[Page Buldini]: Yes, so I'm Page Buldini.

[Page Buldini]: I'm originally from Holliston, a suburb outside of Framingham, and I've been in Medford for over 15 years.

[Page Buldini]: My husband's from Medford.

[Page Buldini]: Oh, nice.

[Page Buldini]: Yep, where we live on Winter Street is where he grew up.

[Page Buldini]: Own a skincare salon on the hillside.

[Page Buldini]: So I've been there for almost seven years And I am a mom to a rising second grader.

[Page Buldini]: She is going to be She's so excited for school.

[Page Buldini]: She is at mistook formerly the Columbus School.

[Page Buldini]: Okay, and I'm also a board member of the Chamber of Commerce Wow Impressive.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you.

[Page Buldini]: It's so funny.

[Page Buldini]: Had you asked me this a few years ago, I probably wouldn't have said yes.

[Page Buldini]: But I think when I opened my skincare salon there, I've realized there's never really a good time to take a big jump into something.

[Page Buldini]: And I've been very lucky to have been involved with a lot of really great initiatives and collaborations through the chamber and as a small business owner.

[Page Buldini]: So I've already been in the room for some of these great decisions.

[Page Buldini]: And I just decided, well, I really want to help

[Page Buldini]: get that together.

[Page Buldini]: And I think my experience as a small business owner and now as a public school parent, it allows me to already have been doing some of those great things.

[Page Buldini]: So it was just the perfect time to give it a try.

[Page Buldini]: Yes.

[Page Buldini]: Well, one, a few of them, of course.

[Page Buldini]: I'm very passionate and excited to hear that the charter has made it and will be on our ballot in November.

[Page Buldini]: So that's very exciting.

[Page Buldini]: And I think specifically as a member of the board for the chamber and a business owner, ward representation, specifically in our business districts, is essential.

[Page Buldini]: And I feel like the more opportunity that we can get people together and that we can get the opportunity for there to be a representative if people have a problem, they can go and talk to them.

[Page Buldini]: And then that's a liaison, another step into City Hall.

[Page Buldini]: It's great.

[Page Buldini]: And I feel like to kind of parlay that too, it would be really wonderful if we could create roundtables.

[Page Buldini]: So essentially within our wards, we have the opportunity.

[Page Buldini]: And I found this with everything with zoning, which I'm sure we'll chat about more too.

[Page Buldini]: We'll get into it.

[Page Buldini]: There was a lot of information out there, but there was no way to fully gather it.

[Page Buldini]: And when I have my clients in the room, I get to actively listen.

[Page Buldini]: Right.

[Page Buldini]: And they come from all different neighborhoods, even outside of Medford, and everybody was confused.

[Page Buldini]: So I think if we could have a good ward representative in your community, then every month or so, they can meet with our city service providers, City Hall, and the neighbors to chat.

[Page Buldini]: I also think zoning, that's a big one.

[Page Buldini]: We'll keep talking about it.

[Page Buldini]: Oh, yeah.

[Page Buldini]: I think as a city, we do need zoning reform.

[Page Buldini]: I definitely that is not a question for many people.

[Page Buldini]: And as you know, I've been speaking about it and how to include a lot of studies and a lot of individuals that have real life experience like Medford fire police, DW and our teachers.

[Page Buldini]: and get their input.

[Page Buldini]: So I feel like doing a slow phased approach focusing on Medford Square and Mystic Ave and then if we can support as a city, then we can look into our residents.

[Page Buldini]: So I've been actively speaking out since May.

[Page Buldini]: And I also think a really great program we have that we need to utilize more is our vacant storefronts.

[Page Buldini]: As a small business owner, I think it's really wonderful to find ways to make these squares vibrant, right?

[Page Buldini]: If we want to continue to build Medford, we need to support the small businesses that are there, but we need to incentivize the business owners and landlords to actually want to come.

[Page Buldini]: But yeah, and then pretty much my biggest thing is I want to create a space where Medford Fire, Police, DPW, and our teachers have a liaison to City Hall.

[Page Buldini]: I feel like that is something that we're lacking, and I feel like I could be a

[Page Buldini]: a great communicator as I have been within the chamber and my business.

[Page Buldini]: I am on my own, but I feel very lucky that I have a lot of support from my family, my friends, my clients, small business owners.

[Page Buldini]: And because I've been actively listening to the questions and the concerns from different sides of Medford, I feel like I couldn't do a good job representing the whole city if I decided to just join a group.

[Page Buldini]: And I want to keep that open-minded space that I might not agree, or an individual might not agree with me, but I will always be available to listen.

[Page Buldini]: And I have learned from getting feedback, which in the moment might not feel great.

[Page Buldini]: I can learn something, no matter what.

[Page Buldini]: I'm always learning lessons.

[Page Buldini]: So I feel like having a difference in perspectives is huge for problem solving.

[Page Buldini]: Because if we're all thinking alike, there's no way that we can get creative, and there's always something that you can learn.

[Page Buldini]: So running independently is super important.

[Page Buldini]: Yes, it's a little trickier.

[Page Buldini]: Um, but there, as I've learned, there's a lot of people in Medford that feel the same.

[Page Buldini]: They're like, kind of like some things on one side or some things in the other, but they really care about Medford.

[Page Buldini]: And I'm looking for that person.

[Page Buldini]: I feel like I can do a good job representing them.

