At the heart of the meeting was the discussion and subsequent approval of a home rule petition to amend the city charter, a project that had been under review since 2017. Councilor Winslow, a key figure in the process, emphasized the necessity of updating the charter to eliminate outdated provisions and better reflect current governance practices. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including Ron Hogan and Carolyn, in the comprehensive review and revision process. The council’s goal was to strike certain sections from the charter and incorporate them into city ordinances, thereby improving organizational clarity and governance flexibility.

Despite the council’s unanimous support, the revisions faced opposition from the Friends of Felsmere Heights, a local advocacy group. A letter from the organization was read during the meeting, voicing concerns about the potential removal of entire sections from the charter and the adequacy of public input in the decision-making process. The group advocated for retaining certain organizational details within the charter to ensure their permanence against future council actions.

Councilor Winslow addressed these concerns, explaining that the charter review committee had thoroughly considered public feedback and legal consultations to ensure that significant powers and protections were not lost in the transition. He stressed the importance of focusing on substantive ordinances rather than titles, which could be more susceptible to future modifications.

In a move, the council voted to approve the amended home rule petition unanimously, forwarding it to the Massachusetts legislature for enactment. This decision was celebrated as a collective achievement, acknowledging the extensive work and unusual requirement for all council members to sign the petition.

Alongside the charter amendments, the council addressed infrastructure issues, notably the replacement of lead service lines throughout the city. With Malden reportedly having one of the highest numbers of lead lines in the Commonwealth, the council approved a $17 million appropriation from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s lead service line replacement program. This initiative, backed by a zero-interest loan with 25% forgiveness, aims to replace nearly 2,700 remaining lead service lines by 2032, ahead of the initial 2037 projection.

Councilor McDonald highlighted the public health implications of lead exposure and the financial advantages of the MWRA’s offer. He noted that the approved financing could act as a line of credit, facilitating the pursuit of federal grants to offset borrowing costs. The council’s unanimous support for this measure underscored the urgency of addressing this pressing public health concern.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, the council discussed community development initiatives, including the allocation of federal grants under the Housing and Community Development Act. The budget for community development block grants, which primarily supports low-income neighborhoods, was reviewed and approved. This funding will support ongoing projects such as park rehabilitations and community programs, with provisions to handle potential changes in federal funding.

Community engagement was further highlighted through reports on local events and initiatives. Councilor Simelli praised the recent opening of Kit Park, funded by community development block grants, as a prime example of effective resource allocation. The park’s opening saw community participation.

The council also noted upcoming community events, including a plant swap, a Pride Ride, and a community yard sale, which collectively attracted significant local engagement.

As the meeting concluded, the council entered an executive session to discuss a pending open meeting law complaint. This session marked the end of the council’s public proceedings for the evening, with no further business conducted.