[Bruce Kulik]: Before we get started, I'd like to remind the audience to please mute their cell phones. Good evening and welcome to the Medford Democratic City Committee City Council Forum. The general election will be held November the 4th, with early voting beginning this Saturday, October the 25th. Tonight's program is being broadcast, streamed, and recorded for later playback by the Medford Community Media. My name is Bruce Kulik, and along with Phyllis Morrison, we are the co-chairs of the committee. All candidates, regardless of political affiliation, were invited to attend. Tonight we will hear from 10 of the 14 City Council candidates. Nate Merritt is unable to attend due to a previous family engagement. Paul Donato Jr. had a previous work commitment and is unable to attend. Rick Caraviello is recovering from knee replacement surgery and is unable to attend. His wife Cara will be arriving later this evening to deliver his closing statement. And George Scarpelli declined to participate. The moderators for tonight's forum will be myself and Phyllis. and we're joined by volunteers from Jumbo Vote, a nonpartisan student-run organization from the Titch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. The co-president of Jumbo Vote is Tegan Mastone. Tonight's volunteers also include our timekeepers, Julia Kiko, Macy D. Giuseppe, and stage managers Amy Zhao and Ella Hochman. We also have a volunteer from Medford High School, Jacob Yee, who will be operating the lights and providing technical assistance. The format of tonight's forum will consist of two rounds of questions and responses, with each candidate receiving one question in each round. We will then have each candidate deliver a closing statement. The order of speaking was determined by a random selection conducted earlier this week by members of the organizing committee, with candidates allowed to swap positions if they wanted to by mutual agreement. Each candidate will be allowed two minutes response time for each question and two minutes for the closing statement. The timekeeper will display a yellow card when 15 seconds remain and a red card when time has expired. The moderator will then tell the candidates that time is up. We will now introduce each candidate. When your name is called, please stand if able, greet the audience, and then please be seated. Justin Tseng. Liz Mullane, Matt Leming, Nick Guerrillo, Anna Callahan, Zach Bares, Melanie Tringali, Emily Lazzaro, Miranda Prezzino, and Patrick Clerkin. We will now conduct the Q&A portion of tonight's forum. The questions will be asked in two rounds, with each candidate responding in the order previously determined. We have developed several questions for tonight's forum. The questions will be drawn from a glass bowl by one of the student volunteers and provided to the moderator, who will then ask the question to the candidate. The candidate will then have two minutes to respond as they wish.
[Bruce Kulik]: That concludes the first round of questions. We will now proceed to round two. We have replaced the questions in the jar with a separate set for round two that will include different topics. The first question goes to Justin Tsang. The new charter would give the city ward representation on city council a four-year term for mayor with four-term limit and the ability of the school committee to elect its own chair, among other things. What is your position regarding passage of the new charter?
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you, Justin. Next question is for Liz Mullane. How would you approach your role in oversight, funding, and collaboration with the Medford Comprehensive High School Building Committee to ensure a transparent and fiscally sound process?
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you, Liz. The next question is for Matt Leming. What specific steps should the city take to support small businesses and local entrepreneurs while ensuring Medford's growth remains responsible, sustainable, and aligned with the needs of residents and the community?
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you, Matt. The next question goes to Nick Girelio. Closer, Girelio. Girelio, thank you. I apologize.
[Bruce Kulik]: That's insulting. Please explain your position on whether using free cash to cover operating expenses is a fiscally sound policy and why.
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you, Nick. The next question goes to Anna Callahan. Medford has many heat islands, a diminished tree canopy, and areas vulnerable to flooding. What is one specific action you would like to take to address climate change risk for Medford, and how would you pay for it?
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you, Anna. The next question is for Zach Baird. What is your position on the current divestment policy recently vetoed by the mayor? How would you monitor and enforce it without undermining the city's fiscal flexibility or return on investments? Or, if you don't agree with it, what alternative ethical investment criteria, if any, would you propose?
[Bruce Kulik]: I'd like to note that at this time Carol Caraviello has joined us on stage. She will be delivering Rick Caraviello's closing statements shortly. The next question goes to Melanie Tringale. What city department do you feel is most in need of significant increase in its budget for the next fiscal year and why?
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you. The next question goes to Emily Lazzaro. What specific tools, meetings, or outreach methods will you use to strengthen communication and engagement with the community?
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you, Emily. I'd also like to remind the candidates at this time to refrain from invoking the names of other candidates in their responses. Thank you. The next question goes to Miranda Roseña. Did I say that right?
