[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you to the organizers for this event tonight, so that these candidates can come and bring our message to the city of Medford. I'm Robert Capucci. I'm 47 years old. I'm the youngest of seven kids in my family. I'm a lifelong Medford resident. I graduated from Franklin Pierce College in 1994. I went into teaching, and then after a few years of that, I joined the Army Reserves, and I currently work in electronics, making laser scalpels for a company up in Lexington. I heard a lot of the candidates touch upon The issues that were sent to us, the city committee here sent us actually 30 different topics to discuss with five minutes to talk. So I chose five, and I'm going to just answer them directly. The number one I chose was the opioid crisis. I lost my best friend in 2003 to drug addiction. A couple weeks ago, at 46 years old, he had to bury a high school graduate, a classmate of mine. It's the number one killer of people under 50 years old in America, and it needs to be addressed. I think Medford should start leading the way in research and how many prescriptions are actually being given for opioids, to whom, for what purposes, and to investigate to our fullest to ensure every single prescription is right and proper. I will continue to support and advocate for worthwhile community programs like candlelight vigils, various drug addiction rehab facilities and groups, and other initiatives we have here in Medford such as Team Medford and the new drug officer recently appointed by the mayor's office. I'd also like to establish here in Medford a kind of a tough love approach. and send out coordinated, communicated messages to all the residents on a regular basis to get people to realize their problem and light a fire under their butts to get the help that they need so they stop dying and they can enjoy the holidays, child graduations, weddings, all the things that make this life worth living. The Medford City Council should start leading the way on this initiative. The next topic I want to talk about is inclusion. I think the best way we can be more inclusive of our diversity here in Medford is something that I've been calling for throughout my campaign and for years before. and it was highlighted just last night in these chambers by the excellent speech of Dr. John Stirella of Metcalf Street in two words, term limits. If we had a three-term term limit for the elected right now in Medford, there would be five open seats on this council. for this city to take advantage of and run for. There would be four seats on the school committee. We'd have two new challenging candidates for mayor. Nothing else would lead the way to include the diverse population we have in Medford so that we can hear from all different kinds of people to come up here and act, all different new ideas, new initiatives to include all of Medford in our wonderful city. Parking. I recently had a conversation with the manager of Carol's Restaurant. We discussed something that was recently featured on a news program, Chronicle. That report was called the Amazon effect, whereby mom-and-pop shops across Medford, across Massachusetts, across the country are getting walloped because more people can easily just go online and order from various, you know, internet services, and they're not being able to keep up with these internet companies, the mom and pop shops. So what cities and towns are doing to combat this and make our city squares more attractive is Offer no-fee parking. I lead the way to get us out of the contract with Republic Parking. We need to revitalize these city squares. That's the best way to do it. If we offer no-fee parking with strict two-hour limits so that we don't have that problem we used to have that's probably still going on on the outskirts of the city, we make sure that people that come here and park and leave their cars all day, after two hours, they're towed at their own expense. Taxes. I am actually for the city to collect more taxes and have more taxes in their coffers. We need these funds for hiring more police, firefighters, teachers, teachers' aides, infrastructure repairs. What I don't believe in... 20 seconds. Oh, really? That quick already? Gee whiz. Well, what I don't believe in is constantly raising the tax rate. What I think is what we do is we create more taxpayers, and the way we do that is to cut taxes. With my last few seconds, I want to make an appeal to the 28,000 registered voters who don't vote. Come out and vote on November 7th for Robert Cappucci. Thank you. That was really good.
[Robert Cappucci]: Name and address of the record. Thank you, Mr. President. Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street, If I could, through the Chair, I understand this is, she's part of the Community Preservation Commission.
[Robert Cappucci]: In vetting her out, I think it would be prudent to ask the question, exactly how does this commission work? From my understanding in reading the law is that they get to decide how the funds are spent, but people from the citizenry can also solicit the Community Preservation Commission for funds.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you. Thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: Name and address of the record, please. Thank you, Mr. President. Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street. Through the chair, I want to thank Councilor Marks for bringing this up and bringing this information forward. Mr. President, on two separate other debating topics tonight, the vetting of the new Community Preservation Commission, a new shadow government in Medford, and on Councilor Lungo-Koehn's resolution about the demolition. A lot of talk was generated on affordable housing and preserving historic landmarks. Here's a great opportunity to give a little bit more affordable housing to the residents of Medford. And as far as historical landmarks go, how about our senior citizens, like my mother, who's 78 years old, who is a historic person as far as I'm concerned here in Medford. This charge, Mr. President, and I'm a little passionate about this, is outrageous, especially when Councilor Marks refers to the fact that there's $8 million in an overtaxed account. Here's a great opportunity to provide a little bit more affordable housing to the citizens of Medford. And we shouldn't wait until 2018. The power of this body should somehow find a way to kill this now, not wait. May 2nd will be the Council meeting. And on that point, because this is such an important matter, perhaps that Committee of the Whole meeting should be in this chamber, under the TV, so people at home can watch this, Mr. President. It's unfortunate that that meeting is not available to the whole public through technology in some fashion. To me, I'm sorry, this is really outrageous. Something should be done. In terms of talking about affordability for the residents of Medford, another speaker spoke earlier tonight about how the rents are going way up. Why do you think that is? When the property taxes are always going up, our sales taxes, excise taxes, excess in taxes, a cash account with another $10 million into it. This stuff trickles downhill, Mr. President, in the lower income, in the middle income, and the poor people are the ones who end up paying all of these excessive costs for living in the city of Medford, especially when there's a surplus. Mr. President... May 2nd, voice your concerns that night. I'm voicing them here and now, too, Mr. President. Thank you. It's outrageous. Thank you. Thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. I'm Robert Cappucci Jr., 71 Evans Street in Medford. I'll try to be brief at this late hour. Last summer, it was proposed that the city move towards municipal aggregation based solely on it would save the electric rate payers in Medford some money. It went away. Somehow it came back last Tuesday in a committee of the whole meeting under a new auspice of protecting the environment, go green. There was a wonderful presentation brought by the company, supposedly going to be hired. by Alicia Hunt, the Director of Energy and Environment here in Medford, the Chairman of the Go Green Medford Community. Basically, for the citizens that are watching at home, it's a program whereby if passed, if it ever comes to a vote in this council and it does get passed, you're automatically opted into the city buying your power for you, your electricity, with the provision that you can opt out. Understandably, what the company said last week was you can opt out at any time. There was also a 30-day opt-out clause in there. But Councilor Marks at the Committee of the Whole meeting brought up the state law, which is after 180 days, you cannot opt out. And getting into these government contracts, doing things on behalf of the people, when they tell you, you know, we'll let you opt out at any time, But the state law says something else. I'm a little bit skeptical of the whole process. If this is really such a good thing, they should present it and market it to the people as an opt-in if they want to, not force everybody all at once to be a part of this system. I mean, that's a slippery slope. Where does it end? Is the city council going to vote? another company buys all my clothes for me, all my groceries, it's a dangerous precedent that we're setting. It really is. But I want to be fair to the other side. Councilor Dello Russo at the Committee of the Whole meeting was very astute in bringing up, I would like to hear opposition to this. So I emailed everybody on this council, the Citizens Against Municipal Aggregation website. I also included the mayor and Alicia hunt the director of environment and engineer. I'm also going to reach out to them if this ever does come to a vote so that the opposite side could be heard. I just find it just comforting that the city would entertain a notion of doing something on behalf of every resident. From reading the CAMA website, it doesn't always work. And if you are locked into it and they say you can get out, but on that 181st day you do try to get out, for some reason you can't, and a lower rate comes, I mean, you can go to The two sources now, it's an Eversource and National Grid. And you can click on them now. And under those, a ton of other options come up. There are choices for citizens to make right now. They can enter into a six-month program for, say, $6.99 a kilowatt hour, or another program for $12.99. That choice, which is pretty much the fundamental building block of this nation, should never be taken away. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Good evening. Welcome. Please state your name and address for the record. Thank you, Mr. President. Rob Capucci is 71 Evans street. Uh, I don't know how feasible it is, is for the city, but if an extra set of eyes is, is needed, I know neighboring communities like Cambridge, they have cameras at intersections and such. And if people are, I mean, I've never personally seen anybody blow off a crossing guard, but if people are, I mean, that's a very serious issue that drastic measures have to definitely be taken. And on the matter of hiring auxiliary, last Tuesday night when I presented that humble suggestion, the next day actually, I walk my dog at the park. I spoke to a guy who used to be an auxiliary police officer and, um, they're, they're invaluable in terms of the service that they provide. If they're only working 20 hours a week. I mean, this guy personally actually, uh, caught down and tracked a, a, uh, an offender. I won't say of what nature, but, uh, um, I wonder if the city knows when, We did get rid of the auxiliary police we used to have. I know growing up in the 70s and 80s, we used to call them parkies. There used to be a cop at every park. But we've got rid of that program, and I'm wondering why, just if it was budgeted. If you can find out, that would be great. And look into it, whatever you can do for public safety. It's really government's first issue is protection of the citizens. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Good evening. Welcome. Please state your name and address for the record. Thank you, Mr. President. Rob Capucci, 71 Evans Street. I want to thank Councilor Marks for bringing this discussion to the table. I've attended many of those town meetings. I also want to thank Councilor Falco for bringing these into the neighbourhoods. That kind of a turnout is great. I missed the first two of this year because I just got a new puppy, but I usually regularly attend those meetings. I don't know what the city law is or the state law. But perhaps to alleviate some of these traffic and public safety issues, you know, with budgeting being as it is, perhaps Medford could incorporate an auxiliary police force or a special police force that reserves part-time. They could be armed or unarmed or unpaid. I briefly looked it up before I came up to speak. There's about 10 towns in Bristol County that utilizes an auxiliary force that, you know, if they're youngsters, as Councilor Marks alluded to, there's a lot of people in this city that want to contribute, that want to volunteer. I bet you could find at least 20, 30 people that would be happy to volunteer their time on a part-time basis. to help alleviate some of these concerns. Councilor Mark said something earlier, with all due respect, about, you know, they'll find a way to make it. Haven't gone to these town meetings for pretty much regularly for about three or four years now. It's really difficult. When Chief Sacco says that he needs the manpower, he really means it. You could have some officers that, you know, are working undercover. of others that work in phones. He's very understaffed. He needs about another 25 or 30 officers. Now I know the mayor just freed up a few months ago about 10 dispatches so that they could offset that and hire 10 new police. But at the same time, they lost 10 police officers. So they really didn't gain one more officer from that move. So I'm just up to offer a suggestion. Maybe the city council could, working with the mayor's office, get the advice, of course, of Chief Sacco, who would know more, consider an auxiliary reserve police force that would help ensure all of the concerns that were brought up tonight. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.
