Audio Version

Meeting Minutes: Licenses and Permits Committee

Governing Body: Somerville City Council, Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting Type: Remote Participation Committee Meeting Meeting Date: June 25, 2025 Attendees: * Chair Willie Burnley * Councilor Lance Davis * Councilor Naima Sait (referred to as Pineda-Newfeld in transcript) * Jackie Duffy (Eversource) * Jason Wright (Eversource) * Angela Holm-Barson (Comcast) * Ellen Cummings (Verizon) * Michael Pottier (Licensing Operations Manager) * Director Tarni (Economic Development)

Executive Summary: The Licenses and Permits Committee convened to approve previous meeting minutes, conduct public hearings for two license applications, and discuss two ongoing agenda items. The committee recommended approval for a flammables license at 20 Steppes and Amman Street and a new garage license for 599 Somerville Ventures, LLC. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the progress on double pole removals across the city with representatives from Eversource, Comcast, and Verizon, and the committee decided to keep this item in committee for future follow-up. The Director of Economic Development provided an update on outreach efforts for the closed captioning ordinance, highlighting challenges related to business owner anxieties and the department's role.

1. Approval of Minutes of the License and Permits Committee Meeting of February 26, 2025

• Discussion: The Clerk read the agenda item for the approval of the minutes from the February 26, 2025, Licenses and Permits Committee meeting.
• Vote:
  • Councilor Davis: Yes
  • Councilor Sait: Yes
  • Chair Burnley: Aye
• Outcome: The minutes were approved (3 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions).

2.1. Flammables License Application: 20 Steppes and Amman Street (ID 25-0500)

• Applicant: POA Preservation of Affordable Housing (Owner of new Clarendon Hill redevelopment)
  • John Springfield (POA)
  • Tim Sinan (Icon Architecture)
  • Nathan Dahlke (Tierney Development Services, OPM for POA)
• Request: Flammables license for 1,000 gallons.
• Purpose: For gasoline in cars parked in the structured parking garage of the new Clarendon Hill redevelopment, accommodating approximately 50 cars on the first level.
• Discussion:
  • Councilor Davis clarified that the 1,000 gallons of flammables refers to gasoline in parked cars.
  • The applicant confirmed no changes to the garage plans since the CPA-approved site plan.
• Public Comment: No members of the public wished to comment.
• Motion: To recommend approval of the flammables license.
• Vote:
  • Councilor Davis: Yes
  • Councilor Sait: Yes
  • Chair Burnley: Aye
• Outcome: The agenda item was recommended for approval (3 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions).
• Note: Applicants were reminded that the license is not active until the full council votes on it and it is in hand.

2.2. New Garage License: 599 Somerville Ventures, LLC, 599 Somerville Avenue (ID 25-1006)

• Applicant: 599 Somerville Ventures, LLC (Rafi Properties)
  • Lee Thomas (OPM for Rafi Properties)
  • John Bailey (Operations for Rafi Properties)
• Request: New garage license for 33 vehicles inside, 0 vehicles outside.
• Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
• Location: New lab building across from the Plaza at Forge on 5 and 9 Somerville Avenue.
• Discussion:
  • Councilor Davis confirmed this garage is separate from other proposed buildings under current zoning change discussions.
  • Applicants confirmed the garage is underground.
  • Alternative Transportation Facilities:
    • New bus stop added outside.
    • Bicycle parking for approximately 30 bikes in the basement.
    • EV charging parking spots.
    • Involvement in redoing the sidewalk-level bike lanes and creating a public parklet in front of the building.
  • Councilor Davis inquired if motor vehicle traffic from this building was factored into traffic studies for larger proposed projects down the street. The applicant stated this building had its own separate mobility management plan and traffic study. The applicant was unsure if future estimates for the larger project considered this building's completion but offered to follow up.
• Public Comment: No members of the public wished to comment.
• Motion: To recommend approval of the new garage license.
• Vote:
  • Councilor Davis: Yes
  • Councilor Sait: Yes
  • Chair Burnley: Aye
• Outcome: The agenda item was recommended for approval (3 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions).
• Note: Applicants were reminded that the license is not active until it is in hand.

