughlin? I don't see you, so Member McLaughlin? Hearing and seeing none, six present, one absent. rise and salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We are going negotiations and legal matters executive session. executive session of the Medford School Committee pursuant to General Law 30A, Section 21A, discuss strategy and preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel and with respect to collective bargaining strategy on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Medford Public Schools, Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing upcoming negotiations with multiple bargaining units and district administrators on individual employment agreements. The Medford School Committee reconvene in public session following the executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Moved by Kreatz. Member Graham? Yes. Member Kreatz? Yes. Member Mustone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau? Yes. Member Randa Klug? Yes. And myself, yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. We will head into executive session and Melanie can join us when she gets there. We'll mark the time she arrives.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We ran a little bit over an executive session. Before we start our agenda, I just want to state that, again, during public participation, or anytime a member of the public would like to speak, just please give your name and address for the record. Also, we're gonna stick by the rules that were set forth in the last full meeting, which are if you plan on, if you insult, swear, use inappropriate language or a different name for anybody in the Zoom session, you will be muted and not be allowed to speak for the rest of the meeting. So I just wanna make that clear before every meeting. Up next, we have number three, approval of minutes, March 22nd, 2021, school committee meeting. Is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve. I remember Graham seconded by? Second. Member Ruseau, roll call. Can you not unmute?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it was just remembering the stones now. Should be OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number four, approval of bills, transfer of funds and approval of payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, seconded by. Second. Member Kreatz, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member McLaughlin, yes. I'm hearing the feedback too, no.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Bills and funds, payrolls has been approved. If we can just all mute our microphones unless we're speaking, I think that will help. Number five, report of secretary, if there is one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, the secretary said there's nothing, so that's... Are you talking about public participation?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You were the secretary member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so just stop me and we'll get those public participation reports out whenever you feel comfortable, Member Van der Kloot. So there's no report of secretary. We're going to go to reports of committee. The first one up is actually you as Member Van der Kloot. You're the chair of the Curriculum Subcommittee, and the meeting was held on March 10th,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, member Van der Kloot, I believe you just said your agenda for next week is a little different. So we can look for an update from the admin when they have availability to do that before the end of the session, which is the end of June.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So roll call on mayor. Yes, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't see Dr. Chiesa on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion for approval of number one made by Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member McLaughlin, seconded by member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number three, committee of the whole meeting. on March 22nd, 2021. That was regarding the capital improvement plan for the school side. We had a very productive meeting. Motion for approval of those minutes. Motion to approve. Seconded by member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended by member Rousseau, you move an approval as amended, seconded by member Van der Kloot, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number four, rules policy and equity subcommittee meeting, March 24th, 2021. Member Ruseau, this proposed policy on face coverings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would it be wise to table it with that language in its entirety and put it on the 26th agenda for April.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative to approve the minutes. Mayor. Number five, yeah, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion to table the policy till the April 26 meeting. Motion to table. Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Five in the affirmative, two in the negative. The policy is tabled to our next meeting, which is April 26th. Mayor. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And it's tabled. We cannot talk about it. We just tabled it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Five, committee of the whole meeting, strategic plan round table, session one, which was April 5th, 2021. That was had a good turnout of 50 to 60 residents, administrators, and committee members. And we discussed a number of questions that relate to the mission statement of the school department. Is there a roll call vote for those minutes?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Seconded by member Graham. Roll call. Roll call. Oh, Member McLaughlin, you're muted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The minutes are approved. And number six, Committee of the Whole meeting strategic plan roundtable session two, April 6th, 2021. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: motion for approval of those minutes by Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion for approval by member motion to approve. Correct seconded by Second. Member Graham, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number seven, rules, policy and equity subcommittee meeting, April 7th, 2021. Member Ruseau? This is on the proposed changes to school committee meeting agendas, policy on staff conduct and policy on harassment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member, seconded by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. I remember
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is approved. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin. Oh, sorry. I think member Ruseau then member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table, seconded by member McLaughlin, undebatable roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is tabled.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you mean read the?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is it long? How long was it again?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval, seconded by member Bendicourt. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Policy on harassment is approved. Next up, we have community participation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Rousseau. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Policy is approved. Number seven, community participation. Public participation emails, questions, or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information. Your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree. Perfect, thank you. Number eight, acceptance of the proposed extension of the superintendent's contract by the Medford School Committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Rousseau. Member Van der Kloot? No, I was going to second. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Congratulations, Madam Superintendent. Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hopefully, yeah. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number nine, we actually have your update, Madam Superintendent. Superintendent's updates and comments, number one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Number two, we have COVID-19 public health update and Metro Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update. Nurse supervisor, Toni Wray. I don't think Marion is on and Mr. David Murphy. Ms. Ray and Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number three, we have report on middle school math curriculum, math director Faiza Khan, Ms. Khan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much for the presentation, Ms. Khan. Number four, we have before and after school programming. Ms. Megan Fidler-Carey, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, and Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot. Dr. Edouard-Vincent, Mr. Murphy, and Ms. Megan Fidler-Carey.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by many. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, Teresa. Vanessa.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Andre. Name and address for the record. To try to limit it to two to three minutes, that would be great. We have a couple more pages. Name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Andre. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So that's a second on the motion. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion is approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member McLaughlin seconded by member Van der Kloot role.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. Remember Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: HAB-Charlotte Pitts, Moderator, Select Committee on Disability, Inc.: : Maybe. So you want to amend it that miss look Harry has a listening session. HAB-Michael Leccese, Moderator, Select Committee on Disability, Inc.:
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member... Can I just ask a question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, that's definitely obvious. Thankfully, we've been able to add the 60 spots. The admin worked very hard over the last week or two. And I know they want to continue to add those spots, but let's get people hired and figure out a plan moving forward. And I'm sure we'll add as many as we can, depending on the space. and personnel and how it plays out over the next few months. Member McLaughlin, and then let's move on. We have another few pages to go and I know everybody's a bit tired, go ahead.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Vendaclute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or we could just put a motion on the floor that this is a great, great first step and we're gonna continue the conversation internally and externally with parents to try to do all we can to create as many spots as possible before the next school year. I mean, that's what the admin has been trying to do. And within the last two weeks, they've created 60 spots and I have faith that they're gonna do everything they can to create as many as they can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Responsibly, safely, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: is on the floor. There is no second of the motion. I'm sorry, Melanie.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If there's no further questions we have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. Thank you. Thank you for the parents that are on and that spoke. We hear you. We hear you. I thank the administration for doing this work and continuing the work. Next up, we have old business. Go to the order offered by member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion to table has been approved. Number 11, communications. I don't believe we have any. We've handled five and a half hours of communication. Number 12, new business. Do you wanna do this tonight or you wanna move it to the next agenda?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: for the first one tonight, okay. Resolution in support of expedited COVID-19 vaccinations for students. Whereas of April 12th, 2021, the coronavirus pandemic has infected over 30.4 million individuals in the United States and resulted in more than 551,638 deaths across the country and 17,185 in Massachusetts. Whereas our strong public education system, which is essential to the individual and community well-being of our society, is facing unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic and lack of clear national, state, and local directional resources. These challenges include, but are not limited to, the academic and social emotional toll on students, as well as the need to rapidly pivot to distance learning, clean and equip school facilities to adapt to new health protocols and social distancing, assess and address the risks to teachers, staff, and students, whereas vaccines have proven to be the most effective strategy to reduce and eliminate the spread of infectious disease and are an important and necessary tool for eradicating disease and vaccines are anticipated to be approved for use for some school-aged children in the coming weeks. Whereas the current Commonwealth vaccine distribution system created access issues for eligible residents that could create greater access disparities among school-aged children. And whereas the Medford Public Schools is committed to the health and safety of its students and staff, now therefore be it resolved that the Medford School Committee, number one, calls on the state legislature, the governor, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, create a vaccine rollout plan for school-aged children that puts the distribution in the hands of local officials and eliminates accessibility barriers to students and their families. Number two, calls on the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to publicly advocate for local control of vaccine distribution for school-age children. And three, directs the district superintendent to transmit official copies of this resolution to the following, the commissioner of DESE, the governor of Massachusetts, Senator Warren, Senator Markey, Congresswoman Clark, Senator Jalen, Representative Donato, Garbaly, and Barber, and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Offered by Member Graham and Member Ruseau. Is there a motion on the floor with a second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion is approved. Motion to table number two. Motion to table number two, seconded by member Van der Kloot. Member Van der Kloot, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Number two is tabled.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I'm missing number three. I have, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have the condolences. Number four is my page five, for some reason. Yeah, I think it was a misprint.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. School committee resolution condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. James F. Jim McKinnon, a former English teacher, head football coach, and submaster at Medford High School. Also, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Alan K. McDougall, former Mustang football captain of 1985 Greater Boston League champions, and former freshman football coach at Medford High School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Leon Appiani, the son of the late Mr. Leo Appiani, former math teacher and varsity boys basketball coach at Medford High School. Also, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Alfonso J. Citrano, great uncle of Mrs. Gina Citrano of the Medford Public Schools Business Office. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Ms. Amitunisa Bagam, mother-in-law of Math Director, Ms. Faiza Khan. If we may all take a moment of silence. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there anything else you guys want to discuss?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion adjourned by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: in the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website www.medfordma.org. For this meeting members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance members of the public will be permitted. but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we aren't able to do so despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford or Medford Community Media websites and audio or video recording transcript or other comprehensive record of proceeding as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 22, Verizon channel 43 at 5 p.m. Medford Public Schools is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. You can call in by using 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 912-2512-8810 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. Session one strategic plan round table. The school committee is hosting these sessions to collaborate and share ideas that will help inform potential revisions to be made to the Medford Public Schools strategic plan. Discussions will include, does Medford Public Schools current mission statement adequately describe the long range goals you feel Medford Public Schools should aspire to? Why or why not? What changes or suggestions do you have? Does MPS current vision statement adequately describe what you feel Medford Public Schools should achieve in the next X amount of years? Why or why not? What input changes or suggestions do you have? Also, what key actions does Medford Public Schools need to take to demonstrate forward progress towards our vision in so many years and in what timeframe? Signed Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent of the Medford Public Schools. Welcome, everybody. I believe we're going to have facilitators and note takers in each room. And I'm sure Dr. Cushing is going to put us into rooms accordingly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Other than a roll call by member McLaughlin, I don't see that listed. But that's up to all of us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All set. Dr. Edwards-Benton, you should be set.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, you're freezing. Facilitators. We missed that, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, you froze. After you announced all four interpreters. Oh, frozen again.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, you got cut off right after that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Teixeira, if you want to go first, which room will you be in? And you are?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, great job member McLaughlin. Up next.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You covered everything very well. Maybe just the one thing I thought would be a great addition is somebody, I think Ms. Cohen mentioned when you talk about school, family and community as it relates to meetings and the word engage or engagement. is, I think, important because we want to keep people engaged. But otherwise, you covered it perfectly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, and thank you all for joining us. Is there a motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't believe she's with us tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'm present, so that's six present. Oh, sorry, Mayor. And one absent. Again, thank you all for joining us. Tomorrow's will be actually 6 to 7.30, a little bit different time. So 6 to 7 30, same three questions. Please feel free to join us again. I'm sure we'll have additional guardians and parents, but thank you. Have a great night, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Motion to adjourn, one is absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 order suspended certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and then Governor's March 15, 2020 order imposing strict limitations of the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information on the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we aren't able to do so, despite best efforts, we will post in the city of Medford and Medford community media websites and audio or video recording transcript to other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. You can call in by using the phone number 1-929-205-6099. Enter meeting ID 988-5234-6189 when prompted. If you could take the roll, member McLaughlin, please. Member Graham. Here. Member Kreatz. Here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot, if you just unmute yourself, please. Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. 7 present, 0 absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have negotiations and legal matters and executive session. Executive session of the Medford School Committee pursuant to General Law 30A, Section 21A. In preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel, specifically the negotiation process involving the superintendent's individual employment agreement, the Medford School Committee will reconvene in public session following the executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Move to executive session, seconded by member Rousseau. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I'm in the affirmative. Zero in the negative. We are going to go into executive session and revert out as soon as possible. We are exiting our executive session meeting. We are a couple minutes late, but pretty good for time, 637. We are recording. We already took the roll and saluted the flag. And if I may just take a moment, I just want to recognize that there are often topics that are controversial in nature. that many have opinions, strong opinions, one way or another. I respect that. I respect respectful dialogue and debate. But what happened last Wednesday, which was obviously a topic of contention, the insults and the name calling, even after I had asked for people to be respectful, will not be tolerated. If somebody uses or calls another person on the Zoom or a member of the admin or a member of the school committee or vice versa, a name or is insulting, you will be muted and you will not be allowed to speak for the rest of the meeting. If any of my colleagues object, please let me know at the time. And I'll ask Dr. Cushing if he can also monitor that because insults and disrespect name calling will not be tolerated. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, through the chair and name and address will be taken for the record. name and address before you speak, please. And that will be for this school committee meeting, and we will follow those rules for every school committee moving forward. Next up, we have approval of minutes. That was the March 8th, 2021 school committee meeting, our regular meeting. If there is a motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member McLaughlin, seconded by member Van der Kloot, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The minutes from the March 8th, 2021 meeting have been approved. Number four, approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payrolls. Motion of approval. Motion for approval by member Bandiclute, seconded by member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven of the affirmative, zero in the negative. Bills and approval of payrolls has been approved. Is there a report of secretary?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Next up, we have number six, report of committees. First up, member Kreatz, you're the chair of the building and ground subcommittee meeting, which took place on March 3rd, 2021.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Approval seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 7 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative. Nits are approved. Number two, chair is member Paulette van de Kloot for the curriculum subcommittee meeting held on March 10th, 2021. If you could give a brief synopsis.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, number three, committee of the whole meeting, March 10th, 2021. That was myself. That was our meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table by Member Ruseau, seconded by... Second. Member Graham, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Number three is tabled. Number four, we have personnel and budget subcommittee meeting March 16th, 2021. Chair of that committee is Member Mustone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Motion for approval of the minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve the minutes by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Miss Stone. I second. Committee roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number five, special education behavioral health subcommittee meeting, March 18th, 2021, offered by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, Member McLaughlin. Is there a motion on the floor to accept the minutes? Motion to accept the minutes. Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The minutes are approved. Member Van der Kloot, would you like to table yours until the end of the meeting or till next meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds great. Motion to table number two till the meeting on April 12th by member of Van der Kloot seconded by second member Graham roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero in the negative. Meeting minutes are tabled. Number seven, we have community participation, public participation emails, yes. I have several emails on that. Okay, let me just read this and then you can... Yeah, sorry. Public participation emails, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Do you want to screen share that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So offline before you sorry. Remember, we had a group member will often do have something to say.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Van de Gloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Van der Kloot. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Yes, Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, great. Thank you very much. Which is next up, actually. So, number eight, report of Superintendent. Number one, Superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We have Member McLaughlin, Member Ruseau, then Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Graham, then Ms. Galussi, then we're gonna go to the community members.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Vanessa, name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Vanessa. I reached out to the afterschool director and I know we are actively trying to hire additional personnel to provide additional spots for our students. I don't know if anybody on the call has any other update than that, but that was last week. That's the most recent I received. We are actively trying to hire additional personnel so we can make more room and allow more families to be involved in afterschool program. You have anything else? I know member Ruseau also has a resolution regarding afterschool program. So we can expect an update on this in the near future as well. And next up is Sharon Hayes. just address for the record, please. One second, Sharon, let me get you unmuted. You're good to go?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Ms. Rocha? Three minutes, name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Okay, next up we have number two COVID-19 public health update and Medford Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update. Nurse supervisor, Ms. Toni Ray and Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ray. I'm going to move on to Mr. David Murphy, number three, budget update presentation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we were on with Tony Roselli, our outside auditors who is following ANF and DLS. very closely. And as of Friday, there was no guidance to the federal stimulus. So I'm hoping to get guidance as soon as possible with regards to the restrictions and how that can be spent. And then we will figure it out and give the schools a number as soon as we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 39.26 million.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's for revenue loss from last year until 2025.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would expect it soon. I was set up the meeting for last Friday, expecting the outside auditors would have that information and just wasn't available yet from DLS. But Mr. Heath was from A and F was working on it. So I would expect it this week or next next the latest. Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Up next, we have update on summer programming, summer fund programming, Medford Vocational Technical High School summer Discovery Program, Dr. Peter Cushing, Mr. Bob, Bobby Maloney and Principal Chad Fallon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Fallon, welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Fallon. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. We have report on activities planned for senior class 2021, Dr. Peter Cushing, principal.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think they were all inclusive and just said they were working on all three programs, but is there anything else you wanna clarify Dr. Cushing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So in Dr. Cushing, the athletic department runs the summer fund program?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Community schools. Which is the athletic department. Correct. Okay. If we could have a second on the motion to get a further update and have... Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Motion that the summer fund program further update be placed on the April 12, 2021 agenda by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. This will be placed on our summer fund program update. Further update will be placed in the April 12th agenda. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number five, we have, again, report on activities planned for our senior class 2021, Dr. Peter Cushing, Principal Paul DeLeva, and Principal Chad Fallon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you all. Member Van de Kloop?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So can we do- I don't know, I just want to make sure you're coordinating with Ms. Catalo's efforts, because she had somewhat of a community parent meeting that my office was involved in a week or two ago, and so the ball is rolling for different ideas.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My meeting, it was we learned about it the day of and I just had sent somebody to my office to learn, learn more. It was a parent group that had the discussion. So I'd say that's great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Okay. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: that it's up to the superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, Heather, name and address the record. You have three minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Heather. We have been talking about it for a while. I know the admin's working hard on it. We have some surprises that are coming. So they're getting there. Dr. Cushing, anything you want to elaborate on as well?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Mayor. Number six. No, Mayor. member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll send it forward. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks. Great question. Number six, report on the solar panel project at the Andrews Middle School. Ms. Alicia Hunt, director of energy environment. And I did tell Alicia that I could handle this. I know we were all given the documentation from Dr. Cushing today. And the main gist of the request is for us to approve that the city may lease rooftop space on Madeline Duggar Andrews Public School to a third party for the purpose of installing solar panels to generate electricity for use by the school building and to lease a portion of the parking area to install carport solar panels. No parking spaces will be removed to accommodate the carport solar panels, which will be supported above the parking spaces. This request is a step in the project that was previously before this body to install solar and storage at the Andrew School. The solar and storage is intended to offset the energy use at the building, reducing the cost of electricity with the school and allowing the building to operate off grid in the event of a major electricity outage. The approval of the school committee will allow the city to enter into an agreement with a third party to allow it to install, operate and maintain the solar panels on the roof and in the parking lot and to sell the electricity generated to the city at a price which would not exceed the price the city would presently pay to its existing energy providers. The panels will be financed and owned by the third party.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. In light of recent events in Boston regarding the participation of the student representative to the school committee, conversation with the current representatives, Colin Bailey and David Mai, will take place at 4 p.m. on March 24th, 2021 at the Rules, Policy and Equity Subcommittee meeting to understand how they are experiencing participation as our student representatives, as well as what changes may be necessary to better integrate their voices and respect their participation as critical members of the committee. Motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval. Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Zero the negative paper is approved. Offered by member Rousseau. As Medford public schools continue to work towards implementing our value of equity and taking action to root out systems that work against equity, the after school and before school application processes will require demographic data on the students and families that apply for our limited enrollment in these programs. This deep data will not be used to select applicants but will be used in the future to guide new policy decisions and in our efforts to create a more equitable system. Data will be connected to applicants so that we can understand how changes in policy affects enrollment and wait lists. Motion for approval. Unless member Ruseau, do you want to say anything or motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Motion to approve. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I'm in the affirmative, zero in the negative. It says that might've been offered by Member Ruseau and Member Graham on my next page, page four. So thank you both. We have school committee condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Helen Alpers. mother of former superintendent of schools, administrative assistant, Denise Chiesa Mahoney, aunt of administrative assistant for early childhood program, Cheryl Alpers, and grandmother-in-law of director of humanities, Dr. Nicole Chiesa. Also, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Robert Olson, a former custodian for the Medford Public Schools, husband of Lee Olson. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Susan Bratton, known to many as Sue, was a graduate of Summerville High School and proud of it. She received her bachelor and master's degree from Boston College in the field of language, Latin, which was her love. She began her career over 20 years in the Medford Public Schools as a paraprofessional. She started her employee at the Franklin School as a one-to-one with a student who had mobility problems. Later, she spent time at the McGlynn Complex doing what she loved to do, work with children who needed special care. Susan touched the lives of many students, parents, and faculty alike in the Medford Public Schools. If we all may take a moment of silence. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. I don't want to mispronounce the name. Does anybody? I don't want to mispronounce your name. Miss Scott.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Kreatz, roll call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmive, zero in the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post in the City of Medford and Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon Channel 43 at 5 p.m. You can call in by using 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 998-2637-3736 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows, discussion of projects to be completed with the $816,000 left over from the science labs, $125,000 remaining from the Boyle project, and additional monies to be identified for capital improvements. Signed, Dr. Maurice-Edouard Vincent, superintendent of schools. Member McLaughlin, if you could take the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. We can start out. And I think we have a big birthday in the crowd, right, 50? Well, happy birthday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll announce it at this meeting when not many people watch it. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure if we have Mr. McLaughlin on, but I know we have the school administration. I don't know if you wanna get us started and then we can ask questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That'd be great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Freedom Way is, sorry. Yes, Freedom Way is on the radar. I'm trying to get a most recent update from City Engineer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The week of the 13th, we did repair all the potholes and I got an update that our city engineer is working to get Freedom Way accepted as a city of Medford Street so we can use chapter 90 funding to repair it. So our city engineer is working on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: HAB-Juliette Boone, Moderatoring): Yes, it Melanie I saw member McLaughlin the member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Griff, if I may just about the heating and cooling at the high school, has there ever been an evaluation or a feasibility study to get everything up and running accordingly?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In heat, just an evaluation of what's working, what's not and what works at all?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham has a floor and then Member Van der Kloot. Jenny, do you have a point of clarification?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Was he unable to attend or is he on vacation?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. I think it will be very helpful for the vision committee as well to see that prior to starting their discussions. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy and school admin. I don't know if anybody else has anything. We have four more minutes before our regular meeting. Member Van der Kloothe, member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And I think a big decision we have to make is how much are we going to more we're going to put into this high school. And for me, I mean, even if we do a brand new high school, it's going to take several years. And I feel like we need a new sign and landscaping and the structural engineer to come out and say how much it will cost for ADA accessibility. I feel like our students need updated bathrooms, even if it's two to four to six. We really do need to move forward with that RFP because the next four or five years of students are going to be in that building because it's going to take quite a while to build if we can get an MSBA loan or funded in a brand new high school in another way. I think it's important to make these upgrades. We've spent millions on science labs and a new pool, new roofing. We've had Leslie come in and do new gyms and a new TV station. We need to continue that work. Do I'm talking millions? No, but we need to continue to upgrade it and continue to assess the needs of the heating and air conditioning because our students students deserve it, the ones that are gonna be in there in the next five to 10 years. So that's just my opinion. Thank you for giving us time to think about it, Mr. Murphy. And I say, continue with the RFP and obviously come back to this committee for a vote before it's finalized so we can make a decision on how many bathrooms we'll do. But I think this was a good start to discussing the capital needs of the district.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're gonna exit out of this meeting. Superintendent contract is in the next Zoom, 6 to 6.30.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot, if I may, I did get that email as well. And I did respond because Dr. Cushing and I, we were going by the raised hand function. So I did respond that we called on everybody, including two people twice. So I wanted to confirm with him that he wasn't physically raising his hand, make sure his camera was on, because I'm very cognizant of that as are all the committee members.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think putting them in the record is the best option for right now, because I know a number of people want to speak as well. Thank you, Member Van der Kloot. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, I think you must, I think you may have amendments to the, to the resolution. So I think we should take it the resolution in sections. So you would make, I would ask that you make the amendments or we discuss each section one at a time and whether we, main thing we need to decide which one we're gonna go off of. So that's, it's completely up to you, but I would say we do a section by section.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, we're gonna do public participation, and then we will, mine are similar to yours, Member Van der Kloot, we'll work off of one, maybe Paul's, where you know yours best, and we'll go through it one section at a time, knowing those are the key issues. Anne-Marie?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right, that's what we're here to figure out tonight, Anne-Marie. this will outline as best we can how many meetings it will take for the school committee, the advisory committee and create a timeline for that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Anne-Marie. That was it. We have, I don't know the name, iPhone X.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: that you'll have more time to speak on each issue. Dave, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was the iPhone X. Okay, we'll have... Yep, he's in queue, or she. He or she is in queue. I just unmuted Nadine, and then we'll go...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Nadine, hold off one second. Yes, go ahead, sir. What's your name?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, the two petitions we received, one was in favor, that was $350,000. 96 people, and then the petition we were given on Monday was from a different group, Medford United, and that was, oh, I think 650 Medford residents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Nadine, are you unmuted?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, yes, there you go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Nadine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Bill, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A little bit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. I will work on getting a breakdown of how much this will cost. I'm not sure as of tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The school committee has the authority to change the name of a school. That's the only answer I can give you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot. Is two minutes up? Yes. We have Marie.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Marie. I'm going to go down the list, but I'm just, I did see somebody physically raising their hand. So we just, on the bottom of your screen, there's a raise hand button. If not, I do see you Carol. So I will get to you, but let's just go and order Seth.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Seth. Brenna.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's not on the table now. Tonight's discussion is about a process for the renaming of the Columbus School. Mayor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Thank you, Brenna. Mr. Carbone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Katie. I know Carol had her hand up. Carol, are you still on? I don't want to miss you, and you would be next if I went in order.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just unmuted you, Carol, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Carol. Okay, that's it. Ms. Rocha? Ms. Rocha, I just want to meet with you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Anthony?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, if you could try to unmute too. It doesn't work for me all the time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Here we go. There you go. You have two minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that I'm sorry. It's okay. We can hear you now if you want to go ahead.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're losing you again.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Jean Nouza. Jean, you should be unmuted now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I know we said two minutes per person, but you could speak as we go through the policy. So Anne-Marie, David, and Nadine, you'll be the first to speak. I think we were gonna take it section by section, so. The first section of the policy is with regards to the application form for membership in the advisory committee. We have a date here. that the application form will be done by this Friday, the 12th at 5 p.m. I'm just gonna read what the form will include so we can discuss that in its entirety and then obviously have people comment if they'd like. I do have a question on something myself on this one. On the form will be the full name, address, contact information. Why do you wanna be on the advisory committee? Suggested new name for the school, including the following name, brief explanation for why you think the name should be considered relationship of the suggestion to Medford. Are you a current or former member of the Columbus Elementary School community? Are you related to a school committee member? And if so, how will you require an interpreter? Do you have access to a computer and an internet connection to participate in Zoom meetings? Demographics information includes age, gender, sexual orientation, household income, educational attainment. What language do you mainly speak at home? Racial ethnic identity. And the superintendent will create a name. Okay, so that is the name chain. That is the form. Does anybody have any questions on that form? Member Kreatz, member Van der Kloot, I'm going to let the school committee ask questions first, then we're going to go to Anne-Marie, Nadine, David, Nicole, and Kristen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Kreatz. Member van de Kloot? Just unmute yourself, member van de Kloot, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I agree. I believe E, which is the suggested names for the school should be removed from this form. We're gonna make sure Susie's taking good notes on this. Okay, so you wanna add the availability. What is the availability onto this form?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think the best way to have one of us have a working document to make these changes is to start with one, either member Bandiclute's or member Ruseau's and make the changes right on shared access. Agree. And if I may ask a question, because I know that you put the motion forward, Dr. Edouard-Vincent or the admin team, what is the timeframe? for you. I know it's only a few days, so I'm not opposed to a few days extra if you need it. I just wanted to hear from you first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. So first member Van der Kloot and member Rousseau. Jenny, can you send it to Jenny or I, the word, it in words, so one of us can type this up, please. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would you mind doing it only so that while you're typing, I can let the residents speak and I'll keep track of that. And you can type whether you share it at the end or not. And which one am I working from? Member Van der Kloot, we were going to do yours because you severed the two forms. So let's start there. Let's start with Member Van der Kloot. Kathy has a motion on the floor. Before that motion is called to change the date, we're going to let the residents speak on this issue. So Anne-Marie.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're working on that tonight so that there's proposals, we don't have that set in stone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, good, good questions. And I think we're here to hash a lot of those out. But thank you for the questions. Nadine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. David McKillop.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, David. Nicole.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Personally, very much so, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Nicole.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Jean. Jean, you're unmuted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Carbone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Carboni, we do have the question. Are you a current or former member of the Columbus Elementary School community? If so, how so we can potentially make that a question mark if we should ask for the date of when they attended or worked there. So thank you. Martha? Dr. Cushing, you might be muting them and unmuting them. I think we're both playing around. There we go, Martha.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I will unmute you. Or try.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Just let me know. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Bri?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Eunice?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, Aline. Hold on one second. Trying to unmute you. Oh my gosh.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Tony. Then we'll go to Robert. I apologize.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're on Tony. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Robert Galasso. Yeah, Paul, you mentioned he was waving. Let me just... Okay, I don't see that he's on actually anymore. So, Amy and Mariana.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dan?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Dan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Melissa?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Melissa. Member Graham, I'm not sure if you want to screen share so we can ask over the amendments and changes. I think we're changing the date of the 12th to the 15th for when the application form for membership in the advisory committee will be prepared. We're moving the suggestion, E on Paul's at least, the suggestion new name for the school, including the following. while we move to the naming form proposals. We're gonna add the availability of those applying to be on the advisory committee to the form. Yeah, that's already there. Okay, and then we have questions about the demographics, including, and I know it's been discussed, so we're gonna take out Number three, sexual orientation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you, Member Graham. So we'll just, if anybody has questions on this or any additional changes, we could comment. I see Member Ruseau's hand. Go ahead.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They're all optional. Okay, so if there's any other amendments, any members, would like to make to this section, please let us know now. Otherwise we can do an all-inclusive motion to amend this section so that it will, or we can do it at the end as well and move on, but.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can, maybe Memogram could increase the.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if we can all read number four as well to make sure there's no questions on number four can just work our way down to application timeline next. If there's no further questions, we can go on to the name selection form details. And I'll read out loud. I mean, I can read out loud as well. I read from Paul's for the first section. I'll read from Paul S for the second. It's submission of names for consideration. The school committee will request the superintendent or her designee to develop a form to be used to submit names for consideration. The form will include the following name, full name, address, contact information. Are you a current or former member of the Columbus Elementary School community? We will add, and if so, when. Name you are suggesting and a brief explanation of why you think the name should be considered. Relationship of the suggestion to Medford are related to the name you submitted, if so, how. Any other information that you can provide to the advisory committee for their consideration. Individuals applying to be on the advisory committee may submit names. Each name submitted for consideration should be listed on separate forms. the name of Christopher Columbus will not be considered a valid submission. Mayor? Yes, Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The same. And then I just want to make sure there's a timeline so that people have more than enough time to do research and submit names. So do we want to put a timeline here?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions or comments from the school committee? the submission of names for consideration. I will see if there's any. Nadine? Nadine? Did you want to speak? Did you want to speak on submission of names for consideration?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we didn't get to the timeline section yet. The only timeline we've got to was when the form would be complete, which will be, we changed that from this Friday to Monday. Okay, but- Timeline hasn't been discussed yet, and there's no motion on the table to table the matter. No motion on the floor to table the matter right now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ann Marie?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ingrid. Yes, you do have to be a Metro resident is what we have on our sheet right now. So if this is approved, you'd have to be a Medford resident. And we are down the line going to discuss who will be eligible and definitely want to give some, there's section 10, at least in Paul's and I believe Paulette's has it as well. That's why we ask on the application, if you're a parent or teacher at the Columbus school, so we can discuss that as we go. Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Yeah, Jenny, Member Graham, it's not screen sharing, so maybe, sorry, thank you. Sorry, sorry. Member Vanderlew, will we screen share?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what your date was, what member of it include?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To apply in name change.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just if you're applying to be on this committee and you have to submit your application, by April 16th that you're interested in being on the committee. Couldn't we open it up to suggested names a little longer?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, name changes would be going to the committee, not necessarily to us. So people could have all of April vacation and then be able to submit a name after that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? This is with regards to timeline for the advisory committee and the name suggestions. So my question is, advisory committee will have to submit by April 16th. And then the proposed name changes, I'm asking, should we give people a little bit more time, even if it's through April vacation, to have the ability to do some research and write up what name that they are suggesting? And the name suggestions would then go to the advisory committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or mayor. And member Kreatz has her hand as well. So member Van der Kloot, if you wanna just.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree with that too, member Kreatz, thank you. And this is a public committee, so all the records will be public. Everybody will be able to see all 300. And I think it's the job of the advisory committee. So that may be something we have to vote on. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so we are gonna change that. All name suggestions will go to the advisory committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll work that change in while we take a few more comments. We have Adam.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We don't necessarily have to take the role. Well, we can take the role if there's opposition. So if anybody has opposition, we can do a roll call now. Otherwise, we're kind of just working with a living document. You can call the roll. Okay, before the rolls call, then let me
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It would be it would be Paul Paulets that we accept Paulets wording on on this language. So why don't we write it in and then screen share it? and I'm gonna call on the residents that would like to speak on this issue. Mike Kugno.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Mike. My privilege, Mayor Point of privilege member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. And then I see two people with their hands up, so I'm gonna take the three people with their hands up next.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have Sharon and then Lee. Sharon, you gotta wait till we unmute you, please. It doesn't do it. It takes some time for me for some reason. Oh, geez, where'd you go? Dr. Cushing, could you maybe try, I'm not able to unmute her.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Deanna, and then we're going to go to Grace.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And maybe you wanna go into your comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that's one of many, many arguments and there's arguments on both sides. So I'm not sure if anybody's gonna answer it specifically.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This was proposed. Yeah, this was proposed in June and was on a school committee meeting. By who?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member. Ms. Stone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Grace. We're still going through the process, so we can take that into account, absolutely. Paul, I'm going to people that have not spoken yet at all, and then I will.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Paul. Member Van de Koot, I'm looking at yours. I thought yours had that it would be that this preference to naming it after somebody from Medford, but I'm just, can't locate that line.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, there is language, Paul, and all that we're gonna debate on this being named after somebody from Medford. So we wouldn't get to that section yet, but we will. So thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yes, one speaks about 21 people, one, I think 15. So we didn't get to that yet. Member McLaughlin? And we'll discuss alternates.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you please explain that? I think the document needs to be screen shared so we can see where we're at and continue to plug through. I did mention
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As long as we don't vote on the language in its entirety before the second round, I think that's fine. That's fine. Okay, motion on the floor by Member McLaughlin, amended by Member Graham, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, six in the affirmative, one in the negative. So right now public comment is open. I'm going to go through Mr. Carboni.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Annemarie.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can just comment to that. Most of the questions that are coming in relate to answers that we haven't even got to yet. The amount of people on the committee, how we're gonna submit the applications, who's gonna look at them, are we gonna look at them and then give five to the committee. We just wanna get through that a little bit so that we can answer those questions. We don't know how much exactly this is gonna cost. I believe the main amount is gonna be for signage. We are trying to answer the questions as best we can and just get through the documents so people know what they wanna comment on after, whether they're for or against something and we can make those changes as needed. Amy and Mary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Diane.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Eliza?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is the policy on how to rename.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Nadia.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Nadia.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Joanna?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Hendricks?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'm trying to go to people who haven't spoke yet, Erica.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Erica. Member van der Kloet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. Ron can go next. We haven't heard from Ron yet. Let me just unmute you, Ron.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ron.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Please, if we could just work through comments, if everybody could choose kindness and just be respectable. Please, please, let's get through this. Jessica.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of personal privilege member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, if you want to know, you can't ask for the maiden name. You
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could address Mr. Rousseau as Mr. Rousseau, you name and address the record, and then you have two minutes, you have the rest of your two minutes, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, everything needs to be addressed through the chair. Please. through the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not in favor of ending participation, If we could just stop with the insults. We need to move on. We need to get through this. And we wanna hear from people. We just, if everybody could please be respectful. Mayor. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we've heard from everybody that has their hand raised. We can always take a motion. If we get through another paragraph or two, we can always take a motion to hear more public comment. and not wait till the end. Let's just get through another paragraph or two at least, and we will hear more public participation. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll be appointed as- If I may, before you finish, will you please screen share that? Or I don't know if member Graham has that right in her document.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're gonna need to screen share.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I just may comment again, if we put the, principal and the two staff, that's gonna depend a great deal on how large, for me, the committee is, whether it's 11 people, 15, 21.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct. Okay. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Kaye, yes. should be able to press unmute, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That would not negate the students from doing an individual name with their family's help. No, they could still submit a name.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Mayor. Member Van der Kloot and then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. And we also have Dr. Edward Benson who'd like to comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so by April 16, 2021, a Medford High School student who attended the Columbus School is a member of the CCSR and who is able to make the time commitment will be selected by his, her, their peers to be a member of the advisory committee. So make it a little bit more broad so that, I mean, what if we have a great student that is not part of CCSR?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you could leave it in, but you could say preferably. So a Medford High School student, preferably one who attended Columbus School and or is a member of CCSR.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My concern is with the timeline that is being suggested to fulfill every single
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's assuming you're gonna have more than one person interested that even fits that non-broad category. That's my concern that we'll get to the last day and we say, we're supposed to have a committee today, but we have three slots that aren't filled by the exact specifications listed in the policy we set. So that's a concern of mine. HAB-Charlotte Pitts, Moderator, Secretary of Staff Members Meeting, Page 2 of 13 Miss Kay, would you like to speak? And before you speak, I cannot see Member Ruseau, Member McLaughlin, or Member Kreatz. So if you'd like to speak and chime in, please just- Member Kreatz has had her hand up, Mayor. Okay, yeah, I can't see everybody. So please just chime in. Miss Kay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz then, Miss Kay, if you don't mind.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz, if you press the little arrow next to the mute button, It says test speaker and microphone sometimes, and then you hit yes if you can hear it. Sometimes that happens on my work computer. You can also change the option in there and that sometimes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Why don't we allow Ms. Kaye, if you could make your comment while Member Kreatz tries to unmute. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you. Thanks. Mayor. Sorry. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Okay, let's go through one more section. And then I know there's hands up from the community, so let's... Okay, on April 26th, 2021, a committee of the whole be held to select and confirm the 15 voting members and one ex officio member as follows. So the question is, is 15 a good number for everybody? Can we agree on that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: discussing, I too have concerns about each of us picking two people. And I'm questioning if it should be someone from, I'm sorry, but somebody from our administration to do it, to make sure it's a diverse group of whatever that may be, 13, 15, 21 people. So that's just a thought I wanted to throw out there. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What about allowing the admin to fully vet and pick the committee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, but so isn't a lottery.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The lottery is not part of our policy, so that's where it's.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But I think the administration, not that I want to put anything on the administration, but should be responsible for picking this committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Need to make sure this is a diverse committee, and I'm not sure how we do that if we're each picking two members.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A blind application, or we could pick our top five or 10 and we are, picking the names, but the administration can finalize the committee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. It's all in the wording. So I don't know. That would be my suggestion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: know to pick blind I don't I don't know um maybe you could just say yours again mayor because I really didn't get we pick a number so say 50 applications come in we each pick our top 10 we give those top 10 to the administration and they have they have a tough task on their hands but they're going to see seven people's top 10 and they're going to be able to make sure it's a diverse they're going to finalize a committee of diverse members so If seven of us pick seven Italian-Americans because we heard loud and clear how they feel, that's not a diverse committee. But the administration would have the ability to do that out of our top selections, like the policy says. We have to select. They will finalize.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Administration, some of them don't live here, they're not gonna have biases. I feel like it would be a better way moving forward to build the trust in the community that we so badly need to try to restore.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. So, Mayor. Yes, and people's hands are raised. So, I mean, I feel like we need to... I don't know if we all... We'll go through a few paragraphs. I would move to... Somebody wants to make a motion to take those hands that are raised before we make a final decision on this one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We passed the motion, yes, and now it's 10.15. It's been probably another hour and there's hands raised and people want to speak. So I'm asking if somebody will move, I'm in the chair, I'm asking if somebody will move the motion to make that change and allow people to speak. Motion to allow the people to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative zero in the negative. Yeah, we're gonna stick to the two minutes and one time one time each so that we can move on to the next page, and then we'll do public comment again at the end. Mike Kugner.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're breaking up, Mike. I'm sorry. You're breaking up. Will we be biased? No, I'll do my best not to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We don't even have a process yet. We're working on that. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ingrid. Ms. Kay, I'm sure you'll be working on a plan in the next week to get the students involved. So I know you probably don't have We'll work hard on that. Thank you. And then I'm blanking on the second question. Student involvement. I know that was her main point, but okay. Jessica.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll get Michael, Mari, Seth, Marie and Marie. We're only allowing people to speak once and then we're moving on and then we can have more public participation. So Michael.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Michael, hold on one second. Go ahead. Sorry, Michael.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Michael. Mari?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Seth.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Anne-Marie?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Graduation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Everybody can speak once on this and we'll go back. So Tony, you're next.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, you're good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Melissa?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I just have to point out, I mean, we also have to remember that when it came before our desks in an agenda on a Friday, this was voted on on a Monday. So I agree, we've had many long nights on this. We've been able to, since then, read emails, talk to people, but we did take the vote. I know three of us voted to table it to allow more time for public engagement, but we did take a vote. We learned about it on a Friday and we took a vote on a Monday and people are upset, we have to acknowledge that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Amy and Anna.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'm losing track of who already spoke on this, but I think Nicole's next and then Lee. is waving at me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you could address the chair, please. Nicole?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The thing is- If I could adjust the chair, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I lost track a little bit of who spoke. I know Ingrid and Jessica spoke. We have to move on to our final page or so. Hendricks, I don't think you spoke on this issue. I'm trying to keep track.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If we remember Graham, if you could screen share, we can move on to finish this document. Please. I have a tooth fairy to get to. My son was very upset yesterday. The tooth fairy didn't come.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Not last night. Some calm of relief. I know. Hi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I heard the word move on. Yeah, I'm hoping we can do that now. I know Memogram's going to share the screen. Thank you. I let people talk because I didn't know if this was going to lead to a vote, so we can just kind of finalize it. Is there a motion on the floor? Is there a motion on the floor to change this in any way? So that we can just- On the first sentence, it should be the, the should be removed are the- Up to four individuals selected from the Columbus school staff. Oh, wait, no, maybe it should be up to four.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and then each school committee member, right now it reads, each school committee member will select a member for the advisory committee from the valid applications received and will state the names publicly in the event that an applicant is selected by more than one school committee member, the members will continue to name applicants until a total of seven advisory committee members have been made by the school committee. Three additional names will be selected by lottery from the remaining applicants.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member- Sorry, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can everybody just state a number of how many committee members you're thinking, you're not held to it, just so we can kind of have an idea moving forward through this list.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You want one member? 20 plus. Paul, you want 20 plus?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can I just stop you, member Cress, I didn't hear you. How many members were you thinking? Just so we can, I didn't hear what your number was.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We agreed to do at least three of the lottery. The school committee sets the policy, and we can change the policy. what do we feel is best to move forward with the committee to do such important work as to change the name of the Columbus School? I think we all were in agreement, there should be some component of the lottery. So I would say leave that in there and we'll change our other policy if we need to. But for right now, I know Kathy, that means a lot to you to have some component as a lottery. So I agree that that should remain. And I believe other committee members did as well. So I feel like that's something we agreed on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That would depend on how many members we have. So do you believe that there should be 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, because there's three of us at least that believe it should be 15 or less. And if it's 15 or less, it's gonna be the Columbus school individuals. It's gonna be probably one person per member. It's gonna be one high school student, three from, you know, in a number from the lottery. So we need to get an idea of how many members there would be first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then Mia, Member Mustone, did you give a number for the committee that you're thinking?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think the 21 has it then. I mean, we should base it somewhat off of that because there's four people that believe it should be 21. three that feel it should be 15 or less. So it's okay. That helps to get an idea. Anybody can change their mind. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I would just leave number one, I would put two per member and then I would put all the additional up to 21 pulled from a lottery? I'm sorry, Mayor, can you say that again? Leave number one, how it stands up to four selected from the Columbus School staff, Principal Kathy Bay and the one MHS student. So that's upwards of five. Then you have two per member, that's 14. And then the rest shall be pulled from the lottery, whatever that number that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Four people in number one, four people in number one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Three, sorry, up to three.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Yeah, that's not a bad idea, because I don't have anybody in mind right now. I'd like to see who applies. Member van de Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know. And number one, we don't know where that's gonna land at one, two, or three, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You know what, that's fine. but maybe you can write one of my picks will be the chair. And if the committee needs another number to make it the 21 or 23, I mean, I can have a pick then. Otherwise I'll just have the chair and I'll have one other pick. But if there is 20 members, the mayor gets another pick and that will help us solve number one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So if number one is full, we'll have a full committee of 23 and an alternate. If it's not, then it may lead us to go into number five, which would allow me two picks plus the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I would just ask for the change on that to be historical society, historical commission, historical district commission, just so I have a large enough pool to find somebody that's willing to do it. Sure. Yeah, historical commission, historical district commission. Those are the three bodies we have in Medford that could help me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, please. Thanks. Yeah. Member herself.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that further down? I think that removal is further down, we can add that. I'm almost sure. I'm sorry, okay. Yeah, we can put it down here. Yeah, removal's positive that if somebody, well, if somebody doesn't show up to meetings or something is in here, so we can send that. That was in Paul.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was in mine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let's keep going.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think three of us think it's too big, but we've lost that, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One second. I trust Ms. Kay will start immediately to get student involvement, so we don't really have to set a timeline, but maybe we can just ask her, even on the side tonight, to keep us posted, even if it's a every Friday email on what the school's doing to get the students involved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I'm sure teachers will get involved to try to make it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One more second. Nope.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that's important as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number three, the advisory committee will develop criteria for evaluating the names. The advisory committee will determine the process for vetting the names, narrowing the field, and submitting three finalists to the school committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just a thought. if you went with the three names, and even if we decided a later time, but a community survey to really put it out to the community, not only the children of the Columbus and parents of the Columbus, but the whole community to, we were getting amazing responses on surveys we put out, and this would be a way to try to bring people together to pick a name, just a thought. Or a public hearing. We could have a public hearing. you'd have to have an address in Medford and only get one vote per person. It would be some work, but member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think the advisory committee gave us three. know and saying that they can't put out a survey themselves and at least give us the results to help us decide. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, no, and maybe we could do both. Miss K can do a survey for the students. We could ask either the committee or us to do a survey for the community, and that would be results that we can use as a committee to choose the final name. Mayor. Member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It could be up to four, we're responsible for picking the final name. So, yep, I agree with three, first two. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: HAB-Masyn Moyer): And why don't we, why don't we leave it up to the advisory committee 23 people can choose if they have time to do one or two surveys. HAB-Masyn Moyer): Now, Mayor. HAB-Masyn Moyer): And we have the final decision based out of off of three one way or another. HAB-Charlotte Pitts, she-her, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-hers, she-
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Okay, good. We'll write that up and then we're going on to number four. Press relations will be directed through the advisory committee chair and members of the advisory committee are urged to send press contacts to the chair. Stop me if you have questions, but I'll keep going. Number five, advisory committee meetings are public meetings and must follow all requirements of the open meeting law. Six, the superintendent will provide a note taker and create minutes. Seven, it is expected that the advisory committee will need to meet three to five times and a majority of voting members will be required to reach a quorum for the meeting. the advisory committee will hold at least one public hearing to solicit feedback on the options they are considering per the charge of this resolution as at least one of their, at at least one of their meetings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Number nine, advisory committee members may withdraw from participation. This is where we could add what you were mentioning before. advisory committee members may withdraw from participation by notifying the chair and will not be counted in subsequent quorum and voting requirements. The chair will notify the remaining members of the advisory committee of the reduction in membership. No new members will be added to the advisory committee due to vacancies. And that's where I would suggest we add any language if it was mentioned before of somebody if the committee needed to vote a member out for some reason. Number 10, while consensus is always preferred, a simple majority of the total number of advisory committee members will be required to select up to three names that will be forwarded to the school committee. Note, if the school committee votes to have the advisory choose the, okay, we're gonna get three so we can take that out. Yep. Love in the advisory. Yep, and I think I have two, Number 11, the advisory committee will present their recommendations for the new names of the Columbus Elementary School no later than May 24th, 2021. A presentation will be given explaining the way that the recommendation was arrived at and why the names were chosen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And on Kathy's point of the timeframe, I mean, I think everybody, majority at least, wants this done by the end of the fiscal year. I just would want the committee to know that if they needed an extra week on something, that they'd be able to ask us somehow because of all the work that they have to do.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you want to put it in an end date. Timeline shall not exceed July 31st so that it covers the next school year or something like that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But I think you get more. These people, all the people that apply are going to know this is under a pretty serious timeline, and I think Will It Apply are going to want to do this work now if they come to May and they're like, we are doing work nonstop, but we really feel that to do this right, we need another month with three more meetings. We want to do a survey and a public meeting. I mean, we don't know what the committee is going to say. So I like how Jenny wrote it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, that's where I said you could add your language that you, if somebody needs to be removed, that's what I suggest added after that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it's simpler language and I guess it... Removal of a member is permitted by a majority vote of the committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Even with- I just, I really think it's too soon. Memocrats, even with number 15 we just added. Till July 31st.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, I can't see Mia, sorry. Member Mustone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we've gone to two. Would we have to do that unless they asked for an extension past the start of the school year? If they asked for an extension past the start of the school year, I'd agree to that, but.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Rosado?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And was it Mia that said South Medford or you said Mystic earlier, so you chained it to South Medford, Mia?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, one comment and then Paul, member Ruseau, can we take that line out? Because they're gonna have to come to us before July 30th, before May 24th to ask us for an extension. And since it's midnight and we've been going at this since 545, I do not wanna pick a temporary name right now. That's just my feeling. We'll do that on May 24th after we've had a couple months to think about it and knowing they're gonna need an extension. So I would suggest we just take that out. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm just, I'm just saying, get rid of just so in the interim of any change that exceeds July 1st, the school will be, will a new name will be chosen. on or around May 24th, not tonight at midnight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, no, everything stays. If a majority of the advisory committee votes to recommend a timeline change to the school committee, they may do so. At that time, the school committee will vote to approve or decline this recommendation. Time changes shall not exceed a final date of July 31st. In the interim of any change that exceeds July 1st, the school will have an interim name to be decided at the time of approval or denial of the extension.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if we pick the South Medford Elementary School now, we're going to get 200 emails of people that are upset that we picked it at midnight. after a meeting that started at 545. So it's like a no-win situation, I understand that, but I think just giving it a little time and picking in by May, we'll at least have had some thought, because it was Mystic at 545, and now it's South Medford Elementary School. And my brain's as mushy as everybody else's, and I just don't, I feel like that's an important decision, even if it's an interim name for only one, two to five months. member van de Kloet and then member Graham had her hand up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: August 1st seems more reasonable because it would come after the July 31st date anyway.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so we're a little bit of a standstill. We have the July date, May, July, now September and December have been brought up. So we've got to try to get on the same page. A member, I just heard somebody, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I see your points.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So go to July 31st, at that point, you would hope that the committee would have the names for us and we'd pick a name by then.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Period. Basically, we will allow an extension up until July 31st. After that, we will pick a name.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We won't put it we won't put that in writing but well we don't have to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I liked Melanie's versus picking a name right now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree with that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what if we just put shall not exceed final date of July 31st, 2021. at which time and name shall be, you know, the final date. So final date would be when we choose a name and just leave it at that. We will know in May, if they even need an extension, we will know in May, if we have to do anything further and just, that's it. They have to pick a name and give it to us and we have to choose it. May I? Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A million what ifs could happen. Right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We cannot decide that tonight. We cannot decide that. What about, you know, now it's the 11th. We're into the 11th. It's March 11th. We cannot decide on a name, even if it's a temporary name. the day after a meeting was posted. It's not fair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Paragraph A is granted. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot, you said we had to go back to something? We have to go back to the first page.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um, the thing that, um, can I just point to what we're going over just cause it's late and this whole, this whole section we have to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's true now. I like that. I like that there would be a connection to Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have, if we're the committee's done, I'm just gonna let the residents speak. Lisa, you're still keeping time, please. And we will take a final vote on this. Ingrid.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. All right. Annemarie?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, yes. Yes, we will be.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If anyone knows. I can let the committee speak. I mean, one reason is the children go back to school in September. So having the name changed prior to the new school year, the process started June, 2020, but I'll let the member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next week. Happy birthday, Diane.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Okay, so we have a final document. I'd like to make a motion to approve this document. Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz, your volume.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion was approved 7-0. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Vanderclute, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Dr. Cushing, you ready?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President. Thank you, President Kevin Carve yellow and thank you to the city councilors for allowing us to give an update and be here for the next item, hopefully, which will be the proclamation for our Board of Health director, staff and volunteers. I just wanted to chime in when Councilor Marks asked about the 4,500 seniors and just to give some reassurance that when we first had the doses and we were setting up the clinic and the governor announced that we would be able to vaccinate 75 and older, the next day we scrambled, we had emergency meetings, we grabbed the help of the Medford Housing Authority, the West Medford Community Center, the senior center came together, and we were very concerned that we would sell out of our appointments in 30 minutes. But I wanted to reassure you that it was open for over a week before the state took the rest of our doses. And before they took our doses, we were able to call between my office, the Board of Health, our three partners, we were able to call every 75 year or older that had reached out to us and left a voicemail over the last week and get them that appointment and able to get as many people as we can appointments at the state sites as well. So I didn't want to just point that out that we are doing everything we can to respond to calls to get appointments for people. And we were able to have that clinic open for a full week and get everybody in that needed an appointment that was 75 plus, which went amazingly that day. And we look forward to giving them their second dose this weekend.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I appreciate the time. I want to point out that we have I think all of our Board of Health staff on the call, Sophie, Rose, Brooke, Sarah, Melanie, Penny, Wendy, I see you all there. I also see a number of our volunteers. Patty Costas is here, Pat Hanson's here. So I'm sure I'm missing some, but I just want to point out that not only are we here for all of you tonight, You're all here also to support Marion O'Connor, our board of health director and all the work that she has done with obviously the help of you. So you've got us through the last year and this is for you. And I appreciate the council signing onto this proclamation that we will hang proudly at Medford City Hall for all to see. So if I may, this is a proclamation of gratitude to the staff and volunteers of the Medford Board of Health in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Whereas the city of Medford along with the nation and the entire world has faced the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic since the beginning of 2020. And whereas the virus has affected the lives of every single person in the city of Medford and has claimed the lives of over 500,000 people in the United States. And whereas the Medford Board of Health in response to this unprecedented public health and humanitarian crisis immediately and boldly took steps to protect public health, deliver aid, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community. And whereas more than 120 residents in both medical and non-medical fields have consistently volunteered time and efforts to the city's model R U OK program to provide food, medication, supplies, phone calls, vaccinations, and comfort to Medford residents. And whereas together with the R U OK volunteers and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, the Board of Health has been able to provide critical aid and support to the Medford community within the past year, including more than 10,000 initial calls made to seniors with 2,500 additional calls for follow-up, more than 2,500 deliveries of meals, medication and supplies, contact tracing for nearly 5,000 local cases of COVID-19, including daily case counts as high as 105, created Medford's first multilingual language resource line to connect residents with resources and services related to food security, housing, mental and behavioral assistance, and other related needs, and nearly 2,000 calls received in just over two months. And whereas in collaboration with administrators, staff, and health workers at Medford public schools, coordinated and provided support for over 20,000 individual and pooled COVID-19 tests in Medford schools, allowing children to return to in-person learning safely and securely. And whereas despite limitations and supply from the Commonwealth, coordinated the direct vaccination of nearly 2000 people thus far in the city of Medford, including residents 75 and older during clinics and directly in homes for those unable to travel, And whereas working with the Medford Council on Aging, Medford Housing Authority, and West Medford Community Center directly assisted more than 500 Medford seniors with making vaccine appointments, registration, and transportation to state-sponsored vaccine sites. And whereas the Medford Board of Health, through Director Mary Ann O'Connor, the dedicated staff, and countless volunteers, has, from the onset of the virus one year ago, performed above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of the public health of the residents of the city of Medford, regardless of language spoken, economic situation, race, gender, immigration status, ability, benefit eligibility or religious affiliation. Now, therefore, I as mayor of the city of Medford do hereby proclaim with profound gratitude to those who have worked tirelessly to protect public health and in remembrance of those we have lost that the city of Medford extends its deepest thanks and appreciation to the Medford Board of Health Director, Marianne O'Connor, the staff and volunteers of the Medford Board of Health for their work in the past year and on behalf of the people of Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. And if I just may, it's been a really tough year for the community. It's been a tough year for our volunteers, our staff, and our director, but they have come together. They are a family, we are all a family, and we have been able to conquer the challenges that have come before us. And thank you to the city council for your support, and the school committee, and the school administration. Together we've been able to get through it, and we have hope now. We are vaccinating people. It's a wonderful thing. And we're gonna continue to do the work. And I thank you. I know Mirian O'Connor's family's here too. Everybody just so proud of the work that you all have done. And thank you from the bottom of my heart as mayor. And I'm sure the city council feels the same. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we aren't able to do so, despite best efforts, we will post in the City of Medford and Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon Channel 43 at 6 p.m. Meeting of the Medford School Committee virtual information, 5 p.m. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log in or call in by using the following link or call in number. One of the numbers is 1929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 994-7939-4090 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information. Your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. And member McLaughlin, if you could take the role.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, none absent. If we may all rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And number two, we have negotiations and legal matters in executive session, executive session of the Medford School Committee pursuant to general law 30A, section 21A to complete the negotiation process on the superintendent's contract. Is there a motion to go into executive session? So moved. Moved by member Van der Kloot, seconded by? Second. Member Ruseau, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, everybody, for your patience. I know we're a little bit over schedule from our executive session. Dr. Cushing, we can just remove that from, let's see. There we go. We're gonna move on to number two, approval of minutes from the February 8th 2021 regular school committee meeting. Is there a motion for approval? Motion for approval by member Van der Kloot, seconded by? Second. Member Ruseau, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct. If you just want to unmute yourself. Number curtsy there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'm trying to press the button. Let's see.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number three, we have approval of bills, transfer of funds and approval of payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. Number four, we have report of secretary. if there is one?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Colin, Mr. Bailey, welcome. We will note that, thank you. And number five, we have reports of committees. First up is Curriculum Subcommittee from February 24th, 2021. Member Paula van de Kloet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by? Second. Member Kreatz, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Some of the affirmatives are in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number two, we have committee of the whole meeting, March 1st, 2021. Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, recommendation to approve evaluation of Superintendent Maurice-Edouard Vincent for the school year 2019-2020. At this meeting, we just discussed the evaluation with Dr. Edouard-Vincent, who got amazing scores. We ask her to keep up the good work. Is there a motion for approval of those minutes?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 7 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number 3, communications stakeholder engagement in strategic planning subcommittee meeting, March 2, 2021. Member Jenny Graham, chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful job. Motion for approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Kreatz, roll call. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Next, we have number four, building and ground subcommittee meeting, March 3rd, 2021. Member Kathy Kreatz, who is the chair. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Kreatz, seconded by member Rousseau. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot? Yes. Mayor Long-O'Connor? Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, if I may just comment on that. I can't support a banner as a way to welcome our ninth through 12th grade class. We're hoping to get this before the start of the new school year. And I truly feel that we need a real sign as a way to welcome our students back to school. I don't think a banner will do it in my opinion. And I know we were able to come up with the $816,000 that was left over from the science labs, as well as I think it was 112,000 from the old boiler project. So I can't support a banner. I don't know if we... Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz. So is there a motion for approval to just get estimates? Motion to approve by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by? Second. Member Ruseau, roll call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. Number six, community participation. Public participation emails, questions, or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely, Ms. Galussi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have that two resolutions at the middle to end of our meeting. So I think we should probably save them as others may want to comment as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up, we have report of superintendent. Number one is superintendents updates and comments, Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. We have member McLaughlin and member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Dr. Cushing, did you have anything you wanted to add?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I know this is coming up on our agenda, item number five. So Mr. Murphy, do you wanna talk now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Please, for number five. That'd be great. OK. Number two, we just have a COVID-19 public health update and Medford Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update and vaccine update from nurse supervisor, Ms. Toni Ray. And also Mr. Murphy's here to speak on this as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ray. Mr. Murphy, anything to add?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. And if I can just piggyback, I know Ms. Ray, you mentioned to go on mass backs. site or CVS to get tested because of the lack of vaccine that the city's receiving. I just want to let everybody know about 10 days ago, we did put in a regional application to hopefully get some vaccines. That was with Somerville CHA and another number of surrounding communities to hopefully do some sort of clinic regional site at Tufts University with a few satellite sites. So we are trying. Thank you all. Next up, we have some fun. Number three, announcement of winners of the Unity Poetry Contest. I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Edouard Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you hear him? That's a little better. We can hear you a little better. Try one more time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I heard the line, when we unite, we shine as bright as the sun. That was a great line. Thank you so much, Lyndon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: He doesn't mute it again. Hold on one second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can hear you now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, let's turn that video on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you hear us now? A little bit better. Give it a try, Lyndon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Did you have your hand up?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful job, everybody. Thank you. And thank you to our superintendent for having the idea. It was wonderful. Next, we have number four report on the McGlynn Middle School by Principal Nick Tucci. You have five minutes, Nick.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much, Mr. Tucci. Very detailed. There are no questions. We will go on to number five, deadline for secondary cohort Boarding Assignments, March 12, 2021. Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm gonna go with what I saw. I saw member Stone, do you have a question? Nope, okay. And then I saw member McLaughlin, member Ruseau, member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you both. Member Ruseau, then Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And yes, member Ruseau, I think you said you wanna follow up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number six, we have recommendation to approve memorandum of agreement between the Medford Public Schools and the Medford Paraprofessionals Association governing working conditions for the 2020-2021 school year. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Is there a motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: unmute yourself member van de Koop, please. Yes. Thank you. Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Number seven, update on Medford High School restroom renovation project. Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, Mr. Murphy. Thank you, Mr. McLaughlin. And I know the Buildings and Grounds Committee through Membercrats worked on this as well. Thank you. We have number eight report on user fees for athletics, Dr. Peter Cushing and Mr. Bob Maloney.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member van de Kloot seconded by Ms. Stone. Ms. Stone, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero the negative. Number eight passes. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have old business. Number one, the annual reports and presentations schedule policy will be amended to change the frequency of the tiered focus monitoring presentation in section three, scheduled from annually to every three years offered by member Ruseau. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Ruseau, seconded by member- Second. Graham, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot. Yes. Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. Number nine, communications. And number 10, we have new business. First up member McLaughlin motion to include the school committee voting tally sheet as part of the regular school committee public record with posting to website. To the website on a regular basis. Motion for approval, or would you like to speak on it? Motion for approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I, ma'am? Yes, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Ruseau, amended by member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven the affirmative, zero the negative, paper passes. Our next two are pretty lengthy, so bear with me, please. Motion to use the following guidelines at the March 10th, 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting with purpose of forming an advisory committee to rename the Columbus Elementary School. First up is offered by Member Ruseau. Yes, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: How does the committee feel? I know there's a lot of people on, we have 120 people, so I'm sure if- Mayor. Emails, yes, Member Vandekloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You can still summarize her comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so let's read the three in the Columbus School.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right. I appreciate it. So we have two resolutions, one by member Rousseau and by member. Van der Kloot, both of which are going to be moved to Committee of the Whole for a further discussion on Wednesday. That meeting starts at 5.45 PM. Mayor Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 545 on Wednesday, March 10th, to discuss the two resolutions. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can't hear you. Dr. Edward-Vincent, do we have Ms. Wise on the call? I can look back and see when it was posted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're going to we have Anne-Marie, if you could limit your comments. I'm not sure how many people want to speak, but we have 125 people on, so we're going to limit to about two minutes each like we've done in the past. But please, let me unmute you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All set.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Anne-Marie. Is there a motion on the floor Member van de Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. and then we have another resident that would like to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct, Mr. McKillop.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That would be up to the committee. In June, there was a motion to table this to allow for more comment and that motion had failed. And then we moved on, obviously trying to get our kids back through the pandemic and trying to outline a process now, a fair process that will end sometime probably in June.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Kelly. Is there a motion on the floor either way? Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Kreatz. Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member van de Kloet. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah I don't I don't believe that's in any minutes
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I agree with Member Kreatz and Member Van der Kloot with regards to, and whether we discuss it now or on Wednesday, the potential of expanding that timeline due to the fact that we have a tough budget or a good budget coming forward. It's gonna be very time consuming and trying to get our kids back to school full time. That's my number one priority. But I'll leave it up to the rest of the committee to decide that either tonight or Wednesday as a whole. I know member Rousseau and then we have Anne Marie and David like to speak again for a minute or two each.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham, let the two presidents speak and we'll call the roll. Annemarie.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. McKillop. And then we will call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, will you call the roll?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Unmute yourself, please, Member Van der Kloot, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. These two resolutions will be moved to the Committee of the Whole, which is this Wednesday the 10th at 545 to be discussed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I think Ms. Wise was going to do that anyway, so she worked on spreading the word. Thank you, Ms. Wise. Motion to, I'm sorry, we're not. Condolences, sorry. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Herbert Edward Wells, a longtime teacher and assistant principal at the Brooks Hobbs Complex and former assistant football coach at Medford High School. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Anne Marie Medeiros, mother of Lisa Maloney and an administrative assistant for the Office of Pupil Services. Also, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of John C. Fator, father-in-law of Medford High School science teacher, Audrey, I hope I'm pronouncing this right, Fator, and father of former Medford High School band director, John R. Fator. Fator. Fator. Fator. Thank you. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Robert Van Winkle, husband of former Brooks Elementary School para, Lisa Van Winkle.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. If we may just take a moment of silence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. Just just a quick. Sure. Thank you. Thank you. Just a quick question. The to refresh my memory that
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Chairwoman, go. Yes, go ahead, Mayor. Chairwoman Kreatz, yes, thank you. I have to run to the meeting, the listening session on dyslexia. I'll let them all know that the three of you are presently in a building and grounds subcommittee meeting, but I just wanted to go on the record, obviously in support of what the admin believes necessary for improvements to our buildings, school buildings, but also advocate for, you know, the potential ADA accessibility improvements to the front entrance of the high school. And I know it's not an emergency, but just to add a little landscaping and a sign to welcome our ninth through 12th grade for the 2021-2022 school year would just go a really long way for all the children have been through all the, to go into a building with a new sign and just a freshly updated front entrance where the ADA accessibility does need to be improved there and worked on. I just wanted to go on record saying that before I left, but thank you for chairing the meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It wasn't fixed and now it's still saying there's a engagement and strategic planning meeting 5 to 6 30 tonight, and it doesn't list this one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. I just want to make sure it's posted somewhere. Let's see.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Awesome. Great, great. Thank you. Thank you. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think officially we're okay. I just still have an issue with it being wrong on the school website. Oh, yeah. I just just want to make sure it nicely that we, you know, try to get all Susie and Lisa and Rachel Powery now who's involved in the calendar to make sure they're talking every day and getting the right information out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, awesome. Okay, from now on then if a meeting is changed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so when the change comes in, Ms. Wise does the agendas, so you'll send the changes to Rachel and Lisa. Okay. Okay. Perfect, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right, we're recording, we're live. Please be advised that on Monday, March 1st, 2020 at 4.30 PM, there'll be a committee of the whole meeting held through remote participation pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, chapter 30A, section 18, and the governor's March 15th, 2020 order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information, the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford or Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 43 at 4.30 PM. One of the phone numbers you can call is 301-715-8592. please enter meeting ID 97190023060 when prompted. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows, performance evaluation of superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent for school year 2019-2020. Signed, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, superintendent of schools. I know we have member McLaughlin to thank for coordinating all of the evaluations. Thank you, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you, Member Ruseau. Very helpful. Is there anything you want to screen share? Or does anybody have questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that might be best, and we can discuss from there. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edward-Vincent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can go over maybe the scores first and then just briefly discuss anything that wants to be discussed as far as the comments go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think, I mean, I think I could read them the way they are. If you want to scroll down as I go standard based on curriculum, Standards-based unit design, 3.57. Lesson development support, 3.5. As far as instruction is concerned, that's a 3.53. Instructional practices, 3.76. Quality of work, 3.53. Diverse learners needs, 3.31. And then as 1.3 assessment, 3.37. Variety of assessments, 3.19. Adjustment to practice, 3.54. 1.4, evaluation, 3.45. Educator goals, 3.33. Observations and feedback, 3.79. Ratings, 3.33. Alignment review, 3.33. Data informed decision-making, 3.45. Knowledge and use of data, 3.51. School and district goals, 3.44. Improvement of performance effect, 3.39. Standard two, management and operational, and that's a 3.52 total. Environment, 3.51. Plans, procedures, and routines, 3.36. Operational systems, 3.54. Student safety, health, and social and emotional needs, 3.64. Human resource management and development, 3.41. Recruitment and hiring strategies, 3.61. Induction professional development and career growth strategies, 3.21. Scheduling and management Information Systems, 3.49. Time for Teaching and Learning, 3.36. Time for Collaboration, 3.61. Laws, Ethics, and Policies, 3.75. Laws and Policies, 3.71. Ethical Behavior, 3.79. Fiscal Systems, 3.42. Engagement, 3.56. Family engagement, 3.61. Community and business engagement, 3.5. Sharing responsibility, 3.48. Student support, 3.5. Family collaboration, 3.46. Communication, 3.66. Two-way communication, 3.53. Culturally proficient communication, 3.79. Family concerns, 3.5. Professional culture, 3.58. Commitment to high standards, 3.62. Commitment to high standards, 3.61. Mission and core values, 3.84. Meetings, 3.42. Cultural proficiency, 3.57. Policies and practices, 3.57. Communications, 3.53. Communication skills, 3.53. Continuous learning, 3.74. Continuous learning with staff, 3.71. Continuous learning with administrator, 3.76. Shared vision, 3.53. Managing conflict, 3.46. Response to disagreement, 3.27. Conflict Resolution 3.49, Consensus Building 3.61. Mayor? Yes, Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot. Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Member McLaughlin? And then Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is my actually first time evaluating the superintendent. Member Van der Kloot, can you speak to that at all? Do you know where the evaluations usually go?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member McLaughlin, then Member Rizzo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, member Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member, member Kreatz, I didn't see you there. Okay, no problem, that's fine. Okay, thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Mustone. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. I think I'm the last one. It was hard for me. It was January, February of 2020. I was drinking from a fire hose myself and watching you at school committee meetings and all the work that you've done, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, and then all of a sudden COVID hit and we were running crazy with what to do and how to best serve our students and obviously our faculty. And I hope through it all, you have showed true leadership. You've been responsive and communicated every step of the way, not only with the committee, but also with parents and guardians through your weekly updates. I think the communication has so much improved over the last year. And I'm just really proud of you for that. It's something that's meant a lot to me, communication and transparency. So I just, I really commend you and I know you're going to continue to move forward and develop into an even better superintendent. And I hope when we're evaluating you, and I think somebody said 16 weeks, they have your response to COVID and, you know, trying to get our kids back to school and getting them back safely. You've proven to be a true leader in that area. And it's one that we all thank you for. Thank you, Mayor. Member Rossell?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so this will be posted publicly one way or another, whether that be the website, most likely the website. If nobody else has any further comments, is there a motion to adjourn?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to accept the review. Second. Seconded by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The review is accepted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to officially move this to regular agenda for Monday night to be officially approved by member Rousseau, seconded by member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to report this to regular school committee on Monday night for official approval. And a second motion to refer the process to the rules, policy and equity subcommittee to create a process and timeline for how to evaluate superintendent moving forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion by member Ruseau, seconded by member McLaughlin to move this to the regular school committee for an official vote. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Now your motion, Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To create a policy. Great policy. Seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Thank you to that subcommittee. Motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I guess we, Ms. Wise will just figure that out. She just can't seem to get in, but we'll start the meeting. Medford School Committee meeting, February 22nd, 2021. Remote meeting by Zoom. Executive session, 5 p.m. Regular meeting, 6 p.m. Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 order, suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18 in the Governor's March 15, 2020 order. posing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information, the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so despite best efforts, we will post in the city of Medford or Medford community media websites and audio or video recording transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford community media on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 43 at 6 p.m. meeting of the Medford School Committee virtual information, 5 p.m. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log in or call in by using the following call-in number, 1301-715-8592. Enter meeting ID when prompted, 96704862414. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. Member McLaughlin, if you may call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. We all may rise to salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have negotiations and legal matters and executive session executive session of the Medford school committee pursuant to general law 30 a section 21 a to conduct a collective bargaining session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect. on the bargaining position of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will discuss ongoing negotiations and hold a grievance hearing filed by the Teamsters of the 25 pursuant to the relevant collective bargaining agreement. In addition, the Medford School Committee will discuss strategy and preparation for pending litigation on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing pending litigation before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. benefit school committee will reconvene in public session following the executive session. Is there a motion by a member?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to move into executive session by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Van der Kloot, roll call. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: HAB-Charlotte Pitts, Moderator, she and her team, say aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We are going to move on to approval of minutes from our February 8, 2021 school committee meeting. This is our regular school committee meeting. Is there a motion for approval? By member Kreatz, seconded by member Rousseau. Roll call. You're muted, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero the negative. The minutes are approved. Number three, we have approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payrolls. First is 020-821-Payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And second is 022-221-Payrolls. Is there a motion for approval of both?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval of both by member Van der Kloot, seconded by? Second. Member Kreatz, roll call. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Payrolls are approved. Do we have a report of secretary?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Number five, we have report of committees with the rules, policy and equity subcommittee meeting, February 10th, 2021. Member Ruseau, chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve the minutes? Do the minutes have number one through seven broken down?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so maybe we take them one at a time for those that have questions on each individual. each individual paper. So first up we have JB, equal educational opportunities. If you wanna just give us a summary of that and then we can move for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And no questions for me. Motion for approval by member Graham, was that you? No, I'm not McLaughlin. Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, roll call. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Van der Kloot? Yes. Mayor Longo-Klein? Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper is approved. Number two, we have JFABC, Homeless Students Enrollment Rights and Services.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion of approval. Second. Move for approval by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot. Yes. Mayor Longo-Khan. Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper is approved. Number three. JFABE educational opportunities for military children.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I make a motion to move this forward. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 for Ms. Zierden, the negative. Paper passes. Number four, JFABF, Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Van der Kloot, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative, the paper passes. Number five, GBEBC, gifts to and solicitations by staff, update. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Second. I just have a question. So this is an update, but where it says the solicitation of personal items shall only be to benefit students, does that mean like our CCSR group couldn't do a coat drive for the homeless?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so employees soliciting donations. Correct. Okay, so student groups could, perfect, thank you. Motion for approval by member... Banderclute. Banderclute, seconded by... Member McLaughlin. Member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. I think my question was meant for number six, sorry. Number six. GBEBD online fundraising and solicitation crowdfunding, new.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No questions. Motion for approval. Member. Motion for approval. Graham seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Yes, seven. The affirmative zero in the negative paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, I'm sorry. Member Vandepest. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. And last but not least, annual reports and presentations policy, new.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Motion for approval as amended by Member Ruseau and further amended by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. that we have a special education and behavioral health. Paper passes as amended. Number two. We have special education, behavioral health subcommittee meeting, which took place on February 11th 2021. Member McLaughlin chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Motion for approval by Member Vinclute, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number six, we have community participation. Emails, questions, or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Member Van der Kloot, do we have any emails?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number seven, we have report for superintendent. Number one, superintendents updates and comments. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Number two, we have COVID-19 public health update and Medford Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update. nurse supervisor, Ms. Toni Ray, and Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Miss Ray. Mr. Murphy. Anything to add?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot, did you have a hand up?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Next up, we have number three, report on financial update for the city of Medford, Ms. Aleesha Nunley-Benjamin, Chief Financial Officer for the city. Thank you for joining us, Alicia.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes, please. You should be good to go. Yes, you're a co-host.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Alicia, for the presentation. I know that you presented to the city council on Wednesday of last week and I thank you for coming to the before the school committee to present as well Just to give us an overall picture of where we're at You're welcome here. Um Let me just make sure there's no questions and we can move on where Yes, ma'am Yes, member russo the member of mandaclou. Excuse me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And on top of that, it's just the fixed costs that are going up as well that we have to cover on both the city and the school side that is gonna greatly be affected by, good or bad, the Biden bill. And I know that the state legislature, Rep. Donato, Gabarly, and Barber are advocating for that charter school reimbursement to try to supplement that somehow for the city of Medford. So they're actively having meetings on that. my fingers crossed for that as well. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, are you done?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot and member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right. 53% of the city's budget, it does go to the schools. And when Ms. Patterson decided to do a 5% increase without the city's knowledge, that led to the three and a half million over level funding. So yeah, I argue that we did not cut the budget, but I can see what your point, Ms. DeRusso, a level funded budget seems like a cut budget when you talk about fixed costs that are going up every year. So it's a tough one to swallow. It's a tough situation we are once again facing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy, Member Van der Kloot, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Van der Kloot, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Member Van der Kloot. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, city versus school. So $17,223,842 went to the school's health insurance. That's 81% of health insurance, where the city side is 19%. We break it down from city and school, not by city department and school department, because you have special ed, you have maintenance. So we do city and school. I can't have Alicia breaking it down every single department. I think that would take far too long.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. And the scenario and the five to eight million, some of the lower end of that is without increases. So we're looking more towards the eight plus budget gap. So what Biden has proposed could cover that. I'm hearing it come as soon as the end of March. So I am hesitant to start either budget until we, at least until the end of March, because that is, I don't know where we will find $8 million to cut. just we've already turned over all the rocks here so definitely not um okay that that's helpful just to know like are we talking about a week a month or whatever okay thank you the last i've heard is by the end of march they're expecting it and just my fingers across and as soon as we hear something we will let school committee and city council know great thank you may i remember graham is there a motion on the floor mayor no It's just to get accounting for the 1 million, which I would expect within the next month, month and a half, Mr. Murphy, but there's no motion. I think we trust that we will get that in one of the next, one of the two or three upcoming school committee meetings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to receive in place on file by Member Van der Kloot. Mayor? Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, motion on the floor by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member Kreatz, roll call. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot. Yes. Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is approved. Next up, thank you, Ms. Nunley-Benjamin. We appreciate the presentation and the update. Thank you. It has been sent. Thank you. You can do a money dance to the feds. Thank you. Take care. Number four, we have a report on Medford's selection as one of four participating districts for the Massachusetts Family School Partnership Initiative. Desi, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. Thank you Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Yes, sorry. Just filling my water up, sorry. Member Van de Kloop?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Motion to approve by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member. Second. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven, the affirmative, zero, and the negative. The motion passes. Number eight, we have old business, which I don't believe we have any. Number nine, communications. And then number 10 is new business, and we have one resolution offered by myself. Be it resolved that the administration provide to the Medford School Committee an update on progress toward renovation and upgrades to the two Medford High School student restrooms as contemplated by previous allocations of funding and direction by the school committee. We had further resolved that the administration be prepared to provide an update related to these projects at the next regular scheduled meeting of the Medford School Committee on March 8th, 2021 to determine what if any portion of the September 2020 capital improvement appropriation should be directed toward the advancement of these projects as well as adding additional bathroom upgrades to the list to be complete on or before the start of the next school year. I put this on the agenda. I know we voted on this probably almost a year ago. And since that time, we had a number of upgrades that we've done to all of our schools. Four and a half million has been put in to get our kids and teachers safely back to school. and part of that was HVAC and fans and windows and HEPA filters. So I know that building and grounds have been very busy, but I wanted this to be put on because I think the restroom projects are extremely important and where we were able to use CARES funding for all the other work. I know there's the 816,000, which we need to do a few things with, but once we figure out cost estimates for the security upgrades and the boiler, really hope that we could do more than two bathrooms at the high school, because I know they sorely are in need of renovation and upgrading. We've heard that for quite some time. So I thank Mr. McLaughlin for being on tonight and kind of giving us an update. I know member Kreatz has the building and grounds subcommittee. So some of this work obviously will flow through that, but I just think it's important the committee talk about that 816,000 in depth so that we can work on getting that spent on much needed improvements in our district. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just, I'm really concerned to make sure we get them done this summer while our students are not in and before the start of the school year, but I can pass it off to Mr. McLaughlin if you have any updates on that and then member crops.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My only question on the RFP is if we're able to do more than two and put it up out to bid for two bathrooms and with the 816,000, we're able to do more than that. I want to make sure we can capitalize on how many we can do. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We could call one next week. I know Mr. Murphy, you have like three projects plus the potential ADA accessibility improvements in the front entrance that I think are the four projects that we could use for this 816. So I don't know how you want to handle that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I'm interested in moving the process forward. So I didn't know it was at that stage when I inquired a couple of weeks ago. I just thought it kind of fell to the wayside because of all the HVAC improvements that were getting done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so we'll need to call a capital improvement plan meeting, especially as it relates to the 816,000 so that we can get a better idea of what needs those four projects that need to be done and if there's any extra to do additional work. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so which can just amend this resolution to call a capital improvement plan meeting to especially discuss the 816,000. Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot seconded by. Second. Member Kreatz, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative, paper passes. Number four, we have school committee resolution and we have a condolence. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Barbara Scopa, a former traffic supervisor and school lunch employee who is the mother of former community schools administrator, assistant Denise Scopa. If we all may take a moment of silence. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's 5.05, Medford School Committee, February 8th, 2020, remote meeting by Zoom, pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order, suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15th, 2020 order, imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting in the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information in the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford or Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon Channel 43 at 6 p.m. The meeting of the Medford School Committee, virtual information, 5 p.m. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log in or call in by using the following link or call-in number. One of the numbers is 1301-715-8592. Enter meeting ID 940-7652-8040 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted. during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your method street address, your question or comment. Member McLaughlin, will you please call the roll?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. We may all rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I know it was noted that between five and 6 p.m. will be negotiations and legal matters, executive session of the Medford School Committee pursuant to General Law 30A, Section 21A to discuss strategy and preparation for pending litigation and the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will be discussing pending litigation before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. The Medford School Committee will reconvene in public session following the executive session. Is there a motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. By Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Thank you for your patience, everybody, while we go into executive session. We have the regularly scheduled meeting for 6pm. I think we should just wait a few minutes till 6pm. So if anybody needs to take a couple minute break, we'll be start right at 6pm. Okay, good evening, everybody. It's six o'clock, we're gonna get going because we have a long agenda ahead of us. We are on number two, approval of minutes, January 25th, 2021 school committee meeting. Is there a motion to approve the minutes?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I actually have a question, sorry. Yes, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so we'll just have that added to the minutes under that section.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So a motion for approval by Member Ruseau as amended by Member McLaughlin. Second. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The minutes are approved. Number three, we have approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payrolls. I don't... Do you have any update on that, Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful. Thank you very much. Number four, report of secretary. Number one is good of the order.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member of Goffman.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you, Member McLaughlin. Member Kreatz, was that just committee meetings or do I keep things timely as well?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm just joking. I feel like you're jinxing me tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Anybody else have anything to point out for good of the order?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The self-evaluation process?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you could do, Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the motion is to do that in a committee of the whole meeting? Sure. OK, motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 7 the affirmative, 0 the negative. The motion has been approved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up, we have report of committees. Number one, Committee of the Whole meeting, January 13th, 2021. Is there a motion for approval of those minutes? Motion to approve. And member Kreatz, seconded by? Rhonda Kloot. Member Rhonda Kloot, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The minutes are approved. Number two is Committee of the Whole meeting January 25, 2021, which was, I believe, the superintendent's eval. Is there a motion for approval of those minutes? Motion to approve. by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz, roll call, and Member Van der Kloot, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number three, we have communication strategy and stakeholder engagement, February 2nd, 2021. Member Graham, chair, approval of minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval. Motion for approval by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Thank you, member Graham. Number four, special meeting, February 3rd, 2021. This was the memorandum of understanding that was passed. If we could have a motion for approval of those minutes. Motion to approve. Seconded by member Ruseau, seconded by member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The minutes are approved. Number six, we have community participation. Public participation emails, questions, or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. It's my understanding we have a number of emails that have been arriving the last couple of days. Are there any member of Vandeclute that do not relate to any other topic on the agenda that we should read now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I do know we have CCSR students that I think have to leave at seven. So I think that might be best since it is an agenda item. And we should move through the reports of the superintendent fairly quickly. Thank you, member Van der Kloot. And I think we discussed this return to school regarding that email at the last meeting when we talked about goals for the superintendent. And I know as one parent and school committee member, I really hope we are fully back come September. I don't know if Dr. Edouard-Vincent would like to respond as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Next up, we have report of superintendent, number one superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Number two, we have a COVID-19 public health update and Medford Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update by nurse supervisor, Ms. Toni Ray. Marianne O'Connor, I don't know if she's on, our board of health director and Mr. David Murphy. Ms. Ray.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Murphy, anything to add?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Murphy. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Next up, we have report on CCSR, Mr. Richard Trotter, Michael Skorka, and student representatives. Welcome. Just unmuted you, Mr. Skorka.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, looking. Dr. Cushing, do you see?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Skorka, do you know if it's iPad two or iPad three? No idea, right?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Wonderful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let me see if I can unmute you. You should be good now, Sam.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much, Sam. Yes, we have questions. Member Van der Klooth and Member McLaughlin? Unmute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Van der Kloot. Yes, the assembly was very impressive. Member McLaughlin and then member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz. Yeah, I just want to echo the sentiments, Mr. Skorka, Ms. Olson, Mr. Trotter, I know Dr. Edouard-Vincent and her team, everybody so supportive of CCSR and the Cummings Foundation, which I advocate for funding to CCSR and they've been a great, they've been able to keep the program up and running and surviving. And the projects you do are amazing. Mr. Squawker, you get the kids to not only do projects and love it. And I think it was 180 students you had last year, which I think is amazing at the high school, but you have them emailing the mayor's office for help all the time and really taking that initiative. And I agree, it helps them build confidence. and you can see it, whether that was on the assembly or here tonight, and we're just so proud of all the students and all those working very hard on their behalf. So thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'm sure Mr. Skorka, you could get in touch with Ms. Skorka at medford.k12.ma.us if you want to reach out to him, Amy, to see if any of the other students need any more material. and I got extra elastic, so I think they're good with it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you all. Next up, we have number four report on Massachusetts School Library Association, MSLA, Superintendent Edouard-Vincent. We have Maria Dorsey, Teacher Librarian at Medford Public Schools. I'm not sure if this is under the same category. Has been chosen to serve as Metro West Area Co-Director of the 2020-2021 Executive Board of the Massachusetts School Library Association. The Massachusetts School Library Association congratulates Christina Johnson, library teacher at the Andrews Middle School as a recipient of the President's Award. This award honors school librarians making an impact on student learning in their early careers. We hope you will join us as we celebrate Christina's successes in our online celebratory campaign running February 22nd to March 12th on Twitter and Facebook. Christina will be honored at the Massachusetts School Library Association annual conference on March 21st and 22nd. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I see Christina Johnson on the call, not raising her hand though, but I can unmute her. Christina, are you able to say hello?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we just send you to do. Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much. Number five, we have motion to approve donation of MacBook to a student. Dr. Peter Cushing, assistant superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. Is that you? Okay. Member Graham. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just unmute yourself, Member Van der Kloot, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely, thank you. That's great. Number six, we have the fiscal year 22 budget overview and anticipated timeline. Mr. David Murphy, assistant superintendent of finance and operations. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Ruseau, the member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks. Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. If I may, as soon as we heard about Chapter 70 from the governor's budget a week or two ago, And as soon as we heard about the cut of almost a million dollars in the charter school reimbursement. I made sure it's when I talked to my finance our finance team that we let the city council on the school committee know right away so that's why you did get the email on. the tough news and along the lines of the federal stimulus for the good news of the Medford public schools, thankfully getting a little bit over $2 million. But with that, brings us down to about 1.2 in addition, when you subtract and add it's Chapter 70, charter school tuition, and then federal stimulus four. So what happened last year, usually in a normal budget cycle, we would know the number to give the school sometime in March, and then the budget would be created and budget hearings would start right away. Last year, we were so up in the air on every state number, UGA, Chapter 70, charter school reimbursement, we were having meetings with the lieutenant governor and the governor and the schools was having meetings with Desi and our finance team was having meetings with finance professionals. And they were telling us the gloom potential 10, 20% cut and on a number of directions. So it was really hard. And we knew right up until the end, we didn't know about chapter 70 being held harmless until I think one of the last weeks. because it was the pandemic and because we're in a recession, we didn't have that number to really give the schools. We knew we had to level fund, but that was after the prior finance director already had increased the budget without permission from the city side by almost 5%. So we level funded the school side and we cut almost a million dollars from the city budget. Thankfully, chapter 70 was held harmless and we were able to add to the school side. This year I am trying to be as transparent as possible. That's why you got the email from us last week. And you'll get an update from the city's finance director who's going to come to hopefully our February 22. school committee meeting to present on revenues and losses thereof in hopes that we can do the best to give the school side a number sometime after that. But everything is ever changing. We're praying for Biden, President Biden's next stimulus package, which could help the city and of course the school side because we, city does not want to take from the schools. That's why we level funded the schools and cut the city side last year. last year's budget was 52% of that budget plus went to the school side. We are doing everything we can in the toughest of times and we will continue to be transparent and we will continue to do whatever we can to get more money for our schools and that includes me advocating on the state and federal level and I will continue to do so as I know you all will. So I just wanted to make that clear because I appreciate the City side budget and that most people thought that was great and I agree that school side. We have work we have some work to do, but we're going to get there and just want to clear up a few things. Anybody else has any questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Mustone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Mustone. Sounds good. Thank you, Mr. Murphy, for the presentation. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot. Number seven, we have report on scheduled listening sessions for families on the topic of school reopening fall 2021. Dr. Peter Cushing, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary and Ms. Suzanne Galusi, assistant superintendent of elementary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member McLaughlin. Dr. Edward-Vinson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member McLaughlin. And maybe we could, I know you said you'd be doing breakout rooms. So maybe during these times and dates, we can do a breakout room just for cohort A, but still be parents and caregivers as well as faculty, staff and students. And we can kind of compromise that way. I think that's have Joan and her team run the breakout room for cohort A. I will definitely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have old business. Number one, vote to approve Superintendent Maurice-Edouard Vincent's goals for 2020-2021. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Member Kreatz, Member Graham, and then Member Vendiclou.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, that was my request, actually. Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Thank you. Motion for approval by Member Kreatz. Oh, Member Vanden Heuvel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, that's all you. Member Kreatz moved approval, seconded by Member Vanden Heuvel. Roll call, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven the affirmative, zero in the negative. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent's goals have been approved for 2020-2021. Number two, we have it on the agenda and I think we created some confusion, but the Columbus School name change, we did schedule a committee of the whole meeting dedicated to this discussion. for March 10th, 2020, sorry, March 10th, 2021 at 5.30 p.m. This vote was taken back in, I believe it was June, and now we are just announcing far in advance, at least a month in advance, when the discussion will start, which will be March 10th, 2021, 5.30 p.m. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member van de Kloot. Member McLaughlin, then Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is, I'll leave it to the committee, but this meeting was, it says discussed, but when the superintendent and I and Suzy Wise discussed this, it was to put the meeting date on this agenda to give people ample notice, because I know this is, we have people on both sides of this issue, but March 10th, 2021 at 5.30 is gonna be the official meeting focused just on renaming the Columbus School. Because I think that's what the committee's intentions were when they asked for this to be on the agenda. It was to schedule a date for the Committee of the Whole. Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kress, that is the plan. Member, Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Thank you. Member Vanderhoof, did you have your hand up?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot, you pointed that out twice. Sorry. Oh, no, no, I think it was, it had to be said, and I know Member Kreatz also pointed that out, making sure that the committee, and we have to be aware of that, making sure the committee that we do appoint is very diverse, and we take into account the rich Italian culture that, like, and hopefully we can carry that on moving forward. And I know that is a bone of contention for some, and some don't. want the name changed at all. So we have to do our best to try to bring people together and move forward to make as many people comfortable with this as possible. Dr. Edward-Vincent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. I saw Mr. Colin Bailey's on the call too, shaking his head when you spoke. So thank you for being here, Colin, as our student rep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And next we have, so we'll make sure we publicize that meeting broadly. Number three, we have report on COVID-19 related funding sources, summary of investments made by the Medford Public Schools through funding sources realized as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including state grants and federal allocations. Mr. David Murphy, assistant superintendent for finance and operations and Michelle Kingdom comptroller. Mr. Murphy and Ms. Kingdom.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. That was very thorough. Okay, no questions, we can move on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number nine, communications.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. a member Rousseau mayor. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Colin Bailey, our student rep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Colin. Do we have any communications? I believe so. New business resolution number one offered by member Rousseau. Field trips that have been previously approved but needed to be postponed due to the pandemic do not require a new approval from the school committee and may be scheduled for a date in the future under the existing approval for up to two years from the original planned date of the field trip. Motion for approval by, okay, Member Ruseau, would you like to speak on this first?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Efficiency, I like it. Okay, member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member Miss Stone, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So an email to the school committee and approval by the superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval by member Rousseau, as amended by member Van der Kloot, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I think in an email we'd get from the administration, it would state the prior approved field trip to New York from June 2020. 20 has been postponed until November 2021. If you have any questions, let me know. And then the superintendent would approve that. So not all of them may go forward, but they'll let us know if it was prior priorly approved and when the new date is. Go ahead, Russo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion passes as amended twice. Number two, the Medford Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education and the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education will present an overview of the efforts underway to prepare students and staff for the administration of the MCAS at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and will include details such as how fully remote students will be tested equipment set up including space and social distancing plans and proctoring plans. The presentation should also include what practice MCAS testing is taking place throughout the district and how that will be like or different from the actual MCAS testing. Estimates of total learning time lost due to practice and actual MCAS testing by grade level will be provided. Additionally, we should be supplied a current total by level elementary, middle, high of the number of students that have opted out of taking the MCAS thus far what plans are underway to provide those students with meaningful education during the time other students are taking practice in real MCAS tests. This information will be provided... No, it's not going away Buster. This information will be provided to the committee On February 8th, 2021, if there is insufficient time to assemble this information, then a special meeting of the Medford School Committee shall be called the week of February 15th, 2021 to provide this information offered by member Rousseau. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number three, we have resolution in support of expedited COVID-19 vaccinations for educators. see email for complete texts. See a text offered by member Graham and member Ruseau. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you members. So member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Governor. Member Ruseau. Is this a letter to the governor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great emotion on the floor by
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes. Dr. Cushing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Next, we have our School Committee condolences. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Frank D'Alessio, the technology repair specialist for the Medford Public Schools. Mr. D'Alessio was a 14-year district employee. He will be sorely missed. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of John F. Bailey, a World War II veteran and member of the Mustang Hall of Fame. Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Norma L. Lasky, aunt of Fred Lasky, director of the MWRA, and Donna Lasky, a McGlynn Elementary school teacher. Also, the Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Kerry Honeycutt-Royce, niece of longtime Medford Public Schools supporter and owner of John Brewer's Tavern, Bill Honeycutt. The Medford School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Edna M. Grassi, who served over 20 years as an administrative assistant at the Medford Public Schools. The Medford Public School Committee expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Stephen C. Nardone, father of Stephen Nardone, a longtime supporter of the Medford Vocational Technical High School's electrical program. If we all may take a moment of silence.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That concludes our meeting. Is there a motion to adjourn? Member Graham, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Paranormal dog talk. Adorable. Yeah, we're loving her.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I rile her up in the morning and then try to get her not to bite me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My son does has has some because he put yeah messes around but those little puppy teeth. All right. Looks like we're recording. It's 5.03. Please be advised that on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021 at 5 p.m. there will be a special school committee meeting held through remote participation pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, chapter 38, section 18, and the Governor's March 15th, 2020 order imposing strict limitations of the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information The general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance member of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the city of Medford or Medford community media websites, an audio or video recording, transcript or other comprehensive record proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following link or calling number. 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 91451. 775527 when prompted. Additionally, comments or questions can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. While it is possible to submit questions via the Zoom software, we are strongly recommending that you use the email above while we gain familiarity with hosting our meetings online. The agenda will be as follows, a negotiation in legal matters, executive session to discuss recommendation to approve the memorandum of agreement between the Medford Public Schools and the Medford Teachers Association governing working conditions for 2020-2021 school year, a tentative agreement of which was reached on January 23rd, 2021. Sincerely, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent of Schools. So if there's a motion to enter executive session. Motion to enter executive session by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Kreatz, roll call. Oh, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Lungo-Koehn present seven present and absent. We're all here. Yep. Motion to enter executive session by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. So having the affirmative zero negative, we can now enter executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll be coming back out in public to adjourn and to report anything out that we choose. Thank you everybody for your patience. We are recording, we are out of executive session and we did take a vote. I'm gonna turn it over to Mr. Murphy to give a brief summary for those who are watching of the memorandum of agreement and then we will announce the vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy, very well said. Member Van der Kloot and then Ms. Douglas, did you want to, member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Douglas. And I'll echo member van de Kloot's sentiments. I think between the administration and the teachers union and the teachers themselves, everybody had the best interests of the students and obviously employees at the forefront. And we really appreciate that. And we look forward to moving forward and we're just happy to have our kids back in school. So we thank you very much. And we did take a vote. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, there's a motion by member Graham, seconded by- Member Ruseau. Member Ruseau to- Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was a 7-0 vote to accept the MOA. So that motion has been approved and that will cover the school year 2020 to 2021. So that will cover us through June. So thank you. Thank you all. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Graham. Member Mustone, then Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Talk to Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So this will adjourn. We'll motion to adjourn. I know we have a regularly scheduled meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member McLaughlin. I'm not sure if there's any other meetings this week, but I know we have our regularly scheduled meeting on Monday at 6 p.m. We're gonna have a Committee of the Whole at 5 p.m. that night to go into executive session on a couple things. And then we're also potentially gonna have Wednesday the 10th, if everybody wants to put in their calendar, a Committee of the Whole meeting. And then we will be scheduling the Columbus School renaming for some time at one of the Committee Whole meetings, March dates. I know they'll be under old business on Monday, but we are going to try to schedule that in March. So I just want to give everybody the heads up. We're working on those few things. Have a great night. Motion to adjourn? By Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, chapter 30A, section 18 in the governor's March 15th, 2020 order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information, the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post in the City of Medford or Medford Community Media website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 43 at 6 p.m. Regular meeting of the Medford School Committee will start at 6 p.m. and the meeting will be held remotely. You can log in or call 1-929-205-6099. After you call, please enter meeting ID 917-9616-8291 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. If you could first take the role, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot? Oh, present. I think she was on mute. She was present. Mayor Lungo-Koehn? Present. Seven present, none absent. Please rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And I know we did notice this meeting as five o'clock to six o'clock being the executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, five o'clock was Committee of the Whole, six to seven is executive session, and by 7 p.m. we should be back out for regular session. So there's a motion to go into executive session. Motion to go into executive session. By Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. We can now go into executive session, and we thank everybody for their patience while we're there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We only went over nine minutes. It is 7.10, we're recording. We are on to approval of the minutes from the January 11th, 2021 school committee meeting. Is there a motion for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven. The affirmatives are in the negative. The minutes are approved. Approval of bills, transfer funds, and approval of payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, some of the affirmative, zero in the negative. Bills and transfer of funds have been approved. Report of secretary, if there is one?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Report of committees, number one, rules, policy and equity subcommittee meeting, January 13th, 2021. Member Ruseau, chair, approval of minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval. Motion to approve. Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Number two, we have special education behavioral health subcommittee meeting, January 21st, 2021. Member McLaughlin, chair, approval of minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Motion for approval? Motion. Member Ruseau seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero the negative, paper passes. Number seven, we have community participation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let me just read this and then we'll get right to that letter. Public participation emails, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. And it looks like we have one email or a letter.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to place this on our February 8th, 2021 agenda. by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member Rousseau. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, yep. Member van de Kloet?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks. You said four to six or six to eight?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member Ruseau, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, you are muted, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Member Van der Kloot? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion to have the Columbus school name change discussion put on our February 8th meeting has been approved. Number eight, report of superintendent. Superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. I think we just had Ms. Fargo dancing in excitement for her.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, for her students, so that was pretty cool. Appreciate that. Great remarks. Number two, we have COVID-19 public health update and Medford Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update. Nurse supervisor, Ms. Toni Ray, Ms. Marianne O'Connor, our board of health director, and Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. for providing that data. If there's no questions, thank you, Ms. Ray, Mr. Murphy for the update. Mr. Musso.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloothe, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can take number two. The state will still calculate our positivity rate, including Tufts data that they release every Thursday. The data on the website, I'm not sure exactly who's putting that on on a weekly basis, but... Yeah, I think the answer is the number one and three is yes and yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you would think that almost everybody that is signed up to get tested is getting tested, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ray. On to number three, we have report on freshman orientation and the return of hybrid students grade 9 through 11. Principal Paul DeLeva and Principal Chad Fallon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Fallon. Thank you, Mr. DeLeva. Very thorough presentation. Number four, we have report on Tufts University free course offering for high school student, Dr. Peter Cushing and principal Paul DeLava.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. DeLava?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you so much. And thank you to Tufts University. five recommendation to approve revised job description for re-engagement specialists, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent and Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot, then member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Grimm?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member, I feel like somebody else had their hand up, but I see Member Ruseau right now. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion for approval as amended? Motion to approve as amended. By member Van der Kloot, seconded by? Second. Member Graham, roll call? Member Kreatz? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number six, we have recommendation to approve superintendent goals for school year 2020-2021. Dr. Maurice Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edouard-Vincent, it's not a goal for this year necessarily, but to start conversations with regards to bringing our kids back to school at a more normal pace in September. Has that been just discussed and should it be part of your goals as far as working with all unions to try to get back to a normal schedule come September?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. We can entertain that motion, maybe after the questions. Sounds like a good idea. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member van de Kloot. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz. If I just may ask one question, too. I know on was the first page. You mentioned professional development opportunities, and I know they've been enhanced. I just want to see if there's any polling of teachers or surveys that are done or could be done to just further enhance that. I know it's part of your goal, so how do we make sure we're getting the right PD for our teachers to move the district forward?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That'd be great. Thank you. Yes, because I hear a lot of people that love the PD, and then you hear from teachers saying, this is the same thing. I've taken this. multiple times. I'm not learning anything. So we would just want to make sure we're providing the opportunities to our teachers and the best we can. So survey or getting input from the teachers is just a great avenue that would be a good goal for either the end of the year or sometime a survey beginning of the school year next year. Just wanted to throw that out there. So member McLaughlin, is there a motion to table until the next meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, seconded by member Rousseau, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper is tabled until February 8th. Next up, we have old business. I don't believe there is any. And number 10, we have communications. First, we have new business. This is offered by member Ruseau. Given that attendance is a required first step in educating our students and given that excessive focus on attendance can lead to ill students and staff coming into school when they are contagious and with the potential to harm other students, staff and families, the attendance policy will be sent to the rules policy and equity subcommittee for review and update. as needed to ensure that it prohibits awards or recognitions of any kind being conferred within Medford Public Schools for perfect attendance. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. A motion for, oh, member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz. Dr. Edward-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Madam Superintendent. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's no second on this. So move the paper. Um, second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: given that attendance is a required first step in educating our students and given that excessive focus on attendance can lead to ill students and staff coming to school when they are contagious with the potential to harm other students, staff, and families, the attendance policy will be sent to the rules, policy, and equity subcommittee for review and update as needed to ensure that it prohibits awards or recognitions of any kind being conferred within the Medford Public School for perfect attendance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can I just amend it to also, I mean, I think there's a middle ground here to maybe set a prohibit just to review the policy and see if we can come up with some middle ground here, I think. prohibit doesn't send it to subcommittee to discuss it. But we're also voting with all due respect. We're also voting to discuss prohibiting it. And I think I know member Kreatz has an issue with that. So, and I, you know, listened clearly when the superintendent gave her points as well as member Kreatz. So I see that side as well. Um, member Kreatz, the member McLaughlin, the member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's why, yeah, I was kind of making a motion to amend so that all things can be discussed as it relates to perfect attendance. Member McLaughlin, then member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So somebody not watching the meeting would believe that if you vote yes, you are voting to prohibit perfect attendance. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we have member Stone, member McLaughlin, and Dr. Edouard-Vincent, and then member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Mustone. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Dr. Edouard-Vincent and Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Ruseau, seconded by member Graham still. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Kern Yes, seven. The affirmative Number two, the Rules Policy and Equity Subcommittee shall draft a new policy on field trips that includes the following. The superintendent or designee will provide a report to this committee no later than 30 days after the completion of every field trip or at the next school committee meeting, whichever is later. The report will include the number of students that participated, the number of students that were eligible to participate, and the breakdown of selected populations per DESE categories for each of these groups, those that participated and those that did not, for any field trip that did not include eligible students. Offered by member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin and Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Great point, Member McLaughlin. Dr. Edwarda Vincent, then Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, did you still want to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just have one example too. I remember at least a year ago, my daughter went on a field trip and it was $35 to go to a play through, I think, the McGlynn Middle School. And I remember asking her, Did everybody go? Could everybody afford the ticket? And she said, yeah, I think almost everybody went. There was some boys that didn't want to go. And in my head thinking, I hope they really didn't want to go. And it wasn't just that they couldn't afford it. some of the France and New York trips, you want that data too, but you also want the data on like the $35 ticket where, so if it's $2 to go to the zoo or $0 to go to the zoo, it's a lot different than a $35 ticket that some families might not be able to afford. So hopefully we can have the teachers know about this plan to get the data so it's a little less work on the admin and we can just kind of collect it and have it emailed to us or put on the agenda as an update, quick update. I think it's good value here. So motion for approval as amended by Member McLaughlin. Member Kreatz has her hand up. Sorry, Member Kreatz, I didn't see you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, in a way that our principals can collect the data efficiently and have enough time to do it. So there's a motion on the floor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, sorry, okay. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero the negative, paper passes. Whereas Medford Public Schools is committed to accessibility and inclusion for all. Be it resolved, Medford Public Schools will include closed captioning on all recorded public school committee meetings offered by Melanie McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven affirmative, zero negative. Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have two condolences So the first is the Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Eugene J. McGillicuddy, husband of former administrative assistant to the assistant superintendents, Maureen McGillicuddy, father of Sean McGillicuddy, a social studies teacher at the McGlynn Middle School, and the father-in-law of custodian, John Byrne, and also the Medford School Committee extends sincere condolences to the family of Jose Maria Villa, father of Caroline Vida, a math teacher at Medford High School. If we all may take a moment of silence. Thank you. And I apologize for miss, it's spelled two different ways on the second condolence. My apologies.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by member McLaughlin, seconded by member, we got a double there. We got our Van der Kloot, Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. Please be advised that on Monday, January 25th, 2021, at 5 p.m., there will be a committee of the whole meeting held through remote participation. Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order, suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15th, 2020 order, posing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. specific information in the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties of the right under requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. In-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the city of Medford and Medford community media websites and audio or video recording transcript to other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford community media on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 43 at 5 p.m. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log in or call in by using the following link or call in number, 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 987-5132-0021 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows. A review of the goals and performance evaluation of superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent for school year 2019 to 2020. Signed by superintendent of schools, Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent. I know we were provided by email the superintendent goals fiscal year 19 and 20 and also the self-evaluation for school year 2019-2020.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Say that one more time, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, we'll wait for him. we could take the roll, Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You just waiting for Paul member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds great. Dr. Edward-Vincent, do you want to give an overview and then we'll take questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Is there any questions? Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: of information, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. I know member van de Kloet, maybe you could speak first and then member Graham has her hand up because you've been doing this for some years. Member van de Kloet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin, then Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member van de Kloet, as amended by Member Graham. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Beforehand, if I may, subcommittee will hash it out for the policies and procedures moving forward, but for this, where we're gonna review Somebody needs to compile everything before the 22nd of February so we can discuss it as a, I think you said a compiled ratings and determine the positive eval at another meeting, which we can do on the 22nd, which would be about a month.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Member McLaughlin, about how much time do you think you you need? So we had it by the 8th to you. Would the 22nd be a good time to have another committee of the whole to regroup and discuss? So when- Yes, that should be fine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. We can add that to the motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van de Kloop, point of information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Suzy doesn't have it already.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or does Suzy have it? Suzy, do you have it? Or should we type something out? I don't know if she records them now, if she watches the video after. Susie, Ms. Wise, sorry. Oh, just going to unmute yourself. Oh, she can't. There you go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor. That's good. Thank you very much. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion passes. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Van der Kloot. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you, everybody. Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn. By Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero negative. The meeting's adjourned. If we could also, before you, Hank, log off, the master calendar did not have this link or the 6 p.m. link on the school site. So if somebody could send that link around to us. I'm not able to locate it. I don't know. Madam Mayor, I just sent it. Thank you. Okay. We'll see you in a few minutes. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Looks like we have all seven members present. It is 5.46 and we are recording. We have Medford School Committee meeting January 11th, 2021. Organizational meeting at 5.45 p.m. Regular meeting at 6 p.m. by Zoom. Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order, suspended certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the governor's March 15th, 2020 order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford school committee will be conducted via remote participation to their greatest extent possible. Specific information, the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and our parties with a right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found in the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we aren't able to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford and Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon Channel 43 at 5.45 p.m. Regular meeting of the Medford School Committee virtual information, 6 p.m. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number. One of the call-in numbers is 1-929-205-6099. Enter meeting ID 998-7212-9468 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Roll call vote. Member Van der Kloot, do you want to just take over? Jenny Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Paulette Van der Kloot present and may along go current present seven present Xerox and if we could rise and salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Do I have a motion on the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to nominate member Van der Kloot as vice chair, seconded by member Kreatz, seconded by member McLaughlin. I can call the roll. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct. Are there any other nominations for vice chair? And yes, please state the name on both this and for secretary. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, if you have another nomination, then you put it before the vote. I don't.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin. Paulette Van der Kloot. Member Mustone. Paulette Van der Kloot's a thumbs up. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot. Paulette Van der Kloot. And myself, member Paulette Van der Kloot. Seven for in favor of member Van der Kloot being our 2021 vice chair. Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Is there a nomination for secretary of the Medford School Committee for 2021? I nominate Melanie McLaughlin. Second. Member McLaughlin is nominated by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member Kreatz. Are there any other nominations? Hearing and seeing none, I will call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Shout out everything. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone. Member McLaughlin. Mia, that's the best audio you've had so far. Oh, thank you. I'm using Teagan's laptop. The kids have better stuff than us. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Member Van der Kloot. Member McLaughlin. I'd also like to put my vote to Member McLaughlin. So we have Member McLaughlin, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Member McLaughlin will be the 2021 school committee secretary. Congratulations. Number two, we have approval of minutes. December 21st, 2020, which was our regular school committee meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seven in the affirmative zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Mayor member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number three approval bills, transfer of funds and approval of payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member Kreatz. Seconded by member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: HAB-Masyn Moyer): Yes, 70 affirmatives here in the negative approval bills and transfer funds have been an approval payrolls has been approved number four report of secretary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have number five, report of committees. Six, I don't know, we don't have any reports on the committee. Up next is community participation. Again, public participation emails, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Member Ruseau, do you see any yet?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. I plan on responding to I can reply all I didn't get to that today, but I will. I know we're through another 20 subcommittees. We have a committee of the whole meetings we have to schedule and vision committee was up first. So do I have a second? Second second seconded by member Graham roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. paper passes, so we'll be on the 1-26 agenda. Number seven, we have report of superintendent's updates and comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number two, we have a COVID-19 public health update and Medford Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update given by nurse supervisor, Ms. Toni Rae and Medford Board of Health director, Ms. Marianne O'Connor, as well as Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it's Marian O'Connor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That'd be great if you could give the dates and in case any parents are watching, that'd be much appreciated. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you very much. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot? Oh, just unmute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham? Unmute yourself, Jenny. Member Graham, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, and it was over 1,700 students have signed up, and Ms. Frey just quote me from around four to 500 teachers or staff, or 450 or so. 400 to 450 staff. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you Dr. Edward-Vinson for all your hard work as well. It does not go unnoticed. It's definitely a team effort. If I may ask a question, I think everybody, can you give some logistics about this Tuesday and Friday testing? just any questions, little questions that have come in that maybe we can clear up. For example, if I'm a mom and I have somebody in elementary school, middle school, and high school, do I go to all three locations or can I get them all tested in one place? What are we looking at for where, are we ready for having lines to have people waiting and then we're going to wait outside, kids on the playgrounds. If we could just kind of talk through anything that you're hearing and maybe answer those two questions, that will be helpful for all those who are listening and getting ready to pack the kids in car or walk to get their kids tested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ray.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Maybe we can add in there. Yep, and just add them. If you have multiple children in multiple schools, you can test at one location.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, thank you. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: HAB-Masyn Moyer): I don't have a recall Tufts. HAB-Masyn Moyer): We Chris doors, the Tufts rep and he never meant. He said, you want at least a large majority, but to be safe. I know I don't ever recall the 92% or 90% HAB-Danny Teodorusilo & Collin Mastodoni, Jr.:
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by member Van der Kloot, roll call member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: She said yes, she's muted, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes, so the affirmative zero and the negative, that would be placed on the January 25th agenda.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you both. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Ryan. Thank you, Ms. O'Connor, Mr. Murphy, for the presentation. Number three, we have a report about the highlights of the Andrews Middle School, Principal Michael Downs and Dr. Stephen Burnham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Nice to have you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Downs. Member Van de Kloop?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you both. Number four, we have report on English Learners EL programming, Mr. Paul Texera.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Tixera. Very thorough. Any questions? We appreciate it. I have a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up, we have report on athletics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Bobby Maloney and Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I hope it works. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Mr. Maloney, can you, this is you talking just high school or would the, will these seasons be, um, cause we did plan for the middle school to also have their fall season and the March timeframe. So can you just elaborate on that a bit?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Thank you both. Number six, we have report on Racial Equity Task Force, Dr. Maurice-Edouard Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, Dr. Edwards. Sounds like a great committee. How many members is that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, and the committee for that important work. No further questions. We have old business, which I don't believe we have any. Yes, member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: old business. We have any number nine communications. Also, we don't have anything. And for new business, we do have a resolution offered by member McLaughlin, Massachusetts family school partnership initiative, the department in partnership with Pat Spradley, former chief of parent and community engagement for Springfield Public Schools, and the school in Maine Institute is offering up to three school districts a new opportunity to strengthen district systems for family engagement through the Massachusetts Family School Partnership Initiative. Districts that are interested in being part of the pilot will be asked to submit a brief application by Tuesday, January 26. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham, then Member Vandekloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: and thank you member McLaughlin for bringing this forward and Dr Edouard-Vincent for taking the lead on it. If we could maybe as a committee just get an update if we are going to submit an application who will be drafting that and make sure it's in my role as mayor, there's so many grant opportunities out there and I just am always on people to make sure they're meeting their deadlines. So if we can just kind of get an update before the 26th to know if and when it went out, that'd be great. Okay, thank you. Yes. Motion for an actual resolution or do you want anything voted on member McLaughlin? Are you satisfied?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And member van de Kloet, my apologies.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That'd be great, thank you, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you both. We have a number of condolences. The Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of James B. Maloney Sr., who taught English at Medford High School and was a proud World War II veteran. The Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Joseph Ferrari, who was the father of Medford Public Schools student, Andrew. Medford Public Schools alum, Loray, and husband of Nadine. Also, the Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Patricia Mazurka, husband of Joseph Mazurka, security monitor at the Brooks Elementary School. The Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Michael D. Sothis, Southern Fuss, who was the father of Medford Public School special education teacher Krista Southern Fuss Murphy. The Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Osama Bianchi, who served as a lunch attendant for over 15 years for the Medford Public Schools. The Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Peter Brady, who for many years was a guidance Councilor and coach at Medford High School, and is the father of Eleanor Brady O'Leary, a Brooks Elementary school teacher. If we all may take a moment of silence, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't believe we have any negotiations in legal matters, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 70 firm is in the negative. The meeting is adjourned. Everybody have a great
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven the affirmative, zero the negative. The minutes are approved. Before I call the next agenda item, I think we just want to acknowledge, do we have the Medford Boy Scouts on the call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, great job. Thanks for all your volunteerism. We appreciate it. Next up, we have number six, community participation by Brian Buck. president of the Medford Educational Foundation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is David unmuted?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member van de Kloot, much appreciated. We know you're a founding member of, how many years ago, Member van de Kloot? I don't really remember, four? At least four, yeah, at least four.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Five. I think we're claiming five, we're claiming five here. Five, yeah, I'd say.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, thank you all for being here, and we appreciate the presentation. We have public participation emails, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Member Ruseau, do we have any emails? Yes, thank you, Mayor. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau. We have number seven reports of superintendent, superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Got it, there you go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're all set. You're unmuted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Baptiste.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, then Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, great job. Thank you. We have a COVID-19 public health update and Medford Public School COVID-19 testing summary and update offered by Ms. Toni Rae, Ms. Marianne O'Connor, and Mr. David Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks. Thank you, Ms. O'Connor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ray. Mr. Murphy?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member Ruseau, do you have a comment from the email?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Colin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you so much, Colin. We appreciate that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. We have recommendation to approve donation to robotics department of Medford Vocational Technical High School, Mr. Chad Fallon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you both. recommendation to approve donation to robotics department, Medford Vocational Technical High School, Mr. Chad Fallon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can hear you now. Oh, we can hear me now. Hello, Little Graham. I hope Santa's good to you. Do we have Mr. Fallon on the line? Let's see. I don't see him on the call. Dr. Cushing, do you see him on the call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, anybody motion to table that one until we can try to get Mr. Fallon? Motion to table. Motion to table by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Kreatz, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper is tabled. Number four, recommendation to approve donation from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Bernadette Riccadeli.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you both for filling out that grant. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by? Second. Member Ruseau and Member Vanderclute, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes. We could have a motion to take number three off the table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By member McLaughlin, seconded by member Vanderclute. Roll call. Sorry. Graham? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. We're gonna take number three off the table, which is the recommendation to approve donations to robotics department, Medford Vocational Technical High School, Mr. Chad Fallon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's wonderful. Do you know how much that totaled?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion for approval by member McLaughlin. Tied for second, member Van der Kloot, member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Mayor Lungo-Koehn? Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Thank you. Yes, Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. Next up, do we have any old business? Hearing and seeing none. Communications, number nine. And again, nothing. And number 10, new business. Do we have anything else besides our last item? No, just our last item. School Committee Resolution, we have two condolences. The Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Nick Tomaszuk, husband of Marion and father of Andrew's middle school parent and community volunteer, Cheryl Rodriguez, and father of Lauren and Lucy Rodriguez. Also, the Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Anne Marie McNamara, mother-in-law of Mustang baseball coach Mike Nestor. If we can all please take a moment of silence. Thank you. I don't think with negotiations and legal matters. No. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Merry Christmas, everybody. Thanks to the Boy Scout.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Nice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, Rudolph, I love it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I thought it was the Grinch. Awesome. Thank you, everyone. It's Santa Mia Science.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: of the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with a right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford or Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon Channel 43 at 4.30 p.m. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number, 1-929-205-6099. Please enter meeting ID 914-7691-9075 when prompted. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. The agenda will be as follows, discussion on how to redesign and relaunch the Medford High School Vision Committee, signed by Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent of Schools. And there'll be screens sharing a presentation. Should I take the roll, Mayor? Roll call, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Cushing, do you have another slide deck?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, and then I know the admin did work on a slide deck that isn't fully ready, but maybe we can, I think that would go to intention and scope. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's a blank slate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The six o'clock subcommittee meeting was canceled. Is that correct? Or are we on a hard hour tonight? I didn't know that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just know this said five to six, so I just want to
