MassVoter.com← Melrose City CouncilMelrose City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
December 15, 2025
23 recorded votes, 5 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 Maya Jamaleddine absent.
Present: Cal Finocchiaro, Mark Garipay, Ward Hamilton, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Robb Stewart, Kimberly Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Leila Migliorelli
Absent: Maya Jamaleddine
Every vote, in order
Minutes Approval
Approve the minutes by unanimous consent without reading — City Council Regular Meeting December 1, 2025 7:45 PM
Motion to Approve the minutes by unanimous consent without reading made by President Migliorelli
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Migliorelli)
New Business
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight — Acceptance of Fiscal 2026 Local Cultural Council Allocation
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight made by President Migliorelli
The minutes record the result (“assign to committee”) but no count or names.
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations & Oversight.” (Motion: Migliorelli)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight — Acceptance of Municipal ADA Improvement Grant
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight made by President Migliorelli
The minutes record the result (“assign to committee”) but no count or names.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations & Oversight.” (Motion: Migliorelli)
Immediate Consideration — A Resolution Recognizing and Honoring President Leila Migliorelli,
Motion for Immediate Consideration made by Councilor Karamcheti Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed Comments about the resolution:
From the minutes
“Motion for Immediate Consideration made by Councilor Karamcheti Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed Comments about the resolution:.” (Motion: Karamcheti, second: Finocchiaro)
A Resolution Recognizing and Honoring President Leila Migliorelli,
RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.”
Refer to Protection & License — New Common Victualler License for "Table Four"
Motion to Refer to Protection & License made by President Migliorelli
The minutes record the result (“assign to committee”) but no count or names.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Protection & License.” (Motion: Migliorelli)
Refer to Protection & License — Motor Vehicle Class I and II Renewals for 2026 (Second Round)
Motion to Refer to Protection & License made by President Migliorelli
The minutes record the result (“assign to committee”) but no count or names.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Protection & License.” (Motion: Migliorelli)
Refer to Protection & License — Common Victualler Renewals for 2026 ( Second Round )
Motion to Refer to Protection & License made by President Migliorelli
The minutes record the result (“assign to committee”) but no count or names.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Protection & License.” (Motion: Migliorelli)
Unfinished Business
Passage — Appropriation from the Peg Access Fund in the amount of $282,640.36 to MMTV and Melrose Public Schools
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Romanul All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Romanul)
Passage — FY26 Earmark for Playing Fields
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay)
Passage — Field Demonstration Grant- Senior Center Modernization for the amount of $9500 to replace aging toilets at the Milano Center with chair height models for accessibility. Replace worn...
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — Field Demonstration Grant - Memory Cafe for the amount of $4860. Funds will be used to provide a monthly Memory Cafe which would provide respite programming for those living with...
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — Title III B FY26 Grant for $5000. The funds will be used for funding Milano Center social programming
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — State 911 EMD Grant - MPD has been awarded $25,000.00 to defray the cost of 1 year of emergency service from the Armstrong Ambulance Services
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — State 911 Support & Incentive Grant - MPD has been awarded $90,505.00 to defray the cost of the dispatch specific equipment (new and existing) and the straight-time cost of dispatch...
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — State 911 Training Grant - MPD has been awarded $82,903.80 for 16 hours of dispatch specific continuing education as well as the training class fees for all certified dispatch personnel
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Finocchiaro)
Passage — FFY26 Municipal Road Safety Program - MPD has been awarded $19,290.00 to enable additional traffic enforcement and equipment. This includes extra officers for motor vehicle and...
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — Acceptance of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection RDP Grant plus Additional Award for Organics Collection Carts
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Stewart All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Stewart)
Passage — Police_State Earmark 25K Equipment
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — Police_State Earmark 50K Police Cruiser
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — Acceptance of FEMA/MEMA Grant for Lebanon/Sylvan Drainage Design
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — Intermunicipal Agreement for Regional Emergency Planning Services with the Mystic Regional Emergency Planning Committee
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Karamcheti)
Send Back to Committee — Revise the existing Animal Leash Law to REMOVE this language : The Animal Control Officer may, at his/her discretion, waive the provisions of Subsection A if a...
Motion to Send Back to Committee made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: RE-ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Vandiver)
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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