From the city's PDF, word for word.
City of Malden
Malden City Hall · 215 Pleasant Street · Malden, MA 02148
Meeting Minutes - Final · City Council
Council President Amanda Linehan · Councillor at Large Karen Colon Hayes · Councillor Paul Condon · Councillor Peg Crowe · Councillor at Large Michelle Luong · Councillor at Large Carey McDonald · Councillor Ryan O'Malley · Councillor Jadeane Sica · Councillor Chris Simonelli · Councillor Ari Taylor · Councillor Stephen Winslow
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 · 7:00 PM · City Council Chambers · 215 Pleasant Street · Malden, MA 02148 · Watch the meeting with Teams: https://tinyurl.com/434myvtw
1. CALL TO ORDER
Council President Linehan called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
Also in attendance was Christopher Mooney, Maria Luise, Dan Koff, and Lisa Cagno.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF SERVICE MEMBERS
3. ROLL CALL
Present - Councillors: 11 - Karen Colon Hayes, Paul Condon, Peg Crowe, Amanda Linehan, Carey McDonald, Ryan O'Malley, Jadeane Sica, Chris Simonelli, Ari Taylor, Stephen Winslow and Michelle Luong
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Former Ward Seven Councillor Neal Anderson of 56 Mills Street spoke during Public Comment in favor of Paper 290-26, a CPC appropriation supporting a restoration project at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of the Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Councillor Sica, seconded by Councillor Croweto approve the Consent Agenda.The motion carried by unanimous vote.
304-26
Minutes for the meeting of May 19, 2026
The Council Minutes were approved.
305-26
Minutes for the meeting of June 2, 2026
The Council Minutes were approved.
306-26
Minutes for the meeting of June 9, 2026
The Council Minutes were approved.
307-26
Mayoral Appointment: Julius Scott of 77 Salem Street, Malden High School Class of
2028, as a student member of the Commission on Climate Action and Sustainability, said term to commence September 1, 2026 and expire May 31, 2027. (Confirmation not required)
Sponsors: Peg Crowe
Attachments: Mayor's Appointment Letter - Julius Scott
The Appointment was placed on file.
308-26
Mayoral Appointment: Ema Xhindi of 77 Salem Street, Malden High School Class of
2027, as a student member of the Commission on Climate Action and Sustainability, said term to commence September 1, 2026 and expire May 31, 2027. (Confirmation not required)
Sponsors: Peg Crowe
Attachments: Mayor's Appointment Letter - Ema Xhindi
The Appointment was placed on file.
309-26
Mayoral Appointment: Lexi Kuhs of 244 Salem Street, Apt. 16, Malden as member of
- the Cultural Council, term to expire June 1, 2029
- (Confirmation not required)
Sponsors: Peg Crowe
Attachments: Mayor's Appointment Letter - Lexi Kuhs
The Appointment was placed on file.
310-26
Mayoral Appointment: Zoe Moss of 10 Florence Street, Apt. 104, Malden as member
- of the Cultural Council, term to expire June 1, 2029
- (Confirmation not required)
Sponsors: Peg Crowe
Attachments: Mayor's Appointment Letter - Zoe Moss
The Appointment was placed on file.
311-26
Petition: Extended Hours: El Mexsal, 97 Medford Street, Malden, Hours: 7 Days, 6am- 1am (New)
The Petition was referred to the License Committee.
312-26
Petition: Livery Company: Luxury Fleet, LLC, 9 Constance Street, Malden, 1 Vehicle (New)
The Petition was referred to the License Committee.
313-26
Petition: Livery Driver: Ankush Kumar, 9 Constance Street, Malden (New)
The Petition was referred to the License Committee.
314-26
Petition: Outdoor Parking: United Properties Inc. 25 Florence Street, Malden, 34 spaces (Renewal)
The Petition was referred to the License Committee.
315-26
Petition: Outdoor Parking: United Properties Inc. 29 Madison Street, Malden, 40
spaces (Renewal)
The Petition was referred to the License Committee.
316-26
Communication: The Board of Trustees of the Pine Banks Park respectfully submits their Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Report.
Attachments: Pine Banks Park FY26 Annual Report.pdf
The Communication was received and filed.