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think six was tomorrow. Six is tomorrow, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. I think we need to probably create a plan for how we're gonna get, when and how we're gonna advertise and make sure we have a way to get it out to the entire community to make sure that we're getting applications and new applications. And so I think sometime after the new year is probably best to do that and maybe use most of what the last application said and maybe add a few questions to it. I think maybe we start there and then I think we're on the right track after we get that out and spend plenty of time advertising that, then we come up with a charge.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau did start that, but I think that's something we need to have a whole nother meeting on to create a formal charge that we will give the vision committee once it is fully established. And then I think at that point, I think the vision committee is gonna probably need subcommittees and one of those will be outreach and strategy communication to be able to grab, whether that's a survey or or what we need to make sure we're reaching out to the whole community to give ideas and suggestions. So that's just what, just wanted to figure out a way how to stop the process. And I think probably by the end of January, we should maybe have this application out and come up with a plan on how to get it out. And member Ruseau, then member Graham, then member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Wierdekloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Divya? Let me just try to unmute you. work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it sounds like we wanna do the charge first. I think that's the majority of this school committee. I don't know if we wanna see more of that slideshow, if we want that email to us and we set up a meeting for early January to try to come up with a charge together. Thoughts? Member Ruseau, then member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think that sounds like a great idea. I know myself and my staff worked on a charge for the fire station task force. So that's an example. And plus Paul, you did start something that we can go off of. And if we just all send our ideas to Dr. Edouard-Vincent and the team, maybe we can try to draft some sort of charge. And I know that some of the slideshow may acknowledge some of what we want in the charge anyway, and we can sit and review it in January. Member Graham, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just assumed that Dr. Edouard-Vincent would kind of delegate that. I know Mr. Fallon, Mr. DeLava have done a lot to prepare for tonight, Dr. Cushing. So it's up to the committee, Dr. Vincent, it's up to your feelings as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Delivery, you're all set. Dr. Edward-Vincent and member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so is there a motion on the floor that will use Paul's starter draft as a way to, you know, take a few weeks and review and send potential additions, edits to superintendent and our staff, to then compile a charge that we will review by the end of January. We don't even have to put a timeframe. I know- So moved. 20 other Committee of the Whole meetings, but sometime after the new year. So moved. Moved by member Van der Kloot, seconded by- Second. Member Ruseau, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes. And then also, if the administration could just send us all the second slideshow so we can use that to help, that would be great. And thank you for that, the administration. Yes, thank you for the two slide decks. That was helpful. I know we received the first one. We'll get the second one, and we can maybe even put them on the website. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, and our next regular meeting full of holiday chair will be Monday, the 21st. So everyone's wearing their Christmas pajamas?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Come on. OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let's do it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: be a remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with a right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event we aren't able to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford and Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon Channel 43 at 6 p.m. regular meeting of the Medford School Committee virtual information, 6 p.m. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number. One of the numbers is 1-929-205-6099. Enter meeting ID 920-2027-7672 when prompted. Additionally, comments or questions can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Member Van der Kloot, if you could please call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mia? Hold on, let me try to unmute him. Mia? There you go. Oh, we still can't hear her even though she's unmuted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present, seven present, zero absent. If we all may rise to salute the flag, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. First order of business, we have approval of the minutes of the regularly scheduled school committee meeting from November 16th, 2020.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Vanden Heuvel, seconded by member Kreatz, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirm is there in the negative. Minutes are approved. Approval number three, approval of bills, transfer of funds and approval of payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot, seconded by? Second. Member Kretsen-Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes. Number four, report of secretary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number five, report of committees. First up, we have Communications Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement Subcommittee member Jenny Graham. Approval of minutes from 11-10-2020 and 12-1-2020 meetings. Member Graham. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Zero negative minutes are approved for 11 10 2020. And then we also had a meeting last week on December 1st.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Motion for approval? Motion to approve. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. And next up we have Curriculum Subcommittee member Paulette Vanderclute. Approval of minutes from 11-18-2020 meeting. Member van de Kloop.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, seconded by member Kreatz. Yes, sorry, that's what I meant. Thank you. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Welcome. Welcome. It's an honor to have you. Let us know if you have any questions. Next up, we have committee of the whole special school committee meeting offered by myself, minutes from 11-24-2020, which was last week when we discussed the school metrics, COVID-19 school metrics. Motion for approval of the minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Method Street address, your question or comment. Member Ruseau, do we have any emails yet?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I'm trying to unmute now. Oh, sorry. Yeah, sometimes it's sticky. There you go. Ms. McKay, you should be unmuted now. Sure, can you hear me? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. McKay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Douglas. Member Van der Kloot. And I know we're getting to this topic with Ms. Toni Wray in probably 10 minutes, but maybe Vandaclute, you're on mute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Remember? So any other emails that you have right now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yeah, we'll get into that. We're gonna do the superintendent's update and comments, and then we're getting right to number two, which is COVID-19 public health update and testing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent's updates and comments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau, appreciate that. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Rosa?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you mentioned that, Madam Superintendent, but if you wanna just reiterate the official dates for the students?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next up, we have a number two COVID-19 public health update and testing update report, Ms. Toni Ray.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Wray.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Murphy. If I may just ask for a quick elaboration, then I'm going to call on member Kreatz. Tony, I know we have the teachers spoke earlier, very nervous. If you could explain some of the work you did over the weekend with the team with regards to how you contact trace and how we also are being extra cautious when it comes to especially the lower grades, even if it's questionable, how we handle that this weekend, just to give some reassurance to those who are watching, those sending their kids to school, and obviously those that are teaching our students.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Thank you. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You would call Ms. Ray or the school nurse, or you always call the Board of Health, but do not contact your teacher call the school nurse or Ms. Ray. Okay, thank you. Any questions? And I just wanna give a shout out to put this in perspective a little bit. I know nobody wants to see any cases among our staff or among our students, but the positive thing that we have here in Medford that a lot of communities don't have some of whom are fully remote, some are in the hybrid or week on, week off, like for instance, Reading, we are able to provide, even if it is just for the month of December so far, we are able to provide our students testing and we're able to catch these cases so that instead of being in the whole week, we catch them as soon as we can, since our students are getting tested every week and we're able It's just an extra layer of protection that we have here in Medford. And this could not be possible without the team that you're looking at as far as the administration of the school and the board of health. When Tufts and Broad and mayor's office and school admin got on a call and we said yes, this sounds like a great idea. When we got that follow-up email, how much staff and how much PPE this was going to take, I thought there is no way we can do this, but your school admin has really come together. We need an additional, I think Tony can correct me if I'm wrong, but 22 personnel every Tuesday and every Friday to administer testing within each school, the proper and appropriate way. And to do that is really, for me, I wasn't involved in the PPE or the, I don't do the testing, but the school admin came together and made that happen with our board of health. And it's something that we have here in Medford. I'm very proud of and very happy that we're able to keep our schools in session, even if it's two days a week, and keep our teachers as safe as possible, as well as our students. So thank you, Tony.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. Thank you, miss Ray.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Of course, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Ms.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, maybe the admin can put their heads together in the next couple of days and give us an email by the end of the week on how best to report this out, this data out to the community by Monday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I just may comment on that. As far as I'm concerned, for what it's worth, I trust Ms. Ray and her team so greatly. And believe me, I would say if I didn't, I think everybody knows that I would. So I just want you to know that Ms. Ray, I trust what you're doing. I know you have the health and safety of our students and staff in mind at every decision you make.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Gary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Klein. We appreciate it. Number three, we have report on Medford participation in state record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think the question is, if you have a family member that's positive, Ms. Ray, then the student gets taken out for a period of time to quarantine, does the student have to produce a negative test before coming back?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can speak to the city. The city has a good deal of staff and we're keeping up with it pretty well, although because of the amounts of cases, we are sending cases to the state CTC. to help with that and misreading on the schools.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know a couple of weeks ago, it was 0.96. And without Tufts, we were at 1.11%. So Tufts does affect our numbers, but not as much as we would expect. And at the time, I think it was because Tufts did about 3,200 tests, and the city in its entirety did about 15,000 to 16,000. than this week's numbers I don't have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you read that one more time, please?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think that relates to our community, our metrics scale, which is what was discussed over the weekend, how many cases we had at each school, how many cases, what would arise to shutting down a school, depending on the case level. That's all can be found on our school website.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Dr. Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, everything's changing. Actually, that was the guidance last week. And as Ms. Ray said, there's even new guidance coming out this week that may change it even more. So that is updated guidance over the last several weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have number three, reporter methods participation in state's rapid testing program using Abbott Binax now tests COVID-19.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ray. Any questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Next up, we have a report on responsive classroom, Ms. Suzanne Galussi and Ms. Stacey Shulman.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, ladies. If there's no questions, we can move on to number five.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Number five, recommendation to approve updated bullying prevention plan, Ms. Joan Bowen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Bowen. Ms. McLaughlin, then member Van der Kloot. Member McLaughlin, then member Van der Kloot, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member van de Kloet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Kreatz, Member Graham, Member McLaughlin, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Kreatz. I just want to thank Mr. Bailey, Colin, for being on. I know you have to get to do some homework. Sorry it's so late, but thank you for being with us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. You too. I did see David sign on. I'm not sure if he's still on, but he did sign on about 6.30 or so. So thank you for being here, David. Next up is member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Shall I take the roll? Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes and will be referred to the subcommittee on rules policy. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Thank you all for your hard work. Yes. Much appreciated. I'm not sure I don't communications. I know we have new business. Motion by Member Ruseau, receive and discuss a recommendation from the superintendent on how to handle snow days in light of the altered model of educational delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. Thank you. So nothing to approve, but I appreciate it. Oh, I'm sorry, Memocrats.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm offered by member Graham, whereas the COVID school closures and associated budget impacts this spring delay the school committee's annual process. Viewers of the school committee, the superintendent's performance evaluations for the 2019-2020 academic year, no later than December 31st, 2020. whereas defined goals are the foundation for productive evaluation of the superintendent be it resolved that the school committee establish goals for the superintendent for the 2020-2021 academic year no later than December 31st, 2020. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: or mid-January. Okay, Democrats?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Kreatz. If I may ask a question, Dr. Edward-Woodmanson, what do you think is a good time frame? So we have the December 31st date, we have beginning to mid-January. How long do you need for self-evaluation so we can do it right? and give you enough time, I know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so Member Van der Kloot, are you amending this to read self-evaluations by mid-January?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I have it noted, so I'll call committee a whole right after we get that self-evaluation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I figured we'd schedule a meeting after mid-January to review this self-evaluation, our evaluations plus goal setting. Collectively, maybe the end of January.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe Madam Superintendent, you could, with your self-evaluation, you could let us know what your goals, like self goals are so that we can kind of shape ours requests along the lines of what you're doing, what you're striving to do. I know we all know some of what you're trying to do, but if you could maybe just put that in bullet points, that would be very helpful with the self-evaluation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, I think we just need to make sure that this is amended accordingly. So, whereas the COVID school closures and associated budget impacts the spring to lay the school community's annual process, be resolved the school committee complete that the superintendent complete her self-evaluation on or before January, let me just grab a date, 15th or 18th, 15th of Friday, so January 15th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's up to the committee, but I would say we would try to have maybe have a committee whole on on our boat. End of January, beginning of February, we have a meeting on January 25th and February 8th, or we could do a second of those week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. Motion on the floor. I remember the last one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Yes, that's accurate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member. Second. Graham, it's her resolution, seconded by Member McLaughlin, if that's okay, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Van der Kloot? Yes. Mayor? Yes, 70 for a move, zero in the negative, paper passes as amended. Offered by member Gramby, it resolved that the administration provide a report of adoption rates for usage of the alpha meds symptom checker and participation rates for voluntary testing that began the week of 1130. We had further resolved that these rates be established by building with rates correlated to the number of students in the building during hybrid learning. You'd also resolve that the administration will identify when reports can be provided to the committee for review and discussion number Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by member Ruseau, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, paper passes. Also offered by Member Graham, be it resolved the administration provides the school committee a proposed schedule of budget hearings to create the 2021-2022 school budget no later than the first scheduled meeting in January 2021. motion for approval by Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Will you accept the amendment, member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Graham, seconded by member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes. Ad hoc report request. Report on COVID grant spending. How much? money has been spent related to COVID that has covered, was covered by grants? What were those grants? How much money is left within each grant seeking itemization and categorization of spending by grant offered by member Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. member McLaughlin and member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz and then the member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Van Der Kloof.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you both. I don't know if we want to move the paper or if that's good enough.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, because there's no date, but I know Dr. Edouard-Vincent will work on it. So motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. The Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Tristar Silvio, father of Steven Silvio, who is a custodian at the Andrews Middle School. Sorry if I pronounced that incorrectly. The Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Sandra Sacco, former administrator for the Early Childhood Program at the Medford Public Schools and the mother of Brian Sacco, a physical educator Education teacher at the Brooks Elementary School. The Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Sarah Burless, a 2016 graduate of Medford High School and recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Ms. Burless, who was born in Haiti, passed away on her way to a job interview. Gosh, I'm so sorry. If we all may take a moment of silence. Thank you. Motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. Seconded. Member Kreatz, seconded. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you, everybody. Have a good night.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, you want to go first? Thank you. I don't know if Anne-Marie is on the call, but I know Jackie Peeks, our communications director is on the call as well as myself. And this is something that I believe was approved by the city council. Months ago, thank you very much. It wasn't taken advantage of, so we're asking for the extension of the up to five dates per resident requests. And we ask for your approval of that tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have, Mr. President, thank you. We have Maria DeStefano from the state. I think she'd probably be best to answer this question for you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Mr. President, yes, we don't have Commissioner Moki on the call. We have Ms. Hunt, Mr. Rodriguez. We have our traffic engineer, Todd Blake. But we do not have Commissioner Mulkey. My apologies. Point of information, Mr. President.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I know. I think Ms. Hunt has something to add, but I just want to just reassure you with Maria's help and our we're not looking for improvements for monogram, but as I think you have more department heads on here than I announced earlier, many more, but we will work together to try to get some much-needed improvements to Middlesex Avenue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm miss hunt. If you want to help me with this, but with regards to linkage fees and then I can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If nobody else has any comments, I just want to Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank the for all your due diligence this past week. I know a lot of you have been working with us on the robocall as well as in and out of the office to ask questions and to lend your support. We thank Mister Monica for coming to the city of invest $40 million into our community and create 250 jobs where Medford's unemployment rate is up over 8% is invaluable. And we look forward to getting started on this project. I will be present during the state meeting on Friday. I look forward to it. And I want to thank the team, the entire team, our city assessor. our chief financial officer, city engineer, office of community development, my chief of staff, Dave Rodriguez, Jackie Peeks, Maria DeStefano from the state. This is a great example of collaboration among the city, the state, and the city council, and I thank you for that, and welcome, Mr. Modica, hopefully. It sounds very positive that you'll be a partner here in Medford, and we appreciate that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Falco. I do want to thank both chiefs for being on the call as well as Lieutenant Rudolph. We have President McGilvery from the police union. We also have President Buckley from the fire union and Lieutenant Mon from the fire department. And I just want to, I want to give them all the floor, but I just want to let you know that I do stand by the email that was sent. I think it's really important that we get a 911 supervisor in there for a number of reasons, some personnel, but one of the main personnel reasons for doing so is because we're having a really hard time hiring for the four empty positions. that are in dispatch, which is creating forced overtimes, and it's creating almost an emergency situation just to get personnel in there anyway. We have a number of good candidates that we've offered the job to, but they've turned it down due to the pay. We also feel that now more than ever, after hearing the concerns, especially from the fire union, that it is an emergency to get a supervisor in that role for any additional training to make sure that the first responders we want to make sure we have a supervisor in there. We cannot wait for this until next budget cycle. This is something that I just want to let you know. I stand by as being an emergency. We and he is just recently started. He is going to be working with us for the next couple months. And I think it's imperative that we do get a supervisor in there to work with both unions, both chiefs, Lieutenant Rudolph, who runs the department, and get a supervisor in there ready to go while Mr. Richard makes recommendations for how to fix all the problems that is if there are any that will be explained to you tonight in 9-1-1 dispatch. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I thank you, Councilor Marks. In January, February, it was brought to my attention. There was some issues with the training manuals. So at that point, I think Chief Gilberti and I did meet I mean, it could have been March, April, May, depending on the surge in coronavirus cases, which set us back a bit. But the manual was brought to me, and at that time, I did let my chief of staff know that I've reviewed the manual. It's in-depth, but the fire union still had concerns. So as of recent, over the last two months, we've had two very in-depth meetings to review what the problems are and how do we fix these problems. And we've been able to work on a plan collaboratively, one that I feel the police and the fire is happy with, but part of that plan, which I feel is an emergency, is to get a supervisor on board as soon as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to answer Vice President Caraviello's question because Lieutenant Rudolph did answer the most recent interview, which is in process, but I just wanted to also make you aware of about six to eight weeks ago, approximately, I did do final interviews for two strong candidates, both of whom were very well trained, had a great deal of experience, both probably capable of being supervisors. We did offer the job of dispatcher to both of those candidates, and they both turned them down due to the the salary. One of those candidates was very well-versed on the police side only, and one was well-versed on police and had an extreme amount of experience on the fire side. So that is a potential for this job. So I just wanted to be extremely clear. We did have two strong candidates about six to eight weeks ago, but we did lose them both.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can comment on that. I wasn't around a year and a half ago. I know that the only one present probably, because I know it was Chief Sacco and Mayor Burke at the time, and I know Chief Gilberti can probably comment, but I just want to reiterate that we did have police and then we had fire in dispatch up until February, March, right around when COVID hit. And at that time, the issues of the training manual were being worked on. So I know it did take time, and we got to this point. We had almost a semi-emergency meeting on this in October, and then a second one in November, which is leading us to where we are today, requesting a 911 supervisor, which we did in the supplemental budget. But I understand your reasonings for not I'm here tonight to explain why we're here, how we're planning to fix it and why we think this is so essential.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: that we're able to fund that going forward until fiscal year 22. So that is what we've Dave, I don't know if you have any clarifications on any legalities that need to happen with regard to that, but I think that it's as simple as that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The supplemental budget has to be approved by tonight because you have your tax classification hearing next week on December 8th. So for lack of time, we won't be able to put on a separate paper. I'm hopeful that maybe tonight you will take it off the table and discuss the supplemental budget as a whole. I feel that those are the needs of the community right now. And I hear you loud and clear that there's an election supervisor position that we are currently working on reviewing. And I have meetings set up as early as next week to continue that review in hopes to make sure we do the best we can for our elections department and city clerk.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Since tonight is the last night to approve the supplemental budget, yes, the paper will die. And the funds will be reverted to free cash after the fiscal year 21 is over.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct, Chief. That's correct. The stations, the schools and routine maintenance for our new police station and new library that's coming online over the summer. 200,000 can go a long way along with the facilities director that the council me included when I was on the council advocated for year after year after year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. Sure. Thank you, Councilor Scarpelli. What I can do is, within three or four months, give you a full report of my review and investigation and let you know what we find with regards to if there is a need for that position. And that position, three or four months would be far before the next election. So that's something I can commit to. But I can't go and say I will institute an election coordinator when the clerk's office and the board of registrar voters, it is completely fully staffed. And I cannot commit to that until I know that there is 100% need for it. If I could use that money for a teacher, a firefighter, a police officer, there's need there. There are other departments in this city. We have two missing positions that need to be hired in the treasurer's office. In our assessing office, we have the need for an additional assessor. Engineering office, need for additional personnel. Poor Todd Blake, need for our traffic engineer for an assistant. Diversity, need for an assistant. My communications director, 18 hour days, need for an assistant. There are so many needs in this community that I have to do my due diligence as your mayor to make sure that any position I implement is necessary and is the right decision. I hear you loud and clear. I hear the clerk. We had a plan. Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Hurtubise, and myself, we sat. We discussed the primary. We discussed the issues, the successes, and the setbacks, and how we were going to go and address that. After the election was certified, we were going to sit down again. And I was going to meet with additional personnel, as well as the board, that we need to figure out what the need is. There's also other issues that I spoke to many about over the phone that I need to make sure if it's necessary that we have the right person in that position. And I want to do what's best for our clerk. Believe me, I do. I hear you loud and clear. But there's a lot. It's very difficult to manage many, many departments with hundreds of employees and to do the right thing. And what is absolutely the need of this community, it's my job and I take it very seriously. With that being said, I can commit to giving you a review of my investigation within 90 to 120 days, three to four months. We can get that done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you very much, President Falco, and thank you, Councilor Knight, for moving suspension of the rules. We have our assessor on to answer questions, Ellen Burdeaux. We have Aleesha Nunley, our finance director, on as well. We have Ms. Hunt, Office of Community Development, is present, as well as Jeff Monica and Maria DeStefano. So I want to take you through this slideshow with the help of the team. Monogram Gourmet Foods LLC, this is a proposed, as I said, For the past several weeks, the administration has been in discussions with Monogram Gourmet Foods LLC, located, hopefully, at 300 Middlesex Ave, which is the old Whole Foods Bakery site. This is the site in front of BJ's Wholesale across from Dunkin' Donuts on Middlesex Ave. Monogram Foods has been looking at several sites, including additional locations in Massachusetts, and we are one of those sites. If Monogram comes to Medford, they're going to be putting $40 million into the property as well as providing 250 new jobs to the community with Medford residents having preference. We are seeking a 10-year tax increment finance agreement with Monogram if the council approves this tonight. Mr. President? The property right now, you'll see on the screen, this is the location, this is the condition the property is in. Currently, it's generating about $118,000 in taxes each year. With no improvements and without Monogram Foods, we would be estimating the taxes that we would bring in at about $150,890 by the year 2031. At this point, I can turn it over to Mr. Monica, if you have any questions with regards to the improvements, the $40 million in improvements that will be brought to this property if this agreement is approved. Or Jeff, if you wanna just elaborate a bit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No I believe there's there is a commitment and I can let Mr. Monica explain further.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, Mr. Monaco. Next slide, please. to be able to do that. Mister Rodriguez, do you want to explain this one?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: that. Thank you. Do you want to the next slide, Dave? I think we have
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This slide shows you the proposed TIF agreement terms, and it It breaks down the percentage of the exemption over the course of the 10 years. It also breaks down the personal property exemption schedule 10% from year 1 to 5 and 0% year 6 to 10.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This slide shows you the value to the city of Medford. So if you take the total real estate tax revenue to the city from 2022 to $1,421,000. With this TIF agreement, including the total of 3 million 432,000 and then a total property tax revenue $2,040,972. The exemptions would be the $668,000 and that would bring a total tax paid from 2022 to 2031 $5,473,273, which would be an increase in tax revenue over that 10 year span of over $4 million to the city of Medford. This just breaks it down a little bit further, and I know the council was provided this prior to this meeting, because I know it's a lot to digest, but we did want you to have all of this prior to, and we're happy to answer any other questions. that you have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Maurice-Edouard Vincent, superintendent of schools. I know we do have a slideshow presentation that is ready.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Please call the roll. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven present, zero absent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not listed, but we should do it. So if everybody may please rise. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. I will turn it over to the administration. I know Ms. Marian O'Connor, our director of the Board of Health, is on or will be on very shortly. But Dr. Edouard-Vincent, do we have somebody specifically that will be starting this slideshow?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the presentation. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: MAVEN is the name of the program that the state requires cities and towns to use.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. O'Connor, if you're on, you can, thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think it's important to point out, there must be a timeframe, Miriam, that you can probably speak to on when the first call goes out from the Board of Health to a positive case. And if there was ever a chance we needed more help with that, the state is providing contact traces. So we do have that backup. Although I don't think we've needed to use the state.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, keep going. And any member that has a question during can always raise their hand. I've got my eyes open.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, member McLaughlin, and then member Van der Kloot has her hand up as well. Oh, I'm sorry, member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Graham. And then member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information? Member Grims, finish, you're up next anyway. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Kreatz, then Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can I- Member McLaughlin seconded by Member Van der Kloot to call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not ready to do that. Me either.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can't hear you, Mr. Murphy. Sometimes this happens to me, but if you click on the little arrow near the mute, you can just reset your mic.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, thank you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we can hear you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Helpful. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: the governor has stated four weeks in red, then you need to evaluate whether you should go remote. So red does not mean remote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, we took a vote as a committee to give the administration Maryann O'Connor and Ms. Ray, that authority.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van de Kloop.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would think that the administration and Ms. O'Connor and Ms. Ray would be fully capable of making that decision. That's my personal opinion, but I'm sure the committee thinks has an individual opinion on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: let member Graham continue and then we have two hands raised as well as member Vandekloot did raise her hand so we'll take it in that order.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member McLaughlin. Point of order, Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Overruled. Dr. Edouard-Vincent, would you like to finish? And then I think Mr. Murphy wanted to
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, you do have the floor. Mr. Murphy, did you want to respond to that answer by Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. we have four residents. Member Van der Kloot, do you wanna go before the four residents? I know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds great, thank you, Member Van der Kloot. Mr. Began?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Next up, Roka. Jean Gatza, COB Host, she or her): Yes, hello, can you hear me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Miss Rooker. Miss Moretti.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks. Mr. Carbone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Adam. And then member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member van de Kloot, and then I'll take the two additional speakers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member van de Kloot. Ms. Willard?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The city and the school department has been messaging, asking people to keep Thanksgiving within your immediate family, and definitely less than 10 people. We're following state guidance. We're asking people not to travel. You're right, we do have the testing set up for teachers and staff every Wednesday. Yesterday, I think we had a record number of four to 500, and I'm sure that will be the same next week. And we want it to be because we wanna make sure people are getting tested to keep our schools, staff and children safe. As of December 1st, because we need to work through the logistics, we are gonna start testing the children once a week. It is not gonna be mandatory, but we are gonna strongly encourage it. It is not the invasive test. It's gonna be quick and easy and done within the school. So that is something more than other districts are doing. And we are hoping we need to finalize a number of details, but we are hoping to start pool testing sometime in January as an additional step that's going to cost a lot of money. So we're working on funding partners right now. There's a lot that needs to be worked out, but we are taking every step we can, testing-wise and obviously Board of Health and admin-wise, doing everything they can to keep everybody safe and healthy and to keep our children in school in the safest way possible. And to continue, I know we don't have specific date, but hopefully be coming out this week to start that Medford High School in-person hybrid model. I know there's a lot of questions as to dates, and hopefully that will be coming soon if we continue on this path. So just if people are listening tonight, please, for the safety of our children, our teachers, please do the right thing on Thanksgiving and the holidays during December. so that we can continue on this path of very little to no in-school transmission. I don't know if anybody has anything else to add, but Ms. Lied.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And I know that we did send out the forms to all parents, so we just want to encourage every parent that is interested in their children getting tested, and we strongly encourage it. It's going to be safe, and it's going to be done by professionals that you fill out that form so that we can start that process immediately on December 1st and make sure it's as effective as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, Member McLaughlin, and then we're gonna move the question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Dr. Edwards-Vinson, if you could address that briefly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Vinson and Member McLaughlin. Member Ruseau, if you could please read the emails that have been submitted before we call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Is there any other emails or gonna move the question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Allison, yes, briefly, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we've answered that question a couple minutes ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Van der Kloot, if you could call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, let me. OK. The hand's been lowered. Yes, you can take the amendments first by roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes. Amendments pass. And then a roll call. I don't know if we're gonna take a roll call on giving our superintendent, obviously with the help of Ms. Ray and Ms. O'Connor, the authority to continue contact tracing and making decision-making on our schools.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The main motion as amended to give the superintendent and her team authority ever. Yes, most motion to sever. So we'll take the amendment first, giving the administration and the health team authority to have decision making.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do we need to vote on it again? If we already... We voted to give them decision-making on... Member Grimm stated, it was clarified, it was to give them decision-making on the staggered hybrid. So I think we should make it clear to give them decision-making on school closing and contact tracing ability.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're voting on the amendment first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To give the superintendent and the health team authority for decision making when it comes to school classroom or school closures.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Based on collective information that they have before them, because every situation will be different given the different variables?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Classroom, school, or district needs to close. We need to be clear on that. And I think that was in question. So if there's a motion on the floor and it's seconded, I think we need to take a roll call on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it's all encompassing, classroom, school, district, based on our metrics, based on the decision-making by our board of health and giving the superintendent the authority.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Wise, are you on the call? I think I've stated it a few times. I just wanna see what you have written down.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know, but the two committee members need more clarity. OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: At least.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And there's a motion on the floor, so we can call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, five in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes. Two in the negative. Sorry, five in the positive, two in the negative. Amendment passes. Now we have member Kreatz's main motion. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to adjourn. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think he left. Yes, mayor. Yes. Affirmative. One absent motion to adjourn is approved. Thank you, everybody. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: provisions of the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15, 2020 order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. This meeting members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post some City of Medford or Medford Community Media websites and audio or video recording, transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 43 at 6 p.m. You can call in by dialing 1-929-205-6099 meeting ID is 950-0558-0643, which you'll enter when prompted. Questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, your question or comment. Member van de Kloot, if you could Call the roll, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. If we could all please rise to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty, and justice for all. Thank you. We have approval of the school committee minutes from November 2nd, 2020. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to approve the minutes. By member McLaughlin, seconded by member Kreatz, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was only one agenda that night, so yes. Okay, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve? Yep, by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The minutes are approved. Number three, approval of bills for funds and approval of payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Vanderclute, seconded by member Kreatz. Roll call. Jenny Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what's on the agenda for this Wednesday?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you very much. Number Five, we have reports of committees. Committee of the whole meeting, approval of the minutes 11 to 2020. Is there a motion? Motion to approve. Motion to approve by member Kreatz, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Paper passes. We have the rules, policy and equity subcommittee member Rousseau. Approval of the minutes from 11 for 2020 meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I'm in the affirmative, zero in the negative. If I could ask a question about those minutes, just because I wasn't able to attend, I know there's a lot of recommendations about different holidays, are we leaving that up to the superintendent to do her due diligence and try to, are you gonna have another meeting to discuss additional holidays? Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve the minutes by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. We have Building and Grounds Subcommittee, Member Kreatz, approval of the minutes from 11-5-2020.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it's just not accessible. Oh, Mr. Member van der Koek, go ahead.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is just a steep, too steep ramp, and then the stairs are to the right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What about the 800,000? Yeah, member, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So roll call vote. Obviously, member Kreatz moves for approval, seconded by? Second. Member McLaughlin, roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, 70 affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Next we have communications strategy and stakeholder engagement subcommittee member Graham, approval of minutes from 11, 10, 2020 meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. So in the affirmative, zero in the negative, the motion to table is allowed. Number six, community participation. Public participation, emails, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Member Ruseau, do we have any emails yet?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Next up, we have number seven, report of superintendent Superintendent's updates and comments. Dr. Maurice Edwards-Edmondson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. Member McLaughlin and Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have number two COVID-19 public health update and testing update report. Ms. Toni Wray.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It is, thank you, Ms. Rae. A member so. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we've been following the two days since, since March, including with the schools since September 28th. And it's been very effective with regards to no school transmission, except I think one case, if I have that correct, but.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Member McLaughlin, then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. In relation to discuss the rapid test site, I'm sorry, excuse me. To discuss how easy it is to sign up for testing at the Revere, stop the spread site, you go on mass.gov, under express COVID-19 testing site in Revere, it takes about five minutes. And I just signed my family up for scheduled appointments this Saturday. And that's a way to get your children if you do have transportation to get your Children there to just kind of get used to it. That's not invasive as well. So I just want to bring that up as an option for families that are able to get to a stop.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor? Yes, Mr. Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I agree. I agree. I think if we put a motion under 7-2 to not adhere to the metrics prior that we prior voted on prior, that would be sufficient. Mayor. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't think we'd be going to know metrics. We have the state's new metrics, which say if we go 4% or above with positivity rate, that we'd have to go to remote learning. No questions asked. So I think that's the metrics the state's using, and that's what I think we should follow. I don't know if my colleagues have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They're doing, I don't have the correct number on the top of my head, but they are going to continue through twice a week, each student.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Tufts is asking students that leave on Thanksgiving break not to come back. So the testing is gonna, be reduced after Thanksgiving and further reduced after Christmas, which will potentially increase our positivity rate. If we were going.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Van der Kloot, Member Ruseau, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, Member Ruseau, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In general, 50% is not associated with our schools. We've been able to contact trace every case within our schools. Tony can confirm that. We've had one school transmission since September 28th. So the 50% is just community-wide, what Mary Ann O'Connor is facing within the community at large. We do not have in-school transmission.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You know, Ms. Ray, if you could comment on that. We've been able to track every positive case and find out that it was from family transmission within the household. A parent comes home from work, passes it to the children. Children go in, find out they're positive. Well, nobody else in that class has got it, and we've been able to trace it back to the parents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's 100%.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor, I'm sorry, but still could member McLaughlin has the floor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I try to follow up with every single case through Ms. O'Connor, and it's always traced back from what I've heard. So I don't know, Ms. Ray, if you've heard
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay we're going to move the question member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, if I just may, before the question is voted on, just for the record, I don't feel, I have no problem having meetings, many meetings. I just feel like the admin and Ms. Ray and Ms. O'Connor are doing such a great job, not only keeping us all informed, but work in each contact tracing situation as best they can. And I don't feel like us having a meeting is necessary at this point. Will it be necessary in two weeks or three weeks if we see in-school transmission? Absolutely. But right now that's gonna, my vote is based on that. And I trust the administration and our board of health and head nurse of the schools to make these decisions, which I feel they're doing a really good job doing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we'll never get the right policy in place. This is a global pandemic that we're dealing with and situation's changing every minute. So that's my no vote. Move the question by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot? Yes. Mayor? No. Six in the affirmative. one in the negative motion passes. Next up we have report on connectivity in school buildings. Mr. Allen Arena, Dr. Peter Cushing and Mr. Dave Murphy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's no questions. Mr. Teixeira, Dr. Cushing, anything to add or can move on to number four, which is the report on instructional innovations for our most vulnerable students, which is cohort A, report on contingency plans for cohort A, Ms. Joan Bowen, Mr. Paul Teixeira.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Miss Bowen. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van De Kloop?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: State of emergency still?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Bowen. Thank you, Mr. Tixera. Number five, we have report on the remote academy, Ms. Suzanne Galusi and Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, then member Ruseau, then member Vanden Heuvel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member, I think it was Rousseau, then Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Member Ruseau. Oh, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, and then we can read the emails.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you for the report as well. Um, the old business. Communications.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Bowen and member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So then Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just remind me who seconded it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The motion passes. New business, we have a presentation. Thanks for your patience. Presenters of the SNAP GAP report from the Medford Food Security Task Force, presented by Adrian Freden MSPH and Sarah McGibbon MSRD. This presentation is in support of the proclamation for a hunger-free Medford by 2028, unanimously supported by the Medford School Committee on February 3rd, 2020. The presentation and all supporting documentation shall be forwarded to a committee of the whole, yet to be scheduled for the purpose of creating an advisory committee on hunger, yet to be, as was unanimously approved by the Medford School Committee on February 3rd, 2020.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Sullivan, do we need to give you access to unmute yourself one second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Sarah and Adrian and Diane for the presentation. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry. Do you have another question, member Rizzo?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: maybe talk to the cafeteria staff with regards to the meal planning, meal prep, and see if we can get some different options. So maybe that would come from the admin, Dr. Edouard-Vincent or somebody from Mia, did you raise your hand?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I agree with you. I agree with you, Member Mustone. I met with Sarah and Adrian last week to discuss this. And one thing I did mention is how great the admin's been doing Friday updates to the community. And especially I think Dr. Cushing, you're the one that helps translate all the emails. And I think it'd be important to just have a paragraph about the SnapGap and the link that people can apply, as well as let people know that there's 311 people, families out there that have this card. Please make sure if you have it, you don't forget to use it. I think that's important. And then to member McLaughlin, yeah, I think we'd have to have a longer discussion with the cafeteria and admin, but I think that's something that definitely even something different every month based on a culture that would be great to have as an option for our students. So I second that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, and Sarah, Adrienne, and Diane, if you have any specific language that you wanna help the admin with, I'm sure they'd be, those get translated, I'm assuming Thursday or Friday, so just get some information over to us when you can, that'd be great. I guess my last question is, is there anybody in the school system that helps families I mean, we know we have the paperwork for free and reduced lunch, and I'm sure that we have staff that could help a family through that. Do we have anybody that helps families fill out, say, the SNAP paperwork or applications? I don't think we do, but I'm asking the question to the admin. Guidance Councilors or social workers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sure there are staff helping too, and so I appreciate you looking into that. That's great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And on the city side, if anybody asks me about food insecurity, I lead them to Sarai. But obviously Sarai is part-time and doesn't help with the applications, but we can look into that as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you very much. We appreciate it. Next, we just have, I think, three condolences. The Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of Torvey Elizabeth Heard, who was a 1993 inductee into the Mustang Hall of Fame, having lettered in field hockey, basketball, and softball. Also, the Medford School Committee offers its sincere condolences to the family of John Della Spentura, a World War II veteran and father of McGlynn Elementary School principal, Diane Guarino. And then member Mistone, I believe you wanted to add. I don't know if you gave me the language, or we can do that on Monday or the next.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edward-Vincent. If we all may take a moment of silence. Thank you. I believe that's it. If the motion to- I'll take my turn. Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Raderkloof. Go, Paul. What do you charge?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Medford School Committee regular meeting, April 20th, remote meeting by Zoom at 5.30 p.m. Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order, suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, 30A, section 18, and the governor's March 15th, 2020 order, imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and a requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite our best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford and Medford Community Media websites, an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon Channel 43 at 5.30 p.m. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number. One of the phone numbers is 1-929-205-6099. Enter this meeting ID when prompted, 975-2504-7259. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information. Your first and last name, your Medford street address, and your question. Member Van der Kloot, will you please call the roll?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. Seven present, zero absent. We all may rise to salute the flag. Don't make fun of my sweatpants. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. approval of the minutes of March 6, 2020. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Member Kreatz, seconded by Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative zero in the negative bills. Transfer of funds have been approved. Report of secretary. There is none. None report of committees. Number one. We have budget committee of the whole meeting April 6 2020. Mayor Lungo current at this meeting. We had had with a number of departments to go over the budget from 4 p.m. to 5 30 p.m. Similar to every other meeting, we will be having four o'clock budget meetings. I don't know if anybody wants to add anything specific, but Miss Patterson leads us through a line by line departments. Motion for approval. motion seconded by member Kretsch all those in favor aye all those opposed paper passes number two special education behavioral health subcommittee April 14th 2020 member McLaughlin one second Melanie we're gonna unmute you or unmute yourself yeah sorry I'm trying to exit my screen and pull up the report and sorry
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you very much, Member McLaughlin. Is there a motion for approval of those minutes? By Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you. Number six, do we have any community participation that is not related to any agenda item? Hearing and seeing none, we will move on to report of the superintendent, Dr. Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great job. Um, number two report on COVID-19 update from miss Toni Wray and miss Mary Ann O'Connor. Tony, I know I saw you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ray. I'm not sure, I don't believe Marian O'Connor is on, but I did speak to her today, and it's a lot of the same that Tony mentioned, 519 cases. She wanted to give a special thank you to the six or seven nurses working on the contact tracing within the city of Medford. That's what is giving us the ability to really try to slow this spread. We also have the meals being served by a number of residents, and members of the committee, as well as nurses. And I thank them also for making calls on our UOK program. 11,000 seniors have been called. Many of them are getting deliveries on a weekly or biweekly basis. And the second round of those calls will be starting on Wednesday. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, thank you for taking part in that. I know that there was about 150 people, volunteers from the school committee, the city council, making those calls. Now for the second round, we did take a little bit of time off so that we can make sure people are quarried. And while we're on live, I'd like to just point out, if you're willing to make calls, please, all you need is a quarry check that's being run through my office. And if you'd like to make deliveries, which we are gonna need some, serious support there, because our few volunteers are getting a little overwhelmed. You can be MRC certified. I took the certification course myself. It took about an hour, and now I'm certified to make deliveries of medication and food. So if anybody in the community is willing to help out with that, we are. This is going to stretch for some time, and we are in need of some extra volunteers. So thank you for everything you all have done, and we'll continue doing what we have to do to make sure everybody's fed and medicated properly. And of course, our administration and school committee taking care of our kids as best we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. It's the volunteers doing the work. I delivered to 13 homes on Saturday. That's because my husband wasn't feeling well, but he's been doing it too. Everybody's just pulling their weight and it's going a long way. So thank you all. And I know Toni Wray also said, yeah, our hardest hit population is the elderly and our nursing homes are, you know, we're working very hard to get them help through DPH and Secretary Sutter's office between staffing and PPE and, infection control, we're working hard. Marianne is on the phone all the time, really trying to get those nursing homes as much help as possible. So that's what she wanted me to add. If anybody has any other questions, if not, we can move on to number three, report on negotiated transportation contract payment for remainder of the school year 2020, Ms. Christine Patterson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, I know the second stimulus package that the federal government is discussing and hopefully passing this week does not have anything for the cities and towns. They're hoping to maybe take that up in the third, if there is a third stimulus bill.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may ask a question, this will carry us through, Christine, if you could just give us the timeframe of when this will carry us through. And I only ask because the governor has stated that he is gonna decide on school by the end of this week. So just by chance, he says we're not going back to school, would our position be different? And what timeframe does this carry us through?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And is this, if I may just follow up on that, is there, this what other school districts are following or are some school districts going through a certain timeframe and then figuring it out once the governor makes the decision?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we have a motion for approval by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member Kreatz. All those in favor? I think it should be a roll call. That roll call vote has been requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number four, report on kindergarten online enrollment. Ms. Diane Caldwell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, okay. Number McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I agree, thank you. Is there a motion for approval of report number four? Motion to approve. By member Ruseau, seconded by member van de Kloet. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Number five, report on student engagement during school closure. Dr. Maurice-Edouard Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What makes up that number, are you asking Mr. Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, I'm sorry, Member McLaughlin's had her hand up for like five, 10 minutes. Member McLaughlin, Member Kreatz, then Member Ruseau is what I saw.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Member Guilfoyle. Before Member Kreatz, I don't know, Ms. Galusi, do you have something you want to add to that answer?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we have some MRC certified people. Anybody needs a Chromebook delivered, so let me know. Kathleen, I think, did you want to answer anything for Kathy and then member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau. if you want to unmute yourself. Oh, there you go. I did it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Superintendent, I don't know if you have my I know my office did call Verizon and Comcast and maybe I think one other provider, but I will circle back. I'm not sure where we're at with that. I know we did try a boat a couple weeks ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Paper passes. And motion to accept the report by Dr. Edouard Vincent. All those in favor? I move to accept the report. Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Paper passes. Number six, report on CPAC survey. Tanya Sullivan, CPAC co-chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Ms. Bowen, did you have anything to add? I know you have been working hard.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you. Thank you. If there's no further questions, uh, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Is there a motion to accept the committee report? So moved. seconded by member McLaughlin. Ms. Douglas did you have a comment?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion on the floor to accept the paper by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member Goughin. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. On to number seven, which is report on MPS distance learning survey by Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any questions? Happy to answer any questions. I can't see anybody yet. Peter?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great idea. Thank you, member van de Kloot. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval to accept the report. So moved. Second. Moved by member van de Kloot, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Number nine. Oh, no, number eight, report on student opportunity SOA survey and application. Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval. Motion to approve. By Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? This will be referred to engagement subcommittee. Number nine, report on senior class of 2020 events. Mr. Paul DeLava and Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloet and member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Kress and Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Kathy. And I know Dr. Cushing has some ideas that he's been throwing my way the last several days. It's just hard because we want some of the, you know, I know he wants some of them to be a surprise. So I'm sure he'll maybe give a call to the school committee individually this week and kind of let you know some fun ideas that he and a number of the, I know Ms. DeLaver is involved too. So a number of ideas that are out there that we can definitely work on. And I think, With regards to prom, just a comment for myself is it will tell a lot what the governor decides at the end of the week. So maybe we can add that to our meeting in two weeks. And hopefully, no matter what happens, we can get those graduates their in-hand diploma, whether it's this summer or in June. We will get it done. So member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin, and then Member Van der Kloot, and then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot and Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: been on, I know that. She just hopped on our page. Member van de Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, you're finished. And member Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Dunlap, did anybody else want to speak?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you so much. Mr. DeLeva.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you so much. And we can continue that for two weeks when we should know more from the governor. Is there a motion on the floor to accept the report on senior class 2020 events? Member Ruseau, seconded by member Van der Kloot. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Number eight, old business. Is there any old business? Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Is there any other old business? Hearing and seeing none. Any communications? Hearing and seeing none. New business, we have five condolences. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if you just read these school committee resolution, be it resolved that the Medford school committee expressed its sincere condolences to the family of Raymond Quill. Mr. Quill was the father of cosmetology teacher, Julian Morrow. Be it resolved, the Medford School Committee express sincere condolences to the family of Anne Glencross. Anne served as a senior account clerk for 47 years at the Medford Public Schools, working in the Medford Vocational Technical High School. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express sincere condolences to the family of Brian Frida, Mr. Frida was the brother of Medford High School teacher Lisa Dunphy. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Margaret Peggy Small, a former Medford Public School lunch staff person and mother of former HVAC teacher Robert Bobby Small. and be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Grace Lauria. Mrs. Lauria was the grandmother of Medford High School special education teacher, Sabrina Huther.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's so nice. Thank you for sharing. Negotiation and legal matters, I don't believe we have any tonight. Our next scheduled meeting will be at four o'clock, budget hearings, four to 5.30 in two weeks, which is May 4th, yes. And we will have our regular scheduled school committee meeting directly after that at 5.30. So motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn. by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham. Thank you. Have a good night. All those in favor? All those opposed? Thanks, everyone. Bye. Hang in there. Stay healthy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. We have a Medford School Committee regular meeting. April 6th, 2020, remote meeting by Zoom, 5.30 p.m. We are a little late. We apologize. Our budget committee meeting that started at four just went over a bit. Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, 30A, section 18, and the governor's March 15th, 2020 order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. This meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medford.edu. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. In the event that we aren't able to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford or Medford Community Media websites an audio or video recording, transcript or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 43 at 5.30 PM. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following link or call in number. 1-929-205-6099. Enter this meeting ID when prompted, 713-201-694. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information. Your first and last name, your Medford Street address, your question or comment. Member Van der Kloot, please call the roll. Can you hear me?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin? Present. Member Mustone? Mia. I see her. She said Mia.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Present. Seven in the present. I'm also here. Member Graham's here, too.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we all may salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Approval of the minutes of March 9th, 2020, March 12th, 2020, and March 30th, 2020. Motion for approval? Second. Seconded by member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed, minutes are approved. Approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payroll. Motion to approve. Second. Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? We need to call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's almost like our screen's frozen. I don't know. Mia, are you there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Lungo-Koehn, I'm here. All present. Reports of secretary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Reports of committees, rules, policy and equity subcommittee 3-3-20.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by member van de Kloot, seconded by? Seconded. Member Graham, all those in favor? Aye. Motion passes. Committee of the Whole, March 9th, 2020. The Committee of the Whole was our first budget hearing, I believe. I don't have that, I'm sorry, I don't have that paper before me. Motion to approve? Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Motion is passed. Our next minutes to approve the emergency meeting we had on March 12th, 2020. At that time, we discussed closure of schools, questions and answers were had after a update from the mayor's office and the superintendent. Is there a motion for approval? Approval? Motion? Motion for approval by member Kreatz, seconded by member Van der Kloot. All in favor? Paper passes. And then last was our meeting last Monday on March 30, 2020, to review the crisis that we're currently going through. We had three or four agenda items that were discussed as it relates to schooling of our children and how the teachers union and, and our superintendent and assistant superintendents are working with the unions to get our kids educated, as well as Chromebooks, I don't know if anything have anything to add?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Ms. Caldwell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to accept the minutes from 30-30-2020? Motion to accept. Motion to accept by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. Minutes passed, thank you. Community participation. Questions, again, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford Street address and your question. member Ruseau, are there any questions for this portion to date?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If there's no other community participation, we'll go to number seven, which is report of the superintendent, Dr. Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Madam Superintendent. Thank you, Christine, for all your service. Member van de Kloot. Oh, wait. Member van de Kloot, if you could press unmute.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you. It looks like Mia has her hand up. Mia, is that right? I think she's frozen again.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can everybody hear Mia or am I the only one? Okay, Mia.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mia, we're not able to hear you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you hear me? Better, better. Sorry, Mia.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mia, we're going to let the superintendent finish with her report and then you can maybe try to use a phone to call in and we can always go back to that. Sorry. That's okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Edouard-Vincent. Moving on to number two, report on COVID update, we have Toni Wray with us. Tony, let me just unmute you. Are you able to unmute yourself? Oh, yes, I am. Okay, great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ray. Marian O'Connor from the Board of Health was unable to join us. We are up from yesterday to 145 cases. And with that comes a lot of contact tracing and a number of cases she's dealing with. So she's sorry she couldn't make it. I'll just take the opportunity. I know our schools are closed, but also our parks are closed, unfortunately. And we have tied up the basketball hoops because we just could not keep group activity off of our parks. As of the last few days, it's been very nice. And we're also having an issue with tons of people in the fells, parking issues all over. So I know DCR is working hard to try to secure up some of our parking lots and make sure the Flynn Rink exercise little portion, area is being roped off. I know people attending to take down some of the signage, but we're working really hard to keep people safe and off our, you know, out of our, out of the parks, unless it's for passive use. So we just continue to stress, please use our parks passively or else we're going to really have to close them. But we're Mary Ann and Tony are doing a lot of work making sure, and I know a few of your nurses are stepping up, Ms. Ray, to help with the contact tracing, but our health department's working really hard to try to keep people safe, working on the construction and the parks and non-essential services. Something new is popping up every hour, so she's a little busy, but thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number three, recommendation to approve the cancellation of McGlynn's seventh grade overnight trip to Elton Jones Environmental Park. Mr. Nick Tucci.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can't hear you. Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Number four, report on reimbursement for France trip, Dr. Bernadette Riccadeli and Marie Nyland.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Any motion on the floor? Any other questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to approve, seconded by member Van der Kloot. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you. Dr. Cadelli and Ms. Nyland, thank you. Recommendation to approve additions to the middle school health curriculum. Ms. Perry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do have questions may I ask I did email you this morning miss Perry We got two attachments from you back at the end of March or mid-march One was about six pages one was 13. Is there was there more that we were supposed to get? I remember something mentioned in 600 pages of something.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There you go. Then from what I was able to review, can you just tell me what page eight and nine of 13, which grade that relates to? That has to do with the describing the signs and symptoms of a pregnancy, divine emergency contraception and its use. Defining STDs, including HIV, and how they are and are not transmitted. Analyzing the impact of drugs on safer sex. Identifying medically accurate information about STDs. So those two pages, do those relate to one specific grade?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. And do you know if this is, if other districts are accepting this model and this curriculum in grade eight?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So what other surrounding cities or towns use page eight and nine in the eighth grade curriculum?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are there any other questions? I'd just like to make an amendment, just amend the paper or do a side paper just to make sure that if you If you add page eight or nine to any other grade other than eight through 12, that the school committee be, that it be discussed with the school committee first. Sure. I'm not saying for or against it being discussed in sixth or seventh, but I just feel that I would like to have that discussion before anything like that is taught to a sixth or seventh grader.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I agree. That specific one, we can exclude from the amendment. It's just the ones that I read out loud, I just feel like I think I would need more discussion or actually read the curriculum, the 600 page document before I want my sixth grader to learn about STDs and how to put a condom on. I think that deserves much more discussion and a committee of the whole meeting versus all the hard work that you did in your subcommittee meeting. I was also, how will parents be led to the website when this is brought up initially as far as how will they know they have the opportunity to research it, review, and then opt in or out? And will it be provided in other languages as well?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yeah, I'd like to, as part of the B paper, make sure that that information's in the handbook and that we do provide it. different languages like we do for all other communications.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other further questions or motion by member Van der Kloot to approve seconded by member Graham as amended? All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you. Thank you. Number six, recommendation to negotiate prorated yellow school bus transportation service contract with Eastern Bus Company during school closure. Ms. Christine Patterson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. A motion by member Van der Kloot, seconded by Mr. Member Ruseau to allow Ms. Patterson to negotiate accordingly. Do you want to still take a vote on that in two weeks before it's approved, or is this just given full allowance? Member van de Kloot, that was your motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, great. OK, so motion by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member Rousseau to allow Ms. Patterson to enter discussions and negotiations to then give us an update in two weeks for approval. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you, Ms. Patterson. I'm sorry. Um, number eight old business number one school safety procedural update, which was tabled on 39 2020.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Kreatz, all those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, yep. Thank you. You're welcome. Number two, so motion approved. Number two, status of outstanding reports tabled on 3-9-2020.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Ruseau. I'm sure you will communicate about that one, too, through e-mail.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor of those proposed papers move to rules and policy subcommittee. The function of the Medford School Committee 2020 to 2022 document update offered by Mr. Rousseau, tabled on 3-9-2020.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table, undebatable, seconded by? Second. Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Paper is tabled. Number four, be it resolved that a playground advisory committee shall be created to oversee the completion of work associated with three CPC grants related to the Columbus and Brooks Playground Repair and Resurfacing and the McGlynn School Design Study. The work will include collaboration and review of the RFP for the McGlynn Design Study and the execution of the study. The advisory committee will also view all four school playgrounds and make recommendations regarding increased accessibility of playgrounds to all our students to be completed within the existing scope of funding or provided to the school committee as additional recommendations. The advisory committee shall provide a preliminary update to the school committee no later than June 1st and then quarterly thereafter for up to one year from the date of creation or sooner if work is completed. Dr. Cushing will issue a call for interested applicants and recommend members for the playground advisory committee to the school committee no later than, we can change these dates, April 6th, school committee meeting. The playground advisory committee will include school administrators, at least one parent from each elementary school and individuals with expertise in inclusive play and play spaces offered by member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was till May 4th. Yep. Motion to table by member Graham seconded by member. Would you like to speak member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, I was just amending it. Amending it. Okay. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Cushing, we'll work with you. The mayor's office has been in touch with the NAACP and they're helping us a great deal to get diverse members of a number of committees. So I will definitely have Neil Osborne, our human diversity director work alongside Mr. Cushing. Thank you. So motion as amended by member Graham, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion has passed as amended. Communications, new business. Given the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting state of emergency, I move that we defer the Medford High School Vision Advisory Committee until the fall of 2020. Further recruitment of membership in the advisory committee begin anew at that time. Further that this vision committee shall follow the format of the advisory committee as laid out in the Medford School Committee policy BDF advisory committees to the school committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think the fall is fine for the committee. I would just ask, I did spend a lot of time trying to get the group together and I did email 15 participants that are excited to be on this committee. The NAACP and Neil Osborne, again, are working to find one to two additional members for this committee. So just ask them to continue their work, and they have the spring and summer to do that. Mr. Osborne did write something up today letting us know. He has reached out to the NAACP branch to explore finding a representative with the time, energy, and interest in joining the High School Vision Committee We had planned a meeting with the leadership of the branch, but the current circumstances required rescheduling that. As always, found the branch a supportive partner with the city to find local persons who want to serve on our boards, commissions, and committees. I'm confident before the end of the summer, we can identify a branch member that we can add to the Medford High School Vision Committee. So positive news, and I thank Mr. Osborne for helping out. And I will, as long as- Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's understandable. I agree with that. We may, but I just want to make sure we, I didn't know what you meant by begin anew.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I would just like to amend the motion to allow the 15 that were notified and asked and were responsive and accepted the, um, the offer that we make sure those 15, whether we have a committee of 17, 19 or 21, I just want to make sure those 15 that are very excited to serve in this committee that have already been given the offer are extended that offer in the fall. So I'd just like to make that as an amendment. Thank you. Okay, motion for approval as amended by member, as amended by myself, but motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The motion is approved as amended. We have four resolutions that I will read out and then we will take a moment of silence. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Roy Stephen McDonald, brother-in-law of Medford Public Schools District Data Manager, Kim Miles. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express sincere condolences to the family of Paula Farnham, mother of Medford High School teacher, Holly Farnham Cassabon. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Lawrence Lepore, uncle to Medford High School world language teacher, Nalita Lepore. be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Mary Burke. Mary Burke was a second grade teacher for over 40 years at the old Forest Park School. If we all may take a moment of silence. Thank you. And while we're on a moment of silence, if we could maybe take one more moment of just dedicate this meeting to all those who are fighting the virus and who, whether it be in Medford, our region, or the country and the world, if we can just take a moment of just to really pray for everybody's health and safety at this time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you, Paulette. Appreciate that. And we have number 11, negotiations and legal matters. We are going to the school committee as well as our superintendent and Our school attorney, Mr. Howard Greenspan, will be entering executive session. A motion to go to executive session? Yes, to discuss collective bargaining, unit A, unit B, unit C, secretaries, local 25, SEIU, non-union contracts. Motion to go into executive session. Should I call the roll? Member Van der Kloot, you may call the roll. Yes, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yes. All those in favor? All those opposed? We are going to head to executive session. We will then reconvene into this meeting to report out and adjourn. back from the breakout room. Sorry it took so long. Madam Secretary, would you like to report out the motion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Motion for approval of the executive committee report. I think we have to vote it again in public.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think I just have Russo anything. Got it. Got it. Mia. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Lungo-Koehn. Yes. 716 affirmative one abstains all base all base hourly salary paid weekly or bi weekly will be paid through May 4. Motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Yes motion. Yes by member Rousseau seconded by member Kreatz all those in favor. Aye. Aye. Have a good night. Everybody stay healthy. Bye guys.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city of Medford website at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technology means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford or Medford Community Media website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. The meeting can be viewed through Medford Community Media on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 43 at 4 p.m. Since the meeting will be held remotely, participants can log or call in by using the following link or call-in number. Medford School Committee on Zoom, telephone information 1929-205-6099. Additionally, questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing medfordsc at medford.k12.ma.us. Those submitting must include the following information, your first and last name, your Medford street address, and your question or comment. There will be a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, April 6th from four to 5.30 p.m. by Zoom. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the budgets for the following departments, art, physical education, library media, health services, and athletics. Signed by Dr. Maurice-Edouard Vincent, superintendent of the Medford Public Schools. So welcome, we have 22 participants on. It looks like the school committee, if we could take the role, Madam Secretary?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Mayor Lungo-Koehn? Present. Seven present, zero absent. We have a full committee. I know we are going to start with art. I'm not sure if Ms. Patterson has any comments initially.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz? Oh, hold on, let me unmute you. Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And member McLaughlin, you asked about raising hands. That's fine if you just want to raise your hand. The only thing is while we're sharing the screen, I cannot see everybody. So feel free to respectfully ask questions as you may. I can only see like six people on the side and be able to see the screen, so. Go ahead, Ms. Patterson, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you have anything to add, miss?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any questions? Mayor? Yes, Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, thank you, Tony.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions relating to the fine arts budget? Hearing and seeing none, we can move on to physical education and health.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions for Ms.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot, can you press unmute?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions relating to the physical education and health budget? Hearing and seeing none, we can go to number three live. Thank you, Miss Perry. Library and media. Page 22 of 28.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. OK, we have 30 more minutes. Anybody have any more questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, just point of information, this budget is higher than I think can actually be presented as it is. This is working off a 5% increase where I think the city advised recently we should only be working off of a 3% increase from last year. So maybe if the city council is looking for what additional, on top of the 5% increase, what additional things the school committee is looking for. Maybe it should be on a side memo or.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Dr. Vincent and Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If there's no other questions for library media, we can move on to health services. I think we have a hard stop time. Zoom might cut us off right at 5.30, so we can go into the regular meeting, but let's see if we can get through the health services.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ms. Ray. Any questions for Ms. Ray? If not, we can go directly to athletics. Oh, Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Perfect.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And on to athletics.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any questions? I can only see member Graham on the screen. So okay. Member McLaughlin, member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any of them? Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree. We could move this meeting to the 5.30 meeting if we want to continue the discussion or we can take the vote on the motion and then go to the 5.30, either way.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, member van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to start the budget meetings in October next year?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot. Hold on one second. Can you unmute yourself? Yes. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds good. Um, so a motion to review all revolving account accounts and have meetings to do that on or before. before October 15th, motion by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor. Roll call vote, please. Roll call vote has been requested. Member Van der Kloot. Member Van der Kloot, you have to unmute yourself. I'm sorry, it's not working in my end. Roll call. You gotta unmute yourself. Hold on. go ahead, you do it, Member Van der Kloot. There we go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 7 the affirmative, 0 the negative. Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. OK. If there's no other questions, I believe this kicks us off at 545 Mr. Cushing okay 545 so we can continue this. Let's take a five minute break and reconvene at our next meeting. On the other, you have to get logged off and then get on to the next zoom call. Thank you. Motion to adjourn. Second. I suppose motion meeting is adjourned.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12th, 2020 order, suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, General Law, Chapter 30A, Section 18, and the Governor's March 15th, 2020 order, imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Medford School Committee will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and or parties with the right and or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the City of Medford webpage at www.medfordma.org. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen or watch the meeting may do so by accessing the meeting link contained herein. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technology means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we will post on the City of Medford or Medford Community Media website an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm gonna, I'm trying to unmute Paul. Paul, could you just state the email that you'll be in control of if the public has a question or that is relative to the agenda items?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Perfect, thank you. Okay, we have a Medford School Committee meeting. It's a special meeting today, which is Monday, March 30th, 2020. We are online Zoom meeting, 5 p.m. Member van de Kloot, will you please call the roll?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. All present. All present. We're going to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, so what, Dawn? Our superintendent, Marice Edouard-Vincent, is present. I'm gonna unmute you. Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, would you please give your remarks?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was great. OK. I know we have a number of administrators here, including my finance director, Aleesha Nunley. So I'm not sure what order we want to take this in. But let's start with the discussion of updated measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 virus in the city of Medford and the Medford public schools. We have Toni Wray, Director of Health Services, available to make a statement and then answer any questions. Tony? Where are you, Tony?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't know if she was on or not. I'm here. Hi. Great, Marianne. Great. Hi. Hi, everyone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. I second that member McLaughlin. Tony, Ray, do you have anything to add with regards to this topic?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Tony.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just the last few words, but otherwise I heard it pretty well. Hopefully everybody else did.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. That's a good update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it seems so. Motion for suspension of the rules? Is that, you put in a motion for suspension of the rules?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you, Miriam. Thank you for all you've done. You've worked around the clock to keep Medford safe. We appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right, take care. Thank you, Marianne. Thank you, Ms. Rags. OK, so number four, financial updates and review of wages. We have Assistant Superintendent of Finance, Christine Patterson, on the line. And we also have the CFO from the city of Medford, Aleesha Nunley, available as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, motion to take out of order. by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have about 75 people watching, too. So if you could share it on the screen, we'll take it. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Does anybody have any questions before I turn it over to the CFO from the city of Medford? And thank you, Christine. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I know there's a number of questions that have been put into a Google spreadsheet from a number of committee members. So whether we're going to create a process to answer them all and put them on the website or address them through resolutions, depending on what resolutions are on next Monday. Yeah, actually, that's not the question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, that's what I was saying. I mean, I think the superintendent should be allowed, with her administrative staff, to go through those throughout the week, along with the ones that the school committee has, decide, hopefully be able to answer as many as we can, and then we can display them on the website. I think we're going to have hundreds of questions between tonight, the school committee, and the public participation. So I think that might be hard to get in next Monday. Important ones, I'm sure committee members will put on as resolutions and we'll discuss further. But as a matter of just time and not being on a 12-hour Zoom call, I think our superintendent, along with the administration, can work on answering them. Even if it's Desi's working on this, we should have an answer in three weeks or two weeks or a few days. But yeah, we will try to get everybody's questions answered. I know that's a goal of our superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Any other questions before we allow Aleesha Nunley to give just an update, citywide update. Aleesha Nunley, do you have anything you want to add with regards to, I know the schools are on a high freeze, spending freeze. We have, and the city side are as well. We are also on an overtime needs to be run by our finance department because of all the revolving accounts that we're going to run deficits in. But if you can add to that at all, just to explain the situation on the city side.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Any questions for Alyse Nunley, member Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry. Did you hear me? Oh, geez. Sorry. I said thank you to Christine Patterson and Aleesha Nunley for the explanations. They were very helpful. Thank you for providing that, Christine, the deficit analysis. And while we're on the suspension of the rules, if there's no other questions on finances, We're going to go to recommendation to approve the cancellation of the middle school eighth grade New York City trip. And we're going to just get an update on that from assistant superintendent, Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, then Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz, then Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion on the floor if we have no further questions? Motion by member van de Kloet, seconded by member Kreatz to cancel the middle school eighth grade New York City trip. favor unless we can do a roll call if you want.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The trip is unfortunately canceled. Next order of business is tentative distance learning plan for the Medford Public Schools. And that discussion is going to be led by Director of Curriculum, Dr. Bernadette Riccidelli. Doctor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Take your time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Riccadeli. Ms. Douglas, I want to give you for a couple minutes. I know you worked hard on this for the teachers. So thank you both. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Charlene. Member Ruseau, do you have some questions there? I do.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Mr. DeLeva. Mr. DeLeva. Let me just unmute you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Thank you. Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, sorry, I think Ms. Caldwell, Diane, did you have something to add?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, another question, if I may, you know- Before you ask that question, may I just, if you don't mind, on that topic, are other districts allowing teachers to go in one more time to grab a few things, make copies, do we know? I don't know. No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I haven't heard anything from the state. I don't know if anybody's heard anything from DESE.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. If I may, we have that as an agenda item. Do you want to do you want to ask now? Or do you want to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, that's next when we revert back to the regular order business.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If everybody could mute their microphones. Okay, okay, hold on. Somebody, let's go. Here we go. All right, I just remuted everybody. Somebody must be watching.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is anybody watching the TV? If you could just shut it off in the background. Everybody seems to be muted. I don't, Zach, what do you think? I don't know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so we're gonna leave, maybe Molly can respond. Yeah, that's not gonna work then. Well, Dr. Riccardelli, you kind of answered that, so. Molly, it's not working. I'm sorry. Member McLaughlin, we can maybe get Molly to respond to the superintendent, and she can forward it all to all of us, and we can get that out to the public. Thank you, I appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Doctor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Yeah, that sounds good. Thank you. Before we have Joan Bowen present, I just have one quick question for you, Doctor. You mentioned the clinical counseling, that they would be touching base to their caseload. Now, what if we have a student that isn't on the caseload, that is having a hard time dealing with what we're going through, and maybe needs to speak to a school adjustment Councilor? Will that be available? And if so, how can a parent reach out or get the answer to who to call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Joan, maybe you can start there then in your presentation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Go ahead. Member Ruseau, then Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Doctor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Paul's just going to take over for a minute while I've been on Zoom since three. So let's go to the bathroom. Joan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think as long as, since it's, it's almost eight, so maybe questions. And then if you could make the report available for the public and for us to read in depth, that'll be sure. I think that as long as we have that, thank you. Any questions? Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That would be great. Thank you. Thank you. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Joan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Mr. Teixeira, I don't know if you're still on, if you have anything to add with regards to the English learners program. Did he sign? Oh, there he is.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Mustone, did you raise your hand?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions for member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion to accept the last two discussions on what would be the second and third item of our agenda? Motion to accept. Motion to accept. Member Graham, do you have a question first?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, motion for approval to place that on the future meeting agenda, maybe a week from, do you want Monday or two weeks from Monday? Two weeks from Monday. Two weeks from Monday, we'll get those numbers, yes. Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Okay, motion passes. Maureen, do you have?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Okay, so we have proposed meeting schedule, regular school committee and budget committee of the whole, Superintendent Dr. Maurice-Edouard-Vincent and Assistant Superintendent of Finance, Christine Patterson. Motion to approve by member Rousseau, seconded by member, oh, question, member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think that sounds reasonable, the 6th and the 20th. Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Dr. Vincent. So is, do you want to make a motion for the 6th and the 20th versus, I remember Randa Kloot, that was your motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm fine with the 20th myself, member McLaughlin and member Ruseau, member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, member Kreatz. Hold on. I'm just, sometimes I have to click it like five times. Can you unmute yourself?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. So it sounds like everybody's OK with the 20th. Motion, Member VandeKloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can we do a high five? Can we do a thumbs up if we're OK with the 20th? Diane, do you want to speak? OK, thumbs up. Let's do this. OK, motion by Member VandeKloot to move the meeting on the 13th to the 20th, seconded by Second. Member Kreatz, all those in favor? Aye. Motion passes, great. And motion to accept the rest of the schedule offered by? Motion to accept. Member Kreatz, seconded by?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, all those in favor? Aye. Rest of the meeting scheduled is accepted. That's great, thank you. Discussion on future, we have one last item, discussion on future subcommittee meetings. Superintendent, Dr. Edouard Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you. Is there a motion? Thank you, everybody, for the hard work. I know it was a long meeting, but it was definitely needed. And I apologize it took so long. We didn't get the Zoom accounts till last Monday. And I wasn't really trained on it until finalized training on Thursday. So it went really well. And I'm glad we had so much participation. And I thank you for your patience. I thank all the administrators and Charlene and the teachers for everything you're doing to make sure our kids continue on and learn as much as they can. And we definitely take care of every child. So thank you all for participating. Thank you for all you do. We will meet again on Monday. Please have your agenda items in by Wednesday, Dr. Maurice. What agenda items?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Great. So we'll see you Monday. Did we want to change the time or do you, how does everybody feel? Do you like the five o'clock now that we have time and then we can put our kids to bed or can I get a thumbs up or should we go five o'clock? Everybody thumbs up for five. Okay. Does anybody want seven? Okay. Motion to change the meeting to five made by make a motion to change the meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do we want to start them at 4? I mean, it's up to the this body obviously but do we want to start them a little bit earlier so we're not here till 10 or I don't know it's hard the computer is a lot harder than being in person I don't know between so I don't think we can go much longer than the three hours just for our eyes but it's up to the body do you want 530 fine or do you want to go a little bit earlier?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll unmute you all at this point if you wish to chime in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by member Kreatz. We will have a budget meeting from 4 o'clock on Monday to 5.30. And we will start our school committee meeting at 5.30 on Monday the 6th. And if that goes well, we can continue that on. And hopefully, we'll go to about no later than about 8 p.m., 8.30, and that will be great. Regular meetings. Okay. Motion for that to be our school committee meeting to start at 4? I made a motion for the school committee meeting to start at 4. Kathy? Seconded. Seconded by member Kreatz. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Paper passes. So I'm sure we'll be in constant communication until Monday as well. But we will see you all Monday at 4 o'clock to discuss the budget and 5.30 for our regular scheduled school committee meeting. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Good night. Stay safe and healthy. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn by member Vanda Kloot, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Bye. Bye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, Medford School Committee meeting, March 9th, 2020, in Council Chambers, 7 p.m. Roll call vote. Member Van der Kloot, please call the roll. I did, you turned it off, I think, by accident. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: President, all please rise to salute our flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Approval of the minutes of February 24, 2020. Motion to approve by Member Graham, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Lungo-Koehn? Lungo-Koehn, yes. Approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payrolls.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion approved by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Kreatz. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. All those in favor, none opposed, paper passes. Report of secretary. There is none. Report of committees. Curriculum subcommittee 22620, member van de Kloot. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you're welcome. Through the chair, from the chair, I know Ms. Member McLaughlin just asked about the content. Is there paperwork we could review on our own before this is approved tonight to review what the content is of growing up and staying healthy, Michigan model health curriculum.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. I don't feel comfortable voting on it tonight until I can actually read the content first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There was questions for me and I couldn't answer them. So, okay. We can get you copies of those. Please, if you could make them all of us. If member McLaughlin motion to, um, get the content emailed to all members of the school committee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And motion to lay it on the table, thank you, by Member van de Kloet, seconded by? Melanie.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin. If you could withdraw your motion to table, unless, okay, no, never mind, you're all set. Motion to table, Member van de Kloet, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Roll call, please. Roll call has been requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You can request a roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed? No. Paper is tabled for two weeks and motion by Member McLaughlin to get a copy of the content, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Okay. I know you told me when you were going to do it. So rules, policy, and equity subcommittee, March 3rd, 2020. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you clarify your motion one more time?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, member Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Like the coronavirus?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If there's an emergency matter, the chair can rule to take that under suspension.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Through the chair, I spoke to a law firm today about that very matter and it could be taken under suspension from the chair. But if you have something to add, member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau? Yeah. Oh, motion. Yes. Can I?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to approve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As amended with the change of three days. Yeah. Motion by Member Vindiclude, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Number three committee of the whole wages and high school tour on March member or so Confident on that there were two more parts of this report.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, I make the motion to table it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member Rousseau. All those in favor? All those opposed? And I will. Papers tabled.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table policy review policy by member Rousseau. Seconded by? I'll second. Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper is tabled. Committee of the Whole Meeting, Wages and High School Tour, 3-4, 2020. I will give this report. We took a high school tour from 530 to 630 on Wednesday, March 4th. We visited the library. We visited, looked at the lighting, at the paint, sailing tiles. We went to the C building. We went through the bathrooms. We also went through the lecture halls and the locker rooms. There was some definite paint needed, fresh paint is needed. Locker rooms are being redone by the vocational students, so it's not operational as of yet. I know Member Kreatz took a number of notes and helped us out with what needs to be done. And the motion was, to request a committee of the whole meeting to discuss the scope and mission of the newly formed vision committee that was passed at 6.30. That was the first, that was one part of our meeting and the second part was the minimum wage issues in the schools and that was discussed with a number of students and employees present. We discussed the those employees making $10 an hour and moved to increase that and dated back to January 1st, 2020 to minimum wage, which was motioned by Member Mustone, seconded by Member Van der Kloot, and all in favor. I don't know if anybody else has anything to add. Motion to approve, Member Van der Kloot? Yes, I make a motion to approve the recommendation from the subcommittee. Motion approved by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those in favor and in opposition, paper passes. Community participation. Maureen Rohan. on dyslexia. Come on down.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Member van de Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by member McLaughlin, seconded by member van de Kloet. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you, Maureen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for suspension of the rules by Member Van der Kloot to take a resident who would like to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What did you say? All in favor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin and then we'll explain.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Report of superintendent. Motion to revert to the regular order of business. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Madam Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On the chair, congratulations, enjoy retirement in July. We'll have you till then. Madam Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And from a city side, we already did meet emergency management planning meeting last week. We have our second one on Wednesday with Armstrong Ambulance, the school department, police chief, fire chief, DPW director to go over any and every issue. We've sent out, we asked for organizational charts of every department to make sure we have contacts and backups. We have cross-training city hall staff, so we are going to go through every school-related issue, city hall-related issue, city issue that could arise in hopes to make sure we're prepared. I also have a metro mayor's meeting in the morning on Wednesday, and they're going to give us up-to-date information. Toni Wray and Marian O'Connor from the Board of Health worked with my chief of staff on the question and answer portion of last week's updates, that was any question and every question we found on social media that people had so that they worked for, I think, four or five hours, doing the best they could to make sure every question was answered accordingly. And we're going to continue to work and monitor the situation and be as prepared as we can if something is to happen. Member Ruseau? Oh, Member Graham, I'm sorry. And then Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have not heard from the state delegation, but I can reach out to them. I'm assuming they're kind of preparing for this too, but they haven't released anything. Oh, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Member van de Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau, point of clarification.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for being here to answer questions Reports of superintendent number two recommendation to approve 2020 2021 Most member Kreatz
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by member Ms. Stone, seconded by member Rousseau. All those in favor? Aye. Paper passes. Recommendation to approve cancellation of international trip to France, April 2020. Dr. Bernadette Riccadeli and Marie Nyland. So sad. I know. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Kreatz?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, but you have to come up and speak on the record. You're welcome to come up and speak on the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ma'am, you can come. We have to speak through the chair. Mr. DeLeva, you've got to speak through the chair. Would you like to say something? Would you like to come up?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we can maybe give our superintendent some authority to, through a vote, to try to work on these things.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we do have a school attorney. Let's let the other members ask their questions, and we will give the superintendent the authority. Member Graham. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Paper passes. Member Mustone? She beat me to it. She beat you to it. OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it really is. Before we call the roll, President McGilvrey?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before we take the motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd love to vote another motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, motion to amend?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member McLaughlin. Seconded by Member Van der Kloot, amended by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed? Would you like to speak? Member Graham? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Member Graham, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you very much. Recommendation to approve no school choice district 2020. Motion to approve by member Rousseau, seconded by member Mustone. Roll call has been requested. Yes. Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes. Report on Student Opportunity Act, Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? And they asked to take motions one at a time. Do you have a question on this before you vote on it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion. I have a point of clarification.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, motion by Member Van der Kloot to send this to the Engagement, Communication, and Strategic Planning Subcommittee, seconded by... And to send a letter to the Department of Education. And to send a letter for requesting an extension, if that's possible. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you, Dr. Cushing. Any old business? No. Communications?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So no old business, any communications? Nope. New business, school safety procedural update. Nothing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin, motion to table, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper is tabled. Status of outstanding reports. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion to table. Motion to table by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Paper is tabled. Number three, under new business, the function of the Medford School Committee 2020 to 2022 document update. Motion to table. Motion to table by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Paper is tabled.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Offered by, okay, be resolved that a playground advisory committee shall be created to oversee the completion of work associated with three CPC grants related to the Columbus and Brooks Playground Repair and Resurfacing and the McGlynn School Design Study. The work will include collaboration and review of the RFP for the McGlynn Design Study and the execution of the study. The advisory committee will also view all four school playgrounds and make recommendations regarding increased accessibility of playgrounds to all students to be completed within the existing scope of funding or provided to the school committee as additional recommendations. The advisory committee shall provide a preliminary update to the school committee no later than June 1st and then quarterly thereafter for up to one year from the date of creation or sooner if work is completed. Dr. Peter Cushing will issue a call for interested applicants and recommend members for the Playground Advisory Committee to the school committee no later than April 6, 2020 at the school committee meeting. The Playground Advisory Committee will include school administrators, at least one parent from each elementary school, and individuals with expertise in inclusive play and play spaces offered by Member Graham. Member Graham, would you like to say anything else on that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure, an amendment by Member McLaughlin, and I can work with Dr. Cushing as well with a meeting with the NAACP next week, you can join me, and then I also have additional people on the Disability Commission that weren't put on because there's many people that wanted to be on it, and there's some parents that I can refer, so we can work together on that. I can help however I can. Motion for approval by Member Graham, as amended by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. We have four condolences. I will read them all. We can stand for a moment of silence after that. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of William, Mr. Caraviello was the husband of Ann Marie Caraviello, a retired Medford Public Schools secretary. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Priscilla Morse. Ms. Morse was the mother-in-law of Medford Public Schools staff member Pamela Morse and the mother of Hank Morse. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of John Jackie Hamilton, Mr. Hamilton was the brother of retired elementary teacher, Judy Granara, and the brother-in-law of former school committee member, John Granara. And finally, be it resolved, the member of the school committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Shirley Van De Kloet. Ms. Van De Kloet was the mother-in-law of school committee member, Paulette Van De Kloet. If we all may rise to take a moment of silence. Yes, negotiations and legal matters. Our last two matters of the night will be dealt with in executive session and we will come out of executive session in room 207 and adjourn from there. So we will not be back before the podium tonight. Motion by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Graham to enter executive session. All those in favor? All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. We're live. Good evening. Regular meeting of the Medford School Committee will come to order, February 24th, 2020, Council Chambers, 7 p.m. Roll call. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. All rise to salute our flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: »» 61, Community Participation, Ms. Judy Lonergan, Jingle Bell Run. Did you want to make an announcement, Judy? Sure. Okay. You're the boss.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep. If I may, from the chair, I also want to thank Judy and Justin and the team and the PTOs and everybody from the schools who participated. To have over 400 people running in that rain is a testament to how great of a race it is and the community spirit. The whole race, I just followed my son, who found the biggest puddles that he could find. It was probably the grossest race I've ever run, but it was still fabulous. So thank you for all you do for our community. Thank you. Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. While we're under suspension, we have Miss Julie Matariz who is here to announce Rare Disease Day, which is February 29th, 2020.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's a blue ribbon, yep, save this for February 29th, right?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 28th and 29th, and we'll be lighting up City Hall blue in honor of this special day. Thank you, great job.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you again. Number three, recognition of Humanities Awards recipients. We'll invite Dr. Nicole Chiesa to come up to help us present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Read as best as I can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Some of the, yeah, Medford Public Schools is proud to recognize Sophia Hernandez for winning for winning the Gold Key Scholastic Writing Awards for 2020. All the school committee is listed and signed. Nertha Richards. Sophia, Sophia, congratulations. Nertha Richards is not here, we'll get that to her. Catherine Schmidt. Kenza Belula. would you like to announce the other awards?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, yes. Catherine Schmidt. Yep. Honorable mention, Scholarship Writing Award 2020, Rachel Myers. And another honorable mention for Catherine Smith. So double.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Nicholas Urasco.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. member Rousseau. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Ms. Emily Gatti.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Juliette Franks. Yousef Jahad. Lisa Lopez. Body Hung. Mayesha Vertilis. Christina Zhang. Abby Zawakil. Arthur Shillerman. And last but not least, Mishka Durali.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Report on project 351 by Mr. Nicholas Tucci and Michael Downs, our two principals from the middle schools.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Thank you. Suspension for... Oh, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, and thank you for being here. While we're under suspension, we're gonna take negotiations and legal matters. Is there a motion? It's executive session. Yep. Motion by member Ruseau that we go into executive session. Seconded by member Graham. All those in favor? All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those in favor? All those opposed? We have approval of the minutes of February 3rd, 2020. Motion to approve by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is this for the task force, food?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My office is gonna be putting together a committee, so we have the task force up with the Board of Health, and we're gonna be putting together a committee, and we'll make sure there's a member of the school committee on that committee, if that's amenable.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we could do one through superintendent and one through my office for the city side.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can even advertise together and then separate the applications so we can get a good pool of people interested if we want to do it that way. Thank you. I'm happy to advertise through a press release. OK, roll call vote on the minutes. I actually didn't have a question. Oh, yeah. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, that was scheduled for March 4th at 4 p.m. We're gonna do a walkthrough of the high school, then we're gonna sit down and meet on the minimum wage. 4 o'clock on March 4th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those in favor? None in opposition? Minutes pass. Approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payroll. Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. Paper passes. Report of secretary. There is none. Motion to receive and place on file. All those in favor? All those opposed? Reports of committees. Committee of the whole. Goals for the budget process 2, 3, 20. Would you like to give the report?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On February 3, 2020, at 5.42 PM, we all met as a committee along with Superintendent Diane Caldwell, John McLaughlin, Patrick Gordon, Lisa Evangelista, and Emily Lazzaro. We discuss the budget process, we ask questions as it relates to the budget, just to get ready for our budget season, which started tonight at 5.30. Before every school committee meeting, we will meet in Committee of the Whole, it will be televised, and we will meet at 5.30 to go through every department so that we can hopefully have the budget hearing presentation on June 15, 2020. Today we reviewed guidance, English language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, world languages. Our next meeting is March 9, 2020, and we will go through the elementary schools budget of $9,751,017. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure personally if we've received it yet, but I will look into that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. Paper passes. I'm sorry. That's OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's OK. Committee of the whole meeting, goals for the, oh, we did that one. Curriculum subcommittee, enhanced core reading instruction, ECRI, and planning for future meetings, 2-5-20.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to suspend the rules by member Van der Kloot, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? When we were in our committee, the whole meeting this evening, we've got through almost all the budget outlines. We have two remaining that we need to finish. So we will call up our director of science.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have World Language Department presented by Dr. Bernadette Riccadeli. And that is page 18 on your budget. 18 of 28.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Doesn't seem to be any questions, but because you did such a good detailed report for us. You do? Okay. Change your mind.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For approval by a member of Vindiclude, seconded by a member of Rousseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. You're welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you very much, and we'll discuss more in the curriculum subcommittee. I'm not sure where we want to go next. We have some parents, we have some administrators here, city hall employees. I'll just go and order a recommendation to approve donation for three speech and language pathologists to attend the National Speech Association Conference. Ms. Joan Bowen. Hi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you. Recommendation to approve middle school field trips to New York.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. All those in favor. Six in favor, one absent. Motion passes. Recommendation to approve middle school field trips to New York, Principal Nick Tucci and Principal Michael Downs.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot, that the field trip form be updated to have language about disability accommodations that people may need. All those in favor? Roll call, please. Roll call has been requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Five in the affirmative, one absent, one abstaining. Paper passes. Thank you, gentlemen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Tucci, if you could stay. Recommendation to approve environmental camp field trip by Principal Nick Tucci.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do we have a motion? Motion for approval. All those in favor? Roll call. Member McLaughlin, roll call. Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent, paper passes. Thank you everybody for your patience. Number seven, report on middle school participation in greater Boston league sports. Mr. Robert Maloney.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. If I may, from the chair, for the spring, is it just track? Is there any other sport?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Report on literacy screenings, intervention update. Ms. Diane Caldwell, Dr. Nicole Chiesa, Ms. Kathleen Champoli and Ms. Suzanne Campbell. And I know we have some parents who have waited patiently. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you very much for, I don't know if there's any other questions. Thank you. We have recommendation to approve strategic prevention framework, partnerships for success, grant letter of commitment, Marion O'Connor and Ms. Penny Fanone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for your patience.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Thank you for being here and thank you for waiting so long. All those in favor? Aye. Would you like a roll call? Roll call vote has been requested. Yes, 6 in the affirmative, 1 absent, the paper passes. I know that we're going to table a few things. It's getting late, but we need to do a report on fundraising organizations. I can read it if you want me to read it. by Ms. Emily Lazzaro. Thank you. Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Madam Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion to accept the report on fundraising organizations. except by Mr. Rousseau, seconded by Ms. Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed? Okay. Old business. Do we have any old business? Or would we like to table old business? Motion to table by Ms. McLaughlin. That's in the beginning. All those in favor? All those opposed? Communications? New business? School Safety Procedure Update, motion to table. Motion to table by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Kreatz. School Safety Procedural Update is tabled till March 9th. Status of the standing reports. Motion to table by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Kreatz, and we have a school committee resolution. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Jonathan Davis. Mr. Davis was the brother-in-law of former mayor Michael J. McGlynn and retired teacher Karen McGlynn Devine. Please all rise for a moment of silence. And motion to revert back to the regular business. Curriculum Subcommittee, Enhanced Core Reading Instruction, ECRI, and Planning for Future Meetings 2.5.20, Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, I think- Where's the meeting, Ms. Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 3-0.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Committee report is adopted. We have a report of superintendent. Would you like to table that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Maybe we'll get it by email if any of it needs to be disseminated to the public.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. Motion to table by member McLaughlin, seconded by member Graham. Save it for next time, you won't have to write, sorry. If I may, well, just very briefly, Representative Donato did call and said that we were the recipient of $287,000 workforce skills grant to buy manufacturing equipment for vocational high school. So thank you, Rep. Donato and the rest of our legislature, Rep. Garbally, Rep. Barber, and Senator Jalen. Thank you to them all. Motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Graham. Good night. Get home safely. And thank you to our student rep. Still there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, Breanna Lungo-Koehn, 19 Richard Street, Mayor of Medford. Good evening, everybody. Thank you. Good evening. To the two new Councilors, you look very nice in those seats. We're here before you. I have Saram McGivern from the Board of Health, as well as the COO of the Greater Boston Food Bank here with us tonight, just to give you some statistics on hunger in Medford and obviously the Commonwealth. This is a pledge that was brought to my attention several weeks back, and it's something that I believe strongly in, and I'm sure you all do, to try to reach the goal on or before, before would be great, 2028 to declare Medford hunger-free. Right now, one in 10 people are hungry, one in eight children. There are children in our schools, families that we see at the baseball fields, seniors that can't get out of their homes. So I thank you for taking this pledge with us. The Medford School Committee voted last night unanimously to also take this pledge. We have a number of different things we want to bring awareness to. One is the new food pantry. The grand opening that I hope you all can make is in a couple of weeks, the Walnut Street Center on Mystic Ave. It has a beautiful pantry set up, so that is going to help tremendously in our community. We also have micro pantries that have been installed up and around different churches. We have one being built by our Department of Public Works. I think they built it in one day that is going to go up in front of City Hall. City Hall is going to sponsor it. The mayor's office is going to take charge. We're going to have everybody sign the proclamation and laminate it and put it on the side of the food pantry, so I'd love you all to get involved. It's to spread awareness and to reduce the stigma for those that need help, who are insecure when it comes to food, and this is just a great step in moving Medford forward. So I would like to bring up the professionals on the topic, and they've worked very hard on this as well as a whole host of things in Medford and we greatly appreciate the steps we've been able to take.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you all. I just wanted to answer a little bit about Councilor Marks' question and just in a way of an update. I'll be sending out a press release within the next few days of all the open board and committee positions. commission positions that are available as well as any other task force, pilot programs that the mayor's office is going to see if there's interest in, and one of those will be an affordable housing task force. So I think it's hopefully there'll be some interest in the council as well, but ways to create more affordable housing in Medford. We also have our Office of Community Development that is working on a housing production plan. We are putting out an RFQ for a consultant to do a housing production plan. We're also working on a number of different things related to housing and the 340B projects that are before us. So I just wanted to give you those in the way of updates. I want to thank you for your support. Thank my chief of staff, David, who is here tonight as well. My family came because it's... Yes, I have two chief of staff, David. My family brought them here, as well as Sarah, who brought her son here, because it is such an important issue. And thank you to Sarah, to Sarah, to Carol, and Mary Ann for working so diligently on this. It was a group effort, and you're part of that group. So thank you. I have the proclamation here to sign, and after you take the vote, I will pass it around. Thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are we ready?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Medford School Committee regular meeting, February 3rd, 2020, in the council chambers, 7 p.m. Roll call vote, Madam Secretary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present. All please rise to salute our flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Approval of the minutes of January 13 2020. Motion to approve by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Minutes are approved. Approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payrolls. Motion to approve by Member Ruseau. Seconded by Member Graham. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hunger Free Pledge. I know we have Sarah McGiven and Carol present. And I will read the proclamation to make Medford hunger free, whereas hunger and poverty are issues of grave concern in the United States, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the city of Medford, whereas Medford is committed to educating people about food insecurity, and the importance of food banks in alleviating hunger in our communities, whereas food insecurity is a persistent and significant reality in Medford, where one in 10 people, one in eight children, and one in 14 seniors do not know where the next meal will come from, whereas the Greater Boston Food Bank and its member agencies provide vital hunger relief services to our most vulnerable neighbors, whereas Medford shall work with hunger relief organizations to make eastern Massachusetts hunger-free by supporting access to three healthy meals a day for our residents in need. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Medford School Committee does hereby proclaim no later than January 1st, 2028, Medford will be hunger-free and urge all the residents of Medford to take note of this proclamation and participate fittingly in achieving this important goal. And an advisory committee shall be created to provide specific recommendations for achieving this goal. with appointments for one year to include at least a teacher, school administrator, nursing representative, adjustment Councilor, food services representative, and three school committee members. The advisory committee shall provide at least an interim status report within six months of their first meeting and provide a final report to the school committee prior to the end of the one-year term of this advisory committee, given at the City Hall in Medford, Massachusetts this third day in February in the year 2020.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, YMCA, it's great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion for approval by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member Ruseau. Roll call vote, please. Roll call vote has been requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. 7 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative. The paper passes. This proclamation will now go to the City Council tomorrow night and hopefully as one unified While we're under suspension, member Van der Kloot, resolution number five, as well as participation from our students that we have here. Is that correct? Be it resolved that the Medford, this is offered by myself, with regards to the minimum wage question that a number of us have been asked. Be it resolved that the school committee hold a committee of the whole meeting to discuss minimum wage for all employees. Be it further resolved that the administration provide the school committee with a list of all do not receive minimum wage and what the cost per year would be to make that change. I know there are a number of people that want to speak on that so we'll open up the floor to you and hopefully within the next 30 to 40 days we will hold a committee of the whole to get all the facts and figures before us as well as the law.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Committee of the whole meeting is a meeting that we have that isn't so formal. Sometimes we had one today at 5.30. That one was televised. This may be a little bit different. We were talking about personnel, so we may have to go into executive session where we have to speak about personnel matters behind closed doors, but we can reconvene after we figure things out and make a full report, whether it's that night or after that night, letting the public know what facts and figures, anything that's public, we can release that afterwards. Also, I know this may affect other positions in the budget, so we really need to give our finance department a little, even if it's a couple of weeks, just to get facts and figures before us so that we have the answers to the questions we're all going to have in committee of the whole meeting. I think two weeks, maybe Ms. Patterson can enlighten us on how long that might take just make sure we know every single position that will be affected, how many we have in that position, just like my motion reads. So I would hope within two weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Not necessarily, but if we're going to talk about different people in different positions, then yes, parts of it would have to go into executive session.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can just, yep, whatever has to go into executive session, whether that's five, 10, 20 minutes to an hour, and then you can open it up to the general public. Member van de Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Ruseau, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Superintendent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That all those paid under minimum wage, we get a tally of that, how much that's going to cost to increase. Thank you. Motion for approval has been passed. Motion approval set. Thanks. While we're under suspension, we have Toni Wray in the audience for an update from the nursing department.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: »» Thank you. Motion to receive and place on file? Okay. Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion to receive and place on file by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion to revert back to the regular order of business by Member Van der Kloot, report of secretary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval of the report? Please on file. Motion to receive and place on file by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion is received and placed on file.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. We have community participation. Hearing and seeing none. report of superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Superintendent. Recommendation to approve a donation to CCSR, Michael Spalker. Is Michael here? If somebody wants to move to table that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Kathy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval of the 5,000 to CCSR. Roll call vote has been requested. Member Graham?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. All those in favor and opposed, paper passes. Recommendation number three to approve field trip, DECA state competition, Mr. Chad Fallon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Motion for approval by? Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member McLaughlin. Member Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, how many days is the competition?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So they stay two nights in a hotel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good luck. Thank you. Good luck. Motion for approval. All set. Number four, recommendation to approve donation to Medford Vocational Technical High School.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. All in favor and none in the negative, paper passes. Now number four, recommendation to approve donation to Medford Vocational Technical High School.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What are these things?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: member Van der Kloot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by him. Seconded by Member Kreatz. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. All in favor and opposed. Paper passes. Number five, recommendation to approve donation from Exxon Mobil. Ms. Christine Patterson. Good evening, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm assuming roll call vote is required. Motion for approval by Member Graham, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Roll call vote is required.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those in favor and on the negative, paper passes. Number six, report on personnel activity. Ms. Christine Patterson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe in your behavior health, special ed, and public service subcommittee can go over that. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Motion to receive and place on file offered by motion by member Kreatz, seconded by member Vandekloot. All those in favor? Aye. Paper passes. Number seven, report on 2020 middle school lottery. Dr. Bernadette Brickadeli.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. School committee woman McLaughlin. You're welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion, I was just gonna say from the chair, economic status is in here a bit through free and reduced lunch, but we can ask for further data. We can drill down. We can drill down a little bit, okay. Motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone for comparable data based on the ELL disabilities and economic status. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? That motion passes. Thank you. Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you have an extra copy of that for Emily? Yep. If you could just read that one more time so we can all digest it. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Approval by. Yes, point of clarification member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by member Graham, seconded by member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed? The motion passes. Your button was on, so I didn't know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, motion by Member Graham, seconded by... Everybody, yep. Member Kreatz. And that subcommittee, Engagement, Communication, and Strategic Planning is chaired by Member Graham, also Member Kreatz, and Member McLaughlin serve on that committee. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you. You're welcome. Dr. Cadelli. report on building bridges to kindergarten. Ms. Diane Caldwell.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Graham, would you mind reading your resolution one more time and we can vote on it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Perfect, thank you. Motion by Member Graham, seconded by... That was a tie. Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Report on draft of strategic plan by Dr. Maurice-Edouard Vincent. Oh, I'm going to slide, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much, Superintendent, Administrators. Do we have any questions? Member Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have our student rep, Mr. Mark Allen Jean Mary, who would like to Ask a question, go ahead.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know. Does anybody have the answer to that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And it probably would be, from the chair, it probably would be a lot in the communication aspect, how we give out communication, ensuring that it's in different languages, like Dr. Vincent had mentioned. So I'm sure you're working on that, absolutely. Great question, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And Dr. Cadelli, too, under fostering collaborative relationships, engage in timely, thoughtful, two-way, culturally proficient communication with the Medford Mustang community. So I bet there will be a number of links that relate to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you guys for all of your work so far.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sounds great. Seconded by Member McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? We've got a busy committee, Ms. Graham. Closed for business after this meeting. Tap out, yeah. Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We have a resident parent who would like to speak. Just name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Member McLaughlin?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, did you touch the mic now? You're on now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Willingness to say we're not going to leave any stone unturned and that may mean that we turn the stone over like four or five times before we land Thank you Motion we already took the motion to send it to subcommittees So thank you all for being here and for your presentation. It was great. Thank you. Thank you to our superintendent for leading the effort Do we have any old business? We did vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, we're going to get through this, OK? If there's no old business, is there any communications?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From the chair, I believe we did discuss this one of our first get togethers, so hopefully minutes, agendas and commit reports be posted on the website. But let's take another motion by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Mustone. All those in favor? All those opposed, paper passes. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, could it be uploaded on Monday by our webmaster?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or even follow along from the audience, absolutely. Great. Any new business? Here we go. Reorganization of our subcommittees. Motion to approve. All those in favor? All those opposed? Mayor Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Superintendent gave me the package Thursday or Friday of last week. It is hopefully going to be done by the end of the week. There are 41 applicants, which is a lot of people. We're talking of a committee between 11 and 13. We just want to make sure it's done as fair as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: one or two school committee members, one or two from the administration, maybe a parent from each level. I haven't done it fully in my head, but also there are a number of parents and also professionals in the industry. So I want to make sure I, one engineer, one architect. I haven't weeded through them all, but I just kind of look to see how many. But along those lines. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Given the creation of ad hoc reports at the behest of the School Committee can require substantial effort on the part of the Office of the Superintendent and her staff, and that the School Committee often depends on these ad hoc reports to assist in deliberations, The Rules, Policy, and Equity Subcommittee shall generate a new rule for the School Committee to guide how ad hoc reports requests are generated. Motion for approval by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed? Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To this full committee where it can be changed or amended and then voted on. Okay, thank you. You're welcome. Okay, motion for approval by Ms. Vanjie Clute, seconded by Ms. Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes. Offered by Vice Chair Rousseau, given that several periodic reports are required by law, regulation, past practice, and best practice, The Rules, Policy, and Equity Subcommittee shall promulgate an annual schedule of such reports to provide the superintendent, the school committee, and the public a transparent and concise understanding of when to expect these reports. Motion for approval by Member Van der Kloot, seconded by Member Graham. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Paper passes. offered by myself, be resolved, the administration provide the school committee with an update report on dyslexia during our 2-24 meeting and all the changes that have taken place since June to improve how we test and treat.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Madam Superintendent never McLaughlin. Oh, second of the most.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just not working. Yeah, there it goes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We haven't voted on anything in the rules that the committee recommends.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't understand it that way either.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Subcommittee will discuss that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know if that's the right answer, but OK. Number seven, school committee resolution offered by Vice Chair Rousseau, a resolution in support of the Healthy Youth Act, H410, whereas comprehensive health education reduces sexual assault and harassment whereas it is important to educate children about how to build healthy, respectful relationships, whereas all children deserve medically accurate education, whereas the diversity of hunger gender expression is non-binary, whereas it is the responsibility of our public schools to educate all children, and whereas underrepresented sexual and gender minorities are disproportionately affected by inadequate health education, now therefore be it resolved that the Medford School School Committee of Medford, support the passage of House Bill 410, an action relative to healthy youth, urges the Massachusetts House of Representatives to bring this bill to a vote, and sends a letter of support to the Honorable Speaker DeLeo, the Honorable Mr. Donato, the Honorable Mr. Garbally, and the Honorable Ms. Barber. Member Ruseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Member Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Seconded by Member Ruseau. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Paper passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have school safety and procedural update offered by Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: you know anybody has been certainly I have the brain power for tonight so I'd ask that this be moved to an agenda item for the next committee meeting as an agenda item motion to table as an agenda item till 224 seconded by member Rousseau all those in favor all those opposed paper passes Also offered by member McLaughlin, status of outstanding reports.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I can just send this to... Subcommittee. Rules, Policy and Equity Subcommittee. That's right. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Seconded by Member Mustone. Paper passes. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Captain Herbert Red Hanlon. Captain Hanlon was a retired Medford police captain who worked closely for many years with the school department, helping to administer the Saving Lives Traffic Safety Grant. Also be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Robert Buckley. Mr. Buckley was the brother of Medford High School Administrative Assistant Charlotte Grant. Also be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Joseph P. Stone. Mr. Stone was the father of Patty Donnelly, special education teacher at the Columbus Elementary School. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Negotiations and legal matters? None. Motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Member McLaughlin, seconded by Member Van der Kloot. Have a great night, and we will see you scooping ice cream at the Ice Cream Social on Saturday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good morning, Dr. Edouard-Vincent, Principal DeLaver, staff, parents, teachers, and graduates. As I sat down to write a couple days ago, I wondered what I say. What should I say to a class of students that have been through so much in the last five months? A class that has been robbed of so much. I thought I should ignore the bad, pretend it didn't happen, and talk about how wonderful everything is. Or should I be honest and acknowledge your reality? It is unfair the amount of loss that you have suffered and the things that you've had to give up during your senior year. Events you have planned and hoped for throughout your high school career. I wish as your mayor and as a parent, I could fix that for you. I wish I could just wake up and pretend it was all a bad dream, but I can't. We live in a world that is struggling right now, struggling on so many levels. But you know what makes me stop? Stop and think and say, wait a minute. There is good here. There is good. No, there is great here because you are our future. You all have overcome so much, not just this past year, but throughout your lives and work so hard to reach this milestone. You have the will, the drive, and the work ethic to make this world a better place to live, learn, and grow in. You are our future doctors, engineers, and attorneys. You are our future lawmakers, activists, volunteers, and scientists. You are able to be whatever you put your mind to. I've seen your determination and your strength, and I've seen how talented this class of 2020 truly is. I am so excited to continue to hear and learn about all the amazing things you will do. Yes, you're going to have tough days, tough moments, and in this case, tough months. But please choose to never give up. Fight for what you believe in, search deep for the positive, and use that as the energy you need to succeed and reach every additional milestone you choose to accomplish. You are smart and resilient. You are stronger because of what you have been through. Use that strength. To all of the parents and guardians, you have done an amazing job and you should be so proud. Congratulations to all of the graduates. Congratulations to the families who have supported them every step of the way. And finally, congratulations to the teachers and everyone else who have helped our graduates reach this milestone. I leave you with this final quote from a great author with whom I imagine you are familiar, as my children are. His name is Dr. Seuss. You have the brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can stare yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know. You're the guy or the gal who'll decide where to go. And thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are we ready? All set? Medford School Committee meeting, January 13th, 2020, Council Chambers, 7 p.m. Roll call. Member Grant? Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All please rise and salute the flag.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Approval of the minutes of January 6, 2020. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by. Second. Vice Chairperson Rousseau, seconded by Ms. Kreatz.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Chairman Rousseau, as amended by Ms. Kreatz, seconded by Ms. Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Minutes pass as amended. Approval of the bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payrolls. Motion for approval by Ms. Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by School Committeewoman van de Kloot, seconded by? Seconded. Seconded by Ms. Kreatz. Roll call is required. Yes. All those in favor, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Approval of the bills and payrolls passed. Reports of Secretary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And number four, report of secretary. Is there anything else?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Report of committees. Do we have any reports? None. No reports. Community participation. Next we have number seven, report of superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We're glad you're back. Thank you, Superintendent. Second, we have proposed meeting dates for Budget Committee of the Whole, Fiscal Year 21, given to us by Ms. Christine Patterson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You second it. Motion by motion. Yep. School committee woman credits seconded by school committee woman McLaughlin. All those in favor. I was opposed. Motion passes. We'll have these meetings in room 207, and I'll talk to Patrick Gordon from Community Cable, as well as our city clerk knows how to use the equipment, so we'll get that done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: School committee woman McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So motion by school committee woman, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, so motion by school committee woman Kreatz to get the budget agenda on a press release and on social media and on the website as well as amended by school committee woman McLaughlin for newsletter and further amended by school committee woman Graham to get a committee of the whole meeting to get data and budget planning. on a motion for approval by School Committee Woman Kreatz, seconded by School Committee Woman Van der Kloot. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I wrote that down. Yes. and everybody has seen the dates, we have guidance, English, social studies, mathematics, science, and world languages on February 24th, 2020, 5.30 to 7. We have art, phys ed, health, library media, health services, and athletics on March 23rd, 2020, 5.30 to 7 p.m. Middle school, high school, vocational, technical education, student activities and programs, on April 6th, 2020, 5.30 to 7 p.m. We have English learner education, special education on April 13th, 2020, 5.30 to 7 p.m. We have the school committee, finance, business, district-wide expenses, and district-wide, May 4th, 2020. Transportation, security, and OSP on May 18th, 2020. We will reserve June 1st, 2020, If needed, and the budget hearing presentation will be the last school committee meeting on June 15th, 2020. Superintendent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can try that, or we can try the week before. But we'll get that scheduled. Yes. School Committeewoman Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by School Committeewoman Graham, seconded by School Committeewoman Van der Kloot. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Schedule is adopted. Number three, report on Department of Health Services best practices by Tony, is Tony ready?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So just a few highlights of the ways that we help our families. That's great. We have some questions, I believe.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Vice Chair Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: School Committee Woman Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. School Committee Woman McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a student member that has a question? Come on up and use the microphone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good job. Thank you. Thank you. for report on English learners, Paul Textera.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. School committee woman, Ms. Stone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Vice Chair Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. School Committeewoman McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Vice Chair Rousseau. Oh, you're all set. Okay. Motion to accept the report. Motion by School Committeewoman Van der Kloot, seconded by School Committeewoman Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed? Thank you very much.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Number five, report on credit for life. Dr. Bernadette Riccidelli.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. School Committeewoman McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So a motion by School Committeewoman Graham that we do a press article on financial literacy and what is offered, all levels of education in Medford. Motion for approval by School Committeewoman Graham, seconded by School Committeewoman Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Motion to receive and place on file. Would you like to ask a question? Come on up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to receive on file but offered by Vice Chair Rousseau, seconded by Kathy Kreatz. All those in favor? All those opposed? Thank you very much, ladies. We have a report on Medford Community Fund Awards by Ms. Diane Caldwell. Good evening. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Secretary Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion to receive the report, place on file. Moved by Secretary van de Kloot, seconded by Councilwoman Mustone. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Do we have any old business?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I take that as a motion to look into math supplies in the fiscal 2021 budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by School Committeewoman Kreatz, seconded by Secretary Van der Kloot. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Communications? None. None. New business? Number one, request to present new options for agenda formatting, which was tabled on January 6, 2020. Secretary Van der Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion by Secretary Van der Kloot, seconded by Councilwoman Mustone. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. School Committee Resolution, be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Francis Kartelli. Mr. Kartelli was the husband of former Fulton Elementary School and Davenport Elementary School teacher and late Rosemary Kartelli. Also, be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Vincent Zampel. Mr. Zampel was the father of former physical education teacher and athletic director Ronald Zampel. It is noted in the Medford Historical Society that Vincent Zampel was the last Medford student to be drafted in World War II prior to graduating from Medford High School. If we all may rise for a moment of silence. Number 11, negotiation and legal matters. Nope, nothing, okay. Requested reports, we have a number of them. Do you want me to read them? Nope. Motion to adjourn by school committee member Ms. Stone, seconded by school committee woman Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Have a good evening, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We had a Committee of the Whole meeting and it went a little bit over, so I'd like to call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd like to welcome our two student representatives that are behind the chambers with us, Isabella D'Souza and Mark Allen Jean-Marie. Thank you for being here. We have approval of the minutes of December 16, 2019. Motion to approve by Paul Rousseau, seconded by Kathy Kreatz. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Paper passes. Approval of bills, transfer of funds, and approval of payrolls. School committee women, Kreatz? Motion to approve. Motion for approval by Paula van de Kloot, seconded by Kathy Kreatz. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Report of the Secretary. You call the roll for bills.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. All those in favor? None opposed? The bills are approved by roll call vote. Reports of committees. We do have a report of the organizational caucus from this evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mayor Lungo-Koehn. Paul Rousseau. All those in favor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Paulette van de Kloot. Congratulations. Congratulations to both of you. Congratulations. Reports of committee. We had a committee of the whole meeting at 645. That went into executive session until about 7, 10 past 7. And then we opened the meeting to the public. There were two motions that were put forth by the committee. The first motion in this meeting was The purpose of the meeting was to discuss negotiation and legal matters pending litigation in the Medford Public Schools versus the MIAA. Our first motion, which was unanimous, was to request from our attorney an estimate of potential cost of attorney's fees for both sides, an assessment of probable success in the litigation, and also what kind of negotiations could occur within their amicable settlement that was approved on a roll call vote. We also made a second motion to request that student orientation and eligibility be provided rules and regulations and policies and procedure to the school committee by March 23rd 2020. Is there a motion to approve and accept the committee report?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd like to re-vote for them. on the motion to request from our attorney the estimate for potential costs of attorney's fees for both sides and an assessment of probable success along with the ability to negotiate. Motion by Paul Rousseau, seconded by Melanie McLaughlin. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. A roll call vote, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes. On the roll call vote for motion to request the student orientation and eligibility, policies and procedures be provided to the school committee by March 23, 2020. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Motion of seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, the paper passes. We have community participation. I believe we have Mr. Falco in the audience. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hi, please state your name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Vice Chair Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you just let me put your mic on first, one second? Just let me put your mic on, so that everybody can hear you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to suspend the rules, to take paper under report of superintendent? Yes. Seconded by Vice Chair Russo. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? We have a report on the Medford Public Schools bathroom by John McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Vice Chair Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. School Committee, Woman McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You could ask which ones will be done within the next 30 days.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: School committee woman Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: City Council. No, thank you. School committee woman, Ms. Stone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Vice Chair Rousseau. I'm all set. You're all set. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think they're going to work. Superintendent and I will work together to appoint as soon as possible. OK. I just know she's going through something in the next couple of days.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then once I review that, as well as the other committees with her, that can be released hopefully by next week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. School Committeewoman Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: School Committeewoman McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll review them and we'll take a roll call vote unless there's a motion to sever. Thank you. Yes. If that ends the debate, we have a motion on the floor by School Committeewoman McLaughlin, seconded by Paulette, to find out within the next 30 days which bathrooms will be done, which two bathrooms will be done. Motion by school committee woman Graham to follow up on the sea flicks see click fix the school committee get a follow up by the next school committee meeting. School committee women stone to review additional two or. No, no motion. And then.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, no, no, absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then our third motion is for, by School Committeewoman Graham, for Committee of the Whole to revisit the capital plan. Do I have a motion? Motion to accept by Councilwoman Stone, seconded by Vice Chair Rousseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Thank you. And thank you, Mr. Falco, for coming to voice your concern.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have, is there any other community participation? Citywide Elementary School, is that what you're?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: While we're into community participation, we have the Citywide Elementary Alliance Disney raffle drawing tonight. Exciting. I know we have Christy Avino here and Bailey Shindell. Yes. As well as Melissa DeMeo and her son who are going to help us pull the lottery tickets. So I'll leave the floor to you ladies.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we're going to teamwork this. Matthew's going to draw and his eyes are closed and I'll announce it, okay? Okay. Close your eyes. We already spun it. Dig deep. You've sold so many you can almost not fit anymore in this bucket. I know. It's so full. And the winner is from Stoneham Mass, Jim Corcoran, Jr. Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, go ahead and get the second prize winner. Baseball. second prize winners from Brockton, Kodasha Petit. Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to receive and place on file. A motion to receive and place on file by Vice Chair Rousseau, seconded by School Committeewoman Van der Kloot. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. I believe we're done with community participation. Am I correct? Okay. Reports of superintendent. And we have Assistant Superintendent Diane Caldwell to give us that report. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for that. We have, after a sad announcement, I think we have a... We have a great announcement right now. A great announcement in recognition of Medford High School senior Max Stevens for achieving a gold medal in the Deaflympics by Dr. Edouard-Vincent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a certificate for you, Max. Medford Public Schools is proud to recognize Max Stephens for winning a gold medal in ice hockey at the 2019 Winter Deaflympics, signed by myself, Breanna Lungo-Koehn, and our superintendent, who sadly can't be here, as well as Jenny Grimm, Kathy Kreatz, Melanie McLaughlin, Mia Mastone, Paul Russo, and Paulette Vander Kloof. If you'd like to come up, we'll take a picture.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I appreciate it. Thank you. Come on down. We'll take a picture. Congratulations. Thank you so much. Congratulations. Congrats to you. Did the whole family get to visit you? Yes. Oh, nice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 2019 closeout by Christine Patterson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Page one?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: School committee woman McLaughlin. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Vice Chair Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just give everybody a second to review page two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Vice Chair Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Page three or four.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Page three, four or five.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Page 4567, School Committeewoman McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're all learning. Any questions are good questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Page 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Vice Chair Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: School Committeewoman Graham.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Page 7, 8, 9, 10, Vice Chair Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: School Committee Member McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: School committee woman, Vanda Kloot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Vice Chair Russo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No further questions? Is there a motion on the floor? Vice Chair Rousseau?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. School Committeewoman McLaughlin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to accept the committee report. All those seconded by Council... seconded by Vice Chair Rousseau. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Do we have any old business? Report on free cash allocation, Dr. Peter Cushing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. School Committeewoman Grimm.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I was going to say commercial tax base. We're going to work on it. School Committeewoman Grimm.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a motion on the floor? Motion to accept the report. Motion to accept the report. Seconded by? Second. Ms. McLaughlin. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Report is accepted. Do we have any old business? None. None. Do we have any communications? None. No. Any new business, number one, request to present new options for agenda formatting. Yes. Motion to table by Secretary Van der Kloot, seconded by Vice Chair Rousseau. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper is tabled. school committee resolutions. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Lawrence Flynn. Mr. Flynn was a social studies teacher at Hobbs Junior High School and Andrews Middle School. Be it resolved that the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Lisa Toco-Leonard. Ms. Toco-Leonard was the sister of Medford High School librarian Maria D'Orsi. Be it resolved the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family of Elizabeth Kenny. Miss Kenny was a mother-in-law of Medford Department of Public Works Commissioner Brian Cairns. If we can all rise for a moment of silence. Yes, one more, I'm sorry. And why our superintendent is not here tonight. Be it resolved the Medford School Committee express its sincere condolences to the family Gerard Edward. Mr. Edward was the father of Medford School Superintendent Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent. We'll take a moment of silence. Motion to adjourn by Vice Chair Rousseau, seconded by School Committeewoman Graham. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Briefly, thank you. I'm Breanna Lungo-Koehn. I'm also a parent of two children that go to the Roberts and obviously have a lot of people that are here and a lot of people that have called me in the last week. I think projects have been done in other schools, which is great. And then you have this project that was, we expected to be completed in August. And obviously a lot of parents were upset. And as Christina and Cheryl said, it is a safety issue at this point. We're worried about our kids when they play on that structure. And I thank you for the motions you'll be putting forward. I just also ask that hopefully a meeting be set up like your motion will be next week. But also in the meantime, research and talk to these vendors. As Cheryl said, there's three companies that wanted to do it or said it could be done for under $100,000 if we could at the same time research and talk to these companies, what would an attractive bid be so that we can try to get one of those quotes. This project could take, I think, the work one week. So ideally, it would be extremely beneficial for the kids if we could get this done before the winter months. So if we can pursue not only this meeting with Cheryl, which I'm glad she's going to be in the loop, because I feel like, in a way, she's been left out the last week. And I think that's one of the things I was a little upset about. She needs to be involved. Erin, thank you for all your work on this as well. But just if we could explore all options, Chapter 30B as well as reaching out, that's something that I think maybe should have been done if it wasn't done months ago, talking to contractors that do this work, not general contractors, but contractors that do this work, figuring out how they would want to bid written and what would be attractive to them so that we could have attracted somebody like the company that Cheryl has a quote from for 89,000. So I thank you for your time, and I thank you, and I know that if we work together, we set up a meeting next week, we can get this done before the winter, and I think that's what all the parents are here for, and that's something that we should strive for.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Good evening. A few weeks ago, I caught wind by a number of people, Medford residents, talking about a young lady, Elizabeth Lazzaro, who has been very successful in her hockey career, academically as well, from what I understand. And so I put this on the agenda to give Elizabeth a citation. I'd like to tell you a little bit about Elizabeth, She started the Learn to Skate program when she was four through Medford Rec Learn to Skate. When she was six, she played for Medford Rec Hockey on the U10 Girls Travel Team. In 2013, the Medford Rec Hockey Girls U10 won the Middlesex Yankee Girls Conference. She has also played for Medford Rec's Squirt and Pee Wees teams while playing for the East Coast Wizards Girls Hockey Program. Recently, In 2000, it was April, 2018 USA Hockey National Championship weekend, that tournament was in Marlboro, Mass. Her team won the division, sorry, her teammates in her place, second in the country. And on March 11th, to get to that April tournament, they won the Mass State Hockey Tier Two Championship at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro. which qualified them for the national tournament. Elizabeth is also an honor roll student. She's a freshman at Medford High School. She plays a number of other sports such as softball and volleyball. She has two proud parents here in the audience. It's just someone who is extremely accomplished in the academics and very close to my heart, girls hockey, which is something that I've definitely worked hard for and this council has worked hard for throughout the years. So I just want to bring her up and read a citation and let the city of Medford give her a round of applause. I'm going to read the citation. Medford City Council takes pleasure in awarding this council accommodation to Elizabeth Lazzaro. Medford City Council congratulates Elizabeth Lazzaro, who is a member of the East Coast Wizards U14, for placing second in the country at the 2018 U.S. Hockey National Championship. The Wizards won the Mass State Hockey Tier 2 Championship at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, which qualified them for the national tournament. At the U.S. National Tournament, Elizabeth was the highest scoring player with four goals. Elizabeth is a Medford resident attending Medford High School and is on the honor roll. I don't know if you want to say a few words, but again, congratulations, we're so proud of you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: She realizes what parents put into it. I'm learning that. Spring sports, this, and I'm sure my colleagues, too. It takes a lot, and I'm sure they're extremely proud of you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, through the chair. Can you explain a little bit, when's the grand opening?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I, too, I agree when you go into the old, it used to be Mike's gym. attend that gym. When you go in, it's just very straight and narrow, and then it's like wings out. Will it be two floors?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, great. And all new equipment and everything? Everything's brand new. Oh, great. And then the same question, when will we be opening?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Thank you for submitting your resume to us. And maybe just give us a little background about yourself so the people at home can hear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I was present last week when we got the presentation, which was very detailed and we got a breakdown per our request of the money that will be expended. I think this too is a park that needs to be rehabbed. I believe that doing the tennis courts and the basketball courts, the tennis and basketball courts have already been done. My questions last week were kind of with regards to the financials of this project, the 817,000. That coupled with the phase two, just personally, I feel like 1.6 million is a bit excessive. Definitely we need this. It's great that we have grant money. It's great that we were able to use some CPA funds for this. I just think looking ahead, we need to be a little bit more conservative considering the maintenance we need at our other parks, the issues we have with our buildings in the city of Medford. I just wanna make that point because My question last week had to do with the design is great. They're going to add a couple of handicapped spots. There's going to be community gardens. There's going to be a very big play structure. There's also going to be a water element, which I think people are asking for. And I think this will be very well utilized. Funding for the water and stuff were questions of mine last week. And then there's a whole nother strip of more Claudia can explain a little bit more in detail, but another whole strip leading to the parking that has to do with almost like another play structure and a little different feel to it, but another play structure. And I think my question had to do with, is there any way we can reduce it so then if we do go to phase two and redo the ball fields, whether we put soccer fields or another baseball diamond or softball field, whatever the case may be for phase two, that it wouldn't be such a hefty price tag, because you're talking 1.6 million where you've already spent some money on the basketball and the tennis court. And I just had to make that point. I feel like going forward, definitely to look at the price and being able to maintain all of our ball fields, all of our playgrounds. I have this moving forward while I'm getting complaints about other parks having graffiti and wood chips never being replaced, different things that come before us all the time. Just wanna be able to rehab our parks in an efficient manner while we still have the ability to maintain them all. And this grant was submitted, so my question, can we scale back a little bit? The answer is no, because this plan was submitted and is based on the grant, the $300,000 grant. So I am in support of this tonight. I just think moving forward, With phase two, another 800 plus thousand dollars, I think we just need to, we'll personally just scale it back a bit. Do it right, be able to maintain it, but just scale it back somewhat.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I guess a question for the administration. I know we voted to create an account for the fire department rebuild and the library rebuild, but we didn't create an account for the police station rebuild. So I know in this homeroom petition, we're asking that on the tax bills or on inserts that will accompany the tax bills. It will provide taxpayers with a method to make voluntary contributions or donations to assist in the construction or renovation of the buildings that serve the Medford Police, Fire, or Library. So will we be setting up a third account for the police station?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think I understand that. I'm talking about if this gets approved by the State House, where would we put the collections for the police station? Which account would we put it in? We don't have a separate account yet. We voted to... Sure. approve an account for the fire station and the library, but we haven't voted to approve a separate account for the police station.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Vote timeframe for this to potentially, if it does get passed, do we have? Passed at the state house? Yes. Do we have like a timeline? Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I put this on after I heard recently within the last week or two that There are some talks with Lesley University. I first learned of this with regards to the Medford Public Schools working out agreements with Lesley University to use the basketball, potentially to use the basketball courts up at the high school. I did catch wind that there's also potential for an agreement between the city and Duggar Park, as well as the city and Tufts Park, and really it's just been a few people that have come and asked me questions and I don't know anything about it. So I know the school issue has moved forward. If you watched Monday night's meeting, they're moving forward on, you know, going out for a request for a proposal, I believe on the high school portion. And I just feel like as the city council who answers to the residents, maybe we should get some sort of update from the administration on what is going on, who is, what type of term, what are the terms to these potential agreements? How are we going to handle it? What's the timeframe? I believe Leslie's doing a lot of work, wants to do some work at each particular area. What does that entail? How will the council be involved? These are just all questions that have run through my head over the last couple of weeks, and I think it's extremely important. We've learned that we're not always included in informative discussions, but I think this is something that potentially depending on the terms, I definitely want to be able to review and look over and give my opinions, my concerns, ask questions. And I think it's very important that the city of Medford, our residents are informed on this. I know that parents are asking questions about what's going on with the high school and I just want to make sure the areas around Duggar Park and Tufts Park and the city as a whole has the time to digest this and ask questions and that we're transparent all around. So I ask that we get a written summary of just any type of update with regards to these two locations and anything that is being talked about so that we can have an idea of what's going on, timeframe, so that we can do our job.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to second what my council colleague, Councilor Marks, just said. It took a few things of what I was going to say, but I just have to go on record that I feel the exact same way. I feel like there were two promises that were made, at least one I know specifically was in writing and one, the training time, I'm not sure, but two specific promises that were made and promises that I believe were made in the interest of public safety that I feel are important, even though it wasn't me making the promises. It's our administration making promises to the fire department with regards to the training tower, that it would not be torn down until a new training tower is put up. I thought, and I still think that is extremely important. It's where our firefighters train to protect the lives of our children, of our parents, of ourselves, and I think it's so important. Having a house fire myself, just a small electrical fire, I saw firsthand what the fire department does five years ago when there was an electrical fire right in my daughter's pillow. Scary, and not everybody experiences that. But to see the professionalism come into your home to protect your family and to know they've been trained, that is something they need to keep doing. Two, I'm big on the development issues, and we have a lot of high-rises coming up. I'm going to repeat it. Training is number one. And if we don't allow our firefighters to do that, shame on us. I think the promise that it would be up and the fact that we're being asked to totally disregard that promise is not fair to the seven of us. It's not fair. The position that we are in is not fair. The position we are in is due to lack of communication. Like Councilman Mark says, I got a text message 9.30 p.m., come to a press conference at the police academy building. Come to find out after that press conference, a new police station is going to be built. We had no idea. The fire department had no idea. I don't even think most of the police department had any idea. Lack of communication and lack of transparency. That's why we're here. We're doing the best we can. We were misled, I believe is the word that was used at the Committee of the Whole meeting, February 2017, we were misled. I, as one councilor, pushed and pushed and pushed for a combined center. That is the number one thing we need in this city, a combined center. We were told we couldn't do it. Come now, we're doing police station and a library. We were told that the fire department would get a new fire headquarters by 2021. It would be built by 2021, 2022. Now it's being pushed to 2026, 2027. It was brought up in the Committee of the Whole. Work at the high school could even bring that down to 2030 and beyond. I mean, we won't be here when it possibly could happen. I can't move forward. And I've been on the council for too long, I think. That police station, we need a new police station. That's where we were brought, that's where we toured for years and years ago. It hurts to not move forward, but I can't. I can't move forward knowing that promises have been broken, knowing that the only way we get our questions answered, knowing the only way we even got the union president to sit down with the mayor, knowing we can't We can help move this forward in a way that's going to benefit our city, our fire department, our police department, and our library if we stick together and if we continue to meet. I think they were pretty productive. I feel like we're starting to get some answers. We're starting to work together, but we are just skimming the top. We can make progress. The mayor came to our meetings. The administration came to our meetings. We have to push to get this land, whether it's a combined center, or new land for a new training tower, we need to push for it. If we don't continue to push for it, it's not going to happen. I don't believe it will happen. That's just my personal opinion. This vote is, I mean, this once in a while you get pretty sentimental in a vote or, you know, you really take it to heart. And this is one for me. And I think we definitely need to keep this. I thought the resolution, put forth by the three Councilors was a good idea. Do we want to move forward on the police station? Yes, they need a new police station. They need an up-to-date, full-furbished, full building with a gun range. I agree with that too. But it's just this way or the highway. And you're left as a Councilor Tseng, do I go back on promises, or do I move forward with what I believe is right? And what I believe is right is that we continue to have meetings, and we continue to work together, and we continue to keep the fire department, the police department, the city council, the administration at the table and work this out. We had a number of questions. We were going to have a meeting with regards to the debt service. We were going to have a meeting with regards to different parcels of land that we may be able to put a tower. It's always been a no with the compensation, but if we stick together, I think we can do it. Start fundraising for that library. We may have the money to be able to do a combined station, which everybody in this community wants, and which I believe is the right way to go. I always have said that. And I wish we did it a year ago if we were not misled. So I don't know really what else to say. I think the whole situation we've been put in is unfair with the fire department, the situation in the fire department, and even last year when the police versus fire. It's terrible the way this administration has pinned people against each other. It's terrible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I'm not taking part in this discussion because my children go to the Roberts, so even the appearance of a conflict of interest, I'm going to abstain from this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just think maybe the first thing we need to do is have a committee of the whole meeting and discuss everything that has been discussed tonight so that we can decide how, you know, get a game plan and figure out who's in favor, who's not, what questions everybody may have, and then get the language out of that committee. I'd be more comfortable with that because I definitely have a lot more questions before I support it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I too have gotten a few emails with regards to the neighborhoods and litter lingering on our streets. I know, I think it may have came about because the Chamber of Commerce and Medford Community Coalition did do the cleanups this weekend, which went very well, by the way. I know I saw Councilor Caraviello there at Haines Square cleaning up, and every square had people, a lot of people there. But one of the suggestions was, because it was so good this weekend, you had DPW involved as well and they gave out, I think Modern Hardware gave out brooms and everybody sweeping the streets and pushing all the, a lot of cigarette butts in front of, especially in front of a couple of those restaurants, but sweeping all the trash into the streets and then we had DPW on board who said they would come by later at night and sweep the streets. I think maybe that would be a good suggestion I don't know who could organize it, maybe the administration through the mayor's office, but have a community citywide cleanup where people would register their street as part of the community cleanup, especially those ones near the business districts, hopefully get the businesses involved to just sweep everything into the streets and then have the DPW on board to come and clean the street at night, I think it would go a long way. It's almost like a spring street cleanup. I think it's something that could be organized pretty quickly, and I think it would go a very long way. We don't have the staff to go through every single street and clean up the sidewalks, and if we could organize something where our trucks could come out an extra time to certain streets that are willing to participate, I really think it would go a long way, and I know a lot of residents who would see their neighbors people out, maybe get an organiser from each street to get notification of something like that. I really think that's something that needs to be done because you have a lot of trash on some of our streets that aren't main thoroughfares that need to be cleaned, all over the sidewalks. It needs to get done one way or another and there are people out there requesting, you know, having us request this type of organisation of such a clean-up and I think it's definitely something I would take part in and I think it would go, definitely help out the neighbourhoods.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you notice just in front of the few restaurants that you know are open late in Haines Square, they're just a lot of cigarette butts. The parking lots were, we did a big cleanup of the Haines Square parking lot. I think we filled like 20 bags of just leaves and trash. but this is, no matter what it is, even dunking donuts lids, they were kind of all over with the straws and the cups. I mean, this is trickling, like Councilor Scarpelli said, this is trickling into the neighborhoods where people are just walking around and throwing litter into our neighborhoods. So I think between the trash barrels and maybe a community citywide cleanup, and with the help of our DPW, like they did over the weekend, you can't go wrong.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to thank Councilman Marks for bringing this up. I know Councilman Marks has been back and forth with a few residents who have family and walk in court and so have I. I know the mayor's office did reach out to Jeff as well and did some walkthroughs. And I know that the mice and the bedbugs, those issues are being worked on. One that I'm really concerned with is just, after looking at the pictures too, is just the cleanliness of the building. So I just want to reiterate that. I think it's something that you need to sweep the floors and dust the main areas of that building, or I think there's nine buildings in Walkland Court, they need to be done on at least a monthly basis. 18 units at Walkland Court, 144 apartments, I think they said earlier.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm glad there's residents in the audience, because I feel like we're learning a lot from the residents who emailed us. And the mayor's office is being told something by the director, which is the information that I got today. And then we met with, I think, Council Member Matsui just walked in after this, but we met with Walkland Court and the director, who said, I think, tried to put our minds at ease with regards to the fact that they're working on things. And one thing I just reiterated is we need to get an update on this cleaning and how often it's going to be done because you saw the picture of the dead mouse and just the layer of dust. I mean, just the basics aren't getting done. So you can only imagine what's going on in the basement. And I don't know much about the B&B company, but I, the mayor's office did tell me about them today. They're the ones that spray for the bed bugs. So there, I think there's three or four stories that we need to kind of get into a room to try to figure this out so that we can alleviate the problems.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, yes, thank you. That is some of the information that Jeff, I believe, gave to Deanna from the mayor's office with regards to furniture being removed from units and then brought back in and some people's clothes being brought back in. So, I think we just The whole walk-in court needs some guidance and some special attention, and that's a good step with Jeff Driscoll going down to meet with, hopefully, residents and listening to them. Being threatened is something that I have heard recently, and I don't know if it was that Berlin. That sounds familiar, but I hope Jeff can get a handle on that as well. I know he's reporting back to the council with regards to the cleaning issues, but if he could also just keep the council apprised on how the meeting goes tomorrow and what I'm not sure what we can do, but besides speak out and try to make sure that these meetings are being had, I also would, I mean, they're Medford residents, so hopefully our administration can maybe be present at the meeting tomorrow. I think that would go a long way to have somebody there as, not necessarily a mediator, but somebody that could listen and speak out for our residents that live in those buildings, because they definitely need it. This is a number of people here tonight and a number of emails we've got as of recent with a number of pictures that say a thousand words. So, um, hopefully we're heading in the right direction and we keep on it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If the amendments, I just want to make sure, I just want to amend it to make sure that, see if the mayor, somebody from the mayor's office could attend the meeting tomorrow morning, or tomorrow. At two o'clock at Walkland Court. So we have some representation for residents at Walkland Court. Good, yeah, it seems like it's time. And if we could get just an update from Mr. Driscoll with regards to, we asked in our committee the whole meeting for an update on any type of cleaning contract or results from any type of what he's doing to make sure that the properties are cleaned. And if we can also get an update with regards to any just policy changes, what's being done to prevent trash and garbage from being taken from the dumpsters into the property. There has to be a solution, whether it's a locked dumpster, different types of trash pickup, removing those garbage cans. If we could just get an update from Mr. Driscoll. I know he's been responsive to a number of us in the mayor's office. So we need to definitely, the city needs to definitely stay on top of him to make sure these issues are resolved. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I think that we have a conflicting Committee of the Whole meeting coming up where we're going to discuss eliminating or potentially eliminating use variances. So I think this is something that should wait, but I understand the council wants to take a vote on it. I would just ask that it wait and we discuss it in Committee of the Whole. I think I asked that last week as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. And I want to thank Council Marks for bringing this forward and placing it on the agenda again. I know, like he mentioned, we've been discussing this and I thank Ben Brown for bringing this forward to us repeatedly over the last several months. This is something we've been voting on and requesting for years now. The amount of, Email complaints I get even just during a council meeting saying, I can't hear you, it's fuzzy, you can't see your faces, it's blurry, the sound is off, the microphone's not working. I mean, every week it's something else. And I almost thought it was such a different issue every week. I always thought, oh, they're just doing it on purpose. We have such an issue on the agenda, that's why you can't hear us. But really, the equipment, like Ben Brown says, is so old and so outdated, We need to replace this system as we do, you know, you're trying to watch the school committee meeting that started at five and you can, I mean, that's all you see on posting on Facebook is what are they saying? You can't hear them. How can you have a public meeting where there's important information being discussed week after week without being able to hear the people that are speaking and the residents who are coming up with concerns and questions and the viewing public who wanna hear, who wanna know what's going on and we just don't have that. And I thank Ben Brown for pushing the issue, because he's pushing it to the mayor and to us at the same time, rather than sitting back and saying, my hands are tied, the mayor doesn't want to do it. Well, this is something that needs to be done. If there's funds in this account, like Councilman Mark said, that we've been taking from the ratepayers for years without cable access. There is enough money to do the system over and do it right. This is a vote that we've taken before, and we need to take again. It's something that really needs to get done, especially in the times that we're in. So I move a second approval, and hope my colleagues will vote in agreement, and we get this done immediately. I don't buy it that we'll look into it, that the administration will look into it. We've been hearing that for years. Enough is enough.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I agree with the resolution. I just, number one, want to know what the amendments are again. I think you said that it'd be mandatory. You were requesting that they require mandatory school personnel be in attendance during the functions. And what was the other amendment?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I think this is one this issue is definitely one of the probably 10 to 20 issues that need to Be discussed I think I agree with you comes much you have brought this up in the past and I remember you clearly you go and head-to-head with our superintendent about this and Um, it's something that should have already been put in place with regards to security. It's good that you got your hands on that, um, agreement and hopefully you will share that with us so that we could take a look at it. But I think you said enough when you mentioned the highlights from the agreement and the fact that no security can be, is required within that agreement. And that, that is, that is a little scary to me. Um, just a point of information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And I think this is definitely something that I am in support of. And I ask that the school committee do review that policy and make the necessary changes and do what they have to do to ensure our children's safety and anybody that enters those buildings' safety on a number of levels, including this one. I just don't want to mislead the public in thinking with regards to, I think, what some of the admins want the public to believe is that a group was in this McGlynn school and left a magazine clip in one of our buildings at the McGlynn. And because that magazine clip was thrown away in the trash barrel is the reason why we really may never know where that came from. That is what I just don't, this is something that definitely needs to be looked at. So don't 10 to 20 things within the next week or two And so don't a hundred other things need to be looked at within the next couple months because we obviously need revamping in all our policies and procedures, all our contracts with, I mean, just, there are a whole host of issues that we've obviously have discovered problems with, but I don't want anybody to believe that whatever group rents that school was the reason for what was found. We don't know that. And we may never know that because it was hidden and covered up for so long. And that, to me, is the root of the entire problem for everybody that knew. And we will probably never know where that came from. So I want to make sure I made that point. At the same time, I know this needs to be reviewed. What was spoken of is a little bit disturbing. And it definitely needs to be revamped. looked into whether or not we even rent our facilities is definitely a question the school committee needs to decide. I'm sure we'll be there to help and give our opinions when the time comes during those discussions. But the concerning part to me is that because that was thrown away, we can't get fingerprints. We can't look and see if there's any serial number. We just don't have enough. And that's really the scary part.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you. And I think it's important to point out that the resolution states that only permits school and community-sponsored events. I think the wording, until there is a complete public safety review, is important. Because, yes, whoever rented that school or rents our facilities, they are being subject to, could it have been them? You know, they are being subject to that, what unfortunately is taking place.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think until we have the investigation, which I believe the chief said last Tuesday it was going to take one to two weeks, I think until then, if it's only going to be one more week, then I agree wholeheartedly with you, Councilor Marks, that nobody should be in our schools. Nobody. You know, parents were emailing and calling me today because the high school was left unlocked between 7 and 7 42, which is when I believe our Medford Police Department stationed there and were there for the day. Now, my children's school at the Roberts, they were there from when the doors opened until, I mean, I left far after school closed, and our Medford Police Department was still there. So we're getting complaints just for the school being open. So I wholeheartedly believe, and unfortunately the case is we don't know where it came from, so until, which is probably one more week, until we have the results of that investigation, nobody should be in our facilities.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: When would you like her to speak? Cause if you have a speech prepared, I have a speaking point.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just like, would like to take a vote to allow her to, of reader speech, or if you want her to move till the end of the meeting, then.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Curran. Thank you, President Caraviello. I would just like to amend this if my councilor doesn't mind, council colleague doesn't mind, or create a B paper that a full security audit of our schools be conducted, even if we have to hire an outside consultant.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. We all received a map of the testing locations, those behind Riverbend Park, and then those that the city council requested be done behind the Andrews School, along the lines of close to the soccer fields where our children play soccer on Saturday and Sunday. That was done, and I pushed and pushed for the results to be sent to us. I'm very thankful that they did the testing. There was an additional five locations that were tested after our council request, and lead was found. I did speak to Ms. Hunt about this a few weeks ago. She told me that the lead was found between two and seven feet. She knew exactly what my next question was going to be. She said, you're wondering, are we going to test between zero and two feet? And I believe her answer was she was not sure of that. But I'm publicly requesting and asking my council to support a vote with regards to testing at the, especially behind the Andrews where our children are, I think behind Riverbend, I'm not sure if it's utilized, but behind the Andrews, I'd like the testing expanded to make sure, to see what the levels of lead are on the grounds where our children are playing soccer. And also a testing of, some testing of the zero to two feet marking points. Because if we have lead from zero to two feet, that is not healthy for our children. And with there being a school right there and hundreds of kids playing soccer and after school activities, I just think it concerned me when this came forward probably, jeez, nine, 10, 11 months ago. I know that the updated testing was done in October of 2017. So this is just something that I think is necessary to move forward. I know we're going to have an expense if this needs to be cleaned up, but we need to know, knowing obviously we can, there'll be different ways that we'll be able to figure out how to work with this, but we need to make sure that where our children are playing is safe. So I would just move approval, ask for a roll call vote that we expand the testing behind the Andrews. As you probably saw when you looked, when you open your email, it's closer to the walkway where the additional testing was done. I'm just looking for some additional testing to see how far it's crept in and also just some surface level testing so that we can make sure there's not lead from the zero to two foot mark. So I would just ask for a roll call vote and my support by my colleagues.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to thank the speaker. I too have nothing against Martha Coakley, but when it was announced that somebody close to the mayor was going to be doing this investigation, it did I was a little upset with that, and I felt like it was a slap in the face to everybody that lives in this community. We're smarter than that. The people are smarter than that. We know the mayor wants to come out in a good light after all this, but hiring a consultant that is donated to your campaign and who lives in the city and who endorsed your campaign, I just don't think that's right. If we wanted to have an outside consultant investigate this, whether or not we want to have that, I think it's something that needs to be discussed live with the entire school committee. I would love for the council to be present as well, because we will be the ones eventually approving the budget or improving any additional funding that's needed, whether that be in the school department or the city budget. But I'd like to know, I thought this was supposed to start yesterday, from what it said on the news. But I just would like to know how this was decided. I'd like to put a resolution in to see if any money has been expended to date. to start this investigation, and how long it's going to take, who is consulted, was there a public vote? There was definitely not a school committee meeting before the Wednesday press conference. So there are a whole host of issues that I personally have. So I'd like to ask that question, how much has been expended? I will have a hard time voting for any budget if we're hiring a consultant where there's an appearance of a conflict of interest. I'd also like to ask our city solicitor with regards to how do we find out if this is a conflict of interest? Do we need to call state ethics or do, or I'm putting a resolution forward that we, that the city council be updated on how much has been expended or will be expended to hire this consultant.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I think on top of that, not only has she not reached out to the entire council, the administration, I personally was the one told by multiple people what happened on Thursday the 15th. I reported it to the police, Councilor Pinter, on the 16th at 9 a.m. But I sent the school committee an email, the school committee and the mayor, an email at 6 a.m. last Tuesday. Every school committee member has reached out to me, whether that just be a one-liner or a phone call, except Mayor Burke. She's not even called me to ask what happened, what's going on, what can we do to fix this? I've yet to even receive a one line email saying thank you for the update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, that we get an opinion either from state ethics or from our city solicitor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: An ethical opinion, whether or not this is ethical. I'd go one step further, I don't know if I'll have the votes tonight, to say we hire somebody independent. Again, nothing wrong with Martha Coakley, it's just such an appearance of a conflict of interest that I don't feel comfortable, nor do the many people that have emailed or called me about this one issue alone. So I would take that one step further and say that if we're going to do an investigation and the school committee wants to vote on that, that we either go out to bid or we use a consultant or attorney that has no connections to the city of Medford, just like we did for when we hired an attorney for the Locust Street development. None of us knew of him whatsoever. And we did it with transparency. And that's the way this needs to be done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I think that's, definitely needs to be stated. I think our city solicitor needs to review this, figure out if he can give us an opinion with regards to the financial contribution and the endorsement of the campaign. And if he can't, then state ethics needs to give the school committee in the city of Medford the decision. I think that should be public knowledge.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And through the chair, I was at the press conference and it wasn't, it wasn't a secret. The mayor said, I've hired Martha Coakley to do an independent investigation beginning immediately. I think the words were, so we know that either whether the check has been written and the process has started, it would lead one to believe that it was said Wednesday and immediately would be Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday. So we, we are under the impression, the city is under the impression that this investigation probably has started and I would like to know how much has been expended and to halt that so we can go out to bid and do it the right way by an independent party that has no dealings with the city of Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Falco stole exactly what I was going to say. I just think when you see the baseball and softball start, you also see the younger brothers and sisters at the tot lots. And that's something that we always get reports come April, the swing's broken. bar is missing on the, you know, monkey bars. So if we could just get ahead of that situation so that we, all our children can get on those taut lots and have fun while their siblings are out swinging the bat. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. If you could first just please read the resolve one more time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, yes, I think that's the least that needs to be done at this point in the city. Move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I believe we have the chief of police here tonight, and I just want to thank him for coming. I know that a number of things have transpired over the last several days and a couple months, and I know that it's under an active investigation, and what I want to say is, since the police department has found out about this, on Friday, there has been an active investigation, and I'm really thankful for what the chief and the detectives have done so far. I don't know what can be said tonight, but I think there's a lot of unanswered questions, and if the chief could tell us what he can, I think that would be important for the public and the parents and the staff of every school within this city. So I'll just stop there. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just ask that, I know that's Mr. Edwards' story today. I just also ask that Mr. Edwards' other three stories be told as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But when you found out in January, what did you know? Was that the same story? I'm telling you what I know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you're going by the latest story, but what you were told in January, you're just going to go with the latest?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've heard four stories so far.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. One question I have is with regards to, you said you authorized the sweep today and that was done. I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that there's going to be sweeps within all of our schools in this city. I guess my question goes to why didn't you think this was necessary when you found out in January?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A sweep of the school. That could have been there for weeks, and it was just found on the 28th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what's clear to me is that you mentioned there was a plausible reason why it was there. And I just want to point out there's hundreds of reasons how it could have got there. And that makes the parents and the staff extremely uncomfortable with how this was handled. I question many people's judgment on this. And I guess a question now that a lot of people have, and there's a lot of questions that people have, is especially personnel that work there, because my phone has gone off the hook since the staff has been notified as of like 2 p.m. today, they don't feel comfortable with the judgment that was made obviously by you, but by the principal of that school. So I am under the impression he threw it away, and that's what I was told. And if you knew in January, I question what he told you then. you know, why it wasn't reported to the police. So, I mean, I'm not gonna say too much. I do know some of the results of the investigation that the police are working on, but what changes are gonna be made in staff before Monday?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think by not doing anything with administration, by the school committee not doing anything with the administration is poor judgment. And by our superintendent of schools, who the people want to see do the right thing and to wait till the spring where parents and personnel at that school are extremely uncomfortable. I think it's sending the wrong message. I hope the school committee does what they have to do on Thursday night, because this is something that cannot be repeated, and multiple things need to happen, including, I'm just beside myself, We have not done lockdown drills in our schools this year. I think we did them once, and they've only been done one time last year. You also have the staff who is extremely concerned because they've never done evacuation drills from cafeterias or auditoriums. There are personnel who are scared to take their children into the auditorium. I was there with my family a couple weeks ago, and I mean, this affects hundreds of people that are at that school. And this affects our whole community. And it's something that really, this cannot be tolerated. And I'm, again, thankful for the police and their investigation. And I hope that all the questions that are being asked on social media, and I'm sure are going to be asked tonight, I hope they're answered. And I know that once the investigation is done, I know they will be answered. I'm not going to answer them, although I know a lot of the answers, because the investigation is active. But people, every single parent, and every single personnel at that school deserves every answer eventually. And the sooner, the better.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I thank councilor Scarpelli for his comments. I just have a point of information on that. I don't think that the school committee needs to move on this. I believe that somebody that knew about it in January has to be evaluated as well. So that's my comment on that. My other last two questions, to wrap it up, would be for the Chief of Police. Having multiple, multiple people come to me with this information, very upset about it, obviously for the safety of themselves, their fellow staff members, and the children. And then days later, knowing that I had to handle it, and they obviously needed to be handled, they now fear retaliation. So as a chief of police that has done everything right since I came to you on Friday, I want you to know this is the fear of personnel in that building, that they fear retaliation from the principal and from the administration. And I want them to know, have your comment on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or if it was placed there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So there'll be no retaliation of personnel in the building is what you're telling me. And because you're the one I trust that's here tonight, our children are safe to go to any of the Medford public schools on Monday morning.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And my reason for, you know, I really want to, I think I should mention my reason for asking about the retaliation. It's because I've received a number of complaints over the last a couple years, a number of complaints on a whole host of issues with regards to administration at McGlynn, that administrator, including retaliation, including a whole host of things that I did let the superintendent know at our committee of the whole meeting in June. So I just think it's extremely important because you do have a lot of scared personnel out there that fear retaliation from losing their job to a whole host of things. And I just, really bothers me that they feel that way. And, and I understand where their concern is coming from. So, um, I just think that's extremely important to bring up and make sure the chief is aware of.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I go to the people I trust.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I emailed the school committee, the mayor this morning at 6 a.m. and they found out Friday. I'm not sure about the mayor, but the school committee woman, one school committee woman said the school committee was notified Friday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just on that, I thank Councilor Falco for asking that it be here. I would also ask that it be live.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're asking to change it here, but I would further request that it be live for everybody to watch at home, those that can't make it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair to the clerk, there are a number of department heads that change locations of meetings within City Hall, and they just put a posting on the door.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I support this transfer wholeheartedly I think my question may have been answered president Caraviello, but the opening date is