[Bruce Kulik]: Looking ahead five to ten years, what is your vision for Medford's future? What role do you see the city council playing in helping us get there?
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you Miranda. And the final question tonight goes to Patrick Clurkin. If elected to Medford City Council, what is your top priority for the city? How do you plan to turn this into action? And what specific steps will you take to make measurable progress about that within your term?
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you, Patrick.
[Bruce Kulik]: And welcome to the Medford Democratic City Committee School Committee Candidates Forum. Tonight's program is being broadcast, streamed and recorded for later playback by the Medford Community Media. My name is Bruce Kulik and along with Phyllis Morrison, who is absent tonight, we are the co-chairs of the committee. Tonight we will hear statements of responses to questions from all nine school committee candidates. The general election will be held November the 4th with early voting beginning October 25th. The moderators will be myself and Anita Tucker, who is a member of the committee. We are joined by volunteers from Jumbo Vote, a non-partisan student-run organization from the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. Tufts students' volunteers tonight include our timekeepers, Tegan Mastone, Dombian Kurt, Eleanor Shockney-Martello, Jules Zinn-Rothorn. We also have a volunteer from the Medford High, Jacob Yee, who is up in the booth operating the lights and providing technical assistance. Mayor Brianna Lungel has graciously declined to participate tonight to allow the focus to remain on the school committee candidates. The format of tonight's forum will consist of opening statements by each candidate, followed by questions and responses by each candidate, and concluded with a closing statement. The order of speaking was determined by random selection conducted earlier by members of the organizing committee, with candidates allowed to swap positions by mutual agreement. Candidate Intoppa has notified us he has additional personal engagement this evening and will need to leave early. He has designated Lacey Intoppa to deliver his closing statement. Each candidate will be allowed two minutes for the opening and closing statements as well as two minutes response time for each question. The timekeeper will display a yellow card when 15 seconds remain and a red card when time has expired. The moderator will then tell the candidate that time is up.
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you to all the candidates for their opening statement. We will now conduct the Q&A portion of tonight's forum. The questions will be asked in three rounds with each candidate responding in the order previously determined. We have developed 27 questions for tonight's forum. Each candidate will draw a question from a glass bowl. The question will be provided to the moderator who will ask the questions to the candidate. The candidate will then have two minutes to respond as they wish. The first round begins with candidate Mastro Brioni. Please draw a question from the bowl and return to the volunteer.
[Bruce Kulik]: What motivates you to run for school committee and what particular skills or experience qualify you to serve? So to repeat the question. What motivates you to run for school committee and what particular skills or experience qualify you to serve?
[Bruce Kulik]: What do you believe the primary roles and responsibilities of a school committee are? Provide some examples of the differences between the school committee's role and the superintendent's role.
[Bruce Kulik]: Provide some examples of the difference between the school committee's role and the superintendent's role.
[Bruce Kulik]: John Intoppa. What are your views on school safety policies and disciplinary practices? What steps would you take to address behavioral and mental health challenges facing students and staff?
[Bruce Kulik]: Jenny Graham. Oh, excuse me, Jessica Parks. What ideas do you have to engage parents and taxpayers to ensure their voices are heard?
[Bruce Kulik]: Jenny Graham. What role do you think school committees should play in supporting the rights of gender-flexible students?
[Bruce Kulik]: Lisa Kingsley.
[Bruce Kulik]: What do you see is the district's greatest strengths and weaknesses regarding student achievement? What are you proud of? What would you like to see improved?
[Bruce Kulik]: Nicole Brandlue.
[Bruce Kulik]: Do you believe that students should have access in the classrooms to the personal devices like phones, tablets, laptops for research or learning tools? How should the school committee ensure equity for students who might be unable to afford such technology?
[Bruce Kulik]: Do you believe that students should have access in the classroom to their personal devices like phones, tablets, or laptops for research or to use learning tools? How should the school committee ensure equity for students who might be unable to afford such technology?
[Bruce Kulik]: Erika Reinfeld. Should we increase or reduce the resources applied to special needs or English language learners? Please explain.
[Bruce Kulik]: Paul Rousseau.
[Bruce Kulik]: Does Medford need a new high school building? Please provide examples supporting that choice.
[Bruce Kulik]: Does Medford need a new high school building? Please provide examples supporting that choice. That feels like a softball. Thank you. They were randomly assigned.