[Page Buldini]: And again, I'm here to listen to.

[Page Buldini]: I'm gonna try.

[Page Buldini]: Well, I have to say, as a member of the chamber, I was privy to learning about it, but I feel like I had no idea what was going on.

[Page Buldini]: And once I saw, mostly on social media, from other residents, specifically in the Glenwood neighborhood,

[Page Buldini]: And on Salem Street, I was like, oh, wow, this is a really big deal.

[Page Buldini]: And then just as a, again, business owner in a business district, I just kept thinking about, OK, well, if this is an impact, no matter what, I want to really learn about how we decided to come about that.

[Page Buldini]: So I just started asking questions.

[Page Buldini]: And I feel really lucky that there are so many residents

[Page Buldini]: in the community who have done so much research and they're open to answering my questions.

[Page Buldini]: Because I was writing emails and I was speaking at the community development meetings and some of the city council meetings and those are kind of the forums to really get those in those answers.

[Page Buldini]: Residents did that and that's really incredible.

[Page Buldini]: What I did learn is a lot of the questions that I did ask and they were quite specific about how we thought about zoning, the studies or the impacts

[Page Buldini]: studies that were done to inform our decisions, and the real life examples weren't really happening.

[Page Buldini]: So I was happy to see that there's been conversations around that.

[Page Buldini]: Since May 30th was the first email I sent out to the city councilors, planning and development, community development board, and the mayor, I've been actively asking, what does Medford Fire, police, DPW, and our teachers think?

[Page Buldini]: and their union members, because they are, like myself, I have that real-life experience when I'm in a room with my clients.

[Page Buldini]: It's so important to have data and it's so important to have similar neighborhoods or to see cities that have done zoning like this, but sometimes you need that real-life, like, could a fire truck fit down this street?

[Page Buldini]: You know, there's questions about parking, like what does our traffic enforcement think, you know, and I feel like the more times you can bring those individuals that have real life experience into the conversation, it's game changing, and it's collaborative.

[Page Buldini]: So those are my main points.

[Page Buldini]: The reason why I did say publicly, slow down first, and then I said separate, was because I couldn't get those answers.

[Page Buldini]: And then I was super honored.

[Page Buldini]: And it wasn't in a means to create problems or trouble, but the fire chief did respond.

[Page Buldini]: And I was so honored.

[Page Buldini]: That he responds.

[Page Buldini]: Yeah.

[Page Buldini]: And I thought that was brave.

[Page Buldini]: And I thought that was incredible to hear, again, that real life.

[Page Buldini]: experienced.

[Page Buldini]: Yes.

[Page Buldini]: So that has created a lot.

[Page Buldini]: I'm really still kind of unsure about where the process stands.

[Page Buldini]: I was able to put in the last moment for public comment was the 23rd.

[Page Buldini]: Right.

[Page Buldini]: And I did post I will share this in this will be on my website and social media.

[Page Buldini]: I did share a question specifically in my area which my so we live in the hillside.

[Page Buldini]: Right.

[Page Buldini]: My business is in the hillside.

[Page Buldini]: But the way that it's zoned is where we are, there's going to be the proposed tough zone.

[Page Buldini]: Where my business is, it's the Boston Ave corridor.

[Page Buldini]: And the zoning around that, and this is very similar to a lot of our other business districts, is called UR1, which goes up high.

[Page Buldini]: And that would be wonderful and great in some areas, but where we are, it's a lot of single family or multifamilies, but there's those residents.

[Page Buldini]: And it was my question was, well, if we're doing the tough zone, which is the goal is to bring back more students for Tufts.

[Page Buldini]: Right.

[Page Buldini]: Why are we then outside of the tough zone making the availability?

[Page Buldini]: So those are the questions that I feel like are really important to ask and if if there is true studies if there is community Response, which we've heard right foreign to and for for and against that would be great But we need to hear it.

[Page Buldini]: We need to see it and we need the consultants.

[Page Buldini]: It's also here, right?

[Page Buldini]: Funny thing, just a quick add, and then we can talk, because I know we have some other great questions.

[Page Buldini]: So we live down the hill.

[Page Buldini]: So our neighborhood would be zoned, I think it's NR3.

[Page Buldini]: So it wouldn't really change much.

[Page Buldini]: And my neighborhood is already being developed.

[Page Buldini]: So we're already living through that impact.

[Page Buldini]: So I have that real life experience.

[Page Buldini]: And a bunch of my neighbors and myself have spoken about developers that are doing that.

[Page Buldini]: So I do understand that side.

[Page Buldini]: Where I am on Boston Ave, it's nine units right in a row.

[Page Buldini]: It would be ideal for mixed use.

[Page Buldini]: And I've put my business, which is the way that I pay my bills and support my family, out there because I'm not opposed to it.

[Page Buldini]: And I do believe that there should be affordable housing above me.

[Page Buldini]: It makes sense.

[Page Buldini]: It's right near the Green Line.

[Page Buldini]: It's right on Boston Ave.

[Page Buldini]: I just want to know how will we then support the businesses if there's business disruption, if there is changes to parking.

[Page Buldini]: And I think those are the questions that we need to really just know.

[Page Buldini]: And it could just be this is how it's going to be.

[Page Buldini]: But at least if we can put it out there, we can advocate for those.

[Page Buldini]: Yes.

