Medford, MA
Government & development in Medford
Town government, zoning and development, roads, and public safety in Medford, MA. Updated daily from the Medford morning brief.
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Get the morning briefIn-person early voting begins today at City Hall
Oct 17 · City of Medford →
Election commissioner answers voter security and vote-by-mail concerns
Oct 17 · Gotta Know Medford →
Harvest Your Energy Festival at Riverbend Park today
Oct 17 · City of Medford →
Massachusett tribe member leads Mystic River walk today
Oct 17 · Mystic River Watershed Association →
Activists Report ICE Sightings Near Medford Courthouses
Oct 15 · The Tufts Daily →
Tufts Lecture Examines Indigenous Perspectives on Environmental Crisis
Oct 15 · Center for the Humanities at Tufts →
Tufts Webinar Explores Gen Z's Influence in Midterm Elections
Oct 15 · Tufts Alumni →
PERAC Commission Meets Today at Medford Office
Oct 14 · Mass.gov →
Mystic River Watershed Association Annual Meeting Tonight
Oct 14 · Mystic River Watershed Association →
Council committee meets Tuesday, with executive session on litigation settlement
Oct 13 · City of Medford →
City Council holds regular meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Oct 13 · City Council of Medford →
Board of Health meets Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.
Oct 13 · City of Medford →
Traffic Commission meets Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Oct 13 · City of Medford →
Community Garden Commission meets Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Oct 13 · City of Medford →
Community Preservation Committee meets Tuesday evening
Oct 13 · City of Medford →
Medford Public Library closed today for holiday
Oct 12 · Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library →
Nature monitoring session at Bellevue Pond this morning
Oct 12 · Earthwise Aware →
Sat. Oct. 17: Harvest Your Energy Festival at Riverbend Park
Oct 11 · City of Medford Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability →
Early voting at City Hall Sat. Oct. 17 and Sun. Oct. 18
Oct 11 · City of Medford →
Blue Cross Offers $15 Bluebikes Credits in Medford and 12 Other Towns
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts launched a program on October 9 offering $15 Bluebikes credits in 13 municipalities, including Medford, ahead of World Mental Health Day. Credits remain valid for a year after redemption.
No Trash Pickup Delay Monday for Indigenous Peoples' Day
The City's 2026–27 collection calendar shows no delay for Monday, October 12. It lists delays only for July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day and Memorial Day.
Oct 10 · City of Medford →
Medford starts neighborhood revitalization study
On Oct. 7, Medford announced a planning study for a proposed federal Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area, which could give the city more flexibility in using existing Community Development Block Grant funds. The city plans to gather input through neighborhood conversations, events, an online survey and a public meeting.
Oct 8 · Patch →
Coffee with TUPD at Tufts this morning
Tufts Police offers free coffee, tea and pastries from 9 to 11 a.m. today, Oct. 8, at Hotung Café on the Medford/Somerville campus, for Tufts faculty, staff and students.
Oct 8 · Tufts University Police →
Medford seeks bids for Condon Shell lighting project
The city issued a legal notice October 6 inviting electronic bids through BidNetDirect for the Condon Shell Lighting Improvements Project. Bid documents are available starting October 7.
Oct 7 · City of Medford →
Resident Services committee meets tonight at 6 p.m.
The Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee meets Wednesday, October 7, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber and on Zoom.
Oct 7 · City of Medford →
Community Development Board meets tonight at 6:30 p.m.
The Community Development Board meets Wednesday, October 7, at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. The city has posted the agenda.
Oct 7 · City of Medford →
Conservation Commission meets tonight at 6:30 p.m.
The Conservation Commission meets Wednesday, October 7, at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. The city's event page has the agenda and access details.
Oct 7 · City of Medford →
Tufts lunch talk covers Massachusetts ballot questions
Tufts' Civic Life Lunch reviews the 2026 Massachusetts ballot questions today from noon to 1 p.m. at Barnum Hall 104 on the Medford campus.
