Medford council votes 6-1 to back challenge to mayor's lawsuit stance
Medford council splits 6-1 to challenge mayor over unenforced investment law, finalizes Boston Avenue rezoning.
City Council · Meeting of September 15, 2026
Medford council splits 6-1 to challenge mayor over unenforced investment law, finalizes Boston Avenue rezoning. Council President Zach Bears said the city has spent more than $35,000 defending a values-based investment ordinance while the mayor's office told a federal court it would not enforce it, calling that stance an attempt to "nullify" council-passed law. State Sen.
Pat Jehlen warned the case could set a statewide precedent for "absolute executive authority with no recourse for the city council." Councilor George Scarpelli cast the lone no vote. Separately, councilors voted 7-0 to formally ordain the Boston Avenue Neighborhood Corridor District zoning after reversing an earlier 3-4 defeat to allow purpose-built student housing "by right" in one subdistrict, following a 6-1 vote to reconsider. The council also voted unanimously to demand the release of Medford resident Vijay De Souza from ICE detention and approved an $8,500 grant to Trees Medford for a Berry Park planting project.
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Source: the City Council meeting of September 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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