[Page Buldini]: So I have, I think, three pretty solid ideas.

[Page Buldini]: One would be zoning specifically, making sure that we can bring commercial development in if it's Mystic Ave corridor, Medford Square.

[Page Buldini]: Great.

[Page Buldini]: Let's do that.

[Page Buldini]: Let's work with individuals that will help bring in some money.

[Page Buldini]: I think also a really great thing is Medford, as you know, because you're from Medford, there is so much history.

[Page Buldini]: And I feel like we need to tap into tourism.

[Page Buldini]: And I feel like if we can build a city that people want to come and visit,

[Page Buldini]: they will spend money, they will stay, they will then visit those businesses.

[Page Buldini]: That's revenue right there.

[Page Buldini]: And we really need to tap in.

[Page Buldini]: And especially what I got to see with the 250th celebration of the revolution and what Lexington did, that was incredible.

[Page Buldini]: And to see celebrities coming in, I feel like that's an untapped market.

[Page Buldini]: We have the Chevalier, the amount of really wonderful and inspiring people who come in,

[Page Buldini]: It's great and it's an extension of the city.

[Page Buldini]: So I think that is super important.

[Page Buldini]: So really diving into tourism.

[Page Buldini]: Another thing that I learned when I was learning about zoning and affordable housing, what other cities do is they will bus in the city of whatever, say city of Medford, would bus in developers.

[Page Buldini]: And they would plan a day with maps and show them the available lots and say, this is what we want here.

[Page Buldini]: This is what we see that could be built here.

[Page Buldini]: Right.

[Page Buldini]: This is what our streets, sewers, schools would need to accommodate that.

[Page Buldini]: Right.

[Page Buldini]: So we then incentivize these people and we let them know what's because if you don't know, you don't know.

[Page Buldini]: Right.

[Page Buldini]: And I'm not a developer, but I would assume as a business owner, the easiest way to funnel something in is to show people that way.

[Page Buldini]: So I feel like creating a really strong, it would almost be like a developer engagement program.

[Page Buldini]: And then using our contacts, the Chamber of Commerce, who I love and super support.

[Page Buldini]: Chamber does a good job.

[Page Buldini]: We sure do.

[Page Buldini]: And I feel like that needs to be, that relationship needs to be much stronger.

[Page Buldini]: I myself, I'm a small business owner.

[Page Buldini]: I love to volunteer on the chamber.

[Page Buldini]: I love to help people.

[Page Buldini]: I have friends that start businesses and they call me.

[Page Buldini]: That is such a great asset.

[Page Buldini]: And a lot of us have learned, like, I've had pipes burst.

[Page Buldini]: I've had fires.

[Page Buldini]: And those are the things, if you don't know, you don't know.

[Page Buldini]: But continuing to support that and other organizations that are in the city, I think, will help make City Hall run smoother as well.

[Page Buldini]: And then we can bring in some dough.

[Page Buldini]: Sounds good.

[Page Buldini]: So I feel like, yes, if we can be very mindful how we zone.

[Page Buldini]: Yes, we don't want to push anybody out.

[Page Buldini]: That is never the goal.

[Page Buldini]: We want to bring in, but we never want to push out.

[Page Buldini]: And I, myself, and many other small businesses, we don't just have our small business.

[Page Buldini]: We cater to our clients.

[Page Buldini]: I have 70% of my clients come from outside Medford, and then they go to Goldilocks, they go to Tasty, they go to the Chevalier.

[Page Buldini]: or they moved to Medford because they've now come from JP or Rhode Island or New Hampshire.

[Page Buldini]: So that is, small businesses are key.

[Page Buldini]: Also, I think another really wonderful thing about many small business owners is a lot of us have children in the school systems.

[Page Buldini]: So we are fully invested to building that up so that we can create those community connections.

[Page Buldini]: There's this really great group right now.

[Page Buldini]: It's the four elementary schools.

[Page Buldini]: It's called the Citywide PTO.

[Page Buldini]: So all of the elementary schools have parent volunteers, and we've been doing collaborative events.

[Page Buldini]: to connect the four schools, but then to also raise money.

[Page Buldini]: And I love that I can use my small business friends and chamber friends, business owners, the banks, you know, all of these institutions, and then we can help fund them.

[Page Buldini]: They all help.

[Page Buldini]: Yes.

[Page Buldini]: And it's just it's everybody wants to help.

[Page Buldini]: So small business has to be at the heart of this.

[Page Buldini]: And it has to be something in the forefront when we plan.

[Page Buldini]: Yeah.

[Page Buldini]: Yeah, they go to the Ford like right.

[Page Buldini]: It's great.

[Page Buldini]: And I feel like the more that we can do that, the better that it will be.

[Page Buldini]: Yeah.

[Page Buldini]: Good supporter of all.

[Page Buldini]: He is.

[Page Buldini]: All Medford restaurants, schools, people.

[Page Buldini]: So that was a hard one for me because I never try to go negative.

[Page Buldini]: But what I could say is what I would like to strengthen.

[Page Buldini]: Yes.

[Page Buldini]: Especially because I'm on the hillside and this is always a, you know, a neighborhood thing is our relationship as a city with Tufts University.

[Page Buldini]: I feel like that is an untapped market.

[Page Buldini]: The one thing I can say is because of where I am on the hillside with the chamber, but also just I went to a manual college and I have a great connection with now Tufts Athletics.