317-26
Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden (MCC) 2.16.030 CANNABIS LICENSING AND ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION is hereby amended by striking Subsection C and inserting the following:
C. The Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission shall consist of three (3) members, as follows:
-
- Police Chief
-
- Building Commissioner
-
- City Staff member with finance background as appointed by Mayor
Sponsors: Stephen Winslow
Attachments: Current 2.16.030 Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission Ordinance
The Ordinance was referred to the Rules & Ordinance Committee.
318-26
Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden (MCC)
2.16.040 CEMETERY TRUSTEES is hereby amended by striking subsection (A) and inserting the following:
A. City cemeteries shall be under the care and management of three (3) trustees, all of whom shall be chosen by the City Council for a term of five years. Commencement of the three-member board shall take effect at such time as the current five-member board is reduced by attrition.
Sponsors: Stephen Winslow
Attachments: Current 2.16.040 Cemetery Trustees Ordinance
Final Paper: 318-26
The Ordinance was referred to the Rules & Ordinance Committee.
319-26
Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden (MCC) 2.16.090 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BOARD is hereby amended by:
- Striking Subsection A in its entirety and inserting the following:
A. The Emergency Management Board shall be comprised of the Police Chief or their designee, the Fire Chief or their designee, the Director of Public Works, the Director of Public Health, and the Director of Public Facilities.
- Adding the following to Subsection D(1):
Oversight of the Emergency Management Board shall be the responsibility of the Director of Emergency Management, who shall be designated by the Mayor from either the Police Chief or their designee or the Fire Chief or their designee.
Sponsors: Stephen Winslow
Attachments: Current 2.16.090 Emergency Management Board Ordinance
- Final Paper 319-26 2.16.090 Emergency Management Board
- Ordinance Amendment
The Ordinance was referred to the Rules & Ordinance Committee.
320-26
Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden (MCC) 4.12.020 BUILDING PERMIT FEES Subsection C is hereby amended by striking ‘$16’ and inserting ‘$18’ in its place.
Sponsors: Stephen Winslow
Attachments: Current 4.12.020 Building Permit Fees Ordinance
Final Paper: 320-26
The Ordinance was referred to the Rules & Ordinance Committee.
6. HEARINGS, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, AND REMONSTRANCES
Council will hold public hearings on National Grid petitions to install new poles and underground conduits
321-26
Petition: Massachusetts Electric Company dba National Grid and Verizon New
England, Inc. Plan No. 31120327
· National Grid to install 1 Sole Owned pole on Pearl Street beginning at a point approximately 145 feet south of the centerline of the intersection of Medford Street and Pearl Street, in front of 392 Pearl Street. National Grid to install new sole owned pole 354-50-1 for future riser pole. · National Grid to install 1 Joint Owned pole on Pearl Street beginning at a point approximately 145 feet south of the centerline of the intersection of Medford Street and Pearl Street, in front of 363 Pearl Street. National Grid to install new joint owned pole 354-50 for mid-span tap.
· National Grid to install underground facilities on Pearl Street beginning at a point approximately 20 feet north of the centerline of the intersection of Medford Street and Pearl Street, in front of 315 Medford Street, and continuing approximately 205 feet in a south direction, ending in front of 392 Pearl Street. National Grid is petitioning to install two 5-inch ducts from existing MH 605 south approximately 205 feet to a new riser pole on the east side of Pearl Street.
(Hearings Required)
Attachments: Pearl Street - New Sole Owned Pole Petition
Pearl Street - New Joint Owned Pole Petition
Pearl Street - Underground Conduit Petition
Abutters 316 Medford Street (Pearl St)
Hearing Notice Pearl Street Petitions
Zein Jumaa from National Grid was in attendance to speak on behalf of the petition. This petition was filed due to existing conduit on Pearl Street no longer being in compliance with regulations regarding clearance of water and cable lines. There is existing conduit in the area from the manhole to the pole but the conduit has to be rerouted to the other side of the street so the electric conduits are not running too close to underground water and cable lines.
Councillor O'Malley clarified with Mr. Jumaa that National Grid does not have a conflict with MWRA so much as it is the reverse and perhaps the Council should be calling in MWRA to discuss their underground needs. This is not just an MWRA concern; National Grid has their own safety standards that do not allow these lines to run too close to a water source. Mr. Jumaa explained that MWRA has a proposed project to update old water lines that cannot begin until the electric conduits are moved, which is the need for this petition.
No member of the public came to speak either in favor or opposition to this petition during the hearing.