3. Discussion on Transfers, Pole Removals, and Other Overhead Service (ID 24-1777)

• Origin: Item brought forward by Councilor Scott to address the long-standing issue of double poles in the city.
• Attendees:
  • Jackie Duffy (Eversource)
  • Jason Wright (Eversource)
  • Angela Holm-Barson (Comcast)
  • Ellen Cummings (Verizon)
• Discussion:
  • Definition of "Engines": Jason Wright (Eversource) explained "Engines" as the National Joint Utility Notification System, an online tool where utilities submit "tickets" for double pole surveys. Eversource enters these tickets, and once their primary and secondary lines are transferred, the "next to go" utility (e.g., Comcast, Astound, Verizon) is notified to move their attachments. The goal is to work from top to bottom, with Eversource removing the old pole once it's "naked."
  • Progress on Double Poles:
    • Jason Wright estimated that approximately a dozen poles have been removed since the last discussion.
    • Currently, there are about six pending transfers (Eversource has moved, waiting for others) and seven to ten pole removals (poles ready to be pulled).
    • The time from a pole being on the "next to go" list to full removal can vary from months to years.
  • List of Double Poles:
    • Ellen Cummings (Verizon) provided a current list of double poles pulled from Engines that morning, indicating approximately 110 double poles in the city.
    • She clarified that "next to go" indicates which entity is responsible for the next action.
    • "NPSL" (Non-Participating) indicates entities not registered with Engines or untagged cables, which require investigation to identify the owner.
  • Collaboration: All utility representatives emphasized ongoing collaboration with the city and other utilities to address double poles, especially for priority poles (e.g., busy intersections, safety hazards).
  • Future Reporting: Councilor Davis suggested a periodic report (e.g., semi-annually) to the Council detailing progress on double pole removals, including a list of completed removals and a glossary of acronyms used in the Engines system. This would enhance transparency and demonstrate progress to the public.
  • Committee Decision: The committee decided to keep this item in committee for future follow-up, likely at the end of the year or beginning of next year, with the expectation of receiving updated information and a glossary of terms.
• Outcome: Item kept in committee.

4. Update on Closed Captioning Ordinance Outreach (ID 24-0107)

• Origin: Item by Councilor Burnley, Jr., requesting an update from the Director of Economic Development on efforts to inform businesses about the closed captioning ordinance.
• Speaker: Director Tarni (Economic Development)
• Discussion:
  • Limited Outreach: The Economic Development Department has done limited outreach on the ordinance. Licensing staff sent information to licensed restaurants about the change.
  • Departmental Role: Director Tarni explained that the Economic Development Department's role is to provide "carrots" (resources, support) rather than "sticks" (enforcement). They are not the enforcement agent for this ordinance.
  • Challenges:
    • Business Community Anxiety: Small businesses are currently experiencing significant anxiety due to various regulations and, specifically, fear of immigration enforcement. City staff showing up can be perceived as enforcement, potentially eroding trust.
    • Mental Bandwidth: Business owners lack the "mental bandwidth" to be receptive to new regulations that are not top-of-mind priorities.
    • Relationship Preservation: The department prioritizes maintaining trusted relationships with business owners, many of whom have televisions for personal use, not solely customer viewing.
  • Proposed Approach: The department plans to work on a case-by-case basis as requested, assisting businesses with turning on closed captioning if a complaint is received (e.g., from the Commission for Persons with Disabilities).
  • Commission for Persons with Disabilities: Director Tarni confirmed no recent conversations with the Commission for Persons with Disabilities regarding the ordinance since its drafting. Chair Burnley suggested reaching out to the Commission for their thoughts on outreach and community needs.
  • Licensing Commission's Role: Michael Pottier (Licensing Operations Manager) stated that the Licensing Commission sent an email to all licensees on December 28, 2023, before the ordinance took effect. New licensees are expected to familiarize themselves with local laws. The Licensing Commission website has forms for complaints, but no complaints have been filed regarding this ordinance since 2023.
  • Ordinance Intent: Councilor Davis and Chair Burnley reiterated that the ordinance is a "soft touch," requiring businesses to simply turn on closed captioning if their television has the capability. It was designed for inclusion, not heavy-handed enforcement.
  • Future Outreach: Chair Burnley acknowledged the delicate balance and suggested exploring ways to inform the public and businesses collaboratively, without creating undue anxiety or appearing overly scrutinizing.
• Outcome: Item marked as work complete.

Adjournment

• Motion: Councilor Sait moved to adjourn the meeting.
• Vote:
  • Councilor Davis: Yes
  • Councilor Sait: Yes
  • Chair Burnley: Aye
• Outcome: The meeting was adjourned (3 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions).