[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6330360,"mediaKeyId","2314546-a270f7f7ff26da94339f61fa64a036e5","parentId",2314546,"title","Council schedules Feb. 25 committee meeting to discuss expanded recreation programs for people with disabilities","audioSeconds",126,"startMs",2682000,"endMs",2808000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2314546-a270f7f7ff26da94339f61fa64a036e5&start=2682&end=2808","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2314546-a270f7f7ff26da94339f61fa64a036e5/thumbnail_2682000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6330360/Medford-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-schedules-Feb-25-committee-meeting-to-discuss-expanded-recreation-programs-for-people-with-disabilities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330360-f4f15a622326a3d88c0cbdeba42064d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776386070&Signature=lzp588Q4m08WJRTjtooOjtZ-xn0Y5EFJt71AIIL0EnJ7L002YeG3HO26VdXfClaS2fMPa2Qk6aZm7d-bPNulUyuKXhfQeYUYhyVMnpqUjywWkThzg-rpJRBfnS2h2BBd45FqbhFGG~sBwfignAKRGPwrP4oT3gTYexjaaFRaIOgmgZVRw3mKVKjBmVaIJ6DH0YKUxhoq4IRnl1nbmJVVY-fXCPTdPQG0GYSCQokKsBcmlfxt6UyV5A2VAs4hG3n1a2Tcpw4HAgozkiciS5eghQlQd5IkHtdAgQ74bku~KDzLCGeLAzcM2Upv1X~xnP4tPGbt6~tIjvrtAqKBMFLksQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Medford City, MA","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Medford City Council voted Feb. 11 to schedule a meeting of the Committee on Education and Culture for Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers to discuss recreation department needs and pilot programs for people with disabilities.

Councilor Scarpelli introduced the measure after meeting with parents and directors from Medford, Malden and Somerville about a collaborative pilot to expand recreational programming for disabled youth and adults. Councilors said parents have advocated for these programs for years and seek clarity on program design, times, ages served and whether activities will be sports-based or include other formats.

Councilor Lemming said the goal is to align Medford Recreation with parents and neighboring communities to ensure programs meet local needs; Councilor Levy described the persistent advocacy by parents and urged the committee to produce concrete next steps. Councilors expressed a target of launching some programs by April 1 if the committee and recreation department can finalize plans during the budget and implementation process.

On the motion to schedule the Feb. 25 committee meeting, the council voted in favor; the motion passed as read. Councilors said the committee will meet with parents and department staff to gather information and consider forming a standing committee that includes parent representatives to guide program design and budget requests.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Medford City Council 02/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","The council referred a proposal to the Committee on Education and Culture to meet Feb. 25 to review the recreation department's needs and a pilot program for disabled youth and adults in coordination with neighboring cities.","taxTitle","Medford City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",5091,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6330365,"Council continues Salem Street zoning hearing after residents criticize outreach; motion to delay fails",1477,2339000,3816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2314546-a270f7f7ff26da94339f61fa64a036e5&start=2339&end=3816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2314546-a270f7f7ff26da94339f61fa64a036e5/thumbnail_2339000.jpg","/articles/6330365/Medford-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-continues-Salem-Street-zoning-hearing-after-residents-criticize-outreach-motion-to-delay-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330365-897ee12aa1ac4ded18e2823b0804fb83/orig.mp4?Expires=1776386070&Signature=Wo2947WTkNf1O0IwehYDu2gGaAJzBvCqUzuPdwA1aLsUsAlYQwQXcYIb7hPKQadERl4ClsH5VxmdqQgTrvVuraNedlju0BJqJs7YEW2pO1GSMC0GGaR2a92P9b9xwEN~EOUsRtIUl4QCJiQw~m-AADDJ4No7bjVjlUSkECCTI8yED6lO6gpoallOGKHKKNN-aFuP2o9nGIgIQl52fmooSxuDr-dsh04LdsLW28y976gWaG9gwaoqhrWueqxqUW-tID1pNYl3Zf9Q7z-Ex2nPSYrUrTf9GcYCSwvk4x56vI4E7pQLcr8i1hF3-zs0iMs1n9~ypiT~rX0ZLVmggXtgxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Medford City Council continued a public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapter 94 (Salem Street neighborhood corridor district) to its March 11 meeting after a lengthy public question-and-answer session, but a formal motion to delay the zoning process for more neighborhood meetings failed for lack of a second.