Councillor Condon had further questions about the proposed work as outlined in the petition and requested it be tabled until he could meet with a National Grid representative on-site.
A motion was made by Councillor Condon, seconded by Councillor Simonelli, that the Petition be tabled. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
7. ENROLLED ORDINANCES
296-26
Order: Be it hereby ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden (MCC) 4.16 SIGN CONTROL is hereby amended as follows:
Sponsors: Ari Taylor and Stephen Winslow
Attachments: Final Paper: 296-26
A motion was made by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Taylor, that the Ordinance be ordained. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
322-26
Communication from Planning Board regarding Council Paper 276-26 also numbered as CCP #276/2026 Amendments of §§12.12.030 &12.32 Title 12, Code of City of Malden Use Regulations, Definition and Moratorium on Permitting of Data Centers
Attachments: CCP 276 2026 PBR 6.26 wAtt June 11 2026
A motion was made by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Taylor, that the Communication be received and filed. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
276-26
Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that Sections 12 and 32 of Title 12 of the Code of the City of Malden (MCC) are hereby amended as outlined in the body of this paper regarding Data Centers:
Sponsors: Ari Taylor
Attachments: CCP 276-26 Planning Board Report June 10 2026
Final Paper: 276-26
Councillor Winslow informed the Body that this paper has already gone through the Planning Board public hearing process and since the Rules & Ordinance Committee was part of that in a joint session with the Planning Board, there is no need to refer this paper back into committee. The recommendation is to enroll the ordinance. Gratitude was offered for City Planner Michelle Romero for swift action on this paper to button up the details needed to authorize the 12-month moratorium on data centers.
A motion was made by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Taylor, that the Ordinance be enrolled. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yea: 11 - Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow and Luong
A motion was made by Councillor Crowe, seconded by Councillor O'Malley, that the Ordinance be rules suspended for the purpose of ordaining. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yea: 11 - Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow and Luong
A motion was made by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Simonelli, that the Ordinance be ordained. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yea: 11 - Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow and Luong
323-26
Committee Report: The Standing Committee on Finance to whom was referred Papers 275, 289, and 290, Series of 2026, having considered the same make the following report:
A motion was made by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Luong, that the Committee Report be received and filed. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
275-26
Order: The Mayor will submit the Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Appropriation Orders for the Water Sewer Enterprise Fund, Community Preservation Fund, and Cable Access Fund.
Sponsors: Carey McDonald
Attachments: FY2027 Appropriation Orders for Water and Sewer, Cable Access, and Community Preservation
A motion was made by Councillor Simonelli, seconded by Councillor Luong, that the Order be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yea: 11 - Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow and Luong
289-26
Order: That the appropriation enumerated below, being in the amount of $50,000 be appropriated from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the following project: Trafton Park Project from Fund Balance to the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) and Department of Public Works (DPW) of the City of Malden.
Sponsors: Carey McDonald
Attachments: Trafton Park CPC Recommendation
Letter of Support Mayor Christenson 5 28 2025
Final Paper: 289-26
A motion was made by Councillor Winslow, seconded by Councillor Colon Hayes, that the Order be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yea: 11 - Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow and Luong
290-26
Order: That the appropriation enumerated below, being in the amount of $100,000 be appropriated from the Community Preservation Act Fund for the following project: Emmanuel Baptist Church Restoration Project from Historic Preservation Reserve to the Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Sponsors: Carey McDonald
Attachments: Emmanuel Baptist Restoration Project CPC Recommendation
Mayor Christenson Letter of Support 5 28 2025
Final Paper: 290-26
Councillor Winslow pointed out that the City has received support from the Legal Department that public grants may be offered to religious institutions for the purpose of preserving historical buildings and CPC funding is not to be used to preserve or financially support the upkeep of religious artifacts.
A motion was made by Councillor Simonelli, seconded by Councillor McDonald, that the Order be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yea: 11 - Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow and Luong
324-26
Committee Report: The Standing Committees on Economic Development and Rules and Ordinance serving in a joint session to whom was referred Paper 256 Series of 2026, having considered the same make the following report: Under the authority of Paper 256-26 to draft amendments to Title 12 of the Code of the City of Malden, the Committee presents the newly written Papers 325, 326, and 327 Series of 2026 the products of said task, to amend 12.28.010(E) NONCONFORMING USES, LOTS, BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, 12.32.060 DEFINITIONS - ZONING, and 12.12.030 USE REGULATIONS. Committee recommends these papers out favorably to the Full Council.