[Page Buldini]: Any time for some of these PTO events that I've needed help and I've called Tufts, whether it's community relations or the Tufts student athletes, some were my clients, they always volunteer.

[Page Buldini]: So one of those PTO events that I was just a very small part of,

[Page Buldini]: organizing.

[Page Buldini]: It was at the Great American Beer Hall.

[Page Buldini]: The Citywide PTO did an excellent job.

[Page Buldini]: It was insane.

[Page Buldini]: And I just asked my friends at Tufts, the student liaisons for the athletes, and we got like 30 student athletes that came and participated and volunteered.

[Page Buldini]: So when you ask, they will help.

[Page Buldini]: But things that I learned when I've been researching and sitting in some of the community meetings is

[Page Buldini]: they're a big part of the footprint up on the hillside.

[Page Buldini]: And as we know, it's a university, so we understand about taxes.

[Page Buldini]: But what I didn't know about was the pilot programs.

[Page Buldini]: Do you know about that?

[Page Buldini]: I, I, a little bit.

[Page Buldini]: Yes.

[Page Buldini]: No, so it's been interesting.

[Page Buldini]: So essentially, it's if you are like a nonprofit or university, you're not paying taxes.

[Page Buldini]: But Medford has in the past received payments from Tufts, and it's to support infrastructure, it's support the schools.

[Page Buldini]: But I think if we were negotiating there, I would have to fact check this.

[Page Buldini]: But I don't think there is a permanent

[Page Buldini]: pilot program.

[Page Buldini]: So I think that would be a great idea.

[Page Buldini]: Let's say Tufts, you're here, you're part of, you know, you help our small businesses, but you also help, you know, with housing.

[Page Buldini]: So why don't we see what we can do there?

[Page Buldini]: So that would be a pilot program.

[Page Buldini]: I also think we're in the Vogue.

[Page Buldini]: This is such a great space, internship opportunities, like Tufts, that is a great opportunity for all of the Vogue, but any student really.

[Page Buldini]: And like I said, if we can ask,

[Page Buldini]: I think it's just we need to make sure we create that strong, that Tufts is in Medford, but we are not Tufts, we are Medford, and they're a neighbor, but they also need to be a willing participant.

[Page Buldini]: And I have seen them come to the table, but I feel like that would be a really great opportunity to strengthen, and that would help also infuse some of our money.

[Page Buldini]: The worst thing happens is a no, but at least it's a try.

[Page Buldini]: So those are the things.

[Page Buldini]: And then hopefully we can bring in some more connections.

[Page Buldini]: All right.

[Page Buldini]: So you gave me an almost least favorite thing, but I love that.

[Page Buldini]: So most favorite.

[Page Buldini]: Yes.

[Page Buldini]: What's your most favorite?

[Page Buldini]: So there's so many things.

[Page Buldini]: I mean, I could do all of the great small businesses and how we could really become a Mecca of the food world with everything going.

[Page Buldini]: But I think the easiest and most important thing about Medford is the convenience factor of you can get in and out.

[Page Buldini]: We have now the Green Line.

[Page Buldini]: We have the commuter rail.

[Page Buldini]: I'm right near Route 16.

[Page Buldini]: I'm 93.

[Page Buldini]: But as somebody who's from Holliston, which is pretty rural, there's farms, there's field, there are places in Medford that you go and you forget that you're so close to the city.

[Page Buldini]: Um, and we live right near Memorial.

[Page Buldini]: So we have the mystic river, the boat club up at the mystic lakes, right?

[Page Buldini]: The pond, the sheep's fold.

[Page Buldini]: So you can go and all of a sudden there's deer because you're in Oak Grove, right?

[Page Buldini]: I heard a deer or there's a great blue heron that flew by.

[Page Buldini]: So even though we are so conveniently close to the city, north, south, east, west, you have those like glimmers.

[Page Buldini]: And then when I join the chamber, I help out with communications.

[Page Buldini]: Not being from Medford, I just went to the library and did it, which I'll plug the library all day.

[Page Buldini]: Me too.

[Page Buldini]: I love the library.

[Page Buldini]: It's a good library.

[Page Buldini]: Yeah, it is and we um, I did a deep dive because if I wanted to help share information about medford There's so much history and I feel like when it comes back to who I am and what i'm doing for You know medford city my city council run, right?

[Page Buldini]: It's really learning from history talking to the people who've lived here Thinking about how we can continue to grow and finding ways because medford has been around as one of I mean It's like the sixth or seventh city like it's

[Page Buldini]: been established for a very long time.

[Page Buldini]: There's a lot of great history, but there's these gems that I feel like we're very lucky to have.

[Page Buldini]: There is.

[Page Buldini]: And if we continue to share it, then I can help with tourism.

[Page Buldini]: So the best way is my email, which is pageboldini at gmail.com.

[Page Buldini]: I have my website, which is electpageboldini.com.

[Page Buldini]: I also have Instagram, which is pageboldini.

[Page Buldini]: I have Facebook, which is pageboldini medford city council.

[Page Buldini]: I have been getting coffee with everyone possible.

[Page Buldini]: When I decided to pursue the idea of running for city council, I asked every elected official from city council, mayor, state rep, and school committee, and I almost was successful in getting and having coffee or meeting with everyone.

[Page Buldini]: Some of it was just schedules.