[Bruce Kulik]: That concludes the second round of questions. We will now proceed to the third and final round. Michael Mastrobianni. Massachusetts voters recently approved a measure to eliminate MCAS as a graduation requirement, but to retain it to assess student achievement and identify schools needing support. What is your perspective on the decline in MCAS scores post-COVID and the decision to eliminate it as a graduation requirement?
[Bruce Kulik]: What is your perspective on the possibility of federal budget allocation being subject to federal guidelines or curriculum and policy requirements, such as teaching the history of enslaved people, DEI policies, or the treatment of transgender students?
[Bruce Kulik]: As indicated earlier, John Antofa had to leave due to a previous personal commitment. We will then proceed now to Jessica Parks. Will you support a debt exclusion tax override to build or renovate a new Medford High School?
[Bruce Kulik]: OK. Next to Jenny Graham.
[Bruce Kulik]: We'll get out early this way.
[Bruce Kulik]: After-school programs have been an ongoing challenge for Medford. Do you think that after-school programs are important, and how would you help address this challenge?
[Bruce Kulik]: Lisa Kingsley. What are your views on the district's current literacy or math programs? Are there types of programs you would like to see put in place to provide more flexibility in instruction?
[Bruce Kulik]: Nicole Ranley. What can be done about improving the nutritional value of food provided to our students?
[Bruce Kulik]: What can be done about improving the nutritional value of food provided to our students?
[Bruce Kulik]: Erika Reinfeld. Around the nation, parents and groups have expressed concern about certain books being available to their children or used as optional teaching materials. Are there certain types of books or books with particular message or characters that we should restrict at any grade level?
[Bruce Kulik]: And finally, Paul Rousseau.
[Bruce Kulik]: I'll read it afterwards. All right. Medford currently has an interim superintendent What criteria and methods will you use to ensure that the best superintendent is selected from a broad range of internal and external candidates?
[Bruce Kulik]: At this time I would like to invite Lacey and Tapa to join us on stage. And while we're waiting, I will read the question, which is one I wish had been asked. How will you evaluate technology purchases to ensure they provide a strong return on investment? How should the school committee ensure equity for students who might be unable to afford internet at home? So you can all think about that and dream about it tonight.
[Bruce Kulik]: Thank you to all the candidates and thank you to the Medford Public Schools for allowing us the use of the auditorium. Also to the volunteers from Tufts and from Medford High and finally the staff here who helped us this evening to set up the stage, get everything ready. We truly appreciate your help. That concludes tonight's School Committee Candidate Forum. Please note that the Medford Democratic City Committee will hold a forum for City Council candidates next Thursday at 7 p.m. here in the Caron Theater. and it will be broadcast, streamed, and recorded by Medford Public Media. Thank you for attending and viewing this forum. Have a good night.
[Bruce Kulik]: With the record, could you identify yourself so we have that?
[Bruce Kulik]: All right. That's great. Got to make sure we haven't started the meeting officially yet. I wanted to add it as a preamble to the minutes.
[Bruce Kulik]: Daniel Nuzzo-Muller. Present. Emily O'Brien, vice chair.
[Bruce Kulik]: Bruce Kulik, secretary, here. Jared Powell here, Emily manure.
[Bruce Kulik]: I did, but that's because Emily is right above your name. And I just did one of those, you know, whatever.
[Bruce Kulik]: No.
[Bruce Kulik]: Mary Kate Gustafson present. Thea Gronstein, not present. And Rebecca Wright, not present. Adam Shire, not present. Chris Stivers, Stivers? Stivers. Stivers. What is it?
[Bruce Kulik]: Say again? Stivers. Stivers, sorry. Present. Yep. And Anna Rankert. Excellent. So let me mark the ones who are not present. All right, we have a quorum and we may proceed. We have a guest tonight.
[Bruce Kulik]: Seconded.
[Bruce Kulik]: Put that in the infrastructure section.
[Bruce Kulik]: Hopefully Todd will be with us if he's joining us.
[Bruce Kulik]: Before we move on, we have actually a clipper ship connector access that I had asked Todd to help us with later. We should keep any other further comments for that section.
[Bruce Kulik]: Okay. So you want to add a, I thought we, I thought I saw an email about that as well.
[Bruce Kulik]: I've noted that you want an agenda item for next meeting.
[Bruce Kulik]: Daniel, what is this? You call it the Hills Hill contract? Yes, playground by the ice rink. That's the official name of the playground.
[Bruce Kulik]: This is a mountain bike track path. What is it?
