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Legislative Matters Committee

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 6 PM

Online only

This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.

▶ Watch video Agenda PDF Minutes PDF View on Legistar

What happened

13 items of legislation were taken up.

  • 6 recommended to be approved
  • 3 accepted
  • 3 recommended to be placed on file
  • 1 recommended to be approved as amended

Agenda 13 items

Notices from the agenda

This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Scott at 6:00 pm and adjourned at 6:31 pm on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Ewen-Campen, Strezo, Scott), 0 opposed, and 2 absent (Councilors Davis, Mbah). Others present: Brendan Salisbury - Legislative and Policy Analyst, Sean Sheehan - Police Captain, Madalyn Letellier - Assistant City Clerk, Legislative Services.

(Posted online: 2/11/26 at 7:30 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_TTjS_X1ASnmQmNBV6RPFFQ 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. 1.
    24-0649 Committee Minutes Accepted

    Approval of the Minutes of the Rules Special Committee Meeting of May 6, 2024.

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  2. 2.
    25-0518 Committee Minutes Accepted

    Approval of the Minutes of the Charter Review Special Committee of the Whole Meeting of March 18, 2025.

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  3. 3.
    25-1856 Committee Minutes Accepted

    Approval of the Minutes of the Legislative Matters Committee Meeting of December 2, 2025.

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  4. 4.
    26-0044 Officer's Communication Recommended to be approved

    City Clerk submitting an amendment to Chapter 2, Article V, Division 1 of the Code of Ordinances to add a review of multiple-member bodies, pursuant to the requirements of the City Charter.

    {\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\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Legislative & Policy Analyst Salisbury outlined that this ordinance is required by Charter and noted the slight differences in inclusion of specific dates for convening of the committee and a deadline for the submission of the report.\par Chair Scott asked about what happened to the Wage Theft Ordinance. Analyst Salisbury stated that a continuation of government is in effect so any ordinance that is on the books is still valid.\f1\par }

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  5. 5.
    26-0043 Officer's Communication Recommended to be approved as amended

    City Clerk submitting an amendment to Section 10-20 of the Code of Ordinances to align the constable appointment process with the provisions of the revised City Charter.

    {\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\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Legislative & Policy Analyst Salisbury recommended that an amendment be made to strike the entire section. Further review of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) makes it explicitly clear the City Council does not have authority in the appointing process of constables. Further explanation clarified that without the acceptance of the MGL the City Council does not have the ability to appoint constables and it should be put in the Administrative Code. Councilor Ewen-Campen clarified following the acceptance of the MGL the City Council would still have a role in removal of a constable should there be a need.\par \ul\b Chair Scott moved to amend the item by striking the entirety of Section 10-20. The motion was approved on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Ewen-Campen, Strezo, Scott), 0 opposed, 2 absent (Davis, Mbah).\par \pard\ulnone\b0\f1\par }

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  6. 6.
    26-0042 Officer's Communication Recommended to be approved

    City Clerk requesting acceptance of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, Section 91, relating to the appointment and removal of constables.

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  7. 7.
    26-0127 Officer's Communication Recommended to be approved

    City Clerk submitting an amendment to the Rules of the City Council to align with the provisions of the City Charter.

    {\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\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx720\cf1\f0\fs24 Legislative & Policy Analyst Salisbury stated this process was largely undefined and the new charter has established that a group petition requires a hearing within three months. It also defines that a hearing on the same topic cannot be heard within twelve months. This clarifies that the clock starts from twelve months from when the item was submitted.\f1\par }

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  8. 8.
    26-0094 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

    Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Ball Cameras.

    {\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\nowidctlpar\sl-328\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Items #26-0093, #2-0092, #25-1605, #25-1604, and #25-1603 were taken up together.\par Captain Sheehan was present to review the re-submittal of the items following suggestions that were given at the previous Legislative Matters meeting from Councilor Davis. Councilor Ewen-Campen spoke to the process these reports go through before approval. The Council cannot amend the documents specifically, but requests can be made and staff can resubmit them based off the changes requested. Councilor Ewen-Campen highlighted that the main point is that anything that has a surveillance aspect is not overly broad and does not impinge on the rights of individuals. Specific improvements and clarifications were requested on how they work and their regulations. Councilor Scott sponsored Councilor Ben Wheeler to speak, who commented on the lack of information around costs and inconsistency in the reports.\par \pard\f1\par }

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  9. 9.
    26-0093 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

    Requesting approval of Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Thermal Imaging Monoculars.

    {\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\nowidctlpar\sl-328\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was taken up with item #26-0094.\par \pard\f1\par }

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  10. 10.
    26-0092 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

    Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Under Door Cameras.

    {\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\nowidctlpar\sl-328\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was taken up with item #26-0094.\par \pard\f1\par }

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  11. 11.
    25-1605 Mayor's Request Recommended to be placed on file

    Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Ball Cameras.

    {\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\nowidctlpar\sl-328\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was taken up with item #26-0094.\par \pard\f1\par }

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  12. 12.
    25-1604 Mayor's Request Recommended to be placed on file

    Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Thermal Imaging Monoculars.

    {\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\nowidctlpar\sl-328\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was taken up with item #26-0094.\par \pard\f1\par }

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye
  13. 13.
    25-1603 Mayor's Request Recommended to be placed on file

    Requesting approval of the Surveillance Technology Impact Report for Under Door Cameras.

    {\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\nowidctlpar\sl-328\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was taken up with item #26-0094.\par \pard\f1\par }

    Roll call: 3 aye · 2 absent
    • Lance L. DavisAbsent
    • Wilfred N. MbahAbsent
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Kristen StrezoAye
    • Jefferson Thomas (J.T.) ScottAye