The Malden City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, September 8 for a resolution calling for a complete review of the police department’s Flock Safety license plate camera program, covering every contract, amendment, renewal, purchase order, policy and data-sharing agreement, to be presented by the city solicitor, the police chief, the Police Community Advisory Council and the controller’s office at a televised Committee of the Whole meeting.
Councillor Karen Colon Hayes, who sponsored the resolution with Councillor Ryan O’Malley, said residents’ concerns centered on security and privacy, who can access the video and how long records are kept. Police Chief Marc Gatcomb spoke during public comment, and written comments were read into the record. Councillor Carey McDonald noted that the Community Advisory Council held a public meeting on the cameras in February and asked the clerk to attach the department’s Flock FAQ and its list of agencies with which Malden shares data.
Inclusionary zoning
Council President Amanda Linehan took up first a rewrite of the inclusionary zoning ordinance sponsored by Councillor Stephen Winslow, presented by Alex Pratt, director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development. Malden adopted inclusionary zoning in 2021, requiring 15 percent of units in buildings of more than eight to be affordable. A feasibility study by RKG this spring found the policy “significantly prevents new housing from being built,” according to the minutes. The proposal would drop the requirement to 10 percent, raise the rental affordability threshold from 50 to 60 percent of area median income, adjust density bonuses and lower parking mandates. After what the minutes call “spirited debate with several differing points of view,” the council sent it to the Rules and Ordinance Committee.
The rest of the zoning package
- A rewrite of the use table for residential office, business and industrial districts, meant to allow more uses by right because “the special permit process is a deterrent to businesses,” went back to committee after the Planning Board recommended disapproving parts of it, mainly on restaurants, and creating a site plan review committee for hotels, supermarkets and restaurants.
- An ordinance letting pre-existing nonconforming businesses expand by special permit went back to committee after Winslow raised storage facilities as an example of expansion that needs guardrails and a slide was found to differ from the paper’s wording.
- New definitions for medical centers and licensed massage therapy salons were enrolled and ordained the same night, 10 to 0.
- The retail residential kitchen ordinance, the “cottage bakery” measure sponsored by Councillor Michelle Luong, was enrolled 11 to 0 with an effective date of January 1, 2027 so the Board of Health can write regulations. Winslow’s motion to table it died for lack of a second; he said Inspectional Services has one inspector doing 500 inspections a year. The Planning Board asked that it start as a pilot with no customer pickups at homes. The council ordained it on September 22.
Also at the meeting
- Mayoral appointments went to the Personnel and Appointments Committee for Julianne King (Council on Aging), Arbin Timilsina (Climate Action and Sustainability), Karen Buck (Public Works Commission) and Heather Barry, Ben Gately, Jonathan Sullivan, Julie Turner and Jane Ventrone (Parks and Recreation Commission). Emery Haskell was placed on file as veterans coordinator, Marianna Neville as inspector of animals, and Barbara Kim and Nurus Chowdhury on the Transportation Commission.
- A 24-hour license request from Big Daddy Doggie Daycare, two livery companies and two parking lot petitions went to the License Committee.
- Moments of silence were held for Bob Doolittle of Friends of Fellsmere Heights, Peggy M. (Harris) Logan and Yogi Howse of Ward 6, and, on Councillor Jadeane Sica’s request, for the 25th anniversary of September 11. All 11 councillors were present.
The minutes are on the city’s Agenda Center (September 8 minutes).