[Bruce Kulik]: It is apropos to the next agenda item, which, unfortunately, Scott emailed me about an hour ago and said that he will not be able to make it tonight, which is too bad, because I was looking forward to hear more about what his ideas were. And he's asked to reschedule. For next week's, I'll have to go back and be in touch with him to find out if he can make it to the next meeting instead. So I just wanted to relay that. But it is interesting that maybe several of us on our own might want to just go over there and see what it's all about so we have a sense of what Scott's talking about.
[Bruce Kulik]: That's a request for an agenda item, so that's now in the minutes.
[Bruce Kulik]: Yeah, why don't we keep that thought for the next meeting when we have the agenda that'll just talk in general about the master plan and we can figure out what that means.
[Bruce Kulik]: I think it was mostly Pat who put it together, right?
[Bruce Kulik]: Can we just email these to you?
[Bruce Kulik]: Who seconded?
[Bruce Kulik]: Please raise your hand. I didn't hear it was Leah. Thank you.
[Bruce Kulik]: Um, just summarize at this point, the motion that's on the table, which is to, um, empower Daniel to provide a C click fix agenda items, basically at his discretion to figure out, um, who should get them and lobby the city to have that happen. Do I have that recorded correctly?
[Bruce Kulik]: Aye.
[Bruce Kulik]: In the past, we have said that we would assign an individual who would be responsible for making sure that everything's coordinated so that we don't have repeat of the circle square where either nobody shows up or the tent's not there. Do we have somebody on this? Is that you? Is that somebody else?
[Bruce Kulik]: I would like to suggest that maybe some of the newer people think about this.
[Bruce Kulik]: I'm willing to staff it and be at the table, but I was being reluctant to coordinate it because we also have another event which I'm planning on coordinating, which we haven't talked about yet. I would certainly be available to be at the, at the booth.
[Bruce Kulik]: Hang on one second before I get too committed about that. Oh, no, I'm good. Thank you.
[Bruce Kulik]: I think I've got access to it. I'd have to double check, but I think I do.
[Bruce Kulik]: OK. I can work with both of you and figure out what we want to do. For me, it's mostly just been a matter of attention. I won't even say bandwidth, but just getting my attention to think about what should we do and what changes need to be made. So by having additional people doing that, I think that might be helpful.
[Bruce Kulik]: We can just do that offline.
[Bruce Kulik]: So I left a link in the agenda, which I will copy to the chat for everybody's edification. And it's basically going to be on October the 5th from 11 to 2 PM. They are looking for people to sign up, they say as soon as possible. So hopefully we're not too late, but I would take the lead on that and get us there. And if we are accepted, then organize for people to show up. Otherwise I would just show up and I would volunteer to be the coordinator for that event as well. So that's assuming we want to do it. So all we need is just approval for me to go ahead with it and I can take it from there.
[Bruce Kulik]: Yeah, it's our basic table. And we hang out at the table. People come and talk to us. And if we have lights to give away, we do that. I have in my head to get some better handout material or better program. And I know, Chris, you and I are on planning to get together. I think, who else was the third person who was going to do that? Adam. Adam.
[Bruce Kulik]: Oh, Adam, OK, not on today. So anyhow, where was I going with that? Yeah, so basically, that's what we do at the tables, and answer questions that people might have. How do you get places? What are we doing about blah, blah, blah? When does ClipperShipConnector open? Blah, blah, blah, that kind of things.
[Bruce Kulik]: It's a general crowd that when people show up, it's like literally a community day, and it's really more externally facing than internal for Tufts.
[Bruce Kulik]: All right, I will send out separately a call for volunteers as we get a little bit closer. And assuming we get accepted, I do need to contact them, which we'll do in the next day or so. So I heard a motion, I think. Anna, that's right. That's what I had you named out for. One second.
[Bruce Kulik]: And we're looking for a second, I think.
[Bruce Kulik]: Emily.
[Bruce Kulik]: Aye.
[Bruce Kulik]: Breakstone. Breakstone.
[Bruce Kulik]: So, again, this is working group stuff, I suppose, but... I'd like to move that we form that working group and appoint people to that group at this point.
[Bruce Kulik]: Yes, that's fine.
[Bruce Kulik]: Please raise your hand when you second, so I can tell who did it. Thank you. Thank you, Chris.
[Bruce Kulik]: Yeah, so I went through there, I think, after the signs were put up. And I've got to say that I don't remember there being a kind of continuous path as to how to do things. Maybe I missed a sign or maybe someone pulled down.