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello, and thank you, Councilor Falco, for bringing this forward. My comments are the same as on the same lines as Councilor Knight with regards to just where we send it first. I don't know if it makes my suggestion would be that we send it to Committee of the Whole after we have a week or two to review some of the neighboring cities. in towns ordinances so that we can get an idea of what we want. I know that when you just even read the bullet points, it talks about compliance and warning notices. Some cities and towns give a warning. Some cities and towns give a fine right away. Some cities and towns, I know Cambridge charges the 10 cents per bag if you want to buy one. And I know Somerville doesn't at all. So there's different things that I think we maybe could go through in a nice hour and a half meeting, discuss, and then send right to our solicitor and say, hey, this is what we're, this is the outline of the ordinance that we'd like to pass. So I think that's something that may be a thought of mine to make it move faster than sending it to subcommittee in ordinances, then to the solicitor, then to committee of the whole. Just an idea, but I think it's definitely worth pursuing, and I am interested to learn more, and I thank the public for getting involved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, Vice President Dello Russo. So the lawsuit is to
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For money to come back to the cities and towns to fight the epidemic?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On that, if I could speak after our speaker, I would be interested to find out just membership and maybe just a summary of what outreach we have had. I think it's definitely something I'm curious about. So if I could put that motion forward that just we get an update with regards to how TV3 is functioning and what the membership looks like.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's correct. Separate paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just get an update with regards to TV3, how it's functioning, membership. What is the count, the membership count to date?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. Just so the viewing public knows, this is with regards to the local street development, and we'll keep it simple. Our motion with regards to standing, our complaint was dismissed based on standing, and we are filing a notice of appeal with the appeals court within the next seven days. obviously have to take the vote, so I move approval on that and request that the mayor provide funding so we can continue on that endeavor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Kern. Thank you. I'm President Caraviello. Thank you for your hard work. I don't know if my questions are for you or for the city, but with regards to the 300,000 that potentially will be used from CPA, is there a certain match? What's the percentage of the match for the grant?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So how are we going to be paying? This isn't a question for the CPA, but for the $217,000, what is our plan? I think maybe the city. I don't have it in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So either bond or free cash, is there a potential that we'll request part of the next funding from CPA to put in another application?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: with important recreational projects.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But the city would be applying for any parks that are city owned, the city would be applying for the CPA and we don't have any plans in the next year or two besides Harris Park phase one and phase two until we do the open space assessment in August, which isn't going to really lead into if there's another park that's designated as needing rehab, that would not even be until the 2019 cycle. So potentially we could put an application for the CPA funds for the second cycle. I think this is definitely a project that needs to be done. This is exactly where I envision CPA monies going. My question, putting this project aside, is how did the vote go down with regards to taking something out of cycle?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So can you tell the council when was the application given to the committee originally, and was a full application provided from the city?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Oh, really? So very recently. Yes. And that's time-wise because this application for the grant is due?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think I understand why you had one in the negative. So it is a difficult decision, but I think this obviously needs to be done. So it's a hard vote, obviously, for the committee, I think, is ultimately the ones that are doing all the work and putting their time and effort and sweat and tears into how much you do is commendable. I see an issue with Taking applications out of order, but I you know, I see both sides I just want to I want to just voice that concern. Yeah doing that often I don't I want to make sure that even though we have so, you know, two million come very very soon in this fund I just feel like everybody should have a fair shot. It should be obviously I asked for an extension on the application process and I just think we're walking a fine line and I hope hopefully
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In my last question, I guess, or point, has the committee discussed, like you just mentioned, a few scenarios where you'd have to take them out of order when you have a grant or you have a land acquisition. Have you discussed or created a checklist of why you would take an application out of order, just so it's something to follow. And when you come back to us next time, we know, oh, you know, you're trying to acquire this piece of land, or there's a grant that needs to be written in time. I mean, just so we can feel better about this decision as well, confirming your vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just think maybe at your next meeting you designate 10-15 minutes to discuss it. I think anything given to you by the mayor's office or anybody, any organization, their project is going to be high priority.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. One question about the applications. The applications or the forms that do come in, are those gonna be public, go public? Are we gonna be able to check them out online before you discuss them?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then just through the chair. I'm not sure the city said we were definitely gonna be taking this out of free cash. It sounded like we, it's possible. But will we be putting in, I guess, will we be putting in another application for CPA funding for the remaining? Not for this project.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Not for phase one, but for phase two, potentially, for the 217,000.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think I read it wrong. I thought both phases were the 817 and you wouldn't need the 217 till phase two, but I guess it I Look at the sentence again. So phase two. Do we know how much that is gonna cost? I
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 817,000 is phase one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to check in on this $817,000 figures. Is that what you're submitting to the state? Can that change at all? I mean, could it go down or could we reduce the project at all?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's why the money is more.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to thank Councilor Falco and second the resolve. Definitely need this piece of equipment sooner than later. He brought up a good point and we all discussed it at our meeting regarding the Chevalier Theatre. And the last several weeks, our sidewalks haven't really, they're doing the best they can, but I think it's really, they're definitely shoveled out, and I see our DPW out there working hard, but with regards to this apparatus and having a sander on it, it's something that we so desperately need, and it will definitely help everybody traverse our sidewalks. having the shows coming in, that's important, but we also have everyday customers and business owners traversing our sidewalks in the squares, and they need to be shoveled and sanded, and hopefully this will go a very long way and help out the department of the DPW to make sure we clear every square and sidewalk that we can, especially those two that are, the children that are going to school, I've got complaints already with regards to children heading to school, having to go onto the street, putting, obviously, their safety in jeopardy. So this is extremely important and hopefully it will go a very long way in every snowstorm.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Locren. Maybe just as a side paper, we can get an update of how much money is in the linkage account currently.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. We do have a resident that would like a few minutes to speak. Give us an update on what's going on in the neighborhood.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the Chair, if I could ask a question. Council Member Crenn. Through the Chair, thank you, President Caraviello. So they're working six days a week with the door open, are they still doing work outside?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, it seems to me our 40 neighbors that are dealing with this have a right to be very frustrated and to get a date of maybe February.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we need to get some clarification from ourselves. I know Paul's responded to me in the last week because I've had some of your neighbors actually call and email with additional complaints, like you're saying. It's work hasn't stopped. It's going on at all hours, inside, outside. I did ask a couple questions to the building department. He did answer me back, but you're right, if we ask for a cease and desist, why are they allowed to operate?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe we could give that to our messenger and get an opinion from our city solicitor, and if that's the case, if it's non-transferable, then the permit should be pulled, although we voted to cease and desist on this a couple weeks ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council Member O'Connor. Through the Chair, when you say our code enforcement officer, he didn't make it to the site because the street was closed, is that what you're trying to say?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, I think we need to maybe take a vote to cease and desist the business, go on record, all hours of the day. Just cease and desist. We'll reiterate that we're asking our building department to issue another cease and desist for doing any work on the property, at the property. I don't know what we're going to do on a Saturday morning down there. I think it needs to start tomorrow. They need to be issued a cease and desist, bring them to the table sooner than that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have a motion to revert back to regular business.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then those who ask that the city solicitor look into the question from the council, like Mr. Pence for our proposal.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. We did ask for this resolve. Back a few months ago when we were discussing, I brought up the issue of dumping snow near Wright's Pond. We did get a grant to help alleviate some of that issue. There was a number of questions that were attached to that question. One was, where have we stored snow as a city? Where does the DPW store excess snow? over the last three years and maybe amend it with regards to where we plan on storing snow. Some people say we may have a bad winter. I'd like to know where we're going to store excess snow this winter. Also, we never got a response and I know the city solicitor was working on it with regards to the issue concerning Wrights Pond and the grant that was received. So if I can amend this paper to also get a response on, so that's my second amendment. First would be, where do we store snow? Where do we plan on storing snow this year if we do have a bad winter? And my second amendment would just be with regards to the issue of accepting a grant for Wrights Pond. allow us to still limit Wrights Pond to Medford residents only. We were waiting on an answer. I know the solicitor has been busy and did say he was going to try to wrap that up. So I'd like to see if we could get an answer on that. The City of Medford received a grant for work to be done on Wrights Pond and the question which a number of residents have is if we accept that grant can we still limit Rights Pond to Medford residents only? We had to give back a grant in prior years before I was a Councilor. We had to give back, I believe it was a state grant, because if we accepted that grant, we'd have to open up Rights Pond to non-residents. So we gave back the grant. We had the city cover that money. So now a few residents that were around at that point spoke to me with regards to this grant we just received to make sure we can still limit it because that was an issue over the last year or two. Medford residents fought hard to make sure Rice Pond remained Medford residents only and everybody just wants to make sure that still remains the case. So if we could move approval on this resolution as amended, see if we can get our questions answered. This is the second or third time we've asked, and I'd like to prepare accordingly. Winter is coming, we've already had snowfall, and it would be nice to get the questions answered. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. This is also with regards to some pollution that was going on on the side of the Andrews soccer fields. The City Council requested that we also do test pourings, pourings behind the Andrews School. I know that was a condition on the paper that we had approved, so I just wanted to get the results of that and move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Behind the Andrews Middle School where the soccer fields are.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, there was the issue with contamination next to the soccer field. So then I requested that because it was so close to the Andrews, that's not a playground, but the Andrews soccer fields, that we do some test pourings at the Andrews soccer field as it abuts where the contamination was. So I have not got an answer with regards to what the results of that was. And I think it's important. Hundreds and hundreds of kids play soccer back there. It's something this council voted in favor of, I believe seven to nothing, to do some test pourings there. I'd like to know what's going on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the Chair, I will make that amendment that we get an update with regards to the contaminated area which abuts the soccer fields. That we did put money into already. I don't know if we've got an update recently on that, so if we could get an update to that as well. That was proven contamination that I know the city is on top of, although obviously it's moving slowly. But we did appropriate money to do the first stage that Ms. Hunt wanted to do, and this came as a This came actually as a request or a condition in order for us to award that money. So hopefully we can get an answer on both.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Through the Chair, I think we should just request that the Mayor look into expanding the committee and hopefully open up applications to those who are interested and hopefully those that have been working so hard and going to meetings will apply. On the motion. She should expand the committee. I mean, a bigger committee, the better. More people that can serve in different capacities on a committee that is working on the green line, the better. You should have somebody, obviously, too, from the neighborhood. There's so many people that probably want to be on this committee, so I request that we look into expanding this committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Happy holidays to everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before the records are called. Will the records are called if I may? I just want to let the public know that there is a public hearing notice City of Medford Community Development Board for February 7, 2018. They shall conduct a public hearing on February 7, 2018 at 6 p.m. in room 201 City Hall. The hearing is relative to a petition by the Medford City Council to amend Chapter 94 Zoning, Article 2, Division 1, Section 9435E by adding language in the fifth line after the word enumeral Section 2 as follows. And such notice shall also be given to all owners within 400 feet of the property line of a petitioner, as the same are listed in the most recent tax list as kept by the city assessor of the city. In such notice shall also be given to owners within 400 feet of the property line of the petitioner as the same are listed in the most recent tax list as kept by the chief assessor of the city by way of a telephone call or text message that uses a computerized auto dialer to deliver a pre-recorded message or its equivalent. A copy of the full text of the amendment is available at the office of the city clerk, city hall. And I know that Clerk Finn did get the language that our city solicitor helped us draft last week, so our resolve was amended to state that the city council suggest or recommend that a planning board discuss a viable alternative for the applicable ability of this expanded notification such as applying to any projects that are subject to site plan review or conversion of housing units more than presently exist. So I thank our city solicitor for his hard work on this and helping us last week. Thank the Community Development Board for holding a meeting on February 7th and hopefully this is posted and advertised. I'd like to just put a motion out that a reverse 9-1-1 call go out with regards to this meeting if possible. I think it's an extremely important meeting and the public should be aware of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I reviewed the records and I find them in order and I move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello, and thank you for reading it. It's lengthy. This was something that the council was interested in doing back in August of 2016. It went to committee, and I believe there's some questions whether they were answered or not. It just stayed in committee. I brought it up again probably two months ago. At that time, the council voted seven to nothing with regards to being interested in this and just needing legal language drafted by our city solicitor. I followed up with the solicitor. Thankfully, in November, a decision was rendered. I believe, I'm not sure if you received it before that, but I did forward it to everybody this morning, just in case. It tells you what the prior requirements were under Mass General Law 48. Yes, thank you. Well, yeah, I know he's here. I was just going to finish. Yep. Mass General Laws, Section 40, Chapter 40A, Section 11. And the fact of the matter with regards to just notifying abutters and abutters to abutters is something that has caused a great deal of put it plainly, heartache to those who live either across the street or very close to a potential, in this case, obviously we're doing it for mainly the developments that have been proposed and people finding out after the fact and being really upset The council gets frantic emails and phone calls, and we're left having to step in. Obviously, the mayor's office probably gets the same. We're going to and from, myself and a number of Councilors, going to and from OCD meetings and zoning meetings and conservation commission meetings to try to find out what's going on and how to give the residents the ability to be heard and to voice their concerns, questions, and get answers to specific questions that they do have. So I think it's important, and I know it's important to this whole council, that we give more notice and that be done in multiple ways. And what this proposed ordinance change does, that I'm thankful the solicitor drafted, is it provides notice to everybody, every owner within 400 feet, and it provides notice through mail and through our reverse 911 system, which is something that was well deserving of the reverse 911. I think it's a win-win. I know there are some questions that the Councilors may have, one being how enforceable this is, which our solicitor is here to discuss, and also if there is a minor permit or a minor variance that needs to be had, is this necessary? And I think the answer is it's just necessary because We have had such a problem over the last couple years, and we need to change that. We need to change it for the people and the neighbors. This is one step of many that has to be taken, and I ask my colleagues to obviously get your questions answered, but to move forward and vote for approval for the first reading of this ordinance change.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I definitely think that that is something I'd like to hear the rest of my colleagues discuss. I don't see the harm in that, and I'm not putting this forward to hurt the individual homeowner. I think you can look at it two ways, which is definitely, that is an option. I don't think it's a huge financial burden. 100 people need to be notified. It's going to be $49 in postage. But six or more units is something that definitely can be talked about tonight and discussed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm done for now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. I think we've heard from a number of councilors. It looks like there potentially is a vote to pass the first reading tonight, but as long as there's limited to site plan review projects or greater, obviously. Just plain devil's advocate, my question would be to the solicitor is I understand if it has to do with the deck or expanding a home so you can have a couple more feet in your bedroom or walk-in closet, whatever it might be. Those are the people that obviously we don't want to have to bear the burden of hundreds and hundreds of dollars. But what about a single family home that the owner wants to turn it into a three-family? it's a two-family district or it's a single-family district. Now, I'm playing devil's advocate because if that was in my neighborhood and it was down the street in a single-family district and a homeowner wanted to put up a three-family, I'd want to know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And how could we do that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So through the clerk, what does our next step have to be? Can we take a first reading or if we even got there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we have to move and get a vote on moving this to? You have to send it up. Send it up to? Send it up to the Community Development Board. So I make a motion that we send this up to the Community Development Board.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can we ask for them to review it with all our discussions and I'm sure they're going to have a public hearing and then give us their opinions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe an amendment would be?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So why don't we amend this through the chair to read To exclude it, but we could get it probably perfectly but amendment amended to exclude property owners who all only want to make a small change like a Deck or an extension of a bedroom on their property Mr. President if I may go tonight
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Name and address for the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't know if anybody else wanted to speak, I think.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I guess to my two colleagues that want to do the site plan review, my question would be, what about notice with regards to any unit, any housing unit? You still think that's too much notice? Versus six plus, what about any unit, any housing unit? Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For applicability.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello, and thank you, Dr. Storillo, for your speech. I think the residential factor was brought up by Dr. Storillo, and it's something we discussed in depth today at our Committee of the Whole meeting at 6 and last week, and I thank the consultant and Ms. Nunley for giving us answers to all the questions we did ask and that fifth document we did want was a breakdown of the break even point and I just think it's worth some a summary or some clarification for the viewing public because I know once a month I feel like I get an email, why doesn't Medford have the residential exemption when it comes to owner-occupied versus non-owner-occupied? And the answer I always give is because although we'd be helping the owner-occupied parcels, we'd also be burdening about this year would be about 1,300 properties that are above $720,000. And that's always the answer that I give. But sometimes it's almost not good enough. And there are a lot of people struggling, I think, on both ends. And this council's never adopted the residential owner-occupied exemption. And I think it's just It's good for the public to know that we are going to look into getting new data. Our data is five to six years old and we did request at our Committee of the Whole meeting to get new data so we can get better, more clear and accurate numbers. Because if you look at a property that is worth a million dollars, if we took the shift at 5% they'd be paying about an extra $110. If we took it at 20%, they'd be paying an extra $500. And that's, I think, something that's obviously the sticking point of doing this shift that a number of communities do do. So I don't know if you could add anything else just to educate the public a little more, because it is something that a lot of people do ask us, please accept this shift. And we're left explaining time after time after time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And with regard to that, we did take a vote to get more updated data. And I believe, Ms. Nunley, you did say that that is something the city is willing to pursue if the mayor and the council. Yes, the administration is absolutely open to that. So I just want to put that on record that we were told that the city is going to pursue getting us more accurate data and I think that will allow us with this breakdown number five of what we have in our packet I think updated data having this as well as what the savings would be for the owner occupied under 720 or whatever that number may be next year. I think we can make a more educated decision on whether or not to do it or maybe try it at 5% or whatnot. And I think that's just important to point out that we are looking into it. We've looked into it, I think, two times in depth in the past 10 plus years. And I think if we can get this more updated data, it's something we can definitely think about again next year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just saying turn their microphones on, people are wondering what they're saying.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are you going to name the names?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are we speaking about the paper he gave us, or are you speaking in general about politics?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you're going to name people's names. No, I have no interest in doing that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't disagree if it's done right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: just want to go on record as recusing myself from the conversation. My parents live on South Street and I spoke to state ethics today and I'm going to recuse myself.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. If we could allow a couple minutes, a resident would like to speak with regards to the.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, Council President. Council Member Green. Thank you. Thank you for coming again. We did pass a resolution requesting that the reverse 911 call go out, and I think that definitely should have been done before today, but we still have one week left. Comments are open and are due no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12th, so there's one more week to comment on the further extension of the Green Line. I sent an email out to the Mayor today to ask if the Mayor's office today to see if we could get a reverse 9-1-1 call to notify the residents, the entire city, especially those that live in the hillside in South Medford. I'm publicly asking that a reverse 9-1-1 call go out. notification hasn't been great on this project and I think that's essential that we let the public know whether they're for or against or have concerns they have a right to be heard and a right to know what's going on and when deadlines are and when they're extended and when meetings are and this is just one component so I hope that we can get that reverse 911 call out tomorrow.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that a point of information? I don't care. Thank you, President Caraviello. I agree with Councilor Marx. I think from those, just listening to that one clip, that would drive me absolutely crazy, never mind while I'm sleeping, during the day while I'm trying to work, and I think we need to get a little tougher as a city on this establishment. cease and desist seems to me like it's probably the way to go. I'd also ask that we request an opinion from the city solicitor, depending on how long it takes to actually cease and desist the operation, with regards to if the permit was given to Nardone Electric and only to them, how is JF White operating at the site? I think that was an important piece of information that maybe the building commissioner, um, needs an opinion from the solicitor to shut down operations. Also, the hours of operation, it seems like it's going all through the night, all through the morning. There is a start time and an end time that should be followed. So I think that's an important piece of information as well. I can't imagine every night listening to that noise. So whatever the city needs to do, I think they need to do it as if it was their home that was on 8 or 9 Alfred Street. So I would second that. resolve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. Thank you, Doug Kerr, for coming to explain. My first question just would be with regards to, I understand May and October will be, funds will be awarded, and then October, every year after that, going forward. And I think going forward, it will be more of a timeline known to the public. So my question is with regards to this December 15th eligibility determination form due date. How have we advertised that so far? And when did the advertisement start? I just want to make sure that people are well aware of it and have known for a while. It seems just like a very quick date.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So when did the coordinator send out a notice to her whole email list?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the end of November. End of November, correct. And about how many emails does that go out to, do you know?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then if they miss the December 15th deadline, that's for a determination form, so do they still have until March 2nd to do a full application for the first round?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: She'll be able to help people with the actual applications too?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Cable access, Facebook, any type of... I'm sure one on the Facebook page.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, no, my concern, and I appreciate all the hard work you've done. I know the committee's worked very hard, and I attended one of the forums, which was very, you know, it was a two-hour forum, definitely learned a lot. My concern just with this first round is that today is the 5th, and December 15th is when the applications are due. So that is, that's just my concern for this initial round. I feel like Yes, there will be many more rounds, but we're talking about $1.2 million. So I feel like it's a lot of money to rush organizations when you could maybe extend it a few weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And they're being funded. It's not in the key dates, but the first round, you said, was in March. You'll be awarding.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's it for now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you. If we could just request a copy of the email that went out to the 200 organizations and people from Devens, Ms. Devens? Danielle Evans. Oh, Danielle Evans. If we could get that email. And then I request that you just take another look and potentially, possibly push the first date two weeks just to get a little more, two to three weeks just to get a little more. let the public know a little bit more. I feel like I get the transcript. I didn't know of this date. And I feel like I just want to make sure that it is potentially $1.2 million. And I want to make sure that everybody and every organization is fully aware of this application date. That's just my only request. Thank you. Respectfully.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, thank you. Because maybe that's where I'm confused. So the way I'm looking at the key dates, I think it's different than what you're saying. Because December 15, it says that simple form is due for round one. And then it says March 2, full applications are due for round one. But I asked the question, when will they be awarded? And I thought you said March.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's my problem. So May isn't on this key date, which is confusing, I guess.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so if an organization does not have the simple form done by the end of next week or December 15th, they are not eligible to fill out a full application for March 2nd?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so that's where I just find an issue with regards to this. This is the first we've publicly kind of learned of the December 15th date. Like I said, I try to stay on top of the politics on social media and the transcript. This is the first I'm learning of the December 15th date. which even though there's going to be a round two, a lot of organizations may want to get in on that first round. I mean, they're going to know there's going to be less applicants, they're going to have more ability to potentially get some part of the CPA funding. If you don't plan on meeting, you know, the week of Christmas and New Year's, I respectfully ask, I know it's time crunch, and I know how hard you work, but I just ask that we give this, you know, full transparency to the public and definitely publicize this a little bit more. That's really my only concern.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On the motion of approval, Councilwoman Locarno. Thank you, Vice President Marks. If you could just explain, Commissioner Karens, a little bit more about how you're going to potentially start the work very shortly, and then you're going to finish it in the spring. Will the road be closed back up and then reopened?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And they'll be done now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You had mentioned there's going to be no loss of water, so I believe you on that one. Could you just clarify, will the street be – you had mentioned doing some of the work now and then doing the rest in the spring. so the street will remain open?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the reason we can't do the whole project now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So too cold to repave.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's the only step that needs to be done in the spring.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So how will Douglas Road be left from when you finish the first portion until the spring?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And pave the whole streets? That's correct. But the trench patch will be safe? Or are we going to be blocking it off?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's what I'm trying to get.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Winter hot top.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so there'll be a winter hot tub, everything will be safe, and then in the spring we're going to repave the whole street, do any sidewalk repair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council Member Curran. Thank you, Vice President Mox, and thanks for bringing up Council Member Caraviello. I actually just ran out to the DPW Commissioner to get an update on Marshall Street in issue and also the bike left on Winthrop Rotary because I had emailed the Mayor's office this morning to see if they had that company's contact. It's on the sidewalk now. They didn't have a contact, I don't believe, because they called Mr. Karens to try to go remove it. So we definitely need a contact. And I think it's the Maldon's new pilot program they're using, and the bikes are being left on Medford streets all over. So we do need to get a handle on it. He said he's going to remove the one on Winthrop Street right after he takes pitches, hopefully tomorrow. So I just wanted to point of information on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think maybe we could do a reverse 911 call to go out, request to go out tomorrow or the next day to notify people that there is the extension, where to send the letters, and also go on the city website if you want more information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may through the chair, I just want to thank the speaker and all those that spoke last week. There was about five people here. advocating for the extension of the common period and their ability to get notification. I think that's important and they're doing it for hundreds of people in that neighborhood. So I would just ask that we take a roll call vote, that a reverse 911 call go out tomorrow, notifying not only everybody in that neighborhood, but the entire city that there's a common period has been extended, the date, list the date and the address.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council Member O'Karn. Thank you. President Caraviello, I just want to thank my colleagues also for bringing this forward. It is a concerning spot. There is nothing at that location to shield anybody from any elements. I think the location of it definitely discourages residents that live in the Lawrence Estates and those who would use that transportation spot, I think it definitely deters. The use in a bus shelter would go such a long way, and I think it would encourage many, many more residents in this community to stop using their cars, to drive into Wellington Park and take the T, and definitely use the bus. I think it's definitely needed, and I agree with giving a few weeks to at least get some sort of response and seeing what we can do as a community. Hopefully the mayor can get on board trying to push the MBTA with us to create a shelter there. I think it's extremely important and I agree wholeheartedly. So I second the approval. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I think the council in the last year or so has learned a great deal about community aggregation. We've had a number of meetings relating to it, and we also have had a very informative meeting back, I believe, in September with the energy environment director in Melrose, which I think, personally, for me, helped answer a lot of my questions. And it was great to see another community and how the plan is succeeding. I think one concern I do have is just Medford's ability to notify people of their rights and the ability to opt out. And when I do get emails or phone calls or people stop me in the street to talk about community aggregation, 80% want to move forward with it and implement it in the city of Medford. But there are some, a good 20% if I, just going off the people that contact me, there are people that don't want government telling them what to do, what plan to go into, and they too are concerned that this 30-day opt-out, when it does become available, if potentially the council is to vote for it, there's just many concerns. They want to make sure that that opt-out plan is well publicized, and people know how to do it, and where to go, and who to talk to, who to ask questions to. And one resident brought this up to me, and we discussed it in depth. What if an opt-out plan was implemented, just even a database, a list of people that would relieve some of the 20% that I'm calculating from the people that I talk to, relieve them of their fears, and let them know that, no, we're not going to hide the fact that you can opt out. If you want to, you can do it now, just in case something is implemented. I know it's a reach, but it's something that was requested by a resident, and I don't think it's a bad idea. I think the community aggregation is something that we're going to talk about within the next several months. And we just need to be ready on all accounts. So I move this forward. I think it's definitely something worth exploring. It's simple. It's just a database. It could be an Excel spreadsheet of people that want to be listed as not being involved in this community aggregation from the get-go, and it would give a peace of mind to those who are not interested, and maybe it would help us get the votes, maybe unanimous, maybe not, but it would get votes to implement the plan, which I know a large percentage of Medford wants to work on and work towards.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I understand the sentiments of my colleagues. I just, I don't feel, I have to just speak again on it, I guess. I don't feel that it would take a great amount of resources to start an Excel spreadsheet and people call or write in, shoot a quick email to say they want to be on the opt-out list. I actually think that it would ease a lot of people's fears, those that definitely do not want to be part of this. I think it's simple, take minutes. And I agree with Councilor Dello Russo, there is an agenda for the Office of Environment and Energy, but I don't think that that's what the people are concerned about, that the agenda won't be notifying people accordingly on their option to opt out, how many days they have to do it, and the fact that they can opt out whenever, they're going to be put in if they don't opt out within that first 30 days. And that's what people are concerned about. So that's why you would implement something like this far beforehand, and you would be able to create that list, and people would be able to say, I want to opt out, and they would get what they want. The people that don't want to be involved would be able to do that sooner than later. And when the council does meet in committee of the whole again, maybe there would be the definite votes for it. And I think we're definitely close to it. And I know people have definitely changed their minds. And they've learned a lot. There are some people that maybe are still against it. But for me, this is something that would make me feel a whole lot better knowing that they have more than that 30 days. Because that's the complaints I've been getting. And I thought this was just a way sway another vote towards approving it and ease in people's fears. I'll say it again. So I move approval. I'd like to see how it goes. And of course, we'll be meeting on it again in Committee of the Whole, probably after the holidays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. We had met with Eversource last week and I know that a number of councilors asked questions with regards to the water pipes that are going to be closely Doug Nair above or beside the Eversource pipes, and I know a number of ours are, we all know, they're 100 plus years old, and they are in need of replacement. Now, I forget which councilor, but we all pushed to try to get Eversource to replace our water pipes, and they said they would approach it on a case-by-case basis. I just wanna make sure that the city administration really is on top of that. I know Cassandra is going to be on top of it. She seemed very eager to get Eversource to pay for the majority of this work, but they wouldn't commit to it. So I think it's very important that the administration really keeps a solid eye on this and whether or not Eversource replaces the water pipes that are going to need replacing, that we We look into doing this, whether this, in funding I'm sure is going to have to be appropriated. So we think about this before our streets are even open. And I don't know if the administration has already thought about that. Obviously, I understand we're going to try to get Eversource to pay for as much as possible. But no matter what, I think these pipes need replacing. And I think we need to definitely be proactive in making sure they do get replaced. couple miles worth of digging up that Eversource is going to do in our streets. I think this should be paid for by Eversource, but our residents definitely deserve our infrastructure to be replaced. And when the street's being dug up, I think it's important that we do it then. So whatever we have to do to get Eversource to pay for as much as possible and the city come up with the rest, I think it's important, especially if we go in there and we find very old piping.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let me answer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I too have just concerns, not only about the capital plan, but I voiced my concerns last week and requested that we sit down with the administration with regards to not only the entire capital plan and where the Brooks Estates fits into that, but also how we plan on moving forward with the restored or rehabbed building if we do spend the $200,000 to rehab it. I know that paper was failed. I think my questions could have been answered in a committee of the whole meeting, but we didn't have that. So I did reach out to Paul Mokey from the building department because I did have some questions, one of which was, if we do put $200,000 into the Carriage House stabilize it, how long will that last us and how can it be used? Briefly, he did mention that he thinks it would stabilize the building for, I'm going to read a word for it, around five years or so. So say then between four and six years, this building will be stabilized. He then went on to say that people could go in it, but you couldn't necessarily, and I'm not speaking for him, I did speak to him over the phone and I did email with him, but people couldn't necessarily be of use within the building. Then I reached out to the mayor's office yesterday morning and thankfully got a little bit of a response, which was any future, I asked, what is the plan, what's the vision, if we stabilize this building, how are we going to move forward, not only with CPA funds, but how are we going to move forward? And the answer was any future work for the Brooks Estates to be considered for funding through the CPA, which is great. I think we have a good amount of money in the CPA that is in will and should go to a number of different things. So in my head, calculating it a little bit, if you even took half of the CPA funds, to rehab the building, and obviously you need the money to fix the road so that it could be economically viable as an option for a function facility. You need the $4 million. Even if you took half of the CPA funds, you would only come up with between $2.5 and $3 million. You wouldn't have the funds to rehab the building for the purpose that, you know, the committee has obviously presented to us in the past. And that's where I find it concerning. Yes, this building needs to be stabilized, but if we're going to spend the $200,000, I want to know that it's for a purpose. And I didn't get that answer from the mayor. Are we going to use any of city monies to... And those are the questions that I think still are outstanding and need to be answered for my vote because Yes, I would want to stabilize the building, but I want to know the plan, not only for that, but for the fire stations, for the roads, for all the other complaints that we get and money that we need to spend money on. I think of the fire department taking the tour, and where they shower, there is like mold coming out of the bottom of the stalls. And nobody talks about that. We're not asked to put money towards fixing the bathrooms in the fire department. There's just so many different needs. I think the last time we got the capital plan was last January, February, two years ago, almost two years ago. And we sat with the mayor for an hour, we looked at the capital plan, and I think this was a component in the capital plan. It didn't pass two years ago, and now it's before us again. And I just think after two years, we need to sit down with the mayor as soon as next week and discuss how we're gonna move forward with the Brooks Estate, and how we're gonna move forward in this city entirely. can't receive a paper. Last week I did table it, because what the paper said was, please approve $200,000 for the Brooks Estates. Thankfully, the Brooks Estates had somewhat of a breakdown, which was more than we sometimes get from the city administration. But for Paul Mokey to not even know it came before us last week, and not really, he's going to be, the building department is going to be involved in all of this. And for him to not even know, never mind be available to answer our questions in a committee of the whole meeting. I find that extremely concerning for the taxpayers in this community. If I voted for this tonight or last week, I wouldn't be able to answer their questions. I wouldn't be able to say necessarily what the plan was or what I was even necessarily fully voting on. And I don't think that's right. I again ask that we just sit with the mayor and discuss this. You very well may have my vote next week if I sit with the mayor and just figure out her vision. for a million to a million and a half to do a road, plus the rehab to completely redo the building. And then it hit the nail on the head last week when the new member of the board, who was very well-spoken, did mention that, why don't we take it down and rebuild it? And I think one of the councilors said that a couple years ago. It was me. Yeah, Councilor Caraviello, you said that, why don't we rebuild it? It would cost us less money. And I mean, nobody wants it. We want to preserve it, but it's You have to be realistic in a way where we have needs. People want a library. People want new fire station. We're building a new police station for millions and millions of dollars. We have needs and maintenance issues in our schools that need to be addressed. So where does this fit in? And that's where I'm concerned tonight. It's where I was concerned last week. Forget about personnel that we need to hire and to make our police and fire to the staffing levels that people, you know, the city wants, there's just so much that goes into this money papers and we never get a good enough, we usually always meet in the Committee of the Whole, we get our questions answered, we discuss it, we round table it. For this, you know, we obviously didn't meet in Committee of the Whole and I practically begged for it last week. I think we need a meeting with the mayor on this one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to note my opposition because I believe Questions need to be answered, even if it just took a week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think maybe we could do a reverse 911 call to go out, request to go out tomorrow or the next day to notify people that there is the extension, where to send the letters, and also go on the city website if you want more information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If I may, through the chair, I just want to thank, um, the speaker and all those that spoke last week, there was about five people here. advocating for the extension of the common period and their ability to get notification. I think that's important and they're doing it for hundreds of people in that neighborhood. So I would just ask that we take a roll call vote, that a reverse 911 call go out tomorrow, notifying not only everybody in that neighborhood, but the entire city that there's a common period has been extended, the date, list the date and the address.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council Member O'Karen. Thank you. President Caraviello, I just want to thank my colleagues also for bringing this forward. It is a concerning spot. There is nothing at that location to shield anybody from any elements. I think the location of it definitely discourages residents that live in the Lawrence Estates and those who would use that transportation spot, I think it definitely deters. The use in a bus shelter would go such a long way and I think it would encourage many, many more residents in this community to stop using their cars, to drive into Wellington Park and take the T and definitely use the bus. I think it's definitely needed and I agree with giving a few weeks to at least get some sort of response and seeing what we can do as a community. Hopefully the mayor can get on board trying to push the MBTA with us to create a shelter there. I think it's extremely important and I agree wholeheartedly. So I second the approval. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I think the council in the last year or so has learned a great deal about community aggregation. We've had a number of meetings relating to it, and we also have had a very informative meeting back, I believe, in September with the Energy Environment Director in Melrose, which I think personally, for me, helped answer a lot of my questions. And it was great to see another community and how the plan is succeeding. I think one concern I do have is just Medford's ability to notify people of their rights and the ability to opt out. And when I do get emails or phone calls or people stop me in the street to talk about community aggregation, 80% want to move forward with it and implement it in the city of Medford. But there are some, a good 20% if I, just going off the people that contact me, there are people that don't want government telling them what to do, what plan to go into, and they too are concerned that this 30-day opt-out, when it does become available, if potentially the council is to vote for it, there's just many concerns. They want to make sure that that opt-out plan is well publicized, and people know how to do it, and where to go, and who to talk to, who to ask questions to. And one resident brought this up to me, and we discussed it in depth. What if an opt-out plan was implemented, just even a database, a list of people that would relieve some of the 20% that I'm calculating from the people that I talk to, relieve them of their fears, and let them know that, no, we're not going to hide the fact that you can opt out. If you want to, you can do it now just in case something is implemented. I know it's a reach, but it's something that was requested by a resident, and I don't think it's a bad idea. I think the community aggregation is something that we're going to talk about within the next several months. And we just need to be ready on all accounts. So I move this forward. I think it's definitely something worth exploring. It's simple. It's just a database. It can be an Excel spreadsheet of people that want to be listed as not being involved in this community aggregation from the get-go, and it would give a peace of mind to those who are not interested, and maybe it would help us get the votes, maybe unanimous, maybe not, but it would get votes to implement the plan, which I know a large percentage of Medford wants to work on and work towards.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Uh, president Caraviello. I, understand the sentiments of my colleagues. I just, I don't feel, I have to just speak again on it, I guess. I don't feel that it would take a great amount of resources to start an Excel spreadsheet and people call or write in, shoot a quick email to say they want to be on the opt-out list. I actually think that it would ease a lot of people's fears, those that definitely do not want to be part of this. I think it's simple, take minutes. And I agree with Councilor Dello Russo, there is an agenda and for the Office of Environment and Energy, but I don't think that that's what the people are concerned about, that the agenda won't be notifying people accordingly on their option to opt out, how many days they have to do it, and the fact that they have, they can opt out whenever, they're gonna be put in if they don't opt out within that first 30 days, and that's what people are concerned about, so that's why you would implement something like this far beforehand, and you would be able to create that list, and people would be able to say, I want to opt out. And they would get what they want. The people that don't want to be involved would be able to do that sooner than later. And when the council does meet in Committee of the Whole again, maybe there would be the definite votes for it. And I think we're definitely close to it. And I know people have definitely changed their minds, and they've learned a lot. There are some people that maybe are still against it. For me, this is something that would make me feel a whole lot better, knowing that they have more than that 30 days. Because that's the complaints I've been getting. And I thought this was just a way to sway another vote towards approving it and easing people's fears. I'll say it again. So I move approval. I'd like to see how it goes. And of course, we'll be meeting on it again in Committee of the Whole, probably after the holidays.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. We had met with Eversource last week and I know that a number of councilors asked questions with regards to the water pipes that are going to be closely Doug Nair above or beside the Eversource pipes, and I know a number of ours are, we all know, they're 100 plus years old, and they are in need of replacement. Now, I forget which councilor, but we all pushed to try to get Eversource to replace our water pipes, and they said they would approach it on a case-by-case basis. I just wanna make sure that the city administration really is on top of that. I know Cassandra is going to be on top of it. She seemed very eager to get Eversource to pay for the majority of this work, but they wouldn't commit to it. So I think it's very important that the administration really keeps a solid eye on this and whether or not Eversource replaces the water pipes that are going to need replacing, that we We look into doing this, whether this, in funding I'm sure is going to have to be appropriated. So we think about this before our streets are even open. And I don't know if the administration has already thought about that. Obviously, I understand we're going to try to get Eversource to pay for as much as possible. But no matter what, I think these pipes need replacing. And I think we need to definitely be proactive in making sure they do get replaced. couple miles worth of digging up that Eversource is going to do in our streets. I think this should be paid for by Eversource, but our residents definitely deserve our infrastructure to be replaced. And when the street's being dug up, I think it's important that we do it then. So whatever we have to do to get Eversource to pay for as much as possible and the city come up with the rest, I think it's important, especially if we go in there and we find very old piping.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: May I answer?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I too have just concerns, not only about the capital plan, but I voiced my concerns last week and requested that we sit down with the administration with regards to not only the entire capital plan and where the Brooks Estates fits into that, but also how we plan on moving forward with the restored or rehabbed building if we do spend the $200,000 to rehab it. I know that paper was failed. I think my questions could have been answered in a committee of the whole meeting, but we didn't have that. So I did reach out to Paul Mokey from the building department because I did have some questions, one of which was, if we do put $200,000 into the Carriage House Stabilize it. How long will that last us? And what you know, what can be you how can it be used? briefly He did mention that he thinks it would stabilize the building for I'm gonna read word for around five years or so So say then between four and six years this building will be stabilized. I think he then went on to say that people could go in it, but you couldn't necessarily, and I'm not speaking for him, I did speak to him over the phone and I did email with him, but people couldn't necessarily be a use within the building. Then I reached out to the mayor's office yesterday morning and thankfully got a little bit of a response, which was any future, I asked, what is the plan, what's the vision, if we stabilize this building, How are we going to move forward, not only with CPA funds, but how are we going to move forward? And the answer was, any future work for the Brooks Estates to be considered for funding through the CPA, which is great. I think we have a good amount of money in the CPA that is in will and should go to a number of different things. So in my head, calculating it a little bit, if you even took half of the CPA funds, to rehab the building, and obviously you need the money to fix the road so that it could be economically viable as an option for a function facility. You need the $4 million. Even if you took half of the CPA funds, you would only come up with between $2.5 and $3 million. You wouldn't have the funds to rehab the building for the purpose that, you know, the committee has obviously presented to us in the past. And that's where I find it concerning. Yes, this building needs to be stabilized. But if we're going to spend the $200,000, I want to know that it's for a purpose. And I didn't get that answer from the mayor. Are we going to use any of city monies to? And those are the questions that I think still are outstanding and need to be answered for my vote. Yes, I would want to stabilize the building, but I want to know the plan, not only for that, but for the fire stations, for the roads, for all the other complaints that we get and money that we need to spend money on. I think of the fire department taking the tour, and where they shower, there is like mold coming out of the bottom of the stalls. And nobody talks about that. We're not asked to put money towards fixing the bathrooms in the fire department. There's just so many different needs. I think the last time we got the capital plan was last January, February, two years ago, almost two years ago. And we sat with the mayor for an hour, we looked at the capital plan, and I think this was a component in the capital plan. It didn't pass two years ago, and now it's before us again. And I just think after two years, we need to sit down with the mayor as soon as next week and discuss how we're gonna move forward with the Brooks Estate, and how we're gonna move forward in this city entirely. can't receive a paper. Last week I did table it, because what the paper said was, please approve $200,000 for the Brooks Estates. Thankfully, the Brooks Estates had somewhat of a breakdown, which was more than we sometimes get from the city administration. But for Paul Moki to not even know it came before us last week, and not really, he's going to be, the building department is going to be involved in all of this. And for him to not even know, never mind be available to answer our questions in a Committee of the Whole meeting, I find that extremely concerning for the taxpayers in this community. If I voted for this tonight or last week, I wouldn't be able to answer their questions. I wouldn't be able to say necessarily what the plan was or what I was even necessarily fully voting on. And I don't think that's right. I again ask that we just sit with the mayor and discuss this. You very well may have my vote next week if I sit with the mayor and just figure out her vision. for a million to a million and a half to do a road, plus the rehab to completely redo the building. And then it hit the nail on the head last week when the new member of the board, who was very well-spoken, did mention that, why don't we take it down and rebuild it? And I think one of the councilors said that a couple years ago. It was me. Yeah, Councilor Caraviello, you said that, why don't we rebuild it? It would cost us less money. And I mean, nobody wants to, we want to preserve it, but it's, You have to be realistic in a way where we have needs. People want a library. People want new fire station. We're building a new police station for millions and millions of dollars. We have needs and maintenance issues in our schools that need to be addressed. So where does this fit in? And that's where I'm concerned tonight. It's where I was concerned last week. Forget about personnel that we need to hire and to make our police and fire to the staffing levels that people, you know, the city wants, there's just so much that goes into this money papers and we never get a good enough, we usually always meet in the Committee of the Whole, we get our questions answered, we discuss it, we round table it. For this, you know, we obviously didn't meet in Committee of the Whole and I practically begged for it last week. I think we need a meeting with the mayor on this one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to note my opposition because I believe Questions need to be answered, even if it just took a week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Just asking to suspend the rules to take 17765, 17763, and then obviously the petition from Eversource, and I believe we have one more.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to express your dissatisfaction with the notification policy. I find it very frustrating myself when the neighborhood isn't notified of such an important meeting. And it's something that goes on. with a number of different things in this city, and it's unfortunate. I don't know if that's the MBTA, but I think that the city, knowing of such a meeting, should have done a reverse 911 call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right, and I think the comment period, like you mentioned, I believe the comment period on this is by Tuesday, November 28th at 5 p.m. So, I mean, my first recommendation would be to reach out to the MBTA and ask them to extend that. That's basically comments are due immediately after, you know, the Thanksgiving holiday when a lot of people are away.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd like to take a vote tonight and just request that that be extended by another week or two. I don't think it hurts to allow public comment, whether you're for or against the extension. I think public comment should be given a more extensive period of time to do that. And I think a meeting with the abutters, whether the city council holds it or the mayor, I believe that we do need to know what the positives and negatives are, and we need to know the concerns so that we can help address them with the MBTA. So those are just two things I wanted to add. I think we should vote on. We want to make a request that the city holds a public hearing or a public meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The MBTA or the City of Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We want to hold a public meeting, that's one thing. And then, Clerk Finn, we want to also ask that they extend the comment period by a week or two past the Tuesday, November 28 date that was written on the notice. People have to comment to the Secretary of Energy and Environment Affairs, MEPA office, no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28th. Can we request that that time period be extended, especially for those who just learned about this project during either the reverse 911 call or when you notified them by knocking on doors?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think just to close, I think we've all one time or another have voiced our frustration with this reverse 911 system. We get notifications multiple times about fund community events, which is great, but when you have such a serious meeting with regards to the MBTA or our last speaker who spoke about notification about zoning meetings, zoning board of appeals meetings, and nobody's getting notified, and we're not using that reverse 9-1-1 system, it's extremely frustrating. This is just, I'm hearing it far too often from residents who should be the ones controlling the situations, controlling and having their voices heard, controlling development, controlling a number of different things in the city and we're not notifying them of important public information a neighborhood should know about.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just wanted to conclude. I agree with, thank you for the comments of Ken and Doug Carr, and I agree with Mr. Carr with regards to the lack of planners. I think we've all spoke at budget time to request additional personnel in that department. We were lucky to get a traffic engineer, but nobody in the planning department. The bottom line is, with regards to just the notification, that is something that you don't even need another planner for. Notification and sending out a reverse 911 call should be a given when it comes to such an impactful neighborhood concern. And for a city councilor to have to beg for a reverse 911 call to go out to a very large section of the city that's going to be impacted by the Green Line to let them know of a very important meeting, is a problem and it's an extremely large problem that's been going on for some time that needs to be fixed and hopefully that will be now that election time's over and we can stop being, not only saying we're transparent, but actually being transparent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council Member O'Kurin. Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to thank Councilor Falco for bringing this forward. I too have, you know, received questions, people questioning what's the process, where we are at the process with the police station. So I wanted to second the resolve. I think it is time that the City Council gets a written update of where we're at. I know that the Mayor spoke of the process and how it takes time during the debate, but a written update so that we know exactly what's taking place, where we are now, and a timeline of where we're going to be in the next few months. That way we can tell our constituents as well as those who work in the police department a timeline and we have an idea of what's going on that will be beneficial. And also maybe going forward if I could just amend it that we get an update every three to six months so that we know where we're at and how we're going to proceed and how it's going to progress. I know things take time. Having answers, if the city council is informed and we can let the public know and the men and women that work there know that things are being done, I think it will be helpful. But us not ever getting an update, it doesn't help the process. I feel as one councillor, if I'm not getting updated, then really what is going on and I really have no answers. Letting the police department know, as well as the council, a monthly or bimonthly update would be very beneficial.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to first thank the gentleman for the breakdown. That was going to be one of my questions, so getting a breakdown of the 200,000 helps. And then it was brought up that CPA funds can't be used for this, but there will be an application for monies from CPA for the design of the road. Is there a, has the MBELT met or? with regards to almost like a five-year plan of what funds will be requested from CPA. And that is attached to not only how we'll proceed with applications to the CPA from the Brooks estates, but also just goes along with the whole issue of the capital plan and the mayor's vision for this in the future, because I guess at this point we're trying to buy time. But what are we buying time for? And number one, it's CPA funds. But number two, it's what is the mayor's plan? Because this did come before us. It went a certain way. Is this, I mean, we have the road for a million to a million and a half plus. And then we have to restore it would be another 1.5 to maybe 2.5 at that point. Where are we going with it is my main concern. So I guess that would be my first question. What is the plan for requesting CPA funds?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the first request, so you will put forward an application to the CPA on a yearly basis, which I expected anyway. I guess I was looking for more clarification on the amount, because when you're talking about a $4 million project, I want to know as a Councilor, is the CPA going to be able to fund this going forward, and if so,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct. But if you do it in stages, is that going to be the plan of the CPA? Because like Mr. Carr said, there's going to be so many organizations that are going to be vying for that $1.2 million and whatever is added into it the next several years. So my main concern then is where the administration stands on this. And I think that's something that we probably won't be able to get the answers to unless we hold off, whether that be a week or two, and ask the mayor to meet with us. Whether it be just on this one issue, set aside a half hour to meet with her, or if we can discuss an updated capital plan from the one we got two years ago. I think that it's time to do that. This council is going to be sitting for the next two years. And I think it's time to do that before we do this. Councilman Marks makes good points. Yes, you're talking police station, fire stations, library, a number of things that need to be done. And in the Brooks Estates, there's a number of different projects. But we are looked at as how can you approve certain money that may or not be, you know, just to keep something stable when we might be putting the library and the fire departments before that, and they're not going to expend the $3 million to do the Brooks Estates. I just want to get a better understanding of where we're going moving forward and what the plan is, because it seems like the council's in support of this, which is fine. But I just want to know where we're going in the next couple of years and what is the plan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would first request that we have a motion to meet with the mayor in the next two weeks to discuss.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's out of Section 22. We have to take a vote on Rule 20.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. It says on the paperwork that it's, the estimate is $409,000. Do you know where we're going to get the extra $10,000?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we're going to find the other 10 somewhere else.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um, maybe if we could just ask the question, where's the other 10,000 going to come from?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if you could just name what other pieces of equipment are you in dire need for besides this?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. As we all are aware, last Tuesday there was a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting that coincided with the Medford City Council meeting. And I know a number of us stuck around to attend that Zoning Board of Appeals meeting when it moved to the council chambers. The reason there was so much issue was because of the notification of a proposed project by the city of Medford, not by the developer, by the city of Medford. And it seems that people who live across the street from the project were not notified of such a meeting. They had to find out of the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting through City Council alderman from Somerville who happened to litter the neighborhood about a meeting that Somerville was having. So once our residents in the neighborhood found out, and I believe there was 10 or 11 people here last Tuesday at the zoning meeting, that weren't present during the initial zoning meeting in September because they had no notification. They were here last week and wanted to speak on the proposal, wanted to ask questions, had concerns, and they weren't notified. So I would like to get a list from the administration of exactly who was notified, a breakdown of just the name and address of all those that were notified. Very simple request, but in future resolutions I have on the agenda tonight, Um, it speaks to giving more notifications. So we don't run into these problems like we did last week, which is extremely unfortunate. I think it's holding up the process of that specific development more than it should because of what went down last Tuesday and why it went down and lack of notification is a big part of this. So if we could be provided that, um, that would be very helpful and we can better understand when we are getting a complaint or an email or a concern, we know, why we're getting it now versus in September when this initially should have taken place and probably been resolved. So I'll just move approval on that, ask for a roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Carve yellow over the last several years, I've been, and a number of my colleagues here on the city council have been interested and concerned about the development in Medford and interested in zoning OCD, different types of meetings that are going on, most importantly being the one, the board that gives the variances for certain developments, which is a zoning board of appeals meeting. And I think we've discussed a number of times to make it more transparent. We want all public city meetings to go live. And this is just one request that a number of residents brought up to me over the last several days after the Tuesday night meeting, especially where you have a few of us on the council running back and forth to the zoning board of appeals meetings because there are such important issues that are going to affect large areas, big neighborhoods in Medford and affect everybody that lives there. Yet our meetings are being held at the same time. Um, I think that we, I asked my colleagues to vote to update our ordinances and make this part of our city ordinances. I'm asking for that vote tonight. I'm not asking for it to go to the committee. On zoning, I'm asking for an official vote to make sure that the Zoning Board of Appeals meetings are held any other night besides Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to point out the website, city website was mentioned, and I think that's also part of the problem. Over the last, again, year, year and a half where we've had some serious Zoning Board of Appeals meetings with some serious decisions, I've got repeated complaints from residents who went on our city website, and for some reason, The OCD meetings and the Zoning Board of Appeal meetings were some of the only meetings that were left off the city calendar on the city website. Leave it to coincidence, I don't know, but I've gotten multiple complaints about that over the last couple of years, and that raises a red flag and brings a whole other leg to this problem. Secondly, it was referred that I'm an officer of the court and I should know that we need legal language. I just have to disagree with that. I'm not an attorney when I sit behind this rail. I'm voted in to represent the people, the neighborhoods, and those that have a concern and want things to change. I'm not going to sit here and allow this to go to the zoning committee where we sent things a year, year and a half ago, and they either sat there or were squashed by the person that's telling me I should be an officer of the court. Um, so I asked for a vote tonight that we change our ordinance to make sure it's simple zoning board of appeals meetings be held at times that do not conflict with the Medford city council Tuesday evening meetings, period.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I was asked by a resident who lives in the area and wasn't notified for a scaled map. I believe it's available in City Hall. Wondering if we can all get a copy in our next packet for Friday. I'm basing it really just to see who wasn't notified on this project, but also this with a list of which abutters we already approved, which abutters were notified. I just want to get an idea of really how many people were notifying on a project of this magnitude, because this has been a recurring issue over the last year and a half, two years, where abutters are really upset they're not getting notification, and they live across the street or very, very close to a project. So I really want to take a look at a map, take a look at the abutter list of who was notified, and really figure out where we're going wrong here. I know we have another resolution coming up that more people be notified. And I think we can obviously take that vote tonight, but also look in the future to see if we need more than the 300 feet radius. Because we have such serious developments going on in this community, and the more people you notify, the better. And if you're talking about a postage stamp, it's well worth it to allow residents the opportunity to be informed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Suspension of the rules.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um, thank you, president Caraviello. Thank you. Councilors. If we could allow, there was, like we said last Tuesday at the zoning board of appeals meeting, there was 10 or 11 people who were not given the opportunity to speak. of their concerns. There's a few here tonight that would like to speak out and voice their concerns, and I think as a public body, we have to give them that opportunity, and hopefully their concerns will get back to those who are making decisions, and I just think it's the appropriate thing to do. So I'd like to offer the floor to any residents that would like to speak on that proposal.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just think it would be great for the mayor to step it up and almost go on record stating what happened last week is not, um, It's not the way we want this city to be run. We want to make sure our boards and commissions listen to the people, allow them time and opportunity to voice their concerns, state their objections if they have them, state their approvals if they have them of certain projects that go on in this city. And I request that she ask the Zoning Board of Appeals to allow the residents to speak at their next meeting, which I believe is going to be held sometime in the beginning of November. There was four or five of us Councilors there on Tuesday, and I all but pleaded, not for or against the project, just pleaded to allow the residents to have the ability to speak. I think it's just a right of somebody that, as the woman just spoke, somebody who pays taxes, resides in this city, and is next to a development, she should have the right to voice her concerns. She probably would have talked for two minutes, listed a number of concerns, and moved on to the other nine people who wanted to speak on the project. You know, I understand people don't want to be at meetings late, but it's a right that a resident should have, so I request that the mayor voice her concern, not for or against the project, even the height of the project, nothing to influence the zoning board. I just request that she go in support of allowing our residents to speak when it's so necessary that they do so. So I would, um, move approval on this resolution and, um, roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Vice President Marx, President Caraviello. This is my last, I'm sorry, I just had a few things on tonight, but I, last week got to me, this 300 feet proposal, is something that I proposed back on August 16, 2016. I had, be it resolved that the council implement an ordinance that requires all owners within 300 feet of a proposed variance request be provided notice of such request and be provided the date of the hearing. Be it further resolved that this notice be given by regular mail and robocall and sent by the Secretary Board of Appeals. That was August 16, 2016, about a year and almost three months ago. At that time, we had about nine or 10 residents speak on that. From what I recall, all in support. It was amended that the city solicit a draft and ordinance. It was amended that the Board of Appeals incorporate this into the rules and regulations and policies. It was sent to the zoning subcommittee on zoning and ordinances rather than implement it at the time, which I thank the clerk for pulling this for me. I did a little investigating and found that it was discussed at the zoning meeting that I wasn't able to attend and left in committee. So that's a year and three months ago, and it was left in committee. So tonight, again, I'm asking that it not go into committee. I'm asking, whether it be 300, 400, 500 feet, that everybody within that radius be notified of these meetings. It will clear up so much confusion and prevent what happened last week twofold. because it's happening far too often. And to have people that live across the street from proposed projects to not get notified is not right. So I ask that this be an ordinance change, and it be changed immediately. I don't know how long it's gonna take our solicitor to draft an ordinance, but I ask that he, if that's what we wanna do, send it to the solicitor to make this and our prior resolution, put them both into an ordinance, that's fine. I just do not want it to go to committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um, a request that it be done within 30 days so that we can take its first reading, um, by the end of November.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I believe my rodent complaint this week came from the South Medford area, but not necessarily rats. Can you give a little more detail? People listening can know exactly where this is. Is this happening in the park, near the parks, near homes, in people's backyards?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: of Wellington. And then you said North Medford as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. Thank you. I second the motion to the motion by vice president marks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello. And I, I think there are still a number of questions that really aren't answered and the public don't know. I don't know if the administration or the council, I mean, it's really sad to ask the administration of the council to have a public meeting for the neighborhood, but Obviously, if the Board of Appeals are not going to allow the residents to speak, how are we going to solve this problem that we're in? In the last development that I was involved in with regards to the Salem Street area, residents were given the opportunity and after persistence from several Councilors, several residents, changes were made. There was a compromise made. It was brought down from five stories to three stories. The developer is moving forward and is going to, you know, make his profit. And it was tough to get it done. And the process is obviously not, wasn't ideal then. But it seems like it's even worse now. So whether it be the administration or the council, somebody needs, we have to have some sort of meeting between the neighbors and the development. developer to get some answers and to figure out how we can solve it and move on. And I think it has to come from the administration. It has to be set up by the administration somehow, some way.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They did.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe so I'd ask that I'd ask the administration to organize some sort of meeting if it's not gonna be organized by the Petitioner then you know some meetings does need to be had the administration mayor of the city has to get involved this is something that is gonna affect so many people in that neighborhood and To for the Board of Appeals not to allow residents to speak again. It was said by many people tonight It's just wrong. It's it's wrong and it It's irked me for the last week, and I'm really surprised by the fact that they just weren't allowed to speak. They could have been for this proposal if they just got, the residents were just able to ask questions and get answers, and it really bothers me, and it's the way we don't operate. We allow people to speak here, thanks to you and the prior presidents since I've been on the council, and that's the way it should be. Whether you limit them for 10 minutes or whatever you have to do, but people should be given the opportunity to speak. And I too agree with the robo call. It was in one of my resolutions and Cheryl brought it up again tonight. And it, it's something that needs to be done. We get notifications on everything from road races to harvest the end of tree festivals, all things we are involved in and want to be involved in. But to not get a robot, not even get notify the residents that live across the street on such a proposal is astounding.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello. I think it just all falls in line with just a lot. allowing the people to be heard. So I would, I will make any request that has any ounce of a possibility to resolve that problem. So I would request that the mayor, number one, the mayor set up a meeting between the residents and the developer. And I would also request that to the zoning board of appeals that they delay deliberations and have a public meeting for public participation on that project at their next meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I first could just ask that you mark Councilor Marks, Councilor Falco, and I present for this meeting. We were over at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. The Zoning Board of Appeals is gonna be gracious enough to let any city councilor that wants to speak on the matter of Medford Street and Broadway, a development that we've received a number of complaints on this week. They're gonna allow us to speak in the next several minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We would, I would like, I would ask, respectfully ask that we take a break, a 20 minute recess.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call vote, please. I believe... We didn't wanna push the meeting to a Monday or Wednesday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I first could just ask that you mark Councilor Marks, Councilor Falco, and I present for this meeting. We were over at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. The Zoning Board of Appeals is gonna be gracious enough to let any city councilor that wants to speak on the matter of Medford Street and Broadway, a development that we've received a number of complaints on this week. They're gonna allow us to speak in the next several minutes. Okay, if we can get done quickly, you over there. We would, I would like, I would ask, respectfully ask that we take a break, a 20 minute recess.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: start roll call vote please I believe We didn't wanna push the meeting to a Monday or Wednesday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening, and thank you all for being here and listening. My name is Breanna Lungo-Koehn, and I am a candidate for re-election to the Medford City Council. I was born and raised in Medford, My parents are Edward and Susan Lungo, and my sister is Ariana Lungo. I attended St. Joseph's School, and I graduated from Medford High School in 1998. I've been a member of the Massachusetts Bar since 2006. I opened a law practice in Wellington Circle, Medford, over eight years ago with my longtime friend, Kathleen Collins, called the Law Offices of Lungo, Kern, and Collins. My husband of 10 years, David Kern, is the owner and operator of Boston Physical Therapy and Wellness on Mystic Ave in Medford. Dave and I are extremely lucky to have three great children and raise them in a city like Medford, Bailey, Calloway, and Cody. When I first ran for the Medford City Council, I stated that one of the seven should be close to the youth, and now more than ever, that statement is true. I have fought for and will continue to fight for low class size, for my children and yours, safer security measures within the schools, safer access to the schools, and better management of the schools. Medford needs a succession plan for our superintendent of schools, and we need to start a nationwide search now. I, along with many parents, tried to push for this last year, but the votes were not there. This needs to be a priority in Medford. It's time to bring our schools past the middle of the pack. In the past, I've worked hard to help implement a girls' varsity hockey team, establish an affordable summer camp at Medford High School, maintained funding for Medford's Park League program, and many others. I've also worked hard and pushed for better maintenance of all our school and municipal buildings. As chair of the Public Safety Committee, I helped make people aware of the deplorable conditions of the old DPW facility and was a positive vote to create a new one. I've been vocal on the rundown conditions of the police department and the fire stations. This past year, although in the minority, I was extremely vocal in requesting that our fire headquarters be renovated at the same time as our police department. I am never afraid to voice my opinions, ask the appropriate questions, and demand answers for what I believe is in the best interests of Medford. Within the last few years on the Medford City Council, I have moved for, fought for, been vocal on, and supported charter review, filing suit against our Board of Appeals for approving 11 variances and allowing 500 unit development in our city, without the proper traffic study, without the required parking spots, and then some, all of which would have crippled that neighborhood. That helped set the tone in this city that our neighborhoods have to come first. Our residents have to have a say and be included in what goes on development-wise in every area. I have supported the Senior Citizen Work Program, the hiring of a recovery coach and substance coordinator to help combat the opiate crisis. I am continuously requesting higher maintenance budget for our infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, parks, and municipal and school buildings. These basic city services and maintenance should take precedence in our budget. I helped eliminate the odd even parking ban during the winter months. I moved for an 18-month demo delay to protect Medford's historic properties. I've supported reducing the speed limit. I've requested new radar guns and speed monitor signs to make our streets safer. Air traffic noise awareness is a goal of mine, was a goal of mine, and after I spoke about it numerous times on the council floor, two wonderful representatives were appointed and are leading the charge in trying to get resolved and keep Medford educated. I'm advocating for and working on an ordinance to stop level three gas leaks. I support an ordinance that holds universities accountable for students that live in Medford. I've requested and will continue to request we hire a grant writer. I will continue to fight for transparency in government because I still believe it is lacking. Finding out about a plan about a new police station from the press is wrong, and I will continue to fight for transparency. If reelected, I will continue to be vocal and work on these issues. I will continue to request funding to hire an outside company to help this Medford City Council update its zoning ordinances. I will continue to request citizen advisory working groups and task forces to guide the city in future development. If re-elected, I will continue to work hard to make a difference within the city of Medford. I will continue to do my homework so that each and every vote I make is the right vote. The vote that I believe will benefit the city of Medford and our citizens. I promise that I will continue to be a leader and not a follower. I will never be an automatic yes vote. I will be an independent voice. I thank you for the support you've given me so far, and I ask for your vote on November 7th. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. My attention was drawn to an article that was in the transcript last week by a concerned Medford resident with regards to us thankfully getting a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. I think obviously it's a grant that we're going to put to good use, but the resident, and I'm sure a number of residents who frequent the pond, who fought last year to make sure it remained open to only Medford residents are now making, want to make sure that that's still going to be the case if we do accept and use this grant. I believe it's a valid question. I would assume and hope that this definitely will stay open to just Medford residents, but maybe we could get a report back. just to confirm that and to put up people residents minds at ease. I think that will be very helpful. I know we have the solicitor here right now, but I don't know if he's ready to answer such a question. I'm sure you're not ready to answer it, but thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And before Rose called the last resolution was with regards, there was a number of people complaining to, um, the picture of the council meeting last Tuesday. And we spoke about, Council Marks and I spoke about the complaints we received and hopefully we can get that fixed and get the whole system, which we've been asking for fixed in the near future. Because for some reason, sometimes the city council meetings are not being, and no fault of anybody doing the picture, but just needs to be updated because the complaints were rolling in on Tuesday with regards to the picture. So I move approval on this resolution. And ask for my colleague's support.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Councilor Knight. In the Medford transcript, it's a rain garden coming to Wright's pond. Um, the city of Medford is constructing a rain garden at the Middlesex fawn pond, fells pond that will help filter out pollutants, including phosphorus, nitrogen, suspended solids, and bacteria. It will also, be designed to conserve water. So it's a project they're going to do in the near future. The rain garden project will cost the city a total of $50,000 and is a match project for a $125,000 grant that Medford received from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. I can go into more detail, there's another few paragraphs, but it was on page A3 of the Medford transcript. The rain garden will contain plants that soak up phosphorus, nitrogen, from rainwater before it flows into Wright's Pond. I think it seems like a natural way to remove obviously chemicals from the pond, so anything we have with regards to a grant to be able to do this I think is extremely important, especially I have another resolution on where the article does mention some concerning things as well, but I think the rain garden is definitely a step in the right direction. Better the pond especially for the hundreds of kids that swim in that pond every every summer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll move approval of the question, Mr. President. 17711, but just to respond, I'm not really sure what the confusion is. Sometimes when you get a state or federal grant, It changes the parameters of how we operate. So we are making sure that the hundreds of families that use it from Medford, it remains only Medford. This was a big issue back about a year ago when some of the law was looked into and they were potentially going to be opening it up to non-Medford residents. the city will kind of.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I wanted to bring this up. I had a second resident email me with regards to the same article. In the second part of the article, it mentions how the city stores plowed snow on Rice Pond. And residents have grown increasingly concerned about pollutants in the pond. And then our energy and environment director said because the city City stores plowed piles of snow near the pond in the winter, which runs into the pond when it melts. This is a way for the runoff to get clean, treated, and filtered naturally. Hopefully the rain guards will help that. But it says we've tested what is there, but there's a perception that there's bad stuff running off in there. So a resident who does frequent the pond called me, also asked me to reference the article. And it is concerning that we're putting plowed snow there. So this resolution and the next has to do with figuring out if we can maybe do it another way. If we have runoff, there's a number of different things that are coming off the snow within the snow that are being stored at Wright's Pond. Maybe we should look into it more. And if this is a problem, then we can hopefully store the snow somewhere else because we want to make sure that we're keeping the pond as safe and clean as possible. I know that a resident was interested in the topic. I'm not sure if I can name him, but did reach out to the director of the Mystic River Watershed Association, who thought that piling up snow and allowing it to run into the pond is a poor choice. So I think this is just something that definitely needs to be looked into. If we have piled snow that can be put somewhere else, I think we need to do that. So if we could have a response from our Energy and Environment Office with regards to if there's been any testing, if so, what type of testing and when, that would be extremely helpful. And if we haven't, then maybe we should see how the rain garden goes once it's implemented, then potentially do some testing. That's obviously not my forte, but if we could kind of figure out what's going on here. I will be much appreciated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. If we could just have the Department of Public Works and or the administration, let the city council know where snow is, is kept. Um, when we take it off our streets, I think that just goes hand in hand with the prior resolution to try to make sure we're storing it in the right place.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Thank you, Mr. Ravuso, for coming to explain this. Maybe just a little more detail about what type of cameras, how many we're purchasing, what they're going to do, just a little more detail.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if you could, what's the reasoning for getting the cameras? What are we going to be doing with them?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So they'll be portable and you'll be able to move them around and catch them? That's correct. Oh, okay. Great, thank you. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just one quick question. You said there's going to be a router and the video will come up at the police station? Yes. So if you find out there was dumping, then your office building department will go to the police station to review the footage?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. So that's how it's going to work. We're not going to have somebody sitting there and reviewing hours long data. It's just going to be if something happened, then we'll know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Figured, but I just want to be clear. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I think this is something that we had asked for to be funded one way or another several months back. I believe there was one maybe subcommittee meeting on it, but I think it's something that needs to be done. I then asked a question of, can we work on our zoning one section at a time? I know we're the ones that, which update the ordinances, but we were told in a written decision that that would be spot zoning, but we are going to be approached with a number of projects coming down the line, which almost seems similar to that. And I think it's something that, We need to have a commitment by the administration to hire an outside company to help guide us through this process. I think we're all capable of going street by street and deciding which zoning changes we should make, but to handle this, which is gonna take, from what I understand, multiple years to do. I know the city of Somerville, it took a couple years to get through the process. We need some guidance and we need some commitment by the administration so we can move forward and get this done. Hopefully it will be something that, you know, can be worked on once the funding is there at the beginning of the year by whoever may sit behind this rail. But it's a project that we've all spoken in favor of doing, and it's something that needs to be done. So I ask that a portion be set aside. She wants us to research different companies and the costs. I'm sure we are capable of doing that. I think we need a commitment first that yes, we are, the administration's willing to put money aside so that we're able to do this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield to the podium.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to thank the speakers and I know that a few of many that are interested in this topic in the city with all the development that has gone on and will continue to go on. I think part of what I asked for a development committee and task forces is so that we can get more community input. But I think Mr. McKillop had a good point and I That is that the seven of us need to sit down, and I agree with maybe that's a place to start, but we need to do it sooner rather than later with regards to meeting with the Metropolitan Planning Council, and then maybe they can guide us on which company that needs to be hired and the pricing that it will cost. But it needs to be the seven of us, and it needs to happen much sooner than it has. I thank the subcommittee for doing the work they've done so far, but I think now it's the seven of us and the committee of the whole that need to take the ball by the horns and get this process started, because time cannot tick away on such an important issue. And it is the seven of us that hear from residents on a daily basis, whether they're for development, against development, for a certain amount of units versus more commercial. I mean, we know what we want, and I think we can tell, no problem tell the Metropolitan Planning Council where we want to go and how we how we want to get it done. We just need some guidance and we need to start the process sooner than later.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Plus the amendment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Just to be clear, Councilor Falco, what are you looking for for a time frame on those lists from when we appropriated that large portion of money? I just want to make sure we're clear so we get exactly what we want.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I think this is pretty self-explanatory. Looking for a breakdown from Office of Community Development on what monies have been expended thus far and how much more we have to go. I know there was somewhat of an update that we had to read about in the transcript, but if the council can be given a detailed breakdown, that would be much appreciated because it sparked follow-up calls from residents to us of why is this project potentially going over? and we really weren't notified. I had to learn about it in the paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I was able to read an article and find out that Henry Malorin is receiving this Patriot Award, and I think it's such an honor. Henry is a friend to many of us, and he does a tremendous amount of work in the disability community, but also in the Haitian community, and he's being recognized for it. I'm obviously very proud. They're going to have a ceremony for him at the end of the month, and I think it's something that I wanted to bring up just to let him know we appreciate all his hard work and effort for what he does a tremendous amount of people.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you want to talk on that? Oh, thank you. I'm president Caraviello. Just before we adjourn, I know that there is no school committee meeting on October 30th. So I see if we could maybe take a vote to move our October 31st meeting to October 30th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I also want to second this paper and second the amendment. I've been a Councilor for many years, and Councilman Locke has brought up thermoplastic crosswalks for years. And it's something that we do need to explore, and we beg the administration to look into it. We do not have the Department of Public Works staff to paint the crosswalks in the spring in a timely manner. We just don't have the staff to do it, and we don't have the staff to repair the ones that are faded come September, October, November. So to have something that's permanent for five years, we can create a system where we're doing 20% of the streets on a yearly basis, and we'll be able to have all of the crosswalks painted all the time. And I think that's what the residents deserve, and that's for public safety. It's in the best interest of public safety, so I would move approval on that and beg for an answer at this point.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On the motion by Councilor- Before it's called, I as one councilor haven't got any complaints and I don't know if anybody else has, but usually If there's no complaints, we kind of leave it on the agenda for a little longer so they can always take it up at another time. I don't know how the council feels. I just feel like why drag the business owner in if there's been no complaints?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So after 90 days, he was gonna get an extended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, sounds good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With suspension of the rules. I suspend the rules, so to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello, can you further explain, the Cori, I understand. Now, what about the contract? If you could explain why, I think it was a two-page contract that also needs to be signed by anybody that wants to produce a show?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may? Councilor Lovell, go ahead. Through the chair, if we could get a copy of the, I'm not sure who has it, a copy of the decision stating there was an open meeting law violation. I find it more than a simple error and I definitely want to Take a read.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And through the chair, Solicitor Rumley, whose fault was that? Was it you blaming the board?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it wasn't just my last question. So it wasn't City Hall's doing. It was the school department.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may move the question. Move the question to get a copy of the attorney general's decision.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those in favor? Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you, President Caraviello. I received a few complaints. A lot of the neighborhood around this area has been talking about the rock pile that sits across from the gas station on Winthrop Street. And I've received two emails from abutters questioning what is going on at the site. They started work, I believe, started bulldozing, drilling, and blasting on the site. September 2016. This past August in 2017, work has ceased and now nothing's going on. The neighbors also have a very reasonable concern about the attractiveness of this site to a child. It's a large rock pile, large hole. Children could get hurt and there's really nothing blocking it off. So if we could get a written response from the building department of what is going on on that site, what is planned to go on on that site, when will it happen, and in the meantime, if we can somehow, it's an eyesore at this point, but somehow, as best we can, block it off so people do not, especially children, do not go near the site. I think that's extremely important. It's something that the neighbors asked me to put on the agenda and see if we can get some answers and a resolve on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may before the roll call. Thank you President Mayako. We obviously have to cancel this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm sorry. Thinking about you, Bob. Anyway, Tuesday, November 7th is the election.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know I shot an email to everybody, and we heard little tweet birds because nobody responded. I understand it's an important meeting. It's a Tuesday night before the election, but I just wanted to start a discussion. I promised my seven-year-old I would ask. It's my children's favorite holiday. It's Halloween. I don't know if it's possible, if anybody would be agreeable to move the meeting to the Monday prior, which would be Monday, October 30th. and even potentially have a second screening on October 31st for those who plan on watching. It's just something I want to throw out there. I obviously will be here if we're going to have a meeting. But October 31st, I have three young children. I know some others have children as well, maybe a little older, maybe a little younger. And I just think it's something to discuss.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I guess that's why I'm asking now so maybe we can look into it and people can think about it I don't want to pressure anybody I know it's I don't want to pressure anybody but we can look into it and maybe I think the city clerk might have some work to do leading up to these elections too if I'm not mistaken
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'll reach out to see if the school committee has a meeting and maybe that would be a potential resolve. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Move approval on your paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, through the- Councilwoman O'Brien. I want to second that. I think Ed's done a great job. He's been here quite a while, and definitely very knowledgeable. I wish him good luck in his retirement or new job. I appreciate all the work he's done. If we also could maybe get an update, on a B paper with regards to when the job will be posted. It is posted. It's posted, okay. Because I know two people in the office left over the summer. Ed left kind of short notice recently and that concerns the entire council, I'm sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I wanna thank Councilor Marks, and I agree with him wholeheartedly, and I also agree with Councilor Knight. I just see if we could amend this as well to include the city solicitor. Residents on South Street have been advocating for, obviously, reduced speed, reduced heavy trucking and speed, and they have a number of concerns and a whole checklist of things that they want done on South Street, and that will be the case for every street that Eversource is gonna dig up. And when we looked into it, we found out through the mayor's office that the city solicitor will be negotiating the contract with Evisource. So I think he needs to be involved and I think the residents need to be involved as well before the contract is finalized. There's no better person than a resident who lives on a road that can tell you what should be in that contract as far as before it's dug up, while it's being dug up, and what needs to be done when it's going to be permanently reinstalled. So I'm glad this is put forth. I'd like to add that the solicitor be involved in this meeting that is going to hopefully take place. And I agree with Councilor Marks. People come to us all the time asking for answers. When we can't give them, it's just a sad day. And we should be more informed, and Eversource should be on the forefront. And this city administration should be in the forefront of educating the public and the city council so that everybody knows what's going on, when it's going to take place, how it's going to take place, and for residents and the city council to give input. So I second the resolve. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I was watching the school committee meeting last night. a group of teachers were going to speak, and I wanted to take a look. And before that happened, school committee woman Erin DeBettidetto had brought up the issue with regards to just the research that took place, data that was collected of children from developments entering, and how many are entering Medford Public Schools, and I think it's just something we need to keep track of, especially since we're developing all over the community. She asked for a further report with regards to including developments with 100 or more versus the 150 or more that was done in the last round of data. She also asked for school-age children and non-school-age children so we can get an idea of what will the amount of children that will be entering our schools coming down the line so that we can plan accordingly. I think it was a great resolve, it was supported unanimously, and I would just like, once that is drafted and complete, I would like to get a copy so that we can include it with the data that we received two weeks ago. And I think it's just one of the, like again, one of the many parts that we need to look into with regards to development and how it's affecting our community. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you President Caraviello. I agree with my colleague and I just want to go further and ask for what type of evaluation is being done and how long are we expecting for it to be complete? Because we have been asking for answers for a year and I think it's time that we get a little more than half a sentence. Because we're not asking, I don't live, I'm not a direct abutter. The direct abutters are emailing and calling us to find out what is going on with the property. Once in a while, they'll see a couple shrubs tidied up. Once in a while, they'll see some activity. I believe our police department's using it. But what evaluation's being done, how long is it gonna take, and what's our plan? It's time, it's time. If we need to, whatever we need to do to get some answers in more than a half sentence, it would be much appreciated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. This is one of the three or four that I put on last week, and I think I have two additional resolutions on this week that relate to the development in Medford. I just wanted to get some answers and see if the discussion has been started, and if not, get the discussion started, get the conversations started with regards to anything and everything that development in the community could be impacted by. And one of those areas is our public safety. We all know that our numbers are stable but low. We're able to provide services as best we can. We see the police and fire and DPW do all that they can. But when you talk to a firefighter or a police officer, they do have questions with regards to when are levels going to be increased. We seem to always be hiring additional personnel, but it almost seems like we're just filling retirement positions. And it seems like with the development that potentially has been approved or development that is potentially going to be approved in certain areas within our city that are gonna be developed, I think we need to get a round table discussion if it hasn't happened already with the chief of police, the chief of fire, DPW commissioner, personnel in the mayor's department, the city council and the community and figure out what may be needed. I mean, I've heard that there's a ladder truck out of service as of this week. definitely heard rumblings that certain stations are not active with regards to the fire department. You always hear that public safety and the police department is understaffed and that we need more personnel. So what are we gonna do if we're gonna have 500 units plus at potentially multiple areas in this city? Are we going to expand and open more stations? Are we gonna try to increase our numbers police and fire and DPW so we can handle the load. And this is just one area that needs to just be discussed. I think that it's come to light other areas and people are starting the conversation, but I feel like we all need to be on board. We need to be privy to how we're going to handle it and make sure it's handled accordingly so that we can keep our residents current and future residents safe within our community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I believe since that resolution was put on two Fridays ago, last Tuesday we did receive a report from the superintendent with regards to enrollment and class size. That report, I believe, was from September 7th. I believe the numbers have increased some, but this too is along the lines of just making I don't have the resolution in front of me. I think I had two very similar. Yes, I was reading the committee minutes, or the, actually, I think it was the agenda, and I saw that this was on the agenda, so it's something that I always like to see in the fall, as well as when we have budget discussions in June. So we were provided this, so I'll just move approval. Anybody that wants to comment can comment on it, but it seems like all the numbers are close to if not what they were in June. The one issue that I did speak up about was resolved. And I'm glad to see that we're able to keep our class sizes low. And I hope we can continue that. Mr. President?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And thank you, President Caraviello. I also want to thank the superintendent for the documents that he provided to us. I'm glad I got a week to review them. Just a couple questions. With regards to the jump, I think it was eight days and we had an additional 94 students. On any given year, how many do we see fluctuate during the month of September?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then when will it stabilize? I mean, is there a normal?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I could just request, based on either the parent information center or the school brains database, if we could just get an update, as well as the school committee, mid-October, just when things finally do stabilize so we can just get a more accurate. accounting of the actual school year and how many children we will have in the city. I don't think it's going to change the numbers of class size. I'm not worried about it. I just want to have a baseline of where are we going. I also think the information you provided to us, Councilor Marks is right. I think you did a little research on the developments and it looked like out of a few developments there was only about 105 students. That on the other end is whether there's too many children and we have this overcrowding issue or there's not enough. This is going to show that the developments that are coming out, they're so expensive. I mean, families cannot afford to live in them. My concern, there has been a number of units that have come on. We also have Medford Square that we need to make a decision. Do we want to rezone Medford Square? what is gonna happen with Mystic Ave, you have the Locust Street, you have a number of additional units that are coming on, and I just think these are questions that need to be discussed, we need to have a handle on them. We don't have, a couple schools have more space, but I know there are two schools that have somewhat of a space issue, and it's just something that I believe we have the right to ask questions about, and I'm very happy we have the answers to, and it's something we need to stay on top of. We're the ones that are gonna decide the budget in June, and whether it's us or other councilors down the line, what is gonna happen in two years, three years, four years? So to have some of these answers I think is beneficial. I don't know who discussed some of the answers. if it was just the superintendent or if the school committee actually did discuss it. If necessary, they'll consider redistricting to shift enrollment to the Columbus. This is just the start of the conversation. If in five years we have an extra 500 students than we do now, or even 300, where are we gonna go? What are we gonna do? How are we gonna space it out? How are we gonna make sure class size stays low? And I think with the group effort, we can do that. And I just wanna make sure we are on top of it and planning accordingly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second. We'll approve the motion to get an update in October.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that also was discussed. We were given numbers of 105 from five or six different developments that are already station landing, Mystic Valley Parkway. It looks like Mystic Valley Parkway has the most children. River's Edge has less than I expected, but we did get the numbers. I really appreciate that and I hope that once we have newer developments on the books that we get an update, whether that be in the spring or even next fall, that we just keep track of it and know where we're going and where we're at.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that also, thank you President Caraviello, I think that also was discussed and there's a few lines that the superintendent gave us with regards to shifting and redistricting. So I appreciate that. I just, in the future, I hope that the school committee can really be involved and round table this and we can be involved as well with regards to planning down the line. So I move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think when this was voted in, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Penta, I believe it was 18% when this was voted in. And I don't believe, that was going to be my question to you, what does the card say? Because when I had discussions with those advocating for the CPA, I was aware it was 18%. I think the bigger issue, if you're going to fight for or against it, it would be Did people know was on the back of the ballot and if not then yeah, I mean I knew it wasn't it wasn't hundred percent It was 18 and percent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just briefly, I think everybody's said what they need to say, but maybe just have the traffic commission also evaluate the entire road, possibility of making it parking on one side, if it's, you know, it's pretty thin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. In other cities and towns, they use different companies such as Team Better Block, which was brought to my attention and I did some research on it. It's a way, in addition to what the MAPC has been doing for Medford Square and has done for Medford Square, what Team Better Block, I know that the new developments Developed area at Union Square has used that company team better block and I know there are other companies So I just want to ask the administration if that's something that we've looked into or if not if we can look into it team better block is a company that comes in and they focus 100% of their energy on Medford and they do they would do like they've done in other cities and towns across the United States, they would do temporary scenarios, so wouldn't necessarily, and they would engage the public and the community, figure out ways to include almost along the same lines of what we're trying to include, public space, public art, bump-outs, temporary crosswalks, but this is almost on a temporary basis, so we can not only get input and take surveys of what the city of Medford wants and what our residents want, but you would, they create bump outs and crosswalks, all different types of public spaces, public green space as a temporary fix to see how it works. and they would do it in all different areas, obviously different areas within Medford Square, and if it worked, obviously you can go to South Medford and West Medford, just to engage the public in ways that aren't so permanent, where people get an idea of, oh wow, if we did do these bumbouts, they're not as scary as they seemed, or not as drastic as they seemed when it was gonna be a permanent thing. Let people understand the ideas that the CDC has come up with, and Team Better Block obviously comes up with additional ideas and additional ways to make it happen. I know they did a project, I believe, on the west coast, and it cost a couple thousand dollars to do a large section of a city square. on a temporary basis, and the life it created, and the community that it created, I think would be beneficial. They would focus 100% on Medford. I'm not sure of the cost, that's one thing that I just didn't research yet, but to actually do the temporary scenarios is very inexpensive, and it's somebody that would focus just on Medford, just on Medford Square, where we do need the revitalization, where people do want Do you want to see change they want to see more activity more green space more? Public art more open space and we're going there It's just we can't afford everything all at once and this would be a way to say these are the five things that we can try out see if they work and And then if it is working and we are able to get the community involved and happy about these different scenarios, we can make it happen as a permanent, you know, a permanent fix, a permanent change. So it's just one idea that has come, was brought to my attention and I think, I don't think see any harm in doing some research on it and seeing if we can look into hiring some sort of company to do this type of work for us. Mr. President?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, if we could request just an update with regards to what has been done to hire or research companies like Team Better Block and what our plan is going forward, just so we can have an awareness. I mean, I've only researched the one company for an hour on the internet, watched a bunch of videos and seen actually what work they've done. And there's a lot more than obviously other companies. But what has the city administration done to use more than MAPC that is working with over 100 other communities? I mean, somebody to focus just on Medford. A public meeting is great on a Wednesday night, but to have people somebody that will survey and get the community involved and active and it is a community team better buck uses the computer community to create these spaces and if we could get that done, I think it would be Beneficial to the you know in to use it going forward and all our squares is going to be beneficial to the city of Medford so approval that we get an update on where we're at if we've started researching that and if we're gonna move forward with such an option I
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I think this is something that, this issue of the development is something that everybody seems to be talking about. So many people have different opinions where development should go, how much, how little, not go certain places, more here, more there. And we don't really have a committee made up of residents to discuss the issues and to get the feedback from the entire community. And I think that's almost necessary, whether it be one committee or it be task force for each specific area. It was requested that there also be which I'm going to amend the paper, there'd be a Mystic Ave task force made up of residents who want to see development in Mystic Ave and want to have input and voice their concerns and ask questions and be able to figure out what the community wants down there. And I think that's important. I think that's something that's been lacking with regards to some of the projects that have moved forward over the last several years. No community input. It goes on the Zoning Board of Appeals agenda and gets approved. I think Canal Street is the only one that I know that did not get approved. But we need more community input. And I think this is the way to do it. I think the committee, hopefully the mayor, would be willing to set up a a task force or a development committee made up of Medford residents from all different areas, and I'd like to amend the paper to ask that a Mystic Ave task force be put in place made up of South Medford residents and business owners who work on Mystic Ave, because that's coming down the line, and we want to make sure we're prepared for it. I think this is something that's long overdue, and I believe the council, whether we have a council rep on the committee, if this isn't moved forward, I think it's best to be organized by the administration. If it's not moved forward by the administration, then I think the council has to create a committee within our own body to be able to discuss development in subcommittee and get the community involved as much as we can and get input. It's hard when you're trying to see everything that's being written everywhere and try to get Try to form your opinions on where development should go and how much of it when you don't have sit-down meetings to discuss it I think that's what's what's missing For me as one Councilor. I'm not against development, but if a neighborhood like near the mall didn't want 500 units that you know our votes and our requests and our concerns stem from what the neighborhoods want and things are moving so quickly I think we need to be on top of it and a development committee to discuss development in general and then also different task force one specifically for Mystic Ave is what we need.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. This is one of my several attempts for traffic calming on South Street because there are a number of residents that are working together to try to curb the speeding and obviously the heavy trucking that is speeding. There's been stop signs that have been put up, crosswalk signs that have been put up, and a number of different things. The speed monitor sign, the new one that we have, there's one placed on South Street. There's also one placed on Lawrence Road, which is great to see. If you go over the speed limit, they start flashing. It's a little.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. So, I mean, what we're doing here and getting the speed monitor signs and working, Sergeant Hartnett has been great to get some, you know, the speed reduced on some of our streets. South Street, when I went to the Traffic Commission meeting a couple weeks ago, this was brought up, requested, and it was something that I believe the Chief of Police was on board with. It's just a matter of getting the Department of Public Works to put down a big graphic, the graphic that shows that there's a crosswalk coming up ahead, which it's only a few feet before the crosswalk, but it's just a little extra. There are hundreds of people, like I said, I think a couple weeks ago, that cross south to Walnut because it's the gateway to the square leading into Colleen's ice cream shop. when you cross that bridge right into the heart of Medford Square. So if we could get a graphic put on by the DPW, it would be greatly appreciated. I think it's one of the many measures that are going on on South Street to help with the speeding and to help pedestrian safety.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, just I think I think he was talking about Winthrop himself and this is with regards to walnut not walnut himself There's no construction until ever source in this part of that Street, so I just want to make sure that was yes, that was clear Vice-president box
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've reviewed them a second time and I want to move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may. A couple residents complained about the meeting last week in the theater and how the, I guess it looked on TV. So I did reach out to Lauren Felch from the mayor's office and she did say the beginning of October we should be back in the chamber.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think my first question you answer the sound will be mild, so you won't be able to have sound barriers around your facility.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And my second question, if you are going to be open till one and people will be dancing since nine, what are you doing? What will there be for food and beverage?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Mr. President? Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to be clear. I understand what my colleagues are saying, but did I hear you say you would do curb to curb?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If it wasn't such a busy thoroughfare and one of our main roads, I'd be ready to approve tonight, especially where you said curb to curb. But if we're going to meet on it next Tuesday at, say, 6 o'clock, if we could just get a copy in by Friday of the traffic plans for the week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I have it, too. I was looking at it. It didn't look like the directions aren't on here. But it does say where the cones will be placed, the signs, the work zone, things like that. So I guess we do need probably some more clarification of where traffic's going to be diverted. My last comment is that we, within our meeting, if we do meet on this, hopefully within the week, that we discuss what the standards are going to be. I know I had mentioned a month ago we were requesting curve-to-curve from one company and then with the other company we weren't requesting curve-to-curve. So I just think we need to figure out a way that, figure out what we want as a group, collectively, of going forward for all utility companies. So we do it fairly, and we require the same thing from every single company. And I think we're on track with, obviously, making our streets be repaired much better than they have been, and where things are sinking and dipping. So I think we're on the right track. I just think we need to have a discussion in in committee on where we're going with this and make sure our city engineer is on board and thinks it's feasible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before you call the roll, just as a B paper, if we could set up a meeting within the next month to discuss standards and guidelines, I think that is important. David hit it on the head.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think we need to go one step further and create guidelines amongst the seven of us. And I don't think that was specifically done at the last meeting. And I agree, we do have unanswered questions that, um, there are a lot of things we asked Cassandra or Cassandra's office to be able to do. And I think that's important to get some answers so we can regulate the companies and the work they do. Mr. Clerk. Yes. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And did we vote on the B paper last?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, through the chair, thank you, President Caraviello. You said the bills were from 2015. Is there a reason why it's taken so long?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. Ms. Hentwell, we have you before us, and we're talking about the Andrews School. Can you give us an update on the test borings that were done very close to there and whether or not they were done behind the Andrews School, any results that may be coming back?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much for the update. We do have it in our packet. There are a number of parents that have been asking me questions, you know, so I wanted you to state it publicly. And just so I have it clearly, after reading it and after your explanation, test pourings were done at the clippership part section. The lead and the zinc were found. But there will be, as requested by the council, there will be some pourings on the other side of the walkway, which is behind Andrews, where the children play soccer and whatnot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then can you just, lastly, just give us a time frame so we know when to request an update?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for following up on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Caraviello, if you or Brian could go over the no overnight loading deliveries, scale loading, landscaping, if you could just go into more detail. Because the only complaints or questions that I've received from the residents that live behind there are worries about overnight deliveries, the noise, obviously, how the property looks. But other than that, I really haven't. I want to just make sure those are addressed. If you could just give hours.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I'd just be interested in hearing from the residents, if anybody would like to add. And they have made concessions. Wegmans has made concessions. There's been suggestions on the floor, but I think it's important to hear from those that live there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Maybe we could get addressed the trash pickup.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I just also like it noted on the as a condition to make sure there's no trash pickup in the back during the evening hours, the night hours from at least 11 to 6 in the morning.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're not before us right now. Wait, wait, wait. They said they will not trash pick up. And if we can make that a condition to make sure that stays that way,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, would you be willing to go to 10 p.m.? ?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you're going to leave this on this table? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll be brief. Thank you, President Caraviello. I believe the last time Council Member Mox and I brought this up the request of a number of residents that live in the area and just inquiring what's going on with the Hegner Center was in June. We asked just for an update from the administration. I don't believe we got a detailed update that we were expecting. I know that I did reach out to the chief of police at the time, and there was allowable use by the police department in that area. I think it was some dog training going on, and it almost seemed like that was going to be just temporary until a plan is put in place for the Heckner Center. The city did acquire it, and we as a council just want to know what is the plan. It's been mentioned that to have it as a possible art center? Are multiple uses for the city? Are we going to redevelop it? Can we afford to redevelop it? But are we going to redevelop it? What is the plan? Simple question. Can we just get an update on the Heckner Center? There are neighbors that live in the area. I know it has been cleaned up by the DPW, so the neighbors are very thankful for that. But an ultimate plan, what is our yearly plan for this? What is the five-year goal? Do we have goals for this Heckner Center? Is it included in the capital plan? A number of questions that just need to be answered for us and for the residents. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may. Thank you, President Caraviello. I think on the main motion, I think this is definitely a great resolve by Councilor Knight. I think it's important that we get input from the Historic District Commission on which areas they believe should be designated historic. I'm hoping that there's not obviously many changes and definitely not eliminations to any of our current historic districts. And I don't think that's the premise of the resolution, although I did get a concerned citizen calling me about that. Otherwise, I think it's a good resolve. I think a moratorium is something that probably just needs a little bit more discussion. It's a late hour, and I just would like to lay that B paper laid on the table for a week so we can wrap our minds around it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I'm not sure if my colleagues have any answers with regards to the traffic engineer, but it's something we did approve back in June with the fiscal 18 budget, and it's something that is desperately needed. So I'm wondering if the hiring process has started. Well, if I can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. President, just just finish. No, I think that that's great news. I'm glad to hear it, and I think it's extremely important, especially with the new plans or potential plans for Method Square, Mystic Ave and a number of other locations within the city. And we need traffic engineer for the entire city complaints all the time about traffic, and definitely it's a needed position. So it's good to hear that it has been posted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I put this on because as you drive through neighboring cities and towns, you always look at different ways that Cities and towns are trying to curb, obviously, speeding and create safer streets. So I've had an interest in the last couple months since I've been seeing the flashing stop signs. It definitely brings more attention to a stop sign, and it worked great from what I saw. I was at the Traffic Commission meeting on Tuesday. There are a number of issues on. One specifically was on South Street. There are a number of residents that are concerned with the traffic and the pedestrians crossing from the square. There are three or four different crosswalks from both sides of South Street. And I suggested this. I said, have we looked into flashing stop signs, especially at the stop sign at Walnut and South, where you have hundreds of people going into the square and coming heading into South Medford, crossing that roadway. It's been busy the last, especially in the summer months. And the chief of police said to me, stated to the residents that that's just something that needs to be, there needs to be funding allocated. The traffic commission can't just vote to put a flashing stop sign in without the funding. So I then put it on the council agenda. Because I think it would be a great pilot program along with speed bumps and various crosswalks that we've been talking about for a long time. But if we could investigate, see how much these flashing stop signs are and pilot them in a number of different highly trafficked areas. busy intersections where there are a number of accidents, I think it would go a long way. And I think it's just an addition to the new radar guns that we've all fought for and that we've received and are being put in place. I believe new laser guns, new speed monitoring signs. This is just another way to curb traffic, slow people down, make them realize there is a stop sign. You need to stop for pedestrians. You need to stop, obviously, for safety reasons. And this is a way I think that will definitely help. So if we could roll call vote on this and purchase, look into purchasing and purchase 10. blinking stop signs, I think it will go a long way. You can see how it does.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think maybe we could do both at the same time. I think that's a good resolve. Ask the administration to look into pricing and send it to the Traffic Commission. When I was there on Tuesday, they said that it seemed like that was something they would definitely want to implement but didn't have the funding for it. So I think sending it to the Traffic Commission and having them figure out where the locations would be, because we'd all probably fight over, we'd want 100 of them, between the seven of us. But if we could have them designate where these 10 spots would be, or more if we can afford it, and have the administration try to figure out how much they would cost, and what funding we have, and how many we could purchase, I think we could collectively be able to implement it within a reasonable amount of time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I'm actually asking that we be provided the criteria of how one can become a member of TV3 and get a video aired. I think it's, people are very excited about TV3, it's opening. And people also have questions. There's been scuttlebutt of whether or not you need a court report filled out. I think that's. obviously something that may be needed because it is located within the high school. So that's obviously understandable. But if we could just get a list of what is going to be required, is it going to be a contract that's going to need to be signed? How long will it take to be quarried? When can you get a video aired? And how will you be able to get a video aired? I think that's important for the public to know now that it's We have a new station, people really want to get involved, and it's just common information that probably should be posted and figured out. Name and address of the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I may, through the chair, the CORI form, once one does come in and fill it out, how long is the process to get that back and approved?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 24 hours? Yeah, usually.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And it does look like there's a contract here, producer agreement and indemnification form. Correct. Who drafted that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So City Hall?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And once that's signed, who's going to keep hold of that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we're just getting this, so I think that's, how can somebody, do they have to come in and apply to be a member, apply in person, or will this be online?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So have you had anybody sign the agreement and become members yet?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, President Caraviello. I know it's late. If we could just get an update, I want to thank Ben for being here and answering questions as well as the superintendent. If we could just get an update with regards to outreach to the public to let people know that there is a process in place, how they can apply. A lot of people don't really know about this. We've kind of bring it to light tonight. There was word that there might be a candidates clip that you're going to accept, so obviously reach out to the candidates. But with regards to the general public, if they want to become a member, if they want to do a show, want to put a tape in, what type of outreach will you be doing? Will there be a reverse 911 call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just, as a resolve, I'd just like to see if we could put out a reverse 911 call before the open house and let people know that applications can be submitted either at the open house or in person anytime and with the hours of operation of TV3. So we can get this up and running and help Ben with his endeavor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Motion passes. If I can move a suspension of rules that takes 17-648, I'm going to table my last four since it's almost midnight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table my next four.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, Mr. Superintendent, you gave them to us at 10 o'clock for us to review. Why 10 o'clock? I saw you give them to Larry, the answers, at 10 o'clock. That's OK. Can I have an opportunity to review them before my own resolution?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But if you were here all night, why didn't you give them to us at 10 o'clock?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The public know that I am not one to be spreading rumors. My point of the resolutions that I'll put forward next week is that we plan and get the answers like we did tonight at 10 p.m. I would like to just review them and hopefully I'll be able to thank whoever produced them for us next week. But to get something at 10 when you're trying to concentrate on people in the audience, on people at the podium, It's a little hard to review what you were given. I have not been spreading that rumors. I believe two of our schools are close to or at capacity. That was proven this year when two classrooms had to be moved from the Roberts to the Brooks. All I'm asking for, or I will ask for next week, is just a plan, the numbers, so that we can plan accordingly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've reviewed the records. I'd like to review them in a little more detail. I believe there's one mistake that I just want to clarify.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I know you're going to extend until September meeting, but I think we did get an email with regards to the towers that are behind the property and the loading times. So maybe before then, you can do some research and see what times the trucks are going to be delivering and unloading, just so even if we do want to extend your permit, we can assure the residents that live in those buildings that even though the hours of operations may Be 6 a.m. In the morning or 11 p.m. And I think it was a 12 12 in the morning That we know that the deliveries will not be at that time So you will they will still have peace and enjoyment of their properties
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Actually, I think my questions have been asked and answered. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I see everybody's frustration, and we've had a number of Committee of the Whole meetings to try to remedy it, and we are awaiting answers. curb to curb will be great, but for me, what I keep bringing up in the last several years that this has been a real problem is the fact that we don't have anybody from the city to review the trench work six months from now, a year from now. So, I mean, I'd be amenable as long as we have a condition on there that our engineer or somebody from the administration does a walk-through with somebody from your company nine months from now or a year from now, and if there is sinkage, that it be fixed. I think that might be another option.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, President Caraviello, so 92 High Street doesn't have Comcast service at all?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And who's requesting it? The whole building? I don't have the name.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the Chair, thank you, President Caraviello. I think since you need a permit from the MWRA, I'm just throwing it out there that we table it and get a response back from Comcast for our next meeting of whether or not you'll do curb-to-curb. I just have an issue. I mean, I said in the last petition that I just don't want the trenches to keep sinking. It's not right for a contractor to leave a piece of property like that, a street or a sidewalk sinking. But I have a problem with requiring curb-to-curb in the last one. kind of swaying from that here, so I would like, I'm not, I think it should be, if we're gonna, we need to have a meeting, probably a committee of the whole meeting, and get some answers from you of whether you do the curb to curb, because that's a main thoroughfare, we definitely don't want any sinkage on High Street, and if we're gonna mandate some curb to curb, I think we need to figure out some consistency in how we're gonna do that. I know the business needs, wants Comcast, we fought loud and clear years and years ago that there'd be competition, We don't feel that the business should have it, but we just need to figure out amongst ourselves some way to keep this consistent and uniform and figure out how to do that prior to probably our next meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Marks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the Chair, I know you said you wouldn't be able to start until sometime after Labor Day anyway, so I think that would only be almost a week postponement if we take this up with some answers from Comcast on September 19th, and I think we need to, again, we just need to be consistent. So I would ask my colleagues how they feel about tabling it for three weeks. Second the motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Four in the affirmative.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you get us that, do you mind, through the chair, get us that answer of whether or not you could do curb to curb?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you could get us those answers before the next meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Will you call the roll? I think somebody wanted to speak on this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The paper has been withdrawn by request of the Council President. Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On that same point, Councilor Schapiro is right, and I think it was probably four months back where we were inundated with complaints. And we did sit down with Republic Park, and maybe this was around the same time that you were getting the tickets, about four or five months ago. And they had a whole new changeover in staff that wasn't trained properly. So we did meet with the head of the company that's in charge of this area, and he did reassure us. And we cracked the whip, and we asked the mayor to do the same. And since then, the complaints that I've received have slowed down tremendously. But there was a time frame, a couple months span, where we were getting I mean, a couple complaints a day, it seemed like. And it was just that the draft was not trained properly, which. they need to get a handle on if they have another turnover. So, just letting you know, we did meet with the company.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Especially hours of operation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just a question. Councilwoman O'Connor. Through the chair, when will the elimination take place? 24, is it during the dark 24-7, or will it be shut off at 10 p.m.?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, so it will be in service.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So, Councilwoman Gilker. I think to clear it up, it's not going to be a scrolling message. It's going to be like one week it will say the X, the next week it will say something different. So, it's going to be something every 10 seconds. No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I second that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um, thank you President Caraviello this sparked off of our july meeting. Um, I believe We were here about 5-ish in the evening and our meeting went until about 12, 12.30 in the morning. And one of the last agenda items was an expenditure of $4.5 million. I just wanted to, you know, we did vote for it, but I woke up the next morning. I voiced my frustration with regards to a lack of a breakdown of that money, and then I woke up the next morning, and I, you know, was a little frustrated. My frustration continued. So I did email finance department, treasurer's department with all my additional questions, and I did eventually get the answers I wanted. And it was a project that obviously needs to be done, but I just wanted to make a point to put it on the agenda to let people know that I was frustrated. We were given, again, $4.5 million. We were given an explanation. Besides, you know, a couple of lines in our agenda, we were given a four or five page explanation of the project broken down by individual streets. the night of our meeting. So when we notice it, it all depends on when we read additional information that's on our desk. I was paying attention to the meeting and I didn't see it until it was actually before us. Scrambling to read it the night of a meeting at 11.30, 12 o'clock at night, it's difficult. Lights were beaming on us and we were tired and it's some information that I would expect to receive at least a week prior to a vote of such magnitude. So I wanted to get a vote by the council. And to continue with that, the explanation didn't have a breakdown of the money. It was broken down two different ways how we were going to get the money, but it wasn't broken down by street. Thankfully, I got it the next day, but I would just like to request that the administration provides us You know, we always talk about transparency. I just would like that we be provided information on expenditures a week prior to the meeting. That it be something, you know, we stuck strong tonight and we obviously hopefully will create some change going down the line on trench work and road work within our city. We stuck strong and had parking enforcement. a few months ago, and we made significant changes. I think we need to stick together as a body and say to our administration, we need information before it is presented on our council agenda. We should not be given information on a project, on an expenditure, on a bond request, the night of our meeting, at 7 o'clock at night. It should be weeks, if not days, before our meeting. And that expenditure should be broken down in detail. And that's something that wasn't done for us. And it's something we're, as a body, not mandating. And I think I'd like to take a vote tonight that we request and mandate that we be given an explanation and a expenditure breakdown seven days prior to our meeting and make a change, and all stick together and try to be able to—I mean, it's very frustrating when you know, oh, the next day somebody's going to be asking you questions about it, and you don't have it. You don't have the information of how much money is going to go to Parris Street, how much money is going to go to Evans Street. We didn't know that. We voted for it. It was very late. And that's the way it happened. But I think going forward, we owe it to the taxpayers of this community to get information prior to taking such serious votes. So I'd ask for a roll call vote on this. And hopefully we can stick together and make a stand.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll forward you the breakdown. It was a page or two. I don't believe it was.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, I have it in front of me. Just to go through the list, Grove Street and Linden Street, new water mains, $830,000. Parris Street and Pinkert Street, new water mains, $790,000. Hydraulic models citywide, $30,000. Water meters, $150,000. MTUs, $75,000. Project is $350,000. And then the $125,000 in enterprise budget. Private lead service replacement was $200,000. it goes into more detail, and then it says the contract is broken down as follows, year one, $1,298,445.09, water service and water main replacement as followed, and then Evans Street is listed under water main replacement. So there's no construction of the road within this, but Evans Street, they do plan on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: year one of the contract, so I think that would be 2017, beginning of 2018, if I can recall.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was always the plan, we're just hoping it would be repaved by now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the Chair, just my last vote, my last point, I do ask for the support on this. Having been frustrated and emailed the administration the next day, I received a detailed breakdown by, I think it was 1.05 p.m. So there's no reason why we shouldn't be provided a breakdown of expenditures prior to our meeting. It's a lack of respect, and I think that needs to change.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. A few months ago, well, not even, I don't think, probably June, I brought up a City of Boston ordinance that was regarding gas leaks, Level 3 gas leaks, and the City of Boston is taking measures to hold the utility companies accountable and to remedy those gas leaks. in-depth ordinance. I did forward it to the city clerk, who I then saw forwarded it to the rest of my colleagues. So this is almost just a reminder to maybe hopefully take a read and we can do something about it. This issue was brought to me by a citizen who probably is going to speak on it, Mr. Tudin. And I think it was led in Boston by a group of moms who are trying to prevent gas leaks because of all the damage they do to the gas bill, number one. But it's a safety issue. wildlife and the environment. It's not a good thing and we'd like to see what they're doing, read about it and hopefully craft our own ordinance to accommodate our needs and hopefully get the city engineer on board and give her a tool to make sure that when a street is dug up, gas leaks are looked into and fixed. So I would hope that we can review and come up with an ordinance sometime in September so we can move approval on this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it's a good ordinance the way Boston has it written. I think it just requires a review, and the city solicitors sit with us as an entire body, which is going to end up in Committee of the Whole anyway. I don't think it has to be redrafted in much a way. I think Committee of the Whole meeting would be preferable to move it forward quicker rather than take months and months to get two meetings set up. I think we can do it in one meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think somebody might want to speak on it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to allow a citizen to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can answer that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Just wanted to reach out and hopefully get a written response from Energy and Environment, Ms. Hunt. I know she was working hard on this project, and it was unfortunate what was discovered on Clippership Park. We also, as a council, asked that there be test pourings done at the Andrews School. So I want to make sure, that's one of my two reasons. Obviously we want an update, but I want to make sure that those test pourings were done behind the Andrews School where hundreds of children play during school hours and play soccer on the weekends. And I just want to make sure that that soil is not contaminated. So I move approval on this and ask for a written response.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I learned about a week ago that there was a candidate for office who couldn't get the budget book for fiscal year 2018. which was passed and approved the end of June, and I was surprised. So I just want to make sure that any candidate, anybody, any person who lives in this city who wants to review the budget can do so online, or go to the city clerk's office and read a hard copy, and any candidate should be able to, or the mayor's office, wherever that may be, to be able to review the budget in detail. I think it's essential to, transparency, obviously, but it's just essential to know what is in that budget, where the money is spent. We just spoke about $160-plus million budget, and I really feel that every candidate and resident in the city should have access to it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, through the chair, I believe the detailed budget that we were given in June with specific information, very detailed information, not all of that is online. I feel like that should be open to the public.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. We haven't met in a few weeks, so last week I was I received a number of complaints with regards to the cleanup and the splash of almost cement on the business owner's facade and a number of issues with regards to potential handicap accessibility issues down in that area. And it's very concerning. I did reach out to the mayor's office. I know a number of us have been making calls and trying to get in touch with MassDOT. I know people have been calling Representative Donato, but as a council, I would like to take a vote that we ask that this cleanup be done in a better way. whatever businesses are down there, they should be able to operate with a clean, friendly environment where a wheelchair can pass through or a mother with a stroller to get into a restaurant. And from the pitches I've saw, I'm extremely concerned. I know that, unfortunately, really nobody from the administration has been down there often. Thankfully, our new Our new diversity director did go down this week. I'm not sure he found anything not in compliance, but there was a few days last week where I saw the ruler to the door, and it just It's very concerning, so I would ask that we, as a body, take a roll call vote to ask our state delegation to get involved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could just vote to support his endeavors in trying to help that location.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye. Aye. Aye. 17-603.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All of us. All right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do we have approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're going to ask the Mayor's.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Formal request of the Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Dello Russo?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I second that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you President Caraviello. Could you just let us know how many people, patrons, you'll be able to serve at one time? How many seats are there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And can you give us a time frame of when you think you'll be open? The outdoor? Oh, just when you'll be open in general so the public knows.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you have the voucher program with Tufts University? No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure. Thank you, President Caraviello. I'm not sure if Councilor Marks or our city solicitor who has been involved with this, thankfully, can give us a little bit more detail with regards to the 30 days.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Solis. Through the chair, you said there is need and they realize the need for a conversation with the neighbors in the city. So within that 30-day period, is there any meeting scheduled, or we just don't know yet?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I want to thank the solicitor for listening to our concerns. I know he's very busy, but I've seen the dialogue back and forth with you and the TEA, and I've gotten a number of complaints, especially from the Tyler Ave. residents and you know it's a concern of ours and hopefully we can get a seat at the table with our residents to discuss the concerns that they have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to point out that we did meet in Committee of the Whole this evening to discuss with the commission, the Community Preservation Commission, the details of this. I know that a lot of it's formulated through state law, so I don't know if anybody wants to just give a brief synopsis before we take a vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then, if I could just follow up, I asked in Committee of the Whole, but I think the public would like to know the time frame, so go over it, or you probably have an answer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just publicly thank the committee for their hard work. Meeting every other week for a few months takes a lot from your families and we appreciate it. Whether for or against the CPA, you've worked very hard and it doesn't go unnoticed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With regards to the lighting in, you know, the residence, I guess you're not really hitting any residence, but is there a time frame where the lighting will be shut off?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before the roll is called, may I ask a question? Through the chair, can you tell me when you opened or when you plan on opening?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, I feel like they've, just personal opinion, I think they've changed the scheme to make it conform.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Otherwise I think the signs look good and hopefully we can get this done for the petitioner sooner than later.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, through the chair. If you could go over, I think it's important with regards to the savings. I know it's like 11,800 that we'll be saving the first year, and then if you maybe want to give a synopsis of the overall savings that has been estimated for the full 20 years. I think that's important for the community to know. Most people are for this project, but I think that's an extra bonus of what we could be saving.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With regards to, I think it's important just to point out that Select Energy Development LLC, who we're going to be contracting with, has done over 400 projects in Massachusetts. Is he present tonight as well?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But he was here to answer questions for us at the subcommittee meeting. I have solar panels on my house. I'm in full support. And I thank you again for the detailed outline of all our other municipal and school buildings that potentially down the road could as well get solar panels to help with energy costs throughout our schools and municipal buildings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We get the savings. It's a 20-year contract.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That calculates the increase as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: $11,800 the first year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Second?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't catch your name. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your address or your name.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In which city? Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you want to ask questions now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe if you could expand a little bit more on the soundproofing. I know you said there's a soundproofing fence. Can you tell me at all about any soundproofing in the building as far as overnight?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then with regards to the lighting, can you explain the hours for the lighting outside?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you explain, so you explained there's going to be two fences. Can you explain, it looks like there's a tree buffer. Is it only going to be on one side of the floor and how tall are the trees going to be?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You have to talk in the microphone. Yeah, we have it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One last follow-up through the chair. With regards to, that was actually going to be a question of mine too, where does the pee go? With regards to if the turf expert can explain, you had mentioned that you haven't got any complaints about the smell or odor, especially if it's washed down once per day. But what are you comparing that to as far as how large of projects have you done, how many facilities, what number of dogs have they housed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Comic relief.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I appreciate everybody coming and letting us know where you stand. I would love to see some compromise. I don't know how the council stands. I'm not sure if the votes are there or not, but have you created different financial models to potentially not do overnights and close at six o'clock, or not take 50 dogs at first. We have granted special permits for, with six month reviews, with a year review, and I, not that we can do that to you, I know you probably invested not just one million on the building, but additional money. And it's hard to negotiate tonight, because we don't, we have the land owners there, but we don't have the residents that live there. and I'll speak personally, that I like to hear from residents who are going to be affected by certain projects because they come first, but at the same time they're not here. So I just wanted to maybe ask you if you can speak to that. Is there any wiggle room, maybe a little negotiation we can
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So, what are the models that you've approved?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then, I guess my other concern would be an irrigation system or some sort of, I mean, have you priced any of those?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I guess to ask the building owner, would closing at five or six change the scenario at all?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My only comment to that is when you say it's a permit and if they get it, they'll just expand. We as a council can put restrictions on that permit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, between the council. Yeah, we need to discuss it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Who put that motion forward?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I still do have a concern about the irrigation portion, and it is being explored, so whether that means we wait till we get, I mean, that's one of the, putting restrictions and an irrigation system are two things that I think need to be discussed amongst the council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just a lot has been discussed. I hear that there's potential clay. We hear the rock versus the grass.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But 50 dogs may not be peeing on your property.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may. I don't believe I'm ready to vote on it unless I get an irrigation system. And we discuss reducing the hours, especially at first. Like it's been said, there's 57 units abutting the property.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My first question is with regard to the funding. Sorry. I'm getting it all together myself. $2,075,000, is that what we requested specifically or did we request more and not get it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And so, how does the MWRA evaluate the amount you requested or was given? Because I appreciate the outline of a few streets that are going to get done and certain projects that are going to get done. do we have, is there anything at City Hall that outlines exactly which streets are gonna be done and how much, you know, the proposal is?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we, okay. Maybe if we, could we get a copy of that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, and, well, this isn't by number, I mean, because what I'm concerned with is replacement of residential lead water services with copper tubing, but one, two, and three don't, all under 1A don't list streets, so it's really, it's very good that this work's gonna get done, but as one Councilor, I would like to know where that's, how much is gonna be put towards 1, 2, and 3, and where the work is gonna be done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so the main, the beginning of the correspondence then is further explained. Through each year?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That makes more sense.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To the Chair, so what we were given tonight, which is the summary of work, is estimated to cost a total of $4,000? I mean $4 million?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, I'm taking these, my calculator.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't hear that, I'm sorry, I was calculating the numbers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you have 3.463,200,000 for the lead service, and then additional money's needed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I guess the numbers just aren't adding up to me. With the leftover money, the 2.75 million and the 1.5 million, that adds up to four and a half million. And I see us only spending $3,600,000. I mean, $3,600,000. We have the hydraulic model, we have Paris and Pinkert Street. That's why I think I asked earlier, just like the breakdown. I appreciate this, but it's 11.30 and to just start reading things that contain millions of dollars, I would ask what is the timeline for this? Can we have a Committee of the Whole meeting before our August meeting and take a vote on this paper then, once everything is completely understood? We can get a better breakdown of the money portion of it and where it's being spent and on what. I feel like I'm doing calculating work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I understand that, to vote for 1.5 million to be taken out of water and sewer retained earnings, and maybe we only need a million, it's a big difference. No, you're gonna need 1.5. You're gonna need it. So you're gonna need the four and a half million dollars to do all this work. Yes, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just think when we're talking about $4.5 million worth of projects that were probably definitely needed within the city, and we don't get any documentation on it except two lines in our council agenda until tonight, which obviously we didn't have time to read because we had lengthy discussions on other issues.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what about the $929,000 left over from the last time we borrowed from the MWRA?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you give him how many feet of pipe we need.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So... So if you were to give the council pricing, it would be broken down a different way.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Reports from committee, 17584.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, we have a few other people that'd like to speak, and we have one petition for a sign.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the Chair, if I may. Councilor Lungo-Koehn. That $886,414, that's the total amount from last year's budget that's being moved into snow and ice for the current year?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Just a question through the chair. Are you saying we should reduce this by $86,000 or are you going to not support the paper in its entirety?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just think that, um, through the chair, I think he makes good points and especially with the Chevalier ordinary expenses and the fire department's ordinary expenses. Um, I'm not sure how much the ballistic glass costs for the police department. I don't think it would be. Yeah. Didn't, but then didn't they need thicker? They got the second set. So, I mean, if we, Yeah, I mean, I'd be willing to approve the paper minus $86,000 plus the air conditioner. I mean, I think that would solve the problems that are discussed, but then move the rest of the paper forward. I mean, I'll move that motion forward, or you can. You'll have my support if you do it that way, so that we can approve the majority of the transfers and then have the $7,000 for Chevalier to go back to Chevalier for whatever their needs are. And then you have For $79,000, we all know that is less than what needs to be spent in the fire stations, considering they have beds from the 1940s, I think. So that can definitely be well spent. And if there's an air conditioner that's needed, I think that would be a good compromise so that we could get those three things done and then move approval on the rest of the transfers for snow and ice. So Mr. President, if I could.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, but I think that's probably the way to go. The only other option is to withdraw it from the transfer and make it a condition of the paper that those those projects get done. Because if it's not transferred, then it wouldn't have to be on a time crunch. It would just be a condition of the paper. You remove them from the transfer, they're going to be unspent, it's going to go to free cash, and then we make it a condition of the paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You can make that as an amendment. I think at least this, the 7,000 and the 79,000 and an air conditioner, if that's the problem, you know, please to get in a new station, but 86,000 plus the air conditioner.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Air conditioning unit in the police station, I hear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I said, I was recommending four from the police ordinary account. 86,000 is the number? The seven?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All three, that's fine. 135 plus seven plus 79. Let me get my calculator. So 135, 79, and what else? Seven. Seven. So that's six, one, two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Police ordinary, $135,000. And police ordinary, $135,000. Conditioned on doing, yeah, doing an air conditioner.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I too have received a number of phone calls with regards to business owners who have a lot of Obviously, a lot of people want to see these things happen, but there's a lot of safety concerns within our squares. Some of our squares are bigger than the others. There's a lot of questions out there, and I think they need to be resolved. We need to make sure everybody has a seat at the table. We look at the surveys. We talk to the business owners, and we sit down as a group and discuss exactly how to use this, if it is going to come from free cash or, I believe, that's another issue. I thought it was supposed to come from the budget. based on the parking enforcement contract, but that's a separate issue. I just think we need, one way or another, money needs to be spent in the squares, and we need to do it the right way, and we need to make sure everybody's at the table before we do so. So I second the motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to start by also thanking the department heads who are at our countless hours of budget meetings over the last three weeks. There was at least three or four that were there constantly, and definitely, even if they didn't have the answer, they got us mostly every answer we needed. I'd second like to disclose that before the vote is taken, I do have a family member that's in the school budget. So I just want to make full disclosure on that. She is a teacher, my sister. Third, I want to talk about the positives of the budget. It was, we put a lot of hours into it, as did the administration and the school department and school committee. And there are some great additions to the budget and a lot of things that I'm happy to see. I know some of my other colleagues have gone over a number of them. I'm just going to point out what I think was important. I believe the recovery coach, he's a fine young man who's done a lot of work so far. And it's great to see a recovery coach added to the budget. And he'll be in our health department and obviously working with Penny, our coordinator, a great deal. I believe the traffic engineer that we've advocated for with the lead of Councilor Falco is going to be a great addition. The fact that we made the recommendation during the budget hearings that that traffic engineer also have a job duty of looking over street repairs by utility companies, a problem that I know a number of us have had and we've had meetings on, keeping up to date with regards to follow-up of work that's done by utilities and the fact that we'll have an engineer, a traffic engineer, looking at that as well, as well as a vote we took last week, hopefully looking over the gas leaks in the community. I think it's a great position that's going to be added. Thank Councilor Scarpelli for working on the rec department. It's a good addition to the budget, and I know there were over 1,000 families that were interested in it, so it's good to see that that was added. Finally, having a year where the library is fully funded to levels that are appropriate and then some is a positive. Class size, Councilor Falco spoke about it. I had to advocate myself for one specific grade in the city that I have a child in. But other than that, our class size is very low. And it was great last Monday to hear that no class size will go over 22. And I believe a lot, looking at the chart, there are a lot that are in the, I think we have an average of 19 or 20, which is just really a big deal to families in this city. Having class sizes low is extremely important for learning. And you can ask anybody, and that's pretty important. We've had two of the biggest complaints that I get is speeding and then the condition of our roads and sidewalks, non-removal of tree stumps. So it's been good to know that radar guns have been ordered. We've also, within this budget, the past budget, have received laser guns. We've had officers trained in them. And we're doing the job of the speeding on all of our thoroughfares and inside streets that we obviously get calls on all the time. So that is extremely important. And on a side note, it's great to have Sergeant Hartnett, who is very responsive to our questions and emails. I'm glad that the senior work program is still within the budget. It's the second year since it was removed years and years ago. And I think that's important. It does help the seniors that are paying the property taxes. It gives them $1,000 in relief. And that's great to see in there. We got a good update with regards to collecting debt and how low we've been able to get it within the city. So that's definitely a positive. And the leak detection program that is going to be implemented will hopefully save us on the MWRA side. And it's good to see that in the budget. Those are just some of the good things that I want to point out. With that being said, I do see some things that I'm concerned with. Down the road, we're going to run into an issue. I know we have 107 police officers. We have hopefully nine that are coming out once we go to civilian dispatch. But we also have seven or eight retirements that are going to come down the line this next year. And then five, six, seven more that are in 2018. So if you're still looking at the numbers, unless we hire within the next year, year and a half, and get some men and women in the academy, we're looking at lower numbers than we had this past year. If you do the calculations by what we were given, we're looking at about 104. And I just have a concern with that. We should have put, I know we have the crime analyst that was put into this budget, which is great, but I feel like we should have put a few more offices in the book for fiscal year 2018. Roads and sidewalks, I have a concern. I know there was money that actually wasn't even spent in One of the line items, I think it was about $45,000 that wasn't spent on sidewalk and road repairs, sidewalk repairs. And that's something that you get complaints about all the time. If you go walking around the city or you have somebody that calls you and it's with regards to a sidewalk, it's because a sidewalk needs to be fixed. So the fact that we're not spending certain portions, and we talked about it within the transfers, the fact that we're not spending money on things we need to spend money on is definitely concerning. So I think we need to invest more. I recommended that we take, I think it was 50,000 extra to pay for our roads and sidewalks and find that money elsewhere. And that wasn't taken into this budget, but I think it should be. Going back to the vote we took a while ago, I still am concerned about when we're going to do the fire headquarters. That's something that I believe we should have done with the police headquarters, and I wanted to point that out. It's also been mentioned, I guess the last of my comments, it's been mentioned by a number of citizens and a Councilor or two here. We really are taxing the people to the ultimate max. The connectivity fee, I don't like it. I understand how it's going to affect the next year, and it's not necessarily concerning, but I have a really big concern with how it's going to come down 2018, 2019, and beyond. And it's just something that I wish was never voted upon. The fact that we have a water and sewer surplus in the, I believe, we got the answer, I believe it was in the $7 million, $8 million range on top of free cash. And the rate we're charging with regards to PEG access, the cable fee. I feel like there needs to be some relief if the budget wasn't so, I think the budget's really good, so if it wasn't as good like last year, last year I voted against the budget, this year I'm on the fence. I just feel like taxing to the max, to the absolute dollar, the last dollar we can is something we should really strive to try to give some sort of relief to all the homeowners in this community, all the rate payers, and it's just never done. I never get the votes, so that's obviously why I'm on the fence. I don't think I have the votes tonight either to give some relief to the taxpayer, but I think that's just something that needs to be taken into account. And I'll leave it at that for now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Is that the only sign you have? So if you opened in August, you don't have any signage right now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just have a... I want everything to be consistent as well, but with us going into summer meetings and to have... Oh, you're opening in August? August 1st, yes. Oh, August 1st. I just am concerned with the time frame. Hopefully, we just want her to be able to get her sign as soon as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I feel better, yeah. I mean, we have a meeting July 18th, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I did receive a couple people who were interested in the new TV3 station and had questions with regards to the Cable Advisory Committee. It was the first I was aware that a committee has been established. I'm obviously out of the loop, so I was just wondering if we could get a copy of how many people are on the advisory committee and who they are. as well as have they met yet and if there are any minutes, I'd like to just amend this, if there's been any minutes, if we could get a copy of those minutes so we can better see what's been transpiring. I think it's great we have the station up and running to a point and just want to keep an idea of what's happening so we're able to answer people's questions as well. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, yes please. Second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello, I believe within the next couple nights we're meeting with the superintendent of schools to go over. We don't have it yet, but hopefully we'll get it sooner than later, the budget for the school department. I was recently asked how many transfers there are from one school to another by a resident, and I have had no idea. So I said I will put this on. I'd be curious to see how many transfer requests are out there and how many are allowed per each school. I know there's a discrepancy with the amount of children that are in each school. So I just want to see, and there was an issue with class size for one of the grades at the Roberts that was discussed last night at the school committee meeting. So I just want to see how it is all broken down over the last three years so we can get a better idea. When we look at the numbers, we can kind of have the big picture. And we also want to be able to answer people's questions. I know a lot of people do request, I don't know if it's a lot, but people do request transfers. So it's just something that we've never asked and we've never got an answer to. So I think it's be relevant to get these answers before we meet with the superintendent or at least before we vote on the budget potentially next Tuesday. So if I could move approval with a roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello, I put this on last week, I believe it was Wednesday, Thursday, I started getting phone calls with regards to the concern of class sizes, mainly at one school and one grade, and I put this on because there's talk of, every year I'm assuming, depending on the numbers, there may be one or two or three, I don't know how many, where a teacher is pulled from a grade to accommodate another grade and I wanted to see how many of those we have this coming year so we can obviously get control of it and make sure all our class sizes allow. I believe after last night's meeting we were guaranteed that all class sizes would be under 22 and I believe the class average is about 20 students per classroom so I just want to make sure we maintain that level and we make sure that we're gonna provide those little class sizes to everybody, every student across the board.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you again, President Caraviello. Each year we are left with the large school budget and to look and see, try to figure out who's been added, who's been taken out of the budget. Each year we have sometimes a position or two or three that has been created, which obviously is something that I think needs to be in bold print, if not obviously given to us separately so we can understand what is going on in the school system and be able to vote on the budget accordingly. So I asked for a list of all those new hires and newly created positions as well as all the positions that are being eliminated so we can do our job.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was going to mention the Clean It and Lean It ordinance, too, and I feel like If we get the proper department, you know, the person in the building department, we can try to get somebody out there for a site visit. So I think the best way to do that is for her to email us all and we can, you know, obviously help work it out. But I agree. I think there's a lot of properties. I was contacting the building department last week on a property on Doonan Street. It's been under construction for about two and a half years. There's no stairs. There's rocks. And I mean, grass couldn't even grow because there's rocks everywhere and I'm getting complaints on it. So it is hard for the building departments. Sometimes their hands are tied. But for something like this, it seems like our Board of Health and our building department should be able to do a site visit. And if there's no permit on that porta potty that's in somebody's driveway, something should be done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I thank prior Councilor Penter for coming forward and refreshing our memory. I believe that, I agree with you, if it should come out of anywhere, it should be the sale of real estate. And I'm sure you're aware, the latest we've heard is that we are going to be asked to vote out of it, take the money out of free cash at some point in the near future to give $50,000 to each business district. So I, too, I mean, I feel that it should come out of the budget rather than free cash. But that's the way, that's what's playing out now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. Is there any way you can put the argument in writing for us? It is.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, I just have, like, just this?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Has the matter been disposed of? Yes, it has. but I'd like to just know exactly the argument, not necessarily the law of what you believe the city council can do.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. If we could just make sure that the whole council gets a copy. I know it's going to go to subcommittee and Councilor Knight's working on it. If we could just all get a copy so we can review it in the next month or so, that would be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. This is an issue that the city of Boston took up not too long ago. And I think after reading about it, after discussing it with our environmental, somebody from our environmental committee, I think it's something that we definitely could benefit from having it in Medford. I know we have the engineer's office potentially getting a new traffic engineer that may help with our issue that we have with the utility companies ripping up our roads and replacing them the way they should. This is also maybe a third issue that potentially could be worked on. This ordinance, which I have the city of Boston's ordinance, which I've reviewed and read, it would entail Any time the city of Medford opens up a street for any reason or any construction project, any time the street is opened, our utility companies, National Grid, Eversource, would be invited or asked to come and review that portion of the road. And there would be a hope that they would survey and figure out where there are any potential leaks. Boston estimates they have thousands of gas leaks in their community, and this is a way to reduce that number. We're a city that's obviously smaller than Boston, but we do have several, many, many gas leaks that I think need to be looked into, and we need to make that a priority. It's not good for the environment, it's not good for public health, and obviously, so many more reasons why we should be getting on top of these gas leaks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I could before the roll is called. Councilor Longo-Kearns. Yeah, I just ask that we, I'm going to send around, I'll email all the councilors the city of Boston's ordinance so that we could maybe take the summer to review. And then I would just ask that a committee of the whole meeting be set up in September. And hopefully once we review it, we can implement this. There's so many other facets to the ordinance. It's about nine pages long, but not only fixing the leaks, but within the ordinance, we can also mandate that anything National Grid or Eversource or any gas company provides to DPU, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, that they provide to the city of Medford. So our engineer's office, our environment office can use that and help, obviously, do what we need to do alleviate the many, many leaks that we have in the community. So it goes into depth and I won't go into it tonight, but I definitely would appreciate if my colleagues would read it so we can go through it and in the early fall and try to get this implemented as soon as we can. Thank you. Vice President Mox.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, and I thank Councilor Marks for his comments. I think we probably would see a level of times two or three of that 260 number, and that's very concerning, and I agree. And I think this ordinance, if we implement it, it would give it some teeth. Because if a gas company refuses to survey an open site, or doesn't repair a leak found at the site, the city will then have the right to deny permits for other street digging they apply for. And I think it goes in conjunction with the committee of the whole meeting we had a week or two ago with the engineer's office, where how can we have oversight and how can we put more teeth into it when they're not doing the right thing? And this would be another avenue to make sure not only are they repairing our street properly when they dig it up, but also come to every single project that we're doing and make sure these Level 3 leaks are fixed and fixed accordingly. And I think it's a tool that the engineer's office would hopefully, especially getting a new position, maybe including this job title in that position, I think we can make a huge dent in these Level 3 leaks that maybe they're not affecting life, but they're killing trees. Gas leaks kill trees. It kills vegetation. And that's all outlined in the Boston City of Boston's ordinance. And I think it's something that we need to we've got a lot done this council. And I think this is one extra thing that we can include since we're on the utility companies. This is one extra thing that we can use to not only for the council to have some teeth because we're allowing for certain permits, but the DPW and the engineer's office, it definitely will allow them to, you know, if they if we can get on top of it, we can make a huge dent in the level three leaks as Boston's doing. And The issue with Boston and other cities and towns implementing this is that National Grid and Eversource are going to focus more on the communities that have these ordinances in place. So come time when we're one of the only ones that don't have it, we'll be down on the totem pole of when they're going to fix the leaks we do have. So I think this is instrumental in staying on top of it and staying in the 2017 plus time frame of what needs to be done to cure the problem, so hopefully we can get this done in the fall and move forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. If I could just... I'm asking for 2016, 2017. I just want to see the difference in claims from our law department. I know that we did meet with Solicitor Rumley yesterday, and he did give us some insight or numbers off the top of his head with regards to how many claims have been put in. And I think that was great that he was on top of it. I believe it was about 30 claims from pothole and street defects and nine personal injury claims from potholes, two of which in addition to were personal injuries from people that were on bicycles that obviously went through a pothole and got injured. So I wanted to know that considering how hard our DPW is working with regards to how many potholes we do have out there. I don't know if we had a bad winter, but they're everywhere. They're getting filled, but there are a number more. And I know we discussed with the DPW contracting out. So I wanted to really see within this budget how it evens out claims versus filling versus getting a contractor so that we can make an educated decision come next week or the week after when we have to make recommendations and approve or disprove the budget. So I move approval, ask for a roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to thank Councilor Falco for bringing this forward and I wanted to second the resolve and just highlight a few points. I was at the Traffic Commission meeting with you, President Caraviello, today. There was speeding on Forest Street was on the agenda. And then I was... I wasn't aware of that. And then I was there for the South Street speeding issue. So this is happening all over our community and we just have to keep on top of it. And street by street, we need to... And hopefully the traffic engineer will do that. Street by street, problem area by problem area, we need to figure out ways to slow down the traffic. widening sidewalks is going on up near the Brooks School. It's simple signage that can be put up. We need to do this throughout our community, and this obviously is a problem spot. So I definitely am happy that we're going to try to move forward on this. And what is a positive note is that Sergeant Hartnett and the traffic division are working hard. I was driving down South Street yesterday, and I see Sergeant Hartnett out with a little machine. And I pulled over and I said, what are you doing? I guess we have new laser guns that 10 officers have been trained in recently. I think he said last week. So I thought that was very positive. And he said the radar guns that they purchased are coming in within the next several weeks. Also 200 signs, we were in the traffic meeting today requesting that the 25 miles an hour signs be posted. and changed out. From what I understand, they ordered 200. They're going to do, hopefully, our main thoroughfares first and any points entering the city. But hopefully more are ordered. We can switch out those signs sooner than later. And Councilor Scarpelli brought it up, too, that the monitor sign, those signs we've ordered, too, and those are coming in very soon. And those need to be... I said it before, we need a list of everywhere that people are complaining about and put it there. those two need to be utilized all the time so that we can slow down the traffic. So I second the resolve. Just wanted to note some positive points because we have been involved in approving them and the spending of the money to approve them. And I'm glad we have a staff in the traffic division that we are now seeing out and utilizing these tools to hopefully make our streets safer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I would just first like to amend this and also request that there be a noise monitor in South Medford. Over the last several weeks, South Medford has picked up in flights. I actually went down there last night, and again, every minute, especially over the Columbus Park area and the entire South Medford, I guess, is getting hit pretty bad. Hopefully, we will see a decrease to a level in a couple of weeks when the two runways that are under maintenance are back up and running, but we still have the problem with the 33L. I know the mayor's office has sent a request to Massport that we be provided another noise monitoring device above the Andrews School. So I think the council, if we could get a vote tonight and send a letter from the entire council to Massport and to our state delegation requesting that they do whatever they can to obviously alleviate the noise. But more importantly, what will go with that is the noise monitoring systems. One over the Andrews, one over the Heights, and one over South Medford should cover the problem areas. I know Wellington's getting hit good, but the Andrews should cover that. I think any noise monitoring devices that we can get in Medford are going to be beneficial because they're going to track the levels. And once the levels are what obviously residents are reporting, sometimes they're flying the way they should, but other times If it comes over directly above your home, you feel like the plane is landing on your house. So we need to figure out how often that is happening, because it shouldn't be. And that will hopefully help us in getting some relief with regards to what can be done. I know MIT is on their second portion of the study. And we need to figure out what can be done to help Medford, whether that be flying higher, taking different routes. Something needs to be done to help Medford, even after the the end of June date we're getting. So I would just like to back the mayor up on the Andrew School Monitor, request two additional ones, and make sure that the city council, as amended, sends a letter requesting this to Massport and also to our entire state delegation to push and help Medford with this problem that so many are stricken by.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, thank you, President Caraviello. And it's a great question, and I think the reason why the mayor chose the Andrews Middle School is because, and I attended with a number of my colleagues, I can't remember exactly who was there, but Luke Presner from CAC Board, and Peter Hook, yes. They gave us a great outline of what's going on and what's taking place. And the new GPS system that they've been using since, oh, for a few years now, it tracks all planes out of 33L that are going in this location. They come over the Andrews and then they disperse. So the Andrews was picked because every single plane that flies out of Logan that is coming through Medford is going over the Andrews school and then to going in different directions. So some are going over South Medford, some are going over the Heights. But I think that obviously is the number one place that it needs to go, which is why obviously the mayor's requesting that. But where the complaints are coming from the Heights and South Medford just as much, maybe not as... I mean, I'm getting complaints from everywhere, but South Medford, North Medford and the Heights are the three locations where I'm seeing all the complaints. And I think if we can request as many as possible. Obviously, three, I think, would cover where the complaints are coming from and where I've seen the problem. I think that would be helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield to my senior member. Not only have you been on top of this issue, but, well, senior in age.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Councilor Marks gave a good overview, and I agree with what he said. And I think this sparked, people have been asking, what is going on? And then there was some activity from the Medford Police, and Councilor Marks and I, I think, helped get the questions answered with regards to dog training. And we talked to Chief Sacco, who said that the city did give permission to do that. And that's all well and good. But what is the plan? And I would actually like to know something, whether there's been discussions about it, the potential uses for it, the potential for putting money into the building for certain purposes, such as an arts facility. I just would like some sort of answer before we vote on this year's budget. We haven't seen anywhere in the budget. And I would like to know if, obviously, it's not going to be in fiscal year 2018 budget. what is our plan down the line? It wasn't in the capital plan, the draft capital plan that we got five, six, seven months ago. That has been altered. We haven't got a new capital plan. Would it be in the new capital plan? I'm not sure. It wasn't in the first one. So what are we going to do with the building? And Council Member Mox is right. Is it just going to deteriorate year after year and we're going to get nothing out of it and put nothing into it? Or are we going to maintain it? What is our plan? Whether matter what, I think we just need the answer. And I think that's important because it's a good-sized building. It's in a neighborhood. These neighbors pay taxes. They want to know what's going on, what's going to happen. And if we could get some sort of answer before we vote on this, vote on the budget, I think that would be beneficial. And it would get a lot of questions answered. And we'll be able to tell the residents and the neighborhood what the potential plan is. Or A, B, and C may happen. I think everybody has a right to know. It could be very expensive to maintain the building for the long run if we're not going to create a use for it. So I think that's important.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'll table it. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was just going to move forward. I'm not making it contingent. Seven people have to vote on the budget separately. I'm just saying I would like to have an answer myself. I'm speaking for myself. I'd move approval. Roll call vote. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I know Somerville and Chelsea use this as same thing as a tool that if something does happen, a crime, they're able to, let's go to the nearest intersection and see which car, where did this go? Can we get a license plate? Can we even see in the vehicle and see how many people were in the vehicle? We had an incident in Wellington Circle, oh gosh, last summer maybe, where a car hit a pedestrian. I believe the pedestrian died. We had no cameras at Wellington Circle, but thankfully I believe my, um, The other person that rents out of the building I'm in, the painted bird tattoo head cameras, was able to catch a video of the car. That video from the business was put on TV and I don't know if the suspect was caught, but that's something we in Medford don't have. You also have a lot of he said, she said car accidents where the victims, you don't know who the actual victim is, but those cameras can help find the true victim very easily. So it's a great tool that our police department could use to go back and say, oh, let's see what happened on Main and itself last night at 930, I think it would definitely be beneficial, especially if the cost is right. I think it's something we could use in Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to back that up. Even though it's in the budget, We do want every single board and commission to be televised. We want the minutes online. We want complete and full transparency. We want to make sure that the mayor is going to ask each and every board and commission to do this. I believe it's obvious that we want our committee of the whole meetings and subcommittee meetings taped as well as city council meetings here taped and video streamed. But we also were requesting additional I think it should be number three on this committee report. We did request additional, I forget what the device was. There's a certain device that is a few hundred dollars that you'll need in each room you want to video. So we were requesting not only it be one in this room, but we have one in at least 207 and 201 and maybe even one upstairs so that we can make this possible. But no matter how many we purchase, we need the mayor the administration to request and almost mandate that every single meeting is televised and takes part in this program, because that's where you're going to see money being worth it. Our meetings are televised anyway, but to get every single commission and board meeting televised and open to the public and as transparent as possible is the purpose of doing this. not only city council meetings, but every single board and commission meeting. I think that's extremely important.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can amend that to request additional funding.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree if you don't agree with the person at the podium, but maybe save our comments till after. I feel like it's almost verging on harassment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll ask you a question. Thank you, President Caraviello. You had said the council should rebut the tax. Now, I guess we went public, I think it was under Council Max's resolution, with regards to some of us not being happy about this fee. How can we rebut it? I mean, it was voted on by the Water and Sewer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I voiced my concern at the meeting. I'm very concerned about how this plays out in the years to come, but the way it was explained to us this year is that the rate was being reduced, this fee was being implemented, and we were raising enough just to cover what we owe MWRA. There was going to be no excess revenue taken in from the rates and the fee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I was gonna say the same thing. Councilor Marks took the lead on this. I feel like it was a couple years ago, got the support of the council and support of the two mayors, and I too wanna just thank, also thank the committee that has worked tirelessly to raise the funds and make it a reality, so I look forward to, and many residents, especially those with dogs, look forward to this opening, and great job.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Can we just get a breakdown? How will the 49,000 be spent and what exactly is that going towards? And what are we looking at for, I'm sure we don't know exactly, but for costs down the line?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: How much did we expend so far?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the 49,000 is really just to figure out what we've done so far and to figure out the extent of it once we drill down to the level that we need.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you just explain the 35 test locations? Was there lead found at every single one?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So then did we test further down, obviously?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What are the cost estimates for this lodge of a piece of property with contamination? Any of the three options, I guess.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we're looking at the $49,000, then cost for engineering and design, and then the fix.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I guess my last question then, has there been any discussion to test? I mean, obviously, if there's just a small sidewalk, you would potentially argue that there may be lead. or arsenic in the lower section? Are we going to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On the other side of the sidewalk. That's right behind the, I'm assuming, I believe this is the school right here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, you're probably talking to the wrong person. three young kids, but I would just, through the chair, I mean, I would request that we do some testing. There's soccer fields, kids are there all the time, and it is pretty well grasped, but there are a number of kids in the back of the school where I'm not sure if they have recess, that some testing, and we need, because we can't do all this work and then just come to find lead a couple of years later, find the school, and when we could have done it all,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And health, like Councilor Knight asked about the health concerns with lead, health concerns with arsenic. Again, for children especially.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I would just request that we do some test pourings behind the Andrews Middle School as a condition of the paper. I think it needs to be cleaned up. We have homes. We have people. living there, going to school there, teaching there. I believe the dog park isn't going to be too far away. I think we need to just, if there's a problem behind that school where kids are playing soccer six months out of the year, I think we need to at least, I don't know how much the test location costs, 35 test locations, but I think we need to figure it all out at once. It's a connected, besides that small pathway, it's a connected piece of green space that I think needs to be handled all at the same time. And I, I too, I, I agree with Ms. Hunt. We don't want to go looking for problems, but when it comes to thousands of children's children playing on that, on that field, um, I think we need, need to, we owe them to at least investigate a bit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But the 35 test locations, I mean, I'm saying, even if we did 10, you know, five, two rows of five along the pathway, go in 20 feet, I mean, at least we'll know has passed that pathway, you know, those were the 35, those were the surface testing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So bring that down by a third, we're talking to grant maybe test 10, seven feet
