From Left to Right: Councillors Crowe, Matheson, and Condon, of Wards 1, 3, and 2 respectively. Photo taken by Sidney Rodriguez.
Recently on December 19th, 2017, Malden’s City Council came together to discuss and agree on policies. In attendance was Councilor Ryan O’Malley from ward 4, Councilor Neal Anderson from ward 7, Councilor John P. Matheson of Ward 3, Council President and Ward 1 councilor Peg Crowe, Councilor Paul Condon from ward 2, Councilor at Large Debbie DeMaria, Councilor at Large David D’Arcangelo, Councilor Barbara Murphy of ward 5, and Councilor David Camell of ward 6.
Councilor Demaria thoughts:
“Last week we had a thorough discussion on the housing production plan. We had a wonderful group of people, we had an opportunity to ask questions…As we begin to get together to work with MACP on a housing plan [and] as we move the city forward, we continue to involve smart growth in our community and involve our residents with their concerns and suggestions. I motion to accept this resolve”.
Councilor Murphy thoughts:
“I want to make sure when it was started, when we spoke about this previously, the housing production plan reflects the means and the wants on the citizens of Malden and it is not a document that is based on MACP belief growth of what Malden should be, that’s number one. Number two, I believe that during the discussion the man that spoke with us from MAPC the 1.5 land use will be included in this document. This resolve does not include that. I think it needs to. I know that is something that is dear to Councillor Matheson’s heart. Also, the third thing is as we spoke in the previous meeting we completed a moratorium study. There is 81 pages of data that was taken from public hearings and public forums, 2,000 of our residents responded and I wanted to make sure that data is not overlooked. It was done by a professional group that was brought by the MACP…[we] want to make sure that data is not lost. ”
Councilor Matheson thoughts:
“We did a monitor study at some of the expenses to the city and we engaged in an outside vendor to do it… It’s also my understanding that the cost of the housing production plan could be affected by an benefits that we cleaned from the prior study. They indicated last week that plan could cost upwards to $50,000. Also, on the docs that evening was my pursuit of the 1.5 percent area safety harbor under the 40b, for too long the developer of different sorts have used 40b to intimidate people into accepting zoning changes of greater density than they want…There are two safe harbors representatives of MACP that say they would give 1.5 percent free of charge land to the city. So, I would like for that to happen”
Councilor Matheson motion to amend the 1.5 land area of safety harbor, second by Councilor Murphy, and by Council Anderson was resolved
Reconsideration of the Mayor’s appointment 49b
“The panel also debated the issue with Mr. Creamer and the Conservation Committee. Before, there was always seven members on the committee, two members on the community left. Then Mr. Creamer was elected as the 6th member on the Conservation Committee. Councilor John Matheson stated “…we offer more than 7 members, we have an ordinance that pegs that committee at 5 members so the ordinance would have to be amended”. According to Councilor O’Malley the Conservation committee always had seven members but the ordinance stated that there was five. O’Malley stated “I would recommend that we do not entertain the reconsideration and that we immediately follow a motion a to suspend doca rules from 5 to 7 members in order to reflect the composition of the body and defacto for the past 25 years.”
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