3 Medford Task Forces Staffed, Ready To Start Work

MEDFORD, MA — Three more of Medford's new task forces are fully staffed and set to start work this fall, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said. Announced earlier this year, task force work was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The groups will tackle parking enforcement, exploring updates to the fire stations and welcoming new residents and businesses to Medford. They will include participation from residents, businesses and city staff.

Commission on Parking Policy & Enforcement

11 members

The Mayor's Commission on Parking Policy & Enforcement will work over the next 6-9 months to assess area-wide permit parking in South Medford and the Hillside, evaluate current on-street parking policies and related fees, evaluate current enforcement policies, and provide recommendations to the city on potential policy changes. The Commission will also review and evaluate the efficiency of outsourcing parking enforcement and administration and determine options or recommendations for bringing parking enforcement under the City’s direct authority.

Members of the commission include residents with expertise in these areas, including representatives from local transit organizations like the Green Line Extension Working Group, as parking enforcement and policies within new station areas will be of concern when the new GLX station opens in 2021.

"With so many vibrant business districts, making sure we have a cohesive and efficient parking enforcement system, and that the policies and procedures work for residents, visitors, and businesses is critical," Lungo-Koehn said in a statement. "We also would like to determine whether the City’s current model of outsourcing parking enforcement is the most efficient, or whether bringing this service in house would better serve our community. I look forward to the recommendations this commission presents."

Fire Station

11 members

The Mayor's Task Force on Fire Department Facilities will evaluate and assess the city's current Fire Department facilities and industry standards for operation and review current needs along with public safety concerns of the facilities. The Task Force will also develop strategies for bringing the city's facilities in line with industry standards, providing recommendations that may include reuse, replacement, relocation, or consolidation of facilities.

"We want to be sure that our public safety facilities are adequately meeting the needs of personnel and the community at large, and the work and review taken by this Task Force will be essential in moving our discussions forward," said Lungo-Koehn.

Welcoming Committee

8 members

The Welcoming Committee, officially formed earlier this year, is tasked with developing strategies and programs to support new residents and businesses in the City of Medford, as well as advising the City and the Mayor on policies, programs, and other supports to ensure that Medford is a welcoming and inclusive community for all residents and businesses, both new and established. The Committee has already been hard at work updating the City’s Welcome Brochure and information to be shared widely, and will continue to work on new programs and supports, plan a monthly welcoming Zoom call, and advise on communications strategies that can be useful for new residents and businesses.