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think $2,000 is money well spent just for peace of mind and for thousands and thousands of parents that are going to have children. So, $19.99, 17 years, do the 10 tests for $2,000 and we have reassurance, but don't do it and you'll never know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What was the question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One last question. Thank you, Vice President Marks. With regards to the many, many condos that are on the other side of this white line, I see that a lot of it's paved and obviously built on, but has there been any concerns from the property owners that this led on their property and underneath their property?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the groundwater contamination that they have is most likely lead?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I move approval of the paper as well, or second it, with those two or three conditions. And make sure we have a report back from the mayor's office stating that she's going to give the extra $2,000 to do 10 additional test borings, seven feet deep. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you. Just if we could read back what the resolve is, just so we know what we're voting on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If then nothing's been mentioned with regards to traffic flow and who's in charge of traffic flow.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. I just think that's the main point of the, one of the main points of the complainant that we look into the traffic flow and make sure it's flowing the same every day and in a way that works. So I second approval of the paper and hope hopefully the administration can get on the MBTA as well. If we could amend it, ask the administration to also reach out to the MBTA and ask them to make sure traffic is flowing. We need to keep on top of it as a city. We need to make sure the traffic is flowing for the residents and the business owners and that it's consistent day after day. Um, cause I, as a business owner, you feel the frustration. You don't want anybody to be hurting. And if it comes down to, construction's gonna go on everywhere, but if it comes down to actually just managing your traffic flow on a consistent basis so the residents and the people that frequent these businesses know how to get point A to point B the same way every day, that's a simple fix that should be done and should be implemented. I ask that the mayor's office get on this, and I second the resolve, especially asking the MBTA to figure it out for our residents and our business owners.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I like the resolve through the chair. But did you, have you talked to your, you said the neighbors are asking you to stay open because they want.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, and he signed your petition? Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I'll be brief. I think we are very frustrated with the state of our roads. I've voiced my opinion in the last several weeks. Luckily, we did have a meeting with the DPW director and head of DPW this evening, and it is discouraging. The crews are out there, they said, on a daily basis working to repair our roads and fix potholes and try to fix manhole covers. I see the patches all over the place, and the complaints, from what I understand, are 60 complaints on C-Click Fix, just for potholes. And I specifically asked, are we working just with regards to the potholes on a complaint basis? And that's the state that we're in. We're understaffed and we're working just on complaints. Now, there are potholes and problems all over our streets. And to go into Evans Street and Parris Street, there's many other roads that need resurfacing. So I think what we're hearing is we have a budget to review and a request for a million dollars. And I think that comes from frustration. And I, too, am very frustrated. So whether it's a million dollars or half a million or even just a plan to be put in place that we're doing more than five streets a year, from what I understand through Council Marks' research, we need more. We need to have more in this budget. And there are places that you can trim. There are a number of different things that can be done. We have $9 million in free cash. We should be committing every year to put more than $950,000 into repaving and fixing our streets. And that's the bottom line. So whether we vote for a million tonight or we discuss it at budget time, I'm in support of putting more than what Chapter 90 funds allows us to put into our streets. We as a city are taxing our residents. on every level, we need to be able to give them a safe, proper place to drive. That is the bottom line, and I appreciate the resolution and see where it goes, but the bottom line is we need to dedicate more time, whether that's hiring more manpower, buying more fill, things need to be done that are not being done now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President. Caraviello, I did receive an email complaining about this. I think the stop sign was left in the middle of the street. And a resident of Medford had to move it over to the side. I did contact the Department of Public Works. They said they would take care of it. And I wanted to just get an update on that. Because after they said they'd take care of it, I think there was just a cone on top of it. So I've been noticing a lot of cones and big barrels in different places around the city. And I'm not sure if that means, I'm assuming that means we're getting to it. But obviously that stop sign needs to go up where it needs to go and or it needs to be taken off the side of the road. Public safety issues obviously when you have things either in the middle of the street or the side of the road. So if we just could get an update with regards to when this is going to be reinstalled or removed, that would be appreciated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to make sure I completely understand it because I have the pictures from that week, so They're gonna change from white to green from white and green to burgundy and the photo from the next-door neighbor No life No light, flat, and we're granting one on each side.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, so we're giving them one extra. OK, thank you. Just wanted to make sure I understood it. One sticker.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: While we're under suspension.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To take paper 17485 regarding Evans Street. Second by Councilor Knight. All those in favour?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll let the petitioner speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I guess I just want to speak in support of this. I think a number of us councilors have brought up Evans Street and I believe it was last spring and even before that, that we started complaining about it. And last spring when a number of residents came before us begging, I mean, basically begging for some relief on the street. Children who I see in the audience today can't even ride their bikes without, I mean, when I drove down it after I got the complaints, it's like torn up with rocks and it's unsafe. And we were told it was going to be done by now. I did reach out to the city engineer on the 8th of May just to ask for an update. I was told that Evans is in queue for later this year. as we need to replace the water main first. So that's the information I got on the 8th. I'm hoping sooner than later this year. What seems is you're getting information that it's going to be done sooner than the end of the year, which would be great if it could be done by July. But how many times, you know, can we be told, just keep being pushed off and pushed off when it's, top five, I think it's one of the worst streets. I think it might be top one or two in Medford from me just driving around and witnessing what's going on. And I just think we need some definite answers. And that needs to come from the mayor's office, who's going to be footing the bill. The engineer is probably doing what she needs to do. And she's being responsive. Obviously, July is better kind of than the answer I got. But really, when is it going to be done? When is the bid going to be accepted? And are we going to pay for it? And I think that's something we all need to demand come a few weeks from now when we are asked for a vote on the budget. We all need to think about a number of different things, including Evans Street, before we can vote on a budget. And I think the potholes and paint striping of our streets and the sunken manholes that aren't taken care of needs to be priority number one. It's a safety concern.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you. President Caraviello, if we could just amend the paper and ask point blank to the mayor's office, will this be in this money for Evans Street and possibly Paris and Pinker, two other streets that we were promised, will this be in our next year's budget? I think that's really just the ultimate answer that we need because I truly feel if the mayor's office wanted it done, they would have told the engineer's office to go out to bid months and months ago like we were promised. And I think it's really unfortunate we have to ask questions at this stage of the game when, in two weeks, we're going to be asked for a vote on a budget, and we haven't even seen any part of the budget whatsoever. And I think it's a little late for that. We're at the last meeting in May, and we haven't even, like you said last week, they won't even answer you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next Tuesday. So we're going to meet on the week after, the 12th, 13th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. And I mean, I agree with Council Member Marks. Forget about a master plan. We don't even have the budget book. So I think you see some frustration tonight. And you definitely see it from the Evans Street residents, Paris Street. But you're seeing it all over. I had a gentleman today threaten on Dune and threatened he's going to call the Globe. I mean, he called the news channels. Because simple potholes are just everywhere. On my way to work, to eat dinner at home, and then come here, I think I saw eight cones and one big barrel just plopped on, and my heights friends will know, plopped on manholes and sewer grates that are just sunken in so deep. Forget about it if a child veered off. I mean, somebody's going to get really, really hurt. Thankfully, most of the grates and sewers that I'm seeing are on the side of the road, but it's terrible. And these cones have been there for so long, they're not even standing up straight to let people know. They're falling over. So I, for one, I did not vote for the budget last year, and I think I gave like a 20 or 30 minute speech why, and Evans Street, I believe, was one of the reasons, one of the many reasons. But that's what we need. We need, you need four votes for the budget, and I think we need to send a loud and clear message to the mayor's office that, number one, the simple things need to be in this budget, whether we have to use outside contracting or not. We need our sidewalks, we need potholes filled, we need Some work on our manholes that are sunken in. We need our streets repainted with regards to crosswalks for simple safety. We had children, a child almost get hit up near the Brooks School, I believe, months ago. And I mean, that's just repaint our crosswalks. Never mind fulfilling promises that were made last year with regards to Evans Street. So I think we just really need to come together and figure out what the goals are of this city. And the simple things need to be done. And it's really, it's very frustrating driving around this community the last month or two and getting the phone calls and the emails. And people just stopping me while I'm walking in my neighborhood. What is going on with this pothole or that pothole? I mean, cars are bumping over them. It's something we need to get a handle on. And I think we need some outside contracting to help us do that. But that comes at budget time when we need to be able to hire somebody to do it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. This pothole, I think I brought up a few weeks ago, is filled with sand, it's bowed, Two feet by two feet, I feel like. It's a big pothole and just looking to get it filled. I appreciate they did some pothole filling on Rita and a few other streets that I've noticed, but Short Street needs to be done. And there's a few others, if I can amend this paper, on Bell Ave that I got a call on today.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to go on record as seconding the motion. I think it's a great resolve. I just wanted to see if we could maybe take it one step further. Back maybe eight years ago, there was a number of residents, and I remember clearly Roberta Cameron was pushing hard for a tree ordinance to be put in place. We met in committee a few times, and I drafted maybe a two or three page ordinance from some research I did. with regards to a few different cities and towns. We met a committee on it, and then it was sent to the city solicitor for review. It's been eight years reviewing, but I believe it didn't go anywhere because the votes really weren't there to create a tree ordinance back eight, 10 years ago, and the administration was not for it. Now it kind of died down because right around the same time, maybe three, six months, nine months later, Aggie Tudin was hired, and she obviously came in and gave us great spiel of what she's going to do and how good she's going to do it. And I think that kind of has appeased the citizens, especially over the last several years. But I think, especially after seeing this, and I agree with Councilor Marks with regards to everything he spoke about, I think it's time that maybe we bring that back and try to create an ordinance if our city solicitor would try to dig that up. I know I have it on my old computer, but dig that up, see if he has done any review. I think this council is a good example of making the changes that need to be changed. We've changed more ordinances and done more work in the last year and a half. I think changed more ordinances than I ever remember doing in a term. So I think it's, and I think it would have support now to review an entire ordinance and make it so we do a number of changes and make a number of positive take positive steps moving forward, and a tree ordinance is something that's gonna give Aggie Tootin Teeth, it is gonna give her more power. It may cause her a little bit more aggravation with having, you know, the way we set it up, obviously, which I believe the prior tree warden was against an ordinance because of that fact. But it is something that will protect our trees, and I think it's, now is a really good time, especially if we can get the budget done in the next few weeks, maybe meet on it at the end of June and try to get the language to review over the summer, I think it's something that this council definitely can move forward and should move forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I'm not even sure if it's a manhole cover or a sewer grate, but it's on the side of the road. I mentioned it earlier. If we could get an update with regards to when that's going to be fixed, because it does have two cones on it. And if I could amend the paper. With regards to Belle Ave, there is another sewer cover that is probably two feet deep with a cone and a barrel on it that if we could get an update when they're going to be fixed and that they'd be fixed as soon as possible in the interest of public safety. Roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, and thank you to Councilor Scarapelli for bringing that up. On topic, with regards to maybe just a little more information on what the Zoning Board of Appeals had to approve, I think I did see people discussing this issue, and people were a little upset with the way it went down. But what Gene Nuzzo had brought up, not only does it have to be a resident come down to City Hall between 9 and 5 or 9 and 4.30, depending on the day. I've also heard complaints from residents who aren't allowed to see the plans unless somebody specific is in the office, or they may have to come back another day at another time. And I think that is kind of hampering residents' ability to view plans and to actually, we talk about transparency, but that's kind of cutting people off from seeing what should be honestly posted online. a proposal, I think of any sort, with regards to building or construction or anything that's going to need a variance or OCD approval, that should be something that's readily available to anybody that wants to view it, whether they're at City Hall or not. And I think that would be helpful to the council, too. I've come down and reviewed plans. And I went from, I believe I ended up at the engineer's department, but I went to OCD first. It wasn't there. Are people not allowed to see it unless the director's in the office? But you have to kind of go through City Hall and try to figure out where the plans even are. So maybe whether it be tomorrow night or be a separate amendment to this paper, I think proposed plans should be online and accessible to anybody that wants to view them so they know, should I go to this OCD meeting? Should I go to the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting? And they'll be able to see it on their computer while they want to decide. rather than searching through City Hall or kind of just giving up on the fight. And I think that's extremely important. And I thank Gene for bringing that up. And I thank Councilor Scarpelli for bringing this up, too. I was unaware of exactly what was going on with the zoning or with this one. But maybe you can just enlighten, if you know what zoning, what they needed, what type of permit or override, variance, I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know this is something the council voted on a few weeks ago. We got a response on 17383, where we asked for council litigation monies. The mayor responded, the council legislative budget currently has approximately 4,300 available funds and other expense accounts that could be used for legal fees. So I'd like to move that we take a vote to transfer these funds into, obviously, that account. Obviously, that's all she's going to give us right now, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On the motion by Council Member O'Brien. I think that should be okay to get us through the next several months because the motion is pending.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So maybe we should hold off on the vote and we should ask, let the mayor know that we need some of that money come budget time and obviously our ordinary expenses are used for that. And see if we can get some money just to hold us over for six months because discovery.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What's she considering at this though, I think.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. And if I could, while we're discussing the budget, we're going to plan on doing like a pulse. Yes. But on that, are we going to plan on just for scheduling purposes? Are we going to be thinking the week of the 12th?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sunday is Medford Day, behind, I believe, the Andrews. One to four. Everybody's invited. It was a great time last year. Hundreds of people. A number of different events for the whole family. So, hopefully people will join us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to thank Vice President Marks for putting this on the agenda. I think it's a great resolve and it's something that we should be striving to do as a city. I know so many homes have gone solar. and more obviously in the works, and we do have a number of people in City Hall that work to raise awareness, whether it be at the winter, the energy festival day or any of the events that we have where we have tables, there's always somebody from how to how good it is for the environment on just a small one home level and what we could do if it was the citywide. I think it's something that we should be moving forward with. I believe there may be, I thought we did have a few at the schools. I'm not sure. I thought, I think there are, but I think, not in use. Okay, well, I know that we may have some at the school. They should be in use and having the school system as well as the municipal buildings go solar would save, like you said, I think 45% in Lexington alone. And if we can do the same, it's just definitely a step in the right direction. So I urge Ms. Hunt to give us an update, if we can amend this, just an update on if she's looked into this and any insight we could review before budget time. And then I believe that this should definitely be a topic of conversation when we meet with the Energy and Environment Office come a couple weeks when we talk budget, because it's something whether it be an investment or they work like they do with homes, something we should be doing. So thank you, and I second the resolve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Thank you for the resolve. I also have another one on with regards to speeding. It seems maybe it's the summertime, springtime, and people are really noticing the speeding in our community. I've gotten a number of complaints. If we could ask for an update as an amendment with regards to the, we appropriated money for a speed monitoring sign. We had one, it was broken and we did appropriate, this has been months now. So if we can get an update, I believe they may have even more purchasing too, putting an update with regards to the status of the speed monitoring signs as well as the radar guns, the new radar guns. I did get an update on South Street that traffic division of the police department has been out recently, so We just want to make sure we get those speed signs up and running too, because it's another effective way. The one on Elm, I see it every day deterring people from, once they see 39, 40, I see people slowing down and it works. It works, so if we can just get an update on that, that'd be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: While we're on potholes, thank you, President Caraviello. The bottom of Rita, where it hits Highland Ave, there's another extremely large pothole I got a call on, if we could get that filled in the interest of public safety as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I've got some complaints about the speeding and the heavy trucking on those two streets. Multiple people on South have complained recently. The Mack trucks are coming down South, there are manhole covers that are sinking a little bit, so it hits the manhole and houses are shaking. I think we all got an email today from another woman that has been complaining for several months. We've talked about this. I believe this is the third time just from her and her neighbors complaining that it's come up on the council floor. And the speeding and the heavy trucking, we need to do something to deter it. And I know we've all spoken about it. We've mentioned Striping, we've mentioned raised crosswalks, and I'm sure it'll be mentioned again tonight. But also, I know there's no necessarily four-way intersection there, but it was asked if we could do stop signs, one or two, maybe at Curtis, maybe at Walnut. You have hundreds of people walking from Medford Square down South Street Court down into Walnut Street, hundreds of people crossing every day. So we could possibly put a stop sign just to slow people down. I know that that is maybe is the easier resolve than raised crosswalks because it falls on deaf ears. But you have the raised crosswalk on Winthrop and then you come down and take the turn onto South and right after the raised crosswalk you get in complaints that people are picking up the speed. It works to deter it in that part of Winthrop, and then people picking up speed, taking the turn, and flying down South Street. Now when you have these Mack trucks doing it at night, it almost sounds like the airplane noise that everybody else in the city is suffering from. So it's disturbing, it's a public safety concern, and it's really messing with people's quiet enjoyment of their homes. And it's come to a point where something needs to be done, and I'm not even sure if we've got a response on this. I do know that the traffic division was out over the last few days doing some ticketing and monitoring, and I'm very thankful for that. We do need the speed monitor sign there for several weeks to just let people know what the speed limit is and how fast they're going. But also, whether it be speed bumps or I'm proposing a couple stop signs on South Street, I think that would help. And I also know Harvard Street is suffering from the same thing. I think you have the truck routes that are coming down Harvard or South. And it's just not a good place to, obviously, have your windows open on a summer night and when you're here and speeding. Or it's definitely a public safety concern if you're trying to cross the street. So I would propose that this be on the Traffic Commission's June agenda, if we could make that a part of the resolution, that stop signs on South Street be part of the Traffic Commission's agenda come June, and we'd be notified of that. That would be helpful, because that's something I would like to plan on attending. And I think a lot of people on South would, too.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd also just want to make sure that we're, you know, I know Traffic Division's been on South. I want to make sure they're also on Harvard, so that we can try to deter it. And trucks are going to drive down there. I know we did make Harvard no trucking, but then the signs were taken down per the state. we need to make sure they're at least following the speed limit and do something for our residents. Um, and I appreciate my council support. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council Member O'Kane. Mr. Cappucci, if you don't mind sending us that article. I think we spoke about this a couple weeks ago and I did bring it up and asked Alicia Hunt, our environmental agent we probably should ask even the health department to if they've done any research if they know of anything like this and Obviously try to move forward to get them to fly higher I guess that's might be our only option from that presentation, but something definitely needs to be done with the noise and Obviously this issue. It's very disturbing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, sorry, I almost said thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello, how will people know which homes are involved besides the Facebook page? Is there going to be like a reverse 9-1-1, or how else can we find out?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's really should people like maybe start at the condon shell and there'll be maps there. So if they want to go to different homes. Okay. Sounds good. Great job. Thank you. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, Mr. Rick.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just wanted to ask if we've heard anything from the administration with regards to budget hearings or when we would expect to get the budget book or pieces thereof.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. And then with, so did they give you any insight with regards to when we could start our budget?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do it all at once, so what is our plan? Are we going to do a full Saturday? Are we going to do several nights?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we can maybe, through the chair, ask as a body.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. I could just remind the Council and see if we've made any progress with regards to maybe meeting with the Department of Public Works Director, who's very responsive to our individual requests, but maybe to talk to him about citywide pothole, sunken manhole covers within our city. That, along with the speeding, has been kind of overwhelming, and I can't keep up with emailing or texting him special requests. So I know we did discuss it to meet with him and see what we can do. Do we need more fill? Do we need to hire an outside contractor? How are we proceeding? Are we going just by complaints or are we going street by street like we probably should be?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we asked for a committee of the whole meeting with the DPW director to discuss potholes throughout our city.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it doesn't look like we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Vice President Marks. I don't want to put you on the spot any longer, Mae, but I think a few of us just want to say a few words. Councilman Marks did a great job announcing you and taking quotes. That was great. From my standpoint, you've been a true leader in this community. You've done such wonderful things that so many people have benefited from, families and every resident in this community has benefited from your work with the Chevalier and Cachet and everything else you were involved in. The fact that you did it because you love this city and you wanted to make it better means a lot and I look up to you, May, and I wish you the best and good luck in your retirement.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I take paper 17-371 off the table. Off of unfinished business, I mean. 17-371.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehnan. Thank you, President Caraviello. Thank you for coming. with regards to the allocation portion of it, nobody's going to be cut out? Is it just going to be if we receive 10% less? Everybody, how would it be broken down?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Gotcha. So that explains why the two aren't in here. And then if we did get 15% more, these one to 10, 15, um, agencies will get 15% more across the board.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then my last question would just be just to give us a, a brief summary. I mean, people at home should know a little bit of where this money's going, how much we have as a total, and where it goes. So if you could give us a brief summary, that would be helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President, Councilor De La Ruzo, sorry. With regards to the science, were awnings discussed at all?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, Nick, I am trying to hear out what my council colleagues are saying, and you did attach, oh, actually, Wayside, which is the next petitioner, did attach signs from across the street, which are much more expensive signs and obviously very nice character for the neighborhood. But I understand that not everybody can afford that. And at the same token, where these two businesses are, you do have awnings at the restaurant. So maybe even that would help. Something like that would be a little in-between resolution. And I'm not sure if it will help all my colleagues. But I just was curious if that was discussed at all. That is a tough location to have a business. The parking is tough. So I do see the need for a sign on each street, forest, and high. So I agree with that. So I think we're almost along the same lines. But whether or not you want to take it back and do a redesign to appease all the Councilors or get two signs with no illumination, I think it's kind of up to you. because I do like what's across the street better, but at the same token, I understand that's probably much more pricey and there are awnings and different wall stickers on the building you're on. So I mean, business has to do what they can afford, although it would be nice to have some conformity.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I also want to be recorded in opposition with regards to the two signs for the, um, front of the building. I think that's like I said in the last petition, I think that's necessary for this location. So I just want to be recorded in opposition for those two signs.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We have eight by 11.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Paper in the hand of the clerk, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I'm just looking for an update, maybe from the Medford Police Department, as well as the mayor's office, the administration, with regards to permits being pulled. I've received a few text messages, an email, two phone calls, and a Facebook message with regards to residents being upset. There were handwritten letters all around Walnut Street and South Street saying, do not park on Walnut and South, I believe it was sometime today until five o'clock tomorrow. It said violators will be towed. Now residents who live on South and Walnut and obviously have to park there through the night, tonight, were a little upset. Most people didn't even call me first. They called the mayor's office, the police department. Everybody's giving everybody just different information with regards to what's going on, why is there no parking, And then it became an issue with regards to, is this even being done legally? Were the permits pulled? I didn't talk to any of the police department yet, but I have heard through the grapevine that no permits were pulled to post those signs. From what I understand, there is modular homes that were planned on coming down south and looping around down the one way down to Walnut to place the two modular homes on two, obviously, foundations. So after collecting all of the information today and trying to piece together the puzzle, catch up on what I had missed after work, it was a little late and I'm bringing it up tonight, a little late to call people. I think I got the last of my information about 6.30 this evening. So if we could, as a council, get some updates because there are angry residents, people who are now upset because they feel like it was done incorrectly, to put it lightly. And from what I understand, there were no permits pulled. To bring modular homes, which are very large, pre-FAB homes, down two streets, down a one-way, you need detail. And from what I understand, our police department knew nothing of it. Details weren't hired, and permits were not pulled. I also, from what I understand, didn't get a chance to contact the mayor's office, but a lot of the residents did. And the mayor's office may have been lied to. I'm not quite sure of the full story. So if we could get an update with regards to what permits were pulled, if they weren't pulled for today, were they pulled for a different day? When is this going to happen? How long is this going to take? How many detail will we have present? There's obviously a safety concern. There's a parking issue. People want to be able to park in their own homes. Medcalf Street as well. So we really want to get an idea of, so we can be able to respond to all the residents on those two streets. South is a very long street as well. And people were really, really upset. It affected, I think it went public. So people all over the community were really upset with what went on and how somebody's allowed to get away with basically lying to the neighborhood if it was so a lie and there were no permits pulled. So I, as one, want to get it all taken care of, if this is gonna happen down the road, we wanna make sure permits are pulled, details in place, and the neighborhood is maybe given advance notice, two, three hour notice to not park or else you're gonna be towed, and a handwritten note, really concern people. So if we could get an update from the police department, our chief of police, or traffic division, as well as the mayor's office, I think that's necessary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Locker? Thank you, President Caraviello. Briefly, if we could just amend this and ask what is the procedure? What would someone have to do to move a modular home in Medford? If there is a procedure out there, if we could maybe get a copy of that, that'd be great. Thank you. I move approval, second the approval, and move approval. Roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello, and thank you for coming to explain everything to us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From what I understand after reading some of the report, this was meetings that took place in Medford from around 2012, 2013 to the present, and then was put together, and as you had just spoken about, is mainly flooding is the main, obviously storms, hurricanes, things like that, we're concerned about. my, my main question really would be to the, to the city with regards to making sure this, this was a hundred page document, I believe, and making sure it's like on the city website so people can access it. I think it's important to be able to get the answer questions answered. We can't talk about it all tonight, the hundred pages, but are there any specific points that you think are important for the public to know? Um, obviously live tonight, but then also we want to make sure it's on the website.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I put this on last week after a few concerned residents had filled me in on what was going on down at Macklin Road. It looks like there's a potential subdivision that was put forth before the Office of Community Development site plan review last Wednesday, and is before, I believe, the Conservation Commission within the next couple days tomorrow. Tomorrow, in front of the Conservation Commission. Right, 6.30 tomorrow. So my concern, obviously, we've been involved in a number of different developments. We've had a lot going on. A bunch of us have tried to go to a number of meetings, whether it be ZBA or OCD, Office of Community Development, private meetings. This one, I wasn't able to attend last Wednesday, but I do know that the residents have extreme concerns with regards to this being near, close to a conservation buffer, as well as potential flooding in the area. I know this abuts McCormick Ave. And there are residents on McCormick Ave that are very concerned that they're going to experience additional flooding on their road. So if we could just get an update from the Conservation Commission with any potential concerns they have. I know they're going to meet tomorrow night, but hopefully not only get an update from them, but let them know that the Metro City Council, if we could amend the paper, is very concerned, is interested in the residents concerned, concerns with regards to the flooding and the conservation buffer zone. So if we could let them know we are concerned and get an update with regards to what needs to be done if this is a project that can go forward, cannot go forward, why not? I believe it's three homes that are going to create a potential cul-de-sac in the area. And I do have, I mean, I live up in the Heights. I am concerned for my neighbors with regards to any, nobody wants any flooding in their home. And if this is going to create that, we want to make sure we either do it in the right way or prevent it from happening. So if we could get some answers, that would be beneficial to the area. Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the Chair, thank you, President Caraviello, because I couldn't make the Wednesday night meeting. Do you know what the final, does anybody know what the final vote was for the site plan review?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, and with regards to tomorrow night's meeting, I mean, it sounds like there update notice of intent regarding the creation of the subdivision on Macklin road in Medford. with one proposed lot, so does anybody know exactly what tomorrow night will be? Will it be question and answer? Will the public be able to speak? I just don't know if my colleagues know the answer to that either.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's good to know. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I actually have more to say about potholes, but I want to thank my colleague for putting this forward and I move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I was going to put this on under suspension, the pothole part of it, because I too, but I thank Councilor Marks for beating me to it. The pothole problem, I've never seen, I don't think I've ever seen it so bad in my 16 years. Everywhere you drive, you are dodging, you are dodging your tire from being blown out. Everywhere I walk in my neighborhood, I've been snapping pictures like crazy. I've been getting complaints like crazy. And in my neighborhood where I live, there's no circles in neon yellow, but my neighbors are putting sand in the potholes. Whether or not that's a good or safe thing, I don't know. But I've gone around and I'm looking at potholes I saw a couple weeks ago, and they're filled with sand. So I think it does probably help the car, but whether or not residents should be putting sand in it is obviously a question. But I think it just goes to show how frustrated people are. And I don't know what the problem is either. And every time I do contact the DPW, they do respond to my concerns, and they go and fill the potholes. But some sections where it needs to be completely dug up and re-put in, whether that's a portion of the street or a larger section of the road, that's not being done. We just don't have the time or the manpower to do it, and that's unfortunate. We're putting quick fixes on some and not on others. So I think we need a systematic approach. And if we need to put more money in to doing it or hire a private contractor to go street by street, it needs to be done. If you look on Highland and Rita, there are huge potholes and a catch basin almost completely fallen in the road. You go to Doonan Street, there are patch after patch after patch that keeps coming up, and you have crumbling road. If you look on Short Street, there are potholes filled with sand, and this is just my neighborhood. Then you go down, and you go down Bell Ave. Some have been fixed, thankfully, but you go to the end of Bell Ave, and it's a mess. It is an absolute mess. That road's always considered a roller coaster in my family, Roller Coaster Road. But you go to every adjacent street, it's just pothole after pothole. And we need to figure out a way to address it. So I'm asking, through an amendment, that our subcommittee or even a committee of the whole meet with the DPW director and say, if we're only getting to some of these complaints on C-Click Fix, it's not enough, and what can we do? Because it's been talked about tonight. We have $250,000 for our streets that we may or may not approve. That survey, by the way, I believe already went out. to the business districts. I have seen it online, so people are, I believe, starting, they're requesting people to fill that out. We need basic city services. This happens every few years where it just gets so bad that this council's left saying, please, just fill potholes, paint the sidewalks, fix signage that needs to be, I mean, just the simple things that need to be done for the residents, for the safety of our community. I'd love to know how many, Pothole tire bus are in our law department right now with regards to, you know, people seeking reimbursement because it's ridiculous. And I think we need to figure out a way, I think Committee of the Whole might be the way to go. And just to ask questions, what are we doing? Are we going street by street? Are we just going based on complaints? Because based on complaints isn't enough. It really isn't enough. And every week I'm getting new complaints about potholes alone, crosswalks. That's another story. But for me, the complaints are really, really coming in with regards to the potholes. And you see it as you're walking or driving around the city. And I really think something needs to be done. I think we need to get a grasp on it as a council. I know we will do that come June when we meet with the DPW director in person. But I think that's too far to wait. I think within the next couple weeks, we should sit down and say, what can we do to help, what can we do to ask this administration to make sure we have enough fill. Is that a problem? Do we have enough fill? Do we not have enough manpower? What are we, what are we doing wrong or what can we do right to make this right? Um, because it's, it's just extremely unsafe. It's unsightly and it's something we need to get a handle on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Briefly, I just wanted to make sure that we're asking for, to be clear, we're asking for the annual breakdown of receipts since the inception of the program. Yeah, if we could just maybe add that language. What is the annual breakdown of receipts from the inception of the program? Just to make sure we don't get just the one year in receipts. Oh, it does say that? Okay, yep, sorry. Gotcha, clear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you could just read back the exact resolution that we're voting on. The wording. Mr. Vice President, would you like to read that back, please? Yeah, if you'd do it one more time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I too move approval. I think a leak detection program for unaccounted for water is something that we voted for many times over the last several years, and I believe it is in the works, and I hope that we do move forward with that, and I thank Council Member Max for bringing that forward. With regards to what Councilor Penta said, I too agree. I was not happy with the connectivity fee that was voted on by the Water and Sewer Commissioners. But last week at our meeting, it did make it much more clear, and we were able to ask questions. It wasn't almost an hour and a half meeting, but we were able to better understand what is taking place. And even though it is very confusing, it was good to know that the water rate will not be going up. It's the connectivity fee. is put in place. I guess a number of other cities and towns have it. We were kind of behind the eight ball on it. And I don't think any of us maybe are happy about it. But the water rate is going down 3%. And it's almost a way we have this number that we have to meet every year with regards to how much we are going to owe the MWRA. And it's almost a different way to calculate it. And I said in the meeting, I'm not worried about the next year. And I hope that the Water and Sewer Commission, like they stated to us, at last week's meeting always keeps it so we're not getting excess from our rate payers. My worry is that we one day will have a Water and Sewer Commission that maybe doesn't see it that way and uses the fee as well as the rate to increase what we're charging our rate payers. And that's something that I am worried about, although we don't have a say on what the Water and Sewer Commission does and how they vote. And I think it would be important, They were there for two hours last week, and it was hard to ask them to come to our meeting to explain this live to the people who are watching at home and the people that have called us or emailed us with concerns after they heard of the vote for the fee. But I think it's important to kind of, as Councilors, let them know what we did talk about, that our worries were at ease to a point because we met last week. And I think it's something that I, as one Councilor, wanted to let the public know, but I do see Councilor Penta's points and I think Councilor Marks are putting this forward. Maybe one day we will be able to get the Water and Sewer Commissioners here just to explain it more in depth for the public to understand. One point on that though is we did request that the Water and Sewer Commission put this explanation within one of the next Water and Sewer bills and I think that's really important because when we did find out about the vote that's when, you know, people started getting concerned. So something within the next bill or two, letting them know prior to this fee that they're going to see on their bill, letting them know what this vote means, that the rate is going down, that the fee is in place and why it's in place. I think that's very important.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe it was a yearly fee that you'll be paying bimonthly within your bill. So depending on the pipe, you're charged, say, $50 for the year, but you pay it divided by six per bill. So you'd pay $7 per pay period.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That would be for one year. It's going to be continued. The Water and Soil Commission voted this in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's a yearly cost. The Water and Sewer Commission would argue whether it's an increased cost, because they lowered the rate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, unless the Water and Sewer Commission changes their vote at some point.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield to the speakers at the podium. I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. It was really beneficial to have the meeting we had a couple weeks ago. And I think we realized how many people were in support. And it definitely educated the council with regards to how the process is going to move forward. But I believe, I don't think it's in the committee report. And I just want to make sure. One big thing we did learn is the lack of communication between the direct abutters and whether it be city hall or the consultant that's going to do the design. We realized there really was a, an issue and residents need to be more aware and more included in the process. So I just want to make sure that's on the committee report. We did ask that the, whether it be the city representatives or the consultant design consultant meets with each individual butter to figure out a way to create buffer zones or figure out that everybody's concerns and questions and how we can make it So everybody's very happy with the project. Once we have the abutters on board, I think this whole community is going to be on board, and it's going to be so beneficial. And the residents who have already spoke are right. It's going to create the connection that we need, that we have been missing, and people are going to be able to traverse a number of different communities, but also our own Medford Square, which is extremely important for our commerce. So I just wanted to make sure that was on record that the design consultant, city administration, or department head that's involved with this does meet with each and every individual abutter and keeps them apprised throughout the process and figures out ways to make each abutter happy. That's the bottom line. So hopefully we can get that done and move forward on the project.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to second the paper. Mr. McDevitt is an amazing man. I did have him in school. He taught me my first law class. He was a great, great teacher, one of the reasons I went on to law school. So I want to congratulate him and wish him the best in his retirement.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I wanted to just take the opportunity to thank the Medford Chamber of Commerce. They organized over many months Clippership Day, brought it back to Medford Square, the street was blocked off, and a number of vendors were there, a number of businesses took part in the event, and hundreds of families benefited from it. It was a little long, 12 to 9, I believe from 12 to seven, it was jam-packed. I was there for three or four hours myself, and I know you, Councilor Caraviello, were there setting up tents and working hard, so thank you as well. I also know our Medford Police Department, Medford Fire Department, and our DPW Department were out the whole time. Some details, but a lot of volunteer work as well, and I think that just goes to show what great departments we have. We ask a lot of them, but it is time to thank them for all the hard work they did on that event, and the families thank them as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the fact that they volunteered. Volunteers. DPW are volunteering and I think that just goes to show how dedicated they are to the community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. I just have some notes myself, because I wanted to thank Peter and Luke, who held the meeting last night. It was extremely informative, and it's something that we've been in need of for a very long time. And it's very good to know we have two representatives who do have a seat at the table who are working with regards to MedFed's best interests, and are really educated on the topic. Luke gave the first portion of the presentation, and he had graphs, and he educated the public. And the fact that the new radar system that's being used directs Every flight over Medford that uses 33L versus in the past when you had each pilot deciding on which route they wanted to go on, now with the new radar, every flight with 33L goes over Medford, which I believe it was mentioned last night that it's a direct route over the Andrews Middle School. So that is definitely concerning. I hope it's not too little too late. There's an MIT study going on. It's halfway done on ways to mitigate the noise. And hopefully that second half will, with it grouped in with complaints from Medford, we can get the FAA to make some changes. And that obviously is the hope and dream, because the noise is a little uncontrollable at times. main complaints besides speeding that I get as a city councilor, especially in the spring and summer months. So it was important for us to be there and get the information. With regards to the complaints, of 12,685 complaints in 2014, 742 were from Medford. That's very low. 2015, that shot down. 17,695 complaints Only 508 were from Medford. And then we did make a little bit better showing of 1,748 complaints out of 38,000 in 2016. But it is important because the FAA does look at the number of complaints in a community. We didn't learn about it last night, but I do know from speaking to the representative previously, I believe there was a big issue in Milton. And because of all their complaints, it's some of the reason why Medford's getting more traffic than we have in the past. So I, too, am so happy that we had the meeting. I hope we continue to inform the public. I hope the public, there had to have been 150 people here and all very concerned. Hopefully we can keep spreading the word with regards to getting educated and making the appropriate complaints because I think that is extremely important. One question that I do have that I didn't know if it came up after the meeting, after I left, I had to go get my daughter a softball. One concern I have is with regards to, we have all these planes flying over North Medford and our middle schools, the McGlynn and the Andrews, there's studies out there that show the more air pollution from planes causes higher rates of cancer. So, I mean, if we could send a request to our, I don't know, Energy and Environment Committee to see if they're involved in this at all with regards to the pollution that's coming from these planes, Because that alone, I mean, whether it's flying higher or taking different directions, I think something, noise is obviously the number one complaint. But people are starting to talk about the pollution that's coming over Medford and getting, I mean, there was a gentleman last night who talked about debris coming from the planes. That's another concern. But the pollution, with regards to having young, it's especially for our young children, it's really concerning to me. And it should be a factor, public health and public safety. So if we could ask if this has been looked into at all, discussed, researched, and maybe we can get our environment committees to, at the table as well, to push, to really push to get these studies, whether it be from MIT or get the administration, thankfully is on top of it. Mayor Burke was here, they're here last night. Councilor Caraviello, you and I did try to attend the FAA meeting with her. We got kicked out, but we did try. So anything we can do to, be positive and try to move forward and protect Medford's interests. We're a little late at the table. Thankfully those two reps are put on and thankfully they're doing a great job. And hopefully we can, I really hope that we can get some resolve to have thousands and thousands of planes coming through Medford. Everybody hears it from West Medford to South Medford, but especially on North Medford and McGlynn Andrews areas getting hit pretty hard and it's affecting a lot of people. So I hope that we can get some mediation resolved from this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, through the Chair, will you be keeping the same name and selling the same food?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Everything will be the same, same type of pizza. Okay, good luck.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Do we know how many parking spaces we'll be able to capture if we move the stop? Four. Four? With regards to Brookline Bank, are they in compliance? Are they okay with this, do we know?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They have a parking lot on the rail, okay. So they're not losing, what are they losing? They're not losing any spots if we move.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: How many spots will we be losing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I may, through the chair, with regards to everything that's been discussed tonight, proposals, I hear there's a lot of proposals out there. When will the, I know this is starting fairly quickly and there are a lot of concerns from the business owners down in West Medford. So when will these proposals be more set in stone so that the business owners can comment and maybe make additional suggestions and recommendations to alleviate some concerns because as a business owner, I would not want to be put out like this for 30 days, 40 days. So I just, through the chair, if I could recommend that the mayor's office work with the business owners, maybe whether that be another meeting once their proposals are, you know, kind of set in stone so that we can make sure everybody's happy and we can do whatever we can for the business owners. This is just one step in the many that probably need to be done in the next couple of months. But whatever we have to do, we want to make sure the doors stay open and moving. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, thank you. If we could also, while we're at it, I know this is a good time if we're going to talk about streets. South Street's been brought up. We did, I believe, talk about traffic calming approaches on that, getting a lot of Mack trucks driving down South, especially since they're deterred from driving down Harvard now, and they're banging potholes, shaking homes, keeping people up at night. I've got multiple complaints on the speed on South Street. So we did discuss this months ago with regards to working to curve the speeding somehow, whether it be the speed monitoring signs, speed bumps, something needs to be done on South Street because It's really disrupting peace and enjoyment of the residents there. So if we could add this to the agenda as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to thank Councilman Lanai for bringing this forward. I thank Ms. Riccio for all the work she's done. It goes to show how much she has done when you have parents calling you upset that a director is leaving. So it goes to show all the hard work that she's put into the program, which she explained to us in part. a few weeks ago, and she really impressed me before the council that night, and then a week later, she is now leaving. But I wish her the best of luck, and I hope that we are able to find somebody as enthusiastic and hardworking as her to keep the programs alive and going strong, and create more opportunities for our younger generation. So I want to thank her for that, and hope that we can fill her shoes to the best of our ability.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I was gonna mention that, former Citizen of the Year. done so much for this city on a volunteer basis, which is the reason why she was the citizen of the year a few years back. And I want to thank her for her service. She is being honored on May 18 at 7 PM at Maple Park Condominiums Community Room, 65 Valley Street in Medford. So whether we give her a citation here or at that meeting, I just want to thank her for all her service. Tremendous.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Thank you for bringing this up, Councilor Marks. I also have been getting repeated emails if we could add 17, 48, and 61 Doonan Street. Those stumps have been there for a very long time, and I did request through an email to Mr. Cairns that they would be removed if we could get a status on that and vote in favor of removing those stumps. People get sick and tired of stumps in their neighborhoods and on their streets. And it's understandable. It's an eyesore. So if we could get those removed. It's also a public safety issue. So thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, I just had a feeling you were going to maybe forget the details by the way you were ending that. 12 to, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. right in the center of Medford Square, there's going to be a cornhole tournament, a number of activities for the children, beer and wine, a stage, you may know better more of what's going on on the stage, I forget, but it's going to be a great family event. The street's going to be closed off, hopefully parking won't, I don't think parking's gonna be an issue if that issue is cleared up, but it's gonna be a great day, a lot of family fun, and great community day.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you briefly. I just want to thank Joan and all the other members that are have been appointed and coming to let us vet them tonight. I want to thank them for being here and thank them for wanting to be on such a committee that's going to take a lot of time and effort. Joan is definitely going to do a great job. So I wish you the best of luck. I would ask that all the members, obviously, we'd love to be able to get the minutes of the meetings, whether it's email or hard copy of the minutes of the meetings, and to keep us informed so we know how the process is going. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. There was a number of meetings and a number of neighbors that were concerned about the property at 21 Toro Ave. It was purchased about a year ago and the neighborhood really worked with the Medford Historical Commission to create a local historic district for 21 Toro. It's something that the neighborhood is extremely excited about and it was quite refreshing having attended those meetings with a few of my colleagues, refreshing to have the owners of 21 Toro Ave be on board and almost excited about this endeavor. So it's something that's long overdue for the council approval, and I would like to vote on that tonight, that we make 21 Toro Ave a local historic district to preserve the history of the property and into the future. This will be recorded at the Registry of Deeds, and it's something that is long overdue to be voted by the Council, and hopefully we can all support this and move forward. And I believe we're the last step in getting this push forward, so I think it's something that we need to act on sooner than later.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I know that the demo delay, Chapter 48, isn't subcommittee, so I'm not sure what councils have been able to read it, but I believe the commission and myself or whoever will be able to get a copy to anybody that hasn't, um, this proposal was voted in favor by the Medford historical commission and it is outlined in yellow. Um, the version I have outlined in yellow with the potential changes. And obviously, one of the biggest changes is we currently have a six-month demo delay that has been around for quite some time. But times are changing, and a number of different communities are moving towards extending their demo delay or already have a 12-, 18-, or 24-month demo delay. I know that, I believe, Winchester's working on pushing it to a year. Watertown has 24 months. has an extended demo delay. Lexington, Concord, they're at Woburn. There are a number of cities and towns around us that do have a demo delay. The commission in their annual report, Medford Historical Commission in their annual report, it shows 2016, the amount of demo delays is up, I don't know, would you say 90%? The norm was about one to two requests for a demolition of a historical property. This current ordinance we have is anything 1900 or above, built in 1900 or above. In 2016, not only were there 17 applications for demo delays, but the historic commission found that 17 properties were historically significant and preferably preserved. So I think that's an important factor. It goes to show that times really are changing. We've had uproar in the city over a number of different parcels. Walnut Street brings to mind what's been, as of recent, you have 18 Walnut Street. You have the property across the street. You also have a property that was listed, and I'm not going to name the address, but listed, and I believe it was listed on MLS, because I do have access to MLS. did read it. I don't have it in front of me, but it was advertised as a single-family home that could be turned into four units. So that's a problem to the community. It's a problem to our neighborhoods. The residents in the community are not happy with the current state. And the six-month delay is not deterring what it used to deter. You can go over the Walnut Street property and what's going on there, and that gives you significant proof of you know, what I just stated. So why is the delay? And this is put, this is question and answers that have been put out by the historical commission. Why is the delay being changed from six months to 24 months or potentially why are we requesting that? Why am I asking the council to support this? Um, primarily because the commission has found that the present six month delay is not effective. The commission has seen numerous cases where owners or developers have showed no interest in working with either the commission or the neighborhood to look at alternatives to demolition and simply waited out the six-month demo delay time frame and demolished the property anyway. A larger potential demo delay time frame of up to 24 months is generally too long a time frame for a project to become dormant. And the commission feels that the extra time will give the demo delay some teeth and leverage that will serve Medford and our neighborhoods better. and why the changes are being proposed. And I just stated already over the last five minutes, there are several significant historic buildings that have been demoed. Residents have been upset. And as the real estate market continues to improve, no more vacant land exists. The threat of Medford's historic buildings is ever increasing. The proposed bylaws tries to address these concerns by providing time to research alternatives to demo before any more historic buildings are lost. It also clarifies previously undefined terms and creates a standard set of mandates for applicants to complete in order for the commission to lift the delay. I know we have a number of residents, and we have Ryan Haywood. I reached out to him last week after I got emails and phone calls from concerned residents on the Walnut Street property. And you see Facebook. There's a number of people that are interested in this. And I believe the time is now, whether we have a Committee of the Whole meeting, or we decide to move forward with this tonight, I think it's something that we need to move on quickly. Ryan was gracious enough to meet with me, and I know he'll meet with or has met with other Councilors as well to explain in depth what the ordinance entails, the proposed changes to it, how they will affect in more detail than I can give the community. And I think it's a win-win, and I think it's something that we need to discuss and move forward with. leave it to the residents who thankfully came tonight to support the paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, I wanna get to allow the speakers to speak, but I too would be agreeable to even if we vote for a demo delay, tonight, whether it be the 12 months that the committee discussed with an extension of six months or an 18 month demo delay. I think we should move forward on a vote like that tonight. And then we do have a number of other changes. Maybe we can meet in committee of the whole to discuss changing the ordinance completely. But I think we need to move forward on something. And I think the votes may be here to do that. So I'd like to hear from the speakers and I'm agreeable to my colleagues.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Thank you for coming tonight and explaining that to the council. If I could ask you a question with regards to reviewing the entire ordinance and committee of the whole within the next month or two, if we wait, to put a demo delay and we don't vote on it tonight. What does that mean if it's postponed one, two, three, four months? There's going to be additional... demo requests that are going to get grandfathered in, and we're not going to be able to stop it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just to make it clear, you don't have a developer doesn't have to own the property to put in a demo delay, they just have to get approval and signature by the current owner, isn't that correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As one, one Councilor to the chair, I don't see any reason why we can't vote to increase the demo delay tonight, especially where committees reviewed it and move forward with recommendations. Um, as well as in addition, I'd like to amend my resolve to include that any property 75 years or older be, um, I, 75 years or older, as the committee discussed and reviewed and put forward, that that be reviewable by the historic commission.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to thank Councilor Knight and the rest of my colleagues for moving forward on this tonight. I heard loud and clear that the commission wants the 24 months I understand maybe the votes aren't there, so I'm happy with the 18 months, but I do want to go on record as supporting the 24-month demo delay, as I think that is something that is going to give teeth to changing the ordinance. I think 18 months is great, but I think 24 months would be better. I just wanted to go on record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I'd like to move approval as amended, strike me 24, and added 18 month demo delay, if that's what the council so chooses, and move approval, roll call vote is requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. It should be 75 years or older. Right, correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues. I've known Roberta for a long time, and she's pushed for a lot of good things in this city, and I know she's going to do a great job. Thank you for your willingness to serve. I think it's just important. I pushed my button because I think it was important to point out what Council Marks did and your background. You have a planning background, which is extremely important and going to be instrumental on this committee. I did ask the other committee members if you could just keep us in the loop and obviously maybe forward us minutes of meetings, just so we know what's going on and what's coming down the line. That would be appreciated. That's a good idea.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lococo. Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to thank Councilor Marks for bringing this forward. I was unaware. I don't know how you got the information. If you could provide us with that information, maybe by email before the meeting. Okay. Yeah. Just glad it's been brought to our attention before they roll it out come August 2018. I definitely am in agreement with Councilor Marks. We already overtaxed the taxpayer, the ratepayers, and now, you know, any additional fees or charges. It does hurt a lot of people. Some people can afford it, but a lot of people can't. And those are the people that we hear from. So I'm glad. Thank you for setting up a meeting, President Caraviello. And I look forward to getting some answers and hopefully making some changes to the potential possibility.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lingo-Curran. Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to thank Councilor Knight, for bringing this forward, I actually saw it on the news. A young child from Walpole was being rushed to the hospital. Oh, no, actually, maybe that's where you got it. EMT came and saved his life with an EpiPen. And they said, thank God the EMTs got there, were the first responders. And it's a big push by a woman in Walpole. I think she's getting help by a couple of state representatives in that area to change the law of the state. But I think this is a great resolve put forward by Councilor Knight to implement it in Medford sooner than later. So many children and adults and anybody any age have these allergies where EpiPens are being more and more administered and needed. And I think if somebody can save a life of somebody who's going into anaphylactic shock, I know there's going to have to be training that's going to need to be need to take place, but it's going to be worth it. So I second the resolve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I think it's a good discussion maybe we should have with the Board of Health, maybe we can do that. Through a proposal. Well, through a proposal, or we could just talk to the Board of Health at budget time, see where they're at, kind of talk about everything at the same time, give it a little extra time with the Board of Health before we move on anything tonight. I mean, I see both sides. I agree with Councilor Marks, but I understand the point of it. So maybe just have a discussion about it rather than, or definitely get some more clarity of what we're actually asking the Board of Health to report back to us on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Just before we adjourn, I just want to congratulate all those who ran the Boston Marathon, especially Medford residents, including our colleague, George Scarpelli's wife, Dina, Kelly, and Chris Shields. There were a number of Medford residents, and we were tracking them with our phones, so they did amazing, and it was a great, beautiful day. Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. If you could explain, I guess, the process we use now and also it sounds like our expenses are going to be taken out of this account. What about properties that are seized or sold? Those money's going to come in and then we're going to expend from the same account?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So this will allow you to—money that is brought in from delinquent properties or money owed can then be—we can use more of it towards collecting from other properties versus, right now you're limited to the $3,500 and you'd have to ask the mayor's office to appropriate more.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Now, what if we recouped so much money and this account became obviously extremely high, would we be able to transfer out of it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what's the purpose of the DOR recommending this?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to make sure I completely understand it, I thought any monies recouped would go into this account. So if we had this account open now and we would have $2.2 to $5 million minus the $110,000? Oh, no.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the $2.25 million would go to the general fund?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. So if this happened next year, $2.25 minus the $1.12 of costs and fees, $1.12 would go into this new account, and then the rest would go into the general fund.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then the $75 filing fee, that's not lien court. What is that, a filing fee for you mentioned?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Gotcha. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council Member O'Kurin. Thank you, President Caraviello. I just wanted to go back and review which sections of the city that everybody was... lives in because I do, I agree with the language, with the way the ordinance was drafted. I also agree with what Dr. Estrella had mentioned. We want every geographic location represented. And I know to do that would almost be close to impossible because we don't have enough nominees. But if you do look at it, you have four appointments from the mayor, which, you know, we do have the resumes attached tonight. They're all very good resumes. Two are up in the Heights, which everybody spoke about, Joan and Roberta. One, and then two are from the hillside. And then with regards to the appointees that are picked by the commissions, you do have two West Medford, one South, one Wellington. I think there's another West that was pulled because he's been hired by the OCD to work in City Hall. And then there are, I think, another commission or two that are voting on their member this week. So it's pretty well, I always like to look at that myself, and it is pretty well represented. So we have North. Wellington, West, South, and the Hillside. I think we've covered, you know, everything with the eight nominees that we're voting on tonight, and I just wanted to point that out for the public.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Thank you for the presentation. My first question was going to be the design, but it looks like we all got it in our packet. I'm sure all the other councilors have seen it. We got this in the packet tonight. It looks very nice. Both drawings are in the packet. One question I have, maybe you could just elaborate. I know it was discussed. a couple weeks ago, Mr. Superintendent, but maybe you can elaborate with regards to, it was just said a million dollars was being spent on out-of-district, which I believe was Minuteman, but maybe you can just go over those figures. For people out there that are saying, why the $250,000? Do we have, you know?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just the AP. So 1 million, we spent a couple of years ago. I remember that during budget time. And then what will the eight, just bringing that number of 40 or 50 students out to eight, what was, what's the cost difference there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So on that, just in 2018-19 is when we expect zero teenagers to go outside a district, and that's when we'll be able to opt out before the capital assessment. Right. OK. Great. And then with regards to a time frame, if you do get, obviously, this money, and I believe you said it was 1.3 in total, what's the time frame for the build out and grand opening? You want to tell them? get ready, put your roller skates on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I do want to echo the sentiments of my two former school committee colleagues with regards to increasing 11 programs to 20 and all the work you've done. I see it in the newspaper and on Facebook, and it's really encouraging and exciting to see. And it's the opportunities for our students that they didn't have before. So I want to thank you myself. And I look, you know, this is going to be amazing for especially those who want to be in the hospitality or robotics fields. And I think that's wonderful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council Member O'Brien. Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to second the resolve and thank Council Member Max for bringing this up. I actually work in the area, and I cross the street. I drive it all the time, and I cross the street. Today I went to Qdoba for some lunch. Sometimes I have to run. So if you see a woman in heels running across Wellington Circle, it's probably me in the middle of the day. The lights are not too bad, but it is still very scary because it's such a huge intersection. And you're right that we've talked about traffic and pedestrian safety in this intersection many times. I remember years ago bringing up pedestrian safety and making it more safe with regards to the lights and the signage. And directing patterns, obviously that has to do a lot with the traffic. I remember right into the state it really didn't go anywhere. But it would be extremely important to get it done, especially where we are going to increase the traffic with the wind development and increase the amount of cars on the road and parked at the T station. That's only going to congest station landing. If wind wants to park at the T, that's only going to more so congest Wellington Circle and station landing with regards to parking and traffic. So I really hope that the administration is on top of this and can keep the council updated on what initiatives we can take or how we can move forward to make traffic smoother and pedestrian safety more safe. And I think those recommendations in that 40-page report hit the nail on the head. They're small changes that can be made one at a time over the next several months to a year and make things definitely a heck of a lot better than they are now. So I second the resolve. I hope that we do get a report back from the administration on this and we move forward on making that intersection safer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I'll be short but sweet. This is with regards to the capital improvement plan. It was a draft that we were given months ago, and it has been significantly changed. So this council has spoke about it within the last month or so with regards to receiving a copy, hoping to receive a copy of the new capital improvement plan, or even just a new draft that we can review. And I think that's something that's going to be extremely important before June, before we start discussing the budget on the beginning of June. I noticed tonight in the papers that we had in our packet, there's another equipment request that's going to be going to the mayor for over $100,000. So there has to have been, between this and I'm sure many other equipment needs and other things that are going to need to go into a capital improvement plan, I'm sure it has changed not only with regards to the police department, but in other ways. So it would be nice to get a new updated plan or a new draft plan so we have something to go off of and we know which direction we're moving forward. When we have that expenditure for the new police station, that's associated with about $20 to $22 million, which we weren't expecting until a few more years from now. Now things are going to have to shift around. And I would like to know where the where the administration sees the city moving forward with regards to the capital plan and what is next down the line and how we're going to fit the fire station in and where does the library fall. I just want to see what the administration has in mind and that we can have it in front of us and be able to ask questions, especially when we do come down to budget talks, which is a month and a half from now. Thank you. Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Briefly, thank you, Vice President Marks. It's brought to my attention that the high school students will be performing Pippin this weekend, and I think it's obviously a great addition to Medford and the activities that are going on this weekend. The middle school at the McGlynn School had Annie last spring, which was amazing, and I believe they did another performance About a month ago, which I heard was was great as well. So I think that Annie was a sold-out show. So if you do want tickets definitely Make sure you get those It's gonna be a great performance and I'm looking forward to it. So I want to announce it to the pop to the public Pippin I think it's like a pippy long stockings type of I don't sing so I'm not gonna sing one but Thank you Sarah Grant is the director, and she does the middle school and the high school, and she does an amazing job with the students, and they work all year long on the set, and obviously practicing the performance, and I wish them the best of luck.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'm president Caraviello. I think this goes hand in hand with what the city council's subcommittee and council as a whole is trying to do. Um, and we've spoke about it before updating our zoning ordinances, which, After research that I did a few months ago, it seems like it's going to take years, not just months or weeks. It's going to take years. And it's time that we as a community and neighborhoods don't have. So I did some more research. And I always am drawn to Somerville because they do have a lot of development. And the people seem to be really, really involved. And our people are starting, our residents, Medford residents, especially when a development's coming to different neighborhoods, are starting to want to get involved. They want to be part of how the city moves forward. And Somerville has a number of different committees, a couple that I have researched in the last couple weeks. I know there's a Union Square Community Advisory Committee, CAC, and they oversee the planning process. And it's something that helps the aldermen in Somerville. I was able to view a meeting helps them decide where to go and what to do and what to fight for. It's a way for the aldermen to know the concerns. It's a way to help the Zoning Board of Appeals in Somerville do what they have to do. These committees help. They lead workshops. They run surveys. They do mapping exercises. When I was reading about it, it almost reminded me of what the Medford Community Coalition does when you have How do you see Medford workshops that they've had in the past? And these committees in Somerville do this with regards to zoning, development, a number of different things. There was even a, George may be able to comment on it. I don't know if you, there was research that I did and it was with regards to how to bring in food establishments that are beneficial to the community and the environment. And they're light years above what we're doing here in Medford. And I think this is a great tool that would help advance positivity and smart, not smart, it would, in Somerville, grassroots effort, and it encapsules community values and meaningful decision making that I believe is needed in Medford. I know it was brought to my attention when I did my research, and then we also had a Medford resident who brought it up at the podium. I'm not sure if she wants me to recognize her name, a Medford resident did mention a community group that does this. So I think we need to see who's interested and figure out if we need one committee to help or if it's a section by section type of thing, whether that be like a Wellington Civic Advisory Committee and North Medford, South Medford, West Medford, just so people can get involved and we can have community meetings that are gonna definitely move the city forward the way community wants, the way the neighbors and neighborhoods want development to go, and I think it's an extremely important component to the City Council revamping our zoning ordinances. We could spend days, weeks, months, years doing it, but we want the community involved, and there are people, residents, smart people that want to be involved and that really have opinions and want to move forward and branch out and see where everybody else wants to see this city, how we want to see it developed, and what we want to see more of and less of, and just do it in a fashion that is obviously better than we're doing now. Because how it's worked in the last several years is just, it's created uproars, it's created litigation that is unnecessary. we need to figure out another way. And I think this is definitely one component that will help in that a great deal. Another committee that I had looked into or did a little research onto is they have Union Square is going through a lot of development and they have the Somerville Community Corporation and a Union Square committee that is helping the city of Somerville just with that section. So that's why I wanted to kind of leave My resolve open-ended, whether it be discussion with the council or if the administration sees fit to review it on their own. You can go have a number of different committees within the city or you could just have one that oversees projects. There's four more units coming in that we have a committee that looks at the plans, goes over the plans, brings people together with community meetings. I remember coming in City Hall probably a couple months ago And it took me three different stops in three different offices to get plans for a development that was taking place on Salem Street. And those plans, they were there, I was able to view them eventually, but they weren't accessible. The city of Somerville has their plans online. So there's just a number of different things that Medford's kind of behind the eight ball on, and for transparency purposes, is needed in Medford. And I hope my council colleagues support this, and I hope the administration takes an active look and implements some sort of civic advisory committee, whether that be one or many, to help move the city forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I know that's a tough word. I wanted to put this forward. It seems like every few months we're congratulating Brittany Lanzilli or somebody from the Lanzilli family, but I don't think it cannot be done because of the accomplishments that she's achieved. at her young age. She was one of the original families that helped start a women's girls hockey team at the high school and ever since her career has just taken off. So we're so proud to have her here in Medford and we want to congratulate her on all her accomplishments and she's led the way for female athletes in general but young female hockey players that she's their role model and Um, it's just, it's just wonderful to see her at the, in the front page of the sports section of the Medford transcript and read about her on a, I mean monthly basis. So I just want to congratulate her and her family and just wonderful work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: When did you start growing your hair?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: When did you start growing your hair?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Chris Murphy and Jackson as well. So good luck. And hopefully, I was going to ask them how we could let the public know where to donate. But I'm sure there'll be Facebook links and a number of different ways you can reach out. I know he sent a mass email around. So hopefully, you can get out and donate to a great cause.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Counsel. Counsel Wongo Kern. Thank you, Vice President Marks. I actually had a question about exactly what the Mass General Law stated, but I think Councilor Knight answered that. So, going forward, until this rule committee gets set up, as long as they ask you, President Caraviello, and then where would the designated areas be that they can videotape?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you. I agree that it should go to, to committee just for vetting purposes. Make sure we let the public know the rules that we're going to implement or that we are implementing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And also, Vice President Marks, I think it's important with regards to the subcommittee meetings that they do get recorded. And it's something this council has asked for. I know Councilor Falco brought it up. I believe we're hopefully in the works of getting a meeting together to figure out how much cameras will cost in room 207. And I think any subcommittee meeting that takes place or committee, the whole meeting that takes place in the chambers here should be recorded and should be put on display, because I did get a couple responses from last week, subcommittee meeting being, Committee of the Whole meeting being taped, and people were happy they were able to view it online. So I understand where it can be intrusive, but at the same time, people should be able to view every public meeting that goes on in City Hall, and I think getting cameras in some of the essential rooms, especially room 207, and where the Zoning Board of Appeals meets, we need to be able to do, look into doing that further. I think it's very important for transparency and open government. So I would hope that we can implement some sort of resolution for Room 207 and create guidelines that are going to kind of be best for everybody in Room 207 if somebody does want to come in and film and post it on, whether that be Facebook or YouTube, because people are interested in a number of meetings in this community and they're important to, to go public. It's important for them to go public. So I understand both sides. I just want to make sure we vet it well and do the right thing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Wango-Kern. Thank you, Vice President Marks. I'm fine with all that. I just think having something stationary is something that a lot of people can't afford, having a tripod. I mean, a lot of people want to film with their phones or a camera or a video recorder. They don't have a tripod, something stationary. So I disagree with that portion of how we're going to move forward. I just think it's unrealistic. And I believe that the one person that's tried to film is doing it from a cell phone. So I understand maybe designating areas, but to not allow somebody to film us with a cell phone. I mean, we're elected to do the people's business, and if somebody wants to live stream it on Facebook, I don't see a problem with allowing them to do so. And we have no cameras in room 207, so if they want to do it with a cell phone, as long as they're stationary, not in the way, they're not impeding somebody's safety with regards to moving around, I don't see the problem. I just have to voice my concern there, because I know people are happy with Having the meetings live streamed and I agree with council Falco. We need video cameras in room 207, which That's the only way we got something videoed in the last couple weeks Even people aren't happy with who who videoed it. It's it is what it is Thank You console console
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So maybe we should add to this, like when one of us is talking, maybe the other councillors can't be like hysterically laughing. I mean, because that's disruptive. And I have a councillor or two. Point of information, Mr. President.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I did receive a number of, I think, three phone calls on this and a number of emails, the same as my colleagues from Concerned Parents, members of the PTO, I believe the two creators of the Bay State textiles Dropboxes, So there are a number of things that do concern me, especially a fee. I think maybe the fee of $100 that might be required if we do create an ordinance with this language. So I think it's important that we vet this out completely, whether that be in subcommittee or in committee of the whole, because of the grave controversy. But I think that one thing that should be done before we have a committee meeting is that we research what boxes are out there, who owns them. make sure we understand the legalities and the agreements they have with whether it be the school or the city or commercial property. We understand what it is these contracts state and how we can regulate them and whether or not we should regulate them in different ways depending on where they're located because we definitely don't want the PTOs to lose money, fundraising money. I think it was over $7,000 that the PTOs have been able to obtain from Bay State Textiles, so creating this fee per box may hinder that money that goes to the PTOs, and you've got a good 10 people that are really concerned about it, so I hope that we can potentially do this together, whether that be in the Committee of the Whole or in a subcommittee, and really vet this process out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I know before we took the first reading on this paper, we had discussed, and I think it was voted six to one, to take the next three months, along with the administration, to review and discuss cost analysis with regards to a potential dual station and discuss a number of different things. people's concerns with regards to the fire station. So I wanted to see if we were going to schedule a meeting with the mayor on that before we.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I haven't seen it. So I don't know what the council wants to do. I just feel like that was a strong six to one vote with regards to looking into, and now I believe the fire station, I'm not sure, doesn't have any heat, and that's been going on, I think since the snowstorm, I was getting reports that there was no heat. So I think it's pretty pertinent to, for at least a discussion, even if it's next week, we have a discussion on that. And I don't know if it's worth putting this off a week and seeing if we can get a response from the mayor's office on that resolution, but it was a strong six to one vote, and a number of people were in this audience in support of looking into a cost analysis and getting some numbers together, better than what we were provided, so we can really see if we can't afford the dual station and get a better idea. I know a number of things were thrown around and certain contradictions were made a few weeks back, so I think some more clarity is in order. I don't know how my colleagues feel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would, with due respect, with regards to the resolve that was approved several weeks back, that we sit down and discuss this in more depth and ask the questions. I mean, like I said before, the headquarters building went down last week. The backup generator went down. There are a whole host of issues within that whole building. And when we're talking, I mean, the last speaker just hit the nail on the head. We're talking about potential library, promised new fire station somewhere between 2022 and 2025, Medford High School potential updates, and maintenance of the rest of our schools and city buildings. I think we need to be on the same page and not just, I mean, I feel like This was so reactive, we need to be on the same page. And I would ask that we table this for one week to sit down with the mayor before we vote on it or potentially vote on it next Tuesday so we can hash some things out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just briefly, thank you, President Caraviello. I think one simple thing that needs to be done, even if we can't discuss you know, everything within a week. I think one thing that needs to be done is that capital plan that we were given about 9669 months ago. It's completely changed. Um, something that was supposed to be done seven years from now is now being asked for the third reading tonight. So that needs to be revamped. I mean, redrafted basically because the largest thing within that five year plan was the metric police station or, you know, an update in that of that building. And that is completely changed the whole draft capital plan. And I think that's just one simple thing that could be looked into and given to us within a week's time so that we have a better idea. Even if it is just a draft, it's a better idea of where we're going, how we're moving forward. And I think it's something that's necessary and we're not going to get it unless if we keep rubber stamping everything that's put before us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Thank you, Mr. Billson for, Superintendent Billson, for coming before us with this paper. If you could maybe with your experience, go over what type of projects would be funded through these types of 55% reimbursement grants, just so we can kind of have an idea of, I guess, the history of the grants. And that would be my first question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That kind of answered what was going to be my second question, kind of as, what is Medford looking for for our high school? versus what in the past these grants have been used for in other cities and towns. So with that being said, did the school committee or did you bring anything for us tonight with regards to a list, something in writing that says what the city of Medford's needs are for the high school?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So you have the list to provide to us?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Where is that list? I have like a list that says number one and then on the second page it says number six, number seven.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that on the last page, number six, number seven?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So just so I understand it better, would the SOI come in and bring in their own experts so they would know how out of date our systems are or when they're going to eventually need updating? Exactly. So the heating experts, so they would be telling us, the first priority is the roof, then the heating, then the boilers have another 10 years. So they'd give you a list and say, you are eligible for these funds and not these.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And one of my last questions, with regards to the amount of these grants that are given, if you know from other cities and towns that have got them in the past, or if Medford has gotten any, what are we talking? Are we talking you'll maybe get a grant for one or two things? Is there a cap amount-wise? Or are we talking, are we potentially $20, $30 million?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And my last question, I guess, would be with regards to, I guess, the whole system, Medford High School and all of our other elementary and grade schools with regards to every school needing maintenance, having maintenance issues. I've heard from a few parents over the last month or so and beyond with regards to issues within each school. Have the grade schools and the elementary schools also been looked at with regards to their needs and how we are going to kind of assess it all, this and the grade schools?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's it for now. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello, I think it's important that we do, as a group, as a city council, understand what the immediate needs are, a five-year plan, and I think, that was my question in the beginning, and it's not really answered, and I have to review on this in depth, it does seem like everything is included, but when you stated that when the state comes in, you will let them know what the priorities are, I would just request through the chair that we do get a top five, top 10 list of things that need to be done and maybe why they need to be done. Nothing extensive, just the first thing we would need is a, just so we could better understand what those 10 things are. If the state is going to give us money, I think the city council, who will have to agree or disagree to bond for it, should know that up front before we submit something like this. I think that's number one. Number two, I just agree with Councilor Marks in the respect with regards to putting everything in the kitchen sink into this document, because we were told that we can't afford a fire station until 2022, 23, 24, and the fire department was also promised to be almost the next on the list So the administration told us that we can't afford probably a number of these larger items unless it's, you know, obviously a substantial need like a leaking roof or a blown boiler. So I would hate to have one of these larger projects that is not necessarily a necessity be approved and us be given a grant and then we come and see 500 students here advocating for that 500-person cafeteria or something that's almost a novelty that we can't afford and then have 75 firefighters in here. But wait, saying wait, we were promised a new station, a healthy, safe environment for us to work. And that's the way politics runs in Medford. It's not going to be up to all the elected body. How it's worked is it's going to come before the council to take that tough vote. So whether or not, I think this needs to be narrowed down just a bit. Because I understand both sides. I understand you want to include everything your staff and administration wants in the document. But it's a lie. We can't afford all these items. And what we should be able to afford are the necessities, health, safety, and obviously the security within that school. And that should be what's in this document. And that's what I'd be comfortable approving tonight. And you would have my approval if it was narrowed down a little bit to maybe the top 10 items that need to be done at the high school. and then we can do the necessities, do things that need to be done within the next five, six, seven years. So I mean, I agree, and I think that's some, those are two points, two things maybe that I think we should have before us, maybe a little updated document, a little less extravagant, and then also just a top 10 list of what needs to be done, what we're gonna need to do within the next five to 10 years, so that we can say, yes, good request, and then see what the state is willing to give us, because we cannot afford, we were told we cannot afford 10 extra million now, and we won't be able to afford it until we do the fire station, and then at that point, we won't be able to afford a library, and basically what I heard is we won't be able to afford a lot of these items in this document. So I'd rather ask for, hey, state, please, we need a roof, we need a new electrical system in A building, These things are going to, obviously, we need them evaluated, and they're going to fall apart, or are going to have to be replaced within the next five to 10 years. And I would ask the council to really think about that, because that's a situation we're going to face, or whoever's sitting behind this rail, four, five, three years from now, if we do get the monies for an extravagant item that we just really can't afford, that the kids are going to want so badly, and the administration's going to want. But will they need it, and will we be able to afford it? And we were told, no, it's not going to happen. So let's, I think we need to be a little bit more realistic.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Caraviello, through the chair, I just want to ask for clarification. So we're asking for a priority list and we're asking, I mean, I guess it would be a good compromise. Are we asking to keep the document as is and then put the priority list in there? Did you state that, Councilor Marks? Put the priority list within the application? I thought I heard you say that it will be within the document.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, yeah, I just would like to add that, that our priority list that is drafted within the next week or two, even be added as an attachment to the application, so that the state knows, yes, we're looking for everything, but these are our top, whatever it might be, 10, 11, 12 things that we need done within the next five to 10 years that we're going to be putting money forward anyway for. And we would love some state reimbursement. I think that I'd just like to add that to the paper. And I'd also like to just point out that I think I heard that this document maybe was produced in September. And I think the school committee voted on it on the 6th of February, which was a month and a half ago. And for some reason, it came before us tonight with only a week or two left before it's actually due. So in the future, it would be nice to, obviously the school committee has the right to review and to discuss first, but a little bit sooner so that maybe we could prepare a little bit more. We got it on Friday. I think a lot of us review our packet over the weekend, leaving us only a couple days to form questions, do research, make calls, and get the questions we want answered before we have to vote on it. And it always just feels, not just, no offense to the superintendent, but no matter what we're presented, half the time, especially if it's something important, we're giving it the week of and it's just not the right way to run a city and to be transparent with not only us as the people who are elected to make the votes, but to the people who are electing us who are going to come and ask us the questions or who asks us the questions after they hear the meeting. So I think just think in the future and I'll say that all the time and whether or not it happens, highly unlikely, but I think it's extremely important to be more transparent and to give the city council more time for review.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to go on record abstaining a conflict of interest.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. This is something that a number of residents and I have been discussing along with, I believe, a few other prior councilors something that this council is beginning to discuss and have meetings on in subcommittee. After doing some research with regards to how Seminole is handling their zoning changes, I read a few articles on it, and it sounds like they started their process about two years ago. And the last I read sometime this fall, they were still working on it. They're actively working on it. They've had community meetings. They've had subcommittee meetings. They've created a committee to review their zoning in its entirety. It seems like they're doing it extensively. Obviously, it's been brought up before that we should reach out to, I forget the gentleman's name, but reach out to the person from Somerville who is overseeing this project and get some ideas on how we can do it. But in the meantime, we have a situation where a number of huge developments have gone up, a number of highly dense residential dwellings have gone up, whether it be Luminaire, we have one coming up on Middlesex Ave, and obviously a couple of controversial properties that have come down the line and have created controversy, I should say. And it seems like the public and the public that have been reaching out to me and that I've been reading discussing these issues are interested in developing, they're interested in not seeing empty storefronts. Our residents are interested in redeveloping to a point where it's beneficial for the city and beneficial, how I should say it, beneficial for the neighborhood in a way that complements the neighborhood. And what we're seeing with regards to, especially in the past, the number of variances that have been allowed We're seeing a need for zoning change in this community, and we're seeing it, we're in need of it far prior to how long it would take this city council to review it in its entirety. So my question, and I haven't reviewed any acts, and I know Councilor Knight just mentioned an act, so he can bring that up, but I'm looking for an opinion, whether that be from our city solicitor or reaching out to Somerville, some way to find out if we, as a city council, can review whether it be a section of the city at a time, a street at a time. We know of developers who are very interested in developing in certain areas, and we want to make sure that we protect our neighborhoods. And you've seen that at the last few zoning meetings. The public have been forced to have to come to the table and bring their concerns and questions and downright just opposition to certain projects, which is unfortunate. You know, it does, whether or not zoning is going to be the solve-all, I don't think so, because we do still have the process of variances. But with the new board and with proper zoning changes, I think we can make this a better process, and I think we can protect our neighborhoods. So my question to our city solicitor would be, can we do this? Can we sit down as a committee of the whole and discuss, I think, the latest project, Salem Street, for example? Somebody else has mentioned Fountain Street is zoned apartment one. Can we take an individual section of our city and say, okay, what is zone where and this is the problem? And then call that street or section in for a meeting. I mean, ask the public to weigh in on what do you want to see in your residential neighborhood or your business districts that are right outside your residential neighborhood? seems like the administration is pushing for housing, housing, housing everywhere, which is not great for our infrastructure, our schools, our traffic, our parking problems that we have on so many different levels. And what I'm hearing from the people is we don't want to turn into Somerville, Cambridge, or Boston, these chairlifts we're talking about. We don't want to turn into Boston. We have more single-family districts or single-double-family districts in Medford than Cambridge and Somerville have, and people do not want to see us turn into Boston, and nor do I. Our schools can't handle it. Our streets, sidewalks, infrastructure, parking, traffic cannot handle it. And I think zoning is something that we need to discuss. Obviously, I have a long-term plan, but we need to discuss it. If we can do it in a quicker fashion, I think we need to at least explore that option. And this is one way that I think it could be possible, and I'm hoping that we get a positive result from it. And we can take those sections of our city that are plugged hotspots for developers and really figure out what's best for our neighborhoods.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. This is a resolution I had on maybe two months ago with regards to connection fees, requesting an update from our city engineer, and she thankfully I thank her for giving us an update. She did mention that they are due for a reassessment. So I ask that we look into, rather than a per lateral fee, we look into a charging per fixture. I believe our fee amounts are outdated by probably several years. And if we look at other cities and towns, they're doing it much differently and capturing more revenue than the city of Medford is. This is just one area that was brought to my attention that I've been looking into. And I think it's a good resolve. can definitely be a start to updating what we need to. I ask for a roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe a sewer connection fee is for new construction, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, we can specify that. This can be for new construction and maybe get an update with regards to any other, if a reassessment is looked at by our city engineer, that we get an update with regards to any other updates or, you know, any other updates or different assessments that she thinks are necessary. This is just one that I know. I read the city of Cambridge's ordinance and it's very different than ours and they're capturing a new construction much more that could go towards our infrastructure needs, especially in those areas that are being developed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think what we do as a city council is make recommendations anyway. This is a recommendation that this type of fee be added. I did speak to somebody in the City of Cambridge Engineering Department. Who did say by charging the per fixture, you do capture much more revenue because it's obviously per fixture versus whatever the per lateral is. I believe it was just one set fee. I think it's $100, the city of Medford charges. And it sounded to me like it was per project. So per fixture fee, obviously, if you have a larger project, you have many more fixtures, which you could capture. And obviously, we have so much need to update our infrastructure, water and sewer, especially, that I believe this money could go to, obviously, to help with that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I wasn't aware that Steve passed away. I just want to say I served with him on the Disability Commission for a number of years. And he was such a great man and a great advocate for people with disabilities. And he will be sorely missed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have two amendments to the records and I have written them down. I'll give them to the clerk. Otherwise, I move approval with these two changes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to thank Council Member Rox for bringing up the issue with regards to the extractors. I have it a little differently. I know when we took the tour, we had a lot of information coming in our head. I could have sworn the men and women of the fire department said, the machine that's there now is actually not an extractor. It's a washing machine, and it does one at a time, like you had mentioned. And they were in hopes, they were wanting and in need of extractors. And the new extractors, if they got one, does three uniforms at a time. So I think it's, either way, especially, that's something that shocked me, the fact that we didn't have an extractor. And I could stand corrected, but we didn't have an extractor. And I think something to point out with regard to that is not only they're going into fires and they have the soot on their uniforms, But they're being stored, especially at engine one. And from what I hear, it sounds like all the stations, they're being stored right next to the diesel trucks. So the trucks are coming in and out, probably on a daily basis. And when you go in there, Council Member Knox was right, you smell something. I didn't know if it was from the uniforms being in the fire so often and not being extracted. But you also smell fuel. And you could see a layer of soot on the lockers where the uniforms are stored. And you look up on the fan, and there's another, you could see the layer of, it was just black. So you can imagine what's going into our men and women's lungs after, number one, after a fire, and after re-wearing the uniform over and over again. But also just, after I was told that story, and then I went and checked out the kitchen, which is a huge door open right next to the trucks. I mean, what they're taking in, just sitting there 24 hours on their 24-hour shift, It's extremely concerning. It's why I brought it up the last few weeks when we've been discussing these issues. So I think as many extractors as we can get, whether that be, I think it's a good resolve to start with two, two washers, two dryers, two extractors, and we figure out a way to put them in one or two of our stations because these men and women said that sometimes they're coming on their off hours because it only does one uniform at a time and they are, not in queue during their 24-hour shift, so they either have to ask somebody to help them or they have to come back on their time off to be able to wash and dry their uniform. And I just think that's absolutely ridiculous, especially with the rates that we're hearing with regards to cancer. And that's something, if that is $10,000 or $100,000, we need to spend some money to clean their uniforms. They're breathing in every day. So I think it's extremely important to bring up on a separate night, I know it's been a couple heated debates and discussions over the last few weeks, but I definitely think this was in need of being brought up. I too was told a couple weeks ago that they, fire department themselves wrote a grant for a washer, for an extractor and a dryer. It sounded like they were getting it at the time, but it may have changed within the last two weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, that's why a grant writer that I brought up a couple weeks ago, I mean, we need a grant writer, part-time, full-time. We need somebody to help the fire department, the police department, every department in the city get the equipment and funding that is out there to use for, so we don't have to use City of Medford taxpayers' money. I think a grant writer will go a heck of a long way, and I'm sure there's other opportunities for extractors and things like that that we could be going after, and we just aren't. As a community, our department heads are doing the union heads the best they can, but it's just not, I think there's more out there that we can be grasping. So that's one point I wanted to make. The second point with engine three, I think the council voted like three or four times because I know when Louise Miller was our finance director, we hounded her. I remember specifically hounding her with regards to the fact that when we put the million to 2 million and a half into the updates and the fire stations, there was a one year warranty. And I don't know if anybody else recalls it, but I remember grilling her on multiple occasions within the first six to nine months saying, where's the punch list? Where's our OPM? Did the OPM go through it three months after, six months after? We need to capitalize on that warranty and make sure everything is done, was done correctly, and it hasn't faded, ripped, or teared. And I think I, you know, obviously, we upset her, we asked her so much, but the job obviously wasn't done. how it should have been done, because I'm sure that those pictures, which say a thousand words, occurred within that time frame, one year, and we could have capitalized and made those contractors do the work right if it wasn't done correctly. This council tried. I think we took three or four votes to ask about that one-year warranty and what needed to be done and if the OPM took a walkthrough more than once or a couple times to see what what was failing and what needed to be, you know, brought up to the contractor. And we really didn't get anywhere with regards to our votes. So I think Councilor Markson, I second the resolve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I guess we're talking about, oh, okay, thank you. With regards to the new development, I know that's part of it, and the lighting, there was a meeting last week that Council Marks and President Caraviello and I attended with regards to the potential redevelopment of Salem Street and Canal Street, complex 21 potential units or less. And one thing that did surprise me, which I thought was a great thing, was they had a lighting expert at that meeting. So maybe we could look into, I don't know if we could ask the question, if you don't mind me amending the paper, is that a requirement? Because maybe it would be something we could potentially ask developers to provide a lighting. And it was interesting, I mean, they had an expert on everything, so I'm really not sure with regards to which ones were required and which ones weren't. But we could maybe get an update and look into that. Because even if it's just on a small basis, Having somebody to at least identify what the lighting plan is is going to be beneficial for the neighbors in the neighborhood. And it was an interesting portion of the three hour meeting we attended last week. So if we could look into that further and ask the question, is a lighting specialist required? And if so, when is it required?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, this is a goal to the zone. Well, we can ask that in committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. While we're talking about meetings tomorrow night, there's also a Board of Appeals meeting at seven o'clock at the library in the Magoon Room that I know people are interested in. So I wanted to announce that publicly as it's not at City Hall like it usually is. It's at the library. to discuss the Salem Street and Canal Street project.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: After we take that vote, just a public announcement. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just wanted to announce that this Sunday is the fourth annual Running of the Leprechauns, 5K, benefiting the Boston Children's Hospital. It's Sunday morning, starts at 11 a.m. I believe registration begins at 9.30, 10. That's at 321 Winthrop Street in Medford. It starts in Medford, 5K, goes through Medford Square. Great cause, so I suggest anybody. It's gonna be cold, but it'll be fun. We'll get you green on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm running, yep. I'll be running.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to answer a question through the chair, I'm not sure if you saw last week's meeting, but we took a few votes. It passed for its first reading, and then I was going to ask the clerk, when will it be up for its third reading before the council?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not on the agenda, so no.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So March 21st meeting will, it will take its third reading by vote of the city council. So that's when you maybe want to come speak in opposition or make your voice heard.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The mayor answered us through the chair on February 27th, said on the 14th, it is 10% of budget cost, and the actual loan order is for $2 million. So she's believing that that's 10% of the actual budget cost.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, right. A million seven million seven.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues. You've done great work in Medford, and we're going to sorely miss you. Best of luck in your future.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. This is something that I've put on the council agenda before, probably three, four years ago. And it's something we discuss and bring up usually every budget season, if not more. And in light of what's gone on in the last several weeks especially, I believe that we truly need somebody qualified to help us write grants, to help our department heads write grants, to be able to tap into the funding that is out there. We saw and we've been discussing grants for police stations and other facilities. We just saw our neighbor Malden get $9.8 million in a grant, which is approximately half of the new build for their police station that just was opened in the last couple months. There's also other possibilities. I know that we could start off by getting a mentor, somebody to help the people here at City Hall that do write an occasional grant. We are lucky and have good department heads that will write a grant here and there. but they're not dedicated full-time grant writers, and I think we're missing out on something that can be so beneficial and pay for itself tenfold, if not more. It's just something that I think the city needs. Also, grant mentor, I was given some information today from a resident who said that the service co-ops of retired executives make mentors available, so in the meantime, while we're exploring the possibility of hiring, whether it be a part-time or full-time grant writer, there are mentors out there. And these are the things that the city needs to tap into so that we could do more projects and more projects that are needed. We could be able to spend more of our general fund on maintenance and things that, obviously, we sometimes fall short on. So I would ask for a roll call vote on this. And we really look into this to get a grant writer and put it in the next budget, if not sooner. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I just feel a couple of these resolutions. 90 Main Street.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 90 Main Street. 90 Main. I feel a couple of these resolutions probably come first. They're pertinent to, I think, something that will come in a little bit. It was brought to my attention that 90 Main Street is on a flood plain. I believe Climate Change in Medford, it's a group that's working on mapping out the city. finding future floodplain issues. They did detailed mapping, including air quality, heat gain, sea level rise, and the potential flooding of lots. And 90 Maiden Street is on that list of a potential floodplain. So I think it's just extremely important to get an update from our Energy and Environment Office. I'm not sure if our consultant can discuss whether or not that's on a floodplain. And I'm not sure if anybody's here to answer any questions, because I know that's pertinent to potential vote that may take place in a little bit. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I may be pertinent to send into more to have more discussion in committee, but I think we need an update from our environment and energy environment office first. So if we could get, have the administration look into a cost, if it is on a floodplain, how much, obviously Council Marks' amendment, but we need an update with regards to this before we meet in committee. So if we could maybe change that around, get an update, get cost estimates, figure out how much additional cost it's gonna be, and get an update, and then we can put it into committee. I would ask my colleagues to, get an update first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The motion is to send it to committee. I would like that withdrawn so we can get an update first. This isn't something that can linger in committee for months and months. I mean, we have eight months.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: meet with the information, and then ask additional questions. There's no reason why we have to delay it two, three full weeks to even refer the questions out. We're being rushed. This is being shoved down our throat. We have questions that need to be answered. And this should be answered first before we send it to committee in a month or two, whenever we decide to meet. So I'd ask for a roll call vote on my resolution to get an update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From Ms. Alicia Hunt. I know there's a committee working on it right now. I believe there was a committee meeting, I'm not exactly sure when it was scheduled for, but it was pretty recent and this was information that was divulged. We just would like her written opinion on it and to know more information. I wasn't at that meeting. I don't exactly know when it was, but it's information that we need as soon as possible, not in a few months.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we could just get an update. I'm sure somebody would be able to answer this today. Who's going to be the owner's project manager? I believe that needs to be decided before we go out for architectural studies.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so that's a motion for approval, okay, of the paper. No, I just didn't know if we had any updates from anybody before we take that vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think the people should be apprised of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. We did meet a couple hours last night with regards to some additional questions. I'm not sure. Our treasurer, if you could come up, Ms. Irwin. We had requested just the numbers of that break-even point of where we would have to possibly do an override, and you said you'd provide those to us today.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't see that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So if you could maybe just break this down for us. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. If I may ask questions of the chair. So this breakdown, I understand the breakdown. Is this just with regards to our police station or this is if we did both?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In 2025?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. 2020 with just doing the police station, we're going to need to borrow from free cash to balance the budget. That's correct. So by you telling us that, that means we will not be able to put another bond on our books unless we were going to take more from free cash until 2021.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right. There'd never be enough new growth to sustain a, like a library in between the police and the fire. No. Okay. I think I understand the breakdown.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Even though nobody's dragging their feet and we're eager, you also just said we can't afford it till 2025. And when we can, we're still going to have to take $1,000,000.25 from free cash to do it. No, I said we couldn't afford really to do a dual facility. But your breakdown says we're still going to have to take almost $1,000,000.25 from free cash in 2025 when the fire station comes on the books.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right, but I thought that was factored in and we still needed to take from free cash.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's my, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um, A few things with regards to, I know there's a number of requests and serious issues on the police side that need to be taken care of before this build out in two years. And I know that has been provided to the administration. So with regards to, is there any going to be anything done to the police station, current police station within the two year period to resolve those issues? And then on the same token, we have now nine years before, you know, possible nine years before a new fire station is built.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point being, there's some serious concerns in station one on the fire side. What will we be doing for both departments in the meantime to make sure living conditions and working conditions are up to par, such as the mold and the asbestos and the building coming apart with rainwater coming in. I mean, some of the living conditions. Are we going to put any money into either department?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, if we can maybe get an idea on that, because not only that, but thankfully, If this all pans out, we have two years for the police, 789 for the fire department, and there's some, we discussed them last night, those issues I've already mentioned, plus the diesel trucks in with the kitchen, in with the equipment, you know, a number of different things that need to be addressed now. And I know, Chief, I know there's been a list given to the mayor. I don't know exactly what's on it, but when I walk in your station, I feel like it's unsafe for the officers that are in there. I mean, no bulletproof glass. I think maybe something's been put in recently, but not up to par. That concerns me. And we have two, two, two years before this is built. So on both sides, what are we, what are, what is the city going to do? Name and address of the record, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I can, if I, thank you, chief. Um, if I could add a B paper that, um, I know the asbestos was cleaned up in the police department side. If we can add a B paper that mold testing and air quality testing be done on the fire department. I think that's extremely one of the major concerns. I mean, along with a whole list of others, but I think that's one of the major concerns that is causing potential or possible health conditions for our firefighters that it needs to be addressed. I believe the asbestos and the mold has been remediation in the police department. And that's one of the, so the fire department, yes. I mean, it'd be great to do it in both, but we know work has been done in the police department. We have two, you know, depending on this vote, I think it needs to be done in the fire department. It needs to be done in the first floor and the second floor. So if we can have that as a B paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: When the clarification council, the administration's estimating 38 million if you stayed on site and then a potential up to 49 if we did not.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I think I stated two weeks ago, this is probably the worst way anything's ever been proposed with regards to a grant. a bond in 16 years I've been on the council. I think the right way to do it is exactly what's written in the memo today, dated February 28th, where a working group will be set up and it will take 18 months to assess and figure out the best location and figure out everything that's going to be needed for a new fire station. That's the proper way to do business and that's what should have been done nine months ago. It should have been open and transparent. I'm having a tough time knowing, really, the position we were put in. It's extremely tough to make a decision. The lack of transparency, lack of communication, closed-door discussions, I feel like this is being shoved down our throat. truly feel that a dual facility is going to be the most fiscally responsible way to go. And I think that has to take place after a few months of multiple, multiple working groups to figure out, number one, a working group to research grants. The mayor stated yesterday that she's been in discussions with, I believe, Representative Donato, Catherine Clark, but what time has been put into finding a grant, and are there grants out there for a dual facility? That needs to come first. For the taxpayers, we're under a lot of pressure tonight, one way or another. We're the ones that are trying to figure out the best way to go here, and it is very upsetting how much we need a new police station, and obviously now know the concerns of the fire station, and this is still being pushed down our throat. I don't know how I will vote if the questions move forward, but I think three months of multiple working groups, that be it the fire department, the police department, the administration, with the city council, with the people, with the taxpayers and the citizens of this community, I believe if everybody puts their heads together, we can figure out a way to rule out or continue on with a dual facility. In a few months after cost analysis are done. Mr. McKillop is exactly right. What are the cost analysis? We don't have any. We were given five days before we could even ask any questions and we were asked to vote on it. Now, thankfully, we've got two weeks, we've got some breakdowns, we've got some questions answered. We still don't know. I think it was Councilor Scarpelli last night that asked What other locations were looked at? We can't be told until those property owners are discussed. That's something we should know before we take this vote. And I know it's not what the police department wants to hear, nor should they have to hear it, because it has been too long. But that's the truth. That's the way this council should be moving forward for the benefit of the whole community and what is right. and for us to be completely 100% educated on a financial decision that is gonna impact us for 30 to 39 years that our children will be paying for. So I'm gonna move that we take three months to create multiple working groups and we get started tomorrow to figure out the right way to do this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have these interruptions, Mr. President. Oh, you interrupt all the time. Councilor Lungo-Koehn. The C paper, I believe they kind of The seat paper and the main motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, they are. Contradictory. So maybe we can have a little discussion. I would move to table. Well, no discussion if I table it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I'm tabling that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You can table it any time. You can't section 22 it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I move to table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it contradicts to paper C. If we're going to explore, create working groups to explore dual facility and different locations and get cost analysis, wouldn't it be contradictory to approving the bond?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Some of these questions were answered last night during our committee of the whole meeting. It looks like Donovan Sweeney was paid $150 an hour. They estimated less than $10,000 has been spent for their services thus far. So if we could just get, the only question now that needs to be answered is where did that $10,000, what account or which line item did that $10,000 come from?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello, I don't mind getting an opinion on this. I just do want to point out there are neighbors that have reached out to me within the last week, curious why this was on. And they're, you know, I don't know if they're necessarily opposed to it, but they had very grave concerns of opening up Linden Street. I just wanted to point that out, and an opinion is fine, but whether or not we do it, I definitely think it's something that we need to get that whole neighborhood involved with before we move forward on anything.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you could just also add at the end, as long as they park so that a wheelchair or... To meet the handicap accessible requirements. Right, correct. As long as, I think that's always been how it is, but if we just add that language to the end so we make sure all our... Thank you, Councilor Langel-Kran.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just move approval of your paper. I've known Cheryl myself as well, and what she... It surprises me. I'm very happy to hear her name tonight. I was unaware that she was selected as Citizen of the Year, but I'm very happy to hear that. It's usually Citizens of the Year for different reasons. And what she does for this community and those with substance abuse and parents of children with substance abuse and the anonymous classes she runs is amazing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. It's nice we have the department here to maybe help us out on this one, but I've been getting complaints with regards to, and concerns with regards to the speeding on Winthrop Street. We always, you know, get a call or once a week or once a month with a different area. We have, you know, like every other town, city, we have people that speed, heavy trucking that shouldn't be going down certain streets. And the last concerns that I've got were on Winthrop Street. There was an accident, I think a week ago, two weeks ago, where a car went into a home. I know there's an issue with regards to people trying to pass on that road. And we did approve money last week for two speed limit monitoring signs. I believe that was about $25,000. Two of them hopefully will be coming in, I believe they said in June. So I would ask if maybe we can get our chief of police to maybe come up and just comment on this. Let the citizens speak and voice their concerns. They're the ones with children that live in the neighborhood. And when a car goes into a home, it is a traumatic event for the whole neighborhood. If we could get those monitors out as soon as we get them and put one on Winthrop Street, hopefully to deter some speeding. I know we have our sergeant here of traffic and I'm not sure if we can just pick up the enforcement in the area as well. I think that would be greatly appreciated by the residents, especially in light of the recent accidents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: While I have you through the chair, the speed monitor signs that are stationary on Elm Street, for example, Are those City of Medford property, I think you said, are those DCI?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I could just amend my resolve, and for those stationary signs, if we could get the speed limit posted either above the move of traffic or below so that people know, speed limit's 30. And I'm going 50, got to slow down. I think that would be very helpful because when you're coming down Elm, 30 isn't posted for another several blocks. So just right on the pole, if we could get a small sign.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 25, yes. That would be even better. I think we have a few citizens that want to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. What's the width of the building? It looks like you're looking for four? Correct. The sign, so five total? Correct. So what's the width of the building? You think you need all four?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello. If we could maybe educate the public on our meeting. We did meet on this from six to seven. If we could go over maybe what's.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think we spoke about it last week with regards to trying to get all boards and commissions and meetings publicized, because it would be nice if we could read over the 10 concerns and questions we had, that can just be a starting point, because I know the council probably, you can't.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd like to report the committee notes out so that we can further discuss any questions that we had. Councilor Mayne.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I'll try not to repeat myself. I know we had a lengthy 6 to 7 p.m. meeting, but I am going to just reiterate probably a couple of things, so forgive me. I think it's a really terrible situation that we've been put in tonight, that our two departments have been put in tonight. And I think that flows from the lack of transparency in the closed door meetings with regards to this proposal. When we met with the mayor in the spring, we went over a draft capital plan. We were told that the preliminary studies weren't going to be done for new police station until 2018. I think the fire department 2 million were for later in that 2019, 2020. I don't know if you have the plan in front of you. We thought we were going to have ample opportunity to sit down and discuss it as a council with the community where every issue, every concern would be vetted properly before any decisions were made. We did push for it to happen far sooner than 2018. So on one hand, I'm very happy that the administration wants to move forward on a police station. or anything at all with regards to spending of that sort, I am happy and that's something that our men and women do deserve. But to be told through text message last Tuesday night after a council meeting that there was a press conference, we weren't told what it was about, I couldn't make it, I think I was in court on Wednesday, I found out Wednesday afternoon that we have a new police station and I found out the location. No idea of any details until tonight. questions that we have that need to be answered before we take this vote. And that's something that we could have asked, these questions we could have asked back in January. I went back and just read some of the highlights from the state of the city address and some of the quotes. We are here as one city because we are strong and believe in writing this chapter together. Working in collaboration with elected officials in a high level dialogue to renew and improve our city. I felt sick. I was going to go back and read some campaign promises, but I really would have got sick. You have a police station that needs to be redone, but we also have a building just as old from the fire department. We haven't, I said it in the committee of the whole meeting, we haven't toured that facility. We toured the DPW yard in 2011. We toured the police station. I toured the police station in August, ran out of there, felt filthy. So I know it needs to be redone. But whether it's a couple weeks or a month, we need to do it the right way. The fire department and the chief of fire has to come back from Florida to be able to sit with the mayor and voice his concerns. The whole process is done wrong, and we're left in a position where we're going to look like big jerks for not voting for it, or heroes. I mean, either way, we're going to lose tonight. But the bottom line is, we haven't been given any information. And this is a $2 million that is going to be spent on architecture for a police station. If we have the commitment of the administration, and they really want to do a new police station, and we ask them to do a dual facility, or at least explore the option, then we need to take a week and do it. We can get some quotes. I've been in Malden's police facility, and it's amazing. We can get some quotes from surrounding towns. We can't put this on the books and delay new fire updates fire department station one for 20 years. It just can't happen. We're going to have the fire department picketing in two, three years. I think it's really lousy way to run a business, let alone a city. Lack of transparency, closed, I think it was stated, closet telephone booth discussions. I loved that quote. I used it in a different context, but I loved it because that's what happened. And it's wrong, and I think we need to explore all options, and we need to take a week or two to do it. We've delayed this years, like it was said before. We can sit and meet next week and discuss it, have the mayor come to the table. We asked her to come tonight, and she wasn't present, and we couldn't even get some answers because certain department heads weren't here. So I ask, too, that we just get the figures of doing a dual, I have the police and fire study from 2013 in front of me too, very clear that that site, if we're gonna keep it on that site, it should be done together as a dual station, police and fire. It's gonna...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just if we could add.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's just grant funding for a potential dual facility.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lococo. I was just going to say, we just want questions answered too. Just sitting in meeting. It goes both ways. Yeah. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Regards to what happened. If we could just get an update from DPW with regards to the incident that happened on Winthrop Street near 314, but you said, I think it sounded like it went all the way down the street a couple times. So we just can get a written update with regards to, you know, if he can make sure he knows who did it, if it was a contractor, if it was one of our personnel, and we make sure we do it right the next time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the sinking.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. And I think it was also offered that the Tufts University report back to us within 30 to 45 days and the requests we've made from them, even if they don't have a direct response to each and every one that we get an update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. Chief, along the same lines, great to see two monitors. I think it's going to, one of the main complaints we get is speeding, and I think it's going to help curb the speeding issues we have. With regards to that, I know we had spoke, and you were before us maybe a few months ago, with regards to, and we were asking questions with regards to the radar guns. Was that also on your wish list and it just didn't make the cut tonight, or?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And how many, what are you purchasing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, great. What account will that be coming out of?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But it will be coming out of the budget that we set in June.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. And it's good just to see new cruisers and invest along with the other. I know there's, I guess, probably another time we can talk about the items that didn't make this list today, because I know each department is in need of, whether it be vehicles in the DPW or radar guns, different things. We're always hearing about the needs of these three departments, so it's nice to see the list here tonight and nice to move forward on things we've been requesting for quite some time. Thank you for being here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you. I'm not sure. I didn't know if we were taking one department at a time. If I could just ask a couple of questions with regards to the fire department computer system upgrade. I don't know if that's.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could just make a B paper that we get an update with regards to all of these items and what stage we're at, maybe on a bimonthly basis, so that we know in six months the emails will be up and running, and the flight department will have their new computer system. And in four months, all the cruises are coming in. People from these departments do call each Councilor and ask questions. So it would be nice to have a running update with regards to when this is being done, which RFPs are going out when, and when we're going to see all these come to fruition. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was just going to second the resolution. I've received a number of complaints, too. And I was also going to ask if it's something that's been happening lately, because I've noticed it a lot on Forest Street. But I think Mr. Costa just confirmed November. It's gotten worse. It's gotten a lot worse. And yeah, it's terrible to be blocking the Chevalier. And I did get complaints from people that live in the old high school that are having trouble. So I just wanted to back you up on that. I think the mayor needs to figure something out. with regards to asking the post office to create their own plan, whether if they're going to have trucks that are out of service for months at a time, then they do need to take them across the city. It's only about five minutes, seven minutes to West Medford and park it where there is a lot or figure out how to use the city hall parking lot that the mayor is graciously offering. But they do need to come up with a plan for public safety purposes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I second the paper, second approval for the motion. Um, I've received complaints myself and as we come in on a Tuesday night at the during the once a month when the Zoning Board of Appeals meets, we see a crowd outside the hallway and I have received complaints about people that weren't able to speak, they weren't able to hear, and I think it's extremely important that anybody and everybody be able to hear any meeting that goes on at City Hall. But time after time, month after month, that is the one board that meets where the doors are overflowing because you have attorneys, you have residents, you have business owners, People from the city council do want to attend. We're not able to. So I agree with moving it to another night. I also agree that here would be the right place. I would ask that we amend this and request that the meetings be televised as well. I think we need to start moving more and more towards televised board and commission meetings. And that is one of the biggest and most important boards we have in the city. And it's something that I would definitely want to attend more often or at least be able to have that opportunity to watch from home. We as city councilors are being asked to get involved with certain projects and ask for help. Neighbors are asking us for help. So it's important that we have that opportunity to not only watch the meetings, attend the meetings, speak at the meetings, but everybody should be able to attend the meetings and be able to hear and speak. So I think it's a great resolve and I think it's definitely a positive and I move approval or second the approval of Councilor Falco.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you'd compromise if you do a board of appeals and all of those types.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just suggest that we compromise. You leave the Board of Appeals language in and then also add and any and all other boards.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Could you let us know when you're going to start the work, when it's going to be done during the day or at night, and how long it's going to take?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And in that area, will there be any disturbances with regards to homes and blocking people's driveways? Or how far is it going to extend?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And how are the residents told the day before, just by a letter on their door?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I echo Councilor Dello Russo's sentiments. They've been doing work, whether it be water work or construction in that area, several months now and I've received complaints in the past with regards to people's driveways being blocked. So I just would ask that you do give that two day notice so people are aware and they can make other arrangements and not be inconvenienced.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello. You said the work in total is only going to take about one to two hours.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's going to be done during the day?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the reasoning for putting the pole in, is there a safety issue with the existing, what is it, tree pole you said?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. I just want to, um, I echoed Councilor Falco's sentiments. It's something we've worked on in committee. Two or three meetings, we met with directors from Tufts University. They will be the largest institution that's affected by this ordinance. It will require Tufts University to report to the city twice a year with regards to, not by name, but by residential address, residential address each one of their off-campus students reside at. Code enforcement officer John Mavuso did state that it will be a helpful tool within the city to, when he does get a complaint, it will be an extremely helpful tool to him. I also, I know the committee is looking for the city to do more than just have it as a tool. We're looking for enforcement of other ordinances that will help with enforcement of our other ordinances to keep the city and the units safer. Um, we did have some recommendations that were made and hopefully, um, Tufts university is looking to possibly looking into possibly helping the city with regards to some male manpower that we are down in the community. Uh, the building department, John Babuso, it does an amazing job, but he's only one person. So to be able to enforce this the way I think the committee and the neighbors, especially in that area want it done, we do need more personnel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And as our code enforcement officer said last, Tuesday night when we met in committee, there's still not enough manpower to do the enforcement that should be done with getting this information on a bi-yearly basis. So that is a concern and that is an issue. And we did ask that Tufts report back if the university can inform the students and landlords of the potential violations and fines by the city. If there are four more non-related renters, that the mayor report back on what assistance the administration can do to provide assistance to our code enforcement officer. And that on section 2644, second paragraph, that superintendent of the office of inspectional services be eliminated and in its place code enforcement officer be inserted. So I'm very hopeful. I'm glad that we got the opportunity to work on this and meet with the appropriate personnel. I thank my colleagues for working on it. Um, I, I understand if people need another week to, to review it, but as far as I'm concerned, I have reviewed it. We went over it in depth with our city solicitor last week with regards to in committee and I'm ready to move approval tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um, thank you. I just wanted to point out, I think that's fine, the deletion of 26.44-44. I think that is something we discussed back in August, so I understand. And I think my colleagues probably agree to strike that. I do know that John Bavuso said he has no ability to take this list and go and force everything. He just does not have enough time in the day. So I think that is something that we need to address down the line, and we need to request that the administration either hire him an intern, I think we talked about interns, or another part-time person to work on this. We also asked Tufts University to go back and discuss possibly helping in different ways. So I know we have, I'm sorry to bring you up here, but we have Miss Barbara Rubell from Tufts University here. Maybe she can come up and just see what, if they've had any talks in the last week and what Tufts is able to help with.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I just want to thank Mr. Bell for attending all the meetings and being there and hopefully having more conversation with regards to that. I'm all for one, to give people more time, but I think the main issue is striking that one sentence from 2644 and the other two issues with regards to enforcement, full enforcement of this ordinance, not just for what John Bavuso wants it for, and also talking about a new ordinance with regards to what Councilor Mark stated. John Bavuso said an ordinance to enforce all of our neighborhoods with regards to three or more people There is an ordinance out there with the disclosure statement, and that's something, you know, that's entirely different, separate from this, and that's something he would love to see us work on. So I do have an ordinance that I pulled up, and then I can forward to my colleagues if we could try to get that talked about at a later time. But other than that, I think this ordinance has been addressed, and I'm ready to move forward. I assume my colleagues feel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello, and thank you for setting up a meeting with Park Medford, which will be held next Tuesday at 5.30 in room 207 for anybody that wants to attend. I think we've all sent a number of questions that we have for Park Medford, and I know that there'll be an hour and a half discussion with them with regards to a number of things on Tuesday night, next Tuesday night. But I brought this up, different issues with regards to Park Medford the last couple weeks, and I'm bringing it up again because every time I do bring it up, I get more calls and more emails with regards to people that are unhappy for certain reasons or people that have other stories that they want to tell on how they feel things aren't going the way they should, and it really caught my attention. I did get one call with regards to somebody that had got five separate tickets. This wasn't within the last three weeks where we've been noticing a serious problem, but it has been within the last six to nine months. They got five tickets for not having a permit, when in fact they did have a permit. So five different times they had to go to the Park Medford office, fill out the necessary paperwork, and then go for an appeal. And I just feel like maybe it's something we will discuss next week, but I feel like if there is a blatant violation or blatant improper ticket that is issued, whether that be, I got a ticket at 10 o'clock and I paid the meter at 9.30 for one hour, or I have a parking permit, I got a ticket for not having a parking permit, simple, blatant mistakes maybe whether there be a list of different things. I think each person that works in that Park Medford office should be trained to say, we apologize, give me the ticket, let me take some proof, and this ticket will now be voided. I feel like to make somebody go, we have working families in Medford, and to make somebody take time and go to the Park Medford from nine to five to fill out the paperwork and then wait for an appeal come to City Hall and have to sit through an appeal is a true waste of somebody's time. Nevermind having to do it for this person, one person that called five separate times. There's obviously something going wrong in Park Medford that's been discussed the last few weeks. This is just something else I wanted to offer that I think would be very beneficial to the system as a whole and to our residents who are parking on our streets trying to traverse our businesses. I think it's something necessary that needs to be implemented. And like I said last week, somebody from the mayor's office has to oversee changes, and this is one that would be of great interest to many residents, especially those who are getting tickets unnecessarily. So this goes along with all my complaints over the last few weeks, and hopefully it will be discussed next week. And I just would ask for your approval so that we can go in next week saying this council approved 7.0, the blatant incorrect, tickets should be automatically voided with us either with, with showing of proof. Um, that's, that's something that I think is a no brainer and that is going to improve this whole system dramatically. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilmember Kerr. Thank you, President Marks. And I agree with President Caraviello. I 100 percent the last The complaints I've received in the last four to six weeks have to do with lack of training of personnel, whether it be the actual people that are giving the tickets or people in Park Medford. Lack of training is a huge problem, and it's increased the volume of complaints for sure. I would just ask my council president if we could also request a copy of the new contract, if we could take a look at that before next week as well. I know there's a list going around through email of things we want. Park Medford to provide to us beforehand and that would be pretty important.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, vice president Mark's just looking for approval of the paper to get a copy of, um, the historic district commission's opinions and concerns regarding the potential development of the Salem street parcel. And just to amend it to also get the comments, concerns, and recommendations from the engineer's office with regards to the same parcel, and I move approval, the roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. I would also just like to congratulate him and wish him good luck. He will be sorely missed. The outreach is probably one of the best with regards to that charge, and that's due to him. My children go to school there. So it's just an amazing community that's, that's there and that's due to him. And I wish him good luck.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I had put on the agenda some other troubles with Park Medford and discussed it for a few minutes. Since then, I've received additional complaints and phone calls with regards to other issues that are taking place down at Park Medford. One being something that I couldn't believe a woman forwarded me a ticket where it says you need to mail your citation money to was Medford mass 0 2 1 1 5, which is a Boston zip code and payments with this mistake may very well have got to Medford mass 0 2 1 5 5. But to have this on as a mistake, I just, I thought it was, it's just a terrible mistake. And it's something that, um, I went over about six other different things that are going on with Park Medford last week. I won't reiterate them. Thankfully, I did email the mayor's office, the chief of police, and I did email the new, I don't know if he's the director down in Park Medford. I received a response from the mayor's office and the chief of police, thankfully, and this has been fixed. But I feel that anybody who's received a ticket, whether it be from a broke, another complaint I've got since last week was a broken meter down in Medford Square. The meter was broken. People weren't able to feed the meter. then receive tickets. Not only do I think the tickets should be, should be voided. I think Park Medford needs to take a week. I think maybe the, hopefully the administration may maybe may take a time out from giving any tickets at all until we figure out a way to educate those who work from Park Medford to for the rules and regulations to take place and be done correctly. Um, because the only ones that are suffering are, well, obviously we're getting the complaints, but the residents and people who are trying to traverse our business districts and use, whether it's a restaurant or a nail salon, be able to pay for parking and they're not able to, it's just not effective. Something's wrong and it needs to be fixed. And I think a week off from, for the residents would be blessing I think to and I would think I would like to amend that and actually ask that somebody from the mayor's office take the time to be present during evaluations and make sure that everything is done smoothly and effectively because the mistakes that are taking place are affecting people at the registry, they're affecting people financially, people are getting really really upset and it's probably been 20 20 or so emails or phone calls I've gotten the last month with regards to problems with Park Medford and needs to be taken care of. So I would request that we take a week off and really get it straight and that the administration be on top of making sure that Park Medford gets it straight. We have to make sure we protect those who are parking in our business districts and make sure the programs done correctly. So that would be my resolve. I don't know if my council colleagues have anything else to add.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may on that, I just want to, I want to thank you very much for setting up that meeting. I asked for it last week and I know you, you've been asking for months to meet with Park Medford and I appreciate your persistence on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Get it together, yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: During the timeframe where parking meters are, this is one of a few are broken. This is not accepting money and where you're supposed to mail your money to Boston. Yes, I believe. And I know I talked to the chief of police about this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, I think it's sufficient to say there are so many problems with Park Medford over the last few weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, I can hold that portion that they'd be voided till the seventh. I would just ask that the program be shut down immediately. the administration and oversee Park Medford and make sure that these kinks, we can't wait till the 7th to have these problems, broken meters, people, they're not registering whether or not you pay for your tickets and then you go to the registry, try to renew your license, you get turned away. They're not giving people parking permits. They're sending them away, telling them they need other things. So I would ask that Park Medford- So that would be a B paper?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the people are trained properly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With oversight from the mayor's office.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The issue, I did shoot out emails right away last week, Thursday, so I think the zip code has been fixed, from what I've been told, from two parties.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So then that's it. So no roll call is necessary, no vote needs to be taken. Sure, refer to the paper. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, president Caraviello, I have been questioned, um, just twice with regards to what happened. RFP, And I believe we have somebody in the audience who does have an answer. So that'd be great if we could just be provided that answer and let the public know. People know that we, um, discussed it numerous times several months ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Anything before the Board of Appeals while... Well, this is pertinent to the President's effort.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Something that's going on, taking a vote tomorrow night, being next Wednesday, I think it's relevant.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I think it's extremely important to bring up what's coming down the line next. Tomorrow night there's a community development meeting, that's at 6.30, and that's gonna be in discussion of the Salem Street and Court Street project, which is where the old pro break parcel is. Tomorrow night is the community development board, and then Wednesday, a week from when, Tuesday, a week from tonight is the zoning board of appeals meeting, where a number of variances are being requested by a developer, and nothing against this developer, I just, I think it's extremely important, number one, that this be brought to light because a lot of neighbors, you know, are very concerned about it. This is a proposed four-story development, 21 units, seven one-bedrooms, 12 two-bedrooms, two three-bedrooms, and they need a number of variances for insufficient lot area, lot depth, usable area, front, side, and rear setbacks, off-street parking, screening and buffer strips, exceeding maximum allowed lot coverage, height and number thereof are some of the variances that they will be seeking. They're also looking for four stories, which I believe, due to the square footage, only allows three. So it's really important that the city council understand what's coming forward. This is a parcel that obviously is a very large development on a parcel in a very, very highly populated area that has barely any parking available. Traffic obviously is at a high in that area, and we obviously talked about it many times about safety concerns with traffic. this council has requested a few times, I believe through my motions to set up a meeting and sit down and really discuss development with the mayor, but that doesn't seem to have been happening in the last year. And I think it's really important that the city council, we sit down, we have our own meeting and we invite anybody who's interested in development to come to a, whether it be a city council meeting or a, if we have a public hearing, we need to know where we're going, where we're moving forward. Right now we've into, you know, I feel like we've really appeased to anything developers have wanted. And I don't know if I feel like the people deserve better. We need to make sure our neighborhoods are not getting overstuffed. We, we need to make sure that our, I have another resolution coming down with regards to class size. There's a couple of schools in Medford that cannot fit another classroom. And we have 500 units coming that are actually being developed currently. We have other proposed developments. And we have a number of, I know this developer in particular is looking for other parcels currently. We just need to make the people aware. And the people in this council are really all that the community has at this point to make sure we develop correctly, smart development. We want development, we want good developers in Medford, but we need to make sure it's smart. There was a project that was denied on Canal Street, 15 units. We need some conformity, and we need smart development, and I really am interested in listening to the people from every area in this community and figuring out what the needs are, what the wants are, and obviously this is the project that's coming up next before the Zoning Board of Appeals. It's of interest to me. I have children in the school, I traversed I know what our, from having council meetings, we know what our infrastructure's like. It needs some improvement. Council Marks has discussed piping, you know, he's the expert on that, but there's just so many issues and so many reasons why we, as a council, need to be on top of this. I feel like sometimes we're the only voice for the neighborhoods on certain things, and this is one that needs some voices, and it's one that I know a number of neighbors are concerned about. We need to invite the whole community and we need to have a public meeting on it and discuss development and the issuance of variances because some like to say that it's not in the council purview, but zoning is in the council purview. And it's something we don't have time to wait, we have to review our zoning, but we don't have the year it will take. We need to be on top of this now. So I just ask that my council colleagues support having a public meeting, I ask for the support going forward and trying to get the Community Development Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals to see what the people are crying out for, see where the council's at, so we can make some change and we can make some change on how things are approved and not approved and how developers come into this city and the mindset they have with regards to, oh, we can do anything we want in Medford. Well, that shouldn't be. That's not good for this community. and we need to make a stand. We need to have this meeting. We need to have our voices heard. So for, for the neighborhoods, it has to happen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield to the residents that want to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was just going to point out one more thing. I know I discussed the overcrowded schools, the infrastructure, the neighborhoods, the neighbors. Sunlight was brought up. There's so many different things. But when Councilor Marks brought up the fact that our administration wants high density, with the fact that we have an understaffed police station, understaffed fire station, police cars, police station, I won't go there. We need some balance. Not only do we need the community's input, but we need some balance. We may have standing to file suit against the Zoning Board of Appeals, but I think why even get to that point when we can be discussing it now and making the changes now? We have a committee of three people on the Zoning Board. This is probably something that should be done in Committee of the Whole, although it's going to take many meetings, but it needs to be done. And I think a community meeting has to happen first so we know how our residents want to see their streets, their community developed. That needs to happen now. So I asked for a roll call vote that a meeting be set up, whether it be one potentially at a city council meeting at seven o'clock, we designate two hours to listen to the people and let's see who comes and let's see who wants to tell us how they see their neighborhood, their streets and their community developed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: it would be great to have her input, but at the same time, this is city council prerogative and we need to, we need to take charge now cause it's going to take a year to do. And that might even be too late. So a community meeting has to come first. We need to figure out what we want and then hire a consultant to say, how do we get it done?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I read, I went to, um, city hall and, reviewed the plans. It looks like there's 40 parking spots which would bring it from the one they proposed in August up to 1.5 per unit, and our zoning requires 2.1. So there would be a need for a variance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I asked this obviously in conjunction with, it has a lot to do with the development that's going on in the city. So we are provided with the block chart based on, it's broken down by school, by class, how many children are in each class. We received one in June, actual numbers obviously changed tremendous, they've changed since then. So I ask that we be provided a new block chart, same as the one in the budget book, so we can see where numbers have changed. I would also amend this and just ask for a report from our superintendent of schools just outlining which, if any, schools are at capacity so that we have a better understanding of where we're at. From what I understand, from what I've been told just by talks within the community, two of our schools of the few are at capacity. So which schools, if we could get a formal written update with regards to which schools are at capacity so we have a better idea.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just would back that up. Sometimes we're given updates and it's based on averages. So that's why I asked for a block chart. The blocks tell you which schools are kind of running over those classes. I mean, they're allowed by contract up to 26, 27, I believe, children per teacher. But we obviously want much lower class size than that. And from what I'm hearing, some classes are 16, 17, 18, where you have other classes that are at the 24, 25 mark. And we need to, we need to have a better understanding of that for our community meeting and, and just in general so that we can see where we're moving, where, how we're going to move forward. Um, so I, I appreciate the council support.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. The issue come forward tomorrow night and next Tuesday. You know, there's been a lot of discussion. I've received a lot of input with regards to how people feel about the development on Salem Street. And one thing that I've been able to discuss with a number of residents is because residents feel like we cater to developers rather than, you know, do what's right for the community. One thing that did come up is a sewer connection fee. The city of Cambridge is a good example. And they established a City of Cambridge sanitary sewer connection fee. And if you don't mind if I take a read, I think it's something important. And I think it's something we can send to the administration to see if it's worthwhile implementing in the community. We have every department. I mentioned fire and police understaffed, DPW. I mentioned that previously. But we also have almost every department in City Hall understaffed. We met with John Babuso tonight, our code enforcement officer, with regards to enforcing an ordinance that we're going to implement from Councilor Falco, Scarpelli and I, our ad hoc education committee, and we're going to be getting, it's not really relevant, but we're going to be getting updates from Tufts and the education communities, and we're going to be able to find out which units are housing more than three unrelated people. And when we tried to ask John if he could start enforcing that, his head was spinning. Like, no, I'm just going to use this as a tool for complaints. Well, no, no, we want your department more staff so we can enforce the ordinances we have. We need, you know, obviously need money coming into the community for certain things. And this sewer connection fee is an example of something that will help us with our infrastructure problems. And it's something that I think the city of Medford should, if we, I tried to look, I could not find that we've ever implemented it. I don't recall ever implementing it in my 15 plus years. So I think it's something that we need to move to the administration. The city of Cambridge says, whereas much of the sewer system must be carefully reviewed for approval because of the environmental effects of adding to the sewer volume overflow potential, potential of undesirable waste products. And whereas much of the sewer system of the city of Cambridge was built when the pressures for connections were not as great, and whereas the city must expend time, money, and effort in determining the need and suitability for additional sewer connections, it is hereby established by the Commissioner of Public Works, under their authorization granted, that the following one-time sewer connection fee charge shall be in effect as of the dates of this order. And then it charges a certain amount of money per units that are being built. And it does increase by each additional unit. And I think it's something that's necessary. When I was at the engineer's office speaking to, I believe, an assistant engineer, just reviewing the plans takes time from our OCD office, our engineering office. And our engineering office has to evaluate all these sewer lines and make sure we're capable of taking on 21 units or not taking on 21 units. And it's something that could go the funds collected from these connection charges in Cambridge shall be deposited to that portion of the city accounts used to finance sewer maintenance costs. So not only is it gonna boost up the general fund, it's gonna help with the issues we have. We have sewer issues, we have piping issues, and those need to be corrected. We need money to do it. I think this is a no-brainer and something that should be implemented, so I would ask my colleagues to support this being looked at by our engineer, by our administration and something that move forward as soon as possible. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But they wouldn't be responsible for the sewer connection fees for new development. or they're just proposing it for residential and business? Is that what you've heard? I haven't heard any of that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm looking to maybe... We always talk about things. No. Well, I'm looking at the possibility of maybe amending this somehow to get input. I mean, that's what we're looking to do.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But I definitely think... new development should be, it should be looked into for a connection fee for new construction of whether we put it as five units or more. I mean some, something, some sort of connection fee for the heavy burden. These large developments are put in on our infrastructure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm fine with that. I think it would appease everybody and we can talk about new construction down the line. Maybe you can get an update from the administration and from the water and sewer commission. Yeah, I'd like to know any discussions that are taking place if we're, if it's coming down the line, cause we need to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just, just charging a sewer connection fee from, from the water and sewer commission administration period.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello. Um, within our time during budget during budget, hearings, especially we hear bits and pieces of how chapter 90 funding is being where it's being applied. And we also hear how it's going to be applied down the road, but we've never actually got a breakdown with regards to how much has been brought in per year and where exactly those funds have gone that I can recall. So if we could get an update broken down over the last four years, how much has come into the city, maybe amended to ask how much has come in, each year, where it's been, and which projects, just listed out by project, where it's been spent. I think it's important for the council to understand how much we're getting each year and where it's being spent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to make sure I, I understand cause are we taking a vote on the ordinance tonight?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then it was changed. So if I understand it correctly, Councilor Marks, you want to keep it as every cab company has to have a para transit plan and take out the five language. And that will definitely stay in there. And the mayor wants us to add, if you have five or more vehicles, you have to provide.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, president Caraviello. I know that I think yourself has been requesting that park method come to a committee of the whole meeting or a city council meeting. So we could sit down and discuss what has been going on in the last several months with park Medford. Especially since now we had, it was sold, bought and sold, and we're dealing with a new contract. And as of recent, the complaints have really been coming in. I'm not sure if my colleagues have realized or witnessed the same thing. One complaint leads to another, and people are now going public with their complaints, which leads to a whole host of issues that bring light to our eyes and make us realize what is going on. It seems like there was a lot of kinks that needed to be worked out and a lot of changes that should have been made with the old administration. But now, the last nine months, it seems like things are going downhill. And I don't know if that's because of the purchase and sale. or what's really going on in that office. I hear it's really a disgrace to work with. When you go in, nobody has the correct information. I had a complaint this week with regards to somebody who was just going down to get her parking permit pass. She brought the proper documentation with her to get that pass. They sent her out the door without the pass telling her she needed A, B, and C. Finally, she went back with somebody that knew exactly what she needed. She had brought the correct documentation the first time, and it was corrected the second time she went in. But she should have been saved that second trip if people at Park Medford knew exactly the rules and regulations and what needs to be collected in order to get that parking permit pass. I've also had several complaints with regards to people that are, one of the big ones that was upsetting was a woman taking her child out of the car, went and paid for parking to head into the Medford Public Library, and paid for parking, and then five minutes later, got a ticket. Once you got that complaint, you realize that this is happening to several people. They're paying for parking accordingly, and five, 10 minutes later, they're getting a ticket incorrectly. Now, for that to happen maybe once or twice, it's one thing, but I've got about six complaints with regards to that in the last couple weeks. So something needs to be corrected. Something needs to be done. Another issue is with regards to when you do get a ticket and you pay that ticket, that should obviously be recorded in some sort of system that Park Medford has. But people have been complaining that they've gone to the registry to try to renew their license. And for some reason, it hasn't been recorded. And those tickets have been improperly sent to the registry. And people have been turned away from the registry. not being able to renew their license because it's showing that they had a ticket, although they have their receipts and they've paid for those tickets. So those are three, three or four different issues that I've got complaints of in the last four to six weeks. And I think I've, I have emailed the chief of police. I know he's helped me with a couple things, but I've also requested, and hopefully I'll hear back from him soon. I've asked that he specifically talk to Park Medford. I know he was almost the ambassador of what has been going on, and he's done a tremendous amount of work to try to get the—within the last two years to try to get it up and running. But there's just so many improper things that are going on, and people seem to—I don't know if they're not trained correctly or they're—some people even online are saying that they feel like these tickets are given out of spite at some point. They're joking with the people, saying, yeah, of course I'm going to give—you know, it's what I hear is going on is not right and we need to get a grasp on it. The chief of police hopefully will reach out to Park Medford, but I think it's really important that also this city council sits down and ask the appropriate questions, make sure we let them know how unhappy we are and what our residents are going through. I've got complaints from people outside of the city as well, which you know, can't be unnoticed. And I hope the administration, you know, is, is getting these complaints to, or, you know, reading up online when, things are posted because the administration needs to get a grasp on this. Little tweaks were made, I believe, in January, but that's just not enough. What has been going on is people are not happy, and again, it's going downhill. And I think we need to get a grasp on it, and this council needs to take the lead. So I ask that, Council President, we try to get Park Medford down to a Committee of the Whole meeting so we can sit and roundtable it and discuss what's been going on and the complaints we've been hearing. and why they're not being corrected.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So maybe now that you're in control, we can get that done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think a committee of the whole meeting, just so we have the full hour. And I think he needs to come and talk to the people too, publicly, because people are not happy. It's really a shame that after two, three years we can't get it we can't get under control and whether that's because it was bought and sold or what's, I don't know what's going on, but at least people in the office should be educated and people who are out there giving tickets should be taking the time to make sure they're certain this A, B, and C haven't paid for parking so that they can't, you know, cause then people have to number one, either pay the ticket, fight the ticket, get upset, go to Diane McLeod to appeal it, go to Park Medford. They have to take time out of their busy schedule. that they could be doing other things to try to fight these tickets, and it's not right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Uh, thank you. Um, president Caraviello. I also want to thank the committee and council Scarpelli. If you could just reiterate, when will the survey be coming out and how will we get a, how will we be able to access it? Just, I missed that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And when should we look at this and what, how long, how long a timeframe will they be serving? Like 30 days?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just wanted to know what the resolution was, because I, too, I mean, it's been quite a while I've been dealing with it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, I'd be happy to stay on and communicate with.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd love to stay on, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We don't, we don't have the solicitor. That's right, we don't.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Clerk Finn. I'd like to nominate Michael Marks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Caraviello, my question kind of revolved around the same thing that Councilor Marks asked. You said that you're not sure how we're going to grow, but you will grow over time and maintain and figure out what the needs are. And that will be with the help of the trustees. You mentioned orthopedic and possibly pediatrics. Is there anything else that you think would come down the line, whether you've been in talks
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then to follow up on that, I know the partnership's going to help greatly. What resources are there? What better things can we do to make sure we're growing with the times? Financially, how will we be able to do that? And I guess my follow-up would be, how will you be able to, or hopefully, my hope would be, How are you going to include the community in that discussion?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's my question. Thank you, President McDonnell, for coming and for answering all our questions. And thank you to the doctors who joined you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I want to first thank Councilor Marks for bringing this forward. It's something that I think a few cities and towns have done it recently and I think it's definitely a good initiative. The number one complaint I get as a city councilor over my years sitting here is pedestrian safety, school safety with regards to children walking across the street and walking to school. We've witnessed some near misses and incidents that we'd rather not talk about tonight, but also just speeding on our streets. And it's something that we always respond to, and we always bring it up at the council. And I know, especially as of recent, Sergeant Hartnett and Officer Brooks have been very responsive to the council, and it's a pleasure to get traffic studies forwarded to us. It's something pretty new for the council, and it's something that I'm just excited about it. They definitely are taking a concern and know of the problems and are doing their best to do what they can with a small division, obviously. So on that, there's, I think there's three main things we need to focus on. Obviously when we do change this and hopefully the traffic commission agrees with this as well as the police department. Um, but I think we do need the public outreach is a major component of this. We need to, make sure the citizens of this community realize what the change is and how it's going to impact driving in our community for the better. But definitely a period of notification is important. And I think that's something that we definitely can do. I also think it's important that we beef up that traffic division, whether it's ask the mayor tonight or we've asked her before to increase personnel in the police department. But I think enforcement is going to be a huge component of this. And it's something that's going to not only with the change in the ordinance, but also the change in our streets. If we can get enforcement, we're going to slow down vehicles and we're going to keep our pedestrians and people driving safer. So I really like to amend this and ask that not only do we reduce the speed limit, but we ask the mayor to hire additional personnel, especially for the traffic division. It's a number one complaint. And it's something that needs to be addressed, um, with, and with the help of our new side sergeant and officer Brooks and the traffic commission, I think an additional, um, one, two, Oh, there'll be great three personnel in that division is, would greatly improve the safety in our community. We can make it a B paper. Sure. Um, and then while the chief's here and I know he's probably going to address the community and the city council, if we can maybe get an update with regards to, the movable speed limit signs. And I know there's one movable stationary speed limit sign. If we can just kind of get an update, it's something that I've been interested in and I feel that it does deter speeding. And I think it's another component of this. So if we could maybe get an update in conjunction with whatever, you know, the chief would like to address us, that would be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. If I could ask you a question, you haven't moved on fixing the speed monitor sign that was broken?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then I could be wrong.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we did approve funding for that about six months ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And chief, if I may through the, through the chair, if I could amend this as well, whether it's with my B paper or D paper, If we could just get an update, if you could go back and look and let us know how many pieces of radar equipment you have and how old they are, and maybe just a couple lines on, you know, how we should update them and how much it would cost, and something maybe we could advocate for you. We keep pushing for, you know, enforcement, but obviously you need the people to do it and the tools to do it. I mean, how far back are we talking? How outdated are these? Radar pieces of radar.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. If we could get, um, just get that in writing of how old the pieces of radar are and how many we have and how we, you know, the cost of upgrading.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I put this on, I think it's something that the council definitely needs to discuss, whether it be you know, fully tonight or in a subcommittee meeting. The last time use variances were voted on was before, obviously, I think the longest serving right now, Councilor Marks and I, and we've never taken a vote with regards to use variances. And I think it's an important topic now, more than ever, due to the major development going on in our community. Use variances have been issued, whether or not that's, have been legal depends on, I guess, your interpretation of our ordinances. But I think it's definitely a topic that needs to be discussed among this council. And I think it's a topic that needs to be addressed by the administration in conjunction with this council as well. I think we're on showing from what's taken place on the council floor in the last six to nine months, it seems as if we're not on the same page and I think we need to, it's time to get on the same page. We have a number of units, 500 units that are coming online very shortly with regards to apartments and we need to decide where the vision is and what type of growth we want in our community and I think we need to sit down with the mayor to discuss that. I'm sure my colleagues are in agreement with that. a use variance in the development that has been going on. It's impacting our streets, our sidewalks, traffic, the environment. It's impacting parking in our schools, and it's something that needs to be discussed. And I hope my council colleagues will realize the importance of this discussion that needs to be had. And, you know, I, for one, would like to prohibit the use variance. I think it needs to be seen by another body. An ordinance can always be changed back. Somewhere like station landing can always come back to the council. But I think another body needs to have a set of eyes on something so significant that has caused a number of controversy in the city. But I would ask my colleagues to support it, whether we do it now or we sit in committee of the whole and invite the mayor to sit down with us. It's something that needs to be discussed, and it needs to be discussed sooner than later so that we know where we're going in the future.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm looking for a vote for it to go to committee of the whole. So we can, we need to discuss this with the mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You know, I'd like this to go to committee of the whole sit down with the mayor first. I think that needs to be done immediately. I mean, the zoning board of appeals is obviously works in conjunction with the mayor's office and they, we need to, um, one of the major council Dello Russo, the, uh, uh, zoning board of appeals is an independent board that has quasi judicial authority.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One can reasonably assume the zoning board of appeals is the only board and commission that got a raise this past budget time. And one can make their own.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You know, smart growth is what we need. Not highly dense.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On a separate issue, if we could take a vote tonight and request that we reach out to City Clerk just reaches out to the Chamber of Commerce to start discussion with regards to, I know a number of communities are banning plastic bags and I don't know if any of the other councils have got emails and phone calls with requests of asking us what we're going to do. I think maybe some conversation needs to start at least at the beginning, see what the chamber thinks, see if they can reach out to their members about banning plastic bags. I know Cambridge does it and I know there's a few other communities that are really looking at doing it and I think Medford needs to start inquiring and reaching out before we come across just taking a vote on it, see how the chamber feels and see how the businesses feel about this. They may hate it, they may love it. It's obviously great for the environment. I know you can still purchase bags for 10 cents at most Cambridge shops. So it is just something that's been on my radar to question. And I think tonight will be a fine night to just see if we can get an email out to the Chamber of Commerce to start the dialogue, see if they can discuss it at one of their next meetings and reach out to their membership to figure out what the suggestions would be and what the impact would be.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Be brief. Thank you, President Caraviello. I too want to thank Representative Donato for all his hard work and advocacy for the city of Medford. It doesn't go unnoticed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're going out to bond 550, but the council did take a vote that once we get reimbursed that 250, it will go directly towards paying off the portion of the bond.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're taking out a bond. We're going to reimburse it but only 250. So yes, the city is in it for 300.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, president Caraviello, I just want to reiterate, I think, The last few speakers are making an extremely important point. And I think as one Councilor, I would rather be voting for a new police station or bonding for a new police station. But that was not what has been put forward to us by the administration. This is a worthwhile project. It's great that we're getting grant money. It is a little pricey. I agree with that. It was what was put before us, not being allowed to make changes financially to the concept is difficult. I think it's a hard decision we have to make. But it's something, with regards to the police station, it is all relevant. We need to go out to bond for a new police station. We need to do it sooner than proposed in the capital improvement plan. But until we have five Councilors that will bond together and demand that, it's not going to happen until the administration is ready. And we've said loud and clear, that is our priority. It is our priority. So we're kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place. Do we not vote for any of these projects and then not move the city forward, waiting for that? Or do we just continually keep asking for it and keep almost begging for it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just on that point of imperpetuity, I think it was asked in the committee of the whole meeting, and I think it's satisfied. And I understand the concern. I had the concern as well. And I understand why Councilor Marks is voting against it. But I asked that question specifically. And there's obviously a rule against perpetuity. So the way it was explained to us, and I am taking that as how things would go, is that we could not, yes, that will be parkland. That will be parkland for a very long time. And if we try to change it in two, three, four years, especially while we're paying off that bond, then no, we're not going to be able to change that. But down the line, 25, 35, 40 years down the line, whenever that may be, and whenever this council wants to change that, we may be able to do that. And that's how it was explained to us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Clear!
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hello? No. You don't say. You don't say. You don't say. Okay. Bye. Who was that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I feel pretty great. I love track so it's a great feeling every time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Every day I really try to stretch out my muscles so I don't get injured, so that's a really big key for me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My favorite holiday meal would have to be pernil, which is pork shoulder.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The Family Stone would have to be my number one favorite.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, that has to be Jingle Bells because it was written in Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President de la Ruzo. Thank you, Barbara and your team for working on this. A few questions with regards to the 42 percent. Can you kind of explain what we're looking at for pricing down the line? What's the cost estimate? I know that seems like it's just going to be for construction. So what does that not include? And then I know you said you'll hear if we do get the grant by around the end of July, what's the timeframe with regards to when we have to commit to come up with the full amount and when will we have to start construction?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Perfect.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I see here on the, break down that you just gave us. This is a reimbursement grant, so we would have to go out to bond or take from free cash for the full amount, and then can you explain how the reimbursement works? Is it after completion of the entire project or as we're spending?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And when you said Director Kerr when you said. the first group will there be? Is there usually a number? Do they pick three or four projects, or is it five or six?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So in the last round, they gave 17 out of how many that applied?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you have all those grants from the last round, probably, that reapplied for a second time? Some of them. Some did.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, gotcha.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I don't think our building has even been maintained.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Minimally maintained.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And can you remind us of the age of the building? It was originally built in? 56, in 1959 it was built.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's all the questions I have for now. I think this is something that this council begged for, and that Councilor Caraviello helped move forward months and months ago. I mean, just seeing the roof look like it's going to collapse with the tiles all missing, especially in the children's area, was a big concern of mine, and it's something that needs bathrooms are concerns of other councilors. each piece of the library needs to be updated and maintained. And I think adding the second floor is also something that we wanted to pursue. Um, this is a lot of money. I just, I asked that obviously some of the questions we had in our prior meeting, I think last week with regards to the police station and where we're going to get, you were going to take that money from too, is it's important to kind of know where we're going to be, how we're going to be able to do a number of these projects that need to be done. So hopefully the mayor will be able to, talk to us more and really start planning. This is the first step, and I think it's important to apply for the grant so that we have that option.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, thank you for all your hard work and we appreciate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'm solicitor Emily. So will this come back to the council for any additional vote or are we, are you, I think that is that language.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't have to come before the council because you'd need a hundred percent and then, cause then you'd be reimbursed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield. I was just going to do the condolences, but, uh, council max, we have a resident here that would like to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: through the chair. Um, so clerk Finn, if we don't take a vote on it, it's going to get approved in two days. Their license will be approved in two days. Oh, do you?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can give you something in writing if you want, but I don't have...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'll yield to- Yield to Councilor Falco.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Mr. O'Neill, if maybe we could go over. I know the information we have is a great deal, but there were a couple of people that did call asking what the new rate was going to be and also, you know, what the increases were going to look like. So maybe you're the best to go over page nine. And I think that's the simplest way to put it. People want to know what, what will their property taxes go up and how much will that be? Um, so I think that's an important page. That's very understandable.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the, um, the reason for the drop in the rate is because of the assessments being higher this year. Um, cause the rate, the rate last year was 11 19 for residential and 21 82 for commercial, but because the assessments are higher, the rate has gone down. But the properties will still see an increase in their taxes. And then the fiscal year 2016 levy was $4.2 million less. Last year's levy was $100,854,325.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And my next question, we had a long discussion last week and then we followed up this week with additional information you provided us, thank you, with regards to non-owner occupied properties and the potential vote we have with regards to the shift. adopt a residential exemption, which in the past we've always voted against due to the fact that with the recalculation over 1,000 homes would also, if we made the shift to non-occupied, we'd also hit any home that is valued over 648,000, which totals about 1,050 pieces of property that would get hit extra. I just think that's important for the public to know because we do get a lot of questions of why we don't do the shift compared to, I think you said Malden, the breakeven point was about 450, 500,000 and they only shifted to about a hundred parcels compared to Medford that would be over a thousand. Is that correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I agree, thank you, I agree with the fact that we have to increase the levy and we have to, we need the levy obviously. But isn't it true we're going to increase it 4.2 million, but on average, especially the last four plus years, we've put 1 to 3 million into our free cash at the end of the year. In essence, good to have some reserves, but we've built up our reserves. We're at a free cash of almost 10 million. We have Water and Sewer between $8 million and $10 million. So at some point, will we be giving—I mean, I've questioned that the last two years. I've put motions forward to reduce—to not tax to the max and possibly reduce the levy. So is that correct? We've put $1 million to $3 million into our free cash every year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In 2015, we put almost $2.5 million into free cash. This year, we'll probably put in close to that. 2014, looks like over, you know, $1.5 million. Isn't there a point where we should say, okay, we'd really like to put a million in each year, but anything over that, we maybe should be giving the taxpayer a little break?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a point where the mayor wants to keep the reserves too? I think we've asked that question in the past, because one wants to build up her reserves, but there's also people that obviously can't afford their taxes. complain to us that they can't afford their taxes, senior citizens on fixed income that we probably would like to give a little break to if we can. And I think, and I questioned this the last two years, I think at this point we probably can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you. I requested those numbers. Thank you for providing those to us. I think minimal to one person might not be minimal to the next. $25 for a single family. This is just a $500,000 decrease to the levy. I mean, you're still talking about $125 for each commercial property that's seeing an increase of over $300. It may be minimal to somebody, but there are businesses out there that are obviously struggling too. So that, based on the fact we have in the tax recap, fiscal year 2017. I mean, we are averaging our actual receipts for 2016 as the same for 2017, which we expect to come in for 2017. So we don't account for any increase. And the biggest one, I guess, we've already discussed it at our Committee of the Whole meetings, is the new hotel that came on board in mid-2016. So there's six months here that really isn't calculated for We have actual receipts in 2016 of $462,000. And then we're placing our estimated receipts at $462,000 as well. And I believe, you know, meals tax goes up marginally every year, et cetera, et cetera.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Has she given you any paperwork for us to submit tonight with regards to a plan on that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You don't have to say through the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: did, I mean, we, we've got the capital plan, but it didn't look like it was until 2018 and there's really no specifics given to the council. So that might've been, you know, pertinent information before we made, took any type of vote tonight. Um, cause I'd like to see a commitment of the, you know, the police station as well. I think this whole council would, um, and I haven't heard any specific dollar amount of it's, it's always been when she met with us, it was that we were going to go out to bond for the 18 million.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So she told you she's going to use the 20 million out of free cash.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's my questions for now, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just like to precede that motion and request that we reduce the tax levy by 500,000 based on the estimated receipts being, being low and the fact that we're putting millions into free cash. Um, and I was, We were, I believe I was told that the police station would be bonded after 2018-19. So I would just like to put that motion forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I looked at, that's the contradict. So that paper is always called first. I've done it the last two years.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dela Rousseau. My question, I understand Councilor Marks' point and it was cleared up to me by City Solicitor Rumley who said the use could be changed. Now, if we change the use in five years, do we have to pay the federal government back?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and then with regards to the $550,000 grant, was there ever any discussion with regards to accepting the grant but taking the $200,000, going out to bond for $300,000 and then taking $250,000 out of free cash and then reimbursing free cash?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just ask because, again, I believe with regards to the police station, that was mainly going to be a bond, and the reason why, and I'm not quoting the mayor, but when we were in our meeting, the reason why it was several years out is because we're waiting for things to come off the books so that we can put the police station on the books with regards to the bond books. this is, is a great project, but it concerns me that we're going to, if we're going to get additional projects before we get the police station proposal. Um, so that's why I asked, I think if it, if we had 250 come out of free cash and then reimburse, you know, mandate that we reimburse free cash, that might be a way to put less money on the books bond wise and eventually hopefully do the police station sooner than later. So that's why I didn't know if that,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Be my guest.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe on a side motion, if we get clarification with regards to the plan on how we're going to, um, what the plan is, even if it's not for another couple of years, per the mayor's proposal to us, what that plan is. Cause I'm, hearing two different things in the last couple of months with regards to how we're going to move forward on the police station.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we go out to bond for the full 550, do we have a commitment that once we get reimbursement, it's going to go towards that bond?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe applied.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I would make that a recommendation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Once we get the reimbursement for the $250,000, we pay down the bond immediately. We don't use that for the general fund and keep the bond open $550,000 because we are going to need to be able to go to bond. We're not going to have $20 million in free cash. We're going to have to go out to bond for some portion of the police station. I thought it was going to be the full, at least $18,000. So maybe once we get clarification, we'll know more.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And while I have the floor, I don't know if Councilor Caraviello is going to speak, but I think it's extremely important that it be heard loud and clear with regards to police presence in all our parks. He made that point in our Committee of the Whole meeting, and I think it's extremely important. And with regards to maintenance, we've had an issue for years with maintenance. And I hope that if this does get approved tonight, that we not only the Crystal Campbell Peace Garden, but we make a commitment to upkeep this piece of property. And the last comment I'm going to make is the safety of our children. There is a daycare that may be using this piece of property. And I think it's seven toddlers to one adult. It's a lot of people. We want to make sure that they're away from the street and well protected. from the traffic that is in the area. But otherwise I think the project is going to definitely be an improvement for our square and be very, um, used by all.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, Mr. President, just through the chair to Misty Lorenzo, do you have any bonds coming forward besides this one in the next six months that you're aware of? Okay. Thank you. I mean, I think that's one thing we have to make clear to the administration, whether it's this bond or the next one, you know, maybe this is the last bond we're going to support before the police station, but obviously we need four or five strong to be able to do that. Just a suggestion. But I think that's something we need to send a message that if we keep bonding and we're never going to be able to bond whatever we need for the police stations, just not going to happen. We need to take some bonds off the books to be able to afford the 20 million. And we need to make that statement loud and clear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you just explain a little bit more in detail? You said no overnight boarding of dogs and cats. So does that mean there will be no sale of dogs and cats as well?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. We have an organization in Medford that works for pet adoption, so hopefully we can connect the two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for the chair. I'm just. where the Petco and Woburn, they don't sell dogs or cats, but they do board them overnight, almost like a daycare. Will there be any type of daycare in this Petco, day or night?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And no daytime daycare?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it'll just be grooming of dogs and cats, dogs, I'm assuming, and the sale of, what's the largest animal you'll be selling? A guinea pig at times?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: you here tonight, can you say that again?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Fall of 17, for everything.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Briefly, thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to echo the sentiments. I think Marie explained how far Medford has come. Obviously, we have Pat Hogan, who works really hard, but the majority of the reason why Medford has come so far is from Kitty Connection, and all the work Marie does. going into homes and rescuing all the cats. I've heard the stories and the work she does on a day-in, day-out basis with her team is something that we need to be very thankful for. And I hope while we do have the two parties, maybe we can exchange some business cards. It would be great if Petco would work with Marie. She works very close with Pat Hogan from City Hall. I know you have the truck, the mobile truck that spays and neuters. So hopefully we can create a good bond tonight. That would be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just have questions with regards to how we're going to fund 13.66 million a million. I'm going to take some money out of free cash or are we going to, how, how are we going to, you know, do it? Um, I have questions with regards to this resolution. I don't feel comfortable voting for it tonight until maybe a prop. We understood it more. We have 10 million in free cash. We have reserves in our water and sewer enterprise account. We have reserves from rate payers for the cable franchise fee. Now we want to establish another $13.66 million. I just don't see how we're going to be able to do that unless we were going to take from, you know, whatever certified free cash we have at the end of the year and put it into it. Is the recommendation to put a portion of that into the reserve fund so that in years down the road we can eventually create a point where we're comfortable? Are we looking to, you know, continue to tax or Proposition 2.5? What's the proposal?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we would just need a meeting on it before we actually vote it. I mean, I'm not in agreement. I just can't see where the $13 million would come from and I
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Kind of set guidelines ourself and say, Madam Mayor, this is what we're proposing rather than, I don't know if my council colleagues have any other questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just briefly remind everybody and their families that the Polar Express and the Christmas activities begin at four o'clock at Metro High School on Saturday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Russa. I'd just like to move suspension of the rules to allow a resident to announce an upcoming event for our children.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I agree. I think the utility companies need to do a better job, and I also think we need to have more oversight as a city, and it's something that we've been lacking. I know we're short-staffed, but there needs to be better checks and balances. And not only do we need to review it a first time, we need to review it six months later while we're still in a window to make the utilities companies come back to do the job right. Regards to that being said, I don't know if I could ask a few questions on this paper specifically with regard for when you do come back or hopefully when we do get our answers. How long will this project take and what does it entail with regards to displacing people from their driveways, their homes, getting down the street?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And how long is the work going to take?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what will the hours of operation be?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So no, no night work.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to second the resolve. I think it's a good idea. I look forward to language on it. More often than not, you have families who are too busy to check their receipts. Or you have the other spectrum, people taking taxis or senior citizen transportation to get to the store, and they're not able to go back and try to get their money back. And I do know people who look at their receipts, and two out of 10 times, there's something wrong in your receipt. And the grocery store or the chain stores are making money from it. And there's probably thousands of the same mistake. So I agree. I think it's definitely worth looking into. I think it's one extra way to consumer protection and anything we can do with the consumer is a good step, a step in the right direction. So I look forward to, and I thank the city solicitor for drafting an ordinance and thank council Marks for putting it forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. good opportunity to get a good business in Medford. Um, and I like council and I, I think the figures need to be made. Um, not only do they pay 3 million for the property, I think they put almost 4 million in improvements already and plan to invest 8 million in total. Um, there's also 27 jobs that are being brought from their old location to Medford with a commitment of 20 additional new jobs over the next five years. And, Medford residents. I know the wording in the contract is obviously not exactly what I'm going to say, but Medford will get preferential treatment and hopefully the applications from Medford residents will be looked at first so that we can hire within. Um, we also have many vehicles that we're going to bring in excise taxes for. Um, there is substantial amount of money being paid in taxes in this exemption over a 10 year period will be about $69,817. which is a reduction of between $6,000 and $7,000 per year. We did do the lowest percentage, and again, this is for the exemption, so they can get the state exemption. We look forward to the business getting up and running in Medford, and I wish them good luck, and I think this is something not only to support a business that has already bought the property, but it's a good tool to use to entice other businesses to come into Medford, and I hope it's use more often so we can fill some of our vacant storefronts and things like that. Um, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, president. So I think we made it part of the committee report, but I just want to reiterate the annual report that is sent to the state that Medford get a copy, um, the clerk's office and OCD. I just want to make that part of the report.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Thank you. With regards to, you said the injections will be vertical. Is that because the main spot of the contamination is under a building?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there going to be any effects to that building during or after injection?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then do you have any breakdowns at all for the $900,000 with regards to the contingency? How much is that? And when will the money be expended and on what specifically?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you for the rundown. I wish we got, I mean, the mayor sent us this paper. I wish we got more than a couple sentences and maybe got that break down so we could review it over the weekend. But that's all my questions for now. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Delaware. So I was going to say, where's the 200,000 come into play? That's left over. Are we expecting this to cost another 1.1? No, no.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, $200 goes first, then the $900? Follows, yeah. And then what will we do if we have remaining monies? I would expect it would go back, right?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: put it back to water-retained earnings? Okay. And then, with regards, I think Council Member Marks touched upon it, with regards to the RFP that goes out, will there be a back-out clause if, so if testing after six months doesn't show improvement or enough improvement, will there be, I think Council Member Marks mentioned who can back out, but are we going to make sure we have a back-out clause?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If our city engineer would just let us know the time frame of going out for an RFP. I don't believe we're under any time constraints, so do we have a couple weeks to review, obviously, the financial aspect of it, the studies, maybe give a call to our city solicitor and make sure that money can be spent out of that account. I trust our auditor, but the language does sound a little confusing. So if we could maybe cross our Ts and dot our Is, what are we looking for a time frame as far as we want to start in the spring? So do we have a month or so to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then so you're expecting to go for an RFP end of January, sometime February?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, it just was with us having getting a breakdown, probably hopefully in our Friday packet of the 900,000 talking to the city, you know, try to get a grasp of the law and make sure that it's coming out of the right account. Cause I don't doubt that maybe it should come out of free cash. Um, If we could just have a couple of weeks to review the documentation, I don't know how my colleagues feel. I think this project needs to get done. This is one avenue, one way to do it, and it's obviously what the mayor's choosing to do, and our engineer believes it's the best avenue, and I don't doubt that, but if we could just have a little more time on it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table for a week or two.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Sorry. Um, just so I understand it correctly too. When did the assessment come in? Like when did we figure this out?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the assessment came in after we voted for the budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Isn't he our? Oh, no, he's not our Massport rep anymore. He was our Massport rep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And through the chair to the city clerk, do, Do we have a responsibility to put this in the paper, advertise, and accept resumes? It's good we're discussing it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just remember we made it public and then a number of people called and sent resumes in and then we discussed it as a whole.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If maybe we could ask them, however the mayor's office announces her vacancies, if maybe she would, her office through you could do it for us, and then we could consider.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President de la Rizzo. I also think it's important to advertise it somewhat, whether that be on our website or in the paper. I'm not sure how the mayor does it when there is a vacancy that she appoints, but I think we need to ask her to do the same because we need to give everybody in the community an opportunity to come forward and request to be appointed to that committee. It is an important committee. It's one that controls Hormel Stadium, and I think it's definitely something that needs to be vetted out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I move to table the matter.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, and I move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yn ddiweddaraf, rwy'n gobeithio y byddai'r cynghrair hwnnw'n gweithio'n dda iawn, ac rwy'n meddwl y byddai'r cynghrair hwnnw'n gweithio'n dda iawn, ac rwy'n meddwl y byddai'r cynghrair hwnnw'n gweithio'n dda iawn, ac rwy'n meddwl y byddai'r cynghrair hwnnw'n gweithio'n dda iawn, ac rwy'n meddwl y byddai'r cynghrair hwnnw'n gweithio'n dda iawn, ac rwy'n meddwl y byddai'r cynghrair hwnnw'n gweithio'n dda iawn efallai i ddysgu gyda rhai o'n swyddiwyr y sefydliadau sy'n mynd ymlaen yn eich sefydliad. Rwy'n credu y mae angen i bobl siarad, ac mae angen iddyn nhw siarad yn llawd a'n glir, oherwydd pan ddechreuon ni'n gynllunio cymdeithasol, a bydd yn mynd i ffwrdd, nid ydym yn dechrau unrhyw beth i ddiwedd 2018, dwi'n credu. Dwi'n credu bod hynny'n dda iawn. Rwy'n credu, wrth fynd ymlaen, roeddwn i'n gweld ac mae'n rhaid i bobl siarad. Yn ystod yr wythnos diwethaf, wrth gwrs, mae bywydau o'r gymuned, nid dim ond y polisi, yn ymweld â ni a'n dweud i ni y byddwn yn rhaid i ni wneud bethau'n well. Pan ddechreuais yr ystafell, unwaith eto, dim ystafell ymgeisydd, ond pan fyddwch chi'n mynd drwy'r front dŵr, roedd swyddi sydd wedi dweud eu bod nhw'n teimlo'n anodd. Nid oes unrhyw farchnad o ran glas bulleth. Gallwch wneud ymlaen a gweld eich swyddi o'ch 6 neu 7 swyddi yn cael ei ddarganfod gyda, rwy'n credu oedd hwnnw'n ffwrdd ymgyrch neu rhywbeth. Roedd fy ngwyrdd am ychydig awr, ac mae'n bwysig iawn. Roeddwn i'n rhaid i mi ddefnyddio'r ystafell dynol, ac roeddwn i'n mynd allan o'r polisi. Dydw i ddim, yn fy meddwl iawn, yn mynd i'r ystafell eich ystafell eich. Dwi'n siŵr, ond, ac mae hynny'n lle rydyn ni ddim yn eisiau cael ein holl bobl a'n dynwyr sy'n ffwrdd am ein hawliau, i weithio ac, rydych chi'n gwybod, ysbrydu bob y byddwn i'n gofyn y byddwn ni'n mynd ymlaen yn fwy cyfrannol na'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwneud â'r rhai sy'n ymwne Yn ogystal â'r dechrau o'r broses, rwy'n credu y mae'n rhaid i hynny ddechrau nawr. Diolch yn fawr, Gweinidog.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In 2010-11, we asked the Board of Health to condemn the building and the Board of Health for the City of Medford would not condemn the building.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yr holl un sy'n ymdrech. Yr holl un sy'n ymdrech. Yr holl un sy'n ymdrech
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Rydw i'n mynd i agor gyda'r cwmni, ond hefyd gofyn Ms. McLeod, a yw'r Prif Weinidog wedi'i wynebu'r adroddiad i'r cyhoedd? Yn aml iawn, bob wythnos, rydyn ni'n cael adroddiad drwy e-mail o'i gysylltiadurau. Rwy'n gwybod, yn aml, yn y papurau o'r Cyngor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Rwy'n gwybod eich bod chi'n ymwneud â'r Prif Weinidog, Lungel Curran.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mae'n bwysig i ni ddefnyddio'r papur hwn, mae'n sŵn y Llywodraeth, ac rydyn ni'n mynd yn recordiaeth i gefnogi ei sŵn, ac rwy'n credu mai mae'n bwysig i'r cymuned, ond rydw i'n cydnabod gyda Gweinidog Marks, rwy'n credu y byddwn, os byddem eisiau gwneud hynny ar y top o ddefnyddio'r papur hwn, rwy'n ymwneud i hynny, i ddod allan gyda'n ffyrddwyr ein hunain ar un arall ar unrhyw amser, ond rwy'n meddwl y mwyaf o amserau y gallwn ddangos ein bod ni'n cefnogi cyfathrebu ac mae pobl yn cael eu hysbysu'n unig, y mwyaf dda. Ac rwy'n credu ei fod yn bwysig, mae gennym 25 grwpiau o fewn y prosiect hwn sy'n rhoi gobeithio ar y ddinas hwn ac yn rhoi gobeithio ar yr holl bobl ar y ddinas hwn, ac rwy'n credu ei fod yn bwysig i ddangos ein cefnogaeth. Dyna miloedd o bobl sy'n mynd i weithio'n gilydd, sydd wedi bod yn gweithio'n gilydd, ar gyfer gweithredu'r cymuned hon, felly rwy'n credu, efallai na fyddwn ni'n ei wneud o'r ddau, ac rwy'n cydnabod, ac rwy'n gwybod bod rhywun wedi mynd i'r podiwm yn dweud eu bod nhw eisiau i'r Prif Weinidog ei wneud llwybrau eu hunain. Rwy'n credu bod hynny'n bwysig iawn hefyd, ac rwy'n gobeithio y byddwch chi yma hefyd. Efallai yw hynny'n nesaf. Ysgrifennwch y Llyfrgell y Prif Weinidog, gofyn iddyn nhw wneud llwybrau eu hunain, ac hefyd ddod â'n iaith ein hunain ar ddi ar ddechrau'r newydd i ddangos, nid dim ond y byddwn ni'n ymwneud â chyfrifiad yr ymgeisydd, ond rydyn ni'n creu ein iaith eich hun, er mwyn dangos i'r pobl y byddwn ni'n cefnoga'n fwyaf o gyfrifiad a chyfrifiad. Diolch yn fawr, Gweinidog.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Y 134, mae'r ymdrechion rydw i'n cael ynglyn â'r ardal Wegmans. Mae cyhoeddwyr sy'n byw yn y towerau ac yn defnyddio'r 134, felly na, nid ydyn ni wedi drafod y 134, dwi ddim yn credu. Ac i gael bus sy'n dod o 30 i 40 munud, lle mae rhai o'r cyhoeddwyr yn ymwneud â bod yn anodd, mae gennym prosiectau yma yn yr ardal hwnnw sy'n mynd i gynnwys Yn ystod y 6 i 9 mlynedd nesaf, mae'n mynd i ddod i'r angen ar gyfer y gwasanaeth ymdrechol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, y gwasanaeth ychwanegol, ac rwy'n gwybod bod yna rhai sy'n cael eu cyflawni yn yr ystafellau, ond rydyn ni bob amser yn dweud bod hynny'n millennau ac nid oedd ganddyn nhw ffermau, ac rydyn nhw'n mynd i ddefnyddio'r bus a'r cymdeithas drwy'r T a'r MBTA. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn bwysig y byddwn ni'n cael y bus hwnnw ar gael, felly, ie, rydyn ni'n cael cymdeithas dda iawn ar gyfer ein bywydau. Dyna'r ystafell hwnnw. Roedd gen i bywydau yn yr ystafell sydd eisiau siarad arno, ond rydyn ni'n mynd i'r am Mae'n bwysig i ni ddechrau'r sgwrs ar hyn o bryd. Mae'n bwysig i ni ddechrau'r sgwrs ar hyn o bryd. Mae'n bwysig i ni ddechrau'r sgwrs ar hyn o bryd.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. And thank you, Mayor Burke, um, not only for coming to give us an update tonight, but also for being there on Friday. Um, it was unfortunate Rick and I weren't allowed in, but we were happy that at least our state delegation and you were there to represent the city. The question I have is with regards to this vote that was supposed to be taking place in Boston in December. Now, is that still going to be taking place with regards to rerouting the Milton air traffic over Medford, or is that something?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the members of, people from the FAA will be at the Massport meeting, and so we don't know 100% if this vote is gonna take place or not, but you don't believe so?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then you said the fall of 2017, all of 17, which is astounding.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'm president Delaware. So I think John gave a good synopsis of, you know, the law and what it entails and what it, what it was, the purpose was. Um, and I think it's really important that the, the city look into it. We, we do own three acres of that property and there is a developer who has a proposal that's obviously scaled down from their last proposal. We also have the group, the friends of the Felsmere Heights who, who have a, almost a better proposal, obviously less dense, um, less units and more open space. So it's something that we want to push and, um, advocate for. And we would love the attorney general's help to oversee this because the intent of the law is to figure out for this five, I guess, reasons why the law was put in place. But for Medford it's important because it, it will help figure out whether the proposed transaction is in the best is in the public's interests. And I think that's something we would love to have the Attorney General review with the help of being pushed, obviously, by our city solicitor, Mark Rumley, because when the, back in September, September, October of 2015, there was a group of people that did ask the Attorney General's office for some help, and they ruled that it wasn't acute care, you know, mainly, I think, because it was closed down, it was closed down in 2000, but that's truly not the intent of the law. I think if you're gonna, any acute care facility that wants to get around Chapter 180 would just close down and sell a month or two or 10, 15 years later. Where in this, you know, the intent of the law is to make sure that the public's interests are taken into account, whether you're closed, no matter when you're closed. It's the fact that it was a hospital. It was owned by Malden Healthcare and then sold to Hallmark Health. So we want to ask the city solicitor to advocate on Medford's behalf, on obviously the behalf of the friends of Felsmere Heights and all the residents who are affected by this location. We want to ask that the AG do investigate and do look into this parcel and do render an opinion and create an atmosphere where there is a public hearing, which I think is going to be extremely beneficial in the long run. So I do respectfully ask that our city solicitor look into this. There is a letter that was drafted to the AG's office, September 14th, 2015, that we'd probably like to give to our solicitor. We have hard copies and I think we've all been emailed the letter and that will be a good starting point and I think Mark and his office would do a great job advocating for the community and hopefully get the attention of the AG, which the friends haven't been able to do yet. And I think coming from, obviously, with the mayor's support and our AG's, our city solicitor's office, it would go a long way.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Marks, the FAA meeting is on Friday in Burlington at 10 a.m. There was a more important meeting on Thursday night in Boston at Logan Airport to discuss a vote that's going to be taken to reroute the Milton air traffic through Medford. That's been postponed, I believe, until December 1. Thank you. I just want to thank Councilor Marks for bringing this. to the table again, I think it's important that we speak about it as much as we can and to educate the public. I know there's a number of residents that have been emailing us. Some are just complaints, and there are actually a few with some residents who are more educated than anybody else in the community. And thankfully, they're educating the council through letting us know when meetings are, sending us air flight patterns. I mean, you name it, we've received in it, especially the last I'd say really in the last month or two, even though this issue has been the last few years, especially since runway 33 L it's something that is happening in my neighborhood. So I'm, you know, obviously very concerned about it. But like I said, I think last week of the week, two weeks ago, this is affecting 30,000 Medford residents, if not everybody in Medford, because no matter where you live, you hear it, whether it's right above whether it's right above your home or whether you're at the pivot point or a little bit away from it. I mean, it's happening at all hours of the night and all hours in the morning. I don't notice it much during the day, but when you, it's hard to get to bed, it wakes you up at night and it's in the morning, it's starting at four or five in the morning from what I hear and the complaints that I'm getting. So I think it's extremely important. And Councilor Marks is right. I can be correct, stand corrected, but we have two reps from what I've learned over the last couple of weeks. One rep, um, Mr. And Mrs. Miso is the CAC rep. And from what I understand has never attended a meeting like Councilor Marks pointed out. We also have a rep that this council has requested numerous times of the last nine months to appear before the council to just let us know what has gone on, what communication, even if you haven't attended a meeting, what communication have you had with our state delegation? to let us know that something is in the works, that there is a meeting that will be attended, that the mayor is on top of it, and nothing. We've received nothing. And now we're forced to have triple the amount of air traffic if this vote comes to fruition in December, which is, I believe, the vote is being pushed, and they want to take this vote by December. tremendously affect the city of Medford, and it's something that we do need a seat at the table. I know I do have confirmation myself as well that the mayor and city solicitor Rumley will be at the Friday meeting, but that December 1st meeting, I'm unaware if anybody will be in attendance, and that is gonna be a far more, they're all important, but of far more importance, because the city of Milton is complaining. They have created, whether the residents and the elected officials have created such a base of complaints and obviously have been on the forefront of pushing the issue. And from what I understand, they have air traffic about 6,000 feet above. We're here in Medford, and I'll thank constituents who have educated me. We're at 2,500 feet. At times, it feels like planes are going to land on your home. Children, it's affecting everybody, children, the elderly, and just every single person that lives in a home. Some homes are shaking. We need to get, and I'm glad to hear, I thought we weren't up there with the complaints, but I'm glad to hear tonight that Medford is complaining, and I urge every resident to continue complaining. And I know there was a resident here probably a couple months ago who said the complaints are gonna come into play. And we obviously, the residents, it's great to hear that the residents are complaining, but we need our administration and we need to get involved and make sure that we're complaining too. I do plan on going to the meeting on Friday. I can let anybody know what time that will be. That's at 10, and I'm not sure. The city solicitor is looking into a timeframe to see if it was an ending time for that meeting, because I know a lot of us do have to work as well. But that December 1st meeting, if we can get an update from the mayor, and also while we're talking about it tonight, a request to see if our city solicitor will be at that meeting as well. I'm sure I missed a number of things, and I know we have residents here that maybe want to educate us a little more. But what is coming down the line with regards to that vote is substantially going to impact this community. And when you talk about being fourth and highest out of 77, we're going to, once that happens, if we don't start complaining now and getting involved, we're going to be number one and our phones are going to ring off the hook and people are going to be quite upset with regards to the traffic above our neighborhoods.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's at the FAA office in Burlington. City Solicitor Rumley is getting the address. He's not sure exactly where the office is.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, that will be in Boston.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's in my email, but I don't have it written down yet.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. And I believe last time you were at our meeting a couple months ago, you had mentioned how the amount of complaints does factor in. Could you just reiterate what you stated?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DeLaRusso. And do we have a resident that knows exactly where to complain to so we could maybe announce that publicly? I know there's a phone. City website. City website has.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that's important just to educate the public and let them know. And in the contact section. Great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This is along the same lines. I got a complaint this week about the MBTA buses unoccupied besides the driver, obviously, especially especially at night after it's gotten dark, just speeding down South Street. It goes along with, obviously, the speeding issue we spoke about two weeks ago. But if we can just try to work on eliminating speeding wherever we can, if there's any chance we can have the administration send a letter to the MBTA just to reduce speeding, especially obviously on our main roads, but all over the city, if we can just remind the MBTA bus drivers to reduce their speed to the speed limit, that would be extremely helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Uh, just briefly, um, through the chair, I agree with Councilor Scarpelli and I'm thankful Sergeant Hartnett came to our meeting. At six o'clock, it was good to have him there to discuss traffic up at the Malden Hospital site and obviously in the Heights. But I think concerning is the fact that we as a city only have five officers, and that includes Sergeant Hartnett in our traffic division. And that's just truly not enough in a community our size. I think it was mentioned, and you could probably correct me, Councilor Scarpelli, Somerville has about 18 in their traffic division. So it was good to hear from Sergeant Hartnett, you know, different things that have been going on in the last few weeks, but obviously we need a bigger department. We need to, I think we need more than 65 officers and we also need more than five in our traffic division. Um, the, the amount of speeding complaints, whether it be at a community meeting or people emailing or giving us, sending us phone calls, is speeding. Speeding is, I believe somebody just heard tonight, somebody was hitting on Salem Street over the weekend, and obviously we know what happened at the Brooke School, but there's also, you know, other areas that are hot spots, and we have a problem. This is the probably sixth week in a row that we've spoken about it, and hopefully the mayor hears us loud and clearly, and we can work some numbers and try to hire some more men and women, and specifically put one or two more in the traffic department so that we can curb the speeding because more people are just going to get hurt and it's not safe.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: then I think if you were voting on this, we just have to be clear to the traffic commission. We'd like the signs to go up, even though it may take months to move or eliminate the crosswalk because we know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would ask council Falco if he would like to say as soon as possible, as soon as possible,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Since the speeding on South Street and the heavy trucking was discussed on October 25th, I received additional phone calls from concerned residents who live in and around South Street And this is one recommendation that was put forth, and I think it's a good resolve. And it would alleviate the heavy trucking, help alleviate the heavy trucking from South Harvard, Boston Ave, a number of different roadways in South Medford that are getting hit with heavy trucking. I'm pretty sure right now, Route 16, there's no trucking allowed. So if we could change that, I don't see a reason why we couldn't. Obviously, we need the help of traffic commission in the state, but if we could have the traffic commission look into this, I think it would alleviate the heavy trucking. I actually went in a gentleman's home over the last week, and the pitchers, I mean, the heavy trucking is going over the catch basins so heavily that the pitchers are being, you know, obviously crooked on the walls, the inner wall facing South Street. So I think They definitely need some resolve in that area, and I think this would help alleviate our main thoroughfares from the trucking.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. The good news is that we're doing some street sweeping in the city of Medford. I've seen the crews out and it looks like they're doing a diligent effort, but I did receive a couple complaints that are going around some cars. And from what I understand, a few people have called the mayor's office to complain. And at this point, there would be no tagging and towing from what I understand. And I just wanted to see if that was truly the case. And if it is, is this going to be just for the fall? Are we going to do something different in the spring? I just, people are upset that if you do go around a car, obviously you're leaving, you know, heavy leaves, now wet leaves that are in our roadways to obviously clog catch basins. And obviously it's not cleanly in front of certain people's homes. So just want to see if there is a policy in place, what we're doing during the fall street sweeping and what we plan on doing in the spring so that we can educate the residents with regard when we do get a call that why is my street dirty? I'm sorry. And then we can tell them there must've been cars parked there and the policy this fall. part of the administration is that we're not tagging and towing. We're just going around the cars. I think it's just good for the council to know the residents to know, um, because I, most residents want their entire street clean. They want in front of their home cleaned. So I think it's just important question that we need answered and the residents, um, want the answer to. And hopefully whether that's a policy in the fall, hopefully we do educate the residents, let them know ahead of schedule when the streets sweeping will be in the spring. and we do what we can to make sure the whole street is swept, whether we have to take it in tow. Um, I think that's sometimes a necessary element of, um, street sweeping. And obviously people need fair warning, many different ways to be warned, but it's something that the residents are calling and questioning and they deserve an answer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Close enough. Thank you, President Deller. So I just want to table this till next week. I want to thank the clerk. Got me some information I need. And I just want to do a little more research because I'm trying to pull paperwork at my house that I can't find on this one. So I'll table this till next week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I put this on. It's probably like my fourth or fifth resolution in the last several months with regards to the airport noise. Yes, we have asked Mr. Gliona to come to the council. I understand he must be busy, and I understand there's meetings that maybe have been postponed. I just still feel that after a few months, we should have some sort of update, either from the administration, with regards to what the administration has done, or from our representative on the Massport Commission. The problem, obviously, is one that we've been getting complaints about. It was a lot last summer, and then this summer it got worse. And then from what I understand, because we have lane 33L that was put in place, which is why we started getting the air traffic over the last couple of years. And from what I understand, Logan used runway 15 for arrivals actually this weekend. So that's a second runway. And all the planes came over Medford, mainly Medford Heights. But it's still affecting 26. Both lanes are affecting 26,000 to 30,000 residents in Medford. And it seems like Medford really doesn't have a hand at the table. We never have. And I'm really hoping that the new administration will start to get a grasp and get a seat at the table. There's a big meeting coming up on the 18th. And I did email the mayor's office to make sure a representative or two or three from Medford would be there with a handful of other communities that are facing the same problem. If we don't have a seat at that table, it's only going to get worse. The city or town of Milton is really on top of the issue. They're complaining, and Massport did relocate over the weekend lane 15, which now was coming over Medford. And if that continues on top of the 33L, we're in for nightly noise. I mean, when I hear it, it's every three minutes for hours at a time. And I'm starting to hear it every single day or night. And it's really becoming a disturbance. and I'm getting a lot of complaints about it, but we still, I don't think, have enough support. You know, the people need to understand what needs to be done, and nobody's really informing the public on what needs to be done, where we need to complain to, how we get our information, and that's something that this administration has to lead on. We've asked numerous times for updates. I really hope that the mayor and some other representative will be at that meeting on the 18th, and I believe it's in Somerville, but we really need to start taking this extremely seriously before we're the only ones that aren't complaining and we're getting traffic non-stop 24 hours a day. That's my fear. And it's already a nuisance for so many. I mean, creating headaches and anxiety and problems for a number of people that have called and complained to me. So I just really hope that we can get an update. Mr. Gliona obviously has never come to the council. I understand that there's possible meeting problems, but we should have some sort of update from at least our administration to say, this is what's going on. This is how we're involved. This is what we're doing. This is the meetings we're going to. This is how we're fighting this. This is how we're saying to Massport and the FAA, we need some relief because we really do need some relief. I don't know if there's anybody here in the audience that wants to talk about it, but it's a serious problem. It really is, especially in North Medford and the Heights. So I hope we can, get some resolution on that. Chair recognizes Councilor Falco.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This subject, too, came up at least once in the last three months with regards to South Street. It seems like every week we have an issue on one or two streets, depending on where we get in the complaints that coming week. The speeding is an issue. South Street, I've received a number of complaints with regards to the speeding, not only of cars, but also of heavy trucking. And trucking is coming down. banging manholes, waking people up. It's a real problem, and it's something that I think we need to either get some enforcement or some speed bumps. I don't believe we can necessarily do race crosswalks on all these streets, but we need to do something to deter the traffic, the speeding. They're coming from Winthrop Street, buzzing around the corner there, and just flying. It's a straight shoot, and we're talking 40, 50 plus miles per hour, a number of cars all the time. There's so many people that cross, at least, especially Walnut and South, somebody's going to get hurt. So if we could ask that the chief of police put some enforcement in that location, and we also ask for an update from, I believe there was supposed to be a potential island put in, anything to deter the traffic. This is another location. that really need some help. And I know we're doing whatever we can in different locations in Medford. I know that Alston and High is getting some work done. This is another location that, like Highland Ave, like South Street, Main Street, one of our main drags that is creating a serious safety risk. So I really hope that we can request speed bumps on South Street as a council and deterrent, just a deterrent for the speeding.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to second that, President Dello Russo. I believe I've been getting the trucking complaints on South Street for the last couple of years since we did no heavy trucking on Harvard. So I think you're getting the trucks that can't go on Harvard or don't think they can go on Harvard coming down South now. And I think maybe that's where the overflow is coming from. So I think making South Street no heavy trucking is a good idea and something that almost the residents need as, as part of their relief.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just briefly, if we could also just further amend it. I think with the amount of speeding complaints we're getting and the questions we have for the chief of police, if we could set up a committee of the whole meeting to just discuss with the mayor and the chief of police what else we can do. I think it's great that we have the complete streets grant that's coming and we're going to improve a number of different locations in the city. that's only going to do so much for a small amount of streets. We need to create a better plan on how we can enforce our streets with regards to the speeding in a better manner. I don't think we're doing a good enough job. And I think something needs to be done, whether we need to put more police officers on, get more speed monitors, figure out how many are trained to enforce speeding. I know traffic counters are involved. And people are now starting to not only complain about the speeding, but to ask us these questions. And we don't know the answers. I didn't know we only had one traffic counter. We learned in budget time that we only had one speed monitor sign that's broken. We've asked for a second one. I believe they're being purchased. But we don't know the facts and figures. And we don't know the constraints of our police department and what we need to do to make sure we boost levels in the enforcement of traffic. because people are getting hit, people are getting hurt, and we need to do something in this community. We need to step up to the plate, all get to the table, and decide how we can proceed in a way that's going to make our streets safer for the children, for the elderly, for anybody who's crossing the street at any given moment. We need to make sure we're doing a better job.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just a brief acknowledgement to the Chamber of Commerce. They branched off, Kelly Catalo and Janet Donnelly ran a women's networking event tonight at Salvatore's restaurant. I just want to congratulate them. They had almost 40, 50 women there networking. It was a nice event and I told them I'd give them a shout out. It went really well. Thank Denise Baker from Sal's who donated all the pizza.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Just on that point, if we could just request from the Mayor's Office written notification if the Interim Director has been appointed as the full-time director, because I was unaware, so I know, I believe the Council's word, but if we could just get a report from the Mayor's Office to clarify that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: with cross-country and he is an amazing guy. I still keep in touch with him today. One of my two favorite coaches next to Mr. Scarpelli. So just wanted to congratulate all the inductees, the Murphy family, and it'll be a great day, I'm sure, on November 20th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To request... Thank you, President Dello Russo. I thought we were under suspension. The agenda is pretty much done. I know there's some changes that have been proposed from the Rules Committee, and I, as well as the public, have got a few calls and emails on this. It's pretty lengthy, the copy that we got in our Friday's packet. I don't see the actual changes like highlighted anywhere. I know I've noticed a few myself after reviewing the documents. I just wanted to ask before tomorrow night's meeting if we could get the actual proposed changes highlighted on a version so that we can make sure we're not missing any of the important changes that are being proposed tomorrow night. So I just would like to ask that in a motion form. I think it's important and I know a lot of people are interested in these changes. Even for myself, it was hard when I was reading it. I noticed a number of changes, especially in section 10 and 10.2, 10.3. But I want to make sure I'm not missing anything. So it was a little difficult for me to review it, never mind the public who isn't here every Tuesday night.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just going to respectfully ask that before we meet on this, and it's only going to, I truly appreciate the amount of time spent, but the committee members and I agree that rules need to be reviewed. But with such a controversial issue at this point, I mean, this came out on Friday and we've.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, we got we got these proposed changes in our packet on Friday. We received them and we received it in the summer. The public didn't know about it. I didn't read it until this weekend. And I can't tell the public there are five changes versus 20 changes. And for us not to be able to highlight the changes to the public and to even ourselves, I just think that's something that needs to be done before we sit and meet on it. Because if we're bombarded with, I don't know how many changes there are. If there are 25 changes, I mean, that's going to be a lot to go over tomorrow night. And I know you need a majority vote, but it might be only one or two that are hesitant and have concerns. continue as concerns and I just think it's a little fast to push it. You know expedited when we have you know we do have the public kind of concerned about it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to agree with Councilor Marks. It almost makes me antsy not to know the exact proposed changes. I can't imagine not allowing the public to speak during every single issue. I mean, that's sometimes how we shape our votes. I mean, we have 100 people for the Locust Street development. We knew what the people wanted and what they were upset about. If we didn't have something like that, I think it would be just a terrible way to do business. I think a lot of the ways we do it now is the right way, and letting the people speak and have their First Amendment right. And people respect that, and people are scared enough to come in front of the podium, never mind having to be barred, you know, follow all these rules. So I have grave concern about that myself.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. If we could just take resolution 16-723 for announcement from Director Deborah Fallon, Portal to Hope.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. We do have Deborah Fallon, who's the director of Portal to Hope before us tonight, as well as I believe two people that also volunteer and work for Portable Hope on a number of different events, and whether it be fundraising or helping victims of domestic violence, this organization serves a number of communities and does great work for people in need of services, whether that be emergency shelter, to public assistance, to legal assistance, There's a number of things that this organization does and does well, and they've been doing for many years, thanks to Director Fallon. And I would like her to make a few announcements, let us know what she's doing in the community and how she's there to help.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to, Oh, you'll say, I just want to point out my, my resolution was just inaccurate. I believe they're at the Andrews middle school this weekend for the community day. but October 26th, which is next Wednesday, five o'clock, we'll be here at city hall. So I just wanted to point that out a second time and all are welcome to attend. And I want to thank Deb for coming forward tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Dello Russo. I just, I think it's great that we did appropriate some money or the city, the linkage committee did appropriates 20,000 to review parking in the area at the South method is an area where we get a lot of complaints and Mr. Silva's right. There's, there's more permits that are given out than their actual parking spaces, which does cause a problem. Um, in, in, I think we should be hopeful and hope that this $20,000 will go to be spent in a reasonable amount of time to come up with some resolution to the issue. But I think Mr. Silva gives a number of great recommendations that really should be implemented on an immediate basis. I think allowing the public lot to be used during street sweeping nights is a extremely good point. And I think there's little things that can be done to alleviate some of the congestion and some of the problems that are taking place. So I really hope that the Traffic Commission reviews the bullet points and takes them into account and potentially votes on them at the next meeting. I'm not sure if Jim knows when the next meeting is, so maybe we could get this on the agenda and maybe a few Councilors could come and support you and the neighbors who are having the problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just asking when the next traffic meeting is. Do you know? I think they're the second Tuesday of every month. Second Tuesday. So November, second Tuesday in November.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you could let us know when the next meeting is and if we could request that this be on the agenda for that meeting in November.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct. And if we could ask the Traffic Commission to put this on the agenda specifically, that congestion and parking in South Medford be discussed. with the recommendations from the city council and Mr. Silva to be addressed and voted on. I think that making that request is something that we can do. It's in our purview. We can make requests and recommendations, and I think it's something that will go a long way in helping Mr. Silva's cause and the citizens of South Medford who are having a great deal of problems in that area.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Um, I just want to second the paper. I drive down Fulton street on my way to drop off my kids every day. And this is a problem. You see pedestrians that don't have enough time. Um, I also want to see if you wouldn't mind amending the paper if, if, DCR is amenable to changing those lights, maybe giving a few extra seconds to people coming down Fulton Street, because we are getting a backup all the way past Jim's Market on some days. Today was right at Jim's Market, and it took 20 minutes to get down Fulton Street. So that's what, kids are being late for school, so we have a pedestrian issue, and we have, if we could just adjust those, that time as well, or request it, I think that would be helpful for the traffic that's backing up Um, because you definitely can give them an extra 10 seconds, each green signal and still have the Fells wake free and clear. Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, president Dello Russo. I too got a number of emails and two phone calls with regards to, what happened yesterday, and it is sad that that fell through the cracks. There was also, I believe, a gentleman in the audience posted on Facebook, so you actually see pictures of the principal, who obviously should be directing her students accordingly in the school, was out doing her due diligence and stopping traffic and allowing the children to cross. I mean, we know we've had a couple near misses in the last few weeks at that location, so everybody is concerned about it, we do need to make sure that that intersection and all our intersections near all of our schools are manned on a daily basis. If a crossing guard is out, we need to make sure somebody fills in to cross the students. I know I did reach out to the mayor's office and the mayor's office was very responsive and has asked a reserve crossing guard to remain at the post as well as a sector car for the remainder of the time that that crossing guard who is normally there will be out. So I thank the mayor's office for doing that. And hopefully we can keep on top of this through the mayor's office and through the chief of police. We can make sure that each and every one of our crossing locations for the schools is manned every day, morning and afternoon, so that we can prevent anything or do our best to prevent anything from happening to one of our children.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just wanted to make an announcement about an event that's taking place, multiple events that are taking place this weekend. And I don't probably have all the facts in my head because there's a large flyer that goes along with it that I didn't bring. A Medford resident who suffered a spinal cord injury months ago and who has gone through over 30 surgeries obviously has some medical bills that are in need to be paid. So on Saturday there is a blood drive, which is a good sentiment. And then there is a golf tournament at Mount Hood that begins at noon. And there is a event Saturday night at the Irish American where there will be a over 50 raffles and silent auctions. There'll be a band and a comedian and all money raised goes to pay the medical bills. Um, for his name is TJ Scanlon. He's actually the brother of our assistant city solicitor, Kim Scanlon, who has suffered a tough few months and hopefully anybody is welcome to come and buy a ticket and get some raffles and have a good time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Rousseau. So you said the account is in deficit. Do you mean perpetual care?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what's the deficit?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. So the $185, will that cover us for the year? Yes. Do you know what we usually spend per year on that account? I do not, but I can get back to you on that. If we could just get an update on just what we are in deficit in that account and what we've spent year-to-date in that one account and what we spent in fiscal year 2016. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So for every account, what we've spent and what we're, that'd be great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I request this With regards to code violations, I think it will help the council better understand a number of things. I know, um, we've, we asked for more code enforcement all the time. And we also, um, are reviewing a number of things, including ordinances that have to do with enforcement and the need for enforcement, such as the, um, Tufts university ordinance mandating that they give us the, their numbers on a by, by yearly basis. So I think it's important that we see how many code violations are sent out each year and which ones actually have criminal, you know, have been sent to the criminal court. I know that the city of Somerville, after reading an article, obviously, not to compare ourselves to Somerville, but they hired a city solicitor to handle part of that job, I think it was an assistant, to handle all the code violations. And they, you know, within the article, they list the number of code violations since the beginning of the year. And I just want to see where Medford compares. And you know, if we are doing what we need to do to make sure our codes are enforced and being complied with. So if we could get a roll call vote on this, I think it will be very helpful moving forward with different ordinances that we have in the works.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This is something that the council has asked for before, and I believe the most recent time we've asked for this, and I could be corrected, stand corrected, but I believe we asked during budget hearings in June how many speeding tickets have been issued over the last year, and then another list of how many have been issued over the last two years. And I think it's important, as you'll see, the next, I believe, three or four resolutions after this have to do with what happened on Winthrop and High Street and Alston Street. I'm sorry, high in Austin Street with two accidents taking place. And I know there's been some work there, but I think overall speeding is one of the top five complaints that I get as a city Councilor. And, you know, I've been really on top of the fact that we don't have a working speed monitoring sign, movable sign that we can put in different places depending on when we're getting complaints or where we see the need. And I really think it's important that we, and the administration make sure that we are doing some enforcement. I know we're low-staffed, but we need to be doing some enforcement. And I just really don't see it being done. And I don't know, you know, what we can do, but definitely keeping track of it and trying to push the administration to push for more enforcement in all areas, especially the speeding, is going to help reduce accidents and reduce God knows what could happen. I would like to see if we could get that roll call vote please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think we have a number of great suggestions, depending on which area we're talking about, there's even more suggestions. But the bottom line is we need more enforcement. Whether we need to put more men and women on the police force just to do enforcement, or we need to ask the mayor to really push what we have now, Maybe it's time we have a meeting with the chief of police and request that the mayor be there as well. What is the quota? And there must be a reason why we've asked for how many speeding tickets have been issued in the last year, the last two years, and we failed two or three times in the last year or two to get the answer. There has to be a reason. We need to figure this out. We can't wait until there's an accident, or should I say two accidents where there's two people hit before we get to an area and do what needs to be done. Yellow, orange barrels should have been put out after that first accident, but they should have been put out prior to that accident. We know where the problems are. We know where the people are speeding. We know, I mean, where there are kids or families. I mean, it's just happening everywhere, so I really can't say we should, there just needs to be more enforcement. And I fail to see any anywhere. I never hear of anybody getting ticketed or anybody that complains to me about, speeding and lack of enforcement, nobody ever sees it being done. And that's something that we need to address and we need to do it sooner than later because somebody is, I'd hate for Joe or Cheryl or anybody to come before us and say, we spoke about this location six months ago and now somebody's dead. That's the last thing we want and it needs to come from the administration. The administration needs to talk to the chief of police and whether we be in the room or not, it needs to happen. We need more enforcement in this city. We need to make it a priority. It's extremely important so somebody doesn't get seriously injured.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll be brief. Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'm on the same page as Councilor Knight. I agree not to limit, but to ask, I was going to ask if we could just change the wording in the last sentence. And I think that's what Councilor Knight is reaching, getting at so that we don't come out saying we want a redesign. I mean, there may be other ways we can fix the problem rather than, you know, reconfiguring the whole intersection. So if we could create some language where we're just asking for, you know, whether it be a traffic study or conduct a study to research the possibilities at Winthrop Circle, I would be supportive.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Delaware. So if we could just go through what the city solicitor is reviewing for us, I think it has to do. I just don't recall the vote of what we asked the solicitor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Thank you, Mr. Kearns, for coming and bringing us all the information. The $165,000 from FEMA, can you remind me what the total reimbursement to Medford is?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So this $165,000 is the first payment of approximately $600,000? OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: that we had appropriated for stump removal and sidewalk replacement. I believe we were going to try to get a majority of our stumps removed from this outline you gave us. It looks like 26 have been done within the last few months.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. Thank you. Can you, can you tell us then where we're at with the 500,000? Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we haven't even started to expend the $500,000? No, as of this moment, no. So that would explain why only $26,000 had been removed for the $281,000? Yes. Okay, so we're going to start. If that process takes place, contract awarded, are we talking the spring then, that would be spent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. I think that covers everything. So, the delay in the awarding the contract was?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just briefly, just on, I think that's a great idea, Councilor Falco, and maybe take it one step further and putting it online so the residents can see it. If we can let the residents go online and be able to look at the list and what's been removed and what's coming up, it's almost like the C-Click fix, except advance notice, and it'd be definitely helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to second the motion for approval and ask, are you planning on doing any delivery?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My husband's been hounding me to get on you to do business delivery, because he enjoys your wings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Suspension, just to take one more, for common vigilance license. Just to get them to move along to his place.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you got George. Sorry. Thank you, President Dello Russo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Back several months ago, I believe it was before budget, So probably April, May, Republic Parking had sold, and the city was in negotiations with regards to the current contract we had with Republic Parking. We had met with the mayor and the city solicitor, and I believe I began asking questions and wanting to get answers, and I think we were told it's really out of our hands because we're not the negotiating authority. But it was in the works. It's been about four or five months now, so if we could get a written update with regards to where we're at, what changes have been made. I know that the mayor did discuss tweaks and changes in the contract. So if we could get an update, people are requesting answers from, I don't know about, from me, I don't know about the rest of the council, because people still want to see some changes with the current contract. So if we can get an update from the city solicitor or the mayor's office, whichever, seems appropriate. That would be, um, of, of help to get some answers to ask citizens and to know what's going on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If there is a new contract, that we do get a copy of the amendments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or the new.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. C-Click Fix was implemented a number of months ago, and I think it's something that this council repeatedly asked for. And I think there is some good that is coming out of it, but I know there are kinks that need to be worked out, and I think there's just a little bit more effort that needs to be put into it. Because time and time again, we either have somebody at the podium or we're getting an email or a phone call with regards to a complaint that was closed out prematurely or closed out with no resolve, although it says it has been resolved. And I think there are a few people who would like to speak up with regards to maybe specific issues. But I think we need, whether it be the council and the mayor's office and the administration together, we need to come up with some better ways of handling the problems. Now, I know that a lot of this comes with regards to the enforcement. enforcement has been lacking in this city for many years, I think on a number of levels, and it's something that has been spoken about time and time again. And I think that's something that we still need to improve on with regards to enforcement and taking complaints seriously. So I'd like to leave some time to allow residents that would like to talk specifics, give them the podium. But I think in the future, we do need to sit down and meet and go over this again. I know we got an update in June with the budget and kinks were being worked out, but I still am hearing the complaints and would like to figure out a way to better resolve issues that come through C-Click Fix so we can use it as a tool that is obviously getting better results than we are now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Uh, thank you, president Dello Russo. I, along the same lines as Councilor Marks. Um, we did get a report back in March and I think from go live date until March 31st, I have some numbers. So, just share them, and I, too, would like to see the current numbers as of the—go live date to March 31st. There were 745 posts. Sixty were open in March, 213 were acknowledged, 145 were closed, and 327 were archived. So I, too, would like to see the current numbers from March going forward, or maybe the numbers in their entirety. And I, too, think Rob Capucci made a good point. I mean, that, I think, would do a lot of good having not only something say it's closed, but what was done, who did it, and if it was referred to another department, that other department then needs to say what they've done and how it's been fixed or why they cannot fix it. I think that would be huge and definitely help the residents and give them a little bit more sense of relief and less frustration. If there's something that can't be done, it can't be done, and that's when something should be closed. And I do feel there's a problem with following our ordinances and enforcement. And if this is just, I don't think it's just an issue in South Medford, although South Medford does have some issues that need to be worked on. I think we need to follow our ordinances and be uniform throughout this entire, the entire city. If it's safe to park on some sidewalks, you know, and not safe to park on others, we need to figure that all out. And I would think the administration is in process of trying to get a little tighter on our enforcement of our ordinances, but that takes manpower and people and more time. And we need to put more time into resolving issues on C-Click Fix, because it's the one avenue besides coming to a city council meeting or giving a call to a Councilor or the mayor, it's the one avenue the people, the residents of this city have to report a whole host of number of issues. And they'd like to see a resolve or an answer in some fashion or form. And the complaints that are coming my way are more than I expected. And I'd like to see, you know, us do a little bit of a job in trying to educate and give a closure to people's concerns and questions and complaints.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That we request that the city administration give more specific updates with regards to each instance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Rousseau. I just want to echo the sentiments of my council colleagues. I also have known Fred for a long time, he's a great guy, and this week he's a hero, so thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, am very thankful that we were able to meet with the mayor this evening at 5.30 to discuss any questions that we had with regards to this 1.2 from free cash, which is associated with a $1.8 million bond that is also, I believe, going to be taken off the table tonight. More importantly, I think it was extremely important that we do see the big picture as well, and I'm very happy that we got something in our hands with regards to a capital improvement plan. This details 6 million in spending, possible 6 million in spending for fiscal year 17. It shows us 27 possible in 18, 19 million in fiscal year 19, 11.5 in fiscal year 20, and 7 million in fiscal year 21, probably 50, 60 projects that are on this plan, and I know it's a draft plan, and it will take some tweaking, but it's something to start with, and it's a good document to have, and it outlines where the money would come from, whether it be linkage, free cash, Chapter 90 funding, grants, MWRA loans, or the budget, obviously, or going out to bond. So it's a great starting point. It's something that I don't know when we would have received it if we didn't hold off last week. And I think the one week was well worth it to be able to get that document. With regards to the $1.8 million, it was good to be able to ask the questions. I think Councilor Marks pointed out last week we were told it was an et cetera. And everybody's been talking about that in the city. How are we going to vote on something when we don't know exactly what's going to be what exactly the $1.8 million is gonna be put into and all that we're given is a few line items and an et cetera. So this filled in those blanks and it was much more detailed and we were able to talk to the engineer, so that was very helpful. With regards to the roof, it's important to know that they're gonna start, if we approve this tonight, the appropriation can, the contract can be awarded tomorrow. And there's a start date of October 7th, probably taking us with a couple breaks through the winter into the spring for a finish of before June 30th, 2017. At the same time, the council chambers will take about two months to fix. And it looks like we got to ask a number of questions about the front entry renovations. I think that's part of the thing that needs to be issues that needed to be more detailed, and we did get that detail. So hopefully we can get this up on our website, we can educate the people on what this $1.8 million bond is gonna be used for, and we can keep educated, and I'm very happy that we had that meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You're there, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think my resolution basically sums it up, but last Thursday there was a meeting at the actual site of the Malden Hospital. Tents were set up, donuts and coffee was being passed out, and the developers, including their team, were present at this meeting. And there was a number of Medford residents and a number of Malden residents. Maldon City officials that were present and this is the same developer that proposed a project there last year and this year obviously they heard the concerns of Maldon residents and they toned it down. The site was toned down a significant amount from last year but it's still a massive, massive development with apartments, condos, townhouses, and obviously an issue There's definitely issues concerning the environment and traffic and the swimming pool that's going to be very close to Medford. There's a number of different things that were brought up at that meeting, but one of the big things that was discussed was the traffic impact, and I think that's something that Medford is very concerned with, and we should be, because you're looking at 450 potential plus cars that are going be on this site and traveling through our neighborhoods, through our streets, Murray Hill Road, which already gets a significant amount of traffic, is going to be greatly impacted. So I would just ask that we make sure, and I know the administration, I'm not sure if the administration is, how on top of it they are, but I know we are, we have requested an update from the administration. I was a little concerned that nobody from the administration was at this meeting, but I'm hoping In the background, they are discussing this with the Malden administration to make sure that our needs are met, and the traffic engineer, a big part of this is the traffic engineer that's gonna be hired. He has not done his study yet, and he is the same traffic engineer that worked on the Locust Street development, which concerns me. So I would just ask that we make sure that traffic study is done on our roads on that side of the project. I think that is gonna be huge, and I just don't wanna come two, three months from now looking at a traffic study where Medford wasn't included in this, and that was the loudest voice in the audience, the Medford residents worried about traffic. So that's my first part of the resolution. The second part is with regards to what these developers are gonna give the city of Malden. It's seven acres of land, donation of $448,000 for public improvements, what is the developer, if this potentially moves forward, what are we doing to ensure that we're gonna get, number one, a traffic study done on our side of the project, but also what else, has anybody been negotiating anything, I guess is my question. If the city of Medford wasn't there and I'm not sure what action we've taken, I just wanna push this issue and make sure our administration gets into, really understands what this project entails and see what we can do to protect our neighborhood. So I would just ask for support of the resolve. I think there are two big things that came out of Thursday's meeting. Another thing that we probably will be doing is setting up an ad hoc second meeting, inviting the neighbors down, inviting the chief of police, and working to protect our roads and neighborhood. But for now, I think this is important, and I would hope we can pass this and we can get some movement from city hall.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Deller, so I'll be brief. I agree with my colleagues, and I think maybe we should pursue all three avenues, because to get a traffic engineer or to get money for a traffic study, I mean, that sounds all well and good, but we didn't even have anybody from the administration at this meeting. And this is happening soon. moratorium is being lifted in December, and then the city council is going to be asked to vote for a zoning change of that district. I've reached out to one city councilor, who I'm going to have a phone call with either Thursday or Friday, and then move on to the rest, trying to get an idea where the council stands, because there was a number of councilors in the attendance on Thursday, and there were some with concerns, how many children it's going to add to the Malden public schools, et cetera, et cetera. But for Medford, it's our streets, it's our neighborhoods, it's the residents that live and are gonna deal with the traffic. It's us who live in the area. I can barely get down Fulton Street on any given day. It takes me 25 minutes and my kids are almost late for school. Forget about Elm Street. I don't even think any of us even wanna dare go down Elm Street, but it's gonna affect all those roads. So it is something that we need to stay on top of. I like the amendments. I think any avenue we can get to make sure that the traffic study is done on our roads as well is a plus in my book. Let's get it done. Let's ask the administration, please get on top of this. We've been asking for a year. We have a developer who, it is massive. It's a six story complex. It's shaped like an E and there are houses all around with, you know, it's still massive, better than before, but it's massive and we need to get a handle on it before it's too late.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just a point of information. I did ask the mayor at our earlier meeting, she said Evans Street Chapter 90 funds repaving, that the contract was awarded and it will be repaved in the spring. That's the answer we got. So I was happy to hear some movement.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I want to second the resolve. I thank Councilor Knight for putting this on. Sunday marks the 10th annual. It used to be a walk and then it turned into a walk run and I believe it's going to be the last walk run as they moved on and created this lovely gala they have in April. So I just want to thank them for their hard work and a million dollars is going so far towards research for pancreatic cancer and the walk will be missed. I didn't miss one in the last 10 years. I don't think my kids have missed one in eight. So it was, This Sunday, there were hundreds and hundreds of people that probably have to stop the walk because it's just going to get so out of hand with people, crazy amounts of people. So it just shows the efforts that went into Kathy when she started 10 years ago. So she is missed. And thank you, Councilor Knight, for putting this on. And I second the resolution.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to thank Councilor Caraviello for putting this on the agenda. I knew it was going to come up because all of us have got the phone calls and emails with regards to the complaints and what happened Friday night, and it's pretty disturbing. And thank God the child is okay. I agree wholeheartedly there should be a traffic light. And I also think part of this is, you know, the enforcement quite possibly putting a, somewhere on the road, putting a speed limit sign so people know how fast they're going, because I think speeding has a factor. And when we don't have enough enforcement, it obviously leads to the speeding. So I've brought that up many, many times, to have speed limit signs like we have on Elm Street put in different locations in the city, especially near the schools. So I would just like to add that. somewhere near the Brooks School sign letting people know how fast they're going. To deter speeding would also help along with the traffic light. Hopefully we'll be able to deter any future accident that even could possibly happen at that location. We also need to take a look at, you know, all of our schools and make sure we have them all safe. And I know Walk Medford is doing a good job evaluating the community But I also believe there's a grant that was received, and I'm not sure if that went out for a proposal or how we're going to be spending that money, but I believe it hasn't been spent yet. And I think that's something we need to get on top of and make sure we make the appropriate changes at every location, everywhere in the community, because we just want to keep the pedestrians safe from, you know, and do everything we can to deter any accidents anywhere that could happen. So I just want to thank Councilor Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before you leave, Ms. Engineer, I don't know if Councilor Scarpelli was going to ask the same question as I. Is there any way you could just outline briefly number three, four, five, and six, just so we get an idea? I know you mentioned there's seven projects. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And the funding we received today, can you tell us how much that was for?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Congratulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we're working on, obviously, the designers for the long-term changes, but we're also working on some short-term.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruza. I was going to ask the same question you just asked the city clerk. I thought we voted to
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could hear from the residents that are, well, for, for, I know the petitioners are for it. If we could hear from the people that are against it. I've received emails and phone calls with people in, um, who are against it as well. So I just want to kind of hear it out and see.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe somebody wanted to speak. Anybody else?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, I'd like at least another week. I had discussed this with a few other residents that were not able to attend tonight, and I'm not sure if they reached out to the rest of the council, but I'd like to just kind of get more. I told them that we usually don't that we usually vote to approve. I just want to make sure they get the correct information that this is before us. Um, so I'd like to table this motion to table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Just briefly, before us tonight in the three papers is money to be taken out of free cash, a request for $1.2 million out of free cash, $1.8 million in bond, and $45,000, I believe another $45,000 out of free cash. That's $3,045,000. I would just ask that we have a committee of the whole meeting and invite the mayor to sit down with us. I think it's important to go over these three projects in a little bit more detail because each one of them didn't come with more than a paragraph or two. And also— Point of information, Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: However much money it is, it's millions of dollars. And we also have requested a number of times, including in our June meetings, budget meetings, that we sit down and we've requested multiple times, I think, not only to see what the budget's going on a month-to-month basis, but also that we see what the capital improvement plan that the mayor's putting forward, what it's going to look like. I believe there was a rough draft of it done in August. We asked to see the rough draft. We weren't apprised to it, which is fine. Supposedly, it's coming out within the next couple weeks. I think it's important that we sit down and we meet with regards to a number of different projects that we've all asked for and we all want done and projects that do need to be done. But we're talking multimillion-dollar projects. If anybody's walked through the police station, I mean, I, as one councilor, want to see where we are with that. And if we're not going to do it in its entirety for millions and millions of dollars, then we need to make sure that within this capital improvement plan, there are monies in there to redo portions of that police station that need to be desperately done. I was in recently, and it's filthy. I can't believe we are allowing our men and women to operate in such terrible conditions. So that, along with the library roof, along with city hall roof, I think it's something that we need to sit down, even if it's an hour, an hour and a half meeting. We can do it next Tuesday before our meeting, city council meeting. I think it's important we as a council get apprised of what is coming forward. How many millions are we going to go out to bond for? What are we going to take from free cash over the next six months? And how are we going to move forward rather than, you know, obviously, piecemeal a little at a time. I think we're owed that. I think we owe the citizens to be able to say, we're going to expend and go out to bond for 10, 12, 14 million dollars in the next year, and this is why, this is what it's for. But right now we just have, you know, the one before us, and I think it's extremely important we get to see the big picture. And whether that's seven days, I don't think it's going to, you know, be detrimental to this project, but I think that it's something that you know, we deserve answers to, and I don't think we're going to get the answers anytime soon unless we, you know, obviously hold up the paper and demand the answers. That's just my opinion, and I understand this needs to be moved forward. Most Councilors want this to move forward. I think the seven of us do, but I truly believe that we need to sit down and discuss it as a whole. Capital Improvement Plan, we've been asking for it for many months now. It's time. It's time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I mean, I'm sorry. Thank you for allowing me to speak. I agree with Councilor Caraviello. I think this council made it very clear that the library leaking needed to be like top priority back, geez, February, February, March, I believe is when the leaking really began to happen. and now we're in September. I think Councilor Knight had a great question and I also would continue on those questions with regards to if we expend this, what would happen? How much is it gonna be if we do want to change the structure of the building, put more money into it to create the second floor? I think these are all questions that we almost need to know what the plan is going forward. Do you know if that's the intention of the administration?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And how much would it cost to put a second floor and create those structural changes?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is there any, I mean, I think the question was already answered by Councilor Knight, but we're expending this 35 to 45,000. Is it gonna all be for naught if we decide to create a second floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know how my colleagues feel. I mean, I've seen the roof in its leaky state for so many months, but at the same time, I do wish that we could sit down with the mayor and really see what the priorities are. And if the library happens to be the sixth or seventh priority versus the police station, then obviously, yes, let's put this money in immediately. But, you know, should we do more? Should we do less? I think there's a number of questions that need to be asked. you know, face-to-face in a committee of the whole meeting so we can get a better idea. And I appreciate all the work Councilor Caraviello's doing and the grant that's going to be applied for, and hopefully we can make improvements to the library. And this roof does badly need to be fixed, but should we be doing more at this stage or should we be doing a little less? I just think there's all kinds of questions that need to be asked within the scheme of where are we at with a number of different projects that this council and the administration want to move forward on. And obviously, the administration is going take forefront. We're going to, you know, obviously ruling authority is going to, you know, take place, but I just think we need to have some important—we need to be educated on it, and we need to know where we're going before we make money expenditures, whether it's $20,000 or a million and a half. I just feel like two lines is not enough. It's just not enough, and I think whether it's 30 minutes or an hour, we need to be able to ask some questions and get to the bottom of the capital improvement plan.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. If we could ask just for an update in writing of exactly what the bid comes out at, the actual, whether that's $35,000, $40,000, $45,000, and what is actually going to be done. and then just have an update at the completion of the project, so that we can better understand where the money was spent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Got to put his mic on. Your microphone.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This came up about six to nine months ago when The chicken and rice guys, I know they're one business that had posted with regards to it taking them nine to 12 months to obtain all their permits and their inspections. I think it was a 12-month period that they had to go through within City Hall to make sure they were able to open business. And this city council voted that we, and I believe the mayor during campaigning also found this to be an issue, and the city council voted I believe six to nine months ago that we work better, work harder to make sure that it's easier to open a business. So I just wanted to know if we could get an update from the administration and the building department to see if anything's been done and a list of things that maybe have been done to make sure it's easier and we're being a little bit more business friendly than we had been with the prior administration. So if we could just get a written update from both the building commissioner and the mayor's office. As to what's been done, they'll be helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yes, no, I didn't see this. We just received this today, but I thank the council for reading the letter from the mayor, and I thank the mayor for updating the council in advance of my resolution. I appreciate that. I think all the initiatives are great, especially my resolution points to the Medford Business Guide, and I think that's the important part of it, not only having a guide for individuals who want to start a business and open a business in Medford, but also create a plan to make sure that you know, when they do need inspections, they're done in a timely manner. So I thank the mayor for this report and also just ask for an update from our building department with regards to timeliness of inspections upon request. Are we doing better than we used to do with regards to time frame and when inspectors are able to get out and, you know, fulfill requests for inspections just so that we know we can not only businesses getting the guy, but they're also getting, um, the inspections in a timely manner. And I think once we do that, we're more in a great path.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just move approval for this resolution. Back in June, during our budget hearings, we had met with the interim director of health or the health department, and I know he was trying to do the best he could. And I think they're working really hard on the health department. But one thing that did concern me was the fact that the city of Medford is behind on inspections. months. I think it was months that was quoted to us. And I just want to make sure that, I mean, when we talk about, you know, the sanitary and health situations in the city of Medford, we just want to make sure inspections are, are done timely. And, you know, obviously all businesses are operating, um, up to code. So if we could get an update with regards to where we are with inspections and see how far behind we are, um, hopefully we're, we're catching out up from where we were in June. That would be appreciated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. When you say an online system, is that going to be open to the public to see what you're doing in the department? Or can I, as a Councilor, log on? Will it be on the website?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you said we're about halfway caught up from where we were behind. So we're still behind, but when are we looking to maybe... Still behind.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hopefully two months, hopefully not four. Great, thank you for coming tonight. I appreciate the update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Just one more amendment. Ms. O'Connor, if you could give us an update in two months just to see where we're at, a detailed update. Sure. Thank you. Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I did draft my resolution to hope that the representative would be here tonight, but then I spoke to the city clerk, who thankfully called me, to let me know that the meeting, Massport meeting, was canceled. It was supposed to take place, I believe, the beginning of September. so there really wasn't much of an update. Although I just think this is an extremely important issue and I want it on the agenda because repeatedly, I don't know, I'm sure the rest of the council is getting calls as well, if not hearing the airplanes themselves. Numerous complaints, repeated complaints coming in with regards to, it's not every night, but when you have a night that they're flying on that certain lane, I don't have all my paperwork with me, flying on that certain lane, It is every few minutes, and it is disturbing. I know people who have migraines from it. It's woken me up at night. I'm up in the side of the heights. And it's really, if you're affected, if your home or your area is affected, you are affected all night long, every three minutes. Some of them are a little higher than others, but there's some that shake your house. So I think it's really important to get Attorney Glaiona here. He's Medford's representative to this Massport. And, you know, I know that last meeting when I spoke about this, Mr. Glaiona was in touch with the state delegation and was also attending this meeting. So this council needs an update. I mean, we've had residents here explaining that no more than the council does, explaining what we should do as a city and how we need to complain more to Massport because the complaints are going to be calculated when they review. the city of Medford and how the airplanes are affecting us, which I think is supposed to take place in the spring possibly, but to have a resident say it and to have a representative that has been to these meetings to let us know what can be done and what we as a council and as a city can do to try to alleviate this. I know it kind of dies down. The complaints will die down over the winter because everybody's windows will definitely be closed. Nobody will be in their backyards barbecuing. But I mean, this affects people still, even when the windows are closed. So I think it's an extremely important issue. And we need to do something. We need to make sure that administration is on it. And please, if we could get this representative here, first meeting in October would be very helpful. And it's something that we've been promising the people for months now. Obviously, people have dealt with this all summer long. And now we're into fall. And just an update would be great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I put this on Number one, there is a meeting, and I think everybody should be apprised of it, the council and the public as well. This area, the Malden Hospital site, it affects, I mean, the Heights, North Medford, but it also, I mean, traffic's gonna linger into our whole community. The whole city of Medford's gonna be affected by the multiple unit development that is being proposed at that location. There is a meeting, I believe the developer, and I could be corrected, but the developer is having a meeting at the Malden Hospital site, on site, this Thursday night, September 22nd at 6 p.m. And from what I understand, and I know we have representatives from the Felsmere group who's been working very hard to downsize this project and create a plan that will better suit the residents and the area and the traffic and the redevelopment, can definitely explain it better, but I believe there's a moratorium on building in Malden, and that moratorium is up within the next couple months. So we're looking at possible permits being issued. I don't know what type of variance, where they are in the stage, but we're looking at possible approval of a project. I know the development was downsized minimally, minimally, and I say it lightly, not enough in the last, by the developer, and I think that's what's gonna be proposed on Thursday night. So I just want to know from the administration standpoint, I know that myself and Lauren DiLorenzo, Office of Community Development, was at a meeting or two at the BB School in Malden back a year ago with a number of Medford residents. But what else has the city done to ensure and to safeguard? I know we only have three, I believe three acres of the 18 is on Medford property and all the building will be on Malden. So what are we doing to make sure that our two mayors are discussing this and trying to work together and what else can be done. So I just want to see where we're at, what has the office, so if we could get an update from the administration and the Office of Community Development to see where we're at and if the Office of Community Development has been in talks with Malden and what's been done to ensure and try to push this project to be downsized even more. Obviously the traffic, you can not get down Fulton Street some mornings. 25 minutes, you know, that's obviously my neighborhood, but I'm trying to get down Fulton Street. I can't believe I'm gonna be late for school and it should take me three minutes. Nevermind, you know, Elm Street, trying to get on 93, forget about it. Yeah, Murray Hill Road, and those Murray Hill Road residents are the ones that were at our ad hoc meeting for the Malden redevelopment anyway, so we are having some serious, you know, We're going to have some serious traffic problems. And I think that's what our ad hoc meeting discussed months ago, and we do have to schedule another one. But before we do so, I just want to get an update from the administration, because I know we have to make some changes if this is going to go forward with our roads, whether it be making one-way streets or making sure the road is continued to be blocked off. But there's things that we need to do, and I think it's much larger than a city council's job. So what is the city as a whole doing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I put this on to create a discussion with regards to building in our community. We have a number of different projects that have taken place already. Some are in the works, some are waiting for their permits, some are getting ready to go for the planning board and eventually the zoning board of appeals. And I think this is an issue that needs some community input. We have Luminaire that went in, we have Middlesex Ave that's underway. I mean, we're talking hundreds of units, apartments and condos being put into the community. And it seems like people are on top of it now and people obviously are very concerned about our infrastructure, the traffic, our school system. I don't believe there's any room left at the Robertson McGlynn with regards to classroom size to add additional classrooms, yet we have hundreds and hundreds of units being proposed or currently in the works. And I think it's time we sit back and decide, with the help of the community, what are we looking for? What is the big plan of the city, and where do we see it going? Because right now we're looking, I mean, we're heading towards looking more like Boston, maybe even New York City with the amount of construction and units going in with the amount of traffic that we already have. I think a well thought out plan with smart development needs to be put in place so that the administration and the city council and the board of appeals and the residents are all on the same page. And right now, I don't think that's where we're at. I mean, the administration wants high density, yet we have these, you know, when we talked about one of the last projects, we had 100 people in this room not wanting high density in their neighborhoods. I think we're kind of all over the place. We had the Canal Street project with 30-unit proposal where the Board of Appeals voted to deny that project, asking them to downsize. And then we have other projects like Lumineer with 165 units that were given variances, as many variances as they wanted. So really, where are we at, and where are we looking to bring this whole city with regards to development? And whether that's a moratorium, like I just discussed, Malden had to put in place, whether that's a group meeting, something needs to be done. Because the people are outraged, and I think it's time that the council really think about it. I'm not even asking to take a vote necessarily tonight, but what can be done to make sure that we don't have what we had a couple months ago happen again?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I do have some questions with regards to the use variance issue. This resolution should read 1988, not 1998. In 1987, an initiative petition was placed on the ballot in which the people voted to get rid of the use variance, at which time the city council, Medford City Council, voted in 1988 to eliminate the use variance. I know that is in our ordinance right now, and I know there's obviously that issue that we're bringing an appeal for the Locust Street development, but I also question the use of areas that was issued for Middlesex Ave in December of 2014. I know that that was brought to court, I believe, by abutters, and it was back before the Board of Appeals to—it was sent back, remanded to the Board of Appeals, which they met on that issue a couple weeks ago. So my question—I'd like to just amend this paper, and in addition to asking the solicitor these questions, also ask how the building department can issue a use variance for this Middlesex Ave property, when in fact we don't even, you know, they're not allowed by our city ordinance and by council vote of 1987.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I received complaints that Wright's Pond was closed last week. I also received additional complaints that I believe two or three days ago the pond was cut-offs, stating reasons that it was to capacity. So I just would like to get an answer of what happened last week. And also, I guess we have an announcement that was on our desk tonight from Amaya Burke announces pawn regulations. I'm not sure if, you know, one of us wants to read it, but it looks like they're going to, just to summarize, it looks like we may not have enough lifeguards and they're going to start rotating people in and out of the water. that they're not going to stop people from coming into the pond unless the parking lot is full. Otherwise, they're going to allow people with passes in, and they're going to rotate them out of the water. But from what I understand, a couple days ago, people were quite upset they were being turned away. They buy their pass for the summer, which is only about eight weeks, and then they were being turned away and not allowed to come into the pond. I don't know if it was rumor or not, but somebody mentioned that the day passers were even allowed to go in, and then people who had bought the pass for the full summer weren't allowed. So I just want to make sure. Obviously, something might have happened with regards to not having enough lifeguards and planning back a couple months ago. Sounds like this is something that should be planned on or about February of the year, because you do want to make sure that we have enough lifeguards to obviously allow anybody that has a pass to come to the pond for each and every day. So I just hope that next year we can plan a little better, get a few extra lifeguards, and hopefully we are turning anybody away for the rest of the summer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This more or less has to do with raised speed bumps. I know that there's a few councilors, especially Council Marks, who brought this issue up many times, and I know there's a few raised speed bumps that were supposed to be installed and never were. And I know we talked about this probably a month or two ago. But there's also a speed bump that was supposed to be implemented, a raised speed bump for the Memorial Park, all the people that are using Memorial Park and parking on South Street. And there was supposed to be a raised speed bump on South and Winthrop on or about. I remember specifically talking to the OCD director about this probably a year and a half, two years ago. So I just wanted to get an update with regards to where we are with that speed bump. Not only do we have an issue with everybody parking on South Street and going to Memorial Park and the safety, we also have the no trucking on Harvard, which is now bringing the trucks down South Street, starting to get complaints with heavy trucking going down South Street, getting onto the highway. So I think a raised speed crosswalk raised speed bumps are what is needed on South Street, and I hope that we can get that implemented, especially since that was in the works over a year ago. So I'd like to move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And thank you, President Dello Russo. During our budget hearings, we requested the lead levels that were last tested by the MWRA, and we were given the breakdown, which levels, the collection date was from August, the last week in August of 2015 on about 15 different, in 15 different areas. So I'm just asking, I know that recently the city hall water was tested and there were high levels of lead. So if we could get a new lead level testing in 2016, it would be greatly appreciated. We just want to make sure we're continuing to monitor and figure out ways that we can reduce the levels of lead in the city, obviously, for the benefit of the people that live here and work here. So I just ask that we request that the MWRA do another test, whether that be in August again or sometime within the next couple months, so that we can keep on top of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to waive the rest of the reading for a summary of the location.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just like to ask some questions after Barbara gives her overview. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So, The application is due in January, you mentioned, and what does the application entail besides a building space plan? What else will the city and yourself have to get together?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And how much exactly are we requesting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But what are we requesting, to redo the entire library?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if you could just remind myself and the council and the public, I know we talked about it in committee of the whole meeting when we discussed the budget, but with regards to reimbursement and what, what's the percentage of the grant and what will the city have to come up with?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we'll find out if we get the grant sometime June 2017? Yes. And you're saying that we could get up to to 20 million, it could cost it up to 20 million, so that means the city portion would have to be about 10 million? I think so, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. And what did, do you know what the waiting time is?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Which is why the next application period isn't until 2020. Yes. OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, through the chair, I know we have the city solicitor in the audience, and I'm sure that he has not reviewed CMR 105.435.23, but if we could maybe make a request that We do look into that and see if there's any way we can make sure that the proper rule is covering rights pawn versus being a pawn, not a pool. It looks like the capacity levels are completely different, and I think that's probably if we could respectfully request that the mayor relook at this announcement she sent out on the 19th, that maybe we can resolve the matter.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I was going to ask if the Parks Department adopted the mayor's announcement. Did they make that in tonight's meeting? Did they?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could just get a copy of the minutes of the Parks Department, see if they actually voted on this, or if the mayor's been doing this herself. I think standards are important, but I feel that what's going on at Wrights Pond is nothing but a mess. Not only lack of communication, but lack of planning, lack of discussing issues that might arise, and possibly putting standards into place is something that should have been talked about in February. not in the middle of the summer. And people are, there are many other people besides the two that have spoke tonight that have complained to myself or are complaining online or have sent us emails. So this is an issue for many, although you have the two people that have come to the council tonight. And I think we need to clear this up and get some answers and some clarification on this announcement and do some proper planning, better planning before next season. And our motion is? I think there was, we already asked the question for clarification in my resolution earlier in the evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From the previous paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for further clarification on the announcement. And a copy of the minutes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: the roll calls vote, if we could get just a breakdown of how much we've spent since 2009, and also, I don't know if you're able to tell us a breakdown of, you had mentioned to Councilor Knight's question, 900,000 will have to be spent in the next, is that gonna be in the next three years?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what we're spending on the three-year contract with just the company, Brown and Caldwell, will be the $48,000 you had mentioned earlier?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what's the remaining of the grant?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. And then the, so the additional seven, seven to seven and a half, we're not sure where it will come from. Correct. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'm President Dello Russo, and I appreciate everybody coming and speaking, whether you're for or against it. It's good to see what the community wants. In this case, not everybody's in unison, so that makes it tougher for us. But this is something that I would definitely want to look into further and explore. I've had calls also from the car park area where people are unleashing their dogs, and there are good, responsible dog owners that want a space up in that area, too. I can see this definitely possibly expanding if we can do it the right way. Some of the concerns I would have is I would definitely want to see a fence. As a personal injury attorney, I have seen dog bite cases myself, as City Solicitor has mentioned. So I think the fence, although I understand the argument, is necessary. I also think that we've had, I think, five or six direct abutters. two or three are in favor and two and three are opposed. I think it's extremely important, I think, for transparency reasons to have notified all, you know, before we actually take a specific vote, I think we should have to notify everybody that is a direct abutter and just see if there are any other people that are for or against it. I think we need to look into the lighting and the St. Clements school issue. and we need to know what the park board would do. So maybe within the next month, we can get some of those answers. And I think probably a good thing to do is to start this in September, even if we have to push the pilot program, possibly another month to September to February, maybe a good time to do that would be when the park is less full with children, just to get it off the ground, whether that be September, October until January, February. But I do think that we do need to create more than just one official dog park in the city. And I think this quite possibly could be the way to do it. We just need to do it the right way and make sure all our questions are answered and cross all the T's and dot all the I's and make sure we inform the neighborhood in full what's going on and make sure everybody is aware. Because from what I understand, not many people knew about this ordinance you have a specific interest for or against it, and I think that's important. Notification, we discussed it at our last meeting, notifying people with regards to hearings before the Board of Appeals. It's just extremely important to make sure that the community knows what's going on and can have a say, whether that's for or against. So those are just my opinions, and I'm glad I got to hear. I've spoken to people about this before tonight, for and against, and I'm glad I got to hear more comments from the public.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is a tough one. I just want to back up Councilor Caraviello a little bit. I think it's great that a number of people, a lot of the comments, because I have it right here on my phone, more renewable energy. You see that a lot, but every third comment has a question, and I think that's where public hearing would be beneficial, because then you could even say, you know, whether we're here or not, I'm sure some of us would try to go. 10 people showed up, then we would know we had a survey, we had a public hearing, we've had two council meetings on it, next one's gonna be three, and it would give us more to go on. And then when people did complain, we could say there was a public hearing, maybe even something that's sent out in the tax bills to let people know this is a possibility, the city council is exploring this, it's something that is gonna lock you in unless you make an effort to opt out of this program, and then if you have any questions, this is where you direct your questions to. I have a feeling this is going to also, if something goes wrong with this, it's going to backfire on us 100%, and that's what makes me nervous. But would it be something that I would want my, I know Councilor Scarpelli has it in his home. Would it be something that I probably would do with my family? I've actually got calls to my office, and I have been thinking about it for my business, but it's just, putting it on us to mandate and make, you know, have every household involved with this is risky. I think there is a risk involved, and I think you said that to us last meeting. It is a 100 percent savings guarantee, and that's where I find that it is, you know, not as risky as the stock market, but this is risky. And to have the taxpayers' energy bills on our backs is a whole other burden that I'm not ready for without a public hearing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then when it would come back to the council for a vote, you'd still only need a 4-3 vote to pass it through?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I see everybody's frustrations that a number of the businesses are calling all of us, and we're also getting it from Diane McLeod, who's our disability director. Why don't we give it one more month until our next meeting? We'll try to get answers from the Disability Commission, see if we can set up a public hearing process during our next meeting, and we'll also try to get in contact with the T and Representative Donato and try to work it out, and then once and for all take a vote on it. because people are frustrated on many levels in many areas.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We requested, I'm not sure if anything was sent to Mr. Gliona with regards to coming before the council tonight and discussing his communications with the state delegation and Massport. Obviously not here tonight, but could we request that he come to the next meeting to discuss?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, perfect, yeah, it's July, that's understandable, and that's fine. If we could just respectfully request that he come to the next city council meeting. As we all heard tonight, every five minutes, a plane was going over City Hall. I receive complaints on this repeatedly every day. It's getting worse. And again, like we said last meeting, make sure you're sending in your complaints and getting those letters back.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We could make a resolution then to request that Mr. Galeona, attorney Galeona come to the first meeting in September after his meeting with Massport. That would be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'd just like a roll call vote on this. It's come to my attention, especially since the Locust Street approval of 11 variances, that in past projects, the full 300 feet radius residents have not been notified accordingly. I think spot notification has taken place on some instances, and I think for transparent purposes and to be informative to the neighborhood or wherever is going to be possibly affected that all residents within 300 feet radius of the proposed property get notified of any Board of Appeal hearing or, you know, request for a variance. I think it's extremely important that we do that and we keep it to the 300 feet and not pick and choose who we send notifications to. So I'd ask for a roll call vote. And we request that the Board of Appeals adhere to this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've got complaints that the full 300 feet have not been notified, and I think that's extremely important. And if that is not taking place, I'm asking the City Council support that it does.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. Thank you, Jean. And I also got a complaint about a few streets. One of them was Prescott Street back about a year ago. That's two instances right there and another two that I probably got calls on. So I think it's important that we take a stand and that we ask for notification, um, with regards to a 300 feet radius.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 16-573 offered by Vice President Lungo-Koehn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruzo. With regards to what's been going on, I know we've probably all got complaints. We've received a number of complaints, especially from the North Method. area in the Heights with regards to low-flying planes, the noise, the disturbances, a lot of it happening between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., disrupting people's ability to enjoy their home with their windows open or to sit out on their porch or patio and be able to even have a conversation. I live in the Heights, so I've obviously noticed that. And then I went down to a couple of places where I've received the complaints, one being Shardanav, and you could not have a conversation. Every five minutes, low-flying planes. And I know when you report — and I've — multiple complaints have — I've received, so I think it's definitely time for an update to see what the new administration is doing. I know — I believe somebody's been appointed to the Massport Advisory Commission, but if we could get an update on who that is. and see what has been done, if they're actually attending meetings, and any update with regards to this issue. I know if a resident, I have a few complaints that were called in to Massachusetts Port Authority Noise Abatement Office, and they do respond to the complaints, but a lot of the responses are that they're, you know, it's obviously runway 33L, and they're following FAA standard operating procedure. So I just want to make sure somebody from Medford is representing our concerns and bringing our questions and seeing if something can be done to change what is going on. Because I don't think the standard operating procedure is working for the city of Medford. And I know it's only during certain months, depending on which way the wind's flying. But if we could get an update with regards to who's been appointed to the Massport Advisory Commission and what is being done from our administration to try to alleviate some of this disturbance and obviously, this is a breach of your quiet enjoyment when you're trying to have dinner outside or enjoy your home. I think- On the motion for approval by Vice President Largo-Curran, Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. If we can further amend it to ask Attorney Lenny Gliona to come to our July meeting, if he's available. The city's representative to the Massport Authority. And so that Yep, so that he could update us with regards to the communications he's had with the state delegation and what's being done. That'll be extremely helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to second the motion for approval. This is something that we began talking about right after John Bavuso got on board, I believe, eight years ago. And it's something that, you know, never came to fruition. So I want to thank the administration and the mayor's office for pushing this forward. I think it's definitely something that is going to be very helpful to not only our police department, but fire department, as well as our code enforcement officer, who When we started talking about it, I believe there was an issue, a few residents were here with regards to, I think, complaints about a couple of parties at the end of the year, and they got out of hand, and they were just, I don't know, I can't recall it exactly, it was about, like I said, probably about eight years ago, so this is something that definitely will help the city of Medford, and I appreciate the administration moving it forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Auditor Ann Baker, you mentioned the kindergarten aides. Since the last time we met a week ago, You said that, has there been an addition to that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I think through the chair, I think there was an addition from the first, we got the first one, we got June 2nd to June 13th and then no, there has been no additional money since we met last week. When we were in committee of the whole last week, But Ann publicized that there was additional money for kindergarten aid, so it was a little confusing whether that was from the beginning of June or within this last week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. I mean, if, unless we have more, anybody have more questions, I guess you have the floor. Um, with regards to the budget. Yeah. I'm just going to make my statement. I don't have any. With regards to the budget, I just want to go over some of the positives. Like you said, we met for probably 18, 20 hours, and we discussed every line item of the entire budget. Some of the positives that came from it are the senior work program. I think that is very positive. That was initiated in 2000, I believe. And we did get, the program was eliminated in 2008, so this year I'm very happy to see that 25 to 30 seniors will be hired to assist them with their, an abatement in their property taxes. That's definitely a benefit. Firefighters, we're adding 11, sending out 11 conditional offers. Hopefully get 11 new firefighters on July and August. I think it's great that we're hiring Our part-time tree warden to full-time, something that I think this council's asked for and that is in the budget. Ms. Tudin does an amazing job. She is very responsive and extremely on top of it, and I believe she already put in the 40 hours when she was part-time, so it's good to see her full-time. Library is fully funded to keep the state certification. That was a huge issue last year. The prior mayor came through with that, but this year it has been done. I think video streaming is something huge. People want transparency. They want to be able to view meetings, view not only council and school committee meetings, but they want to be able to view subcommittee meetings on a regular basis from their home, whether it be on TV or on the computer or out of the city. So that's definitely a positive. With regards to the Office of Community Development, I think adding the two positions is extremely important, especially, you know, what we've been going through the last few weeks. Going to civilian dispatches, I believe in January, from what the budget states, $200,000 is in that line item to hire civilian dispatchers. So that will relieve nine of our officers and put them back on the streets, and I think that's very important. Another positive is the Code Enforcement Office. There is a second position for code enforcement, and I think that's one of the main complaints we get, code enforcement violations. And I know John Bovuso has been pulled from that job a little bit, so it's great to have a second. It is tough to put together a budget of this size, and I don't envy the person that has to do it or the people that have to do it, but I just wanted to bring out some positives. A few things that, you know, I wish we could have saw is, number one, the, sorry, go back. It was a tough process, I think. Somebody actually, someone commented that it was kind of, I won't even go there, but it was a tough process meeting for 18 hours and having really nobody to answer our questions. We didn't have anybody from, I was thankful that the mayor spoke to us for the three to five minutes at the beginning of the first meeting, but to have nobody that could answer a question from the administration, to not have a budget director was very tough to handle, and I think we all, I'm sure, had some frustration with that, so I wanted to make that clear. Hopefully, the budget director that was hired can get right on top of it so that we can, as Council Falco has asked for, you know, updates on the budget. Happy with the amount of responses that we did get. I mean, piles of information, and it's information we will be able to take back to the tax and rate payers, which is great. Half of the other responses were a tough swallow. A good amount of the responses said that if we made a recommendation, if we asked for something, it was, I'm sorry, we're taxing already to the two and a half limit. or we're waiting for the capital plan. That's very frustrating, especially since we've asked for the capital plan for the last few months, and we're being told we're going to get it in the fall, we're going to get it in the fall. As of last night, we did ask, and there is a rough draft. We asked for it, and again, we're not being provided a capital plan. And I think the budget goes hand in hand with a capital plan. So it would have been nice to see a draft. I understand a draft is a draft. We might not have the actual figures, but we would know what 10, 20 projects we'd be putting money into as part of our capital plan. Are we looking down the road at going out to bond for $5 million in the next couple of years or $25 million? Are we going to do a new police station? Are we not? What money are we going to put towards our schools, maintenance, towards the city side? It would really have been helpful to be able to see that capital plan. I question a budget director being able to handle the procurement position too, but I think we definitely need to give that a chance. So hopefully that works out. When we met with the engineer, I'm very concerned with the fact that there's a lack of construction projects this construction season. We spoke and asked questions about Everett Street, Parris Street, Pinkert, Gorley, Dwyer, now Winthrop Street we're getting complaints about, and to have no capital construction plans. in such a important time, we only have until October to do our streets and roads over and to not really have any projects is disturbing. Whether it be lack of funding or lack of personnel in that office, I think that's something that definitely needs some more attention. The fire department at, say, Riverside Ave is the second busiest station in Medford. yet we have the mayor who supported a 490-unit complex in that area. That's something I have concern about. We do have the 11 offices, which is great, but I think we need to be able to step up enforcement. The zoning board, I believe, is meeting right now over a 200- or 300-unit complex behind Wendy's. Sorry, I'm boring you, Ed? Behind Wendy's, they're meeting right now, you know, the Locust Street project. So we definitely need some work to be done with regards to building in Medford and what we see, what is our vision with regards to just throwing up hundreds of apartment units and congesting our streets and roadways. With that being said, I'm just not happy. We have 24 boards and commissions in this city, 24, made up of multiple people, whether it be a three-person board up to a nine-person board. And the only board or commission that is getting a raise in this year's budget is the Zoning Board of Appeals. I don't find that fair. I find it ironic almost. But I think that definitely raised some concerns. With regards to the Board of Health, we're behind in inspections. We need to get up to date on that, whether we need to hire more in that office or we just need to get it together. The parking program, I know there are a number of minor changes to that. And one that I was not happy about was the $25 charge to seniors. If a senior citizen wants a pass, they have to pay $25 for the year. In some respects, if it's very well used, that's going to be, you know, obviously a great purchase. But I think that's something that we should have been able to give our money we're making from Republic Parking and the parking enforcement program. I feel like that's something we'd be able to give our seniors for free. Our police department is understaffed. We've had the robocall that went out this week, rash of robberies. You talk to officers and there's just talk about, you know, the overdoses and the situations we're facing and what they have to deal with. We have six cars on overnight. So if you have something going on in Wellington, you have four cars rushing to Wellington and you have two cars patrolling the rest of the community. I think it's time we add to our police force, you know, not just the four to cover retirements, but to beef it up a little bit. And I think that's something that, you know, I think we made that recommendation. It's, again, frustrating that all of our recommendations, nothing I think was put into this budget. Then to talk about the automobiles for the officers. If we are going to free up those nine people, we really need to look at replacing, and we talk about it all the time, figuring out a way to replace three automobiles at a time each year. I spoke about the capital plan. I would have liked to have seen that. I'm happy about this video streaming, but the number of complaints I get with regards to people watching these meetings, I think we need a new system. And I've asked for just a quote on that, and we weren't able to get one before tonight. We have no grant writer. We have no leak detection program that the Water and Sewer Commission approved probably about a year, almost a year ago now. With regards, I think I think others will comment on this, but the $400,000 that the city and the schools use for water, I think that should be in the city budget. I think you're just double taxing the rate payer. And with regards to just the simple request to get a speed limit monitoring sign, we have one, and ours is broken. It's probably the number one complaint I get with regards to speeding, and that removable sign does... It's definitely worth it, and we don't have one that's working. Ours has been broken for a long time, and we have no end in sight. Before I start talking about the schools, I want to fully disclose that I have a written disclosure in the city clerk's office. I actually sent an updated one in last night, slipped it under the door. My mother works for the school department, and so does my sister, so I want to make that full disclosure. I think with regards to the kindergarten aids that was brought up, one great thing that has happened to the schools is the security. There's been a huge change in security within the last four months, and I want to thank the school committee and superintendent for handling that. Now, every time you go into a school, you have to show your ID, the doors are locked, you have to get buzzed in, show your ID, wear a badge. It's definitely much, I feel much safer. I do it when I go into my child's school, and I do it when I go into the high school. I think that's definitely a positive. Paying for the Field of Dreams bond on the city side now, where it's always been on the school side, I didn't understand why that's happening, but that's something that the administration has decided wants to be done. Kindergarten aides, very, very happy that there are additional kindergarten aides and that we're putting them in full-time. I know that Roberts is where my children go, and there are going to be four full-time kindergarten aides, and I think that's wonderful. What I think is highly unfair is that there are five classrooms within the city at the three other elementary schools that are not going to have full-time kindergarten aides. And I think that's something that should have been looked at in depth. And I know at the Brooks School, the teachers did request full-time kindergarten aides, and I believe one or two were not given. With regards to school maintenance, I think we got a lengthy, lengthy report. on all the school maintenance we need to have done. Very detailed report based on each school, Curtis, McGlynn, Medford High, broken down. And we're talking millions of dollars in maintenance that these schools need. And I don't think that the $400,000 for a high school and all of our other elementary and middle schools is enough. I've been getting, even within the last week I've gotten I've emailed pictures of just broken lights, broken door. I've had it at three different schools. You have the people talking now. People are definitely contacting the city councilors and the school committee and not afraid to open up about their concerns. And I think maintenance is a huge, something we really need to tackle. I know the cleaning service that we do hire for Medford High, and I believe the McGlynn I was told they don't have enough trash bags. We're not giving them enough trash bags because we do provide the trash bags. No security after 3.30 on the weekends and expecting parents and coaches to patrol and secure our schools I think is unsafe. And I think that's definitely something that we should be adding to the budget. Last year I did vote for the budget a number of years in a row. And last year I did vote against the budget. in its entirety because I believe the schools are too top-heavy, and I know one administrative position has been eliminated this year. So that's obviously, I think my concern was valid last year, and I think it probably should be taken more seriously. And then we go hire a PR rep for 90,000, nothing against the actual person who took the job, but I think that kindergarten aides are far more important and maintenance and security are far more important, far more needed in the Medford Public Schools than a blog and an email that you get once a month. And that's just my personal opinion. Everybody can agree to disagree. But a lot of people in the community are pretty upset about it and have voiced their concerns. And just I feel like we could hire somebody with a stipend for whether that be $5,000 or $10,000 to do a blog and send out weekly emails. Lastly, there was a concern raised with regards to somebody, the head of speech living in Florida. It was brought to my attention by multiple people. And when I asked the question where in the budget this person was, because I know it's been the last two years, and this year it's kind of brought grave concern to people. I was yelled at by the superintendent with regards to, I believe, just not to answer my question, I was yelled at by the superintendent that there was a conflict and I shouldn't even be talking about it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Inflammatory? It's the truth. So I question what the right answer is with this vote for the budget. I see the positives. I see the negatives. I think it's very hard. I like to hear what my colleagues have to say. But I just wanted to voice my concerns and give my rundown. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: While the superintendent was up there, I was going to bring up the same point. I think that having security after 3.30 and on weekends to protect 13, 14, 15, 16, 17-year-olds is much more important than a school blog. I was going to ask the opinion on that, because I believe maintenance and security is far more important than having a PR person.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. During our budget deliberations, we had the historic commission and the historic district commission before us and we had a couple nights of discussion with regards to a number of issues, one being this six-month demo delay that we have on the books currently. Discussion was had with regards to extending that and asking for their opinion on it. I think that was the historic commission. We asked Ryan Haywood for his opinion, and I think that will be coming to us shortly with regards to how we can go about and why we should go about extending this. demo delay. I believe that a number of cities and towns have a one and some even a two-year demo delay, and I think that's something that the city of Medford definitely needs to look into. We were told point blank that six months is not enough time to hire a consultant and prepare a report, and I think we need to give our historic commission more time to do the work that needs to be done so we can preserve these historic homes. So I ask that while we're awaiting Mr. Haywood's report. We also request that the city solicitor begin, because I know he's busy and we are coming upon the summer months, so I ask that we begin making the change to our ordinance so that we can move forward on that sooner than later. I know we have a number of historic properties that ran into this issue. I know there was one on Toro Ave. Obviously, South Street has some historic I'm sorry, not South, yeah, South Street, Toro, in that neighborhood, and there's a number of homes that would qualify for this six-month demo delay. So I ask that the city council go on record requesting that the city solicitor create an update to our ordinance so we can pass that and create a longer time frame for this demolition delay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we combine the two. We vote that we do want to increase the demo delay, and then we send it to subcommittee to make that change.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Dello Russo, I think it's a great idea to look into some options, additional options for our younger people that are using the park and, oh, well, everybody, I guess. Just looking to see if we can maybe amend it just to get some cost estimates as well. Feasibility costs, I think, will help us, you know, figure out what we can add to our parks. I think it's a great idea.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do have a paper before us. I did read there's $10,000 from the same bank, correct, coming this year. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Read the amendments, please. Madam Clerk, could we just read the amendments? I didn't know. Can you read the last couple of amendments? Councilor Caraviello, are you making that an amendment or you just were talking? Okay, I just want to make sure that was an amendment because I just disagree. Okay, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I second that. That's fine. I do have... I don't believe we received an update. I know we have piles of information to probably still read, but with regards to the speeding, Stepping up enforcement is definitely the main way to do it. We want to see, you know, our police officers traverse in different streets where we know there's extra amount of speeding going on, which is a number of streets. But also questions were asked to the chief of police with regards to the speed limit tracker, the signage. I know we have permanent ones on a few of our roads, which are working great. I know Elm Street is one that definitely I see speeding being curbed. Definitely speeding slows down when people hit that sign. But we have that movable sign that the chief of police did tell us at our Thursday meeting, I believe two weeks ago, stated it was broken. We did ask for how much it would cost, and we asked that the mayor put at least one in the budget so that we can move that around to streets like Arlington Street. I know the last street I got complaints on was Highland Ave, excessive speeding. So I think that's an extremely important tool that the city can use and that we have been without because it's been broken. So I just want to reiterate that, that we purchase one and get the one we have fixed, if possible, if it's worth the cost of fixing it versus buying one or two. I think it's something that the council brings up. Once a month, we have a few different streets that are having a speeding problem, and that's something that definitely does help without the additional manpower or officer to sit there eight hours a day. So I would ask that we again, ask those questions and purchase one. I don't, it is not in the budget to purchase one this year and I think that, you know, we did request that and I hope that is changed by next week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Del La Russo. Miss Auditor, I just want to say that every time we've asked for actuals, you've always provided them to us, and I think that's what you were talking about. We did receive actuals, but it is very hard to make heads or tails of it. It's in probably six font, and then it has original budget, budget adjustment, net activity, reimbursement balance. So it is very hard to comprehend. So I, too, would like to see an actual for 2016. It's great we have the appropriation, the actual for 2015, but in a budget we probably should see, whether it's a monthly basis or at least at the budget time, we should see an actual for 2016, so we know where we're going. We even know in advance what transfers will be made. With regards to that, if we could make a motion that we always get our final budget book sometime over the summer, usually in July. In that final budget book, Ms. Clerk, if we could have If we could have in our final budget book the actual for 2016, that would be the close of the year, so then we'll have that one extra column in our budget book come July. I think that will help us for next year. With regards to this, when you do look at the actuals that were provided, I believe five to 10 days ago, if you look at the overtime for the police department, which we're making a transfer either tonight or next week $416,000. That is the biggest deficit that we're seeing on the two, you know, where we're transferring that $1.1 million to. We have that $416,000. But on the actuals, it shows that we're actually in a deficit of $606,000.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruzo. I think Councilor Marks was going to offer this as well with regards to meeting yesterday. We did meet in executive session, and then after executive session at our special meeting, we voted to choose an attorney, which was attorney Gavin Cockfield. We voted seven in the affirmative. The mayor did approve $20,000 to be put into the budget with regards to initially hiring that firm that he works for and that attorney. We also voted for point people, which would be President Dello Russo and myself to be in communication and to advise the Council on the steps moving forward. Everything else, I believe, has to stay in executive session, so we really can't comment on, you know, our deliberations. But we do need to take an official vote to actually appeal the ruling of the Board of Appeals, and I'd like to move that forward. I think that's something that's been discussed in length over the last two meetings. I brought it up two weeks ago, and then for it to be discussed and we can allow residents to speak, and then we had a full public meeting last week where we heard testimony for hours, and I think it's very clear how the council feels on that and how the residents, obviously they have to, the residents and the abutters have to file their own appeal, but as far as the council's concerned, I'd like to move forward and take a vote with regards to the city council, the Medford City Council filing an appeal in land court against the ruling of the City of Medford Board of Appeals on the decision relating to Locust Street.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you very much. Unless somebody will table it and take it off the table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just if somebody would table it, and then you take it off the table. But, motion to table. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Motion matters, tabled. Paper 16-562, petition by Eric Reid, 158 Jerome Street, number one, Medford, Mass., to address the council on his petition on Medford infrastructure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't believe we have, no.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Capucci, are you speaking on Mr. Reid's paper?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or you want to bring that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, Mr. Reid, if you'd like to finish,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Eric. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Marks. I want to thank Mr. Reed. I believe you were here a few weeks ago, and you gave us a large packet. And I have been able to review that and go through it. And I think it's kind of educated me personally. And I know some of my other councils have reviewed it. It's educated me on different problems in the city, different streets that either have been started or went out to bid or have been reviewed. that I was unaware of. So we were able to ask, I think, better questions when we did meet with the engineer a couple weeks ago. I think one of the main things the engineer's office is working on, which I believe is a great initiative and it's something that we should be proud of, is the complete streets. But I am extremely concerned with regards to the lack of construction projects or any at all this construction season. I mean, you can do construction from April, May, until October, maybe November, if the weather holds up. And when you talk about Dwyer and Gurley, who had, I believe, two water main breaks in the last year, we obviously have some issues there that need to be fixed, but then we get the response that... There's no money. No, that we got the response on Dwyer that it wasn't urgent. And I find an issue with that. And then I was able to question more on Evans, Pinker, and Parris Street. I know Councilor Scarpelli had issues with Parris Street. That's where he grew up. So he was questioning on Parris Street. And to have those streets, people know those streets need to, we know those streets need to be redone. And we know they were evaluated multiple years ago. And those construction projects, probably should have been done two, three years ago, and now we're still at a place where they're not going to be done this year, pushing us to 2017. That is, for me and for the residents, extremely, extremely frustrating. You know, we need to pass a budget next week, but it's going to be very hard for me to pass a budget after driving down Evans Street maybe two weeks ago after the residents spoke and kind of going down Evans Street nice and slow. I mean, it is down to the bare bone rock.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not safe. It's, it's should have been done. I don't, I think it's been 65 years since it's been done. And I believe I got an email from somebody, a resident from Pinkett street today, same type, same type of situation. So for construction projects and chapter 90 funding to be available enough, us not to take advantage of it. Number one, we need to spend some more time to get these done. or were understaffed in the engineer's department.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, and I think that's, in the past years, it's information that I, you know, wasn't privy to even know to ask. And I think it's even, after reading your packet and reading some of the work that has been, you know, has been in the works and needs to be done over the last four or five years, it's very discouraging and it's very upsetting. It's too bad for, you know, I keep telling people when they email me about streets lately, because this is kind of catching on to the residents. Multiple people from Evans Street have now contacted me. I keep saying it's a shame. It's really a shame that we have Chapter 90 funding. We should be putting our own money into construction projects to repave streets. You can't go 65 years without being repaved. We have a safety issue, and it's really unfortunate. So I'd make the suggestion that the mayor, before we meet next week to review the budget, we take a look, she sits down with the engineering department and take a look at the lack of construction jobs this season. Because like you said, I think there is still time. We have four or five good months to do construction. There is some time that we can get a few projects underway and try to, we should be working on, if the funding is tough or the personnel isn't there, but we should still be working on multiple streets per construction season, because like water pipes, like sidewalks, we need to put money into our infrastructure. We need to. It's extremely important, and now we're dealing with a safety issue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There is. The mayor, Councilor Knight, yes. I'm asking for a motion that we ask within the next weeks, we ask the mayor and the engineers department to sit down and discuss projects that should be done this construction season and see if we can get Evans Street, whether Evans, Pinkett, Paris, Dwyer, Gurley, we need to get some of these roads reconstructed, the water mains redone and these roads reconstructed for the benefit of our residents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I guess we can take a vote on which one people want to vote on. I was at the chair. Nobody had anything to say. I wanted, so that was, Councilor Knight moved to receive in place on file. I respectfully ask him to withdraw that. I don't think there's any harm in the mayor and the engineer sitting down, and since those answers have come out since our council meeting, it is concerning, and it's something that the mayor needs to talk to engineering about, whether it's lack of staff or funds, If there's Chapter 90 funding to do some streets and sidewalks, we need to push to get that done. We need to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: However you'd like to put it, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've asked my colleague to withdraw, then his motion to receive.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On those four, at least on those specific roads too. Evans, Pinkert, Paris, Dwyer, Gurley, if they could especially speak about those five roads and we can try to get at least two projects underway this season.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. That's great news. I think Cassandra did mention that at our meeting, that it needs full construction after the water main, hopefully getting the water main done this year. And I believe she said reclaiming it, which I assume is repaving it next year. So I think that's something that we just keep keep the residents keep being told the last two years. So hopefully we are on the right track and I would love to see it get repaved after the water main this construction season rather than next construction season, which is what Cassandra Kudularis, our engineer told us two Saturdays ago. I'd also like to just ask, make a resolve that we ask the mayor's office with regards to Swan Street. I too believe we, that bond, I thought Swan Street was gonna get repaved. If we could get a question to the administration with regards to Swan Street and, you know, if and when that's going to be repaved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, President Dello Russo, just before the roll is called, I'd like to just announce that I'm going to abstain from the vote due to an appearance of a conflict of interest.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I know there are a number of people in the audience that are here to have an open public hearing with regards to the locus street development. And I think it was the council's intent to have this meeting prior to the board of appeals issuing, drafting their decision. I'm not sure if everybody knows, but the board of appeals did file their decision today with city hall. So I think that makes it a little, changes the circumstances of tonight. They have ruled in favor of the developer and have approved all 11 variances, leaving us with the issue now of whether it's the abutters and the city council or probably from, I guess, what my understanding is that maybe the city council has 20 days to appeal and any direct abutter has 20 days to appeal. And we do have our solicitor here who I hope and I know will give us, answer any questions the residents or the council may have. We also have on our agenda a resolution 16-545, and we do have an opinion from our city solicitor with regards to my resolution to request how the city council appeals, how long do we have, if we do need to appeal, how do we request funding. So whether we open it up to the public to the public first. I think it may, I don't know, open it up to the public, but we do want our city solicitor to answer some questions so that we, as a council, can make an appropriate recommendation and ask the appropriate questions to our administration so that we can get some relief in this matter. We did vote last week, unanimously, seven to nothing, to have an open public hearing and to ask the Zoning Board of Appeals to withhold drafting that opinion until at least not only tonight for the public to speak, but also to have a public hearing held by the Zoning Board of Appeals before they made such a decision. From my understanding, I believe there is also a violation recorded with the city solicitor's office, a closed meeting violation, and I don't know if that is gonna be addressed tonight too, but that definitely concerns me, as I'm sure it does the entire council. So we have a number of different issues that are time sensitive, that may need a vote tonight, and we definitely want to hear from the people. But it's just pretty upsetting when you read the decision and how wonderful this project is when obviously there is so much wrong with what is going on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. So, with regards to the city solicitor's office not being able to represent the council, we then would have to find our own council. You can't even help us find sufficient outside counsel?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And with regards to separate The council has separate standing than the abutters, so with regards to the abutter portion of this, there could be multiple abutters in one filing the appeal together. Is that correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But multiple abutters could join forces and.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. If the council or the abutters filed an appeal, would that stall the process and create a time period where things couldn't move forward on the site?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then my second question, with regards to the open meeting law violation, whether or not that goes to the Attorney General's office next, would that be inclusive of something that the city council could appeal on? Could that be a basis?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Which conveniently, because it was filed today, leaves us till July 5th, which, I mean, most, it's a July 4th weekend.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right, but it's Before that is July 4th, which is the Monday, which is the holiday. A lot of people go away starting the 1st, which is the Friday. So it might be tough to even find an attorney that can do it within two weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've lost track. I'll yield to the podium.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: He said it earlier.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I wanted to speak, actually, but we always have yield to the speakers. We've always been allowed to do that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Jeez. My comments will be brief. I know it's been a long night and I think the comments made by the residents have been very detailed, and I think they've covered a number of things, traffic, parking, schools. We don't want to set a precedent. The way things were done were obviously too quick, lack of notice. There was also, I'm not sure if it was mentioned, but an air quality issue, that many residents, also the soil problem. There are so many issues, and I'm also in shock that 11 variances were given, and I too believe that we're being laughed at. I agree that we need to figure out what our options are for appeal and go forward with that if we do have an appealable issue, 100% for the residents. To have the opinion state blatantly, even on page nine, that the proposed project is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance, which is to promote the health, safety, morals, convenience, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the city of Medford, I'm not sure where this opinion, how it was written, or who actually wrote it would be my questions, because it does seem like the developers, attorneys, did have a helping hand in that. I'm shocked at the way that things have transpired in the last two weeks, absolutely shocked. And it is definitely something that is going to impact this entire city, not just the many streets that are in that area. I work in Wellington Circle. I commute every day to work in Wellington Circle. The traffic on the Fellsway and Riverside Ave is backed up for a good 20 minutes at rush hour. This is extremely serious, especially when you're talking 400 to 600 kids, new children in our school system. We're already the class size. I'll speak for myself at the Roberts next year in kindergarten is going to be 23, 24 children. And they won't allow full-time aides. So we definitely have a problem here, and I thank my colleagues for speaking positively. I think we're all on the same page, and I think we need to move forward tonight with a vote to hopefully we get a list of attorneys that we can reach out to by Thursday. And I think we need to also take a vote that the money is approved by the administration so that we can appeal. I think we need to take that vote so that that money is ready when we do need to hire an attorney. We have 20 days, and if we can't ask for an extension, that means we have two weeks to find an attorney that we all agree on, figure out our payable rights, and get an appeal into court. That is going to be a tough task, but I think we can do it, and I think we do need to take a couple votes tonight, being funding and, obviously, to ask for that list and for, you know, further opinions from the solicitor. I thank you for allowing me to speak, and I thank all the people and all the residents who care about our city, because what you're doing, obviously, is 100 people here tonight, but you're helping thousands and thousands of people that are going to have to deal with the traffic and parking. I could go on and on, but traffic is something that's going to impact this entire community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We'll have to stay on the phone at 8 a.m. Monday morning to start.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just maybe a better route is we get a list on Thursday, each of us call somebody on Friday, then we meet Friday night or Saturday morning to say this is what, you know, this is what I found out, this is what you found out, and then we pick one. This one's not available, this one's available, this rate is $200 an hour, this one can do it before Fourth of July, this one can't.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DelaRose. I put that on before the decision was filed with City Hall, so I believe that is moot at this point after the last vote we just took, received in place on file.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, this is just to report on the last issue regarding Locust Street and his opinions which he provided us this morning. So, this can receive- Move approval? Move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I review the records and find them in order. I move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'm going to actually move to table this until next week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for suspension of the rules after that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To take paper from the hand of the clerk with regards to the Shaw's development.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, president dollars. So I think the council would like to have been more up to date on this issue. And I'm sure we each know a good deal, but not in its entirety, what's going on with the Shah's development because the last two zoning board of appeals meetings were held during our city council meetings. In the meantime, I know the last, within the last couple days, it was brought to my attention that a decision is going to be rendered in favor of the 400, and this could be rumor, but in favor of the 490 units proposed, apartment units proposed at the site, including retail space, with only, I believe, 781 parking spaces. There's also a request by the I mentioned linkage by, I can be correct, stand corrected, but a million dollars, which I haven't heard of that in my tenure as a city councilor, and I find definitely concern with that figure being reduced. Linkage has never been reduced. Within the last, I think it was probably 10 years ago now, with regards to the apartments behind 9th Street, I remember attending a meeting opposing the massive size of that development. And at that time, there was a public meeting. It was held at the McGlynn Middle School. It was highly attended by the residents. And I think that's one thing that I'm definitely looking to ask the Zoning Board of Appeals to do before a decision's rendered. I know this, a lot of people want to come, a lot of residents want to come to the council meeting, and I believe at least one or two councillors want to put this on for next week to have a formal discussion in council chambers. But in the meantime, I'm just simply asking that The zoning board of appeals let the council catch up, let the residents be heard, and hold off on filing that decision. I know there has been a possible complaint filed with regards to how those meetings were run. That's definitely an issue that I need to look into further. And the massive size with the traffic and parking impact in that neighborhood is something that people are, Those meetings were highly attended, but more people, obviously, we need more attention to this issue, we need more publicity to this issue, and we need more time to allow the residents to voice their concerns. It's something that I see that should be reduced in size, and that's just my opinion, but no matter what, we just need public input, and the council needs to, obviously, we're getting calls since we've heard the decision is gonna be rendered, phone calls and emails and reading about people being unhappy. And I just believe that the residents deserve, and the city of Medford as a whole deserves, time to voice those concerns and ask questions in a more appropriate manner.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I had asked questions of residents. Are you talking about from me? From me? Or in general?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We don't have approval as variances. I'm asking for the public meeting that the zoning board had when the 9th Street apartments went up. I didn't get involved. I don't think the council got involved. I didn't think it was going to happen this fast. I did have opinions that I planned on voicing when I caught up with the issue, but I think anything's under our purview when people are complaining and have concerns. I think we definitely need to get on top of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not asking for jurisdiction. I'm asking for the zoning board to give it more time before the actual decision is rendered so the public has more time to voice their concerns. A public meeting, an open public meeting. The last one was held at the McGlynn. Hundreds of people were there. And this issue is catching on where I think we could get close to that. 490 units, not enough parking, a million dollars in linkage. It's unheard of. I can't believe that that was even being allowed. And I knew it was thrown out there. I knew it was a request to the developer. But I never in a million years would have ever believed that that reduction in linkage would be approved. And I'd like to learn. I don't know if there's any residents in the audience that can speak to the fact. The decision hasn't been in view.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's the rumors, and that's what I want to try to get to the bottom of. Yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I'd like to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just briefly, I know there's people that want to speak. While we're making our amendments, I just want to ask if Councilor Caraviello offered that the developer come before us. I just want to make sure that's in the official record. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Briefly, thank you, President De La Rosa. Just one more amendment, because I don't think it was put forth. We are seven people. We are the city council. And obviously, we don't have as much power as the mayor. So I respectfully request that she reach out to the Board of Appeals and let the Board of Appeals know how the council voted and that she strongly feels the same way. This issue is going to That is something that is needed to stall this decision, whether or not she opposes it. There are grave concerns here, and we've seen it tonight, and we didn't even actually put it on the agenda. Next week it will be on the agenda, and we're going to have more people speak out. This is of grave concern, and as I've heard the rumors that it is being approved, I've also heard rumors that there's a possibility of lawsuits by the neighbors. We all know what happened several years back with the VNA. We don't want it to happen again. Please stall that decision from being rendered and do the right thing. We'll have an open public meeting, but the city should have one in a bigger form than this, just like we did years ago with the 9th Street development. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, President Dello Russo. I also concur with my colleagues, Councilor Markson and Councilor Knight. I, too, agree that $400,000 should be a separate line item. We, as the city, pay for all other utilities except for water and sewer. It brings no accountability for the use and misuse of this utility. $400,000 is being put onto the ratepayers' backs rather than being put into the city budget, which I believe is where it should be as well. So I 100% agree with this. I'd like to also amend while we're on the water and sewer issues, if we can, get an update from the mayor's office with regards to the leak detection program that Louise Miller and the Water and Sewer Commission put into the budget, I believe, probably six months ago. I did hear that that was taken out of the budget. And if we can get an explanation as to why. This council advocated for a leak detection system, I think, many, many times. And we finally got the resolution we wanted. Water and Sewer Commission is in full support of this. They voted to approve it. And it was recently taken out of the budget. So if we could get a report back with regards to why the leak detection system was taken out of the budget, if that is the case.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure how it's going to take place. As of today, I did hear from a very similar source that it was taken out of the budget completely. So I just want to make sure either it's put in some sort of some other way or, you know, want to get a report back from the mayor's office of if we're not going to do it at all, because I think that's important to discuss.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, we'll ask that during the budget too, but if we could get a report from the mayor's office on what the plan is.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Rousseau. Ms. Hunt, thank you for your explanation. I think it answered some of my questions, too. I just wanted to confirm, you said the residents could opt out with a simple phone call?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Um, and how does the city plan on educating each, you know, rate payer? with regards to the possibility and the option to opt out?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was looking for the answer, too. Everything helps, but I was looking for the answer of the paper mailing, because we can try and try to get public educated, just like we tried to get them with the CPA, and obviously people were upset. Some people were upset with that. So conventional methods aren't always the best. I think the paper mailing is definitely a must. And I think the question I sent to you over the week, which I'm not sure if you addressed tonight, there's no possible way we can enter into the program with allowing people to opt-in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you can't guarantee, thank you for the answer, you can't guarantee price savings, so there's a possibility that the rates would be higher than what National Grid's offering?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I guess my last question, because I see the problems, and that's where I'm having a problem with a yes vote right now. Or, you know, I'm on the fence. It's a tough issue. But my last question, you said this would go out to a public hearing and have to come back to the city council for definite approval. I just, that language in 16-534, that we allow research development and participation in a contract throws me off.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's all the questions I have for now. And I appreciate your passion for this issue. And I know it must make sense on a serious level. It just seems a little risky at the same time. And I don't love the fact that people have to be put into the program and have to take the time, energy, know that they can opt out of it. So that's where my concern lies. But I appreciate, you know, you putting it together and starting the conversation, at least, depending on how my colleagues feel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree that's probably the best thing to do. But my suggestion would be, if it tabled and it can come up again. I would ask that you look into a public comment period, whether that be, not necessarily a public hearing, but some way that residents can voice their opinions on this to give us some feedback.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. I don't think something that should be discussed tonight, but maybe that would be something that would help the council in deciding on their vote. I would love the input from our residents. Um, cause I think my vote is, I'm not ready to vote on this tonight. So I agree to take, um, counseling nights, motion table, but I'm just, I'm just giving a suggestion to try to hook a few people. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Kouchi.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's a thousandth of a dollar. It's a thousandth of a dollar. Per kilowatt hour. Tenth of a penny. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Name and address, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With good energy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, from the chair then, and what is National Grid? So what is the savings?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion to table. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Papers tabled. Councilman. Paper 16-537 offered by Councilor Scarpelli. Be resolved that the DPW Director or Energy City Engineer report back to the City Council on what type of patching material must be used when utility companies perform work on our city streets and roads. Councilor Scarpelli.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let's do them together. 16-536 offered by Councilor Scarpelli. be it resolved that the city engineer report back to the Medford City Council with guidelines dealing with hours of operations for patching streets from work performed by utility companies. Councilor Scafelli.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What time were they doing work on Butler, if I may ask?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you're moving approval on these two papers? Please. Seconded by Councilor Knight. All those in favour? All right. All those opposed? Papers pass. Be it resolved, offered by Councilor Falco, be it resolved that the Mayor contact the DCR To turn the gas at the corner of Webster and Fountain Street, Councilor Falco.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion approval by Councilor Falco, seconded by Councilor Scarpelli. Offered by Councilor Scarpelli, be it resolved that the City Engineer report back to the, that's the same thing? Done twice, okay. Offered by Councilor Marks, be it resolved that the Medford High School crew team be commended for winning the silver medal at the State Rowing Championship. Be it further resolved that they appear before the City Council citations. Motion for approval. Motion for approval by Councilor Marks. All those in favour? All opposed? Paper passes. Offered by Councilor Marks. Be it resolved that the potholes on St. James Road be repaired in the interest of public safety. Motion for approval. Motion for approval. All those in favour? All those opposed? Paper passes. Motion to table the records offered by Councilor Knight. All those in favour? All those opposed? Paper kept. Records are tabled. Motion to adjourn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To allow residents from the Evans Street neighborhood to speak to the council on an issue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not on the agenda. I don't believe the residents put it on the agenda, but they asked.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, if we could allow the resident to finish. It was open on CClickFix.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So they fixed the one pothole in front of your house.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We just had a meeting with the mayor, and Lauren was there giving us an update on the C-Click fix, and it seems like Lauren from the mayor's office is the monitor of the situation, but I'm not sure why something like that was closed. I don't know if my colleagues can see the pictures, the streets.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's my street. And so in March you, you reported the problem that one pothole was fixed, but nothing else. And then. There's been six more complaints, two of yours, four others, and nothing's been done. They just were all closed out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think this is the priority when we talk about taking $500,000 out of free cash to do sidewalks. I think streets need to be included in that or we need to take a better look at some of our streets and how they're crumbling and get some of these fixed. And obviously Evans Street, for people to report it multiple, multiple times on C-Click Fix and have to come to a council meeting and actually bring rocks. We definitely see a problem, so I definitely move approval to see if we could get an estimate on how much it would cost to repave the street and what the recommendations would be if we weren't to repave the whole street. But to get some resolve, it's terrible. I always say we are being reactive rather than proactive. in this situation where you have a broken hip and a broken arm, it doesn't even look like we're being reactive.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think Councilor Marks hit the nail on the head with regards to that $500,000 free cash expenditure, associating this, Evans Street, making a condition of that, because the capital plan, the budget director, the mayor said it wouldn't be until they hire a budget director, which would be end of summer, fall, is when the capital plan would even be discussed. So that would push it out a year or two. So I think, too, if we can get councillors to condition Evans Street on that $500,000. This is exactly why we wanted a list of the $500,000, how it was going to be spent, so that we know streets like Evans or sidewalks that are in complete disrepair are the ones that are going to get done. And I think Mr. Cairns, who's the DPW director, is getting a copy of the list for us as we speak, so we can possibly bring that up later tonight. If not, hopefully by next week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If you, I know in our packet has like a description of the site, so you have the two lots. And then the project site is going to be separate than the garage? Or are we building on top of the garage?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And with regards to distances between the lot and the actual units, is there a decent, what's the distance between the lots and the, you know, the lot and the unit when you are talking about that much gasoline?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So when you say firewall, if there was an explosion in the garage, the apartments would be safe, so there's an actual wall, or are you talking about the space?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you, Doug. You're welcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Eric, if you don't mind, through the chair, you said you worked for the city of Medford?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what was your, what title position did you hold?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And when you had mentioned the $3 to $4 million with the 75% grant for sewer and then $4 million for water, so that's about $7 million. in the MWRA that we could be applying for? Is that what you mean?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And these are the 0% loans or full grants?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I thank you for your hard work. I know probably Councilman Maxwell will talk about the inflow infiltration. I know we have some serious work that needs to be done in Medford. And we did grill the city engineer last budget
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just as an amendment, if we could get a response also from the mayor's office with regards to that package. And if we can be scanned the documents, I know we can go to the city clerk and get them. But if the council could be scanned, um, what you had given us so that we can review it at our own leisure at home, the entire packet was sent to us in our weekend packets on Friday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I think Councilor Caraviello hit the nail on the head. I too got the e-mails. A lot of upset people who went out to work, said they were going to get the permit, you know, this week, and they have a ticket on their car. It had to have come 6, 630 in the morning. I just feel like some warning should have been given or at least, you know, a couple days leeway for them to obtain the permit. I think the way it's worked in the past years is they've had a week or two to get their permit before the city jumped on it. low way on how to collect revenue, where there is obviously other violations that aren't enforced at all, such as parking on some of our sidewalks in the city that really should have the attention. And we don't give the attention to those types of violations. So it is unfortunate. It felt terrible for the person, although there is signs up there. And I hope that while the city solicitor and the mayor are looking into the issues with regards to the sale of Republic, that some of these things are addressed and discussed. And we make improvements through the whole system, obviously not the one or two little things that have been improved upon so far. But we really need some serious improvement.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I could just ask a question, because it does look very detailed. So just going off the first one, the stumps, this is every stump on the list?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As of today. So total stumps, 192?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And when we discussed it in committee this evening at 6 o'clock, I think you said it would be about $100,000 to $125,000 to remove all 192 stumps.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then if you could just explain what you printed out for the actual sidewalks to us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So there'll be at least, with the stumps, 192 sidewalk panels replaced, because we do plan on getting rid of all 192 stumps? That's correct. The place in the panel was also included in your estimate of the 100 to 125? Yes. So that brings this list down to about 400 panels?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And with the 500,000, we'll do all the stumps in those panels, and then about how many I guess that's where my issue lies. We won't know how many of the 400 on this list will be done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And do you have a directive of where where exactly you'd start on the list? Are you going to start from the top of this list, or are we going to just kind of?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the farthest we go back here is 2000 and
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My concerns would be the older ones get done obviously first and the ones that are obviously in the most disrepair get done first. My main concerns initially when we talked about this for an hour last week is just that I don't want to dedicate $500,000 and then only have done, because you did say if there's many panels on one street, and even if they're not reported, we're going to do the whole street. My concern is I don't want to spend this $500,000 on a named 10 streets and not get the list done, especially the people that have been complaining for years or that have terrible sidewalks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we can make that part of the paper, condition on the vote that we do the oldest and the ones that are in most disrepair first. Obviously, if the council could be updated after the fourth four months of what has been done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dillard. So I think that was my concern two weeks ago when I asked for it, you know, because that is a lot of hours, a lot of manpower that we don't have to evaluate each and every sidewalk. But I did say, give us a list of you know, what are the first 10 to 100 sidewalks we will be replacing, so then we have a better idea of at least what streets we can tell people you're going to and that those sidewalks are going to be replaced. So, if the 500 is approved, we go out for an RFP, and we stabilize the money, how would you begin? Where would you start? With the stumps?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, I would be comfortable tonight voting for the 192 stump removals, and I think we have a cost estimate of 100 to 150 on the higher end. I completely believe that this list is is good enough and we can tell everybody on the stump list that their stump's going to be removed and their sidewalk panel is going to be replaced. And I think that's a good starting point, especially where we're taking it out of free cash. We're not going out to bond on this specific project. But I have the concern, too, and I think that's where I was coming from two weeks ago. I think this is definitely a good start, and we definitely have every stump that's on this list in front of us, but I, too, we get calls every day. You know, I was told my sidewalk's on the list in 2015. Is it going to be done? I heard you were talking about 500,000, and I can't, we can't really tell them. I told one person specifically that we've requested a list of, you know, the top 100 that will definitely be done, but I, you know, we still can't answer that question, and I do appreciate the full list, I guess I'm kind of torn as well, but I think that we can, I would, myself would move approval for knowing that the 192 stumps will be removed, definitely need to be removed, and I think that's something we should try to move on tonight, at least.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was just going to add to those comments that I think that's something that hopefully is being done now with C-Click Fix. That it is being evaluated by our DPW. That would bring, you know, obviously a couple in per week. evaluated and a rating system is started. I don't know if that's happening, but that's something that should be happening. They're not evaluating. They're just placed on the list.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They're not, that would be my recommendation. Well, that's the whole, that's the whole point I brought up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to thank Ms. Fretz for being here for this public safety summit, which was held last Wednesday. One thing I wish they had done, and I think we had requested it, is that a reverse 911 call be sent out. I think that's probably what the meeting deserved. I know Councilman Marks, with the support of the rest of the council, had pushed for a public safety summit. for months, if not years, to take place. And I think it was very difficult. And I thank the president for getting all the players in the room. But to get the chief of police, the chief of fire, superintendent, and almost the whole council in the room, plus the chief of staff and somebody from the mayor's office, which I believe was the council liaison, it took a lot. And it was a well-we discussed many, many issues. It was two and a half hours, and there really was I think one or two residents, which was a shame because I don't believe it was publicly advertised. So that's my first comment. I think we got a lot of information. I think we did realize how understaffed our police department is and the fear of what's going to happen when we do get retired. You know, the retiree rate in the next couple of years is going to bring our levels even lower. So I hope that the mayor does what she needs to do with regards to hiring accordingly because it does, as the chief said, it takes almost a year to get the officers trained and ready to go out on the road. With regards to the committee of the whole report, it's very vague in our request. So I just, one of the big things, because I think it was mentioned by a couple of councillors, that one of the biggest things we get complaints about is the speeding and the traffic. And it's really important, I think, that the electronic sign that we have has been broken for God knows how long. I think I caught wind of it a few months ago, and it's still broken. So we did ask the chief of police for cost estimates and to purchase at least one electronic speeding sign. We can't have our office — every time we get a complaint about speeding, we can't, you know, set up stings every day in every area. So the speeding signs do help a great deal. So if we could get — the chief of police could let us know how much those cost, and I believe he said it was about $15,000. 15,000, and we did request that we purchase one. Also, the fixed street signs with the speed, I know they're on Elm and I believe three other locations. A couple of them are broken. I think Harvard needs to be fixed. High Street needs to be fixed. And we also asked for a cost. I don't know if we could get this, if we could maybe put this on the floor tonight. We did ask for a cost of those signs to possibly put them up in other locations. I know the one on Elm definitely curbs speeding as I drive that every day. And as you see people approaching, I think it just brings realization of the speed somebody's going and it does slow cars down. And that's very important on where it is placed on Elm due to the Wrights Pond opening up very soon. I was concerned with regards to the school aspect of the conversation and the lack of security after hours. I know we're secure during the day. We have a Medford police officer there, as well as Officer Mazzacca. But after school hours and on the weekends, when we do have the public in and out of the building, there's no security. I think it was mentioned that the parents are a good way for security, parents that are at events, as well as the custodians. And I just don't feel that that's adequate enough to secure our building. especially with the potential leasing of Edgar Lee Fields. We are going to have a lot of out-of-towners, a lot of leasing at that field, and our schools will be opened. I know whether or not they're, you know, some of the doors are locked. We are going to have potential liability issues there, and security is extremely important. I think that's something that needs to be looked into further. But all in all, I think it was a great meeting, and I'm glad we department heads in attendance, and we were able to get our questions answered. I know I could go on and on, and as Anne mentioned, I think eight pages of notes with, you know, 115 questions that were asked. It definitely did help, and hopefully we can get the information out to the public, because I know a number of people were interested in it, and it's too bad we didn't advertise it. It wasn't advertised more. It would have been nice if they did the reverse 911 call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we do. The superintendent wrote it to us, and he gave it in the packet on Wednesday night. I think we all received it. State City Hall has recently made a transfer of $100,000 to assist in meeting the fiscal year 15 debt payment by supplementing the fund. And because we made that transfer, Edgerly Field closes fiscal year 15 with a positive balance. So yes, we were informed on Wednesday. We just weren't informed with regards to where on the city side this money has come from and why we've transferred it from the city side to the school side when the school side operates with over $50 million budget. I'd like to further amend it because the packet that we did get on Wednesday is kind of thick. There's a lot of reading. It also mentions $97,800 is paid from the city side to La Conte Rink. So if we could also get an update on why we're taking another almost $100,000 from the city side to La Conte Rink, there may be a very good explanation for it. I'd just like to know where it's coming from, why it's being paid that operate under community schools, which obviously operates under.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure if it's to settle out or if it's just a payment. Maybe somebody on the council can explain that. It's just the last two years from, we were only given the last two years for La Conte, so reviewing that, it looks like there's $97,800 that comes from the City of Medford, and like I said, to La Conte Ring.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh yeah. So right. The athletic director oversees all aspects. And it just, I mean, the money, I'm assuming either it's separate, it's coming through community schools, so whether that's city or school, I agree, I understand.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Constance. Okay, so my question still remains, why is there city money going to the La Conte rink, you know, 97-8? I'm simply asking the question. We have the rink, we have the fields, we have community schools, and we have the pool, four functioning facilities that are, you know, supposed to generate money. I believe when we went out to bond for Edgerly Field in 2011, we were told this was going to be a self-sustaining Endeavor, it's about $255,000 in interest, $155,000 a year in principal, and we were told that that was going to be generated through revenues every year. And each year, it seems like we're coming up short, and this last year, for the fields, looks like we're shorter than ever at the $97,000—$93,000, I'm sorry. So, to be transferring money blatantly—I mean, I think, actually, by Pat Valley, who is the director of administration and finance for the schools. So I think we need to know this before budget time. And if there are enough, I could also further amend it. Are there any other, that's the only two portions of money that are coming out of the general fund for the city. I believe, I would assume the general fund, but we're in the general fund coming out of the city and going towards these four independent pieces of property, revenue generating property within the city. We need to know if there's any other money that's also coming out from the city side to support any of these four facilities.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Councilor Dello Russo. If I could further amend the paper in the first paragraph of the letter from Ms. Valle. It does mention that there is missing information in this packet with regards to personnel employed at the four listed venues, that information will be ready. It supposedly was ready on the 16th of May. If the council could get a copy of that, a listing of the personnel employed at the four below listed venues. I, too, agree there's definitely concerns with the bubble. I think there's a lot of pros and a lot of cons. And I know the school committee is doing their due diligence. And I know they've gone through probably three or four copies of an RFP. But there are true concerns. And one of my concerns is just the availability to Medford residents. And I do understand it's the winter months. But when you see kids wanting to get on those fields and a bubble back there, and they see that it's occupied every hour on the weekends by outside organizations and almost all afternoon by other, you know, organizations. It's, it's a tough swallow when we're the ones paying for this bond and obviously the city side helping pay for that bond.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Sorry, Mr. President. Just while we're on the topic of the four facilities, it's showing, if I'm reading it correctly, it's showing, might as well ask all my questions now rather than wait till we meet with the superintendent. It looks like the community schools is in deficit for 2016 currently at 117,000, and then the pool is at a loss as well, deficit 41,000. So if we could get an update with regards to how those two facilities are going to be funded. Because it does mention that there's a balance that the community schools in the front page says the community schools funds are going to balance out the pool budget. But I'm not sure how that's going to happen when the community schools is running at $117,000 deficit. So if we could just ask that question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Rosa. I'm sure we all have received complaints when people are watching our meetings and the school committee meetings. They're fading out, especially at between 8 and 8.30, a lot of crackling. You can barely hear the sound. So just ask the administration if we can get some updates to correct the problem. I would hope that more meetings are going to be publicized in the chambers. We ask for more. meetings on video, so these are important meetings, school committee meetings are important, and when you can barely hear a good portion of them, it's obviously not a good thing. So if we can get that fixed, that would be appreciated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can we ask the administration to get an estimate on what it would cost to put in a new system?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, have received a couple of complaints. It seems just the last week or two with regards to this issue. I did forward the one or two emails to the chief of police and hopefully, I haven't got a response yet, but hopefully when we meet with the chief tomorrow, this can be on our agenda for discussion. I know we have a public safety meeting with the mayor's office and the chief of police at 6 p.m. tomorrow night, so this is definitely something that needs to be brought up and hopefully get some enforcement down there and obviously have our outreach coordinator. see what she can do to help as well. So I thank you for bringing us putting this forward and hopefully we do get a response from the chief.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. A couple of questions. I don't think it's going to have to do with houseware. And do we know what type of square footage we're looking for?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And with regards to the grant, was it your department that filled out the grant?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then with regards to the fundraising from the FAST-14 and then the Doggy Fun Run, right? I feel like it was a fundraiser, too. How much does that amount?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. That's my questions for now. I just want to thank you, Alicia, for all your hard work, and of course, pause for men for a minute. I remember clearly coming before us begging for a dog park. And I think after that meeting, the petition was started, and I know Councilmarks got on board. The council was supportive, but Councilmarks went above and beyond and really helped you out. So I just want to thank all that are involved. And I said Alicia, yeah. Which is great. I think everybody really came together, and I'm just really excited. Last question, do we have a time frame, or what is the plan?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Very good.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You can ask one question. Madam Vice President. Thank you. Through the chair, with regards to being open during school hours, have the principals been updated and been able to give their concerns and ask questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I could just make a suggestion with regards to- Point of information, Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If I could just suggest to maybe discuss it with the principals, just have a conversation. I did get a call. Actually, it was a couple months ago. This story might have been in the newspaper. from a teacher. So I think it is definitely valid that just to talk to the principals, make sure they don't have any concerns and ease their fears and maybe have them discuss it with the teacher, see what the teacher's questions are. That'd be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Mr. Kearns, do you have a list of which stumps and street sidewalks will be done with the $500,000?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Those are the ones that will be done with the $500,000? Yes, that's correct. So how many out of the 554 sidewalks that have been added to the list will be done?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So can we take a look at that? Certainly. So if there's going to be 25% of the 554 sidewalks not replaced, how are we deciding which ones will be done last?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So on this list, they were, they have all been looked at and there are prior ones that are listed as priority worse, worse condition versus,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there a number scale, like a one through 10 on how dangerous levels?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And this list is done by alphabetical order based on the street name?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then how many stumps need to be removed in our city?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe we get scanned a copy of this? It's huge, so yeah, if we could get a scanned copy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then with regards to pricing, I mean, does one square of a sidewalk, what are we pricing that at?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It seems great to be able to replace, it seems almost unrealistic for just the $500,000. Because I know we've had bonds with $750,000 bond one time, and I know we didn't even replace half that amount. So that's why I asked.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Because this is a lengthy, lengthy list. Thank you, Madam Vice President. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'm president Delaware. So I just want to, um, I agree with my council colleague, Councilor Marks, with regards to waiting a week and getting a detailed list. I just pulled the bond indebtedness, and it looks like we went up to bond a million dollars in 2012 for just sidewalks alone, and then in 2010, a million, 45,000, so that puts it in perspective. Two million, 45,000 approximately went to sidewalks in the last six years, and it looks like From what we've been told, about 335 were done with that money. So it doesn't add up with regards to the amount we have. And I would like to see a detailed list, just so we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The city's bonds. We all have it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We get one every year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This has bonds up until 2013.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it goes back to at least 2010. So that's a debt service schedule? Correct. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just ask, I would second the question with regards to asking for a detailed list. I know we have, you know, 889 requests, and I agree. I think Mr. Buckley and Mr. Geer, who have also appeared before us with regards to separate bonds, also said the same thing as you, Mr. Kearns, with regards to if you do one panel on one street, you're going to look at them all on that street. So, you know, potentially that 500,000 maybe won't stretch as far as we hope it would. So I would like to know what the beginning streets would be, give us the first hundred that we're going to do so that we know when people call us and they're on that list or people are posting on see, click, fix, certain sidewalks, certain stumps, you know, we have a reasonable explanation of why this 500 maybe didn't stretch as much as we thought it would tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd like to see 100% done too, but I still don't think it's going to be $668,000. I think, Mr. Curran, if I'm understanding you correctly, That list, maybe we could have done 75%, but I think, since you said you're going to go in and do a whole, you know, stretch a sidewalk if need be, I'm assuming that brings that 75% number down significantly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I have the floor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, no, 100% this is about public safety. We all want sidewalks done. But we also have to answer to our constituents. We see what's going on on C-Click Fix. We heard this 889 requests for sidewalks. We're not sure of the number of stumps. I would like to know where the $500,000 is being spent, even if it's a list of the first 100 sidewalks, first 50 stumps that are going to be removed. I think we need to know that information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: that is a request to get before we vote on this paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just a list, yes. And I think we have to ask the administration to join forces with the Director of Public Works and figure out if we can do all these sidewalks for the a different amount of money that maybe we think of appropriating more than the $500,000 if need be, if it is somewhere around the $600,000, $700,000 range. I highly, highly doubt it. But let's get it all done if we can. And we obviously know we're not going to go out to bid anytime soon because we don't have a procurement officer. I think Ms. Hunt stated that today. It's going to be a few weeks before we even think of going out to bid on the dog park proposal. So we have time. This is something that needs to be done The last time we went out to bond that I'm aware of is in 2012. I didn't say it was a bond. I know. I'm not sure why you always have something to say, always interrupt. Bicker? He puts words in my mouth. He changes around my resolutions every week. I have people calling me asking me if he has something against women.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to table is undebatable.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I challenge the chair. I think we both challenge the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: He's the chair. You have to rule on it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Dello Russo, Mark, Mr. Crowley, from what I understand, it's out of probate, but has the attorney said anything to the neighborhood with regards to what the next steps are? I mean, of course, they're not going to be able to necessarily sell the house, but is the land going to be sold so that we can see some movement? I mean, obviously, the city of Medford needs to get involved if it isn't any time within the next month or two. What have you heard?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know we had an issue back 10, 12 years ago on, on the Fellsway that the city did get involved in. So I'm not sure what, what the, hesitation is now. Um, I really, I agree with my colleagues and I really hope that the city solicitor can give us some answers and get some things done and that we get an update from the building department to see what we can do to, to move this forward. Um, it's an eyesore and obviously a safety issue. So I, I agree with the resolution and I thank council Caraviello for bringing it forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think this is a bit repetitive. Councilor Falco and I have pretty much the same resolution on. I agree that we need to get the results from the school department, because that's, you know, is part of my resolution. But I think it's very important just to reiterate that these test kits are minimal to purchase and test the city public buildings. So, I mean, just to be specific, City Hall has been tested in one spot. I think we should maybe retest eventually. The library needs to be tested, Chevalier, all our public buildings, just so that we can get a better idea. I'm glad that the engineer's office is on it, but it is concerning. It's concerning to many parents and residents in our community. Another issue that was brought up as a concern is with regards to residential homes and lead levels in the homes, if it does have to do with the water you know, are we dealing with, like Councilor Marks had, you know, explained to us with the lead piping, how, if we could get an update from the engineer's office on how we're dealing with or how we plan to deal with potential testing of homes within our community. I think that's really important. If we could also just test some of our water fountains so that we make sure anybody in our play, any children or adults in our playgrounds that are maybe drinking fountain water, that the lead levels are at an appropriate level. I think that Clean Water Company is the company that went and tested a number of cities and towns, public buildings, and that is who found the results of the 30 parts per billion. Again, very concerning, and hopefully we can get all our public buildings tested. And I guess amended further, just what specifically is the engineers department doing? to try to reduce those levels. How are they working with the MWRA or whoever it may be that needs to be worked with and advise the city on how we can reduce those levels. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, want to see it work, and I think it can work. And I'm sure Councilor Schiappelli will follow up with how it does work in Somerville. I don't think it needs to be shut down. I think it needs to be monitored. We need to have regulations so the monitor knows when to pull something, when to maybe take it off and send it directly to a department head. And a monitor, somebody who will take the effort to maybe call DCR or the state to get a simple resolution to the problem. It just is going to take some time, energy, a monitor, somebody working on it on a daily basis, whether that be somebody in the mayor's office, somebody in the DPW. It seems like something we, I think, asked for when we originally were pushing for this and we found out it was going to be a reality. We did ask who was going to monitor this. And it seems like we have no oversight, and that's all we need. We need oversight and regulations. And I believe that that can be done in minimal time to not disrupt the program for more than, you know, a few weeks to get it done and get it done right. So I would make the recommendation that we get a monitor and get rules and regulations put, you know, with regards to the types of posts that should be on there and obviously somebody to stop the harassment. That's ridiculous.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Since I put this on last week, Ms. Hunt, our Energy and Environment Director, did email me a number of ways that the city is working on water consumption. So I don't know how much she would want me to share of what she sent to me personally. If we could get it in writing to the whole council with regards to any and everything that has been done to preserve water within our city buildings, that would be my first amendment. And also, if we can get an idea with regards to the possibility or if she's looked into any potential grants with regards to whether it be replacing faucets or toilets within our public buildings. The city currently uses, I believe from what a commissioner told me, is $400,000 worth of water, or approximately close to that. in our city buildings. So that obviously is not being recorded accurately and it's being passed on to the rate payer. That's where my resolve comes from and that's where I would like to see the city do more to conserve water in our public buildings and focus less of a burden on our taxpayers. So I will follow up on this at a later date after we get some answers from our just put it in writing as far as everything that's been done, as far as to possibly make any grants because I do know that placing a toilet is expensive, is it even worth it? You know, we'd have to do a cost estimate. cost estimate evaluation, so are there grants available to do something like that, whether it be in our schools or in our public buildings to try to conserve water usage, just like any, if you go to any environmental festival or fair, there's always people there telling you what to do with your homes, how to update your home, replace the toilet, replace the faucets, to make it, you know, obviously, a lot of people do take steps in their homes to do it, so I'm asking the question, and then Medford are working to make sure any grants are available to take some of that burden of replacing things and further updating what we've already, you know, what we've approved for Mr. Mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just also want to thank you for going above and beyond, I think, your call of duty and your job role with the city of Medford. It really obviously means a lot to the mom you have here and, you know, the whole community. I think it's just definitely something positive. And best of luck with the event. I hope a lot of people get on the website and donate. As you said, it's on Facebook. I hope we see some posts after with new hairdos from the two of you. And also, I believe the basketball game is this Friday. I don't know if you want to put a plug in for that. Is that donations for, I got the email today, is that donations for this as well?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. And the game is 6.30 at the McGlynn. What cause is that for this year?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's right, Jocelyn diabetes. Yes. I should have known that. OK. Well, best of luck with both events. Thank you. Thank you for coming.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could take, I know there's a number of people in the audience, so if we could take first being 16482, communications from the mayor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you explain which, if all seniors will be involved in the program, will they have to qualify?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to thank you for the donation. This is great and hopefully there will be some sort of marketing and publicity on this so all our seniors can take advantage of it. Will you be posting in the paper and how will you be letting everybody know?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And for the 10,000, how many seniors will you be able to get a bag to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And how many weeks?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. The Arts and Culture, Culture, oh, sorry, Subcommittee on Cultural Arts and History did publish a notice. That's, I believe, Councilor Scarpelli, Councilor Marks, and I. And we do have a meeting scheduled next Tuesday at 6 p.m. for this very reason. I believe there's a number of things going on with Chevalier that need to be, we really haven't been updated on, and it's about time that we figure out what's going on, what offers are out there, what RFPs are, you know, in line. We've been briefed and we've talked to a number of different people, I'm sure each and every one of us have. So it's definitely time for a meeting, time to sit down and start the discussion and start getting updated ourselves so we know what is going on and we can help in any way we can as well as, you know, give advice if that's, you know, necessary or wanted. So we do have a meeting scheduled next week at 6. I'm not sure if there's going to be a conflict with that, but as of right now, that is scheduled. So hopefully we'll learn from, you know, the whole commission is invited, John and the whole commission. So hopefully we can get more of an idea of what's going on. And I appreciate Mr. Costas informing us of this new news. And I look forward to the meeting next week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Watching the school committee meeting last Monday, so a week from yesterday, there was discussion on a bubble. It seems like there's going to be a top over the Field of Dreams During the months of November till March They did there was serious discussion. There was input that was given by each school committee member There was question on whether the council should have involvement I know there was a couple school committee members that wanted the council to be involved and that was that idea was kind of shut down but Due to it being school property I've gotten calls after the article after the school committee meeting. I've gotten calls questions have been asked to me and We also were the body that approved the bond to implement the Field of Dreams. It's been very successful. I know in the first two years when we did ask for the numbers, I believe the income and revenue was paying for the field. I know that one issue is their lack of maintenance budget, so this may very well be a great idea. It may very well be a possibility to use these funds that are going to be brought in by an outside company. to maintain the field. Now, I believe we have somebody here who has more of a background than I do, but this bubble or this RFP that they want to put out is for $75,000 per season. Medford children will only get to use the bubble from 2.30 to 4, 5 days a week, which is the weekdays, and then possibly sometime during the day. So, My request is just simply to review the RFP, to take a look at it. I know that they did want to push it through a week ago, but there were some updates that some of the school committee members did want to see. So I would just like to review the RFP, take a look at it. It is on school property, but the school is part of the city buildings. It's part of the city budget. So I do want to just take a look at the RFP, and I hope that my colleagues will understand that and agree with me. more eyes on something obviously is better. And that's really it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct. Just looking for a copy of the RFP that's going to be sent out or voted on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Plenty of information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There was a full RFP presented to the school committee eight days ago. It was a full RFP that the administrators wanted to get approved that night. few changes that just need to be updated. So that should be drafted already, because I know that the next meeting is when they want them to vote on it. So I would like to take a look at it before it's voted on, just in case we have any questions and concerns. And I also want to be able to answer questions and concerns of the constituents and the parents that have been reaching out to me with questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There is a draft RFP, so I'd like the draft RFP, updated RFP, that will be voted on. As a matter of course.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Edgeley Field. Edgeley Field.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, please. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The bubble in the RFP, it says from November to March, and it says that. Do you have a copy of the RFP already? No, I watched the school committee meeting. Oh. Yeah, it was discussed in length. The contractor selected by the district would have use of the fields from 4 to 11 p.m. on weeknights and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. from those months.