MassVoter.com← Melrose City CouncilMelrose City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
January 20, 2026
18 recorded votes, 2 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: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kimberly Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Bradley Freeman
Absent: Maya Jamaleddine
Every vote, in order
Minutes Approval
Approve the minutes by unanimous consent without reading — City Council Organizational/Regular Meeting January 12, 2026 7:45 PM
Motion to Approve the minutes by unanimous consent without reading made by President Freeman
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Freeman)
New Business
Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee — Reappointment of Helena Widtfeldt, 44 Briggs Street, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, for a two year term, said term to expire on the last...
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)
Request immediate consideration for public hearing on 2/23/26 — Set a Public Hearing to discuss the Motor Vehicle Class I and II license for Cesar Cars Auto Sales Corp d/b/a Melrose Auto Gallery
Motion to request immediate consideration for public hearing on 2/23/26 at 8:00 PM made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Kowal All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“Motion to request immediate consideration for public hearing on 2/23/26 at 8:00 PM made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Kowal All were in favor and motion passed.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Kowal)
Set a Public Hearing to discuss the Motor Vehicle Class I and II license for Cesar Cars Auto Sales Corp d/b/a Melrose Auto Gallery
RESULTS: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Public Hearing AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine
From the minutes
“RESULTS: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Public Hearing AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.”
Refer to Finance Committee — Reappointment of Linda Reed, as Assistant City Clerk for a one year term, ending on the first Monday in February 2027
Motion to Refer to Finance 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: Finance.” (Motion: Freeman)
Public Hearing-national Grid Petitions
Approve — WR# 31196090 164 Essex Street National Grid to install Joint Owned Pole - Public Hearing request
Motion to Approve made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Karamcheti)
Postpone the hearing to the next city council meeting on February 23
Motion to Postpone the hearing to the next city council meeting on February 23 made by Councilor Williams. Seconded by Councilor Romanul All were in favor and motion passed.
From the minutes
“RESULTS: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Postpone to 2/23/26 Council Meeting AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Williams, second: Romanul)
Unfinished Business
Approve — 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 term to expire on the first Monday...
Motion to Approve made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Williams, second: Vandiver)
Approve — 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 on the First Monday of May 2028
Motion to Approve made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Williams, second: Vandiver)
Approve — 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 term to expire on the last day of...
Motion to Approve made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Williams, second: Vandiver)
Approve — Acceptance of Fiscal 2026 Local Cultural Council Allocation
Motion to Approve made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Vandiver)
Approve — Acceptance of Municipal ADA Improvement Grant
Motion to Approve made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Karamcheti)
Approve — Acceptance of EOHLC FY2026 Community Planning Grant in the amount of $100,250
Motion to Approve made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Vandiver)
Passage — New Common Victualler License for "Table Four"
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Park All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Park)
Passage — Motor Vehicle Class I and II Renewals for 2026 (Second Round)
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Romanul All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Romanul)
Passage — Common Victualler Renewals for 2026 ( Second Round )
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Williams All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Williams)
Recommend — 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 determination is made...
Motion to Recommend made by Councilor Karamcheti Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Karamcheti, second: Finocchiaro)
Set a Public Hearing for 2/23 — 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 include...
Motion to Set a Public Hearing for 2/23 at 8:30 PM made by Councilor Karamcheti Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Public Hearing AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Karamcheti, second: Finocchiaro)
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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