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Council roundup: tree ordinance referral, turf ordainment, 911 grant, and support for Question 2
Summary
At its Oct. 15 meeting the Everett City Council ordained a turf ordinance restricting toxic artificial turf, accepted a $206,970 911 training grant, referred a tree ordinance back for technical edits, passed a resolution supporting Question 2 (replace MCAS diploma requirement), and directed multiple referrals to departments including National Grid conditions and former high‑school lease records.
The Everett City Council handled an array of administrative and policy items during the Oct. 15 meeting, approving some measures, sending others back to committee and requesting multiple written responses from the administration.
Major outcomes: - Turf ordinance ordained: The council voted to ordain an ordinance that requires playing fields to endeavor to use environmentally sustainable organic grass and bars "toxic" artificial turf materials except in special circumstances. The ordinance passed in roll call. - 911 grant accepted: Council approved acceptance of a $206,970 grant from the Massachusetts 911 Department to support enhanced telecommunicator training and staffing at Everett Emergency Communications. - Tree ordinance referred: The council referred a proposed tree ordinance back to the Committee on Legislative Affairs so the tree warden can provide technical clarifications and confirm language. - Multiple administrative referrals: The council asked National Grid to accept written conditions from the City Engineer and to provide information on any business‑loss compensation program tied to extended construction; the engineering division will also be asked about creating punch lists and inspection protocols for construction sites before payments are released. The council requested lease and operating agreements tied to the former Everett High School and an update on plans for the Pope John property. - Question 2 resolution: Council adopted a resolution supporting passage of Question 2 on the November ballot, which would remove MCAS as a universal high‑school graduation requirement and replace it with district certification that students have demonstrated mastery through coursework and educator‑led assessments. The resolution passed 9–1.
Councilors framed these actions as routine oversight and policy refinement; several members asked for written reports at upcoming October meetings, and the clerk was directed to transmit requests to the administration and relevant departments.