[Page Buldini]: And it was so helpful because I figured if I can get myself to city hall, I always want to start off with the right foot forward in a positive way.

[Page Buldini]: And I learned a lot and everybody was very helpful.

[Page Buldini]: I will get coffee.

[Page Buldini]: I will have coffee with anybody.

[Page Buldini]: I had two coffees today.

[Page Buldini]: One was decaf.

[Page Buldini]: I'm open to listen.

[Page Buldini]: I'm here.

[Page Buldini]: I'm here to learn.

[Page Buldini]: I only know what I know, but I am very open to hearing others because they know better than me for some things.

[Page Buldini]: There's some great events right now, too.

[Page Buldini]: I know I'll be at National Night Out with the Chamber, so I'll be good, and I'm sponsoring the dunk tank.

[Page Buldini]: So I'll be there.

[Page Buldini]: That's next week.

[Page Buldini]: For the Chamber, we have great events, too.

[Page Buldini]: We have Run Medford.

[Page Buldini]: That's big.

[Page Buldini]: I'm so excited because as a Missittuck parent, and the Missittuck PTO is so great, I'm just like a supporter on the outside.

[Page Buldini]: They're incredible.

[Page Buldini]: It was brought to my attention that they were looking to do for the Citywide PTO, the four elementary schools, a road race to raise funds, kind of like the Jingle Bell once was.

[Page Buldini]: And around the same time, Dave McGillivray, who is awesome, and we love, and Denise, and the whole crew, DSME, he is a Chamber member, and he was talking about Run Medford, which the Chamber is a proud sponsor as well, and I just had the idea, like, what if we connect?

[Page Buldini]: And so I pitched it to the Chamber and Dave, and they were like,

[Page Buldini]: please.

[Page Buldini]: So then I pitched it to the citywide PTO.

[Page Buldini]: And I'm so proud and honored.

[Page Buldini]: It's going to be a great race.

[Page Buldini]: It's September 26 and seven.

[Page Buldini]: The kids run is Friday.

[Page Buldini]: Yeah, we're gonna have like a rager Saturday is going to be epic.

[Page Buldini]: And then Dave offered to cut an equal check to all eight.

[Page Buldini]: So not just our nice eight of the schools like Curtis Tufts, the high school, so he really truly is supporting so run Medford and then Oktoberfest with the chamber.

[Page Buldini]: It's going to be a really big one.

[Page Buldini]: This is our hundredth year

[Page Buldini]: Kiwanis, Rotary.

[Page Buldini]: And a lot of good shows.

[Page Buldini]: A lot of them have hit huge milestones too.

[Page Buldini]: Well, thank you for having me, and thank you for doing this.

[Page Buldini]: This is important.

[Page Buldini]: There's only a few ways that people are learning about information, so thank you for being one of them.

[Page Buldini]: Very welcome, very welcome, thank you.

[Page Buldini]: Go ahead.

[Page Buldini]: Hi there, Page Buldini.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you for the late hour.

[Page Buldini]: 37 Winter Street and my business is 319 Boston Ave.

[Page Buldini]: I support zoning reform.

[Page Buldini]: We need this in our city, but we have to do it right.

[Page Buldini]: I appreciate Ms.

[Page Buldini]: Evans' perspective tonight and the honesty and openness from everyone here to build a stronger process.

[Page Buldini]: And I want to thank the mayor for acknowledging just how personal and emotional this has become for so many.

[Page Buldini]: Let's start when we're ready in our business district.

[Page Buldini]: That's how we bring in revenue,

[Page Buldini]: support our economy, and make sure zoning works.

[Page Buldini]: Let's strengthen our storefront programs, incentivize landlords, and build in protections for small businesses.

[Page Buldini]: Parking can't be an afterthought.

[Page Buldini]: It needs to be planned for every district from the start.

[Page Buldini]: I implore you to please speak directly with our city service providers, Medford Fire, Police,

[Page Buldini]: DPW and our schools and their union members and truly listen to their real life experience before moving forward.

[Page Buldini]: The comprehensive plan is a strong foundation but we need both the data and the real life input to guide us.

[Page Buldini]: And can we please if possible share a true updated timeline.

[Page Buldini]: I know how hard it is for everyone to keep up, even for those of us who are trying.

[Page Buldini]: Let's revisit Salem Street and Mystic Ave.

[Page Buldini]: Let's start with commercial.

[Page Buldini]: And when we get that right, then we move into residential.

[Page Buldini]: Let's take the time to get this right for Medford.

[Page Buldini]: And while we're at it, we've already seen what partnerships can look like.

[Page Buldini]: Tufts has agreed to fund a Boston Ave streetscape study.

[Page Buldini]: That's the kind of outside support that we should be seeking, and we can be successful.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you, guys.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you very much.

[Page Buldini]: Page Buldini, 37 Winter Street, a'r busnes ychwanegol, 319 Boston Ave.

[Page Buldini]: Yn gyntaf, rwy'n gobeithio gofyn y bydd y llawysgrifau, y polisi a'r trafodaeth yn rhan o'r proses hon.

[Page Buldini]: Bydd y ddarpariaethau hyn yn cael eu hysbysu'n ymwneud â newidiadau mewn densi, trafodaeth a chyfathrebu.

