MassVoter.com← MelroseMunicipal votes · 2026–2027 Council
Melrose City Council
How the Melrose City Council voted, from the City Clerk's official minutes. 11 councilors: one from each of the city’s 7 wards and 4 elected at large. Elected November 2025 and sworn in January 12, 2026. Council President: Bradley Freeman (2026; nominated at the council caucus of December 1, 2025 by six votes to five over Ryan Williams, and elected unanimously on January 12, 2026). Jason Chen and Elizabeth Kowal (at large), Christopher Park (Ward 3) and Bradley Freeman (Ward 4) joined the council, succeeding Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Robb Stewart and Mark Garipay. The city has posted minutes through September 28, 2026. The end date (January 2028) is a placeholder for the next organizational meeting. Covers 18 meetings so far, January 12 to September 28, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the City Council do? It is the city’s lawmaking body. It passes local laws (ordinances), votes on the yearly budget, and approves borrowing and zoning changes.
The mayor runs the city day to day and proposes the budget.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 44 § 32 (city budgets)Vote Transparency Score
Melrose City Council: 10 out of 10 · Open
How easy Melrose makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the city’s records, not any official. Checked October 11, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for nearly every meeting more than three months old.Full points: 2/2
- Each vote namedThe minutes list how each councilor voted on every split vote.Full points: 3/3
- Posted quicklyMinutes are posted for every meeting more than a month old.Full points: 2/2
- Past years onlineCity Council minutes going back to 2001 are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textThe minutes are text you can search and copy.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe city’s website shows a named photo of each councilor.Full points: 1/1
How we score · Something wrong, or has the city made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Council sessions
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Melrose’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Councilors
✓ Every meeting 2026
Jason ChenMember · At-large · at 18 of 18 meetings
Cal FinocchiaroMember · Ward 6 · at 15 of 18 meetings
Maya JamaleddineMember · At-large · at 15 of 18 meetings
Manjula KaramchetiMember · Ward 1 · at 16 of 18 meetings
Elizabeth KowalMember · At-large · at 17 of 18 meetings
John ObremskiMember · Ward 2 · at 16 of 18 meetings
Christopher ParkMember · Ward 3 · at 17 of 18 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Devin RomanulMember · Ward 7 · at 18 of 18 meetings
Kimberly VandiverMember · Ward 5 · at 17 of 18 meetings
Ryan WilliamsMember · At-large · at 15 of 18 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the roll call at the start of each meeting in this record. Councilors who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
18 full-board meetings so far this year, through September 28. Ties share a rank.
1Jason Chen18 of 18 meetings Every meeting100%1Devin Romanul18 of 18 meetings Every meeting100%3Bradley Freeman17 of 18 meetings94%3Elizabeth Kowal17 of 18 meetings94%3Christopher Park17 of 18 meetings94%3Kimberly Vandiver17 of 18 meetings94%7Manjula Karamcheti16 of 18 meetings89%7John Obremski16 of 18 meetings89%9Cal Finocchiaro15 of 18 meetings83%9Maya Jamaleddine15 of 18 meetings83%9Ryan Williams15 of 18 meetings83%23 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Mark Garipay23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Devin Romanul23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Kimberly Vandiver23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%4Manjula Karamcheti22 of 23 meetings96%4Leila Migliorelli22 of 23 meetings96%6Ward Hamilton21 of 23 meetings91%7Maya Jamaleddine20 of 23 meetings87%8Robb Stewart19 of 23 meetings83%9Ryan Williams18 of 23 meetings78%10Cal Finocchiaro15 of 23 meetings65%11John Obremski10 of 23 meetings43%25 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Devin Romanul25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Ryan Williams25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%3Mark Garipay24 of 25 meetings96%3Leila Migliorelli24 of 25 meetings96%3Kimberly Vandiver24 of 25 meetings96%6Cal Finocchiaro22 of 25 meetings88%6Ward Hamilton22 of 25 meetings88%8Maya Jamaleddine19 of 25 meetings76%8Robb Stewart19 of 25 meetings76%10Manjula Karamcheti15 of 25 meetings60%11John Obremski13 of 25 meetings52%29 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Mark Garipay29 of 29 meetings Every meeting100%2Jen Grigoraitis28 of 29 meetings97%2Robb Stewart28 of 29 meetings97%4Leila Migliorelli27 of 29 meetings93%5Christopher Cinella26 of 29 meetings90%5Jack Eccles26 of 29 meetings90%5Ryan Williams26 of 29 meetings90%8Manjula Karamcheti24 of 29 meetings83%9Maya Jamaleddine22 of 29 meetings76%10Shawn M. MacMaster20 of 29 meetings69%11John Obremski16 of 29 meetings55%27 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1Mark Garipay27 of 27 meetings Every meeting100%2Christopher Cinella26 of 27 meetings96%2Maya Jamaleddine26 of 27 meetings96%2Ryan Williams26 of 27 meetings96%5Jen Grigoraitis25 of 27 meetings93%5Manjula Karamcheti25 of 27 meetings93%5Leila Migliorelli25 of 27 meetings93%8Robb Stewart24 of 27 meetings89%9Jack Eccles23 of 27 meetings85%9Shawn M. MacMaster23 of 27 meetings85%11John Obremski22 of 27 meetings81%25 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Christopher Cinella25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Jack Eccles25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Mark Garipay25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Jen Grigoraitis25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Leila Migliorelli25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Robb Stewart25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Cory Thomas25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%8Shawn M. MacMaster24 of 25 meetings96%8John N. Tramontozzi24 of 25 meetings96%10Maya Jamaleddine23 of 25 meetings92%10Jeff McNaught23 of 25 meetings92%28 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Christopher Cinella28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Jack Eccles28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Mark Garipay28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Jen Grigoraitis28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Shawn M. MacMaster28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Jeff McNaught28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Leila Migliorelli28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Robb Stewart28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Cory Thomas28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1John N. Tramontozzi28 of 28 meetings Every meeting100%1Kate Lipper-Garabedian4 of 4 meetings · served until Feb100%12Maya Jamaleddine22 of 24 meetings · served from Mar92%23 full-board meetings in 2019. Ties share a rank.