Councilor Collins moved to continue the hearing to March 11; the council approved the continuance by roll call (Councilor Callahan, Vice President Collins, Councilor Lozaro, Councilor Lemming, Councilor Scarpelli, Councilor Singh and President Bares all recorded “Yes” when the clerk called the roll). The Community Development Board is scheduled to meet on March 5; councilors said they expect CDB recommendations to inform council action on March 11.

The meeting included extended public comment and criticism of the city’s outreach. Speakers including Cheryl Rodriguez and Zachary Chertok said neighbors frequently did not receive notice of meetings and described standard presentation materials as insufficiently detailed for residents to understand rezoning impacts. Several residents urged the council to pause the Salem Street work and return to more neighborhood-centered meetings.

Councilor Scarpelli offered a B paper motion to delay the Salem Street project until additional neighborhood meetings were held; the motion received no second and therefore failed. Councilors who support continuing the process said they are expanding outreach: staff and the zoning consultant Innis Associates will produce simpler summaries, bullet points, diagrams and short explainer videos for each zoning topic, increase Q&A sessions and post clearer FAQs on the zoning web pages.

Councilors noted the consultant’s contract sets a timeline for completing the project and that consultants are limited in available hours; several said they would support continuing the public hearing beyond March 11 if the Community Development Board requests more time. The council also received and placed on file planning and permitting committee reports and agreed to continue the zoning public hearing rather than voting on the amendments at this meeting.","After an extended public Q&A and critical public testimony about outreach, the Medford City Council continued a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Salem Street neighborhood corridor zoning to March 11; a councilor’s motion to postpone the process for additional neighborhood meetings failed for lack of a second.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6330370,"Medford council mourns Professor Dan Dill, residents press state agency for crosswalk safety",1290,621000,1911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2314546-a270f7f7ff26da94339f61fa64a036e5&start=621&end=1911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2314546-a270f7f7ff26da94339f61fa64a036e5/thumbnail_621000.jpg","/articles/6330370/Medford-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Medford-council-mourns-Professor-Dan-Dill-residents-press-state-agency-for-crosswalk-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330370-85170f9a616cc1f4b5142f6f02a5c6f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776386070&Signature=fHRnn4-0E5BCYu2QLg3fU~wtfsE5iNsszjNx7p5sfVXbtYc8tkEMkhhK3swdWFnq9l8OePEbVeiosFSvYQsn3VVFO~hiYqXowsp4XsDCh~5JARkywGA3qMLzmnG0O3rl-MSYsqrQZ1ytxLQooN4YhSWzKVIGqyuVOp2ofqMG9cBOquLfflzTVs2Cky5xdUZ~CqCphWKRiZcWWxEmLjRX1IYbVg8p-rvF7MTCKcbMmxsjNkd~xIkedmyozZuTlGg29PuvRfmrl9vfdYUXoMn-WDFbqlv~d97DAHvPKbiMLk118sTWbwnLEerZiEF9RTuRvGMhuIhuD8HtHOYdoqSbXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Medford City Council on Feb. 11 adopted a resolution remembering Professor Dan Dill and agreed to work with the state and local partners on safety changes at the crosswalk where he was struck.

Professor Dan Dill, a Boston University chemistry professor and local photographer, was struck by a car while crossing Mystic Valley Parkway on Dec. 4, 2024, and died of his injuries on Jan. 11, 2025, the council said. The resolution expresses condolences to his family and asks the city to work with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the city’s state delegation to seek safety improvements at the site, which is under DCR control.

Neighbors who live along Mystic Valley Parkway urged the council to press for measures including an elevated crosswalk, additional speed warning signs, rotary striping, and increased enforcement by state police. Allison Leach, a neighbor who lives at 1522 Mystic Valley Parkway, said Dill and his dog walked at the crosswalk daily and called the death “senseless and truly avoidable.” Martha Andres, another nearby resident, told the council she had lobbied for repairs for years and would continue organizing with neighbors.