[Robert Cappucci]: Very nice. Thank you, Mr. President. It's Robert L. Cappucci. But, Mr. President, if I could, there is another citizen, Mr. Eric Reed, who wants to speak, and it's a similar issue that he wants to speak on, so if he could go first, if I could request that, and then I'll speak after him, if that's possible.
[Robert Cappucci]: President Lungo-Koehn, did you have an alternative?
[Robert Cappucci]: I'm going on the table and off the table. Off the table. Thank you, Madam President. All those in favor?
[Robert Cappucci]: I'm speaking directly to Evans Street.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, it's actually Robert L Capucci, uh, of 71 Evans street, if I could just submit this petition that I collected from my fellow neighbors on Evans Street and on the corners of the street as well, Central and Lawrence Street. Basically, we, the undersigned residents and abutters to Evans Street, demand our water pipes fixed and street repaved as promised by the City of Medford. I got 50 signatures from fellow residents. The reason You folks might have received some emails today from Pinkett Street. It's because, you know, with time constraints, I couldn't go down that street and get their signatures as well. But I did go down that street and I put out a flyer with everybody's email and the mayor's as well. If I could submit that to the city messenger. Please submit that to the messenger who will submit it to the city clerk and make it part of the public record. Okay, Mr. President. No, thank you. But, you know, a couple of weeks ago, A fellow neighbor of mine, Shauna Smith and I came up, and we discussed this street, and it was, what's the word? It was mutually agreed that Evans Street, I mean, I don't wanna rehash everything that was already said here tonight, but Evans Street is in one of the top five of direly needed repairs. Council Vice President Lungo-Koehn is exactly right, that this street, I mean, let's put that into perspective. 65 years it's been since this street has been repaved. You know, with the water pipes underneath them, who knows if we're drinking lead. It's way past time, Mr. President, which, you know, we were told that bids would go out, they would be decided on in the best possible. At this point now, my understanding is that None of these bids were decided on, which brought to me to go out, you know, after being told one thing, to go out and get these signatures. In relation to other things like, which I'm 100% for, park improvement and bringing things in there, we need to fix what we, I mean, I don't mean to be disrespectful. I think maybe a tandem project could be done to do it, but, you know, if you go out and you fix the parks, it, quite frankly, it's putting lipstick on a pig, Mr. President. It's more than just the infrastructure work that needs to be done. I took my first steps of my life on Evans Street. We have residents on that street right now. diagnosed with cancer who will be dead, at least one, within a year. We need people taking our first and our last steps. This is our home, Mr. President. Our excise taxes, our sales taxes, our property taxes, our surcharges on these taxes go towards keeping our home, our lives. We come home after a hard day of work to see potholes as big as the mouths of an alligator with rocks all over the street. I mean, You wonder why that sometimes, you know, people... I don't want to say it's a direct correlation, but it doesn't help when there's an opioid and a drinking problem to come home after a hard day's work and see our existence in total shambles, with streets falling apart and sidewalks falling apart. It doesn't help. These things are related. Not a direct cause and effect, but it is related. It's more than just the infrastructure projects that are not being done. And when we pay all this to actually see government governing over the will of the people, we can't wrap our minds around it. You should have heard some of the comments I heard coming down the street, my neighbor across the street. Her SUV two years ago sank in the sewer draining because the street around it fell apart. And she had to call AAA to get it out. Mrs. Natola told me a bunch of years back, a whole chasm opened up on Evans Street, and a whole truck fell into it. And that's another thing. It's wear and tear on our police vehicles, and our fire engines, and other infrastructure. plowing trucks and everything else that we're also paying for as taxpayers. I mean, it's at a critical point, and I want to thank this council for bringing it up. I want to thank Mr. Reed and Mr. Penter, who spoke before, and I hope that something can be done expediently, because we're tired of paying to be told something and then not having it done. It's beyond comprehension. It's beyond incompetence. And it's an affront to people that have lived on these city streets in their whole lifetime. I mean, with kids playing there, with their pets and everything else. Mr. President, please use the power of this body to inspire this mayor to do what we all know has to be done, or do something when the budget comes up, to jar the system and make it work for the people that you represent, who voted for you, who put you on this august body, as Mr. Penta likes to say. I think another member of the community wants to speak. And I hope that, you know, I get a little passionate, but I'm not speaking up here just for myself, speaking on these for these other 50 people and all around the city of Medford to people who who don't have the time to come out to this podium. I'm fortunate to have the time, and I'm trying to articulate their passion and, quite frankly, their rage. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Rob Capucci, 71 Evans Street in Medford. I want to thank all the people that came out and spoke tonight. I would hope that, you know, with this audience and focus on this issue, I would hope that more residents in the auditorium tonight and watching at home would pay a lot more attention to what goes on in the city of Medford on their website, because this is one in a sea of issues that escapes a lot of people in their everyday lives, that if more people came out and spoke like this so eloquently, as have tonight that came before me. A lot more good government and a lot more good stewardship of the people's money would take place in the city of Medford. I just want to address three quick points. Communication, affordable housing, and money. On communication, obviously, this Zoning Board of Appeals seriously dropped the ball. I mean, if they took into account the full city of Medford, in the streets and roads, the police department falling apart, the school facade, this building right here. There are a lot more serious issues to address first before we bring in a 490 unit. I mean, my street alone, I just found out tonight that, you know, I came up before this council a few weeks ago that Evans Street is one of the top five streets, and Evans Street is a stone's throw from this project. Now, with this traffic that's gonna develop, you're gonna see more people trying to avoid the long lines and going down some of these other side streets like mine. Now, the Honorable Adam Knight sent me a message that bidding on my street ended, and they were gonna choose, but I come to find out, the meeting on Saturday morning, that nothing's moving forward on that. There's no plans to do any construction or fixing of that street. The water pipes in Medford, the gas pipes, there's a lot more serious issues to look at first. before the Zoning Board of Appeals. And I think Sheryl Rodriguez was right. It wasn't written by Medford for Medford. It was written by this body that wants to come in and make some change. That's first. Communication is awful. It's just that simple. The second point is affordable housing. There's other ways of making things affordable for the citizens of Medford. Meals tax, sales tax, income tax, property tax, that goes up every year. Next month starts the Community Preservation Act, which is an end-run to around the property two and a half tax. That's a surcharge on the property taxes that have gone up for every year for nearly 30 years. Reduce some of these taxes, make it more affordable for the citizens of Medford, people to want to move here, businesses to want to move here through tax incentive. With more people moving in, you'll find that the city will actually have reduced tax rates, would probably take in more revenues. That's number two. Number three is money. You're talking about hiring a lawyer if this resolution is passed and the cost that's going to be on the city. What cost? You're having a free cash account, what? A surplus of almost $10 million? How many millions in surplus is this city sitting on? This is our money. We've already paid for the lawyer. Their money has already been given to this city. What are you talking about? And finally, one last question through the chair for the city solicitor. If this board does vote to pass a resolution to appeal, then the mayor has to approve it or is she automatically bound by the resolution? The president is shaking his head no. So what you're saying is this city council could pass a resolution and the mayor could possibly shoot it down and the appeal is gone. Is that what you're telling me, Mr. President? I wouldn't use those words, but yes. Thank you. I'm sure you would use much more congenial words, and I appreciate your candor and good judgment. I hope that if that does become the situation, and it does get dismissed, not approved, kindly disregarded by Her Honor the Mayor, then when you come to a city budget, You should actually use the power of the city council to have some bite, to speak up for these people that are in this audience tonight that want action for their money and their votes. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street. I'll try to be very quick. It seems to me like there's some confusion as to whether or not, I mean, you're talking about the process and I appreciate that, but I mean, everything that was discussed tonight, you've got the 11 variances, the zoning particular to this case impact on the city. It seems to me you've got, like right now, you could make a motion to appeal, enlist specific things, specific to this zoning law, as the city solicitor informed us that it has to be specific to this zoning, to take a vote on appeal and request the funds from the mayor for the legal representation for it. I don't see why that's not crystal clear to everybody in this room at this moment. And I would just like to ask, when you do take the vote to appeal and it gets approved, that whatever meetings that you do have with legal representation, that it's open to the public, specifically to the abutters. Because like Gene Martin said earlier, these are people that, you know, this is everyday, ordinary people that may not be lawyers, that may not be pretty about how to go about appealing this as a direct abutter to this, so that they could come, not to piggyback on your litigation process, but so that they can absorb information as well so that they know what to do going forward. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. I'm Rob Capucci of 71 Evans Street, which is not a direct abutter, but very close proximity to this massive project that's coming. And, you know, there's not too much more to add to the conversation except to touch upon the infrastructure problems that the city already has. I mean, here in this building, the high school, the police department, I was up here last week talking about Evans Street. We're not against the development, but something this big, I definitely agree with Councilors Knight and Falco, that this is just something that seems to be too big, and it seems to be coming in with the impression I'm getting, with a lot of expediency. I mean, actually being told, the citizens, by this developer, it's coming, deal with it. That's unprecedented. I want to thank all the other speakers that spoke. When this traffic impact happens, you know, and it gets clogged on Fellsway and Riverside Ave, these folks are going to be looking for, you know, quick shortcuts to get back to their house. They're going to be going down Evans Street. That's not fixed yet. I want to thank Councilor Knight for informing me that the bids are in to replace the water pipes. And once those bids seep through and one is decided on, they're going to come in and fix Evans Street, which is in the top five. of streets that needs to be fixed. But there's probably a hundred or more streets that needs to be fixed. And what happens when this added traffic is on the roads when Evans Street is shut down for, who knows, a month for fixing? And other streets are too. It seems to me that we don't want to discourage development. But at the same time, we got to fix what we got first. We can't build on a faulty foundation. Our streets and roads, our water pipes, the parks are being looked at. I mean, this location seems to me a good location to put a joint police and fire station instead of this massive project. It just seems to me that there are other things to look at. in this city first that need almost at a critical level of attention before we start entertaining massive, massive projects like this. I mean, there's a public safety issue too with all these cars going down the streets. I mean, in my neighborhood, there's at least 20 young kids that live on that street that are all over it. If they can navigate through all the rocks on Evans Street, Sorry for the jab on that one again, but still, I mean, in all of these neighborhoods with more cards on there, the safety risk goes up, and if it goes up even 1%, that's, I'm sorry, that's too much for my liking. I really don't understand how this city council doesn't have jurisdiction over the appeal or whoever's approving this. It would seem that you must have something in the books put some kind of injunction. And that's another thing. Why doesn't this body communicate with the DPW or with the police station or with other things to find out, you know, there's a lot of infrastructure problems in this city. You know, let's talk about this impact on the city and the taxpayers. Why don't we get together and maybe not approve this, especially in the manner with which they're keeping people in a dark room on a hot night and giving them three minutes to speak, and then they're being told. One of the speakers that spoke earlier that called everybody to a public action, I can't emphasize and ditto her and echo her more. That's what we need, not for just this issue, but I would love to see more people at this podium and in these chambers every week because when more voices are heard from all different parts of this city, more projects will have a fire lit under them, and more things will get done for the benefit of all of us, everybody on the city council, the administration, all the small businesses, and all the taxpayers, and all the residents, the kids in the schools, and everything else. Politics is really not a spectator sport. But I hope you consider all the things everybody said tonight, and I thank you for your time.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, President Lungo-Koehn. Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street. I have to say really briefly, I really enjoy saying President Lungo-Koehn. That would be a great thing for this body. But I digress. Is this matter going to be tabled? Oh, OK. I believe we're going to have that offering, yes. I'm confused. I mean, all through this discussion, a couple of things came to my mind that Ronald Reagan often said. as scary as nine words, I'm here from the government and I'm here to help. And the government that governs least is the government that governs best. President Lungo-Koehn, what Councilor Marks said tonight was 1,000% spot on. I think the vote should be taken and this should be voted down. I'm confused. Ms. Hunt said to Councilor Caraviello that she wouldn't want to have a public hearing on a theoretical proposition, but they want to have the vote tonight on a solid proposal. So I don't understand how it changes from a solid proposal to the city council to take a vote. to a theoretical proposition to the citizens that are suffering, do as I say, not as I do. I'm really confused on that. How is that possible, that for the residents, it's a theoretical proposition? But there's an ironclad proposal here tonight that's going to bind the residents of Medford Inn. That's why I asked President Lungo-Koehn. this was going to be tabled, because if it's going to be tabled, then my point is moot. But I really think this should be voted down, unless the city's going to get in on it, too, like Councilor Marks said. But I think the residents of this city need to have 1,000 questions, all sorts of input. since, you know, they're being basically forced into something. Thank you, President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Please. Thank you, Mr. President. Robert Cappucci of 71 Evans Street. So, I mean, just a few questions. When you say that Lauren did her job, there have been, going back a couple years now, reports to the city about this street. It spills out into Central Ave. These rocks are in front yards. They're on sidewalks. My question, I guess, is will we get a time frame? of when this will be done, because it is the summertime now. Kids are out of school. They're going to be all over that street. It's only a matter of time before a tire spins one of these up. I mean, we've already had injuries. With all due respect, Mr. President, is there any way we can get some type of time frame on when to expect this street to be fixed?
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: When we consider the surplus amounts in city coffers and you know, we have, an endless list of taxes to be paid, quite frankly. And no disrespect to this body, but this is—it's an abomination. It really is. And the amount of money that we pay as residents and taxpayers, that this wasn't done two years ago when you were first informed of this. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Rob Capucci, 71 Evans Street. Maybe if they could come by and pick up all these loose rocks that are, if that's possible. But if this gets added to the mayor's capital plan, what does that do in terms of a timeframe of fixing this street? I mean, when do they meet on that? When is that discussed? When is that approved?