[Page Buldini]: Rwy'n credu y bydd eu cyflwyniad yn rhan o'r sgwrs cyn i'r penderfyniadau'n cael eu gwneud.

[Page Buldini]: Yn ogystal â hyn, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd y ddinas yn meddwl'n bwysig am sut y bydd y zonau gweithredu bwysig yn gweithredu,

[Page Buldini]: Rydyn ni'n gweld tensiwn ynglyn â gweithredu sefydliadol.

[Page Buldini]: Bydd y proses ymdrechion ddatblygu'n dod o'r hyn rydyn ni'n ei weld o ddatblygiadau diwethaf gyda'r ffwrdd anodd, neu y byddan nhw'n ymdrechu'n ymdrechu'n ymdrech.

[Page Buldini]: Mae'r profiad hwnnw wedi'i gofyn llawer o gwestiynau, ac rwy'n credu y bydd y bobl sy'n desbwylio'r gweithredu'n ymdrechu'n ymdrechu'n ymdrechu'n ymdrechu'n ymdrechu'n ymdrechu'n ymdrechu'n ymdrechu'n

[Page Buldini]: Byddai'n dda iawn i'w gwybod, oherwydd y bydd Tufts, er maen nhw'n gallu cael eu datblygiad, i'w ddefnyddio, rwy'n meddwl o'r math hwnnw, mae'n ymwneud â'r math hwnnw, os yw Winthrop.

[Page Buldini]: Felly byddai hynny'n ymwneud â'r math hwnnw, ac mae hynny'n ymwneud â'r math hwnnw, ac mae hynny'n ymwneud â'r math hwnnw, ac mae hynny'n ymwneud â'r math hwnnw, ac mae hynny'n ymwneud â'r math hwnnw, ac mae hynny'n ymwneud â'r math hwnnw, ac

[Page Buldini]: Page Buldini, 37 Winter Street, and I own a skincare salon at 319 Boston Ave.

[Page Buldini]: Sorry about my back to everybody.

[Page Buldini]: I want to start by thanking you guys.

[Page Buldini]: I know that we don't have to do that, but thank you so much.

[Page Buldini]: I know how many messages I've sent personally, so I can only imagine what you've been receiving overall.

[Page Buldini]: I appreciate the time and effort you're putting into reading, considering it all.

[Page Buldini]: This is a big opportunity for Medford.

[Page Buldini]: In conversations with housing experts, I've learned that this level of public engagement is rare, which is exactly why it matters.

[Page Buldini]: We have a chance to set the tone for how cities move forward with transparency, collaboration, and all departments at the table from the start.

[Page Buldini]: I also want to ask about the comprehensive plan.

[Page Buldini]: It's been referenced as a basis for this proposal, but were the departments like Medford Public Schools, police, fire, and their unions formally consulted when it was created?

[Page Buldini]: and what steps have been taken during this process to gather their input.

[Page Buldini]: That feedback, excuse me, that feedback matters, and the public deserves to hear it.

[Page Buldini]: I respectfully ask the board to pause.

[Page Buldini]: Let's be sure that the input from Everett Public Schools, police, and fire have been actively gathered and shared before any decisions are made.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you.

[Page Buldini]: Hi, Paige.

[Page Buldini]: Hi there.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you so much for your time tonight and for all the work that's gone into this process.

[Page Buldini]: I appreciate the effort to be proactive, not reactive, but in this case, we need to slow down.

[Page Buldini]: Oh, I'm sorry.

[Page Buldini]: I'm Page Buldini, 37 Winter Street, and my business is my skincare salon on 319 Boston Ave.

[Page Buldini]: The zoning reform affects everyone in Medford, and the questions from the communities are still piling up.

[Page Buldini]: If we want to be successful, we need more time, more transparency, and more clarity.

[Page Buldini]: First question, can this zoning reform strengthen how we address accessibility, especially in affordable and mixed-use housing?

[Page Buldini]: Will affordable units be required to meet ADA standards in practice?

[Page Buldini]: Will they be located on accessible floors?

[Page Buldini]: And is the Affordable Housing Trust involved in making sure these units are truly livable?

[Page Buldini]: I appreciate the comments about parking, but also are they accessible for those that need that?

[Page Buldini]: Second, what's the plan to support small businesses, especially those leasing space in our squares and corridors?

[Page Buldini]: How will we prevent displacement or pricing out during redevelopment?

[Page Buldini]: Has there been any research on how these zoning changes might affect rent, parking, or business continuity?

[Page Buldini]: Will the city create a transition plan to support businesses facing construction or economic shifts?

[Page Buldini]: And how will we make sure mixed use spaces include room for local businesses, not just chains?

[Page Buldini]: The third question was kind of asked already, but I do appreciate it.

[Page Buldini]: And I love that we are going to get feedback

[Page Buldini]: And I would love to hear and see feedback from our fire, DPW, police, traffic, and superintendents.

[Page Buldini]: I would love to hear what they think and how they feel about the impact of services, staffing, and the infrastructure.

[Page Buldini]: And if we can see those public comments, that would be great.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you again for your time and continuing this conversation with the community.

[Page Buldini]: I hope you consider slowing this process down so that Medford can get it right.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you.

[Page Buldini]: I'm good so I couldn't unmute it.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you.

[Page Buldini]: So obviously tonight is about West Medford Medford Square and as an honored board member of the Chamber of Commerce, I'm speaking specifically to those neighborhoods, because I obviously don't want to mix up my questions.

