Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 6 PM
Online only
This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.
What happened
3 items of legislation were taken up.
- 1 accepted
- 1 recommended to be approved
- 1 recommended to be discharged with no recommendation
Agenda 3 items
Notices from the agenda
This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Hardt at 6:01 p.m. and adjourned at 6:39 p.m. on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Davis, Wheeler, Hardt), 0 opposed. Others present: Michael Potere – Assistant City Clerk
(Posted online: 1/8/2026 at 10:45 AM)
Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Copy & paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sxsI8LHgSySta9CsiNg3Dw Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e. CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov.
Roll Call
-
1.
Approval of the Minutes of the Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting of December 10, 2025.
Roll call: 3 aye
- Lance L. DavisAye
- Ben WheelerAye
- Emily HardtAye
- 2. Public Hearing
-
2.1.
New Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Union Square Auto Sales, 39 Webster Avenue, 20 vehicles outside, Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat: 8am-2pm, Sun: closed.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs24 Chair Hardt opened the public hearing at 6:03 p.m.\par Attorney Adam Dash, representing the applicant, stated that this location was previously a used car dealership, and that this application is for the new owner of that location, who intends to operate the business under the same floor plan and model, with only the name of the business changing. Attorney Dash stated that the applicant owns and operates another used car dealership in Somerville, and Chair Hardt asked the applicant, Chris Svigo, if they have had any issues with that business, and the applicant stated they have not. Councilor Davis asked for the name of the applicant\rquote s other business, who replied that it is Assembly Square Auto Sales on Mystic Avenue.\par There being no other speakers, Chair Hardt closed the public hearing at 6:11 p.m.\cf1\f1\par }
Roll call: 3 aye
- Lance L. DavisAye
- Ben WheelerAye
- Emily HardtAye
-
3.
Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 38 feet of conduit in Warwick Street, from Utility Pole 357/3 to a point of pickup at 16 Warwick Street.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs24 Chair Hardt stated that this application was kept in Committee due to concerns raised by an abutter to the proposed location, specifically that the location appeared to have existing conduit and that they did not understand why an additional unit is necessary. Chair Hardt sponsored Hannah Cooper, representing Eversource, to speak, who stated that there are two risers on that pole, one that is the primary line for the transformer, and a second that is there as a backup in case anything should happen to the primary unit, and that therefore both of these risers are currently in use, justifying this application. Councilor Davis noted that the pole being discussed is located at 17 Warwick Street, and that a view of the pole from August of 2024 does not appear to include any transformers, and Eversource Representative Cooper replied that the diagram in the submitted plans is the most accurate representation of the proposed construction. Councilor Davis asked for clarification that all the equipment on the pole is necessary, which Eversource Representative Cooper confirmed, and added that this application is for an underground conduit, which will begin on the pole as stated and run across the street. \par Councilor Davis stated that, based on the image from 2024, the pole itself seems to have significant clutter, and Eversource Representative Cooper replied that some of that clutter may have been installed by another company. Councilor Davis recommended that the approval of this application be conditioned on the applicant also cleaning up the other wires on the pole during construction. Councilor Wheeler suggested that a condition be added that the applicant clean up the rest of the equipment on the pole, and Eversource Representative Cooper replied that this request could be raised with their engineering department. Councilor Wheeler stated that an additional conversation with the abutter could be had before this is recommended for approval, and Chair Hardt added that this construction is not planned until April 2026, so a delay would not adversely impact the applicant, which Eversource Representative Cooper confirmed.\par Councilor Davis stated that this application could be returned to the full City Council without a recommendation and could be further discussed during the City Council meeting. \cf1\f1\par }
Roll call: 3 aye
- Lance L. DavisAye
- Ben WheelerAye
- Emily HardtAye