[Robert Cappucci]: So then my next question would be, knowing this, why would a councillor request to put this on the capital plan that's going to push it out another year or two? It's unprecedented.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street. Just to address some of the things that were talked about here, I don't think Mr. Reid was coming up here to try to be accusatory. I just think he was asking for accountability and transparency on issues that have been going on in the city of Medford for years, if not decades. When I ran for this body in 2013, my main issue was the water pipes. You're asking the citizens of Medford to pay for the rainwater in the snow melt. You add that to the meals tax, the sales tax, the property tax, which is about to have a surcharge put on it, and we want answers as to why things are not being done. The Honorable Mike Marks asks, well, where do you think that the lack of communication came? Well, you heard my neighbor and friend earlier tonight say four recent additions to C-Click Fix were taken down today as resolved, and obviously they're not. Those pictures I took were yesterday. This gentleman is talking about a state allocation of $4 million that we could be using on top of what is in the excess of the water account now. It's like $7 million or something like that was the last report I heard. Now we're talking about $10 or $11 million. It doesn't need to be discussed or pushed forward anymore. It's not just Devon Street, it's also Pinkard Street around the corner from me. In working on several campaigns that I've worked on and ballot initiatives, walking around the city through the Heights, through South Medford, it's literally the whole city, with some streets being at an emergency condition, with matters of public safety. we're asking questions about all the tax dollars that we pay and the fees that we pay, the parking meters, people paying after six o'clock. I mean, where is all this money going? I think it's not being done because it looks great sitting in the accounts. And then Medford elected public servants can go around and say, well, Moody's just upgraded our credit rating to AAA. And yeah, that's great. on paper, but when you look through and walk through the city and you're wondering why communications are going ignored from people who work for the city, and you ask a question, it's like, where's the problems and where's the miscommunications? It's right there. And we're just asking for the work to be done that has been years in dire need of it happening. You got the budget next month. I hope a lot of people will come down. and ask questions and hold you folks accountable and transparent to the citizens that are paying for all of this, that are not getting anything back when Dr. Stirello talked about the police department deficiencies. I hope people will come tomorrow night to the town hall that the chief will have at the police station. and ask questions there. But I know you sigh, and I'm talking, and I'm taking too much time, President Dello Russo, but these are very important things. It's a matter of public safety. It's a matter of work not getting done with all of the money sitting there when petitions are being ignored for months. I'm sorry, but it's really at the brink, and this body really needs to come together and do something to light a fire under this. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Rob Capucci again, 71 Evans Street. There's another issue going on at Republic. I'm not sure or not if it's supposed to. I believe it is. But these machines are supposed to shut down at 6 o'clock. They're not. In the last month and a half, just walking through the city, I told a good dozen people, just tonight, I went to the store before coming here, and at 6.40, there was a young lady starting to feed money into the meter. And I said, no, you don't have to pay right now. It's 6 o'clock. And she said, well, I didn't know that. And I said, well, it's on the parking sign, but it's written very small. She said, well, it would have been a little bit more helpful if it was actually on the meter. itself, that it closes at 6 o'clock.
[Robert Cappucci]: You cannot put any more money in.
[Robert Cappucci]: Are you absolutely sure of that? Because I've seen people feed If there's a way to request receipts and to look at that, because, I mean, you're putting in your personal information. If people are paying after 6 o'clock, and, I mean, as Councilor Marks alluded to, they're trying to generate revenues, I wouldn't be surprised a bit if some of these machines are taking money after 6 o'clock, just my opinion. But I would look into their receipts, see if they are or not. Thank you.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Rob Capucci, 71 Evans Street. I know you've already had the discussion about Evans Street and you've taken action on that. But it looks like now you're, it's like piecemealing something when, you know, stepping outside of the box and look it in. I think what a lot of people in Medford see is, like Mr. Reed spoke of before, You have allocation of funds on the MWRA for, I believe you talked about sidewalks or something like $3 million, which 75% of which would be grants. We see in the free cash account, something like six or $7 million. What we don't understand as citizens paying all these taxes is how come it can't be that this commissioner's office can't be staffed? with the right amount of people to survey the city, make the proper assessments, hire the people that we need, and get the job done when there's all this money that's at your fingertips to be used. We're talking about $500,000 that we don't even know what it's going to be used for. We're talking about complaints and registers made to SeeClickFix that are taken down and closed and resolved when they're obviously not. It's just a hard thing to wrap your mind around, seeing almost tens of millions of dollars, when an understaffed department that doesn't even have the manpower to go out there and assess what needs to be fixed. I'm sorry, Mr. President, but it has to be said. Leadership has to come in. It has to be accountable and transparent. It has to look at what we've got in order to fund the resources to get these jobs done that are years past due. It's something to consider when you look at the budget next month. I would like to say this, though. The parks project that has gone on, because a lot of hits and a lot of criticism has been made, I've got to give kudos to. You've got to also reward what's good as being done. And Morrison Parks, our new basketball court and a few of the other parks, excellent job. Excellent job. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. I'm Rob Capucci of 71 Evans Street. Let me start with the city is being denied a service that we're paying for. The last figure I heard is somewhere around half a million dollars from our Verizon and cable bill is going towards public access that's been shut off since, I believe, 2013. That's years of a disservice to Medford. So on Friday, I actually took a day off from work and I drove around to Melrose Community Public Access Station, SCAT TV in Somerville, and Stoneham. Just to give an idea of what we're being denied here in Medford. First of all, jobs. Somerville employs eight people full-time. Malden, I found out from one of the station managers that I visited, employs nine people full-time. Melrose has three people full-time with three part-timers, and I think it's the same in Stoneham. That's jobs being denied to Medford residents. That's number one. The programming that's on some of these stations is unbelievable. Self-help programs, community awareness programs. I think of some of the organizations here in Medford, like the Medford Community Coalition or Prominent Citizens that were just honored a few weeks ago, Jay Campbell, the fine things these folks do. With a public access TV show, it could be compounded and bring more great services to the city. I mean, you all know I'm a political activist, so my forte is, you know, we're in a big election year here. Candidates, next year's a municipal election year. Candidates could have a forum, another avenue to bring their campaign and talk about different things. You know, I think about in 2015, some 2,500 people blanked the ballot question. It might not have been so many if we had, you know, a public access TV show where we could discuss the pros and cons of the ballot question. Other things, too, that could happen, the Honorable Breanna Lungo-Koehn talked about communications from the police in terms of different things. He could have a show on there. You can talk about different neighborhoods in Medford that might be having problems or might need more attention. Boards and planning meetings that happen in this building could find a show from somebody who wishes to produce a show on things like that and bring more information which is power and knowledge to the taxpayers of this city that deserve public access. Now, in talking with other station managers and the wonderful things that they're doing, at least one of them, the station manager at Somerville, knew a little bit about what we have here in Medford, the equipment, and they offered, you know, they said if I'm successful in bringing a positive message and do get the ball rolling, They're going to reach out, and they're going to help us get us up on our feet and running. I'm sure there's a lot of other residents. The students, they have great teaching going on at Medford High School, but having our own public access, this could be almost like an internship for them to get real world experience to move on to whatever college and future careers they might have. In closing, I just want to say that I I hope that the mayor's office is watching this because I believe ultimately it resides in the mayor's office to get this back up and running or not. But if there's any kind of vote or any influence that you find city councilors can have on the mayor's office to get this going, it would be great. I mean, in terms of helping this city, there's so many things a public access station can do for children, for working families, and for our senior citizens. So I hope you take that into consideration. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: Your name and address for the record, please, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Rob Capucci, 71 Evans Street. Really briefly, what these other cities and towns do to offset costs, as I'm sure you probably know, is they charge a membership fee for the year. So that brings in money to the station to help pay for some of the employees that work there. And a couple of other quick points, too, is obviously not everybody has cable in Medford. So what Melrose does is they put all of their shows, you know, if everybody has the internet at home, even without cable, you can still be watching local access in that town. And one final point I want to make, and it's something that I brought up here. that, you know, I don't want to say it was pushback on doing public access, but some of the comments I hear is that nobody will watch it. Well, Comcast actually does internal ratings. And in Melrose, 75% of the Comcast subscribers are watching their community local access TV. So the interest is there. The funding is there. It's just a political will to get it done. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street. Just a question for Miss Fairchild, who just spoke, if she could come back for the folks watching at home and give us the new website address. Because I know a lot of people, after having been at that debate, like myself, who had never been in the Chevalier before, would like to know as much as possible. Maybe there's volunteer opportunities and whatnot.
[Robert Cappucci]: Yes, thank you, Mr. President. Bob Cappucci, 71 Evans Street, Medford, Mass. I would very much like to speak to the point of this DVD not being played on educational access and the government channel from the Chevalier Theater. I was certified in communications by the Massachusetts Department of Education back in 1996.
[Robert Cappucci]: Only that it was brought up as a rumor by Councilor Brianna Lungo-Pratt.
