City Council Meeting

The City Council’s September 22 meeting focused primarily on mayoral appointments, a National Grid utility pole relocation hearing, several statutory and grant orders, and a Smart Growth-funded traffic-calming appropriation. The council approved three appointments: Chris Redfern to the Open Space, Natural Resources and Trails Committee (Bill 2026-142), Scott Mandeville as the council representative to that same committee (Bill 2026-143), and Kevin Latady as an alternate to the Historic Commission (Bill 2026-144). Each appointment was introduced by the nominees, who described relevant professional and volunteer experience, and all were approved by unanimous or near-unanimous vote. The council also accepted late-filed appointment items after confirming votes already taken.

On substantive policy and project items the council approved National Grid’s request to relocate a pole and guide-wire at Bay Street (WR 31343970 / Bill 2026-126) with DPW stipulations requiring dig-safe notification and coordination with city departments. The council voted to accept MGL Chapter 140, Section 139C (Bill 2026-129) and authorized the Mayor to accept and expend a $25,000 FY27 Field Demonstration Project grant (Bill 2026-130). Separately, the council appropriated $30,000 from the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund for temporary traffic-calming equipment and pilot measures citywide (Bill 2026-133); the mayor’s statement (read into the record) clarified that temporary deployments would be at the police chief’s discretion and that separate, more expensive traffic and bike-lane studies are being pursued for longer-term solutions. There were no public speakers during general public comment, and the National Grid hearing drew no public testimony. The meeting concluded with routine procedural items and scheduling notes for upcoming meetings.