City Council to Discuss Library Improvements, Pilot Off-Leash Dog Ordinance on July 19th

– Allison Goldsberry

On Tuesday, July 19 the Medford City Council will hold its first meeting of the summer schedule.

The Council’s long agenda includes several resolutions from the councilors and a few requests for approval by Mayor Stephanie M. Burke.

The first request from Mayor Burke is for $135,000 for renovations to the Medford Public Library. According to the request, since Medford is seeking funding for the renovations from the MA Board of Library Commissioners, the city has to hire an OPM and architect to “facilitate” the grant application. The estimates for the OPM and architect are $35,000 and $100,000, respectively.

Mayor Burke is also asking the Council to consider a “pilot” ordinance that would allow dog owners to let their pets off-leash in a designated area at Tufts Park. The off-leash hours would be between 6 am and 8 am and 6 pm and 8 pm. Only “well-behaved” dogs would be allowed to participate, and the pilot ordinance defines these dogs as having a valid dog license and not being considered one of the following: “dangerous” (a dog that has attacked a person or another animal or who seems likely to), “potentially dangerous”, “barking or disturbing”, a “nuisance dog” (excessive barking and other anti-social behavior), or the subject of a complaint. It is up to Medford’s Animal Control Officer to determine if a dog is a “well-behaved” one.

If the pilot off-leash dog ordinance is passed, it will be in effect until January 1, 2017. Various city departments will meet to determine whether the program should be continued or expanded to other sites.

The Council will also consider approving an amendment to allow the city to license food trucks. Mayor Burke has asked the Council to expand the food truck pilot program that has allowed them at the Farmers Market to a series of upcoming events if the Council decides more time is needed to review the proposal.

Finally, the Council will also have to approve a $10,000 donation from East Cambridge Savings Bank. The bank has once again offered the money to help fund the city’s summer parks program.

A Committee of the Whole meeting is being held before the Council’s regular meeting at 6 pm. Councilors will discuss the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee for the implementation of the Community Preservation Act. The CPA, approved by voters in November, establishes a small surcharge on property taxes to create a fund that the city can use for affordable housing development, preserving open space, or rehabilitating historic buildings. The acceptance of the CPA also qualifies Medford to receive state funding for related projects.

The Council’s regular meeting will follow the Committee of the Whole meeting at 7 pm. The meeting can be watched live on local cable.

The next scheduled meeting is August 16.