[Bruce Kulik]: It could be that because I was on my bike and perhaps going faster than a pedestrian would be, I bypassed some of them without realizing it. Yeah, I mean, we did our best.
[Bruce Kulik]: I'll endeavor to do another survey at some point in the next week or two, just as I go through that area to see. Maybe some have come down or if either suggestions.
[Bruce Kulik]: Thanks for the effort.
[Bruce Kulik]: I'm not sure what they did there. They said they were going to do it. There was some modification of the islands planned, but it was not a major thing. I don't know, Jared. I don't know. Why are you listed as the person?
[Bruce Kulik]: That's fine, I think we can do that for when Todd's here. However, we had pushed some of the Mystic Valley Parkway repainting discussion to this agenda item. And I did have some comments I wanted to make in that area.
[Bruce Kulik]: I was quite surprised when I saw the ghosts getting painted prior to the actual painting, because I was not aware that there were going to be any changes. I didn't see any requests for comments, anything of that sort. So it was really kind of a blindsiding, in my opinion, of the public with regard to painting what they painted there. And I've got to say, frankly, it's substandard. It does not adhere to many of the guidelines, particularly with regard to entering rotaries, traffic circles and the like. The bike lanes supposedly that went across the bridge, basically doesn't have any provisions for crossing straight onto Medford Street going into Arlington. All it does is turn you to the right at Mystic Valley Parkway. So it makes it kind of difficult. A couple of things it does, it discourages lane control, which is vitally important if you're going to be riding right through a rotary. It kind of makes the assumption that you're going to get off and ride through the crosswalk or dismount, et cetera. And I just think that it was, was done hastily and without sufficient input from stakeholders.
[Bruce Kulik]: That's correct.
[Bruce Kulik]: This link that was provided is basically for the paths and not so much for the rotary, it looks like. OK.
[Bruce Kulik]: So, I do remember this 1. yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's not what was implemented.
[Bruce Kulik]: I think the big problem with the current design and where I'm afraid this is going to go is it basically provides, there's two ways for cyclists to safely get through this intersection. One is by merging with traffic that might be wanting to turn right or effectively controlling the lane as you do so and proceeding through the rotary as a vehicle. The other option is to be shunted basically off to the crosswalk, but because of the nature of where those crosswalks are, that's an incredibly non-efficient mechanism for most cyclists, especially if you're coming down the hill from Arlington into the rotary, you have substantial speed at that point coming through. At least any non-trivial cyclist will have that. So it really becomes a question of making sure that motor traffic that's turning right is aware that there are cyclists potentially continuing straight. And whether that's done with signage or paint markings or whatever, that in my opinion is the biggest issue that needs to be faced because this rotary serves a fair number of what I refer to as fairly experienced cyclists. It also is kind of trepidation for those who are not. So it's fine to provide a pedestrian-like approach through here for those cyclists who don't want to ride it, but not at the expense of making it more dangerous or more confrontational for cyclists who are competent and are willing to ride through with traffic, which is probably most of us here. with the exception of maybe some of us when we're using a larger bike that's heavy and so on. So that's my comment about that and why I'm concerned with what is there now, similar to what Emily said.
[Bruce Kulik]: I don't do it. I just ride with traffic there. It's also a very slow rotary.
[Bruce Kulik]: Well, that's on the Medford side, less so on the Arlington side.
[Bruce Kulik]: It's also that the motorists are more familiar with the patterns and therefore have an expectation of cyclists being to the right in those situations. And I think that's part of the problem that we have here is to the right is out of sight, out of mind. And therefore, it's really important to be able to assert oneself in those situations. Yeah, I wish we had what we had in Sweden or wherever, because they do it right somehow.
[Bruce Kulik]: No, but I mean, it never has felt like I'm being slowed down deliberately because I've approached an intersection. I feel like I've got the same throughput that motor vehicle traffic has whenever I'm in those situations.