[Robert Cappucci]: Well, then I would just like to, whether it is or isn't, I just want to stand up here and advocate for it to be played on both channels. Because as a former grad student who taught debate at Pittsburgh State University in Kansas, this debate, I was there that night, this debate could be used as text I sat next to a young man, Alex. I was a senior at Medford High School. I forget his last name. The AP political class was there in attendance, and they got credit for being there. I hope that the powers that be, now that they have this DVD that has been given by the Chevalier to the city, which is owned by the people, get to play that on both of our only two access channels, which is the government and the educational access. And one final point, sir, to the people watching at home, I hope that your voice is loud, that this is played as soon as possible until Election Day on both access channels that Medford does have. Thank you, Mr. President. That was part of the resolution.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. I'm Robert Capucci of 71 Evans Street. I don't know. I just have a few questions. Could it be possible that all parks in Medford are, by the request of the council, looked at for possible other venues for something like this, because I know I might be speaking out of turn. There might be works in the process that I don't know about, but my park, Morrison Park on Central Ave, this might be out of turn of the topic, but it's out of disarray. Maybe this is a matter for the questions I have. It's just that Morrison Park is falling apart. The tennis court has huge cracks in it. There's grass growing up between it. The basketball court as well. There are fences falling apart. And I might be speaking out of turn. The Parks Department might have this. Maybe as a part of this, I don't know if you could have like all parks looked at since this gardening was brought up. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Please state your name and address for the record. Thank you, Mr. President. Bob Capucci, 71 Evans Street, I just want to be really brief because I know other people are waiting to come and speak about other agenda items. I just want to thank Ms. Brady for coming up and bringing this up, for Councilor Penta's remarks and for Chief Sacco's remarks. Obviously, we all, everybody in this body, everybody that works in this building, we all have a passion and love for Medford, but this pay-to-park kiosk program The way it was implemented and the way it's been working, or a lack thereof, is disastrous for the city of Medford. I have been working on another project, and a week ago from Saturday, I started at the end of Salem Street, where it intersects with the Fellsway, before Malden, and I stalked at Forest Street, just taking pictures of businesses that were once there that are gone now. I have pictures of over 20 businesses in that eight block radius that are gone now. I'm not blaming that on the pay-to-park kiosk program, but with all due respect, we're talking about being realistic. The small businesses in this community that provide the jobs and this city makes money off of through sales tax and mails tax and whatnot are the reasons why, partly, we have a surplus. And if we focused, you know, hindsight's 20-20, but if we focused years ago on going to bat in supporting small businesses, and we didn't lose these 20 businesses, we would have had the funding for Chief Sacco to have a full and adequate police force. I mean, God bless him. He's doing the best he can with the manpower he has. And with the national feeling going on about police officers in general in the country, he deserves a real applaud him and every officer. But if we had the full and adequate police force built upon providing the support that we can to these small businesses going back years ago, it's not that the business owners are parking in front of their businesses. The problem was in the past was that because Chief Sacco doesn't have an adequate police force to enforce the laws that are already on the books for traffic enforcement. We have people from other cities and towns coming here, parking all day right in front of these businesses, and then getting on the T and going to work. That was the real problem, not the business owners parking in front of their places of establishment all day long. The gentleman who owns the gas station right across from the West Medford post office, A few weeks ago, I was talking to him and he said, you come out here at 11 o'clock in the morning and you look up this street that was once parked with cars and all these small businesses were making money off, it's gone now. We're losing money, businesses, jobs, revenues being collected because of this pay to park kiosk program. And I hope that the next mayoral administration will exercise the buyout option and get rid of it provide the infrastructure and support for small businesses to take the place of these 20 businesses that are on this phone right now. I'll email you the pictures if you want. And we have that level of economic engine activity again. And with the two surpluses we have, with all that money coming in, we can hire a full police force for Chief Sackle to get the officers out there, not even to mention all the construction programs that are going on, to have Chief Sackle with a full police force to implement the traffic laws that are already on hand, then we wouldn't be experiencing a lot of these problems, in my opinion. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Senator. Councilor Knight.
[Robert Cappucci]: He was caught in the process. Thank you, Councilor. Thank you, Mr. President. About a year and a half ago, this council passed an amendment to appropriate $600,000 to give to the MWRA to keep our rates the same. The amendment passed, but then there was a dispute about it, but the budget was signed with that amendment passed for $600,000. I think it was $618,000, something thereabouts. But Dr. Stirella brought up that the rates went up anyway. I came before this council. After that, and I specifically asked the question, now that this amendment passed, does that mean the water rate stayed the same? And the answer given to me was yes. But now I'm finding out that the water rates did, in fact, go up. And what happened to that $600,000? Let me explain what happened.
[Robert Cappucci]: So then what happened to that $600,000? Guess it's gone, huh? And now you're borrowing $2 million.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. I'm Bob Capucci of 71 Evans Street. I got just two brief questions and then a brief statement. Number one, my first question revolves around this temporary bridge I want to know the safety of its construction, what its weight capacity is. I mean, we just had a winter and nine feet of snow. Is it plowable? What's the tonnage it can take? My second question, Councilor Caraviello and Knight touched on it, is police. How many Medford police are going to be used over the course of these three years? Because as we know, we have a shortage of staff in the police force. Or maybe Chief Sackle can answer. I saw him in the audience tonight. Are there going to be any attempts from this council or the mayor's administration to maybe even hire more police? And finally, I mean, I'm 45 years old next month. Grew up my whole life in Massachusetts without bringing up the big dig. I mean, we've seen now the estimates of costs go from $2.5 million to $11 million. I mean, what assurances are we the citizens and the taxpayers and the businesses that are going to be sharply affected that there's not going to be cost overrides, another big winter of snow. We're going from three years now to four, to maybe five. And finally, and with all due respect, I want to thank these folks for coming here with this presentation. But you elected city councilors. are the representatives of Medford. You're our voice. If some of these questions are too tough and you get offended by them, well, these are the taxpayer dollars. And quite frankly, if you get offended by these questions, I'm sorry. With all due respect, that's just too bad. And you should please stay and answer these questions. Thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Bob Cappucci, 71 Evans Street. I'll just be as brief as I possibly can be. I think this problem is actually a little bit larger And I would only respectfully ask this body to maybe bring in our state representatives and state senator into this, because other than these massage parlors, anybody with a smartphone or a laptop can go to craigslist.com or Backpage. I know in recent years, they do like these sting operations for these massage people that are operating out of hotels. These are people that are coming in out of state staying here a week, a weekend, and there's just a lot of this, and it's rampant on the internet. So maybe we can engage our state representatives to maybe have the Massachusetts State Police to look in this beyond what's being offered here tonight. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Please state your name and address for the record, please.
[Robert Cappucci]: If you would, just state your name and address for the record. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street. While I have this opportunity with President McDonald here, Through the chair, I just have a few questions. I definitely don't want Medford to lose anything in a possible merger. I strongly agree with the points Councilor Penta is bringing up. But there's another aspect to this that deeply concerns me as I work in the medical device industry. As I'm sure thousands of more Medford residents do, Stoneham, and this greater community does. So with all due respect, through the chair, if I could ask President McDonald to perhaps speak on his, what's the word, on his professional opinion about these conversations he's having as to, he said there's no timeline or anything. that could be projected, but based on the conversations that he's having. Because a lot of jobs are in the balance. From my industry, personally, I make laser scalpels, and our sales went through the floor. Lots of people got laid off. It's not just my company. Hologic up in Bedford, their market share went down 40% with the larger doom hanging over us, for lack of a better term, of the Affordable Care Act, which caused a lot of insurance rates to go up, a lot of hospitals to make these mergers that are going on, not just in our community, but around the country, that are affecting a lot of people. And I'm sorry, Mr. President, but this is a very huge issue. I'll try to be expedient, but please don't rush me out the podium, with all due respect.
[Robert Cappucci]: With all due respect, I'm not asking any questions to put anybody on the spot. This council... We know that. ...asked about the merger. And since it did come up, as a citizen, representing thousands of people that work in the industry who are very concerned about this merger, I think it's prudent, I think it's sufficient, and I think it's precise... It has been established, so if you could... ...to ask, through the chair, President McDonald's professional opinion on whether or not he thinks this merger is going to happen. and whether or not, based on the conversations he admitted having, whether or not, what kind of a timeline we're looking at.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Robert Capucci of 71 Evans Street. I deeply respect the concern for jobs that Councilor Knight is bringing before the City Council. But with all due respect, when I got up and spoke earlier asking questions about jobs, the Councilor instituted a point of personal information or whatever to have the President come back and speak you know, when he's more prepared. So I would just request respectfully that, uh, before taking a vote on this, that Councilor Knight or another Councilor offer that the president or whomever the authoritative body is of Tufts university to come down and speak their side of it, uh, at a time when they're prepared as, as well, because the points are similar. I was trying to argue for jobs, like, Point of information, Mr. Bynum.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you for that point of information, councillors. Sir, you may continue. Thank you, Mr. President. For the very reasons that council and I stated that we don't know was the reasons I came up here and asked a couple of questions since he was here, the president of Hallmark and suggested that we've had conversations was the very reason I asked a couple questions, because we don't know. All I'm asking here is for, with all due respect, a little less duplicity and ask for both sides to be heard from, like he was asking before when I asked a couple of small questions. And with all due respect in this election year, I think the job he's trying to defend is his own.
[Robert Cappucci]: Mr. President, with all due respect- And I must take responsibility for those- Absolutely.
[Robert Cappucci]: Sir, you may continue. Thank you, Mr. President. With all due respect, that gentleman sitting in the audience, I didn't know who he was.