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, Madam Vice President. The resolution doesn't say that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Personally- If I have questions, I maybe could give a call to a few school committee members and ask, because one question that has come to my attention is the weekends, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Why can't Medford kids, you're the negotiator, you do that for a living, so maybe a couple hours on a Saturday, Medford kids can't play on it, and I'm not saying they should or shouldn't be able to, but I have questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DeLaRusso. So just take me back, Mr. Carr. Thank you for the education, especially with regards to the maintenance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The maintenance, I think, is what I kind of grabbed from what you discussed. And I obviously have a problem with it. And I think that's another reason why it's somewhat related to city business. We voted for a bond. And we asked that a maintenance budget be put aside. Same with the pool. We asked that 5% per year. I don't know if it was of the income. I can be quoted probably differently than we actually wrote it down. But there was supposed to be maintenance on the fields. So six years.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But the deep cleaning they were supposed to do for $10,000 two to four times a year has never been done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's all. If I may amend my resolution just to ask what funding has been used to maintain the fields within the last three years?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's it for now. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe we should group this with resolution that I put on 16.475 in which I asked the very same question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have that answer at my house.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I know that I sound like a broken record with regards to bringing this up every month or so. And I know the council, we get repeated emails from neighbors and phone calls from neighbors in the Harvard and Main Street area. And I know that we have a committee working on certain issues within that area. But a resident would like to speak. And I think it's definitely relative and definitely needed. It seems like we're getting nowhere. I bring it up time and time again. parking on sidewalks. We have bus stops in that area. We have children. We have senior citizens in that area. And just the neighborhood, when you have a Mack truck pulling up onto a sidewalk, somebody could get hurt. Somebody could get seriously injured. And for some reason, it's fallen on deaf ears. I said it before and I'll say it again. I mean, I've been to a traffic commission meeting to try to address this. And it just seems like nothing's getting done. And I know it has to come from the top. I mean, it has to come. The administration has to rule on this one way or another. So we haven't got anything in writing with regards to this being allowed. But from what I understand, when residents and people call and ask for enforcement, some people are told that this is allowed. I don't think it's right. I think we need to find a way for the business district and the neighbors to coexist in a safe manner, a safe manner. So whether that's a committee of the whole meeting with the chief of police and the neighbors and the business owners, we need to figure something out to alleviate this safety concern that so many have, not just, we do get emails repeatedly, pictures all the time. So we see it, we drive by, we see it happening. And it's an unsafe situation that needs to be resolved. We need some enforcement and we need to figure out a way to work on this together as a community, as a whole. You know, whether we pinpoint whose cars and whose trucks are making deliveries. You know, I see the pictures. I don't know exactly, but, you know, you have a feeling, you know who it is. Well, let's figure out whether it be a loading zone. And I think there is a committee working on that and we can get some updates on that, but something needs to, relieve the stress of people who want to walk, traverse the sidewalks, maybe go grab a pastry at Arthur's Pastry, but are scared to walk on Medford's sidewalks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just briefly through the chair, I also just want to thank you for coming and giving us an update. It's more information and probably more enforcement than I've seen in a long time. So it's very appreciated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could ask the chief of police, and I don't know if that's through Captain Daugherty or Sergeant Carroll, I believe you said, if we could get an update on what the city's policy is. Are we allowing certain areas to park on certain sidewalks? Or are we going to start enforcing this? I mean, I think we need, if there's an ordinance, but why aren't we enforcing that ordinance is my question. So it is related to South Medford, this resolution. But I agree with Cheryl. I mean, I drive down Park Street every day to drop off my child. And there are a number of students who are walking to school, and there are cars parked on the sidewalk. I don't get as many complaints. So obviously, South Medford, I think I get a complaint every day on this. from multiple people, but it's an issue throughout our community, and it's an issue where if we do get complaints, we need to do something, especially if we get complaints, we need to do something about it. So by resolution, Madam Vice President, what would you like the resolution to say? What is our policy with regards to enforcement of our ordinance with regards to parking on sidewalks? Is it uniform or are different areas treated differently?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if I may, if I may.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd also like to find out, because I did ask it before, how many tickets have been given out within the last year or two with regards to parking on sidewalk? Because I'd bet to guarantee there's minimal, if any, tickets that have been issued with regards to parking on sidewalks. So if I could ask that question again, how many? Tickets have been issued within the last two years with regards to parking on sidewalks and violations of our city ordinance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. After I spoke last week about a number of issues with regards to having a meeting with the group meeting with the mayor, one of the issues was related to, you know, school school issues. Since I spoke, I've received a number of phone additional phone calls with regards to issues that may be going on in the school, whether or not There are more than one employee. I am aware that there is an employee that is somewhat of a department head, although not working full time. I don't know the pay scale, because it almost seems like it's hidden somewhere in the budget, that is the head of a department and lives in Florida. So it's of extreme concern to me that we have somebody on the payroll that is not currently in Massachusetts. And I'd like to know if there is more than one Obviously, I know it's going to be tough to get this information, but it's something that needs to be spoken about. I got this from a very good source. I don't think I've questioned a couple of school committee members on it, and they were unaware. So if we could get an update with regards to anybody that lives out of state, I'm not talking if you're commuting from New Hampshire or Rhode Island, but when you're talking you live in Florida and are ahead of a department, there's a concern there, and we need as a community to get to the bottom of that because it's wrong.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is not a rumor. There is a department head that lives in Florida that has been unpaid through the City of Medford School Department for two years. This is finishing out the second year. It's a fact. I know from a very good source, very good source. What the job description is, I don't know. That's what I'm trying to get to the bottom of. But the people that called me concerned about it know that something very fishy is going on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This is an issue that has been brought up by a number of school committee members a number of times, and it's information that hasn't been given to the school committee for one reason or another. So there are a number of fees for service and for use of our facilities, especially in the school department. I think Councilor Marks brought up one at the beginning of tonight's meeting. There are tens of maybe a hundred organizations that use our facilities that pay a fee, whether that be to community schools or to the general fund of the schools, and the school committee is asking for information, and for some reason they're not being given this information. I think this is pertinent to our budget hearings, I would like to know, you know, this is one thing, one of the probably ten things that I'm going to ask for before I vote on the entire city budget because it's, we're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars that we don't know what accounts they're going into, what they're being spent on, and how they're being used. So it's very important information. It's going to decide, help me decide how to, you know, go about looking at the budget and deciding on the budget. And it's information that we in the school committee need to be able to take an educated vote on whether to approve or deny or ask for more information or to come up with better rules and regulation to manage this money and be more forthcoming with it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Madam Vice President. We can start by asking for community schools, Medford High School. I mean, all school facilities. It doesn't include Hormel. That's not a school facility.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Yes. I mean, we're talking probably close to a million dollars. We need to know where this is going.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I, if I may point information on that, I, we must be talking to different Councilor, um, school committee people because, um, the few that I've talked to said they've asked for this information and for some reason are not, are not getting it. And it's been months. So they're asking for help again. Like I said last week, hopefully Monday, that would be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They're going to get it and have it ready on Monday. Then why don't we, why can't we get a coffee? This is crazy. I'm opposed. I challenge, I, The chair should be in doubt and take a roll call vote, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We should care where the council, we should care where probably a million dollars is going.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Yes, I'm just looking, there's a number of people that I know applied for it. One or two have called, and they said the names have been picked, but they're not, you know, they have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You have the names, great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And through the chair, so it's gonna be a committee of five, or we're just not sure yet?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But you don't know for sure if she's adding more people or?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, that's what I, they, people are calling and asking and they said the names, but it wasn't public.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. If we could just get, make sure that that's correct. And that's great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This is information that we did receive for the first two years with regards to the Field of Dreams. So I'm just looking for the last three years with profit in and obviously expenses out. Just want to see if we are bringing in enough for the bond. It doesn't, you know, obviously the children are using the field, so I'm just Curious. I would like to know before budget time, where are we? Are we in the red? Are we not in the red? Are we, are we making money? I mean, it's going to help obviously at budget time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we did.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This is the exact same thing with regards to the Field of Dreams. We're just looking to see the term of the bond and the profit and losses with regards to the pool.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I want to thank all the boys from the 5th and 6th grade St. Ray Fields boys basketball team for coming tonight. Thank their parents and their grandparents, who are huge advocates for them. If it wasn't for Mr. Johnson, he's the one that educated me on how well you did, and we're all so proud of you. Just to let the public know, this is the 5th and 6th grade boys basketball team from St. Ray's. They recently had a big tournament in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They outlasted, I guess, eight other participant teams and became the Northeast Regional CYO champions in their final game against St. Peter and Paul from Hartford. They were seven points behind with six minutes left to play. They went into, obviously, defense mode and allowed the opposition a mere two points for the rest of the game while scoring 14 points themselves and eventually winning the championship by five points. you boys should be very proud of yourself. And I'm sure your parents and grandparents are very proud. It sounds like you had extra practice, which definitely paid off. So hopefully you always practice and you get good results in sports. And I think that correlates to studying hard and extra study and obviously get better grades. And you treat your parents and your grandparents with kindness, because you should just do that anyway. I'd like to invite the coaches up if they're present to help me shake some hands. I'm going to read the accommodation. The Medford City Council takes pleasure in awarding this council citation And it also states, to St. Rayfield's elementary school 5th and 6th grade boys basketball team in recognition of being outsized in virtually every game it played. The St. Ray's 5th and 6th grade basketball team played tenacious defense while employing a blistering fast break attack and achieving undefeated record of 22 to 0. and capturing the New England CYO Tournament Championship April 3rd at St. Joseph's High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut. On behalf of the entire members of the Medford City Council and the citizens of the city of Medford, congratulations. I'm gonna read your name and I hope you come up and get your citation and definitely shake hands with the rest of the council and your coaches. Max Philpott.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Jimmy Ball. Daniel Barbarian Tom O'Leary Job Connolly. Cameron Vivolo. Sam Grant. Cameron Flaherty. Tim Cochran. Richard Foscarato. Matthew Zubricki. Jared McDonough. Ronnie Listro. Five coaches? Oh, she's... Coach Dan O'Neill. Coach Charlie Ball. And Coach Mike Philpott. I'd just like to recognize the two assistant coaches, Coleman O'Neal and Paul McDonough. Is that him? Pauly? You're Pauly? You're coached? Awesome job. If anybody would like to say a few words.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Marks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Everybody go back there, and we'll face this way.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo, and I thank Councilor Knight for his presentation. My question, because I know this involves city contracts, so my question to Councilor Knight through the chair is, has he had any conversations with the mayor of the, you know, Mayor Burke and how she feels about this? And if she's willing, if we do pass a resolution like this, is she willing to entertain it and follow through with it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And with regards, do you have any idea of, cause we are mentioning contracts, um, held within with the city. Do you have a list of those contracts just so we know how the bottom line would be affected?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, if we could maybe get a report from the administration. I know that all our self-employed The department had cell phones. The last time we heard during budget hearings, I believe that was through Verizon. So I do know there are some contracts. I just want to see how that would affect our bottom line budget. I have a close friend who's actually striking with Verizon at the VFW. I think he's logged in about 120 miles walking back and forth, and it's been a couple weeks now. So I can only imagine the last strike was It took a few months, so I understand the issue and I understand what the families are going through because I do have a close friend striking himself. I just want to make sure that what we're voting on is something in our purview, something that the administration will take into consideration. And I do want to know, you know, how this will affect the bottom line of our budget and, you know, what contracts, how many contracts are involved here before we maybe, you know, I'd like to hear from the public.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree with what Mr. Pucci is saying in a way, but I also agree with my council colleague, Councilor Knight. When somebody is passionate about a subject and they want to speak on it, and you're right, maybe it should just be a statement. But this is a council forum. This is a procedure. Everybody should be open to the public. And so I agree if Councilor Knight wants to make a statement, then I'm all ears and I want to hear it. I just hope that Councilors, including Councilor Knight, understand that when maybe I want to talk about the schools or transparency of the school system, that that is relevant and obviously affects not workers, but our children and parents and teachers. So I just hope the same courtesy is extended back and forth.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Jeanne, I think Jeanne trying to grab Lauren DiLorenzo. I should have grabbed her for this before she escaped. I had put this on the agenda about a month ago with regards to the Meadow Glen Mall redevelopment and how we should be updated and have a meeting, committee of the whole meeting to discuss with OCD. With Lauren DiLorenzo and OCD, as well as invite the developer down, there are a number of residents who live in the area, and there's also a lot of questions and concerns with regards to the development and the landscape. Lauren, thank you for coming back. It be resolved that the Medford City Council meet with your office, yourself, and possibly a representative from the development team for the Meadow Glen Mall. I don't know if you'd be ready to give us an update With regards to that, there's a number of concerns. Obviously, there's a number of residents that live in the Mystic Valley Towers, as well as the Parkway condominiums. There's issues with regards to, or just questions and concerns with regards to the landscape that's gonna be used around the Meadow Glen Mall redevelopment. Are there gonna be solar panels? The drainage system, are there gonna be any walkways? How is the, you know, is there going to be an improvement in lighting in the parking lots? Will there be additional parking? So, I don't know what you'd be able to update us on. Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, that's what I'm looking for. There are residents who have, I think, emailed all of us with concerns. I know there's a couple engineers that live in the condominiums and people that are very concerned. So I'd love to be able to have the residents that have the questions, have them answered with the developer, with your office. I'd love to see the plans and be on top of it like we are on some other projects within the city.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And do you know if they're doing solar panels?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I did ask for this meeting about a month ago, so I'll just ask the president kindly again if we could set up a meeting sometime, maybe the end of May before we start our budget hearings, a time that we can invite residents and the developer and Office of Community Development so we can review the plans and ask any concerns, ask questions with regards to the project. It's a massive project that I believe is going to take a couple years to finish. We always ask.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I would just ask that that meeting be called the end of May so that we can, you know, sit down with the developer. Yeah, it would be very interesting to see how we're going to connect the Shaw site. Do we have any potential buyers for, or, you know, can you give us an update on the Shaw site?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you very much for the update for both sites. Um, and I look forward to hopefully a meeting in the near future.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. You put this resolution on. It was about six weeks ago now that we, maybe even almost two months now, that we sat down with the mayor of the community and discussed really just pinpoints of what you wanted to inform us of. And I think we definitely are in need of a second meeting. We're in the beginning of May. We have a budget that should be coming out sooner rather than later. And a number of serious issues that are going on in our community that need discussion. We need to know what's going on. And I feel like we're not being apprised of some pertinent information. It's information that we're kind of just hearing rumors on, and people are asking us questions, and we really don't know how to answer it. It's almost like we're continuing this genre from what we left off on, from learning our information from the paper, and I think that's really unfortunate. One of the—these four issues are important to me. I know there's other issues that are of concern. It's extremely important that we sit down and meet with the mayor as soon as possible. The first is the Medford Public Library. I've been a big advocate to redo the roof, obviously, and put some necessary upgrades within our library. The leaks are a serious problem. We've expended money on that and just would like an update with regards to where we're at and when everything's going to be complete and where we're going moving forward. with regards to the transparent succession plan of our superintendent. This is of grave concern to a number of parents, a number of residents. There are, I think, two petitions going around, one online and one hard copy, with regards to parents who have formed a group and are really, they're concerned about what's going on and they want transparency. I know that the contract was at issue last week with regards to the superintendent's contract. I did get a copy from the school committee's attorney, and the school committee, within the contract, it does state that the school committee shall advise the superintendent of its intent to extend his contract by June 30th, 2016. Nothing has been brought to the table with regards to what their plans are. If they have talked about it, it's in executive session, and we happen to know nothing. And I think that's of grave concern and something that obviously the mayor of the city could enlighten us on, because she does sit on that committee. Within the contract, it also mentions that the committee agrees to evaluate the superintendent using a five-step process, which includes self-assessment, dual analysis of goal setting and plan development, implementation of the plan, mid-cycle assessment, and a summative evaluation to a schedule agreed upon by the parties. That's supposed to be done every year. And I believe somewhere within this contract, the evaluation portion is two pages long. But there should be a final evaluation report from not only the superintendent himself, but each individual school committee member was to create an evaluation of the superintendent. And I think there's some key issues that the parents are talking about. that school committee members are talking about, that residents are talking about. It really affects our budget. It affects the city as a whole. It's the reason why I voted. Part of the issues are the reason why I voted against the budget in June 2015, because I believe that the school department is somewhat top heavy. You have the kindergarten aides who are only allowed to work three hours per day. I believe it's three hours per day. I could be quoted maybe a little bit more than that. and are getting minuscule raises, where you have the upper-level department heads, some of which are making, over the three years, once I broke it down in spreadsheet form, 15% raises in three years. You're talking tens of thousands of dollars per person each year. This has nothing to do with the person that's listed. It has to do with our budget. It has to do with the PR job that was put in about four months ago, and the fact that that's a $90,000 job. And then I got calls from teachers with regards to books, and books needed to be replaced, and lack of stipends, and a whole host of issues. Maintenance of our schools was pointed out to me. A five and 10 year building and grounds maintenance upgrade plan. Issues with the facilities and community schools. Our schools are a level three district. We have decreased MCAS scores. This is of concern. I mean, I am passionate about it. I have kids in the school. I have a lot of friends with children in the school. And it's something that the city council needs to take hold of. And we need to get involved. Number one, it's involved with our budget. I have people calling me. Lately, I feel like I'm on the school committee and the city council. I can't even get anything done at my office some days because my phone is ringing off the hook. I'm putting in 40 hours a week sometimes between the phone calls and the emails and meetings. Something needs to change, and people need to understand what is going on. Security issues, lack of communication with parents, what happened with the bomb threat and the McGlynn theft, people weren't notified, parents weren't notified for hours if not days after the fact. These are all things that should be evaluated by the school committee. I watched the school committee meeting last night and just the reactiveness of our superintendent, it's unfortunate. Good questions were asked and people were laughed at. I know a resident went up and questioned the contract of the superintendent. And she was laughed at. That's wrong. And we need to take this under our wing and help. I mean, I've been asked for help. People are asking me for help. And I'm not afraid to speak out. I've been retaliated against within the last four months. And I know it's going to keep happening. But that's my job. That's what I'm getting paid for. Are we laughing over there? I'm sorry. I thought a Councilor was laughing at me. This is no joke. This is not a joke. It's not a laughing matter. This is hundreds of thousands of dollars that should be reallocated within our school system, if not evaluated completely. And one person is responsible for this. I saw the superintendent shushing people last night, and it was really, really pathetic. So that's my spiel on the schools. And I could go on. I mean, I can go on and tell you Many many more things because I've got lists from probably six different people of everything that needs to be evaluated That's within the school school department that the third serious issue is the parking enforcement, you know, we have a public parking who sold a We need to know what's going on. We haven't been told anything. The administration is trying—you know, at first, we were so—we've been so quiet. Everybody's like, your meetings are getting out so early, so early. Well, you know what? I want—for me personally, I want to give people a chance. I want to—you know, I didn't want to be how I was the last 14 years or at least the last 10. The transparency is, it's like, oh, I'm trying to be transparent. But no, no, you're not. You're not transparent at all. I mean, we get minimal questions answered. And it's not right. You know, if they have the four votes for the budget, then no, we're not going to get any documentation. But last year, we had four people who kind of stuck together and said, we want information. We want A, B, C, D. And we got it. You know, the budget was approved. That's fine. I chose not to vote for it, and that was my prerogative. But at least we had the group effort to get information that we needed. And I hope that happens again. I really do. I ask my colleagues to stand strong and get in some information. And obviously, within the next few weeks, we're going to be asking for a lot of information from a lot of people. So parking enforcement, there's people who are complaining day after day about parking on sidewalks, about commercial vehicles on streets that aren't being tagged, about how certain streets aren't tagged for certain reasons, and spot enforcement. And that's definitely something that we need to talk to our administration about. The last thing is with regards to the staffing changes at City Hall. Changes are fine. Changes were expected to happen, but when you have We have to ask the city council to change ordinances so that you can hire certain people, and then they're leaving fired, whatever the case may be. And we don't know what's going on. That's wrong. I'm learning from the paper what is happening. I'm learning from school committee members that somebody in the schools is now going to be signing our city-side RFPs, whether or not that's true. And it may be fine, all well and good, but shouldn't we know that? Shouldn't the administration tell us that? Who's going to take over for Karen Rose? That's an important, important job. Who's going to take over for Louise Miller? We should be updated, and I think we all should be demanding answers. We shouldn't have to hear from the editor of the paper or reading the paper. These are four serious issues that need to be discussed. They need to be discussed on concerns that we have, not just a list of things that want to be told to us so that we can vote, so that she can have the votes for what she needs. Change has to start here. I mean, it really does. And I hope my colleagues can move approval on this. so that we can get some of these answers and really start the discussion before the budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just thank you, President Caraviello. Just on that point, the liaison, I feel at this point, has never come to a meeting. I feel like it is a joke. And I have department heads. Some departments are open. And supposedly, they were told they can't meet with the city council without approval, just like they can't talk to the paper without approval. I mean, there are people speaking out. Things are not going well. So we need to get a meeting going and find out what is going on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Rick, I appreciate that too, but I'm getting calls from other elected officials, teachers, parents, I'm getting calls from the school committee for help.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. This was the school department's budget last June. This is what I reviewed. This is what we probably all reviewed. And we had to get more information on it. We had to discuss it. I have it all tabbed. This is additional information that we requested and four of us stuck together and we got the information from the school department. This is a city council job because we approve the entire budget. The school and the municipal side is put together. So anybody, and I'll say it loud and clear because I've been getting calls from a number of people and that's fine. within the school department, within, you know, a number of parents. I review this budget. I believe anybody should be able to come in front of the city council to discuss issues, concerns, or problems and try to get resolves. So yes, my answer is absolutely. Anybody can come to the city council to discuss a school issue. And I believe we all have discussed school issues. We've all discussed things that we're passionate about and that we're concerned about. So this is what I reviewed in June. and there's more at my house, but I bring it sometimes with me every week in case somebody has a problem with me talking about a school issue. Anybody's welcome at the city council meeting and even the mayor put out a parliamentary procedure book and it states specifically everybody to be heard so that decisions can be made without confusion. So this was given to us in the city from the mayor. We can talk about any issue because I think my Good colleague from the past, Councilman Caluso, said that when he wants to talk about school committee issues, the buck stops here. We review it. We have to approve it. We have to decide and ask questions on it. So, again, anybody's welcome to come and discuss issues, especially when it's with regards to hundreds and hundreds of children that go to our public schools.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. I agree. I agree. So maybe we can take that language out that we set up a meeting because one is already being set up and just put that a meeting, you know, at our meeting in May, I'd like, I mean, obviously like we want the budget items in May. So if we could just say in May, we'd like to discuss these six items in addition to whatever else.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to reiterate the dates because—you were going so quickly—because I think it's very important that people who are interested in this—and we are getting the calls with regards to exemption. I was the one that—I was notified by a constituent who wanted to actually file an exemption form who didn't believe they had time to do so. So you can file up until May 25th. There will be an information night, but it's on May 24th. And again, like Councilmember said, not very helpful, but at least it's something. I want to make, you know, obviously we're announcing it today, but I want to make sure that, see if the paper will put that in, make sure people are aware of this meeting. It's something that a lot of people are interested in and need information so that they know how to do it, they know where to go. People, this has not hit the Council yet. People are not going to complain about this, besides the few that obviously have been outspoken at the council floor, until this hits us in July. Once January hits, we get some emails and phone calls, and we're going to get hit. So anybody that needs information on this surcharge on the July tax bill, please, if you follow the criteria, to file an exemption, please do so, and please go to this informational meeting so you're able to do so. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Before we adjourn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Please. Because I wasn't able, I was trying to work this morning. Um, was there a meeting and if maybe we could get an update just so, or is there a committee? Oh, we're going to do it next week if it's fine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to take motions, orders, and resolutions, paper 16-427 and paper 16-430. As the first one, we have our city solicitor here in case any of the residents or myself or the council have questions. It'd be helpful to get an explanation from him as the public's been wanting one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This has obviously come to our attention several months back when the developer has, since the developer has been redoing the home that's currently there. It currently looks beautiful and I believe it's for sale. Now, there's a petition that went around with regards to the tree located at 0 Walnut Street. It's the parcel directly in front of 23 Walnut Street. And there's been some questions. I know some residents have emailed me. I've also got a phone call. And actually, yesterday, I was stopped by somebody who lives on Metcalf Street when I was in the area with regards to just questions. What's going on? What is the parcel zoned? Is it buildable? get some information from the city solicitor this week, since I've had the resolution on, as well as Ms. Aggie Tudin, who is our tree warden. And I was gonna hope to ask city solicitor to come and just make a presentation, just so I wouldn't have to read the email that was sent to us with a number of pertinent points. But really, the residents are concerned about parking on Metcalfe Street not taking, obviously, leaving the tree the way it is. I know the developers looked into and possibly retained a arborist to see if there's ways that the tree can remain while still building a home on that parcel. I have questions, obviously, for the building department. What is that parcel zoned and what can be built on that parcel? From a council standpoint, just would like to be able to inform the residents. Are there gonna be any more curb cuts? And yeah, if we could have the city solicitor up here just to maybe answer some of those questions and then just discuss a few things, that would be helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The tree is in the Zero Walnut Street parcel.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's on the parcel in front of 23 Walnut Street. Yes, there's a petition. About 250 people signed a petition. They're interested in the tree remaining. And I know — I'm not sure if the developer has stated whether or not he intends to keep the tree, but I know, thankfully, he's looking into it. So we're hoping — you know, obviously, there are high hopes up there, but it sounds like, from some of these emails I've got this week, that's looking a little grim, to say the least. The Press.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. Rumley. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, City Solicitor Emily. One question I guess I have is with regards to needing variances from the zoning board. Now, if there is that petition, I think there's 250 people that, you know, obviously to get a petition of that many with regards to this tree, it means something to the neighborhood. It means something. I know the petition extends far up to South Medford in both directions, so would it be Or is there any way that the city can work with the zoning board, the developer, and maybe the residents to try to get a meeting together to see if we can appease the developer by maybe having the residents there to advocate for a variance?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would you be willing to say within the next week, just draft up something, or I don't know if this would maybe be the building department or the zoning board, somehow get the council a list of what variances would be needed? if that tree was to stay and he was to build?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just like to move also that we maybe get our arborist, our tree warden, to draft a report for us. Go down, take a look, draft her own report, and get it to the council with regards to what type of damage would be done if they had to cut through the roots and try to save the tree, and if that's applicable.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have many, many citizens who are trying to get answers from me, one city councilor. So I think it's definitely pertinent and relevant.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Don't you think she could examine the property from the sidewalk?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just ask, um, put, put a motion forth that the council be given that copy of the report. Um, jumbo server requested a copy of the Albert risk report from Mr. From the developer. So if the city of Medford gets that report, if it could be forwarded to the city council, we'll certainly share that. So move that as a, um, resolve, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'm president Delaware. So it was brought to my attention, um, that today specifically, there was a lot of jackhammering going on, um, with regards to the Craddock bridge, but the vibration detector was for some reason removed today. So that's the first thing I want to bring up. I had brought that up to the engineer's attention, and it seemed to her like it was movable. But for some reason, this noise detection machine is at the same place, same time, every day, all day. And for some reason today, they're jackhammering, the building's vibrating, the bridge is vibrating, and that detection machine was gone. So I did reach out to the MassDOT, and I reached out to the city engineer and to me it doesn't look good. Obviously I don't think that it's safe to remove a vibration detector, noise detector from somewhere where they're doing major work. So I'd like to get an update from MassDOT with regards to why it was removed and see if there's any way we can this Mastod can make this a permanent detection system, so it's never moved, and there's no question out there as to if and why such a machine was moved. That's my first issue. And then the second issue — The Press.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The Vice President. Right. It's — for some reason, it's movable. So it's always been in the same location. And when I drove by today, and from what I've heard from another — from a business owner, This machine was not where it always is. And there was quite a bit of activity on the property today, so it makes you question why this detector was moved. And I'd just like to see if MassDOT would agree to make it something permanent, something stable so it's unable to be moved. And I think that would clear up a lot of concerns of the business district. you know, got complaints with regards to the cleanliness of the property, windows never being cleaned, businesses almost looking filthy. And I think that deters from residents frequenting our constituents, consumers frequenting our businesses. So my second request to MassDOT is that maybe we do a clean, if the windows can be power washed on the surrounding, you know, on the few surrounding businesses, maybe at the end of every week. I think that's a good recommendation and something that will make the area look a little neater for when the weekend, when we shut down for the weekend and some of the businesses are still open. Also have just, if we could get an update with regards to the parking, there was parking spots that were implemented and I know there's a committee, our committee, George Councilor Scarpelli And that committee is working on, with regards to the bus stop, I know I've gotten complaints with regards to buses kind of swinging into the street and it being unsafe. So I know that committee's working on that. But also the parking spaces that were at the location, they were there temporarily and now they're gone. So if the council can get an update with regards to why the three parking spaces were implemented and then removed from the front of the business, that would be helpful. And lastly, it came to my attention today. Thankfully, our engineer responded to my email, but it looks like we do have a point person to the project that I was unaware of. So the city did put somebody as point, but as far as I know, the first I heard of it was today. I'm not sure when this person was represented as the point person. It's something that the council requested, and I'm glad that it's being done. But as far as I know, I don't know if that point person has been out there, so maybe if we can just get some clarification on what the point person's duties, from the city engineer's office, what that person's duties are, if that person's gonna be going out to local businesses to discuss the needs and concerns on maybe a weekly basis, like we recommended, to have a point person that hasn't done anything, and I think it's been a few weeks since that person's been appointed point person. I do have the name. I have the name, but I am. No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Penny, what's the last name? Penny A, yes, has been point person. So if we can just get an update with regards to contact information, phone number, email, so we can get that to businesses so that we have it in case we have questions. Today I first reached out to MassDOT when I had concerns, and I would have first, you know, reached out to the city of Medford to maybe do that for me. And I think that's important for the council to have. I think it's important for the businesses, all the Medford Square businesses to have. And for some reason, you know, nobody's really seen anybody down there. And I think that's something that the council has asked for repeatedly. I'm very happy somebody's appointed, but obviously we need to just know what that is going to entail and how that person's going to help. with our concerns, the residents' concerns, and the businesses' concerns.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, remember we voted to ask MassDOT to put some extra signage in and they said they'd do it. But can you refresh my recollection exactly so that we can maybe ask them again tonight what
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we can add that to...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, we're under suspension if we could just let a resident speak to make an announcement about a community event. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo, and thank you, Mr. Lewis, Attorney Lewis, for wanting to take this job on. If I may ask, what made you want to do it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, good luck, and thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: great resolve with regards to adding something about Tufts too, you know, once school ends. I put that resolution, I know we've all probably put that resolution on, but I put that resolution on about a month ago, and I got an update from the mayor's office today that our DPW director, Brian Cairns, has contacted waste management in the process of getting a cost estimate to do a cleanup fix-up week where the waste management would come Hopefully, with due notice to the residents, three, four weeks, you know, three weeks notice, so we can do a spring cleanup, hopefully, you know, the end of next month. So, they are trying to get a cost estimate, and I thank the mayor's office and the DPW for trying to work on that for our residents. So, I think adding the fact, getting Tufts cleaned up at the end of the year, it would be huge.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Before the record's a call, we got a notice in our packet with regards to the Medford School Committee meeting yesterday, last night, Monday night. It was an executive session, so I don't know how much is open to the public, but I'm just going to read the notice. Discussions of negotiations under Exemption 6 of the Open Meeting Law. This exemption allows the committee to consider the lease or real value of real property in an executive session since an open discussion may have a detrimental effect on the negotiation position of the school committee. Specifically, the school committee will review and discuss information regarding the field of dreams, athletic fields, and the possibility of leasing the complex to an external party on a limited basis for considerations to be determined by the school committee and in negotiations with prospective vendors. I'm not sure what type of update we can get from the school committee or the school department, With regards to the Field of Dreams, you know, the Medford City Council did help with approving a bond for the Field of Dreams. And I'm very curious, as a first, I'm hearing of any type of leasing of the Field of Dreams and obviously have my own concerns. So I was just hoping that maybe the city council can be brought in to the discussion, whether that be an executive session or just by a formal update from the school department. leasing a complex where our children, the city of Medford, obviously we have first dibs on the fields. They're amazing fields. They did a great job on them, but I just have questions and concerns that I think, obviously, this is budget-related, and I think we need to be brought into the process. I'd like to be updated with whatever way we can be updated, because this is the first I've heard of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: like to be apprised from either, I mean the mayor's office, obviously she sits on this committee, so any way we can get an update or be brought into the discussion. I know it was mentioned earlier that the mayor has a meeting with the city council, and I think we probably should put a number of different things for discussion on that, including obviously the schools in general and what's going on, and this could be one of those things.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, before you call the records, one more question if we could.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. With regards to, there's a petition going around on change.org. I know there's a number of parents that are working on a petition. Just to question, I know the superintendent's contract is up June 2017, which is about a year from now, and a number of people have questions and concerns with regards to transition, creating a search committee, I know the school committee has discussed it. I'm just not sure what the discussions were because, again, I think it was an executive session. So I've got a number of calls from personnel and from a number of concerned parents. And one thing that I was told was there are terms in the contract which mandate that the school committee do take a vote by the end of June. So if there's any way that the city solicitor or The school committee's attorney, Howard, I believe it's Greenspan, can get us a copy of that contract so that we could take a look. I think it's obviously a very important issue for the taxpayers and the parents. Parents obviously have a big say. It's a big issue that's come about and a lot of people are talking about it. So I'd like to get a copy of that contract just to take a read of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I motion to table the records so I could take one more look at them.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DeLaRusso. So this is to service the new projects that it is going up currently?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And are they located in the new building? They are located in the new building, yes. So if you have to provide power, is this line going to extend to everybody in the building, be able to extend every time?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so you won't have to come before us again for every unit that's occupied.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great, thank you. Council Meyers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I too agree with the resolve. I know this has come up many a times and I remember about probably eight years ago we had this issue. with streets not being repaired, and how do we hold them accountable? And it didn't really seem to go anywhere, because obviously you need the administration to get on board, create a plan to enforce our ordinances with regards to utility companies being held accountable. So I think this is a great resolve. I would just ask maybe for a little more clarity, or just if we could be clear with regards to which departments we're sending them to, so that the city administration, the mayor, can send our resolve off to the right places. For instance, number four and five, obviously we'd ask Miss Aggie Tude and our tree warden to, I don't know if she would do like an audit of every tree, or go through the streets and figure out which ones need repair, which ones need to be cut for the safety of the public. And then I'm assuming maybe the city engineer for the top three. I just want to make sure we request the appropriate departments to do this work so that we know who to go to and ask, you know, why haven't you done it? Or when will we be expecting the documents? I think that's important.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Dello Russo, I believe it was last Monday or Tuesday, we received an email with regards to Republic Parking selling, which we were all pretty in shock by. Nobody knew. I don't believe the administration knew either. and I know that it's in the city solicitor's hands as of today. It's been a week. I was hoping some of his research and obviously review of the contract would give us a better idea of where we go and move forward. I know we all have questions that need to be answered. I know the public has questions and the public has concerns, so I would like to obviously educate us as well as the public, but after getting I did speak to the city solicitor. I know that there could quite possibly be a number of things that could happen and some things that he would like to talk to us in executive session about. I think that's something that he's definitely willing and going to do next week. I'm not sure if you discussed it with him, President, but I think that's something that we at least need to get our questions answered. And if it is a situation where, if you read the contract, I know a lot of people have been bringing it up. And number 23 is the termination clause. So.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right. I'm not going to be long-winded and talk about all the problems and whether or not we should get rid of the contract or whether or not we should try to change the contract. I think we just need to sit down and get a better understanding of where our city solicitor believes we're at and where we could possibly be. And then after that, I think we need to try to educate the public as much as we can, as well as when the time comes. possibly hold a public hearing with regards to everybody's concerns and issues with the parking program so that the administration and the city solicitor know what do we need to do, how can we make this better, what do we see as our two-year goals with regards to parking enforcement. I think that's very important and I think the public needs to be educated and It needs to be obviously transparent as much as it can be. So I look forward to the meeting next week, hopefully get some of our questions answered. And then after that meeting, once it's safe to do so, I think we need to obviously educate the public and get some input, public input on how to move forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you briefly. I agree with my colleagues How would you know so I think that if the city has a record of that and I you know, feels to do what we're asking with regards to notifying those residents, I think that's really unfortunate. So I think the result's a good one, and I hope that the administration takes it seriously and gets that list together so that we can help notify families. When I got my new water meter is when I got my house, and I had it done then.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruzo. I just want to congratulate the students who were on Fiddler on the Roof, as well as the performance director. The show was amazing, and I just want to congratulate them. I know that This director, she is a music teacher at the Andrews Middle School, is also prepping now for the Andrews Middle School play of Annie, which is going to be coming up on June 10th and 11th. So I wanted to announce that. I'm hoping to take my girls to that play. And it's just really great to have the community involved. And such a great, somebody so great working with the children. Tomorrow? It is June 10th and 11th, the play of Annie at the Andrews, I believe it's at the Andrews Middle School.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Madam Vice-President. Just briefly, while we're saying thank you and congratulations, I just wanted to mention the vigil that was held over the weekend and I guess congratulate them on a great event, but more so thank Medford's Overcoming Addiction and Janelle Rocco and her strong team for an amazing event. There were five or six strong speakers who were moving. And I know that they filled the auditorium at the high school. There was more people there than last year. I think it was at City Hall last year, and I think I had standing room only in the back, and it was standing room only again this year at a bigger event. So I have to say there's more faces on the wall. slideshow than last year and more names and recognizing half of them myself. It was definitely an emotional event, but it was wonderful at the same time. Trying to break the stigma, which so many people could use some education on the topic. I just want to thank them for doing what they're doing in the city of Medford. And obviously, the council's in support of what they're doing. The mayor was there in support. And it was a great event.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I want to just piggyback on what Councilor Scarpelli said. I unfortunately myself miss Paul Revere because I went into a tear on some of those runners. It took me and my family two hours to get in, two hours to get home on three trains, but we watched the runners at noon and it was just amazing and you saw more faces than I even knew I was going to see. It's such an accomplishment. I want to congratulate. I think we had in bed for 86 runners.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Diller.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I don't know if we're going to combine the resolutions. I just think there's a lot of them we're not going to combine. Then on this one specifically, I hear our concerned citizen loud and clear. I think we've asked the question many times, what is going on? I know I had testified in front of Judge Jack Jackson, which seems like maybe and over 10 years ago. And I just, I think it's, I've voiced my opinion with regards to how the process moved along within the last 10 years. It's really unfortunate that the residents of this community are paying for an access station, putting money, money's taken out of their cable bill every single month. And I'm not sure the exact figure, but I think Mr. Cuccio was right. She was right, about half a million dollars is being held. Now, that's taxpayers' money. We've said it before. Are we going to give that back to the taxpayers, or are we going to do something about it, create a new station, something that the residents and the taxpayers, great payers, deserve? I think we need, it's time we get an update from our new mayor. It's been four months. We've had some time. for the administration to settle in. And I think we need to see what we're gonna do moving forward. And I hope that TV3, we did have one meeting with the administration and the mayor, which was a great meeting, but nothing about TV3 was discussed at that meeting. So I'm hoping at our next meeting with the mayor's office that we get some information with regards to how we're gonna move this forward. I think it's extremely important. He nailed it on the head with regards to students and what this can do for students alone, nevermind jobs. what other cities and towns are doing. It's really unfortunate the state that our TV access is in, which is a state, I guess, but we need to move this forward. This should be one of the tough things that need to be done within the next few months, and I hope that comes to fruition. So if we could get a report back from the mayor's office on what we're doing to move forward on this issue, TV3, getting a television station up and running in the city of Medford the entire community, an update would be appreciated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you mind just move, just to get a report back from the Mayor's Office? Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Councilor Caraviello, can you just better explain or more in detail explain what's due October, November? 2016 full application for funding?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just on that- And Vice President. Do you know when they would award the grants?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yeah, I was just trying to get a better timeline on when, if by chance, we were able to get the application in, got the grant, build out, so you're still looking at 2019 by the time you have a second floor in the library, best case scenario.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think Councilor Penta has agreed, you know, I think a more centrally located TV station somewhere in the square, somewhere. We keep talking about some sort of art center, whether it's at the library or not. We want it centrally located. Obviously, there's no safety issues with the high school. The doors are now locked. Security cameras are working, thankfully. but it is dark, it is not centrally located, it's more in the west.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think for many reasons, I think more centrally located TV3 station would be the way I would lean. And I think that's how I've been hearing when people do discuss possible television station. I think the general public is leaning more towards a centrally located station, whether it be the library or somewhere else in the square. I understand what you're talking about, and I tend to agree. So maybe what we really need to do, we're asking the mayor for an update on the situation. Councilor Knight asked for what's going on with regards to deed restrictions. Maybe we need to have a committee of the whole meeting and discuss a number of things, the library being one. In general, the roof, as well as TV3, and just get another few things that are really hot topics with the, with the council and have another meeting, invite the mayor to come talk to us about it. I think that might be the best, our best Avenue. So I just amend the paper for a committee, the whole meeting with the mayor to discuss a number of different things that we never weren't able to get to at our last meeting with her.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Just was updated. It looks like the transcript is due in an article. It will be in tomorrow's online version with regards to the fact that pre-construction work on the new Access TV studio at the high school began last week. So we weren't notified. I wasn't aware.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, the transcript just contacted me. It's gonna be, that must be why we don't know, because the article's not coming out till Thursday. It's sad that we have to find out from the paper what's going on in the city. I thought that that was to an end. But yes, it's gonna be online tomorrow and in the paper on Thursday is what I was just told when the construction started last week. I was unaware.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think the link, like I said before, 10 years going on with trying to dissolve TV3 and then it's going up to high school. I mean, I didn't really think the council had to act fast. I think you'd be notified before any ground was being broken. So a number of rumors that go around with regards to dates and timeframes. I've never heard a timeframe with regards to groundbreaking. So, I mean, I didn't feel that And we haven't had a public hearing on it. And just, you know, the people haven't been able to speak out. So, yeah, I'm a little surprised myself that ground was broken last week and that I was unaware of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This was brought to my attention that the fifth and sixth grade boys team had won the Northeast Regional CYO Championship down in Connecticut. So they were a travel team, obviously pretty far. And they've obviously had a great season, worked very hard, from what I understand, extra practices every week to accomplish such a wonderful goal. So I will get the city clerk a list of names. so that we can ask them to a future meeting, hopefully within the next several weeks, to give them accommodations for their accomplishments. Awesome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think it's important that the city council gets involved to a point, even if it's just an update meeting, a meeting with regards to getting updates, having questions answered, having concerned citizens speak out. This is a very large development that's going to take approximately a year and a half. We have homeowners, obviously, in the condos that abut the mall that have, obviously, questions and concerns. And we've done this in the past with regards to developments, asked them to come before the city council meeting to meet, whether it be a half hour to an hour, to just have a discussion and answer any questions that we may have. And I would like somebody, obviously, from the development be present and somebody from the city administration to help answer some questions, also be a contact person, point person within the city hall so that our recommendations obviously are followed through, such as, you know, what is going to be there for green space? How long is the project going to take? When is it going to be finished? Construction-wise, is it going to be disruptive to the residents that live very, very close by? A number of questions that probably we should start being on top of now and getting involved in. I'm sure the administration is in contact with the developer, As far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't know who to contact from the development team. And it would be good to get a point person from both the city side and the development side so that we can answer questions if residents have them or concerns as they come. I know all of us have got an email recently. And that's one of the reasons why I put this on. But I also think it's just a massive development in an area where we do have a lot of residents that is a concern to me. I just want to make sure everything goes smoothly, and we get the answers that we want from the questions that we have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. If we could ask our DPW I know they're filling a ton of potholes. I've seen it all around the city, and I thank them for that. But from what I understand, somebody recently did get injured at this. It's not necessarily a pothole, but it's almost like a depression. And right from the street to the sidewalk, there's a large depression and needs to be filled in the interest of public safety so nobody else gets injured at that location.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Spring and Salem is Ronnie's. It moved a little bit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I received a call from somebody who was upset. It sounds like they made a call and asked what streets were getting swept when, and they were told they can find that information only on the website, and it didn't seem like it was posted anywhere else. This person was upset, didn't have a computer. And I agree with the complaint. So I wanted to just make sure that when we do have any notices that need to go out to the public, I think it's wonderful that we are utilizing our website. And I think the transparency is so much better than it ever has been. But I would just also request that we be posting things in the paper, making actual posts, whether it be at City Hall. on documents, on billboards, at the library, and any other means of communication. And that if there is a certain post that needs to be made on the website, that certain departments know that if somebody calls and asks questions, that they can be answered that way, too, verbally. Because some people don't have a computer, some people don't have phones. So I just want to make sure information is getting out by many means of communication rather than just directing everybody to the website, because some people actually do go to the library to do all their computer work, and you can't get there all the time. So I think that's very important just to bring up, because the resident that did call me was very, very upset. And I just want to make sure we're accommodating to, you know, everybody.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Thank Councilor Caraviello for bringing this resolution forward a few months ago, and I thank the mayor's office for moving forward with it. I do know there were a number of people that have contacted me and submitted applications, so if we could maybe find out how many people applied, how many people are intended to be on the board. I'm not sure if we got clarification of that 100%. And I too would like to find out when that's going to come to fruition.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. If I could also amend this paper with regards to the traffic calming approaches, we always ask that the speedometer be placed at different locations. And I think the last update we got, I don't know if I personally got it or if the entire council got it, was that the speedometer machine was out of service. So if we could just get an update on that and a cost estimate to fix that machine. so that we can maybe evaluate it at budget time, because I think that's really important. I know enforcement is, you know, it's hard to enforce every road. I've complained about Harvard, Forest. I mean, we each are complaining about different streets at different times. So that's a huge speed calming approach that I think is necessary. And we only had one, and from what I understand, it's broken.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It is very effective, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Read the resolve one more time, please, before the vote is taken.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just want to also wish good luck to all the Medford residents running the Boston Marathon. I know that you'll either be watching the Boston Marathon, or you'll be in Medford Square on Monday. Are you running? I'm not running, but a good friend of mine, Meg Richard, is running. And I know there's, I think, 86 Medford residents running. I've been there, done that. So just want to wish everybody good luck. It's going to be a great day.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to second that because when I brought it up two weeks ago, from what I understood, there was only about one more week to apply for an exemption. So if that was the case, then it's almost too late to apply for an exemption. So I think one of my points, and I think the council agreed with the resolution, is that we extend that time for an exemption because I wholeheartedly agree that there's an exemption portion in this law for a reason. There are people out there that need an exemption, financially, obviously, for financial reasons. So they should be aware of it. Like I said earlier in tonight's meeting, we should be not only posting information on the exemption online, we should be posting it at the library and in the paper so that people who need an exemption can apply for it. And I really pray that the administration extends that time frame if for some reason it has passed. to give the residents that have no idea about the exemption or how to apply for it the time they need to research it and figure out if they can apply for it and get the exemption. I found out from a resident I had no idea with regards to any timelines for exemptions and that they would be coming up so soon. So if us Councilors didn't know, obviously the general public does not know. And if you have a senior citizen or somebody who can apply for this exemption, had no idea. I think that's highly unfair. And I just truly believe and really hope that the administration will do the right thing and extend that time frame and give it at least another month with advertisement and with notification to our residents. We use the 911 system. I think there's now a Facebook page or Where's Barry Clemente? You know, people are used to hearing from them. So I think a reverse call needs to go out with regards to when this exemption date is coming and what they need to do to apply for it and get more information on it. So I really hope that that happens.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to concur with my colleague and thank him for putting this forward. I think a new policy is a great idea, and I think that's something that's almost a no-brainer. It's going to be cost that's going to go gradual over time. It's also going to be a cost that may go towards certain developers or certain companies that are doing work on our roads. So I fully support that new policy, and I hope that the mayor does really look into that. And you said maybe we can get her a copy of, you know, the policy that Cambridge or Boston follows so that we can make that a reality. I also agree. I mean, being on the council for so long, one huge complaint that we hear over and over again is the crosswalks fading. And, you know, through our winters, whether we have a a decent one like we had this year, or a winter like last year. I mean, the crosswalks are completely faded, and it boils down to one thing, and that one thing is public safety. We have disabled seniors, children walking our streets, crossing our streets to get to school every day, and that's one thing we can do to make it safer. And I think it's important, and I think it's something that, you know, our DPW is understaffed, so it is hard to cover the entire city. So if we have a system where Even if we did 20% each year thermoplastic, we're going to only have to replace 20% per year. And I think that's something that needs to be looked into. We need to get cost estimates. And I hope that, again, the mayor really looks into this and we can make it a reality. I think it's going to create a much safer community. And that's, I think, what a number of residents and people who live in our community are looking for, especially those who are active in the complete streets approach. and there's a number of those people, and I think it's important. I think it's very important, and I thank you for bringing it forward. I second the motion to move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. With regards to the notification, this came up in February, and the Medford City Council voted to request that we be given a copy of the policy that was motioned to be put forward, I think, by school committee woman Erin DiBenedetto. Or, no, maybe Paulette van de Kloet. I can't recall. But one of them moved, and the school committee voted to create such a policy, and I as one as a parent and as one that was getting complaints about lack of notification, wanted to stay on top of the issue, wanted to make sure that a policy was put in place. Their deadline, I believe, was mid-March, and we hadn't received anything. I know tonight we have a letter from the superintendent, and it does mention that parents will be notified after the situation is stabilized or evacuation protocol is implemented. Since the March 7th meeting, they also have a new video buzzer system operational at the front door at MHS and MVTHS, and then all relevant cameras at the high school and vocational are operational, and they've upgraded certain units to provide wider coverage. I'm not sure if this is the actual policy. I know this identifies somewhat of a policy, but I, This isn't the full policy, if we could get a copy of it. I also ask if we could get updated with regards to how parents will be notified with regards to emergency and non-emergency situations, because I think that's important. Are we going to take any extra steps to create avenues to notify parents, and how will we do that? Will that be by text message? Will that be by email? Will that be by phone call, Facebook? you know, any other avenue, how are parents going to get notified? Because just like with the reverse 911 system we have with the, you know, city of Medford, people had to sign up to get notifications. So will parents have to do that? And if so, you know, are they going to implement such a system where a parent can go to whether it's a school committee or the principal in their school and say, I want notification. I want more notification about what goes on within the school I think that's important and it's something that I would like to see where my children go to school and what people are, you know, obviously had the initial complaints about. We spoke about the bomb threat. We spoke about certain parents spoke out about the Roberts. I know specifically because my daughter goes there, there was a lockdown and parents didn't find out about it where kids, you know, hid in the classroom. I practiced a lockdown and we didn't find out about it for a month, for a week later. So, you know, how are parents going to get notified and what is going to be put in place to make it so every parent gets notified in a reasonable manner. And if this is all that the policy, I know it's only about a sentence. So if this is the policy, I believe it needs to be more elaborate. And if there is a more elaborate policy, if we could get a copy of that. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I had a resolution on the agenda probably six, nine months ago with regards to enhancing drug prevention within our schools. I know there's limited amounts of prevention that are taking place currently, and I would really like to see more prevention. We, again, got some materials from the superintendent, which were just on our desk tonight. So I just received it. I'm going to review it. I also know there is an upcoming addiction seminar at the high school on Saturday, April 2, which is a good step. I know that the school committee is taking steps and having meetings with regards to prevention. But I would like to see, you know, more prevention within our schools and more education for our younger students, whether that be middle school, grade school, and high school. I still think we need more. And I wanted to see what type of update we could get with regards to further education, whether it's the DARE program or not. I know that the DARE program is only given in the fifth grade. And I believe that I, as one parent, would want my child to get more than just fifth grade education with regards to drug drug use, alcohol prevention, drug prevention. I think it's important, especially with the state the Commonwealth and the country is in. It's a sad state, and it's something that preventing our next generation is so important. It's important to, I think, all of us. And I would like an update on that, of what is in the works besides these couple steps that were listed in number 0.2 and 3. Again, I'll review this and put anything else on the agenda or ask my questions privately to the school committee that I may have. But I still think we need to do more. We always need to do more. And nothing really, there hasn't been a huge push for more prevention. Although they are active and they're taking certain steps, I think we need to do more.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Lastly, if we could just get an update from our prevention coordinator, Penny. see where she's at and what recommendations she has moving forward. I know she's working with administrators within the school system. So it would be nice to get an update from her and what progression and what recommendations she has so that we know what recommendations to make to the school committee on top of everything that is being put in place and worked on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Through the chair to you, Councilor Falco, thanks for, you know, thinking this through. But one question I have, do you know how much a consultant would cost?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree. I mean, I totally understand. And I think it's something that we very well may have to spend the money on. I don't I don't oppose that necessarily, but maybe one subcommittee meeting to like Councilor Knight said, to really discuss where we're going, where we want to go, maybe whether it's by area or district, you know, section of the city. So that when we get, you know, quotes from a consultant, we know exactly where we're going and how we're going to get there.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, I think it was.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'm not sure if any of my colleagues can answer that question, because I know there's a few that are on a subcommittee that are working hard to implement the CPA. But from what I heard yesterday, somebody went to apply for an abatement and was told that applications for an abatement are due this Thursday, the 31st. That's the first I heard of it. I'm not sure if anybody else is aware of when the deadline is. But if a senior or... low income wants to apply for an abatement. I feel like it's something that should be advertised and people should have notice and there should be, you know, obviously more time given considering the fact that, you know, I wasn't aware of it. So I'm not sure this resident wasn't aware of it. So if we could just get an update on that and if so, if Thursday is the deadline, if we could look into just extending that for a few weeks so that people can be notified, it can be advertised and it can be obviously open to the general public after advertisement. That would be helpful. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you for the update. So if we could request an update from the assessor's office when the application deadline is and if it could be extended if the deadline is actually this week. I really feel that people need to be notified with regards to when the deadline is, how to apply for an abatement. There are low income residents who want to apply for abatement and it's only fair that they be notified accordingly and have the time to fill out the application, apply for the abatement, and so forth.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Deller. So did you say you lived on Riverside Ave, or are you on Locust Street?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Because, I mean, if you look at the map, I think the second to last page of our package, it shows It shows that, excuse me, it shows that it looks like people should be exiting this property onto Locust Street. So I think if you just, maybe, is that how it works with the prior owner? Because that would solve your problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So with that being said, is it clearly marked? Is the driveway clearly marked so the new customers would know the need to come in one way and out the other?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would, would you be amenable to possibly put in some arrows to make it more clear?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that would, so, I mean, you still have people entering that near your home, but you wouldn't have the traffic jam of coming out. So maybe if we put some arrows, we make it clear that customers is supposed to, and employees is supposed to, enter on Riverside Ave and exit Locust Street, I think that would solve the problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could make that part of the record, then I'm inclined to approve this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure. There we go.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, if we could make that a condition, I second the approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was just going to ask on this topic, but on a side, how many buildings are there that we've deeded over, you know, and how do we keep control of them, you know, in the future? Maybe we should stay on topic. How many properties have we deeded over? For a dollar that have deed restrictions that we should be keeping up with.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Dello Russo, I think Councilor Falcook read my mind. Just a little more discussion needs to be had. My question was, how much is each single head meter? And my question along with that is, I know after 10 years we're going to own the meters, but as of right now, it's almost like we are leasing them. So, you know, when we are we selling these, would we be selling the machines that are out there now back to Republic? We'd own the single head meters. So I think this is just a number of calculations that need to be done, and I agree with Councilor Schiappelli, just to the whole conversation about the whole entire program, whether that's in the Committee of the Whole with the Mayor, just to see, you know, get her feedback, see where we're going with this and how we're going to improve it on multiple levels. And thank you to Councilor Caraviello for bringing the discussion forward, but I think a number of different things need to be discussed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So maybe we should ask them again.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I think I was finished speaking. I think we should definitely have a committee meeting and get the mayor's input and see where she's going and get some facts and figures so we can know how this will impact the entire situation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DeLaRusso. Nick, I think that's why we're asking for a committee the whole meeting, because your question makes complete sense. And I think that's where Council Fapo and Marks and I were coming from. You know, who's going to pay for these meters? Obviously, maybe the city would. would we get reimbursement for the meters that we gave back to them that are currently there now? I think that's all the questions that we need answered before we just go and buy single head meters. Because the contract would have to be changed, terms would have to be agreed upon, because obviously Mayor Burke is fiscally responsible and isn't going to give up funds that should be the city's.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Just two quick questions, if you don't mind. Does this, I think the first has been answered, this mandates that every kindergartner be screened, not just those who may, the teachers may feel are at risk?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And would they be screened by the kids?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then would they be screened by their actual teacher, or does it have to be somebody with a certification?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. No, I appreciate all your hard work on it. And me, as a parent, I think it's It's great to get the children tested in kindergarten before it's, you know, they're later in life, second, third, fourth grade and struggling. So, um, thank you. Councilor Caraviello for bringing this forward and I second the approval on the motion for approved by council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Councilman Lacks said it perfectly. I just believe that the three readings are necessary. It's something that a few of us councilors believe should be taking place, especially after what we've heard during election time and the need for transparency.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would move that forward. I believe it's been- Could you give me some language? Give me some language.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. On that, Ms. Miller, can you remind us how much is being held from the contract?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: for the contract between the engineering firm and the city. Wasn't there a portion of money that's being held, which is why you're going to mediation? No, there is no amount of the engineering funds that is being held. So how much are we requesting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or was that a different, because I know we had two issues. So I'm thinking of the other one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And is it a, it's mediation, so no high or low? No, we have an attorney. You have an attorney. Any figures discussed with regards to high, low mediation?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Tonight. Okay. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. With regards to the loan order portion of it, is there going to be any combined? Are we just going to go out to bond for $300,000, or is there anything else that the city is looking at grouping this with?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So those will be the only two, so it'll be a $650,000 bond?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the mayor has asked for a few different expenditures from the free cash. Has free cash been discussed with regards to these two projects?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And after last week's vote, you had mentioned the figure. Are we still at $9 million?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I guess since the last bond, since those new certified cash just came in from last year. Was it discussed further? I know we, cause we had our subcommittee meeting back December 8th. Has it been discussed further to take anything out of free cash for this particular item?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What is the, I know it's been three, four months. So what is the interest rate as of today if we went out to bond for 650,000? I still think it's just under 3%. And can you remind us, because it has been a while, how many years are we going to take out the loan for? 20 years. That's all the questions I have right now. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I know we're going to discuss it in the committee of the whole meeting, but what is the price tag on something like this?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So if, say, somebody wanted to watch a school committee meeting on a Wednesday, they could just live stream it from their computer at the Monday meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, we have our meetings only on Tuesday, and then it's replayed once. So you have people in our audience, either committee of the whole meetings or school committee meetings, different board and commission meetings that are actually like typing down, posting on Facebook, everything that's said. So if somebody isn't available on a Tuesday or Thursday to watch a council meeting, they have to rely on Facebook or the paper. So this would be, people always ask, when are the replays? And if they can't get it, they can't watch a meeting. So this would definitely be. something I'd be interested in discussing. Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I could just ask, the council could vote to approve just a request of the mayor to work with waste management for a spring cleanup. Residents have been asking if there's a day where they can put out extra rubbish, spring cleaning from their homes, just a one day pickup where they won't have to call bulk mail if it's a large item and waste management can come and collect everything for the entire city.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One more thing while we're under suspension.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just an announcement. There is a road race in Medford at the Elks on Sunday the 20th. It's the leprechaun run. It's at 11 AM. All are welcome, and all proceeds benefit the Children's Hospital. So I just wanted to make that announcement. It's a great event. 500, 600, 700 people attend and run, whether it's raining or snowing. It's a 5K.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it's a great event. Great event. Stew and a green beer after. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Ms. Miller, you said it's good through June 30, 2017?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So is the one million, that's going to cover us through June 30th, 2016, but then obviously we're going to have it in the new budget for 2000, um, fiscal year, 2017. That is correct. Okay. Thank you for now. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just if we could take a formal roll call vote with regards to the interdepartmental email system. That's something we've been talking about for two or three years, I believe. And Mayor Burke, at the time, when we discussed it in committee of the whole meetings for budget hearings, was the budget director at the time. So I know she must be aware of the situation and the need for it. And posting something on a bulletin board obviously is not good enough. So hopefully he, she's very busy, but if we could move, move on that and she can discuss it with the chief of fire and get that done. Um, I'd like to take a roll call vote on that request.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's been over 90 days. I think it just sent in a message that it's important to the council as the erasers are.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Miller, do you have any breakdown of the $190,000?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So could you further explain? So the $190,000 will just go to the architectural fees for those six projects?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, if we could get a breakdown of the 190,000, Mr. Finn, and then if we could also get the results, a copy of the results, whether on disk or hard copy of the architectural design work. I'm sorry, once Russo bar is complete with their, you know, when their studies complete, can we get a copy of what they've come up with?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And can you explain a little bit more about the roof problems that we have? What type of leaks do we have now currently?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Ms. Miller, my question has to do with the evaluation of the existing, um, I know that 18,000 is going to, uh, evaluate what I'm, I guess my, what my question is, will it evaluate the entire roof as a whole? I know there was leaking in the children's section, then I got a couple calls that it was also leaking in other sections. So will this evaluation cover the entire span of the roof?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So there is a sloped roof and a flat roof. It consists of two different types of roofing, I'm assuming?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I know this first came about in December, and then $5,000 was put into the roof. And I think, obviously, patches were put in place. As of maybe three weeks ago, the last time I was in there, the roof was still leaking. Did we do any more patching to at least get us through this process?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, Director Kerr, could we maybe get the director up just to answer that question? I'm just, my concern comes from, if it's been leaking since A little bit after the $5,000 patchwork, are we dealing with mold issues or any type of rot is a question that's out there. And I think we need to do a little bit more patching and spend this $18,000. So is the roof still leaking? And if so, how many spots are we talking?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I guess I have a two-prong question. Are we going to do any patching in the meantime? Or how long is this study going to take? Because, I mean, we can't let it go on for a month or two months where it's still leaking in certain sections. Are we going to do any more patching as well?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In four weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So with regards to doing the mold testing, is there a plan to do mold testing after this is fixed? Yes, we will. Oh, just make that a recommendation. Make sure it's in writing that the city council is requesting mold testing. And obviously an engineer will review any rot, so obviously just within the RFQ if we could get, make sure we have an architect that can review and evaluate any type of rotting situation. And then my third recommendation would be that we do have, whether it's clean the drains again or do some patchwork, that we do some patchwork within the near future, you know, because this is, we say this is going to take four weeks, maybe, you know, a little bit more as things always run over time, and to have like dripping in buckets and buckets all over the place and, you know, a leak near a window and near the children's section. I just feel like if this was a house, we'd have somebody, you know, you'd have somebody patching immediately and I think that's what we need to do here. I've spoken about it before and I think that needs to be done for the quality of the people who work in the library as well as anybody who's going in to visit or do any work in there or take their kids in there to have buckets where it was, when I was in there, it was leaking over the bucket and the rug seemed wet. So I just don't think that's acceptable to allow for. Obviously it's been happening since January if it was fixed in December and it was still happening as of three weeks ago when I was in a library and it sounds like we still have some leaks today. So we're going on three months now with really no resolve. Um, I think that's, We can't take another four weeks, and I don't think the library deserves another four weeks of leaking.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The last, the last amendment, if we could just read that back.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sorry, my last, my last.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you. I just think that's important. I wanted to make sure that was in there because when we did get the information from the mayor's office, to replace the roof would cost looks like if it's the low roof in this estimate, 110 to 130,000. So I think patching it up within the next week or so is definitely a thousand or two is definitely worth it. Um, when you talk about three to four months, it might, it might take to repair or replace, get it replaced.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'll be brief on this one. We had a committee of the whole meeting two to three weeks ago with regards to the, actually regards to the charter review. It was in this council chambers. I believe it started at 530 or six o'clock and it was televised. Since that time, I've gotten a lot of people stating how happy they were to be able to watch a Committee of the Whole meeting at home instead of having someone take notes or somebody having to read minutes or us having to explain what we discussed in room 207. I think it would make for a much more transparent process if we could have all of our Committee of the Whole meetings televised, whether we have to do it in this room or some way we can figure out how to do it in room 207, where I know it's little bit more of a relaxed atmosphere, but I think it's worth paying videographers to do that. I think it's definitely more transparent. It's a way for people that can't make it here on any given night or at all to be able to see what we're discussing on a weekly basis. We usually have committee of the whole meetings, sometimes every week. I know there was one at 6 o'clock. There's a committee meeting tomorrow, subcommittee meeting. But I think it's just a great way to go, and I think it's going to go along with what the mayor is doing with regards to getting more stuff up on our website. I think that it's definitely a step in the right direction, and I hope that we can make that happen with regards to, especially committee of the whole meetings, but also any type of subcommittee meetings to make it transparent and open to the public as much as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd like to make the recommendation to the Subcommittee on Rules, but I'd also like a roll call vote on the actual paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think this kind of goes along with my last discussion with regards to just televised meetings. I know the chief of police and a number of officers, detectives, I've actually been to a community meeting where there were probably six or seven officers and detectives present at the Medford Police Department. Now those happen, I believe, once a month and they evening meetings, I think we need to do something. We need to make recommendations to not only the administration within City Hall, but also our police department and our chief of police, because people have serious questions with regards to what's going on. Within the last few weeks, month or so, there's been some break-ins, and it's happening in a few different areas in Medford. people more are starting to complain about notification and lack of notification to surrounding homes and neighborhoods. Obviously, if there's a break-in, letting people know on the street and the surrounding streets what's going on, what has been brought forward, what do the police know, what can the police divulge, obviously, and how do they protect their homes and make them safe, and what should people be worried about. It's something that we lack in the city, and I think that we need to really work on better notification. The complaints obviously were with break-ins, which is why I put that on, but we've also got emails within the last couple days with regards to drug activity in certain neighborhoods. I believe one email came from the Salem Street neighborhood. I know that when we discussed the new Chinese restaurant that went in on Salem Street. There were a number of residents who were concerned and had questions and wanted them answered. At that time, we did bring up the public safety summit, which I know Council Member Axe is going to discuss later on in the meeting. And that is another thing that is very important. But I think that the meetings within the police department have to maybe be televised, or they have to just discuss or let people know that they're going to be discussing certain issues such as break-ins in the West Medford area, which I know was a complaint, or drug activity in the Salem Street area, which I know was another complaint. We need to let the public know what's going on and how we can improve it, whether we do, you know, safety committees within the city or watch groups. We need to do something, and we need to notify the public better. And we need to make sure that people are able to keep their homes safe and know what's going on in the area. I would like to know always what's going on in my neighborhood, as we all would like to, to be able to keep our homes safe, our families safe, and our cars safe. Because that was another one, car break-ins. So if we could ask the chief of police to work with the mayor and figure out a way that we can notify the public better. And I think one avenue is that. meeting that the chief of police has with the, you know, whatever residents are willing to, you know, and able to make it to the meetings. I think that is one way to start.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have no problem. And actually when I, respond to these emails or posts or however people are discussing with me. I think I was approached twice within the last few weeks with regards to this type of issue. I bring that up. I bring up, um, I know that Councilor Marks and the rest of the council has voted, I think twice, maybe three times to have a public safety summit. So definitely I think it's relative and, um, completely related to this topic. Um, and it's just something we need to do better. We need more transparency with, you know, crime going on in our community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to wrap it up and agree with my colleagues. We need, and obviously the public that has spoken, we've discussed it many, many times before, we need a new police station. We need more officers. It's always been discussed, we need revolving new, police cars out on the roads. I think that's all, we all agree with that. But in the time being, since that's not gonna happen overnight, and I think communication needs to happen immediately, I ask that the chief of police and the mayor get together and brainstorm some ideas on how to get communication out. And it can be as simple as the police department starting a Facebook page or Twitter, which I guess they've done, and letting the people know that at the next community policing meeting, They're going to discuss A, B, and C. I mean, a way to get the agenda out and a way to get people to understand and know what's going to be discussed and for the discussion to be had, not only how can things be prevented, but what are the target areas, what areas do we need to look at, and how can we make it, obviously, safer. So I just wanted to wrap it up and agree with my colleagues, but something needs to be done with regards to communication immediately. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. We discussed this last week. Yes. As of Monday of last week, there was buckets around the Medford Public Library with constant dripping. A number of the tiles are removed, so you have all the ventilation being exposed, and that's just in the couple sections that I went into. I've since got emails that there are leaks in other sections of the library. I'm a little frustrated, as I'm sure the rest of my colleagues are. The major leaks were reported in December. We asked the administration to do whatever it took, as soon as possible, to remedy those leaks in the Medford Public Library and to look into the future. We're either replacing the roof or getting a plan together so that it won't happen again. This is December. We're now into February. So we're talking about at least eight, if not nine, ten weeks ago, the Medford Public Library's roof was leaking. We still have major leaks in the roof. I question now if there is mold. I question now if we have a rot issue in one or multiple places in that roof. We did receive an update from the mayor, and I appreciate that. But $5,000, I guess, was put into the library roof to repair it. Obviously, that didn't work, and I don't think what's going on is good enough. It sounds like they're submitting a proposal to perform an evaluation. I feel that that should have been done already. I feel like an evaluation and proposal should have already been submitted to the city two months ago. We have families. We have residents. We have senior citizens. I saw business owners in the library today when I went in. extremely unfortunate that we're not taking it more seriously. And I appreciate, you know, we got an update and I appreciate that, you know, something's being done. But in my opinion, it's just not good enough. I would ask that we do this immediately. I think we asked that in December. I think each one of us spoke about this. This is obviously one of our priorities. We discussed that when we discuss our goals. This will come up tomorrow night when we meet with the mayor. But what has been done has not been good enough. And I'm just highly disappointed in the lack of change that has gone on, especially since I've expected so much more. So like I said, now we're working on two mayors with the same leaks in the same roof, and it's just not being fixed. And I'm disappointed. So I would respectfully ask that we get a new roof on that entire library as soon as possible. Because I think that's what our residents deserve. That's what the children who visit the children's section deserve, because that's obviously where I saw the major leaks last week after speaking about it nine weeks ago. This is a priority of the Medford City Council. It should be a priority of the entire city. 40 plus emails, maybe 30 to 50 people come to the council meeting last June 2015 when the library was underfunded. Are we saying now that we need to have an uproar from the citizenry? I don't think that's needed when you have a leaky roof that's ruining our, I mean, it's ruining the rugs. The rug was a mess. Are we talking, is there mold? I mean, do we need to have a mold evaluation now? So I know my council colleagues will support this, but I just want to send a strong message that we can't continue to let our infrastructure fall apart while we create jobs and do a number of other things that we shouldn't be, you know, other ways that we're spending money and shouldn't be, which we put in the money towards a roof.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, Vice President Lungo-Koehn. I read the letter update from February 12th a little differently because I would state that no bid has been requested because it said the on-site inspection with an engineer was done this past week. And that engineer will be submitting a proposal to perform an evaluation. So we haven't even had an engineer to the library to perform an evaluation. I just feel that that's something that should have been done eight weeks ago. And obviously $5,000 did not repair it as the leaks are all over the place.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DeLaRusso. Thank you, Councilor Caraviello. I know you've discussed it with the commission. It's great that they're coming down March 21. My only reservation to that is, if they're going to be helping us get a grant, will they have reservations with the fact that we don't maintain our structures?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Because if I was one issuing a grant, and I knew there was leaks in the roof, For at that point, it will be three months. I'd be hesitant to give a grant to a city that isn't going to maintain their structures.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And my last point would be, I hope we don't wait for what happened with the Department of Public Works building, where we waited for the roof to cave in before we did something about it. Like the gentleman said, we have people of all ages all the time traversing that library. So I really hope that we do something to make a permanent fix for a little bit more than $5,000 on that roof.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I wanted to bring this up again because I feel that the – I'm bringing it up again because obviously I don't live on the the three or four roads where I'm getting the complaints. So there's a number of people that have contacted me through email and phone calls with regards to no resolve from any type of enforcement that I believe should be taking place. Winthrop and George, I've been getting complaints on. And obviously, we all get the complaints on Harvard and Maine. We get pictures almost on a daily basis with regards to people trying to walk on the sidewalk. And you have Mack trucks. to do in their business and pulling up onto the sidewalk, which I feel is very dangerous. And I feel like we do need to bring it up repeatedly. There's a number of things that I don't agree with, but with regards to, you know, how businesses run. But on the council floor, I think if something needs to be brought up once or twice or three times, that's how we are able to get our constituents' voices heard and their concerns heard. Somebody's going to get hurt, and it needs to be brought up again. We need to do something. I'm now getting emails where people are so frustrated that they're saying, this city doesn't care, the council doesn't care. And I have to explain over and over again, we do. We continue to talk about it. We continue to make requests. A number of us have gone to the traffic commission. We've begged, no more than, no less than begged the chief of police to create enforcement. I've emailed the mayor. The mayor mentioned that she was gonna meet with the chief. to discuss it, since then, you know, I'm not sure what was decided on, but if we could get an update on that, you know, what was decided on, and if we could get some enforcement to create a level of safety for our residents, for people who, for all people, never mind the people that have, are in wheelchairs or using strollers that just can't even fit on the sidewalk when there's a Mack truck with four or eight wheels on a public sidewalk. You know, I've been asked to bring it up again. I waited a few weeks in hopes that we would get some enforcement. Now I'm getting emails from two residents on Harvard Street that can't even get out of their driveway. One woman, I believe, is with child, and she's scared to back out of her driveway because trucks are blocking her exit. You know, what more is it going to take to just get some enforcement? I know that the council has to have a meeting with regards to the bus stop and a loading zone, and we definitely need to do that, but enforcement has to come first. And I don't know how many times I can say it. We lack enforcement, and we need to have it done. I believe there's people that would like to speak, so I'm going to yield to the residents who have the concerns. But I think it's just such an important issue, and it's a public safety issue. If we can't talk about it week after week, then I don't know what we're here for.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Read the amendments, please. Make sure we have them all.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The meeting and the chief of police, OK, yep. And then the community policing by Councilor Marks, that we do some community policing in the area. Is that a you want that as amendment? And then restrict delivery trucks. Certain times that the Traffic Commission look at that. And if I could ask a question while I have the microphone. Increase fines and restrict delivery trucks. I like that idea, especially in the problem areas. I just ask, you think just in the problem areas? Are we talking about the whole city? because we don't want to create problems where there are none.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So on that point, I just want to make sure that's clarified in the minutes that we asked the OCD and the Traffic Commission to restrict the delivery trucks and up the fines as they decide. from area to area.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to get an update with regards to making it easier to open a business, whether it be a restaurant or non-restaurant type business in the city of Medford. It's been, I don't know if we've ever updated the process or reviewed the process, and I believe it was something that was on the mayor's agenda, so I really hope that comes to fruition. It sparked my attention online. There was a video of, I believe it was the Chicken and Rice Guys, who just opened recently, when I hear the food's great, but a video span of all the permits that the Chicken and Rice Guys had to get. I think it was about 17 permits, which took about six months. So I have quite, you know, what was it? Thirteen months. Thirteen months to open a restaurant in Medford. I feel like that would be discouraging to a number of businesses. So I would request maybe make an amendment that a pamphlet be made to make it easier, to make the process more understandable and that something be done to expedite that. I don't know what can be done, but I know a number of inspections need to be had. I think we just need to make it easier to open a business and be more welcoming to people who want to establish in Medford. That was shocking to see a video that long of permits, and I know people I'm actually close with that had a hard time opening businesses in Medford. So I just would like to be, figure out a way, and hopefully that that is on the agenda, and hopefully this has already taken place. But if we can get an update with regards to how we're going to help expedite the permit process, make it more business friendly, make our departments more business friendly so that it can be quite simpler and less time consuming.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So a draft pamphlet where somebody can say, OK, I need to A, B, and C. I need to apply for F now so it doesn't take longer. OK, great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. If we could get a copy of the draft. We could, through the chair, get a copy of the draft. That would be great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Rousseau. There is a resident who would like to say a few words, so just if we could allow her to speak, give us a little update.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair to Valerie, I believe we haven't got a report back or anything from the mayor's office on the commission, but we did get an approval to ask the board of trustees and the superintendent of cemetery to report back on the number of requests they get per year on green burials. So I just haven't seen anything. I don't know if anybody else has with regards to the commission we requested. So maybe we can follow up on that. Um, and then also the clergy from Medford interfaith clergy, is in support of the green burial. So I'm not sure if you've been in touch with them, too, to maybe help your cause. OK, because it sounds like they all sent us a letter into the Cemetery Board of Trustees. So there are other groups that you can maybe work with to help your cause. I know you're on a time frame issue. But hopefully, you can get some help through this committee as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, we can pass resolves, we can make recommendations, but I'm not sure. Yeah, Councilor Knight's right. I mean, the commission is, if you want to explain that further, that was perfect.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo, and thank you for taking the time to come tonight to explain this all to us. I know a number of emails have been going back and forth. And as of this morning, somebody did respond from the Medford Historical District Commission. So has there been anything of the last few hours with regards to if an emergency meeting will be called? No, we have not.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then there was a time frame.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And with regards, maybe Council Penta could further explain, with regards to time frames, if the historic commission does complete the application, what's the time frame with regards to, you know... The application, the way it was explained to us,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then nobody spoke, but I know I, when I spoke to Bill and Pat, a few, maybe, A few weeks ago, there was a major congestion problem on that street. That's one of the biggest issues with regards to if you add three more homes there, you're going to add two more homes there, you're going to add another eight cars, and then you really don't have room for it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just as one councilor, I'd like to make a motion that we request that Tufts University take a hard look at putting this restriction on. to preserve the area, the neighborhood, the street itself. Obviously, we have parking issues. But to preserve that house, which it seems 87 people on a petition, I as one council, and I'm sure my council colleagues agree, we need to do something from our part. And I think making a recommendation not only to Tufts University, but also to the Historic District Commission to do what they can and hopefully set up an emergency meeting, even if they are missing a member. Obviously, there's a number of people that need to be heard, and something needs to hopefully change. And I agree, it needs to be looked at as a whole, so we don't see this every few months. But right now, we're dealing with this house, and we need to be proactive. Hopefully, the Historic Commission will help us do that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilwoman Harris. Thank you, President Caraviello. I just would ask my council colleagues to maybe entertain a compromise. We have a public meeting next Tuesday. And then I understand we need some digestion and we need some time to sit with the solicitor. So maybe the week after we can sit with the solicitor based on what we heard at the public hearing, based on our recommendations and concerns. And then at that time, he drafts an ordinance and then have a third meeting, hopefully a final meeting, whether that's committee of the whole or, you know, on the floor where we actually will decide whether or not to take a vote on it. I mean, I think that would solve all the problems.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. We discussed the matter with a few parents last Tuesday, and the school committee superintendent and I believe a number of administrators had a hearing on the matter where parents got to ask questions, school committee members got to ask questions last Wednesday. I wasn't at that meeting, but I did follow it, and it's been on TV, televised, and it was updated on different channels. The one motion that was passed, I believe, is that a notification policy be drafted and that all principals should be aware of it and follow it. I think that was a great motion, and I'm happy it went forward. I would like to be forwarded a copy of that notification policy. I believe that there needs to be a crisis communication plan to get accurate information. to parents, to teachers, to staff members, to people who work in the certain schools, to the police department, and especially to the students. We discussed it last week, so I'm not going to reiterate the problems that I saw with parents getting notification at 6 p.m. the night of a bomb threat, which took place between 9 and 10 a.m. But that is a serious problem. I think that was admitted that it was a little late with notification. I know that the city of Arlington, who also had a bomb threat, I believe it was about 10 a.m. on February 2nd, which I believe is the same day that Medford did, they had notification going out by the Medford Police Department that was 20 minutes after the actual threat. It was noticed by the city of Arlington. Arlington High School received what is believed to be a low-grade bomb threat. This is moved this morning via phone call. The school is currently sheltering in place as a precaution. Please do not respond or call the school at this time. Parents and staff were later notified that the students were being evacuated. That was at 1048 to the front lawn. waiting for premises to be checked. Once the building is deemed safe, students will return to the building, not being dismissed at this time. Then 17 minutes later, another update, school has been cleared, students returning to the building at this time. That is something that I believe is needed for the city of Medford, not only with regards to bomb threats, but with regards to anything that has to do with parents, staff, students getting notification of a serious incident, or maybe not even a serious incident, maybe a drill like a lockdown drill that happened at the Roberts Elementary School. We need more parent communication, and I'm glad that the school committee voted, I believe, six in the affirmative to put a notification policy in place. I think it's definitely a good thing that all the principals should follow it and that it should be uniform. I would just like a copy because, you know, I apologize that I am getting phone calls from a number of parents, a number of concerned parents. I've heard from students at the high school, people, personnel who work in the building. I'm sorry, but I'm not sorry that I'm getting these phone calls because I do feel like we're public officials and we get the complaints no matter what. People have a right to complain to whoever they want. And I am, I mean, I must've got stopped. three different places. I've got phone calls. I got Facebook messages. I've got emails from concerned parents. So this needs to be discussed. We need to be updated. We need to know what needs to be put in the budget or changed in the school budget, because that is something we're going to approve in June. And we need the information. So I want to be able to have this policy. I want to be able to notify parents that it's in place. And this is what's going to happen next time Or hopefully, there's never a next time. But if this A, B, or C happens, this is when you're going to be notified. This is how you're going to be notified. So I hope this is an extensive notification policy. And it addresses who, what, when, where, and why. Because it's important for parents. It's important for students. And I think I was blamed last week by the superintendent that I was creating fear among Medford residents. And I really have to rebut that and say it's quite the opposite. not giving timely notification or with no transparency actually creates fear. And that's a number of parents have stated that to me, that fear was created by not knowing what happened at the school till 6 p.m. And that's unfortunate. So I do want to stay on top of the issue and I'd like to be given the notification policy in a timely manner. And hopefully this does come to fruition in March. and we're able to review it and give insight and call whatever school committee members we would like to or speak about it on the floor if we need to again. But I definitely think it's something that I would like to see and I'd like to make sure that it does happen and that it's uniform throughout our schools and that all the principals take it very seriously because parent notification, student notification is extremely important, especially where we've seen a situation where it's gone bad over the last couple weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There's no, nobody's going to tell me right now which cameras are broken. So I think it was, um, brought up on Wednesday night that 10 to 14 percent of all cameras at the high school are broken. I don't know the actual number. That's kind of what I'm asking. My issue with the whole situation is that there are cameras broken at the high school, and obviously we have the money or the school department has the money to fix it. We just hired a public relations or actually just implemented a new position, which is a public relations job, for $90,000. So if we have money like that to hire and create new jobs, then we obviously have the money somewhere to fix the cameras that are broken. I think that's necessary. We put the cameras in for a reason. If one or two are broken, they should be fixed, never mind 10% to 15% of the cameras being broken. We're living in some times where, which is the reason why we put cameras in and around our high school. I feel it's almost sad that so many are broken at this day and age. So I would ask that we find out exactly how many are broken, if that is the true accurate figure. how and when they're going to be fixed or replaced.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield to the gentleman.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Gina, one second. On that note, I'd actually like to amend this and ask that the school committee look into, it's been brought to my attention, the doors are not locked at the high school. So I'd ask the school committee to review security as a whole, not only just the cameras, but the doors being locked and entrance to the building, that there is, we do beef up more security. at the building. I think that's extremely important. You hear students speaking out on that. Parents have brought that up to me. It was brought up last week that right even after the bomb threat, I think the gentleman who stands at the entrance of the high school kind of was walked around, maybe went to the bathroom. So there definitely needs to, I know the Roberts School, that's the school I deal with because my child goes there. That's locked, you need to ring the bell to get in, and you have somebody sitting right at the entrance to ask what are you there for, where are you going, and to sign in. So I think we need more security measures at the high school before something terrible happens.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Same with the last resolution. I don't have the names of the people that did the sweep. I have no idea about what the training is. The resolution's purpose is to ask what that training is. So I would like to move forward with just discussing it to get the answers. And if we happen to get the answers, then maybe at that point we get the answers in executive session and keep names private. It has nothing to do with the names in general. It has to do with, I think, something that was discussed on Wednesday. The superintendent of schools, actually, I believe it was Dr. Perella from my recollection stated that there was custodians involved in a sweep. And I just found that, number one, do they have the training would be my first question, because I maybe understand if they were entering the building or staying in the building with trained police officers or with a canine to maybe look and see if there's any suspicious packaging or any type of something being out of place. From what I understand, I believe the custodians were the main personnel that did the sweep. So I guess my question is, who did the sweep? Because I've got calls from teachers. I've got calls from staff. I've got calls from parents of students who said they did not see a fire truck, a police car, a police officer at all in the building. Nobody went in classrooms. Nobody went in offices. So really, what was swept and how was it swept? Because it sounds like one person made the decision of what to do, and we were left with custodians doing sweeps of, you know, if it was a no level, maybe. We're talking low level bomb threat. This means possible, whether it's 1% or 2%. That's too much of a percent when you have hundreds of students and staff members and teachers in the building. So I really have a concern with custodians doing the sweep and really how swept this was. You had Falmouth, backpacks were checked, police were brought in, dogs were brought in, Mashpee was evacuated, police were brought in, Bourne had a bomb threat, swept by police and canines, Arlington Catholic was evacuated after a bomb threat, St. Agnes, BC High, bomb squad called to the scene. You know, with this happening around us, and Medford's having sweeps with our custodians, is that enough? I question, is it enough? And I respectfully ask our school committee, who is on the issue, I know they're on the issue, they had the meeting on Wednesday, they've passed resolves, and I know the discussion for them is not over. So I respectfully ask, and parents are respectfully asking me, I've gotten calls and updates about what went on on Wednesday, even though, you know, kind of looked into it myself, and people are disturbed. Parents are disturbed, and they want answers. They don't want to just say, we should have done things differently. They want answers. How is it going to be done next time? Not just this type of situation, but how are we going to handle emergencies? How are we going to handle notification? How are we going to handle sweeps if we have to do it again? I understand it's a robocall, and a number of cities and towns are getting it. But we need to take it seriously. It sounds like it was, from the beginning, right after the call, it was evaluated as a hoax. Well, obviously, we now know it was a hoax, but we need to do more to keep our community safe.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I would just like to bring this up. I was in the library today with my daughter. And the roof is not only leaking, but it's leaking in multiple spots. And there's buckets in the children's section, catching water right almost near the movie section. It's so bad that the carpet is, it seemed like the carpet was wet with the bucket. I was obviously very frustrated. We've discussed this a number of times. You know, if you're at home and you hear a drip in your house, you call the roofing company immediately. I feel like we've asked the administration to do that. I know they were having somebody in to take a look and estimate, but that was probably about three, four weeks ago. So I would just like an update, not only ask for an update, you know, what the status is with the roof. I'm not sure if any of my colleagues know what the status is. I tried to talk to Barbara Kerr, but she wasn't in at the time. I was right there early in the morning. So number one, what's the status of the roof? And number two, ask the administration to fix it immediately before it creates more of a problem. The snow and slush that we got yesterday was very heavy, obviously, and it's creating, I guarantee it's creating even more damage than there was a month ago. It's unacceptable. I know we discussed short-term and long-term goals for the library, but that library needs a new roof, and it should be done immediately. My daughter asked, what is the dripping? And I was just embarrassed. And it's just unfortunate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that's great, and I think the library needs rehab. I mean, I'm usually just in the children's section, maybe some romantic novels, just to clear my head at night. In the children's section, I mean, there's chairs, they're ripping, they're falling apart. I mean, we just need a revamp from chairs, tables, rugs. I mean, whether we gut it, whether we add a second floor, we need to have a plan. I'm begging the administration to let us know what her plan is. I would actually maybe amend this to have a committee of the whole meeting. to invite the mayor to discuss it so we know where we're going forward. I think the roof needs to be done before our committee of the whole because next week, obviously, is going to be about charter review. But that roof needs to be done. And we cannot wait for any other outside funding, state funding. That roof needs to be fixed before the roof comes crashing down and we ruin the whole children's section, or even possibly more. So I know one of us should advocate for this every week. We should bring it up every week. I mean, it should be brought up every day with a leaky roof. Unbelievable.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'll be brief. I know it's late, but if we could get an update, maybe the clerk has some answers for us. We had a meeting with MassDOT two weeks ago, and we had a number of resolutions that came out of that. One, I know that Councilor Scarpelli, too, has been pushing for, is to have a point person in the city looking over the project. So I was just wondering if the administration has...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, the business owners haven't heard anything at that meeting. We were told we could always reach out to OCD engineering or the building department. But we asked specifically, is there going to be, we need one person to maybe go down once or twice a week, check it out, talk to the businesses. have great communication with MassDOT, the council, and all parties involved, because obviously we have a long project ahead of us and a lot of problems that have taken place in the past. And we would want to try to move forward on a day-to-day basis, knowing what's going on, when it's going on. And we want to have a point person, not only that we can talk to, but that we can say to a business owner, call this person from OCD. That's a point person. She has direct contact with MassDOT on a daily basis. She's walking by the area. I mean, we've asked for that a number of times, and I think it's very important. This project's going to be another year and a half. We need a point person, not just somebody we can call and get a call back. We know exactly who to contact to get answers to whatever's going on in the area.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. With regards to this question, I believe we asked for just an update with regards to, I think a couple of us did some research on numbers for chief of staffs in the surrounding communities. And the 106,000 is kind of something that stuck out for me. That's almost as close to what the mayor's making. So we did ask for a communication back from the mayor with regards to, you know, why this, this position was being funded so high. And then you have a, you know, chief procurement officer slash budget budget director taken on two jobs that is making about the same, if not a little less than the chief of staff. So I just would like to get an answer on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm glad he does. Not that I don't support the position or the reorganization, I just think the 106,000, as do many people, believe that might be a little bit high for a position like this in a city like this. We're just looking for some explanation. Will this person be working more than 40 hours? We did get the job description. I think one of the job descriptions, was that that person would be in front of the city council. We have yet to see that person at a council meeting or even a committee of the whole meeting. So, you know, what exactly is the reasoning for the hundred? It's such an exorbitant amount of money. Again, when we have people taking on double jobs and making less than that, I just don't see, I just would like some clarification on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I would like to see if we could get the minutes, if minutes are being taken for all the public meetings. I know there's been meetings with regards to recreation. I know there's been meetings with regards to Haines Square that was held at the Roberts Elementary School last week. I also know that you're chairing a bunch of meetings yourself, Mr. President. It seems like this, three or four meetings going on per week, which I want to commend the mayor for doing. I think it's great to get community input. I think it's something that the councils always ask for more community input or business input. I know in the past we've asked for more public input before the parking meters and before waste management contract was signed. So it's definitely something that I think is a positive step. It's just something that obviously we can't all make, all seven of us councillors can't make every single meeting. I myself, it is tough, you know, so I would like to see what's going on, what our constituents are asking for, the concerns, interests of, you know, everybody that's attending those meetings and see how detailed the minutes are. Either way, whether they're detailed or not, it still would be very helpful for us making our votes going forward and, you know, figuring out Tonight we had a meeting with regards to goals at 6 p.m. So it would help us to further that discussion on goals. And, you know, it's always good to get public input. So, you know, the e-mails and phone calls we do get are very helpful. But if there's, you know, a number of people going to each of these meetings making a number of recommendations, I would love to be able to digest it all, have it in Friday's packet, you know, after each week so that we can, you know, keep them together and figure out how we're going to move forward. So I request that if there is minutes, if they could be forwarded to us on a weekly or biweekly basis so that we can gather that information and move accordingly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Already?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: About how long does it take to post? I don't know. Oh, I haven't seen them. There. They're on there. Nice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would ask him to withdraw so that I could speak on the resolution. There's a lot of people that have been complaining to me. And I think it does need to be discussed publicly. It's being thrown out that, you know, no discussion hasn't made. I'm very happy that there's a meeting tomorrow, but there are people here to speak on it tonight. And people have asked me. I think it's a disservice to the city to not publicly broadcast.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think, as one Councilor, I was getting the complaints two weeks ago, the day after this happened, and I went a whole week without saying a word because I agree. should have been brought up by the school committee. It was not, and people were on me to bring it up, and I don't disagree with them. I think people need to be able to hear what we have to say about it, what the school committee has to say about it. We're the ones that decide on the budget in June and decide whether or not the safety budget is enough. There's a reason why we should be able to talk about it. People are here tonight, and I just feel like it's definitely needed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you and I appreciate Councilor, I understand where Councilor Falco is coming from and I appreciate the withdrawal of the motion. I learned about this bomb threat through Patch. I read it online and as a parent, I didn't even think of it as a parent, I actually called my mother who works for the school system and said, did you know there was a bomb threat three days ago? Yeah, I found out after the end of the day. So I had my mother in the building with a potential bomb threat, whether or not it was low or no threat, you know, I was concerned. And then I thought, after I started getting the complaints, I thought, you know, I have one child in the school system, soon going to have two, and then eventually have three. And whether or not it was a threat or no threat, I truly believe, and I think it's where a lot of people are coming from, I think that as a parent, I think I should be given the choice And I think a lot of parents do believe the same thing. They should be given the choice because it's not something that happens every day. This is actually the first threat of something like this that I've heard of happening ever in the Medford Public Schools. So I think parents are looking for me to come out and say they should have been notified whether that was through a phone call or some type of communication rather than after the children left school. And I think that's important to say. I think it's important. I have the right to voice my opinion. And that is my opinion. Parents should have been notified in a non-emergency fashion, but a phone call should have went out and said, this is the situation, this is what we're dealing with, and we just want to let you know, there's nothing to be concerned about. But, and parents, I have a number of parents that have called me upset, saying they would have, even though it was low threat or no threat, parents would have went and picked up their children. I know it's happening all over the state. It's unfortunate. It's something that was completely out of control, out of Medford's control. I don't think Medford did any, you know, there's nothing Medford, City of Medford could have done except probably better communication. So I'm very glad it's being addressed tomorrow night. And maybe one of the reasons it is being addressed tomorrow night and not last week is because we did put the resolution on. You know, we are going to talk about it tonight. So I think that it needed to be put on and I think people need and avenues to be able to speak and give their opinions on it. And obviously, that's going to be in a lengthy meeting tomorrow night. But if people want to voice their opinions now, or people looking to other politicians, not just the school committee, to speak out on it, then that's our prerogative. And I think it was wrong the way it was handled. And I hope that new policies are put in place after tomorrow night.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'd ask that the paper be voted on. I think it's something that can be discussed tomorrow night. I'm making a recommendation. It truly, and I feel bad, a lot of Councilors, a couple Councilors are upset that it's been even brought up. But at the same time, it truly is coming from the fact that the complaints are real. They're coming from parents who wish they knew and wish they knew sooner. And I try to always put myself in somebody's shoes when I get a complaint, and this time I actually can. And I would be irate if there was a bomb threat at my child's school and I didn't know about it immediately. I'd be irate. So I understand where they're coming from. And I think parents should be notified, even if the first words that come out of a robocall are, there is no threat. But parents have that right, and they should have that right. And I'm making that recommendation to the higher-ups, which would be the school committee on this situation. And I agree with Ms. Rodriguez. There's just a lack of communication. And we do need some uniformity. I know some schools do it right, and others don't. things that need to be improved upon and stepped up, and obviously security is one of them. So I'd ask that the resolution be voted upon tonight, just making a recommendation to the school committee, superintendent, that if anything like this happens again, that parents are notified.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm actually making a recommendation that hopefully the school committee will get by tomorrow night that, you know, something should, protocols should be in place so There's better communication with parents, especially on such a serious event as a bomb threat. There should be better protocols, or other things need to be discussed on how parents can get notified without an issue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, motion to table. Motion to proceed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: minimal, I'm knocking on wood here, but minimal complaints, um, these last two storms and just want to thank them for their hard work through the nights.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just too want to thank Councilor Caraviello for putting forward the Veterans Advisory Committee, and thank the mayor for such a quick turnaround. I think that was two or three weeks that we now have, are going to implement an advisory committee, and I think it's great. I know there's a number of veterans who are interested in serving on that committee, and it's only going to improve the quality of veteran services. in the city of Medford, so thank Councilor Caraviello and thank the mayor for doing it so quickly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Obviously, I think we might have a correction there, so I review the records. I find them in order.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Announcement?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just want to announce that on Saturday, February 13th, which is this coming Saturday, the Medford Family Network is holding their annual fundraiser. It's an ice cream social for families. I think we've all been invited as Councilors to scoop ice cream for a couple hours from 1 to 3 p.m. That's at the McGlynn Middle School. It's always a great time. They have arts and crafts and dancing for the kids, and they put on a show. I think it's $5 per person, $15 for a family. Just urge and encourage everybody to attend the wonderful event for a great cause.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do we have a citizen? Sorry. Yeah, did you want to speak, Valerie? Sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just move the question. I'm sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I agree, I think it's classy. If I could ask you a question, if you don't mind. Is the rest of the stores that are beside you, are they going to go to awnings as well?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, they will look very nice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it's great. You want to spend the money on an awning like that, and it's going to look very nice. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, President Dillard. So I, I think Council Marks and Council Falco said it all, but I just would be remiss if I didn't say, you know, how thankful I am as a Councilor. Um, I saw a, uh, I saw the arts in Medford grow with Maria Daniels, and now it's even picking up more so with Mr. Roberts. So I just want to tell you to keep doing what you're doing. The interest is growing tenfold. And like you said, the amount of people that are affected by a small amount of money and what you're able to do for the community, I just think it's great work. And keep up the good work. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I guess my question back to you, if you don't mind, maybe if you have the answer to elaborate. I did email the Mayor myself last week with regards to this, because, you know, we've spoken out with our dissatisfaction on trucks parking on the sidewalk, Mack trucks, where people can't traverse our sidewalk. I was very happy to hear that she was meeting with the chief of, that Mayor Burke was meeting with the chief of police. So if you, you know, maybe you can give us a little bit more detail on their, on their meeting, or if you don't have, you know, specific more, you know, or any more detailed information, maybe Mayor Burke wouldn't mind putting it in writing of exactly what the measures will be to alleviate that problem. You know, what was the directive to the chief specifically with regards to enforcement? Because I think that's something we've asked for, and I think that I would like to see it in writing, specifically, what is going to be done? How can we tell our residents that are complaining and continuing to send us pictures, what are we going to say to the residents that need to traverse the sidewalks? This is going to be done every day, 9, 12, and 5. A police officer will be there to do some enforcement. I would really like an update on that. And I'm very happy, again, to say that there was a meeting, and there is. some push from the mayor's office for this enforcement, because I think I said it last week, we need the mayor on board with this or else it's not going to happen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Me too. If we could just possibly, if she wouldn't mind, Mayor Burke wouldn't mind just giving us a further update on that meeting. That would be helpful. And we know what the Board of Health was asked to do, what the code enforcement, just to stay in the loop. so that we can advise appropriately.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. And I do think this needs a discussion, but I also want to just make sure we get Diane McLeod involved. I've received two or three emails from her within the last year or so with regards to her objection to moving the sidewalk. So I just think maybe a discussion needs to be had, which includes her. So I agree with your public hearing. I believe, you know, there's so many different things that need to be done in that area with construction, which is why we met with MassDOT today at 530. But I think she needs to come to the table because she has outwardly spoken out as we had somebody on that commission as well before us at 5.30. So I just want to include her.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I put this on the agenda. I think I've had requests for updates on changes, resolutions on the agenda for the last three or four weeks, and some things obviously have shown my frustration with regards to, but I think people are ready for change. in a number of ways, and a little anxious to get those changes and see what's gonna happen and find out what's gonna happen when. And this is just to piggyback with regards to last week, I brought up enforcement and how is it gonna change, how is it gonna increase and better our community. With regards to the Medford Police Department, Medford Fire Department, there have been resolves throughout the last many years with regards to changes and updates, whether it be building-wise, or interdepartment issues that go on. I know that I, as one Councilor, have asked for the fire department to have interdepartmental email for almost two years now, since I found out there was no such thing, and I think it's kind of archaic. We've also questioned, you know, the female locker rooms, which we issue, which we know is in arbitration, and, you know, now the females are getting gym passes. We've gone in length with regards to the police department building and updates and the minor updates that were implemented. And I'd like to know from our administration what additional updates may be taking place, what the plan is, how are we going to make changes in a positive way, where are we going to spend our money, what are we going to do, what type of push will there be towards different enforcement throughout with the police department and, you know, how are those, you know, when are those changes going to take place? I think it's important and I think it's important for us to be updated with regards to, you know, minor things that, you know, the administration may seem to think are minor. I think the council should be apprised of it and I hope that we can, you know, get a communication from the mayor's office with regards to changes that have already been addressed and discussed and changes that maybe she would like to make in the future, so that we can get an idea of how we're moving forward and hopefully get a better understanding of the positive changes that we know need to be made and hopefully will be made.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, President DeLaRusso. I want to thank Councilor Caraviello for reaching out to the commissioner. I think that's a huge help. I know that the library needs a rehab. It needs a lot of work. We've been speaking about whether it be the bathrooms or the roof leaking, years and years, or underfunding the library. So many people are interested to see this library updated, and I really hope it comes to fruition. I know that when I proposed that we hire a grant writer years back, one of my main reasons for it was because I read an article with regards to the grants that are out there for libraries in Massachusetts. And for us not to be taking part in trying to get these grants and trying to get state money, federal money to update our library, I think we're shortchanging something that could be so wonderful. I'm not sure about the roof, but I, too, would like to get an update on that. And I want to thank you again, Councilor Caraviello, for reaching out to the board member. And hopefully we can sit down and try to get some ideas. get the administration moving on some grants so that we can, whether we have to fund some ourself or not, I think we need to do it either way.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just, if we could just make clear that the contact person be somebody from City Hall. Just make that clear. Maybe one of the three that have already been dealing with MassDOT as of recent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that we do get an update within the next week or two with regards to. The many issues we discussed and recommendations and requests, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And I just would like to ask if I could further amend this because I received an email this week with regards to a business owner of a daycare. Another portion of I'm not sure if it's in the contract or something they were going to adhere to, is the leniency during pick up and drop off for daycares and schools in the city of Medford. And from what I understand, over the last couple weeks, that leniency is no more. And they're now ticketing, Republic Parking is now ticketing people who are going in three minutes to drop off somebody, their child at a daycare or at a school. And that's something we were promised. This council specifically asked for leniency in schools and we were promised that there would be leniency before, during the drop off and during the pickup. So I'm not sure if this in mass coincides with the fact that revenues, the big article came out that revenues are short for public parking. But just because your revenues are short doesn't mean you can violate the rules, violate your promises. I would just like to ask for public parking that as well. This take care, I believe, is on Riverside Ave. But I'm not sure if it's going on in other locations. But I'm assuming from what I've been hearing, there's some ticketing that should not be happening during certain times in certain places. And that's a shame.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I agree, I think it's classy. If I could ask you a question, if you don't mind. Is the rest of the stores that are beside you, are they going to go to awnings as well?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, they will look very nice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it's great. You want to spend the money on an awning like that. It's going to look very nice. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I'm president Delaware. So I, I think council Marks and council Falco said it all, but I just would be remiss if I didn't say, you know, how thankful I am as a Councilor. Um, I saw, uh, I saw the arts in Medford grow with Maria Daniels and now it's even picking up more so with, um, Mr. Roberts. So I just want to tell you to keep doing what you're doing. Um, the interest is growing tenfold. And like you said, the amount of people that are affected by a small amount of money and what you're able to do for the community, just think it's great work. Um, and keep up the good work. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I guess my question back to you, if you don't mind, maybe if you have the answer to elaborate. I did email the mayor myself last week with regards to this, because, you know, we've spoken out with our dissatisfaction on trucks parking on the sidewalk, Mack trucks, where people can't traverse our sidewalk. So I was very happy to hear that she was meeting with the chief, that Mayor Burke was meeting with the chief of police. So maybe you can give us a little bit more detail on their meeting, or if you don't have specific or any more detailed information, maybe Mayor Burke wouldn't mind putting it in writing of exactly what the measures will be to alleviate that problem. What was the directive to the chief specifically with regards to enforcement? Because I think that's something we've asked for, and I think that I would like to see it in writing, specifically what is going to be done. How can we tell our residents that are complaining and continuing to send us pictures, what are we going to say to the residents that need to traverse the sidewalks? This is going to be done every day, 9, 12, and 5. A police officer will be there to do some enforcement. I would really like an update on that. And I'm very happy, again, to say that there was a meeting and there is some push from the mayor's office for this enforcement, because I think I said it last week. we need the mayor on board with this or else it's not going to happen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Me too. Um, if we could just, possibly if she wouldn't mind, um, Ms. Burke wouldn't, Mayor Burke wouldn't mind just giving us a further update on that meeting. That would be helpful. And then we know what the board of health was asked to do, what the code enforcement, just to keep staying in the loop so that we can advise, um, appropriately.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. And I do think this needs a discussion, but I also want to just make sure we get Diane McLeod involved. I've received two or three emails from her within the last year or so with regards to her objection to moving the sidewalk. So I just think maybe a discussion needs to be had, which includes her. So I agree with your public hearing. I believe, you know, there's so many different things that need to be done in that area with construction, which is why we met with MassDOT today at 530. But I think she needs to come to the table because she has outwardly spoken out as we had somebody on that commission as well before us at 5.30. So I just want to include her.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I put this on the agenda. I think I've had requests for updates on changes, resolutions on the agenda for the last three or four weeks. And some things obviously have shown my frustration with regards to, but I think people are ready for change. in a number of ways and a little anxious to get those changes and see what's gonna happen and find out what's gonna happen when. And this is just to piggyback with regards to last week, I brought up enforcement and how is it gonna change, how is it gonna increase and better our community. With regards to the Medford Police Department, Medford Fire Department, there have been resolves throughout the last many years with regards to changes and updates, whether it be building-wise, or inter-department issues that go on. I know that I, as one Councilor, have asked for the fire department to have inter-departmental email for almost two years now, since I found out there was no such thing, and I think it's kind of archaic. We've also questioned, you know, the female locker rooms, which we issue, which we know is in arbitration, and, you know, now the females are getting gym passes. We've gone in length with regards to the police department building and updates and the minor updates that were implemented. And I'd like to know from our administration what additional updates may be taking place, what the plan is, how are we going to make changes in a positive way, where are we going to spend our money, what are we going to do, what type of push will there be towards different enforcement throughout the police department and, you know, how are those, you know, when are those changes going to take place? I think it's important, and I think it's important for us to be updated with regards to, you know, minor things that, you know, the administration may seem to think are minor. I think the council should be apprised of it, and I hope that we can, you know, get a communication from the mayor's office with regards to changes that have already been addressed and discussed and changes that maybe she would like to make in the future so that we can get an idea of how we're moving forward and hopefully get a better understanding of the positive changes that we know need to be made and hopefully will be made.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, President DeLaRusso. I want to thank Councilor Caraviello for reaching out to the Commissioner. I think that's a huge help. I know that the library needs a rehab. It needs a lot of work. We've been speaking about whether it be the bathrooms or the roof leaking, years and years, or underfunding the library. So many people are interested to see this library updated, and I really hope it comes to fruition. I know that when I proposed that we hire a grant writer years back, one of my main reasons for it was because I read an article with regards to the grants that are out there for libraries in Massachusetts. And for us not to be taking part in trying to get these grants and trying to get state money, federal money to update our library, I think we're shortchanging something that could be so wonderful. I'm not sure about the roof, but I, too, would like to get an update on that. And I want to thank you again, Councilor Caraviello, for reaching out to the board member. And hopefully we can sit down and try to get some ideas. get the administration moving on some grants so that we can, whether we have to fund some ourself or not, I think we need to do it either way.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And was that, did that get your, uh, Madam Vice President had those, uh, just, if we could just make clear that the contact person be somebody from, from city hall. Um, just make that clear. Maybe one of the three that have already been dealing with mass dot as of recent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that we, and that we do get it, sorry that we do get an update within, you know, the next week or two with regards to, the many issues we discussed and recommendations and requests. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And I just would like to ask if I could further amend this because I received an email this week with regards to a business owner of a daycare. Another portion of the, I'm not sure if it's in the contract or something they were going to adhere to is the leniency during pickup and drop off for daycares and schools in the city of Medford. And from what I understand over the last couple of weeks, that leniency is no more. and they're now ticketing, Republic Parking is now ticketing people who are going in three minutes to drop off somebody, you know, their child at a daycare or at a school. And that's something we were promised. This council specifically asked for leniency in schools and we were promised that there would be leniency before, you know, during the drop off and during the pickup. So I'm not sure if this in mass coincides with The fact that revenues, the big article came out that revenues are short for public parking. But just because your revenues are short doesn't mean you can violate the rules, violate your promises. So I would just like to ask for public parking that as well. This take care, I believe, is on Riverside Ave. But I'm not sure if it's going on in other locations. But I'm assuming from what I've been hearing, there's some ticketing that should not be happening during certain times in certain places. That's a shame.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I bring this up with regards to vehicles illegally parking on sidewalks in Medford because of a few complaints in a few different areas. I know we as a council have spoken about this and we had pictures and we had maybe four or five people in the audience two months ago with regards to the problem that's happening on Main and Harvard. But I also have received complaints with regards to Winthrop Street and in one other street since that meeting aired. We have a problem in the South Medford area. The chief of police at the last traffic commission meeting, which was held back the first week in January. No, maybe January 5th, I believe, stated to the audience and stated to us that we're in the audience enforcement was going to be picked up and that they were going to start, I believe, I'm not going to put words in anybody's mouth, but I came to think that more tickets were going to be issued. So not only are people parking there, large Mack trucks are pulling onto the sidewalk, completely blocking sidewalks, not allowing, I mean, you cannot go to a wheelchair or a stroller or even, you know, an adult and a child who need to walk side by side. You can't traverse the sidewalk. I'm getting complaints from five, six, seven, eight different people down in that area, and I know we all are, day after day. I mean, I think I've gotten four emails from two different people today alone with pitches attached to the violators, and I just don't think it's right. And so I'd like to see how many tickets were issued with regards to vehicles parking on any sidewalk, not just that area, because I want to see, you know, I know I've seen it all over the city, and I want to see what enforcement has been done within 2015, and now come 2016, how many tickets have been issued. Maybe we could break it down to North Medford, South Medford, West Medford, so we can get an idea and a better picture on where the problems lie, and if we're enforcing at all. I'd also like to amend this to just request from the mayor's office, you know, what stance the mayor's office has with regards to enforcement on sidewalks. I think it had, you know, the chief of police is very nice and he was willing to listen, you know, him and the traffic commission were definitely willing to listen the beginning of January to the problems and the issues and the concerns, but I don't think enough is being done and I don't think I really would hope that the administration from the top down would let people know that that's not acceptable, it's not right, and we need to figure out as a city how we can get these deliveries to our businesses that isn't going to impede on people's ability to traverse our sidewalks. So I know that area sticks out at me specifically because I see pictures every day with regards to trucks and vehicles parking on those roads, blocking driveways, blocking the sidewalks. not only should they not be blocking sidewalks, but if a Mack truck is pulling up on a sidewalk where people, that's a busy area, that's a bus stop right near there, and people are walking and traversing those sidewalks all the time, I'd hate for a pedestrian to get hit while on a sidewalk by a Mack truck that accidentally didn't see somebody. You'd hate to see somebody heading to school, a young child heading to school, have to come into the street because they can't use a sidewalk and get struck. You see it in other cities. You see it on the news. I don't want it to happen to Medford. I don't want it to happen considering those emails are sent to every department head, almost every department head in the city. They're sent to the chief of police. They're now being sent to our new mayor. It needs to stop. We need to figure this out and we need to enforce it. I was adamant about enforcing it a month, two months ago when it came before the city council. I, as one of probably three city councilors, I know Councilor Caraviello was at the traffic commission meeting. We made the effort to go on a two o'clock, I think it was on a Tuesday. Us and residents took the time off of work to be there because it's an important issue and I don't feel like it was given the weight it should be. I feel like almost we were appeased, we'll enforce, we'll enforce more. I just feel like that's not enough. So I really ask, number one, how many tickets have been issued? Because if not many tickets have been issued in 2016, especially since when we told there were going to be, then we have a problem. And I also want to amend it to see if the mayor of our city will step up, ask the chief of police to step up enforcement with regards to this particular issue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On that point, and thank you, President Dello Russo, I think if we left the people alone who are maybe paid for parking and are there for an extra five, ten minutes and instead worry about the actual serious violations within the city of Medford, we would have far less tickets to just the average person who maybe in the hairdresser an extra five or 10 minutes, and we'd have resolved to problems such as this with regards to people parking on the sidewalks, in handicapped spots that they don't have a handicap placard. I mean, there are so many other violations and things that could keep Republic Parking very busy, and enforcement, enforcement. But the problem with that is it needs to come Our department, our police department needs to get direction from the chief of police to be able to do that. Or needs to, public parking needs to get direction from the chief of police. And I strongly believe that our new mayor needs to put pressure on the chief of police to do this enforcement that's so desperately needed. It needs to happen. It's something that the old administration back in 2015 and prior to did not put enough effort into at all. We're known as the no enforcement city. I don't know of any other city that doesn't enforce the way we do. I don't know of a ticket that has happened I obviously never get complaints about tickets because we don't ticket. We don't enforce. If you go to Somerville, if you go to Malden, even if you go to Winchester and park for over an hour in a spot that's an hour parking, you're getting a ticket. Republic is the only sense of enforcement that we have, and they're just getting the people that could be doing other things and ticketing for other good reasons and clearing up some of these problems that are persistent. And I know I sound frustrated, but I I went over the history on this, and it goes far back. It goes back years at this point, and it's very frustrating, and it's very frustrating for all the people that can't traverse sidewalks and that live in these neighborhoods where it is a serious problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Briefly, I just want to second the idea of a public safety summit, whether it's a committee, the whole meeting, I'd even take that, where the mayor is involved and the chief of police and the city council. So we can really decide and make changes so we can hear how our new administration is making changes with the chief of police and how we're going to move forward. We cannot enforce the way we enforced prior to January 4, 2016. It just cannot happen. It's not right for the city. It's not going to better the city. We need enforcement. And I think bringing everybody to the table probably will be best because today I have an issue with people parking on the sidewalks. But it involves enforcement in general and how we're going to move forward with enforcement, because I do remember the story, and I knew we were known for the no enforcement. I forgot the major news stations picked up on it. But, yes, I remember it clearly now, and it was embarrassing. And I really hope that we can move forward, make changes, let the public know, give a warning time to the public. and do the things we need to do for the public's public safety. Somebody did get hurt. Many people have gotten hurt and many more people will get hurt if we do not make some changes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion passes into the rules as well. For what purpose?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. We always have complaints with regards to speeding, and my neighbor, who lives on Highland Ave, has complained to me recently. The speeding on Highland Ave is out of control. If we could get an increased enforcement, whether that's some ticketing, That would be very helpful. I know there was a near miss recently that was witnessed by my neighbor. And this is just one other thing that does need some enforcing, if I could amend that. And also, I know we have the electronic sign that's kind of as a traffic calming approach, if we could get that. Number one, get that out, whether that's for a week or two on Highland Ave. But also see if our department can do a couple traps in the area that, I believe it's 25, and you have people go in almost 50. It's almost a speedway on Highland Ave as you head into Maldon, Woodland Road. So if we could do that, it would be greatly appreciated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. If I could ask Ms. Kelly a question about when Marion Street got changed to permit parking. Was that actually in November 2015?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So obviously within that, so where did that notice come from that came from the traffic commission or? Came from, was it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And within the letter it didn't mention anything with regards to time frames of when to get the permit and when you'll need to renew your permit?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, just as one councillor, I think that's where the problem lies. Number one, we don't know where in the city of Medford you got that letter from. Number two, the department that they got the letter from obviously did not educate you on the topic. So we need to set policies that are gonna make sense. So whether it be, like you said, prorated or just more education to the person who lives on Marion Street, Even if you knew that, it might have made more sense. You might have said to yourself, oh, I'll park in our driveway till January 1st, then I'll get my permit. I'm not going to go up there. It's more, and I understand, it's not the money. You have to go up, you have to, you know, fill out the documentation, write out a check, pay the $10, and then they want you to do it a month and a half later. I think not knowing is the problem. So we need to set policies and procedures that make sense.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would request that anybody whose street changed to permit parking after mid-half of the year, so July 1st and on, that their new parking permit come 2016 be prorated, that they get, whether it's a half-price permit or that they get their money back for 2015. I think we need to do something to set precedent to say we made a mistake and we need to make things right. I also think that those letters that go out, once a street turns into permit parking, which I believe comes from the Traffic Commission, we need to set the precedent to let the public know, let our residents know, this is the procedure, this is when you have to get your parking permit, and this is when you're going to have to renew your parking permit. It just makes sense. Like Councilor Scarpelli said, transparency, educating the public. If people know what to expect, it isn't a shocker, it isn't a pain. You know, people understand. They can make arrangements. But to — this — it's just so frustrating. It really is frustrating. And I — and I hope — you know, we — I think the administration is going to make these changes and many, many more. I know it's only been three and a half, four weeks, but I hope these changes come sooner than later so that these minuscule things that frustrate people to no end can be resolved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If the Traffic Commission can look into policy changes when notifying residents of their need to get permit parking stickers. clarifying when they need to be purchased by, when the renewal date is, and also looking into a system to prorate the charge, especially if you're over six months into the year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Will there be any questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think this is probably a question for the administration as the question went before the administration with regards to setting up an advisory board for the Veterans Affairs. So what you're asking is, whether or not that's something maybe the city administration would do. So if we could ask our new administration if this is a possibility or if they could also look into this while they're looking into other advisory committees within the city, setting up additional advisory committees I never think is a bad thing. And I know you spoke about a number of different issues that I think an advisory committee would probably look into, research. and hopefully develop ideas and bring them to the mayor and to the board of trustees, which is a three-person board. So I think it's a valid question. I think it's something that may help alleviate and figure out a number of different issues that, you know, you obviously are well educated on. And I don't think it's going to hurt to ask the administration what her thoughts are and to see if we can possibly implement one. So I would ask the administration to look into that, see if it's a possibility, if it's something that would work. We have, like I said, the three-person board, so it always helps to have a number of different people looking into different issues that have to do with the cemetery. It's a large cemetery. We have a number of issues there. I know this week I came across an issue, and I spoke to Steve Dunn at the cemetery department, and your question with regards to appeals is, yes, once a decision is made, you can appeal, but you're appealing back to the board. So that might be something an advisory board can look into as well to maybe make some changes on that, because that almost seems like you have a three-person board that's making a decision, and your only appeals process is back to that three-member board. So that could run into some questions and some issues.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I did get that answer, happened to get that answer this week. But I think it's a good resolve, and maybe our mayor can look into it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm not asking for the content. I'm just asking it just like we asked.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'm making the resolution. Can the mayor look into a possibility of an advisory commission to the cemetery?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: For the board of trustees, an advisory committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And also, I think this should be a public meeting at 7 p.m. in front of the city council. I think the people need to see this on TV. I think the business owners deserve that. And I think that's what the business owners want. They're crippling business. And two weeks is, three weeks have gone by now where they're completely blocking business owners That's almost a month, and I'm a business owner. You have to pay bills monthly, not on a day-to-day basis or once a year. You pay bills monthly. We should have this meeting. We should ask them to be here next Tuesday night and cease and desist all work from being done, everything being cleared out tonight until they meet with us next Tuesday. That's my opinion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Mayor Burke sent us answers to our questions on Friday. Almost everything is answered, except in the chart, it just doesn't have any names. I don't think you were here, Louise, last week. you know, A through F, and then along with the current versus the proposed personnel, we asked for, you know, who is who. I don't know. Did she, I don't know if anybody else got one with names. I just want to, it's, I'm sure it's easy to do. There's only about six or seven positions. Is that something maybe you could outline for us? Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then you're the? I'm not on the chart. You're on the second part of the chart. Proposed Chief Procurement Officer and Budget Director? Yes. Okay. You weren't here last week when we met in Committee of the Whole either, I mean, because that's probably when I would have asked the question. So if you could answer us as best you can, I'm sure I'm going to know the answer you're going to give, but you really feel that you could handle both positions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay. And so you're able to be responsive to, you know, you're able to handle all the emails, phone calls, and those two jobs together? Yes. I know you probably can handle it. I just feel like we've always had in the past, up until this past year, somebody just full-time in procurement. And then I feel like maybe budget isn't a full-time job year-round, but I'm sure you're doing things year-round. And I know, you know, May, June is probably very overwhelming. So I just want to make sure you truly feel that you can handle both.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what do you have for help? Do you have a secretary?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that almost like secretarial or a little less?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then with regards to the chief of staff, I was just doing some research with regards to just the salary, because that's going to be $106,420. Where do we come up with that? Because Malden, I feel like, is comparable to the city of Medford. And Malden's chief of staff for 2015 is in the budget for $82,964. So that's more than $20,000 more than, say, Malden's chief of staff. I know Boston and Somerville have They're larger communities, especially Boston. They have the largest salary in and around the $100,000 range. But when you compare Chief of Staff in Malden to Chief of Staff in Medford, I just question that with regards to the $104,000 difference between Malden and Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That would be my only concern with the whole thing. I think the mayor has the absolute, you know, right to put in the people she believes are going to help administer the city. I feel, you know, I don't necessarily know all her picks, but I wish them well and I hope they lead to great things. concern is that $106,000 for chief of staff. I feel like that's high. You have Ms. Miller doing two jobs for almost the same amount. They range, from what I looked up on the budgets, from $45,000 to I think Somerville's $98,000 or Malden's $82,000, Taunton's $42,000, Fall River's $78,000. So that seems a little high. That would be my only concern with the number of papers that are before us, the four different papers. Just wanted to voice that concern.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I would just go on record and request that the Mayor relook at the salary of this position and just do some research with regards to surrounding communities. Like I said, Malden is $24,000 less than what the Chief of Staff will be making in Medford. I just want to request that she look into that before the second reading.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I thought we had asked that question last week, so I would like to put that question forward. The question is? Is there any conflict of interest for the auditor to also be running the Treasurer-Collector's office? Is there a conflict? I mean, it stated there was a conflict last week. We'd like a legal opinion on that. I agree. I thought we asked it last week, so.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could ask it this week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 41 section 55.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, president Dello Russo. I, I do want to thank Councilor Falco for bringing this forward. We have discussed this a few different times in the council, and I think along with the city council playing an active role, I just really want to maybe amend to also ask the current mayor, our new mayor, to be involved with the process, to be involved with working with Malden, having a good relationship, obviously, and good communication with the mayor of Malden with regards to this site We may only have three acres, I believe, which is like 10%, 15% of the entire project, but we will bear probably 50 to 90% of the traffic burden. So it is just extremely important for our department heads and our administration to be in contact with the city of Malden. We can voice our opinions and do what we can, but I think that is extremely important. When I attended one of the first meetings at The BB school, I think it was, in Malden, there was probably 100 residents, and every elected official from Malden was there. I believe I might have been the only city councilor. And then there was department heads from Malden. I believe our OCD Lorenzo was our only department head there. So we do need to make our faces known, and we need our administration to get on board and get involved. I also wanted to just bring up, we definitely, this, our ad hoc committee and the council as a whole, we've supported, there is a community group out there that's working hard. They have a, they've done plans, they've had engineers work on low or density projects, which is, I believe would be our push. As low density as possible with green space. I mean, obviously we're not Malden. Malden may want their best bang for their buck. I'm not sure exactly where they're leaning, but we want to lean for lower density lower traffic, less amount of cars, so that it doesn't impact our neighborhoods. They're going to come down, like you said, Murray Hill Road and a number, you know, come right onto all of our roads up in the Heights are going to be congested, even more so than they are now. So I know that committee, I did have been conversing with them and they have, they're working on a traffic plan. So hopefully this ad hoc committee can get involved with them as well and work together. with the Traffic Commission to create a plan, whether it's certain directions, not being able to come on certain ways on our roads. We need to think ahead of the game, and I think that's something that this committee will help out with a great deal so that we can look at the big picture, a big map, and how it's going to affect traffic. Air pollution, there's a number of other concerns as well, but traffic is the number one concern that I keep hearing about. from our residents and from the community group. So I really hope we can get some work done on this. And I hope the administration gets on board to get involved for the sake of Medford in its entirety, but the Fulton Heights.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I put this on the agenda after a third complaint last week, end of last week, with regards to people trying to get in contact with our new schools public relations position. At first, there was no phone number. Then there was a phone number. To date, I don't believe, as of two days ago, there was still no voicemail set up. Now we're almost mid to end of January. That's two to three weeks going on with no way to get in touch with, besides possibly a new email that's been set up with our public relations professional. And I'm surprised, and I'm a little you know, obviously not happy about it because this is a position that is creating so much controversy within our city. The morale at the schools, it's not helped morale. So you would expect that, and it's not even necessarily this person's fault. I believe this rests with the higher ups. I mean, there should be an office, there should be a voicemail set up. It was, you know, kind of, push through at the last hour before January 4th for the change in the administration. And I just feel like there should be a phone, there should be a voicemail, and there should be responsiveness. So I would ask the superintendent of schools, when will a voicemail be set up? And also, again, we asked questions a few weeks back with regards to job description, salary, what this position is going to entail, what the person in the position is going to do on a day-to-day basis. And I think that's very important, because the fourth complaint I got was with regards to somebody from the PTO asking for a little bit of help on something, and then being shoved, you know, you have to ask the principal first. Well, you know, and I have discussed this with somebody from another PTO, too, and they're asking me questions about what the public relations is going to help them with, and I really don't have the answers. So, you know, I hope that is part of the job. the public relations professional is going to help. You know, all the volunteers, I hope, with regards to the PTO, help with the publications and things that definitely can enhance all of our elementary schools and our high school. But obviously, we haven't got any responses. So I again ask for responses on a job description with regards to this position so that we can better answer our constituents' questions and be able to direct the right people to the right place. And hopefully, this is going to This job should, at I believe $85,000, $90,000, should be helping our schools tremendously. And I don't see how that can be happening when there's no voicemail and no ability to respond. One woman said she's called a number of times and is very frustrated. She can't even leave a message in a voicemail. So the complaints are real. And I felt that it needed to be put on again, especially since We haven't got any answers to our questions. And I think our superintendent took the hit for this in the paper. And I believe he's the one that should be, you know, responsive to us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. This actually, was on my radar with regards to customer service, treating people with respect. Due to some complaints, I had brought this up to Ms. Miller at our budget hearings in June. She did say she was going to make sure that was brought up with regards to the personnel and staff. And it also came up during the great debate. I was pleasantly surprised when our new mayor had this answer during the debate that things were going to change and, you know, people were going to be treated all the time with respect. I don't believe it. Believe me, I'm not saying that there's a problem everywhere, but when you do have a complaint here and there, you just want to make sure the public can come in to whether it's a police station or city hall or, you know, go to any department and get the answers they need, be treated respectfully and be on their way. So that was something that was on my radar in June. It has been in the past. And it was something that the mayor spoke very well with regards to how that's going to change. And I just would like to know, you know, if there's any going to be any specific changes that maybe we can go back to residents that complain or have complained in the past and say, yes, you know, I really feel that that's going to be one thing that she spoke about that she is going to do. And I would like to just know how, are we going to have any, you know, disciplinary action? Is there going to be any, um, I don't know if any such type classes that our personnel are going to go to. I just want to see what type of changes there will be just to make sure that that is going to happen. And I hope, you know, I hope it does. I believe this is almost, you know, you run a city almost like it is a business. It's $150 million budget that we have and we hire a lot of people. And I want to make sure that we do strive to do better and strive to treat people better, obviously. I really hope that that change is in the works and would like to know if she can give us any insight with regards to how that change may be coming to fruition.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just with that point, thank you, President Dello Russo. I agree with my colleagues. I agree with Ms. Martin. But I think implementing the 311 system is definitely necessary and a good start. I think it's going to show us, okay, we need more staff on the highway. We need to order more filler for our potholes because we have 300 complaints within a matter of six months. I think it's going to tell us we need to get on waste management because they missed picking up 70 barrels this week. I mean, it's going to tell us where the problems are, and obviously there's going to be, like Councilor Scarpelli said, there's going to be a transition period that may be very bumpy, because we're going to need to put some more personnel on, and I think that's going to be very important, and it's going to be a true tell to the residents and to the people of the city, we need to spend this money and hire five new DPW personnel, or else we're not going to get to half of these complaints and be able to improve on the things we need to improve on, but I think it's definitely going to work in benefit in the long run, and it's definitely going to be very transparent, and we're going to know if people complain that, you know, certain personnel aren't doing their job, well, we're going to have a record and say, you know, they are, they are. Look at what they've done within the last, you know, look at, for example, look at what our DPW department has done within the last two weeks alone. 67, you know, for example, complaints and resolves and action taken. So I think it's going to, in the long run, it's going to work. I think the administration is fiscally on top of it, and we are going to be able to put personnel where we need to put personnel, and I think we're going to have a much better work ethic on top of it if we don't have a stellar one already.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to announce a fundraiser for juvenile diabetes being held for actually one of our gym teachers. physical education teachers, 6 p.m. on Friday night at the Elks. She's running, Ms. Richard is running the marathon in support of juvenile diabetes. So I know a number of people will be there. It's a great cause. They can have raffle prizes and food. So I invite everybody who would like to join to come down and show your support.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'm not necessarily against this new position. I believe that, you know, maybe the $106,000 salary has to be looked at and just compared to other chiefs of staffs in our surrounding communities. I think my major concern as one Councilor is a number of things that we've requested from the mayor herself with regards to seeing the big picture on the topic, on will this chief of staff need secretarial workers? What else is coming down the line? We have four or five different amendments, changes, new positions that are before us tonight, but I think we all decided to table them because I'm hearing rumors of increases in salaries in other positions. I'm hearing rumors of other new positions that are being brought on board. And I want to make sure that it all fits within our budget that we have to come and meet on and discuss and review and approve come June. So I do want to see the big picture. Therefore, unless anybody in the public wants to talk, I will move to table this as well until hopefully we do get a bigger picture on everything that is going to be encompassed and hopefully our seven or eight requests will help us out in that matter and enlighten us of what is coming down the line within the next six months, the big turnover and change.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On that matter, though, you also said you're not sure if, if I made through the chair, you're not sure if this person's going to need one or two or three secretaries or if they're going to be using the mayor's four secretaries. And so that is, that's an issue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's my issue. Will this assistance be from the four, I believe, four new people that are in the mayor's office now? Will we need additional secretaries? Because if you continue to add and increase salaries and add positions, that is going to have an impact on the budget. So that's where I'm hoping we can get the full picture. And whether that's another committee of the whole meeting or written answers, I definitely want to see what's coming down the line.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think somebody would like to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call. I withdraw my motion to table to allow residents to speak on the matter. Good evening.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to withdraw my motion to table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield to Councilor Marks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to thank Councilor Caraviello for finding this Mass General Office 115, section 12. And I agree. I think any chance you can get to get the board shall consist of not more than five, not less than five or more than 15 residents of the city. So, I mean, we'd be lucky to get 15 veterans to help out Mr. Lindsey and advise him on, you know, maybe different ways that he should be.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I hope that the mayor looks into it, and obviously does an open public process to try to get interested veterans to help out and get involved. I think it's a great idea, and hopefully we can implement it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, president Dello Russo. I want to thank my colleagues for, um, the request, I think it goes along with requests we made a few months back when we did find out that the 311 system was going to be implemented. We just asked for updates on how it was going to work, how we were going to be able to view the system. So maybe we have not got that response. I'm trying to look exactly on the date we requested that, but maybe a quick 30-minute committee of the whole meeting with whether it be the mayor, whoever, whatever department head is going to run the system. so that we can ask questions, because if there is glitches or anything like that, we're going to get the calls from the residents. Who do we call? What's the number? How do we do it? How do we process it online? Where do we go to look to see what order it's in? So maybe if we could get a committee of the whole meeting to discuss, ask questions, and be able to understand what is being implemented. From what I understand, the go date is March 2000, which is only a month or two away, so I would like to know exactly how the program works myself so that I'm able to explain to residents who have questions with regards to how it works and what the process is. So that would be my request.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I didn't even from through the chair, I didn't even know of a training that went on. So I think we all kind of just need to be brought on the same page that anybody can call us and ask questions. And we know how to navigate the system ourselves. Um, if a resident can't or isn't computer savvy, we can say, I'll look into it. Let me, and then we'll be able to check whether it's the website or some somewhere on the, Internet to be able to figure out, you know, how to answer our constituents' questions. That would be helpful for us. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, want to thank Councilor Falco for bringing this forward. I don't have the budget background, but I know two years ago we requested goals and objectives. To go even further is great. I think that's something that should be reported every year by every department head. Goals, objectives, I like how you've furthered it with priorities, staff vacancies, accomplishments. I think that's necessary, and that's something that should have been done for a very long time, and I hope the administration makes that changes. One clarity, I just want to, you're looking for the template format. I just want to make sure that this also includes, you're asking each department head for those list of things, or is that how the template works?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm in full support of getting the template, and I'm in full support of requesting a list of goals, objectives, priorities, and accomplishments from each and every department head months before. I think that's a great idea, and I hope that's something that we can work as a council to almost mandate through the administration, because we are the ones that vote on the budget. So if we make it very clear that this is something that should be done, then I hope to see that done before June.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If we could just maybe amend, if Councilor Knight doesn't mind, to ask Park Medford, you know, what's being done to shut off meters, and is that a possibility? We did ask before, and I believe they said they were working on it, so the residents are right. Sunday, the leaders should not be accepting money. It's not under contract. So I agree wholeheartedly. So if we can maybe get an update on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I, Breanna Lungo-Koehn, do solemnly swear, do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully and impartially, that I will faithfully and impartially, discharge and perform, discharge and perform, all the duties, all the duties, coming upon me, coming upon me, as Vice President of the Medford City Council, as Vice President of the Medford City Council, according to the best of my ability, according to the best of my ability, in understanding, in understanding, agreeable to the rules and regulations, agreeable to the rules and regulations, of the Constitution, of the Constitution, the laws of this Commonwealth, the laws of this Commonwealth, in the ordinances of the city of Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I too just want to say thank you to my colleagues for electing me vice president of the council. I appreciate it. I look forward to working with Freddie and hopefully this whole council working with the administration to make Medford a better place like we all made promises to do. And I look forward to the upcoming year. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Before I just comment on it, I know that we have the Assistant Director here and a couple librarians, I believe. If we could get an update, I had emailed with Assistant Director Kerr today, and there are some updates in addition, I think, to what Councilor Caraviello brought forward. So, if you could maybe enlighten us and explain to the public, because even when I would email people back and say it's being worked on. I think that's kind of not enough. You know, people want to make sure there's not just patches that are going to be done, that we are going to, you know, improve the roof so it doesn't happen again. So, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I believe you had mentioned that 100 books were ruined. 100 books, yeah. 100 books were ruined.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If I may, whether the patching is enough for the winter, I don't feel like patchwork at the library in the long term is going to be beneficial for the library. So I really hope the administration decides what we're going to do with the arts and the library and the Chevalier. create a plan, and if we are—whether or not we're going to build on top of the library, which has been discussed, that we permanently fix the problem in the spring, if that's what the administration decides. But I think a new roof is probably needed, especially in that section, and that's what should be done. Since the library—I think 10 emails have come in with concerned parents and concerned people who frequent the library, that that's just something that, you know, should not happen, and it should be immediately fixed. Since then, I've also got complaints about roof leaking at the high school, the Volk. I'm probably sure Councilor Marks will discuss the gym leaking. There's barrels out in the gym. So I think maybe if our administration would be amenable, we should evaluate all of our city built, the roofs of every single city and school building, just to make sure. You know, the Columbus School, I was complaining about that roof. last year and it wasn't until residents and the council and probably the school committee complained about it, that that was fixed. It took too long. And I think that's the problem. So if we have money to do other things in the city, hire new positions and things like that, I think we should have money to maintain our roofs.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The worse your roofs get, the worse public property gets damaged, the worse the building inside is going to get. And it just creates a chain reaction. And this council has spoken up a number of times about a maintenance budget. We should have a maintenance budget in the city and school side. And roofs should be the top priority.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A statement?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was just going to ask if they got a statement. I know that was a question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Also, with that, if we can look into, as I drove by, looks like there's Jersey barriers from the auto school all the way down to the section into the square. So anybody that wants to frequent say, you know, Carol's restaurant or ERA Realty has to walk, you know, all the way around. If that could just be looked at to see if it's possible to maybe make a gap in one of the barriers, possible temporary crosswalk. I'm not sure if that's, you know, feasible, but if they can look into that possibility, um, there was a, section in the Island that was, you know, clear of, you know, shrubs so that people could cross the road in a safe manner. So if that could be looked into as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I don't know if it was a few weeks ago when we did have them before us answering questions. So they did say they're going to send every two or three weeks. Maybe I haven't received anything either.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We did. Maybe if you could forward it to the whole council, that would be good. Also, when they did give the email, I was notifying department heads within City Hall, make sure you email Dan from DOT to get on an email list. I think that tells you what you need to know. We need to have a department head, and it seems like the shuffle game is being played because there's really no specific department that controls DOT, but somebody within City Hall, whether that's OCD or building or, DPW, somebody needs to get involved with this situation so there is a contact within City Hall that can help the businesses, help the people that traverse our sidewalks, help what's going on down there. To put Jersey barriers and block off business is not helpful to the community. I mean, to close down a business seems really absurd to me and it's sad that you know, the council had to have DOT here and then notify department heads to, hey, why don't you email them so you can get updates. DOT should be, get people from City Hall involved, and if not, we need to do it ourselves. We need to have somebody in City Hall get involved and figure out what the concerns and questions are and get some, you know, resolve to our issues. It's unbelievable.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council President, I would just like to ask our city solicitor for an opinion, just because when you look it up, a motion of no confidence, I thought it had to be proposed by a member of the Medford City Council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So if we could just get a written opinion. I know I'm one that would like the public to be able to speak, but when it has to do with a no confidence vote, that's very serious. I believe we've only had that happen one other time in my 14 years. So I really would like to get an opinion from the solicitor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, it is.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Ms. Miller, do we have an expected total budget? You said the coming year. Is this going to be $250,000 a year?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it's going to come upon the recommendation of the committee from made up of business men and women. That is correct. Yes. Spend the money. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: just because it's almost a random $250,000 figure, if we could get an update, um, maybe at year's end every year of what the money's been spent on and how much has been used out of that two 50 versus how much is remaining just so we can have an idea of how to fund it each year. Um, I just feel like kind of don't know where the two 50 came from. So want to make sure that we budgeted correctly each year and are spending it, um, accordingly and the way it should be spent obviously.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'm sorry to keep everybody from their cake, but — and everybody did such a great job talking about Councilor Penter. But I have to say a few words. I want to thank you, Bob, for your many years of dedicated service. You've been servants since before I was born. I want to thank you for — With that being said, I guess I've learned from the best. You've taught me many, many lessons. You've taught me to stand up for what I believe in, because you always stand up for what you believe in. You've taught me to ask questions and do my homework. God knows, as it was said before, your library at home is quite large. You have kept the administration on their toes. You've asked questions that all of us, you know, want to ask. You ask questions that the taxpayers need us to ask, and you've taught me to do that, and I so greatly appreciate that. You've been a true role model. You've put politics and family first, which is something that I obviously family first, but you put the city of Medford before anything else, which is extremely important in the position that you have held for so long. I hope that one day I can be half of the Councilor that you are. When election night came out and it was past 8 o'clock, somebody brought a bottle of champagne to my house and I said, I can't drink it. I had this emotion of seriously just feeling like the council will almost be empty without you. I finally realized that you weren't gonna be here come January 1st and that's a big set of shoes to fill and we will do our best, I'm sure, but it will never be the same. You've taught me so much and I really appreciate all you've done for the city and I hope you stick around and I'm sure you'll keep your voice heard and be fighting for the people even during your retirement. So I do hope you enjoy your trips to Florida and have some fun with your grandchildren and your lovely wife. You will be missed, and just thank you for all your years of service.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DeLaRusso. I also want to congratulate you, Paul, and thank you for your many years of service to the citizens of the city. You've done a great job. I think one thing I admire is the responsiveness you had to the constituents. I think they'd call and like 30 seconds later, you'd be calling people back and something we can't even keep up with sometimes. So you've done great work. Enjoy your retirement with your family and your son. And I wish you the best.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I agree. I'd like to see where the savings was. Also, if I could amend Councilor Penta just to ask some information with regards to the mayor's discretionary funding. I think it's a fund, it's labeled mayor's discretionary funding of school projects. I know $95,000 was taken out of that fund two weeks ago and just looking to see what the remaining balance is with regards to that discretionary fund and possibly what else has been taken out of that fund in the last two years. So I just want to see what the remaining balance is. Because I know a number of things were voted on with regards to improvements in the schools. But within the last couple of weeks, since the council did speak out with regards to the new PR job that was implemented, I've received numerous calls and emails with regards to just lack of ink and printers, the state of the books at the high school, no raises for kindergarten aides, Teachers getting barely no money for school supplies, lack of art supplies, security, lack of security, custodial services, toilet paper at the high school, aids in the classroom, teachers not getting reimbursed for flood damage. There's just emails and people just want to stop and talk about the new position do keep coming in. So I would like to know what this discretionary funds for, how much is remaining in it, and Any information we can get on it would be very helpful. Mr. President.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know three that had damage.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One was six months ago, and one was a year, 14 months ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Rousseau. I, too, agree with my colleagues. It's been two years since TV3 was abolished. It's been probably five or six since the Judge Jackson report. It's also been over a year since the administration put together a three-person committee that gave recommendations on how to take, I believe it was, almost $200,000 and implement a new TV3 station. Over a year, we've been waiting over a year to get those recommendations looked at and implemented. And that's pretty sad, especially when you're collecting money off of the rate payers bill and it's just sitting there along with the $10 million in water retained earnings and $10 million in free cash. It's just another tax that we are charging the rate payers and it's just sitting there. Public access, we spoke out, this council spoke out hard very hard against the prior TV3 board and what was going on. And it finally, you know, things happened that should have happened. But now we've waited two years before any implementation, any use of that money to go towards a good cause. We're robbing our children, our teenagers, our anybody who wants to use public access. And we're just, we're robbing the people. It's unfortunate. And I hope that the new administration really is interested in this issue. I hope that a station is implemented in a centrally located area within this community that everybody can get to and everybody can use. Everybody pays for it. Anybody that's a Verizon or cable or Comcast subscriber is paying for this, and it's something that everybody should be able to use. Two years ago, this should have happened, not now. And at this point, we're going to be going at least two and a half years. new administration takes this very seriously, and we implement some of the recommendations that were put forth over a year ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are we under public hearing or can I? I just want to bring in 15795.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'd just like to bring in paper 15795 in coordination with the public hearing so that we can
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To merge it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Move it as an amendment. Um, once we discuss, you know, obviously we're going to all discuss that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield to the, um, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: then through the chair, if I may, President Dello Russo, Mr. O'Neill, if we can, while the other Councilors are viewing that, I did take a look at it myself. If you could just explain how it's broken down as a, it is hard to grasp all the numbers, but what we were looking for, and I think it must be in here, is the increase to, yeah, the dollar amount increase. I don't, I don't really see that. And if I could, just for the viewing public, I know Mr. O'Neill or myself or one councillor every year kind of explains the problem we have with the shift. I don't know, you always seem, probably will say it better than I do, but the issue I have as a councillor to shift to non-occupied is that this year there'll be over 16,000, 16. 1569, 1,569 homes that are valued at 580 or above that will also see the shift. They will also get increases in taxes that other homes will not get. So that's where the problem is always lied. That's the reason the way it's worded and the way the legislature worded it becomes an issue for, you know, how can we create a shift for 15 to 16 homes when we're not creating it for everybody? So that's where always I've had a problem. So at our last meeting, we did discuss it. We discussed it in the committee of the whole. Mr. O'Neill to break it down. The average home of 580,000 or more, what type of shift would that create for these homes, which is, you know, that's a good amount of homes. I think it was out of 12,000, there was almost 1,600 homes that are going to be affected if we ever approve the shift. So this breakdown, if you could just kind of clarify which each category, each column represents and the actual dollar figure for the increase, depending on the value of the 580 or above. That would be helpful for me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Just with regards to my motion that I have on the agenda, I think that the exemption is one way you can help reduce the levy, help reduce the tax rate for, you know, a certain portion of people in the city. But I think another way we can reduce the tax burden is through decreasing the levy. Now, the tax levy is going to go up, as proposed, $4.5 million from last year. But last year, we put $2.1 million from our budget into free cash. Do I have those numbers correct? Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From the documents I have, I believe I have those correct. So $2.1 million was put into free cash from our last year's budget. The way I see it is that the people were overtaxed $2.1 million. This has happened repeatedly year after year. 2014, almost $1 million was put into free cash. 2013, $1.88 million. 2012, almost $2.5 million. June of 2011, 1.735 million. So we are each and every year overtaxing and taxing to the max. I bring it up every year. You can tax the 2.5 percent, which are allowed by law, or you can — I've asked the mayor's office and the administration to not tax to the max, especially where we're putting so much into free cash. I do understand we need reserves, but to the point where you're putting over $2 million in free cash, I feel like it's stealing. So that's why I have the proposal on to reduce, just like I did last year, I think it was $900,000, because that was half of what we put in the year before. But I believe that we should, one of two things, either reduce the tax levy to reduce the burden on each and every taxpayer, each and every homeowner, not just 75% of them or 90% of them, although I understand that argument, I think we have to do something as a council. We only had three votes last year. We failed by one vote to reduce the tax levy. And I'm asking that we reduce the tax levy again this year. It only makes sense. And the two ways you can go with it, and the way I see it, is you reduce the tax levy because you're not using the $2.1 million you're putting into free cash, or you start using it effectively. Complaint after complaint, we don't staff our departments, any, almost any of our departments appropriately. Our DPW department, our police department. I was at the traffic commission meeting today and I complained, you know, head on that there is no, you know, enforcement is lacking. And I was told that they're understaffed. Well, we need to be able to say we're using our funds appropriately. Complaints after complaints come in, our roads are broken, our streets need repaving, our sidewalks are a mess, our teachers barely get a stipend to buy supplies for the students. There's definitely money out there because last night I understand that the school committee and I think Mr. Wilson and the mayor proposed a new position for 85,000 in the school for PR, I believe. I'm not quite sure, but there's money out there and we're obviously not spending it wisely. I think it's something that needs to be discussed, and I think, you know, city services need to be improved upon. We get street sweeping once a year, twice a year. We asked as a council for a leaf pickup, maybe an extra time. No, we don't have the money for it. Of course we do. The residents want another leaf pickup. We picked up leaves before the leaves even fell. You know, we need to get it together, and I hope in January we really do get it together. Enforcement is a whole other ballgame. because we lack enforcement in every area in this city. Accountability needs to be discussed. I really hope for some positive changes come January, and I think this is one thing the council can do to alleviate the tax burden. We have almost $10 million in free cash to date. We added over $2 million this past year to free cash overtaxing our residents. I think we need to alleviate that burden. Times are tough for a lot of people. The economy is better, but times are still tough. And this city is just getting richer on the backs of the people that are paying the property taxes. So that's my proposal to the council. I hope you really think about it, whether that number can be discussed or negotiated. But we do need to do something. I agree with Mr. Castagnetti. I agree with the residents who email me on a yearly, if not You know, I get weekly e-mails about people not being able, especially come January, about once the tax increase hits, we all get the e-mails. We all hear the sad stories about people having to move or senior citizens being forced out of their homes. We just heard one from the assessor tonight. It happens. I get the e-mails and they almost break your heart, but it's the truth. People are having a tough time. Not everybody is getting raises. Not everybody can keep up with the tax rate and the increase. Let's do something. to help alleviate that problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The chair recognizes the vice president.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can vote to request the mayor reduce the tax levy by a million dollars. We can send that message. Absolutely. We, we tried to do it last year and I, as one Councilor didn't vote for the budget this past June, so I would never have had the votes to decrease the budget by a million dollars at that point.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's another discussion for another day. In the last 10 years, every time I bring up this type of matter during budget deliberations, they tell me to do it in December, and then when you bring it up in December, they tell you to do it in June. So this is finally, as of last year, the best way I could figure out to relieve the burden for the taxpayer. We almost had the votes last year. So I'd like to try to move that again.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: DeParley. If you let me digest that and let the citizen speak. Mr. Kessler.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would request that my motion be voted on first. So if I have to table the public hearing, then so. could be taken as an amendment to the public hearing so that it could be voted on first?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's why. You can't really see him on his sheet. 96,504 to increase to $100,018,000. $100,854,000 would be the new levy limit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If you look at page nine, I mean, you're talking about a $2.4 million increase on property taxes. So I'm proposing almost half, not quite. And if you look at the figures and a single family average value at 424, is proposed to go up $130, increased from last year, a two-family, $329, three-family, $310, and each commercial industrial property, $312. So with regards to the single-family condos, two-families and three-families especially, you're going to see almost a 50% decrease with that $1 million. Oh, commercial went down. Sorry, down $312. Yes, because the burden on the property owners is only going up 2.4, because you have 1.9 in new growth. Almost 50%. They wouldn't go down. The increase would be reduced from what is being proposed. Our taxes are not going down with a million dollar decrease to the levy. That can be verified. Those are the numbers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Almost 50%. Did you say 50? No, I'm saying if the $1 million is taken out of the tax levy based on property value portion, then the proposed increase would go down by almost 50%. There's no reduction in taxes. The only way we can reduce taxes is if we take $4 million out of the budget. Yeah, this is still going to be an increase. We're increasing taxes, but the administration is proposing that we increase taxes by $2.4 million in total over what was proposed, what the tax levy was last year. moving to reduce that by a million, you'd almost reduce by 50, almost by 50%, probably by 40, I would say more like 40%. I mean, you're giving the taxpayer a break.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have one more question for the assessor, if you don't mind. Mr. Assessor, if we wanted to vote to not increase the levy to not increase property taxes for our residents, period, how would we take that vote tonight? On the minimum residential factor? Right, I mean, we'd have to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My motion is to reduce the levy. If I didn't want to increase, but whether or not that passes, if I didn't want to increase the levy, period, how do I vote?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Please, if we can move my motion first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Last week, we had an extensive conversation. We had a committee of the whole meeting, and then we had an extensive conversation on the floor, the council floor, with regards to the deficit in the water and sewer budgets and how the city was going to overcome that. good hour to two discussion with regards to a few different points. Within that discussion, we discussed the city buildings and the probably lack of update with regards to water conservation. So if we could get a report back from Alicia Hunt, our Director of Energy and Environment, with regards to what has the city done within the last five to 10 years with regards to conservation within our city buildings, and what is the plan moving forward? I think it's important that the, you know, obviously the rate payers are conserving. That was proven. But we also want to make sure we conserve on the city side as well. And I'm sure a number of updates need to be made. So I'd like to just have any information with regards to water conservation. And I'd also like to be updated if any grants are out there or if we've tried to apply for any grants to help conserve within our buildings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. On this issue, at that time, we also brought up the discussion with regards to kindergarten aides and their $0.07 an hour raise and trying to look into that as well. We know administrators were getting $0.07, $0.08, $0.09. plus $1,000 raises. So at our budget meetings in June, we did ask the superintendent to also look into kindergarten aides. The other issue was that some kindergarten aides weren't allowed to work the full day. Their hours were kept to, I believe, half a day. So if we could maybe get an update on that with regards to the increase in more than $0.07 per hour.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I have it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, and your amendment was that the- Superintendent report back on the pay raises for kindergarten aides.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: While we're discussing school issues, I just wanted to see if we could bring my motion under suspension up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. It came to my attention about seven o'clock last night from a few people who were kind of upset about a possible new position. I watched the school committee meeting for a while. From what I understand, and I can be corrected if I'm wrong, in executive session, there was a vote to take place for a new position worth $85,000 with regards to PR within the schools. This is something that was not on the agenda for the school committee. I believe it was something that was thrown in front of them at the last hour. I hear that it was sold pretty well, but at the same time, We're, you know, we're going to have to discuss this in June. The school department over ran by over a million last June. So it's, it is relevant to the, to the city council. It's relevant to our deliberations in June and what we'll have to vote on with regards to the city budget and the school budget. You know, people are upset. Um, it sounds like it's a backroom. The school committee heard them out and voted the way they did. But my concern is more with the administration and how it was brought on and how it was, you know, kind of not on the agenda. It was done in an executive session. It all seemed a little sketchy, seems a little sketchy. And people are, you know, there are people upset and people calling and putting this in my lap and asking me to, you know, ask the proper questions. And I think that's something we need to know about. It's very important. I've spoke up. A few months ago with regards to the five new positions that were implemented in the school system worth almost $100,000 each, that's half a million, and they were implemented within the last 18 months. I believe the superintendent verified that. That's money that we could be using to do other things within our schools or money that, do we need a PR person? I think that's something that the city council should have been apprised of and definitely, definitely where the administration was involved, we need to know more about. So if we could have the superintendent report back, what is the job description? What is the actual salary? You know, what will this person do? Who will they work under? Where will their office be located? And, you know, why is this position needed when we, you know, it's been discussed other things that we need, obviously, in the school. I mentioned it before. don't get much money for supplies. They pay for their own supplies. Raises at the lower levels are minimal, if not at all, for years. I just really would like some information on it, and as soon as possible before this position, whether or not they know who's going to go in there. I do hear rumors. But is this job going to go out to bid? Will this be publicized? Will anybody have a shot at it, or is this kind of a done deal?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think I'm good. I just wanted to point, I didn't mean to say deficit. The school department's budget was increased by over a million last year. Increased. It was not running a deficit, but I believe it was increased. Yes. 1.2? Yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I want to just echo the comments of my colleagues. a wonderful couple and they do so much for this community and statewide, so I just want to thank them for all their service. It's done from the heart. They don't do it for any other reason, but they're very good people.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. With regards to the moving of the MBTA bus stop, just so, through the council, we've met on this before, and the Commission for Persons with Disabilities is adamantly against the moving of that bus stop, so has anybody reached out to DiamaCloud or that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just because they're adamantly against it, I've received documentation within the last few weeks because we did have a meeting with the MBTA last week on something else, and she thought it was on this moving and this bus stop, and you know, we've gotten...