A motion was made by Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Winslow, that the Committee Report be received and filed. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
325-26
Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden (MCC) 12.28.010(E) NONCONFORMING USES, LOTS, BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES is hereby amended as follows:
Sponsors: Ari Taylor and Stephen Winslow
Attachments: Draft language Sec. 12.28.010.E Preexisting Nonconformity
Proposed Sec. 12.28.010 Nonconforming Uses
CCP 325-26 PB Report
CCP 325 2026 PBR 8.26 wAtt
A motion was made by Councillor Colon Hayes, seconded by Councillor Winslow, that the Ordinance be referred to a joint session of the Planning Board and Rules and Ordinance Committees. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
326-26
Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden (MCC) 12.32.060 DEFINITIONS - ZONING is hereby amended by striking the definitions for Medical Center and Licensed Message Therapy Salon in their entirety and inserting the following:
Sponsors: Ari Taylor and Stephen Winslow
Attachments: Current 12.32.060 Definitions - Zoning Ordinance
Proposed Sec. 12.32.060 Medical Center Definition
Redlined proposed amendments June 11 2026
- Sec. 12.32.060 Medical Center & Lic Massage Therapy Salon Def
- Docket Filing REV 6.11.26
- CCP 326-26 PB Report
CCP 326 2026 PBR 8.26 wAtt
A motion was made by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Simonelli, that the Ordinance be referred to a joint session of the Planning Board and Rules and Ordinance Committees. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
327-26
Be it ordained by the Malden City Council that the Code of the City of Malden (MCC) 12.12.030 USE REGULATIONS is hereby amended as follows:
Sponsors: Ari Taylor, Stephen Winslow and Ryan O'Malley
Attachments: Current 12.12.030 Use Regulations Odinance
Proposed Sec. 12.12.030 Use Table
CCP 327-26 PB Recommendation
CCP 327 2026 PBR 8.26 wAtt
A motion was made by Councillor Simonelli, seconded by Councillor Winslow, that the Ordinance be referred to a joint session of the Planning Board and Rules and Ordinance Committees. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
328-26
Order: That the City Council will vote whether to go into Executive Session with
legal counsel for the City for the purpose of Exemption Three Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A Section 21(a)(3) for the purpose of discussing Barkosky v. Malden Police Department, et al to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, as such discussion in open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the City, if so declared by the chair.
And if so allowed by the Body, to admit Special Assistant to the Mayor Maria Luise, and the Attorneys for the police officers, Joseph Padosky and Kenneth Anderson. (Roll Call Required)
Sponsors: Amanda Linehan
Attachments: Final Paper: 328-26
A motion was made by Councillor Simonelli, seconded by Councillor Luong, that the Order be adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yea: 11 - Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow and Luong
10. TABLED PAPERS
285-26
Petition: Massachusetts Electric Company dba National Grid and Verizon New
England, Inc. Plan No. 31115123 - National Grid to install 1 JO pole on Floral Avenue beginning at a point approximately 0 feet northeast of the centerline of the intersection of Floral Avenue and Gordon Street and continuing approximately 20 feet in a northeast direction. National Grid is petitioning to install new pole (P4799-84) and sidewalk guy wire fixture approximately 29 feet southeast off existing pole (P4799) on Floral Avenue Malden, MA.
(Hearing Required)
Attachments: 88 Floral Avenue Petition
Abutters 88 Floral Avenue
Hearing Notice 88 Floral Avenue
Public Hearing Comment Agenda item 285-26
11. PERSONAL PRIVILEGE
12. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councillor Simonelli, seconded by Councillor Luong, that this meeting be adjourned to Executive Session. The motion carried by the following vote:
Meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:06 PM. Council President Linehan announced that the Body would not reconvene in open session for any further business this evening.
Yea: 11 - Colon Hayes, Condon, Crowe, Linehan, McDonald, O'Malley, Sica, Simonelli, Taylor, Winslow and Luong
CAROL ANN DESIDERIO, CITY CLERK
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Maria Luise, ADA Compliance Coordinator at mluise@cityofmalden.org or 781-397-7000 Ext. 2005
For instructions on enabling live translated captions in Teams, please visit: www.cityofmalden.org/captions