A joint convention between the City Council and the school committee was convened to elect a replacement for the late Heidi Adler Matthews, whose term runs until January 3, 2028. The meeting began with the mayor calling for nominations, leading to a diverse panel of candidates including Kimberly Cox, AJ Darcy, Richard Wilcox, and others. Each nominee was given the opportunity to present their credentials and vision for the school committee.

Christopher Deo emerged as a compelling candidate, receiving six votes in the initial roll call. A subsequent vote saw Deo securing 13 votes, leading to a unanimous decision to elect him to the school committee.

In another development, the council endorsed the preferred schematic option NC2A for the Richard Elementary School, a decision critical to progressing with the Massachusetts School Building Authority process. The endorsement followed a motion that passed unanimously.

The meeting also addressed several financial matters, including a transfer request of $337,345.98 to fund a collective bargaining agreement with the public works equipment operators association. This, along with a $500,000 transfer to the workers’ compensation fund and another $612,390.56 to support a firefighters’ association agreement, were referred to the finance committee for review. These transfers underscore the council’s focus on supporting municipal employees and ensuring the financial stability of city operations.

Mayor’s announcements during the session included the appointment of Daniel R. Campbell as the deputy chief of police. Campbell’s extensive history with the department since 2006, involving contributions to officer training and community engagement, was highlighted as he was formally welcomed into his new role. The promotion was celebrated as a historic moment for the city, with the police chief expressing gratitude for the council’s support.

The council also held a public hearing for a special permit application by JC Residential and Light Commercial LLC on Nickerson Road, seeking approval for outdoor storage. The proposal involved transforming part of a parking lot into a storage area, reducing available spaces from 285 to 218, while addressing operational needs for an HVAC contractor tenant. The hearing included presentations on the project’s minimal visual impact, traffic considerations, and security measures, with no public opposition recorded. Discussions touched on zoning compliance, with further legal review deemed necessary before advancing the proposal.

City Clerk Steven Carrian provided an update on the upcoming municipal election, scheduled for November 4, 2025. He outlined the logistics, including early voting dates and absentee ballot deadlines.

Additional council decisions included setting a public hearing for a petition by Mass Electric and Verizon for the installation of a joint pole on Beach Street, and addressing a communication regarding Massachusetts Electric Company’s request for authorization to issue long-term debt securities. These items were processed efficiently.

Finally, the council addressed modifications to a special permit for a marijuana retail establishment, approving changes to operational hours after a detailed committee discussion. The motion to expedite the process of sending the matter for legal formatting was passed unanimously.