[Robert Cappucci]: No, no. I'm sorry. That's not true. The last time, through the chair, Mr. President, that's not true what he said. The last time I was here for a meeting with the president of Hallmark Health, it was the CEO, Mr. Michael Sachs. It wasn't President McDonald. While President McDonald was speaking, I had to go ask his colleague what his name was. With all due respect, This Council, through the Chair, asked a question about the merger. This is an open podium. When that was brought up for public discussion, I'm fully privileged, being a tax-paying citizen of this community, to come up and ask questions when this Council brings up the issue that the Council brought up, not me. So, with all due respect, Council, and through the Chair, you're wrong. Thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: Yes, thank you, Mr. President. I promise this will be the last time I come to the podium tonight. Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street. Through the chair, I want to thank Councilor Lungo-Koehn, Vice President, for bringing up this issue. This past Sunday, April 5th, marked 12 years to the day that my best friend died on an overdose of OxyContin that he bought illegally. While I strongly advocate being a former teacher, strong educational programs, teaching our youngsters the problems in the health issues and even the death that could arise through using drugs, I would like to ask that this council please place emphasis on the criminal aspect of what's going on here. Councilor Marks, in an earlier discussion, brought up low staffing. We don't have a full police force here in Medford. And Councilor Caraviello brought up the DARE officer program. My question is, you know, how many people that are out there selling illegal drugs to our youngsters and our students, how many of them are being arrested? If my friend 12 years ago, you know, from the person, whoever it was, he bought illegal Oxycontin from got arrested the day before, maybe that night he wouldn't have illegally purchased these drugs and got arrested. And if it's doctors doing it, I hope that there's some aspect of looking into them to get them arrested and losing their license. We need a strong, fully staffed police force so that they can go out and do their job. Now, I'm obviously speaking out of turn. Chief Sacco is doing everything he can with what he has, and there may be answers to the questions I'm bringing up. And I'd like to know how many arrests were made in the last month, in the last three months, the last year, on people selling drugs. That kind of prevention, from a legal standpoint, I think needs some emphasis as well. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: I wasn't aware of that. I just hope more arrests are being made. And thank you for informing me on that, Vice President. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. Please state your name and address for the record, sir.
[Robert Cappucci]: Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street. Thank you, Mr. President. I am in favor of this. If I could please just add, at a time when Medford is seeing businesses fly out of here, with eight open storefronts down here in Medford Square, the amount of hoops I've seen this council put on this man and this business, is amazing to me, calling for them to add expenditures of an awning, and this, that, and the other thing. I hope Wendy's doesn't just move across the street.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Robert Cappucci, 71 Evans Street. Through the Chair, if I could ask, Councilor Penta threw out a figure. Comcast, or whoever the issuing authority is, or maybe it's a combination between several services, has given the city how much money that's not being used? Through the Chair to Councilor Penta?
[Robert Cappucci]: And how long have we not had access to television? Well, since December of 2013. So we're two and a half years almost, two years and a quarter, with that much money. What? A year and a half. A year and a half? Well, we're... This governing body acts as kind of like the Congress of Medford. You're the voice of the people. The mayor is the chief executive officer. You really need to ask about these monies, why we don't have an access television for the community for a myriad of reasons, and what the mayor is afraid of and why he's not advertising. I mean, Joe Viglione, who came up before me, gave an excellent dissertation, and it's It's really incumbent upon this body to get answers. I know under our city charter, all you can do is make requests of the mayor. But if it takes changing the city charter to finally get some things moving forward in the city, these are the options before you. And this is why we elect you good folks to be our voices when obviously there's just too much power. in one office in Medford City government. We need to know where this money has gone. I hope this investigation will find that out, and we need access to television in Medford. Thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street. Thank you, President Dello Russo. I'm a little bit confused because this council voted when the budget was being passed to amend the budget by some $600,000. That amendment was passed, but then His Honor the mayor vetoed it, but he signed the amended budget. So how does that $600,000 figure into this tiered water rate? Can I answer that?
[Robert Cappucci]: Well, if I may, I specifically returned to this podium and I asked the direct question, does this amendment mean, at the time, the MWRA wanted to raise our rates by 10%, but then after this whole debate and passing of the amendment for the $600,000 to come out, I returned and I asked specifically, and I believe it was the Honorable Michael Marks who said the answer to my question, which was, Does this mean that nobody in Medford will see a water rate increase? And the answer was directly given to me, yes. Now you're saying that under this tiered rate, some people are actually and some businesses are actually going to see somewhat of an increase?
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you very much, councillors. And just one final point. with all the snow that we have and we still have the water pipes cracked, when all this starts melting in the spring with spring rains and this all starts pouring out in the Boston Harbor, I would just respectfully request that this body send a letter to the state level and let them know about our water pipe conditions and not, you know, to calculate it as raw sewage, as I heard it been said in the past.
[Robert Cappucci]: Right. Well, with new Governor Baker facing an even larger budget deficit than which was once perceived in cuts coming that are going to be coming very soon, I just want to request that we let the state know about our water pipe problem here and try to keep as much money in Medford for our infrastructure, police, education, and whatnot. But thank you all so very much for those great answers. Thank you.
[Robert Cappucci]: Sir, state your name and address for the record, please. Robert Cappucci of 71 Evans Street. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councilor Camuso. Today at the Immaculate Conception in Malden, I just want to ask maybe for a moment of silence if we could. There were almost 100 priests, at least a dozen bishops, His Eminence Cardinal Sean, and the pastor of St. Raphael's, Father Toomey, who gave the homily. for the passing of Father Richard Meem, who was the pastor at Immaculate Conception Malden. I also want to thank Council President Dello Russo for coming last night to his wake, and his Honor the Mayor, who both came, Michael McGlynn, to the wake and to the funeral services today. It was a real boost to the family to have those dignitaries from Medford come I am a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish, as are many people in Medford. So Father Meem had a very big impact on our community. As a Knight of Columbus there, Father Meem was constantly coming to the meetings. He was a man of true character. When Father Meem started succumbing to his illness at the beginning of last week on Monday, I actually saw Cardinal Sean at an assembly in Faneuil Hall two Sundays ago. And I said, Your Eminence, if you please would say a prayer for Father Meem. He's taken ill. And apparently, the prayer was answered with God calling him home to go on to be with God. But the next day, when it was clear that Father Meem was unfortunately going to pass, Cardinal Sean, this is just a testament to Father Meem's character. Cardinal Sean went to visit him to inform him. I mean, his whole family around him, the man saw all his friends. He knew people were very, very morose because a loving family member and a good friend was dying. Cardinal Sean informed him that his Holy Father, the Pope in Rome, had elevated Father Mime to Monsignor. And this is a true testament to his character, his response was, well, it's about time. And they all, I mean, here's a man who immediately relieves the morosity of the situation for his family and friends. And it was just such a wonderful homily today by Father Toomey of St. Raphael's. And if I could, I could please, I mean, a lot of folks in Medford would love probably to have just a brief moment of silence. And thank you so much, Councilor Camuso.
[Robert Cappucci]: If I could just add to really quick that our own city solicitor, Mark Rumley, who's the deacon of our parish too, was also very comforting and inhaling at a time of serious grief. And I want to thank him for his outstanding leader as a spiritual leader in my parish and church. Thank you.
[Robert Cappucci]: Robert Capucci, 71 Evett Street. If I could just add a request, because Councilor Camuso brought up the towers in Burlington, if it is at all possible to find out from the safety department if this tower's given off any radiation, because a lot of those towers do, that could be another public safety concern.