1Manisha Bewtra23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Kate Lipper-Garabedian23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Monica C. Medeiros23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Peter D. Mortimer23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael P. Zwirko23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Jeff McNaught3 of 3 meetings · served from Nov100%7Shawn M. MacMaster22 of 23 meetings96%7John N. Tramontozzi22 of 23 meetings96%9Robert A. Boisselle21 of 23 meetings91%10Jennifer L. Lemmerman15 of 17 meetings · served until Sep88%11Francis X. Wright20 of 23 meetings87%12Scott M. Forbes18 of 23 meetings78%25 full-board meetings in 2018. Ties share a rank.
1Manisha Bewtra25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Jennifer L. Lemmerman25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Peter D. Mortimer25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Shawn M. MacMaster18 of 18 meetings · served from Mar Every meeting100%1Gail M. Infurna3 of 3 meetings · served until Jan100%6John N. Tramontozzi24 of 25 meetings96%7Robert A. Boisselle23 of 25 meetings92%7Scott M. Forbes23 of 25 meetings92%7Kate Lipper-Garabedian23 of 25 meetings92%7Monica C. Medeiros23 of 25 meetings92%7Michael P. Zwirko23 of 25 meetings92%12Francis X. Wright21 of 25 meetings84%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: every full Melrose City Council meeting with posted minutes from January 8, 2018 through September 28, 2026: 223 meetings (regular, special and organizational meetings, and six joint meetings with the School Committee at which the council took a roll-call vote) and 3,082 votes. Council committee meetings and the council’s December nominating caucuses are not loaded. The city’s portal has council minutes back to 2001; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. Until October 2019 the council was the Board of Aldermen; a charter change signed on October 1, 2019 renamed it the City Council. Minutes from 2018 to September 2025 were moved into the city’s current portal in December 2025; for each of those meetings the portal holds a one-page “bulletin” listing each item’s outcome and, under “Other,” the full minutes followed by the meeting packet. MassVoter used the full minutes. For four meetings only the bulletin is posted (April 27, 2020; July 17, September 5 and October 2, 2023), so those votes show the result only. Not here: the October 6, 2025 meeting (its minutes were approved on October 20, 2025 but are not posted) and the September 15, 2025 meeting (agenda posted, no minutes); MassVoter is asking the City Clerk. The minutes of October 5, 2026 and later meetings are not posted yet. Melrose’s minutes record most votes in a vote box: “RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 0] MOVER: … SECONDER: … AYES: … NAYS: … ABSENT: …”, naming each councilor. We show each councilor’s vote as listed; councilors listed as absent or recused for a vote are left out of it, and those who voted “present” or abstained are shown as abstaining. When the box says “[UNANIMOUS]” without names, or the text says “All were in favor,” every councilor present is shown voting yes, leaving out anyone the minutes show arriving late or leaving early at that point. Motions the minutes describe only as “motion carried,” “so voted” or “no objection” show the result only, never assumed unanimous; before 2025 these were mostly procedural motions (opening and closing public comment, immediate consideration, suspending the rules, adjourning), and since 2025 most are motions referring items to committee. Items the President sent to a committee with no motion or vote recorded are not listed as votes. When a vote box lists a councilor the attendance table marks absent (or a person not then on the council), we show the count only, with a note (37 votes); 751 votes show the result only. Votes choosing between people (the 2018 Board President ballots and the 2018 Ward 5 vacancy) show the result only, with a note listing who voted for whom. We will ask the City Clerk to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where councilors disagreed
Most council votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one councilor voted no or abstained, newest first.