[Bruce Kulik]: Yeah, so just a couple of comments regarding the points that Leah had made at Outer House. I can understand how the current way it's set up is more comfortable for somebody who's willing to basically walk their way slowly through the intersection and watch every time they're crossing one of the ways that somebody is not taking their right of way. I can understand that. But the second thing is the rotary on the Arlington side, at least, is a much faster rotary than the one at Powderhouse Square. Both College Avenue and Broadway are slower streets. Powderhouse previously didn't used to be, but they put in mountains all over the place, making it harder to go fast on Powderhouse. In any event, that rotary is inherently a much slower rotary than the one on the Arlington side there is. And that is one of the reasons why pushing the people to the outside of the rotary like that can result in the issues that Emily was bringing up, where people get hidden by other cars, people exiting the rotary at higher speed than they ought to, but nonetheless at speeds that are apparently normal, that can create a real problem for somebody trying to cross that crosswalk. As a pedestrian, I cross that crosswalk from time to time and find it's very tricky to make sure that people coming off the rotary, particularly those making the left turn through the rotary, see you. People making the right turn seem to see you more often because you're kind of in the way, but people in the rotary don't, and that becomes a very scary aspect as a pedestrian. So it'd be great if we could make those into more modern roundabouts where, you know, you're deliberately being slowed down to 15 miles an hour. that would make it easier for bicycle traffic to get through at a reasonable speed and remaining safe.
[Bruce Kulik]: What? that get in the way. Of what? When you're trying to make a turn, for example, or trying to merge with traffic as you approach a conflict point, the flex boats are generally spaced in a manner that they are in the way of bicycle operation. I can cite several examples around the metropolitan area if you want to go look. and experiencing it. But there are places where flex posts across the bridge on a straightaway, no big deal. They're not a problem. Except when you're trying to pass another slow cyclist, but that's a different problem. But when the flex posts continue too deeply into the intersection, they don't allow for effective lane control if that's what's necessary to be safe at that intersection. And that's why it's a problem. You might disagree with me, but it is a problem. What I would ask for is that flexible. That's debatable.
[Bruce Kulik]: I'm not sure what you mean. But anyhow, that's an argument we don't need to have at this point.
[Bruce Kulik]: I follow you, Ernie.
[Bruce Kulik]: No, that was what I was going for. First, point of order, first a motion to table the next agenda item, then a motion to adjourn. Oh. Motion to table the next agenda item on reviewing our goals.
[Bruce Kulik]: All right, everybody, if you have a chair, please take a seat. There's still a couple here and a couple over here. Otherwise, I believe we're ready to get started. Welcome tonight's candidate, a forum put on by the Medford Democratic City Committee. Our intention was to invite all the candidates to share with the citizens of Medford who they are and why they are running for office. I'm happy to announce that all the candidates expressed interest in attending. Also, before we move on, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Bruce Kulik. I'm co-chair of the Medford Democratic City Committee, along with Phyllis Morrison, who will also be our timekeeper tonight. Unfortunately, George Scarpelli and Justin Tseng are unable to attend in person due to previous commitments. Mr. Scarpelli sends his regrets, and Mr. Tseng has asked Jessica Attadio to represent him in his absence. Additionally, Matt Leming has indicated that he unfortunately needs to leave early, so if you see him bolt out, that's the reason for it. This event is also being broadcast and recorded for later replay on the Medford Government Channel, which is 22 for Comcast and 43 for Verizon, and via YouTube live stream at YouTube at Medford Community Media and 391. We have also published a list of websites, Facebook and Instagram IDs supplied by the candidates. There are cards distributed around the room with this information and a QR code to access the recording and Medford Democrat webpage directly. Additionally, the Medford Democratic City Committee plans to hold additional forums in October before the general election. We'll let everybody know when that's going to occur. Before I continue, I'd like to acknowledge any non-municipal elected officials who are in attendance. I didn't see anybody come in. Oh, stand please. So I'm looking for non-municipal candidates and elected officials. Yes. Elections Commission. Okay, thank you. Anybody else? I think we're all set with that. We will first introduce all the candidates, followed by each candidate speaking for up to three minutes. Any remaining time will be used to allow the audience to interact directly with the candidates on a one-to-one basis. Due to the time limitations, there will be no questions asked to the candidates and no questions from the audience. Please hold your applause until each candidate has finished their talk. And with that, Phyllis will introduce the candidates and continue with the program.
[Bruce Kulik]: Number 13, Melanie.
[Bruce Kulik]: We'll be starting in just about five minutes.
[Bruce Kulik]: I'm also worried about... Doesn't everybody get to know their business?
