MassVoter.com← Melrose City CouncilMelrose City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
January 12, 2026
14 recorded votes, 7 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Attendance
Present: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kimberly Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Bradley Freeman
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Call to Order
Election of City Council President for 2026
RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None.”
Close nominations — Election of City Council President for 2026
Motion to Close nominations made by Councilor Finocchiaro. Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti. All were in favor and floor was closed for nominations.
From the minutes
“Motion to Close nominations made by Councilor Finocchiaro. Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti. All were in favor and floor was closed for nominations..” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Karamcheti)
Adopt the Rules of Order for City Council for 2026 — Adoption of the Rules of Order for City Council for 2026
Motion to Adopt the Rules of Order for City Council for 2026 made by Councilor Finocchiaro. Seconded by Councilor Romanul. All were in favor and motion passed.
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Romanul)
Minutes Approval
Unanimously Approve the minutes without reading — City Council Regular Meeting December 15, 2025 7:45 PM
Motion to unanimously Approve the minutes without reading made by President Freeman.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None.” (Motion: Freeman)
New Business
Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee — Appointment of Diane Casey, 60 Cochrane Street, to the Liquor Licensing Commission to complete the six-year term of Kevin Cronin who has resigned; said...
Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman.
The minutes record the result (“assign to committee”) but no count or names.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee — Appointment of Rob Kirsh, 12 Garland Street, to the Melrose Parks Commission, to fulfill a five-year term of Brad Freeman who has resigned, set to expire...
Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman.
The minutes record the result (“assign to committee”) but no count or names.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee — Appointment of Michael Tarmey, 5 Trenton Street, to the Melrose Council on Aging to complete the two year term of Margaret Ivins who has resigned; said...
Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman.
The minutes record the result (“assign to committee”) but no count or names.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — Acceptance of EOHLC FY2026 Community Planning Grant in the amount of $100,250
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman.
The minutes record the result (“assign to committee”) but no count or names.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations & Oversight.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Legal & Legislative Committee — Amending Chapter A, Article II, Section 210 of the Administrative Code of the City of Melrose to expand the authority of the Historical Commission to...
Motion to Refer to Legal & Legislative Committee made by President Freeman.
The minutes record the result (“assign to committee”) but no count or names.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Legal & Legislative.” (Motion: Freeman)
Immediate consideration of this item for purposes of setting a public hearing — WR# 31196090 164 Essex Street National Grid to install Joint Owned Pole - Public Hearing request
Motion for immediate consideration of this item for purposes of setting a public hearing made by Councilor Vandiver. There were no objections.
The minutes say “no objections” with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Motion for immediate consideration of this item for purposes of setting a public hearing made by Councilor Vandiver. There were no objections..” (Motion: Vandiver)
Set a public hearing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 — WR# 31196090 164 Essex Street National Grid to install Joint Owned Pole - Public Hearing request
Motion to set a public hearing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 8:00 pm made by Councilor Vandiver. Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro. All were in favor and motion passed.
From the minutes
“RESULTS: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] TO: City Council Public Hearing AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None.” (Motion: Vandiver, second: Finocchiaro)
Immediate consideration of this item for purposes of setting a public hearing — WR # 31135450 4 Glendale Ave - Joint Pole Installation
Motion for immediate consideration of this item for purposes of setting a public hearing made by Councilor Vandiver. There were no objections.
The minutes say “no objections” with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Motion for immediate consideration of this item for purposes of setting a public hearing made by Councilor Vandiver. There were no objections..” (Motion: Vandiver)
Set a public hearing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 — WR # 31135450 4 Glendale Ave - Joint Pole Installation
Motion to set a public hearing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 8:00 pm made by Councilor Vandiver. Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro. All were in favor and motion passed.
From the minutes
“RESULTS: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] TO: City Council Public Hearing AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None.” (Motion: Vandiver, second: Finocchiaro)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Williams at 8:02 PM Seconded by Councilor Romanul All were in favor, motion passed, meeting was adjourned.
From the minutes
“Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Williams at 8:02 PM Seconded by Councilor Romanul All were in favor, motion passed, meeting was adjourned..” (Motion: Williams, second: Romanul)
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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