He recommended a model similar to that of New Bedford’s, which allows the community more time to learn about demolition plans. Following Silva, Kelly Buchanan raised the issue of illegal encampments in the city, describing the situation as escalating and urging the council to take action.

Council members recognized the gravity of the encampment issue, discussing the challenges in finding housing and treatment for those affected. The necessity of a legal framework to manage the situation was emphasized, with a suggestion made for Buchanan to join the Homeless Committee to assist in finding solutions.

The topic of homelessness continued to be a point of contention, with council members expressing frustration over the slow progress in addressing the problem. They shared residents’ concerns about safety and living conditions near the encampments. The debate extended to the city’s legal obligations to provide shelter and the complexities in effectively resolving the issue.

In the realm of city management and governance, the confirmation of Andrew Hoak to the Sewer Commission was a matter of debate due to his background as an attorney and concerns about his knowledge of sewer operations. The council eventually confirmed his appointment. Moreover, a legal opinion regarding the proposed ordinance on the appointment of constables led to confusion and a vote to refer it back to the ordinance committee for further scrutiny.

Council members also discussed a legal opinion on a proposed ordinance related to the Armory commission. Opinions varied on the necessity of the ordinance and the role of the historical commission. The matter was referred back to the ordinance committee.

Their service to the city and the nation was acknowledged.

The council faced a decision on the annual independent audit, with a debate over whether to refer the quotes to the finance committee or adopt the recommendation for Roselli Clark and Associates. Questions arose about the competitive bidding process and the involvement of Hagen Sahadi in the audit, particularly due to former CFO Mary Sahadi’s bid, which sparked concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest.

Additionally, the council addressed several proposed ordinances related to traffic, zoning map amendments, and a citation. They approved the renewal of an auto repair shop license and considered a number of claims. A request by St. Anthony of the Desert Church to hang banners in different locations was also debated.

The mayor’s request for confirmation of the reappointment of John Brandt to the Community Preservation Commission was met with praise for his work and was unanimously approved. However, the proposed ordinance regarding trolley fees sparked concerns about charging children and the absence of senior citizen discounts, leading to a motion to refer the ordinance to the committee.

In matters of city property, the potential sale of the Bank Street Armory and the future of the Sylvia School were brought to the council’s attention by resident Alexander Silva. He urged the council to review purchase and sale agreements of city-owned properties. The council then discussed the sale of the Hicks Street Tot Lot, with an RFP suggested for the property’s sale, potentially for the creation of a playground.

Jennifer Rio, a city resident, requested to purchase a portion of city-owned land adjacent to her property, which she had been maintaining. The council agreed to refer the matter to the administration for a recommendation. Also, a request for the mayor to transfer three parcels of vacant land to the water board was tableted until more information could be gathered, particularly regarding the $30,000 payment to clear tax liability.