[Bruce Kulik]: including me for that matter. And it also means no scrolling. All right, everybody, if you have a chair, please take a seat. There's still a couple here and a couple over here. Otherwise, I believe we're ready to get started. Welcome tonight's candidate, a forum put on by the Medford Democratic City Committee. Our intention was to invite all the candidates to share with the citizens of Medford who they are and why they are running for office. I'm happy to announce that all the candidates expressed interest in attending. Also, before we move on, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Bruce Kulik. I'm co-chair of the Medford Democratic City Committee, along with Phyllis Morrison, who will also be our timekeeper tonight. Unfortunately, George Scarpelli and Justin Tseng are unable to attend in person due to previous commitments. Mr. Scarpelli sends his regrets, and Mr. Tseng has asked Jessica Attadio to represent him in his absence. Additionally, Matt Leming has indicated that he unfortunately needs to leave early, so if you see him bolt out, that's the reason for it. This event is also being broadcast and recorded for later replay on the Medford Government Channel, which is 22 for Comcast and 43 for Verizon, and via YouTube live stream at YouTube at Medford Community Media 391. We have also published a list of websites, Facebook and Instagram IDs supplied by the candidates. There are cards distributed around the room with this information and a QR code to access the recording and Medford Democrat webpage directly. Additionally, the Medford Democratic City Committee plans to hold additional forums in October before the general election. We'll let everybody know when that's going to occur. Before I continue, I'd like to acknowledge any non-municipal elected officials who are in attendance. I didn't see anybody come in. So I'm looking for non-municipal candidates and elected officials. Yes. Elections Commission. Okay, thank you. Anybody else? I think we're all set with that. We will first introduce all the candidates, followed by each candidate speaking for up to three minutes. Any remaining time will be used to allow the audience to interact directly with the candidates on a one-to-one basis. Due to the time limitations, there will be no questions asked to the candidates and no questions from the audience. Please hold your applause until each candidate has finished their talk. And with that, Phyllis will introduce the candidates and continue with the program.
[Bruce Kulik]: I apologize.
[Bruce Kulik]: Good evening, everyone, and thank you all for coming and for those of you who are watching on TV. On behalf of Paul Donato, I would like to welcome you to tonight's City Council Candidates Night. And I'd also like to thank Henry Milleron, the Ward 6 Chair, for organizing this event this evening. Thank you, Henry.
[Bruce Kulik]: Bruce Kulik, Grove Street. I would like to say thank you to the council for considering this matter. I think it is very important and that I'm here primarily tonight to listen to hear what any objections there might be or what other ideas people might have. I believe, as has been pointed out by Councilor Knight, you have the information about where the proposals were. And from that, that should be, I believe, sufficient for most people to understand whether or not their area is affected. And you had a primary question, actually, that you would ask.
[Bruce Kulik]: I can't be responsible for that. I don't know when the mayor dispatched them.
[Bruce Kulik]: I recommend that you might visit Arlington or Somerville, maybe Cambridge, and you can see how it's applied at those places, which are done basically to DOT and AASHTO standards, which are both adopted by the state.
[Bruce Kulik]: Good start. I expect full vetting of the Traffic Commission as well.
[Bruce Kulik]: For that information.
[Bruce Kulik]: Cyclists are basically just like any other traffic. They have the exact same rights as all motor vehicles, except for being on interstate highways. That means that you're responsible for merging with bicycle traffic just as you would any other slower traffic that might be there. to address Councilor Penta's point. Any two lanes come together, whoever is in front at that point in time has the right of way and the person behind has to yield or overtake safely. Thank you.
[Bruce Kulik]: and all of that, so. There's no regulation about clothing at this point, other than your possibility of adding something to the state, which you brought up a couple of weeks ago. However, there is no currently anything that requires clothing. There are reflection standards that need to be met, lighting standards, and of course, you're right, part of the responsibility of being on the road is to follow the same rules of the road that all other traffic does as well.
[Bruce Kulik]: That's correct.
[Bruce Kulik]: We've reviewed them through Google images and other photographs that we have. Um, there are some places where we'd be interested in finding actual road widths, um, before we would make any recommendation to the traffic commission or to the city about.
[Bruce Kulik]: Certainly.
[Bruce Kulik]: I will say this is one of the strangest city council meetings I've been to. Nice and festive.
[Bruce Kulik]: No, in fact, that's another area that we are considering a recommendation to the city, which would be at some point the purchase of additional bicycle parking facilities. Many of the recent private developments that have gone in have put in very good modern racks, and we really appreciate that. But within the squares, for example, that does become a question because nothing is discouraging like going to find a place to park your bike and not really having a place when you want to go to a merchant that you want to buy something. So I think it is important that there be sufficient bicycle parking in the squares as well as automobile parking.
[Bruce Kulik]: At some point once we've, you know, there's a lot of work to do. And, uh, as it's been pointed out, we're all volunteers and you know, we get, get done what we can get done. But that is one of the ideas we have for future recommendations.