Jul 20Approve the revised lease statement as submitted on July…Motion: Motion to Approve the revised lease statement as submitted on July…Passed 9–2 · No: Vandiver, Williams
July 20, 2026: Approve the revised lease statement as submitted on July 14th, 2026
Motion to Approve the revised lease statement as submitted on July 14th, 2026 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro Motion Passed 9 to 2, with Councilors Vandiver and Williams voting No
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Obremski, Park, RomanulNo: Vandiver, Williams
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [9-2) AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul NAYS: Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Jun 29Passage — New Common Victualler License for Shawbak Lebanese…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti…Passed 9–0 · Abstained: Jamaleddine
June 29, 2026 (Special meeting): Passage — New Common Victualler License for Shawbak Lebanese Eatery and Bakery
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti Councilor Jamaleddine excused herself from this vote and left the room due to a conflict of interest. All were in favor and motion passed
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Karamcheti, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsAbstained: Jamaleddine
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSTAIN: Maya Jamaleddine ABSENT: Elizabeth Kowal.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Jamaleddine)
Jun 15Enter into Executive SessionMotion: Motion to Enter into Executive Session made by Councilor Vandiver at…Passed 9–1 · No: Chen
June 15, 2026: Enter into Executive Session
Motion to Enter into Executive Session made by Councilor Vandiver at 8:05 PM Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro Motion passed 9-1 Councilor Chen asked to postpone Executive Session until the end of the meeting and the request was denied by President Freeman. Councilor Karamcheti was not present for this vote.
Yes: Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Kowal, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsNo: ChenThe roll call lists Manjula Karamcheti as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: Jason Chen ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti.” (Motion: Vandiver, second: Finocchiaro)
Jun 15End Executive SessionMotion: Motion to End Executive Session made by Councilor Williams at 8:43…Passed 10–0 · see note
June 15, 2026: End Executive Session
Motion to End Executive Session made by Councilor Williams at 8:43 PM Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Kowal, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsThe roll call lists Manjula Karamcheti as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti.” (Motion: Williams, second: Vandiver)
Jun 15Reject the $70,000 Free Cash appropriation for a consultant…Motion: Motion to Reject made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro…Passed 9–2 · No: Freeman, Obremski
June 15, 2026: Reject the $70,000 Free Cash appropriation for a consultant to update the Downtown Parking Study
Motion to Reject made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro Motion passed 9-2, Appropriation not approved
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsNo: Freeman, ObremskiThe motion to reject carried 9-2 (“Motion passed 9-2, Appropriation not approved”), so the appropriation was not approved.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROPRIATION REJECTED/NOT APPROVED AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: Bradley Freeman, John Obremski.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Jun 15Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001)…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams…Passed 10–1 · No: Chen
June 15, 2026: Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $150,000 to the Affordable Housing Trust (#8270)
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams Motion passed 10-1
Yes: Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsNo: Chen
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: Jason Chen.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Williams)
Jun 15Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001)…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro…Passed 10–0 · see note
June 15, 2026: Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to Memorial Building (#693) in the amount of $50,000 for boiler replacement and HVAC controls
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed Councilor Obremski had stepped out of the room during this vote
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsThe roll call lists John Obremski as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: John Obremski.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Jun 15Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001)…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Jamaleddine…Passed 10–0 · see note
June 15, 2026: Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the School Department (#300) in the amount of $12,193.20 to purchase vape detectors for MVMMS
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Jamaleddine All were in favor and motion passed Councilor Obremski had stepped out of the room during this vote
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsThe roll call lists John Obremski as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: John Obremski.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Jamaleddine)
Jun 15Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001)…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro…Passed 9–2 · No: Vandiver, Williams
June 15, 2026: Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to DPW- Admin/Engineering Department (#401) in the amount of $710,000 for design and permitting of Ell Pond Park
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro Motion passed 9-2
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Obremski, Park, RomanulNo: Vandiver, Williams
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul NAYS: Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
May 4Postpone until May 11 — Appropriation from Free Cash…Motion: Motion to Postpone until May 11 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded…Passed 10–1 · No: Chen
May 4, 2026: Postpone until May 11 — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $244,944 to the School Department (#1620) for medicaid reimbursement received in FY25
Motion to Postpone until May 11 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams Motion passed, with Councilor Chen voting Nay
Yes: Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsNo: Chen
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: Jason Chen.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Williams)
From the Melrose City Council’s official minutes (the Board of Aldermen’s until October 2019), posted on the city’s Agendas & Minutes page (its CivicClerk portal, City Council). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: City of Melrose (cityofmelrose.org), from the official City Council page. Cal Finocchiaro: Melrose Weekly News. Former councilors show initials.
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