Councilors described the limits of municipal authority over state-controlled roads. Councilor Lazaro said the state Department of Conservation and Recreation manages the roadway and budget constraints can slow changes; she reported that the city’s state representative, Brendan Garballey (as referenced in the meeting), had met with DCR earlier the same day and said talks were making progress. Councilor Callahan and Vice President Collins urged referring the safety requests to the appropriate committee and coordinating with the Medford and state police on enforcement.

The council passed the remembrance and accompanying language directing engagement with DCR and the state delegation; the transcript records the motion passing. Residents told the council their petition delivered more than 70 signatures asking for improvements. Councilors suggested next steps: meet with DCR and the state delegation, consider elevated crosswalks and flashing signage, and convene a meeting with Medford police and state police to clarify enforcement responsibilities on state roads.

Councilors thanked neighbors for organizing and expressed condolences to Dill’s family. Neighbors said the dog that was with Dill at the time of the crash is expected to recover.","The council adopted a resolution remembering Professor Dan Dill, who died after being struck in a crosswalk, and members committed to work with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the state delegation on pedestrian-safety improvements requested by neighbors.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6330373,"Medford City Council proclaims February Black History Month",270,49000,319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2314546-a270f7f7ff26da94339f61fa64a036e5&start=49&end=319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2314546-a270f7f7ff26da94339f61fa64a036e5/thumbnail_49000.jpg","/articles/6330373/Medford-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Medford-City-Council-proclaims-February-Black-History-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330373-67abfaa7441f0aecd3bd310ed876e05a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776386070&Signature=XoUUr6kJCundgXSttg02uQfdRUnFqbXdmGHLAjT1vLe9OZvw6KnmLKGGd8v8sxErdy6X1UipP8C63vNFmnlARvdj56JJbdksc~8xCEQKevhlU2tJkZdPYEXdxYi3v0DlBLrfzcNNdjv6rw16niB67osL3dZXiQEe~9p3NRVhrTFILirIoMk5WMpIKR76kbK-pwEU2DoHLSmPnJ1eyHbNKjnv1XbLjrd3crb-W1QXnhNAypB-tTSSgmVUchZ-efYXrTHN-Ro06ikrdhnR~lRunZnEYgdCAVj1MHTzaizA7KwwOWdppqlzAfTRzYymCTbCuTenLBMTdekU-8UB2z1QUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Medford City Council on Feb. 11 adopted a resolution acknowledging and celebrating Black History Month.

The resolution, offered by Councilor Lazaro, Councilor Sang and Council President Bares, passed by voice vote. Councilor Lazaro read excerpts of emails she received honoring the month, including a passage attributed to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and history notes from Frances Nwaje, Medford’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

The measure recognizes the role of teaching Black American history and cites the origins of Black History Month in the work of historian Carter G. Woodson and subsequent national adoption in the 1970s. Councilors emphasized local ties: several noted Medford’s historic Black community in West Medford and local institutions such as the West Medford Community Center.

Councilor Sang said the city has a long Black history that extends to the city’s founding and cited Belinda Sutton as an early example of local legal action seeking reparations. Frances Nwaje’s email, read aloud by Lazaro, traced the observance from Woodson’s 1926 History Week through broader observance in the 1970s.

The council also invited residents to a Black History Month event on Feb. 17 focused on African Americans and labor, to be held in the council chambers in partnership with the West Medford Community Center. Councilors encouraged continued attention to diversity, equity and inclusion in city policymaking and thanked Nwaje’s office for staff outreach to city employees.","The Medford City Council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing Black History Month and heard remarks from councilors and the city’s diversity director about the observance’s history and local events.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council schedules Feb. 25 committee meeting to discuss expanded recreation programs for people with disabilities

Council continues Salem Street zoning hearing after residents criticize outreach; motion to delay fails

Medford council mourns Professor Dan Dill, residents press state agency for crosswalk safety

Medford City Council proclaims February Black History Month