[Page Buldini]: And I know I've emailed you all

[Page Buldini]: These questions.

[Page Buldini]: So again, I'm hopeful that this is a great way to be respectful of your opportunity in your space.

[Page Buldini]: And I think asking these questions is really important because as I shared before, I just want to be a great advocate for those specific businesses slowing down.

[Page Buldini]: It's because

[Page Buldini]: These questions keep getting asked.

[Page Buldini]: And I have yet to hear great responses from everyone.

[Page Buldini]: I think that should be able to.

[Page Buldini]: I have had some responses.

[Page Buldini]: So slowing it down to make sure that we can just really incorporate that and hear from everybody what they think too.

[Page Buldini]: So you must be Paige.

[Page Buldini]: Hi there.

[Page Buldini]: I'm Page Buldini, 37 Winter Street, and I own a business at 319 Boston Ave.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you so much to the board, staff, and everyone who's worked so hard on the zoning reform process.

[Page Buldini]: Medford has been praised for its work over the last few months, many months, and that effort deserves credit.

[Page Buldini]: I want to be clear.

[Page Buldini]: I support more housing, especially affordable housing.

[Page Buldini]: And I understand that this intention is not for all of this development to happen right away.

[Page Buldini]: but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be prepared.

[Page Buldini]: I own a small business at 319 Boston Ave in a block that's 100% non-conforming.

[Page Buldini]: This quarter, like Mystic Ave and Medford Square, are exactly where we should be looking to build mixed-use space that blends housing with business.

[Page Buldini]: But without clear support from existing businesses, we risk losing the local services and economic activity that are already working in these areas.

[Page Buldini]: I've submitted questions to this board

[Page Buldini]: The City Council, the Office of Planning and Development, and the Mayor's Office.

[Page Buldini]: They are thoughtful, practical questions about timelines, infrastructures, and support, and they remained unanswered.

[Page Buldini]: Not likely because people don't care, but likely because this process is moving too fast.

[Page Buldini]: We have been told about city developments that have been consulted, but those conversations and findings have not been made public.

[Page Buldini]: The community deserves to see the infrastructure studies, service impact projections, and research that's guiding these decisions to speak to the board's member question earlier, if possible.

[Page Buldini]: Let's also hear directly from departments like fire, police, traffic enforcement, public works, permitting, and building.

[Page Buldini]: How are they preparing for what this means to day-to-day operations?

[Page Buldini]: 30 seconds.

[Page Buldini]: Let's make information public clearly in plain language so we can all understand what's being planned.

[Page Buldini]: This is a long-term investment in Medford's future.

[Page Buldini]: Let's be thoughtful.

[Page Buldini]: Let's be transparent.

[Page Buldini]: Let's do it together with everyone informed and ready.

[Page Buldini]: Please don't rush this vote.

[Page Buldini]: Let's take the time to make the best that we can.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you, Paige.

[Page Buldini]: Hi there, Page Buldini.

[Page Buldini]: Thanks for everybody being here.

[Page Buldini]: 37 Winter Street and my business, Paige Aesthetics, is 319 Boston Ave.

[Page Buldini]: I support zoning reform, but want to make sure we get it right.

[Page Buldini]: Somerville took about seven years to finish theirs, which is way too long.

[Page Buldini]: But how can we ensure Medford's process is thorough, fair, and includes everyone,

[Page Buldini]: but doesn't seem rushed for important decisions.

[Page Buldini]: About 70% of my clients come from outside of Medford and they drive here.

[Page Buldini]: How can we protect parking for local businesses so they can keep serving customers who support our community?

[Page Buldini]: Both of my parents were stroke survivors and accessible parking meant the difference between being able to participate in their community or not.

[Page Buldini]: How will the new zoning plan ensure accessible parking for those of all abilities?

[Page Buldini]: Finally, how will the city keep everyone informed and involved so that no one is left out of these conversations?

[Page Buldini]: This zoning reform affects every resident and business owner.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you so much.

[Page Buldini]: Thank you so much.

[Page Buldini]: I apologize.

[Page Buldini]: I'm joining late.

[Page Buldini]: I just was out of a gun.

[Page Buldini]: Um, this is such an honor to be chatting with everybody joining late.

[Page Buldini]: So don't want to be repetitive.

[Page Buldini]: Um, I did actually I emailed

[Page Buldini]: the city councilors, Director Hunt, members of Director Hunt's office, but I also did email the OCD.

[Page Buldini]: I'm not, maybe the wrong one, but yeah.

[Page Buldini]: Okay, so I separate it down.

[Page Buldini]: I did email that.

[Page Buldini]: So just to clarify.

[Page Buldini]: Yeah.

[Page Buldini]: Um, but yes, I spoke directly from coming as a business owner on the Boston Ave corridor and a resident.

[Page Buldini]: I'm also a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

[Page Buldini]: And my questions were about how we could be proactive to support our small businesses.

[Page Buldini]: I am supportive of

[Page Buldini]: zoning.

[Page Buldini]: I'm very reform and housing in specifically where my business is.

[Page Buldini]: It's mixed use.

[Page Buldini]: It's not it's not zone from excuse.

[Page Buldini]: Excuse me.

[Page Buldini]: But it probably would make sense.

[Page Buldini]: But as a business owner, what is the city going to do to support us?