[Robert Cappucci]: The matter is disposed of, as you know. Yes, Mr. President, thank you very much. Robert Capucci of 71 Evans Street. I didn't plan on speaking on this tonight, but a couple of points came up that I had to voice my concern about. With all due respect to the Chief of Police, who has been exhaustive in his energies on this kiosk program, he referred to concerns that people have and the questions that are coming up as throwing stones on something that we haven't even seen if it works yet, when on a issue brought up tonight by Councilor Penter, it clearly states, Medford citizenry never had an open public opportunity for input, discussions, concerns of the implementation. Is it throwing stones? And with all due respect, I have great respect for the Chief of Police. I just wish he would term it differently. Was it throwing stones for Jimmy's pizza? To come up here and address his concerns, was it throwing stones for the woman who talked about Playstead Road and what she has to do to get a permit? Was it throwing stones for the guy who owns the lock company? Was it throwing stones for all the other citizens and businesses that have come up here? And my second point is on the 30-minute parking amendment, a query posed by the Honourable Michael Marks. That's never going to happen. because that will get rid of all the money these folks are going to be collecting on this. I have seen for the last few weeks, going into months now, the great concerns. I mean, we're talking about making Medford more business friendly and improving our five business districts. Welcome to Medford with higher property tax rates, pay to park, the streets falling apart, an understaffed police force. I mean, there are. a lot more things this city could be doing and it's ultimately going to depend on the voters this year and to exercise that option in this contract to buy it out and get rid of it, please. It would be the best thing for the City of Medford. Thank you for your time.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Ms. Martin. Sir, please state your name and address for the record. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm Robert Capucci of 71 Evans Street. Just very briefly, I know you're a busy city council. I kind of agree with the previous speaker. I wholeheartedly agree with the intentions. Lord knows our city's roads need improvement, our buildings. We need a full police force with a better facility. But I don't think creating a new account is the route to go since we already have accounts, free cash accounts, surplus accounts, and there may well already be an account that exists. Through the chair to Councilor Knight, as an elected member of the Republican State Committee, I work with advisors to the new administration, being a Republican governor. And I can tell you firsthand, there are cuts coming that will continue with the cuts of the previous administration, and might even be a little bit deeper, because after the transition happened, or during the transition, actually, when he was governor, elect Baker, we come to find out that there was actually a shortfall of another billion dollars that we didn't know about. So the cuts are definitely coming. But Medford is in a unique position with this new parking program that contractually requires you to spend $250,000 a year on infrastructure that will be set up, if I'm correct, maybe the chief can come up and correct me, or the representative from Republic, This funding will be spent on infrastructure repairs based on how this city council rules those monies are to be spent. So we are in a good position to actually do something very good for the citizens of Medford and maybe even the state at large. We have all this surplus. We now have, which is about to start getting enforced in two days, a new windfall of money coming in. This isn't going to hurt our bond rating. It's actually going to increase it. We can make Medford with a new casino coming in and all sorts of jobs. People are going to be looking for a place to live. Now is the time for this city council to act. We already have the account set up. I don't really think we need a new account to be set up, but what we could do is reduce property rates. What we could do, property tax rates, that is, excuse me. What else we could do is reduce business fees. Massachusetts requires, each town and city to establish an excise tax, but there's nothing stopping us from setting that excise tax rate to zero. We can make Medford one of the most attractive cities to move to in the Bay State with a new casino coming in and job prospects. There was an article a few weeks ago how all cities and towns across the Bay State are trying to be the new Somerville. I'd like to see the next article. come to say, let's try to be the new Medford. I hope you'll take into account what I've said, and thank you for your time.
[Robert Cappucci]: Sir, thank you. Please state your name and address for the record. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm Robert Cappucci of 71 Evans Street. I'll try to be very, very brief. Unfortunately, I mean, my heart's torn out listening to all these folks come up here. My heart is shattered. But it's not about critical emotion. It's about critical thinking. And unfortunately, this program is going to get worse before it gets better. The representatives of the mayor that come before us and say they can write down information and implement this, that, or the other thing, when I went to the town community meeting at the police station the other night, with all due respect to the chief, he said right out, that these interim prices are interim, and they're most likely going to go up. It's going to get worse before it gets better. And unfortunately, I hate to say this, but the fact is the contract has been signed. This city is under a plan A strong mayor charter. That's why he can stay at home and send his representatives down here when he should be here. My suggestion, with all due respect to this city council, would be to pass a resolution to have the mayor come down and sit here and field questions on this matter. He signed this contract. It's up to him to come out from behind the shadows and stop sending folks down here to take the hits for him. My heart goes out to the chief having to take all these questions, too. It's unfortunate, and I'll just close with this. Through the chair to three city councilors up here, Councilors Marks, Penta, and Lungo-Koehn, This is the issue where this city is ready to give you the broom, and we can call you either her or his honor, the mayor. Take up action, please. Thank you.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Bob Capucci, 71 Evans street. Uh, I don't know what good it would do, but just to expand a little bit on the excellent effort that council append is trying to make, and he brings a very good point. I mean, during the other discussion tonight, we've heard the one business owner talking about the rise of price and food and everything else. And this is a great initiative. Soon, our representatives up in Washington, D.C. are going to be voting on the Keystone Pipeline and other things. Now, our representation in Washington, probably across the borders, is going to vote against it, but this is a way to help alleviate costs right here in Medford. If we could maybe further the letter to our two state senators, our Congresswoman, was it Catherine Clark, to maybe support expansion of energy deciphering and drilling and pipelines that are gonna come so that these costs, I mean, that's where these increases are coming from, Councilor Pinter. It's the denial of pipelines. It's the denial of permits for oil drilling because it's killing jobs and everything else. We have been getting a break on our gas prices because of the oil war that's going on now between fracking states and the Middle East lowering their prices to try to hurt. And it is hurting jobs already in North Dakota. That's going to bottom out pretty soon. And Councilor Penta brings up an excellent point. I hope that we could maybe as a City Council send something to our Washington representatives and any citizens at home watching, maybe we can call some of our Washington representatives because these issues are going to be coming up in the new Congress. And I hope that the right decisions are made on behalf of the people that vote. you good folks in our state and our national representation into office. Thank you.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. I'm Robert Capucci of 71 Evans Street. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I fully agree through the chair with Councilor Camuso that if this gentleman wants to look at things with the name Medford attached to it, even though he's not a nonprofit organization, he uses Medford Information Central. to go after people vehemently, and this reflects badly on the city of Medford when he uses the name Medford on it. It is a disrespect to the city. It should be looked into. For a quick example, he referred to City School Committee member Aaron DiBenedetto. And I won't repeat the name, in a derogatory name. If he's going to use Medford, he needs to represent Medford as a respectable city that it is. I want to thank Councilor Camuso for bringing that up. Thank you.
[Robert Cappucci]: And will Councilor Carafiello.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Councilor. Mr. President, through the chair, thank you, Councilor Knight. Really briefly, on the issue of free speech, I'm not out to deny anybody's free speech. We have certain inalienable rights, but with these rights comes responsibility. I have the freedom of speech right now to scream fire and scare everybody to run out, and that's a matter of free speech. But it would be highly irresponsible of me to do so. And this is the point I'm trying to make with Medford Information Central. The gentleman comes up, and he says, I have great respect for Aaron DiBenedetto. But then he calls her Aaron DiBenderover on his website. And Mr. President, I agree with you. I don't tolerate it either. With freedom of speech comes responsibility into being adult. and represent our city in a respectable way. That's all I'm asking for. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Bob Capucci is 71 Evans street. I'll try to be very brief. Uh, I, I hope that this kiosk issue is a watershed event that that'll speak to the larger issue of, of our city. And I mean, look at all these citizens that are coming up here tonight that didn't even know this was coming. All the problems it's gonna cause for these people. Even some of the details that, with all due respect, the chief and the company that put these in aren't quite sure about yet, in terms of rules and whatnot. We're a city of about 58,000. We have 38,000 registered voters. In any municipal election cycle, maybe 9,000 people come out to vote. I hope that this kiosk, and this is an election year, I hope that this kiosk event is a watershed event and we have 20,000 people come out and vote this year because our city charter needs to be changed. We need a city council that's going to be able to put forward a charter commission review. It's been almost 30 years. With all due respect, there are always four votes that always go the mayor's way on this city council. And when the votes don't go their way, I don't mean to digress, but for instance, the million dollar, actually a $680,000 offer by Councilor Penta a few months ago, on the water pipes, when that passes, even when we get a miracle of that fourth vote, to go against something, this mayor who has all power in this city, it's too much power in any one office, he vetoes it. So even if this city council comes up with a resolution tonight of seven to nothing in the affirmative to help all these people and businesses that are confused about it, what's to stop the mayor from just saying, no, I'm doing it my way anyway? Please, Medford City Council, you have the authority to review our city charter, It's long overdue to be changed, or let's hope that this kiosk event is a watershed event, and the people that you represent. When I come and address this council, I'm seeing my neighbors on Evans Street. I'm seeing my neighbors up in the Heights. I'm seeing local business owners. It really needs to change, and we really need the voices that you folks need to be in a city that's dominated by the mayor's office. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Capucci.
[Robert Cappucci]: Robert Capucci at 71 Evans street. Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. City Councilors, a few things that came up tonight I have to speak about. Just I'll try to be as brief as possible. Ms. Baker, who spoke and didn't, liked the term abuse used by Councilor Penta. Those of us that are living in providing you with all these excess funds, Massachusetts is seventh on the list of most moved out of states. We are highest per capita out of any other state in the nation as the highest tax state. Through the chair to Councilor Knight, he wants to talk about a new administration coming in with historic cuts. This is the first time Charlie Baker will be governor of Massachusetts.
[Robert Cappucci]: Okay, two points, Councilor Penta, excuse me, Councilor Camuso to Councilor Knight through the chair. We've just had eight years of the Patrick administration who has already cut aid to cities and towns. this city was still able to create the $7 million surplus under that. Governor Patrick has repeatedly blamed the federal government for his having to cut aid to cities and towns. Another point I would like to make is, what was the other part of what you said?
