MassVoter.com← Melrose City CouncilMelrose City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
May 4, 2026
25 recorded votes, 15 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
Every vote, in order
Minutes Approval
Unanimously approve the minutes without reading — City Council Regular Meeting April 27, 2026 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.” (Motion: Freeman)
New Business
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the Assessing Department (#141) in the amount of $9,000 to cover the cost of mailing tax...
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the Planning Department (#175) in the amount of $75,000 to hire a consultant for technical...
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the Planning Department (#175) in the amount of $70,000 to hire a consultant for technical...
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the Veterans Services Department (#543) in the amount of $30,000 to design and fabricate a...
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $150,000 to the Affordable Housing Trust (#8270)
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to Memorial Building (#693) in the amount of $50,000 for boiler replacement and HVAC controls
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the School Department (#300) in the amount of $12,193.20 to purchase vape detectors for MVMMS
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the School Department (#300) in the amount of $72,180 to purchase MHS Band uniforms
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the School Department (#300) in the amount of $44,296.32 for the purchase of athletic equipment
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to DPW- Admin/Engineering Department (#401) in the amount of $710,000 for design and permitting...
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to DPW- Highway Department (#422) in the amount of $400,000 for Lebanon Street TIP project design
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to DPW - School Facilities Department (#402) in the amount of $20,000 to update school signage
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 Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the Election Department (#162) in the amount of $3,000 for a mailing
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)
Postpone indefinitely — A Resolution Supporting Transparency In State Government and the Authority of the Massachusetts State Auditor to Audit the Legislature
Motion to postpone indefinitely 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, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Williams)
Unfinished Business
Postpone until May 11 — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $170,000 to Capital Outlay (#931) to purchase a sidewalk plow
Motion to Postpone until May 11 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams 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: Romanul, second: Williams)
Postpone until May 11 — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $880,000 to Capital Outlay (#931) to purchase DPW Vehicles
Motion to Postpone until May 11 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams 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: Williams)
Postpone until May 11 — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $865,000 to DPW-Snow (#431) to close the snow and ice deficit for FY26
Motion to Postpone until May 11 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams 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: Williams)
Postpone until May 11 — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $244,944 to the School Department (#1620) for medicaid reimbursement received in FY25
Motion to Postpone until May 11 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams Motion passed, with Councilor Chen voting Nay
Yes: Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsNo: Chen
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: Jason Chen.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Williams)
Postpone until May 11 — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $10,000 to DPW-Highway (#422) to purchase bike racks
Motion to Postpone until May 11 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro Motion passed, with Councilor Williams voting Nay
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Obremski, Park, Romanul, VandiverNo: Williams
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Place on File — Renewal of Livery Service License for 2026
Motion to Place on File made by Councilor Finocchiaro 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: Finocchiaro, second: Karamcheti)
Place on File — Renewal of Junk Dealer and Second Hand Dealer License for 2026
Motion to Place on File made by Councilor Finocchiaro 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: Finocchiaro, second: Karamcheti)
Place on File — Renewal of Gasoline and Storage Licenses for 2026
Motion to Place on File made by Councilor Finocchiaro 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: Finocchiaro, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — That the City Council authorize the Mayor to enter into an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) for establishing a regional Animal Control Officer position in partnership with the Towns of...
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul 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: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Karamcheti at 8:26 PM Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and meeting was adjourned
From the minutes
“Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Karamcheti at 8:26 PM Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and meeting was adjourned.” (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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