MassVoter.com← Melrose City CouncilMelrose City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
March 2, 2026
19 recorded votes, 5 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
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
During the meeting:
- Maya Jamaleddine took part remotely.
Every vote, in order
Minutes Approval
Approve the minutes without reading — City Council Regular Meeting February 26, 2026 7:45 PM
Motion to Approve the minutes without reading made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and minutes were approved
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Karamcheti)
Public Comment
Open public comment
Motion to Open public comment made by Councilor Vandiver at 7:49 PM Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro 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.” (Motion: Vandiver, second: Finocchiaro)
Close public comment
Motion to Close public comment made by Councilor Finocchiaro at 7:50 PM Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti 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.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Karamcheti)
New Business
Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee — Reappointment of Charlie McCabe, 14 Orient Avenue, Melrose to the Conservation Commission for a term of three years, said term to end the last day of...
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 — Reappointment of Ellen Cobau, 79 Otis Street, Melrose to the Melrose Council on Aging for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of...
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 — Reappointment of Jason Jancaitis, 16 Tappan Street, to the Melrose Conservation Commission for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of...
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 — Reappointment of Tim Bailey, 62 Glen St., to the Planning Board for a five-year term; said term to expire on the last day of February 2031
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 Legal & Legislative Committee — That the Melrose City Council vote to dissolve the Melrose Redevelopment Authority
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)
Unfinished Business
Conjoin Item ID's 2026-381, 2026-445, 2026-446, 2026-456, and 2026-476
Motion to Conjoin Item ID's 2026-381, 2026-445, 2026-446, 2026-456, and 2026-476 made by Councilor Williams. 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: Williams, second: Romanul)
Approve as conjoined Item ID's 2026-381, 2026-445, 2026-446, 2026-456, and 2026-476
Motion to Approve as conjoined Item ID's 2026-381, 2026-445, 2026-446, 2026-456, and 2026-476 made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro 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: Williams, second: Finocchiaro)
Approve as conjoined — Appointment of Diana Weinburg, 94 Maple Street, Melrose to the Commission on Women for a term of three-years, said term to expire the last day of February, 2029
Motion to Approve as conjoined made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro 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: Williams, second: Finocchiaro)
Approve as conjoined — Appointment of Joseph Swithin Shortlidge, 132 Bay State Road, Melrose, to the Melrose Human Rights Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of...
Motion to Approve as conjoined made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro 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: Williams, second: Finocchiaro)
Approve as conjoined — Appointment of Laurie Chomko, 14 Botolph Street, Melrose, to the Melrose Human Rights Commission, for a term of three years, said term to expire on or before the last day in...
Motion to Approve as conjoined made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro 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: Williams, second: Finocchiaro)
Approve as conjoined — Appointment of Paul Cusolito, 63 Stratford Road, Melrose to the Cemetery Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of February 2029
Motion to Approve as conjoined made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro 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: Williams, second: Finocchiaro)
Approve as conjoined — Appointment of Dawn Jacobs, 462 East Foster Street, Melrose to the Board of Health for a term of three years, said term to expire on or before the last day of February, 2029
Motion to Approve as conjoined made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
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: Williams, second: Finocchiaro)
Passage — Acceptance of EOEEA Cooling Corridors Grant for $48,000
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti 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: Romanul, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — Acceptance of the BSAS MassCALL3B Grant by the Health & Human Services Department
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti 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: Romanul, second: Karamcheti)
Place on File — WR # 31135450 4 Glendale Ave - Joint Pole Installation
Motion to Place on File made by Councilor Vandiver Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [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: Vandiver, second: Finocchiaro)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Williams at 7:56 PM Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and meeting was adjourned.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ADJOURNED [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: Williams, 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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