[Robert Cappucci]: The citizens of Medford who are paying these taxes, we'd like to have some rainy day funds in our pockets. And if taking a million dollars out of a $7 million surplus is going to allow, I mean, I don't see the city of Medford having bake sales. I don't see the city of Medford manufacturing products and selling them to the market. Government doesn't make any money at all until it levies a tax on the citizens. We want to make Medford an attractive and popular town. We do that by cutting tax rates. I don't think there should be a property tax increase on the residential properties or the commercial properties. We gotta make Medford attractive because Somerville has taken off ahead of us. And as far as alluding to those four votes, that come up, this city's constantly being told, next time for the police station, next time for the dark park. Well, next time is now, and we do have city elections coming up next year, and I hope everybody within the sound of my voice hears it, because we need that fourth vote here on the council, or we need a new administration in the corner office. Thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: Thank you, Mr. President. Robert Capucci, 71 Evans Street. If I could, through the President's chair, ask just a few questions. I wonder how many cases of discrimination of this nature in housing have happened, maybe recently, and what is the actual process of investigating these accusations? Because as, I think her name is Miss McLeod, alluded to, she said, like, we don't want to see things that happened in Ferguson happen here. Now, I know that the popular opinion of what happened in Ferguson, Missouri—and please, don't get me wrong. I want everybody's rights to always be protected. Our rights were never given by any legislative body. We believe in the founding of this nation. that our rights come from God, that are inalienable, that we're born with. And therefore, they should be protected. But what happened in Ferguson, if I understand the testimony from the grand jury, was that the officer, Mr. Wilson, I believe his name was, didn't do anything out of line. And he was just performing his job. So, but, like, it just concerns me, the process of investigation of these matters and how many of them actually happened. Because the truth of what happened in Ferguson, just on CNN the other night, there were correspondents doing hands up, don't shoot, and that never happened in Ferguson, Missouri. We have popular opinion causing Groups of people go out in New York City screaming, what do we want? Dead cops. When do we want them? Now. We have high school kids that just today, through social media, left their classes and stormed the state house and other places. And I'm just concerned that everybody's civil rights is going to be protected, of course. But the truth is also going to be pursued. Thank you, Mr. President.
[Robert Cappucci]: Bob Capucci, 71 Evans street. Please forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn. I came late and I didn't hear everything. But, uh, with the passage of this new casino bill, and it's definitely coming here now and Everett, I don't know if a concerted effort between the city council and the mayor can be made to press upon the wind people to, to, I don't know if they have provisions, But let's try to get some funding from them to do infrastructure improvements here in Medford because we're going to be impacted by this wind casino that's coming in. And I believe they have it in their plans to help communities like ours get funding we need for a stronger police force and things like that. So we don't have to do drastic things like lose the parks and things like that. But I would hope that this city council and our mayor is going to press upon the wind people to fortify before that thing comes in here. And we've got 10,000 cars out there in Wellington Circle Plaza and all sorts of stuff. That's my two cents. Thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: Yes. Name and address for the record, please. Robert Capucci of 71 Evans street. Uh, several months ago, a fellow citizen of mine, uh, John Stareller and I, we tried to get, uh, a charter commission formed by, by through petition, but we realized that we couldn't, we couldn't do this because it was a huge undertaking. So I'm just asking the council again, if it's within your means to do so, to appoint a charter commission, to serve as a body that could caucus I greatly agree with Councilor Dello Russo in adding another layer of government. That's not what I'm all about. But if we had a charter commission that could carcass on various issues like traffic control, like the expenditures in a parking garage, like lights going out all around the city. sidewalks that need to have crosswalks that are there. A board that can serve for the people to come as a third and final check and balance in our check and balance system of our public government. The federal government operates on it with a president. a judiciary and a legislature. This city has the city council and the mayor who never see eye to eye and a constituency that has to either keep emailing or running up to this podium. If it's within the purview of the Medford City Council to appoint a charter commission to caucus on all these various issues to consolidate different conglomerations of, of, of big government here in this little city, then please, by all means do so. Uh, uh, citizens, I'm going to have to ask citizens to, to help me like John Sterella and I, and we're going to have to get to this petition form to form a group, uh, as a charter commission that could serve the city and the citizens in a multitude of of areas that I think would only help to ensure better roads, better lighting, better expenditures spent by our tax dollars, and to review the policies and actions, or lack thereof, of this board and of the CEO. Thank you.
[Robert Cappucci]: Robert Capucci from 71 Evans Street. First and foremost, Councilor Penta, thank you for your eloquence, your wisdom, and your passion in sticking up for the fundamental American individualism. That is the whole reason why I brought this up. I didn't know myself the extent of reach into children three to 12 years old that this Agenda 21 has. Agenda 21, make no mistake, is about the redistribution of wealth. The United Nations charter calls for taking a back seat to individual freedoms. The director of ICLEI, a guy named Dr. Harris, I believe his name is, states right out that individualism has to take a back seat towards the redistribution of wealth. They blame the United States, as Councilor Penta said, for the problems environmentally of the world. So what they do, and what socialism does itself, is it doesn't raise the lower up to the higher. What it actually does is lowers the higher down and that doesn't help anybody. Now, Councilor Dello Russo, I'm sure that high school you visited did have individuals that were very bright and smart. That's, that's not the point of argument here. And you also brought up, uh, Joe McCarthy, McCarthyism and you, and it, and it kinda, it kinda puts this whole question that Councilor pent is bringing up that I, I tried to enlighten the city and the citizens to in a light as a certain, form of, oh, it's crazy wackoism to talk about something like this happening. But it is happening. And communities all over this nation have gotten rid of ICLEI and Agenda 21. The town of Cuyver Mass, Las Cruces, New Mexico, towns all over the United States are getting rid of it. Sir? Councilor Dello Russo, Joe McCarthy brought up an issue in the 50s stating there were 53 communists in the United States government. And he was ridiculed for this. He was dogged. He was called an idiot. He eventually left the Senate, became an alcoholic, and died young. Did you know that in 1995, the government of Russia put out something called the Venona Papers. And in those Venona Papers, it proved everything Joe McCarthy was saying as accurate to a T. There were 53 communists in the United States government. This is a real issue. It's nothing crazy. It's something very simple. I passed out that pamphlet. to you folks when I gave my presentation on the first. On the bottom, it had a website for a quick 12-minute video. I watched it before I came here tonight, and it's from 629 to 641. Did all you folks watch that? I certainly hope you did, because there were resources in there to look up All sorts of other things about Agenda 21, and Councilor Penta brought up a lot of things I didn't know myself. An environmental officer from the western part of Massachusetts first introduced me to Agenda 21, ICLEI and sustainable development. He's a conservationist officer for Massachusetts, and he's been going around this state giving a two-hour presentation on the true nature behind Agenda 21. And it is an indoctrination of our youth. It is teaching kids away from individualism and the foundations of the United States Constitution towards the UN Charter and the UN Constitution. And it's really a shame if that's happening because I'm 41 and when I'm 55, I don't want to see the United States of America where a 20-year-old Kids that are now stepping up to your positions, having their idea that it's not about the free individual American citizen, but it's about the big bad America and its corporate greed and how they have to be punished and their wealth has to be redistributed to other countries around the world. American excellence and American individualism must be fought for. And it's great that Councilor Penta brought this up, The way he argued the point was flawless. It was great. And I highly discount, uh, the Councilors for his interruption and for trying to highlight it as McCarthyism and crazy. When, when please look up the Venona papers, counsel Dello Russo, Joe McCarthy was proved right. Thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: All right. What do you want? What's your, uh, uh, Bob Capucci, 71 Evans street. I just want to make the point that this isn't a Republican or a Democrat issue. This is an American issue. There is a website, Dr. Wood, actually, www.DemocratsAgainstAgenda21. This isn't a partisan issue. But for full disclosure, I am a Republican, and I'm a candidate for a Republican State Committee. I just thought I'd plug that if that's okay with you. Thank you, thank you very much.
[Robert Cappucci]: What is it? Go ahead. Bob Capucci, 71 Evans Street. Nobody's advocating a witch hunt. Nobody's advocating to attack on anybody's infringements of rights of free speech or anything like that. I came to this issue based on fact, based on looking at the empirical data and then researching it beyond that. The offshoots of McCarthyism, which is which is, which is, it's, I'm sorry, but it's fear mongering. I understand that people suffered and The facts of the matter are, though, that the things Joe McCarty was saying were later proven in 1995 by the very people he was saying them against. They came out with something called the Venona Papers, V-E-N-O-A-N-A. We're not gonna get into this.