[Page Buldini]: Director Hunt had replied about incentivizing.

[Page Buldini]: But I just want to, I have a whole list of questions.

[Page Buldini]: So thank you for the opportunity.

[Page Buldini]: And I think it might have been Adam, I was just listening into asking about that from the small business community.

[Page Buldini]: It's really important that we also support the businesses that have chosen to be here.

[Page Buldini]: And yes, I lease, I don't own my building.

[Page Buldini]: And I'm up near Tufts, so I'm also very mindful of what that looks like when it comes to zoning and housing in the Dover Amendment.

[Page Buldini]: And I just really want to be an advocate for the community where I don't know if I could afford to rent a space if it was fully developed.

[Page Buldini]: I don't know what that would look like during development.

[Page Buldini]: And granted, it might not happen right away with zoning, but the potential is to incentivize my landlord to probably do something like that.

[Page Buldini]: So what are we going to do as a city to support our small business community?

[Page Buldini]: Because I would hope that we don't want to lose us.

[Page Buldini]: We've all worked really hard to help grow what these neighborhoods have become.

[Page Buldini]: And yes, there are a lot of us that are in buildings that are not

[Page Buldini]: probably zoned appropriately.

[Page Buldini]: So I am hopeful that we can be supportive of that.

[Page Buldini]: And then when it also comes to that proactivity of what we can do for our small business community, you know, if my business is rezoned, what are we gonna do to support where I could potentially be or my colleagues in the future and how to also incentivize the landlords or the building owners to develop for people like myself in mind.

[Page Buldini]: So thank you so much for the opportunity and thank you for everybody working hard and everybody joining us tonight.

[Page Buldini]: Hey there, I'm Page Buldini, 37 Winter Street and 319 Boston Ave.

[Page Buldini]: I just had a couple questions.

[Page Buldini]: The first one being, I myself have been contacted by some residents, some people even in this room.

[Page Buldini]: And although there's been so many meetings and a lot of work done on the part of y'all, a lot of us are still learning and it's still a lot of information.

[Page Buldini]: Is it possible, and I know the timeline is kind of pertaining to other meetings, is it possible and not to stall it or slow it down, but to really focus on some of the commercial neighborhoods in those areas, really nail it, get it done.

[Page Buldini]: see how the housing looks, because I'm super pro-housing as well, see how the housing looks in the square on Mystic Ave, and then move it into the residence to make sure the city can support that, the building department can support that, so that we really know what we're doing.

[Page Buldini]: So there's a couple questions if that's okay, but that would be the first one.

[Page Buldini]: The second one also, where I'm on 319 Boston Ave,

[Page Buldini]: Tuff owns properties along Boston Ave, and I know that this is not a Tuff's meeting, but I think it's really important to include them because with that proposal on Boston Ave, where I am, there's Hillside Hardware, Danish, that whole building is also Tuff's.

[Page Buldini]: So has the city had direct contact with Tuff's with this planning?

[Page Buldini]: Do we know what Tuff's long-time vision is?

[Page Buldini]: And are we collaborating?

[Page Buldini]: And I can pause for a second.

[Page Buldini]: just specifically to that.

[Page Buldini]: So where my building is, which would be perfect, it's nine units for mixed use totally.

[Page Buldini]: But with that said, if that were, it's a private business that owns it, like we just rent.

[Page Buldini]: If that does get sold, and Tufts does purchase it, which it's free for sale, would the Dover amendment change potentially that zoning?

[Page Buldini]: Because Tufts has then purchased it with the zoning

[Page Buldini]: If that makes sense, small business to hear that is a little tough, right?

[Page Buldini]: Tufts is a community partner.

[Page Buldini]: Right.

[Page Buldini]: Because that would be a bummer.

[Page Buldini]: Last one and then I'll leave.

[Page Buldini]: We're on the hillside.

[Page Buldini]: Yes, Tufts is there, but if you're from here, hillside is a really important part of that.

[Page Buldini]: We're on a hill.

[Page Buldini]: So what are we doing for the topography?

[Page Buldini]: Thank you, because I know with my friends who are here with the tough storm and the shade studies, that was a big deal.

[Page Buldini]: But now if we're going to go all the way down Boston Ave, are we being mindful of like Orchard Street, like those streets as well?

[Page Buldini]: And what would that look like?

[Page Buldini]: Because I did notice that the buildings that were on the train track side were also getting fully developed.

[Page Buldini]: So are we being mindful of that as well?

[Page Buldini]: I'll be super quick.

[Page Buldini]: I'm Paige.

[Page Buldini]: I own a skincare salon in Medford.

[Page Buldini]: And I'm just so grateful for the opportunity to be here, but for all of you.

[Page Buldini]: Oh, sorry.

[Page Buldini]: So

[Page Buldini]: Hi there, I know you all have to run, but thank you so much for you guys for being here.

[Page Buldini]: Something for my younger self is, even now, I'm almost 40, I own my own skincare salon, like I said, being up here makes me nervous, but to keep trying new things, because I had a bunch of great opportunities, a bunch of job opportunities that I did before I owned my own business that I didn't love, but from doing that, I got to learn, like Congresswoman Clark, what many of these women have said, is just keep trying, and if you can find something that you find joy in,

[Page Buldini]: It's not work, it's fun.

[Page Buldini]: And thank you guys so much.