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So... Thank you. Yeah, if we could get those documents, that would be good. Now, the second issue, Councilor Penta touched on it with regards to the project being another three years in total. Is there a way that we can get updates to the business owners
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think that's a good recommendation. Some way that business owners who want to opt in to get an email once a week or even biweekly so they know what's coming in the next two weeks. I've gotten complaints with regards to restaurants in the area. two other businesses where the street was shut down for whatever it may have been, six, seven hours, and they were unaware it was gonna happen, you know, they lost, definitely lost business, lost customers. So we need to be able to, whether it's through the website or through emails to businesses that wanna opt into that service. And I, as one councilor, would like to get the updates, because we do get the complaints. I think that's extremely important. So if we could make that part of the recommendation to the contractor. That will be helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director. She was here today. She was here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Just so we can be sure, if Mr. Daley could come up. You had mentioned that we can, any business owner or city councilor or anybody in the public that wants to get updates on the Craddock Bridge can go on this list. How do we get them on that list or how do we? just send me the emails.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you have about four or five emails that are getting... Yeah, we need whatever database you have.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what's your email, if we could?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that will tell you if any roads are shutting down or any major work, what's coming up for the next weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to thank Ms. Miller for giving us the snow and ice amortization schedule, which was in our Friday packet. and I'm very pleased that we'll be paying off the entire debt from last year. It was a hefty one of 1.8 million. We're lucky to get 500,000 from FEMA, but I'm glad that the city, you know, we came up with the 1.3 million that we needed to. And so I approve this transfer and I think it's a good way to do business. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information. So Councilor Penser, just so I understand, you're looking to take the 1.4 that were actually in deficit and take it from the retained earnings, therefore not raising the rates of the water and sewer rate payers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Can you tell us how much is remaining in the retained earnings as of right now before the 700,000 is taken out. I know we went over the numbers last week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just because I, I mean, I agree with Councilor Penta, why, you know, almost double tax the rate payer. Um, I think this is definitely a good step that we're taking 700,000 out of the retained earnings to be able to, otherwise the rate, the rates would go up, um, double then I guess what they're proposed. What I would want to add is that the Water and Sewer Commission may have voted for this last week, but they were given the number 700,000. They didn't pick it. It was given to them by the administration. And I would just ask that the administration relook at this and possibly give more so that we can keep the rates stable rather than have an increase of, I believe it was a 5% increase once the 700,000 was applied. Yes, I believe that's correct. I just would like to, um, lower that increase for the, for the rate payer as well. So I, I see Councilor Penta's point. Um, I understand both sides, but, um, this still, even if we took the full amount, we'd still have 6.3 million left in water and sewer retain earnings. Plus we're going to be adding to it this year. So that's going to probably be back up to at least 7 million. Um, I think that's, that's the best step to take, but obviously that's something we have to question the administration on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President de la Rousseau. I asked that question, I believe, and that was my question. I believe he said we'd be at 25% to 30% once this $700,000 is taken. He said we'd still be at that level once $700,000 was taken. That was my specific question. I'm not sure if you could just clarify that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I agree to Senate's Committee of the Whole. Maybe we can get some documentation with regards to the bill from the contractor and how it's broken down. We did get correspondence, but maybe it can be just a little bit more detailed. Also, if we could just suggest that the free cash be looked into. We were told tonight that there is $9,623,000 in free cash, so I'm not sure why we're going out to bond for the $300,000 when we have obviously overtax the taxpayers enough. So if we can get that question answered or looked into before our Committee of the Whole meeting, that would be helpful. And that's just on this paper?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Russa. I know we had discussed this last week and there was no, you know, no detail to it. So just to let the viewing public know that the cost overruns are attributed to design errors of the city's outside engineering firm. which the City intends to recoup through litigation. An unmarked duck-bang conflict resulted in $87,000 of additional cost, while unanticipated rock that had to be removed cost another $171,000. This additional work resulted in additional police details totaling $72,000 and additional time spent on the project by a contracted construction supervisor of $20,000. Same question on this one with regards to the the recouping, number one, using free cash, number two, recouping through litigation. You did mention that last week as well. What stage in litigation are we at? Have we filed suit? Are we trying to negotiate that first?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what do we put in towards the outside firm as far as litigation costs? We haven't assessed that yet. And are we going after the full 350 or? Yes, we are. Anything additional to the 350 or that's it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call. I would just move that this be taken out of free cash.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm amending it to read that the money be taken out of free cash.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DelaRosa. I just want to mark my reasoning for voting no, because I believe this should be taken out of free cash, rather than go out to bond on such an issue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just saw it differently. I thought I would, I would see an impact to the budget, but I would think it would be minimal. Um,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's deferred, but that time that they're overseas, they don't have to pay for. So there is a period that the city will be losing a minimal impact amount of money.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I'm telling you, I read it differently. I read that they don't have to pay while they're overseas and it's just that portion is deferred. You don't have to pay period and then you start for the 180 days. So there will be an impact to the budget. It will just be very minimal. how many people, you know. Well, that's what we're going to find out. Yeah. I read that differently.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, president de la russo. Last year we asked for the preceding three years with regards to certified free cash. I believe we had the last five years. So I'm just looking for My main request has to do with certified free cash numbers that probably came in sometime this month for 2014, which is the number that we obviously didn't have last year. Because I know we were averaging, it was anywhere from 500,000 to a million and a half that we're putting into free cash from any given year's budget within the last five years. So I want to know, since tax discussions will be coming up in December, Next Tuesday, I believe, I'd like to have that number, if we could, what was certified free cash for the last three to five years. If I could just amend this, three to five years, so we can make an educated decision when it comes to our decision that we need to make before the end of the year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Rousseau. We had discussions about this. I brought this up last week. There was a warranty for all the work that was done. The million point three that went out to bond with regards to improvements at the fire stations and the fact that I've had trouble with it with regards to where the warranty is concerned. So if we could get an update and see what work has been done What work has been requested of the contractors or anybody who's done any work on the fire stations within the last year and how have they been improved upon or updated or made sure that the warranty is taken advantage of? Because I know we only had a one-year warranty on that. So if we could just get an update on what has been done under that warranty the last six months to a year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just think we need to, we have a new administration coming in January. We have two new city councilors who are coming on board. And I think we just need to set an example and make a strong recommendation or request of the administration going forward that we When a bond is before us, you know, we had over about $800,000 in bonds before us last week with barely minimal paperwork. Two of the three, we had absolutely nothing in front of us to review, digest, ask questions on. We're basically somebody, you know, thankfully Louise was here, Ms. Miller was here to discuss them. But we had nothing in writing. I was scrambling to take notes. I was scrambling to decide whether a $200,000, $300,000 expenditure was going to be a good one or a bad one. And it's something that you can't do on the spot. You can't even do it an hour or two beforehand. I personally would like at least seven days to digest and review. Time after time after time, we have the administration before us telling us how it's It's in dire need to be passed. It's urgent if we don't pass it. And we get the A, B, C, D, and E, and F of why, if we don't pass it, it's going to not be good for the city. And I just really want to move forward making educated decisions. I think all seven of us need to be able to have paperwork in front of us explaining whether it's $100,000 or $3 million, we need to have the paperwork in front of us to make an educated decision. And I think if the seven of us stick together and the new seven in January stick together and really make that, make our voices heard that that's the way, you know, business should operate. That's the way a city should operate. That's the way, you know, the respect we should get because we are the ones that respond to constituents. We are the ones that have to explain. and understand the vote we're taking, and I think it's very important that we get the paperwork beforehand. Even if it's the Friday before a Tuesday meeting, that's better than nothing. I mean, last week we had hundreds of thousands of dollars that they wanted us to vote on, and we did not have anything in front of us besides a one-liner saying, please approve of this $200,000 bond initiative. You know, that's on the backs of the taxpayers. That's on the backs — our children will be paying that money back. because some of these bonds go into, you know, 20 years from now, people will still be paying them back. We need to be able to get some documentation in support and be able to do our own research, be able to look into the numbers ourselves. You know, I, for one Councilor, keep at least two to three years' worth of budget books in my office at home. You know, I have to be able to digest something, not just talk about it and vote on it 10 minutes later. And the whole issue with, you know, just scrambling, the administration scrambling to get the fourth vote, I think it's a disservice to the taxpayer. And I just hope it stops, and I hope we send a message that we, it's a no-brainer. Just give us some documentation one week prior to a vote so we can call and ask questions if we need to, so we can get our questions ready for the Tuesday night, and we can make an educated decision. And I just want to, I'm trying to hammer it home because it's really important, and I'm starting to get very frustrated and I hope that, you know, our two new Councilors hear me loud and clear as well and just demand the respect and demand it for the taxpayer and the rate payers and the citizens of this community and our children who will be paying back these bonds. So, I just ask for approval. I ask for a roll call vote and I just think it's important.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I could, just through the chair. Please. I agree with Councilor Knight, too. I think we should talk about it in rules and make it a on paper change. Rule 20 can only take you so far. It can only get you that extra week. It doesn't guarantee you'll get documentation from anybody. It just tables it for one week, just like we tabled it last week, and we still have no information before us tonight on those $800,000 bond requests. So I would I would suggest that we do send that portion of the rules committee, but I also would like the council to vote on it. Just send a message that we'd like, um, just an explanation writing. And I would amend it to put a written detailed itemized explanation if we could just a written detailed itemized explanation. So thank you for that of such expenditure at least seven days prior to said vote. I agree with my colleagues and I hope we stick together and just, just for the, you know, so we can get some, um, facts in front of us before we discuss it with the department heads. I think that's important. And then just, I do too believe it should be online with regards to the taxpayers can see, you know, the same information we see. And with regards to the water rates, I didn't hear a 15% increase. So just make sure before we go throwing that online, definitely check those numbers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I too just want to discuss the street sweeping. And I think it goes into the big picture of this city with regards to lack of enforcement and lack of uniformity. I've gotten complaints that from residents on Greenleaf that said there was no ticketing and towing for the street sweeping, and therefore, their street was not properly cleaned. The trucks had to go around cars that were parked there. Then you go up Quincy and Capon, where they were tagging and towing. So they're tagging and towing on some streets some days, and they're completely not enforcing the violations on other streets other days. It's inconsistent. It's not uniform. The residents are left saying, what's going to happen on my street? Is it going to either be left unclean, or are they going to tag in tow? What's going to happen? I mean, we really just need some conformity within the city. I've said this before on street sweeping. I've said it before on a number of different issues. And we just cannot get it together with enforcement. And I hope the new administration really sits down and takes an approach like other cities do, like Somerville. enforcement. They enforce everything. Everybody knows it and rules aren't broken as much. And their streets, number one, swept many times during the year. But even if we do only sweep once or twice, let's do it right and let's make sure that people know, people are notified correctly and that it's uniform throughout the community so that people know when that sign goes up, they're not left guessing, oh, will I get tagged and towed, will I not? No, they will get their cars off the road so our streets can get swept, bottom line. And that goes for a number of different things that should be enforced, which is one of the reasons why we push for parking enforcement, because there was no enforcement. Now we're left, obviously, with a system that's not working entirely, and that's what we're left with. But I agree. We need some conformity, and whether that's us meeting with the DPW or us meeting with the new administration, let's get it done. In the new year, let's get it done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And try to call maybe the senior center. There's like four or five people that work there. They may have some answers on who to call
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruzo. I just want to second Councilor Pence's resolve. I think we do need to figure out where we're going to go with the TV access come new administration, especially the voters were disadvantaged. I agree with that wholeheartedly. Candidates were disadvantaged. We also have had such a failure to move forward, and it's a shame. I feel like we're stealing from the ratepayers. We have a portion of money that's being set aside from your cable bill, and it's not being used. It's just sitting there. We don't know how we're going to move forward, and it seems to be just a complete stall. This is something that has been on the council's agenda for a very long time, and we luckily were able to shut down TV3 a couple years ago, but it's just an absolute shame that we can't move forward on a TV station that the ratepayers are paying for.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And thank you, President Dello Russo. Last week, Council Marks and I, which was supported by the entire council, asked that the month of December be free parking month to help out the commerce within our city. And it wasn't supported by the administration in full, but I just want to announce and make sure that residents know that parking will be free of charge on Saturdays. during the holiday shopping period throughout Medford Square as well as Haines Square, West Medford Square, Hillside Square, and South Medford Square. So on Saturdays beginning November 28th and ending January 2nd, patrons visiting local businesses in these designated areas will be able to obtain goods and services without having to pay meters or kiosks. I'd also just like to ask that we do put signage on our kiosk that Saturday is free parking, or we make sure that the meters do not accept money so that everybody knows. I mean, it's going to be hard to get the word out to everybody, but Saturdays from November 28th to January 2nd, there will be free parking in Medford, in our squares. So I want to thank the administration for taking our recommendation. And moving it forward, even though it's not in its entirety, it's something. It's something for the customers and the businesses. So, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was just going to say, I was at the meeting at 530 and I too, there's a lack of communication and maybe we should hold off one week before the cease and desist because the communication is between the city council, city hall, DPW, OCD, and the business owners. The business owners really don't know what's going on. They don't know any given night there's going to be work done. They're going to be shut down, especially the restaurants in the area. So if we could get an update from the DPW director, does MassDOT actually meet with somebody from the DPW every other week to discuss what's going on? Because if so, that communication should be forwarded to the rest of the city and especially the business owners and the city council and obviously the administration. But I also wanted to get an update from OCD Director Lauren DiLorenzo, because she was not involved in the process a year, maybe two ago, when they were moving forward with it. So I'd like to know now, is she being updated? Does she know what's going on? Does she know any given night when they'll be doing work? Or is that, who knows, and why isn't it being communicated throughout the rest of the city, is my question. Because that is a problem. If I owned a business in Medford Square, and I knew a temporary bridge was going to be put up, and the street was going to be shut down, I would want some notice. And I would, you know, business owners deserve some notice. So I agree with what Councilor Penta is saying. I was there for the meeting. We listened to the business owners. So if we could just get those questions answered first, because is it the lack of communication within City Hall trickling down, or is there actually just a lack of communication from MassDOT? The city deserves explanation on an outline of what's going to take place week after week after week, since this is going to inconvenience us for another two to three years.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Greenline.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We can be cognizant of it any time we call a committee meeting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was just saying we can do it in stages. Next person that calls up subcommittee on safety, report all the papers out, plus have their meeting. Perfect. Committee of the whole meeting. Let's spend an extra half hour so we can go through those papers and then have our committee of the whole meeting just to take it in stages. Mr. Rules is going to, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're avoiding lunacy at all expenses.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, president Delaware. So if we could have a paper waiting for, our new mayor, just to ask the intentions of the Brooks Estates moving forward, some sort of master plan, obviously, in the scheme of the rest of the capital improvements we need to make, just so we know what to invest in, how to invest in it, and how we're going to move forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I, too, agree with Councilor Penta. I agree with Councilor Marks. But at the same time, we have somebody here who could educate us on the two loan orders that are before us. If we need to table it further to request more information, I will be happy to put that forward. But while she's here, I'd like to hear what has to be said.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Can you tell us where the $300,000 is owed to? Is it a certain contractor? Is it multiple contractors?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And through the chair, We have millions of dollars in free cash. Has that been thought of to use free cash rather than go out to bond on something that we've already bonded quite enough on?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Sorry. Thank you. President Dello Russo. Ms. Miller, this just led to another subject. Sorry about the communication, but who's responsible for reviewing the construction? I'm sorry. To make sure that everything was constructed correctly before you hand out the remaining $300,000 owed. Our architect, as well as the DPW
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: DPW commission is just going to go off of what's reported to him. I think my concern stems from the warranty that had to do with the fire station repairs and the lack of foresight and ability to go after the warranty with the city. So with regards to, is there a designated person that's going to go through that building inch by inch to make sure that everything was done correctly? So in a half year, year, two years, we know. that it was done properly and we're not going to have to expend any more money than what we have expended already.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So through the chair, if I could ask that each individual sub-department head within the DPW go through their section of that building to report to Commissioner Geer and the architect with their findings. My concern is that you know, nobody's actually reviewing the building. They're just, Oh, we have a leak. Let me report it. Do you know what I mean?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And with regards to the punch list, how many things are on the punch list to go through?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would suggest that not only do we have department heads go through that building, but we also have somebody from the building department to go through it in depth to create their own list to make sure that what we paid for was done correctly, so that, you know, this $300,000 is the last that we spend for a very long time. Obviously, my frustration is coming out. We have the issue with the fire department, you know, spent over a million dollars, and there was problems that, you know, we weren't going after through the warranty. I don't want to be here two years from now with more requests for a leaky roof when it should have been fixed before this $300,000 is given to the contractor. That's my concern.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we can make that a B paper. If I can make that a separate motion after the separate paper.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'm going to move eventually to table this paper as well. I truly feel that we need a written explanation, not only a cost breakdown of the $3 million, but at the very least, a cost breakdown of the overages of the $350,000. I appreciate Ms. Miller being here before us, but I feel like just throwing out police details, ledge, rock, removed, borings is not a good enough explanation. I would not be able to explain to the taxpayer why we're taking either $350,000 from free cash or going out to bond for $350,000. I don't think it's fair. I don't think it's fair to the council. And I thankfully got a quick call from the mayor today, but it's at the last hour. It's not a detailed explanation. It's just not enough. It's not enough. How much in police detail? How much additional ledge had to be removed? What pipe, what piping needed, how much piping needed to be relocated? When we, I get a call today and we, and they knew about the override, you know, the overages, I believe summer of 2014 or 2015. I mean, I didn't know, I don't even know. Whenever the project was under construction. Well, it started in 14. So we've known, you know, this is the, as of last week, it's the first time I've known of any $350,000. additional expense for the project. It's a lot of money, so that's $650,000 in overages for projects, two projects that were done within the last year and a half in this city. I really hope that there's more oversight to projects that are done in the future, and I hope that we can start getting written explanations to things. For us to be scrambling — you know, I wanted to hear what Ms. Miller had to say. I want to — I want the information. But for me to be scrambling, trying to find paper to take notes on so that I can explain to somebody who reaches out to me tomorrow, what did you vote on? And I say, some details, some ledge, some borings, pipes. It's just not enough. We — we are elected by the taxpayer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to thank Councilor Knight for bringing this forward. I just would make one amendment to give the Councilors time to review the ordinance and review the packet that we got. Possibly change the language to meet with the Chief of Police and City Solicitor to begin discussion and possibly draft and craft an ordinance banning. Just to give us, you know, rather than say we're 100% for it or against it in the resolve, I'd like, you know, time to, you know, to discuss it. review the actual ordinance. I think it's about four or five pages long, which we just got tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Quickly, thank you, President Dello Russo. I think it's a very good resolution. I also got a couple emails this week on it. It reminds me of Winthrop and George a couple years ago where we had a couple, I believe somebody was injured very badly at that intersection and we did traffic calming approaches. We installed a raised crosswalk very close by. So this is parallel to that and definitely a speedway that needs some attention.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruzo. I actually had coffee with one of the commissioners on Friday and I am going to set up a meeting in December. I'm hoping for mid-December because they've reviewed what the city of Lexington has done as far as a master plan for the five to ten years and she's meeting with the, I don't know if Susan Fairchild herself or the whole board is meeting with the city of Lynn Auditorium to see how they've, Lexington was the last five years and they want to see how Lynn's done it the last 10 and how they've become so successful. So one component to that is.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right. So they're looking into the booking agents, but they are going to be hopefully ready to, you know, present to the council and start the dialogue and see how the city can help. And hopefully when the new mayor comes on in January, we get insight with regards to big capital, um,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. So I do plan on calling a meeting on that. Hopefully mid December, if not mid January, once we get the new mayor's insight as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In order.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to second the resolve. We voted, I believe, for the entire project, where the speed bump monies were included. And that was over two years ago. So I, too, would like to know what's going on with the residents, especially in the Central Ave area, were on top of this project. The whole park was redone. There were curb cuts put in. Handicap accessibility was upgraded in the area, and this raised crosswalk was supposed to be put in place. I know the Winthrop Street raised crosswalk does slow traffic down, so these are very beneficial in our community, especially where we get so many complaints about the speeding. So I, too, would like an answer on, you know, when this is going to be implemented, and really hope that the money we approved to go into these crosswalks hasn't been either used up a different way or diverted in the wrong direction. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I too think it would be beneficial to get Ron Baker to come down. I also, with regards to the number of things that he's going to report to us with regard to this particular system, I'm also curious to find out what it entails for the city to man the system and monitor the system. So if we could just add that to have him come speak to us about, I would be interested in that. The 12,000 is something that, I had brought this up on the council floor a couple months ago, and at that time, I estimated about 20,000 for the Aqua Hawk system, so 12,000's an even better figure. Just wanted to ask, you know, how will we monitor this? Will we need another position in the water and sewer department? You know, how is that done, and how can we, I don't wanna just buy this system and it just be out there. We need somebody to monitor it and be able to call residents may have leaks and do something positive with it so that our residents don't get stuck with astronomical bills due to leaks that they didn't know about, whether they were on vacation or, you know, just could not hear the toilet running. We want to be able to use this to benefit our residents and not hear the awful stories that we hear with regards to $1,000 bills because of an unknown leak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We utilize that rule for all—I know we have four of these papers on for us before all four are possibly tabled. Can we get a detailed—because I have the same issue. I mean, we really aren't given any information of where this $300,000 is going to. Then we have one for $200,000, we have one for $350,000, and we—I think that might be it, but— There's only three.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Three, okay. We have the three, and there's really no explanation for any of them. So if you could give us a detailed report on all three.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just like to know more about the projects. I would like to know where this... Three quarters of a million dollars is going to, there's no detailed explanation. I'm just asking that it be put in writing to us so that we can make an educated decision.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, got the phone calls and a few emails from parents, and I think they were more concerned that they weren't notified about what went on than the actual incident. And I did speak to Diane Guarino, the principal at the school, and I communicated with Superintendent Belson afterwards. And some of the things, some of the changes they made are positive changes within the school, but it also raises concern, you know, with regards to being reactive rather than proactive. So one of my big I'm glad Council and I put this on the agenda because a resolve that I was going to do next week, I'll just bring it up now, is to make sure that the changes they made at the McGlynn School after this incident took place, that those changes are implemented at every single one of our elementary and middle schools and high school. We can't just make changes in the McGlynn School because it happened at the McGlynn. We have to make sure we make these changes. So I would request that the school committee look into And that all principals look into these changes made by the McGlynn Middle School and implement them throughout the system. We want to make sure every child, every teacher, every staff member is safe within every single school, not just, you know, the McGlynn. I know some of the changes, which I have an email where now all staff, subs, visitors must wear badges every day. So let's just make sure that is consistent throughout Medford. Kindergarten doors will be locked all day. K will return from recess through the main back door. Each teacher now has a key. In addition, the lunch monitors will be present at the entrance of the back door. Security guards will unlock the door for the visitors if the security guard is on break or away from the desk. The secretaries will buzz in visitors and they will sign in at the main office and be given a badge. And if a visitor enters the building and refuses to comply with the visitor protocol, an administrator will be called to assist. So I just really ask that the school committee look at these changes they're making, make sure they're made throughout the system, and really see if additional changes need to be made, whether that's security guards at every school or further changes need to be made beyond these five steps. We need to keep our children safe. And if a woman can get through the back door, through the lunch line, we have a problem that we need to make sure. We're lucky. It was unfortunate that money was stolen, but a child could be hurt. We have to make sure that that doesn't happen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's an amendment that the school committee look into making these changes throughout our entire school system.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could have the Building Commissioner just come up and explain which bills these were, just so we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Did the mayor say where we were getting the $2,000, what account it was coming from?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: take fiscal year 2016 money out of the maintenance account to pay for this 2000 from 2015? Yes, correct. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Everybody knows that this council has requested free 15-minute parking, free half-hour parking. I think free parking with enforcement And that really hasn't come to fruition. But a business owner reached out to the council recently and said, with the holiday season, the shopping season, people are busy getting their nails done, going to CVS, going to traverse our businesses, grab an ice cream. Why not give the people of Medford the ability to park for free? We can keep the enforcement aspect of it, somehow create a way that we can allow people to patronize our businesses for free during the December month. I think it's a great idea. It's not going as far as we want, which is the, you know, half hour, hour free parking to help, you know, the economy and business. But it is somewhere. It is good spirit for the holiday season, and I hope that's something the mayor will think about doing. I know that it can be done, and it can be worked in. You know, whether the city has to sacrifice a little income with regards to 15 minutes per quarter, then so be it. And I think it's a good resolve, and I hope my council colleagues can support that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the motion is to call the meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Sorry. Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, just want to concur with the sentiments. We were here two weeks ago to discuss the issue with regards to businesses, delivery trucks, parking on the sidewalks in the South Medford area. And the restaurants do need a place to be able to load and unload. But we do have an issue with the bus stops, and I think we definitely need to roundtable it with the MBTA and create make some changes to not only make it pedestrian safe, but also allow for businesses to have a loading zone. And I think moving that bus stop, we just need to figure out, in unison with all the businesses, the best place to move it to. I think that's something we definitely need to take a good hard look at. We thank you to the DPW who installed Bullards where the traffic commission voted to place them a while back. But those were recently placed. And still, I got a photo from a resident who cares about the safety in the community and in this area. And trucks, as of today, are still parking on the sidewalk. It's almost worse at this point, because the bullets are making the trucks completely take over the sidewalk. So if you're on Harvard Street, There is no pedestrian access on the sidewalk. And I, you know, we have senior citizens, we have strollers, we have the average person who, it's unsafe in this area. It's highly, it's a highly, highly trafficked area and we cannot have delivery trucks parked on our sidewalks for extended periods of time. It's unsafe for pedestrians. We need to figure out a way to accommodate pedestrian safety, number one, and number two, some loading zones for our businesses. So I hope that we can call a meeting with the MBTA. Um, next, next week is the election, but hopefully the week after, hopefully somebody is available so that we can sit down and make that change.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Briefly, thank you, President Dello Russo. I agree with possibly getting a traffic engineer to maybe look at the traffic in the area. But with regards to the public safety of pedestrians, I don't think that can wait. And I think this council's trying to also help the businesses. So I'm not really sure who the businesses are upset with. But it really doesn't matter. I mean, I personally know and see probably five different people that traverse Medford streets primarily by wheelchair. It's best if we have them on the sidewalk, and I think this is measures that need to be taken for the safety of pedestrians. So traffic study, I mean, could take months. I think we need some resolve now, and whether or not you do a traffic study, I think pedestrian safety needs to come first.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure where you've been the last half hour, but we've been discussing the sidewalk and trucks parking on the sidewalk on Harvard Street blocking the entire sidewalk for the last half hour. I think we've included that within our discussion, and it's the utmost important in my mind. Businesses come second.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think there was an article in the Medford Patch last week that stated, I think statistics are statistics, but the Patch article stated that Medford had one of the highest Top 10 highest death rates from opiate abuse. Top 25 in the state. Okay, top 10, top 25. Yeah, the article came out last week, so I think that's what we need to focus on. We need to focus on the facts, and we recently had a Medford resident pass away this past weekend, so it's happening. It's real. Statistics are statistics, but let's face the fact, and I thank Councilor Knight for bringing this forward. Anytime this is a topic of discussion, it's important to continue to bring awareness and continue to take measures statewide, citywide, nationwide to help stop this epidemic. And I think this is very important. I think the language of the actual bill is what people need to focus on. And the language states, no pharmacy or pharmacist shall issue, dispense, or distribute medications or prescriptions containing oxycontin. to any person under 17, and no practitioner, nurse, licensed practical nurse shall utilize, dispense, or prescribe a controlled substance in the Commonwealth to anybody under the age of 17. I think that's a no-brainer. This is one paper I didn't need to have two weeks ago to decide on. That is a no-brainer. These drugs are killing people. And this is a measure that probably should have been enacted years ago. And any measure that's going to prevent this epidemic and children from suffering from this epidemic, you know, I'm in full support of.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I guess I'd like to begin first, because I know we have Mr. Veneziano in the audience. And I just want to say what a great job the Chevalier and Chamber of Commerce put on last Wednesday for the mayoral debate. It was, in my opinion, historic. It went off without a hitch. It was fair. It was run so smoothly, and it went so well. So I just want to thank you for such a great night. in Medford's history. With that being said, everything that came out of the debate, I think, on both sides was very positive. But the one thing that I kind of, you know, was concerned about was the fact that the 311 system that this council has been pushing for for years now, three or four years, I know that I personally have had four or five resolutions on with regards to the 311 system being implemented, or something equivalent there, too. like Somerville has. Somerville has a three-in-one system. I did speak to the Somerville OCD board and the DPW department and got some information, and we spoke about it live on the council floor. And that's something that I believe should have been implemented with or right before the new DPW department opened their new facility. I think they go hand in hand, having the community be able to make a call, know that they're their issue or their concern is going to be put on a list and they're going to get a response with regards to when it's going to be fixed or how and how it's going to be fixed. I think that's very important. And what I found out from the debate was that the city signed a contract with regards to this type of system. I couldn't recall. I couldn't, you know, I was trying to take notes of the debate, whether it was C-clip or C-click, but that the city signed a contract months ago. I have to assume that that was before May. and that this is coming to our community. I just find it odd that the council has voted for this numerous times, seven to nothing for the last four years, and we have to hear about it and learn about it the night of a big debate. And we had, I guess, no respect to be able to let us know what the program entailed, how it's going to work, when it's going to be put into place, how it's going to be operated. I feel like if we could get an update from our I believe the best person to answer the question would be Louise Miller. She's the one that's been working with the council and really trying to update us as much as she can. But I think this is something that I'd like a memo with regards to what is going on. You know, we were promised a dog park come October 2015. There's no dog park. We have an account for it and still is no dog park. We're getting calls. people think they've been lied to, and then now we have something that the council's been pushing for for years being implemented that we don't even know about. We haven't had any, besides what we've said on the council floor, we haven't had any public meetings, we haven't had any input discussion with the administration, and I think that's important. I think we're the ones that get the calls and help people every day, whether it be a pothole, a curb cut, a, you know, trash wasn't picked up, We're the ones that are pushing for this 301 system or some sort of E-Click system, C-Click system for many, many years. I feel like we should have known about it. We should have got updates and been apprised of when it was being implemented and how it was being implemented. I guess there's no other ways I can say it, but I was just very disappointed. That was the one thing I was disappointed to hear about. Happy that the contract was signed, but disappointed that we had no real input besides what we've said behind the rail, just trying to push and fight for the program in general so that there can be accountability and transparency within city government, within the, you know, and I think it's going to help the Department of Public Works as well. It's going to help them, it's going to help let the council and the city realize how much they do do for the community and maybe we need to staff the DPW better. I think it's important and I really want to see it come to fruition. I really want to get updated with regards to this program and see when, and I also want to know, you know, when the contract was signed because we were never apprised.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Budget and personnel please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Because she is also serving as the... She's still the purchasing agent of the city. Purchasing agent. So she would definitely be the one to answer our questions with regards to if an RFP was signed or what type of contract was signed. It was announced last Wednesday as a surprise to me. So yes, if she could report back to the council, that would be very helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DeLaRusso. Point of clarification, you said that the tape of the debate went to City Hall?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I heard through the grapevine that it wasn't going to be played. Have you heard that? They're not going to play it because it wasn't educational?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I just want to agree with my council colleagues. With regards to a master plan, I think that's something that needs to be started immediately in January with the new administration and the new council. Hopefully being able to work together to discuss a master plan, capital improvement plan on one side and a master plan. And I believe the master plan does have to include Medford Square, Chevalier, and the library. I think it's time that we invest and really take pride in the two buildings we have and revamp our square and and actually get something done with regards to the three master plans of Medford Square that have already been paid for. With that being said, I would ask the Chevalier Commission if you could forward us your wish list. You did mention there's a wish list. If the council could see your wish list. And also, if there's any research that you've done with regards to Lynn or Lowell revenue that's brought in from the theater, money that's input and output, so the city council couldn't be apprised Before we sit down and meet on this, whether it be in committee meeting or, you know, with the new administration, hopefully in January, I think it would be good to see the numbers, to see what Lynn and Lowell are paying out and what they're bringing in, to review their mails tax, their hotels tax, and see what, you know, investment we're able to put into it. Obviously, the budget's going to need to be reworked if we want to put some, I think it should be, you know, a good amount of seed money and some capital improvements to the Chevalier. So that's something that needs to be round-tabled and discussed, and I definitely look for, you know, hope that I'll be able to help with that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'd like to get the wish list from the Cervalho Commission, as well as any research that the commission has done with regards to other theaters, input, output, revenues brought in, so that we can make an informed decision.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And also that we get an update with regards to whether or not the video is going to be played of the debate on Wednesday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. My questions were mainly answered, but with regards to the excavation and then the backfill, how long of a stretch will you be doing before you then go and repave the street? How much trench are we going to have open in the 3.2 miles in Medford at a time? That's kind of my question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And my second point, I agree with Councilor Knight with regards to a traffic light study and then my suggestion obviously was going to be a traffic impact study, but can you go into a little more detail with regards to the traffic impact study that will be done beforehand so that we make sure there's, you know, least disturbance to the already enough traffic that we already have. Because we're talking about some of the highly congested areas of Mystic Ave, Main Street, South Street, Winthrop Street. Those are some of the busiest streets. I mean, in the morning, Councilman Locke mentioned, you can't get through Medford Square to the high schools. is a mess, Mystic Ave leading into Somerville, McGrath Highway is always backed up, so it would be nice if... detailed studies were done to create as least impact as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. And then this council has discussed hiring a traffic engineer within our engineering department. So you'll be given recommendations, but will you also furnish the results of the studies to the engineering department? Yes. make that part of the committee report that any traffic studies that are done by this professional management firm, any results along with the recommendations be furnished to our engineering department for any future help that it could give past this project. I think that would be helpful because I do see something like that in the future.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I thank you very much for coming. I hope that we can maybe get another update in six months so that we can keep on top of the project. We're getting calls all the time when people start hearing about this street's getting dug up again. So I thank you for coming, and I appreciate the slideshow that you've provided us. It's helpful to stay on top of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Within the last 30 to 45 days, it seems like we've been getting a reverse 9-1-1 call. Once today, I think I received two. A lot of them are great community updates. Number one, I feel like some of them can be grouped together so you're not receiving so many. But my main concern is with regards to just discussing it throughout the city. People are starting to get a little aggravated. Some have told me that they have made the effort to block the phone calls. And some have mentioned that it's just getting so out of hand that they'd rather not get updates at all. I don't know if we can distinguish, maybe look into distinguishing between people who want to get the community updates and the emergency updates. And then also have a category where it's, you know, an emergency basis and people can opt in or opt out of each, you know, category. I know that I've, people are telling me they're just hanging up. They see the number and they just pick up and hang it up. And that creates a public safety issue. I mean, if we do have a true emergency, and somebody's picking up the phone and hanging up the phone because they're so aggravated, they're getting the calls every single day. What if we do have an emergency? What if, you know, something really is, you know, we need to get it out to the residents? So I think hopefully, you know, whoever's in control of it, the administration, obviously, Captain DiClemente, and the police department, if maybe we can delineate between the two categories, you know, community notices, You know, it's great to hear about the road race and things that are on the council agenda and events that are happening on the weekends. You know, I think, truly, I think I've received 15 in the last 14 days. So I would just like to see if maybe that could be a possibility. People can opt in to just get the emergency or opt in to get the emergency and the community updates for public safety purposes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. We got an update from the Dominic Kamara, chair of the Water and Sewer Commission, with regards to the questions we asked regarding Brooks Estates. And the commission has been recently told that the Brooks Estates does have a water meter. The meter is very old. The commission is not aware of any billing or abatements that may pertain to the Brooks Estate. The commission has also been told that the Brooks Estate does not have a sewer line. The billing department at City Hall would have pertinent information around this inquiry as it pertains to billing history or lack thereof. So that was some of the questions we asked. I just want to hopefully remind the president with regards to setting up a committee of the whole meeting with the Brooks Estate commission, city solicitor, Karen Rose, that we can discuss, you know, moving forward with regards to not having tenants in the property or just discuss some ways we can maintain the grounds without a live-in. So hopefully we can call that within the near future, you know, so we can prevent any future problems.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, and thank you to my colleagues for allowing this to move forward first, since there's a child that's in the audience, young, who needs to get to bed. We do have a couple people here today from this Yale Street neighborhood who have concerns. I think the council hears about the concerns going on in that area on almost a daily basis through email. And I know these three are of particular concern, and we'd be happy to hear you discuss, you know, what's been going on. I know there's a timeline. I know the city has approved a few things, but as far as moving forward, it's time that we need to discuss it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: appropriate places for us to hear the rest of the information she has for us. I think you are here because it already went to the Traffic Commission, got approved, whether that was in October of 2014 or January of 2015, and yet we have no resolve. I think it's the bollards and signage, what is the reasoning they're giving us? Obviously, it's... Nothing. Yeah, so I think we need just some answers from the Traffic Commission. It's an administrative matter.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think there is a business, there are businesses there, there are homes there, there are condos there. I think the main issue is enforcement, and I think the main issue is follow-through. When the Traffic Commission votes in favor of certain things, work order should be put in place, the signage should be made and put up, or the bollards should be ordered and put up. I think that's our problem here. Whether, you know, the businesses are the businesses and the condos are the condos, but I think Mainly, the concern is the enforcement, which seems to be the lack thereof, and the follow-through.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruzo. I look at it a little differently. I think we need to do both. I think we need to ask the administration, you know, why, if so, the Traffic Commission has voted in the affirmative for many of these things. What is the deal? We've discussed it. We've approved it. We've talked about it year after year. The Traffic Commission has approved it. I think we need to move forward and ask for a resolution immediately. Now, with regards to the additional public safety issues that have not been voted on, then yes, let's meet in committee, let's bring the parties together, and let's follow up and see what we can get done to make it even safer than it would be if these things have been implemented that have been voted on. So I think we should do both.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: An implementation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: and move for the implementation of everything that's been voted on in the affirmative to be, to be done immediately.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President de la Rousseau. The debate is obviously Thursday, and there's also people tonight. Mr. Vizina, I'm sorry, I just chopped your name. Mr. Veneziano, there's people at your store making signs to get out and vote. And they asked me, I said, oh, I think that's a great idea. I wish I could be there, but we have a council meeting. And they said just to publicize it, that make sure people get out and vote on November 3rd. And to also ask the city, you know, maybe we can ask through the clerk what the city is going to do to publicize the election. That's a complaint I got for the primary. People didn't even know that it was, you know, day to vote. We're going to obviously do the reverse 9-1-1, but is there any other, we're going to notify the papers, is it going to be in the paper? How are we going to publicize the election?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The Medford Community Coalition's working hard to get the people are to vote to, so I wanted to make that public.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just wanted to bring up an issue that we've talked about many times in the past with regards to the planes flying too low. I've received, I don't know if any other council has received complaints, but three or four complaints over the weekend in the Salem Street area. So I know we did ask the mayor if he appointed anybody to the board. I believe our one position that we have has been vacant. I know that a couple of councilors tried to reach out to the old board member. She no longer sits on the board. So if we could send that to the mayor's office again with regards to the planes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I think it's creating a disruption of the quiet enjoyment of the Salem Street neighborhood as of lately. I know it was Gaston Street for a while there. I know my neighborhood got hit. It wakes you up from a dead sleep. And to go to neighborhood to neighborhood, it's just unfortunate and something that we need to really look into, which would be much help to have somebody that we can talk to from the board. So hopefully the new mayor or the current mayor will appoint somebody so that we can get some headway on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Teller. So, um, city solicitor, what was the, was there any permits given to any non-residents this summer?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I only bring that up because I agree, you know, Councilor Caluso mentioned the issue with regards to raising the rates. So I bring that up because there were two things that, especially those that use rights pond, there were two things that kind of made people in an uproar over the summer. One was the way the rates were raised, not notifying anybody of the hearing when the rates were raised. And then also this issue with regards to next summer possibly allowing non-residents to use the pond and how it is a small beach so people want to keep it just Medford residents. So those are the two main issues and I just really hope that rates are not again raised next year. So it doesn't sound like the case considering no permits were you know, paid for by non-residents. I just think that needs to be brought up again because the way it happened, I didn't like the way it happened. We've, we all spoke against the way it happened and the amounts of fees are raised, but hopefully the rates will stay the same and not go up any further next year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just have a question with regards to, we know that the board, Brooks Estate's board, signed the lease with this couple, or actually at the time it was just the gentlemen. The city, we discussed in our meetings over the summer that the city really didn't know they were going to have to do that, yet we consider the Brooks estate's part of Medford. So going forward then, I guess, because if we do pay them to, I guess that would be the 24,000 probably living expenses for six months to a year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What are we going to do as a city to make sure that this doesn't happen again? Is there been any restrictions with regards to people, caretakers living on the property? Is there any restrictions to maybe just a daytime caretaker who comes a few hours a day, checks on the property? What is going to be done so that we don't run into this again in six months, a year, two years, five years down the road?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just from my point of view, I agree with this and want to vote to just take care of the situation because I know of what we'd have to do as a city with regards to the $350,000 to de-lead it, plus putting the couple up for the time it takes to de-lead. We'd have to pay for that. So I think this makes sense. Now my only concern is even with what you just said, you've had discussions with the board. You may be able to, and also they gave you their assurance. Now I would feel much more comfortable as a Councilor to maybe have a written agreement with the board. I think as the city who owns the property, we should 100% know what's going on and know who this is being rented to, who's signing leases with the Brooks Estate. They didn't allow that at the beginning. We had no idea when they were signing the lease. I think you mentioned that you were unaware of, you never read the lease. I feel like I would really like something in writing saying before any lease is signed, before any agreement is determined, but before you know, whether it's with the council or not, I think set guidelines need to be put in place and 100% agreed to with the board.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: and I would feel more comfortable if we, in no fault of your own, you were working to negotiate this agreement, I would feel more comfortable knowing that we set guidelines. I understand the board should have some discretion, but obviously their discretion has led to probably a possible $350,000 problem on the backs of the taxpayers. And even with a $24,000 vote, that still does not come easy. That's on the backs of the taxpayers who have to pay off a couple that were, you know, gentleman who moved in there under a lease signed by a lease that was never read by the city solicitor's office. No fault of your own. The board never brought it to your office. And that doesn't sit well. I don't know if it's, you know, I'm sure it doesn't sit well with the rest of the council. It just doesn't sit well with me. And I just want to make sure that this doesn't happen again. And I hope that we can come up. Maybe as a B paper, we sit down and have a meeting with your office within the next you know, few weeks and we discuss in the board and discuss how this is not going to happen again.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would make that a B paper so that we can round table a discussion with regards to what is the best for the Brooks estates. Um, we do have, you know, we do represent the taxpayers and this is taxpayers money that's being used. So I think the board has to understand that we want to make sure this doesn't happen again. So, um, if that can be done, I,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think we did hear from the board through Karen Rose, and that is what really concerns me because There's mold. There's lead. That is going to cost $350,000 to repair or remediate. Yet somebody from the board is now currently asking if they can put somebody in there to live. That's what concerns me, that we don't have control of the situation. That's why we need to bring them up. That's why, yeah. I think the board needs to, if they know of these issues and they still want to put somebody there to sleep there at night, there is a serious problem and we need to make sure we get a grip on this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to thank Roberta Cameron for being here. You have people in Medford from, you know, people talking about it, because we see you, we saw you everywhere this summer trying to collect signatures, and I, you know, I think that was a great endeavor. And just me as a Councilor kind of stayed out of the pro cons, but I would talk to people about it. And one of the main concerns was whether they were pro or for it, mostly the cons. They didn't have enough information on it, so I think it's good that you brought to light, you know, came in front of the council and discussed it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So if you could just outline each individual way that somebody could learn more. So you have the www.preservemedford.org and then what other types of media outlets have you reached out to or where else can somebody go to get the questions answered if they need them answered?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then with regards to the flyer, I think you gave us this flyer when you met with us in the Committee of the Whole meeting a few months ago. And this was a great tool for me to really, I mean, it's what you just spoke about and then some. So, I mean, if somebody wanted to get a flyer, are you handing them out anywhere?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I have no questions. I think a lot of the questions I had were answered in the committee, the whole meeting. Um, but I just want to make sure the public has enough information out there that they can read about it, understand what's, what's going to happen, whether or not it passes. And, um, if it does pass, that's the questions I've been hearing from people. So it's good that you're here and it's great that you have, we have some avenues to, get the information out. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I agree. If we could extend the leaf pick up we do remember we requested that last time and he may you know the gentleman makes a good point if the leaves don't fall in time and we have no more leaf pickups it's gonna be a mess of a winter so if we could either maybe extend one or two of those dates that would be helpful and the second point is we we did discuss the crime in the Salem Street area last week and we moved that we have a subcommittee meeting with the chief of police to discuss that so maybe we should add have been bringing on maybe a detective or two to meet with us at that subcommittee of the whole and discuss these other issues that, you know, need to be discussed within that meeting. I think that would be helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think I hear what both Councilors are saying. I see Councilor Knight's concern, but I also feel like we'd be sending the question to the this working group without actually saying what we wanted them to look into. Is it to regulate them? Is it to limit them? Or is it not? Maybe the best answer is for us to get together and discuss first what we want this group of people to actually look into and what result we want to come from such a meeting. I feel like we're just kind of leaving this kind of open-ended with regards to what we want them to do. Because I see both points. limit it, can you slow it down? Maybe. Can you regulate it? I don't feel like we're giving a good enough or clear enough picture of what we want the building inspector and solicitor and OCD department to do. So that's just my concern with passing this. I feel like it would be left kind of up in the air of exactly the problems we want solved and how we want to get to that. Because we would be the... Right. I think we need to send it to a subcommittee first and then once we get guidelines or figure out what the actual problems are, then we can say, what can we do?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree with you. So maybe what we need to do is just amend this, take out craft an ordinance, and put in create a guideline of what problems they're seeing. So then we can then craft an ordinance with the city solicitor. We wouldn't want them to craft an ordinance and not really know what the problem, besides these couple that we're mentioning. I think we need to be a lot more clear. I don't want them to draft an ordinance when I'm really not even sure of exactly what we're asking them to do. They come back with an ordinance that says we're not going to allow condo conversions for a year. Well, that's going to make some people who want to create condo conversions a little upset. Let's figure out what the problems are, rather than asking them to actually draft an ordinance. Let's figure out what we want them to put in the ordinance. And that, for us, would come from finding out what the problems are.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't hear, where are they going to drink in the parking lot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In the parking lot. In the parking lot. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Sorry to interrupt. I just know that we are a lot different than Boston with regards to regulations, and our liquor laws are much stricter than theirs. I don't think some of the things that happen in Boston could ever happen in Medford, as the laws are written right now. Could I recite them to you? No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President de la Rousseau. I just want to go off of what Councilor Mark said, because I, too, am in the same boat. You know, I try to put yourself in the shoes of an abutter what's going to be a sports bar slash upscale restaurant is, sorry, I didn't know you were waiting to talk, upscale restaurant from what I saw today when I went to go visit the establishment. I mean, it's beautiful inside. And the bar is located, which I was told to decide that is, you know, the sushi bar is closest to the restaurant, closest to the neighborhood where the sports bar, bar area is closer to, you know, Mr. Throt's, business. The main concern, after listening to everybody speak tonight, I think the main issue is with regards to noise and primarily when the establishment closes. So what I would ask, you know, if we are going to table this to allow the residents and the business owners to speak together, I think that's the main issue that needs to be resolved. You know, what is the business going to do? This does let out, you know, somewhat on Salem Street, but very close to a residential neighborhood. So, you know, what can be done, what compromise can be made to make sure that when the business does close, whether that's 11, 12, or 1, how can we make sure that the peace and enjoyment and the quiet enjoyment of the residents is left intact? I agree with what the gentleman said. This council, I believe it's been a few years, but we did meet with the chief of police. I specifically asked—we know about the problems in the area, and we were reassured that detectives are on it. We were reassured. Now, I think that's a stretch with regards to an upscale establishment. I think that needs to be put second with regards to this license and with regards to noise. I called in a drug deal today that happened on Richard and Doonan. My kids and I watched a drug bust in front of my home back in 2014. It's everywhere. It's everywhere. And I can't base my decision on this one license because of what is going on in the area. That needs to be fixed. And I think, if I could amend this, that we meet with the chief of police and do get updated. I mean, we were reassured that they're doing the best they can. We know there's problems in the old Johnny's, when it was Johnny's parking lot. I don't know. We haven't got an update since it was changed over to stop and shop, and I think that is time. But I think that the noise factor needs to be addressed, and I'm a business owner myself. I know the profit that's going to come from those hours, but it has to be, it has to, there needs to be an agreement between the neighbors and the restaurant on what can be done to alleviate that. And I agree. I think there should be not only a 60-day review, but then a six-month review and a 12-month review. And my last point, I guess, or question to the, especially the three vocal neighbors is, this license was given, you know, this establishment opened in July. Have there been any concerns the 10, 11 o'clock hour for the last two months? And have the police been called? Or has there been any, you know, rowdiness? Because if there isn't, then maybe we can give them a chance and see. whether that's less of an hour than they want or there are some other compromises, you know, I would just, that would be my question to the neighbors as well. What has transpired in the last two months at that 11 o'clock hour? I know that, you know, there's been a couple of times they've been in there till 1130, people have been in there till 1130, but what has the noise factor been like? Because that is my, would be my main concern as a resident with regards to this license. And that's my main concern as, you know, as a councillor who's trying to do the right thing for all parties, but obviously going to disappoint some people tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think I'll hold my amendments. Right now, if the neighbors and the business owners would like to speak, like Councilor Marks suggested, I'll hold my amendments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: One amendment would be to meet with the chief of police. This is a side paper. To meet with the chief of police in a committee of the whole within the next, you know, three to four or five meetings beforehand so that we can discuss that area and the problems that we discussed probably two years ago now, and what's transpiring, what is the department doing, and what has been done to alleviate some of the problems.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Just with regards to the doors in the back, will those be closed during the karaoke and late night hours for the noise level?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, wonderful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Not the parking lot?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just that we also meet with the chief of police to discuss, you know, crime in general, but get an update with regards to the.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Dello Russo, I put this on the agenda and it's probably actually long overdue. I know that we've had people at the podium who've come up, who've had leaks in their homes, who've been upset and had to displace a large amount of money when a leak probably could have been prevented or they could have been notified of such a leak. We field complaints all the time with regards to the water and sewer. rates and also, you know, people that have leaks. And recently I've got a couple complaints and it's unfortunate, but it's a city's policy that the Water and Sewer Commission cannot abate for leaks. I spoke to somebody on the Water and Sewer Commission and he blankly stated that at times it breaks his heart when he has a family or, you know, people who come in and cannot afford, they didn't know about the leak. They get a $1,000 bill because of a leak, and they can't afford it. Now, we as a council years ago voted for the new meters, which we believed at the time would have a leak detection system. And if somebody was running a leak or ran a leak and had gone on vacation, they'd be notified. Somehow, we contacted and told that they have a leak. We don't currently have that in place. I know the Water and Sewer Commission has discussed it. with regards to residential homes, and there is something called the Aquahawk system, which can be used and it's placed on individual water meters within the community. I think for the price, it's less than $25,000 to install throughout our whole community, but that would save our individual rate payers that happen to have a leak here and there a large, large amount of money. the pain that they go through, that some individual family would go through or is going through now, a great amount of money. I actually, the commissioner, engineer from a surrounding community, I won't say it specifically, but the city engineer from a surrounding community, actually, this happened to her recently, and she's very educated on the subject, and it really got my mind You know, she really enlightened me to a number of things and that got me talking to Dominic Camara and the Water and Sewer Commission and this is something that needs to be really looked into and implemented within the city of Medford. This is actually for individual residences. Now, the larger system, it would obviously be more money, so we definitely need to sit down and have a committee meeting on it, be educated by the Water and Sewer Commission from what they know of it, the city engineer's office. It would alleviate the problem with regards to the leaks we have in the miles of pipes we have throughout our city. I know it's not a sexy issue, but We had a leak a couple years ago, and one of those water lines was leaking a million gallons a day until we caught it. The MWRA had detection systems that were able to catch that. But if the city had something in place, we'd be able to catch these leaks within our own infrastructure much faster than we can catch them now, saving the taxpayer and the ratepayer a tremendous amount of money down the line. I think it's an important issue, and I think especially the residential portion of it is important, and it's something that should be implemented as soon as possible. I'm not sure if the administration is in discussions with it, but I know the Water and Sewer Commission is, and I hope to send a paper and make it clear to our new mayor in January that this is something that needs to be implemented to alleviate repay his concerns and anybody who suffers from anything that so happens to be a leak within their home. It's definitely some of the stories I've been hearing and stories we've heard over the years through complaints and concerns, they are, they're heartbreaking. And if somebody's used to a $200 a quarter and they get a bill for 1,000 plus or 700 or some of the stories, 800 that I've been hearing, And that could be resolved with the simple Aquahawk system. I think it's something we need to implement.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Citywide.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to further amend it, if we're going to ask for a meeting with the Water and Sewer Commission, is that we also invite the city engineer who may have some input as to this. Absolutely. And to answer Councilor Knight's questions, the Aquahawk is recommended by the Water and Sewer Commission. But we can research and see if there's any systems out there. It's just they've already done some major research and know what they want. said this would cost less than $25,000. So I think we just need to move forward and start our discussion with regards to the full infrastructure detection system. But with regards to the residences, I can't bear to have another resident call me with regards to asking me to help them with an abatement when I know they will never get an abatement. And it's a really sad situation. I don't want it to happen to another family. So if we can move on that portion, more quickly. And I agree, we should be taking the money out of the Water and Sewer Enterprise account. That's what the money's there for. There are millions of dollars in that account. So I believe less than $25,000 would go a huge way to alleviating the problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I know there's a number of things going on in the community every Saturday, every Sunday, but this is one that's been going on for many years. It's the Granada Scary Walk Run. It starts at 10 o'clock. It's at the American Legion. It goes to a great cause, and hopefully they always draw a great crowd, but hopefully they draw an excellent crowd on Saturday. It's supposed to be a beautiful day. So I wanted to specifically announce this. and hope that there's a great deal of attendance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I've got three or four complaints with regards to the time Republic Parking is taking to respond to a request for appeal. And the last gentleman that I had spoken to, I've been dealing with him back and forth, and he finally let me know that on the 89th day, he got a response that his parking appeal was being denied. That's, there must be some sort of writing that they have to respond within three months, yet they, I believe they told the city they'd be responding much faster than that. So I just, it leaves people wondering, second guessing, calling, I'm sure calling Republic Parking over and over again to ask, you know, what's going on with their appeal. I have another one that was from July 20th. This woman is appealing and she still has not got a response. So that's two months. I know this is, when one other person called Republic Parking, they said the person who deals with appeals is the one that's actually doing the ticketing, so maybe they don't have enough time to do these appeals. So I just feel that Republic Parking is not, the lack of response is really not a great way to do business. Obviously, we have issues with the parking program, as it stands with regards to everything, but this is just one additional thing that has caught my attention within the last few weeks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. The gentleman who said he got his response within 89 days said he called the office and they told him maybe the delay is the fact that the person giving the Handing out the tickets is the one that's supposed to handle the appeals. I think with regards to this response time, I know it's still in City Hall with regards to Diane McLeod as the actual hearing officer. But to even get a response, this woman from July 20th hasn't even got an answer. She appealed it on the 25th of July, nothing. She's got nothing in the mail, nothing, no phone call, nobody telling her when her hearing will be, when she should appear at City Hall, nothing. And this other gentleman got it on day 89, one day short of three months. So I'm assuming it's 89 days. I think that's unreasonable. I think it's ridiculous. I think it's just obviously the parking program is leaving a bad taste in people's mouths. But everything you hear, it's just making it worse and worse. So I would just ask that Republic Parking, whether they need to hire somebody else or revamp their system of the way they're dealing with things, this is one of the many issues that needs to be addressed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. President.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to answer, I think they're looking for us for a response. And I think, just want to let you know, we've taken some serious votes with regards to the parking. It's gone to, like Councilor Knight said, to the traffic commission. And we're trying to get the mayor to listen to us with regards to, we've talked about eliminating it. serious changes that need to be made. I know the traffic commission has made some changes, but we've requested 30 minutes free parking. We've asked them to discuss an hour of free parking. We've asked them to eliminate the meters. We're just waiting for a response. Hopefully come January 1st, there's either some major tweaking or another system is put in place to create the turnover but not create this situation that we're in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Teller, so the two that have been denied, the A and the D, are both on that? Correct. OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And give us, what is that about? What is that facing now that's facing?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification for the petitioner, we can limit the hours that it's lit, and I see Councilors point, just because you're going to be facing apartments. So have you, have you, you know, any research on that? We'll go in somebody's bedroom.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll just put a six-month review on the lighting.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, am very happy that the Marriott's coming to Medford. I think it's going to be a great addition to the community. I also have been on the council for 14 years, and I know that if there's people that aren't able to sleep due to the level of illumination or the time of illumination, we've heard from a number of residents who have had to come forward and voice their concerns and displeasure of it. So I believe this is a great way to reintroduce the topic if need be in six months, whether that's just the level of illumination or you know, the hours of illumination. It very well may be that nobody complains. This is all well and good. It never comes before the council again. And I assume that that is the way it's going to be. But if there's a problem, this is the only way the council can possibly even alleviate it within six months.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DeLaRusso. What's your opening date?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: November.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, great. Good luck.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you could remind us of the streets that I remember you there was
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield if you wanna, if anybody from the Garden Club wants to come up and answer that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks, sorry. I had a question, City Solicitor Rumley, on section 2-556, the annual report. and how it coordinates with the revolving account, which is number five in the revolving account. So the director of office and energy and environment has to report, has to disclose all deposits expenditures from the revolving account. That section doesn't say to who, where the section in the ordinance 2-556 says that the garden club has to report to the mayor and the Medford City Council. I think it would be probably helpful to change it to 2-556 to report to the Mayor, to the City Council, and to the Office of Energy and Environment, and then have the Office of Energy and Environment have to report to the Mayor and the City Council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think so. I mean, I think when we meet in our budget hearings in June, when we talk about the next fiscal fiscal year's budget, we, you know, we go over each commission's line item budget. So it'll be good to have the annual report, the report from the office of energy and environment before us.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But if we could put the language in with the revolving count that the mayor, that the Office of Energy and Environment report, just like it's... That's absolutely fine. ...report to the mayor and to the Medford City Council by the end of the fiscal year. then it's more fluid and we know we're going to get a report from both the club and the Office of Energy and Environment. We know we're going to get the breakdown of fees and donations, expenditures. We know we're going to get both reports. I'd be happy to-. I think your suggestions are very helpful. So I'd make that part of the committee report.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then my last point, Councilor Penta touched on it, but I too, I know five appointments from the mayor's office. I too feel that, you know, most of our commissions are, the majority does come from the mayor's office, but the council does have appointments. You always have, Just like with the housing authority, we have a member of somebody who's actually living in the housing authority as a member. So I would recommend that somebody from the actual, you know, garden club definitely, you know, it'd be mandated that they be a member as well.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: How do you want to amend it? One member for a three year term be, um, be a city council appointment. Oh, we can do two. So one member of the city council would have the two year term.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree with that. Yeah, one person from two-member term.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, and then one member from the club be able to appoint a member for a three-year term. And then the mayor has the last three.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No. No, three years, two years, one year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From the outset, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to sever the amendments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, it had to do with the fiscal year report to- That was offered by- Yeah, that the annual report include the language, mayor, Office of Environment and Energy, and to the Medford City Council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right, at the end of the fiscal year, with that language we put in there, so we know when.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Striking December? No, sorry, no, we're not changing the time frame. Just adding that it be presented to the Office of Energy and Environment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Just what we spoke about earlier, number five, that we just add. to the end to the mayor and the city council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll be brief. Thank you. Um, present Delaware. So thank you for waiting. Thank you for, you know, fighting for a good cause. If you could just announce when in September the Walker beat will be in where it is September 26 at, um,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's OK. Good. And the time is 10 AM?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to thank Pat Brady for coming up. I think it was probably about three months ago that this issue came up before the council. I remember, you know, all the councils had concerns in issues with the parking program, but I remember this specifically came up and Council Pender and I brought up the issue because probably we spoke to you with regards to not having enough business permit parking spots. And I think that, like you said, you gave a resolve for it. I think there's a number of different things that could be done, but the bottom line is we need more business permit spots. I don't know if it was Park Medford who was here, but Park Medford, I think, declared that there was enough business permits parking spots. I don't know if they're including the Condon Shell or, you know, where the discrepancy is. But obviously, if you have a handful of tickets, probably 30, 40 tickets, I'm assuming. At least.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Then obviously, there is an issue. And for somebody like you, a professional who's in and out of court, you need to get a spot probably four or five times a day, sometimes upwards of. I think we need to resolve the issue by putting in more permit parking spots on top of the 10, 20 resolves that we've put forward. This council did, I believe, vote to resolve that issue. I mean, it just has gone nowhere. I know we have the chief of police in the audience.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would move that the parking commission, in conjunction with Park Medford, work on a resolve to creating more declared parking spots for business owners. Whether that's in different locations, it doesn't have to be in front of the business. It could be, but it doesn't have to be in front of the business, whether that's up Governor's Ave. We need more business parking spots because this should not be happening. If you're paying a fee, a yearly fee that's declared by the city, this should not be happening. And it's unfortunate for a business owner who's doing the right thing, following the rules to get tagged week after week. with 40, 50 parking tickets. I don't think it's right, and I think we need to fix that before January 1st. Yes, I hope there is, I think there will be resolved January, but we need to do that sooner than later, as we spoke about three months ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just don't think it's fair. The person before the podium just making a suggestion. I think it's up to park Medford. I think it's up to the traffic commission to figure out what percentage of the lot is business parking. Should we have more, you know, a larger percent of the lot business parking? And Governor Zav, I mean, there are probably 10 other different ideas that can be thrown around, but the bottom line is whether it's probably not in front of the businesses, but there needs to be more spots designated as business parking. This is an issue. Our business owners need to be able to park somewhere so that they can get to and from their offices, even if it is a five-minute walk. They need to be able to get to their offices without being ticketed after they bought a business permit, spent their money, did the right thing, followed the rules and regs, and can't park anywhere without getting a ticket. We need to find a resolve. to that issue and many, many others with the parking program.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Actually, is he finished so I can have the floor? I have a question for the doctor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Counsel. Because I understand what you're saying. My question to you, then, because I understand the grant came from the previous year's assessments. Now, we were explained in the Committee of the Whole meeting that each community has a certain amount of money they can get from a grant through the MWRA. My question to you, then, is why would we not take it take advantage of that. I can see paying it back sooner than the five years, but why would we not take advantage of the 45 percent?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So if we're always going to be adding to it, why wouldn't we want to take advantage of the grants from now into the future? Because it's just going to toll. I think we were explained, and I don't know if Ms. Miller can explain it a little further or back me up, because that's where my confusion is. I understand what you're saying. We paid for that over the years where it's tallied up, and now we can, you know, request the grant of, you know, it's going to be about a million dollars. But why wouldn't we take advantage of that? Why just let it toll up when we have projects that need to be done, and now we can take advantage of the, not free, but we can take advantage of the 45% grant? Not free.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Motion for approval by Councilor Marks. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call has been requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Six in the affirmative, one absent. The paper passes. Offered by Councilor Knight, be it resolved that the Medford City Council congratulates Firefighter John Friedman on his recent appointment to the rank of deputy chief. Faye Faye to William Young on his recent appointment to the rank of captain. Faye Faye to Vincent Marcelino on his recent appointment to the rank of lieutenant. Faye Faye to Stephen Oliveri on his recent appointment to the rank of lieutenant. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. Motion for approval by Councilor Knight. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. We wish them good luck. Offered by Councilor Knight, be it resolved the Medford City Council extend its deep and sincere condolences to the family of Charles Barry on his recent passing. While we're taking condolences, paper 15-614 offered by Councilor Penta, be it resolved that an expression of sympathy be extended to the family of James Harris on his recent passing. Jim was a wonderful family man, an avid outdoors man, and a dedicated fire captain for the Massachusetts Port Authority. Also offered by Councilor Caraviello be it resolved that the Medford City Council send its condolences to the family of David Rose, father of Karen Rose, our Board of Health Director. David was a veteran of the Korean War. He will be missed by his family and friends. If we could all please rise for a moment of silence. Offered by 15615, offered by Councilor Camuso, be it resolved that the Medford City Council send its congratulations to former Medford First Lady Joyce Pompeo on her first flight. Joyce recently completed another item on our bucket list, flying an airplane at age 81. Councilor Camuso. Motion for approval by Councilor Camuso. All those in favor? All those opposed? Papers, passes. Is that it? Oh, 15-623, offered by Councilor Penta, be it resolved that the putting of parking kiosks in our municipal lots be discussed. Councilor Penta. Do we already do that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just repeat that one more time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Park Medford opens on Saturdays as a regular business day. Yes. The office on Main Street.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval. All those in favor? Roll call. Roll calls are requested. If I may, from the chair, you also want parking meters in which municipal lots?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, referred.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion for approval, roll call vote has been requested by Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President De La Ruzo, what are we looking at for renovation time and grand opening?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Get the permits.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what are the hours of operation? You're going to be looking for extra hours.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. A question on that, Cassandra. You mentioned, did you mention the area on project number two?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So about how much was the distance in pipes that will be able to be replaced?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, through the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. So I guess for Ms. Miller, can we take the one point $1 million out of our surplus to cover the city's portion on this project rather than go out to bond on it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My last question is, I guess, from what I'm understanding, because I have the same kind of concern with regards to what we were given on Friday. It's just a request for the 2.1 million, and I'm struggling to take notes on the five different projects that's that the $2 million is going to go towards, it would have been nice to have had something in writing describing the projects.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I never got it. I don't think they have that. I didn't get an application. That's just a large amount of money to vote on with no information before me. I don't know if my colleague... No. Did you get anything?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To say that, you know, we don't need to take notes, I just think that's a disservice to us and the taxpayer. When I get a call tomorrow asking me from a concerned resident what I just voted on, and I have to say, oh, you know, my notes from last night, I mean, I should have been able to read something and be prepared to take a $2 million vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, no, I don't have any document to describe the $2 million. That's why I don't necessarily want to table this right now. I want to hear more, but I guess I'm just frustrated having to make a vote. Now, obviously, we need the three readings, and you have this application, and it's a good 0% interest. It's a grant, so it's just a lot to take in. at this moment. If you could just continue then so we can better understand the five projects.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. On that issue, what are we looking at for the shortfall?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So approximately, you're estimating about $684,000 shortfall for 2014? Fiscal 15. Fiscal. That's right. Fiscal. Yeah. Now, with regards to the projects that, I think we're on We've been explained 1, 2, and part of 3. We have 4, 5 to go. Now, the application from September that was just handed out to us, is there anything in writing that would further describe these five projects? Which streets are going to be re-piped? Which manholes are going to be worked on? I hear the Fulton Heights, but where actually these repairs are going to go?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With regards to the consultant you had mentioned that goes out and categorizes, is that something that's already been done or is that something that's going to be paid for with the $2 million?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So from the consultant that has already done some work, we have a list out there of which sewers, what work we need to do?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So from that, the first consultant, I guess, what does the list look like? I mean, how many catch basins need to be fixed? I mean, what type of list are we looking at for, I'm assuming M3 is the worst, being the worst?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just, I don't know if you're going to continue with the rest of the projects. I know we were only on number three of five, so I would just ask that that be completed before you take a vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Madam Vice President? Our city engineer was explaining the five projects that would be covered by the $2 million, so I'm just asking. We were on, I believe, number three. I still don't have a clear picture of where the $2 million will be spent. And if I could request to the chair that a written breakdown be provided to the council, you know, if and when this takes its first reading, that we get that before the third reading.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, how many students per, is it just for the summer or is it for the whole year?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I would ask for obviously more information for the third reading. But I also think we should be taking some portion of this $1.1 million out of our retained earnings. So I make a motion to take half of that money out of retained earnings. We have over $7 million we've taken from the rate payers. And I don't know how, I've asked in the past how high, Mayor's office wants that to get, but it's money that the taxpayers have already given to the city through the water and sewer rates, and I think we should be using some of that money.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I can use my calculator if you want an exact number. $583,000 would be half.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And through the chair, on top of that, I just don't know where to go with that either. We're left with no time to review because you need the vote tonight. Is that correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you left us with a, in a predicament left me in a predicament because I just feel like this is a, a voted, should be taken because we're getting the 45%, but then a vote that really shouldn't be taken because we were given a piece of paper on Friday asking for a $2 million bond, you know, a $1.1 million bond. I think that's fiscally irresponsible for me to take a vote like that. We were given, you know, some sort of application and a brief outline of the five projects, This deserved an hour and a half subcommittee meeting to discuss it beforehand, or at least some paperwork on Friday so we had something to read and understand. I just assumed we were going to talk about it briefly and send it to committee, but now we're left tonight having to take a vote. And I think the city's in a predicament because you don't have the usual votes that you need. Very, very tough position for me. And I believe in what the two of you do. I just feel like, you know, we were given nothing, absolutely nothing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, I agree 100% with our city engineer's answers to those questions, 100%. But I think it's our job as city councilors to know what we're voting on, know that there's a $2 million request to know what projects are being done, not the night of, but maybe a couple days beforehand, maybe a weekend beforehand, so that we can review, understand, and make an intelligent decision on a matter that is, you know, we're not talking about $200, we're talking about $2 million.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, through the Chair, Ms. Miller, if this is tabled until we get the information we need, where does that leave us, having to call a special meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And through the chair, Clerk Finn, can we take all three readings August 11th?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Two separate readings in the third? Three separate readings.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What did he say? What did he want you to say? Take the first. Get the information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can we have a hall next week or something? Or on the 11th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Mr. President, if I may, through the chair, just to call a committee, the whole meeting, whether it be August 11th at five 30, um, to discuss the paperwork that we're obviously hopefully going to get beforehand.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Diller. So maybe we should have a committee meeting on this. I mean, you mentioned a few different options, whether it be Tufts students, an engineer. And then it was brought up, well, if we have an engineer, how will we actually fix the problems? Will we need to allocate more money to do so? So maybe just a roundtable discussion, ask Tufts to come to the meeting, ask city administration to maybe come in and give their two cents on something that's feasible. Because I definitely think it would be helpful to do, we need to do something, so. Subcommittee on public safety.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. So if I understand it correctly, the only time that work will not be done is from 4 in the afternoon to 10 at night. that all other time is a fair game?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What do you have with regards to signage for, you know, I see the different plans, there's different pedestrian routes and obviously different traffic patterns. How is the signage going to be laid out so that people know the safest way to traverse our sidewalks and drive our streets?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So I guess I can take a look at the plans too. But for example, on phase three, you have different patterns of how you want the pedestrians to walk. For pedestrian purposes, how many signs will be located? So it looks like you have Main Street from under 93 all the way down, down Riverside Ave, Ring Road. How many, about how many signs there for the pedestrians?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, just for safety reasons, obviously, and efficiency for pedestrians, I think that's necessary, and for drivers, obviously. My next question, just with regards to the Route 16 West off-ramp, when will that be closed, and is that going to be closed for the full three years?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So that will be closed for the full three years till September 2018?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there ever, it doesn't look like it, but is there ever gonna be a situation where traffic is completely closed down at all on Main Street?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's from 930 to 2. One could possibly go down to one lane in each direction, you mean?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With regards to equipment storage, is that always going to be in your work zone? Will you ever have equipment being stored on the sidewalks or any other location besides the work zone?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So the only time it may be somewhere on the work area is from that 9.30 to 2?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I guess one of my last questions is, you mentioned the structural engineers are going to go put in a few type of monitoring devices. How far of a range, how many feet around the actual construction zone will that take place? Are we going to get into the homes or is it mainly just the businesses very local to the construction?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, so that's the only thing that will be monitored, those two buildings?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And part of that process of filling out the reports before the actual construction takes place, the monitoring, and the work the structural engineer is going to do, that we obviously taking reports and taking pitches of those two buildings to make sure there's no issues?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Diller. So the lady makes a good point. I'm sorry, blanked on the name. Just with regards to a phone number, they have a phone number, but they don't know it now. And then, same thing with an address. You have an address, but you won't tell us, or?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could just make that part of the committee report, that we get the address and the phone number. That way, if people come to us with concerns, questions, need answers, that we can direct them. We've done that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. And just that we recommend that maximum standards for disability purposes be implemented when the project's finalized, especially.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to thank Councilor Caraviello also for putting this forward. did speak to somebody else who mentioned the town of Plymouth and it was just random. It seems like they're getting something done and they're bringing back the control locally.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think it's something we definitely need. I mentioned that last week that we need to bring control somehow to the city. Um, with that being said, we know, I know chief Sacco has responded to a number of us on email that the police department is doing what they can do. There was one establishment shut down a year or two ago. So we thank them for that, but obviously we want to keep up the investigations and keep up closing down these establishments. Especially, I mean, all over the city, but in a residential neighborhood, in our square, it's not what you want people to know our square has. I don't even know how to put it, but we have families who traverse these areas and we just don't want it within our community. What this ordinance would do is it would bring back the control to the health department and the police department to be able to regulate this, to provide quarry checks for anybody who wants to open such an establishment, massage, Thai massage. I mean, it covers a whole host of different things, some that I can't even pronounce. But I think it's a zen shutsu. All kinds of stuff, but it's definitely something that's needed. We need to bring back this so we have local control over it so we can begin shutting down even more or making sure they don't reopen. Because we had this problem two years ago, now it's back. We're going to get really on top of it now, and then it's going to just come back in different locations. We want to make sure we end it and we put a stop to it. And this is one way. So hopefully we'll have a committee of the whole meeting and thank our city solicitor in advance for working on it. Thanks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, sorry, not to belabor the point. I just wanted, not to put City Solicitor Mark Rumley on the spot either, but it looks like from what I've read, 15 communities across the state have already passed this bylaw that was given to us by Councilor Caraviello. Obviously more probably in the works of being passed. Have you read the bylaw or do you think it's something that we could work on within the next few weeks, maybe try to get that passed at our next meeting?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just recommend that maybe we have a committee of the whole meeting before our next scheduled council meeting to review any work that's been done by our solicitor and board of health and hopefully review a proposed ordinance to be passed by the city council to move this along and not wait months and months and have these establishments linger. I think the sooner we can get these establishments out of Medford, the better. And it sounds like cities and towns that do have the bylaws and the books, These establishments are deterred from even establishing in those cities and towns, so let's be one of those cities and towns, and hopefully at the same time the state will work on what they need to work on, get completely out of Massachusetts entirely. Thank you. Thank you so much. Ma'am?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DeLaRusso. My first question has to do with the debt service. Oh, let's see. I'm trying to figure out what the name of this document was. From Ian Baker, we got a document dated June 25th. It had to do with the Hormel Stadium revolving account that we had asked for figures on. And if you go to one of the last few pages, the swimming pool, community schools. I just want to make sure I have these numbers accurate. It's a complex document. But for me, it looks like Hormel and the pool, obviously, in the are the two projects that we went out to bond on and also the Failed to Dream. So those were the three that I think we asked for the breakdowns on. For me, it looks like Hormel is profiting. Do I have that correct? That is correct. So we have about $93,000 in revenue, $37,000 in salaries, $7,350 in other expenses, and then $26,000 goes to the debt service. That's in April, which I believe is the only payment that I could see. So am I correct, we're profiting about $22,000 from HOMEL? That's correct. So then if I'm reading the figures right and you go to the pool, it looks like when I calculated the numbers a little differently than how they put out in the sheet, salaries are about $127,000. Ms. Judge already left. I would have liked to have asked some questions. But other expenses of about $15,000, totaling between those two figures, $142,000, $88,000 in revenue. So the pool at this point is about $54,000 in the whole? That is correct. And that does not include anywhere that any of the Those expenses just have to do with salaries and supplies. So we are not calculating any type of debt service in those numbers. Is that correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's part of the operating budget. It's part of the operating budget on the city side. That's correct. Yes. I guess my concern, I'm not even sure if you were present at those meetings because you were the... I was the chief procurement officer then. Right, I'm not sure if you were at the council meetings when the bond was being approved. I was not. I mean, I myself specifically asked because it was about $3 million for the pool. It was the 1.925 plus another 1.2, so I'm sorry, over $3 million. And at the time when we first approved the $1.9 million bond, I remember specifically asking what type of fees were going to be generated and will the fees be able to pay back not only staff and personnel, but also pay back the bond. We were honestly told that it wasn't going to be full reimbursement for the bond. And I can't recall exactly, but I could have sworn it was about 75% would be paid back. So I don't know if you or Superintendent Belson can maybe enlighten us a little bit. Where are we at now? I know we're just in the first year since the pool's been rebuilt. Where are we at with regards to moving forward and trying to generate more than $88,000 a year to pay for at least the salaries and hopefully at some point, whether it's two or three years down the line, start paying back some of that bond through the pool revenues. Because I myself personally have had a hard time getting in contact with the pool. The pool temperature is fine, but air temperature is extremely cold. There is minimal information online. There is no phone at the pool, which is no fault of anybody's, but, you know, I don't think it's fault of the pool, but there's no phone line. There's no sign-up online. I mean, you can barely get the classes, and the summer schedule is not up there. I just don't feel like we're doing what we need to do as far as marketing, advertising, bringing in the revenues that we as a council were told were going to be brought in from this pool. And again, I know we're probably down the line. Hopefully more is done. But changes need to be made in order to even give the pool the ability to do so. So not to have a phone for me. I personally took my kids there. I want to take swim lessons. It took me three weeks to get in contact with the pool. So I as a councilor, I as a, you know, speaking on behalf of the residents, families who want to use this pool have a problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just make a B paper that, you know, whether it's advertising or marketing funds or phone system, online sign-ups, things be implemented to make this work. You know, we have a successful Hormel, we have a successful Field of Dreams, but for some reason, this pool, I hope to see it, you know, obviously get better, and I hope to see what we were told back in, oh, geez, when did we, yeah, two years ago, you would hope that this is going to improve. So I would ask that phone system be set up, online sign-ups be set up, more explicit online advertising and outreach, as well as, you know, my kids want to take swim lessons at the mall. And why? Because it's, you know, the pool's, not only the pool's heated, but the air quality is heated. And I understand it's a big, big area, You want to make it friendly for families to go in and be able to enjoy their swim lessons. You're paying $17, $18 a class, which I think is completely fine, but we don't seem to be doing what I feel should be done. And since we did approve that $3 million for the pool, I as one Councilor want to see it as a success. I want to see the revenues being generated that I know can potentially be generated, because you call the Malden Y, you have to go on a waiting list. That's all the swim programs around here. You have to go on a waiting list to be able to use the pool at these, and that's how I can, I see the potential there, and I want to see that happen. So I would just recommend that as a B paper, that we allow more resources or, you know, just simple, simple strategies to generate more income. That's going to take some work, but I know it can be done. So that was my first question. I know other councils have questions, but that was my first thing that came up in my research this week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll keep going. Does anybody else have questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll go one more question. I have a few. With regards to the correspondence from the OPM with the work at the fire stations, the work was very well detailed. It was broken down by each station, and that was very well detailed. What I do kind of have a problem with, I guess, is what was written. You know, nobody has contacted the OPM with regards to issues that have not been complete or, you know, with regards to things that came up considering that we have only six more months with the warranty. I don't understand how we have The union, the firefighters union, and even the chief of fire, I won't verbatim say what has been brought up to us. I mean, I've been called separately. We had a meeting on this when the fire department met with us in committee. The union was there, and they pointed out four or five different issues within these four or five stations where $2 million was put into all this work. And we had the fire chief say that he was the one that was responsible for recouping or, you know, going after this warranty period and making sure things were fixed. So it's something that's written. The fact that we have a warranty, the fact that we have this answer where the OPM says he was not called, the fact that it was $2 million and things were done blatantly, admittedly wrong, and our own firefighters have to point it out to us, I find that a real issue. Because it's the taxpayers that this bond was put on their backs. It's a $2 million bond. And a large amount of money is going to be paid back on that with regards to principal and interest. So I can't find it directly. 1.8 million in 2012, I mean, we're paying back 240,000 in interest alone. I just, I feel like I have to reiterate that we need somebody to go in and review all the work that's been done. make a list, and go after what we can with regards to this warranty. And I just have to reiterate that, especially after we get the response that we did. That's a lot of money for our taxpayers. So I wanted to reiterate that. Go ahead, Councilman.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Madam Vice President. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Miller. If I could just request whatever you're provided by the fire union, if you could forward that to us so we can get an idea, because I remember a couple more things on that list. Whether it was air conditioning and heating is still an issue at one or two of the fire stations as well. I remember that being another problem. So if we could get that list from the fire union as well. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'm going back and forth on this one, so I'll just leave my comments with bullet-pointed positives and negatives. I think there's some great positive things in the budget with the opiate addiction specialist, obviously the library funding that was desperately needed. We're hiring fire and police personnel, which is definitely a positive. new code enforcement officer. Our tree warding has gone full time. She does an amazing job. On the school side, I'll echo the sentiments of my colleagues. The vocational school, I'm very impressed with how it's evolved, how we discussed it a few years ago. We need to add programming, and now programming is being added. I find that a positive, and I find that only helpful for our students and keeping them in Medford rather than sending them out of town. I also, you know, looking through the budget, class size is at a great level. I think there's one class out of the, you know, 25 or 30 that maybe has over the 20, 21 mark. So that's, besides that one class, I think that's an extreme positive. What I do find concern in is, you know, the level fundedness. And I feel that the level funded portion falls mainly on the city side. I feel like the school side has added a number of jobs within the last year or two. Five new jobs created. That total is about $500,000. I see people did get raises, but the way it was worked, I understand positions were changed. But you're talking some people $6,000, $7,000, $20,000 raises. $1.8 million on the school side, mainly to personnel. Although some good hires, and there's a lot of people that work very hard there, I feel that the school's almost getting a little top heavy, especially when you hear people comment about how some people don't even know what a few of the administrators really are doing with their time. That extremely concerns me. With the city side, I've mentioned it a number of times, the warranties on the buildings are a concern of mine. We were blasted with regards to the girls' locker room, with regards to the police station. It's been five years. I thought that was taken care of. It's been five years that the female police officers haven't had a facility, a locker room. I have grave concerns about the building. That's been discussed two, three, four, five years in a row. Grave concerns about the building the police personnel are working in. and the lack of funding we've put towards that. I have concerns with regards to, we under-budgeted the MWRA water and sewer accounts by almost a million dollars. We under-budgeted, well, snow and ice, understandably, we had a tough winter, but we are one point, you can correct me if I'm wrong, 1.7, 1.8 in the hole on that. Hopefully with the state aid, that will bring that down 400,000. We have leaks in the police station. I'll echo my sentiments. I've asked repeatedly for a 3-1-1 system, and I don't know how else to ask for it. I think I've put on four or five resolves on the importance of a 3-1-1 system for accountability and a record outlining when somebody calls on an issue, what steps are taken, when it's going to be resolved, and how long it's going to take for accountability. You can't just randomly fill potholes, or you can't just randomly fix a curb. It needs to be documented. Our residents deserve that. They can't just be told they'll be placed on a list. So how we can get that done, is that me not voting for the budget? That's an extremely important aspect that works wonderfully, wonderfully at the City of Somerville. They have it down to a T. And I hate to compare us to the City of Somerville, but it seems like in so many respects, whether it's the Green Line or the 311 system or the personnel they have in their departments, they get it right. They really get it right, and we really need to follow the lead. But when you have the administration completely not doing something that's been recommended four or five times, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. I have the issues with the pool. I have issues with the fact that these raises are going on, yet the kindergarten aides, the paraprofessionals, I mean, they're getting $0.13 raises. I just don't think that's fair. Someone can't work more than three hours when they want to, when it's so necessary in the kindergarten class. I've been in one, believe me. It's tough. Aids are needed. And to say you're worth a $0.13 raise, I just don't find that adequate. You know, maintenance is another huge issue. We did what we had to do because we were, you know, and the administration did what they had to do with regards to the library, but, to get accreditation, but what about the maintenance of the library? What about, you know, I've already said the maintenance of the police station. We've talked about a million, you know, probably a million dollars that needs to go back into the new schools. We've got a response, but I brought up the issue with regards to the Columbus School roof is coming off. I mean, some, Something needs to change with regards to maybe doing a little work on our buildings versus the hiring that's happening, I believe, on the school side, where the city side needs more personnel. OCD department, definitely understaffed. The engineer had issues, which I was very happy with her openness. One phone in the whole department. I mean, I think I could go on and on. I am torn, but I'm going to stop. I mean, I'm very thankful for you, Louise. You've done a great job. I wish you had more time and, you know, got more information because it was very hard hearing that, you know, you kind of just got on the job six weeks ago, but you did a great job with what you were given. And I'm, you know, happy that we waited the one week. I'm happy to have five department heads answer the questions. on top of what we needed. I just feel like the city needs to move forward a little differently. I always say that we can't tax to the max. We seem to have a levy that went up, was able to go up $4.8 million, and guess what? The budget went up $4.8 million, not a dollar left over. We have underfunded accounts, which Not having the actuals for accounts is the wrong way to present a budget. We talk about that every year as well. That needs to change, but obviously we need to make a stand for that. For Fire Department in 2015, $1 million was budgeted for overtime, and the actual was $1.5 to $1.6 million. For DPW, $75,000 was budgeted for overtime, and the actual was $700,000. I just have a problem with that. Overtime, snow and ice, all these numbers are always way too low. Way, way, way too low. And then we're overspending in other areas and we're left shuffling around money or left with a deficit every year. And I guess my last comment is the no emergency preparedness plans. We went over that with civil defense, there is no emergency preparedness plans, which concerns me for a city our size and what goes on in the world today. So a lot of positives, a lot of negatives. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to do four hours of reading yesterday. I thank my colleagues for allowing us to do that. And my last comment before I forget, I do have to disclose I have family that works in the school department. I know that I'm allowed to vote on the budget. But I do have to disclose that, so I wanted to do that. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just with regards to the supervisory responsibilities, focus will be to coordinate all substance prevention efforts. So I didn't see anything, because I just got the hard copy tonight. Anything with regards to creating an atmosphere or working in collaboration with school officials. Okay, I just stepped out. Sorry. Are we approving just the second reading, so then we'll have another third reading in a few weeks?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may ask the city solicitor a question, then. If we hold off this vote until our next meeting, just so we can digest. Is this the job description?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe they shouldn't have gave it to us at 7 o'clock.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But through the chair, we just got this tonight. I don't understand. I mean, it goes back to what we fought for last week, just having time to digest something. And obviously we were concerned only to pass the first reading. This council decided we wanted to take part in making sure we liked the language of exactly, especially with the prevention side of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know, just for the first reading, I never voted for it to be tabled. I just voted to only take the first reading. Yeah. Moved.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, received the emails. I actually shot off one of the complaints to the chief of police because this is such a problem. We were well aware it was state regulated. We had a committee of the whole meetings on this two years ago when it was a real issue. But I believe that our city, I think Councilor Dello Russo and Councilor Caraviello is correct by having our officials involved in this. Not only can they put pressure on the state, but it was the police in the community of Medford that completely eliminated one of the shops. I believe they were investigating for months and months a number of the pilers, and we did create an end to the problem. Now, all of a sudden, they're back, so I just think we need to not only ask our city officials to do what they can do and put pressure on the state, and then also figure out if there's a way we can, we had a meeting on it already, it didn't seem like Karen Rose was able to get that done with regards to requiring the permits to come through the city of Medford, but obviously if she can maybe look into that again, I think that would give us the extra oomph we need to really work on it. It's a disgrace when our residents are emailing us and asking questions and just appalled at, you know, what's going on and what's being advertised in our community. We have children and teenagers who frequent the square, you know, especially during the summer months. And that's just something I don't, I wouldn't want my children walking by and being witnessed to. So I think every council is correct. And I think we just need to put pressure on, you know, everybody we can to make sure this is investigated and give the police the tools to make sure that we can do what we can to rid them of our community, from our community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Councilor Dello Russo. I have comments with regards to the actual budget, but I think one of the main issues is that we do not have all the answers to our questions. I know there are There was five department heads that were not able to answer the questions we had asked. We've had multiple, multiple Committee of the Whole meetings. We've gone hours discussing and asking questions and trying to dissect and figure out answers. Most department heads have been great. School department, which we met with last night at 5.30 to about 8 p.m., did come in and give us and all our answers, but we didn't actually get those until tonight at 5.30. So as of right now, we have our school budget book, we have our budget book, and we got this tonight to review. I know most Councilors were trying to read, trying to ask questions, trying to get a grip on what we have, you know, the job that we have at hand. I myself was able to read through probably a tenth, maybe an eighth of what was given to me tonight, I don't feel comfortable going forward without reading the rest. I mean, I didn't even look at the audits that were provided to us, which I thank Louise for, and a number of others. I don't even know what some of these documents are, so I would like one more week to review it. I know that pushes us into the last Tuesday of the month, but I think that's only fair to the job that we have at hand and the job we have to do for the taxpayers. I know, like I said, now we have four departments that haven't answered our questions, and there are questions that need to be answered with regards to income, revenue. We have the treasure collector wasn't able to get to us yet, get our answers yet, and that's important information, and this is the only way we can hold those questions hold those department heads to the fire to actually answer the questions in a timely manner, which, you know, it's been great so far, but there's just a job that we need to continue to do, and I need to spend a few more hours on this myself. So I would move to table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Council President De La Ruzo. Sorry to interrupt you, Councilor Marks, but I just think that one is so important because if we do not, you know, really push for that answer, we're going to lose our time frame with regards to the warranty that is given to the city of one year on the $2 million that the taxpayers paid to improve those fire stations. Right now, not all the work was done correctly. We have an OPM who I believe is retiring. Who is going to oversee that? And we only have until December. That on top of the fact that we have the DPW yard, which we spent almost over $14 million on, and we have a one-year warranty on that. So we have questions with regards to who's going to oversee and make sure that that work was done correctly. If we lose that opportunity, if we wait until that warranty is done and over, what are we going to ask the taxpayer two, three years from now for more money to fix the repairs that could have been covered by warranty? We don't have those answers, and that's one of the ones that has stuck out for me within the last three weeks. I feel like it's $16-plus million on the taxpayer's behalf that we need to fight for answers for. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, President Dello Russo. I understand what you're saying, Louise. But one issue that was brought up with regards to the one-year warranty is we asked the chief himself, who is inspecting these? Who is trying to get this work repaired? And he said, well, that's on me. So that's the issue. So I understand you asked somebody to do it, but who did you ask? Because it's unacceptable to ask the fire chief, who has all his was preparing a budget the last probably few weeks who has personnel issues and issues galore, I'm sure, has a full-time job to go in and say whether or not a floor was done incorrectly. We have no idea if somebody's going to be hired, if the OPM is going to stay on board. That's what we need to know. I need to know that the mayor's office is going to, whether it's hire or appoint the proper personnel to go in and inspect each one of these jobs make sure it's done right, and hold the contractors responsible, because that should not be the fire chief's job. And we haven't got that answer. We just haven't. It's $2 million that, whether it's half the work that was done wrong or a quarter or, you know, 10 percent, that's hundreds of thousands of dollars. We have a floor that's completely broken, A.C. that does not work in one fire station. There was a whole host list of issues, because not only did we have the fire chief there, but we also had you know, the head of the union there with his people. So they're speaking out. And it's something that needs to be fixed. We need to make sure that $2 million was done, all the jobs were done accordingly. And if we have this six-month warranty, we need to take advantage of that. Because if the fire chief comes back and says he needs a new floor two years from now, whether I'm on the council or any of us are on the council, I'm going to lose it. I will lose it for the taxpayer's behalf. I will lose it. It's just not fair. It's not right. And that's something that we need to know who's going to go into that fire station, who's going to go into the DPW yard, and make sure things are done correctly. So you're asking for the personnel is the question? I think my question is, is somebody from the building department, are we going to hire a new OPM, who is going to do it, and when? We have six months left with the fire station. little less than one year for the DPW yard, which is millions and millions of dollars of work. And I just don't want to have to pay for any of that work all over again, two, three, four, five years down the road. I mean, taxes go up every year. I always ask that we don't tax to the max. It never happens. I can never get the four votes. But we at least, if we're still going to tax the max, then we at least, and we're going to go out to bond for these projects, we at least owe the taxpayer. the word to say that we've gone out, we've reviewed all the work, it's done to the liking, we have A, B, C, and D out back to the contractor asking them to fix the floor, the air conditioning, everything that's done wrong, we want it fixed and we want it fixed before the warranty's up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Now, some of these answers are complex, and it will take some time. And we met with department heads. We started three and a half weeks ago, and we actually just met with departments last week. So I don't know. I'm not putting blame on anybody. We just haven't got the answers. But we have some electrical questions out there. The treasurer, chief of police, the OPM, which is the operation manager for all the bigger projects that have been done. And then I believe we still have some water and sewer questions left out, because there is a, we have concern there's a deficit in the water and sewer account of almost a million dollars.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is the revised. Point of information, Mr. President.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just have to say that none of that is going to change in one week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure if we closed the public hearing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for speaking in favor. Anybody else in favor of the project? Anybody else in favor? We'll close that portion of the public hearing. Anybody in opposition? Anybody in opposition? Hearing and seeing none, close that portion of the public hearing. Councilor Knight, will you move for approval?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Paper 15542.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Councilor Knight. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Paper 15-543, Grants of Location. Medford, Massachusetts City Clerk's Office, you are hereby notified that by order of the City Council, a public hearing will be given at the Howard F. Alden Memorial Auditorium Motion to waive the reading. All those in favor? All those opposed? National grid needs permission to construct locations of mains for the transmission and distribution of gas on Sargent Street, and they want to extend the gas main 150 feet plastic in Sargent Street to serve number 73 Sargent Street. This was approved by the city engineer based on her review. All those in favor? All those in favor? Please come forward. Just name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Anybody else in favor? Hearing and seeing none, I close that portion of the hearing. Anybody in opposition to paper 15-543? Anybody in opposition? Hearing and seeing none, close that portion of the public hearing. Open it up to the chair. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Councilor Knight. Councilor Penta?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: City reviews subject matter upon six months completion. Motion for approval. Council Marks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Councilor Knight, seconded by Councilor Camuso. Did I hear that? Seconded by Councilor Camuso. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper. As amended, paper passes. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: move for suspension of the rules by Councilor Penter to allow residents to speak.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. On the second board, I'm sorry, and we have it in our packet that you had given us, is the three signs lined up. Now, obviously, the middle one is the side, because you have the little drive-through window.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Which one is the back? Which one is facing Riverside Ave, the top or the bottom? Can you just describe which location?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Last question. I noticed you have the smaller signs. Do not enter. Thank you. I believe we put a requirement that there had to be a sign that says, do not queue beyond this point. Did we?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, that was a Panera. Ed, maybe through the city clerk, I don't know if you have the paper of their common victuals license. We put a recommendation or a requirement that they had to put some sort of sign with regards to not queuing beyond a certain point to block the egress.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: There was conversation around the exhaust, yes, but I believe we had a paper in there requiring do not queue beyond this point.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just add, if we, I'm going to have to go pull the minutes. Talk about for the drive-through, because there was only a certain amount of cue spots. I remember specifically, you know, having a problem with it, but wanting to allow the drive-through. I just have a problem with them blocking the, there's going to be an entrance at the end of the drive-thru, blocking parking, blocking the entrance and exit. So we're specifically at 90% call requiring a sign that says do not queue beyond this point.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, can we check that? We don't have that here?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right. I'll try to look for it, and then if anybody else has a comment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know if anybody else has any questions. I'll yield for right now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruzo. I'd like to put a review on this, if we could have, whether it be three or six. month review and a one-year review so that we have the right to obviously withdraw the permission to open 5-7, that way we can see how it's going, see what response we get from the neighbourhood, see if everything's going smoothly. I think I'd like to amend the paper as such.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Six months and a 12-month review.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: if anybody's here to explain this in a little more detail.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You did a great job. Thank you. My specific question, I guess, is not only all the salaries, but park salaries. Is that the Parks Department and DPW? Yes, it is. I understand why the transfers have to take place at the end of the year, but with regards to the salaries, How are we off in the budget by $50,000 with regards to the park salaries? The overtime? Oh, OK, gotcha. So is that going to the salaries account, or is it going to go to the certain line item? No, it just goes to the salary line. The salary line item? Yep. Why wouldn't it go to the overtime line item?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't know if my colleagues would prefer that, but I probably would prefer that anything that has to do with overtime in these transfers be designated. As overtime? As such, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. I mean, we'll, we can talk about it. We'll talk about it more. I'm sure next week when we discuss the entire budget after our budget hearings, but that's one thing that I have a problem with just the under budgeted, um, overtime salaries within the certain departments. So if I could just make that request, I think it will help us better understand for, you know, budget seasons to come.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to designate this transfer, not just to the salary account, but the parks, forestry, and the police line items, that it be actually put into the overtime account, transferred into the overtime account.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, yes, that is correct. So you understand that, Ed? So just, it should be just to a different line item. If anybody else has questions, I can. I'll yield until I find those line items specifically. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As amended.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: know if we could just change it to, instead of transferring it to the park salary, forestry salary, police salaries, that we actually are transferring the money where it needs to go, which is the parks, forestry, police overtime line item 5130.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Explain one more time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Another way then, thank you. President Dello Russo, another way to do it then is to leave it in highways and sidewalks and ask them to expend it to fill potholes and work on our streets rather than even dealing with certified free cash.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would be.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, President Dello Russo. And if we can specify on that that we'd like, I mean, I think you don't necessarily need to put anything out to bid. Our men and women of the DPW have been, you see them all over the place, Phil and pot holes. They can just get some more materials and, you know, work hard like they've been doing. I think 75,000 will go a very long way to repair some of our roads and our, you know, our streets. It's everywhere. You know, they're doing a good job, but we need more of it. So I think the, I agree with Council Penter and Council Marks, we need to keep that 75,000 in the account and hopefully expend it within the, you know, within the summer months, even if they have to go and fill pot holes to the next couple of months, I think it needs to stay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or to purchase the materials in time, if I may, through the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks, Louise.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motions, orders, and resolutions. Okay. Paper 15-536 offered by Councilor Penta. Be it resolved that when the City Council receives a school department budget for review, an individual school breakdown of an at minimum 5% dollar allocation be separately identified for building maintenance and upkeep. Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Motion for approval. All those in favor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call has been requested. Councilor Marks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council President De La Ruzo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If I may, from the chair, I don't know, Council Pender, if you don't mind amending to also add the technology and the pool 5%. Roll call vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the roll call vote of 70 in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes. Paper 15-537 offered by Council Penta be resolved a complete breakdown of man hours and salary costs from the Medford Fire Department for having a firefighter at the Medford High School be discussed. Also, a time sequence of when a firefighter is stationed on a daily basis to date. Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Penta?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I move for approval by Councilor Penta. All those in favor? Roll call. Roll call has been requested. Please call the roll. Councilor Camuso.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval as amended by Councilor Camuso. Roll call has been requested. Call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. All those in favor, seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Before the roll is called, Councilor Camuso.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Paper 15-538 offered by Councilor Knight, be it resolved, the Medford City Council extend its sincere congratulations to Carol Rickenbacker on her retirement from the Medford Public Schools. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just briefly, thank you, President Dello Russo. The Billy Falasca Scholarship Fund has been running a couple of years. Scholarships are awarded to Medford and Malden high school students that are entering college. Now last year, I believe, Medford didn't, there wasn't, I don't know how many applications there were, but I know Malden, two Malden teens got the scholarship. So, you know, the Medford Invitational Tournament is looking for applications from Medford students who will be entering college. It's a big fundraiser coming up on the 26th of June at 7 p.m. And all those monies raised go to these scholarships. So I just want to notify all parents out there, teenagers out there, have your children apply for these scholarships. They definitely can help you with the college finances. And hopefully we can get a Medford scholarship out to somebody. Or the Medford Invitational Tournament and the Billy Velasquez Scholarship Committee can get some applications from Medford and get a scholarship out. So I want to thank the tournament the supporters, and hopefully we can make that happen.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Dello Russo, I'm not sure if you were there. Judy Johnson was at our meeting, committee of the whole meeting, and she did get the paper with regards to the recommendations we made last week to actually reduce the rate back to where it was. Maybe we'll get an answer on that. And if that doesn't take place, we can put a new resolve in. Because I think I'd like to see it go back to the rate it was or a minimal increase. I mean, there's no reason for all of a sudden $5 to go up to $20. I said it last week. Are they looking to increase it another $300? But their answer, I guess, was they want to compensate for lowering the rate for disabled and senior citizens. which I think that's great, but I don't think it should be on the backs of the rest of the residents. So hopefully they do come with some answers for us and hopefully reduce the rate back to where it was. If not, I agree with you, maybe something like that. And something else can be explored.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I too want to thank the mayor's office for coming up with the funds that are needed and the two new positions that are going to be hired. It sounds like they definitely are going to be put to good use. I also just want to thank It wouldn't have been possible without the community, without these two organizations and the library staff coming together and creating momentum that almost I couldn't keep up with between the emails and the phone calls. I think I was still calling people back today. But it really goes to show, and especially with the two professional staff members here today, how much people care about the library and care about its future. So I want to thank the mayor and the administration for what they've done and coming out today, rather than the city council fighting the next couple of weeks to get it done. So it's very refreshing to have that come across my desk at 5 o'clock this afternoon. But with all the positivity, and I want to stay positive, we do have to recognize that there is a need for a maintenance plan. There is a need for, and it was said by all the councilors tonight, and I'm sure it'll be reiterated, There is a need for a maintenance plan. And we say it all the time, whether it's this building, the schools, the library, the DPW yard that was just redone, this city needs to spend more time on maintenance, number one. Number two, I think we do need a five-year plan. We need to, whoever the next mayor is, we need to figure out what we're going to do within the next five years, what grants we can apply for. and how we can move the library forward. And it was very good to hear that there is some sort of plan in the works. And I hope the community is involved in that and gets to give input and insight and voice their concerns and what they'd like to see within the next five, six, seven years for the Medford Public Library. So just thank everybody for moving this forward. And I think it's a great step forward for the library. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may ask the clerk through the chair, how many Kino licenses do we have in laundry establishments? Yeah. Is that, is that, that's an allowable use, but.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you have a little, can you explain your establishment a little bit more? Is there like a little convenience type? Or it's just lottery with a clerk?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Scratch tickets?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So somebody's always there working the counter. It's always got attended. Yes. Okay. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can I ask one more question?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just one more question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, through the chair. With regards to notification, how far, how many people were notified on this? As far as neighbours are concerned?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just so confused. I'm pretty sure, wasn't it you, Councilor Camuso, that brought the motion forward to vote to get rid of the parking? Correct. Where did you believe we were going to get the money? Correct. Where did you believe we were going to get the money when you put that forward?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If we could also get an update from the Chief of Police, who works very hard on the Park Medford program, especially as a liaison and answering our questions, if we can get an update from him on the new signage and our other concerns that we did. He had a list before he left our last meeting that he was here probably about a month ago. So if we can get any updates with regards to any issues we had with the program.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruza. I'd like to second this paper. I'd also like to possibly add a few things, if you don't mind, Councilor Penta. be resolved that the listing of all new hires and employees' promotions, slump-sum raises, any lump-sum increases in salary.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm asking that be added. It says employee promotions to include lump-sum raises or any lump-sum increases in salaries.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I have very deep concern about this. I've been getting calls from people from the school department. I mean, there's something going on. We obviously need to figure it out. We spoke about this. Six weeks ago, we didn't get any type of resolve or any type of answers from the school department. I think now we're hearing rumors that more money is needed to fund the school budget. And what I've heard from people who are complaining to me is $20,000 raises to certain people, $6,000 raises, $7,000 raises. And it's not across the board, it's just certain people, certain jobs, Even the big job category, it's only half the people that are getting certain raises. So I have concern and I thank Council Penton for bringing this forward. I think this is something we need before we can take a vote on the budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was in our budget book. I mean, yeah, I have it substantiated. I have some of the data and I think we need a full accounting of what's going on. before we, you know, we are asked to approve more towards that budget. The teachers don't get supplies. I believe that they went around to the schools and they gave some classrooms one dry erase marker recently. No joke, I got a call about this. One dry erase marker, it went dead in about a week. Teachers are paying for their own supplies, yet we're giving $20,000 raises, $6,000 raises to certain people. It's not right. I don't see it much in the city side. You know, the city side seems to straightforward, 1%, 2%. But what you hear in the school department, and then after this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, that's what I want to find out myself.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Union people are getting the 1%, 2% raises. And then after we speak about it on the council floor six weeks ago, I don't know how many more calls you got, but I get even more calls, people saying, yeah, that's going on. And it is. I mean, we need to figure that out. We haven't got anything from the school department letting us know who's gotten raises in the last two years like we asked for six weeks ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just, if I could, through the chair. Yes, you have Mike. Go ahead. Thank you. Councilor Dela Cruz, President Dela Cruz. So if I could further amend this, that we get the answers we want by June 19th, which is Friday and our Friday, Friday packet, that's almost two weeks. I have a concern with the fact that the budget was already on the agenda at the beginning of May. It was tabled. So I have a great feeling that we're going to be meeting with the superintendent's schools on Tuesday the 23rd at 6 p.m. and they're going to want us to vote on the budget at 7 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I want to go on record that if that did happen, that I, you know, the school department would not have my vote for the budget.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's why we put the wording lump sum. We're not talking about the 1%, the 2%, the teachers. We're not talking about the teachers. We're talking about people that got lump sum, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 20 plus $1,000 raises. We want to know who those people are. We don't want their addresses. We just want to know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Caraviello. I would move to reduce it back down to the $5, at least for the walk-ins. No kids should be crying. I mean, what do they expect?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can I finish? Yep. I think what they're looking to make is probably another $300 to $500. We have $6.5 million in free cash. You're taking it from Medford families who want to go to use the pond. I think it's ridiculous. I agree. It should be reduced back to what it was last year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'll be brief as well. I received the emails. I think lighting is an issue. I did speak to Lauren today through email, and she is going to look into the issues. So if she could forward the answers to the whole council, that would be appreciated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Shouldn't we wait until, I think it's great that we're thinking about it beforehand and that it's been brought up by Councilor Camuso, but don't you think we should maybe wait till the 30th where we have representatives come in, we can talk through it, see if they plan on giving us a traffic impact study and how they plan on rerouting traffic. I don't know what the right answer is myself. I'm not a traffic consultant, but there has to be a way that we're going to reroute traffic. But let's try to get the answers from the, you know, see what they're saying.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was just going to say, on the airplane comment, you did throw out the board member's name and number. I did call. I left a message to see if she'd come to the council. He or she? It's a woman.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: She left a message on the machine. No wonder why I didn't get a call back. So if we could get another name. from the mayor's office. I'm sure he knows who was appointed on that board. I think it's very important. I do notice the planes at my house because I live in the heights, but that next weekend, woken up out of a dead sleep at like midnight at night, I mean, it felt like there was a plane landing on my house. So it's the first time I was woken up at night, but it's getting worse. And I think we need somebody here to answer the questions and figure out what's going on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to move suspension of the rules to take paper 15-502 under motions, orders, and resolutions off the table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. There has been obviously a lot of talk and discussion with regards to the site, the Malden Hospital site. The city council in Malden had a meeting probably six months back. I know it was during one of the storms. They had that in Malden that I attended. And a number of Medford residents obviously have a great concern of the development that's being proposed at that site. Three acres is on Medford property. It's Medford land. And it also, half of the project, if not most of the project, project abuts Medford homes, families, our streets, our roads. There's great concern about the traffic, air quality, the gate, obviously, that is located on the property that leads into the Medford streets. From that meeting, you know, probably even before that meeting, a group has organized and has had private meetings, or public meetings, but on Saturdays, and things to come up with a plan on how they see the Malden site being redeveloped. With that plan, there's open space, there's less units, less residential than obviously a developer would like. It's more environmentally friendly, it's better for both Malden and Medford, and they would like to come and propose their plan, something that they've met in work groups, they've done a lot of work on the project. I was able to attend, just a portion of one of the meetings on, I believe, a Saturday morning. And they just put a really lot of work into it, and I think it's for the betterment of Malden, but obviously Medford as well, and something that council should be updated on. It's a community-driven project, and I welcome the discussion, and I welcome hearing more about what has taken place since the last meeting I've attended. I know a packet was given to each councillor on the work they've done, so maybe you could follow along.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think it's important to point out our Office of Community Development Director was at the public meeting in Malden in front of the City Council. I, as well, you know, with my help and my colleagues have requested, sent requests to her for updates and to stay involved. And I think that's extremely important. And I think it's extremely important for the City Council to be on top of the administration to make sure they know what's going on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Because it seems like the City Council is receptive to what the public wants, but not necessarily what Medford wants. And it's really important, like you said, every abutter, there are, you know, 40 homes that directly abut, plus, you know, obviously, but directly abut that property, and those are Medford homes. This is Medford that's gonna, you know, fall victim to any negative, anything negative that comes from that site, and obviously that is, extremely thickly settled, 500 plus cars, however many units they're proposing, it's just too much. And there's been other times this council and the city has had to fight for projects because they're just too large in size. So that's one thing that I'm glad you're working on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I was before the city council in Malden and kept having my hand up, but if they knew you were from Medford, they didn't want to hear it to the point where they said, okay, now let's, somebody did get a question in from Medford and it was, okay, now let's hear more from our Malden residents. And we almost felt like, hey, we should have a say too, but our office of community development director was there. There may be, there's going to be a new mayor. So hopefully whoever that is can really take a lead on this and get together with Malden and make sure that our, our neighborhood is protected. I know if you want to just maybe explain more of, you know, what you've gathered from the public meetings, whether it's, you know, that plan or something similar to that plan or components of that plan that hopefully Malden and Medford can work into the project, I think anything you take from the community's plan versus the developer's plan is going to be a you know, beneficial.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: the pond all the time and it is just backed up traffic. So to make that worse is obviously not beneficial for the city of Medford and is just going to clog up our roads and deep within the heights is not going to see a positive impact from this. So I thank you, Bob. And I think, you know, I thank the committee for taking their Saturday mornings, a number of mornings to meet. I've only made one meeting, but to meet and go over this and come up with these plans, it's, you know, something to be proud of. and the city, as a council, thank you. And I'm glad you came to present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Marks, Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President De La Ruzo. I'll be brief. I want to thank my colleagues for speaking, but I more importantly thank the public for coming out and speaking on the issue. I think enough has been said, but I just want to say that in 2010, I was in support of a charter review. I am in support of it. Again, 2015, almost five years later, it's something that I think is important. I think any time you're reviewing something, it's always a good idea. Like Councilman Mark said, it's as if a business never reviewed their plan for the last 5, 10, 28 years. Review is a good thing. Change is a good thing. And again, this is just a review. Maybe nothing needs to be changed, but everything does need to be reviewed. Ward representation, term limits. I think I said the same speech in 2010. It is time, and I'm glad that finally we will have the majority vote tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I know you have the records of the votes. From my memory, we never had the four votes to even send the question. Is that correct? Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The clerk will call the roll.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was 1-5-5-0-4. Yeah, taxi license petitions, please. Petitions, presentations, and similar matters. Petition for taxi operator license by Jean Elsan Dumas, 195 Webster Street, Malden, Mass. Driving for Citywide Taxi, Canal Street, Method, Mass. Is the petitioner present?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Good evening. State your name and address for the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. Domas. You're welcome. Councilor Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Councilor Caraviello, seconded by Councilor Knight. All those in favour? All those opposed? We'll record Councilor Penter in opposition, as well as Councilor Marks. Five in the affirmative. Paper passes. Good luck. Drive safely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Paper 15505, petition for taxi operator license by Sandro Mathieu, 1876 Beacon Street, number five in Brookline, Massachusetts. Driving for Star Taxi, 407R Mystic Ave, Medford, Mass. On file, Corey from the Police Department. Councilor Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe a motion to table?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can you call them? Yes, sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. Motion to table by Councilor Caraviello. Undebatable. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion is tabled. Paper 15506, petition for taxi operator license by Joseph Pierre, 10 Fisher Terrace, Everett, Mass. Driving for Citywide Taxi, Canal Street, Medford, Mass. On file, Corey from the Police Department.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Councilor Caraviello, seconded by Councilor Knight. All those in favor? All those opposed? Record the two councils in opposition. Motion is approved. Congratulations. Good luck driving. Drive safe. Motion to revert back to the regular order of business by Councilor Knight. Motions, orders, and resolutions, paper 15-500 offered by Councilor Knight, be resolved that the Medford City Council extend its deep and sincere congratulations to the following MHS athletic teams for winning the GBL title. Boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, boys baseball, girls softball, Be it further resolved the members of these teams, along with their coaches, be invited to appear before the city council to receive accommodations memorializing this achievement. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Councilor Knight. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper passes. Paper 15501 offered by Councilor Knight. Do you resolve the traffic commission review the crosswalk and parking spaces crossing with Winthrop Street at Victory Park? Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think we need an audit of many of our streets in Medford, potholes, divots, construction work, catch basins. There's a number of issues. I know the Department of Public Works is on top of many of them, and they've answered our calls on a number of things. But sometimes resurfacing roads is much more costly and time-consuming. But Belle Ave is one of those roads that really needs to be looked at. My children, I've received complaints on it, but I also drive down Belle once in a while, and my children call it the roller coaster road, which the heights, they put their hands up in the back seat and they kind of woo. So in a way, to them it's funny, but really it's a safety concern. despicable. People on my road, Richard Street, which is close to Belle Ave, believe that Richard Street needs to be repaved. But you look at Belle Ave, and it is horrifying. So I just think that we do need to do an assessment of all our streets and put those that really need to be repaved on the repave list. So if we could just have the Department of Public Works take a look at this and maybe give us a time frame of when maybe this can get repaved, that would be appreciated. I'd also like to just amend this. Somebody read the resolve and had a question about several winter sand barrels that were still in our roads. It's now, you know, June. So if we could have the appropriate department take a look at maybe the winter sand barrels, that would be helpful. I know there's one at Brackett and Gaston Street, Belle Ave, Park and Doonan Street. If we could just take a look, Cleveland and Clematis and also Park Street, I believe is the number where there are several winter sand barrels. Just question if and when they'll be removed. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, that's it. I was just going to say, they're all blocking the sidewalk, which is, you know, elderly, handicapped, baby strollers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. Did we get some of those streets? Did we get some of those streets, Mr. Finn? Clerk Finn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if we can put that as an amendment to the resolve, remove the winter sand barrels.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could let our citizens speak regarding the budget. something I think we've asked for a number of times, and you can reiterate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just move that as a, put that in motion form and send that to the administration and Louise Miller, that's something that the city council has asked for a number of times, just to have the budget accessible online on the website. I think it's as simple as probably scanning and attaching it as a document.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely. Absolutely. So if we could request that they submitted as a PDF so that people can access it online. I think it's something that more people from home would definitely would like to access and have the right to access. It's their tax dollars that go to paying the budget, so I would just move that, move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we can take Paper one, under motions, orders, and resolutions, paper 15-497. Out of order, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, not today. Thank you. Thank you, President Dello Russo. Um, myself and actually Council Marks put this on the agenda because the entire council, I believe has been getting a number of, um, complaints from residents who are hearing the airplanes coming from Logan airport above their heads, whether their windows are open or not. Um, it's disturbing sleep. It's disturbing quality of life. A lot of it's going on. I hear complaints from West Medford and from the Medford Heights. And we actually have a resident here to speak tonight. So, you know, I would like her to come up and explain what's going on in her neighborhood, which is actually close to my neighborhood. I also wanted to bring it up because it is hard to get answers from Massport. It's hard to know exactly what our administration is doing with regards to these complaints. I think the people need answers, and I think we need, whether it's a number of studies that can be done, analysis, analyzing the situation to make sure that we try to get some resolve for our residents. I know Somerville brought up the issue recently. Actually, May 7th is the article that I read from Somerville, actually forwarded to me by somebody else who was complaining in the West Medford area. So the Board of Aldermen's sought answers to aircraft noise issues. They actually are researching flight patterns, or asking that it be researched, flight patterns and the number of residents affected be analyzed and be compared with other runways and communities. I read it further. I did some research online. I know that an article was in the Medford Patch last year, 2014, at which time Massport stated they were going to do a one-year study. So I'd like to, you know, further amend my resolve and ask that we get any results from that Massport study. I don't know if Council Member Marks has anything else to add, but it seems like the flight patterns have doubled, and there's also an issue with the lane, the certain, it's hard to understand, but the lane that was opened, which is, Logan's runway 33 left, or R33L. It's the airport's last major runway to receive RNAV, and planes that take off are using this new runway to fly over areas such as East Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford. So that opened June 2013, and I think that's the beginning of when the complaints started here. Last year, around this time, is when we started to get the complaints. They kind of die off. When all the windows close, people start going inside their homes. So for November, December, they start dying off. And now, all of a sudden, we're getting the complaints again. And we're getting people who can't enjoy their backyards. Or they can't even watch TV with their windows open, because these flights are happening every two minutes. At least you're seeing your plane fly over. So I would like to join in on what the city of Somerville is trying to do. And there's no reason why Medford can't analyze and strategize and draft their own recommendations to mass board or ask for answers so that we can, you know, figure out if there's a way that we can lessen the inconvenience to our residents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Briefly, if we could, if we could actually ask the Medford's rep to come again, I know maybe send her an email or a letter in the mail. I think that's probably, getting somebody from the board, we're going to learn a lot more that way than trying to do our research and ask the administration. So if we could ask again, that would be helpful. And I know back in 2013, Logan Airport adopted a straight line way of approaching the airport, which they used to do a roundabout way, which is one of the reasons why planes are flying lower. The Federal Aviation Administration, which uses radar approach points, allow planes to fly within the last two years shorter distances, which reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions. So there is a reason why. Planes are definitely flying low. There is a reason why we're getting these complaints. And therefore, there's a reason for the study and the money being spent to make sure the decibels are within normal ranges. Because if you're researching online, too, a lot of things that I found today and yesterday that were popping up were health risks. detrimental effects that this noise level can have on a human being. So I would like to obviously get that report on that one-year study and definitely see if we can get any report on any other studies that are having to do with any of the noise levels. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to go on the record in support of Councilor Caraviello's resolve, along with your amendment, to get a list, a breakdown of what was spent on the bathrooms last year. I think that's something we don't know, and I think that's something we all would challenge, that $10,000 was actually put into the bathrooms. It's upsetting because it's a public building where your children are going to, you know, read and take out books from the library. They should at least be able to have a place to go to the bathroom. I think it correlates with a resolution you had on the agenda last week or the week before, councillor Penta, with regards to jobs just being $90,000 jobs being created and people getting raises of $20,000. We heard recently of a 5% raise you know, took place, and it just makes you stop and think, like, maybe we should take care and maintain the buildings we have before we go hire additional personnel to work in them. We, in the council, fight year after year, project after project, for maintenance accounts, maintenance fees, and we, Councilor Marks, you know, fought hard, you know, with our help, obviously, to get $10,000 for the bathrooms to be replaced, and we spoke about it last year, There are people that would volunteer. So I mean, it is upsetting. It's hard to handle how the city is operated and how the city spends money. Because something like that, whether or not to do the library over, obviously, is a huge decision. And the police department has to come into account. But to get facilities and to be able to fight for $10,000, and then nothing changed, nothing happened, it's almost like, what are we doing week after week? you know, voice in our opinions. We talked about the library bathroom six times, seven times, and that's just completely unfortunate. And I, you know, that's one of the many things, obviously, that upset me with regards to how money's spent. But I would, I agree, we need, I would love to see an accounting and where the money went.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just, I believe one councilor is talking about a public meeting and one councilor is talking about a public hearing. There was plenty of meetings, but I don't believe the state has had any public hearings. They haven't declared any meetings. They haven't notified neighbors. They haven't notified businesses of a meeting where citizens and business owners can give their... There was one here today in this building.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, I didn't know about that one. What meeting? A year ago, we had public hearings before the city council. I never have known about one where the community has been notified to give their input of this project. I mean, because I agree, three years is going to detrimentally affect our Medford Square businesses to the point where maybe there'll be no mitigation, but there'll be claims in court against the state. I mean, and that's a given if you see a business go out of, go out of business due to loss of income from the project that's going to take place. So I think both councilors are making their points and are right in their own different ways.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Madam Vice President, just point of clarification. Sorry. I want to, there's a third and fourth floor. So to house. Okay. So we're just asking the question, have them discuss it on that motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I can recall too, when it was before the council a number of times in the committee, your committee was started and Mr. Starello was a big advocate. Um, uh, Capucci, was a big advocate. And I think you had a lot of meetings and you did a lot of work. And then the council took that vote of three to four and everything kind of died down after that. So maybe now if we can uniformly say we need to review the charter, we can move, you know, your committee and the city can move forward with, you know, reviewing the charter and seeing, seeing what needs to be changed in the future.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we can take Paper one, under motions, orders, and resolutions, paper 15-497. Out of order, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, not today. Thank you, President Dello Russo. Myself and actually Council Marks put this on the agenda because the entire council, I believe, has been getting a number of complaints from residents who are hearing the airplanes coming from Logan Airport. above their heads, whether their windows are open or not. It's disturbing sleep. It's disturbing quality of life. A lot of it's going on. I hear complaints from West Medford and from the Medford Heights. And we actually have a resident here to speak tonight. So I would like her to come up and explain what's going on in her neighborhood, which is actually close to my neighborhood. I also wanted to bring it up. Because it is hard to get answers from Massport. It's hard to know exactly what our administration is doing with regards to these complaints. I think the people need answers, and I think we need, whether it's a number of studies that can be done, analysis, analyzing the situation to make sure that we try to get some resolve for our residents. brought up the issue recently. Actually, May 7th is the article that I read from Somerville, actually forwarded to me by somebody else who was complaining in the West Medford area. So the Board of Aldermen sought answers to aircraft noise issues. They actually are researching flight patterns, or asking that it be researched, flight patterns and the number of residents affected be analyzed and be compared with other runways and communities. I read it further. I did some research online. I know that an article was in the Medford Patch last year, 2014, at which time Massport stated they were going to do a one-year study. So I'd like to, you know, further amend my resolve and ask that we get any results from that Massport study. I don't know if Council Member Marx has anything else to add, but it seems like the Flight patterns have doubled, and there's also an issue with the lane. It's hard to understand, but the lane that was opened, which is Logan's runway 33 left, or R33L. It's the airport's last major runway to receive RNAV. And planes that take off are using this new runway to fly over areas such as East Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford. That opened June 2013, and I think that's the beginning of when the complaints started here. And I know last year, around this time, is when we started to get the complaints. They kind of die off. When all the windows close, people start going inside their homes. So for November, December, they start dying off. And now, all of a sudden, we're getting the complaints again. And we're getting people who can't enjoy their backyards, or they can't even watch TV with their windows open, because these flights are every two minutes. at least you're seeing an airplane fly over. So I would, I would like to join in on what the city of Somerville is trying to do. There's no reason why Medford can't analyze and strategize and draft their own recommendations to Massport or ask for answers so that we can, you know, figure out if there's a way that we can lessen the inconvenience to our residents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I couldn't find it either.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Briefly, if we could, if we could actually ask the Medford's rep to come again, I know maybe send her an email or a letter in the mail. I think that's probably somebody getting somebody from the board is going to, we're going to learn a lot more that way than trying to do our research and ask the administration. So if we could ask again, that would be helpful. And I know it back in 2013, Logan airport adopted a straight line, a way of approaching the airport, which was, They used to do a roundabout way, which is one of the reasons why planes are flying lower. The Federal Aviation Administration, which uses radar approach points, allow planes to fly, within the last two years, shorter distances, which reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions. So there is a reason why. Planes are definitely flying low. There is a reason why we're getting these complaints. And therefore, there's a reason for the study and the money being spent. to make sure the decibels are within normal ranges. Because if you're researching online, too, a lot of things that I found today and yesterday that were popping up were health risks and detrimental effects that this noise level can have on a human being. So I would like to obviously get that report on that one-year study and definitely see if we can get any report on any other studies that are having to do with any of the noise levels. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to go on the record in support of Councilor Caraviello's resolve, along with your amendment, to get a list, a breakdown of what was spent on the bathrooms last year. I think that's something we don't know, and I think that's something we all would challenge, that $10,000 was actually put into the bathrooms. It's upsetting because it's a public building where your children are going to you know, read and take out books from the library, they should at least be able to have a place to go to the bathroom. I think it correlates with a resolution you had on the agenda last week or the week before, Councilor Penta, with regards to jobs just being, $90,000 jobs being created and people getting raises of $20,000. We heard recently of a 5% raise that, you know, took place and it just, makes you stop and think, like, maybe we should take care and maintain the buildings we have before we go hire additional personnel to work in them. We, in the council, fight year after year, project after project for maintenance accounts, maintenance fees. And we, Councilor Marks, you know, fought hard, you know, with our help, obviously, to get $10,000 for the bathrooms to be replaced. And we spoke about it last year. There are people that would volunteer. So I mean, it is upsetting. It's hard to handle how the city is operated and how the city spends money. Because something like that, whether or not to do the library over, obviously, is a huge decision. And the police department has to come into account. But to get facilities and to be able to fight for $10,000 and then nothing changed, nothing happened, it's almost like, what are we doing week after week? you know, voice in our opinions. We talked about the library bathroom six times, seven times. And that's just completely unfortunate. And I, you know, that's one of the many things, obviously, that upset me with regards to how money's spent. But I would, I agree, we need, I would love to see an accounting and where the money went.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just, I believe one councilor's talking about a public meeting and one councilor's talking about a public hearing. There was plenty of meetings, but I don't believe the state has had any public hearings. They haven't declared any meetings. They haven't notified neighbors. They haven't notified businesses of a meeting where citizens and business owners can give their... There was one here today in this building.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, I didn't know about that one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A year ago, we had public hearings before the city council. I never have known about one where the community has been notified to give their input of this project. I mean, because I agree, three years is going to detrimentally affect our Medford Square businesses to the point where maybe there'll be no mitigation, but there'll be claims in court against the state. I mean, and that's a given if you see a business go out go out of business and due to loss of income from, you know, the project that's going to take place. So, um, I think both Councilors are making their points and have a right in their own different ways.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just a point of clarification. Sorry, I wanted to. There's a third and fourth floor. There's a third and fourth floor, so to house. OK. So we're just asking the question, have them discuss it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm going to clarify some information.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I can recall too, when it was before the council a number of times and the committee, your committee was started and Mr. Starello was a big advocate, Capucci, was a big advocate, and I think you had a lot of meetings, and you did a lot of work, and then the council took that vote of three to four, and everything kind of died down after that. So maybe now, if we can uniformly say we need to review the charter, we can move, you know, your committee and the city can move forward with, you know, reviewing the charter and seeing what needs to be changed in the future.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Thank you for coming, gentlemen. I think Councilman Marks asked a majority of the questions, but I just had a question with regards to your public open house on May 11th. Was that for the administration? And what type of meeting was that? Just because I was unaware of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Who was invited?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 4,000 people invited. We did not have a large turnout at the Medford event.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, but you sent out 4,000 letters? That's what- Oh, wow. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Yeah, no, I'm glad you invited so many people, especially the people on the route. I grew up on South Street, so I know a lot of my neighbors would be concerned, prior neighbors. With regards to when you start the project, will you be leafleting, you know, the sections as you do them with contact information, if people had questions or concerns or, okay. So we're leaving something at everybody's door. We're going to be working near your home in the next week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. ask that that definitely take place, that residents know, you know, a week in advance of when work will be, where and when work will be scheduled, because those will be the brux of the calls we get from concerned residents, what is going on and what's being done up in front of my house right now. So it would be good if they can have a contact information, your contact information with any questions they have. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: President de la Rousseau. The mayor or mayor's office state when the job description will be ready?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And this will be 40 hours a week?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: CAF 12. How much?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And do we have any idea of when when the job will be advertised?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thanks. Thank you so much for coming, Brooke. Thank you, Councilor Dello Russo. My only concern would be waiving the readings. I would like to have some sort of reason for the administration to come back and maybe discuss job description with us, you know, maybe discuss when it goes out for advertisement, maybe possibly find out who's applying. I would like the council to be involved in the process. I mean, it's a concern that each one of us have discussed week after week, month after month, especially, you know, going through this epidemic. So my only concern would be waiving the three readings and giving up full control. and allowing the administration to just do whatever they want. We've discussed it, whether it be school committee meetings or city council meetings or here at the floor. There are so many prongs to the problem, whether it be prevention in our schools, lack of treatment, helping families get through what they're going through, helping the police and giving them the help they need. I mean, there's so many different things. So I don't want to get lost on one or two of the probably 10 prongs that there are. I want to make sure that we have a say. So I would say move approval tonight, but let it come back before us so that we can hopefully. And with that, if we could get the job description when it's complete, if we could make an amendment that we get the job description so we can review it and make our recommendations and be able to help with that. I think that's probably the best avenue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Quickly, what qualifications the administration is looking for, you know, degree of education, courses that, you know, this position will be required to have taken.