Julian Glickman is an assistant news editor. He's a first-year interested in political science and Spanish, and can be reached at julian.glickman@tufts.edu.
The Medford City Council passed an updated version of the city’s charter in a 6–1 vote on April 15, nearing the end of a years-long process that now moves to the Massachusetts State House and, ultimately, Medford voters.
Local Medford and Somerville leaders, as well as Massachusetts state leaders, have strengthened their response to the detainment of Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk. Elected officials released a joint statement, and the Medford City Council passed an official resolution for her release.
On March 5 Tufts junior Meirav Solomon testified before a U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing regarding antisemitism, arguing that college campuses should focus on conversation and protecting equality for students.
The Medford City Council Committee of the Whole approved updates to the City Charter on March 4, sending the new charter to a final vote. The updates include a highly-debated district-based council composition plan, setting it up to be sent to the state legislature for final authorization.
Concerns are growing over pedestrian safety among Medford residents and elected officials after two elderly men were fatally struck by vehicles in recent months.
The Medford Community Development Board approved Tufts’ proposed new dorm at 401 Boston Ave. on Feb. 5, allowing construction to begin this spring. The dorm will be a two-building complex with 299 units, and will house almost 700 upperclassmen when it is scheduled to open in 2027. The board expressed their reluctance to make the decision, recognizing the project’s strong public opposition, but focused the decision on whether existing legal restrictions were enough to deny the proposal.
Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn delivered her annual State of the City Address on Feb. 5 in City Hall, covering housing, zoning and transportation issues while reassuring residents about changes to federal policy.School Committee Vice Chair Jenny Graham and City Council President Zac Bears also provided updates from their respective body’s work.
The City of Medford is launching a new program to offer participating landlords up to $750 per year for renting to veterans as a result of an ordinance passed by the City Council in January. Veterans will be vetted by the city and then partnered with landlords through Housing Families, a local non-profit that works to ensure housing stability. The city is prohibited from giving money directly to citizens.
Medford residents and city officials are raising concerns about the potential impact of the 401 Boston Ave. dorm on the community. The dorm, scheduled to open in 2027, is set to be a two-building complex with 300 apartments, housing nearly 700 upperclassmen.
The Green Line will be closed from Dec. 6–20 between the Medford/Tufts and Park Street stations, along with Union Square, as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority continues repairs on tracks across the system.
