The Malden City Council on Tuesday, September 22 adopted the state local options that let the city set up a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund beginning in fiscal 2028, a general purpose stabilization fund and a special purpose stabilization fund for short-term capital needs, each by unanimous vote, and sent the ordinances that will govern them to a joint session of the Rules and Ordinance and Finance committees. Councillor Stephen Winslow said the enterprise fund answers earlier council calls, during debates over solid waste deficits, to track trash revenue and spending separately. Council President Amanda Linehan said she wants the stabilization framework followed by a debt use policy on when to bond and when to pay from existing funds.
Malden River Works
Three mayoral orders went to the Finance Committee: a $400,000 transfer from group insurance to the school department, and two orders moving money left over from the Roosevelt Park revitalization to the Malden River Works project, $1,292,045 from the 2023 appropriation and $938,174.50 from the 2023 borrowing that is no longer needed for the park. A separate $266,174.60 appropriation from the transportation network company surcharge account also went to committee.
Residential retail kitchens
The council ordained, 8 to 0 with Winslow abstaining, an ordinance allowing retail residential kitchens, the “cottage bakery” model, with an effective date of January 1, 2027 to give the Board of Health time to adopt regulations. Winslow said he supports the concept but that the health board’s rules are not yet in place. Councillor Michelle Luong, the lead sponsor, said the city can adopt the state’s cottage kitchen regulations rather than write its own.
Also at the meeting
- Two ordinances were enrolled and ordained the same night under suspension of the rules: one letting the police chief send a designee, expected to be the traffic division lieutenant, to the Transportation Commission, at Chief Gatcomb’s request, and one requiring approval from the Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission before a marijuana establishment transfers its license.
- The council ratified the Public Works Commission’s 2008 adoption of state water and sewer collection, abatement and lien provisions, which had never been properly recorded at the Registry of Deeds, and amended the water billing ordinance to say “monthly.”
- Resolutions passed unanimously calling on the state to protect and strengthen Mass Save and clean energy grants, and committing the council to work with community partners on ordinances and education for the safe use of micromobility devices.
- Extended 24-hour operation was granted to Big Daddy Doggie Daycare at 10 Maplewood Street, along with two livery companies, two livery drivers and parking lots at 235 Washington Street (72 spaces) and 54 Winter Street (22 spaces).
- Julianne King was confirmed to the Council on Aging and Arbin Timilsina to the Commission on Climate Action and Sustainability; Lisa Picardi was reappointed to the Disability Commission; Michele Ferguson’s appointment to the Planning Board went to committee.
- Representatives of the Hispanic community read a proclamation opening Hispanic Heritage Month, and Councillor Paul Condon asked for a moment of silence for Dr. John Tramondozzi, a lifelong Edgeworth resident who led the library trustees and the Historical Commission and Historical Society. Councillor Jadeane Sica was absent.
The minutes are on the city’s Agenda Center (September 22 minutes).
