Medford City Council Committee of the Whole members voted to enter executive session on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, to discuss strategy in a litigation matter identified in the agenda as involving a plaintiff named Alicia.

In a written request read into the record, Mayor Brianna Lengo Kern asked the council to "enter executive session pursuant to general law, chapter 38, section 21 A3, to discuss strategy with respect to litigation concerning Alicia versus the city of Medford." The mayor's letter also said, "Attorney Lindsay Gill from Peabody and Arnold will be present to provide the council with guidance on this matter."

The executive session notice on the agenda (item 25,109) included a statement that "votes may be taken." Vice President Collins moved to enter executive session; the motion was seconded and the clerk called the roll. The roll call recorded Councilor Callahan as absent and recorded affirmative votes from Vice President Collins, Councilor Lozaro, Councilor Lemming, Councilor Scarpelli, Councilor Singh and President Bares. The motion passed, 6–0, with one absent. As announced at the meeting, the council recessed into executive session and planned to reconvene later that evening for the regular meeting.

The council and the meeting record provided no additional public details about the nature of the litigation, the claims involved, any requested or potential monetary amounts, or timelines for resolution. The written request and the council's motion referenced only the statutory basis for executive session and the name "Alicia"; no full name for the plaintiff was given on the public agenda or in the minutes read into the record.

Attorney Lindsay Gill of Peabody and Arnold was listed in the mayor's written request as expected to attend the executive session to advise the council. The public portion of the meeting closed after the roll-call vote; the council stated it would return to open session after completing the executive session.

The council scheduled to reconvene at 7 p.m. for its regular meeting following the executive session. The public record of the meeting does not contain any additional votes or substantive discussion on this litigation in open session.