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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 2019 and sworn in January 13, 2020. Council President: Jen Grigoraitis (2020; elected January 13, 2020, ten votes, with John N. Tramontozzi abstaining) and Christopher Cinella (2021; elected January 4, 2021, unanimously). Kate Lipper-Garabedian (at large) stepped down in March 2020 to become a state representative; Maya Jamaleddine, the next runner-up in the 2019 at-large race, took the seat on March 9, 2020. From March 2020 into 2021 most meetings were held remotely and votes were taken by roll call. Seats: John N. Tramontozzi (Ward 1), Jeff McNaught (Ward 2), Robb Stewart (Ward 3), Mark Garipay (Ward 4), Shawn M. MacMaster (Ward 5), Jen Grigoraitis (Ward 6), Cory Thomas (Ward 7); Christopher Cinella, Jack Eccles, Leila Migliorelli and Kate Lipper-Garabedian, then Maya Jamaleddine (at large). Covers 53 meetings, January 13 to December 20, 2021.
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)Council sessions
Coming up
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Councilors
Jack EcclesMember · At-large · at 53 of 53 meetingsMark GaripayMember · Ward 4 · at 53 of 53 meetingsJen GrigoraitisPresident · Ward 6 · at 53 of 53 meetings
Maya JamaleddineMember · At-large · at 45 of 49 meetings · from Mar 2020Kate Lipper-GarabedianMember · At-large · at 4 of 4 meetings · until Feb 2020Shawn M. MacMasterMember · Ward 5 · at 52 of 53 meetingsJeff McNaughtMember · Ward 2 · at 51 of 53 meetingsLeila MigliorelliMember · At-large · at 53 of 53 meetingsRobb StewartMember · Ward 3 · at 53 of 53 meetingsCory ThomasMember · Ward 7 · at 53 of 53 meetingsJohn N. TramontozziMember · Ward 1 · at 52 of 53 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.
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.
Dec 6Resume the City Council meetingMotion: President Cinella moves by unanimous consent to resume the City Council…Passed · see note
December 6, 2021: Resume the City Council meeting
President Cinella moves by unanimous consent to resume the City Council meeting. No objection
The minutes say “No objection” with no count or names.
From the minutes
“President Cinella moves by unanimous consent to resume the City Council meeting. No objection.” (Motion: Cinella)
Oct 18Approval by the Melrose City Council of the City's…Motion: RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Leila Migliorelli, At-Large SECONDER: Jen…Passed 10–1 · No: MacMaster
October 18, 2021: Approval by the Melrose City Council of the City's ward and precinct boundaries and map as enumerated herein in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 54, sections 1 and 2…
RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Leila Migliorelli, At-Large SECONDER: Jen Grigoraitis, Ward 6 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Jamaleddine, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Stewart, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Thomas NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster
Yes: Cinella, Eccles, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Jamaleddine, McNaught, Migliorelli, Stewart, Thomas, TramontozziNo: MacMaster
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Leila Migliorelli, At-Large SECONDER: Jen Grigoraitis, Ward 6 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Jamaleddine, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Stewart, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Thomas NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster.” (Motion: Migliorelli, second: Grigoraitis)
Aug 16Requesting that the Honorable City Council review and take…Motion: RESULT: PASSED AS AMENDED [9 TO 2] MOVER: Jen Grigoraitis, Ward…Passed 9–2 · No: MacMaster, Thomas
August 16, 2021: Requesting that the Honorable City Council review and take action relative to recommendations made by the Board of Registrars of Voters for the consolidation of non- ADA compliant polling...
RESULT: PASSED AS AMENDED [9 TO 2] MOVER: Jen Grigoraitis, Ward 6 SECONDER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Jamaleddine, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Stewart, Garipay, Grigoraitis NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster, Cory Thomas
Yes: Cinella, Eccles, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Jamaleddine, McNaught, Migliorelli, Stewart, TramontozziNo: MacMaster, Thomas
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED AS AMENDED [9 TO 2] MOVER: Jen Grigoraitis, Ward 6 SECONDER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Jamaleddine, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Stewart, Garipay, Grigoraitis NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster, Cory Thomas.” (Motion: Grigoraitis, second: Stewart)
Jun 21Communication from Massachusetts State Lottery Commission regarding KENO monitor…Motion: RESULT: DEFEATED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 SECONDER:…Failed · see note
June 21, 2021: Communication from Massachusetts State Lottery Commission regarding KENO monitor at West Wyoming Market, 49 West Wyoming Ave., Melrose, MA
RESULT: DEFEATED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 SECONDER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, Stewart, Garipay, MacMaster, Grigoraitis, Thomas ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine, Jeff McNaught
The minutes record this item as “defeated” and list nine councilors voting yes and none voting no, without saying what the motion was, so only the result is shown.