Tufts webinar examines Americans' voting practices
Tufts Senior Connection hosts a free online discussion about voting practices today from 5 to 6 p.m. Registration is required.
Oct 7 · Tufts University →
Mayor, City Council Remain Deadlocked Over Law Department Budget
On Monday, Oct. 5, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn and the City Council remained at an eight-month impasse over legal spending. The council wants comprehensive records on city litigation costs, while the mayor wants full funding restored for the Law Department.
Oct 6 · Gotta Know Medford →
High School Building Committee Meets Tonight on Project Scope
The Medford Comprehensive High School Building Committee meets Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. in the high school library and on Zoom. The agenda includes finalizing space summaries and weighing athletic fields, parking, solar power, HVAC, mass timber and sustainability recommendations.
Medford High building subcommittee meets today to rank contractors
The Medford Comprehensive High School Building CMR Pre-Qualification Subcommittee meets at 4 p.m. in the Medford High School library to evaluate pricing proposals and finalize firm rankings.
Oct 5 · Medford Public Schools →
City Hall closed Monday, October 12
Medford City Hall will be closed Monday, October 12, for Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day.
Oct 5 · City of Medford →
Four New Officers Join Medford Police Department
Frank Cassarino, Caesar Al-Hedri, Aiden Cawley and Owen Hilliard graduated from the Northeastern Community College Police Academy on Friday, October 2. They now begin a 12-week field training program with veteran officers.
Monday: Historical Commission demolition delay hearings, 7 p.m.
The Medford Historical Commission meets Monday, October 5, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom for public hearings on demolition delay reviews for 15 Maple Park Avenue, 71 Mystic Avenue, and 73 Surrey Street.
Oct 4 · Medford Historical Commission →
Medford Police K9 Seamus Dies at 11
The Medford Police Department announced Friday that K9 Seamus, its partner for 10 years, died September 25 after a medical emergency.
Oct 4 · Medford Police Department →
Guided Walk Explores Medford Granite and Fells Quarries Today
Friends of the Fells leads a walk from 10 a.m. to noon on the origins of Medford granite and 19th-century quarries. It starts at the Bellevue Pond parking lot; registration is required.
Oct 4 · Friends of the Fells →
Tufts Democracy Conference Ends Today
Tufts' Frontiers of Democracy 2026 conference concludes today on the Medford campus. It examines democratic processes, policy and partnerships in the United States and around the world.
Oct 4 · Tufts Alumni →
Riverside Avenue closed Saturday for Oktoberfest; buses detour
Riverside Avenue is closed today from Salem Street to the City Hall Mall turnoff for Oktoberfest setup and cleanup. Some bus routes will detour.
Oct 3 · Gotta Know Medford →
Ward 1 residents press council over vehicle noise at ward meeting
About two dozen residents raised vehicle and motorcycle noise, traffic and pedestrian safety at the City Council's first neighborhood ward meeting with Councilors Liz Mullane and Justin Tseng on October 1. Councilors said they are exploring a noise-ordinance rewrite and traffic-calming options.
Oct 2 · Gotta Know Medford →
Carpenters union protests alleged labor violations at Pachyderm Place
Members of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters demonstrated at Tufts University on October 1. They alleged wage theft and contractor violations during construction of the Pachyderm Place residence hall on Boston Avenue.
Oct 2 · The Tufts Daily →
Medford High project's safety advisory team meets today
The Site, Safety & Security Advisory Team meets on Zoom 4:15–5:30 p.m. today as part of the Medford High School building project.
High school project sustainability team meets tonight
The Sustainability & MEP Systems Advisory Team meets on Zoom 5:30–7 p.m. tonight to discuss the Medford High School building project.
Council Distances Itself From Mayor on Divestment Ordinance Lawsuit
On September 30, the Medford City Council publicly distanced itself from Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn's decision to support an injunction halting enforcement of the city's Values-Aligned Local Investments Ordinance in federal court.