[Bruce Kulik]: That would be if it passes muster with all the people that have financial control. I mean, obviously it's an extra, an extra item, but it certainly would be useful. Right.
[Bruce Kulik]: I'm going to bring my bike in here and sit on it more quickly.
[Bruce Kulik]: Well, as part of the educational piece that we're putting forward, as you pointed out, honoring the rules of the road, both by bicyclists and by motorists, is a very important facet. And to encourage the police department to watch for and enforce both for bicyclists and for motor vehicles, I think would be an important item. As well as any sort of detailed reporting of any incidents that might occur that involve a bicycle. That's something which across the state, a lot of times it's varied and there's not as much information as you'd like to see. as far as what might have happened that caused the collision, whether it's something that bicyclists did, something motorists did, that's always, I know it's not always easy to figure out what happened after an incident, but that would be useful. Okay, great.
[Bruce Kulik]: I think that was Ben Everbrook at the time. And Saving Lives, I think, was the group. And there were several, I think about a half dozen, put throughout the city in some areas.
[Bruce Kulik]: The bike lanes would be put in with whatever paint presumably is used for the rest of the street markings and would have the same maintenance schedule.
[Bruce Kulik]: I couldn't tell you what that is.
[Bruce Kulik]: Well, can you tell me how often the lines are redone? Not often. I couldn't tell you that. I just know that you become part of the street and um, unless they're being removed, they would be repainted on whatever schedule the streets are being refreshed.
[Bruce Kulik]: Thermoplastic would certainly be longer wearing, as we've seen on all markings. There are some paints that are less slippery than others. And generally, that's not an issue, except where the lane is painted with green paint that you may have seen. If that's done with thermoplastic, that's not a good idea. Other than that, it's more expensive and longer lasting. Thank you. Thank you.
[Bruce Kulik]: Bruce Kulik, Grove Street. I am the chairman of the Medford Bicycle Advisory Commission. One of the additional areas that I believe was on the docket was the stretch from Magoon Square into Medford, which has just been recently repaved and either recently re-striped or about to be re-striped.
[Bruce Kulik]: Yes, we're developing a master plan that involves basically a staged approach starting very conservatively to begin with until people become accustomed to them and working our way towards additional streets. Also in conjunction with the mayor as far as, you know, what he believes to be the best applications.
[Bruce Kulik]: Right now, we've worked with the DPW, gotten some estimates from them, and we have a sense of how much per mile, per bike lane things cost, but I don't recall what those numbers are.
[Bruce Kulik]: Yeah, for sure.
[Bruce Kulik]: There are basically two types of pavement markings that can be applied depending upon the width of the street, traffic considerations, and so forth. The first and one of the most common is referred to as a SHARO, which is basically just a reminder regarding state law which permits bicycle operation within a full lane at any time at the discretion of the bicycle operator. So those chero is basically look like a bicycle symbol with a couple hats on top of the large chevrons is what they're actually called. And you can see them in some of the neighboring communities, particularly on College Avenue is one of the closest ones within Somerville near Tufts. The other pavement markings are actual bike lanes, which are generally five feet wide, and depending upon whether parking is permitted on the street and how wide the street itself is, might be outside the parking lane, or rather, it might be between the parking lane and the traffic lane, or might be all the way against the curb, again, depending upon whether parking is permitted. In the case of Winthrop Street, we will be looking at exactly where those go. I don't recall whether parking is permitted on that stretch of Winthrop Street or not, or whether parking is generally used in that area. On Playstead Road, certainly parking is permitted, so likely the bicycle lanes will be between the parking lane and the general traffic lane.
[Bruce Kulik]: No, we're referring to the stretch between the Winchester town line and approximately Wildwood Street, which is near the high school.
[Bruce Kulik]: The absolute minimum is four feet wide, and that is only to be used in places where it's permissible, depending upon the width of the lane. We've recently gotten some standards that are being used by the town of Arlington regarding decisions as to where bicycle lanes, how wide, whether share or should go in or whether there should be no markings at all, depending upon traffic volumes and width of the street. And that was really well put together for them. And we hope to adopt that at our next general meeting, which will be December the 3rd, so that we can have some guidance as to what other towns have done, where lanes have been put in. But generally, five feet, to answer your question, five feet is the preferred minimum.
[Bruce Kulik]: Bicycle signs. I believe that's part of the $25,000, and I don't know whether they're manufactured locally or purchased.