From the minutes
“RESULT: DEFEATED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 SECONDER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, Stewart, Garipay, MacMaster, Grigoraitis, Thomas ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine, Jeff McNaught.” (Motion: Stewart, second: Garipay)
Jun 21Authorizing a Bond for the replacement of the Salt…Motion: RESULT: DEFEATED [6 TO 3] MOVER: Jack Eccles, At-Large SECONDER: Robb…Failed 6–3 · No: Eccles, Grigoraitis, Migliorelli
June 21, 2021: Authorizing a Bond for the replacement of the Salt Shed
RESULT: DEFEATED [6 TO 3] MOVER: Jack Eccles, At-Large SECONDER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 AYES: Cinella, Tramontozzi, Stewart, Garipay, MacMaster, Thomas NAYS: Jack Eccles, Leila Migliorelli, Jen Grigoraitis ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine, Jeff McNaught
Yes: Cinella, Garipay, MacMaster, Stewart, Thomas, TramontozziNo: Eccles, Grigoraitis, MigliorelliThe minutes record the motion as defeated with 6 yes and 3 no votes; some council votes need more than a simple majority (for example, two-thirds).
From the minutes
“RESULT: DEFEATED [6 TO 3] MOVER: Jack Eccles, At-Large SECONDER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 AYES: Cinella, Tramontozzi, Stewart, Garipay, MacMaster, Thomas NAYS: Jack Eccles, Leila Migliorelli, Jen Grigoraitis ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine, Jeff McNaught.” (Motion: Eccles, second: Stewart)
Jun 14Sewer Enterprise Operating Budget for Fiscal 2022 in the…Motion: RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER:…Passed 10–1 · No: MacMaster
June 14, 2021 (Special meeting): Sewer Enterprise Operating Budget for Fiscal 2022 in the amount of $8,426,295.24 (Eight Million, Four Hundred Twenty-Six Thousand, Two Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars and Twenty-Four Cents)
RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Jamaleddine, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Stewart, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Thomas NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster
Yes: Cinella, Eccles, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Jamaleddine, McNaught, Migliorelli, Stewart, Thomas, TramontozziNo: MacMaster
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Jamaleddine, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Stewart, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Thomas NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster.” (Motion: McNaught, second: Garipay)
Jun 14Water Enterprise Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal 2022 in…Motion: RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER:…Passed 10–1 · No: MacMaster
June 14, 2021 (Special meeting): Water Enterprise Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal 2022 in the amount of $6,097,197.00 (Six Million, Ninety-Seven Thousand, One Hundred Ninety-Seven Dollars)
RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Jamaleddine, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Stewart, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Thomas NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster
Yes: Cinella, Eccles, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Jamaleddine, McNaught, Migliorelli, Stewart, Thomas, TramontozziNo: MacMaster
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Jamaleddine, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Stewart, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Thomas NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster.” (Motion: McNaught, second: Jamaleddine)
May 17Amending Chapter 173 of the Revised Ordinances of the…Motion: RESULT: PASSED [8 TO 3] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER:…Passed 8–3 · No: Jamaleddine, Stewart, Tramontozzi
May 17, 2021: Amending Chapter 173 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Melrose
RESULT: PASSED [8 TO 3] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Migliorelli, McNaught, Garipay, MacMaster, Grigoraitis, Thomas NAYS: Maya Jamaleddine, John N. Tramontozzi, Robb Stewart
Yes: Cinella, Eccles, Garipay, Grigoraitis, MacMaster, McNaught, Migliorelli, ThomasNo: Jamaleddine, Stewart, Tramontozzi
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [8 TO 3] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Migliorelli, McNaught, Garipay, MacMaster, Grigoraitis, Thomas NAYS: Maya Jamaleddine, John N. Tramontozzi, Robb Stewart.” (Motion: McNaught, second: Garipay)
Apr 20An Order Relative to Construction Site Noise during the…Motion: RESULT: ADOPTED [8 TO 2] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER:…Passed 8–2 · No: Eccles, Stewart
April 20, 2021: An Order Relative to Construction Site Noise during the COVID-19 Pandemic
RESULT: ADOPTED [8 TO 2] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER: Cory Thomas, Ward 7 AYES: Cinella, Jamaleddine, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Thomas NAYS: Jack Eccles, Robb Stewart EXCUSED: Shawn M. MacMaster
Yes: Cinella, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Jamaleddine, McNaught, Migliorelli, Thomas, TramontozziNo: Eccles, Stewart
From the minutes
“RESULT: ADOPTED [8 TO 2] MOVER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 SECONDER: Cory Thomas, Ward 7 AYES: Cinella, Jamaleddine, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Thomas NAYS: Jack Eccles, Robb Stewart EXCUSED: Shawn M. MacMaster.” (Motion: McNaught, second: Thomas)
Apr 20Reappointment of Anthony Melito as a Constable in the…Motion: RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 SECONDER:…Passed 9–0 · see note
April 20, 2021: Reappointment of Anthony Melito as a Constable in the City of Melrose
RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 SECONDER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Stewart, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Thomas ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine EXCUSED: Shawn M. MacMaster
Yes: Cinella, Eccles, Garipay, Grigoraitis, McNaught, Migliorelli, Stewart, Thomas, TramontozziThe roll call lists Maya Jamaleddine as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 SECONDER: Jeff McNaught, Ward 2 AYES: Cinella, Eccles, Migliorelli, Tramontozzi, McNaught, Stewart, Garipay, Grigoraitis, Thomas ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine EXCUSED: Shawn M. MacMaster.” (Motion: Garipay, second: McNaught)
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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