City Council Meeting
Council approved Ordinance 2024-098 (MBTA Communities overlay) as amended and approved AO 2024-05 to add an OCED Senior Project Manager; the Council also appointed Michael McCarthy to the Zoning Board of Appeals and referred Ordinance 2024-132 (adult cannabis retailer licensing) to the Ordinance & Administration Committee.
The City Council meeting focused on zoning and organizational changes, appointments, and several referred budget and grant items. After a continued public hearing, the Council accepted a redline substitution and approved Ordinance 2024-098 to create an MBTA Communities Act overlay. The body also approved Administrative Order AO 2024-05 (2024-005) to reorganize and establish a Senior Project Manager within the Office of Community & Economic Development, with discussion on salary competitiveness, hiring timeline, and available budget reserve funds.
Councilors approved three mayoral appointments/reappointments (Michael McCarthy to the Zoning Board of Appeals; Stephen Klomps to the Historical Commission; Joan MacPherson to the Health Care Trust Commission) and referred a series of budget/grant orders (2024-125 through 2024-131) to the Budget & Finance Committee for second readings. The Council referred Ordinance 2024-132 (amending Chapter 334 to allow licensing of adult cannabis retailers in the Retail Marijuana Overlay District) to the Ordinance & Administration Committee. During public comment, residents raised concerns about cannabis market oversaturation and downtown parking; Councilors discussed that creating a downtown cannabis zone does not authorize particular applicants and that parking and potential license caps should be considered when reviewing future applications.