Sep 30 · The Tufts Daily →
Nor'easter Topples Trees, Damages Property in Medford
Storm reports published September 29 detail a weekend nor'easter that uprooted trees and downed large limbs across Medford, striking parked vehicles and a residential property.
Sep 30 · Rock 92.9 →
Board of Assessors Meets at City Hall at 4 p.m.
The Board of Assessors meets today, Wednesday, September 30, at 4:00 p.m. in Room 109 at City Hall and on Zoom.
Sep 30 · City of Medford →
City Council Committee of the Whole Meets at 6 p.m.
The Committee of the Whole meets today, Wednesday, September 30, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall council chamber and on Zoom.
Sep 30 · City of Medford →
High School Building Subcommittee Meets at 4 p.m.
The Medford Comprehensive High School Building Committee's Construction Manager at Risk prequalification subcommittee meets today, Wednesday, September 30, at 4:00 p.m. at Medford High School.
Sep 30 · City of Medford →
Public Meeting on Clean-Energy Transition at Tufts
A community meeting on the clean-energy transformation is today, Wednesday, September 30, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Tufts University's Aidekman Arts Center. Attendees can hear about the state's work and share feedback.
Sep 30 · City of Medford →
Medford City Council Meets Tuesday Evening
The Medford City Council meets Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber and via Zoom.
Sep 29 · City of Medford →
Flood watch for Medford continues into early Tuesday
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Medford from Sunday 6:02 p.m. through 2 a.m. Tuesday, with showers and possible thunderstorms forecast for Monday.
Sep 28 · National Weather Service →
Friends of the Fells Leads Queer and Trans Group Hike Today
Friends of the Fells hosts its monthly Queer and Trans Hiking Fell-ows group for a moderate 3-to-4-mile hike through the Middlesex Fells today at 10 a.m.
Sep 27 · Friends of the Fells →
City Council meets Tuesday at City Hall
The Medford City Council meets Tuesday, September 29, at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at Medford City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, and via Zoom.
Sep 27 · City of Medford →
Medford Police Issue Storm Safety Guidelines Ahead of Weekend Storm
Medford Police posted storm safety advisories ahead of the weekend storm, urging residents to report power outages to National Grid and stay away from downed wires.
Sep 26 · Gotta Know Medford →
Councilor Leming Responds to Mayor's Veto on Boston Ave Rezoning
City Councilor Matt Leming published a response to Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn's veto of the Council's vote to allow purpose-built student housing by right along the Boston Avenue Corridor.
Sep 26 · Gotta Know Medford →
Free Japanese knotweed walk planned for Sunday
A free walk at the Mustang Loop Trailhead Sunday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. covers identifying and safely disposing of Japanese knotweed; registration is open to those 12 and older.
Sep 25 · City of Medford →
Mayor Vetoes Late-Night Zoning Change for Student Housing
Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn vetoed a City Council zoning amendment on Sept. 23 that would have allowed purpose-built student housing by right in part of the Hillside neighborhood, citing a late-night revote after 11 p.m. with limited public input.
Sep 24 · City of Medford →
Zoning Board of Appeals Meets Thursday Evening
The Zoning Board of Appeals meets by Zoom Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m.; the agenda and Zoom details are posted on the city's website.
Sep 24 · City of Medford →
Medford Names Temporary Deputy Chief Ahead of Police Chief's Retirement
Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn appointed Capt. Paul Covino as temporary deputy chief as Police Chief Jack D. Buckley prepares to retire Dec. 19; applications for the next chief close Sept. 28.
Sep 23 · City of Medford →
Bicycle Advisory Commission Meets Tonight
The Bicycle Advisory Commission meets online tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss roadway safety and local bicycle route planning; the agenda and Zoom link are posted.
Sep 23 · City of Medford →
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