MassVoter.com← Melrose City CouncilMelrose City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
March 11, 2024
15 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: The attendance table marks John Obremski and Ward Hamilton absent.
Present: Cal Finocchiaro, Mark Garipay, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Devin Romanul, Robb Stewart, Kimberly Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Leila Migliorelli
Absent: John Obremski, Ward Hamilton
During the meeting:
- Devin Romanul took part remotely.
Every vote, in order
Reading of the Minutes
Accept the minutes of the regular meeting of February 20, 2024
RESULT: ACCEPTED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 SECONDER: Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 SECONDER: Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Stewart, second: Karamcheti)
Public Comment
Close Public Comment
Motion: Close Public Comment By: Councilor Stewart, Second: Councilor Finocchiaro - motion carried.
The minutes say “motion carried” with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Motion: Close Public Comment By: Councilor Stewart, Second: Councilor Finocchiaro - motion carried..” (Motion: Stewart, second: Finocchiaro)
Open Public Comment
Motion: Open Public Comment By: Councilor Karamcheti, Second: Councilor Finocchiaro - motion carried. Twenty three people speak regarding Resolution 2024-6 taking various positions in support of and not in support of: James Bennett Deb Martino Artie Abelowitz Moe Bachouti Yael Mazor-Garfinkle Jane Allen Carolyn Cronin Jim Garrett Maureen Buzby Jill Batchelder Rawan Al Musa Gabriel Nedjar Stephanie Adams Cody Ostgerman Jessica Lowenthal Jeff Breay Rev Travis Bonnette-Kim Betsy Garrett Fawaz Abushark Christina Leonard Simcha Miller Amy Abushanah Michael Bocellino
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 SECONDER: Cal Finocchiaro, Ward 6 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Karamcheti, second: Finocchiaro)
Recess
Motion: Recess By: Councilor Stewart, Second by Councilor Williams - motion carried.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 SECONDER: Ryan Williams, At-Large AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Stewart, second: Williams)
New Business
Take RES 2024-6 Out of Order — Filings by members of the Honorable City Council
Motion: Take RES 2024-6 Out of Order By: Councilor Karamcheti, Second: Councilor Williams - motion carried.
The minutes say “motion carried” with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Motion: Take RES 2024-6 Out of Order By: Councilor Karamcheti, Second: Councilor Williams - motion carried..” (Motion: Karamcheti, second: Williams)
Filings by members of the Honorable City Council
RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large SECONDER: Ryan Williams, At-Large AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large SECONDER: Ryan Williams, At-Large AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Jamaleddine, second: Williams)
Immediate Consideration — Filings by members of the Honorable City Council
Motion: Immediate Consideration By: Councilor Jamaleddine - No Objection
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Jamaleddine)
Place on file — A Resolution In Support of an Enduring Ceasefire in Gaza
RESULT: FILED [6 TO 0] MOVER: Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 SECONDER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large AYES: Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSTAIN/PRESENT: Cal Finocchiaro, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski
Yes: Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Migliorelli, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsAbstained: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Stewart
From the minutes
“RESULT: FILED [6 TO 0] MOVER: Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 SECONDER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large AYES: Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSTAIN/PRESENT: Cal Finocchiaro, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Karamcheti, second: Jamaleddine)
Unfinished Business
Appointment of Christopher Coughlin, 27 Summer Street, to the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the unexpired term of Katherine Moore; said term to expire on the last day of February 2028
RESULT: APPOINTED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large SECONDER: Cal Finocchiaro, Ward 6 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPOINTED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large SECONDER: Cal Finocchiaro, Ward 6 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Jamaleddine, second: Finocchiaro)
Reappointment of Erin Heyneman, 54 Highview Avenue, to the Commission on Disability for a three-year term; said term to end on the last day of February 2027
RESULT: APPOINTED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 SECONDER: Cal Finocchiaro, Ward 6 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPOINTED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 SECONDER: Cal Finocchiaro, Ward 6 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Karamcheti, second: Finocchiaro)
Appointment of Gary Hale, 61 Pearl Street, to the Commission on Disability for a three-year term; said term to end on the last day of February 2027
RESULT: APPOINTED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 SECONDER: Ryan Williams, At-Large AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPOINTED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 SECONDER: Ryan Williams, At-Large AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Karamcheti, second: Williams)
Acceptance of Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in the Amount of $93,000 For Enhancements to the Gazebo area at Ell Pond Park
RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large SECONDER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large SECONDER: Robb Stewart, Ward 3 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Jamaleddine, second: Stewart)
Requesting the Acceptance of a Grant in the Amount of $66,000 to fund the cost of crisis intervention and mental health first aid trainings for the Melrose Police Department
RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large SECONDER: Cal Finocchiaro, Ward 6 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Maya Jamaleddine, At-Large SECONDER: Cal Finocchiaro, Ward 6 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Jamaleddine, second: Finocchiaro)
New Common Victualler Application - Peppino's Italian Market
RESULT: GRANTED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 SECONDER: Ryan Williams, At-Large AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski
From the minutes
“RESULT: GRANTED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Mark Garipay, Ward 4 SECONDER: Ryan Williams, At-Large AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Williams)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Motion: Adjourn By: Councilor Williams, Second: Councilor Karamcheti - motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Ryan Williams, At-Large SECONDER: Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 AYES: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli ABSENT: Ward Hamilton, John Obremski.” (Motion: Williams, second: Karamcheti)
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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