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Scope of requirements. Okay. Thank you. I did, Mr. President.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Diller.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think you answered one of my questions. So currently, or in the past, those attending the police academy have been paid, but they've been paid at this rate. That's correct. And you mentioned something about in 1995, there was an amendment by the state at that time. It was when we should have accepted this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, so do we have anybody in the academy currently?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And how many retirees do we have this year, do you know?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know that was off topic. I just figured that was a question that I wanted to get answered. I agree that this is something that probably should have been done a while ago. So I think it's definitely time to do it. And I think a separate category for those that are in the academy is probably necessary. So you have my approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We do have a motion by counsel. Is it an amendment? by Councilor Knight. Okay, no amendment.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If I may, through the chair, I, too, received calls with regards to the Medford Square business permit issue. The businesses feel that there's not enough spots. I know you say there are. Condon Shell, you're saying, should be the backup?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And one question on that, the business permit, if somebody needs to change a car, can they swap plates for a day, call the office?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I've had two complaints from business owners that they've called the office, Republic office, tried to switch the plate numbers for the day because they had to switch cars. And they say they're unable to do that. So if we could just check with Republic on that. One was today, and one was last week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the business owners are being told that they can't, they can't swap plates on the business permit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if you could ask that question, cause I know tissue tickets were issued in those two instances, even though the business owner called Republic asked to switch the plate, they said she couldn't. And then she got tickets. So I can talk to you afterwards.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Camuso.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification. Point of clarification. Council Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Um, thank you chief for answering our questions. Again, some questions resolved Councilor Penta chief.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to receive in place on file and hopefully chief will get us, you know, ask those questions for us, get us those answers. All those in favor. All those opposed. It passes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to revert back to regular.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I agree.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thanks, Chief. Yes. Motions, orders, and resolutions 15-470 offered by Councilor Caraviello be resolved with the Medford City Council, discuss the proposed Proposed appeal of 198202 Harvard Street to change from a three-family to a non-conforming five-family in an already congested area with insufficient off-street parking. Councilor Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Would you like to make a recommendation to the Board of Appeals?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You want to make a recommendation?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Recommend that the Board of Appeals put a moratorium until the matter is discussed with the City Council?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you have to have converting two to two, two to five.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By way of approval, correct. Okay. Name and address for the record, sorry.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Ken.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Name and address of the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Camuso.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Mr. Cassidy.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On the motion. Do you want them to request a moratorium, or do you want to So we'll ask for how many conversions in the last 10 years, and then the last year by address, and also how many are coming forward within the next two to four months. OK, we'll take off the moratorium. So we'll be notified when they come forward? Can we be notified?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So by resolution by councillor Caraviello, amended by councillor Kamuso. Motion for approval. All those in favor? All those passed. 15471 offered by Councilor Knight. Be resolved that motion to withdraw. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper is withdrawn. Paper 15-472 offered by Councilor Knight. be resolved the contractors performing the construction work on Winthrop Street between Route 16 and Route 60 remove all construction equipment, materials and debris at the conclusion of each day. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely, motion for approval. Second. Seconded by Council President Dello Russo. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Paper 15-473, offered by Councilor Knight. Be it resolved the City Clerk provide a listing of all requests for budget appropriations made by the Council for review in concert with the City Council budget hearings. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Council of the Night. All those in favor? Seconded by Council President Dello Russo. All those opposed? Paper passes. Paper 15-4.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to withdraw. Paper 15-474. All those in favor? All those opposed? Paper is withdrawn. Paper 15-475 offered by Councilor Knight. Be it resolved the harbour master and project manager for the Craddock Bridge renovation project conduct an information session for boat owners to determine what waterway restrictions will be implemented during the renovations of the Craddock Bridge. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Councilor Knight. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Paper 15-476, offered by Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion to withdraw. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion is withdrawn. Paper 15-477, offered by Councilor Knight. Be it resolved the administration provide the council with a listing of all vacant board and commission positions that are established by way of ordinance, statute, or state law. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Not too late to get a ticket.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Not too late to get a ticket.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Penderkin. Councilor Penderkin.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll be brief. Thank you, President Dello Russo. I just want to echo the sentiments that Council Marks and Council Pinto have already said so well. I think adding to the arts in the community, number one, has been extremely effective to bringing out people, diversity, young, we have so many programs that have been able to be funded which benefit the whole community. I'll pick out one, which is Cache, which Maya and my family are very fond of. You have a cultural event that brings out hundreds, hundreds of young families to Medford Square, which so badly needs people traversing the sidewalks, going into businesses, having cultural events and performances and events for the children. I think adding to this line item, which I, too, you know, I'm not one to always add money. We're always watchdogs on the budget. But I think it's something that has benefited and can continue to grow and continue to benefit everybody that lives in this community. And I, too, was at the Royal House. It was, you know, a great event. And what Maria Daniels and what Cachet and I would I know Mrs. Scuderi's involved in the arts, and I can't name everybody, but there are so many people who are interested in arts and are interested in teaching and bringing that across the city, and I think it's wonderful, and I think this is something that is gonna, it's an investment for our future, and it's an investment for the arts community to show what they have for us, and we're lucky and fortunate to have people that wanna carry this out and do better for the city. I'm in full support, and I'm sure all my colleagues will be in support. And I hope this comes to fruition.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. All those in favor. Oh, Councilor Marks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great honor. Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I was lucky enough to be able to attend most of the meeting that was held at the Medford High School on last Thursday. It was the Medford School Committee, administrators, somebody from Marion Ryan's office. What's her name? Marion Ryan. Yes. What is it? The DA. The DA, yes. OK. Sorry. Members of a number of principals. I'm blanking on a few of the organization's names. It was a great group of people, the chief of police, the DARE officer, Officer O'Keefe, a number of Medford police officers were in attendance, Penny and Brooke from Team Medford. And at that time, we were informed, just like the city council had their meeting. We were informed, we were given statistics, and it was based around prevention within the schools. We listened to representatives from the high school and the middle schools with regards to what programming there is within the schools, what is done, not necessarily all about prevention, but what positive influences are in the high school and what's done to steer children away, teenagers away from drugs. And I thought it was very important. I was able to stay for almost two hours. I did have to go because I had to relieve a babysitter. So I'm not exactly sure how the meeting ended, but one thing I did take away from it, and I'm not sure if the school committee, you know, talked about it further, was, you know, the fact that DARE program, the DARE program was in fifth grade, sixth, seventh, and eighth in the past, as well as the high school. When funding got tight, the DARE program was eliminated from the sixth, seventh, eighth, and the high school. Now, I'm not going to put words in the chief of police's mouth, but to me it seems very much so that he thinks, especially in the middle school, children would benefit from the DARE program. I'm a true believer in the program. I've been a product of it. I believe that it teaches against peer pressure how to resolve conflict, how to stay away from drugs, alcohol. I think it's something that is needed in the middle school. And whether that's the DARE program or there are new programs out there, I think we need something in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. I think the fifth grade, it's a great base. It's a great program. It's definitely, definitely needed. But I think we need to expand that, and I think we need to grab the minds of the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders and somehow push prevention, drug prevention, on them in a positive way from mentors, whether that's police officers or teachers. I truly think that something is needed in the middle school. So I would just ask, whether it be the DEA program or another program, that something is implemented September 1. to teach drug and alcohol prevention within our middle school.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Lauren, can I ask a quick question? The public service funding, you said the half a percent was cut. Is that across the board, or were there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then with regards to the Mitford Senior Center, do you have a breakdown of, I know you named about five different projects. Do you have a breakdown of what's actually where?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So all the work is listed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: City Clerk, can we just put that in the record?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just a breakdown of preliminary estimate with regards to the Medford Senior Center. Of the scope of work. Scope of work, and also with the, obviously, where are we? The Housing Authority.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm going to keep good track of what the housing authority is doing.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we planned on expending the $500,000 from 2014 and the $641,000 on the senior center this year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then the same thing with the housing programs, you mentioned this 5,000 in this year's budget, and then there's 250,000 left over from last year's. Yeah, probably from a bunch of years, you know, actually. So the balance there is $250,000. So after this year, it'll be $255,000. Do we plan on expending that? with it?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you can, um, so there may be more than one applications throughout the year. Is that correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then I think one of my last questions, the South Street in Winthrop, what exactly, I know that was brought up last year, they were going to possibly put a speed bump?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Slow the traffic down so people would have to actually use their blinkers rather than taking the quick turn. Exactly. And that is mainly, I mean, that has to do with people crossing to go to Memorial Park.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Curb cuts will be added? Yes. So what's the process? Once you figure out option A or option B, you'll request proposals?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And you will have a public hearing for the neighborhood?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could just put that as part of the record, just the council requesting a public meeting before the work on South Street and Winthrop Street is started. I grew up in South Street, so I know a lot of people on South Street that would be interested in, I think, input from the residents who are traversing the area all the time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's all the questions I have for right now. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Now that the $15,000 to the Medford Housing Authority is on the table to be eliminated, you mentioned it's the last state, I know we learned this in the meeting as well, the Committee of the Whole meeting, it's the last state housing within Medford. And the federal dollars, obviously, there's more federal dollars. Do you know how much savings the Medford Housing Authority has for state dollars?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Now, how do you know that? figures from the state.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I know, I agree.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I see both sides to it. That was in my... years on the council that was probably the most disturbing set of issues that has come before the council or that we've spoken about. So, I mean, I probably feel the same way as your office does and the rest of the council. So I'm apprehensive in voting for it unless obviously you're on top of it, which you will be. depending on the reserves, I guess, is where I'd make my decision. Now, is there any way to hold that portion of it until next week so we can get those figures?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would feel more comfortable with that than, you know, eliminating it entirely. maybe put some parameters on it, then you'd have my vote.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'm just sad, I guess, that I didn't see it live, because that pitch is pretty remarkable. It's something that I think would bring so much interest, not only to Chevalier, but the square. My only question with that being said is, have you researched pricing and how much that would cost? Just so we get an idea of what we're voting on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it would be similar to what you showed us on your phone and what we saw?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Identical.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No. Are we talking, I mean, so if it's light up signage, it's got to be at least 25,000?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But we're in that bar range. Oh, absolutely. So 25,000 to 35,000.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would just add an amendment that there is a neighborhood meeting before any RFPs go out, obviously, just for I know you said the neighbors were very supportive of it, but we definitely want to get their input.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then just another suggestion, when you look for input on, you know, a program that people would like to see, I know the paper is One Avenue and obviously the paper puts it online, but also social media, that can be huge, you know, getting the Councilors involved and, you know, everybody's on Facebook nowadays. I mean, I would really get input from all generations and maybe try to— There's no age limit on the input, you know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, we have such a population of families and just the younger generation too, which would, I know you've spoken in subcommittee meetings just because people have requested that before, programming for children where families can go on a Saturday afternoon. Even as simple as putting up a movie screen and watching a movie with popcorn with your kids. I think that a couple bucks a person, there's so many different things you could. the community can come up with. So I think that getting the input is great and hopefully we can, Council can help in any way we can.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We should take that picture and then start the ad with that because I think that people would be amazed at how that looked and maybe people would spark an interest.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President de la Rousseau. I just don't believe this is in our purview either. I feel like, I think she did announce that she was going to resign this Thursday. We don't know the reasoning for staying on two more weeks, but there has to be some sort of reason, whether it's to train somebody who's going to be taking our place or at least taking our place for the June budget. There has to be a reasoning that we're not aware of. I think it's up to those running for mayor or for elected office or for taking a vote individually to protect their own conflict of interest. It's really not in our purview.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Camuso.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification. Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, where was the advertisement?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Point of clarification, Councilor Panto.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Clarification, Councilor Camuso.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Okay, so on Councilor Penta's motion that the Building Department give a further report, Liquor Commission look into the licensing. And amended by Councilor Camuso that the Board of Health look into this. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Liquor Commission, and Board of Health. Building, Offered by Councilor Penta. I'll read it and then we can switch. Be it resolved as a matter of this present year's operating budget that includes a $2 million increase in the school department be discussed. Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I thank Councilor Penta for putting this on the agenda. I think we do need some answers, and I know the school committee has to be involved, but I think we do need some answers before the budget in June. From what I understand, there have been at least seven new hires at 94,000 to $15,000 per year in salary. So I just, I think that's pertinent information for the June, going over the school department budget in June, because I think we need to look at the big picture here. I too did not know these new positions were going to be implemented. We were told, you know, I think minimal information when we should have been told probably more information of the bigger picture back back in last year in June 2014. We have people who are being hired, 94,000, 115,000. Then we also have people who jumped from 77,000 to 94,000, 82,000 to 94,000. We have people that jumped, you know, minimally 8,000, 5,000, 6,000. But I think it does a disservice to give an administrator, you know, a $20,000 raise when we're talking about giving our fire and police and teachers you know, the one to 2%, you know, an average increase in pay salary based on the cost of living. We also have aides in our kindergartens. They got a 13 cent per hour raise. 13 cents. That equals, I mean, if you do the average, some aides in the kindergarten classrooms aren't even allowed to work a full day. They work about three hours per day. That being the case, it's about an $85 raise for the year. I think it's something that we need to pay more attention to this at budget time. And I know we meet probably six, seven, eight times during the budget. We go over the whole city budget. But I think we need to dedicate more than an hour, an hour and a half to the school budget. And if that's sitting down with the school committee, so be it. But the main issue here is that we were given minimal information. I mean, we don't have a day-to-day, you know, we don't have day-to-day access of who's hired and who's fired in the school department. Well, nobody's fired. who's hired and for what salary and who's going to get what raise. I mean, we don't have that information on a yearly basis. But it's something that we need to definitely dig into a little deeper come June. Because I think that the city should be consistent throughout the board. Like I said a couple minutes ago, fire, police, teachers, aides within our classroom. That's disgraceful. It's absolutely disgraceful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Just to resolve, I know Councilor Penta, we'd like a list before June of all new hires in the last 12 months with salaries and amounts, and then Just also a list of all those who received raises over the last two years, over the average of 1 to 2%, which the rest of the city seems to get. So if we could have that before June, that would help with our budget deliberations. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Rosa. I just want to add that I think very well that the school committee did their due diligence and have probably talked about this in their own committee meetings a number of times, I think it's just time for us as a council to get the information before the June budget. So I agree with Council Penter in respect that we'd like to see this information and be able to deliberate on it. But I obviously disagree with regards to the fact that I think the school committee is doing their job. And I just wanted to make that clear. And if you could just read the motions before we actually vote on them, that would be fine.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: over the average of 1-2% within the last 24 months.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is not on the agenda, but if I may, I meant to put a motion under suspension, just to notify the city council that the school committee is having a meeting on Thursday night at the high school. I believe I can find out more information at 7 p.m. with regards to the drug prevention within our schools. That's something that city I brought forward in the city council supported seven to nothing a few weeks ago. And I want to thank the school committee for going forward and having that meeting. So hopefully, Anybody that can attend will be there. We're going to get some updates with regards to what is in the schools presently and hopefully round table debate the topic. So I want to thank the school committee for that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Great. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you for that. I just, I did request an update from the chief of police probably the end of last week. So if you don't mind, it's very, you know, it's not too long. He did write back. The patrol officers association is in agreement with carrying and utilizing Narcan. At this time, I have the policy almost complete. I need to identify a medical control physician to sign off on this and provide training. I am working with Penny and Armstrong Ambulance to identify the MCP, which is required. I recently received 10 free doses from the Middlesex DA. Obviously, we will need more and we will get it. We are very close. The union was very agreeable. It is the other red tape that has been problematic. So the chief of police is working on it. I know the overcoming addiction and the city council and the rest of the city is hoping that it comes sooner rather than later. But at least the chief is being extremely responsive, and it's good that the Patrolmen and Women's Association is agreeable. So I thank the chief for that update. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Did you say Cambridge, there was 2,027 that voted?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, I think it's a great idea. I always say when I get e-mails with regards to maybe a bond that's coming on the table, and I get e-mails, I always respond, thank you for your input to all our citizens. Thank you for your input. I like to know what the citizens want to see money spent on, or I like to know if they want me to vote, you know. up or down and the reasoning why. So, I mean, if we could get it done, I think it's a great idea. You do need the administration on board. You need to be able to put it on the website, like you said, and have online voting. I think that's going to be huge. And you need the support behind you. But I think it's a great idea. I also like when the transcript or the local papers do—they sometimes take tallies on projects that you know, are on the forefront and try to get, you know, input. I know the last time it was, you know, the police station came in at 20% and so on and so forth with regards to what people think is the top priority. So I did read that article and I like to see, you know, what the city of Medford wants, what the citizens want. So I think it's a great idea.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Briefly, thank you, President De La Rosa. I just would like at least a week just to digest it, read the legislation, and get some questions answered. It's almost 11 o'clock at night, so I just want to read the language over the week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Lay the table, if you want to do it. Well, let the citizen speak, and then I'll move to lay it on the table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. There have been The city councillors in Malden held one meeting that I was in attendance for with regards to the Malden redevelopment. They spoke to the citizens of Malden. Really didn't give the citizens of Medford, you know, too much time to speak and throw out their concerns. And then there's also a group that is having meetings with regards to how they see the Malden site being redeveloped. Three acres of the property is in So, you know, and it abuts our neighborhoods up in the heights. There are a lot of people that are concerned on this. I know Lauren DiLorenzo from Office of Community Development was at the first meeting held by the City of Malden. I was at that meeting. I was also at one of the two meetings from this private group. So there is a lot of talk going on. There are developers, I'm sure, working on their plan. But it's been a while since, you know, Lauren was involved at that one meeting. And I just want to get an update from whether that's Office of Community Development and or the city administrations to see where we stand. I just want to make sure that our mayor and city administration are on top of what is going on and definitely have a say in the development. There are a number of things that Medford residents are concerned about, obviously opening up that gate. We discussed it at prior meetings. They're concerned about traffic flow on Salem Street and up in the Heights and people cutting through the neighborhoods. There's already enough traffic around that area. So I just want to make sure that the City of Medford stays on top of this. We have to, you know, obviously be vigilant in getting in Malden's ear, saying, hey, you know, we have a stake in this too. It's, you know, partly our property as well. So just any updates the City of Medford can give us, the City Council with regards to that, because I know there are a lot of, There's a lot of Medford residents that reach out to the councillors about this proposal. Obviously, it's very dense. They want hundreds of units from townhouses to apartments. And that is just a site that probably cannot take that type of density. And this other group would like to see some parkland, some public buildings, and where does the city stand is my question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was going to ask what the actual resolve is. So the resolve is to pull the kiosks and terminate the contract? Yes. Just from my perspective, I feel the same way. I feel very frustrated with regards to, you know, the amount of emails we get. Yesterday was almost the last straw, and I think it was for the council, with regards to tickets going out when it was a holiday. I mean, I specifically asked the chief of police, are they ticketing today? And he said no. And then all of a sudden we get e-mails that night that people are getting ticketed, not only in our squares, but also in our residential streets. People are upset. People do not like this program. And I think part of it is the way it was rolled out, when it was rolled out, and how it was rolled out. But it's also that they're just not following the contract. They're not doing what they're supposed to be doing, even though week after week after week, we're pointing out errors. We're pointing out mistakes. We're pointing out violations. And we're pointing out reason after reason after reason of why the public hates the program, on top of the fact that most people didn't like it. I guess where I'm confused is we have a meeting tomorrow night that's probably going to lead to another meeting. if I could suggest, make a suggestion that we ask the mayor to terminate all dealings, have them get off our streets. Let's figure this out. If they're not going to do it the right way, I agree. Let's pull the plug. Let's figure out. For some reason, the mayor didn't want to do it in-house. I remember the discussions. I remember asking, why not meters? Nope, kiosks. The mayor wanted kiosks. That was it. We had no say in what type of machines were going into our city. But to me, I want to hear what they have to say. I have, you know, probably 10 questions that I have to ask for public, information that we need from them. You know, they're not doing it right. I would just suggest that we ask the mayor to have, until we resolve these issues and figure out a way that we can do it the right way, whether that's free half-hour parking, free parking, and have, you know, the city lose some portion of the intake that we were supposed to get, because I agree, this isn't about the money. This is turning over our squares This was creating more business, not less. That was our goal. That was the city council's goal. So changes do need to be made. Questions do need to be answered. I would just ask that we have the meeting tomorrow night. Maybe in the meantime, whether it's tomorrow night and next Wednesday as well, we ask the mayor to have them cease giving out any type of tickets, cease the program, and then we can decide after we meet with them what to do, what is the right answer. Will they make any changes? Will they amend the contract?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just quickly, if I could also amend this and request, I've already emailed the chief of police, but request that any tickets that were given out yesterday, which was a holiday, it's Patriot's Day, be wiped out. That people don't have to go down and appeal these tickets. I mean, it was a holiday. Republic should not have been out tagging anybody on a holiday. So just ask my council colleagues to agree with me on that and hopefully wipe out those tickets.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, thank you, President Dello Russo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I feel like some of the—it's a lot of language to digest, but I feel like some of it is almost contradictory. To terminate the contract, that's fine, but then to enforce—the enforcement be done in-house, I'm assuming with the kiosks, because to terminate the contract, we quite possibly have to pay for the kiosks anyway. But then we have another resolve that we remove the kiosks. Yet, so how are we going to enforce the kiosks in-house, yet terminate? You know, I feel like we need to sit down and figure out a plan going forward. Because I agree, it should probably, it should have been done in-house. It shouldn't have been a moneymaker like it is. It should have been for the businesses. But I feel like we need to throw around this language, whether it's, we have, we're all going to sit down tomorrow night and we need to discuss going forward. Are we just, do we just want to go back and remove the kiosk and go back to where we were before? Because then we'd have to ask the mayor to, like we did in the first place. And I believe, I truly believe it's a few Councilors that said no parking garage, let's enforce our streets. That didn't happen. This plan came out. Now we're stuck with these kiosks and we have bounty hunters, as Councilor Penta will put it. I feel like we need a plan. Do we all feel that we should go back to where we were, not enforcing anything and hoping or asking the mayor to put enforcement in with or without kiosks, with or without in-house enforcement? I mean, I feel like we need to sit down and really talk about this and become unison because I agree, maybe the contract should be terminated or maybe the kiosk should be taken out and we should do it in-house. But we need the administration on board so that we don't go back to the same old, same old. Because people didn't, we had people on us all the time. You need parking enforcement. And we have people still now who want our streets, their own streets, enforced with permit parking. There's people that sat at this meeting begging for permit parking enforcement. So I just, I agree, I see where the councilors are going. I understand it's a disgrace, it's frustrating, and it's, things need to change, but don't you think one, you know, we should sit down for more than, you know, just a council meeting and sit down and talk about it. We're meeting tomorrow night. Maybe we should come up with a plan. Hey, Mr. Mayor, we don't want Republic in this city anymore, but we want A, B and C. We want the kiosks to stay. We want it to be free parking. We don't want the kiosks to stay. We want it to be free parking, but we want enforcement. I mean, I think we need to have a better idea of what direction we want to lead in, not just saying, let's terminate the contract, because it sounds great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Rosa. I also was going to mention that we do have a subcommittee meeting on this at 6 p.m. next Wednesday, because I think everything you've spoken about, the Council has spoken about numerous times. Especially last week, we brought up, I and the rest of my colleagues brought up a number of the issues.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: it's
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Knight. I think it's a good resolve. Just looking at one simple sheet we have. We get one, I think, once a month on our resolutions. We have a date responded to, date referred out. And this one, which is from a few months ago, shows that we got responses on 11 out of 34 resolutions. So I think it's definitely needed. We do need that. It's a good resolve. I mean, to think outside the box and figure out a way that we can make be more productive in, you know, what we're doing here every Tuesday night. So I agree with it. I second the resolve and move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I just think what Councilor Marks has merit to, I think we should obviously get responses and we should be on the mayor to respond to our resolutions. But I also think, you know, it is partly our duty to follow up and to make sure our resolutions are getting responded to. So this is a way, another avenue, number one, to push the mayor, number two, to follow up on our own. I think the mayor's got the administration's got away with it for so long, and every time we bring up the matter and try to get on top of the administration, they'll start responding to more and more, and then kind of fall back and then start again. So I think this is just another avenue to take it into our own hands and get the resolves answered. So I think, you know, both Councilors are right. We need to do both.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Table it through the chair to Councilor Marks. Table it for more discussion, and if so, at a future meeting or in a subcommittee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, president Delaware. So you, so we're having a meeting on the 21st, Tuesday, the 21st, 22nd, Wednesday. What time?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I hope Republic's present. I just, I feel like that is almost.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not soon enough. Within the last few days, I've got complaints with regards to Council Pentis concerns. Still no signage on the vehicles that are handing out the tickets. I've got complaints about people waiting in line to pay the parking meter and turn around and they have a ticket. And I've had people who are getting ticketed after they already paid within the time frame that's allowable for them to be parked in the proper parking spot. So, I mean, that's just in the last few days, and we've been getting complaints. It's almost a little bit out of control. You know, they should have guidelines, they should be properly trained, and Republic needs to take responsibility for this. Somebody shouldn't have to go with a handicapped parking spot, or somebody shouldn't have to go who was waiting in line or who actually did pay, take the time out of their busy schedules, and go to the parking office to get it taken care of. And the chief of police has been great. If somebody contacts one of us or probably the mayor's office, we can get it all squared away and figured out. But not everybody thinks to maybe call us or call the mayor's office, and they have to go down, take the time out of their work schedule, and get it taken care of. you know, the resident was right. This was implemented at the wrong time. And not only that, it's just not performed properly. It's very frustrating. And, you know, I look forward to the meeting on the 22nd. Hopefully we can get a lot accomplished and a lot resolved for our business people and our residents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President DeLaRusso. I also want to thank Mr. McDonald for agreeing to do the study at the home, and I, too, hope it's done within the next few weeks. And if we could, through the chair, if we could get a report on that study, if possible, that would be greatly appreciated so we know the outcome.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I believe Mr. McDonald is the one that began speaking about the possible merger situation. At my behest. Oh, correct. And I believe he's you know, able to say whether or not he's able to speak on something. So if we have questions, we have questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Deller. So with regards to the lighting then for an extra two hours, I know that there was issue with the units that are going to be built. Is there going to be some sort of way to direct the light so it's not in residential homes or apartments, condos, whatever is going to be built there?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't know how the lights were shining in which direction from the plan. So that's all I'm asking to make sure, you know, when the units are built, that the light is directed so it's, you know, obviously not in somebody's home till 10 o'clock at night, now that we're talking the extra two hours, especially.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, that answers my question, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe we have miss Beatrice here We're going to take those items Presently
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I agree with both Mr. Capucci and Councilor Knight. I believe that Mr. McDonald was here. We had the opportunity to ask some questions. You opened the door. I believe Mr. Capucci should have been able to ask some questions. But I also believe Councilor Knight has the right to bring this up. This is an issue that's affecting Medford residents who have jobs at Tufts University. I harp on Tufts University a lot. Every council has brought up issues or wants Tufts University to do more, so I think it's well in the purview of what we can speak about. You have a lot of people here tonight, and you have 35 jobs that might be lost, and that's something that Councilor Knight and the rest of the council, we should speak out and ask Tufts University to rethink their plan. I definitely support this in principle, and I support maintaining the jobs that are currently the way they staff them now. I agree that both issues should be on the floor. I believe this is a good issue, and I'm glad it came before the council. I'm glad to educate the people of what's going on, and I support it. I second the resolve.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Again, we speak about an important issue in this community, a crisis that is going on. I'm not really sure where to begin, you know, speaking on this specific topic, but I'll say that three weeks ago, the city council met, and we met with Team Medford, the police, members of the police department, members of the fire department, members of Armstrong Ambulance, parents of, you know, who have children that are addicted. There was representatives from the school department, and in that two-hour meeting, we discussed a whole host of problems, a whole host of ways to, things that need to be resolved, some having to do with prevention, treatment, what families go through, what, you know, those addicted go through, lack of treatment facilities, the problem with regards to the doctors prescribing, probably inappropriately or, you know, too much, and one We can have a meeting probably on each separate topic with different department heads and representatives. But one thing I would like to move forward with and something that I would like to, you know, hopefully we can have a city council committee, the whole meeting very shortly with the school department, representatives from the school department. We could, I would like to meet with the Medford city council and have team Medford there as well. I would like to discuss and implement more I'm sorry, you guys are throwing me off. Yeah, it's okay, I'll wait. Oh, you're all set, okay. I think we need more prevention in our schools. We heard representatives from the school department talk about the DARE program, which I've been an advocate for for many, many years, but they mentioned that we have the DARE program for a limited basis in our fifth grade. They mentioned a few other things that are done, and to me, it's just not enough. We are facing death after death, losing friends and people losing family members. Within the last week or so, I've lost a personal friend of mine, 34 years old. He passed away on March 27th. Over the weekend, from what I hear, another Medford resident, to me, I know I sound old, but a baby, a 23-year-old, died on Easter morning. We need to make sure that we do whatever we can so that our children will not take the first steps that so many have taken, which we've heard at the vigil, it takes one time to shoot up heroin and you become addicted. How do we prevent our younger generation, which I know is only one part of the puzzle, one part of the problem, but obviously to me, who have children in the schools, Mr. Councilor Knight, Councilor Camuso, you're going to have grandchildren in the schools very soon, Councilor Penta, Councilor Marks, Councilor Caraviello has grandchildren. Councilor Dello Russo, I know you care about the topic, too. I'm not sure if you have nieces and, you know, school-age nieces. But having the day program, it's just not enough. I did probably two hours of research, very minimal research over the last week and a half with regards to you can go on Google, and there are programs. free pamphlets and booklets and CDs, ways to educate our youth. We have the life skills training. There's online courses our teachers can take for prevention. There are free pamphlets with regards of how to educate grades three through six, how to educate our high school students, how to create youth and adults, give them facts about drugs so that they can make better informed decisions. and live a drug-free life. We need this. I spoke to one school committee member so far, and I plan on reaching out to the rest. But I think this is one thing that we've all come together on. We need to work together. That would be one of the next meetings I would ask, whether we do it in a subcommittee or a Committee of the Whole meeting, that would be one of the next meetings we have. I don't think it's ever too early to start teaching your kids and the students about drugs and drug prevention and signs Teachers need to know. They need to know how to handle students, how to teach students. So I think we can collaboratively come up with ideas and come up with ways to prevent, you know, something that has become such an issue. My daughter, you know, when my friend passed on the 27th, you know, came into the room, and it's really sad when your six-and-a-half-year-old says, Mama, you know, what's wrong? Who died? And that's what it's becoming. My six-and-a-half-year-old daughter asked me who died. She knew. And I had to tell her that I lost a friend. And that's one of many, I'm sure we all know people and all know, you know, young and old, we've said it before, it hits people in their teens, 20s, you know, we're losing people 50s and 60s to this epidemic. So, you know, I know we're all very passionate about it. We had an amazing meeting, two hour long meeting, round tabled, you know, the 10 issues that go along with it. And this is one of those pieces that we need to work on. So I would ask my colleagues that we sit down and we figure out ways to educate our students and ways to educate our teachers. I also reached out to a few teachers that I know, and I asked, what type of prevention, what type of training? Do you have a one-hour training? Do you have a full-day training on drug prevention, alcohol prevention? Oh, no. The teachers I spoke to, I have no idea. I'll ask around. Obviously, that's not enough. Teachers shouldn't have to ask around of whether or not we have any training in our schools. So I'm going to let any of my other colleagues who would like to speak on this, but there are programs, there are free programming tools out there that we need to take advantage of. And I'm sure there's grants that we can also take advantage of. That's my next research project. But I'd like to come together within the next few weeks and work on this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could have the representatives from the school department that were here actually put in writing, you know, what prevention there is. I mean, I was taking notes, but I know we have fifth grade deer and I know they mentioned one other thing. But if they could put that in writing, what is provided to our schools, our teachers, and our students, so that we can, you know, improve on that, that would be helpful.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just on that note, thank you, President Dello Russo. Chief Sacco and Detective Sacco were actually at our meeting, and Detective Sacco is pretty on top of the situation. I mean, he spoke about arrests. He spoke about the issues that the detectives are facing. He spoke about being in court and, you know, a whole host of issues. I mean, they are on top of it. Things have to change at the state level. with regards to some of the laws and regulations and the classifications of fentanyl. I know that he spoke about. So he's pretty compassionate about the issue. And I know there are arrests being made. And I've witnessed it firsthand. So I just want to let you know.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Offered by Council Penta, 1-5-334 be resolved with the Mayor's continual failure as requested by the City, by the Council on many occasions to provide adequate lighting correction to the downtown Medford Square area and the Route 16 parking lot next to the Condon Shell parking needs further discussion in the interest of Medford's public safety. Council Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Council President De La Rousseau.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's a good idea. Councilor Marks.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, we do have a lighting issue. I agree. We're going to move for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call vote has been requested.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. The vote is seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The paper passes. Paper 15-335 offered by Councilor Penta, be it resolved that since the out-of-state Republic Parking Company that the mayor has hired to collect parking space monies continues to operate in contract violation, they should have their company operational vehicles taken off the road by the police department. ticketed and be made to pay a fine until such time they adhere to the contract of responsibility. Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Name and address of the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They're going back to stickers.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: They're going to have to issue them. Yeah, they're going to have to issue at their expense, I would assume. We'll find that out in the 22nd. We'll ask that question and try to make sure that the resident doesn't have to pay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Name and address of the record.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. So you've resolved, Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're meeting on the 22nd.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I agree. So what do we have first resolved?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So this paper will be forwarded to the meeting we're going to have on Wednesday, April 22nd, I believe it is.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 22nd.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 22nd, it's a Wednesday. So we're going to refer this to the committee meeting. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we're going to refer this to the committee meeting. We can discuss it further. All those in favor? All those opposed? Councilor Camuso.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We're referring this paper to committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You got it. Thanks. Motion for approval to send this to our committee meeting, which is going to be held on the 22nd of April. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Paper carries.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Camuso's resolve that we get an update with regards to when the FIOS contract is up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Offered by Councilor Caraviello, 15-339, be it resolved that the Medford City Council offer its deepest condolences to the family of Joe Conway. Joe was an inspector for the city of Medford for many years before his recent passing. He will be missed by all his friends and family. While we're under suspension, Councilor, Also offered by Councilor Caraviello, 1-5-340, be it resolved that the Medford City Council offer its deepest condolences to the family of former Superintendent of Schools, Raymond Marano, on his recent passing. He will be missed by his many family and friends. Paper 1-5-341, offered by Councilor Caraviello, be it resolved that the Medford City Council offer condolences to the family of Barbara Belcastro on her recent passing. by her friends and family. Councilor Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We all may rise for a moment of silence. Councilor Penta.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Moment of silence. Records. Records of the meeting were passed. Councilor Caraviello, have you reviewed the records?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So make that one change. Otherwise, you find them in order of approval? Yes. All those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All those opposed? Councilor Camuso?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Preventions for the future.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval by Councilor Camuso. All those in favor? Seconded by Councilor Dello Russo. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Paper passes. Motion to adjourn by Councilor President Dello Russo. All those in favor? Happy Easter, everybody. I hope everybody had a wonderful Easter. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. President Dello Russo. Ms. Casey, if I may ask you, I can't recall. Do you know if it's a generator or what, where the noises is coming from?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and how many homes, how far up Terrace do you live? How many homes?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to go on record support and Councilor Penta's resolve. Not only do I think they should do the noise study, see if it's in with reasonable limits or if it is actually a breach of your quiet enjoyment. I think we should just go further and ask that they resolve that, that issue, whether they fence it in better or create a sound barrier. You know, something needs to be done. That's a residential neighborhood. And it sounds like to be woken up in the middle of the night is not something anybody would enjoy. And we did, I remember we asked these questions and we tried to push for this a year and a half ago. And it's a shame that the Lawrence Memorial Hospital isn't trying to resolve some of these issues for their neighbors. I think asking you to work from their hospital is just, it's out of line. I mean, you should be able to work in the quiet of your own home and it should be quiet. So I will support councilors resolve and ask that they, whatever the, if the noise level is, not sufficient for quiet enjoyment, that the hospital does something to remedy the situation.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Mr. Crowley, John Cervone, he's the attorney for the estate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it's been in probate for three years?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, it takes, it takes about a year. So the sister Norma, she must be the executor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I mean, I just feel like three years in probate court is a little long, so I'm wondering if they started the probate process late.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: because obviously the land's worth something. So hopefully somebody will buy it, tear it down, and build a new house.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think Caraviello had a good point. I think we'll see if one of our solicitors, city solicitor or assistant city solicitor could reach out to Attorney Cervone and ask where they are in probate and how much longer it's going to take and see if we can find out what they plan on doing with the property as soon as possible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It would be then this children, if he had no children, it would be the sister's property. Sister would get obtained by inheritance, yes. So, I mean, I think she'd be able to sell it. It's just a matter of if it's finished going through probate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if we can get an update, I know we asked the building department why they haven't done anything. If we could also get an update from Karen Rose with her take on this and why she feels that the city can't do anything.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Petitions, presentations, and similar matters.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I actually, Through the chair, I was gonna ask about the timeframe too, but Councilor Caraviello already asked. What about a filtration system on top of noodles or will that one system take care of all three?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if it became a problem for the neighbors, would you be willing to, I mean, what's the avenue to request that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, just make that a condition that something is set up. So if need be, filtration system is needed, that it's there, it's ready.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's a recommendation then, I think.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. Thank you. We did it for all three.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I'd make that recommendation, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You can apply. You can apply. You just come back in front of the council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just the Park Board and Director of Parks from DPW, Mike Nestor, maybe ask why those, I'm sure the Department of Public Works.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, if we could just ask for history, why are there signs up then? There must be a reason. So I agree with you. I mean, I feel like our kids should be able to play. I don't know if there was any problems that had been caused in the past, but maybe if we can get some sort of update from anybody that may know. and then try to move forward and try to resolve the issue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, with regards to the parking program, I think we need to sit down as soon as possible with the Chief of Police, somebody from Republic, whether it's at a Committee of the Whole meeting. There are some serious issues.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That would be great. I mean, we're all getting the emails, the complaints, the concerns, and it just seems like Republic really, really, really needs to get it together. There was three people waiting in line for a kiosk and I got calls that they're standing there giving tickets out to the people that are actually waiting in line for the kiosk. I also got complaints with regards to the kiosk in front of Alamo Roast Beef, Cosmopolitan Realty. They're giving tickets even though people are paying for time. You know, the people are fighting with the actual person giving a ticket, saying, look at it, it's five, I have till 5.50, yet he's giving them a ticket at 5.30. So there's just some serious, serious problems. It's bad enough to get a ticket. if you don't pay, if you went over or you're stuck in a doctor's office, to actually pay and get a ticket or to be in line to pay and get a ticket while you're standing there. I mean, people are getting apologized to by the actual parking enforcement officials. So we need to have Republic get a grip and everybody be on the same page and run this program. I mean, this program's tough enough. We need to run it properly. We need to run it properly and we need to give recommendations. We've helped change the hours, reduce the hours by two hours a day, but more needs to be done or this isn't gonna work and our businesses are gonna suffer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The 5.30 City Council meeting. I'm sorry? 5.30 City Council meeting. Is next week? On Tuesday.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruzo. City Clerk Finn, is Kelly's Roast Beef 2 a.m. or 3 a.m.? No, it's Kelly's Roast Beef. That's 3 a.m.? ?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I knew there were two or three.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just wanted to make sure. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, from the chair on that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm just going to make sure that the property is well lit, you know, for the parking lot and, you know, obviously traversing the drive-thru just for safety purposes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. About how long will the work take?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So about two to three weeks? I would think so, yes. And you'll start right after you call a digsafe?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK, thank you. And on a side note, I also got a couple of concerned residents. National Grid did some work on Parris Street and was supposed to repave.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there any way you could send the clerk just a written response on that, Parris Street repaving? Residents were also told there was one side of the street, I forget if it was even or odd, was supposed to be filled in with cement like the other side, so if we could just get a response on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe it was gas. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Will all the furniture be, you know, sometimes a stackable chair is locked up, anything like that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: compliance with in-store hours, and that's something we do review in six months. And if we have to, we pull it back till 8 p.m. or whenever the sun goes down.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And we should probably, if I may, through the Chair, get a report from the Chief of Police with regards to any calls that maybe are made at Kelly's. And I don't even think Kelly's has a permit for outdoor seating, although they do have a few tables up in the Hill area there. So maybe we could look into that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: on how we voted on the public hearing. Can you do this, Eddie, can you do this or not? Just do it over. Just read it. Just read it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think Councilor Knight has a good question. I don't know if he got it answered, but I was under the impression that just the 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 seats was what we were discussing, and the section to the right was an indoor section. Can you explain? So is there a bar outside and high top tables?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if you're looking at Bertucci's from Mystic Valley Parkway, will this deck be on the right side?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, where the parking lot is, where your parking lot is. Right, exactly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: This is going to have 32 seats?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: ...that were going to be bolted down. What type of tables and chairs are going to be used?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then at the end of the night, what will happen to all the seating? Remain there, is it gonna be fenced in? You said it's a wooden fence?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Last question, any video cameras? Are you gonna have any type of props? Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Madam Vice President. If we could just also add to this, I know that I had asked the Health Department, Karen Rose, and Team Medford to draft correspondence to the City Council with regards to what they think is needed from a substance abuse coordinator. I know they have a number of grants coming in and out of the work they do, and I know they are working on a number of things. So what in addition to what they're already working on do we need to expand on with regards to that position?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could add that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's it, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Ruzo. I'm sure we've all got two to three emails, if not more, from people who are in favor of, you know, working hard for Autism Speaks, and they are lighting the city, the town, hopefully the nation up blue on April 2nd. It's something that they're asking residents, communities, cities, towns across the nation to take part and light it up blue, whether you wear the color blue or put a, you know, your spotlight outside of your house, put a blue bulb in, I was hoping that we, I'm sure that the city has a spotlight somewhere and that we could use that, purchase a blue bulb and shine it on City Hall on April 2nd. That's something that we could do with a number of different organizations if we do have a spotlight available. It's something maybe we could ask the vocational school to help us out with. They light up City Hall like a Christmas tree during Christmas time. I know childhood cancer has a day where they go gold. The Zaken Bridge is lit up in gold, so maybe we could take part in that. There's also, you know, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness. So I would hope that maybe that is something we can do to show our support for different organizations on different days. And the first one being autism, which affects many young children, I guess those of all ages, and something that should be recognized.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure of the statistics, but I know it's a great deal of children and this is something that would be great for the community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Roll call.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Ms. Maria Daniels is getting recognized with the Leadership Circle Award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which I think is a huge honor. and the council has been invited along with the rest of the community to the Royal House on April 26th, and I would ask the city clerk to draft an accommodation from the council to hand deliver to Maria Daniels on that day in recognition of how thankful we are for all the work she does with the arts in this community. You've seen her before the council answering questions, You also see her at almost every event that has to do with cachet and the arts. So she does a lot of work for this community, and I want to thank her for that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Aye.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was back when we were discussing the 900,000. I think the point of clarification was not only is it 900,000 to a million dollars to actually buy out of the contract, but we also have hundreds of thousand dollars within our budget this term that we'd have to make up for because the revenues are accounted within our current budget. So that's my point of clarification. If I could speak on this. When the chief was involved and he was here three or four weeks in a row, things with OneRepublic One with Republic. Things were getting resolved. There's also things changing within the Traffic Commission on a weekly basis. Their last meeting was on March 10th, and if you look, I believe we were all given the minutes, about six pages long, and there's a couple pages with regards to concerns just with regards to the parking management program. They did vote to reduce the hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., down to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., knocking two hours a day off the time when residents and customers do have to pay. So I offered, before this contract was signed, a free 15-minute parking. Councilor Marks upped it to free 30-minute parking. If some significant changes are made and Republic adheres to the terms of the contract with regards to placement, signage on vehicles and ticketing the proper way and allowing what Dan from Republic had mentioned, which is the a leeway with regards to five to ten minutes before one is ticketed, if they adhere to the fact that they had told us that if somebody is in the process of getting a ticket and the person says that's my car, the person given the ticket would walk away, no questions asked. Obviously we're not seeing that, we're not, Republic isn't adhering to what they said at the council floor, so we need to get a grip on that, I think we need to have a meeting in the next 14 to 21 days with Republic, with the chief of police, and hammer these out. And if things aren't changed, I agree. Things aren't going right, and I agree that we will have to do what we have to do. But I don't agree with terminating the contract tonight. There's too many unanswered questions with regard to our current budget, how we're going to pay the million dollars. And, you know, we've had blizzards, a few blizzards, which have hampered everything in this city. And I think we need to really sit down and discuss everything that's gone on and everything that needs to take place to better this process and hopefully resolve the issues that are presented.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President de la Russo. Back to the vigil on Sunday. I just want to concur with my colleagues. I want to also thank Janelle Rocco, I believe, who is the organizer. The two hours were perfect. I mean, from the speakers to the reading of the names to the crowd. So I just want to thank Janelle and Penny and Brooke. And it was moving. And I think it did what it set out to do was to break the stigma.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President De La Russa. I just want to thank Councilor Camuso for at least thinking about different options. I mean, it's good to go to other communities and figure out what other communities are doing. If I could ask you a question, which communities did you look at? Do you know which ones?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. I would suggest we refer to committee only because we are meeting tomorrow, 6 PM. We have our health director, which is obviously possibly going to be administering that type of employment. We have, I think Penny Bruce will be coming tomorrow from Team Medford and her staff. We'll have a whole host of department heads that can There's a number of issues. I know we're going to meet for an hour and a half, two hours tomorrow. And I think that's just kind of going to scratch the surface on prevention, helping families who are struggling with this, helping addicts. I mean, we're going to need a lot of time to figure out the problem and how to resolve it. And I'm sure there's going to be many steps of resolving the many issues that go along with addiction and the problems we're facing with overdoses. So I would, I think this is definitely one thing we need to discuss as what, something we can do as a community. And I'd like to hear from, you know, our health director and team Medford to see what they have in place, what they need, and you know, if this is something that will work for Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I think it's a great idea. It reminds me of big brother, big sister. I took part in that for a few years before I had children. It goes a long way for the kids, and there are many kids in our community that do need it. So I thank Councilor Camuso for bringing this up. I'd love to see how Boston is planning to lay this out and and try to implement it in Medford. And I agree with the rest of my colleagues. There is a lot to it, I'm sure, to liability and a number of other things that would go with a mentoring program. But it's something that would go a long way. So I'd ask the mayor whether we ask him to implement it or to look into what Boston's doing or to look into supplementing or helping out what the Qantas does, whether that's financial or
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, if the mayor can work together, I mean, with the chamber, Kiwanis, Rotary, and we could all do something. The more children we can help, the better. And I have children in the public schools, and there are a lot of kids who need a mentor, so I think this is a great idea. with mentors, it's just one thing, one other person in their lives from coaches to parents to teachers that help kids stay on the right path, stay away from drugs, stay into sports and art and music and do the right thing school-wise and when they're out of school. So I think it's a great idea.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, agree that the contract needs to be renewed, I think what we all probably have an issue with, or, you know, especially those who spoke very adamantly against what TV3 was doing in this community, is certain portions of the contract. We still don't have answers with regards to a new TV3 station, and I know it's already been said, we don't have answers to the filings that were supposed to be done with the Secretary of State from the board. We have issue with how things were run at TV3, you know, Lynn Saugus, other communities are getting investigated, possibly prosecuted, certain people within the TV arena, yet a judge came into Medford, listened to two days' worth of testimony, declared that TV3, the board, should be reported to the attorney general's office, yet nothing ever happened. So we seem to never get anywhere with regards to what should have taken place, why it didn't take place, and why it's still not taking place. I feel like we get the runaround, and nobody's doing what they needed to do at TV3. So I think this contract needs to be tweaked, and we need to get some answers before we agree to put any money into peg access. We're putting money into—we're taking ratepayers' money, a portion, which is 5 percent, of the licensee's gross annual revenues and put it towards PEG access. Well, what are we getting for our money? We have money that is being tied up for a TV station in this city that is not being used. So, I mean, whether we put somebody from the council to help the mayor negotiate or we discuss it further on the floor, we need some answers. When are we going to implement a TV station? Why don't we have any answers with regards to what the board of directors were supposed to file with the Secretary of State's office? It was supposed to be done months ago, from what I understand. And, you know, July? Yeah. Months and months ago. And that's unfortunate. You know, but hopefully this council speaking out, just like we spoke out about competition between providers, just like we spoke out about the elimination of TV3 and what was going on down there. We have to keep speaking out, and hopefully we'll be able to get somewhere, get a new TV3 access station, run smoothly and professionally, as well as negotiate this contract. The mayor has a month. This is the first I've heard of it. So we have a month to let the mayor know what we want to see, what information we need, and hopefully, especially if the administration needs our approval, hopefully some things are renegotiated so it's in the best interest of the taxpayer. and the ratepayer.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: just on that Councilor Camuso's four years of franchise fees, if we could just also get a breakdown of what has been spent out of that account for the last four years, and then we'll know better what is being funded so that if we want to reduce it from 350 to 200 just to fund what we're doing now, then we know what the accurate amount should be.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I want to thank Councilor Penta for bringing this up. like my other colleagues have mentioned, sounds very similar to the 311 system that this council has voted on three or four times over the last year with the department of public works building being redone for millions and millions of dollars with personnel, you know, we have the personnel, the staff that I truly feel that the 311 system is completely necessary and it sounds very similar to the citizens street recovery program because the 311 system From what I understand from Somerville, that number one, emails and concerns and questions that are brought up and brought to the City of Somerville, DPW, have something to do with streets, sidewalks, and potholes. So this is the right time to do it. We need to show our residents that we're responding to each and every issue that arises. We can't just keep telling residents, we'll put it on a list, we'll put it on a list. Well, where's the list? Who's on the list? Who's first? First come, first serve. We need accountability. We need responsiveness. And the residents need an avenue, whether it's a street recovery program and the 311 system or the 311 system. It needs to be put into place, especially with a state of the art facility. So I agree with Council Penta. One thing I'd like to amend actually is to ask, is the state, do we have any word, does the administration have any word from the state on if we're going to get any state aid with regards to the plowing, um, snow and ice removal costs or the pothole costs? I know a few years ago we got state aid with regards to the snow and ice removal. And last year we got state aid with regards to the potholes. repair in potholes because it can get very expensive and it is so needed. I brought it up last week with regards to potholes, asking the dpw when are we going to start repairing them. We're going to start getting liability claims within the legal department for busted tires, screwed up cars. It's a safety issue. So I would like to know if the state plans on, if we have any word if we're going to get any state aid. And I would just like to second the approval of this and also that we send it to the mayor, that the 311 system should be implemented immediately. Because if I've learned from anybody, I've learned from Council Penta, you keep bringing something up when it's important, just like the condom shell should have lighting. I know it's off subject, but you keep bringing it up when things are important, and that's the avenue this council has, to keep speaking on it. And that's something that our residents deserve. They deserve to make a phone call, to say there's a pothole somewhere and somebody's gonna get hurt or a car's gonna get damaged, They deserve a confirmation number, and they deserve to know when it's going to be repaired and, you know, how quickly it's going to be repaired. That's what people pay taxes for. Somerville has that program, and we deserve it here, too.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I did speak to you before the meeting. Did he mention when? about how long with regards to the sector parking? Did he mention a couple weeks?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If I may, I did also get a number of phone calls and emails today and yesterday with regards to just the issues people are having. Mainly, the calls for me came from South Medford and the hillside where it's, you know, obviously more thickly settled. But we have a real issue when there's 40 or so cars on a street that only can fit 30. Some even, some homes that are on corners where people are so used to, they have the permit and they're so used to just parking on the next street over, and they're getting ticketed and tagged. And I think that's something that needs to be looked at immediately, not two, three, four weeks down the line. Whether we cease tickets to those people that have permits that are parking on a street over due to lack of parking on their street, or I just don't think the waiting game is what we can tell these residents who are getting ticketed and tagged. So I would ask the chief to look into possibly having his officers, especially on the overnight basis, If somebody has a permit and has a permit for Yale Street and is parking on the street over, that they lighten up on actually ticketing until something is in place, whether that's two weeks, three weeks, a month, or longer to implement sector parking like Councilor Mark had mentioned. I think it's something that needs to be looked into, it needs to be discussed, and it needs to possibly be implemented sooner than later. you know, I don't live in South Medford, but I have in the past. And if I couldn't park on my street, the obvious thing is, especially if I have a permit, I would feel like I'd have the right to park on the next street over. So I think it's definitely something that needs to be tossed around and discussed and possibly implemented.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I have an announcement after this is finished.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We ask for that, yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, along with the Crystal Campbell, which was already announced, that fundraiser. There's also a fundraiser for children's hospital. It's the second annual 5k leprechaun race, which is Saturday, March 14. this coming Saturday at 1030. The race starts at 1030. It's going to be held at the Elks in Medford. I believe that's on Washington Street. It was a huge hit last year. A ton of people, a ton of fun. So just encourage anybody who wants to get out. Hopefully it's a nice spring day. And it's a great race. Raises a lot of money for Children's Hospital.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. If you can enlighten us, what else is involved in the membership? I'm sorry, Councilor. What else is involved in the membership? Why are they a non-for-profit?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, President Dello Russo. I, too, want to just thank Janelle for coming and having the courage to come forward and, I think, fight for a real lot of people, whether it's families, those who are suffering. What you're doing is huge. The power of a story can move somebody, can touch somebody. And you did it in front of all these people and people watching from home. Mr. Garrity lit a fire under our butts, to say the least. It's courageous for Mrs. Garrity and Mrs. Butler to come forward, and I thank you. This council has been talking about it, and we haven't been talking about it for long enough, but the last few months, it seems like it's a crisis. It's an epidemic. It's across the state. It's what was mentioned before. Something that's in this heroin is killing people, and it's breaking my heart, obviously. I hear of somebody, like I said, I think last week or the week before, almost every week you hear of somebody passing away. And we need to do something. I agree with what my council colleagues have said. You know, we discussed a task force. We discussed committee meetings. We've asked the mayor for help. We really do need to move forward on this and be proactive and get something done, get help for people. And the biggest thing Janelle said, is awareness, raise awareness. Just coming here tonight, you're raising awareness. We've talked about it four or five times in the last few months, and we're doing our part, but to have actual stories, the awareness level just rises that much higher. And like you said, Councilor Camuso, if you can save one person from each time we speak on this, or help one family, it's worth it. And I hope that Mayor McGlynn does get behind this on a compassionate and sincere level because that's the only way we can move forward. We need the administration's office. We need this council, the school committee. We also need public health. We need a doctor or we need somebody from the health department in the city on that task force. I mean, prescription drugs are a huge problem, and it's sometimes what leads to this heroin addiction. So I think the right people, a great deal of people, need to step forward. go to the city council meeting, attend this vigil. I mean, the more awareness we can bring forward to this, this city, the better, and I hope it saves lives. And I thank you for being here.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What's the best phone number to call? I mean, who do you ask for? I mean, for people that are watching or because a lot of times, you know, even just other issues, whether it's drug related or people trying to report a house, they think drugs are involved and they say they get, you know, kind of turned off by the main office. Where do they call? Do they call the detectives?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Now, we know how busy you are. bust right in front of my house. I've seen you working right near my office. I saw another one on Millsex Ave. This is in the last year. So we know how busy you are. Now, are there, do you have detective committee meetings with regards to how, you know, whether it's communication into the police department, how it's documented, how you can better improve like documentation or your response? I mean, is there ways that, or is there ways the city can help you make it more effective?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to end, I would like to personally ask you, on behalf of the council, to be involved with this with us. We're going to have committee meetings. I'm not sure. Did you decide when you're going to set that up? Can we hold you to the fire and announce it now?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, we ask that you be involved. I mean, we need people who care, and we can tell you care.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If you're going to move that as an amendment, I just asked that Dea would come back and grade school. So if I could add, you put that as amendment. Every school. I think we asked the school committee to implement this within our school system. My daughter is six and a half years old, and I already tried to teach her about drugs.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I take paper 15-026.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you, President Dello Russo. Just on a B paper, if we could also discuss with the Department of Public Works the sinkhole in front of Anthony's Liquor. It was brought to my attention this week. There's a sinkhole and people are backing up. It's, I believe, around the sewer, sewer caps. So if we could send that to the, I'm gonna email Department of Public Works tomorrow, but if we could also send a paper to them, ask them to go check it out before somebody gets hurt.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe Councilor Penta is going to say that, but once you bump into that second tier, you're only going to pay the additional cost for the amount of usage that goes from the first tier to the second tier. So you won't necessarily get bumped up on your whole water usage. It will just be for the additional. And that's the same thing for the third tier. So if you have a pool, you fill the pool with the third tier, you're going to pay that extra, that extra fee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. We did speak about this last week, and I can't remember if we motioned to send a request to the health department as well. to go in and check out the site and report back to the council, see if there's anything we can do through the health department. Because I agree with you, Councilor Caraviello, it is an eyesore. It is bringing down the neighborhood. But I also believe there's some health concerns that are going on, not only with that storefront, but I'm sure the whole block. Because I don't believe it's been cleaned up, and that is going to leak into the businesses to the right and left of that storefront. So I'd ask that Karen Rose from the health department to inspect and report back to the council, and that the proper steps are taken by the city to clean that up and move it forward. That landlord should have to clean that establishment up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, if I may.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, I actually met with Paul DeMello last week at city hall and recommended that he wanted to speak before the council. I recommended that he go to the city clerk and put it on the issues that he's having. I'm assuming he's not here because of the issue with the snow. So I'd just like to speak in his favor. I do live in the area as well. There is a cell tower right outside his home. He went to the building department. I think he went to probably two or three other locations within City Hall. Wasn't able to find any answers. He's just looking to see, and I agree with him, who owns the cell tower? Who's responsible for it? Who in the city of Medford oversees any work that's being done on it? There is a lot of work that was being done on the cell tower in January. I'm not sure if that's continued into February. But, you know, what type of insurance do they have? We would just like to know who has ownership of the tower. No, it has been there, but the work that they've been doing is after hours and early in the morning. And cell towers, you know, just always have issues and people always are concerned with what's going on, what's being put onto the cell tower, what's being added to the cell tower. So I too would like to know, you know, who's responsible for it, what type of work is being done. I sent an email to Paul Moki, our building commissioner, probably about eight days ago, nine days ago. haven't got a response back. So if we could send a request to Paul Mulkey, I believe the building department is where we'd get our answers. I just haven't been able to get the answers yet. So I just want to speak on Mr. DiMello's behalf, because he had true concern over what was taking place at the tower. And I, too, again, live in the area. And there are a lot of people that have questions with what's going on over there. So on the motion of Councilor Lungo-Koehn, that the building department report back to the council with regards to the cell tower next to Held Circle in Medford. Who is the owner of the cell tower? Does anybody in the building department have any, you know, oversight of what goes on, what type of work is being done at that tower? And if so, if we could get the answers, what work is being done? Is there insurance?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the assessor's office too. Right. Who's paying? Maybe they'll have the answer for the ownership.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe if we could ask the assessor's office with regards to who's paying the taxes on the cell tower, on Held Circle, we can get some sort of answer as to what type of ownership and start there. And then I'll look into it. I'm just not sure why the building department hasn't answered Mr. DeMello's questions, nor returned my email. So I'm curious to find out why.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Just a question about the permit parking. I know, again, we're in the middle of a week worth of storms, but people seem to be frustrated. with regards to lack of seeing these vehicles enforcing the permit parking, which some of our areas were really looking forward to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And on that note, so if somebody sees a car parked, in front of their home that it does not have a permit, it's been, you know, Saturday, it's on a Saturday or Sunday, and the office is not open, is there somebody that they can reach out to?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So going forward, once the snow's cleared and we're into spring, your officers will know that if they get a call on a Saturday, they'll know how to contact Republic to resolve some of these issues for the residents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Was it a certain machine, Councilor Marks? Was it a certain machine, like a certain location? Because when I fed it, I followed the steps and it worked fine. No, I followed the steps that are actually written on the kiosk.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I found the records in order and move approval. I also want to announce a fundraiser that the Medford Family Network is having on Saturday at 12 p.m. at the McGlynn School. It's an ice cream social for all families. All families are welcome. Yes, I could not eat the ice cream if I thought of. But I just want to let everybody know about the fundraiser. I think it's $10 a person and goes to a great cause.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The last few council meetings, at least it's been 66, 67, and then it will gradually go down by 11 o'clock while we were still here. It got down to about 63 tonight. We came in, it was 64 and it's gradually going down. So, um, I can't feel my toes either. I think I can see my breath though, which is nice. So if we could move, if we could put it in writing to, I know, uh, From the building department, Fargo has been down during council meetings in the past to adjust the heat or the air conditioning. I agree. If this is happening during the day, it's unacceptable for the people that work in this building.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. In your letter it mentions that Medford Adult Day Healthcare Center has opened in other locations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, Needham. And those are existing businesses currently?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what licenses do you, you hold? That's what I just want to make sure you had licensing and as far as employees, they're all back, you know background checks quarried Okay, thank you and they also belong to professional associations that's in my letter as well Thank you, thank you Councilor Penta Under the after the words you seven to operate quote of the institution.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I will yield to Mr. Stirella.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I feel like we're being repetitive. I'm objecting to this conversation. If we could try to answer some questions, solve some problems.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: to allow them to negotiate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll yield. I don't like people to stand.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From the representative from Republic, are people able to feed the meter or will the machine reject any payment after 7 p.m. or before 7 a.m.? It doesn't reject.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. It shouldn't accept money. I agree.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A few questions, I guess, for our public then. Is there a way to shut the meters off? at 7 p.m. and not turn them back on until 7 a.m.?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could have that question answered through the chair, if Republic can shut off the machines from 7 p.m.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then, um, I, a few issues were brought to my attention today through a phone call and I guess it relates to the entire program, but you know, there's certain spots where there's no signage, there's certain spots where there's no kiosks. Is there an internal audit being done of where we need more signage, where we need more kiosks?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then it's like, there's no kiosk in front of, from what I understand, in front of Citizens Bank, there's four spots, there's no kiosk, so do people have to pay or do they not have to pay?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Medford Square, in front of Citizens Bank, there's that inlet, four spots, there's no kiosk. Do they have to go into the the other side of the parking lot, or do they have to cross the street?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Well, I was in the parking lot. behind CVS right near Citizens Bank. And I mean, signage was inadequate, I think. It's my opinion. I agree.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I also have questions with the public. With regards to the resolution, I I agree with Councilor Caraviello in a way. Voting for or against it, I agree that every single councilor has issues and could almost arguably be against the project for certain reasons, but I think things need to be seriously tweaked and concerns need to be hashed out and changes need to be made. I think what we set out to do a year and a half ago when we kept pushing for parking enforcement, it was to get our police department to initiate more parking enforcement for more turnover. What it turned into is what, you know, obviously what the mayor wanted, the kiosks. And I remember Councilor Mucks specifically, even I think Councilor Camuso mentioned too, why not meters? I mean, we tried to ask questions. They just really fell on deaf ears. But we need to offer some sort of free parking. And if, you know, we need to give the mayor however long it is appropriate, whether that's weeks or months, to make the changes. We need to give some relief to the businesses. We need 15, 30, maybe even an hour worth of free parking, or we need to lower the rate. Different things need to be thrown around, and the mayor needs to listen loud and clear, realize what's happening in West Medford Square, realize the issues that are in every, I'm sure there's issues in every district. in every one of our squares. And I know some things are being hashed out, some concerns are being taken under advisement and really being worked on. You know the chief's been active, Republic has been working with the chief. Changes are being made, but a big change that needs to be made, and like I said at the Committee of the Whole meeting, is some sort of free parking. And if the city has to take the hit on the amount of income that we were supposed to bring in, then I think every councilor behind this rail would vote for the city to reduce that amount of income that we're supposed to generate. This wasn't to, I as one councilor did not necessarily want to make money on the backs of the consumer and the businesses. The city needs to make some serious changes so that we can see our businesses survive rather than what's going on right now.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All together, but it's counterproductive to Councilor Pente's resolved vote for or against the program. I think that needs to be voted on at a later time. maybe none of these changes are getting implemented.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hopefully the mayor hears this loud and clear, and we won't have to vote on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It was an amendment. That's an amendment. We do this all the time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Maybe you could do Medford Square next week. Yeah, exactly. Thank you. Councilor Caraviello.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: President Dello Russo.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What type of, that he review, that he review Haines Square redevelopment?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Motion for approval. by Councilor Dello Russo. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion passes. Offered by Councilor Caraviello. Please discuss the after hour and weekend truck problems on Auburn Street.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Just a question. Are we talking about taking the funds from free cash and the other surplus accounts, or are we talking about a line item in the budget?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, I believe that the city should have an account for municipal buildings and infrastructure in general. I just, um, I think this, and I think it's a good resolve. I think that it's something that the council probably should sit down in a committee of the whole meeting with regards to even in, in, in hopes to invite the mayor and possibly have him, you know, round table, you know, where's the city going with regards to reserves and, you know, stabilization fund, how much reserves are we going to have? in these four or five accounts before we say, OK, enough is enough. Let's either start taxing the people to the max or start putting money into a stabilization fund for infrastructure. I think we need to see the big picture, because the free cash, overly surplus, water-retained earnings, those accounts keep getting higher and higher and higher. And Director Burke was before us probably a month ago and said, we don't have to go out to bond on anything anytime soon. But yet we always have the argument that we need the AAA bond rating. So I think we need to figure out as a whole where we're at, how high those accounts should be or the city wants them to be before we can give the taxpayer a break and before we can start adding money to a stabilization account. So I just think the big picture is worth a sit down with the committee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Or put it in a stabilization fund. I don't think we should be taxing any more than we already are, which would include a stabilization fund. I think we have money that is left over each budget time that gets certified as free cash. And maybe a percentage of that should go into a stabilization fund. I don't think we should tax above and beyond what we already are taxing for this fund.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just think what you're saying now is different than the actual amendment you said to the clerk 10 minutes ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: do we, one more point of clarification. Did we establish a fund like this in 2003, 2004?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we could get a clarification on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Just simply, I don't, I can't support something when I don't know if there's actually an account already set up. So I don't know how any of us could vote to, if we want a stabilization fund, how we can vote to increase it to two stabilization funds or two accounts. We need to find out that information first. I would rather have a committee of the whole meeting before we vote on something like this, but at the very least we need to know if this account already exists. I mean, I cannot support this tonight if I think that the account already exists, because I definitely do not want two accounts having the same purpose. I think this is, you know, we just found out what the resolve was completely, you know, entails, we have all different ideas, and we have questions of if a fund already exists. So I think this really needs to go to the Committee of the Whole first. And I don't think we have anything scheduled for next week. Maybe we can set it up for next week. Over to questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Can we make that a B paper?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, well, what if I don't want to vote for the paper, but I want to vote for the B paper? Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Sever the motion, please.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Three quick questions. Thank you, President Dello Russo. Chief, traffic commission meeting you had today, it seems like you're getting a lot of things in the agenda and getting some things resolved. But you do meet once a month, so there are going to be additional meetings. How often?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I would just recommend that. I mean, I know you've addressed a number of issues, but we're getting emails and phone calls. And I'm forwarding them to you, and I thank you for replying, replying promptly. But there's just so many issues out there and things that are able to be resolved. So I would hope that you can meet before your regularly scheduled meeting one more time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Now, was anything brought up at the Traffic Commission meeting regarding, we spoke about it I believe last week, if not two weeks ago, with regards to business permits? seasonal employees or people that may work one day a week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. I just asked that it be round tabled and discussed. I think there's many different options that can be thrown out there, whether.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that a point?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think that should be looked into a little bit more, maybe roundtable, whether that's at your February meeting or sometime soon. And then my last question, with regards to the loading zones, the free spots that were put out in each district and the metered spots, how is all that being picked?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You mentioned one right on Governor's Ave.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But can you give your word or guarantee that if a business, we're not picking and choosing certain businesses to have certain loading zones. If a business has an issue, you'll hear each business out accordingly and go to the location and hear their concerns and somehow come up with a way, whether it's.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My work for all of us, the other loading zone areas. I know there was the daycare, the daycares, and then, near Tanosh and Mr. Coffee Roasters. I'm meeting with them on Thursday. Okay. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe we discussed the hour grace period. We made the recommendation to the mayor. I specifically specifically remember doing even asking for a 15 minute grace period that was asked approved by the council asked of the mayor. Um, and then with regards to yours, so I don't know where he is on that issue, And with regards to adding money to your meter, you can do it through your phone, but it's going to be a maintenance fee. Yeah, 35 cents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: With that situation, Boston Ave is so long. Can you do it by section where, I forget your name, I'm sorry, where Meryl will only have to do it in her section of the neighborhood?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just if we could get maybe an update from the mayor's office as well. I mean, this council did vote to, I believe it went to vote to allow for 15 minute free parking. I mean, if they've evaluated the contract versus how much the city's making versus what the 15 minutes would cost, I mean, I don't know if we'd break it down into districts, but I think it's worth pursuing. And I think it's obviously what some businesses need, free 15 minute parking. to allow their businesses to strive and survive. We did vote for that, and I think it's something that's worth the city taking a hit on our portion of the contract just to help our small businesses. So if we could get an update from the mayor's office, if they've looked into a free 15-minute parking, how much that would cost the city, how much that would cost Republic, and whether or not, you know, the administration's willing to take that hit and allow free 15-minute parking. I think it's something that's going to come down the line and it needs to come sooner than later before, you know, we have hundreds of businesses here in trouble.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The Press Thank you, President de la Ruzo. I concur with Councilor Marks. I think this is a play. Not only have we answered concerns in the last two weeks, we've given our concerns to the Chief. The Chief's been here. We've brought awareness to the program. We've helped through the Chief. answer questions, we're making the administration aware of concerns, and it's just a place that people can come. I agree with the same concerns over and over again. Obviously, we need to maybe do something with those concerns, whether it's a committee of the whole meeting, but if a resident, a business owner, anybody in this community has a new concern or a concern that they need to bring to the council, even if it is repeatedly, then so be it. We are the only public forum These meetings and open public forum type meetings about the parking program should have been had by the mayor's office far before tonight and last week. And we as a council asked the mayor to have public meetings before this was installed. We made recommendations, we asked questions, but it was done how it was done, and this is the place. So if we have to be here till the late hours of the Tuesday nights, then so be it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I, Breanna Lungo-Koehn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do solemnly swear.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That I will faithfully and impartially.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Discharge and perform.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All the duties.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Are coming upon me.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: As Vice President of the Medford City Council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: According to the best of my ability.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: In understanding.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Agreeable to the rules and regulations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Of the Constitution. laws of this commonwealth and the ordinances of the city of Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Happy New Year. I want to thank everybody for being here. It won't be long. We have a lot of business to take care of, but I just want to thank my colleagues. I'm honored to serve as the Vice President of the Medford City Council for 2015. And I thank you for your trust.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. If we could have the chief of police or somebody from Republic answer that question. I know other Councilors probably got an email regarding the senior center. Can you elaborate on that so we can get those answers first?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, president. Um, Delaware. So on that last point with regards to if somebody is in the hairdresser salon, isn't it true that some spots are a maximum limit? where you can only have the two hours, but then there's other spots that you could, you could refeed the meter, whether that's through your cell phone or by adding more money into the meter.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I believe that we were told incorrect information then at committee of the whole meetings. We were told that certain spots would not be limited and you could add more money. We were definitely told that. We've asked that more than once. So maybe we can get a clarification on that. Chief, I don't think Chief Sacco was at, I think we had three city council committee of the whole meetings when we were told some meters could be refed if somebody was in a restaurant and they were exceeding the two hours, it could be refed through your cell phone. There were some that were gonna be the max, but then there were others that, am I recalling that correct?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My other question, so Chief, for the senior center, when will we know how many spaces will be free and where those will be placed? When is the goal timeframe for that scenario?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And those spaces will be clearly marked?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then one other question you had mentioned, and I got an email on it today, with regards to people dropping off their children at St. Joseph's School. I don't know if this is going to be an issue at St. Ray's. I'm not sure how much parking is at each school. But specifically, St. Joe's parent wants to run in, drop off their child, and run back out. How do they know they don't have to feed the meter at that point?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: How will Republic know where the daycare is a place? Which schools need this?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Through the chair, thank you, President Del Russo. Is that a one-time $0.35 fee, or every time you park, if you need 15 minutes, you have to pay $0.25 plus $0.35?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. Just while you're on that go-live date for the permit parking, is that scheduled to be the go-live date for the whole program, kiosks included?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We didn't have clear plans with regards to the drive-through. Can you tell me how many cars are going to be able to be queued? I don't know if you have the poster board you had last week with A, B, and C, and maybe we can outline that again. That was my main question last week. Yeah, that's what I wanted.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Where are your other locations?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And tenant A is Panera. Tenant B is Karen Johnson.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On average, I guess at the other locations of Panera, what's the average wait time per order?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just my comments, I think what These three restaurants are going to fix up the area that is in blight. Obviously, the demo has been done. My only concern is 10 cars going to be enough for a queue. This is a completely different location than Walpole. This is Wellington Circle, one of the probably busiest intersections in Massachusetts. I mean, you go up to Woburn, and there's a Starbucks drive-through. And I saw the other day it was 17 cars queued. And they're a quick cup of coffee only. I mean, that's where you're buying sandwiches and soups and salads. I do have an extreme concern where whether or not 10 cars is going to be enough, especially where you have Stop and Shop right behind there. The senior citizens are always in and out of that location. I don't know how my Councilors feel, but that would be my only concern. Blocking the way and never mind. I don't think there's enough room to block the riverside, but blocking your own entrance and exit might be a problem, might become a problem.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think one positive is that you have the two other exits and entrances, but I don't put it past people to queue up 17, 18 cars for Panera. I mean, I frequent the one in Everett and 12 o'clock in the afternoon, you cannot find a seat, and the line is out the door. So it's an extremely popular restaurant.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Knight. I'm sorry, Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Camuso. I'm going to just move or ask, I know you have a do not block driveway sign heading into the stop and shop. At the end of the drive-through where you say you can queue up to 10 cars, can we put a do not queue beyond this point sign? I'd like to make that as part of the paper. Do not queue beyond this point. Yeah, so you don't block any of the entrance. Like you do have three entrances, which is great, but I mean, if you start queuing around 15 cars, you're gonna start blocking spots. So if we could put a do not queue beyond this point, I think I'd be okay with it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The right rear corner, yes, right here. So you don't block this exit and entrance, the top right, yes. Whether people listen to that sign or not, at least, most people probably will, so hopefully that would solve my issue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We specifically asked that. Point of information. Point of information. We specifically asked that question. They said they'd get multiple tickets if they were there for eight hours in a one-hour spot.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. While the chief's here, just to address the main concern that I think DJ from Dabbs Locks brought up, is the part-time or seasonal business passes, is that something that could be, I think that's something that we can work out.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I would just make a recommendation to the Traffic Commission as well as the administration that the seasonal passes and the part-time passes be looked into. I think it's something that can be managed, whether it's an employee that just works Mondays and pays a $25 fee versus an employee who works three months out of the year and pays $35. I think we can create a fee structure to make it manageable and help the business community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And he, I mean, so I don't know what council angle, current point of clarification information. I, it may be Councilor Marks would be best to answer this, but just what was said earlier as with regards to possibly veterans or Julian and other cities and towns, the council has made probably 10 different resolutions. Council Marks has sat on a committee, gave recommendations to the mayor. I think when we made the resolution, it was to hire retired police officers to do parking enforcement.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's not what the mayor wanted to do. This is what he wanted to do. We wanted parking enforcement. We gave recommendations for many different things. I mean, we sat in meetings. to discuss, ask questions. We tried to give recommendations. I mean, he wanted the kiosk. We questioned meters rather than kiosks once we knew that's the type of program he wanted. So.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn and then Councilor De La Rucia. Thank you, President Camuso. I was actually going to go on the same lines as Councilor Marks with regards to just the fountain. I think this project is going to be beautiful. I think the Office of Community Development has worked tremendously hard on it, but I do also feel that $1.3 million is excessive. And that's not to say these victims don't deserve it. Who's to say they don't deserve something that's worth $2, $3, $4 million? But I think we really need to scale back on the project to a point, I think that fountain is going to cause a lot of expense in the years to come. It's $250,000, I thought it was $257,000 just to build the fountain. Never mind the sole cost of the maintenance plan, which we did receive a memorandum on the maintenance. The majority of the maintenance is going to come with the fountain. The fountain's going to break eventually. Pieces are going to break. It's going to cost the city a great deal of money, $5, $10, every year. And I think that's one thing that maybe I would like to move Councilor Marks's paper first and reduce this project by possibly a fountain.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may ask, when would the grand opening to this be?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So it should be complete September, October?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor? For now, thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. I just make a motion to request that the mayor, like he had mentioned, I believe it was at a meeting at the senior center when this was discussed, he's going to continue to fundraise. He's going to request funds from individuals within the community as well. I think a lot of people would still be willing to donate to this project. And I hope that those funds are put into an account. I would motion that those funds be put into an account for the continued maintenance that will have to go on on the site, especially with the fountain. This is a tough vote. I do believe that all councilors have good intentions. And there are questions about the fiscal responsibility in the extent of the project. I don't think they come from any place besides being concerned about every single taxpayer within the community. I, too, feel that the 1.3 is extensive, but it's going to be a wonderful project. And it's an extremely, obviously, hard project to vote against, especially some of us who knew the victims. So I just ask that that motion be applied tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I never said I was opposed to the project.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You voted to reduce the funding. I agreed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So don't put words in my mouth. Don't stipulate how I'm going to vote. We have moved on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I never said I was opposed to the project. I think it's extensive. I think it's a wonderful project, but it's extensive, $1.3 million when we have potholes all over the city.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The amendment is to continue to fundraise like the mayor said he was going to, and that that money that is collected go towards the maintenance in the future.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. I also have a resolution that I'd like to take in conjunction with setting the tax rate under motions, orders, and resolutions, paper 14-784.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Page 174. Page 174. Page 174. Page 174. Page 174. Page 174. Page 174. Page 174. Page 174. Page 174. Page 174. Page 174.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I 100% disagree. There has been in 2012, I just want to let the taxpayers know in 2012, $2,475,075 was put into our free cash account from the budget. In 2013, $1.883,685,000 was put into free cash from the budget. 2014, we have $945,322. That's monies that you nor I knew we were voting for at any given June, because almost all of us have been here for the last few years. I, as one Councilor, did not vote back in 2012 to put $2.5 million to overtax the people $2.5 million to be able to increase our free cash account. Now, do I believe in savings? Yes. But $2.5 million in 2012, $1.883 million in 2013, and almost a million dollars in 2014. That is something I did not vote on.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, absolutely. I agree with you. Um, Councilor Knight, 100%. The issue with that is we still have over between six and 8 million in our free cash account. We have millions in our water and sewer retain earning accounts, which I, you know, I believe has to do with overtaxing over overcharging. higher rates. We also have money in our TV3 franchise fee, which we are charging our cable rate payers. We need to give the people a break. And this is something that we obviously cannot vote on each year. But I think this is the year to do it. We have numerous amounts of reserves. The people are hurting. We hear it in e-mails and phone calls all the time. This is something that we can afford to do, considering that we put 2.5 — between a million and 2.5 million into free free cash from the last three budgets.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may. That's a long-hold claim. Thank you, President Camuso. If I may, Ian, I agree with you. We do need a surplus, but I don't know, I can't, what the total is. 13 million surplus, I think, is gonna be enough. I mean, I think this would be the year we could give the taxpayer a break.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Councilor Camuso. Thank you for your explanation, Anne. I mean, what about in our tax receipt recap, motor vehicle excise? under-budgeted that account in June by, or from the results in June, by $600,000, but then we kept it at the same figure for 2015. Are we assuming that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So do you have what we budgeted for last year? I don't have that number.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: $5,302,000 last year. And we collected $5,682,000.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But I thought that was under-budgeted by $600,000, then we only increased it by $300,000, so we're still under-estimating.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, but that doesn't make sense compared to the questions I asked last Tuesday, which, you know, I wrote down your answers. You said it was about $600,000 more.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Either way, I mean, I think I'm well aware we need reserves. And I think reserves obviously are But to the point we're at now, I think we can chip away at this tax rate that we have. I think we can chip away and help the people, whether it's a little bit each year until we get to, you know, to a point. But the average homeowner is going to see an increase of, the average two-family home is going to see an increase of almost $400 for the year. Average three-family, over $500. I mean, it's going to take a toll on people. It's going to take a toll on renters, too. I mean, this, it's just, I'm I'm coming from a place where, you know, I'm not just thinking city budget. You have to think of the people too. You have to think of it all collectively. I'd like, you know, I'd like to get the input of my fellow Councilors, but I think it's, this is the year that we should start doing it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: point of information, the tax levy is going up by over $3 million, so bring it down a third, almost a third.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And I think it speaks volumes to where this council's at and where we want to go moving forward. I mean, taxing to the max at the 2.5% when you put in sometimes $2.5 million, which I consider being overtaxed, I mean, you're sending the message to not only the people but also the corner office that, you know, maybe we should look at our budget in June a little bit more closely. think there can be cuts. I think we can still make cuts and add to our police department and our DPW force. I mean, I believe it can be done. It's just a matter of having four people that want to be able to do it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification. That could be your opinion of what has to happen. Most likely, this budget is going to have another million dollars in free cash, as it's shown the last four years. So there wouldn't necessarily be cuts. We just might not be adding to the free cash account for this year. That is big. I mean, I've tried to say we shouldn't tax to the max for the last six years, wringing my head every June and December. When it comes December, they tell me I have to do it in June. I finally, you know, we finally figured it out, how much money is going into free cash, that we're overtaxing the taxpayers. So most likely, we have at least a million dollars from this budget that's going to go into free cash. So basically, we're not going to be putting, I mean, if things have gone, or more than a million, so if things are going the way they've gone the last five, six, seven years, We're just not going to be adding as much to free cash.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: A point of information on that. If we can be guaranteed that savings is going to go towards a new police station. We didn't say that. Yeah, but that's not going to happen. He said it's going to be at least seven years, probably until we stop planning, another 15 years before we get a police station under that watch.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: All right. Councilor Lococo. Thank you. Last comment. Thank you, President Camuso. I just bluntly feel that maybe one councilor might be on the fence, and I just wanted to make a statement. We're letting the administration know that, you know, What they're doing in creating a surplus is a good thing. What Director Burke is doing is a great thing. But we're saying this tax, tax, tax, tax, tax, spend, save, save, save has to be balanced out a little bit. We can always change it next year. We can always, hopefully this maintains and we have a surplus on top of this amount in free cash this year. But we always have a vote in June and a vote next December that will all be us. January will be the change. This year, we're sending a message. You know, Councilor Pence talked about it a couple weeks ago. School Department, from what I understand, created a job for 90,000. Administrators are getting large raises. This has been happening, you know, I know of them years past, still happening. Let's tighten our belts. Let's start here. I've been trying to do this for five or six years now. Let's start here. This is the way to do it, considering how much is being put into free cash each year since 2010. And believe me, Director Burke did it since she started. It's going to happen again. Do it how you run your household. You make money, you spend money, you save money. You don't tax the people from every different angle that you can to the maximum every single year. And the speakers are right. People need a break. And we're going to hear it in January, February when the calls start coming in and the emails start coming in. I'm moving out of MedFed because I can't afford this. This $200, $300 increase, I can't afford it. Or the commercial properties. Why are you killing us? We're trying to run a business. Let's send a message tonight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My other paper will be moved. We're reducing the tax levy just like Auditor Baker mentioned, so we were not taxing to the max. We had 57,000 we were told last week that we didn't tax up to. Now we're going to be, whether that's a million or 945,000, plus the 57,000, we will not be taxing. What's the number, the ultimate number at the end? 322 is last year's dollar amount that was put into free cash, which is the lowest of the last four years. Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It's not an average of the last three years. If we average the last three years, it would be much higher. But for Councilor Caraviello to... We just got these numbers on Friday, so when I wrote this, I wasn't aware of the free cash figures.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Blanco-Kern. Thank you, President Caruso. I know I've spoken enough tonight, but I think this needs to be explained because Mr. Castagnetti makes a very good some very good points and has a very good argument. And I think it's one that we would all agree with, except for the fact how it's explained to us. And Assessor O'Neill can probably further explain it or much better explain it. If we voted for their exemption, up to the 20%, 15%, 10%, there would still be, if I have this correct, about 1,200 to 1,300 owner-occupied properties that would also get hit within the City of Medford. That is the reasoning why I, as one Councilor, have never voted for this exemption. It would, at this point, South Medford would be killed as property assessments are up there. West Medford would get killed. Any owner-occupied property worth more than $540,000 would also take the burden. So I just wanted to make it very clear to the people watching and, you know, people in the audience. That's the reason why I've never voted for this exemption, because it does sound great. Let's tax non-owner-occupied properties more. But that's not it. That's not the whole picture. The whole picture is you'd also be hitting 1,200 to 1,300 owner-occupied properties that are valued at 540 or more.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think I tried to break it down as simple as possible. It only took, it only took me 12 years to learn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I would lay that on the table. Whatever you want. Not on the table.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Are we moving on? Yeah. Just while we're under suspension, we have the chief of police here. If we could take paper 14-785. What else?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. I saw a police officer, a friend of mine, posted pictures of coffee with a cop, but it was down in Barnstable County. So, you know, a couple months went by and I said, I got to talk to the chief about this. Then two weeks ago, I was in Chelsea at the Starbucks right across from Market Basket and Right outside the Starbucks was Coffee with a Cop, so I realized that it was happening within large communities like ours. There was probably, I don't know if what we do has to be as extensive as Chelsea, but there were probably 10 plus police officers there, you know, 10, 20 citizens coming in and out, so maybe about 30, 30 citizens just coming to meet a police officer, asking questions, mingling, What I thought was important about it and why I'd like to bring it to Medford is, especially in light of all that's happened in the last year or two, you get to see the faces, you get to learn the names, and it's not just the citizens learning the police officers' names, it's vice versa. It was the police officers seeing, there was young children there, so it was just seeing faces and getting to know the community. I think it's, I'd love to hear your opinion on it and see maybe whether it's once a month Every few months, we pick a different location. We have bestsellers. We have Mr. Coffee Roasters. I mean, we have Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks all over the place. And whether it's one or two to 10 police officers at a time, I think it's something that would be beneficial. I mean, obviously, we'd like to start in the South Medford area where we have the biggest amount of problems. But I just thought it was a great program. I think people in Medford really take to it. I think it's an opportunity. to, you know, the community meetings you run, Chief, are great. I was very, very impressed with how many, you know, the detectives were there at the last meeting I went to. You were there. There was police officers there, probably the same thing, 10 or 15 police officers from all ranks. But that was on a, you know, weeknight at 7 p.m. I'd like to bring this. The one I went to in Chelsea, or I happened to be at, was at I want to say maybe 10 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, but I propose that maybe we pick a different day of the week each time we do it. I think you'd get a whole host of people coming out. They were gracious to my daughter, and, you know, it's just, she had a smile on her face. You know, she knew, you know, what the police, they all had their uniform on, and I think it's good for all ages, and I think it would be great for the community.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Chief. I know we have, we do, I truly believe we have some great police officers in Medford. I mean, just to get them to talk to the people I think would be huge.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn and then Councilor Marks. Thank you, President Camuso. I have mixed feelings about this. You know, it's one of those votes where your heart wants to vote for you ahead. It's just saying it's very extensive, $1.3 million for 25,000 square feet. And I think a huge, huge aspect of this, which has been mentioned, is the maintenance aspect. from what I understand, May 2013, that's one year, seven months, and we really don't have a maintenance plan. I'd like to see a maintenance plan before I move forward with this vote, whether that's, you know, I know there's a meeting on Thursday with department heads. I'd like to know what the maintenance figure would be per year, what the DPW, our Medford DPW would be able to handle. If they come in and say we cannot handle another thing, then we're talking landscaping bills weekly bills for landscaping during six months of the year. So I would like to know what the DPW can handle, what we're going to have to contract out, how much that is going to cost the city. You know, it's very good, you know, what the mayor's done and where he's taken money from. The initial money would be a lot better to handle if we know the taxpayers are going to pay $5,000 in maintenance per year versus $150,000 per year. I really think that figure is extremely important component of this project. I also would like to make a motion with regards to the fountain. I think that's one of the most expensive aspects of the construction and the maintenance. How much is that fountain going to cost?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that's part of my concern. I'm sure it's going to be beautiful. Believe me, this is something that any city or town would love to have in their community. But a fountain at $275,000, if that breaks down in completion, say, five years from now, who's going to come up with the $275,000? I think that's probably the most expensive component of this project. I think this project's great. ADA, accessibility. open space, green space for the seniors and the community as a whole. It's something that I want to vote for, but I just really feel like we need a little more information. I think something could be put together to make me feel more at ease by next week, especially with the meeting coming up on Thursday. I think that can be done.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may finish it, I think that's important aspect of these donations coming in on a yearly basis. Is it going to be a one-time donation? So five, 10 years from now, it's completely up to the city. I think these numbers, we need to know these numbers. I mean, that's, and I'm sorry that it's December 31st. We're going to have a meeting a couple of days before Christmas. We can vote on it then. I mean, this should have came before us a month ago.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yep, and then what will the DPW be handling and what will we have to contract out for?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And just last one, how much to maintain, what's the estimate to maintain this entire project?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you. I'll be brief. President Camuso, the first part we received on Friday. The second part I would move approval on. I'd like to see where the free cash is coming from, which accounts. if we could get a breakdown of that for the last three years. Motion for approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just wanted to point out, thank you, vice president Caraviello. I can't support this tonight. This is in committee, this issue, and we are going to reevaluate once we get, I think we only went through one or two quarters with the new tiered rate. Once we get through three or four, we're going to reevaluate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Correct. And we're going to possibly make changes or advise them to make changes or recommend.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From what I recall, they're waiting until the parking meters are put in place to issue permits. We discussed this in committee, does anybody else recall? That would be January, February.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, they're not going to do any enforcement, but then the people that are going to enforce the meters are also going to enforce permit packing. So South Medford is very excited about it. I know there were a number of residents from our meeting that were there. that want this to move forward. It wasn't our decision. This is just what we were told. I understand. I think it's important you brought it up, because I did get an email on it this week. Somebody very concerned they couldn't renew their permit.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I do have some questions, thanks. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, no. I can ask a few questions.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just checking it out, OK. Thank you, President Camuso. Thank you, Ed, for the brief summary. The local receipts not allocated, the recap, I'm not sure we went over this in detail in our subcommittee meeting. Can we just go over a few of the figures on that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. The first would be the $300,000 difference from the penalties and interest on taxes and excises from fiscal 2014 to fiscal 2015. Anne, could you address that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't hear what you said. What item were you questioning? The page before is marked as 11, so it would be like 11B, I guess.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then the next one, payment in lieu of taxes, how come that is increased?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then number 10, fees. Another significant difference.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's a separate fee from what we usually use for TV3? That's a separate fee?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So but that separate fee is coming out at three percent.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Gotcha, okay, and then number 16, departmental revenue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then we had mentioned in subcommittee that free cash for 2000, the last fiscal year,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You don't have that in front of you? Well, we have number one, motor vehicle excise for $5,682,440. Right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may put a motion through the chair, could we get figures by next week on how much was put into free cash in 2012, 2013, and how much has been put into free cash so far in 2000? Oh, I guess you wouldn't do that until the end of 2000. You don't do that until the end of the year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So can you give me the last three, 2011, 2012, 2013, June figures for what was put into free cash? Can we get a copy of that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you have that, Mr. Clerk? And so the last year, the majority, I guess, came from motor vehicle excise. A large portion of it, yeah. And where did the additional? Do you have any idea?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm good for questions right now. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Camuso. The new growth, the 999,941, What was the dollar amount on that new development, the Lumiere apartments? I mean, that had to be a large chunk of that?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What page are you on?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Eight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So that would be... Which section would that be, Ed?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: New growth valuation?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And will we capture the new development at Station Landing Hotel? Will that be next year?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next year, yeah. Are there any other large developments?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Camuso. Considering that Councilor Marks isn't present tonight, this is one of the two most important issues this council votes on. Not only that, but we have a whole host of information, so another week would not hurt. I also want to get the figures on the free cash for 2011, what was put into free cash, 2011, 2012, 2013, because I will have a motion to reduce the levy by that figure, or an average of that figure. I move to table this matter until next week.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I want the actual documents showing how much was certified too.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: because you said Salem Street and Riverside Ave.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Directly across, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On the motion of approval, Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Camuso. It looks like there's 10 specific requests, and that does include your exit and enter signs. Can you just describe to us or explain which the illumination portion of signs that possibly will be illuminated?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you have about, so six out of 10 are illuminated?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what hours do you plan on illuminating them?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By ordinance, does the illumination have to cease at 11 or 10?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So right now the current signs are illuminated until one o'clock?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and you've got no complaints about that from residents?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and we were told tonight there was a development going behind Wendy's, which is gonna be apartments. Will any of these signs be facing the exterior of your building?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think, yeah, that's it. That's it, Councilor? Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you just one more question about your pylon sign that's That is gonna be changed by hand. That's not gonna be a rotating sign.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. I think I have a number of questions too, but it's probably because The administration went and set up a three-person committee, and I'm not sure any of us behind the reel or in the audience know, whatever happened with the committee, what kind of outcome did they have? What is the mayor doing with the money, $303,000, that are sitting? There are taxpayers, cable ratepayers' monies that are just sitting. We have no idea. what they're going to be used for, when they're going to be used, and when we're going to have a new station. So I'd like to also ask the administration, the mayor's office, I know we've asked before, but when are we going to have a station for the community, for the city of Medford? And if we're not going to do it anytime soon, if that's not the plan, then why are we taking from our cable ratepayers? Why am I, why am you, why are you paying every month a percentage to just sit in the city's bank account. It's the wrong thing to do. It's the wrong thing for the city to do. And as we spoke about it, I believe last week and the week before, there are cities and towns out there that have filed suit against their actual administration due to the fact that this is going on. We have a serious problem. TV3 has been a problem for the city of Medford for years and years and years. Finally, something was done about it, and now we're back to having problems again. I don't understand what the holdup is. So I just wanna voice my frustration with the whole process. You're right, you should be able to go get a camera. So shouldn't a 15-year-old, 16-year-old high school student who wants to maybe get into communications, but we don't have that in the city of Medford right now, and that's unfortunate.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Mr. President. Kimberly Scanlon, assistant city solicitor, 75 Ashcroft Road.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Langelke. Thank you. President Camuso, I think it's a good idea. I just would really recommend what you said after that, Council Member Marks, with regards to the lighting. I just wouldn't want it to turn into anything that we have in West Medford where the residents down in West Medford and those who take the commuter rail want to close off the nook part of, it's almost like a little shelter down there. They want to close it out because it brings such a bad element to that area. So I just would want to make sure there's enough lighting and make sure we don't, to create that situation that we have in West Medford. But otherwise, you know, it's a good idea. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Ed O'Neill, you said his next week tax, set in the tax rate. If he could give us, I know we always ask him the week he comes to give us a couple of different breakdowns. If we could ask him prior to the meeting, ask him tonight, send a motion.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. If we can ask, I'm going to ask Chief Assessor Ed O'Neill to break down the tax rate two or three different ways. One, obviously the mayor wants to probably tax to the maximum, the 2.5%, if he could break it down, how we'd set the tax rate if we were going to give our taxpayers some relief at the 2%, possibly the 1.5%, just to make sure he brings the numbers for a few different options for the council.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. You all set, Councilor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I'm trying to recall. Because it was several different options. Because it was the residential tax rate, it was also the tax levy,
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Longo-Kurt and then Councilor Knight. If I may finish, yeah, thank you. If we could get as much documentation in our packet for Friday so that we can have it before the weekend, rather than just being brought it Tuesday night at 5.30, 6 p.m., and asked to vote on it at 7, that would be helpful. On that motion, Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of information, Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Camuso. It is just also a suggestion. In Medford, they just put a bike lane right near my home on Highland Ave. Very nicely done. It goes probably two or three blocks and then stops the way it's... I believe that's a DCR road. It's a DCR road, but it is Medford and I mean, I think that's exactly what, close to what we want to do in Medford. And I think these streets probably are some of our widest streets, Playstead Road, Boston Ave, Winthrop Street, College Ave, I think they're some of our widest streets. I think they're good recommendations. by the Bicycle Commission.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caruso. Council Penta mentioned what I wanted to bring up. If we could get a report back from our OCTD department, I too believe they should have been at this meeting. Whether there's nine or a hundred units in Medford, this is a huge development that abuts our community. It abuts a number of neighborhoods in that area. So just wanted to know from Director DiLorenzo, you know, how involved is the city of Medford and what is the mayor and OCD doing to protect our portion of this property and our neighborhoods? I agree with everything else that has been said. Traffic in the area, I live in the area, I drive down Highland, get onto Salem Street to take my kids to school, and you see people taking the right, cutting through the neighborhood as it is, creating a lot of traffic. Salem Street is already backed up, so development of this size in that neighborhood is gonna create a large amount of traffic. Let's keep it off Medford streets. As the chief said, it's already, there's already issues. So I just really believe that the city of Medford should be on top of this. We need to be at these meetings. I'd also ask that the mayor, if he is notified of any future meetings, if he could let the council know of those meetings, whether it's one or two or three of us that can attend, it's at least an extra set of airs that can come back and we can discuss it more on the council and make sure that the city of Medford is doing what we need to do to protect our neighborhoods.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was on the same issue, if you don't mind, Councilor, um, President Camuso, with regards to leasing, I mean, we're going to have to give it back after four years. What's the lifespan of these vehicles? I just want to know the pros of leasing versus us buying it outright.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So with regards to the four years that we are leasing, the pros, what kind of pros, if something happens to the vehicle? I mean, just like if you lease a car.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So if one breaks down, we are responsible.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Same as a purchase.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Camuso. Since we are severing, I was... Well, we're going to take a vote to sever it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: The first two items, if we could just get an explanation on the first two items that were discussed earlier, but if we could get it discussed also.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So that wrapping would be along the fencing or along the whole top of the
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And that would last just for this one winter?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And in the spring, we're going to have to take that off, and if we don't do anything next year, we're going to have to do another wrapping?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So we have no idea what exactly is needed or how much it would cost?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And if we don't happen to do something for two, three years, you will leave the wrapping up?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then I don't know if anybody else has questions on that one. If we're going to go through this one at a time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm all set with that one, yep. Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If we're tabling it, I mean, can I just ask some questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, if I may first, I know if I may through the chair, Councilor Custo, I'm assuming that somebody is going to move to possibly table this as well to keep in line. But if I could just, if we could get a specific breakdown of the 90,000, what, what the estimates have come in, um, for the, for the sprinkler system. I think there's, I think Mr. Lincoln named about five different, areas that have improvements that will be used with this 90,000. So if we could get a breakdown specifically on a dollar figure for each, each portion and what estimates came in.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think we should debate this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: We suspend the rules every meeting. We sometimes take almost the whole agenda out of order. So are you trying to say that none of the council rules should be followed on any paper we take? out of suspension.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I don't think it's clear as day.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Who told you you made a mistake?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, while we have Bruce, a point of, can I ask? You want to say, Councilwoman? No. Just to, on this bicycle lane issue, it was asked in the committee meeting, Mr. Kulik, with regards to these four or five streets that are going to be done at the beginning. They're not going to consume the full $25,000, so is the bicycle commission involved at all of what streets would be, you know. you would want done next in Medford and so on and so forth so that we are just on top of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And any idea on, I mean, has the bicycle commission done any, research on what it costs to actually pay for one of these, one street at a time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Anyway, you could forward that to the council?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thanks. And who will, will this, this will be going out to bid, Director Burke? Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification on that, though. The mayor mentioned that this money is for now and in the future. So money will be put aside to melt these plaques down and redo them.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You want a breakdown of the full million?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, the parks, Victory, Morris and Playstead, Duggar and Harris, how did we come up with these figures? I know we discussed this in the committee meeting, but not exactly how those figures came to.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then did those contractors decide which parks to do?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I agree. And I always talk about maintaining our parks. My concern is why are Carr Park and Barry Park and the parks that were left out, why are they left out? That's my concern.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And the DPW Parks Department is the one who?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And can you just explain a little bit about the mausoleum study?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is that through a specific company or?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Oh, out to bid on this one too, okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah. Um, and then on top of that, I want a second Councilor Penta's, um, motion that the public arts funds be broken down and we understand how that is going to be spent. Um, my, if I could motion to make sure Ms. Burke, Director Burke, you said the 10,000 for the cameras, it's about 2,500 for a stationary one. I would just, recommend and ask my colleagues to make it mandatory that one portable camera be purchased.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's it for me. Okay.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My question was going to be to break down the figures, so thank you, Mr. Lincoln. The roof, you said it has to be, about two-thirds of it has to be redone. Why so high for $35,000?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then Director Burke, who from the City of Medford has gone out to just inspect these five things just to make sure, you know, it's necessary?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: and all these projects, director Burke will go to bed through the city. Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. Mr. Bruce, Attorney Bruce, when you say 10 days, they specified which days?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, my concern would actually be with the police department. We've met with the chief of police. Oh, geez. I believe that was the end of September. Chief of Police was before the council. I'm not sure exactly when he said it, but he said one of the biggest callers to the police department with regards to retail stores is Kohl's. And I think that's good with the fact that Kohl's is proactive trying to catch, you know, shoplifters, but it also takes a lot of time from the police officer's daily business. I would make that a requirement. If you only need the five days, maybe you could just I think 10 is a little excessive between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But I think the chief of police definitely needs to be notified two weeks in advance of which days Kohl's is going to be open 24 hours so that he can prep the department and make sure there's enough officers. I like the idea of a police detail, especially on Black Friday. I don't know if that's something that the council believes maybe should be all four days. But that's just my concern. And you also have neighbors that are complaining about the possible noise, while crime is something that you definitely don't want to wake up to in the middle of the night. So I would recommend that the chief of police have to be notified of the days, the possible days that the colds will be open for 24 hours.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think it should be specific days. So the police department, knows when this is going to take place. For example, every Black Friday, if we're going to do this, if this is going to be approved and approved from now until Kohl's is no longer there, I think the police department need to know that it's going to happen on Black Friday and it's going to happen three days before Christmas. You can't have, although, you know, it's an amendment right now to have the police notified within two weeks prior to, You're going to have them every year wondering when the 24-hour market, you know, when Kohl's is going to be open for 24 hours. I don't know if we've done this for any retail store, so I want to set good ground rules now in case there's other stores that want to follow the lead, whether that's in the Meadow Glen Mall or not. We need to make sure that the store is safe and that the police department know that there is going to be an establishment where there's a good amount of shoplifting like in any retail store, and they need to be aware of it. You know, we know what happened to other Kohl's in the past, so I think we need more specifics on which actual days Kohl's is going to be open for 24 hours.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just last, if we can move that as an amendment, what Attorney Bruzee said for Black Friday and seven days between December 18th and December 24th.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, as well as notifying the chief specifically.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't move that as an amendment. I just said I thought it was excessive.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes, I don't believe I made that as an amendment, but.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Total of eight. Total of eight. That's what I meant. Yep.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. I was going to agree with Councilor Caraviello that we sit in subcommittee with Anne Baker. The same exact people, Ian Baker, budget director, and the retirement board. I would like to learn a little bit more. I'm not ready to make a vote on it tonight, but I agree with my colleagues. And I thank Councilor Penta for bringing this up.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. I actually want to echo Gene's sentiments. I just feel, truly feel, that the city of Medford's missing out. Teenagers, young children, all the way up to, you know, adults and the elderly who you could be using TV access for many, many different reasons, including, you know, the many things you mentioned. It's unfortunate. This council, over a year ago, fought to get TV 3 on the right track. And, you know, what we did was, with every, you know, the citizens' help, was an accomplishment. But at this point, it just went to the wayside. You know, in June, Father Hines was leaving. We thought at that point that the committee, cable committee, would have been done. with what they needed to do, and we'd have a new station up and running. And at this point, we're already into November almost, and we've heard nothing. We've asked for updates, we've asked for reports, we've asked for how we're gonna go forward, and the corner office is silent. That's unfortunate for the city of Medford. It's unfortunate for the candidates to the current election, state, senate, and the list goes on. So I too, I don't know where TV should go, TV3 should go, but I do know that we are paying for it every day through our cable bill, and it's wrong. I think the administration really needs to get in the ball and do what they need to do.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Councilor. President Camuso, I think the end of suspension has to do with ending the meeting. I just wanted to bring up, we got a response from the mayor with regards to the mayor's office with regards to The ledger sheet showing funds received and directed to fund for City Dog Park, I don't think this was brought up, 60,000 from J.F. White and $1,766.93 was a donation from Boston Volunteer Solutions who ran the Doggy Fun Run 2013. Supposedly there's more funds coming in from the Doggy Fun Run 2014. I wanted to question if we could send a request. I believe there's also a dog show three or four years ago that was raising money specifically so Medford could open a dog park. So that would be my question to the mayor's office, what monies were included in that. And I just want to bring up the issue again. I was in South Boston over the weekend and I saw, it was a beautiful day, a little chilly, but beautiful. There's a dog park in South Boston and is, nothing more than a fence. And there were more people and dogs in this dog park, right on the water. It was beautiful. I just stopped. I was doing an ALS walk, and I stopped and looked, and I just threw my hands up. My husband's like, what's the matter with you? I'm like, what is the problem? Well, what's $200,000 about that? Yeah, it's definitely, I mean, we have $62,000 here, and more money's coming in from the doggie fun run. Councilman Marks has a petition going out and he's chaired this issue and this council has voted numerous times for a dog park, but I couldn't help myself. Number one, we got some of our answers and number two, just to see a fence with a few barrels and some turf, you know, it wasn't turf, it was cheap material and everybody was out having their coffee and there was probably 20 dogs in the dog park. I just wanted to bring that up all this council can do is just bring up issues again and again because eventually they do, some of them do stick. So again, I believe this city needs a dog park. We have the money here for it. There's a number of spots that I could recommend as could any of this city council. And I just really hope the mayor moves forward.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. Thank you, Emily, for coming. Do you work for a specific organization or you do this on the side as like, just to raise awareness, volunteerism?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Is there anything in the middle school or grade schools?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I mean, just having two small children that are, you know, walking age, When we walk to school, even just from parking and walking to school, there's distracted drivers everywhere. So something in the grade schools would be great just to teach children to look both ways when they cross the street. They'll think they're OK because they're running on the sidewalk, but they're not because people are backing out of their driveways without looking. So I applaud you for your volunteerism and feel awful for what you've been through. But I think what you're doing for the community is great. do some personal injury work, and it's a horror story. It's very scary. I drive on 10 and 2 because I just read about what goes on and the accidents that take place. So we take it very seriously, I'm sure, as a council. And anything I personally or the council can do to help you, we're on board, absolutely. OK, great.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Page two of the agreement says there's 987 spots.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 3,700 parking permits for business commuters and residential.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? Who? We were told in our subcommittee meetings that any clearly marked spot that is currently in the city of Medford is going to be a spot that's going to be metered. They're not creating new spots. They're not taking away any that are clearly marked. But if you have a clearly marked spot in one of our squares or downtown districts, those are the ones that are going to be metered.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But clearly marked, if it has a sign, 15 minutes, two hours, half hour, anything that's clearly marked as a parking spot within the city of Medford is going to be metered.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Councilor Husso. I just beg to differ to a point because this council, I think all seven of us have discussed the possibility for income that is out there. I think each councillor has discussed how much money Somerville brings in, how much money Cambridge brings in, and how much the city of Medford is missing out on that opportunity. I believe I've spoke about it, Councilor Caraviello, I mean, all of my colleagues have. So, we knew this was going to be contract. I mean, I don't know how to get around, how anybody can get around that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. We were just speaking about that. On September 30th, the Council voted. I put a resolution on for the superintendent of wires to go down and look at the lighting, and he did respond to us. He said, after a review of the street lighting at the intersection of Harvard and Maine, I found there were four street lights at the corners, two on Maine and two on Harvard. These are owned by National Grid and are 250 watt sodium vapors and deliver 27,500 lumens. He has asked National Grid, and National Grid, it seems like, has agreed to change them to 400-watt sodium vapors, which deliver 50,000 lumens. So Superintendent Wires is on board. And that's Joe Hurley, if any other questions need to be asked by him.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: committee of the whole where you can invite the actual businesses that it's going to affect, because I think that's the way we did it. We moved the bus stop Richdale, and there was the salon where Saibot was. We did end up moving that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Commuters and the business owners, right.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes. I have this actually the notice for next week's meeting up here because I was going to talk to Clerk Finn about it. It's scheduled for next week at 6 p.m. but Woodcock, Chris Woodcock is one of the commissioners could not make it. I believe we're going to do it on the 18th of November where all the commissioners can make it and that's a public meeting. That is a public meeting. Absolutely.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: She wants to know when the next meeting will be.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Hopefully, if nothing's scheduled, Clerk Finn, November 18th at 6 p.m., room 207, which is right next door to this room. The public's welcome. We're going to discuss the water rate increases, because we agree with you. And then new tiered system, I guess we can add to that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I was going to ask Marie, did they have a check to see if you had a leak?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: It sounds like you might have a leak. I mean, Councilwoman Knight just figured out how much usage you were using.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let's see if we can have the appropriate department look at the, once the new meters went in, they were supposed to have a system that could detect a leak. Let's have them check 92 Bow Street. specifically to see if there's any leaks through the system that we're told we're going to be able to use to help situations like this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, Councilor Camuso. I know it's a loaded discussion, but I think it has to be brought up. We have two weeks till we are making a huge vote on question three. And when you talk to people around town, especially at my businesses in the Wellington area, especially in the Wellington area, South Medford area, I mean, people are a little nervous that we are going to have a casino in Everett before long. So I just wanted to at least bring this up, let the voting public know. I know it's late, but people do watch. Question three is a big deal. You're voting to repeal the 2011 vote, which allowed resort casinos to operate within Massachusetts. There is obviously the brochure where you can read about all the questions on the ballot. And I have question three here. I also did some research with regards to pros and cons. And it seems like, to me, You know, there's an issue back and forth, pros and cons to the job, the positives about creating jobs, but even that can be rebutted. If you go to this number of myths and facts about the jobs in the casinos. So what I am concerned about is that Trump's anything is the crime. Crime is number one. I mean, we see what's going on in the South Medford neighborhood the last few months. And I truly feel that a casino is going to increase crime within our neighborhoods. It is going to trickle into the Wellington area, the South Medford area. North Medford is going to feel a hit. I know one thing when you read the ballot question when it talks about crime. Indiana prosecutors needed an additional court just to handle casino-related crimes. We are going to have one of the largest casinos in Massachusetts, if not, you know, one of the biggest in the country, and it's very scary. You know, people who are raising families do not want a casino near their children, near their schools. And the types of crime, we've been over that, but I think it's going to bring a whole—we already have it, you know, the drug issue is another debate, but drugs, prostitution, I can go on and on about the crime that the casino is going to bring. Number two is the traffic. The traffic is a disgrace in Wellington Circle. And again, it trickles into Medford. It's only going to get worse, and it's going to get a lot worse. You also have the issue of businesses. A casino will kill the economic base in Medford. It will kill our businesses. It will create layoffs and closures of our small businesses that can't afford that, and we don't want that to happen. We are going to bear the burden to the fruits of whatever it is going to take and however much money Wynn is going to give Everett per year. We're going to bear the burden, the city of Medford. So I really wanted to put this on. I know some people are in favor of casino, but I truly feel that it's going to hurt Medford. And I have three young children, and I don't want to see this happen right in our own backyards. I could go on. I did some research today, but I know it's late, and I'm sure a couple other councillors want to speak on it. I just wanted to let everybody know, question three is on the ballot. If you vote yes, you will repeal the law. Could it be something that could go down in Springfield and in other communities? Maybe, but right in Everett, in this thickly settled area, I don't think we have the street capacity for it with regards to traffic, and I don't think Our law enforcement should have to bear this burden, nor our residents.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You can speak, just don't talk about the ballot question, then, if that's the issue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. While we have Anthony here, I just want to first say I've known the Petrello's family for a very long time. I've seen Anthony Petrellis at work, and what he does is amazing. Proud to have him as the summer instructor at the Columbus camp, and proud to have him as a teacher. And I just want to share this one story, because the city's abuzz about Anthony Petrellis the last week. I believe it came from my mother, who speaks very highly of Anthony. And she said that once you won the award, you must have been in the large auditorium with a bunch of teachers and students. And somebody came up to, you know, maybe to Diane or the principal, or I'm not sure who it was, and said, where's this Anthony Petrellis? I don't see him anywhere. And somebody said, well, there he is down on the floor with the kids, like, actively participating and, you know, helping them learn. And I just thought that was an amazing story. So it just shows, you know, what type of teacher he is. He goes above and beyond the call of duty. And that's obvious from the award that was won, which I believe was only one of 25 in the nation, so I just personally want to congratulate Anthony and his family, and all the teachers and principal at the McGlynn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Nicole, right?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm not sure of his name. I can't stop. Nicole and Steve. Nicole and Steve. Steve. Just while we have Councilor Caraviello's daughter in the audience, she's just recently engaged, so we want to congratulate her, Nicole and Steve. Good luck with the wedding planning and hope you, yeah, many years together.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lange. Thank you, President Caraviello. Just electrical, there's no water, what is the entrance?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Who's requiring you to come before the council to
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: How many letters total would you have to send?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. If I could ask Clerk Finn a question about this, because it seems like an easy vote. Okay, it looks like it would be about $1,800 for coals. process-wise, who sends out the certified mails? That would be Coles that sends out the certified mails?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That was my question, because it would be a concern of mine if Coles had to do the certified mail or send it out regular mail, just with regards to proving that they did so. But if that's the case where the city clerk's office sends out whether it be certified or regular mail.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may, thank you, President Caraviello. Where you have the return receipt, when somebody comes into the office, say, somebody says, I didn't get the notice, and you then have the return receipt to say, yes, you did. I mean, is there, can we amend this? You can require it, regular mail, but take a picture of each envelope showing, you know, that it went out?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: My only concern would be if somebody comes in saying, I didn't get the notice. Well, now you don't have the return receipt anymore.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: But that's a different issue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: 286, yeah.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Certificate of, yeah, I think we should require.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: From the city clerk's office. I would make that recommendation. Some, I mean, going quickly, but something to prove that with an affidavit or a certification, that each one on that list was mailed by regular mail, the notice.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. Councilor Penser, I think you mentioned the Mass General Law. which I read as that's already a requirement. One half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise, the operator shall display on each pedal of his bicycle a reflector.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you're proposing that the state legislate it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Amend it, so instead of just the lamp, which is required on the front of the bike or the pedal on the reflector be increased to a vest.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What if we send this to the Bicycle Commission as well, or prior to, to have them discuss? I mean, there are two members here tonight. I've spoken to Bruce as well. How many people are on the committee as of right now? 10 people from Medford on the committee who probably speak to a number of other cyclists. Let's get some input.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Let's refer to the Bicycle Commission first. That would be my suggestion. I think it's a great resolve, and I think anything to enhance safety for bicyclists is a positive step. I agree with Councilor Penter as well. Enforcement is going to be a big thing, not only for vehicles, but also to put on these vests.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Point of clarification, Councilor Van Gogh-Carran. Thank you, President Caraviello. As far as I'm concerned, we had I've mentioned this before, two, possibly three meetings with the mayor, in subcommittee, with Director Burke. And we went over, I mean, we had hours of discussion of the terms that would be in the contract. We knew how much they were going to charge per hour. We knew how many spots were going to be monitored. We knew, we were in executive session discussing the three possible people that we were going to sign, engage in contract negotiations with. After those three meetings, this city council, seven of us, voted to allow the mayor to negotiate. So I mean, I just want to make that clear because I feel like this is something that I've pretty much already have seen. We were getting it first, maybe the third time.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Caraviello. I received a call on this. There is supposedly a sign missing. It did say parking by permit only. It's on the corner of Boston and Capon Street. So if I could move approval, see if the traffic commission can take a look at this and replace it at their earliest convenience. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Present.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. I want to thank Councilor Marks for putting this on. Councilor Caraviello, Marks, and I were at that meeting, the police meeting, community meeting, and we spoke an hour, you know, we got updates on the South Medford shooting, The next most spoken about subject was the graffiti and how it's an eyesore, how Somerville is getting tough on their graffiti. So it's bringing more down, especially in the South Medford area. But there's people also complaining about it in West Medford, in Medford Square. It is everywhere. I mean, people are tagging for fun. People are tagging to break the rules, break the law. And I think if Somerville's getting tough on it, I think it's time Medford does too. put on the agenda and try to get certain spots cleaned up, but I think an ordinance creating a revolving account is a great way to do it, so I thank Councilor Marks for putting this on. I definitely am in favour of the paper. I think we need to stop the repeat tagging and just the fact that it's everywhere. I think we should spend a portion of the money that comes into the revolving account, not only to clean up the like we spoke about last week, on cameras so that we can catch these offenders. We can catch them, we can find them, and we can make that revolving account, clean up all the graffiti within our community. So I would hope that some of that money would go to be spent on cameras. I also wanted to just, Councilman Marks brought up Citizen Connect smartphone, and I know it goes along with the 311 system that Somerville uses. I happen to be in Somerville today, and they are giving out magnets. with regards to if it's not an emergency and you need us or any other city service, you call 311. I brought this up maybe four or five months ago. We voted 7-0 to get this installed in Medford, this program. It will provide accountability and it's something that our residents deserve because I'm sure we're all sick of saying, hearing, when is my sidewalk gonna get fixed? When is my street pothole gonna be repaved? all the DPW, you know, they'll say it's going to be done, or you're on the list, especially with sidewalk repairs. You're on the list, you're on the list. We really don't know what happens with that list. This is a way for accountability, for response, and for action. So again, I'm going to see if I can amend your paper Councilor Marks and again vote that City of Medford implement the 311 program. I think it's an absolute great idea. I've spoken to people in the building department at the city of Somerville, and they don't know what they would do without it. So I think it's time for Medford to become accountable for all the complaints that come in, issues and concerns. So thank you again, Councilor Marks, and I'd like to amend the paper. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Camuso. I echo the sentiment of my councilors. I believe a dog park, and I've said it before, is needed in this community, especially since we've raised money and had fundraisers for it, and there's money sitting there. I did have a question. I know that there's petitions going around. I saw that SMARTO, the South Medford neighborhood group has sent petitions out, so I ask Councilor Marks, are they going to be in any businesses? Where can people go to sign a petition? Maybe we should, I know you're working on the petition, but how can people get out that you really don't know, aren't in the SMARTO email list? How can we get the people out to sign petitions? This is a good question.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just briefly, thank you, President Camuso. Gene, I agree with you on the community policing and getting back to the community policing, which we used to do years ago. So I agree with you on that point. I know that the chief of police is going to have the first walk in South Medford with the neighbors sometime, I think, late next week. council recommendation and that's a start and hopefully he does that within the different neighborhoods in the community as a start back to going back to community policing. Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just a quick announcement. Thank you. Thank you, President Camuso. I know it's late. We had discussed last week, I brought a, put a resolution on the agenda with regards to our housing authorities being hooked up with FIOS. I know I got complaints about Tamponi Manor not having FIOS. So we did receive a resolve. And I know two people that did complain to me, watched the council meeting. So if I could just read it, I was recently, this is, From John Coddington, Medford Housing Authority to the Mayor's Office, who thankfully forwarded to us the email reads, I was recently approached by the firm hired by Verizon and charged with wiring the city for Fios. He sent us some material and I had staff meet with him yesterday about the possibility of wiring our nine MHA public housing sites. We, as in John Coddington, now plan to visit the Malden Housing Authority to see the quality of their installation work and to talk with them about their experience with the whole process. If things look acceptable, the next step would be to have the engineers come up with a scope of work and a plan for wiring our 845 apartments. They indicated they would like everything worked out by the end of the year, so the actual site work could be completed in 2015. I'm thinking we'll know more within the next four to six weeks. I hope this information helps. So the 845 units within the Medford Housing Authority, just wanna confirm that Verizon, hopefully Verizon will be installed in 2015 and Mr. Coddington is working on it. And I thank the mayor's office again for getting us a response on this.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I just want to, my point of view is I think the city is doing a good thing with the push of this council and Council Marks putting in the thermoplastic sidewalks. I know we're doing a pilot. We are doing a pilot program for three crosswalks in the city that should be done within the next I think it was four or five months. So I think we are moving in a step in the right direction. If that works, I do agree that we should do many more throughout our community at a rate that we can afford, whether it's five or six per year, however much it costs, that we are able just to afford being able to do that. But I think it is a way to go. I mean, the paint, I agree, lasts not even a full season. And we makes it through to the beginning of fall and it's just not effective for the rest of the year. So that is a way to go. I just want to make sure that we see how the pilot program goes and do it in stages so that we can afford it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Mayocko. My issue comes just with financial. Not only we have the budget coming up, but the number of bonds that are on the books. Currently, I'd like to see a breakdown of—we've got breakdowns before, but I'd like to see a breakdown of what is owed, what will be owed each year for each bond, a total of what is owed. I'd also like, for what we currently have, and then on a second spreadsheet, a breakdown of not only what is currently owed, but also an estimate on what the DPW department to rebuild is going to cost. I'd like that added to the bond worksheet. as well as we need an update on what's going on with the police department. We basically, you know, I believe it needs to be expanded on. I don't think evidence being housed in a garage is sufficient, adequate, or reasonable. I think we need to expand on the police department, but we need to know what the mayor and the city administration is gonna do, whether it's, I don't think it's gonna be rebuilt, but whether it be expand, rework, refurbish what we need to do at the police station, I'd like that included. I'd also like, now we have a three point, I believe it's a $3.3 million bond that they want to put on the books for the pool at 3%, so that's gonna be a good amount, I'd say 80 to $100,000 a year that we're gonna have to pay back per year on the pool. So I'd just like to see the figures. What are we putting on the books? What are we going to have to pay back from now until the next 15 years? We need to be able to evaluate that along with the next budget before we can make the decisions. I mean, everybody wants to see a brand new pool, brand new locker rooms. I am one of them. But at the same time, we have the rate payers who are basically screaming to us, what are you doing? How much money can you spend over a three-year period? and we have essentials that need to get done. We do not have a DPW yard now. It has to be rebuilt. We had to do what we had to do with the police station, and we have to continue to figure out what the mayor wants to do with that. We need to be able to evaluate it all before we can make a recommendation. I'd like to ask for it by next Tuesday, because I know we're in line to get about $500,000 to go toward the $600,000 for the locker rooms of the pool, and time is of the essence for that. But if so, if we could get this breakdown, hopefully within the next week, it would be appreciated. It would help me make a determination, um, not only for the students and those who use the pool, but for the, the community as a whole to, to move forward most appropriately.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just to further amend it to include, um, a lift to the, above ground spectator, um, room to, to investigate the cost of, uh, they said about 30,000 to put in a lift.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: To the chair.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Clerk Finn, were you able to go to the location?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Liability insurance.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'll be brief. Thank you, Councilor Mayeco. I just want to go on record. I think it's a good resolve. I think it's something that obviously is working for other cities and towns. And I think it's something that, you know, I thank Councilor Marks for bringing it forward. I think it's something we definitely need to look at and hopefully the mayor will really take this under advisement and go forward, and especially if we have residents who are willing to, whether it's once a week or once a month, meet and really go through our city bit by bit to see where the traffic problems are, what can be improved upon. I think it's a way, and we speak about it all the time, to be proactive. You know, what happened a couple weeks ago with the Winthrop Street, George Street intersection, that was a, it needed to be in front of the council, but that was a reactive situation where the city reacted to an unfortunate accident. And these accidents are happening all the time, all over. And it's because there's truly concerned residents with small children in that area. They came forward. We were able to push the resolutions forward. And I think because of us, it got done quicker than it may have gotten done. But it was a reactive situation. I think we need to be more proactive. We need to, what Councilman Marks alluded to, go through the city and really map out a master plan on how we can improve upon the speeding, the traffic, the accidents, and a whole host of different issues. My one concern, Council Box, and the rest of the council would be the fact that you sat on a committee for over a year and discussed traffic with the chief of police, you went to other, you know, the committee went to other communities, you come up with this lengthy report on what is needed in the city, and it just fell on deaf ears. It went nowhere. So I would hate to see residents of our community sit and give up their time to not be heard. So my hope would be not only to implement this committee, but to take the recommendations seriously and to act upon them. Some of the things that will need to be acted upon are going to cost some money, but at the same time I hope the administration And I know this council will be committed to improving on what is going on in our community now. So that would be my concern. And I hope the administration would not act as they did with the traffic commission report. Um, my last comment is, you know, the people serving on our traffic commission, they do a good job, they're working hard, but they also have full time jobs. We're talking the chief of police, Lauren D Lorenzo from the office community development, Jack Buckley from the DPW yards. from the DBW director. Those are three people work too many hours to being, you know, to really get into the nitty gritty of what a traffic committee would be able to do. So I'm in favor and I hope that it not only moves forward, but that the recommendations and the time put into resolves are acted upon.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Mayeco. I mean, I kind of agree with all my colleagues. I feel like we don't have enough information to vote for or against getting rid of ICLEI, but I feel like we owe it to the people who are very passionate about the subject. People that have, I mean, I've gotten five or six emails without having even really talked about it. besides Mr. Cappuccio's presentation on the first of the month, I feel like getting answers, asking questions is what we need to do, and I'd like to get some answers. I mean, it was mentioned that cities and towns are paid up to $135,000 a year. What, if anything, is Medford paid? I don't think it's gonna hurt to ask these questions and get the answers. I'm sure it's gonna take a while for us to set up a meeting with all administration and school committee members, so in the meantime, Let's get some answers, let's figure it out. We also have the time to look through whatever of the 40 chapters we want to, watch some videos and try to get educated on the topic because it's also, it's obviously a very passionate issue of so many.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just briefly, thank you, President Mayako. I think it's necessary that we meet, that we all review this and meet on it, give our input, discuss it in its entirety, because ultimately the buck stops here. It's been said by many councilors before, and I think we need to get a grasp on it and speak. The seven of us need to get together and really review it and go through our concerns and give our recommendations.